Stroudsburg Borough Council is looking for a new mayor after the resignation of Michael Moreno and a vote to table appointing a replacement.
During the Jan. 5 meeting, council voted 5-2, with Joseph Shay and J. Zac Christman opposed, to accept Moreno’s resignation. Later in the meeting, council approved hiring Moreno to the new position of downtown manager in a 4-3 vote, with Cheryl Joubert, Claire Crawford-Braun and Shay opposed.
In between those votes, council considered appointing a new mayor.
Council Vice President Erica McCabe motioned to appoint former Stroudsburg Borough Council President Anthony Lanfrank as mayor. Council President Matt Abell said that interest in the position was also expressed by 2025 council candidate Michael Schroder and newly elected council member Claire Crawford-Braun.
Lanfrank said he has served on Stroudsburg's planning commission and borough council, eventually becoming president. He also works at Stroudsburg High School as a history teacher.
Schroder said he is a lifelong member of the community, a volunteer firefighter, and several-time candidate for Stroudsburg Borough Council.
“I feel that I have a very vested interest in this community,” said Schroder. “I have served this community at times of need for most of the residents and businesses that live in this community, and I just feel like this is the next right step. Whether it’d be council or mayor, whatever it may be.”
Crawford-Braun said she is a former graphic designer and branding consultant who changed career paths to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.
“I still have a lot to learn, but I believe that, with the help of our residents, we can find creative practical solutions to move our town forward,” said Crawford-Braun. “You don’t take on this job for the small paycheck that comes with it. The council is made up of your neighbors who work full-time jobs, have families and busy lives, but show up because they care deeply about this town, and so do I.”
She added that she thinks any of the options presented are great options.
During council's discussion, Shay said he believes both Lanfrank and Schroder would make excellent candidates.
Shay was unanimously appointed Jan. 5 to fill a vacancy created when Abell was elected to both a four-year term and a two-year term. He was also appointed to fill a vacancy on council in 2023.