5 candidates running for 3 seats on Heidelberg council

Five candidates will square off this November seeking one of three open seats on Heidelberg council.

All three seats are four-year terms.

According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections’ unofficial candidate list, Democrats Dorothy McCartney, Richard A. Pattinato and Sharon Wicobroda will face Republicans Charles L. Jones and John Duda in the race.

Here’s a look at the candidates and their responses to questions posed by Chartiers Valley monthly for the upcoming election.

Pattinato could not be reached. Jones did not submit answers by this publication’s deadline.

John G. Duda

Age: 51

Political party: Republican

Education: Associates Degree

Occupation: Project manager

If elected, what are two short-term goals? To work with the fire department to upgrade equipment with grants.

As a part of the finance committee, I will keep tracking the spending in the borough and make sure the budget stays balanced.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? To start a paying plan for the borough next year. Starting with making sure the budget has a line item for debt services to pay back a loan.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? As the colder weather sets in it will be harder to get out. But there is always bingo at the fire hall Thursday nights.

Dorothy McCartney

Age: 41

Political party: Democrat

Education: Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in communication, minor in administration of justice

Occupation: Business and traffic manager, Forever Media Pittsburgh

If elected, what are two short-term goals? I want to increase communication between Heidelberg council and borough residents. Heidelberg residents need to be made aware of what is happening in their community and should be more informed of the issues that impact them.

I want to increase community engagement. The more of us that are actively involved within our community, the more we can accomplish.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? I am looking forward to building a stronger relationship with Heidelberg residents so I can gain a thorough understanding of their concerns and goals for their community.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? We need to get back to basics when it comes to communicating with one another. Initially, I plan to start with knocking on doors to hear what is on the minds of community members. I also plan to create a newsletter that gets mailed to everyone’s homes and to update our social media presence. In addition, Heidelberg council meetings should either be live-streamed or recorded for residents to watch. I hope that by increasing our channels of communication that more people will want to become involved with our local government and be part of the decision-making process.

Sharon Wicobroda

Age: 60

Political party: Democrat

Education: High school

Occupation: CNA Disabled

If elected, what are two short-term goals? Try to get our borough department running smoothly and more bang for our tax dollars.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? Trying not to raise taxes because our seniors can barely afford to stay in their houses now, and creating some kind of a small house village for our seniors to move into when they can’t take care of their house, but still want to be a part of Heidelberg and our community.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Hope to get more to come to the meetings and try to get them involved in activities and boards we have openings on.