Thanks to her interest in running and her employment with the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, Carnegie's new manager already knows the town where she will soon be employed.

Whitney Brady participated in the 2008 and 2009 Carnegie 5K Walk and Run to benefit the Carnegie Volunteer Fire Department. The course started at the borough municipal building, where her new office will be, and took the runners/walkers through the business district.

Her work with the library brought her to yet another section of town.

Ms. Brady, 25, of Brentwood, was Carnegie Council's unanimous choice Monday to fill the vacancy created by last month's resignation of Stephen Vincenti. She was selected from a field of four candidates who were interviewed by council in recent weeks.

She was given a two-year contract at a $55,000 annual salary and will serve a 120-day probationary period.

Council President Mike Sarsfield said he was impressed with Ms. Brady's current job as a project manager with Allegheny County's Department of Economic Development, where she oversees economic development, meets with developers and creates and maintains a data base of business tax incentives offered in the county's 130 municipalities.

As an intern, she worked with Mount Oliver Borough and Gateway Engineers to form a community development corporation. And she knows about grants because part of her work with the county involves the writing, administration and management of state grants totaling about $100 million.

"She knows what grant money is out there and she'll go after it," Mr. Sarsfield said.

He also believes Ms. Brady's youth will bring energy and a new perspective to the revitalization of the 115-year-old borough.

Council member Susan Demko was equally enthusiastic.

"She's going to hit the ground running. I really got good vibes from her," Mrs. Demko said.

Ms. Brady holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Chatham University and a master's degree that emphasized community development from the University of Pittsburgh.

"This is an awesome opportunity [for both me and Carnegie]," she said, adding she was anxious to begin meeting residents who are impacted by Carnegie Council's decisions.

She will be introduced to the public at the borough's next regular voting meeting on July 13.

Ms. Brady's first day on the job will be July 6. But, before that, Mr. Sarsfield said, she will be coming into the borough offices to pick up important documents like the municipal budget and to learn about her job from police Chief Jeffrey Harbin, who has been acting as manager since Mr. Vincenti departed.

In other business, council said that the controversial wrecking ball has moved away from the house at 612-612 1/2 Boquet St. and appears to be headed for 121 Court St., another structure slated for demolition.

Carnegie officials Monday unanimously approved the switch after learning that a buyer may have been found for the Boquet Street house, which suffered major damage in a November 1997 fire. The owner has struggled to complete the necessary repairs, and some neighbors have grown weary of the situation.

But earlier this month, owner Mike Charles agreed to a series of measures that officials liked, such as listing the home with a Realtor and securing the building permits to complete the renovation work. Also, there may be a buyer for the property.

Removal of a demolition lien was also approved for 314 Mansfield Blvd.