John Oliverio replaces Ed Alo on council

By Chadwick Dolgos

-Crafton-

John Oliverio was selected March 11 by Crafton Borough Council to fill the seat of former councilman Edward Alo, who stepped down last month to focus on personal matters.

The council considered three new candidates as well as four candidates who previously entered the race to fill former Councilman Anthony Saba’s vacancy. The seven candidates included: Vincent Radilla, Justin Marks, Peter Linko, Thomas Philips, Michael Zahl, Nancy Voelker, and John Oliverio.

“I am so impressed with everyone that presented both last week and this week,” said Councilwoman Coletta Perry. “This is an extremely hard choice.”

The council voted in reverse alphabetical order, forcing Perry, who abstained during the last vacancy vote after Councilman Colton Chandler received the four necessary votes for victory, to vote first.

Oliverio received four out of the five votes from members of council present, with Councilman Mike Crown absent and Councilman Fred Amendola abstaining. Oliverio has been a resident of Crafton for 23 years and also serves on Crafton’s Shade Tree Commission.

“I’m part of the Crafton Shade Tree Commission, and have been heavily involved with planting trees and making the community look even better,” he said during his five-minute presentation.

Oliverio will be sworn in during the next meeting, upon completion of an affidavit of residency.

The newly filled vacancy is set to expire at year’s end.

If Oliverio wishes to continue serving on the council, he will have to run for reelection.

Perry urged all of the candidates interested in the council’s two recent vacancies to stay involved.