HONESDALE, PA — Like the Marines, Honesdale Borough Council (HBC) is looking for a few good people. Candidates should have a can-do attitude, innovative thinking and thick skin. Few apply. Fewer are elected. And even fewer last.

At the September 18 council meeting, two candidates applied for the seat vacated by Bill Canfield’s resignation last month. Both are already on the November general election ballot. Longtime area resident Jim Brennan served 12 years on the council, two as president. Tim Lauffenburger, a Human Resources Center employee, moved his family to the area three years ago. This would be his first time on council.

Both candidates made brief statements of intent before council and gallery, and were then each asked to answer the same questions posed by president Mike Augello: Are you in favor of keeping or dissolving a full-time borough police force? Are you in favor of maintaining a borough manager, or would you prefer that the council reassume duties delegated to the current borough secretary-manager? Would you favor tax increases, if necessary to maintain those services?

Brennan said he would represent the many elderly retirees in the borough struggling to make ends meet on fixed budgets. But he also favored a full-time police force, borough manager and funding adequate for department of public works infrastructure and maintenance projects. Pressed by Augello on the necessity for tax increases, Brennan reluctantly agreed to minimal increases when no viable alternative is found.

Lauffenburger said he would like to see the family-friendly businesses, services and recreational activities Honesdale offers continue to flourish and grow. Admitting he was unfamiliar with police department issues, he said he looked forward to learning about them and would favor the option best guaranteeing public safety. He thought the borough manager position has been working out well and should be maintained.

Brennan said Augello had promised, after the last election, that the unsuccessful candidate with the most votes would be appointed to fill any council vacancy occurring before the next election. He said he was that man; by right he should fill Canfield’s vacancy. Augello said that Brennan would sit on the board soon, given that he is on the ballot for the November election, and that in the interim, he would keep Brennan informed of matters before the board. Brennan objected to Augello’s statement, noting there are five candidates on the ballot and only four vacancies on the council.

Michael Dux then nominated Lauffenburger for the seat, and a unanimous vote of members present (Troy Johnson was absent) secured it for him. He was sworn in by Mayor Melody Robinson and took his seat on the board, voting for the remainder of the meeting.

The next order of business was council member Jeremy Ebert’s resignation, accepted by the council with regret, effective September 18. Applicants for his seat should submit resumes to the borough council by 12 noon on October 6; candidate interviews will be conducted at the council’s October 16 meeting.

One of Ebert’s last council initiatives was a public forum to get citizen feedback and input regarding police department staffing. Tentatively scheduled for October 10, forum, venue and time will be advertised.