Published: May 09, 2009 11:52 pm      

Windber council battles bring out challengers

WINDBER — Two Democratic challengers say they want to end infighting on the all-Democrat Windber Borough Council, but four incumbents say disagreements aren’t holding back progress.

“No seven people are going to think exactly alike,” Councilwoman Sonya Pekala said. “We try to work together for the betterment of the community.”

Pekala, 44, is one of four incumbents on the Democratic primary ballot May 19. Councilmen Raymond DiBattista, George Ledney and Simon “Red” Ohler are also seeking re-election. Democratic challengers are former councilman Barry Jerley and newcomer James Spinos.

The lone Republican, Beth Ann Gustkey, 34, is making her third run for council. She lost in the 2005 and 2007 general elections in the heavily Democratic borough.

DiBattista also is challenging Mayor Arthur Palumbo for the Democratic nomination for that post.

James Spinos

Spinos, 48, is a supervisor with Gap Inc. in Richland. He has been involved in Windber community events and is organizing a weekly summer series of car cruises to begin Friday night.

“Once I got involved in the cruise-ins, that’s when everyone approached me to run,” Spinos said. “They thought I could improve things.”

More community activities and promoting local business opportunities top his priorities, along with reducing friction at council meetings.

“I’d like to see people come together without arguing,” Spinos said. “I hope you are elected to represent the citizens.”

Barry Jerley

Discord has reduced council’s effectiveness, Jerley said, pointing to the unsuccessful legal fight to keep a proposed Sheetz store out of the historic business district.

“There is nothing for economic development,” Jerley said. “We are stagnant. We need to try to work with people instead of against them. They spent $12,000 for attorney fees, and it’s being built anyway. You see what’s down there; it’s an eyesore.”

The 49-year-old owner of Jerley’s Auto Body says council should unite.

“It needs a house cleaning,” Jerley said. “You have to work together as a team.”

Simon “Red” Ohler

But Ohler, 62, said the existing team has made progress.

“We got hold of the financial situation pretty well,” Ohler said. “The money is being watched. There is debate about how we are going to spend money.”

Streets are a problem, he admits, but a repair program is on its way.

“We are starting this year,” Ohler said. “Every year we are going to expand on it.”

The former coal miner is semi-retired from Ohler’s Service in Windber.

Healthy debate is not an obstacle to progress, he said.

“I can work with anybody,” Ohler said. “You have to be able to disagree. Once a decision is made, you go ahead with it.”

George Ledney

Council members Pekala and Ledney, 55, also cited improved financial management under their leadership.

“I think we have accomplished a lot,” Ledney said.

Raymond DiBattista

Veteran council member DiBattista, 79, is not resting on his laurels. Instead of listing council's accomplishments, DiBattista said he wants to take a closer look at recreation programs, street paving and neighborhood improvement.

“There is a lot of blight that should be addressed,” DiBattista said. “Code enforcement is costing a lot of money and nothing seems to be happening.”

DiBattista is also running for mayor, and he would not say which office he would accept if successful in both races. He pledged to scale down the mayor’s role if elected.

“The role would be much more diminished than that of council would be,” DiBattista said. “It would be a leadership role.”

Arthur Palumbo

Palumbo, 70, makes no excuse for his active role as Windber’s mayor.

“I’m a workaholic,” Palumbo said. “I represent the borough as their P.R. man. I try to be out in public.”

As supervisor of the borough police, Palumbo said he has been able to help establish cooperative law enforcement across the area.

Windber contracts to provide coverage in Scalp Level Borough and partners with Paint Township by sharing many services.