Bethel Park municipal races a mix of uncontested, contested
Municipal races in Bethel Park are a mix of contested and unopposed, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections’ unofficial candidate list.
Incumbent Mayor Jack Allen is running unopposed for another four-year term, as is incumbent Joseph Consolmagno for the Ward 1 council seat.
The Ward 3 council race will see newcomers Danielle Gosnell and John Oakes vying for the seat currently held by Jim Hannen. In Ward 5, incumbent Donald Harrison faces newcomer Joe Janosik.
David Espinar is running unopposed for Jim McLean’s Ward 7 seat.
In Ward 9, newcomers Lindsay Flinn and Justin Tiano are facing off for the seat currently held by Lorrie Gibbons.
All council terms are four years.
Here are the candidates and their answers to the questions posted by Bethel Park monthly.
Ward 3
Danielle Gosnell
Age: 39
Political party: Democrat
Education: Master of Science in legal studies, law & public policy; master’s in business administration, management; bachelor’s degree in business science, business administration
Occupation: Global contract manager at Ingersoll Rand Inc.
If elected, what are two short-term goals? Implement a robust recreation program for residents of all ages. I want to cater to young residents as well as the aging population. This also includes preserving greenspace and support organizations that encourage youth outdoor participation. Transparency and personal accountability. This also includes implementing an anti-nepotism policy within the municipal hiring and bidding process. Personal accountability means reaching out to the residents of Ward 3 for feedback and listening to their needs.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? To foster a thriving local economy to cultivate a safe and friendly place for families to grow. Building a safer and more desirable community to live in and attract new businesses including economic growth with a “downtown Bethel Park.” I envision a downtown Bethel Park as a gathering place where residents and visitors can enjoy local retail, restaurants and other public amenities in a traditional downtown setting. Business owners, the redevelopment authority, the chamber of commerce and additional community stakeholders would be great partners for this program. I would explore new opportunities by partnering up with our neighbors in other communities.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Our residents want to live in a community they feel is safe and close-knit, they want transparency and a responsive local government. There are so many ways to communicate with the constituents, I would invite them to the regularly scheduled council meetings, communicate via social media and other publications. Finally, I think it’s important that council members take time to respond to their constituents. For all constituents interested in talking to me, I’d be happy to set up a face-to-face, telephone call, or Zoom meeting to address any of their questions or concerns in regards to the municipality.
John Oakes
Age: 38
Political party: Republican
Education: Master plumber
Occupation: Business owner/plumber
If elected, what are two short-term goals? Be responsive to resident questions or concerns, and financial responsibility and management. I will attend all of the 2022 budget meetings to make sure issues in Ward 3 are addressed. If necessary, as a newly elected official, I would have the ability to re-open the budget to address any potential concerns in January 2022 to keep taxes affordable for all residents.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? Improve mobility in Bethel Park. Traffic, speeding and walkability of Bethel Park seem to be the No. 1 issue as I am going door to door. I would work with council to address these issues, starting with the intersection of Logan/Irishtown/Patterson. I would also propose a sidewalk plan along with working with the Friends of the Montour Trail in Bethel Park to complete the Central Bethel Park Trail. This would connect the current Montour trail from Irishtown Road to Millennium Park. I would also propose traffic calming devises to control speeding in neighborhoods.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Constituent service would be my primary focus as the Ward 3 councilman. I would maintain open and transparent communications between the municipality and our residents. If there is an issue in our ward, I would directly notify the resident and be available to answer any questions. Having met many of my neighbors going door to door, it has provided very good feedback on the needs of Ward 3 and in Bethel Park.
Ward 5
Donald Harrison
Harrison did not respond to requests for information for this article.
Joe Janosik
Age: 51
Political party: Democrat
Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration from West Virginia University
Occupation: VP and team leader at BNY Mellon, working in the asset servicing department on the asset conversions team
If elected, what are two short-term goals? Working with the Municipal Authority to address the continuing issues with our water systems. Working with the Public Works Department to connect our schools, parks and neighborhoods while being conscious of costs and long-term sustainability.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? Keeping the Library T line in Bethel Park. It is in danger of being closed, which would not be a good thing for Bethel Park.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? I have a cell phone specifically for the election that will become my council phone, where I would welcome calls and feedback. I intend to be in the community regularly, interacting with neighbors and having events in the ward to meet people and hear from them directly.
Ward 9
Lindsay Flinn
Age: 39
Political party: Democrat
Education: Master of Arts in higher education; Bachelor of Science in business administration from Geneva College
Occupation: Former student services specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health in the department of epidemiology
If elected, what are two short-term goals? I am committed to clear communication and transparent access to information. Bethel Park residents deserve to know what’s happening in the borough and to be part of the decision-making process. I want to be a councilwoman who citizens can trust to be open, honest and genuine. I will continually work to earn the trust of the community. I am excited to help existing third places thrive and create new public third places that connect us. A “third place” is a space separate from home and work where one feels welcomed, at ease and safe. These gathering places enrich our borough and fuel our sense of community. Additional public seating, making space in the community center or schoolhouse and new annual events are a few of my ideas, but this is where public input is vital.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? I hope to foster a safer, more well-connected community for all of Bethel Park. Folks need a safe way to access The Montour Trail, our schools, local businesses and public transportation stops. Walking on Clifton, South Park and Bethel Church roads is dangerous. Expanding the current sidewalk network is necessary for the safety of our students, visitors and residents. What we have in Bethel Park is unique to the South Hills: thriving local businesses and industrial park, beautiful neighborhoods, excellent schools and a sprawling park/trail system. Let’s connect these in a way that lifts up our entire community.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Bethel Park has a variety of citizens; therefore, we need a variety of communication outlets. We can better utilize social media platforms and streamline the municipal website for easier access to community information. Email blasts, voice messages and text communication work very well for our residents.
It’s essential to include all parties of interest in the future of Bethel Park: residents of all ages, local businesses and community organizations. We can’t just inform folks; we must engage the community. Committees, focus groups and round table discussions are a few ways to actively involve citizens, as well as ongoing online feedback, surveys and resident/small business spotlights.
Justin Tiano
Age: 39
Political party: Republican
Education: Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Penn State University
Occupation: Car wash operator
If elected, what are two short-term goals? I would look into starting a Ward 9 Facebook page, where residents could join and find out things going on in their neighborhood, such as garage sales or safety concerns. Additionally, I would work to familiarize myself with the codes and people that work for the borough. This way I can help the residents get the information they need quickly and efficiently.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? I would like to secure grants from the state to ensure the borough has maximized money to use for the services it offers, from recreation to public safety.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Communication is key, the easiest and quickest method to reach out to residents is electronically, via email and Facebook. For residents that do not prefer electronic communication, a phone call is always an option as well. If a decision is more localized to a neighborhood, I would pass out pamphlets to each house, notifying them of the decision and how to reach me with their opinion.
Katie Green is a TribLive deputy managing editor, overseeing features as well as the Trib's weekly and monthly community newspapers and websites. A former magazine editor, she's serious about coffee, is a proponent of the Oxford comma and enjoys tracing her family tree when she has the time. She can be reached at kgreen@triblive.com.
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