Ten apply for vacant Tarentum council seats
Tarentum residents are lining up for their chance to serve on borough council.
Ten people have applied for two vacant seats on the seven-member board.
Carl Magnetta vacated his at-large council seat earlier this month to accept the appointment of mayor, replacing the late James Wolfe.
A second vacancy was created the same day when First Ward Councilman Mike Gutonski abruptly resigned for unspecified reasons.
Council plans to interview the 10 applicants before its meeting today.
Five people applied for both the First Ward and at-large seats. Three others applied for just the at-large seat and two applied for the First Ward seat only.
Several prospective council members said revitalizing the borough would be a priority.
Ray Kerr, 59, of East Eighth Avenue said he'd like to expand on the community service experiences he's gained through his church, Natrona Heights Presbyterian.
"I like the direction Tarentum is going in," Kerr said. " I think we can go further. We have some of the top businesses in the Valley and I think we could attract some more in.
"I'd like to bring Tarentum up as far as it being a good place to live, a good place to work, a good place to put a business," Kerr added.
Tom Grates, 42, of Coe Street said he believes his work experience in the nonprofit sector would benefit the town.
"I believe there are ways to talk businesses into coming into Tarentum," Grates said. He'd like to see the borough receive more state grants for revitalization, especially to attract niche retailers.
"We need to make it more attractive for out-of-towners to come to visit," Grates said. "A small, unique shopping experience."
Milan Lovasik of West Seventh Avenue said he returned to the borough in 2008 after working as a chef in Latrobe and Harrisburg. Now that he's retired, Lovasik would like to spend his free time benefiting his hometown.
"I felt, since I am here, this might be a good chance to get reacquainted since I've lived away so long," Lovasik said.
He particularly would like to see council raze blighted buildings: "We need to have some of those buildings dismantled that are vacant. They sure don't give the area a good reputation."
Jeff Kramer, 46, of East Ninth Avenue said he'd like the borough's revitalization efforts to produce more results.
"Some of the redevelopment efforts that have happened in the past have seemed to have started quickly out of the gate and then fallen off. Not just recently, but historically," Kramer said. "I'd like to see that kind of thing be sustained."
Jim Bowser, 51, of West Eighth Avenue said he viewed joining council a natural progression following his 23 years of service at Summit Hose volunteer fire company.
"I'd like to see Tarentum brought back to what it used to be," said Bowser, who recalled a prosperous town when he was a child visiting his grandparents.
"I just feel that Tarentum could be a good town again," he said. "It just needs some changes and different ways of bringing business back into town."
Douglas Hill, 42, of Roup Street said he wants to serve the community where he's lived for 15 years and where his 4-year-old son will grow up.
Hill initially intended to join one of the borough commissions that also had vacancies when he learned about the openings on council.
Aside from ensuring Tarentum's fire departments have all the resources and training they require, Hill said he doesn't have a particular agenda.
"I'd like to become more involved in the community," said Hill, who was impressed so many people were interested in joining borough council. "There have been a lot of changes (on council), but there's also a lot of experience there."
The recent council vacancies occur after a year of upheaval in borough government.
Councilman John Motosicky resigned in December and was replaced by Tim Firko.
Councilwoman Ginger Sopcak, who had not attended a council meeting since 2007, resigned in September. Pete Varos replaced her and was elected to the full four-year term in November.
Sopcak tried to run for mayor earlier in the year but was bounced from the ballot because a financial disclosure form was not filed. Wolfe was the only mayoral candidate on the ballot and was re-elected despite his death in September, leading to Magnetta's appointment as mayor.
Borough Manager Bill Rossey nearly resigned in November after council questioned his job performance and noted their intent to put him on probation. Council later renounced the probationary notice and Rossey agreed to stay on.
The upheaval may be why so many people -- most of them political newcomers -- are interested in serving on council.
"With the some of the unrest that has happened recently with council and the borough manger, that sort of sparked my interest in becoming more involved," Kramer said. "I'd like to have a voice and represent the best interests of Tarentum."
Additional Information:
Council hopefuls
The following council candidates will be interviewed beginning at 5:30 p.m. today in the borough building:
At-large seat only:
Jim Bowser, West Eighth Avenue.
Jordan Kjanica, East Second Avenue.
Milan Lovasik, West Seventh Avenue.
First Ward seat only:
Robert Baenig, East Ninth Avenue.
John Snyder, Butler Street.
Both seats:
Tom Grates, Coe Street.
Douglas Hill, Roup Street.
Ray Kerr, East Eighth Avenue.
Jeffrey Kramer, East Ninth Avenue.
Cassandra Singer, Highland Avenue.
