Penn Borough council: Zero candidates, 15 write-in votes
The 15 write-in ballots cast in Penn Borough could decide who fills three vacancies on council — although just who that will be has yet to be decided.
No candidates appeared on the ballot.
According to unofficial results of Tuesday’s election, four candidates each received three write-in votes: incumbent council members Randy Driestadt, Ed Grant and Beverly Picklo; and borough resident David Kettren.
Results still must be certified by the county election board. In the event of a tie, lots will be drawn to determine the three winners.
At least two incumbents said they expected to be reminded to turn in paperwork to appear on the ballot.
“I didn’t get a reminder to get my petition and paperwork in,” Grant said.
“I think there was an oversight on the part of the borough secretary on getting the paperwork to the current council candidates,” council President Driestadt said. “I just didn’t realize that the term was up and I needed to re-file.”
Driestadt, however, signed a form noting that three council seats would be up for election. That form was dated Jan. 23 and is on file with the county Elections Bureau.
“The borough files a form with a slate of the seats that are open, and the council president is who signs it,” said borough secretary Lynn Kane. “I have nothing to do with that.”
Picklo and Kettren could not be reached for comment.
Both Driestadt and Grant said they plan to remain on council.
“I’ve been on council for 28 years now, so I want to continue running the borough without a deficit,” Driestadt said.
Grant said he plans to focus on addressing abandoned properties.
“There are two homes that we filed paperwork on to include in the 2020 demolition grant process,” he said. “They’re properties where the owners kind of just walked away. They’re in terrible condition and they both sit less than 10 feet from a neighboring residence.”
There are 242 registered voters in 0.2 square mile borough of approximately 460 residents; 74 votes were cast on Tuesday.
Incumbent Karen Kealey received one write-in vote, although she said her term was not up for re-election.
The county elections board is scheduled to certify write-in votes on Nov. 27.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
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