It appears election season for next year’s 2025 municipal elections is already underway … at least in Pottsville.
On Monday, Scott Price addressed City Council members with tongue in cheek at first, but concluded with a statement clearly indicating that Republicans intend to make a strong run at three seats up for grabs in November of next year.
To open his remarks, Price sarcastically praised Council members for their performance over the last year.
“I’d like to congratulate the City Council. I think you have had a great 2024,” he said.
Then, the tone changed and depending on your political affiliation, you found it either hilarious or infuriating.
“I think it was difficult to fill all the City positions with so many family members. So, I appreciate you finding enough to fill those roles. The stigma of nepotism is alive and well in the city and I’m glad you guys continue to fight that,” Price said.
Price was referencing, specifically, a raise given to Mayor Mark Atkinson’s daughter at Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority.
Atkinson interrupted that portion of Price’s commentary to note that City Council does not make decisions Sewer Authority employees. It has its own Board of Directors.
Price continued on, criticizing the cut in the number of police officers on Pottsville’s force. He argued that having less active police officers does not promote a healthy or safe city.
Atkinson countered that by saying Pottsville, essentially, doesn’t have enough money to afford more police and there are less people in the city. So, with less people there should be less police.
This conversation eventually got back to the perceived nepotism existing in Pottsville government to which Price said, “I hope 2025 sees a turn in the favoritism and nepotism.”
He then offered a warning. Price hit at the point he was trying to make. He said he’d been working on voter registration drives prior to the 2024 elections and made a promise with regard to 2025.
“In the next election, we are coming for every seat. We are going to bring two or three different organizations into this town … ,” Price said before getting cut off by Atkinson.
“We are not getting into political grandstanding. Thank you for your comment,” Atkinson said.
In a recent Canary report, we noted the sudden shift in voter registrations by party affilitation in Pottsville. In 2020, Democrats in Pottsville held a 654 voter lead over Republicans.
However, by Oct. 31 of this year, that lead was down to just 10 voters.
In the 2025 Election in Pottsville, the Mayor’s seat (Atkinson) along with two council positions (Messaros, Wood) are up for grabs, meaning a vote majority could shift to the Republicans if they were to sweep all three of those spots.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...