Borough hits restart to choose Fetterman successor

Interim mayor hopefuls to make pitch Jan. 29

Braddock is restarting its application process to replace former Mayor John Fetterman following public outcry at a meeting where borough council was expected to choose between two finalists.

Council will hold a special session on Jan. 29 during which applicants will have five minutes to explain why they want to be interim mayor, said borough council President Tina Doose.

Seven people had previously applied for the vacancy. A three-person committee privately screened everyone and chose two finalists, Isaac Bunn and Pedro Valles. At a meeting on Jan. 8, though, community members questioned both finalists’ eligibility for the job, as well as the selection process in general.

Ms. Doose confirmed this week that Mr. Bunn, who founded the nonprofit Braddock Inclusion Project, cannot be interim mayor, as he was registered to vote outside of Braddock.

Mr. Valles, who is an officer with the Rankin Police Department, is eligible, even though he currently serves as a state constable, Ms. Doose said.

The five other people who applied for the mayor’s seat will be allowed to make a pitch for the job at the upcoming meeting. They include Chardaé Jones, Delia Lennon-Winstead, Rachelle Mackson, Dominique Davis Sanders and the Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire.

New applicants can submit a letter of interest and resume but must register with the borough manager by Jan. 25, Ms. Doose said.

On Jan. 8, the council accepted the resignation of Mr. Fetterman, who resigned his mayoral seat after he was elected Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor. He was sworn in to office on Tuesday.

The borough was expected to

choose a replacement following Mr. Fetterman’s resignation, but the meeting became heated when some people complained that the selection process lacked transparency.

Ms. Doose said the concerns helped prompt the reopening of the applicant pool.

“I think all of this is good for Braddock,” Ms. Doose said. “The fact that there is so much interest is another thing that from my perspective is positive.”

The interim mayor will serve through at least 2019 but would need to win the general election in November to keep the job.

The mayor’s main role is to oversee public safety, but he or she also will be the face and voice of Braddock and must communicate well with stakeholders, Ms. Doose said.

Mr. Fetterman was especially visible and shone a spotlight on economic development.

Ms. Doose said if his successor prioritizes improving the police department, other advancements will follow.

“If our new mayor works on issues regarding public safety, that is only going to increase the likelihood and probability that new businesses and companies will want to be in Braddock,” Ms. Doose said.

Borough solicitor Peter Halesey said he expects the six-person council to vote for the successor at the upcoming meeting. If no candidate receives a majority, the council has until early February to select a winner. If it fails to do so, a vacancy board, comprising the council plus one community member, will then have 15 days to choose the interim mayor. If that body cannot do so, the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas will decide.

Mr. Halesey said the council was not legally obligated to seek applications and input and could have just appointed someone.

“The council is committed to having an open application process,” he said.

The Jan. 29 meeting is at 6 p.m. at the borough building.

There will be time for public comment about the appointment process before the candidates speak, Ms. Doose said.