Aspinwall voters will choose between 2 seeking mayor's office

Aspinwall voters will see two familiar faces in the race for borough mayor.

David Brown, a current member of Aspinwall council, is the Democratic candidate. He is seeking to unseat incumbent mayor Republican Joe Noro.

Here are their answers to questions posed by the Tribune-Review:

David C. Brown

Political party: Democrat

Age: 63

Education: Bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania, M.A. from Yale University, 1992, M.Phil. from Yale University

Occupation: Medical-legal consultant

If elected, what are two short-term goals? “First, change the management culture of the police department to one of good faith transparency and active cooperation with Aspinwall council and the community,” Brown said. “Oversight is a team obligation, not a one-man show.”

Secondly, Brown said he would reach out and repair what he feels are damaged relationships and harsh feelings with neighboring communities.

”We are stronger when we work together,” he said.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? “Aspinwall’s citizens should know that I am committed to providing them with truthful, competent, cost-effective, responsive and transparent local government, while concurrently striving to maximize the individual and collective welfare of our community’s inhabitants,” he said.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

“My door will be open,” he said. “My phone number will be published. Every citizens’ group will have my full cooperation, attention and support.

“Meet the Mayor” events will not just be a campaign trick, but rather a weekly opportunity for every willing resident to offer their suggestions for the best possible Aspinwall.”

Joseph D. Noro

Political party: Republican

Age: 63

Education: Did not submit

Occupation: Plant manager at Schneider’s Dairy

If elected, what are two short-term goals? The role of the mayor is limited to the oversight of the police department, Noro said. “To that end, I regard the safety of our community as my primary and most significant responsibility,” he said. “Traffic violations are currently a significant issue in Aspinwall. The issue has escalated with the work on the bridge interchange.”

“Tickets and citations for traffic violations have increased 30 percent this year over 2020,” he said.

“We have taken numerous actions to reduce speeding and failure to stop including a rotational method to monitoring stop signs, an aggressive approach to those traveling beyond the posted speed limit, monitoring school bus stops in the morning and afternoon and using the speed monitors to identify problem areas and target appropriately.”

A second goal, Noro said, is to continue with enhanced night patrols, using lights to assure that the alleys, porches and walkways between the homes are clear.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? “As the public health restrictions have eased, it has been great to get back to our goal of 2019 with regard to community policing,” he said.

“This program requires further refinement to assure that programming for the community spans the entire year and meets the needs of all of citizens. Examples of future programming for our residents would include educating our seniors regarding scams which target them, preventing automobile theft and steps to take to minimize risk of burglary.”

“Great policing is a collaboration between the officers and the citizens. A special impact of such efforts will be an enhanced sense of community,” he said.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? “My efforts in this regard have been transparent and unambiguous. There are no secrets or surprises with either borough management, council or the residents,” he said.

“I plan to continue with my ‘Meet the Mayor’ sessions held on the third Wednesday of every month at the borough building. Those sessions are an opportunity for anyone with concerns or ideas to come and voice them.” Using social media is a great way to communicate and gain instant feedback, Noro said.

“The block meetings that I have had as a candidate have been a great forum and will have a role in my communication plan on a go-forward basis,” he said.

“The issues, concerns and solutions vary block by block, street by street. I have always been available via phone and email to any citizen with a concern or idea.”