Mayor Nowalk faces challenger Mooney in Whitehall mayor race
The race for Whitehall mayor has incumbent Mayor Jim Nowalk facing newcomer Chris Mooney.
Here are the candidates and their responses to questions posed by South Hills monthly.
Chris Mooney
Age: 63
Political party: Republican
Education: BSBA Robert Morris College
Occupation: Retired
If elected, what are two short-term goals? Make sure that our first responders have the resources necessary to ensure the safety of our residents and businesses.
Because only 10% of residents use the pool, I will ask council to put the spending of $5 million dollars for a new facility on the ballot.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? Find creative ways to reduce fixed costs. I pay $12.35 a year for my cell service. I will bring that mentality to government.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? The borough website’s news feature needs to be updated in a more timely manner. And, we need to improve electronic communications with constituents before major decisions are made.
Jim Nowalk
Age: 68
Political party: Democrat
Education: Law degree
Occupation: Lawyer
If elected, what are two short-term goals? To oversee the naming of the Whitehall Police Department building after former Chief J. William Schmitt.
To actively promote the Fund Drive of the Whitehall Fire Company.
If elected, what is one long-term goal? To utilize my nearly three decades of experience to support the new police chief, new deputy chief and members of the Whitehall Police Department in maintaining its legacy of excellence.
How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? Whether on the street, by telephone, by email, at a council meeting or a community meeting that I organized, I have always listened to and been a voice for Whitehall residents.
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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