SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The future of Scranton was at the center of a pair of debates Tuesday night in Lackawanna County. Scranton leaders faced off in the city's first mayoral debate as Pennsylvania's Primary Election Day is nearly a month away.
This year's primary election is in a few weeks in May.
Tonight, Scranton officials vyed for why they feel they should lead the city for the next four years.
Democrat and former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan is challenging current Mayor Paige Cognetti.
The two went head-to-head in a Democratic Primary Mayoral Debate inside PNC's auditorium on the University of Scranton's campus.
The University of Scranton's Doctor Mike Jenkins, Chairman of the Criminal Justice and Sociology department, moderated the debate.
The city's housing, high tax rates, and increase in crime were all topics up for debate.
"I know what it is out there. I ran in the buildings and pulled people out of burning buildings. I've been on the scene, I know exactly what they are going through," said Former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan.
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Sheridan is a retired Scranton Police Officer, a lifelong Scranton resident, and President of the Dutch Hollow Neighborhood Association for 24 years.
He believes gangs need to be dealt with, and Scranton's budget should be better managed.
"As we face unprecedented financial uncertainty, we want to make sure we are here to be serious financial stewards of taxpayer dollars," Mayor Cognetti explained.
Later, it was the republican candidates' turn.
Accounting Executive Patricia Beynon is battling business owner Lynn Labrosky.
If voted to serve as Scranton's mayor, Beynon says she would push for lower tax rates.
Labrosky says she's concerned about high crime and homelessness.
"I'm really worried about the city's residents losing their homes and they won't have any groups to help them," Beynon said.
"Scranton is home to me and I work tirelessly to do everything I can to make sure every citizen is heard and every need is met," said Labrosky.
Pennsylvania's primary election day is May 20.
The winners of that primary and any third-party candidates will face each other in the November general election.
