Bridgeville Borough Council Election

Four Democrats are vying for three nominations on their party’s ticket for in the May 17 primary.

The field includes three incumbent councilmen and another candidate who lost his re-election bid two years ago.

Michael A. Chiodo, 54, has been on council for eight years and thinks the borough has done a good job working to improve the business district’s streetscape. He said revitalizing the business district is key despite running into some roadblocks from the state.

“One of the best things we did was go after the (state and federal) money and get it,” Chiodo said. “It was a team accomplishment, but I just want things to run smooth. We have some bumps in the road.”

He added that one of the main issues facing the borough is getting business and home owners to clean up their properties to make Bridgeville more appealing for residents and outsiders.

Joseph Mizia Jr., 62, served on council for 23 years before losing his re-election bid in 2009 by two votes. He wants to serve again to finish working on flood control projects along the Chartiers Creek near Baldwin Street and other areas around the borough. Mizia also said he wants to improve the business district on McLaughlin Run Road and nearby Baldwin Street, both of which don’t receive as much attention as the main drag.

“I’m really happy about how Bridgeville is going ahead with the times,” Mizia said. “But you have to get out and promote it.”

He added that his work on code and zoning regulations helped solve many problems that residents were facing.

Nino Petrocelli Sr., 76, is council president and has been on the governing body for 24 years. He said his main interest has been flood control, a 15-year street repaving program and a sewage initiative that has fixed broken or defective pipes. He wants to continue improving the borough’s infrastructure to avoid costly problems in the future.

Petrocelli also said the new public library that opened in Bridgeville earlier this year has been a boon for the residents.

“That’s something I’ve always wanted for the community,” Petrocelli said. “We have four beautiful parks, but in the wintertime, what do we have? Now we have a place for the children, the teenagers, the adults and the senior citizens. It’s going very well.”

Jason Sarasnick, 41, is finishing his first term on council and feels like he has worked hard to improve the borough’s recreation facilities. He pointed to the new bathroom and pavilion roof replacements at Chartiers Park.

“I feel like we’ve been able to accomplish some things for the community and people,” Sarasnick said. “I’d like to continue focusing on the parks, but also try to streamline the government and make things a little easier for the layman to understand.”

He wants to continue improving the business district’s streetscape and acquire more funds to beautify the borough. Sarasnick said that will attract more people to visit Bridgeville to shop and consider moving into the town.

All of the candidates and profile stories can be found on our .