Voters in Tarentum might need a manual to follow candidates and which council offices they are seeking in the May primary.

Residents will have their choice of two residents to represent the borough at-large.

Democrat Scott Dadowski, current council president, will face newcomer Margaret “Maggie” Smith, a Republican, for the boroughwide position.

Both nominees also are running for election for their neighborhood seats.

Dadowski is running unopposed for the four-year 2nd Ward seat.

Smith is seeking a 3rd Ward seat against incumbent Brian Snyder. Brian Snyder did not file paperwork with Allegheny County to be on the ballot but is running a write-in campaign.

“When people vote straight party (as they do in primary elections), they miss the point of voting for the best candidate,” he said.

Snyder, 50, is a registered Republican but said that doesn’t truly represent his views. Rather than appear on the ballot for that party, he chose to run as a write-in and hopes to garner support from both sides.

Snyder was appointed to council in 2019 and then ran for a four-year seat.

Snyder is the owner of skate shop Dry Bones along East Sixth Avenue. He said he wants to continue helping the borough’s revitalization efforts.

“I hope my experience and work on council will resonate with people,” he said. “We’ve gained a lot of momentum, and I really want to continue to be a part of it.”

Other races in the borough are uncontested.

Incumbent Ray Kerr is seeking reelection in the 1st Ward, and Kevin Bertocki is seeking his first full term for a two-year seat in the 2nd Ward after being appointed in 2022.

Dadowski and Smith each said that when election paperwork was due to the county, there was no way to know how many others had filed. Running for the at-large position while also running for a ward seat gives them multiple paths to victory.

“It also gives you the opportunity to represent all borough residents versus one particular ward,” said Dadowski, who was first appointed to council in 2018 and elected to a four-year seat in 2019.

The Valley News Dispatch asked Dadowski and Smith to outline their platforms so readers could compare the candidates for the at-large seats. Here are their answers:

Why did you decide to run for election?

Dadowski: “Because we still have more work to do,” he said. “I am proud of the progress we have made in the last six years. I believe in the borough and the redevelopment opportunities we are exploring. We survived the pandemic better than most municipalities in the Valley, but now it’s time to continue to work together to make sure the citizens of Tarentum have the best services available to them and it continues to be the place they call home.”

Smith: “After I learned there were two seats up for election, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for me as a lifetime resident of Tarentum to throw my hat into the ring,” she said. “I think that a fresh voice is important to have different views on the current needs of the borough.”

What are the biggest priorities facing the township?

Dadowski: Redevelopment, infrastructure and safety top his list.

“We have spent resources dealing with blighted properties in years past, and it is now time to focus on redevelopment,” he said. “That includes attracting new business and new residents. Like many communities, our infrastructure is aging.

“We need to take a proactive approach and think ahead so we don’t get caught playing catch-up more than we need to.

“Finally, the safety of our residents is extremely important. We were all affected by the tragedy in our community. We need to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of our residents moving forward.”

Smith: “Revitalization of our community by attracting new businesses and ridding areas of blight,” she said.

Smith said support for the police department is crucial to keep safety as a priority and “to create a safe place for all of us to live and our children to grow and thrive.”

What qualities do you feel you bring to the position?

Dadowski: “My experience as a school administrator is a great asset to this position,” he said. “I feel listening to people is just as important as solving a problem.

“I take that same approach as a councilman. I have served as council president for the last three and a half years and am proud of the progress we have made. I look forward to putting our ideas in motion and continuing to make Tarentum the best place to live in the Valley.”

Smith: “I believe that I will bring a fresh voice with fresh ideas,” she said. “It is important to have new people that are in touch with the community, like myself.

“I have gotten to know a lot of people by talking to them through the Facebook group I created — Tarentum Neighborhood Watch Group — and listening to what they feel is important.

“I bring with me a lifetime of knowledge about this area of what it was and what it could be.”

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