CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Earlier this year there was not even an election scheduled for a new Clarion Borough Mayor. That all changed when mayor Dan Parker announced he would leave his position to accept another job.

Clarion Borough Council elected to appoint an interim mayor until the general election on November 5.

Bill Miller, a former councilmember, was appointed interim mayor to serve until an elected mayor would take over January 1, 2020.

The Clarion Democratic and Republican parties were asked to select a candidate to be placed on the ballot for a two-year term, the remaining length of Parker’s term. Bill Miller was selected by the Democrats, and Brett Whitling was picked by the Republicans.

Using the order that the names will appear on the November 5 ballot, here are some of the talking points used by candidates Miller and Whitling and their reasons for running:

Bill Miller

In addition to serving as interim mayor, Bill Miller has been actively involved in the community, including:

• Passavant Memorial Homes Trust Board
• Blueprint Community
• Bridge Builders Community Foundation
• Clarion County Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Board
• Choice Enterprises Board (President)
• Clarity University Credit Union Board (President)
• Clarion Borough Council
• Clarion Sewer Authority
• Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry Board member
• Assisted in fundraising efforts for the Clarion County YMCA as part of the fundraising committee
• Clarion Storm Water Authority

“I enjoyed being interim so much working with the council, working with Bill Peck. I performed four marriages—the people were wonderful. I told my wife I was really enjoying it.

“I was encouraged by a heck of a lot of people to run. I just enjoyed it, and that’s what encouraged me to run.”

Bill Miller had a distinguished career as swim coach at Clarion University for 22 years, including being named the NCAA men’s coach of the year in 1992 and being inducted into the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Bill’s wife Judy founded the Clarion House Bed and Breakfast, the first and only bed-and-breakfast in Clarion Borough. The Millers retired from the business in 2018. They have three sons, William, Richard, and Nathan and three grandsons Tyler, Ian, and Luke.

Brett Whitling

Background on Brett Whitling:

• Local small business owner for the past 10 years
• Husband, dad, and foster parent
• Volunteer at Clarion Fire & Hose Co. 1
• Strong understanding of local government and beyond
• Investigated strengths and weaknesses of the area
• Establish connections and relationships with elected in community leaders
• Dedicated to serving our town
• Motivated to see new opportunities in a rejuvenated community

“Clarion really means so much to me, and I just saw this as an opportunity to give back to the community that means so much to me. I’ve always had a heart to serve and I have always found ways to give back.

“Whenever I moved back to the Clarion Borough last November, one of the first things that I was excited to do was to join the Clarion Fire Department, and now I’m able to serve and volunteer there.

“I feel that with the position of mayor, I would be able to give back in a different way. My goal is to be a positive influence on the community and council and build on the relationships we already have established in regard to the university and just try to benefit each other more than we already do. I want more opportunities for the community, my neighbors, and my friends. My family means so much to me. and I want great opportunities for my family and my son to grow up and experience new things, my wife to connect to different groups. She’s an artist, and I would love for her to be able to express her creativity and new ways.

“Whenever they were able and to put art on buildings and colors, I think it really gave town so much more life. I would love to see more of that throughout town.

“I understand the position of mayor doesn’t necessarily have a whole lot of power, but I see the most importance is just the ability to influence and to present ideas. I’ve been studying the entire region for four years now. Looking at some of the missed opportunities, why we miss them, and what are some we could have in the future.”