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Councilman to run as independent for mayor in the fall

By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A city councilman has announced he will seek to replace Mayor Judy Reed for the city’s top post in the November general election. Brad Geyer, who has served two years as a member of the council, will run as an independent candidate on the fall ballot.

In May, by a 700-421 vote margin, Reed bested her lone challenger, Councilman Bruce Jaynes, virtually assuring the incumbent a second term in office.

Although he had changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Independent before the May primary, Geyer said Wednesday he chose not enter the mayoral race, believing Jaynes could defeat Reed.

“I decided it would be counter-productive for two people (to challenge Reed),” he said of opting out of the May primary race.

His candidacy at this time, he said, is to offer residents a choice when they enter the polling booth in the fall.

“I just don’t think the city can survive four more years with Mrs. Reed as mayor,” he said.

Geyer said that if he’s elected, the city will have a leader willing to work with other council members, city organizations, authorities and boards and new businesses.

“Mrs. Reed comes out and says that she is for development and then votes against the largest development project that we’ve had in the last 50 years,” he said. “You can’t say that you are for development and then vote against development.

“We are going to need to increase our revenues to operate the city, and the development offers that opportunity.”

Last year, the council authorized the sale of property at the Route 119/201 intersection to Widewaters Group Inc., a New York-based development firm. A grocery store and an adjoining strip mall are being built at the site.

Geyer said that as director of the street department, he has reduced the departmental spending by 10 percent with a “hands-on” approach he would use with the police department, a method, he added, Reed has not taken during her four years in office.

“A stronger mayor is needed to improve the (police) department,” said Geyer.

The mayor oversees the police department.

Reed, meanwhile, said she was not surprised at the announcement of Geyer’s candidacy, citing speculation that he would challenge her for the position.

“It’s his right to seek office,” she said. “I am surprised, though, that he would leave his political party to do so.”

Reed, however, questions Geyer’s ability to lead the city with his limited life and work experience.

“I believe very strongly that before people run for office, they should be a taxpayer, own property and know what it is like to pay bills such as we have with the city,” said Reed. “I’d like to know that (an elected official) is fiscally responsible, that they have had success in their life.

“Before you can help someone else, you have to help yourself.”

Geyer said he believes that he has both Republican and Democratic backing to defeat Reed in the fall. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think I could win,” he said.

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