Write-in candidates stand a chance in the Ligonier Borough Council race this primary election, as only two people are running for four available seats.
Incumbents Jim McDonnell and Judy Hoffer are seeking Republican nominations for two of the three four-year terms available. A two-year term is also up for grabs.
Beth Lechman, voting systems coordinator for the Westmoreland County Election Bureau, said such an occurrence is common for smaller boroughs.
The boroughs of Adamsburg, Arona, Donegal, Hunker, Madison, New Alexandria, New Florence, Seward, Sutersville and Youngstown are also facing an abundance of seats and lack of candidates in the primary election.
Write-in hopefuls will have to get at least 10 votes to get on the ballot for the fall, Lechman said.
If that does not occur, Lechman said as long one person gets a write-in vote in the fall and they're qualified in that district, “we would consider them the winner.”
“It has happened in the past by maybe error, maybe the person not filing their petition on time, so that person still has to get enough write-in votes,” said Ligonier Borough Secretary-Treasurer Paul Fry. “That has happened in the past.”
Write-in candidates would have to meet borough qualifications to take the seats, Lechman said.
Fry said for someone to take a seat on council, they have to live within the borough and be a resident for at least one year prior to taking the seat.
If no one runs a successful write-in campaign, the borough would have to appoint someone to the seats, Lechman said.
McDonnell, 79, vows to represent the residents of the borough honestly and truthfully.
“I've been very open, very transparent,” he said.
McDonnell has served four consecutive four-year terms. He served as vice president for 12 years and is currently the chair of the parks and recreation committee.
“I certainly have no agenda,” he said. “I enjoy being a public servant.”
McDonnell hopes to continue making progress with plans to repair the Diamond, a topic that has come up in council meetings the past few months and in previous years. He thinks renovating Friendship Park is also important. He touted the Ligonier Rotary Club's fundraising efforts as outstanding.
He would like to see more residents attend meetings to help guide council in a positive direction.
“Sometimes I don't feel that we get enough of input and opinions,” he said.
Regarding borough finances, McDonnell said council and borough staff have done a good job over the years, practicing careful spending. He wants to keep taxes as low as possible.
“It's part of our due diligence to be very careful, cautious and prudent about the way the local government generates and spends money where and when needed,” he said.
On the regional police study being that is in progress, McDonnell said he would be in favor of regionalizing “if it is good for all parties and the residents of the borough.”
McDonnell declined to comment on his and Hoffer's lawsuit against the borough regarding the abolishment of the planning commission due to it being pending litigation.
McDonnell said he is able to think things through no what matter issue arises, coming up with a “fair and honest evaluation.”
He said he has a drive and passion for serving on council, and he hasn't missed a council meeting in his 16-year tenure.
“I want to do what's right for the borough,” he said.
McDonnell worked 35 years with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and New York Central Railroad. He also worked 25 years at Unionvale Coal Co.
McDonnell is a member of the Ligonier Rotary Club and he belongs to several trade associations in Pittsburgh. He serves as a director of the Greater Johnstown Municipal Water Authority. He is a member of the Heritage United Methodist Church. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, after which he served in the reserves for six years.
He is a registered Republican. He has lived in the borough for 27 years.
He has been married 22 years to Angela McDonnell. They have six children and 11 grandchildren.
Hoffer, 66, is seeking reelection because she felt she “didn't have the right to complain if I wasn't willing to step up and help some of the decisions.”
“This is my town, and I'm really proud of it,” she said. “I want to do what the people in Ligonier are asking.”
Hoffer was appointed to a two-year term in the 1990s and is in her third four-year term. She served one term as president.
Fixing damage suffered by the Diamond is a priority for Hoffer.
“The biggest challenge we have is the destruction of the center of our town, which is the focal point when people come to town,” she said.
Hoffer, who served on the bypass committee several years ago, would love to find some way to eliminate large vehicle traffic around the Diamond.
Another project for the borough is the restoration of Friendship Park, she said. The progress made with it so far, like the Ligonier Rotary Club's fundraising efforts, shows “how the community comes together when we have a project,” she said.
She wants to keep Ligonier “the friendly town that people want to come visit.” She is hopeful for the reopening of the Laurel Mountain ski area, adding that it would generate traffic to local restaurants and lodging.
Hoffer wants to see council work as a team to accomplish its goals. She wants to keep taxes low.
“I think when it is budget preparing time, I think we do the best job possible to eliminate any overspending,” she said.
Hoffer said she would be willing to discuss the regionalizing of a police force when she is convinced that the borough will have just as quick coverage as she has now.
On the lawsuit she filed with McDonnell against the borough about the abolishment of the planning commission, Hoffer said, “My biggest contention is we have rules and we have ordinances that we need to follow.”
“All I'm asking in this whole situation is that the rules be followed in the correct way, and they weren't,” she said. “In my eyes, I'm not costing the borough money on this. The borough is costing themselves money.”
The chair of the town hall committee, Hoffer brings to the table an understanding of contractor work, as her father was contractor. She said she is a good listener.
“This is my town, and I love it, and I want to do what the people want,” she said.
Hoffer, a retired banker, works part time at Betsy's of Ligonier. She also served as a legislative aide to Rep. Jess Stairs for two years.
She is a member of the Heritage United Methodist Church, for which she plays the bells and sings in the choir. She is the parliamentarian for the Business and Professional Women of Ligonier Valley and, on the district level, serves as membership chair. She is member of the District 8 Republican Committee.
She is a registered Republican. She has lived in the borough since 1977.
Hoffer has been married 49 years to Larry Hoffer. They have one daughter and two grandchildren.
Nicole Chynoweth is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-850-2862 or nchynoweth@tribweb.com.
