3 McCandless Council seats contested in general election

While budgets, police safety, and road maintenance are always on the minds of voters, issues regarding zoning regulations, preservation of greenspace and management of potential development have been recent hot topics in McCandless.

Voters can make their voices heard Nov. 7 in contested races in Wards 1, 3 and 5 for seats on the Town of McCandless Council.

There is an election in Ward 7. Incumbent Patricia Cloonan earned both the Democratic and Republican nominations for that seat. She is running uncontested. The North Allegheny Journal is doing candidate profiles in contested races.

Residents unsure of the ward in which they live can use an interactive map on the town website to find it.

Ward 1

Claudia Buonocore

Age: 36

Political affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Software Engineer

Education: M.S. in Computer Engineering, University of Salerno, Italy

Political experience: This is the first time I’ve run for political office.

What is the town’s most pressing need?

McCandless needs to be ready and equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow while preserving what makes it a great place to live and work today. My vision includes better youth recreational opportunities, control of deer and invasive species, and fully funding our public safety response. This vision is possible while balancing the necessary improvements with the commitment to not further burden tax-payers.

How would you solve it?

First, by increasing accessibility and transparency on the town council. Having bigger and more diverse participation will help in getting a more accurate picture of the needs of the residents, and a deeper involvement from the community will enable the council to better prioritize the actions to take. Second, by focusing on efficiency and ensuring that every step taken gets the town closer to actualizing the agreed vision.

What skills do you bring to council?

My leadership and problem-solving skills are honed through scenarios where time, money and needs are all conflicting constraints. Every day I observe, listen to different stakeholders, then work with my team to take action and lead by example. I communicate effectively the vision of the common goal, and inspire others to focus on what’s necessary to achieve it together. Also, my deep software expertise can ensure quality and save cost during ongoing town IT modernization.

Douglas Arlow

Age: 59

Political affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Water Treatment Sales Manager for Brenntag

Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering, Ohio University 1988, M.B.A. Robert Morris University, 2000

Political experience: Have not served in any political capacity prior to this.

What is the town’s most pressing need?

I believe the most pressing need coming up in the next term will be approving new responsible development, while at the same time, preserving community assets, such as parks and recreation that we all value. Decisions related to new zoning within our community can have detrimental effects when town council does not thoroughly review all implications that these decisions can have on the assets that make our community special.

How would you solve it?

I will listen and work with my constituents, town leaders, and developers to determine common sense solutions to new development challenges while protecting our community from concerns regarding traffic, noise, commercial lighting, and other implications related to altering existing property zoning designations. It is important that the community is made aware of fundamental change proposals so that they can provide input on these decisions.

What skills do you bring to council?

My career has provided me with a great deal of experience as a problem solver to find unique solutions to very complicated challenges. I am a very good listener, enabling me to analyze situations from different points of view to come up with mutually beneficial solutions. As an engineer and sales executive, I take a logical approach to studying challenges to find ideal solutions. I have no preconceived notions or agendas.

Ward 3

Nicholas Giorgetti

Age: 23

Political affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Programs Assistant, Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.

Education: University of Pittsburgh, Magna cum laude, 2021; North Allegheny High School, 2018

Political experience: My family has been in the North Hills for four generations and has been deeply active in our community, instilling a strong sense of public service in me. Since high school, I’ve been volunteering and working on campaigns to ensure we are represented by people who reflect our values. I am looking forward to working collaboratively to make McCandless an even better place to live.

What is the town’s most pressing need?

I’ve spoken to hundreds of my neighbors at their front doors, at community meetings, and on the street. Over and over, I’ve heard that McCandless needs a council member that will prioritize responsible development that preserves the charm of McCandless and better manages both stormwater and the local deer population.

How would you solve it?

I will evaluate the zoning code, widen our culling program to better control the deer population, and work to secure grants from the county and state to improve water management and infrastructure.

What skills do you bring to council?

My work ethic and pride in the community I was born and raised in. I have knocked doors on every street in this district to meet our neighbors — to listen to them and learn what matters most to our constituents. I will bring the needs and concerns that have been shared with me to council chambers.

Ward 3

Brian Snyder

Age: 42

Political affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Small Business Owner

Education: Shaler Area High School 1999, B.S. Education Duquesne University 2003, Master’s of Education, Duquesne University 2011

Political experience: In past elections, I have made a point to go and meet local school board and town council candidates so that I was knowledgeable about the issues and views of the candidates. I am not a politician with goals beyond town council. This is not a stepping stone for me. I’m just your neighbor in McCandless looking to keep our town and community as a whole the great place to live and raise a family that it is today.

What is the town’s most pressing need?

I feel the town’s most pressing needs are two-fold: 1. We need to protect our valuable greenspace and expand recreation locations through responsible development. 2. We need to embrace technology and keep updating our zoning codes so that we stay on pace with modern living but also remember to keep our history.

How would you solve it?

1. The town needs to reach more residents to involve them in planning and increase public awareness of development plans. Council should prioritize conserving greenspace and small local parks vs. over-development. 2. Technology such as traffic cameras are a great way to bring technology to our town and will increase safety on the roads and parks. Zoning should be amendments in small pieces as time goes by instead of waiting 40 years to rewrite the whole book.

What skills do you bring to council?

As a husband and father I can say the number one thing I can offer is my desire for my family to live in a quality community that is safe and offers great services to its taxpayers. As a small business owner of over 18 years, I bring to the table skills such as budgeting, working with contractors and vendors, and most importantly the discipline to stay focused and complete the tasks that keep a business (or community) moving forward.

Ward 5

Kathleen Roppa

Age: 66

Political Affiliation: Republican, but running on the Democratic ticket

Occupation: Retired Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Education: Doctorate in Administrative Policies School Law, University of Pittsburgh

Political Experience: Two years of experience serving the Township of McCandless representing Ward 5

What is the Town’s most pressing need?

Pressing needs are threefold.

1. Continuous work for infrastructure, storm drains, retention ponds /water sheds.

2. Provide our police/public works departments with proper staff/equipment.

3. Budget for parks, recreation and green space.

How would you solve it?

To solve these issues:

1. Work to assure that the current five-year plan is followed/budgeted for the water issues.

2. Work to settle the police/public works contracts by December.

3. Enforce updated zoning ordinance protecting parks/green space.

What skills do you bring to Council:

Budgeting, negotiations, business, construction, safety, incident command, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), human resources

Joe Wall

Age: 58

Political Affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Sr. Security Consultant/Director of Government Programs.

Education: North Allegheny High School, University of Pittsburgh

Political experience: Not a politician

What is the town’s most pressing need?

After serving in the town to Lead the Heritage and Cultural Center, I would say the most pressing issues are protecting property values with responsible development and zoning, as well as maintaining green space in the town. I believe we need to support our first responders and not play games with our town’s long-term safety. We need to re-invest in our parks and recreation and manage the storm water.

How would you solve it?

By listening to constituents and learning what is important to them. Working with the community to get the desired results is something that public servants all need to do and to learn. I feel that transparency in process needs to happen particularly where zoning and planning come into play. I feel that about the police contract as well. I want our police, fire, and ambulance to be the very best it can be as safety is the largest thing the town council does for our residents.

What skills do you bring to council?

I’m a doer. Whether it be for the Heritage and Cultural Center, or the many other charitable organizations I’ve been involved with, I bring people together for common goals, often rejecting what others say is impossible and making things happen. I feel that is what is needed here now more than ever.