Democrats looking to unseat incumbent Republicans as city faces important issues

Monday, 29 October 2007
By L.A. TARONE
Staff Writer
T
he Hazleton City Council race is between two teams.

It pits Democratic challengers Dickie Cusatis and Maureen Pozzessere, who have positioned themselves as a team, against incumbent Republicans Evelyn Graham and Joe Yannuzzi, who are running as part of a team with Mayor Lou Barletta.

Barletta, should he win a third term, has much riding on the race. Who wins the council seats may well determine whether he accomplishes his initiatives or not.

If either Graham or Yannuzzi loses, the majority on council would change. Right now, Barletta has it, with Graham, Yannuzzi and Jack Mundie, who has solidly supported his initiatives.

Councilmen Bob Nilles and Tom Gabos are the “opposition minority,â€