5 candidates in West Mifflin council race

They’ll be competing for four spots in the Nov. 4 election.

The race for seats on West Mifflin council will be decided Nov. 4.

Five candidates are competing for four, four-year council seats. Incumbent Democrats Anthony J. Olasz, Daniel Davis, Karen Santoro and newcomer Democrat Carla Payne-Harrison won their party’s nominations in the May primary, as did Republican Jeffrey A. Kuzma.

The MVI submitted a list of questions to all five candidates to focus on the issues facing borough residents.

Olasz was appointed to council after former councilman John Inglis was elected to the state House in November.

Anthony J. Olasz

Olasz, who works for Dodaro, Dalfonso, Matta & Cambest, said has extensive knowledge on Pennsylvania borough code, International Property Maintenance Code and the Local Tax Enabling Act. He previously worked for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office and the law offices of Michael Monce and Goehring, Rutter & Boehm.

“It’s been an absolute honor these past nine months to be a member of West Mifflin Borough Council,” Olasz said. “Since I was appointed, I continue to see positive change within our community and with your vote we can continue that progress towards a stronger West Mifflin for all of our citizens.”

A West Mifflin resident for more than 30 years, Davis is also seeking another term on council.

Daniel Davis

The current president of South Hills Area Chamber of Government, Davis has been an environmental and department manager at DLZ in Bridgeville for 35 years, and has working relations with Allegheny County, PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission as well as other involvements.

With eight years of experience as a councilman, he plans to continue to address blight, encourage economic/ community development, support veterans and maintain relationships with Allegheny County and PennDOT.

He also wants to make improvements to West Mifflin Community Park, and has been involved with the Century III Mall demolition as well as The Marketplace at Mountainview with Red Mountain Group.

“Success in West Mifflin can be pursued through practices such as listening, investigating, and collaborating,” Davis said.

A borough resident for 58 years, Santoro is on the board of directors of Baldwin EMS. She was an original member of West Mifflin Ambulance in 1979 and has been advocating for a West Mifflin recreation center.

Santoro wants to prioritize public safety, the possible new recreation center for multigenerational residents and keeping taxes at their current level.

She is a former den mother, a West Mifflin Band Parent/ PTO and a retired West Mifflin School District Title I para of 35 years.

Kuzma has been coaching athletics, including baseball, softball and golf for 22 years as well as teaching even longer in the West Mifflin Area School District. He has attended and led many community events over the years.

Kuzma wants to support and collaborate with police and fire departments to continue to ensure they have the tools and resources to keep the community safe.

Jeffrey A. Kuzma

He also has ideas for the possible new community center along with finding ways to redevelop the Century III Mall site — collaborating with property owners and officials to ensure redevelopment benefits all residents.

Payne-Harrison, a lifelong West Mifflin resident and neighborhood advocate, is also a Community Housing Coordinator She told the MVI that West Mifflin residents are ready for a change and her priorities are strengthening housing stability, investing in youth and transparency.

Carla Payne-Harrison

“Every resident deserves access to safe, affordable, and well-maintained housing,” Payne-Harrison said. “I’ve spent much of my career helping families find housing solutions, and I’ve seen how stable housing builds stronger neighborhoods. I will work to expand home-repair programs, address blight and support responsible development that keeps long-time residents in their homes.”

She added that the young people are the future of West Mifflin, and all they need are opportunities to grow, lead and succeed. She wants to expand mentorship, job-readiness programs and youth leadership initiatives that give our kids “a voice and a pathway to success.”

“Residents deserve to know what’s happening in their local government and to feel confident that their voices are being heard,” Payne-Harrison added. “I will hold open community meetings, share updates regularly, and make sure that every person in West Mifflin feels represented, respected and valued.”