East Deer Commissioner Tony Taliani reflects on 50 years of service, receives commemoration

East Deer Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani learned it takes time to see your work reflected in a township.

It is why the 74-year-old has been serving as a commissioner for East Deer for 50 years.

“I enjoyed what I was doing and took great satisfaction in the projects we were completing,” he said.

Taliani received a surprise when he was given a commemoration for his five decades of service during a commissioners meeting Jan. 13. The day was officially declared “Tony Taliani Day.”

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald made a guest appearance at the meeting to recognize Taliani.

“For you to get elected this many times, says a lot of what the community thinks of you and what you’ve done for the community,” Fitzgerald said as he handed Taliani the honor.

Taliani’s interest in politics came from being part of Edinboro University’s student government from 1968-69. After graduating, he returned to his hometown of East Deer and, in 1971, decided to run for commissioner. He was elected that year and began to serve — at the age of 24.

Taliani went on to become a math teacher and head football coach at Deer Lakes, working there for more than 31 years. He and his late wife, Patty, had one son, Greg, also an East Deer resident who works in the medical field.

Taliani has been with his girlfriend, Debbie Greiner, for 10 years.

Reflecting on how the township has changed over the past 50 years, he remembers East Deer being the birthplace of Pittsburgh Plate Glass (today’s PPG Industries) and the population being larger.

The 1980s expansion of the Allegheny Valley Expressway (Route 28), which required the removal of homes by eminent domain, was touted as a way to promote development in the northeast corridor of Allegheny County.

“We have sort of been disappointed in all areas that didn’t happen,” he said.

Looking into issues now, Taliani believes the consolidation of smaller township’s police and fire departments will become more prevalent. He can see shared services becoming more common to help cut costs.

East Deer is working toward merging its police department with the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department (Springdale Township and Cheswick).

He is proud of a number of things the board has accomplished. He noted its work with expanding the sewer system for townhouses on Murryhill Road, creating a walking track along the river with a gazebo and maintaining the police department.

Taliani said East Deer and surrounding waterfront communities have been steadily going through a rebirth, both industrially and commercially. With developments such as Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s Iron City Beer brewery bringing more life to the township, Taliani is hopeful the growth will continue.

“It has taken a long time, but it is really starting to pick up steam and happen,” Taliani said.

Taliani has two more years left in his term before he decides if he’ll run again. As he enters his 51st year of serving, he can say he still enjoys what he does.

“I am still having fun,” he said.