Bridgeville Mayor Betty Copeland is running unopposed for reelection this November.

However, when it comes to the council race, voters in Bridgeville will choose from seven candidates for four, four-year seats on borough council.

Incumbents Virginia Bott Schneider, Bruce Ghelarducci, William Henderson and Joseph Verduci will face newcomers Michael Chiodo, Justine Cimarolli and Michael Neely.

Here are the candidates and their responses to questions posed by Chartiers Valley monthly.

Michael Chiodo

Chiodo did not respond to requests for information for this article.

Virginia “BJ” Bott Schneider

Age: 63

Political party: Republican

Education: Bachelor of Science, nursing

Occupation: Cardiopulmonary specialist for United Therapeutics Corp.

If elected, what are two short-term goals? Open line of communication with local and state governments to foster and promote development in the community.

Implementation of an active transportation plan to improve mobility within the community through sidewalk and road repair/replacement, bike paths, et cetera, to promote health and wellness while connecting with community businesses, churches, parks and neighbors.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? To promote business in Bridgeville with surrounding communities/neighborhoods through infrastructure improvements, desirability and sustainability.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? We have added an annual newsletter featuring meeting dates and times, community events, and so on. The addition of an LED sign outside of the borough building featuring daily updates, a quarterly newsletter to include changes and updates, text messaging for those that sign up and a daily/weekly newsletter updated borough website. In addition, I will be an ongoing presence within the community and available to constituents.

Submitted by the candidate Justine Cimarolli  

Justine Cimarolli

Age: 67

Political party: Democrat

Education: Radiologic technology, Montefiore Hospital

Occupation: Retired global women’s health consultant

If elected, what are two short-term goals? For the past three years, I have been a member of the planning commission, working on two large projects that can have an enormous impact on Bridgeville. My two short-term goals relate to these projects.

Goal number one is to finalize a new comprehensive plan for the community. The planning commission worked on the foundation of the project for over a year and then joined with borough council to interview and select which company should be awarded the project. While the foundation has been outlined, much more work needs to be done.

Goal number two would be to push over the finish line a strategic blueprint called an Active Transportation Plan. Designed to improve overall safety and make Bridgeville a more walkable, friendlier community, the project is only beginning.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? If I had to select only one long-term goal it would be to make the Bridgeville community a destination town rather than just a town that vehicles pass through to get to work or play. We need to find a niche that attracts people to our friendly community and makes them want to stop and do business.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? While email is so convenient, I am always open to other ways to communicate. Many neighbors can tell you that I am always up for a conversation when I meet them on the sidewalk or shopping around town.

Lately, my conversations are geared to what is going on with the planning commission and I encourage people that I meet to become involved with the process by attending meetings, join a steering committee or run for office. Community involvement is crucial.

Bruce Ghelarducci

Ghelarducci did not respond to requests for information for this article.

Submitted by the candidate William Henderson  

William Henderson

Age: 57

Political party: Democrat

Education: Bachelors in criminology and political science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; postgraduate work in leadership at Duquesne University; graduate of Chartiers Valley High School

Occupation: Vice president at Ethos Risk Services

If elected, what are two short-term goals? My first goal is to complete the process of hiring a firm to initiate a new comprehensive plan for Bridgeville. For months, we have collaborated with our planning commission to help design what the future of Bridgeville will look like and a comprehensive plan will be the roadmap that takes us into the future. My second goal is to vigorously fight the unnecessary bridge tolling option that PennDOT has introduced. I believe this unfairly taxes the residents of our community and will have a negative impact on our infrastructure with the added traffic of those avoiding the tolls. I am committed to being the voice of our constituents in opposing this plan.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? I want to continue to identify and act on flood mitigation ideas that help protect the residents and their property as well as the businesses that continue to be impacted by significant rain events. Since the big flood in 2018, council has identified several opportunities to improve our readiness for high water. We have made many improvements that have made some positive impacts and helped reduce loss. However, there are still many additional ways to help mitigate flooding and they take time and money. We have made some progress with county and state government agencies that can assist, but this will be a long process that requires the commitment of our entire community. There is still much to be done.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? We are committed to the use of technology to keep our residents informed. Social media platforms, a phone alert system and quarterly newsletters have helped to educate the people in our community. This year, we were forced to leverage online meetings to keep our government running. This offered our residents a unique way to stay involved and communicate with the government. In addition, we have two highly interactive programs taking place this fall and winter. There is an Active Transportation Plan designed to enhance pedestrian safety and mobility throughout Bridgeville that included an open where the public was encouraged to share their concerns and ideas. Similar events will be held with the firm that will handle our new comprehensive plan. Public comment and input is essential to the success of our community and I am committed to soliciting the ideas and solutions to the issues that confront us every day.

Submitted by the candidate Michael Neely  

Michael Neely

Political party:

Age: 38

Education: Bachelor of Science in psychology from Clarion University

Occupation: Territory manager

If elected, what are two short-term goals? Review and improve on borough safety protocol and procedures. Create an online form where residents can easily access and voice their questions, concerns and ideas to improve the borough.

Partner with groups, businesses and even individual neighborhoods to continue to improve Bridgeville community events, as well as add additional ways to enhance a sense of community.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? Continue to enhance community safety during severe weather events and other trying times for our residents, including taking proactive and efficient steps to advance Bridgeville’s weather and flood mitigation plan.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? I plan to be out in the area talking with residents and at a number of upcoming community events. I also have a community page on Facebook, Neely4Bridgeville, where residents can see more about me and what I would like to do to improve our community, as well as leave messages and comments. Moving forward, I would like to see more community engagement with residents so that they feel comfortable enough to bring any concerns and issues to members of the board.

Submitted by the candidate Joseph Verduci  

Joseph P. Verduci

Age: 49

Political party: Republican

Education: College degree at Grove City College

Occupation: Vice president-business banking at Brentwood Bank for 24 years

If elected, what are two short-term goals? The main priority for me running for council is to work with a group of individuals that can get things done for the community. In my first six years, I feel we are getting things accomplished and heading in the right direction with many issues that I would like to continue to push forward on. I actually have three goals, these would include but are not limited to continuing the efforts we have been putting forward on flood mitigation, infrastructure maintenance and improving our parks (which would include walking trails) while using our dollars wisely.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? Shortly after being appointed, I was asked to be chairman of the finance committee. I have been able to utilize my banking experience with government financing, such as exposure to different approaches to budgets and ideas on how to handle day-to-day financial practices. I have been able to draw from this background to work with the finance committee and borough manager to put practices in place which are fiscally responsible. I would like to continue to stretch those dollars the borough has with the main objective to make a great place to live even better, and to ensure its future for years to come.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? While being on council, the most important part is being approachable by the residents and listening to their concerns and ideas. However, it has been a goal to add a variety of ways that our residents can learn what is going on in Bridgeville. One of those objectives has been to make some improvements to our website and post the meetings online, communicate more information on social media and passing on critical information with our newsletter mailings. Coming this fall, we will be conducting public meetings to get feedback on how to make our community a more walkable and bikeable town.

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