Oakmont incumbents not running for reelection this year

Oakmont’s political landscape will change significantly after this year’s election, as four council incumbents and the mayor have declined to seek reelection.

Seats up for grabs in November are occupied by council president Patricia Friday, vice president Leah Powers, councilmen John Arnold and David Brankley, and Mayor Christopher Whaley.

Council seats occupied by Lindsay Osterhout, Nancy Ride and Sophia Facaros are not up for another two years.

Friday, in her eighth year on council, has the most experience of the group.

“Two terms is a great amount of time to dedicate to public service,” she said. “I had been working on a committee, the Boulevard Project, since 1987. Public service has been a very satisfactory and fulfilling experience to have. I feel now that at the end of my eighth year, it’s time to pass the baton to the next person.”

Powers was one of several newcomers who won a first term in November 2017.

She said she wanted to devote more time to other matters after serving the borough for four years.

“It’s just a personal decision with work life, family life and the time commitment,” Powers said.

Brankley earned a two-year seat in the 2019 election, edging out Randy Galm to finish the remaining half of former councilman Justin Lokay’s term. Lokay resigned at the start of that year when he moved out of town.

“I feel like I’ve accomplished most of the things that I wanted to get done, and I am comfortable moving on,” Brankley said. “Primarily increasing the full-time complement on the police force, dealing with the investments related to the pension funds, hiring three police officers, changing the criteria for promotions in the police department.”

Brankley said he is also proud of council’s work with opening outdoor dining options for borough restaurants and the ongoing flood mitigation efforts in the Oakmont Commons housing plan.

Arnold was appointed in January to fill the unexpired term of former councilwoman Carrie DelRosso, who stepped down from her elected post at the start of the year to take another one as state representative of the 33rd House District.

“It’s been a great honor,” Arnold said about being on council.

He did not express much interest at the time of the appointment in keeping the seat beyond this year and said “no one’s asked” for him to run.

Whaley, a former Oakmont police officer, replaced Robert Fescemyer at the start of 2018. Fescemyer did not seek another term in office after many years as mayor.

Whaley has worked in orthopedic sales for Wright Medical/Stryker since 2019 and plans to devote more time to his family and profession.

“My job is very time consuming, and it’s become more difficult to balance my work, personal and mayoral obligations,” Whaley said. “My motto has always been, ‘A great community is a safe community.’

“I feel very good about what we collectively have been able to accomplish with our current group of elected officials. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when the betterment of the community comes first.”

He also commended Chief Michael Ford and the police department.

Whaley did not rule out a return to politics.

“I’ve tried to be a good steward while I’ve held this office, and it’s been a true honor,” Whaley said. “I don’t know that I’m saying goodbye to public office forever, perhaps more of a, ‘Maybe I’ll see you later.’ ”

Friday hopes the next elected leaders will continue to build up the borough.

“Oakmont is in very good shape,” she said. “If you look at all of the small towns up and down the river, we are one of the towns that is completely intact. We are a fully functioning town with anything and everything that you’d want to do, and that didn’t happen by accident.

“It happened because good people, volunteering their time, passing ordinances and having a vision for the town has made it what it is. I would give the charge to the next people coming to build on what’s there. It’s a good foundation, and it just has to be invested in to keep it going.”

Powers echoed those sentiments.

“I feel very comfortable with the members currently sitting on council and our borough staff to manage the operations of the borough (moving forward),” Powers said. “I think there’s a good flow right now. There’s a good base. New council members will hopefully fit in with the flow of the process.”

Those on the primary election ballot next month will be Democrats Jamie Leonardi, Amanda Pagnotta, Hilary Felix, Tracey Holst and Republican Kimberly Butler. All are expected to win their party’s nomination for the November races.

Facaros is running for mayor along with Republican Mark Springer. Facaros, a Democrat, is expected to step down from council should she win the mayoral race in November.