2 candidates in running for 2nd Ward East Deer commissioner's seat

Editor’s note: Due to incorrect contact information provided to TribLive, incumbent Commissioner Ed Kissel was omitted from the original version of this story. TribLive caught up with Kissel on Monday. The story is updated to include his comments.

East Deer’s 2nd Ward commissioner’s seat is up for grabs as two candidates throw their hat into the ring.

Incumbent Ed Kissel will appear on the Democrat ballot, while newcomer Alexander James Gigler will be on the Republican ballot.

Kissel, 75, was born in East Deer. He said he spent the first five years of his life in the township. Over 30 years ago, he moved back to East Deer and lives “a stone’s throw” from where his grandmother used to live.

Kissel has served as a commissioner for the past 20 years.

“In that time, (East Deer has) been named a Banner Community for 13 consecutive years since the inception of the award attesting to our outstanding commitment to professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency and proactive communications with our residents,” Kissel said.

He said during his time as a commissioner, the board has brought in over $3.5 million in grants over the last 10 years, lowered garbage rates to the lowest in the Alle-Kiski Valley and lowered taxes three times in the last 10 years. He said commissioners have been able to work closely with legislators to obtain grants and stay on track with the township’s master plan.

“The key to everything we’ve done and everything we’re going to do is being ahead of the curve,” Kissel said.

Kissel said with the consolidation of police services and bringing in businesses such as Iron City Brewery, Sansone Recycling and facilitating the doubling of capacity of Air Products, the commissioners don’t foresee raising taxes. He said bolstering EMS services such as the township’s volunteer fire department is a project to look at down the road.

“I’ve worked hard for 20 years as a commissioner,” Kissel said. “I spent 10 years as an auditor before that. I knew what was going on with the (township’s) money before I even became commissioner.”

Aside from his time as a commissioner and township auditor, Kissel is also former president of the Creighton’s American Slovak Club, and a former member of parish council for Holy Family in Creighton. He was also a union steward for around 12 years for the SEIU Local #644.

He retired earlier this year after working 24 years for Allegheny County Court Records. Kissel graduated from East Deer Frazer High School and earned an associate’s degree in accounting from the Community College of Allegheny County. He also completed several management course from various restaurants ranging from fast food to fine dining.

Gigler, 34, has lived in the community for 31 years. He hopes to mitigate blight within the township.

“We need consistent, proactive code enforcement and to hold landlords and property owners accountable for the condition of their properties,” Gigler said. “Many parts of East Deer are beautiful, but you often have to drive past rundown areas to see them.”

He said he plans to closely examine the township’s budget to assess new projects based on necessity and impact. Gigler said he’s willing to explore grants and partnerships, and advocate for the redirection of excess or what he finds is unnecessary spending in order to redirect funds to needed projects.

He said road, sidewalk and storm drainage infrastructure projects are worth investing in.

“These are investments that benefit everyone, improve safety, and help attract new families and businesses,” Gigler said. “I’d also support modest upgrades to parks or public spaces if we can match those improvements with outside funding or grants.”

Gigler earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in secondary education. He is a teacher at Deer Lakes Middle School, where he runs the school’s eSports club. He said he regularly volunteers for community events, holiday decorating and township trash cleanup events.

“At Deer Lakes, I’ve led successful math intervention and eSports programs in addition to my successful classroom work,” Gigler said. “I’ve volunteered countless hours to improve East Deer without holding office. Imagine what I’ll do when elected.

“I take care of my home and self, and I’ll hold my care for the township to that same standard.

“This is my town. I am raising my family here, and I want to make it a place we can all be proud of.”