Sharpsburg council welcomes its first junior member in years

Sharpsburg Council got a little younger as borough officials welcomed a new junior councilman.

Roman Mason, 17, was sworn into a one-year term by Mayor Brittany Reno at council’s June 23 meeting.

“I have some free time, so I decided I’d come join,” Roman said. “(I hope to) learn more about the community and surrounding communities around Sharpsburg. You want to know what’s going on, what’s around you and what’s going to be new and coming to your community and just have a voice in what’s going on because you have to live here.”

Roman is the president of student council at Fox Chapel Area High School and will be a senior this coming school year. He is involved in a variety of extracurricular activities.

Council Vice President Karen Pilarski-Pastor said she met Roman during Sharpsburg’s Art and History Stroll on June 4.

“He’s going to be our spokesperson for the youth,” Pilarski-Pastor said.

“We want to know what they’re thinking. We want to know what they want. We’re not always out with the kids. The kids are with the kids. He helps us hear what the youth want.”

Roman wasted little time letting his voice be heard as he lobbied for the lights to come on at the basketball court and ball fields at Kennedy Park. The park closes at dusk.

Roman said youths want to be able to play ball a little later in the summer, and the lights do not come on at all.

“Some of the best athletes come out of Sharpsburg, and I think it all starts at Kennedy Park,” he said.

Public works Superintendent Jordan D’Ambrosio cautioned council about allowing people in the park after hours. He said there has been vandalism at the pavilions, concession stands and other parts of the park.

Council did not take any action about the park lights at the June 23 meeting, but members said they plan to discuss the idea further.

The junior council program is a non-voting position. Pilarski-Pastor said it has been available in the borough for several years. Any Sharpsburg resident in high school can apply, she said. However, no students expressed interest for at least the last couple years.

“We put it out there, asked people to join, but we didn’t get any response,” she said. “I met Mason, and he didn’t know about it either. I thought he would be a great candidate, at least for a year. Once he graduates we’ll try to find someone new.

“I don’t think a lot of the adults, let alone the children, know what goes on here. It’s a great opportunity for them to see how we work, how government works. What things we can do and what things we can’t do. A lot of people think we can do whatever we want, and we don’t. We legislate.”

Roman’s mother Christal Allen said Roman has been called “The Mayor” throughout elementary and secondary school and easily makes friends.

“I am a very proud mom,” Allen said. “He was really excited about going forward to (be a part of council). If you check in with any of the principals from elementary on, they’ll all tell you he was “The Mayor.” Just very outgoing. Liked to talk, a people person. Anywhere you go, people recognized him.

Allen encouraged other youths to get involved in their local government.

Sharpsburg families who wish to learn more about the junior council program can send a message to manager@sharpsburgborough.com.