Six Candidates Vie for Three Open Seats on Plum Borough Council

When Plum Borough residents take to the polls in the upcoming November election six individuals will hope to capture their vote for one of the three open seats on Borough Council.  Here we highlight these six candidates vying for Borough Council.

Democrats

Lori Churilla

With 22 years of government experience as a certified public accountant, Lori A. Churilla, CPA, is seeking the Plum Borough Council position to ensure the public that taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and wisely, and that the government operates efficiently.

Churilla, 44, said that for Plum Borough residents she will advocate to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the government, prevent wasteful spending and inefficient activities and identify cost savings and increased revenues. She also plans to work with federal, state and county officials to obtain grant funds for Plum projects.

“Additionally, I will ensure that the police, fire and EMS services have state-of-the-art technology available to continue to provide exceptional services to our residents," Churilla said. "I will continue to advocate for recreational and senior citizen services for our taxpayers.

“I view the challenge as not only how we make ends meet to address our short-term needs, but also how we are positioned for the future. I will not merely shine the light on what is wrong, I will lead and take action to find what is right.”

A proud, lifelong resident of Plum, Churilla hopes to make a difference by always voting for what is in the best interest of the taxpayers of Plum Borough.

“Because tax revenues are flat, investment values have sharply declined, and federal assistance is drying up, yet the demand for services is increasing it is extremely important to elect qualified, experienced and hard working leaders to represent Plum Borough. I will bring these attributes with me as Plum Borough Councilwoman,” Churilla added.

Don Knopfel

Born and raised in Plum Borough, 69-year-old Don Knopfel has been involved in the “ins and outs” of the community for his entire life. A 25-year veteran of Plum Borough Council, Knopfel hopes to return as a councilman in the upcoming election because he is unhappy with the decisions of his predecessors.

“I really don’t appreciate what is going on in Plum Borough right now,” Knopfel said.  “They want to build a town center and when I last counted there were 30 unrented store fronts in the borough. Instead of building something new, we need to take care of the infrastructure first like the roads.

“I believe in development, but the infrastructure is very important moreso than other things right now.”

Knopfel hopes that people vote for the person who they believe will do the right job.

“I will be the candidate that lets people know what is going on," he said. "I want to listen to the resident’s input whether it is right, wrong or indifferent. You can’t serve the people without listening to the people.”

Knopfel believes his experience in all areas of government and community activities will help him in being a successful councilman.

“Having lived here in the borough my entire life, I am very knowledgeable of what goes on in the Borough. I am an honest person and I just want to take care of what the people want, take care of the infrastructure and take the burden off the taxpayers,” he added.

Steven “Skip” Taylor

In his eighth year as a Plum Borough Councilman, Steven “Skip” Taylor is seeking re-election from the people of Plum Borough who he has been working hard for over his past two terms.

“Anytime I run for office I feel that I am giving back to the community that has given so much to me," he said. "Being born and raised here I have been privileged to serve my community and I want to continue helping those in the borough."

Taylor, 51, said that one of his major advantages is the connections that he has made in all levels of government. 

“Over the past eight years I have made a lot of connections and have been able to secure and retain grant money for a number of community projects, and I feel that anyone new coming on board would have to build these relationships and create these connections all over again,” he said.

Calling himself the “common sense candidate,” Taylor said that he is “old-school” and honest and that’s why the residents should choose him for council.

“I bring honesty to the table and I don’t side with a faction, instead I vote for issues," he said. "I believe I add value to the Plum Borough Council with a proven track record of being loyal to Plum instead of being loyal to a party.  It’s not about what a party wants it’s about what the citizens want. I plan to give the people what they want and that’s how I will make a difference."

Republicans

John Anderson

Political newcomer John Anderson has spent the past 25 years in the financial field and now he hopes that the residents of Plum Borough will put their trust in him to make the right decisions when it comes to taxpayer money.

Anderson, 46, said that he decided to run for borough council because he believes that he can help continue to move Plum in the right direction.

“I think the issues in front of the borough council should always focus on making Plum a better community for the people who live here," he said. "Whether it’s public safety, roads or finding creative ways to attract new businesses to Plum, it needs to be done in a fiscally responsible way that enhances our community.”

Anderson plans to take a business approach to borough matters and think through implications as they pertain to the Plum community to make the community a better place to live and raise a family.

“I can use my 25 years of financial experience to ensure that the issues in front of the Borough are handled in a cost effective manner," he added. "I don’t think anyone wants to pay higher taxes, so we have to be smart with the money available to us to spend.”

Paul DeSabato

Entrepreneur Paul DeSabato, 45, is hopeful that his more than 13 years as a businessman and his fresh ideas will both be beneficial if he is elected to Plum Borough Council.

“With my entrepreneurial background and my education background, along with having new ideas, as opposed to past and present ones, I think I would make a good candidate,” DeSabato said.

“As a councilman I want to be a good steward for the community and use those four years to better direct the Borough as a whole.”

DeSabato, the owner of two cosmetology schools, believes that some of the major issues in Plum Borough include creating a safe community in which to live by working hand-in-hand with the police, fire and EMS, and rebuilding the infrastructure from “A to Z."

“It’s also important to be fiscally responsible and be very frugal with how we spend the Borough’s tax money,” he said.

DeSabato feels that the opportunity to serve on borough council is a great way for him to give back to his community and to make a difference.

“This is the community that I chose to live in, this is where I want to retire, and this is where I want my kids to stay," he said. "Being business-minded with fresh, new ideas I believe that I can offer much to this community."

Christopher Kozub

Thirty-seven year old political newcomer Christopher Kozub said that his reason for running for Plum Borough Council is two-fold.

“I’m running for council because I believe it is every citizen’s duty to do what they can for the betterment of their community.  I’m also running to set an example for my children that in order to make a difference you have to get involved,” Kozub said.

Kozub said that first and foremost his goal is to represent the taxpayer and that the most important issue is for the government to act as responsible stewards for the taxpayers.

“Analyzing all options and using the funding available to the Borough to best serve its residents should be the responsibility of every council member," he said. "Some of the specific issues that are facing the borough and are foremost on the mind of the public are the new public works project in the Renton area, the road conditions, and as always, public safety.”

Kozub also stands strongly behind and has “nothing but the utmost respect” for the police, firefighters and EMS, who he plans to make sure have what they need to do their jobs because of their great impact on the community as a whole.

While Kozub does not have any previous political background, he believes he is still the right man for the job.

“I consider myself a very fair and open minded person," he said. "I’m willing to listen to and discuss any ideas, no matter the source, in the interest of doing what is best for the community.  If elected, I will work very hard with all of the council members, agencies and staff of the borough to not only keep Plum the great place that it is, but also improve it."