Incumbent, 3 newcomers in race for 3 city council seats in Latrobe

Four candidates are vying for three open seats on Latrobe City Council in Tuesday’s general election.

The field includes incumbent Jim Kelley, a Democratic nominee who was the sole listed primary candidate, and three newcomers who waged successful write-in campaigns: William Yuhaniak, a Republican nominee, and Ann Amatucci and Bridget DiVittis, who each won nominations from both parties.

Council members Gerald Baldonieri and Christine Weller did not seek new terms.

Yuhaniak, 58, is a custodian at Greater Latrobe Junior High. Married with two children and two grandchildren, he studied culinary arts at Westmoreland County Community College.

A captain and treasurer with Latrobe Volunteer Fire Department Hook & Ladder Company No. 2, Yuhaniak said fellow company members suggested he run for council so they would have a voice on the panel.

At its agenda meeting this week, council members reviewed a consultant’s recommendations for changes at the fire department, including a possible consolidation that could eliminate two of its five companies.

Yuhaniak has been a Latrobe firefighter for seven years and previously served for nine years with the Marguerite Volunteer Fire Department in Unity.

He said he would like council to keep taxes under control and to see more businesses moving into downtown Latrobe to offer products and services.

“My first priority would be trying to get new businesses so people don’t have to go out of town,” he said.

He said he also would like to boost recreational opportunities for children to help keep them safe and engaged in positive pursuits. He suggested development of “a sports or activity center where kids could hang out with their friends.”

Amatucci, 46, is a children’s occupational therapist who specializes in early intervention. She is co-owner of the home-based Therapy Connections.

A wife and mother of three children 12 to 17, she holds a bachelor’s degree in health science with a minor in psychology and a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She serves on the boards of the Latrobe Municipal Authority and the Greater Latrobe Hockey Club and is a lector and Eucharistic minister at Holy Family Catholic Church.

When she learned there was a shortage of candidates in the primary, Amatucci decided to run as a “potential opportunity to give back to the community I’ve lived in my whole life.”

“We already have a great community where a lot of great things are happening. We need to continue those and listen to the community members to learn what they feel we need, as well,” she said.

Among areas that would be priorities for her, she said, are public safety, fiscal responsibility and keeping the city an attractive place for new families.

DiVittis, 49, is the assistant director of campus ministry and coordinator of commuter outreach at Saint Vincent College and director of religious education at Saint Vincent Basilica Parish. She formerly was a teacher and principal at Catholic elementary schools.

Married with three children 12 to 17, she holds a master’s degree in educational administration and a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations with a minor in marketing.

DiVittis moved to Latrobe 18 years ago, when she married a town native. “I fell in love with Latrobe and all the things that it has to offer,” she said. When others suggested she run for council, she saw it as an “opportunity to get a little more involved.”

She said she would like to help Latrobe continue to develop its downtown business district while also helping to “maintain its small-town family environment.

“The town is trying to do a lot with evening activities and great programs for people to come downtown. I’d like to be a part of that.”

DiVittis said the town has a strong parks and recreation organization she would like to see continue to grow. She also would like to develop closer connections between the city and Saint Vincent commuters who reside there, helping the students to “feel welcome and take an interest in the community that’s around them.”

Kelley, 76, is seeking his second term. He has been involved with council for 40 years — previously serving as a city solicitor. He retired from legal practice in 2016 and formerly was a guidance counselor in Connellsville Area School District. Married with an adult daughter, he serves on council’s finance and public safety and fire committees and on a committee that is reviewing a proposed update of the city’s zoning ordinance.

Noting he brings years of experience in city government, Kelley said he would like to continue working to “maintain a healthy downtown business district. I think we have a good council that works well together with our department heads to bring positive things for our community moving forward.”

He said the city has taken measures to keep its citizens as safe as possible during the covid-19 pandemic. Now, he said, council is looking to tap pandemic relief funding to help with several projects — repairing the courtyard plaza next to the city garage, updating downtown surveillance cameras and improving technology for virtual meetings, when needed.

“There’s not much new that comes down the pike I haven’t dealt with,” Kelley said regarding municipal government. “We need to keep our ears pinned to the streets as far as what things are important to our citizens and what needs to be taken care of.”