Republicans win big in Jefferson Hills; Gill Hall fire department remains an issue

It is a clean sweep by Republicans in the Jefferson Hills Council and mayoral races, according to complete but unofficial returns from the Allegheny County Elections Division.

Newcomer Keith Polick was the top vote-getter in a race for four four-year council seats.

He earned 1,692 votes followed by incumbents David Montgomery (1,668) and Melissa Lynne Girman-Steffey (1,649) and newcomer Hilary Kingsley-Budd (1,643).

The closest Democratic challenger was newcomer Brian Militzer at 1,315 votes. There were 40 write-ins — not enough to affect the race.

Carrie Nuss-McCaffrey defeated incumbent Democrat Mayor Jan Cmar with a vote tally of 1,642 to 1,502. There were four write-ins.

“I’m thrilled that for the first time ever running and getting involved in politics I had that high of a number,” Polick said. “Thrilled that we came across on the slate, and all four of us running together for council made it. We had a great group of people, a great team.

“I think what it says with all the shenanigans going on with these council meetings anymore, I think the residents have had enough and just want to get back to business and what’s best for the borough without all the theatrics and drama.”

Council meetings have become entertainment fodder with people tuning in from different states and even other countries to watch.

Meetings are livestreamed on the borough’s Facebook page.

Some viewers have posted clown and popcorn emojis during some of the discussions as well as others calling it a circus.

“There’s a lot of discontent with how the borough’s being run,” Polick said. “When people from out of the country are tuning in to watch the horse manure show and lack of professionalism. … They wanted to see the cohesion and professionalism brought back again.”

The hoopla was nearly exclusive to actions involving the idle Gill Hall Volunteer Fire Co.

The 72-year-old, 20-member department has not responded to emergencies since January 2019.

Council went back and forth the past two years voting to decertify Gill Hall, then reinstate it on a probationary basis, decertify again, to dropping the company from borough insurances and worker’s compensation.

The message to Gill Hall from council majority, including Girman-Steffey and Montgomery, has been to merge with Jefferson Hills Fire Rescue or stay off borough dispatch.

Gill Hall officials have stood firm with the department’s desire to remain independent.

That is likely to remain the standard after the new council members are sworn in early next year.

“I think we have to address the fire hall issue,” Polick said. “I’m hoping that Gill Hall sees how the vote went and they reconsider. I do not want to see them be closed, but they cannot stay (with) the same standard operating procedure.”

Jefferson Hills Fire Rescue is the merged company of Jefferson 885 and Floreffe volunteer fire companies.

Polick commended his team for their hard work with knocking on doors and talking with residents.

Montgomery has been on council 18 nonconsecutive years.

He said he’s grateful for the opportunity to continue his service, and looks forward to welcoming the new members and mayor.

“I’m honored and thrilled and eager to serve the community,” he said. “That’s always been my passion, to serve the community with the best level of service we can provide. I’ve been in government a long time.

“I have to see what their goals are. You have to try to make a consensus. Obviously, you want the best government possible. I’m always optimistic. When you have a new council formed you have new ideas. Some things improve, some things don’t. I’ve always worked to try to make things better and (have) a positive contribution.

”I think we’ll be in good shape. They’re quality people. I feel very confident in their abilities.”

Montgomery said his goal for the new year is to create a pension board to make sure the pensions have the best return possible for the money invested.

Other candidates, including both mayoral ones, did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday.