BIOGRAPHY

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Sherry Capello was sworn in as Lebanon’s 31st Mayor on January 4, 2010. 

First Term: Focused on Accountability to the People

During her first term, she prioritized accountability and fiscal responsibility. She began by addressing the city’s budget deficits and rectifying multiple audit findings, including catching up on three years’ worth of overdue audits. This was a key step in restoring the financial health of the city.

She also negotiated a contract concession with all three unions, as well as non-union employees, resulting in a freeze on base salaries. This decision was vital to ensuring the city remained fiscally responsible while still honoring the city’s workforce.

Additionally, she established a capital reserve fund for future capital expenditures, providing the city with a solid financial foundation for years to come.

Second Term: Focused on Economic Development

In her second term, she shifted her focus to advancing economic development. Her administration introduced two tax incentive programs to stimulate development on less desirable lands (KOZ) and to revitalize deteriorating commercial buildings (LERTA). These programs helped bring investment to areas that had been overlooked for years.

She executed a comprehensive economic development strategic plan for the city and worked to establish a Business Improvement District to further support and enhance local businesses. Her team also facilitated discussions with local lenders to help small businesses access available resources.

Her administration played a key role in the redevelopment of a project between the two bridges over the N/S RR, creating a more vibrant and welcoming area. Alongside this, she helped produce a marketing brochure highlighting the city’s shopping and dining venues and also created a guide for new businesses looking to set up shop in the area.

Meeting with a major hotel developer, her team became well-versed in the strategies needed to bring a hotel to the downtown area, which remains a priority for future growth. Additionally, the city co-hosted the Fireball Event, which attracted thousands of visitors and generated significant revenue for our local businesses.

Third Term: Focused on Economic and Community Development

In her third term, she concentrated on a broader range of economic and community development initiatives. One of the major accomplishments during this period was the establishment of a land bank, which has been essential in addressing blight and improving property values throughout the city.

To encourage further investment, her administration created a promotional video, “Top 10 Reasons to Invest in Lebanon City,” aimed at attracting private investment. She also spearheaded a complete rewrite of the city’s Zoning Ordinance, making it more user-friendly and compliant with state statutes while accommodating new uses and terminology.

The City partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and SCORE to establish an entrepreneurial center, offering critical support to local startups. To bolster property maintenance and code enforcement, the city hired a supervisor to oversee enforcement operations more effectively.

A major milestone was the agreement to sell the city’s share of the county-city municipal building and purchase the HACC facility, allowing the city offices and Lebanon Police Department to move downtown. This move not only increased foot traffic in the area but also improved security and contributed to ongoing revitalization efforts.

Her administration also opened the first bike park in the county, featuring three distinct tracks designed for different skill levels.

Fourth Term: Continuing Economic and Community Development Initiatives

Her fourth term continued the focus on economic and community development, as well as recreational and infrastructure improvements.

One of the most visible achievements was relocating the city offices and police department to the downtown area, which revitalized the heart of the city. Major resurfacing projects were completed on key streets such as Walnut, 9th, 10th, Lehman, Maple, and Cumberland, alongside significant stormwater improvements.

Her team also completed a major streetscape improvement project, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of our urban core. In terms of recreational upgrades, the city moved forward with the design of new recreational facilities, including a partnership with Coleman Memorial Park for the city’s first-ever disc golf course.

On the blight front, the city continued to assess deteriorating properties, issuing notices to property owners requiring maintenance and improvements. Additionally, her team worked closely with the County to complete a housing needs assessment study.

To further enhance community engagement and transparency, her team launched CRIMEWATCH, a platform designed to foster a stronger relationship between the community and the police department. In its first year, the platform saw over 340 submissions, and by the end of 2024, it had grown to 2,133 subscribers with over 206,000 visits.

In support of our local emergency services, the city assisted volunteer fire companies in purchasing an engine and a ladder truck. Additionally, the community rallied to raise nearly $50,000 to replace our K-9.

Importantly, all of these accomplishments were achieved without raising taxes for 10 years!

 Mayor Capello serves as an ex-officio member of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation and the Lebanon County Commission for Women.  She is a member of the Lebanon School District’s Safe and Healthy Schools Committee and their Local Advisory Board, Lebanon County Career and Technology Center’s Local Advisory Board and Chair of their Criminal Justice Occupational Advisory Committee, and a member of the Community of Lebanon’s Government Relations Committee.  She is Chair of the Lebanon County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Policy Committee, City’s Board of Health, Police Pension and Paid Firemen Pension Boards and her Grow Lebanon Revitalization Committee.

Prior to her election as Mayor of Lebanon City, Mayor Capello served for eighteen months as the Assistant Director of Derry Township Community Development Department, as the Borough Manager of Palmyra Borough for about eleven years and as Lebanon County’s Chief Zoning Officer for almost ten years.

Capello has been honored with receiving an award in 2020 from the U.S. House of Representatives in recognition of exceptional service to communities in PA’s 9th District during the coronavirus pandemic, 2017 Lebanon Valley Family YMCA Healthy Living Award for her dedication to the health and well-being of our community, PA Chapter of the American Planning Association’s 2016 Planning Leadership Award for an Elected Official for her efforts in leading the initiative of the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, the 2016 Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Community Builder Award for her sustained service to the enhancement and advancement of the quality of life in the Lebanon Valley, the 2016 Community of Lebanon’s Award for Clean Sweep in honor of her commitment to keep the downtown clean and green, the 2015 HACC Distinguished Alumni and the 2012 Athena Award.  Presented by the Chamber since 1990, the award- named after the Greek goddess of wisdom and reason- recognizes local women and men who have achieved success in their professional career while demonstrating a commitment to community service and a willingness to assist other women reach their full potential.

Mayor Capello earned an Associate of Arts degree in Marketing/Management from Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, PA.  She has received more than thirty certificates for professional development.