ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL
At-large
(Vote for one)
TERM: 4 years SALARY: $9,000
DUTIES: Initiates and adopts ordinances, makes appropriations,
adopts an annual balanced budget, adopts an administrative code, approves executive
appointments, conducts investigations of county departments, accepts grants, gifts or
donations on behalf of county, may modify or eliminate departments, agencies or functions
that no longer serve citizens.
QUESTION: As a member of the first County Council, what steps will
you take to ensure effective cooperation between the council and the executive?
Republican
Dave Fawcett
Age: 41; Oakmont
EDUCATION: B.A., Carnegie-Mellon University; J.D., University of
Pittsburgh Law School.
OCCUPATION: Partner, Buchanan Ingersoll: litigation section;
technology and entreprenuerial services group
QUALIFICATIONS: Married with 3 children; member of Oakmont Council,
1994-present; 1996 Republican nominee for Congress (18th Congressional District);
executive committee, Carnegie Library of Oakmont Expansion Project.
ANSWER: To be effective, the County Council must find common ground
and must focus upon planning and oversight. Council should not be a burden on the
executive's day-to-day matters, but must allow the executive to share his long-term plan
with the council and work together to implement the plan.
Democrat
John P. DeFazio
Age: 59; Shaler
EDUCATION: Grade school, eight years; high school, four years;
college, three years.
OCCUPATION: International staff representative for the United
Steelworkers of America.
QUALIFICATIONS: Negotiate contracts, arbitrate grievances, teach
collective bargaining, served on many boards with companies, and presently on Maglev
board. Served as Democratic committeeperson for 20-plus years and presently chairman.
Coordinator on civil rights committee in Western Pennsylvania.
ANSWER: Most candidates state that they should all work together. I
would try to convince the members of council to work together but after the majority
members made their decisions, we should let it end. I have stated many times that is very
important to work together but when there is a difference of opinion and the issue is
settled there should not be a continued fight on other issues.
County Council District 1
(Vote for one in your district)
TERM: 2 years SALARY: $9,000
QUESTION: How will you balance the needs of the individual districts
with those that promote the overall good of the county?
Republican
Ronald L. Francis Jr.
Age: 33; Ben Avon
EDUCATION: Northwestern University, J.D. 1995; George Washington
University, B.A. 1988; Avonworth High School, 1984.
OCCUPATION: Reed Smith Shaw & McClay, associate, business &
finance department.
QUALIFICATIONS: During my time at Reed Smith, I have been tasked
with solving many complex legal problems for our clients. I am a former Navy officer and a
Gulf War veteran.
ANSWER: My priority is to improve the economic climate in our
region, which is good for District 1 and good for the county as a whole. To do this, I
advocate reducing the size and cost of government bureaucracy and using the savings to
reduce taxes and invest in a well-planned and maintained infrastructure. We can reduce our
costs of government and improve the quality of the services by requiring competition for
the right to deliver certain services. I support a nonpolitical airport authority, which
is good for District 1 and good for the whole county.
Democrat
Louis Coccoli Jr.
Age: 60; Moon
EDUCATION: Attended Robert Morris College; selected for the Xerox
Learning Management Skills program, and received certification from the Department of
Health, Education and Welfare -- Public Health Services.
OCCUPATION: President and CEO of GladCo Enterprises Inc.
QUALIFICATIONS: My experience as both a businessman and labor
leader, including contract negotiations, supervising construction, and working with
employees, the public and management, will enable me to serve the diversity that is
District 1.
ANSWER: In order for Allegheny County to survive, we need a robust
Pittsburgh at the core. We need to bring people to Pittsburgh, as well as the outlying
areas. It is absolutely necessary, therefore, that we develop a mass transportation system
that will allow us to move people from our world-class airport to the Downtown area.
Additionally, we should develop connections to the suburbs. This improvement will allow us
to establish a strong Downtown, move people in and out of the suburbs efficiently and
lighten the traffic problems that plague District 1 and other parts of Allegheny County.
County Council District 2
Republican
Jan Rea
McCandless
EDUCATION: Graduate of Shaler High School. Attended classes at La
Roche and Carlow.
OCCUPATION: Homemaker.
QUALIFICATIONS: Lifelong resident of North Hills. Grew up in Shaler.
Energetic, devoted mother, focuses attention on children's issues. 1980s taught CCD
classes St. Sebastian. On board of the Boys and Girls Club, member Juvenile Diabetes
Legislative Committee, Homeless Children Fund board and PUC's advisory committee.
ANSWER: Allegheny County faces many difficulties. We need to fix our
property tax assessment system. We need economic development initiatives that expand on
and protect our current assets. We need transportation and infrastructure improvements to
help sustain economic development. All these issues are the same in my district as they
are in all the others. If County Council members address issues in a parochial manner,
then it will be much more difficult to get things done. I strongly believe in building
consensus and working toward common goals and in so doing, we will accomplish a great deal
for our individual districts.
Democrat
Jeanne E. Brimmeier
Age: 51; Ross
EDUCATION: Human resources certificate, Penn State; secondary
administration and supervision of counseling Pennsylvania certificates, Duquesne
University; M.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania; B.S., economics and English, Clarion
University of Pennsylvania.
OCCUPATION: 28 years educator/counselor; also small business owner;
homemaker.
QUALIFICATIONS: Experience and training in conflict resolution,
negotiation and consensus building.
ANSWER: Making Allegheny County work for everyone is my first
priority. The needs of individual districts and the needs of the entire county are the
same. The districts were created to ensure geographic representation, not to foster
competitiveness. We all need equal and fair tax assessments, a better mass transit system,
better education, safer roads, more jobs, cleaner parks and no destructive political
infighting. We all want effective and efficient delivery of county services and an end to
the waste of taxpayers money.
County Council District 3
Republican
Tom Shumaker
Age: 35; Pine
EDUCATION: U.S. Naval Academy, 1986, B.S. mechanical engineering;
University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1994, executive editor of Law Review.
OCCUPATION: U.S. Marine Corps, 12 years service; attorney with
Tucker Arensberg.
QUALIFICATIONS: Community service includes: president of the
Pine-Richland Opportunities Fund, volunteer Richland Elementary PTA, volunteer Northern
Community Outreach Program and board member, Pennsylvania Professionals for the Arts.
ANSWER: If Allegheny County is to realize job growth and renewed
economic vigor, our County Council must work together to identify and support regional
goals. If elected, I will work with other members of County Council to better integrate
our fragmented transportation system, particularly routes 28, 8 and 910. I will work to
pass a strong, comprehensive ethics code, to reform our property tax assessment system and
to encourage our county to use modern technology to enable it to operate more efficiently
and to provide better service. By focusing on these issues, I hope to create a better
economic climate; not only for the Allegheny Valley and the North Hills, but for all
residents of Allegheny County.
Democrat
Anthony Taliani
Age: 52; East Deer
EDUCATION: East Deer-Frazer High School; B.S., Edinboro State
University; graduate work: Penn State University.
OCCUPATION: Educator.
QUALIFICATIONS: East Deer Township commissioner for 28 years;
president of the board for 16 years; former member of the East Deer Township Planning
Commission; past president of the Deer Lakes Regional Planning Commission; Allegheny
Valley North Council of Governments
ANSWER: If elected in November as the representative of County
Council in District 3, I will undoubtedly identify and work extremely hard to solve
problems for the 19 municipalities that make up the district. I am, however, keenly aware
that our future success moving into the next century must be based on a regional approach
and that all County Council members must focus on improving the entire Allegheny County
governmental operation. I will insist that the executive and County Council jointly
formulate achievable goals based on five-year, two-year and one-year plans. I strongly
feel that District 3 communities have been left out of past economic development and
infrastructure programs and my election will guarantee their future inclusion in
countywide goals.
County Council District 4
Republican
T. A. Ward
Age: 63; Upper St. Clair
EDUCATION: B.S. Finance, Ohio State University.
OCCUPATION: Contractor.
QUALIFICATIONS: Upper St. Clair board of commissioners, two terms
(eight years); president of the board; founding president of Upper St. Clair/Bethel Park
Rotary Club; state chairman, White House Conference on Small Business.
ANSWER: As a representative I will, of course, promote the interests
of my district, but the challenge of this new government will be to get the 15 council
people to reasonably work together for the betterment of the whole county and region. I
believe that if one County Council district is not doing well, then the entire county will
not be doing as well as it should. Districts are so closely connected that it is
impossible to have a parochial attitude if we are to succeed in bringing jobs, planned
growth and economic stability to the county and to the region.
Democrat
Eileen Wagner
Age: 56; Scott
EDUCATION: South Hills High School; attended University of
Pittsburgh
OCCUPATION: 25 years with Mosites Construction Co.; real estate
licensee; presently housewife
QUALIFICATIONS: 25 years with Mosites Construction Co.; real estate
licensee; presently housewife
ANSWER: I don’t believe it will be a difficult task to balance
the needs of the district along with the overall good of the county. Concentrating
positive efforts on the district and the county at large will be good for the district and
the county as a whole.
County Council District 5
Republican
Vince Gastgeb
Age: 36; Bethel Park
EDUCATION: University of Pittsburgh, B.A. University of Pittsburgh,
continuing education at Katz Graduate Business School
OCCUPATION: Regional Sales Manager-Hillshire Farm & Kahn's
QUALIFICATIONS: Successful professional career as a regional sales
manager for a large consumer food sales and marketing company. Active in many civic and
community service associations, including South Hills YMCA, Bethel Park Foundation, Bethel
Park Baseball and Hockey Association, and Bethel Park Community Day Volunteer.
ANSWER: As the first elected member of council from District 5, I
will focus on district needs which will benefit all of Allegheny County. Many individual
district issues are the same as those of the county. Three of these issues are as follows:
1. High property tax millage and unfair assessments. 2. Lack of economic growth in our
region. 3. Our need for better transportation systems. High property taxes and an unfair
assessment system affect all county residents and have been a major reason for our decline
in population. The lack of jobs and an inadequate transportation system has clearly
affected District 5 and all of the county. A major priority will be completion of the
Mon-Valley Expressway from Route 51 to the City of Pittsburgh.
Democrat
Joseph Rudolph
Age: 49; South Park
EDUCATION: 1971, University of Pittsburgh, B.S. chemistry, summa cum
laude; 1975, Pennsylvania State University, M.D.
OCCUPATION: Medical practice, allergy and asthma; president, Family
Professional Center PC; owner AutoVage, a medical equipment designer and manufacturer
QUALIFICATIONS: Extensive experience in community projects, creative
solutions to complex problems and responsibility for multimillion dollar budgets.
ANSWER: The primary mission of Allegheny County government is to
provide social, legal, protective and health services for all citizens. These include the
court system, law enforcement, welfare programs and recreation. The location of a service
does not limit use. District 5 has two regional parks, South Park and Round Hill Park, but
these are regional assets for all to use. Because of the budget priority for mandatory
programs such as the county jail, there is little funding left for discretionary spending.
As a result, there will be no conflict in duties as a district representative and the
needs of the county. As a district county councilperson, my primary duty is to ensure that
these services are provided at the highest quality possible at the most affordable cost.
County Council District 6
Republican
Rodney D. Shepherd
Age: 42; Mt. Lebanon
EDUCATION: Business administration, Taylor University, B.A., 1980.
OCCUPATION: Law degree, Temple University, 1984.
QUALIFICATIONS: I desire to utilize my legal education and interest
in public service to better this region for my generation and future generations.
ANSWER: Although the foremost concern for me will be the needs of
District 6 residents, I will look to see how or if certain projects benefit the South
Hills and then Allegheny County.
The use of Pittsburgh MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) and
communication between the executive and other members of the County Council will help to
gauge this more appropriately. I would be open to having town meetings with other County
Council members, particularly those in the South Hills to accomplish this.
Democrat
Mike Crossey
Age: 49; Mt. Lebanon
EDUCATION: Duquesne: bachelor's in education, reading specialist,
second master's in administration, master's in teaching learning disabled/special
education
OCCUPATION: Government and economics teacher
QUALIFICATIONS: Mt. Lebanon commissioner, ability to do zero-based
budgeting, ability to examine complex issues, understand differing viewpoints, and create
common-sense solutions. A record of community leadership.
ANSWER: Many issues are countywide and will benefit all of our
residents. Creating fair, equitable property tax relief, promoting economic development,
establishing countywide rapid mass transit, and restoring financial stability are my main
goals. Individual pockets of unemployment, crime, and blight need to be targeted. Those of
us in leadership positions must be able to balance district and county needs, dismiss
petty politics and focus on the issues that benefit everyone. When elected, we will have
to set priorities and goals both within our district and countywide, but it will be
critically important to work together if we are going to re-establish Allegheny County as
someplace special.
County Council District 7
Republican
William A. Pratt Jr.
Age: 42; Penn Hills
EDUCATION: Graduate, Aliquippa High School.
OCCUPATION: Flight attendant, US Airways; chair, legislative
affairs, Association of Flight Attendants union.
QUALIFICATIONS: Penn Hills councilman, 1995-99; chairman, finance
committee; home rule study commission, 1998, chairman; legislative chairman, Association
of Flight Attendants.
ANSWER: Our founding fathers gave America a workable representative
republic, believing that a free people would elect responsible individuals to public
office. And, that these individuals would act as statesmen, making decisions that were not
based on personal political gain, but rather they would try to benefit the society as a
whole. The County Council should consider the health and vitality of the entire county in
their decision-making. This is self-evident, as a healthy and vital Allegheny County is
necessary for the success of all of the districts. Nevertheless, as the representative of
District 7, I will make sure that my colleagues are kept aware of the needs and issues
facing all the communities I represent, whether large and small. This is the very purpose
of representative government and I will not be ashamed to fight, if necessary, for
District 7’s share of county tax dollars.
Democrat
Rick Schwartz
Age: 47; Plum
EDUCATION: Penn State, McKeesport Campus 1970-1972; various
technical schools through Duquesne Light Co.
OCCUPATION: Senior technician at Cheswick Power Station, Duquesne
Light in Springdale.
QUALIFICATIONS: Legislative registrar for the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 144 for the past 10 years. In this capacity I
interfaced with local, state and federal elected officials.
ANSWER: Not provided.
County Council District 8
Republican
Dick Reid
Age: 67; Monroeville
EDUCATION: Industrial management-Carnegie Institute of Technology
OCCUPATION: Semiretired management consultant
QUALIFICATIONS: I have many years of experience in the business
sector working with people to accomplish goals and objectives. Managing millions of
dollars of your money should be a business, not a process of political favors.
ANSWER: As an elected District 8 representative, I must remember to
be foremost aware of the needs of my district and why these people elected me. Next it is
necessary to determine from members of the other 12 districts their needs. An assessment
should follow, taking into consideration immediate need, cost and ease of implementation.
Team work and powers of persuasion come into this equation. Communication is a key factor
as an ongoing process, with other members, the Executive, and the constituents from my
district.
Democrat
Charles J. Martoni
Age: 63; Swissvale
EDUCATION: Master’s degrees in history and school
administration; Ph.D in higher education administration
OCCUPATION: Dean of students, Boyce Campus CCAC.
QUALIFICATIONS: 28 years experience in local government. Served as a
school board member, council member, mayor
ANSWER: We must view the county as a whole and realize that positive
activities and programs in any section of the county will benefit the entire county. Each
district will have it's strengths and weaknesses. As a County Council member, I will
always represent my district in a realistic manner, and would be aware of our needs and
how they fit into the county as a whole. I would work aggressively toward development
where it best fits in Allegheny County.
County Council District 9 
Republican
No candidate filed
Democrat
Richard D. Olasz
Age: 69; West Mifflin
EDUCATION: University of Pittsburgh, business and engineering;
Homestead High School
OCCUPATION: Retired from state House of Representatives 18 years.
Investigator Pennsylvania Department of Revenue; project coordinator Allegheny County
budget director’s office; cost accountant, U.S. Steel Corp.
QUALIFICATIONS: Former state representative, 18 years; chairman,
House Transportation Committee; chair, banking and saving and loan. Former West Mifflin
councilman eight years.
ANSWER: I have unique insights into how government bodies interact
and can work cooperatively to hold down costs while improving services to county
residents.
Reform
George DeBolt
Age: 51; Munhall
EDUCATION: Wesleyan University, BA, American studies
OCCUPATION: President, DeBolt Unlimited Travel Services
QUALIFICATIONS: Extensive experience in leadership capacities in
numerous local and regional community and economic development organizations including
Private Industry Council, Mon Valley Initiative, Federal Credit Union, Pittsburgh
Presbytery and the Steel Valley Chamber of Commerce; 51 years as a business owner; and
current husband and father.
ANSWER: The story of Allegheny County is A Tale of Two Counties: one
growing and prosperous, the other hurting and largely forgotten by government. Balance
between individual districts and the entire county has not been the hallmark of public
leadership in the past. That imbalance needs to be addressed immediately. We need to use
public dollars where they are needed most, where they can play a unique role in improving
communities. My 25 years of linking the potential of District 9 with the resources outside
of the district has given me a unique sensibility as to how the needs of District 9 relate
to the overall good of the county. Although my first responsibility will be to the
residents of District 9, mine has always been a perspective that is inclusive of Allegheny
County and the larger region.
County Council District 10
Republican
No candidate filed
Democrat
James E. Simms
Age: 55; Pittsburgh
EDUCATION: Virginia Union University, BA, sociology; Pittsburgh
Theological Seminary, master’s of divinity and doctorate in ministry.
OCCUPATION: Pastor, St. Paul Baptist Church
QUALIFICATIONS: More than 20 years experience in public
administration. Directed departments of city government and served on the executive staff
of mayors Caliguiri and Masloff.
ANSWER: The needs in District 10 are indicative of many issues that
are regional: unemployment, reinvestment in the community, economic development,
transportation, business development, etc. It is important to build coalitions with other
council members with similar interests. Home rule provides the opportunity for us to think
regionally. My district needs better transportation to areas in the county where jobs are
developing, e.g. airport, northern suburbs, etc.
County Council District 11
Republican
Robert Scholle
Age: 40; Pittsburgh
EDUCATION: Central Catholic High School '73-'77;Yale University
anthropology major '78-'82; Yale University Medical School, Department of Epidemiology and
Public Health '84-'87.
OCCUPATION: Health care consultant
QUALIFICATIONS: Seven years in civil service: Arkansas State Health
Planner '85-'86; New Haven, Conn., assistant to local health director '87-'89; Washington,
D.C. U.S. government program analyst '89-'94.
ANSWER: In all cases, I will do what I think is right, regardless of
the interests involved. Philosophically, a legislator makes a bad start if he or she views
his job as calculating the shifting interests of various groups. Before long, such a
legislator will just see a swirl of interest groups enveloping him, and he won’t be
able to act. It is far better for a legislator to navigate according to principles. As a
matter of principle, we all agree that doing what is good, in the long run, is best for
everybody. As a practical matter, I don’t imagine that even the short-term interests
of my district will ever be in direct opposition to the interests of the county as a
whole. If such a situation arises, I will resort to doing what I think is right.
Democrat
Rich Fitzgerald
Age: 40; Pittsburgh
EDUCATION: Central Catholic High School, Carnegie-Mellon University,
B.S. in mechanical engineering, business minor
OCCUPATION: Business owner, Aquenef Engineering
QUALIFICATIONS: Owning and operating a successful engineering
business for the last 17 years has given me insight as to what we need to attract and
retain businesses in the global marketplace to our region.
ANSWER: I will first and foremost aim to promote effective regional
cooperation to make government more effective. As we work together in a fair and honest
manner, we can get away from the territorial squabbling that has hindered our region in
the past. We must work together in a give and take environment. Compromise will be
essential for the overall good of the county.
County Council District 12
Republican
Bill Fuchs
Age: 34; Pittsburgh, 29th Ward
EDUCATION: Graduated Baldwin High School (1983). Community College
of Allegheny County-South Campus.
OCCUPATION: President of NetCorp, a motivational consulting firm.
Senior consultant to Allegheny Financial Inc.
QUALIFICATIONS: The people of District 12 need a dynamic young
professional to represent them in our new county government. Bill Fuchs is endorsed by
Gov. Ridge.
ANSWER: Policy, policy, policy. As the first District 12
councilperson, Bill Fuchs will work to ensure our new system of county government is
properly established with the highest amount of accountability. Once a strict
administrative code is established and an unshakable ethics code enacted, Bill will strive
to cooperate in a countywide assessment of concerns. The issues facing District 12 mirrors
many of those throughout the rest of the county: Senior care, transportation, job creation
and retention, property taxes, transportation and neighborhood safety. There are
significant advantages to our new county government. Bill Fuchs has a vision to properly
execute these advantages as well as the ability to lead a majority of the council in a
positive direction. Bill Fuchs will bring the highest amount of accountability to
Allegheny County taxpayers.
Democrat
Wayne Fontana
Age: 49; Pittsburgh
EDUCATION: Associate degree in business from Community College of
Allegheny Co.
OCCUPATION: Real estate agent
QUALIFICATIONS: I have a background that includes five years in
district attorney's office, 11 years as a union truck driver and the last six years as a
real estate consultant. I have experience dealing with issues such as property tax, zoning
and contracts. I have learned to listen to my customers and I have been taught to
negotiate solutions.
ANSWER: I believe what benefits the individual district will benefit
the overall county and vice versa. However, I will seek out grants, funds and economic
development for my district. For example, the elimination of neighborhood blight in my
district can help the image of the whole county. Also, the continuation and enhancement of
county human service programs and the community college can benefit residents of my
district.
County Council District 13
Republican
James Michael Godfrey
Age: 73; Pittsburgh, 1st Ward
EDUCATION: B.A. and J.D.
OCCUPATION: Retired attorney
QUALIFICATIONS: I have worked in elections many times before, but
this is the first time that I am running for office. The job may be new to me, but I see
no problem doing what I am elected to do.
ANSWER: I see no real problem considering the needs of the county
first, and then my 13th district. These may be the same, but with a common-sense approach
I should be able to balance the needs of both issues.
Democrat
Tom Foerster
Pittsburgh; 24th ward
EDUCATION: Slippery Rock; University of Pittsburgh
OCCUPATION: Distinguished fellow, University of Pittsburgh
QUALIFICATIONS: Twenty-eight years, county commissioner; 10 years,
state House of Representatives
ANSWER: I did this for 28 years as county commissioner. I started
municipal tours. The commissioners our staff and all department directors visited each
municipality on a regular basis to meet with local elected officials and citizens to
listen to their requests and concerns and make them aware of our overall county plan and
how their concerns and requests could fit in with our long-range goals through our
planning department.
Libertarian
Robert Chesnavich
28; Millvale
EDUCATION: Four years as a mathematics major at the University of
Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.
OCCUPATION: Group coordinator and system administrator at Pair
Networks, a Web hosting provider.
QUALIFICATIONS: Libertarian Party activist, ran grass roots group
against stadium tax, concerned citizen.
ANSWER: I will not allow my vote to get co-opted by budgetary
riders. I will support what I believe my district should properly get, but not at the
expense of a bloated and improper county budget. Similarly, I will not vote for a bill I
do not believe in on the promise that my district will get a kickback in return. I will
strive to represent both my district and Allegheny County honorably.
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