Business growth and development are priorities identified for Lower Burrell by all three candidates seeking two seats on city council.
Incumbent Councilman David Stoltz and newcomers Lance Anthony and Carley Logan are running for council on the Republican ballot. No Democrats filed as candidates for the primary, so it’s likely the Republican primary winners will join council next year after the November general election.
Incumbent Brandy Grieff did not seek reelection.
Anthony, 56, said he was president of the city’s parks commission in the late 1980s and a member of the recycling task force. But, after starting a business and a family, he stepped away from city involvement.
“Now that my kids are all grown, I want to get back into it,” he said.
Anthony said he is a lifelong Lower Burrell resident and worked as a constable for 28 years. His father, Leroy, was one of the first police officers when Lower Burrell became an incorporated city.
Anthony said he thinks the current council is doing a good job trying to bring in businesses, and he is running for council to be a part of that. He said vacant storefronts need to be addressed, and he would look into tax incentives to bring in businesses.
“I care about the city. I want to be active with the city,” he said. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and I want to see it get better.”
Also a lifelong Lower Burrell resident, Logan, 34, has been involved with the city’s parks and recreation committee for the past four years. She’s running for council because she believes “it is a natural next step to continue my efforts to make a difference in the community.”
Logan is proud of the events she has helped initiate and facilitate in the community, such as the Harvest Festival and Christmas events that drew thousands, and growing the Farmers Market.
“That went from 14 vendors in a small, tucked-away parking lot to a well-respected and well-attended event,” she said.
Logan is also excited for the upcoming Music in the Parks acoustic series at Burrell Lake Park and the Kick it at Kotecki concert in July.
“Strong community events show a community is connected and active, and it shows an area is pro-growth and forward-thinking,” she said. “It shows potential investors real-time evidence of local demand. By doing that, we’d be able to attract investors, which will increase the quality of Lower Burrell.”
Stoltz, 53, said he is seeking reelection to “continue the momentum we’ve had.” He’s also a lifelong Lower Burrell resident.
“We’ve seen so many new businesses come, I think we’ve done a good job of attracting new businesses,” he said. “We certainly still have a long way to go, and I want to continue to make the community a better place.”
Stoltz points to filling the Burrell Plaza with Schaedler Yesco, U-Haul and Dunkin’ as part of his proudest accomplishments while serving a term on council. He also oversees the city’s streets department, which he said has decreased operational costs and increased communication.
“A lot of what makes me want to run again is the positive feedback from the community,” he said.
If reelected, Stoltz would like to see Hillcrest Plaza filled, have the city continue to promote community events and be fiscally responsible.
“Given the tax increase from the school district, I feel we have to keep our taxes in line,” he said. “I’m adamant about not raising taxes unless there are no other alternatives at all.”
