Shaler residents will find a new face behind the desk in the township's property tax office in January.

Longtime treasurer, Democrat Kathy Starr Bauer, will retire at the end of the year. She succeeded her late father, Richard Starr, in 1993. Before being elected to the post, she had served as her father's assistant. The father-daughter pair held the office for 32 years; Jimmy Carter was president when Mr. Starr was first elected to the post.

Erin Bartkins, who won last week's election, will succeed Mrs. Bauer.

Tax collection rates under Ms. Bauer were well above 90 percent, Shaler Manager Timothy Rogers said. "She has been an excellent tax collector who has provided good service to the community," he said.

In addition to collecting property taxes for the township and the Shaler Area School District, Ms. Bauer's duties included reviewing township bills and signing checks.

The annual salary for the job is $35,000, with $10,000 coming from the township and $25,000 from the school district. Shaler also provides office space in the township building on Wetzel Road and covers some office expenses.

Ms. Bartkins works for a title insurance company. A Republican, she defeated Deborah Vita, the Democratic candidate, 2,748 to 2,395. Vote totals are unofficial.

Ms. Vita had been assistant manager in Shaler for 22 years before stepping down in January.

Also in the Nov. 3 election, Republican Lori V. Mizgorski defeated Democrat Jim Tunstall, 516 to 358, in the race for Shaler commissioner. She will represent the township's 2nd Ward.

Her election gives the GOP a 4-3 advantage on the seven-member board.

Commissioners Thomas McElhone, of Ward 4, and James M. Boyle, of Ward 6, both Democrats, had no opponents in their re-election races.

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