Three seats are open on Baldwin Borough council, and according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, five candidates are on the ballot.

All terms are four years.

Patricia Boyer, Rebecca Conley, Paul Hayhurst, Denise Maiden and Elliot Rambo responded to the following questions posed by the Tribune-Review.

Patricia Boyer  

Patricia Boyer

Age: 69

Political party: Democrat

Education: Associate degree from community college

Occupation: Retired from Baldwin Whitehall School District

Previous political experience: Currently on Baldwin council

If elected, how do you plan to achieve a balanced budget with the high rate of inflation? As a member of council, I know how hard it is to live paycheck to paycheck with the price of gas, food, utilities, etc., going up faster than our paychecks. As with each resident, they are paying their necessary bills and hopefully have a little left over for a dinner and a movie.

The borough has a similar problem making sure they pay their monthly bills, and also maintaining the police department, public works and helping the EMS, volunteer fire department and library, which are critical to the borough and residents.

No one wants to ever raise taxes unless it is critical for the residents. We must look ahead to improvements to the borough building, our fields, swimming pool just to name a few, and are always looking for more grant money that helps. The borough has done a great job of not raising taxes in the last four years.

Submitted Rebecca Conley  

Rebecca Conley

Age: 32

Political party: Republican

Education: Baldwin High School class of 2009; Mercyhurst University, class of 2012

Occupation: Healthcare administrative coordinator for cardiology and hospice services and member of Woman Inspiring Talent in Healthcare Finance

Previous political experience: Member of the Baldwin Borough zoning hearing board; previous election minority inspector general, Baldwin Borough District 11

If elected, how do you plan to achieve a balanced budget with the high rate of inflation? A vote for me is a vote for a taxpayer advocate and fiscal watchdog. If elected, I would do the following to achieve a balanced budget during this time of high inflation:

1. Conduct a line-by-line item review of our current expenses to ensure we do not continue to tax or impose new fees to make ends meet. We need to do more with less and cannot continue to expand government or personnel on payroll to meet the demands of our community.

2. Review current borough purchasing practices and look to rebid and renegotiate contracts due up for renewal as well as audit routine purchases to make sure taxpayers see a return on their investment in our community.

3. Enhance our current sources of revenue by aggressively applying for grants to offset costs of public safety programs, community initiatives and infrastructure projects. We need to do better planning for the financial long term future of our community.

4. Get tough on delinquent tax and fee collection to ensure everyone is paying their share.

5. Rising inflation rates can put pensions at risk so we need to ensure those who have served do not lose what they have worked to earn.

6. Work to encourage philanthropic opportunities so small businesses and entrepreneurs can grow in Baldwin. Community events could and should be funded by sponsors and donations instead of tax dollars or services fees.

Submitted Paul J. Hayhurst  

Paul Hayhurst

Age: 66

Political party: Democrat

Education: B.A. in economics, University of Pittsburgh; MBA classes at The Rochester Institute of Technology

Occupation: Business analyst lead

Previous political experience: None

If elected, how do you plan to achieve a balanced budget with the high rate of inflation? As an elected official it is important to remember that each household faces stresses and strains on their budgets. Every time we get groceries, get gas, go out to dinner, and etc., we are hit with increasing costs. Our paychecks just don’t go as far as they used to.

Municipal budgets face similar stresses and strains. In inflationary times you either need to increase revenue or reduce expenses. Using reserves will only go so far. For me tax increases should only be considered as a last resort.

Any action taken must keep the long-term goals and objectives of the borough in mind so as to not hinder future initiatives and high priority projects. Critical operations such as police, fire, EMS, and public works need to remain funded at robust levels to provide the services that the Baldwin residents require. Other items to be considered are the renegotiation and rebidding of contracts, accessing possibly extending the life of certain assets to defer purchases, explore grants and potential public/private partnerships, develop and make use of shared resources with other municipalities, and explore opportunities to attract businesses and building into Baldwin to extend the tax base.

To balance this budget and position Baldwin for a great future, we may need to be creative but that should not hinder us. There are people that live here that have expertise that may bring ideas into the conversation that have not been considered. We will be up for the challenge.

Denise Maiden Denise Maiden, democratic candidate for Baldwin council race  

Denise Maiden

Age: 69

Political party: Democrat

Education: Did not answer question

Occupation: Retired graphic design business owner; previous manager of the publishing department for the American Economic Association

Previous political experience: Baldwin borough council

If elected, how do you plan to achieve a balanced budget with the high rate of inflation? In one short term, I spearheaded the effort to create — and currently serve on — the Community Events Advisory Committee which has brought back Community Day, created new events including home decorating contest, Fall Fest, SYTYGT (talent show) and the scavenger hunt. All of the above was done with volunteer labor at a maximum cost of $8,500/year. It is clear that I am the council person that knows how to stretch a dollar. Costs do rise, but I never approve unnecessary council expenditures. That is what makes me stand out. That’s what makes me the choice in inflationary times.

Submitted Elliott Rambo  

Elliot Rambo

Age: 29

Political party: Democrat

Education: Baldwin High School, bachelor’s in finance, Robert Morris University

Occupation: Financial analyst

Previous public office: Baldwin Whitehall School Board 2012-2016

If elected, how do you plan to achieve a balanced budget with the high rate of inflation? I will achieve a balanced budget by rigorously keeping an eye on costs and finding savings where we can, all while delivering essential services and maintaining reasonable taxes for all residents.

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