ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A 27-year-old construction manager is running for Allentown City Council to get results and “empower the new generation” of residents.
Cristian Pungo said he wants to bring the “result-based approach” he uses at Alvin H. Butz Inc. to Allentown City Council. That approach could cut through some of the “dysfunction” that’s plagued council at times in recent years, he said.
“Let's talk about what needs to get done,” Pungo said. “Sometimes we fight about semantics, and I think it's important for us to get actual results and act in meaningful ways.”
Pungo said he’s ready to jump in and help the city address some difficult challenges, including its lack of affordable housing and infrastructure that needs investment.
“As a construction manager, it's kind of my job to take the problems that people don't want to deal with and figure it out."Cristian Pungo, Allentown City Council candidate
“As a construction manager, it's kind of my job to take the problems that people don't want to deal with and figure it out,” Pungo said.
The city can build a stronger foundation for future success by taking a “holistic” approach to tackle its problems, he said.
“With any building that I've built, it all starts at the foundation,” Pungo said. “If you don't have all the parts of that foundation complete, it kind of makes the entire structure unsafe.”
Pungo’s platform is focused on “Building Up Allentown” through greater investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, public safety, and economic and educational opportunities.
'The new generation'
Pungo said he plans to start actively campaigning Tuesday, the first day candidates can circulate petitions to appear on primary ballots in May.
“I really want the residents to feel like their voice matters."Cristian Pungo, Allentown City Council candidate
He hopes to speak with potential voters about his platform and earn their signatures and support.
And Pungo plans “to make a real push to get some of those voters that maybe wouldn't get out,” including young people and Hispanic residents, who are “an overwhelming majority” but still “underrepresented … within positions of leadership.”
“The new generation is becoming more active” in local politics and government, Pungo said, noting he is doing the same “to ensure that if we need to get something done, [we] do it together.”
“I really want the residents to feel like their voice matters,” Pungo said. “I want to empower our residents to feel if we can do something, if you have an idea, if you have a dream, let's work together to make Allentown a place that makes that achievable for you.”
Pungo is running as a Democrat alongside Jeremy Binder and Luis Acevedo. No Republicans have announced a campaign, as of Tuesday.
