Franklin Park residents to select mayor, 3 council members; decide on government study commission

Franklin Park residents will be electing a mayor and three members of council on Nov. 4, as well as for forming a commission to study changing the borough to a home rule charter form of government.

Longtime Republican Mayor Dennis O’Keefe is challenged for reelection by Democrat Cristen Fiffik.

Three of the council’s six seats are up for election. In the first ward, Democratic incumbent Uday Palled is challenged by Republican Bruce Barnes; in the second ward, Republican incumbent Lucas Myslinski is challenged by Democrat Venu Paruvelli; and in the third ward, Republican incumbent Thomas Schwartzmier is challenged by Democrat J. Curtis Neil II.

Borough voters also will be asked if a government study commission should be created to study whether Franklin Park should consider adopting a home rule charter. The commission requires seven members, and seven candidates also will be on the ballot.

Here is a look at the candidates for mayor and council, who also were asked for their thoughts on the home rule study:

MAYOR

Cristen Fiffik

Age: 59

Political party: Democrat

Education: University of Missouri, bachelor of science in finance, minor in economics; University of Pittsburgh School of Law, juris doctorate

Occupation: Attorney

Community involvement/volunteer work: Active member at Ascension Lutheran Church serving on multiple committees; caregiver for elderly family and other seniors in community; organize fundraising and volunteer opportunities for non-profit organizations.

Years residing in municipality: 28

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

We must establish a sustainable balance through effective long-term capital planning and strict budgetary control. This requires prioritizing essential needs and ensuring thoughtful spending. We also need to consistently maintain infrastructure while actively exploring alternative revenue sources to secure Franklin Park’s future.

What is your position on Franklin Park changing to a home rule form of government? Please briefly explain your reasons for supporting or opposing a home rule charter.

The ballot question is to authorize a commission-led study to assess the benefits of adopting a home rule charter. This is purely a measure to gather information — to explore all potential opportunities, advantages and resources that adopting a home rule form of governance could bring to Franklin Park. I support undertaking this study to make an informed decision for our community’s future.

Dennis E. O’Keefe

Age: 84

Political party: Republican

Education: Robert Morris, airline management

Occupation: Retired after 33 years in airline management with American Airlines. After retirement, worked 10 years in management position with Lenzner Coach Lines and Pittsburgh Transportation Group.

Community involvement/volunteer work: Knights of Columbus

Years residing in municipality: 49

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

The borough finances are healthy. Although, we are facing challenges mostly due to the federally mandated MS4 stormwater requirements. MS4 requires replacement of aging infrastructure, and the process will be ongoing for the next five to 10 years.

What is your position on Franklin Park changing to a home rule form of government? Please briefly explain your reasons for supporting or opposing a home rule charter.

Home Rule is a very interesting discussion. I am always open to exploring new options. The best part is that the voters will decide, and we have taken steps, with three public meetings, to educate the voters to the pros and cons. I prefer we stay with our current form of government. Franklin Park has been a borough since August 1961. Our current borough government has served us well. We are one of the best and safest communities to live in the USA. I believe in the theory “don’t change a good thing.” There are mechanisms within our current form of government to work through anything that comes our way, including financial corrections.

COUNCIL

WARD 1

Bruce E. Barnes

Age: 52

Political party: Republican

Education: Bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in education, both from Duquesne University

Occupation: National strategic account manager at Aramark Corp., 13 years

Years residing in municipality: 18

Community involvement/volunteer work: Recently served as a board member and executive board member of the Tiger Pride Youth Football and Cheer Organization for seven years, and I continue this involvement as a current member of the North Allegheny Cheer Boosters.

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

As our community grows and expenditures rise, I believe it is vital to work together with resident input to maintain our consistently low borough taxes while finding creative ways to increase revenue for project allocation. For example, exploring grants, local partnerships and public-private initiatives can help supplement state funding. I value the voices of our community members and encourage their participation in prioritizing services and maintaining a balanced budget. Together, we strive for a thriving, safe and welcoming neighborhood.

What is your position on Franklin Park changing to a home rule form of government? Please briefly explain your reasons for supporting or opposing a home rule charter.

Educating residents on the structure and functionality of the home rule charter is essential, as this decision ultimately rests with them. While home rule can be impactful in certain communities, I am personally against adopting this form of government for the borough of Franklin Park at this time. My main concerns center on the potential for unforeseen costs and significant changes in governance structure. In speaking with many residents, I have found that many are still ill-informed; voting for this on the ballot is premature. Until residents are more informed and comprehensive feedback is obtained, I believe the home rule charter initiative should be postponed.

Uday Palled

Age: 47

Political party: Democrat

Education: Seton Hall University, B.S. in business/MIS; American University, MBA in finance

Occupation: Business and technology consultant

Community involvement/volunteer work: First Robotics team mentor and parent coach; high school debate judge; Governor’s AAPI commissioner, economic committee chair

Years residing in municipality: 17

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

I am dedicated to fiscal discipline, ensuring we provide essential services without increasing the tax burden on residents. To operate efficiently, we have had to curtail spending on new enhancement projects. Our priority must be to fully fund critical services like public safety (including our newly accredited police department) and the support structure necessary to maintain our high quality of life. While some projects and initiatives have been reassessed and deferred due to the current funding, I firmly believe that strong fiscal management is the most effective form of tax relief.

What is your position on Franklin Park changing to a home rule form of government? Please briefly explain your reasons for supporting or opposing a home rule charter.

My conversations with numerous residents and municipal leaders, including those who have experience with home rule, confirm a critical truth: Franklin Park cannot afford to remain confined to a limited structure when viable alternatives exist. The core of our challenge is a failure of governance. Our current system lacks the framework necessary to adequately fund and manage long-term capital projects. This deficiency is the root cause of our most critical challenges — delayed paving, neglected infrastructure maintenance and outdated public safety modernization. Furthermore, our government relies too heavily on a single, limiting revenue stream, which places an unfair tax burden on our aging, fixed-income residents. Home rule offers the potential for stronger governance and the necessary financial flexibility to address this evolving issue. While there are pros and cons to any change, the immediate question is about gathering information. The ballot asks if we should authorize a study to fully investigate the benefits and disadvantages of home rule. Recommending this study is not an endorsement of adoption, but a necessary and responsible step to gain the factual understanding required to implement the strong governance our community deserves. Failure to plan is planning for failure.

WARD 2

Lucas R. Myslinski

Age: 46

Political party: Republican

Education: B.A. political science, University of Pittsburgh

Occupation: Vice president of operations, Justus ADR Services

Community involvement/volunteer work: Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company (financial secretary); Kiwanis Club of Sewickley (president); Ingomar Franklin Park Little League; chair of council’s Parks & Recreation and Personnel committees and serves on the Public Works, Technology, Finance and Public Safety committees; served as vice president of council and the borough’s delegate to the Allegheny County Boroughs Association and alternate delegate to the North Hills Council of Governments

Years residing in municipality: 10

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

I have served on borough council since 2018, and we have kept borough taxes very low (fifth lowest in Allegheny County) while providing the highest level of services possible. Every year, we address increasing budget demands (and unfunded state mandates) by prioritizing our services in balance with our budget.

What is your position on Franklin Park changing to a home rule form of government? Please briefly explain your reasons for supporting or opposing a home rule charter.

I do not believe that council members should advocate for a ballot initiative; it is up to our residents to decide. Throughout the process, I’ve done my best to stay neutral and worked to make sure that the residents have as much information as possible to make their decision. I did vote against placing the home rule charter initiative on the ballot, as the feedback from borough residents that I received was overwhelmingly against the Home Rule Charter.

Venu Paruvelli

Age: 53

Political party: Democrat

Education: Master’s in mathematics and diploma in computer sciences

Occupation: IT project manager

Community involvement/volunteer work: HOA board member; Light of Life active volunteer

Years residing in municipality: 20

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable

In an environment of limited state funding, we must be smart and strategic. My priority is to deliver essential services without raising taxes. This requires a laser focus on projects that bring the most value to our community, coupled with strict resource management. Ultimately, strong fiscal discipline is the best way to protect taxpayers and keep Franklin Park moving forward.

What is your position on Franklin Park changing to a home rule form of government? Please briefly explain your reasons for supporting or opposing a home rule charter.

I recommend that we investigate whether adopting a home rule charter would be advantageous for Franklin Park. This study is purely a fact-finding effort — it does not automatically change or endorse a change in our current government. A dedicated commission will carefully review all options and present its findings. Ultimately, residents will decide the best path forward. This initiative aims to provide our community with the information and voice necessary to shape Franklin Park’s future responsibly.

WARD 3

J. Curtis Neil II

Age: 36

Political party: Democrat

Education: Carlow University, B.S. in chemistry; Carnegie Mellon University, B.S. in chemical engineering

Occupation: Chemical engineer

Community involvement/volunteer work: Volunteer manager/coach for Brad-Mar-Pine Baseball and Softball

Years residing in municipality: Five

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

With limited funding available, a commitment to fiscal discipline is essential. Our highest priority is safety. We must ensure continued funding for the recently accredited Franklin Park Police Department, actively maintain our road infrastructure (including traffic lights and signs) and remove dangerous trees. Raising taxes should not be the first option. Thanks to the leadership of Councilman Palled, we have successfully implemented steps to restore the borough’s fiscal responsibility while maintaining essential services for our constituents.

What is your position on Franklin Park changing to a home rule form of government? Please briefly explain your reasons for supporting or opposing a home rule charter.

It is crucial to understand that the ballot question is not a vote on adopting a home rule charter. It is simply a vote to form a seven-person commission to study the potential pros and cons of becoming a home rule community and report those findings to the residents. As an engineer, I firmly believe in following the facts, and for that reason, I strongly support the formation of this fact-finding commission.

Thomas Schwartzmier

Age: 73

Political party: Republican

Education: North Allegheny High School; University of Cincinnati, B.S. in civil engineering; Licensed Professional Engineer (Pennsylvania)

Occupation: Retired (2019)

Community involvement/volunteer work: North Allegheny School Board member, 2005-2015; Franklin Park Borough Council member, 2015-2025; Caring Hearts Ministry board member and secretary, 2013-2025

Years residing in municipality: 47

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

I have served as a borough councilman since 2015 and have strived to keep the borough services high, while keeping the taxes as low as possible. Franklin Park property tax rate is currently 1.59 mills, which is the fifth lowest in Allegheny County of the 130 municipalities. During the recent update to the borough’s comprehensive plan, the residents were sent a questionnaire to obtain their input on the future direction of the borough. The responses clearly pointed to maintaining the high level of public safety and enhancing the parks/green spaces. The Franklin Park Police Department has eliminated part-time officers in favor of all full-time officers, to reduce turnover and maintain a high level of service. Since joining council, I have supported the improvements to the existing parks and the purchasing of properties for the expansion of existing parks or the future development of new ones. The borough is facing federally mandated stormwater upgrades (MS4) during the next five to 10 years, along with the repairs or replacement of aging infrastructure, which must be funded. Council is currently in the process of determining funding options for these government mandates and improvements.

What is your position on Franklin Park changing to a home rule form of government? Please briefly explain your reasons for supporting or opposing a home rule charter.

Home rule has both pros and cons, which, if the voters decide to move ahead with it, will be studied by the elected commission. I have been co-hosting public meetings to explain home rule to the residents, so they are informed when they vote on Nov. 4.