Jeannette's 2-term Republican mayor faces challenger in Tuesday's primary election

A political newcomer is challenging an incumbent in Tuesday’s Republican primary election for mayor of Jeannette.

Ed Day hopes to bring a new face to the seat, while Curtis Antoniak is seeking his third term. The winner will face Michelle Langdon, the lone Democrat seeking a nomination and current councilwoman, in the fall.

The mayor is compensated $2,400 annually.

Antoniak, 66, touted accomplishments he said he’s been part of during his time as mayor that he hopes to continue, including infrastructure improvements, blight removal and technology modernization in the police department.

One of those infrastructure projects includes the recently completed reconstruction of a bridge that carries South Sixth Street over Brush Creek.

The police department has added dozens of surveillance cameras and license plate readers around the city in recent years.

Antoniak said officers are outfitted with body cameras and patrol units have dash cameras.

“I want to see that continue with updating our police force with the best technology,” he said.

Antoniak wants more businesses to come to Jeannette to set up shop and hopes to encourage that growth by promoting the city.

Day, 60, wants to focus on improving life for the children and elderly who live in Jeannette.

He’d like to see the construction of a playground that would focus on helping children learn about science, technology, engineering and math.

“That’s modernization,” he said.

To help out the elderly, Day said he wants the city to start a program that would offer them a property tax break. Plus, he would honor older residents who have done hard work in the community.

Day also wants to end the city-sold garbage bags that residents are required to use when throwing away trash. The cost is $10 per roll of 25 bags, or residents can opt to buy stickers to place on bags sold commercially for $4 for 10 stickers.

“I believe we should be able to choose any bag,” he said.

A state appeals court last week reinstated Day’s name onto the Republican ballot after Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr. in March ruled in favor of Antoniak, who claimed Day failed to file a required statement of financial interest with the city.

The appeals court ruled Antoniak failed to produce adequate evidence to counter Day’s contention that Jeannette did not properly appoint the city manager or another person to accept the required financial document to qualify for the ballot.