There are seven candidates seeking four open Slatington Borough Council seats in the Nov. 7 municipal election.

The candidates were asked to respond to the following questions in 75 words or less.

Kris Burek

Background: I served on Slatington Council from 2006-2011. During that time I passed the Disruptive Tenant Ordinance (holding landlords responsible and fined for bad tenants), chaired the Sewer Committee during the $7.5 million PennVest project, chaired the Highway Committee during the reconstruction of the General Morgan Bridge (a $3.5 million project), wrote the wind turbine ordinance and the sexual predator residence ordinance. I modified the curfew ordnance to get minors off the streets earlier.

Why you are running for office: Over the years I have watched very foolish spending by Council including telling residents they don’t have money to repair streets yet they give away thousands to profitable companies and fictitious nonprofits. A current council member has deplorable properties with no ordinance enforcement. Non-payers are getting free trash collection. The website lacks useful information for residents and visitors. I want equitable billing between residents and apartment building owners for water and sewer.

The biggest problem facing the borough and how you would solve it: Quality of life issues are a priority for me. That includes fixing and maintaining borough roads, enforcing the noise ordinance, increasing our police department to full capacity, hiring a second ordinance enforcement officer, supporting our volunteer fire department and enforcing the speed limit. The borough website should include ordinances frequently used, the monthly budget accounts and trash pickup schedules. Secure a trash hauler that honors recycling. Possibly creating a dog park.

Additional comments: When residents pay taxes, they expect to receive basic services such as a fully staffed police department for a safe community, maintained roads and access to and knowledge about their borough and elected officials. I hope to restore a level of pride in Slatington through transparency of their government.

Ryan Mayberry

Background: I am running for office for the first time. I have lived in Slatington for most of my life and graduated from Northern Lehigh.

Why you are running for office: I am running because I want to be more involved in my community. I want to see what I can do to improve my town. As a new candidate, I feel like I can bring new ideas to face the borough’s challenges.

The biggest problem facing the borough and how you would you solve it: The biggest problem I see in our borough is the lack of businesses. I have seen too many close in the past few years and our main street has too much empty space. We need new businesses besides vape and smoke shops opening that can attract the right type of visitors to our borough.

Additional comments: I am the only person running in this race who isn’t already on council or has previously been on. I also do not have any grudges or have any axes to grind. I just want to do what is best for the community.

Thomas Bartholomew, Walter Niedermeyer, Bryon Reed, David Schnaars and Kevin Steckel did not respond.