Photo by Becky Polaski Sean Gabler received a plaque to commemorate his service to the city at his final city council meeting on Dec. 21, 2009.

Gabler’s term ended at the end of 2009 and he chose not to seek reelection.

Prior to serving on city council, Gabler served as a member of the St. Marys Planning Commission. He explained that he initially decided to run for council because he wanted to be involved in changing the city’s direction.

“I wanted to attempt to change the direction the city was going during a time when the city was reeling from frequent turnover in significant positions such as manager and chief of police,” Gabler said. “In some cases, the turnover was due to involuntary termination that eventually let to costly lawsuits resulting in large settlements paid out by the city. This, of course, was a tremendous concern for me and was a major factor contributing to my decision to run for council.”

Gabler explained that he went into his term with an open mind.

“As with all levels of government, when you get a group of people together with varying opinions, it is difficult to accomplish any predetermined goals,” Gabler said.

Gabler noted that, throughout his term on city council, he enjoyed interacting with the residents of St. Marys, listening to their concerns and taking those concerns into consideration when voting on particular issues.

“Resident participation in local government is essential to a municipality’s success,” Gabler said.

Serving on city council also came with a variety of challenges in trying to do what was best for the city and its residents.

“The biggest challenge in St. Marys was, and still is, selling the idea that development is a necessity. We must continue to expand out tax base or face the pain of frequent tax increases. Every year, costs have a natural tendency to go up, whether it is fuel expenditures, electric rate hikes or increased material costs,” Gabler said. “Local government is charged with the burden of deciding to raise taxes or cut services. Neither option is a popular one. The city must continue to create a business-friendly atmosphere so we may benefit from additional property tax revenue, earned income revenue and more residents to share the tax burden.”

When discussing everything that he was involved with during his term on city council, Gabler is quick to place credit upon all members of council.

“City council is not set up for individual recognition,” Gabler said. “As a single member of council, I had no authority. All of our authority rested in council as a group. I am proud that this council made every accommodation to allow residents to air their concerns, and that council members genuinely listened and gave their full attention.”

Gabler added that one of the most important things he learned is that criticism is part of the job.

“Regardless of which side of an issue you come down on, you will always upset a certain percentage of the population,” Gabler said. “To be a councilman means you must be ‘thick-skinned.’”

Gabler also noted that, while he chose not to run for another term on city council at the present time, he would not rule out serving another term in the future. The likelihood of him serving another term though he noted is very remote.

Gabler was currently approved by members of the current city council to serve as Chairman of the Vacancy Board for the City of St. Marys.

“I would like to continue to serve the residents of St. Marys in a more limited role,” Gabler said.

Gabler is also an usher at St. Mary’s Church and a member of the Elk County Republican Party Executive Committee.

Gabler also offered praise for St. Marys and its residents.

“St. Marys is an exceptional community to live, work and raise children. Our strength is in our neighborhoods. With wide roads, well-maintained properties and neighbors who look out for each other, there is not a neighborhood in St. Marys in which I could be ashamed,” Gabler said. “Take a moment and compare it when traveling throughout the state. While all communities have their premier residential developments, they also have their neighborhoods with run-down homes, high crime rate and poorly maintained infrastructure. Our sprawling neighborhoods and tree-lined streets make the St. Marys area a desirable place to call home. For all those skeptics out there I say no, I am not blind. I know we have our challenges, but St. Marys has much for which its residents should be proud.”