North Huntingdon officials pick Bevan as commissioner
North Huntingdon officials opted for a familiar person to fill a vacancy representing the township’s Sixth Ward on the board of commissioners.
The commissioners selected Fran Bevan, a one-term commissioner, to serve the remainder of Lindsay Wengrzyn’s term, which expires in January 2026. Wengrzyn resigned Sept. 30 because she moved out of North Huntingdon.
Commissioners Jason Atwood, Eric Gass, Rich Gray, Zachary Haigis and Virginia Stump favored Bevan, while Ronald Zona supported Antonio Leo. Zona said he favored Leo on Wengrzyn’s recommendation. Stump said Bevan was previously elected by voters in that ward.
Bevan told the commissioners that, with her experience, she could “hit the ground running.” She will be sworn into office at the commissioners’ meeting Wednesday.
Bevan, 74, told the commissioners she did not know whether she would run for a full four-year term in 2025. She did not run for reelection in 2021.
If she does run for a full term, it appears she will have competition. The two candidates who did not win the appointment, Samuel Bray, 41, and Leo, 20, said they would run for a full term in 2025.
Bray told the commissioners that he believes North Huntingdon should be more focused on growth. Bray served on the township’s comprehensive plan steering committee.
Leo said he believes the township needs young people involved in politics and was open to discussing a community center, which commissioners have talked about this past year.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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