Former borough council President John “Jake” Yurish has announced his candidacy to be Northampton’s next mayor.

Yurish, who considers himself “an effective and dedicated leader with deep-rooted passion to serve everybody who calls Northampton home,” will appear on the ballot in the May primary election.

As mayor, Yurish said he will seek to build upon his history of achieving results by representing the borough in a positive way that enhances Northampton’s reputation in the eyes of the surrounding communities and throughout the region; improving communication between the police department and the mayor’s office; enhancing transparency; and increasing accessibility to the mayor by all constituents.

Yurish, 67, is a lifelong resident of the borough and a graduate of Northampton High School. He earned an associate degree from Northampton Community College and retired from the transportation industry in 2011.

He served 12 years as a borough council member, eight of them as president. He decided not to seek re-election in 2015.

During his time on borough council, Yurish said he is proud of being part of the team responsible for many outstanding projects throughout the borough, including the addition to the Northampton Fire Station and purchase of the department’s latest aerial fire truck; development of the uptown park and farmers market; the building of the new middle school; and the addition to the police department’s K-9 unit.

“It’s hard to name what I am most proud of from my time of service to the borough,” Yurish said. “So much is a team effort, and those successes wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of my fellow council members and borough employees. I know personally that being able to present the Golden Cement Bag awards to residents in recognition of their outstanding volunteer service to the community is a highlight of my time in office, as were the countless opportunities to interact with fellow residents at the Easter egg hunts, tree-lighting ceremonies, Sister City celebrations and ribbon-cutting dedications.”

Yurish is a strong proponent of term limits: “Sometimes you just need a change - someone with fresh ideas. And if you believe in something strongly enough, don’t let a longtime incumbent make you afraid to run for any office. Sometimes people want a choice,” he said.

Yurish said he also looks forward to the opportunity to work closely with borough council to provide residents with the needs and services they deserve.

“I want the residents of Northampton to know their concerns will always be heard, and my door is always open,” he said.

Yurish is a past president of Northampton Exchange Club, former chair of the annual Jack Frost Parade, former chair of Northampton Community Days festival, lifetime member of Northampton Borough Fire Department and former board member of Northampton Memorial Community Center.

He serves on the borough’s health board and is a member of the board of trustees for Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum. He also is a very active member of his parish, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, Northampton.

Yurish was married to Annette (Tauber) for 38 years before her death in 2012. Their daughter, Ann Marie, resides in Whitehall Township with her husband, Tim Surovy, and their son, Joseph.