6 candidates running for 3 seats on Collier's board of commissioners
Six candidates will square off in November, each seeking one of the three open seats on the Collier board of commissioners.
According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, Democrats Mary Ann Cupples Wisniowski, Sadie Lee Restivo and Frank Trosky will face Republicans Wayne M. Chiurazzi, Timothy W. Young and Stephanie Bonincontro.
Here’s a look at the candidates and their responses to questions posed by Chartiers Valley monthly for the upcoming election.
Stephanie Bonincontro
Bonincontro did not respond to requests for information for this article.
Wayne M. Chiurazzi
Age: 55
Political party: Republican
Education: Pennsylvania State University, Duquesne Law School
Occupation: Attorney
If elected, what are two short-term goals? One short-term goal includes continuing our development that includes residential development: Amalfi Ridge (Maronda Homes), Settlers Point (Stambrosky Homes), and Sunrise Junction (Ryan Homes).
Another short-term goal is to encourage and cultivate our commercial development including Sheetz, Chase Bank, Bank Of America, PennDOT Licensing Center, Grist House Brewing, Planet Fitness, Fresh Thyme, Chick-fil-A, Burlington and Starbucks.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? Long term, we took over the administration of the sewer department, walking trail off of Hilltop Road, installed a dog park, updated the parks and community center and acquired federal property to create new parks and open space. We improved stormwater management through the MS4 Program. These long-term improvements to our township are in place.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? I always encourage public involvement and communication, showing at meetings, speaking to the board and making sure our directors act when necessary to resolve any issue with our public.
Mary Ann Cupples Wisniowski
Age: 71
Political party: Democrat
Education: College degree and a master’s degree from Duquesne University
Occupation: Teacher and reading specialist
If elected, what are two short-term goals? My short-term goals now and if I am re-elected are to work for responsible development, improvement and enhancing all our parks and help to ensure the safety of all our residents by working with fire, EMS and the police to make sure that they have all the equipment, training and manpower to do their jobs.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? To continue to work to continue to make Collier a great place to live and raise a family. I have been attending commissioner’s meetings and planning meetings for over eight years. I have been involved in the Friends of Collier Parks and Recreation and the Parks Committee for many years. I believe in being knowledgeable about the community in which I live and do everything that I can to make it a better place to live. I will continue to work for the betterment of our community and to work tirelessly to meet the needs of the residents in Collier.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Our township manager has a manager’s coffee once a month. I have been attending these for years and have continued to attend them since I have become a commissioner. I attend these meetings to hear the concerns of the residents and then I work with our board and our manager to try to address their concerns. Whether I am an elected official or not, I will continue to be involved in our township. I plan to continue attending events that take place in Collier – Rock the Quarry, Collier Fest, Manager’s Coffee, blood drives, Concerts in the Park, ribbon cuttings, and any event that gives me an opportunity to meet with our residents and improve the quality of life in the place that I live.
Sadie Lee Restivo
Age: 38
Political party: Democrat
Education: West Virginia University, Bachelor of Arts in political science
Occupation: Director of Development at Pittsburgh Action Against Rape
If elected, what are two short-term goals? To make sure Collier is investing in responsible development. When properly done, responsible development creates economic opportunity for all. We should be collaborating with neighborhoods and investing in improving and beautifying them. My second short-term goal is to ensure government transparency and provide easily accessible ways for people to interact with our township government. Communication with our residents will help promote and deliver an all-inclusive, equitable future for Collier.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? The continued betterment of our parks and facilities. Our parks and facilities are meant to provide both children and adults a safe space to play, gather and socialize. I want to make sure Collier continues to expand its parks and facilities and meet the needs of our growing and diverse population.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Providing barrier-free ways for constituents to communicate and voice their concerns is a top priority for me. I will advocate finding new and inventive ways to make sure township meetings are accessible to all. Providing options for individuals to participate by Zoom or other online platforms and always offering multiple ways constituents can get in touch with me personally.
Frank Trosky
Age: 39
Political party: Democrat
Education: High School, Marine Corps, EMT
Occupation: Environmental service manager for Allegheny County
If elected, what are two short-term goals? Safety and improving and enhancing our parks. As a Marine Corps combat veteran, Military Police Officer, former firefighter and EMT, safety is a huge part of my life. I want to take that experience and use it to better help our first responders to make sure they have the equipment and training to better serve the residents of Collier. As a father of four, parks are another big part of my daily life. Not only am I in the community for my kids, but also for all the kids of Collier. I currently coach three soccer teams and am the vice president of the CVSA Soccer association. Being involved in sports within the community, I am able to see a lot of the different parks and want to make sure all children can continue to have a safe and fun place to go.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? To continue responsible economic development geared to making Collier a great place to live. As a father of four, I am proud to raise my children here and want to make sure many more families can say the same for generations to come.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? In addition to attending commissioner meetings, I am already in the community every day and plan on continuing to do so. I attend different community events throughout the year. The biggest way I think to keep constituents involved and communicate with them is to attend these types of events and make yourself known and approachable to all residents of Collier.
Timothy W. Young
Age: 72
Political party: Republican
Education: Bachelor’s degree in math education, principal’s certification, and graduate classes for master’s from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Occupation: Retired high school principal and mathematics teacher. Retired Lieutenant Colonel United States Army Reserves.
If elected, what are two short-term goals? One of my short-term goals is to fit in with the other four commissioners – create unity and work as a team, which was the way the five commissioners worked when I was a commissioner from 2010-2014.
The goal is to do your best to serve Collier residents. The best way I can serve the residents is to be honest with everyone in every situation we encounter.
Some candidates like to use the phrase “lower taxes,” when they are running for office and it sounds like a great idea, but frequently not realistic. With the population in Collier growing, this creates the need for additional public services to include police, public works, fire department and medical service demands, etc. Two facts to consider: When a community grows, the costs to service the community increase. Second, the best way to defray the costs for the residents is to attract new businesses to the community. It is a blessing to see Sheetz Corporation invest in Collier, plus Starbucks and Chick-fil-A are planning to open soon in Collier. New businesses coming to Collier is the way to help any community pay for needed services and avoid raising individual taxes.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? Previously when I was a commissioner, I was also the emergency management coordinator for the township. While serving in both positions, the township had a major storm which created water runoff problems in six areas. The six areas most affected by the extreme water runoff situation were communities located below new construction sites. Collier needs to develop an ordinance that protects people who live downstream from all new construction. The goal is to protect the homes of the present residents while ensuring new construction does not create runoff problems for residents living below a construction site.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Obviously, every resident is welcome to attend any township meeting to include the commissioner’s meetings, the parks and recreation meetings, the planning commission meetings, zoning board meetings and other township meetings.
Every commissioner should have an email account published on the Collier website, so community members can quickly contact any commissioner.
Previously, when I was a commissioner, when I became aware of a resident’s problem, I would frequently visit the individual or individuals who had a concern and try to assess their concerns then make the other commissioners aware of the problems with the goal to collectively solve the problem.
I am a hands-on person when it comes to solving problems, I do not sit back and wait for the problems to fester. I look for help and input from all individuals involved to find the solution for a problem.
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