Scranton Realtor® named interim mayor

Pennsylvania Realtor® Wayne Evans was appointed to serve as mayor of Scranton last month until January 2020.

Evans, who had been serving as a councilman, replaced former Mayor Bill Courtright, who resigned July 1.

“My Realtor® career has been instrumental in preparing me to be mayor,” said Evans. “Certainly, being a broker and small business owner allows you to develop talents in many facets, for example, a broad knowledge of marketing, business, entrepreneurship, the relationship between taxes and it’s impact on the market and on taxpayers and families.”

However, Evans said balancing his real estate career and political one is a challenge. “Being mayor is a full-time job, in fact, far more than full-time. My great staff at my real estate company has allowed me to devote the time I need to as mayor by helping me with all the moving parts of the real estate business,” said Evans. “My position is unique because it is for a set amount of time, approximately six months, because I was appointed to fill an unexpired term. So, we are trying to get a lot done in that time frame.”

Evans said some of the goals for his short term include switching from a business privilege and mercantile tax to a payroll prep tax, establishing an historic district in the downtown, having a top-down efficiency study in the License and Inspections Department, conducting a study promoting Walkability Downtown, a possible switch to a per-bag garbage system and establishing a regional stormwater authority, just to name a few.

For other Realtors® with political aspirations, Evans encourages them to go for it. “Realtors® develop many skills in their day-to-day business experience. After all, as independent contractors, we are very much embody an entrepreneurial spirit,” he said

“Everyday is your chance to make this city a little better,” added Evans.