2 races in GOP primary for North Huntingdon commissioner

Republican voters in North Huntingdon Wards 1 and 3 will have to choose between two candidates for township commissioner in the May 16 primary.

The outcome of next week’s voting likely will decide the races, as there are no Democrats on the ballot in either contest for a four-year term on the seven-member board.

1st Ward

In the 1st Ward, Tom Hempel faces former commissioner Brian West for the GOP nomination. Virginia Stump, the incumbent commissioner, said she won’t seek reelection as she now works for PennDOT and is not permitted to run for political office. Stump also serves on the township planning commission, but that is an appointed position.

Hempel, 64, a retired salesman of industrial and medical equipment, said he wants to work with township’s parks and recreation department to create more activities for the community, young and old.

He is in favor of building a community recreation center but would like to find outside funding for it.

West, 54, a metallurgist for an area manufacturer, said he is concerned the township might be moving into areas where it should not be involved, including construction of a recreation center.

West served as a township commissioner for seven years and was on a regional board with representatives from Irwin and North.

West lost the Republican nomination for another term on the board to Darryl Bertani in the 2015 GOP primary.

3rd Ward

In the 3rd Ward, Commissioner Jason Atwood is seeking the nomination for a second term, facing Amy Ghetian.

During his term, Atwood was in favor of the township amending an ordinance to permit raising chickens in neighborhoods zoned R-2, R-3 and R-4, upon approval of a conditional-use permit, but not in residential neighborhoods zoned for R-1.

Atwood in January 2022 said he favored revisiting the idea of a community recreation center, saying the previous proposal some 10 years ago was too expansive and expensive.

Ghetian, 46, who is running for public office for the first time, said she believes she can do something positive on the board of commissioners.

“I just think there’s a lot of divisive politics in the community,” said Ghetian, who is endorsed by the Norwin Republican Committee.

Atwood did not respond to requests for comment.

Unopposed

Commissioner Ronald Zona, representing the 5th Ward, and Commissioner Eric Gass, representing the 7th Ward, have no opposition in the primary.

The lack of Democrats seeking a seat on the board of commissioners does not surprise Catherine Forsythe, chairwoman of the Norwin-Penn-Trafford Area Democratic Committee.

“I think it is such an unhealthy atmosphere” that people don’t want to run for office, Forsythe said.