Thomas M. Leighton

Thomas M. "Tom" Leighton is an American politician. A Democrat, he has served as the mayor of the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania since January 2004. He was a candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate in 2010 but lost. Leighton was running to fill Ray Musto's seat.

Leighton defeated former city leader Tom McGroarty in the Democratic Party primary election in 2003, partly on a platform to revitalize Wilkes-Barre's downtown sector.

On June 9, 2005, Leighton unveiled his 'I believe...' campaign for Wilkes-Barre, which was intended to boost the city's spirits and rid residents of their cyncisim and negativity about the city. Many residents were, and still are, skeptical of the campaign, since it is being paid for with tax dollars. Construction is complete on a planned downtown 14-screen theatre complex and a two-floor Barnes & Noble bookstore. The movie theater opened in July 2006. A Barnes & Noble boookstore opened in early October 2006. A renovation of the landmark Hotel Sterling is being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. In March 2006, CityVest purchased a property adjacent to the Hotel Sterling for $325,000, the City had a lien on the property, but the property owner got the cash, the City somehow transferred the lien to CityVest(and then forgave it), and the taxpayers were on the hook for $311,000. New street lights have replaced worn out red lights in the Public Square and in parts of the downtown area. Midtown Village has seen a new club open up, and a Subway restaurant, a Thai restaurant, and The Hardware Bar have significantly widened the popularity of the downtown area.

External links

Associated Press Report on the "I Believe... " Campaign

• PA Mayor's Promise Less than "Unbelievable" (6/23/2005 Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)

The Citizens' Voice (local newspaper) report - example of City Council meeting, with quote by Mayor Leighton -

• Sex Offender Ordinance (10/25/2006 Wilkes-Barre, PA)