Politics & Government

Newcomers Seize Majority in Leetsdale, Vow to Make Changes

Incumbent Ben Frederick loses spot on Leetsdale Council.

Residents of voted for change in Tuesday’s general election, as a slate of newcomers claimed all four open spots for borough council, according to unofficial results.

Democratic newcomers , and Republican newcomer were the top vote-getters for three 4-year seats. Democratic newcomer received the fewest votes.

The four were guaranteed to claim the three seats, but a race for a two-year seat also pitted Michael—a Republican write-in candidate—against Leetsdale Councilman , who has served six years on council.

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Michael received the majority of votes in that race, upsetting Frederick’s bid for re-election, according to unofficial election results.

“I would say that the four candidates that won, the people made their choice and that’s why we have voting,” Frederick said Tuesday night. 

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The four newcomers, who ran on the “Citizens for Leetsdale” platform, will form a majority on the borough council at the start of the new year. Councilmen Wesley James, Roger Nanni and Osman Awad now will be in the minority.

Councilmen Michael Bajsec, Thomas Brown and Robert Cobourne ran for re-election in May, but they fell short in their bids during the . Frederick also ran for an open four-year seat but didn’t win the nomination.

“We’re very pleased,” Dunn said. “It just makes all of our efforts well worth it.”

The newcomers’ main grievances included the borough’s past spending practices and their perceived handling of an independent audit report. They also maintain the hirings of a borough manager and junior secretary were unnecessary.  Liz Petalino, formerly secretary-treasurer, is employed as co-secretary in the borough.

Frederick said he hopes the newcomers will review Petalino's job requirements and performance before making any decisions.

“Before they give her back or give her added responsibilities, they should seriously, seriously take a look at Liz Petalino’s track record,” Frederick said.

McGurk hasn’t been shy about the group’s plans to oust the borough manager and junior secretary.  He said Tuesday's election should serve as a 60-day notice.

“It’s been a lot of hard work for an awful long period of time—since August of last year,” McGurk said. “I’m glad the people of Leetsdale put trust in us. I’m glad we earned their respect.”

McGurk said he was impressed that 319 residents came out to the polls—a high number in the borough during a non-presidential election year.

“That’s pretty high,” he said. “That’s an indication they were there to bless us with their votes.”

McGurk previously served six years on council starting in January 2002 and ending in December 2007. Dunn also served on council from 2008 before she resigned on Feb. 28, 2010. Weatherby, who couldn’t be reached for comment, serves on the civil service commission and will have to step down to serve on council.

Michael admits she has no council experience, but she said she’s ready for the challenge and plans to learn more about the operations of local government.

“I’m glad that we have a chance to come in and hopefully make a difference," she said. "I think we did get support from the community, showing it was time for change.”

LEETSDALE

Leetsdale Council

One 2-year term

Name of Candidate

Party

Total

%

Benjimen Frederick

D

109

33.13

Linda Michael

R

219

66.57

 

Leetsdale Council
Three 4-year terms

Name of Candidate

Party

Total

%

Linda Michael

D

75

8.7

Melanie Dunn

D

253

29.35

Joseph McGurk

D

270

31.32

Jeffrey Weatherby

R

237

27.49

(Unofficial results)


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