6 candidates vying for 4 seats on Trafford Council

Trafford residents will seat at least two new members on council in 2022 and possibly four, depending on the outcome of the Nov. 2 general election.

Two incumbents and four newcomers are vying for the four available openings.

Longtime Councilman Casey L. Shoub Sr., 70, a Democrat, is seeking his sixth elected, four-year term. He was appointed to council in 2000.

Another incumbent councilman, Zack Cole, 31, a Republican, secured both Democratic and Republican nominations in the May primary.

Shoub and Cole will be joined on the ballot by newcomers Lauren Lindsay, 28, who led the GOP ticket with 21% of the Republican vote in the primary. Like Cole, who won a Republican nomination carrying 20% of the votes, Lindsay also won a position on the Democratic ballot.

Other Republican newcomers on the ballot are Justin Batzel, 28, a fireman, and Brian Lindbloom, 54, who is the borough fire chief.

Incumbent council members Ralph Deabner and Leslie Peters opted not to run again.

Democrat Pat Bayko, 73, who has lived in Trafford her entire life, won the remaining spot on the Democratic ballot via write-in.

“I attend a lot of council meetings and frequently give my input. And people came up to me last spring and said, ‘You know, you should run for council.’ So I did in a write-in campaign, and here I am,” Bayko said.

Retired, Bayko — who attended Penn State University and is a graduate of Trafford High School — said she’s “seen a lot of good and bad around, and I hope by getting a seat on council I can help the good come back.”

One of her primary aims will be economic development and “bringing businesses back to downtown,” Bayko said. Her grown daughter and son-in-law live in the borough and she has two grandchildren.

Lindsay is making her first run for public office. The Penn-Trafford High School and Westmoreland County Community College graduate said she has had an interest in government and politics since her father, Michael Granata, served on North Braddock council years ago.

“I think I can benefit the community by serving,” Lindsay said. “I’m looking forward to making a difference.”

She is a project manager in retail lending with PNC. Lindsay and her husband, Ian, moved to the borough in February 2020.

Batzel also said he hopes to enhance economic development in the town, if elected. He is a paint technician at Holtec International in Turtle Creek.

He has been a firefighter for 12 years and is captain and vice president of the fire company.

“I just think we need some changes to bring some small businesses back into town. Possibly by offering tax breaks,” said Batzel.

“I would also like to see some of the old buildings in town cleaned up,” he said.

In addition to being the chief of the volunteer fire department and business manager for Trafford Emergency Medical Service, Lindbloom previously served on the borough planning commission and civil service commission and is a former code enforcement officer.

Lindbloom said the experience he gained while serving in various capacities in the borough uniquely qualifies him to be councilman.

“I just think now is the right time. With my unique experience, I believe now is the time to try to turn around the town,” said Lindbloom, who is married and has a grown daughter and grandson living in Montana.

Shoub, also retired, said he enjoys helping people and the community. Since his five children are now grown and he no longer coaches their sports teams, he said he has the time to devote to the town and it provides him projects to work on.

“You’ve got to keep on top of all the mandates for stormwater and sewer system upgrades, and street paving is always an issue,” said Shoub, a Duquesne University graduate.

Cole, who was elected in 2017, also is seeking reelection. He declined to comment on his candidacy.