PORTAGE — The three candidates in the race for Portage Township supervisor have extensive knowledge of the municipality and its people: Each is or has been a supervisor.

All are seeking the Democratic nomination for a six-year term.

Incumbent James Kovach hopes to hold on to the seat to which he was elected eight years ago, and two past supervisors hope to unseat him.

Challenging Kovach are Bruce Brunett, 64, who served on the board from 1991-1999, and Richard Olshavsky, 61, a supervisor for 12 years between 1992 and 2006.

Kovach, 50, of Martindale, worked for 30 years at Martindale Lumber before accepting a full-time position with the township two years ago.

Kovach said he has tried to keep taxes down and a close eye on spending while continuing to provide services.

“I think we’ve done a pretty good job when it comes to road paving,” he said.

Brunett, 65, of Dusty Road, said it’s time to “work smarter” and find ways to improve the quality of life for residents in the township, which he said has a great deal of potential.

“I want to promote cooperation with neighboring municipalities and agencies to contain expenses and work for expansion of sewer and water to all areas of the township,” he said.

A Pitt graduate with a degree in engineering, Brunett has extensive experience in the auto industry, including a Ford dealership. He continues to be involved in the auto business.

Olshavsky, 61, of Walnut Circle Drive, hopes to return to office to continue where he left off when he lost his re-election bid two years ago.

“I always thought I was a fair and even-handed representative who thought of the public interest, what they wanted and what was right for them,” he said. “I tried to make decisions that were in the best interest of everyone and not bend the rules.”

Olshavsky has worked as a carpenter and now is employed as a truck driver for Gap Inc.

Portage Borough

Portage Borough’s mayor has a vote at the table, making the post more attractive than in many communities.

Two men are seeking the Democratic nomination.

One is Mayor Robert Fox, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Joyce French.

Fox, 42, of Main Street, is retired from the Navy and served 18 months on the Portage Regional Planning Commission before accepting the mayoral appointment.

“I am very proactive in Portage, and I feel as mayor I can promote Portage and keep it moving forward,” he said.

Fox was instrumental in starting the Portage Winterfest celebration two years ago.

He is being challenged by Emil Squillario, 63, of Grant Street, who also is seeking a four-year term on council representing the Second Ward.

Five council seats are up for election, but there are contests for only two in the primary.

Squillario, a former borough police officer, taught at the Altoona Career and Technology Center and is a licensed registered nurse. He is probably best known for the 35 years he served as manager of Portage Area Ambulance Association.

“My only desire is to help the community where I live and that I love,” he said.

Squillario is trying to unseat Ray Vandzura, 61, of Caldwell Avenue, who is retired from the military.

Vandzura, who was named to council to fill a vacancy, said he is encouraged by the positive direction the borough is taking and wants to see even more improvement.

“What we’re trying to do is get Portage moving in a positive direction,” he said. “We’re making progress, and it’s going in the right direction.”

Vandzura was one of those who initiated Winterfest.

A Main Street beautification project is one of his goals.

It is something Rebecca (Randall) Chobany also wants to help bring to fruition.

Chobany, 37, of Jefferson Avenue, is seeking the Republican nomination for a two-year council term representing the Third Ward.

A mother of four children ages 3 to 13, she has represented the Third Ward on council for six years.

“We’re really going after the streetscape project,” she said of a push to land state money to help improve the business district. “I’m excited with the way this town is going, that’s why I have a lot of interest in this town.”

Chobany is being challenged for the Republican nomination to that term by Donald “DJ” Moore Sr. of Johnson Avenue.

Moore, 42, works for the Portage Water Authority. He served on council from 2000-2002 and wants to return to tackle problems he thinks are not being addressed.

While offering no specifics, Moore said his concern is for the high number of senior citizens in town who do not have a voice at the table.

“I want to be a help to the older people. A lot of people have needs that are not being addressed,” he said.

Summerhill Township

A former supervisor and the police chief’s son are vying for the Democratic nomination to a six-year supervisor’s term in Summerhill Township. Supervisor Ed Hudak, a longtime member of the board, is not seeking re-election.

Earl Wherry, 53, was a supervisor for 18 years before losing his re-election bid four years ago.

Ron Bonfanti, 35, of Beaverdale, the son of township police Chief Paul Bonfanti, is making his first attempt at elected office.

Wherry, who operates excavation equipment and works part time for Pro Disposal, said he wants to return to office in the hopes of seeing that township residents get better service.

“I want to go in and see what I can get accomplished,” he said. “I have concerns about the way township equipment is being operated.”

Bonfanti, a pricing engineer at News Printing Co. of Claysburg, said he can bring a professional approach to township operations.

“I’ve been active with the fire company for 14 years, and I just think I can help out a lot in the township,” he said.





nominations



The following nominations are contested in the primary election in three municipalities in Cambria County:

Portage Township

Supervisor, six-year term

Democrats

• Bruce Brunett

• James Kovach (i)

• Richard Olshavsky

Portage Borough

Council

Second Ward, four-year term

Democrats

• Emil Squillario

• Ray Vandzura (i)

Third Ward, two-year term

Republicans

• Rebecca (Randall) Chobany (i)

• Donald “DJ” Moore Sr.

Mayor

Democrats

• Robert Fox (i)

• Emil Squillario

Summerhilll Township

Supervisor, six-year term

Democrats

• Earl Wherry

• Ron Bonfanti



(i) indicates incumbent