Two Republicans vie for Clifton council seat
CLIFTON HEIGHTS » Except for one contested race for a Clifton Heights borough council seat, a new mayoral candidate and incumbent council members are shoo-ins with no opponents.
Two Republicans, incumbent Anthony Casadei and Alfred Rich, unendorsed by the GOP, are seeking a seat on council.
Casadei, 78, the former borough auditor, has served on council since 2001 and as president of the board for the last 10 years.
Rich, 74, sought a council seat three previous years, in 2001, 2003 and 2007, but was unsuccessful in his bids.
“I’ve lived in the borough my entire life,” Rich said. “My family is one of six generations in the borough.”
Rich says he has attended council meetings for 22 years and is dissatisfied with the status.
“Look at this town, it’s seriously mismanaged,” Rich said. “I’ve challenged them time and again about the deterioration of the town. I would like to restore the downtown business area and make it a business friendly town.
“When new businesses try to come in they are too restrictive. Businesses have been closed on Baltimore Pike for decades on end. There is no incentive to come here.”
Casadei plans to continue his efforts to revitalize the town.
“I’ve been trying to do that for years,” Casadei said. “We had a new Wawa coming and they pulled out and we still don’t know why. I want to go after big businesses looking for specialty places. The problem isn’t just in Clifton Heights; it’s all over the county. The businesses closing up say it’s because of taxes. I’d like to revitalize Clifton like it was.”
Mayor Joseph Kelly, 78, who has served the borough for 51 years, two years as treasurer, 35 years as a councilman and the last 14 as mayor, is not seeking reelection.
Mayoral candidate Joseph Lombardo Jr., 50, who has never held an elected seat or run for office is sure to win the post on the all-GOP board.
Lombardo is the owner of Williams Lombardo Funeral Home, 33 W. Baltimore Pike, and organized a business association 10 years ago to unite the commercial establishments.
Council members running unopposed are incumbents Harris Resnick, Ron Berry and Jane Tumolo and for tax collector, incumbent Claudia Fagiolo.