Newcomer Opsitnick takes top spot in Export council election
Share this post:
A longtime incumbent was unseated in Export, according to unofficial vote tallies from Tuesday’s election.
Incumbent John Nagoda, who has been on borough council since 1976, came in fourth with just over 19% of the vote.
Nagoda, along with fellow incumbents David Silvis (22.8%) and Joe Ferri (22.4%), along with newcomer and borough public works head Stephen Opsitnick, were competing for three open seats.
Opsitnick came out on top with more than 35% of the vote.
In all, 447 ballots were cast by borough residents, a little more than 50% participation.
“I’m very happy and I appreciate everyone who came out and supported me,” said Opsitnick, a Republican. “I’m looking forward to doing my best to keep the borough moving into the future.”
All of the candidates expressed interested in continuing with a host of improvements across the borough that have coincided with the arrival of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. In addition to repaving Washington Avenue and seeing several previously empty storefronts reopened in recent years, the borough is working to pave its central parking lot and make some additional pedestrian improvements throughout downtown.