Incumbent loses school board endorsement

A Pittsburgh school board member on the job for 17 years failed to receive the Allegheny County Democratic Committee's endorsement in her bid for re-election.

Evelyn Neiser, 61, of Sheraden, lost Thursday night by a vote of 39-25 to Floyd 'Skip' McCrea, an Observatory Hill resident known for volunteering as 'Sparky the Fire Dog,' the mascot of Pittsburgh Firefighters Local No. 1.

Neiser, who works for the Allegheny County Jury Commission, represents District 9, which covers the West End and parts of the North Side. She joined the board in 1975, served until '85 and was elected again in 1993.

Neiser said it's often difficult to win support when running for office from both sides of a river.

'It becomes very territorial,' she said Friday. 'I've worked just as hard on the North Side as I have on the West End.'

Neiser said that while she's disappointed to have lost the endorsement, she's not giving up.

'I think I have a good name and a good reputation. I've worked very hard in my district. I expect to come out a winner.'

McCrea volunteers for West Penn Hospital's Burn Foundation and is on community councils at Chatham Elementary School and Perry Traditional Academy.

'He's very happy with the results,' said Ed Nemeth, a spokesman for McCrea. 'For somebody to walk in and beat someone who's been in there at least 12 years or more ... is a big victory for us.'

McCrea wants to keep schools open, hold the line on taxes and is against privatization of services such as custodial and food. He also believes the district has too many central administrators.

Neiser voted against the district's 2001 budget, which will raise taxes and close 11 schools.

'We know we still have an uphill battle,' Nemeth said. 'I don't feel that she was a bad school board member. I just think it's time for a change.'

The Democratic committee previously has endorsed Theresa Colaizzi for the District 5 seat now held by Maggie Schmidt, who has decided not to run for re-election, and board member Jean Fink of District 7. Colaizzi is from Greenfield. Fink is from Carrick.

Two other board members are seeking re-election this year: Randall Taylor of Point Breeze, who is from District 1, and board President Alex Matthews of Stanton Heights, from District 3. Endorsement meetings for those seats have not taken place.

Erik Siemers can be reached at esiemers@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7997. Jonathan Potts can be reached at jpotts@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7900.