Freeport still can’t find a mayor after 3 months; residents encouraged to apply

Longtime Freeport Mayor James Swartz Jr. resigned in early June, and borough council still hasn’t been able to find someone to fill his shoes.

No one qualified enough has stepped up, said Council President Clint Warnick, who is serving as acting mayor.

“We’re still working through, trying applicants,” he said.

Exasperated by the stress of the job, Swartz stepped down after 38 years of service to the borough.

“I can hold my head high,” he said at the time.

Residents with some municipal experience are encouraged to apply for the position with a letter of interest to the borough, Warnick said.

The Freeport Renaissance Association would like to see a new mayor appointed soon, given the growth and development in the quaint riverside town.

“I think there is a great opportunity to have a new mayor in place with a fresh perspective that can continue to support community events and growth,” said Cheyenne Filous, a resident and secretary of the nonprofit volunteer organization that promotes the borough through events and initiatives.

“Whoever comes in needs to be supportive of all the businesses and organizations to elevate Freeport and take it to the next level,” she said.

Borough council had 30 days after Swartz’s resignation to appoint someone. Because three months have passed without an appointment, the borough will have to petition the Armstrong County Court to officially install a new mayor.

“That’s no big deal,” Warnick said. “We’ve done that with council people.”

Warnick said he was hoping someone from borough council would want to move into the major’s position, relinquishing their position on council to do so.

“So far, we don’t have any takers,” he said.

The primary role of the mayor in Freeport is overseeing the police department. Since Freeport recently merged with Gilpin to form the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department, the new mayor would have a seat on the police force’s governing board, Warnick said.

Mayors do not routinely vote on borough council matters. However, if there is a tie vote, the mayor casts the tie-breaker, he said.

“The mayor’s position doesn’t have a lot of requirements,” Warnick said. “He or she is someone people can look to for leadership and learn about issues residents have with the borough.”

The absence of the mayor is not stopping borough business, he said.

“It’s just another hurdle for us to get over,” he said. “We’ve worked through everything so far, like the police force issues.”