PITMAN -- Four candidates are vying for two open council seats here. The Times asked the candidates to provide background information on themselves, and also asked them what they consider to be the three biggest issues in town and how they'd address them if elected.

Anthony J. Gresko, 48, is running as a Democrat. He is the Vice President & General Manager of Emergency Products Inc., is married to his wife, Esther, and has five children who range in age from 21 to 25.

His volunteer background includes serving as a firefighter in the Pitman Fire Department for 30 years, as well as assistant fire chief, battalion chief and chief. He's also been a member of the Pitman Parade Committee, organizing both the 4th of July and Christmas parades.

Gresko believes the three most important issues that need to be addressed are the lack of state funding, improvements to infrastructure, and landlord accountability.

"I have been disappointed with the amount of state aid which has made its way to the borough, and if elected, will work diligently to attempt to increase the amount of aid received," Gresko said.

He said if elected, he plans to work with the county and the state to improve the roads in the borough.

"Along with improvements of the roads, I'll work to ensure that the utilities under those roads are maintained and upgraded before the roads are repaired, in order to maintain their integrity," he said.

Gresko also believes that landlords in the borough should be held accountable for the maintenance of their properties as well as "the types of people that they rent their properties to."

"As property owners in the community, they have an expectation of what kind of services that they receive from the community, and I think it's only fair that the community should have expectations on how they maintain their properties, and the type of people that they allow to reside in those properties," Gresko said. "Pitman is a family-oriented community, and I feel that landlords should also ensure that the people who rent their properties are upstanding people who will contribute positively to the community."

Incumbent Republican Patti R. Kelley, who co-owns a local business, said property taxes, parking and juvenile activity are her top three concerns.

Kelley lives in the borough with her husband, Ray, and three kids ages 19 to 25. She's been a past president of the Pitman Junior Woman's Club, the Kindle and Pitman Middle School Home and School associations, has volunteered at the Labor Day carnival for more than 30 years and volunteers at Shadow Equestrian therapeutic riding.

Kelley said as school and county taxes continue to rise, the municipality is expected to hold the line.

"Every line item on the budget must be scrutinized to determine if it is necessary, and difficult decisions must be made," she said.

Since being on council, she said she's been reviewing the bills for the borough and has found ways to cut expenses.

"These small steps can add up to savings for the taxpayers, but we need to fully identify waste that can be eliminated," Kelley said.

Parking is also a big issue whether it's in the borough's lots, the Pitman Grove area, or the alleys in tows.

"It is time for the ordinance to be revisited to make sure it is working, close up any loopholes, and make it better fit the needs of our citizens," she said.

There is also "widespread concerns about our residents" about juvenile activity or the streets, Kelley said.

She and another councilman have been talking to the police about how to address it.

"There have already been increased foot patrols with additional positive interactions from our police department and other potential solutions are in the works," she said. "It is my desire to work to solve these and other issues for the people of our town, and to continue to move Pitman forward."

Incumbent Democrat Gene P. Shoemaker, Sr., who has spent 41 years with the Pitman Fire Company, and lives in town with his wife and youngest son, said the three biggest issues are taxes, keeping a thriving business district and keeping the borough safe.

Shoemaker said there's little that can be cut from the borough's budget, as it makes up 26 percent of the total tax bill for borough residents.

"We need to provide a better quality of life for our residents within the current tax base," he said, giving examples such as police foot patrols in the business district at peek hours and walk-throughs of the Grove District.

"Also a more application-friendly process for prospective businesses wanting to come into (borough), and lastly, we need to control the excessive speed of traffic around our schools," he said.

Shoemaker said the installation of speed humps would be an inexpensive solution.

Shoemaker, who has been on council for six years working with public safety and planning and zoning, has also volunteered with the Pitman Little League, the Pitman AA and chaired the borough's 75th anniversary celebration.

David B. Swindell, 52, is running on the Republican ticket. He works as an engineering technical associate, is married to his wife, Deborah, and has three children: Christine, 30; Sarah, 27; and Jacob, 23.

His volunteer background includes organizing mission trips to Central America, being an office for the Highland Chemical Engine Company, serves on the board of directors for Taipei International Church and has been a Cub Scout leader and youth camp counselor, among other things.

Swindell believes the three most important issues to address in town, if elected, are juvenile activity, high taxes and vacant homes.

"I believe that in order to redirect the activities of young people in our community we must engage the entire community including the teenagers, their parents, law enforcement and borough council. With my extensive background in working with young people, I believe that I could make a meaningful contribution towards a win-win solution for all residents.

He said taxes must be addressed on all levels of government, beginning with small towns such as Pitman.

"Wasteful and misdirected spending are potential areas of improvement," Swindell said. "I have received training that I believe uniquely qualifies me to work with the various committees in Pitman to identify wasteful processes, and eliminate as much waste as possible. This, I believe, will enable us to look at spending in different ways, thus saving hard-earned taxpayer dollars."

Swindell also said Pitman is not immune to the housing and foreclosure crisis. He proposes that abandoned houses should be addressed.

"The loss of a home has a huge impact on the families that are faced with moving out, as well as on the neighbors left behind. Properties are left abandoned in a hurry with no plans for property upkeep and quickly become health and safety issues. I would advocate establishment of a task team to address this issue, working with all involved to develop a solution to this ever-increasing dilemma."