by Rachel Heitzenrater
rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — Dean Vanderpool is challenging current Mayor Rich Porter for the mayor position this election year.
Due to more than one person running for this position, which has not happened for some time, the Sentinel staff thought it would be nice for the community to hear the positions that either stand for, and help the borough decide who they would like to vote for in the primary on May 18.
A “V” will stand for Vanderpool, while “P” will stand for Porter. Below are the responses from the questions that the Sentinel asked each of them.
What is/was your reason for running for the mayor position?
R: When I ran for mayor four years ago, my intention was to make the
police department stronger and I wanted to see 24/7 coverage but we could not keep police officers on staff. The mayor is on council to break ties and is the head of the police department.
V: Canton needs a positive face. For so long, people have done nothing but complain about what is wrong and no one wants to work towards the positive. Hopefully, I can change that if elected.
What changes would you like to see in Canton?
R: I would like to make promises of change to the public, but I cannot fulfill them without council’s assistance. I would like to see more businesses come to town and I would like to see the town cleaned up.
V: I would like to see more interaction with all the organizations, services and non-profits.
What is your opinion of the Canton Borough Council and how they help run the town?
R: I think the majority of council is corrupt. Why? They refuse to work for the residents of the borough and only to use their own agendas.
V: The borough council has a very tough job and they don’t get the support that they deserve. These are people who have volunteered their time to try to help the community and should be praised for that regardless of personal feelings or conflicts.
How would you effectively work with/for the borough council and why?
R: I would like to be able to work with borough council, but in the last four years, I have listened because their is no way to be able to work with most of them.
V: I will do my best to support the council with their decisions about the borough and hopefully offer a fresh point of view.
What do you believe is a positive aspect of Canton Borough?
R: That is a very good question. There are a lot of changes that could and should be made for Canton Borough, but council does not welcome any positive change.
V: Canton has done a wonderful job of maintaining our small-town atmosphere with everything going on in the world today. I think it has helped us realize we can survive and even thrive in the face of adversity.
The May Primary Election is May 18. The polling location for Canton Borough is the Ecumenical Church Social Room, 103 N. Center St., Canton. For more information on elections, go to bradfordcountypa.org/department/elections.