Plum Republicans challenging to be on the November ballot – TribLIVE
Editors note: The Advance Leader is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election.
Plum Republicans have some choices to make when it comes to who they want to see on the November ballot.
According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, two former councilmen, two incumbents and another challenger are competing for their partys nomination in the May 18 primary.
Those hoping to run for four seats include incumbents Mike Doyle and Paul Dern, former councilmen Mike Dell and David Seitz, and candidate Steven Taylor.
The four Democrats seeking their partys nomination Michael Creighton, incumbent Dave Odom, Jennifer Pusateri and Justin Tuskan are expected to move on to the November election.
Here are the Republican candidates and their responses to election questions posed by the Tribune-Review:
Mike Dell
Q: Why did you decide to run for election?
A: I am worried about three things regarding Plum. Residents have to realize what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter. They are sacrificing time away for their family with zero pay. The borough and fire departments are in disagreement on how to spend the fire fund and quite honestly council members should go on a few calls to understand their demands.
Second, the flood victims of previous years I am proposing a boroughwide flood insurance policy the borough manages and pays claims. We cannot let our residences and small business go without assistance beside dumpsters. The last flood cost our residences and business owners thousands in damages and lost revenue the entire purpose of the stormwater fee was to prevent or reduce disasters.
Finally, we need to review the spending in the borough. Professional attorney services have risen 30% since 2017 and now council and the mayor have a $2,640 clothing allowance?
Q: What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?
A: The borough has two functions, infrastructure and public safety. With a plan, we can assist flood victims with some type of insurance policy and work closely with our fire departments on equipment needs. Plum is a fast-growing community, and local government needs to adapt and plan for the future.
Q: What should voters know about you?
A: I am an accountant with 20-plus years of experience. I was on council for eight years previously and really enjoyed working with the finance department and making Plum financially secure.
Paul Dern
Q: Why did you decide to run for election?
A: I am very proud to be a Plum resident. I have lived here my whole life, and I want to continue to see it thrive, flourish and grow. I am confident in my ability to continue to serve this community with the best interest of our residents. I will not shy away from making tough decisions and will always uphold the highest of integrity.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?
A: This is my fourth year on council and if reelected, I will continue to make progress on initiatives already underway, including developing the stormwater task force, expanding communal services (such as) recycling, infrastructure and encouraging community engagement through various borough HAPs and activities.
In the coming years, I would like to focus on expanding the commercial business presence in the community, evaluating the current public safety structure to address identified gaps, and continue to work with the Plum Chamber of Commerce on the resurgence of the community due to covid impacts.
Q: What should voters know about you?
A: I have lived in Plum for 60 years and I have raised my three children here with my wife, Dawn Marie. I have been employed by UPMC for almost 40 years. Outside of work, I love to umpire baseball and softball games, ride my motorcycle and bicycle, and enjoy family time.
Mike Doyle
Q: Why did you decide to run for election?
A: I have been honored to serve my community as a councilman and am very proud of the accomplishments weve achieved. For example, weve held the line on taxes, realizing six-figure surpluses year after year. Our bond rating has been upgraded seven times over the last several years, which demonstrates our financial strength and borrowing ability at lower interest rates.
Weve more than doubled the investment into our infrastructure improving our roads and storm sewers. Not to mention the more than $260,000 investment we made into our school systems safety. Our children, teachers and schools are now safer than ever.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?
A: Without a doubt, it is the U.S. (Environmental Protection Agencys federal mandate known as MS-4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). This is a massive unfunded federal mandate addressing water quality. Over the next few years we will need to create a whole new division in our (public works department) to implement and maintain this system.
Q: What should voters know about you?
A: I hope the voters of Plum know me as a common-sense, fair, dedicated and experienced councilman that has nothing but their best interest in mind. I will always put our taxpayers first. I ask the voters of Plum for their continued support and for their vote. I wont let you down.
David Seitz
Q: Why did you decide to run for election?
A: During the six years I served on council, we were very successful in providing and improving essential services, expanding the activities and opportunities available to the community, and we did so in a professional, efficient and financially responsible manner. My goal is to make sure the borough continues on this path and does not return to the days when individual and political agendas ruled the day and council meetings were circus-like events.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?
A: Funding the boroughs infrastructure needs, including stormwater management, is a very important issue, along with bringing more commercial, retail and dining development into the borough. Additionally, supporting and ensuring the continued success of the police, EMS and the local fire departments is a critical issue.
Q: What should voters know about you?
A: I have lived in Plum for almost 30 years with my wife and our two children, and Ive been active in the community through leadership roles in various organizations, such as the Plum Baseball & Softball Association, Plum council and the Plum planning commission. Professionally, I have an engineering degree and a law degree, and Ive worked at the same company as in-house counsel for the last 21 years. Politically, I believe that practical, common sense values and ideas, and limited, efficient government, are the keys to success and prosperity.
Steven Taylor
Q: Why did you decide to run for election?
A: I was born and raised in Plum and I want to insure that all existing and future families moving into Plum will continue to be able to raise their families as I did, enjoying the benefits of Plums rural surroundings and fantastic schools and plums junior organizations (such as) baseball, football, soccer, etc.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?
A: Maintaining affordable taxes by being user friendly to businesses and economic growth.
Q: What should voters know about you?
A: (Im a) lifelong resident of Plum, married to my beautiful wife, Tammy, for 37 years. (We have) two fantastic children, Brooke and Zach, and two wonderful grand children, Taylor and little Jack. Im truly a blessed man. If elected, I believe in an open door policy and that my position is always to serve the taxpayers and residents of our hometown (of) Plum.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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Plum Republicans challenging to be on the November ballot - TribLIVE