Mayoral runner to face his age

A woman who wants to block a high school student from running for Pittsburgh mayor says the teen-ager 'has no idea' about operating a city.

Bernice Scott, of Stanton Heights, told reporters Wednesday that Josh Pollock, 18, of Squirrel Hill, 'might be a charming and nice guy,' but 'I'm challenging his knowledge and experience.'

Scott, who described herself as a civic-minded individual, challenged Pollock's qualifying petition to run in the Democratic primary, citing state law that requires the city's mayor to be at least 25.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge James H. McLean conducted hearings yesterday on petition challenges, but ordered a separate hearing for 10 a.m. Monday to hear arguments about Pollock's eligibility.

Scott talked briefly to reporters after leaving McLean's courtroom, before being whisked away by her attorney, Anthony Saveikis.

Scott said she has not decided whom she will support for mayor, but fears a Pollock candidacy would siphon votes away from more 'qualified' candidates, such as front-runners Mayor Tom Murphy and City Council President Bob O'Connor.

'They are experienced because they're older,' she said. 'They have been in the political arena, and they know how to approach people with clout. In about 15 years, I might be considering him (Pollock).'

Pollock contends that the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter, not state law, sets the qualifications for mayor. The charter does not set a minimum age, but states that the mayor must have been a Pittsburgh resident for three years.

Asked by a reporter why he would fight to be on the ballot in a contest he has virtually no chance of winning, Pollock said, 'I would like to continue for the same reason I started, to give a new voice in government.'

Marvin Fein, Pollock's attorney, questioned whether McLean had the jurisdiction to rule on the age requirement during a hearing to determine the accuracy of qualifying petitions.

Fein said a 1993 state Supreme Court decision supported this position.

McLean ordered the hearing Monday so Saveikis would have time to study the Supreme Court decision.