Brackenridge councilman steps down after 8 years

John Stanzione is leaving Brackenridge Council but he really doesn’t want to.

Stanzione announced he is resigning at Thursday’s council meeting.

He said the reason is his family has outgrown his two-bedroom home on Pacific Avenue and he hasn’t been able to find one in the borough that would suit their needs. As a result, Stanzione is moving into a larger house in Lower Burrell.

“It’s truly been an honor to interact with the community,” Stanzione told a handful of residents in attendance, referring to the time he has served on council.

That time amounted to eight years as Stanzione was first elected to his 2nd Ward seat in 2015 and was reelected in 2019.

Stanzione had nothing but praise for council and the working relationships among its members.

“This council has been nothing but first class the whole way through,” he said. “Nobody takes things personal here and everybody works for the community.”

That approach is what enables council members to vehemently disagree with each other “but still be able to go out and have a beer together afterward,” Stanzione said.

Although Stanzione made the announcement and then immediately stepped down from the dais where he was chairing the meeting as vice president in the absence of president Tim Connelly, his resignation is not yet official.

Solicitor Craig Alexander told him he has to tender his resignation in writing. He said if Stanzione does that immediately, council will be able to formally accept it at its April 3 meeting. It then can advertise for applicants interested in the vacant council seat and be able to appoint someone at its May 1 meeting. That would be within the proscribed time limit to avoid the Allegheny County courts from naming a replacement.

Stanzione said he would submit a letter immediately.

“Keep Brackenridge No. 1,” Stanzione urged council as he stepped down. “Keep our water department moving in the right direction, keep our street department moving in the right direction.”