ELECTION 2023: Six candidates running for three seats on Hermitage Board of Commissioners

Oct. 19—HERMITAGE — There are six candidates running for three four-year terms on the Hermitage Board of Commissioners.

The candidates include Democratic incumbents Duane Piccirilli and William J. Moder III, and Democratic newcomer Brian J. Skibo; and former city commissioner William G. McConnell Jr., with newcomers Alvan F. Harakal III and Christopher Dunn, who are running as Republicans.

Hermitage has three seats up for election. The top two finishers will win a four-year term. Third place wins a two-year term.

Democrats

Duane Piccirilli

Piccirilli, 68, is seeking a sixth term on the Board of Commissioners.

Piccirilli has a bachelor's degree in social work from Penn State University and a master's degree in counseling from Slippery Rock University. He is a licensed professional clinical counselor in Ohio, and serves as executive director of the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board.

Piccirilli previously served on the Hermitage Board of Education for 10 years, including four years as president; is a member of the One Ohio Foundation Board of Directors, which was created to distribute funds from Ohio to address the opioid epidemic; and he currently serves as chairman of the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter Board of Directors.

One topic that Piccirilli said Hermitage residents are very interested in is the Shenango Valley Mall property, which has been involved in litigation between the mall's owners, Butterfli Holdings LLC, and JCPenney, for the past five years.

An appeal by JCPenney was recently denied by the state Supreme Court, bringing the litigation to an end.

Piccirilli said he would like to see Hermitage become a shopping destination, and that the potential redevelopment of the mall and the planned mixed-use town center around the mall property could help grow the city economically.

However, maintaining all of Hermitage's neighborhoods, particularly the city's older neighborhoods, through the Neighborhood Investment Program should also be continued, as well as the city's rental property inspection program.

Officials with the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter are also planning to go out for bid for a new building, which Piccirilli described as "exciting."

Maintaining the city's safety forces, including the police, fire and street departments, will be another priority.

If elected to another term, Piccirilli said he would continue to work with his fellow commissioners to reach a consensus on different issues while being accessible to Hermitage residents.

William Moder

Moder, 71, is also running for re-election, having served on the board since 2004.

He currently works as an attorney with an office in Hermitage and as an adjunct faculty business law instructor at Penn State Shenango and the online PSU World Campus.

Moder is a graduate of Hickory High School, Edinboro University and the University of Akron School of Law.

He previously served as part-time district attorney for Mercer County, and he also served as vice president and corporate counsel of First National Bank of Pennsylvania.

One particular topic Moder has heard discussed by residents is the development of the mall and town center, and the recent end of litigation involving JCPenney could mean the project will move forward.

"The city's already done an enormous amount of work getting grant monies that can be used in that area, and it's a private development but public monies can be used for public improvements to improve the overall size and quality of the project," he said.

Continuing to grow the city economically will be a priority for Moder, who said there are already signs of confidence in the city by the business community, including the new FedEx facility and a planned $40 million investment at Joy Cone.

Supporting these kinds of business investments will benefit not just Hermitage, but the surrounding area as well, Moder said.

In regards to the upcoming merger of Wheatland with Hermitage, Moder said he has attended Wheatland's council meetings since the merger was approved in order to understand the issues the area faces.

Hermitage already provides police and street services to Wheatland, and Moder said he expects the merger to be a "seamless" transition.

"Wheatland will always have its identity, in the same way that Patagonia or New Virginia still have their identities, but we can all pull together and play to our strengths," he said.

Brian Skibo

Skibo, 43, is running for his first term on the Board of Commissioners.

Skibo is a 1998 graduate of Hickory High School and graduated from Slippery Rock University with an English degree in technical writing and a minor in philosophy.

He has lived in the area for about 30 years, and his parents are small business owners.

If elected, Skibo said the development of the Shenango Valley Mall property and the town center will be important projects, and something he has heard many residents asking about.

However, Skibo said he would not overlook other areas of Hermitage for potential development, and areas such as the plaza containing Giant Eagle or the plaza containing Planet Fitness could provide opportunities for economic growth.

"We don't have to just focus on the town center, we can focus on different ares," Skibo said. "There are places where we can try to put businesses, and it can serve residents living throughout the city.

If elected, Skibo said he would continue to engage with local residents, and said his prior experience organizing programs could be beneficial when working with his fellow commissioners.

One example from earlier this year was a fundraiser Skibo organized in April for the National Brain Tumor Society — an issue of personal importance for Skibo, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2012

While the initial goal was to raise $5,000, Skibo said the fundraiser generated about $6,500. Residents from throughout the Shenango Valley participated in the event, and Skibo said he would hope to replicate that kind of collaboration as a Hermitage commissioner.

"One thing that I'd bring to government is an ability to bring the entire community together," Skibo said. "That seems to resonate with residents — being able to bring people together for a common cause."

Republicans

William McConnell

McConnell, 59, who previously served on the Board of Commissioners from 2018 through 2021, is a Marine Corps veteran and has been a practicing attorney for 33 years with a law office in Hermitage.

McConnell has 20 years of municipal government experience as an attorney and elected official. He serves as the solicitor of the Mercer County Industrial Development Authority and previously served as the county's litigation solicitor. While living in Sharon, McConnell chaired the city's Home Rule Study Commission.

McConnell is a graduate of Westminster College and the Duquesne University School of Law. He is also a Persian Gulf War veteran and life member of Hickory VFW Post 6166.

McConnell said, if he were elected, it would be important to grow the city's tax base through commercial and residential development, including the ability for city officials to move forward on the town center project.

"This litigation has, for years, delayed the development of the property and the implementation of the town center," McConnell said.

In terms of economic development, McConnell said there are opportunities to attract businesses that will support the newly-constructed FedEx distribution center, along with opportunities in Wheatland. The borough will merge with Hermitage next year and contains more developable, industrial properties than the city currently has.

Another priority for McConnell, which he said would lead to long-term benefits for Hermitage, would be to recruit more young people to participate on the city's various boards, authorities and commissions.

This would bring new perspectives to these different organizations, along with encouraging the next generation to invest in their city.

"I have a young family I'm raising in the city, and I have a business in the city, so I'm invested in Hermitage and I want to see it do well," he said. "Plus I have a comprehensive background in municipal experience, so I'd like to be able to put that to use for the benefit of the city."

Alvan Harakal

Running for his first term, Harakal is a 1999 graduate of Sharpsville High School who has lived in Hermitage since 2006.

He graduated from the College of Allegheny County with a bachelor's degree in science and technology, and he currently owns Pine Hollow Motors.

While speaking with residents, Harakal said he has heard many people express a desire to see growth in the city and an interest in the development of the mall property.

If elected, Harakal said seeing the mall property and town center developed would be an important issue while pursuing development in other parts of Hermitage as well.

However, Harakal said it would be important to hear the questions and concerns of residents before developing an area, such as gauging a rural neighborhood's response before moving forward with a project.

Encouraging families to move to Hermitage or remain with the city will be another priority for Harakal, which would involve making sure there are activities and services available for people of different ages.

Some of the planned development at the Hermitage Athletic Complex, such as the upcoming dek hockey rink, are examples of what Harakal said he would like to see continued.

"We need things for families, and we need to have programs and activities that are interesting for kids," he said.

By pursuing economic development and the jobs that would come with it, along resources for families, more people will encouraged to remain in the Hermitage area.

Maintaining Hermitage's emergency services, such as the police, fire and road departments, and working with the chiefs and department heads will be another priority for Harakal.

"I'm proud of what we have in the city, and I think they do a great job, so I'd like to keep that up and make sure they have what they need as the city continues to grow," Harakal said.

Christopher Dunn

Dunn, 34, who is also running for his first term, is a 2007 graduate of Hickory High School and a 2016 graduate of New Castle School of Trades with an HVAC certification.

While taking night classes at New Castle, Dunn worked security for First National Bank in Hermitage. Following graduation, Dunn worked in HVAC sales and eventually found his way to the bank's tech center.

Dunn has since gone on to work with finances, accounts and legal matters concerning finances at the bank for the past six years.

When talking with residents, Dunn said he has heard many concerns regarding taxes, due to the rising cost of "everything" and the ongoing issues with inflation.

As someone who grew up in the city, Dunn said he understood many of the issues residents face and said he would bring a "common sense" approach to city issues, such as raising, maintaining or potentially cutting taxes.

"Right now, I think anyone in government should be very cautious regarding what tax increases can mean for someone," he said. "People are paying more for food, gas, cars, everything, and they need a break somewhere."

Other residents have shared a mixture of concerns regarding JCPenney potentially closing along with hope that the mall property can now be redeveloped.

If elected to the Board of Commissioners, Dunn said he wouldn't mince words and would be a "straight shooter," and he would try to bring a younger perspective to the board.

With a father who served as a police officer and a mother who was a 911 dispatcher, Dunn said he under stood the importance of community service and hoped that he could give back to Hermitage residents by listening to their concerns and acting on their behalf as a city commissioner.

"I think I can be of great service to the community, and I would really appreciate that honor if given the chance," Dunn said.

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at ddye@sharonherald.com.