Former Mayor Eugene C. Pacsi is seeking to return to city government.

No, Pacsi isn't challenging Mayor William Morocco -- the Rev. Martha J. Sanders is the only other mayoral candidate. He's in the running for one of two seats on council, a job that pays $3,000.

Councilman Mark Petrillo is running for re-election and Olive Brown and Betty Marshall also have thrown their hats into the ring. All council and mayoral candidates are Democrats.

Councilwoman Helen Marenchin is not running for re-election.

Pacsi, 56, of 333 E. Judy Lynn Drive, was elected to council in 1973 and appointed mayor in 1978. He won every mayoral contest -- including close ones against Morocco and Councilman Louis Falconi -- until announcing in 1999 he would not seek re-election so he could run for county commissioner, a race he lost.

Pacsi said he's running to see through some of the major issues facing the city, most notably the Shenango Valley Intergovernmental Study Committee and the expansion of the Hillside Industrial Park.

The committee is studying whether Farrell, Sharon, Hermitage, Sharpsville and Wheatland should merge or consolidate.

While Pacsi is keeping an open mind on the committee's work, he said he has always supported sharing services and believes communities are economically interconnected.

"We are not all on islands," he said. "Everything that hurts hurts everyone."

The Hillside expansion is part of a three-part urban renewal plan to prepare land for development. Old buildings will be torn down, streets built, utilities moved and land laid out for development.

"I really believe that if that's opened up and cleared out, people can visualize something better than dilapidated buildings," he said.

Petrillo and Marenchin said they are supporting Pacsi's bid.

"If he succeeds, we'll have someone who is very knowledgeable," said Petrillo, who is running a separate campaign. "You can't get anybody better."

"I'm for Gene," said Mrs. Marenchin, who is stepping down at the end of her second term to devote herself to family.

"I think Gene Pacsi was a good mayor," she said. "I'm happy he wants to get back in. He's good for Farrell because he cares."

Mrs. Marenchin, 73, of 309 E. Judy Lynn, added she's not supporting any other council candidates.

"The others, may the best one win," she said.

Petrillo, 49, of 139 Shenango Blvd., pledged that if he is re-elected, "I'll work with whoever is in there."

Ms. Brown blamed Pacsi for the "ragged houses" in town and Idaho Street's descent from a commercial strip.

"I think that Mr. Pacsi had not done anything when he was mayor, and I don't see what he's going to do as a councilman," she said.

Ms. Brown, 61, of 323 Fruit Ave., said she hopes to bring residents together.

"I'm not just for the black community," she said. "I'm for everybody in Farrell."

Ms. Marshall, 66, of 913 Fruit Ave., could not be reached for comment. In a statement announcing her candidacy, she said, "I believe the city of Farrell could move forward to a more positive position. We need to empower our Farrell residents to participate in programs to create jobs and promote economic growth."