LETTER: Whitecavage, Burke, Gulden, Catizone for Shen. Council, Pietkiewicz for Mayor

The following is a letter submitted to the Sentinel on behalf of four candidates for Shenandoah Borough Council — Michael Whitecavage, James Burke, Michelle Gulden, and Katie Catizone and for a candidate for Shenandoah Mayor, Leo Pietkiewicz.

The Borough of Shenandoah, like many other communities in our area, face many similar hurdles to overcome. Unfortunately, most of these towns are economically depressed, with scarce resources and an abundance of problems. Our platform is focused on the issues that not only affect the current residents, but will impact future generations, as well. Important issues, such as blight, much-needed economic development and our aging infrastructure systems (water and sewer) must be addressed.

We are seeking long-term, permanent solutions to these issues, not band-aids, quick fix remedies. The lipstick on a pig approach gets a lot of publicity and is geared toward getting votes, but, it will, in the long run, prove much more costly to the residents of the Borough.

While the sale of Shenandoah’s water authority (MABS) was a heated political issue and strongly opposed by the current council majority, it nevertheless brough the Borough a once in a lifetime lifeline, with more than $6,000,000.00 deposited into the Borough’s accounts. With prudent planning, these funds can be the Borough’s “Rainy Day” fund for years to come. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

As of June, 2024, the MABS accounts had total deposits of $7,136,915.00. As of October, 20, 2025, that amount is down to $5,539,316.00. That amounts to $1,597,599.00 of unbudgeted expenditures. By the end of fiscal year 2025, those accounts will be less than $5,000,000.

Several of town’s streets got a topcoat of roughly 1.5 inches of asphalt, yet the real problem of the deterioration of the water and sewer lines is still buried beneath the shiny new roads, which will eventually be ripped up for repairs.

Before the current majority took office, they and their supporters called for public meetings so residents could give input on spending MABS funds. After they took over the majority, there was no further discussion regarding the public’s opinion about the usage of these funds.

YOU MUST ELECT OUR ENTIRE TEAM TO CREATE A NEW MAJORITY AND WE WILL CREATE A NEW SHENANDOAH! HERE’S HOW WE’LL DO IT:

We will stop the madness that is going on every day. The current majority uses constant unfounded attacks, allegations, and inferences to distract you from the truth and excessive spending.

We will create a “Resident Advisory Board.”

This Advisory Board will consist of 1 to 3 members from each of the 5 voting sectors of town, including Turkey Run.

The Advisory Board will be selected from letters of interest from anyone who desires to be part of the future of Shenandoah.

Once developed, you, the actual residents, will select a spokesperson.

This Advisory Board will have a forum to speak at EVERY monthly meeting – uninterrupted or talked over by anyone. These discussions will determine how and where YOUR Millions of dollars will be spent.

Please vote for this new community minded team ON November 4th. Please select the
entire team to create a new Majority and future.

We will use your input to determine our future.

We will NOT spend another dollar of the remaining MABS money WITHOUT YOUR INPUT! Together we can work in a POSITIVE way for a better future!

VOTE FOR OUR TEAM ON NOVEMBER 4th!!!

VOTE for “A NEW SHENANDOAH”

FOR COUNCIL:

• Michael WHITECAVAGE
• James P. BURKE
• Michelle GULDEN
• Katie CATIZONE

FOR MAYOR:

• Leo PIETKIEWICZ

Candidate letters from the Sentinel’s coverage area in northern Schuylkill County and southern Luzerne, Columbia, and Northumberland counties, can be submitted at [email protected]

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Letters may be submitted to The Shenandoah Sentinel at [email protected].

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