Incumbents, challengers win Riverside school board nominations; new Dems favored for Moosic council

Christine Lee, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

May 16—Voters favored most incumbents and several challengers for five seats on the Riverside School Board, and picked three new candidates for the Democratic nomination for Moosic Borough Council.

Incumbent Treasurer Mary Antoniacci McHugh won a Democratic nomination with 945 votes, followed by Anthony Mattioli, 925; incumbent Vice President Linda Smerdon Joyce, 918; Brandi Shrader Luckasavage, 843; and Laura L. Kobeski, 793. They defeated board member Leigh Ann Bieber Gasper, who had 785 votes, board member Joseph P. Labrosky Jr., 537, and William J. Borent, 522. There are also 34 write-in votes; names on write-ins will not be disclosed until the official vote count later this week.

On the Republican side, Mattioli was the top vote-getter with 474 votes, followed by Luckasavage, 389; Joyce, 322; McHugh, 319; and Labrosky, 317. They defeated Gasper, who received 301, Kobeski, 297, and Borent, 279. There are 31 write-in votes.

All eight candidates cross-filed.

Mattioli said Tuesday night he was "very grateful the people of the district deemed me worthy of being able to serve our district and its children." McHugh said she was "looking forward to continuing to provide the district with the best results for the future."

Gasper was the only incumbent not to earn a nomination on either ballot. Efforts to reach her Tuesday night were unsuccessful.

Candidates cited mental health, securing grants for district programs and holding the line on taxes as the biggest issues facing the district.

Board members serve four-year terms with no salary.

In a four-way Democratic race for three Moosic Borough Council seats, newcomer Ashley Fauver Aldubayan was selected with 675 votes, followed by first-time candidate Marilyn Lavelle French, 662; and longtime borough Manager Jane Sterling, 658. They defeated Timothy Gaughan, with 354. There are 14 write-in votes.

Sterling thanked voters for their support, adding she was "so humbled" by the nomination. Aldubayan and French said they were excited about their nominations and serving residents.

Winners will face Republican Michael Cola in the November election.

Major issues in the borough discussed by candidates included business development and a new police headquarters.

Council members serve four-year terms and earn $2,000 annually, with the council president and mayor receiving $3,999 a year.

Contact the writer:

clee@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 ext. 5365;

@Cleespot on Twitter.