According to all six candidates running for Slippery Rock Borough Council, issues regarding transparency need to be addressed.

The primary election will take place Tuesday, and the candidates are vying for four of the seven council positions available, three four-year terms and one two-year term.

The candidates all agree that the current format is not accessible enough for borough residents to be involved in the decision-making and to make their voices heard.

Russell Karl

Assistant District Attorney Russell Karl, who is running unopposed for the 2-year seat and is still in contention for a four-year seat, said the council typically does not reveal what they will discuss beforehand, and if they do, it is not efficient. He said improved efficiency on informing the public will improve the relationship between the council and the people they serve. He said simply putting the agenda for each week's meeting on the council's website would accomplish this goal.

“It seems like a lot of things get done, and people find out after the fact,” Karl said. “That has people concerned.”

Karl, a nine-year resident, has been an attorney for 28 years. He said he had sat on the Brookville School Board in 1990s and on the Slippery Rock Civil Service Committee

Karl said beyond the issues of transparency, he has no agenda of other issues to address, but he wants to improve the council's practices for the betterment of the residents it serves.

“We're just concerned about living in the borough,” he said. “I have no agenda.”

Mike Sullivan

Candidate Mike Sullivan said his years in the cellular wireless business and his experience with technology would help him build an online presence for the council.

“I think it would be useful for communicating with the masses,” he said. “I think it could go a long way.”

While the candidates agree on transparency, they do differ on the other areas they would like to address if elected.

Sullivan, a 5-year resident, is recently retired from the cellular wireless industry. Formerly of Mars, he served as a youth soccer coach for Mars and as president for the Mars soccer boosters. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the late 1980s.

Sullivan said he would like to bring his technological knowledge to the council, not only to the transparency issue but also to make the council more efficient.

“It's more of a roll up your sleeves and go to work mentality,” he said.

Denton Zeronas

Denton Zeronas, who has lived in the borough for two years, is a cook at North Country Brewery Co. and also teaches English as a second language online. He said he served as a treasurer for a few clubs.

Zeronas said he would also like to focus on helping to start and grow businesses along Main Street. He said having vacant businesses on Main Street makes Slippery Rock look rundown. He said analyzing the borough's financial situation and spending would be vital to improvements that will last long-term.

“I would like to see a more sustainable approach to the borough,” he said. “This is for things that can (sustain) the borough 15 to 20 years down the road.”

Eugene Allison

Eugene Allison, a resident of the borough since 1965, was the former safety director and purchasing agent for Mercer Lime Co. He also served two terms on borough council before, and he served on board of directors for the Slippery Rock University Federal Credit Union. He has served in other areas of public interest over the years and is active in the local fire hall and his church.

Allison said he would like to develop a better budget for the council and stick to it.

“I think the current council is spending money we don't have,” he said.

Konstantinos Petridis

Konstantinos Petridis, 13-year resident, is a Slippery Rock High School graduate. He is an Eagle Scout, was on the speech and debate teams in high school and served as president of an environmental group, also during high school.

Petridis said he would like to focus on taxes. He said he feels that taxes are high because of the council's spending. He said he understands that taxes are necessary, but the community should have more say in what they pay.

“I think this is a mismanagement of the budget,” he said. “I would ask the residents what's appropriate for them to pay.”

Petridis is the brother of fellow candidate, Alexandros Petridis, who could not be reached for comment; although Konstantinos Petridis said he and his brother have similar issues they would like to address.