Lehman Seeking Second Term On Dormont Council

Drew Lehman said his desire to serve on Dormont Council goes much deeper than the pool.

“My goal is to have people drive into our town, either for a fundraiser or to shop, and look around and say, ‘Jeez, I wouldn’t mind living here,'” he said.

Lehman, 45, is seeking his second term on council, running on a ticket endorsed by the Dormont Democratic Committee with incumbent John Maggio and James Keaney.

“People say we’re the pool candidates. But the truth is, we just want to make this town better,” he said. “The pool is a small part of it, but an important part of it.”

“I want to attract young homeowners, first time homeowners, new families, couples with young children,” he said. “My goal is to get them here and keep them here.”

Lehman, a senior account executive with Konica Minolta Business Solutions, decided to run for council after Maggio began raising money to help with pool renovations.

“John was obviously doing a good thing and I was attracted to it,” he said. He said he first met Maggio when he handed him a $200 check for the Friends of Dormont Pool.

Lehman said his civic mindedness grew from his days coaching his kids’ soccer, baseball and softball teams.

He said he wasn’t happy with the condition of the fields and facilities, so he joined the Dormont Athletic Boosters Association to help out.

Lehman said he wants to remain on council so he can continue working to improve borough efficiencies and control spending.

Dormont has not had a tax increase since he’s been on council, he said. The borough’s millage rate of 14 is among the highest in Allegheny County.

He also believes Manager Gino Rizza is doing a good job.

Lehman, Maggio and Keaney have been out knocking on doors and Lehman said the feedback is largely positive.

“You get feedback, not just to win the election, but to get the pulse of what’s going on,” he said, noting some residents can’t, or choose not to, go to council meetings.

Lehman said he’s also enthusiastic about the borough’s participation in the .

But it will need a strong anchor organization in the business community to take advantage of it, he said.