Easton Mayoral Primary Debate: Panto Vows This Will Be His Last Term

Six-term Mayor Sal Panto and challenger Peter Melan traded blows last night during a Mayoral debate hosted by the Meyner Center at Lafayette's Colton Chapel before an audience of about 100 people, with Dr. John Kincaid serving as moderator. You can see the debate for yourself above. Panto painted himself as a "leader" whom you can trust. "I promised a cleaner and safer city," and reminded everyone that he kept that promise.  Melan agreed that Panto deserves a "world of credit" for what has happened in Easton, but the city needs a "better listener" who will "use data" to arrive at strategic responses to city problems. Candidates answered questions concerning climate change, parking, economic development, neighborhoods, affordable housing, taxes, diversity and inclusion, back yard chickens and pickleball. Panto also announced that, if elected, "This will be my last term." 

Panto, who has spent a lifetime speaking to groups, was clearly the better speaker. Melan was a bit more guarded, but was definitely a much better orator than he was a few weeks ago at the Southside Civic Ass'n. 

I expect Panto will easily be re-elected despite having been Mayor since the city was laid out by William Parsons in 1752. As Mayor, he's done everything he can to equate his persona with the city itself. At last night's debate, when asked what makes him most proud. The Notre Dame Green Pond grad said it was a picture of the Red Rover football team coming out of the field house with the Easton flag. "Kids are proud to say they're from Easton again and that's the key to turning around the city. I can honestly say that my legacy is that people are more proud to say they live in Easton today, and say they live in Easton, than they were before I was in office. That's my legacy. "

I walked out last night with a nice lady who told me she now lives in Salisbury Township, but came to the debate because she grew up in Easton and was proud to say she was from Easton. 

I suspect Panto's message resonated with her more than what either candidate had to say about any of the topics discussed.  

Panto has been a good Mayor and the City has improved under his watch. You could say it's because of him or in spite of him, but nobody can reasonably argue that the city is the cesspool it was when he took office. 

The real question is whether six terms is enough.  Melan says yes. He believes the Mayor needs to be separated from City Council (the Mayor is currently also a Council member) and that there should be term limits. He wants to focus more on the south side, west ward and college hill with more "creative ideas." 

Panto countered that the people already have the power to limit someone's term in the voting booth. "i'm publicly making this known now that, there will be a change of guard. If I win this election, which I fully expect to do, this will be my last term. ... I will tell you that this is my last term." What about four years ago? Didn't he say that was his last term? " No, what I said was this will probably be my last term. Then guess what?  That was January when I took office, and in March, we hit COVID."