At least three new commissioners will take office in North Huntingdon starting in December, and maybe fourth, depending upon whether the 7th Ward incumbent can beat his challenger.

Commissioner Duane Kucera, 68, a Democrat representing the 7th Ward, is seeking his second term against Republican Eric Gass, 54, who lost a bid for the same seat in 2007. Both were unopposed in the May primary.

Kucera, a retired North Huntingdon police officer, said the township needs to address flooding in the community.

During the past year, several residents complained to the commissioners about the issue. Commissioners have asked the Army Corps of Engineers to study flooding along sections of Brush Creek and Long’s Run.

Kucera said he supported increasing funding for road repairs in the township and wants to continue that initiative.

Gass, an Army major, is the area coordinator of military funeral honor guards for veterans and soldiers through the Department of Army. Gass’ 25-year service in the military has included a deployment in Iraq. He is a former commander of the Howard Snyder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781 in North Huntingdon.

Both Kucera and Gass support measures that would reduce speeding through township neighborhoods. Kucera said he supports the passage of a state House bill that would allow local police departments to use radar detectors. A similar bill passed the state Senate this summer.

New commissioners will represent the 1st, 3rd and 5th wards as those board members — David Herold, Darryl Bertani and Anthony Martino, respectively — did not seek re-election.

In the 1st Ward, Republican Virginia Stump, a member of the township’s planning commission, was unopposed in the Republican primary and won a spot on the Democratic ticket with write-in votes. No one was on the Democratic ballot in the primary.

In the 3rd Ward, Republican Jason Atwood defeated Chuck Colletti in the primary. No one ran in the Democratic primary.

In the 5th Ward, Republican Ronald Zona is again unopposed as he was in the primary. He won the Republican and Democratic nominations on write-in votes.

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