Five candidates are running for four seats on the Coaldale borough council. Candidates include incumbents Claire Remington, Yvonne Stoffey and Wayne Figner. Newcomers are Kim Gavornik and Kirk Waidell. Remington is the only Democrat, however, Stoffey cross-filed. Waidell, Figner and Gavornik are Republicans. The seats are for four years.

Kim Gavornik

Town: Coaldale

Background: I have been a resident of Coaldale for over 20 years. I currently work for a food broker as the Director of Retail Operations where I oversee our team’s day-to-day execution of our clients’ needs. I went to LCCC where I obtained an associate degree. I owned my own piano restoration business for 20 years.

Why you are running for office: I am running for office to be a part of the solution to years of wrongs, to listen and be the voice for the townspeople. I want to work with homeowners so they take pride in their properties, and landlords to make their rentals a safe place for their tenants.

The biggest problem facing the borough and how you would solve it: The biggest problem is lack of enforcement of ordinances and holding people accountable for their actions. My solution is to update ordinances, enforce them, and then we can more toward positive changes. Change requires everyone to follow the rules, no more favoritism. Ordinances need to be beneficial to the community not against the improvement.

Additional comments: I want to restore the townspeople’s faith in council and show that they do care. Running a town takes more than council, it takes the community’s input to prosper.

Kirk Waidell

Town: Coaldale

Background: I am a passionate gardener and family man who enjoys outdoor activities, nature, my dogs and fresh foods. I have created several businesses, worked with other leaders in business development and community outreach to grow and build businesses. I love the company of my family and friends.

Why you are running for office: To bring transparency and accountability to leadership in this community. For years Coaldale has been run by tyrannical dictators focused on individual selfishness, grudges against townspeople and other council members as well as anyone who dares speak out against this current regime. Time has come for dramatic change to grow Coaldale into a prosperous, vibrant community where the leaders of the community lead, not rule with an iron fist.

The biggest problem facing the borough and how would you solve it: No vision for the future, no mission statement and zero leadership. Create an economic development committee focused on growing Coaldale through building local small business. Bring this town out of the 1970s and into the current times technologically. I will work to provide actionable solutions that stop impeding on personal and property freedoms and build a vibrant, prosperous town that people are proud of.