2 McCandless council members face primary challenge, 2 others not seeking re-election

At least two new people will be elected to the four McCandless Town Council seats that will become open at the end of the year.

Two incumbent councilmen — first-term Ward 5 Councilman Greg Walkauskas and long-time Ward 7 representative Bill McKim — are not seeking re-election.

Two other first-term council members who are up for re-election — Republicans Kim Zachary, Ward 1; and Steve Mertz, Ward 3 — face challenges for their party’s nomination in the May 21 primary.

Zachary’s nomination to run for a second term is being contested by first-time candidate Greg Martin. No Democrats are seeking party nomination to run in the Nov. 5 general election.

Mertz faces a challenge from Chuck Mazur for the GOP nomination. Deawna Alfonsi is uncontested for the Democratic nomination to run for the Ward 3 seat in the fall.

Republicans Joseph Beierle and Angela Woods are vying for their party’s nomination to run for Walkauskas’ Ward 5 seat in November. No Democrats are seeking nominations.

Patrick Semon is uncontested in the GOP primary for the party’s nomination to run for the Ward 7 seat. Democrat Patricia Cloonan also has no challengers for her party’s nomination.

Members of McCandless Town Council serve four-year, unpaid terms.

Following is information submitted by the candidates in contested races as well as their response to the question:

Why are you seeking elected office and what do you hope your major accomplishment will be at the end of your term if elected?

Ward 1 Republican primary

Greg Martin

Home: Babcock Boulevard

Age: 34

Occupation: Sales

Previous elected office: No

I’m running for the McCandless Town Council because I love our town, I know its potential, and I hate to see it in the news because of bad politics & failed leadership. Our town has seen growth over the last decade. We have an opportunity & a responsibility to continue that growth & to manage it in the best interest of our communities… not our elected officials.

Kim Zachary

Home: Grubbs Road

Age: 57

Occupation: Certified registered nurse anesthetist

Previous elected office: Member of McCandless Town Council since 2015, current council president

As a nurse and now an anesthetist, my life is devoted to service and advocacy. I have always served my communities based on their unique needs. As Town

Council President, I provide the transparency, integrity and leadership that McCandless needs. Representing my community and working with citizens is

profoundly rewarding. The Comprehensive Plan survey revealed our citizens want “connection.” I am facilitating this interconnection with 5 additional

information sources, sidewalk/trail creation and a new Activities Committee. I insist on balanced budgeting, no tax increases, responsible development and

preserving services. My goal: Make McCandless an even better place to live.

Ward 3 Republican primary

Chuck Mazur

Home: Sunset Road Pittsburgh Pa. 15237

Age: 76

Occupation: Retired project and business manager

Previous elected office: No

As a more than 40 year-year resident I am seeking election to McCandless Town Council to utilize and extend a leadership role in restoring civility, transparency and stature to town council. I will draw upon my advanced business education, along with my distinguished career in project and business manager roles in the private sector, to insure our town is on the right path now and in the future. I am an experienced businessman who will provide careful analysis and review to support responsible development, within financial constraints, along with not raising taxes. I will work relentlessly to maintain and advance the safety and quality of life in our community..

Steve Mertz

Home: Ridge Avenue

Age: 49

Occupation: Business owner

Previous elected office: Current member of council

As your current councilman, I consider myself utilitarian and I have a proven record of voting for the people instead of for the parties. Since becoming your councilman, we have lower taxes, a more responsible development policy, we have increased transparency to its legal limit, have improved health and cleanliness within the town and have improved safety for our people and first responders while ending rampant cronyism. We have new policies that allow for more citizen participation and I continuously update residents and accept feedback through Facebook. I hope to continue making McCandless a better place.

Ward 5 Republican primary

Joseph Beierle

Home: Magellan Drive

Age: 40

Occupation: Information technology business owner

Previous elected office: No

I am running for McCandless Council hoping to restore public trust and transparency to our town’s government. In serving as the President/Treasurer of the McCandless Community Association, I have found great satisfaction in bringing the community together. I want to create real solutions to the issues facing our town, not chasing away businesses that help keep taxes low. As a business owner, I have the skills and experience to make my goals for the town a reality. My greatest achievement would be seeing McCandless restored to a place in which residents are proud to live, work and call home.

Angela Woods

Age: 39

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Previous elected office: No

I am running for Town Council because I want to be a representative for the residents of Ward 5. They deserve an elected official who will work hard for them. I am committed to building connections and serving the community I live in. At the end of my term, I hope my major accomplishment will be that the Town does a better job engaging with the residents. McCandless is full of good people with a vision of what our town can be at its best; and I believe that collaboration with the residents is the greatest way to achieve improvement.