Seven running for three seats on Hermitage Board of Commissioners

May 8—HERMITAGE — Only one candidate is likely to be eliminated from contention in the May 18 primary for three open seats on the Hermitage Board of Commissioners.

But the primary is just an opening act for what is likely to be a highly competitive general election.

Commissioners Michael Muha and Louis Squatrito are running for re-election. The seat now held by commissioner William McConnell, who is running for Mercer County Court of Common Pleas judge, will be vacant.

Muha, Squatrito, Lucy Nicastro and Brian J. Skibo are seeking three Democratic nominations.

Andrew Acker, Alvan F. Harakal III and Cameron Linton are effectively unopposed for the three Republican nominations, which means they will probably go into the Nov. 2 general election against the top three Democrats in the primary.

Acker is an attorney practicing in criminal and civil law and works as a solicitor for local municipalities. He also works in the county district attorney's office.

Harakal is zoning and code enforcement officer for neighboring Clark borough, a position he plans to leave if he wins a seat as a city commissioner.

Linton is a board member of the Hermitage Historical Society and on the Hermitage Municipal Authority board.

In the general election, the top two finishers will win four-year terms and the third-place candidate will claim a two-year term on the board of commissioners.

Muha

A 2002 graduate of Hickory High School, Muha graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He earned a master's degree in political science and American politics in 2007 from the American University and earned his law degree in 2011 from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University.

Muha has served as a city commissioner since 2018 and is a representative on the Hermitage Parks and Recreation board. He is also a member of the Community Counseling Center of Mercer County and MCAR board of directors.

Muha is a strong anti-bullying and suicide prevention advocate, and has spoken to thousands of students across Western Pennsylvania, and served as a Sharpsville Santa Claus since 2014.

Muha and his wife Rebecca have donated over 2,000 reusable face shields to numerous child care centers, nursing homes and hospitals throughout Mercer County.

Muha is running for reelection because he believes there is more work to do to push Hermitage into the 21st century. During his time as commissioner, the board has protected businesses during the pandemic, kept taxes low, kept city services at a high-quality level and enacted legislation to improve the city's zoning.

Muha said the city needs strong leadership that will work on crafting the Town Center Project and making it worthwhile for all residents and visitors, as well as leadership to improve LindenPointe.

For Muha, the number one issue is improving the city's competitiveness for new family-sustaining jobs and residents, and that enticing more people to move to Hermitage will help keep taxes low while maintaining city services. The city also needs a stronger and larger housing stock, maintaining the city's schools and increasing opportunities for young people.

Nicastro

Nicastro serves on the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter's board of directors, an experience that would provide for a smooth transition to city commissioner. If elected, Nicastro would be the only woman on the board, which she said could help provide a different point of view.

She works a full-time job, along with being a wife, mother, grandmother and daughter. Nicastro said her life experiences would help her provide the city with a strong voice to ensure the community is safe, healthy and strong.

Nicastro said the city will be at a crucial point after the pandemic, with a need to grow even better than before. To accomplish this, Nicastro would continue to support small businesses and maintain those current businesses while attracting new businesses to Hermitage.

Safety would be another priority for Nicastro, who said she believes that strong police and fire departments translate to a safer city, such as enforcing speed limits on roads where children play.

Although running as a Democrat, Nicastro said she has many friends across the political spectrum, and that she plans to work with the public and other commissioners regardless of party affiliation.

Nicastro said she would make a good addition to the team and that she would work hard for the people and the area.

Skibo

Skibo has lived in Hermitage for 25 years and is a proud 1998 Hickory High School graduate. He graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2002, where he studied English technical writing and philosophy of science.

His college career focused on conducting extensive research, which Skibo said is necessary when making decisions for a city. His experience also taught him to put science and data before political ideology.

Skibo comes from two generations of mom-and-pop businesses, including Skibo Sales and his parents' business in Hermitage. Skibo said that background allows him to empathize with city business owners and their daily struggles from making ends meet to dealing with unnecessary ordinances.

Skibo has volunteered with the National Brain Tumor Society and traveled to Washington D.C. along with 300 other brain cancer advocates. While in D.C., Skibo spoke with Congressman Mike Kelly and Senator Bob Casey's staff to increase funding for brain cancer research, including pediatric brain cancer, which he said led to budget increases in the billions.

If elected, this work would prepare him to be ready on "day one" as a commissioner to deal with budgetary issues and work with officials on both sides of the aisle, Skibo said.

Skibo is also a volunteer for West Hill Ministries, where he helped serve food to the youth, and teach games and sports to local children. Being a public servant is more than holding office, as Skibo said it is about giving back to the community.

Skibo is running for office because of his family background with local businesses, which gives him first-hand knowledge how city ordinances can hold back local businesses. Skibo said he would work to repeal them, as well as enacting ordinances to create a fair marketplace in Hermitage that would level the playing field for competitors.

Squatrito

Squatrito represents Hermitage on the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments and is a member of the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter Board's building committee, the alternate Hermitage representative for the animal shelter and an alternate committee member for the Parks and Recreation Committee.

A 44-year resident of Hermitage, Squatrito's children and grandchildren have attended Hermitage schools, while his wife Stacey is a small business owner in Hermitage.

Squatrito is a former member of the Teamster 261 Union and was a union steward, where he negotiated contracts. He recently retired from Dean Dairy after 43 years in HVAC.

Squatrito said he is running for reelection because he is passionate in his role as city commissioner, and was part of the team that created many positive changes during his first term. These included his championing of the city's rental inspection program, neighborhood standards and supporting the community during the pandemic.

Most of all, Squatrito said he was a voice for people who called and needed help, but there is still work that needs to be done.

For Squatrito, the most important issue is for Hermitage to become a shopping center. The Town Center Project also needs to be developed, while the city's neighborhoods need to be maintained to ensure a safe community.

The city's safety services, including the fire, police and road departments, must also be maintained, he said.

Squatrito said he would encourage employers, both large and small, to come to Hermitage while continuing to support the city's existing businesses. It will also be important to create recreation opportunities for all generations, including young and senior citizens, while creating an environment where young people don't have to leave to find employment.

Squatrito is running as a Democrat.

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