Latrobe mayor says she won't run for a third term

Latrobe Mayor Rosie Wolford doesn’t intend to seek a third term in the office.

“It’s been 10 years on council and eight years as mayor for me,” Wolford said Monday, her 60th birthday, during the city council’s annual reorganization meeting. “I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it, but it’s time for somebody else.”

“I think it’s important to get the message out there,” for those who may be interested in running for one of Latrobe’s positions that are up for grabs in this year’s municipal elections.

Under the city charter, the mayor chairs council meetings and votes on matters of business — along with six council members, half of whose terms are ending in December.

Jim Kelley and Christine Weller indicated they each plan to seek another term on council. Gerald Baldonieri, who is completing his second four-year term, said he does not anticipate running for re-election.

During the reorganization, Councilman Eric Bartels was appointed to the additional role of deputy mayor, a position Baldonieri had filled.

According to the Westmoreland County Election Bureau website, Feb. 16 is the first day for candidates to circulate nominating petitions to appear on the ballot for the May 18 municipal primary. The municipal election is set for Nov. 2.

“When you have a strong team, like we have, these council jobs aren’t that hard,” Wolford said, indicating city department heads and their staff field most of the public inquiries that might otherwise be directed to her.

Council agreed to advertise for two new hires in the public works department — a heavy equipment operator and a mechanic — to replace staffers who are slated to retire in March.

“This will give us time to do the interviews,” said City Manager Michael Gray.

Latrobe also is seeking applicants for a vacancy on the police force, resulting from a retirement, and for a code enforcement officer position, which the city plans to share with nearby Derry Borough.

Derry officials “were very eager to jump on board,” said Gray. “We’re looking forward to working with them on this agreement. We want to try to get the applicants, and then we can work out the details with Derry.”

Gray said a draft of the regional code officer agreement should be ready for Latrobe’s council to review at its Jan. 25 agenda session.

The hiring would free current Latrobe Code Officer Ann Powell to concentrate on her responsibilities heading the city’s newly created storm water management program.