Bethel Park Council seats contested in 4 wards
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Eight candidates are running for four open Bethel Park Council in the Nov. 7 election, with Democrats facing Republicans in the municipality’s four even-numbered wards.
Candidates were asked to submit general biographical information and answer the question:
What do you view as the most pertinent issue for Bethel Park, and how do you plan to address it?
Ward 2
Kim Allen Kamenicky (R)
Age: 41
Education: BA, mass communications, University of Pittsburgh. MA, journalism and mass communications, Point Park University
Occupation: Director of marketing for an IT firm
Previous public office: N/A
The most pertinent issue in Bethel Park is ensuring that it remains a safe place for all residents. We currently have 39 police officers, fully funded through tax dollars. Because of this, we have a very low crime rate. We need to continue to fully fund them, keep them fully staffed and provide them with continued education and training. This way, they are armed with the techniques and skills needed to defuse difficult situations.
Others view social workers as the answer to domestic disputes/disturbances. I believe that creates a liability for all parties involved. Adding social workers to domestic calls adds another civilian that the police must protect. Their focus needs to be on handling the disturbance. Furthermore, given that domestic disputes happen primarily at night and on weekends, we need the around-the-clock protection from experienced police officers.
Maureen Trent (D)
Age: 40
Education: Bachelor of arts in communication from Waynesburg University
Occupation: Account manager for Proofpoint, a global cybersecurity Company
Previous public office: Current Bethel Park Democratic Committee Member for Ward 2, District 2
While speaking to Bethel Park residents throughout my campaign, several topics of concern have remained consistent: Neighborhood connectivity and walkability via improved sidewalk infrastructure, more transparent communication from our elected officials to allow for improved citizen involvement in decision-making processes, and clarity regarding the new elementary center that will be constructed in Ward 2 and how it will affect neighborhood and property taxes.
Another issue that has consistently come up while knocking doors is crime. As a candidate and community member, I believe that ensuring our police department has all the resources necessary to serve our residents safely is a top priority. One of the resources we’re currently lacking is a social services coordinator that would collaborate with our police department to make sure that all of our residents’ needs are being met.
Although this position was brought up to council last year, it was not voted upon. If elected to serve Ward 2 on council, it will be a priority of mine to make sure we take action on moving this position forward.
Many of the calls that our officers respond to are folks in our community who are experiencing a mental health crisis, substance abuse crisis, or domestic violence emergency. The social services coordinator would be able to provide the needed experience in order to help our residents through these crises while freeing up our officers to focus on the important jobs that they are trained to do. The mental health crisis facing our country has impacted so many of our neighbors, and adding this important role to our municipal government would be an enormous benefit to our community and our police department.
Ward 4
Todd Cenci (R)
Age: 56
Education: Bachelor of science, legal support and services from Purdue University; associate degree in applied science of criminal justice and criminology from Purdue
Occupation: Retired Pittsburgh police officer and now senior citizen abuse investigator
Previous public office: Current member of council
As a local councilman, it’s very important that we concern ourselves with quality-of-life issues — low taxes, clean streets, nice parks, neighborhood problems, respectful employees — and as the chairman of the health, safety and welfare committee, making sure all our residents are safe. We can’t think that the drug problem is only a city problem, because it isn’t.
We hold our officers to a high standard, and by doing that we have to make sure our officers have the best training and equipment to do their jobs.
Brendan McCarthy (D)
Age: 44
Education: Graduated from Temple University in 2003 with a business degree focusing on finance
Occupation: Trust account manager for FIS Global, working on collateralized loan obligations
Previous public office: None
One of the primary reasons I’m running for municipal council is safety, particularly road safety. The roads in Bethel Park simply are not safe for our residents, especially in my ward, where we have multiple county and state roads running throughout. My neighbors will agree that it often feels as though drivers feel emboldened to drive as recklessly as they please, with little to no awareness of the children playing in yards several feet away.
I drive for Lyft as a second occupation, and I often see traffic calming measures, from speed humps to increased signage, instituted throughout surrounding communities. I would like to deliver that same strategy here in Bethel Park. I believe that if we can make our roads safer, we will have a happier, friendlier, more well-connected community.
Ward 6
Jim Jenkins (R)
Age: 63
Education: Bethel Park High School class of 1978
Occupation: Nursery owner/landscaper for over 40 years. I recently sold my business and am still consulting.
Previous public office, if any: I am a member of the Bethel Park Shade Tree Commission and a Bethel Park Community Foundation trustee
Pertinent issue: As a council member, I will continue to advocate for more improvements to parks and recreation facilities, improving roads and trails and sidewalks, keeping the tax burden as low as possible and supporting the great job that our police, fire and paramedics provide to the citizens of Bethel Park.
Jessica O’Keefe (D)
Age: 33
Education: BA, public relations from Westminster College and paralegal certificate from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Duquesne University
Occupation: Director, Scottie Public Affairs
Previous public office: Current Bethel Park Democratic Committee member
One of the most pressing issues of our time is aging infrastructure, and Bethel Park is not immune. Although infrastructure investment may not be the most exciting policy to campaign on, it is an issue that, if properly addressed, will ensure Bethel Park remains a great place to live for years to come.
Water infrastructure in some areas of our region is a century old. With the uptick in rain events, our existing infrastructure simply cannot handle the flow of wastewater and stormwater, resulting in more frequent basement flooding, sewer backups and landslides. Where issues like these arise, property value reductions follow. While addressing these issues will be an investment, being reactive is far more expensive than taking proactive measures that can be applied today.
I would address the issue of aging infrastructure from multiple angles. At a local level, I’d support current efforts detailed in the municipality’s infrastructure section of the strategic plan; work closely with the planning and zoning committee to ensure new builds include stormwater reduction plans and other means of long-term infrastructure care; and regularly communicate with constituents to determine and prioritize their needs.
On a larger scale, I’d support the existing active transportation plan by coordinating with county, state and federal partners I’ve worked with throughout my professional career to ensure Bethel Park doesn’t miss out on potential funds made available by the Infrastructure Investments and Job Act or opportunities to receive low-interest loans and grants through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. Infrastructure improvement will mean improved walkability, ADA accessibility, and far fewer disasters caused by weather events.
Ward 8
Viola Garis (D)
Age: 28
Education: BA from University of Pittsburgh, majoring in anthropology and writing
Occupation: Consultant
Previous public office: None
As Bethel Park continues to grow, we need to be sure that you’re safe on our streets, whether you’re driving, taking public transportation, biking or walking. Especially in the 8th Ward, which is home to Bethel Park High School and Independence Middle School, we need to improve safe walkability options for our students and calm traffic for everyone.
To address this, we need to bring a variety of voices together, including business owners, homeowners and our municipal, county, state and school officials to come up with collaborative, comprehensive solutions. This can include expanding sidewalks, road dieting measures, and other creative solutions to calm traffic and increase safety.
Zeb Jansante (R)
Age: declined to answer
Education: Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh; undergraduate studies, California University and WVU
Occupation: K-8 principal at Archangel Gabriel Catholic School and adjunct professor at Point Park University. Prior to my current position I was the assistant superintendent as well as the head high school principal at Bethel Park (last 17 years).
Previous public office: board of directors for the PA Principal Association for more than 25 years