Vigilance Hose President Enters Race for Council Seat

The longtime president of Vigilance Hose Co. No. 1 is planning to switch gears by running for a seat on Nazareth Borough Council.

Carl Strye Jr., 50, a Republican, is running against incumbents Jack Herbst and Charles Donello, both of whom are Democrats. They are vying for two four-year seats in the borough's Ward 3.

Strye has lived in Nazareth all but two years of his life. He was born in Kingston, Luzerne County, and lived there until he was 2 years old.

Professional 

• Regional manager for Mid Atlantic Carwash Technologies, DBA WashTech

Education

• 1980 graduate of Nazareth High School
• Northampton Community College, Management and Public Speaking

Community Service

• Joined Vigilance Hose Co. No. 1 in 1979
  * Assistant Fire Chief, 1983-1986
  * Elected President, 1987-Current
  * Resigned as Lieutenant on Jan. 2, 2013
• Chairman, Nazareth Halloween Parade
• Co-Chairman, Great Nazareth Carnival
• Announcer, Nazareth football and basketball
• Chairman, Nazareth Fireworks Committee and Road Rally

Strye said he’s always wanted a seat on Nazareth Borough Council, but his duties with the fire department kept him busy. To make time, Strye said in an e-mail to Patch, he won’t run for president of Vigilance Hose when his term expires Nov. 18.

“I have decided it was time to make a switch and focus on a Council run to continue my community service and hopefully make a difference in the town I love,” Strye said. 

If he finds himself on Council, Strye hopes to bring changes and “a positive influence.”

“My work ethic has and always will be ‘plan your work and work your plan,’” he explained, adding that he’s noticed the current nine-member Council not following through. “[For me], that is not fair to the people involved and the taxpayers."

Strye added: "Also, I think Council should run as a well-oiled machine and this is not happening. Too much controversy takes away from [Council’s] focus. I am hoping I can change that.”

As for Nazareth’s fledgling police department, Strye says he will “keep an open mind” because he does not know what Council juggles behind closed doors.

“It feels like a big piece of the puzzle is missing and until I can further grasp what Council is thinking, I need to be openminded,” Strye said. “I am in agreement that something needs to change and the community needs to be updated more frequently than it has been.”

"A lot" of residents, Strye said, have told him they plan to write in his name for mayor.

"[I don't] know what to say about that at this time," Strye said. "We will see where the chips fall and go from there."

In addition to running for re-election, Herbst is seeking to replace Fred Daugherty Jr. as mayor.