People run for office for myriad reasons.

They may just have a passion to serve the public and make where they live a better place.

They may care about something so deeply that they feel they can make a difference.

It could be they’re responding to a particular issues like economic development or public safety.

Maybe it’s because they have personal goals or professional ambitions to hold higher public office.

Are they hoping to represent a minority group or some people who’ve been marginalized?

Perhaps it’s just the fact they’re displeased with current leaders and feel they can govern better or offer more sound solutions to a community’s problems.

Somewhere in the municipal elections that took place in 2021, maybe Jay Doyle fit into one or more of those categories when he decided to throw his hat in the ring for a seat on Lansford Borough Council.

During those municipal elections, a majority of borough voters expressed enough confidence in him, earning Doyle a council member’s status.

Doyle took office in January 2022 and began his stint in public service.

Things apparently were going smoothly for Doyle until August 2023.

Then, for whatever reason, things went sideways.

An incident in the borough resulted in Doyle facing a boatload of charges which he ultimately waived to — then pleaded guilty to — in Carbon County Court.

In October, President Judge Roger N. Nanovic sentenced Doyle to 42 to 84 months in a state prison.

During that proceeding, friends and family described Doyle as compassionate, gentle and a good neighbor.

Others lauded his contributions to the community as a Little League and football coach, father and borough councilman.

His attorney pointed out Doyle’s service to the nation in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The other side, though, wasn’t as flattering after enduring a five-week, life-changing hospital stay.

The judge pointed out that though good people often do good things, they also do bad things.

One of those things, probably an unintended consequence, puts the good people of Lansford at a disadvantage.

Since Doyle’s incarceration, council has operated one person down. Think of it as a hockey team trying to score with one player in the penalty box. Things can happen, but other players have to pick up the slack. They need to take action.

Recently, Doyle filed a motion for his sentence to be reconsidered.

In a handwritten motion to modify his future, Doyle claimed he did not receive a sentence of two-to-four years as part of his plea as well as prejudice by District Attorney Mike Greek, new sentencing guidelines in place and ineffective counsel.

If the motion is accepted, there’s no telling how quickly it might be heard, granted or denied. And there’s always the possibility of new motions or requests.

A judge needs to act on any motions or requests.

But a jurist can’t act when nothing is requested and council hasn’t taken any action to get back to full strength.

Bruce Markovich, council president, said recently he believed Doyle filed an appeal and nothing could be done until the appeal was exhausted.

He explained it was up to the district attorney to file paperwork at the end of Doyle’s appeal process to have a judge declare Doyle’s seat open, without regard to how long the appeal process lasts unless Doyle’s term expires before the process is exhausted. That term ends in 2026.

DA Greek indicated he is prepared to file a quo warranto — a legal action that challenges a person’s right to hold public office — but is awaiting word from Lansford.

So far, Greek said, he hasn’t received anything official from the borough.

If that happens, a judge can declare Doyle’s seat vacant and council can fill the seat if they can agree on a replacement.

But there’s another option if council can’t agree on how to move forward.

No appeals. No requests. No further court action.

Given the uncertainty of all this, Doyle can simply resign.

In the current situation, his ability to govern effectively is obviously compromised.

As a new year holding the promise of a fresh start approaches, recognizing that and relinquishing his position might be the best solution.

At the very least, it would be a good thing for good people.

ED SOCHA | tneditor@tnoline

Ed Socha is a retired newspaper editor with more than 40 years’ experience in community journalism.