EAST BUTLER — Four candidates are vying for three, 4-year seats on borough council.

Democrat Kenneth E. Crispin, who has 53 years on council and was a former council president; Democrat Joseph M. Lesnik, who has served for 12 years; Republican Kevin Hesidenz, who has served two terms; and Democrat Benjamin H. Herald, a 30-year resident who has never served on council, will be on the ballot Tuesday.

Crispin said he hopes to keep things running the way they have been in the borough.

“We don't have too many problems,” he said. “Everything seems to be pretty organized.”

Crispin is certain he will be re-elected because of his experience and ability to interact with the community.

“We're willing to work with the people, and if they have any problems to check with the council,” he said.

Lesnik said he agrees that everything is working well in East Butler although he said there are a few places they could improve.

Lesnik said there are areas near the old Magnetics and JSP buildings that could be hard for emergency responders to access. If re-elected, he said he would like to solve that problem.

“Nothing really needs attention right away,” he said. “We get along pretty good.”

Herald has not held public office, but he has been actively involved with the East Butler Baseball program for the last 18 years, including coaching and managing. He still occasionally serves as an umpire.

Herald said he wants to seek improvement in the borough. He said he remembers a borough that once boomed with industry, but the industry left behind its buildings and exited with the jobs.

“They're just sitting there, and nothing's happening,” Herald said. “There could be some businesses in there.”

Herald thinks the borough would be a nice place for small business to thrive, but council would have to be willing to offer some incentives through taxes or other means.

“If we can promote them, we can get them,” he said. “Most people I talk to say it's the taxes.”

Hesidenz, a 19-year resident, said he would like to steer the borough away from the drug epidemic that he has witnessed during nine years of experience as fire chief for the East Butler Volunteer Fire Co.

“I've got two small kids,” he said. “I don't want drugs in the borough.”

He said if re-elected he wants to focus on strategies to help those with addiction while working to better sidewalk conditions and improve streetlights with LED lighting.

“Our sidewalks need fixed. They're deteriorated and not handicap accessible,” he said. “I'd like to brighten this town up.”