Blawnox appoints Pittsburgh school teacher as new council member; she hopes to get youths involved

A teacher at a Pittsburgh public school and nonprofit founder has been appointed to Blawnox Council.

Council voted 5-0 Wednesday to appoint Christine Carnevali to the seat vacated by Jessica Dayhoff-Mayo. Councilwoman Meghan Kennedy was absent.

“I’m honored,” Carnevali said after the meeting. “I think Blawnox has a lot to offer. I think with a lot of the energy that’s already here and the knowledge and experience that’s on council, a lot can be done in the years ahead.”

Dayhoff-Mayo recently moved from the borough to Harrison. She was on council for six years and had two years left on her second term.

“She was exceptional,” council President Deborah Laskey said of Dayhoff-Mayo. “She will be sadly missed, and we wish her well.”

Borough Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said Dayhoff-Mayo was instrumental in working on the borough’s zoning ordinance and various recreational efforts, and also worked on the property and planning committee.

Ulanowicz said of Carnevali’s selection: “(She) wants to become community involved. That’s what we’re looking for here.”

The council vacancy was not posted.

Mayor Anthony Gross said he spoke to several residents about joining council. Carnevali was the only one who was interested, he said.

Carnevali’s educational background includes a master’s degree in education, University of Pittsburgh, 2010; bachelor’s degree, from Pitt, 1994; associate’s degree, physical therapy assistant, from Community College of Allegheny County, 2005.

She worked as a buyer for a library at Carnegie Mellon University for nine years and as a physical therapy assistant for five years before becoming a teacher at Wilkinsburg High School. Wilkinsburg High School closed about seven years ago.

In May 2011, she founded FUSE, a non-profit organization offering after-school programs and services to high school students in Wilkinsburg and surrounding communities.

Carnevali currently is an English teacher at Brashear High School in the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

“I love being involved with people,” she said. “It really goes along with my skill set to be involved in my community as well.”

Carnevali said her council goals include getting more youths more involved in the community.

“That’s where my heart is,” she said.

Councilman John Simmons was sworn in as Blawnox deputy fire marshal. George McBrier is the borough fire marshal.

Simmons has served with the borough volunteer fire department for 34 years.

“It’s a different phase of working with the fire company,” Simmons said. “We’re doing inspections, mainly. If there is a suspicious fire in town, Mr. McBrier and myself will be down to help along with the inspection and (identify) the cause.”

In other matters

The borough is planning its Memorial Day celebrations and parade.

Councilwoman Katie Specht-Coban announced her committee coordination is in its beginning stages. They are looking for military veterans and people with antique cars to get involved in the parade.

Anyone who wants to help out with Memorial Day can contact the borough office, 412-828-4141.