Jonathan O’Brien said he’s running for mayor of Greensburg to support business growth in the city while paying attention to the concerns of taxpayers.

O’Brien, 52, who is completing the final year of his single term on the Greensburg Salem School Board, is a mayoral candidate on the Republican ticket.

He said he also supports the city police force and wants to bring stability back to that department.

“We have a good police department here. One or two people don’t ruin everything,” he said.

He referred to the recent resignation of the former police chief following his arrest on federal drug charges and the subsequent suspension of another officer concerning an undisclosed personal issue. The suspended officer is slated to retire this summer, and city officials are making plans to fill both vacancies.

O’Brien grew up on Pittsburgh’s North Side but has lived in Greensburg for 23 years.

He noted Greensburg has “had a lot of development in the past four or five years. I want to keep the revitalization going. I want more businesses to come here and do business with us. It helps everybody out.”

When he ran for school board, O’Brien said he wanted to prevent tax increases. He noted school taxes haven’t risen since he joined the board in December 2019.

“I’ve worked on budgets and made tough decisions,” he said of his work as a school board member. He counts his approval of Ken Bissell as the current Greensburg Salem superintendent another highlight of his term on the board.

O’Brien pledged to be approachable and transparent if he is elected as mayor.

“Politicians sometimes don’t take the taxpayers seriously,” he said. “I do.

“I take people’s opinions seriously. It’s everybody’s money.”

A former truck driver, O’Brien currently has a maintenance position at a wastewater treatment plant with the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. He has an associate degree in environmental technology from the Community College of Allegheny County.

He is married with three children and a stepson.

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