3 candidates running for 2 Penn Hills council seats

Three candidates are running for two seats on Penn Hills council this November, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list.

Democrats Shawn Kerestus and Alan Waldron defeated incumbent Mark Brodnicki in the May primary. Republican Clayton Walker ran unopposed.

Deputy Mayor Frank Pecora did not seek reelection, but is on the Republican ticket as a candidate for mayor.

Here are two candidates’ responses to the election questions posed by the Penn Hills Progress. Alan Waldron did not respond to multiple requests for comment by press time.

Shawn Kerestus

Age: 39

Political party: Democrat

Education: Bachelor of arts from the University of Pittsburgh, master of public administration from the University of Georgia

Occupation: Pharmacy director

Previous public office: Current member of the Penn Hills Planning Commission

How will you promote affordable homeownership in Penn Hills, in terms of both supporting existing homeowners and encouraging new homeownership? Rising prices across the board has made home ownership and maintenance more expensive than it was even five years ago. The first way I will try to assist current homeowners is by communicating all forms of assistance available to our residents through various channels. DLC, Peoples Gas, and Alcosan all have programs available for residents that are struggling to pay their bills. Secondly, I’d like to ambitiously work with local nonprofits to launch a Penn Hills Tool Library that will allow Penn Hills residents to borrow costly tools and accessories needed to maintain their home for free. Providing avenues for DIY home improvements is beneficial to all. It improves the quality of life for the resident, helps reduce blight, and allows the resident to retain the value of their home investment. Encouraging affordable homeownership for potential new buyers is a bit trickier: Every local seller wants to obtain the maximum value for their home, as they should. With that said, we need to be aware of the rise in Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, buying Penn Hills affordable homes to perpetually turn them into rentals. This practice often results in little investment above code to the property since the goal is to maximize profits, a revolving door of tenants, and a reduction in affordable homes for first time buyers. As president of the PHCDC, I’ve started discussions with the nonprofit LEVEL to bring their program to Penn Hills and fight back against REITs and as councilman I plan to continue down this path. LEVEL’s mission is to bring homeownership to longtime renters by purchasing an affordable home in need of repairs, performing the repairs and providing home ownership, financial education and mortgage assistance so they may buy the home, start building equity, and put down firm roots in the community. Communities are stronger when people own the homes they live in, and I firmly believe hard working people deserve a path to home ownership.

Clayton Walker

Age: 60

Political party: Republican

Education: Continuing college education

Occupation: Pastor and customer service supervisor

Previous public office: None

How will you promote affordable homeownership in Penn Hills, in terms of both supporting existing homeowners and encouraging new homeownership? Penn Hills would be greatly served by implementing a Homestead Program that allows purchase of abandoned properties (lots, homes) by new homeowners and allowing a time frame for development. This improves the overall tax base.