One of the last tasks awaiting Franklin Park Council President John Parks before he leaves council is the borough’s budget for 2024.
Parks, a nine-year council veteran, “at the tender age of 83” decided not to seek re-election. He’ll be succeeded on the board in representing Ward 2 by newcomer Laura Czekaj, a Democrat, who won election this month by defeating Republican Mark Butterfied. The vote tally, which is unofficial until it has been certified by the Allegheny County Board of Elections, stood at 1,025 votes for Czekaj to 987 for Butterfield with 2 write-in votes cast as of Nov. 15.
Parks said he’s confident that the remaining council members and the newly elected member will continue to move Franklin Park in a “positive direction,” saying it was time to move on from public office.
“That decision stems primarily from the fact that I am now at the tender age of 83, and it seems appropriate that a younger, more energetic individual should step in. Over the years, Franklin Park has been awarded various titles that establish it one of the most livable communities in Pennsylvania. It has been an extreme honor to have been a small part of that journey. And I will miss it,” Parks said.
Winning re-election to represent Ward 1 was incumbent Democrat Jiang Li, who defeated Republican challenger Douglas Kush, 937-873, according to the unofficial tally.
Incumbent Democrat Brian Malkin earned a narrow 855-845 win in Ward 3 over Republican Timothy J. Ireland. There were no write-in votes. Vote totals still must be certified by the county.
Czekaj, Li and Malkin provided a joint statement.
“We are all grateful for the support and votes from our community. We are now a historically diverse council for Franklin Park. We are looking forward to working hard for all the residents,” they said.
The winners will be sworn into their four-year terms on the up-to-now all male board at the borough’s Jan. 2 reorganization meeting scheduled at 7 p.m. in the municipal building, 2344 West Ingomar Road.
The newly elected council members join Uday Palled of Ward 1, council Vice President Lucas R. Myslinski of Ward 2, and Second Vice President Thomas C. Schwartzmier of Ward 3.
Two members serve each of the three wards and are elected in staggered, four-year terms.
Palled’s, Myslinski’s, and Schwartzmier’s terms expire in December 2025.
The 2024 budget is scheduled to be introduced Dec. 6 at a council work session, with possible adoption Dec. 20.
