The Lead: Seven Candidates for Stroudsburg Borough Council
The Pocono Record reports that Stroudsburg Borough Council has a vacancy to fill, and seven people actually want it. Kudos to everyone who stepped forward for what is a thankless job. At the August 4 meeting, each candidate made a brief pitch to replace Joseph Shay, who resigned last month:
Michelle Riegel — Main Street business owner, regular at nearly every council meeting.
Michael Schroder — repeat council candidate, applied for the mayoral vacancy in January.
Bill Cullen — 40-plus-year resident, focused on downtown parking and momentum.
Jessica Delfino — works in state Rep. Tarah Probst's office, brought a 16-point plan.
Robert Llopis — firefighter and former hotel manager, pitching tourism growth.
Anthony Lanfrank — history teacher, former council member and council president.
Antoinette Masula — East Stroudsburg native, wants short-term rentals and pop-up shops to fill empty storefronts.
Council President Matt Abell called it the strongest field of candidates he's seen. The council votes on who fills the two-year term at its August 18 meeting. For the full story, including each candidate's full remarks, visit poconorecord.com.
📋 THE DAILY RUNDOWN
Gas Prices Continue to Drop . The average for East Stroudsburg is $4.06 per gallon for regular, down about 3.6% from $4.21 per gallon this time last week, and below the Pennsylvania state average of $4.12 per gallon. It is still way up from a year ago, but it is heading in the right direction. Remember, the price differential in the area is wider than the week-over-week drop. Get the GasBuddy mobile app and find out where the best prices are (and no, they are not a sponsor…at least not yet).
Stroudsburg Runs on More Than Dunkin’ . The Pocono Record also reports that the Pocono Family YMCA's $21 million renovation is officially moving. Construction fencing is up, work on the childcare center could start as early as this week, and the Dunkin' next door comes down once utilities are cut. Phase 1 — a new six-lane pool, lobby, and fitness center — is targeted for completion by December 2027, with the full project wrapping in early 2028. CEO Scott Peckins says the project leans on five separate government funding sources, which he calls the most complicated financing arrangement he's seen for a Y.
Bail Set in Ridgeway Street Stabbing. CrimeWatch records show Star K. White, the East Stroudsburg man we told you about July 29 in connection with an alleged home invasion and stabbing, turned himself in August 3. Bail was set at $40,000 secured, and he's since been released. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 11. Remember, he is innocent until proven guilty.
🚔 WHAT WERE YA THINKIN'?
Three Strikes at the ShopRite. CrimeWatch records show Gerard Allan Mollica, 65, allegedly walked out of the Stroud Mall ShopRite without paying — not once, not twice, but three separate times between March and June, totaling $868.46 in merchandise, with the incidents captured on video. Mollica, who has prior retail theft convictions and is wanted on a separate warrant out of Pocono Mountain Regional as a parole absconder, now has a felony warrant out of Stroud Area Regional too. If you know where he is, CrimeWatch has a tip line. I know groceries are expensive, but I have to ask. How the heck do you walk out with that much in grocery store merchandise undetected? Inquiring minds want to know….
📅 THE WEEK AHEAD
Stroudsburg Borough Council. No meeting this week. The next session is Tuesday, August 18, 7 p.m., 700 Sarah Street, where council votes on which of the seven candidates above fills the vacant seat.
East Stroudsburg Shade Tree Commission, Monday, August 10, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 24 Analomink Street.
East Stroudsburg Operations Committee, Monday, August 10, 6–7 p.m., 24 Analomink Street.
East Stroudsburg Zoning & Planning (ZAP) Committee, Tuesday, August 11, 6–7 p.m., 24 Analomink Street.
East Stroudsburg Planning Commission, Tuesday, August 11, 7–9:30 p.m., 24 Analomink Street. #MonroeCountyPA #Stroudsburg #EastStroudsburg #Poconos #MonroeUnfiltered #LocalNews #PoconoNews #Pennsylvania
