Municipal Primary Petitions Set Up Local Races
by Jonathan Weaver
Dozens of Armstrong County Democrats and Republicans filed their petitions to run for elected office by Tuesday – starting with the May 19 Municipal Primary.
As well as the State judicial court races and those vying for a County seat – including those 15 running for the two Armstrong County Commissioner chairs – new candidates petitioned for municipal Borough Council seats and as school directors.
While up to five new residents could be elected to be a new Armstrong School District board director – a board majority – there is only one new candidate compared to four years ago.
Rick Mulroy, of Ford City, will vie to represent Region I after Representative Larry Robb will reportedly not seek re-election.
Mulroy was Director of Support Services until his retirement in 2006 and also finished the West Hills Intermediate building project. He picked up his petition Monday, but didn’t have any trouble getting the required signatures.
A sign in the Armstrong County Commissioners’ Administration Building encourages local residents to vote in the upcoming May Primary Election. Petitions had to be filed by the close of business Tuesday, and feature new candidates locally for Armstrong School District board representative and Ford City Borough Council, among other municipalities and County races.
A registered Democrat, Mulroy will be on both party ballots due to his wife, Delores’, Republican affiliation.
“I enjoyed working for the school district and thought I could be a benefit to the district with my background in maintenance, buildings and transportation,” Mulroy said. “I’d like to give back, because I was treated very well in my years there.
“I have no axes to grind or anything – just want to lend my expertise to whatever they may need if I can be a benefit.”
Mulroy and wife, also had four children that attended Armstrong schools. His youngest daughter attended Armstrong Central in the early-1990’s.
Region I Representatives Amy Lhote and Paul Lobby, as well as Region II Representative Christopher Choncek and Region III Representative Stan Berdell are all running for re-election.
The race to represent Ford City Borough’s 1st Ward will be more contentious in two months.
Democratic Incumbents Gene Banks and Vicki Schaub will hope to continue their public service as one of the three representatives, but are competing with current-Mayor Marc Mantini and Republicans Jason Warner and Andrew Rudosky.
Schuab was appointed to fill the vacancy of Kim Bish.
Mayor Mantini, mayor of the Borough for eight years, is contemplating a Council bid on transparency and in an effort to repair the town’s economic future.
“A lot of people are disturbed the way this Council is going,” Mayor Mantini said. “I think, right now, Council is ignoring the wishes of many of the people in the community.”
Rudosky, a local business consultant who formerly served on the Borough Planning Commission as well as on the community Ford City Summerfest planning committee, said he had a lot of neighbors and friends that asked him to run for elected office.
Warner, a local business owner, and Rudosky are distant cousins.
“Neither one of us is going against each other, but we’re not working together. We want to see what’s best for this town,” Rudosky said. “Jason’s a really good guy, and I actually hope we both get on.”
He said his common sense approach would benefit the municipality financially – including in essential services such as the local police force. Rudosky added that local residents do not know when local police are on-duty or when Pennsylvania State Police troopers will be able to respond.
Current Councilman Jerry Miklos will also run to continue his service, but will be running a write-in campaign since he is registered Independent.
Miklos, the Council Vice-President, serves on the Police Committee with Schaub and the Economic Development Committee with Banks.
“It has been good serving with Mrs. Schaub – she’s a contributor, and not afraid to work. She’s not afraid to do something,” Miklos said. “We’ve made great strides here in one year with this new Council in spite of all of the problems and issues that were inherited.
“This is a critical period for Ford City, and we need people who not only know what they’re doing, but are are willing to put forth the effort that it takes to get the job done.”
New officials could also be elected in East Franklin Township, West Kittanning Borough and Kittanning Borough.
Local News | jweaver March 12, 2015
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By Patzu, March 12, 2015 @ 12:55 PM
Wow!
Ford City could actually go from bad to worse.
Look at the resumes of these guys.
Sheesh!