Catasauqua voters will choose from among four candidates to fill three seats on borough council. Three of them responded to the question, "Why should voters choose you?"

Debra Mellish

As a council woman, I would seek opportunities to improve the vitality of our business areas, grow tax base, build community and provide the planning and leadership needed to build on our town's legacy for future generations.

My experience in engineering, corporate management and the volunteer sector will help me to serve council and the borough. I am analytical and will research issues to aid in decision-making and to manage risk.

I have lived many places in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Texas and understand what conditions help and hinder local economies. Graduating with the Leadership Lehigh Valley class of 2008 gave me a wonderful appreciation for the region, its people and organizations.

I retired in 2010 from the energy sector/electric utility business where I was responsible for people, budgets, economic analysis and environmental compliance.

I have lived in Catasauqua for 11 years and currently serve as president of the Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association, chair the 2014 Old Home Week Committee and secretary of the garden club. I also am active in the borough's MainStreets and George Taylor House groups and the D&L Catty-North Catty Towpath TrailTenders.

I will work hard to address our borough's challenges, acting ethically and in the best interest of the borough and its residents. I love Catasauqua and its heritage and am happy to make my home here. I am a registered Democratic.

Christine Weaver

I want residents and future residents and visitors to be enthusiastic about Catasauqua. The borough is in a unique position to reinvent itself with an eye on the past. According to Wikipedia, "By 1900, Catasauqua boasted 5,000 residents, and had the highest percentage of self-made millionaires of any town in the United States." To me, the words "highest percentage of self-made ... of any town in the U.S." stands out more than millionaires. The sheer ingenuity and determination it takes to be the first in anything is truly impressive, especially in a town so small. We can be ambitious, innovative and exceptional again, and we don't have to do it alone. Nearly every town in the Lehigh Valley is in the midst of their own renaissance and want us to succeed, too. If we shine, they shine. If we inspire, they are inspired, and vice versa, but we must start by doing our part.

My plan for borough council is to treat our strategic plan as a road map for the future of the borough. I support the commercial and residential development of the FLS site to increase Catasauqua's tax base. I support the fire, police and borough relocation to FLS site to better serve the community. I support the redevelopment of the downtown business district. I support uniform code enforcement. I support beautification projects and safety programs. I support partnerships with borough volunteer groups and neighboring communities. And I support community involvement.

Vincent Smith

My eight years as a borough councilman, 27 years as the owner and manager of Biery's Port Bodyworks and 14 years as a landlord and property manager give me valuable experience and skills to draw from, making me uniquely qualified to serve on borough council.

As council president, I have worked with congressmen, senators, state representatives, county executives and county commissioners, DEP, DCED, LVEDC, LCIDA, LVIA, D&L National Heritage Corridor and the CACLV as well as a number of private industries. This has enabled me to assemble a comprehensive list of contacts in the government, business and private sector, which can allow me to be an effective councilman for Catasauqua.

I have also developed skills as the owner of Biery's Port Bodyworks, Blocker's Restorative Hardware and numerous commercial and residential rental properties in the borough. I purchased and revitalized 14 blighted residential and commercial properties in the borough since 1986 and started five new businesses since 1987, helping to prepare me for the challenges of being an effective councilman.

I chose to invest in Catasauqua as a citizen, landlord, business owner and councilman. I live, work, govern and participate in the community that I love. My record shows that I am not a councilman merely addressing a few pet peeves, but one with vision and tenacity who cares about my community and who wants to utilize unique and valuable skills to improve our borough for all residents.

Incumbent Mica Smith is also on the ballot, but did not respond to the question.