Ross Ward 5 Candidates Campaign to Represent Perrysville

Five seats on the Ross Township Board of Commissioners will be on Tuesday's election ballot.

Voters in Ward 5, which primarily covers the area of Perrysville, will have their choice between Republican incumbent Grace Stanko or Democrat challenger William A. McKellar.

Grace Stanko

Stanko has served two four-year terms on the commission. A graduate of , she grew up in Perrysville where she raised her two children and founded the Perrysville Business Association. She also co-ordinated the committee for the production of the Ross Township Bi-Centennial History Book, and served as an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 

Stanko is retired from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, where she assisted in managing a McCandless branch office. Her husband owns  at 982 Perry Highway.

Stanko said she is running for re-election because "I enjoy what I do and derive much satisfaction from being the voice of the people in Perrysville."

Promoting the Perrysville Business District is one of her primary goals, she said, and noted her effort in helping secure a federal grant to  — a project currently underway. 

For the township as a whole, she said her priorities are maintaining public safety and public works services in Ross Township with a "reasonable tax rate." 

Commissioners are currently reviewing a proposed $15.2 million operating budget for 2012. Ross Township Engineer Art Gazdik has said . 

"The 2012 budget will be balanced without a tax increase," Stanko said. 

William A. McKellar

McKellar, a retired detective and sergeant from the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, is a 1968 graduate of North Hills High School. 

He has served as safety and security officer at the high school and head coach of the North Hills Junior High girls soccer team. He is also past president of the Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Allegheny County Sheriffs Association and Allegheny County Prison Independent Union. 

A priority for McKellar, he said, is addressing the vacant properties in the area, citing a declining business community as one of the biggest problems Ross Township faces. 

"The reason I'm seeking this office is to try to keep businesses in our community," he said, adding he'd also like to seek new ways to revitalize abandoned property.

"I feel my background and my life-long commitment here in Ross Township would make me a qualified person for this position," McKellar said. "I have been president of several organizations and unions and have negotiated several contracts. I'm also the president and CAO of a pension board." 

"I was born and raised here in the 5th Ward. It would be an honor and privilege to give back to my community that has given me so much throughout my life." 

Other Local Races

Ward 5 is one of three contested seats on the commission. In Ward 1, incumbent Dan DeMarco (D) is challenged by Ann Harold (R). In Ward 3, . 

Commissioners Gerald R. O'Brien (D), of Ward 7, and Grant Montgomery (R), of Ward 9, are running unopposed for re-election.

Which candidate are you supporting for Ward 5 and why? Tell us in the comments and help the undecided sort through the choice. 

What questions do you have for either Stanko or McKellar that will help you make your decision between the two Tuesday? Tell us in the comments and we'll get the answers for you.

Editor's note: Candidates' background and responses were taken from information emailed to Patch in response to a questionaire sent to each person running for office.