4 candidates running for 3 seats on Pleasant Hills council
There are four people on the ballot for Pleasant Hills council, but only three seats are open, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list.
Incumbent and current council president Andrew Codelka, incumbent Nicole Leckenby, newcomer Richard Raszewski and incumbent Gregory Smith each seek a four-year term.
Here are the candidates’ responses to questions posed by the Tribune-Review.
Andrew Codelka
Age: 42
Political party: Republican
Education: Attended Baldwin High School, graduated in 2003 from Allegheny College in Meadville with a bachelor of arts in political science and graduated from Duquesne Law School in 2007
Occupation: Attorney
Previous public office: Current council president
While Century III is in West Mifflin, the related Route 51 road closures and business closures are affecting Pleasant Hills residents. If elected, how would you address this issue? The issue of traffic around Pleasant Hills is a very important one for our residents. With planned construction on Route 51 and Curry Hollow Road — potentially at the same time — that could seriously hamper the flow of traffic around Pleasant Hills as those two roads make up a very large part of our border. As we found this past year with all of the gas work done throughout the borough, the real key is to have very open lines of communication between the workers doing the construction and the borough’s public works and police departments, and likewise between the borough and the residents. If we are able to know where and when scheduled work is to occur, we can relay that information to the residents so that they can do their best to plan to avoid those areas as best as possible.
Nicole Leckenby
Age: 47
Political party: Democrat
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Pittsburgh
Occupation: Administration
Previous public office: Pleasant Hills Council
While Century III is in West Mifflin, the related Route 51 road closures and business closures are affecting Pleasant Hills residents. If elected, how would you address this issue? The challenges presented by the deterioration of Century III Mall, including the unsafe conditions for all first responders, affects West Mifflin and all neighboring communities.
The impact of the business closures associated with Century III Mall have minimal significance on Pleasant Hills Borough, as Century III Mall was not providing any tax revenue for Pleasant Hills.
The closure primarily impacts our residents having limited purchasing options for various stores.
In addressing the road closures surrounding Century III Mall, they were done to limit access to the property, which has been designated a safety hazard. One outcome of the road closures is the additional traffic on Route 51 and the surrounding area. With the additional traffic flow, safety for both residents and drivers is a concern.
Pleasant Hills is proud of the new businesses opening in Pleasant Hills and on Route 51, as we continue to revitalize the Route 51 corridor. We welcome Express Car Wash, Chase Bank, and Raising Cane’s to Pleasant Hills, occupying once vacated spots.
If I am reelected to borough council, I will support our ongoing revitalization as we continue to develop the Route 51 corridor.
Richard Raszewski
Age: 63
Political party: AmericaFirst (on the ballot as a registered Republican)
Education: MD
Occupation: Retired plastic surgeon
Previous public office: Not a politician
While Century III is in West Mifflin, the related Route 51 road closures and business closures are affecting Pleasant Hills residents. If elected, how would you address this issue? Each council member is not unique in their ability to ensure that routine maintenance proceeds in an efficient timely matter, and this applies to our roads. Business closures are a complex concern with many of the causes more related to current inflationary pressures due to poor national policy. What I can do is bring my own personal experience as a physician and small business owner to create the best business environment in Pleasant Hills. This includes the basics such as keeping local taxes as low as possible, and creating a safe environment that people feel complete comfort to move about, but also creating a community that businesses would desire to be in to share the success.
Gregory Smith
Age: 71
Political party: Won party nominations from Democrats and Republicans in primary
Education: Bachelor of arts from Duquesne University
Occupation: Retired from sales and teaching
Previous public office: Elected to WJHSB. Currently serving borough council, serving on the following committees: arboretum, personnel, finance and SHACOG (South Hills Area Council of Governments)
While Century III is in West Mifflin, the related Route 51 road closures and business closures are affecting Pleasant Hills residents. If elected, how would you address this issue? I would support West Mifflin tearing it down, but legally Pleasant Hills borough council cannot do anything about it.
Katie Green is a TribLive deputy managing editor, overseeing features as well as the Trib's weekly and monthly community newspapers and websites. A former magazine editor, she's serious about coffee, is a proponent of the Oxford comma and enjoys tracing her family tree when she has the time. She can be reached at kgreen@triblive.com.
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