Newest elected supervisor eager to get to work in Allegheny Township

Allegheny Township residents can expect to see a lot of newly elected Supervisor James Morabito.

“I plan on being here at the township building weekly,” said Morabito, 58, a small business owner for 35 years. “I’m going to be hands-on, going over details of daily and weekly activities.”

Morabito, who goes by Jamie, defeated longtime Supervisor Kathy Starr with 56% of the vote in November’s election. Starr was elected in 2003.

Morabito, a Republican, will be sworn in during a reorganizational meeting Jan. 3 at the township building. He’ll serve alongside the other two supervisors, Rennick Steele and Mike Korns, for a six-year term.

During his campaign, Morabito logged hundreds of miles on foot, seven days a week in four-hour shifts, knocking on just about every door in the township.

“I went old school. I 100% think that’s why I won. The number one issue I heard from folks is that they wanted change,” Morabito said. “I had people say they hadn’t had anyone knock on their door campaigning in 30 years. … It’s time for change.”

First on Morabito’s supervisor to-do list is tackling numerous empty storefronts in the township, particularly in Allegheny and Hyde Park plazas, located along Route 56.

“People are tired of having no options. There’s been a decline in businesses over the last 10 years,” said Morabito, estimating a combined vacancy rate of 85% for both plazas.

He said he’s in talks with both discount grocery store chain Aldi and farm and home store Rural King and would like to see an Aldi occupy the former Save A Lot grocery store in Allegheny Plaza and Rural King move into the former Big Kmart in Hyde Park Shopping Center.

Both Kmart and Save A Lot closed in 2019.

Morabito said the township needs more grocery options for its residents and that’s why he’s lobbying for an Aldi.

Giant Eagle is the only full-service food store in the township.

“We have Giant Eagle and everyone that likes Aldi’s is driving to Lower Burrell to shop there if they don’t want to go to Giant Eagle,” he said. “It comes down to choices — we have no options —we’re one of the only areas that doesn’t have choices in grocery stores.”

Modernizing the current township website, last updated in 2020, is also a priority.

“I want it to be easy to navigate, and I want to hear folks’ views, good or bad,” Morabito said. “I can’t fix a problem without being aware of what the problem is.”

Morabito encourages residents to get involved and attend the monthly supervisors’ meetings.

“I want them to feel welcome. I want to give total transparency and make sure everyone is well-informed,” he said.

The township has maintained a steady general fund tax rate for 12 years, at 13.35 mills.

A $490,000 carryover from this year to 2022 resulted in there being no need for the township to take out a tax anticipation loan.

“I am very grateful for the hard work that Greg Primm has done the last 13 years to bring our township to this (financial) stability. The credit goes to Mr. Primm,” Morabito said.

The needs of the fire, police and public works will be a priority, Morabito said, vowing to make sure they have all the resources available to better serve the township.

Morabito, a 1981 Kiski Area High School alumnus, grew up in Washington Township and has resided in the Alle-Kiski Valley his entire life.

A political newcomer, Morabito said he recognizes the weight of defeating the longest elected supervisor in the history of the township with record voter turnout during a non-presidential election.

“I want to thank each and every one for believing and putting their trust in me to make Allegheny Township great again,” Morabito said.