Cheswick sees slate of incumbents hold council seats

Four candidates for Cheswick Council managed to hold onto their seats in Tuesday’s election.

The election saw two separate races — one with five candidates seeking four, four-year terms and another with two candidates seeking two, two-year terms.

Nicholas Pollino earned the most votes in both races but said he’d likely opt to take the four-year term, leaving one of the the two-year term seats vacant.

That means council will have to appoint its seventh member next year.

Pollino earned 23.2% of the vote for the four-year term. He was followed by George White with 21.4%, Frank Meledrandri with 20% and Rachel Simko with 17.8%.

Frank Stanish won his two-year term by default with 43.9% of the vote.

Aside from White, each of the victors are Republicans. Simko is the sole non-incumbent.

Pollino said he thinks the slate of victors each bring unique areas of expertise to the board.

For his part, he said he was humbled to see his name listed as the top vote-getter.

“It feels good. I want to thank everyone who came out to vote and support me,” Pollino said.

First on his priority list is infrastructure repairs throughout the borough, including roads and water lines. He said he also plans to work toward improvements at Rachel Carson Park.

The vote rendered incumbent Adis Halimic a lame duck. He came in fifth place, garnering 16.2% of the vote.

The council members will start their terms in January.