Faces of the Valley: Tarentum's Carrie Fox stepping back from politics after 16 years but won't forgo volunteerism

Carrie Fox hasn’t had time in decades to focus on her passions — cooking, ceramics and crafts.

The Tarentum native and councilwoman has spent more than half her life behind the scenes of local government, school-related issues and the borough’s busy slate of social activities.

“I love Tarentum,” Fox said. “I’m dedicated to this town.”

From the scarecrows that pop up on borough streets at Halloween to more serious issues of revitalizing an aging borough, Fox is usually behind the scenes.

But lately, she’s finding a bit too much on her plate.

“I do a lot,” Fox said, crediting her family and fellow borough members for support. “It’s time to let someone else step in.”

Fox will not seek reelection in the Nov. 7 general election, and for the first time in 16 years will not be watching the tallies add up after polls close.

“It’s been a true honor but campaigning gets to be a lot,” she said.

“I have loved my time serving this community. I believe it may be in my blood, but it’s the right moment to take a little time for myself and my family.”

In addition to her position as an at-large council representative, Fox is president of the recreation board which hosts 15 events a year, and she publishes the borough magazine, “Crossroads of the Allegheny Valley.” She also is a member of the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments and Business Advisory committees.

Before council, Fox spent eight years on the Highlands School Board, where she was elected president and served on the Forbes Road Career and Technical School committee.

Elected in 2007, Fox said she “started that venture with the mission to have Grandview’s playground revitalized because it was in deplorable shape.”

Similarly, she joined the borough’s recreation board in 2002 with a passion for hosting events and seeing people come together.

“I’m still going to the rec board,” Fox said. “But the magazine takes up a lot of time, and there are evenings when I look around and think, ‘Where’d the day go?’

“My grandchildren are getting older and into activities, and I miss it because my dedication won’t let me miss a council meeting.”

Council Vice President Lou Ann Homa has served with Fox for six years and was friends with her beforehand. She will miss working alongside her.

“Carrie has always put Tarentum at the forefront,” Homa said. “She was instrumental in getting the recreation board as involved as they are now.

“Carrie is quite knowledgeable in municipal government, and she has had ideas to move the borough ahead.”

Apart from school and local government, Fox has given time to groups that include the Alle Kiski Strong Chamber of Commerce and the Highlands Partnership Network.

Tarentum historian Cindy Homburg has worked with Fox for years, calling her dedicated and thorough.

“The borough will greatly miss Carrie on the council,” Homburg said. “She loves Tarentum and puts her whole heart and soul into this town.

“Thank goodness she will still do the recreation board. What would we do without the summer concerts and the snack shack and the Christmas parade and all the other events that are making Tarentum what it is today?”

Looking forward, Fox undertook several pet projects that could help the borough flourish in the coming years.

She serves on the steering committee for the borough’s section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail that will link with Brackenridge and East Deer.

New markings and bike lanes are planned to create a safer passage, and a redesign of the park’s trail will benefit visitors.

“Trails bring revenue to a community. Bikers look for places to stop, a place to grab a drink or something to eat,” Fox said.

“Trails can bring economic booms to communities. Other stops and features could be added as needed or requested to help bolster tourism and, done with care, could be a game changer for Tarentum.”

Fox also lobbied for the borough’s façade grant program, which kicked off in recent months. The borough will award two $5,000 grants to business owners to help them improve their building exterior.

“Small business is the heart of the community,” Fox said.

“It may be something small, such as a new sign, awning or just painting. This makes a definite impact.”

A lifelong resident of the borough, Fox said it’s exhilarating to watch the municipality turn a corner on revitalization efforts. She recalled her childhood when the town was booming and said she hopes to draw people to town with the renewed efforts in the business district.

“We’ve come a long way,” she said. “I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished. I feel like it’s time. As for serving again, I’d never say never.”