Thomas M. Leighton
Encyclopedia
Thomas M. "Tom" Leighton is an American
politician
. A Democrat
, he has served as the mayor of the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
since January 2004. He was a candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate
in 2010 but lost. Leighton was running to fill Ray Musto's seat.
Leighton defeated former city leader Tom McGroarty
in the Democratic Party primary election
in 2003, partly on a platform to revitalize Wilkes-Barre's downtown sector.
On June 9, 2005, Leighton unveiled his 'I believe...' campaign for Wilkes-Barre, which was intended to boost the city's spirits and rid residents of their cyncisim and negativity about the city. Many residents were, and still are, skeptical of the campaign, since it is being paid for with tax dollars. Construction is complete on a planned downtown 14-screen theatre complex and a two-floor Barnes & Noble
bookstore. The movie theater opened in July 2006. A Barnes & Noble boookstore opened in early October 2006. A renovation of the landmark Hotel Sterling
is being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. In March 2006, CityVest purchased a property adjacent to the Hotel Sterling for $325,000, the City had a lien on the property, but the property owner got the cash, the City somehow transferred the lien to CityVest(and then forgave it), and the taxpayers were on the hook for $311,000. New street lights have replaced worn out red lights in the Public Square and in parts of the downtown area. Midtown Village has seen a new club open up, and a Subway
restaurant, a Thai restaurant, and The Hardware Bar have significantly widened the popularity of the downtown area.
The Citizens' Voice (local newspaper) report - example of City Council meeting, with quote by Mayor Leighton -
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he has served as the mayor of the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
since January 2004. He was a candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
in 2010 but lost. Leighton was running to fill Ray Musto's seat.
Leighton defeated former city leader Tom McGroarty
Tom McGroarty
Thomas "Tom" McGroarty is an American Democratic Party politician who served as the mayor of the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania from 1996 to January 5, 2004.He took his oath of office just after midnight - surprising the outgoing mayor.-Quotes:...
in the Democratic Party primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
in 2003, partly on a platform to revitalize Wilkes-Barre's downtown sector.
On June 9, 2005, Leighton unveiled his 'I believe...' campaign for Wilkes-Barre, which was intended to boost the city's spirits and rid residents of their cyncisim and negativity about the city. Many residents were, and still are, skeptical of the campaign, since it is being paid for with tax dollars. Construction is complete on a planned downtown 14-screen theatre complex and a two-floor Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest book retailer in the United States, operating mainly through its Barnes & Noble Booksellers chain of bookstores headquartered at 122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York City. Barnes & Noble also operated the chain of small B. Dalton...
bookstore. The movie theater opened in July 2006. A Barnes & Noble boookstore opened in early October 2006. A renovation of the landmark Hotel Sterling
Hotel Sterling
Hotel Sterling is a closed hotel in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, at the intersection of River Street and Market Street. It was opened in 1898 by local business persons, who then owned a music hall located at the site, and was named after Emma E. Sterling, whose late husband, Walter G....
is being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. In March 2006, CityVest purchased a property adjacent to the Hotel Sterling for $325,000, the City had a lien on the property, but the property owner got the cash, the City somehow transferred the lien to CityVest(and then forgave it), and the taxpayers were on the hook for $311,000. New street lights have replaced worn out red lights in the Public Square and in parts of the downtown area. Midtown Village has seen a new club open up, and a Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
restaurant, a Thai restaurant, and The Hardware Bar have significantly widened the popularity of the downtown area.
External links
Associated Press Report on the "I Believe... " CampaignThe Citizens' Voice (local newspaper) report - example of City Council meeting, with quote by Mayor Leighton -