Raising a family with my wife Donna in this wonderful town of Dunmore, Pennsylvania has always been an honor and privilege to me. My love for this town from the time I was young sparked that desire in me to run for office; first, as a Dunmore Councilman for 6 years, and ultimately as Mayor, in 1993.
My mom and dad and siblings were a great influence on me, of course, but in the political arena there was none better than the late Magistrate Michael S. Polizzi – whom I was proud to call my uncle.
For many years, he would come by -whistling up the walkway to visit on Saturday mornings, and mentor me in my endeavors as mayor. I can still see that fedora hat, and the sharp way he dressed coming up the back walks to the house.
I always remembered, too, what the late Leonard Verrastro said to me when I began some thirty years ago.
“Kid,” he would say “Even though you think that a problem is small – it might be BIG to the person who has it…so answer every call… answer every request.”
I tried to remember that always.
It truly has been an honor that each and every one of the people of our town has given me the opportunity to serve them over the past 30 years. We have had so many accomplishments throughout those years, and it has been in the “ working together” that our achievements have come to fruition. During my tenure as Mayor of this great town, and through the efforts of our Borough Council and Dunmore Police Department, we started the Dare Program and now have a Resource Officer in our schools. As one great town working together on a unified front, we have watched the Dunmore Community Center being erected, and the Dunmore Police Station and Borough Offices become two separate buildings to better serve our community. The First National Night Out was a huge success through the efforts of our then Police Chief Sal Mecca, his successor, Jim “Bo” Boland, and continues to this very day with our current Chief of Police, Sal Marchese.
Our community is very fortunate to have a well trained, and experienced Fire Department for many, many years; and the Department of Public Works under the direction of Michael “Didgie’ Judge is second to none. Whether to call in a request, pave a road , or fix an alley, the men working out in the field or the great staff in our Dunmore Borough Offices are the best people I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Our Police Department is superior and that of the finest men and women in blue you will find anywhere. We have welcomed our very first Police Canine named “Cash” under the direction and guidance of former Police Chief Patrick Reese, and were all saddened as a Dunmore Community when Cash passed away. Presently, Officer Jack Kane, with his partner Police Canine, “ Riley” fill Cash’s legacy.
A recycling program was created to advance us through these changing times and has reduced the waste of plastics, glass, and paper. Residents of our town and throughout Lackawanna County recycle about half of the waste produced in their homes and recycle it.
Like other residents of a town much loved, we as a community will always have different ideas, views, positions, and beliefs on how to move forward; but that is what I love about Dunmore, Pennsylvania. That is why our community has accomplished so many things – because at the end of the day we ALWAYS band together to encourage and support one and other. It is the cornerstone to who we are as fellow Dunmoreans. We are there for each other because this is OUR TOWN.
I cannot express my gratitude and appreciation enough for the many years of support and love you have afforded me, and my wife Donna, our children and grandchildren; Mark, grandsons, Rain and Kai: Patrick, Colleen, Sean, and Melissa; grand-daughters – Quinn and Margot; our parents – the late Gene and Clare Loughney, Salvatore and the late Nellie Polizzi – who have always been the voices to guide me along; our brothers and sisters, families and extended families – the list goes on and on..
I will forever love the town you entrusted me during my tenure. My goal these past thirty years was to serve my fellow Dunmoreans responsibly, honestly, and to the very best of my ability. Thank you so much for giving me that opportunity. My wife Donna and I would like to wish the very best to mayor-elect Tim Burke, his wife Carmella, and their families.
We wish to extend to all our fellow Dunmorean’s a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Prosperous and Happy New Year!
God Bless.
Mayor Patrick W. Loughney Sr.
