A political newcomer is on the May 16 primary ballot and challenging longtime Republican incumbent Supervisor John Rennick “Ren” Steele in Allegheny Township.

Republican challenger and Allegheny Township businessman Jeff Pollick said he decided to throw his hat into the political arena to support residents, promote proactive measures and strengthen and assist the community.

“I’m not a politician but a public servant just trying to help the taxpayers of Alle­gheny Township,” Pollick said. “This position as supervisor would be new to me; however, I’m willing to learn, listen and help when needed. I do stand firm on my strong work ethic, and now I want to apply it here in Allegheny Township.”

Pollick, 52, owns and operates Wooden Door Winery locations in Allegheny Township and Vandergrift.

“An open-minded board is needed and deserved here. We’ve had a board that has held its thumbprint down on its residents for many years,” Pollick said. “Allegheny Township has been notorious for being difficult with open-minded growth. We need to eliminate that negative thinking.”

Another priority for Pollick is attracting businesses to the township.

“If elected, with support from our current supervisors, great things can happen in this wonderful community,” Pollick said.

Pollick was raised in Alle­gheny Township, later marrying and raising his family there.

“Never do I foresee myself leaving Allegheny Township. I love it here,” Pollick said. “I just want to be in a position to help out others wishing to do the same.”

Steele, 74, is a fifth-generation resident of Allegheny Township.

A former English teacher in the Armstrong and Freeport Area school districts, he retired after 29 years of teaching at the middle and high school levels.

Steele co-founded Freeport Theatre Festival, a local summer theater. To date, he and his wife have performed 80 plays over the past 33 summers.

Steele said he is seeking reelection to keep Allegheny Township a great place to live.

“The township is a beautiful, rural township with nice, safe housing plans and several active, working farms. Moreover, we have a beautiful walking trail and bicycle trail, the Tredway Trail, which is part of the Erie-Pittsburgh Trail,” Steele said.

Steele touts his securing $1.2 million in grants to extend the trail 9 miles.

One of the challenges Steele highlighted in the township is its aging population.

“We need to attract more young people with families, promote responsible growth in the numbers of people as well as businesses, while keeping Allegheny Township an environmentally beautiful place to live,” Steele said.

The other two members of the Allegheny Township Board of Supervisors are Michael Korns, whose term ends in December 2025, and James Morabito, who serves through December 2027.

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