Published: November 04, 2009 01:18 am      

GOP wins four Westmont seats

JOHNSTOWN — Two incumbents and two newcomers – all Republicans

– were elected to Westmont Borough Council Tuesday along with longtime Mayor Robert Callahan, who was unopposed.

Falling just short was Democrat Kevin Schrock, who was making his first bid for council.

The incumbents are Don Hall and Frank Bononno.

The new council members are Lee Williamson, who served a council term from 2004 to 2007, and Jane Gleason.

Gleason, Bononno and Williamson gained enough write-in votes in the Democratic primary to cross-file with both parties for Tuesday’s election.

Current councilmen Raymond Peterson and Jonathan Gleason did not seek re-election.

Williamson received the highest number of votes with 953. Hall was next was 921, followed by Gleason with 919, Bononno with 904 and Schrock with 879.

Mayor Callahan received 1,305 votes. There were 10 write-in votes for mayor.

Hall, 66, of Colgate Avenue, has served two terms on council and chairs its finance committee. He campaigned on a message that the borough must looks at ways to increase revenues and said that long-term planning on a regional basis could help. He also said the borough may have to take another look at regulating the activities of absentee landlords.

Bononno, 80, a Martha Lane resident, has been a councilman since 1986 except for a two-year period in the late 1990s. During his campaign, he said he was proud of the services that Westmont offers residents and said his experience was an asset.

Gleason, 47, of Stanford Avenue, said during the race that the most important thing was to listen to what the residents wanted and that she believed she could make a difference.

Williamson, 65, who is chairman of the Westmont Hilltop Recreation Commission, said during his campaign that he

was opposed to any additional commercial rezoning in Westmont.

Schrock, 30, of Christopher Street, said during his campaign that he believed he could bring “a new voice” to council and that he represents the next generation that will lead the borough.