Fike gains distance in city mayoral primary
Incumbent Uniontown Mayor James R. Sileo was far behind challenger Ed Fike at press time for the Democratic Party nomination in Tuesday’s primary. With four of seven wards reporting and 91 percent of the vote counted, Fike had 445 votes and Sileo had 288, according to unofficial results.
The winner will face Russell R. Rhodes, who was unopposed in seeking the Republican Party nomination, in the general election in November.
Rhodes received 84 votes, according to the incomplete and unofficial results.
Sileo is in his third term as mayor and served two terms on city council before he was elected mayor.
He based his campaign on a list of completed and ongoing projects such as the opening of a $6 million 270-space parking garage, purchasing an $800,00 ladder truck for the fire department, revitalizing Main Street, renovating a new police station, obtaining a $365,000 grant for improvements to the State Theatre Center for the Arts and upgrading the sewage plant.
Sileo hoped to improve parks, revitalize neighborhoods and redevelop Morgantown street with grant money.
Fike owns Fike Brothers Trucking, is a mail-hauling contractor for the U.S. Postal Service and owns a number of rental properties in the city. He and his brother are co-owners of Penn State auto sales.
In his campaign, Fike said if he were elected, he would improve code enforcement, parks, improve the fire and police departments and build a convention center.