Irwin: 5 seeking 4 seats on council

Irwin voters will be able to choose from five candidates, including three incumbents, running for four council seats in the Nov. 4 election.

Councilmen Tyler Baum and Frank Rossi, both Republicans, are seeking reelection to another four-year term, while Fonda Dalbow, appointed to council in July to replace Ron Romeo, will be seeking her first full term. John Slivka Jr. is the fourth Republican running for council. Cody Karch is the lone Democrat seeking a seat on council.

The borough remains in the midst of a renovation project of municipal offices, making the administration and police department accessible to those with mobility issues. That project is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.

The new council could find itself dealing with a controversy over whether to replace the letterboard on the Irwin sign on Pennsylvania Avenue with a digital message board. Council members have had differing opinions on whether to replace the traditional sign with the digital board, but that issue will arise only if Irwin’s grant application is approved.

Baum, 27, who became Irwin’s youngest council member at age 23 when elected four years ago, said in a second term he wants to advance several new initiatives, including establishing a co-working space on the second floor where the current administrative offices will remain until the first floor office renovations are finished. He also wants to implement curbside recycling and create a tax credit program for senior citizens and families with children.

Baum, a member of the Irwin Volunteer Fire Department, initiated the proposal for council to livestream its meetings and make them available on the borough’s YouTube page. To get youth involved in the community, he started a junior council program for Irwin area high school students to become involved in council and learn about local government

A Dartmouth graduate, Baum is an industrial investor and senior associate at Continuim Equity Partners in Pittsburgh. He has been a vocal opponent of placing a digital sign at the Irwin Park entrance.

Dalbow, 69, a retail sales clerk, was a member of the zoning hearing board before being appointed to finish Romeo’s term. She is running for public office for the first time.

A Leechburg High School graduate, Dalbow said she regularly attended council meetings before being appointed and has been inspired by how government can make a positive impact on the community.

One of the most pressing challenges facing Irwin is keeping drugs out of the community. Strengthening partnerships with organizations such as Sage’s Army — which provide meetings and support for those in need — is essential, Dalbow said.

Karch, 30, a mental health counselor at UPMC, had sought a position on council when Savage resigned, but was not selected. He won a write-in vote for minority inspector of elections, but this would be the first time running for council.

Karch, a University of Pittsburgh graduate, said he would provide a younger voice on council and said he believes there could be a greater transparency in borough government.

“I believe they could use someone looking outside the box,” Karch said.

Rossi, 68, said he wants to continue to serve his community and is pleased that the current council has a good working relationship.

“I’m a blue collar public servant,” said Rossi, who is a truck driver who graduated from Hempfield Area and Westmoreland County Community College.

Regarding the controversy over the Irwin sign, Rossi he said he does not want any sign that is too flashy.

Slivka, 37, was a candidate for the vacancy created by Romeo’s resignation, but council voted for Dalbow.

He is a member of the borough’s zoning hearing board and the Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority, which provides sewage service to Irwin and parts of North Huntingdon and Penn Township. Slivka said the borough needs to improve the sidewalks in the downtown business district.

“I wanted to run because I want to be more involved in my community,” Slivka said.

Amanda Morrison, who was appointed to council in December 2023 after Leslie Savage resigned, opted not to run for election.

Mayor Jeff Clem, a Republican, had no opposition in the primary and has none in the general election.

North Huntingdon

In North Huntingdon, there is no race for the seat in any of the three wards.

Leah McGee won a three-way race for the Republican nomination in the primary election to represent the 6th Ward, beating William Cummings and Antonio Lio, to succeed Fran Bevan.

Commissioners Rich Gray, representing the Fourth Ward, and Zachary Haigis, representing the Second Ward, had no opposition in the May primary and none in the November election.

All seven of the township commissioners are Republicans and no Democrats filed to run in the primary or general election.