6 Leetsdale Democrats running for 4 council spots on November ballot

Editor’s note: Sewickley Herald is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election.

According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, six Democrats are vying for four spots on the November ballot: incumbent Osman Awad, Beth Carrol, incumbent Benjimen Frederick, Patricia Lee, incumbent Thomas Michael and Elizabeth Surmacz.

Republican Maria Napolitano is running unopposed and will have her party’s nomination.

Here are the nominees and their responses to the election questions posed by the Sewickley Herald.

Osman Awad

Why did you decide to run for election? To do what is right for Leetsdale residents.

What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? When the pandemic started, I received calls from some residents who needed food, so we formed the Quaker Valley Food Bank with help of the YMCA, the Leetsdale industrial park owners and businesses in the community.

What should voters know about you? Council voted against going outside combine for garbage service because it would have cost the residents $160 a year, plus what calculates in their tax for that service.

Beth Carroll

Why did you decide to run for election? As a wife, mother, 20-year resident and business owner in Leetsdale, I feel I can bring new perspectives to the council. I am passionate about making Leetsdale the best community it can be.

What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? Three issues come to mind for me. One, providing an open line of communication between Leetsdale residents and council members. I want people to feel their voice will be heard. Two, improvements to Henle Park. Henle Park is the gem of our community and so important to the children and families of Leetsdale. It is ready for a significant makeover. We need to address the playground equipment, the basketball courts, our wonderful parks program, the movies in the park and the splash pad’s hours, signage and concessions. Three, resident needs. Covid has revealed many areas of need within our small town. I want council to better serve our least empowered residents.

What should voters know about you? I love living in Leetsdale. We are a community of neighbors helping neighbors. I am excited at the prospect of working together with existing and new council members to get the work done.

Benjamin Frederick

Benjamin Frederick did not respond to requests for information for this article.

Patricia Lee

Why did you decide to run for election? To help build a better community for my neighbors. As a diverse candidate, I bring a new voice to council. I think my professional background in human resources would be a strong asset as a member of council, especially in the areas of organizational change, inclusion, communication, team building and cultural awareness. Whether it’s union negotiations, investigating harassment complaints or resolving difficult situations in a fair and equitable manner for all involved parties, I’ve often been commended for being the voice of reason.

What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? Representation. Our council should reflect our community population.

What should voters know about you? I am a native of Sewickley and Quaker Valley alum. I like to sit on my front porch and take walks along Beaver Street. My children and I have benefited from living in a safe community with strong scholastic resources and where neighbors actually know one another. I am here to represent the many voices of my neighbors so that from the youngest to the most mature community members will be heard – and to ensure that we will continue to benefit from the strong resources that our community offers.

Thomas Michael

Thomas Michael did not respond to requests for information for this article.

Elizabeth Surmacz

Why did you decide to run for election? I decided to run after three different people asked me if I was considering running and that there is a great need for more women’s voices on the council. I am a woman from Leetsdale and have so much admiration for all the women from all over the country who have stepped up, it felt wrong to not at least put myself out there.

What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? As someone who lived in the Terrace for six years, I know how tricky the high school project can be, and I don’t want to be afraid to lose my home again. I don’t want anyone to be afraid of being forced out of anywhere — including the residents of the forest that I hear they want to blow up to make a new high school. I’m concerned about what also may happen to the current building when it’s possibly not the high school anymore.

I want Leetsdale to remain an affordable place to live, in addition to being in a great school district and near Sewickley. I would hate to see it become bought up by developers who are interested in just making money. I am interested in Leetsdale’s great current and future potential.

What should voters know about you? I have lived in the Quaker Valley area since 2002, and in Leetsdale since 2009, with my husband and our three children who now range in age from 11-26. Leetsdale is my home, we bought our own house here (finally) in 2014 and last spring I became a “backyard beekeeper” – well, front- and backyard. I’m still navigating my way through the last part of my first year. Becoming a beekeeper opens your eyes completely to what is happening in our environment, including weather patterns and everything that affects your surroundings, which I feel particularly in tune with these days — and of which I suddenly feel very protective. There are lots of reasons to want to be on council, but I think maybe wanting to be there, and being there for the good of our borough and the folks who live here, is the best reason.