Lower Burrell mayoral race focuses on commerce

The two candidates for Lower Burrell mayor believe their professional experiences can benefit the city's efforts to attract businesses.

Richard Callender, 47, said owning two businesses gives him an understanding of the type of environment that supports commerce. He co-owns nuclear consulting firm NDE Technology Inc. and is the owner of Kiddieland Child Care and Learning Center in Tarentum.

“I have the business mindset as far as knowing what they want, what they need from a community to help them coming in to get a fresh start. I would utilize my experience to that end.”

Joseph Grillo, 55, said he'd pull from his quarter-century as a salesman to market Lower Burrell: “I add a salesman's approach. I've been around retail all my life. Retail is retail — here we're talking retail of buildings.”

The two sitting councilmen will seek the Democratic nomination in the May 19 primary election. There are no Republicans on the ballot. Unless there is a write-in challenger, whoever wins the Democratic nod is likely to be elected to the four-year seat.

The city will have a new leader at the helm for the first time in 16 years since Mayor Don Kinosz is not seeking re-election to a fifth term. The position pays a $3,400 annual stipend.

Both candidates said boosting the city's commercial core — especially the nearly vacant Burrell Plaza — will be a priority.

Callender said he'd be willing to play “hardball” with the plaza's owners if no progress is made: “We need them to make a move. We can't have that sitting vacant in the middle of the city any longer.”

Grillo said he'd like council to consider waiving the business privilege tax for three years for new businesses as an incentive for coming to Lower Burrell. Callender questioned whether that would be legal or fair to existing businesses.

Both men said they'd like to reboot the Lower Burrell Merchants Association and return to mailing the city newsletter to all residents.

Grillo said he'd also like to see the city's website and Facebook pages used more to promote events and activities sponsored by nonprofits.

Council experience

Callender and Grillo said they've learned the ropes during their nearly four years and 10 years on council, respectively.

Grillo serves as the chairman of public safety, which allowed him to be involved with the county's readdressing project, code enforcement and cracking down on absentee landlords.

He said his own experience as an owner of rental homes flavored his efforts to create a mandatory inspection program before properties are rented or sold and to ensure the city can recoup insurance money when fire-damaged houses aren't repaired.

“I've always believed you have to take an active part where you live,” Grillo said.

Callender said he considered running for mayor four years ago, but thought it would be smarter to join council first and “mentor” under Kinosz.

Callender, who is not on the ballot for re-election to his council seat that expires at year's end, spent most of his time leading the parks department until council positions were shuffled last summer with the resignation of Westmoreland County Judge David Regoli.

Some of the accomplishments he points to while on council include helping to establish the Burrell Entertainment Activities Team that hosts several holiday events; revitalizing the Kinloch Fireman's Park with the grass roots group Kinloch Unites; and working with Scout groups to make improvements at Burrell Lake and K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial parks.

In the months since he took over the streets and public works department, Callender said he's drafted a new 15-year plan for capital equipment management and purchases and begun a pilot program to save the city money by replacing street lights with light-emitting diode (LED) technology.

“Community involvement is what drives and makes a city thrive,” Callender said. “If you don't have that, you become stagnant. You have nothing to do for the people and the young kids. It doesn't make for a prosperous community.”

Liz Hayes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4680 or lhayes@tribweb.com.