HAZLETON, Pa. — Election day is next Tuesday, November 7, and it's hard to find a corner without a political sign in Hazleton.
Next week, residents here will be making a choice when it comes to the position of mayor.
Restaurant owner Jeff Cusat is the Republican on the ballot. He's running for a 3rd consecutive term.
"We've become fiscally responsible," said Cusat as he spoke about his record in office. "We were in and out of Act 47. We have our police department at an all-time high. We have paved 44 new miles of road in the city. We have a surplus fund going, renovated or rebuilt 15 of our 16 parks. So I mean the progress that's going on right now in the city is amazing and we cannot stop, we cannot make a change we just have to continue the progress."
Challenging him as a Democrat is Vianney Castro.
"I want to win this race because they believed that I had a vision to bring, to bring all the people together. And I have really good ideas that I can make a change in town and I believe I can change many, many life. All our all the way around. Not not only Hazleton, but in the whole state of Pennsylvania, maybe," said Castro.
Castro has lived in Hazleton for 15 years.
"I have a plan to improve our quality or quality of life and have a plan to bring all the people together so we can live as one in the same page without bothering each other and living in peace," Castro added.
There's also an independent in the race, Cindee DeLuca.
"I'm concerned for the quality of life, I'm concerned for the crime rates that are excessive in this area currently. I'm also worried about tax increases. People are having a hard time the way it is making a living and now, you know, we're wasteful spending," said DeLuca.
DeLuca owns an auto shop and notary in Hazleton.
"I am for the right person. I'm not for one specific party. I believe that if an individual has the honesty, integrity transparency to do the best for this area, that's who you should choose," said DeLuca.