Primary Election Bringing Contested Races to Plum, Oakmont

The May 17 Pennsylvania primary election is approaching, and Plum and Oakmont government bodies have a diverse line-up of candidates.

It will be a big local race when Plum business-owner Mike Dell (R-Plum) will take on incumbent Nick Futules (D-Oakmont), owner of the Harmar House, for the District 7 spot on Allegheny Council in November. Both will be unopposed in the primary.

District 7 includes parts of Plum, Oakmont, Penn Hills, Verona, Cheswick, Springdale, Harmar and Wilkins.

Dell currently serves on Plum Borough Council as finance committee chairman. Futules heads the county's parks committee.


Plum

Plum School Board has five open seats with twice as many contenders, including an 18-year-old senior high student, Joe Tommarello. Incumbents Tom McGough and Loretta White will run again, along with newcomers Jim Rogers, Marcia Chicka, Ruth Pastore, John St. Leger, Richard Zucco, Bill Ferguson and Richard Filar.

Three seats are available on Plum Council for next year. Democratic incumbents Steven "Skip" Taylor and Christine Scardina-Gazzo will take on four contenders — Donald Knopfel, Michael Guida, Paul Dern and Lori Churilla.

The Republican party is endorsing four candidates for the three spots, all of whom are newcomers to the position — Christopher Kozub, Christopher Zozula, Paul DeSabato and John Anderson. Economic development chairman Charles McMeekin is not seeking reelection.

District Justice Linda Zucco is running unopposed.

Oakmont

Five seats are up for grabs on Riverview School Board, and just five citizens are seeking office. Incumbents Heidi Dolan and David Kadylak will run for second terms. Ernie Tillman, Maureen McClure and Lois Vitti also are on the ballot.

The borough council race will have three republicans and two democrats vying for them. Incumbents Tim Favo, council president, and John Donovan will take on the democrats in the fall with Elena Colianni.

Council vice president Nancy Ride and newcomer Donna Tessaro will be on the democratic ticket.

Check back to the site often throughout election season for previews and profiles on candidates. Up first will be a look at our boroughs' county council candidates, Dell and Futules.