Oakmont councilwoman resigns borough post to join state House

Oakmont Councilwoman Carrie Lewis DelRosso resigned from her elected post to step into another one in the new year.

DelRosso defeated state House Minority Leader Frank Dermody in the November election.

The Republican challenger collected 51.5% of the vote compared with Democrat incumbent Dermody’s 48.5%, a margin of 923 votes, according to unofficial results from the Pennsylvania Department of State.

The new state representative in the 33rd District will be sworn in Jan. 5.

Council accepted her resignation, effective Dec. 31, and offered well-wishes at a meeting Monday night.

“Thank you for your service and thank you for committing to be of service to us in the future,” council President Patricia Friday said. Good luck to you in your new position.”

Council Vice President Leah Powers called DelRosso “a hard worker,” and her constituents also offered a round of applause.

“I got involved because I cared and loved what I did,” DelRosso said after her final meeting on council. “I hope to do the same in the state House … I know that (council), just like me, want the very best for Oakmont, and I look forward to working collaboratively with them to have the greatest impact on the borough.”

DelRosso’s in the third year of her first four-year term on council.

She said that time gave her “invaluable experience of seeing government operate from the inside while working with others who had different perspectives on issues.”

DelRosso was instrumental in acquiring multiple grants for the borough, including one for the restoration of the track in the lower section of Riverside Park and the beautification of the retaining wall near the viaduct at the Oakmont/Verona boarder.

She also helped continue the work of the pedestrian committee, formed a few years ago by former assistant borough manager Carol Moore to make the town safer for walkers, and assisted in the development of the borough’s text alert system and website among other projects.

DelRosso, 45, was born in Scranton and moved to Allegheny County in 1993 to study at the University of Pittsburgh. She runs a public relations firm and served as a spokeswoman for the Penn Hills, Plum and Riverview school districts.

Oakmont Solicitor Kate Diersen said council has 30 days from the resignation to appoint a new member before the matter can go before Allegheny County Court for a possible appointment.

Letters of interest for the council seat will be accepted at the borough office, 767 Fifth St.

Council members said they plan to fill the vacancy by the end of January.