Forest Hills Council Incumbents Take Election

In Tuesday’s race for three seats on Council, the incumbent gained the edge over two Republican-ticket challengers.

According to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Division of Elections’ website, Steve Karas took the lead with 27.76 percent of the vote. Following him were Devon Wood, 22.48 percent; Bill Burleigh, 19.83 percent; Harry White, 18.72 percent; and Paul Palko, 10.89 percent.

Speaking after the results came in Tuesday night, Karas, who ran a combined campaign with Wood and Burleigh, praised both the voters and the opposing candidates.

“I think we ran a strong campaign,” Karas said. “We have worked hard on council, and people appreciated that.

“Everyone that ran did it for the good of the borough,” Karas added. “Hopefully, they stay engaged.”

For Wood and Burleigh—who were appointed to council in November 2009 and January 2010, respectively—the results show that voters are pleased with the way council is operating.

The biggest factor in the campaign, Wood said, is reining in the budget and not increasing taxes. Wood added that council plans to pass a budget at its Nov. 16 meeting that does not include tax increases or service reductions.

“We tried very hard to run an honest and fair and direct campaign,” she said, adding that meeting residents while campaigning helped her better understand their concerns.

“I think this also shows that no matter how long you’ve lived in the borough—or what the color of your skin, or gender—you can make a difference,” Wood said.

Calling his election a “golden opportunity,” Burleigh echoed Wood’s sentiment. In fact, Burleigh’s election makes him the first African-American person to be elected to Forest Hills Council.

“At first, it was the council that put me in,” Burleigh said. “Now, I know the people want me in there.”

Among Burleigh’s top priorities in the coming term is improving borough-community relations and encouraging more participation from residents.

“We’re all here to help each other, and I feel the way to do that is to have better relationships with the community,” he said.

, a Democrat who garnered the most write-in votes in the primary and ran on the Republican ticket Tuesday, lost to Burleigh by a 54-vote margin. 

“I am outstandingly pleased with what I was able to do,” said White, who was a first-time candidate. “I think it was a great showing.”

White said he plans to stay involved in the local political scene.

“I’ll be back in two years,” he said.

Paul Palko, who ran as the lone Republican in the primary, also said he plans to run again—but with more vigor.

“Because of some personal issues, I wasn’t able to actively campaign,” Palko said.

“Best of luck to the elected officials,” Palko added. “I hope they do their jobs well.”