Sharpsburg appoints Kayla Portis as new mayor; council seat now available

History has been made once again in Sharpsburg as the borough, chartered in 1842, has appointed its first Black mayor.

Kayla Portis, a fourth-generation resident and 2003 Fox Chapel Area graduate, was selected unanimously out of five candidates July 11.

She was sworn in by District Judge Matthew V. Rudzki.

Serving the borough is not new to Portis.

She became its first Black council member after being appointed in February 2021. She was elected to a four-year term in November of that year.

It was the same election in which residents elected its first female mayor, Brittany Reno.

Reno resigned last month citing personal and family reasons. Her term was set to expire at the end of next year.

Portis, 39, plans to serve out the remaining time. She will have to run in next year’s election if she wishes to keep her seat beyond 2025.

“It’s such an honor,” Portis said. “Growing up, I never thought that this would be an option. My grandparents would tell me stories pertaining to voting.

“They were able to vote in the ’60s, which as we all know that wasn’t that long ago. They were told who to vote for.

“To me, that really wasn’t freedom as far as voting. For me to actually be mayor is really something, to represent people that actually look like me. Our community is so diverse. I feel it’s very important to have a representative as myself.”

Portis’ family has deep roots in service to not only the borough but the country.

Her grandfather, the late Charles Smith Sr., became the first Black commander of VFW Post 709. The Korean War veteran was a lifetime member of the post.

Her grandmother, the late Barbara Smith, was very active in the community and worked as a missionary for Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Sharpsburg.

She was chosen for the “Beyond the Ceiling: Sharpsburg” project, a five-part series of larger-than-life portraits displayed on buildings throughout the community honoring ordinary, yet extraordinary, women. A mural featuring her image is on the Linden Gym along Clay Street.

Portis said her mayoral appointment shows “anything is possible.”

She also thanked Reno for her leadership and friendship.

Portis said she plans to celebrate with family and friends before getting to work and learning more about how she can help in her new role.

“I’m interested in seeing our community and businesses flourish,” she said.

Mayoral resume

Portis was appointed council vice president this year.

She was named president of the Fox Chapel Area Residents for Social Justice in 2020 and is a current member of the borough’s historical commission.

Portis is on the Allegheny RiverTrail Park board of directors and is actively involved with Roots of Faith.

Portis served as treasurer for the Sharpsburg Baseball/Softball Association and as vice president of the Kerr Elementary School PTO.

She has a degree in liberal studies with minors in psychology and sociology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Council did not formally vote to accept Portis’ resignation from council after her appointment. Members plan to do that at the July 25 meeting.

Council also could appoint a new member at that time or postpone such action until next month.

Resumes and letters of interest can be submitted to the borough office, 1611 Main St.

Portis said she hopes the next council person has strong communication skills and a willingness to work with people with different personalities and from different walks of life.

Mayoral selection process

Council had five candidates listed on the July 11 agenda.

However, only four were able to make it for interviews.

Portis, retired borough public works employee Howard Strain and talent acquisition manager Christopher Cavlovich were at the meeting while former Councilman Joseph Simbari participated via Zoom.

Council members asked them the same questions, including how they would address challenges in the borough, what is Sharpsburg’s greatest strength and what they bring to the table.

All four advocated for more community policing and maintaining the police department’s social worker program.

Strain, a life member of the borough’s fire department and VFW, talked about bringing back internship programs and other initiatives that fell by the wayside years ago.

Cavlovich, a 2012 Fox Chapel Area High School graduate, talked about the need to attract new businesses and build on the borough’s recent $25 million funding acquisition to boost transformation of brownfields along the Allegheny River.

Simbari talked about how he acquired money for the borough as part of various projects during his time on council years ago, and he was the only candidate to pledge not to run for reelection.

He repeatedly called council’s mayoral appointment process unfair despite the vacancy being posted, the interview and appointment meeting being advertised and him being granted a large amount of time to reply to council’s questions.

Councilman Jonathan Jaso nominated Cavlovich for mayor. He commended Portis and said her experience and talents are needed for decision-making on council. The mayor does not vote on borough actions unless there is a tie.

Jaso’s nomination failed due to a lack of a second.

Councilman Corey Ochai nominated Portis and said her track record makes her the best choice for mayor.

“I think it takes experience, especially coming in mid-term,” Ochai said. “We need someone that has the know-how. Someone that has the experience. Someone that has the endurance. She has proven that time and time and time over.

“We had great candidates. This wasn’t an easy decision. I think we made the right decision at the end of the day.”

Councilwoman Sarah Ishman seconded Portis’ nomination.

There were about 40 people in the audience and about a dozen or more online watching the meeting.

It easily was the largest crowd for a council meeting in quite some time.

“That brought a tear to my eye to see the community show up like that,” Ochai said. “That’s the type of neighborhood we have. We show up for each other. We were so happy to see the seats full, and we hope to see that continue.”