JANINE EDWARDS
Candidate for Honesdale Council
1.   What inspires you to serve the community, and why did you choose to seek the office of Council member?
My inspiration to serve my community is my children.  I am raising them in the Borough.  What’s important to constituents about Honesdale is important to me also as a mother, a resident and a taxpayer. 
2.    What from your background and interests do you believe helps to prepare you for a term on Council?
My legal background is a positive factor in the duties and responsibilities I may have as a council member.  But truly, the fact that I was born in Honesdale, lived in Honesdale most of my adolescent life and am now raising my children here is the best training one can have to serve as a Council member.
3. What do you see to be Honesdale’s most outstanding assets and concerns, and as Council member, how would you hope to make a difference?
The local feeling, the neighborhood feeling, the small town atmosphere are immeasurable assets.  We, as members of this town, are lucky to be able to live in a place where we can walk down Main Street and know our neighbors and enjoy our surroundings.  A concern I have is what’s available here for our children other than our Main Street.  Keeping our community safe but also providing activities within our town for our youth is a huge concern of mine.  Also of importance to me is the retail and service industry of Honesdale.  This industry is concentrated on our Main Street.  The local businesses need assistance from the borough members now more than ever in an economy that is threatened by financial constraints everyday.  For prosperity in the Borough, council members must focus on maintaining and aiding local store fronts, offices and restaurants within Honesdale.  Activities such as our parades, Harvest and Heritage Days, Sidewalk Sales, Roots and Rhythm Festivals and Fireworks celebrations are examples of activities that promote a community based pride and serve to bolster our local businesses. 
4.Biographical information: Name, spouse, children, hometown, occupation
Janine Edwards
Two children: Max Land – age 8 and Mia Land – age 6
Born and raised in Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Employed with the law firm of Fine, Wyatt & Carey, Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

THOMAS K. FRISK
Candidate for Honesdale Council
1.  What inspires you to serve the community, and why did you choose to seek the office of Council member?
 I live in the community and my concerns for the community as a whole moved me to run for office. I chose Borough Council because I am familiar with the Borough and how the government works.
2. What from your background and interests do you believe helps to prepare you for a term on Council?
I was a Police Officer in Honesdale for almost 28 years and Chief of Police for 5. That experience has given me insight into a variety of problems that exist in the Borough and ideas for possible solutions.      
3. What do you see to be Honesdale’s most outstanding assets and concerns, and as Council member, how would you hope to make a difference?
 Honesdale's greatest asset is the people who live here and care deeply for each other and the community at large. Crime and the growing (and often denied) drug epidemic as well as a shortage of desirable employment opportunities are of great concern to me. We as a community lose a large percentage of our best and brightest young people to employment opportunities elsewhere, and sometimes, tragically, to substance abuse. As a Borough Council member, I will seek ways to attract businesses and/or industries which will offer competitive employment opportunities and support Law Enforcement and Prevention agencies in their efforts to control crime and substance abuse.
4. Biographical information: Name, spouse, children, hometown, occupation
 My name is Thomas K. Frisk. I have a 14 year old daughter, Kelsey. I was born in Washington, DC. My parents were missionaries. I have lived in Wayne County since 1967. Presently I am semi-retired and drive a school van for Hellmer's Transportation.
  Feel free to contact me at (570) 647-5240 if you have any further questions and thank you for the opportunity.

LEE GARING
Candidate for Honesdale Council (incumbent)
1.  What inspires you to serve the community, and why did you choose to seek the office of Council member?
I have been a lifelong resident of Honesdale and have always been impressed by its life-style and pleasant character. I have been involved in community activities for the entire time. I have served as president of the Jaycees, Widco, and the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. I have been the chairman of the Private Industry Council of the Pocono Counties JTPA. I have been involved in many community projects — the High School Football Field, The Honesdale pool, the Hornets Hive. I have been President of both the Lehigh Valley and Anthracite Chapters of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers). I have the ability to work with others to achieve reasonable goals. I bring a perspective of experience and maturity to the Council as well as a desire to serve the community in this capacity.
2. What from your background and interests do you believe helps to prepare you for a new term on Council?
My background includes a Honesdale High School Diploma, a Bachelors degree from Perm State in Economics and I did graduate studies in Economics at Penn State. I have experience in estimating, creating and executing contracts - many of them in excess of a million dollars. I have the ability to negotiate reasonable agreements in diverse situations. I have a good working relationship with current Council members and boro employees.
3. What do you see to be Honesdale’s most outstanding assets and concerns, and as Council member, how would you hope to make a difference?
Honesdale is many things to many people. We have a beautiful town that always impresses anyone on their first exposure. We have a functioning and vibrant business community. The volunteer spirit is a force to be reckoned with. The wealth of available talent and experience makes Honesdale a great place to live. Our Central Park is a beautiful asset that is truly utilized- free concerts, playground, the fountain and monuments all combine to make it unique. We have a caring community that does not hesitate to help neighbors, either in disasters or illness. We have an excellent educational system. We are the county seat, and we reap the benefits of all the activity and jobs thus maintained. Our property and other taxes are reasonable when compared to surrounding states. Our borough provides excellent services to the community - police protection, fire protection and public works (snow removal, street maintenance, recycling, etc.).
We have seen many industrial jobs disappear and our local economy is still in transition. We also have a large amount of our real estate that is exempt from taxes, but still requires services from the boro. We are constantly challenged to provide the services the public expects, without exceeding the available resources.
I think it is important to encourage diversity in businesses in the community and in the surrounding area. I feel that it is important to try to keep the cost of running the boro as low as possible. We must keep the tax burden on the boro residents as low a possible and eliminate any unnecessary spending. We must try to generate as much non-tax revenue as possible, while keeping our fees and charges reasonable. We must explore and develop any available revenue resources such as grants and matching funds. We must make Honesdale the best community in which one could live.
4. Biographical information: Name, spouse, children, hometown, occupation
Lee Franklin Garing
• Lifetime Resident
• Married to Susan Martin (also a lifetime resident)
• Children: Kendall is a Doctor in North Carolina; Todd is an Engineer in Maryland
• Bachelors degree in economics from Penn State
• Graduate studies in economics at Penn State
• Chairman of the Pocono Counties Service Delivery Area of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
• Past president: Honesdale Jaycees; Wayne County Chamber of Commerce; Lehigh Valley Chapter of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers); Anthracite Chapter of ASHRAE; Widco (6 Years).
Currently a semi-retired consultant for mechanical systems for buildings and processes (Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Dehumidification, Humidification, Process Piping and Plumbing.
Since I am semi-retired, I can devote the necessary time to perform the Boro duties.

BOB JENNINGS
Candidate for Honesdale Council
1.  What inspires you to serve the community, and why did you choose to seek the office of Council member?
I have chosen to hopefully serve the Council for several reasons. First, I personally believe that the Council should be managed as a business. In this regard, the Council should not expend beyond available finances, in-turn creating a debt and the potential to raise taxes. Second, as a Councilman I will always vote conscientiously, keeping in mind what I would do if this were my own business and how my decisions will benefit the Honesdale Borough.
2. What from your background and interests do you believe helps to prepare you for a term on Council?
As a lifelong resident of Honesdale, graduate of Honesdale High School and personal business owner since 1950 my life has been embedded in the Honesdale community. Throughout the years, working as a local business owner (Jennings Jewelers, Photo Shop and Forensic Services), I have come to know several generations of families and feel I can represent the expectations of Honesdale residents.
I am a member of The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Wayne County Historical Society, Greater Honesdale Business Partnership, Honesdale Borough Parking Commission and a lifetime member of Hose Company No. 1, Texas No. 4 and White Mills Fire Department.
I also served as a member of the US Army Signal Corps from 1953-1955 at which time I was discharged at the rank of Sergeant. During that time, I received many high military awards for outstanding devotion to duty and honor and was given clearance for top secret assignments.
If elected, I would serve the Council and Honesdale Borough with the same diligence and concern I have devoted to all of my previous endeavors.
3. What do you see to be Honesdale’s most outstanding assets and concerns, and as Council member, how would you hope to make a difference?
Honesdale has many historical attractions and a cultural "hometown" quality that entice people from all over the country. Irving Cliff which overlooks downtown Honesdale, the historic homes of North Main Street, Wayne County Historical Society's activities, replica of the Stourbridge Lion train, the park, camps and historic buildings are only a few of the allures Honesdale has to offer.
We have all felt the strain of our recent economy and as a Councilman, lifelong resident and businessman I would like to improve public relations in order to increase business and gain new clientele for the Honesdale area.
4. Biographical information: Name, spouse, children, hometown, occupation
 Robert "Bob" F. Jennings; Wife - Barbara A. (Strosahl) Jennings; Daughter -Kim S. (Jennings) Markulis, Stow, Ohio; Son - Robert "Bobby" F. Jennings, II
Hometown - Honesdale, PA
Present Occupation - Owner of Jennings Jewelers and Photo Shop
Owner of Jennings Forensic Services.

TOM LESTRANGE
Candidate for Honesdale Council
1.  What inspires you to serve the community, and why did you choose to seek the office of Council member?
I have always served my community in some way.  I started in the US Army, then retired after 25 years as a Honesdale policeman; I serve now as a Wayne County detective.  I respect service as a calling.  I've always felt that citizens deserve leaders who pay close attention to their concerns, and who use the best judgement in knowing and doing what is right.  Anyone in any form of leadership should endeavor to stay in touch with the community and fully understand its needs.
2. What from your background and interests do you believe helps to prepare you for a term on Council?
 I have been a resident of Honesdale for most of my life, and I have spent over 25 years working for the borough.  I think that gives me a knowlege of the town's needs.
3. What do you see to be Honesdale’s most outstanding assets and concerns, and as Council member, how would you hope to make a difference?
Honesdale has always been safe and clean.  It's one of the best communities around.  As a nation we are passing through a trying time economically.  I think wisdom in prioritizing our needs will allow us to continue in that excellence.
4.Biographical information: Name, spouse, children, hometown, occupation
I am 61 years old, married to Bonnie, and we have three grown children, Brett, Sean and Heather.  I was born in Honesdale, and am currently a Wayne County Detective.        

CHRIS PALMER
Candidate for Honesdale Council
1.  What inspires you to serve the community, and why did you choose to seek the office of Council member?
My inspiration for running is to keep this area safe, clean and prosperous in the hope that my children would choose to live here to raise their families.  Safe by supporting the local police and fire departments in their efforts.  Clean, not only environmentally but also morally.  And finally, prosperous by seeking new businesses with the borough and also maintaining and supporting the economic development of the surrounding businesses.
2. What from your background and interests do you believe helps to prepare you for a term on Council?
 I feel I am not only prepared for the position of council by my background but also my interests.  I was born and raised on upper Tryon Street in a hard-working and honest family environment. I went off to college and returned to the area to raise a family and work.  Besides my personal interests the history behind Honesdale and my thoughts for it's future set me apart from the others.
3. What do you see to be Honesdale’s most outstanding assets and concerns, and as Council member, how would you hope to make a difference?
The most outstanding asset of this area is the citizens themselves.  A majority of them are fine examples of what makes a successful community.  In today's hectic world where going to work and caring for one's family and home leaves little time for a Tuesday night meeting.  Why not give them a chance to voice their concerns.  A monthly radio show with informed members of the community to answer questions or a Q&A section of the local newspaper.  Somewhere in the borough is a person with a great idea and desire to improve upon their community, they just need a forum.  Because like me they have a personal investment in its success.
4. Biographical information: Name, spouse, children, hometown, occupation
My beautiful family consists of my wife of 13 years, Renee and our daughters: Madison (9), Jordan (7) and Sawyer (3).  I currently live on Holiday Drive and am employed at Palmer and Sons Truck Service Inc .
Once again I thank you for this opportunity.