5 Democrats, 6 Republicans seeking nods to run for 4 seats on Jefferson Hills council

Jefferson Hills residents will have their pick from multiple candidates seeking their party’s nomination to run for borough council.

There are five Democratic and six Republican hopefuls on the May 18 primary ballot, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list.

Democratic candidates include incumbent Vickie Ielase, Claire Metzinger Germello, Brian Militzer, Peter Doel and John Wallace.

Republican candidates include council vice president David Montgomery, incumbent Melissa Girman-Steffey, Christina Weir-Ripley, Keith Polick, Hilary Kingsley-Budd and Lori Sekulich-Bartrug.

Four members of each party will receive spots on the ballot for the November election.

Here are the candidates and their responses to election questions posed by South Hills Record:

Lori Sekulich-Bartrug

Republican

Why did you decide to run for election? I am protective and passionate about our community. I want to improve and change council operations and its reputation. I stand for improved council collaboration, transparency, and civility amongst the council and toward our speakers — you, our citizens we need to hear from.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? I see three major issues. First the management of the health, safety and security of our community. Second, the outdated zoning ordinance and third, protecting our remaining community green spaces and over development. I support economic development without degrading the current environment of our community.

What should voters know about you? My grandfather came to the borough over 80 years ago. My husband Hugh, a 22-year Navy Seal veteran, and I live a mile from where I grew up. Dedicated and responsible is how I describe myself. I am actively involved in the borough council and planning commission meetings, and I am a volunteer on the EAC and on the WESA board of directors.

Peter Doel

Democrat

Why did you decide to run for election? Over the last few years, I’ve been witness to much focus on special interests by our sitting council members. I’ve also seen a complete lack of respect among members towards each other and our residents. I am running to bring civility and unity back to our elected offices.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? The safety and health of our residents. We need to work together as a community to ensure all residents have adequate fire protection. We need to work diligently to keep our air and water clean.

What should voters know about you? I’ve spent over 23 years in project management and implementations of healthcare software. In this field, you need to be able to work with multiple organizations to develop the best possible solutions for patient care. I feel this translates well into public office, as an elected official needs to work with many different departments, and groups inside and outside the borough, but keep the residents and their best interests at heart. I’ve learned it doesn’t have to be my way or your way, it can be our way. I want to be a voice for our residents and work together for the betterment of our community.

Claire Metzinger Germello

Democrat

Why did you decide to run for election? I want to see a positive change in our borough. There needs to be better decisions made to improve the safety of our community for the residents.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? The matter of fire protection for our residents. Keeping a fire department closed does no good for anyone. The other big issue is the lack of ability for council to maintain the importance of doing what is best for their residents and not being biased when voting on different matters.

What should voters know about you? I was born and raised in Jefferson Hills. I chose to move my family here due to the community aspects and school district. I am a school teacher as well as an EMT. Family is very important to me, as is the safety and well-being of the community that I live in. I will always be honest and fair in my decisions and put the residents first.

Melissa Girman-Steffey

Republican

Why did you decide to run for election? I am running again to ensure follow up on the issues that I have had the opportunity to help shed light upon over the past year. They include conducting a traffic study for a possible traffic light at the intersection of Route 885 and Coal Valley Road where numerous accidents have occurred.

Monitoring the inspections and upkeep of our borough fire hydrants that are serviced by (Pennsylvania) American Water and are an expense to the residents. Proper maintenance and inspections should be performed promptly and this was lacking in previous years.

For over a year, we have had a complete draft of ordinances that still need to be reviewed, revised, voted on and added to our current code of ordinances. Jefferson Hills still has numerous areas within our code of ordinances that need to evolve and catch up to the 21st century and should be implemented as soon as possible.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? Our fire department situation is certainly a major issue. I am in favor of moving forward and securing a parcel of land within the Gill Hall response district to place a temporary pre-fab structure that will continue ensuring service continuity until we can budget the money needed to decide on something more permanent without raising taxes.One other issue that I intend to focus on is to bring small business opportunities to Jefferson Hills. I grew up in Elizabeth and I am in awe of what they have accomplished within Elizabeth Borough. I shop there frequently and I would like to see the same opportunities here for entrepreneurs and small business owners.”

What should voters know about you? Everything that I have worked on or worked for during my past 10 years volunteering on the recreation board and my past year serving on council has been to ensure a prosperous, evolving and safe community for the future of our youth, for our beloved senior citizens and our hardworking residents. I don’t just talk the talk, I walk the walk and I am just getting started.

Vickie Ielase

Democrat

Why did you decide to run for election? To follow through with a promise I made to the people who encouraged me to start this journey years ago. I have no preconceived ideas about any issues. I like to talk to people and ask questions before voting. I have a few more things to accomplish before leaving office.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? The borough needs to continue to put the citizens well being and safety first. We need to handle issues that come to our attention with the citizens best interest in mind.

What should voters know about you? I have never been a follower. I ask questions and do what is best for the majority. I am not tech-savvy and would rather have a face-to-face conversation with someone, respond to a letter or have a telephone conversation. This also allows for a more personal connection. I am family oriented and enjoy helping out other families in any way possible.

Hilary Kingsley-Budd

Republican

Why did you decide to run for election? I want to bring common sense, results-oriented decision-making to borough issues. I’d like to see our growing community continue to move forward.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? The issue surrounding the fire departments has been encompassed by entirely too much emotion and misinformation. The residents have been misled and treated unfairly during this ongoing debacle. Overall public safety has been neglected because of the fire service squabble. We need a community-wide plan to ensure effective and economical police, fire and emergency medical services.

What should voters know about you? I am a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, a 30-plus year resident and a graduate of Duquesne’s leadership program. My nearly 20 years of experience as an emergency dispatcher has given me ample insight into how an efficiently run borough should operate. I have learned why public safety should always be a priority in order to have other borough operations function smoothly.

Brian Militzer

Democrat

Did not respond to messages seeking comment.

David Montgomery

Republican

Why did you decide to run for election? I have a lot of experience. I’d like to continue my service to the borough. It’s a desire of mine to see the borough be run correctly, fairly and efficiently. I’ve been in office for a long time. We’ve done some great things. We’re the first community to have our bonds upgraded during covid. Nobody else has had that. That accomplishment doesn’t sound like a lot, but it does allow us to borrow money at a much cheaper price.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? We have some major infrastructure projects coming, such as major road reconstruction. We have to find ways to finance them. There are some roads that are inadequate and need to be fixed. We have some slides that are coming, and those are always very expensive.

The comprehensive plan is due to be updated. It’s every 10 years, and our recreation plan, we need to do that. To do it right takes a lot of effort. We have to bring in other people in the community, not just the elected officials, get their input and implement it. That’s all important. Working to try and solve the fire issue is always something that’s up in front of everybody.

What should voters know about you? I’ve been on council for 17 years. I’ve been vice president for six. I’ve been on the public works committee, sanitation and solid waste committee. I developed the recycling program as it is today. I’ve served on the finance committee, the engineering committee and the personnel committee. I have a fairly diverse background in municipal government.

I’ve also been a representative for the borough for the South Hills Area Council of Governments. I served as president there for one year, which gave me a lot of insight into intergovernmental cooperation and how other communities solve things. I’d like to share that with the borough.

Keith Polick

Republican

Why did you decide to run for election? I’ve decided to run for council after watching the current council meetings becoming sideshows, losing professionalism, constant fighting and running on emotions, not facts.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? The fire hall mergers, growing a commercial tax base and planning the future of the borough.

What should voters know about you? I’ve lived in Jefferson Hills most of my life and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. I then attended and graduated the University of Pittsburgh. I started out working for USS in the late 1970s and I’m still involved in the steel industry from operations, field superintendent on construction sites, managing different business departments, and overseeing sales and service. I’ve been able to experience working throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. I’ve raised a family here and still operate a small farm in the borough.

John Wallace

Democrat

Why did you decide to run for election? To bring a fresh mind and fresh ideas.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? How to grow the municipality in a fiscally responsible manner.

What should voters know about you? I strive to be a fair-minded person.

Christina Weir-Ripley

Republican

Why did you decide to run for election? My husband and I relocated our family to Jefferson Hills 11 years ago from a neighboring area. We chose Jefferson Hills because of the community, recreations and school district. I currently serve the borough in an appointed position as a member of the Environmental Advisory Council. I have 20-plus years of experience in healthcare operations and management, and I plan to bring my experience and track record of performance to serve the Jefferson Hills community.

I am also in the process of obtaining my doctorate in healthcare services and applied research — so obviously I am passionate about the health, safety and well-being of the residents of Jefferson Hills. Jefferson Hills is one of the fastest-growing communities in the Commonwealth. Public service is important to me, and I’d like to contribute back to the community where I live and love.

What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? We need to look for new opportunities to grow Jefferson Hills’ economy and supporting infrastructure in an environmentally responsible manner. Jefferson Hills is a picturesque bedroom community experiencing rapid development and population growth.

The next council needs to focus its efforts on ensuring our infrastructure and resources road map is aligned to our growing community — this includes an accountability model for development and a plan to revitalize the segment of Route 51 that intersects our borough. I would also love to work on a plan for a multi-use Jefferson Hills community and recreation facility — fitness, health and wellness resources, aquatics, playing fields and courts.”

What should voters know about you? I will serve this community above self-interest groups and politics as usual. I am not interested in the way things have always been done — I am interested in the Jefferson Hills of the future. I can assure any voter in Jefferson Hills: I will bring experience, education, track record of performance and passion to a position on council. I will respect the perspective and input of all residents and make decisions that serve the entire community’s interests. I want to make Jefferson Hills the place that everybody wants to stay and raise their kids and retire in.