Aspinwall council race features 6 candidates seeking 3 seats

The Aspinwall Council race has six candidates vying for three, four-year seats in November.

Republican incumbent and current council president Tim McLaughlin and Democratic incumbents Patti McCaffrey and Heth Turnquist are joined in the political battle by Republican challengers Terry Taylor and Louis Curcio Jr. and Democrat Mark Chimel.

Here are the candidates and their responses to the election questions posed by The Herald.

Tim McLaughlin

Age: 57

Political affiliation: Republican

Occupation: CEO of Blink

Education: Bachelor of Science in exercise physiology from the University of Pittsburgh

Elected or political experience: Council for 7-plus years. Council president the past 6 years.

What is Aspinwall’s most pressing need?

Aging infrastructure

How would you solve it?

I would continue ongoing efforts to secure additional grants and identify opportunities with our utility partners. Since I’ve been on council, Aspinwall has invested more than $4 million in safety and infrastructure upgrades with over $3 million of those dollars coming from federal and state grants. That included the Eastern, Western, and Center avenue sewer separation projects, Alley A upgrades, and the safe walkway at Waterworks that is used by many of Aspinwall’s residents.

Do you support Aspinwall’s media policy?

Yes, I support it 100%. I helped draft the policy. It’s a basic communication policy any organization would use to ensure the most current and accurate information is made public through reputable sources. It’s even more critical for a local municipality with a very active social media culture where misinformation is often disseminated. The policy has clearly defined expectations that hold the borough and its media partners accountable.

Patti McCaffrey

Age: 60

Political affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Realtor for 19 years

Education: Alan Kells Real Estate School, 2004

Elected or political experience: Aspinwall Borough Council since March, 2023

What is Aspinwall’s most pressing need?

The most pressing issue in Aspinwall is the aging infrastructure, especially our water system and the issues with the retaining wall on 5th Street. Both of these projects are significant to public safety.

In recent years, water main leaks from the aging water system have impacted almost every Aspinwall resident.

The integrity of the retaining wall is also an important piece of infrastructure that must be addressed.

How would you solve it?

As a member of the infrastructure committee, it is our responsibility to propose reasonable solutions to our council peers. Currently, the infrastructure committee is exploring options to change water suppliers which would include maintenance/repair and replacement of the water delivery system.

The next council has an obligation to create a plan to address the 5th Street retaining wall. Currently, the wall is stable. Council has applied for grants to mitigate the expense to the taxpayers.

Do you support Aspinwall’s media policy?

Yes, I support policies that ensure Aspinwall residents receive timely and accurate information.

Mark Chimel II

Age: 34

Political affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Senior Research Analyst at Carnegie Mellon University

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in marketing from Penn State University; Master’s Degree in higher education from Messiah University; Doctorate in educational leadership from Frostburg State University.

Elected or political experience: Former school director, Greencastle-Antrim School District; volunteer for several campaigns from the state to federal level

What is Aspinwall’s most pressing need?

The most pressing need that I don’t see being addressed currently is a more proactively accessible borough council and government. Having regularly attended council meetings this year, I know that they are generally looking at ways to solve our other pressing needs in areas like infrastructure and public safety, but I feel that it can be difficult to know exactly what is being discussed unless you can consistently be available to watch or attend meetings.

How would you solve it?

Meeting recordings should be easily accessible online for residents to watch on their own time following each meeting. Important items up for discussion prior to meetings and key highlights from meetings can be provided to residents through email and social media in a manner that is more digestible and accessible than current meeting agendas and minutes. New residents in particular should be welcomed by borough council and provided with information about meetings and current happenings.

Do you support Aspinwall’s media policy?

I strongly support transparency and the First Amendment. I also support making sure that facts are reported correctly. As someone not currently on council, I don’t feel that I have enough information about the perceived need and how it’s being applied to have a fully educated stance on the policy itself. However, as a council member I would not support any policy that I felt eroded transparency or made the council less accessible.

Terry Nelson Taylor

Age: 73

Political affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Forensics coach, Fox Chapel Area High School; Redeemer school librarian; author, “Aspinwall: The Town That Pride Built” also conducts Aspinwall history walking tours to raise money for nonprofits.

Education: Bachelor’s of Science, library science, Edinboro University; M.L.S., library science/communication, University of Pittsburgh

Elected or political experience: Past President Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries. Elected Secretary of Pittsburgh Area Lutheran School Board, prior board president; Co-chair of the Historic Committee for Aspinwall’s Centennial in 1990’s.

What is Aspinwall’s most pressing need?

Improving communication with the community.

How would you solve it?

Reintroduce a borough handbook especially to help integrate our new residents to Aspinwall. I will listen to and communicate the needs of the people and be their advocate on the borough council.

Do you support Aspinwall’s media policy?

Yes. The policy provides a clear method enabling the council overall to speak with one accurate voice by directing questions to the proper sources and obtain responses within 24 hours.

Louis Curcio Jr.

Age: 32

Political affiliation: Democrat, also on the Republican ticket through write-in votes

Occupation: General manager of Luke & Mike’s Frontporch in Aspinwall

Education: Fox Chapel Area High School Class of 2009

Elected or political experience: none

What is Aspinwall’s most pressing need?

Infrastructure is definitely the most pressing need currently here in Aspinwall.

How would you solve it?

I would begin solving the problem by taking preventive measures, that used to be done in the past, to help limit future breaks. Also, I would take a deep look at repaving projects so they can be completed not only cost effective but safely for all in the community.

Do you support Aspinwall’s media policy?

I believe that transparency is becoming a growing concern here in Aspinwall, and hopefully the new media policy can help address that. Communication is a key factor in building trust within the community. I vow, when elected, to be as transparent as possible with all residents.

Heth Turnquist

Age: 50

Political affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Researcher and associate professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh

Education: Undergraduate degrees from South Dakota State University and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Elected or political experience: Aspinwall Council member, chairing the finance and personnel committee while also being part of the public safety and planning and zoning committees. Aspinwall Democratic Committee member and former District 3 elected committee member.

What is Aspinwall’s most pressing need?

My focus is securing grant funding to enhance Freeport Road. It is the face of Aspinwall and needs improved safety for business patrons, pedestrians, and cyclists, as well as increased parking and curbside attractiveness.

How would you solve it?

I will continue to collaborate with state and federal leaders to address train safety. I would partner with public works, the Infrastructure committee, and borough staff to develop and fund a preventive maintenance plan for our water infrastructure to reduce breaks.

Do you support Aspinwall’s media policy?

Officials wanting to be included in pertinent emails and discussions isn’t censorship; it’s a demonstration of leadership. Despite exaggerated claims, our media policy isn’t a First Amendment concern. I’m at ease conversing with the press after meetings, via email, or discussing committee-related matters, often involving council members for transparency. Our public meetings are openly accessible to the press and the public, fostering media and resident engagement with leadership, which is not just permitted but encouraged.