Write-in winner Gary Hines challenges incumbent Eric Bengel for Harrison commissioner

Voters in Harrison’s 3rd Ward will get a repeat of a heated commissioners race between incumbent Eric Bengel and newcomer Gary Hines.

The Democrats competed in the spring for a four-year seat, with Bengel edging Hines by seven votes.

Hines won the write-in nomination on the Republican ticket for the Nov. 7 election.

The 3rd Ward runs from Springhill Road to the Freeport border.

Bengel, 58, believes the community’s most pressing issue is economic growth.

If elected, he would focus on keeping taxes stable, finding funding for infrastructure and bringing new retail and restaurants to the township.

“Large, national and international corporations are here in our Allegheny Valley, but we need more in order to secure the future of our community,” Bengel said.

“While smaller, privately owned businesses are the fabric of our community and critical to meeting our needs, the major funds and stability that come with larger industry bring volumes of good-paying jobs and long-term stability.

“With new jobs and residents, more retail and restaurants will open, and housing stock will grow in numbers and value.”

Bengel has served four years on the board.

Hines, 59, is retired from the township’s water authority. He said he wants to spend his time working to make the community a great place to live.

He said his priorities would lie with public safety, spending, transparency and ongoing revitalization.

“I would promote transparency by being available to the residents and their concerns,” Hines said. “I would also provide support to our police and first responders with necessary equipment, training and proper funding.”

Hines said blight and abandoned properties have become a problem, one that he would devote time and attention to in order to grow pride in township aesthetics. He said it’s necessary to attract new business and promote growth.

“I was raised here with seven siblings, many who still reside within the township,” Hines said. “My wife and I proudly raised our two children here. I want to see our township as the place where the next generation wants to raise their families.”

Bengel said that attracting companies, particularly in the tech sector, will create solid-wage jobs, draw new families and strengthen the commercial tax base — which keeps residential taxes lower and provides funding for roads, schools and infrastructure.

“It is imperative to the strength and growth of Harrison,” Bengel said.

“This can be done by leveraging our relationships and courting the myriad of major tech, robotics and medical companies who are growing in the city of Pittsburgh. Federal and state funds can be tapped for pad-ready sites to bring new, ground-up industry as well as tax incentives on land which currently is generating nothing.”

Bengel said his 35 years of experience running a business included the critical skill of creating and adhering to budgets.

“During my time in office, I have shared my knowledge of technology and business to better modernize our operations and implement cutting-edge solutions,” he said. “With that, we have updated our computer systems and brought our ordinances online for improved accessibility. My extensive business background has enabled me to provide effective management of projects and personnel, maximizing efficiency and saving tax dollars.

“Using business skills to resolve problems and offering fresh ideas has contributed greatly to how this office serves our community.”

Likewise, Hines said his 30 years of working for Harrison’s water authority gave him extensive insight on local infrastructure and township operations.

“This includes how our tax dollars are spent,” he said. “It includes where they can be better allocated and how the different township and community departments, agencies and services have and can continue to work together toward common goals.”

Other races in the township are uncontested.

Incumbent Chuck Dizard is seeking reelection in the 1st Ward, and incumbent Gary Means is running unopposed in the 5th Ward.