Vigilance Hose President to Seek Mayor Vacancy

Less than 24 hours after Fred Daugherty Jr. resigned as the mayor of Nazareth, the longtime president of Vigilance Hose Co. No. 1 announced he was taking steps to, hopefully, fill the vacancy.

Nazareth Borough Council has 30 days to make an appointment to fill the mayor's seat. The only qualification for the appointed person is that he or she is a "registered elector" in the Borough of Nazareth.

"I will be submitting a resume for mayor," said Carl Strye Jr. in an e-mail to Patch. "Although a little earlier than anticipated, I feel I am ready to step in and get active."

Strye, a Republican, is running against Jack Herbst and Charles Donello, both incumbent Democrats, for two four-year Council seats in the borough's Ward 3.

Learn more about Strye by reading "Vigilance Hose President Enters Race for Council Seat" on Nazareth Patch.

But he previously said "a lot" of residents have told him they plan to write in his name for mayor.

"If I get appointed, I would get my feet wet," Strye said. "If they appoint Jack, that's fine. Then I would apply for his seat. It's all positive for me."

Herbst, who has been a Nazareth Borough Council fixture for 12 years, is the only mayoral candidate running in the May 21 primary.

However, anyone who gets 10 or more write-in votes in the Republican primary could face Herbst in the November general election.

And that might happen.

In addition to running for Council and vying for the vacancy, Strye said he still plans to forge ahead with a mayoral write-in campaign and see where the chips fall.

"Attitudes must change, communication has to change," Strye explained. "It may take a while to get caught up and briefed on Council activity, but I am ready to step in and make a difference in the town I love."

Resumes for the vacancy will be accepted at the borough office until May 2. Council will then consider its options, in hopes of acting at its May 6 meeting.