Bethel Park council candidates seek their parties' nominations

Editor’s note: Bethel Park Journal is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election.

In Bethel Park, representatives in the odd-numbered wards are up for election this year.

Ward 1

According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, Democrat incumbent Joseph Consolmagno is running unopposed in the primary. There is no Republican candidate on the list for Ward 1.

Ward 3

Two Democrats are running in the primary for their party’s nomination for the November election.

The winner will face Republican John Oakes, who is running unopposed in the primary.

Here are the responses to the election questions posed to the two Democratic candidates by the Bethel Park Journal.

Danielle Gosnell

Q Why did you decide to run for election?

Ever since I was a little girl, I had a dream of being a public servant in some shape or form. In 2015, I took the next step and started my second master’s program in law and public policy with full anticipation of running in 2017. When 2017 approached, I didn’t feel like I had enough philanthropic or commercial leadership skills to effectively serve. Over the past four years, I’ve exceeded my personal expectations. Now I’m ready.

Q What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

Currently, we only have one female on council and she is retiring this year. We really need more females — especially with young families — on council to represent our growing community. If elected, I would like to serve up to two terms, max, and then pass the position off to the next qualified person. It is a disservice to the community to keep anyone in the same elected position for an extended period of time. The only way to introduce fresh, vibrant and robust ideas to our community is to elect new faces.

Q What should voters know about you?

My husband, two sons, and I are proud to call Bethel Park our home. I’ve been on the board with the Bethel Park Lions Club since 2015 and was the president in 2017-2019. I’ve held various board positions with the Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair- Bethel Park (Breakfast) since 2015 and was the president in 2019-2020. I was also named Rotarian of the Year in 2015-2016. I chaired the Upper St. Clair Rotary Farmers Market in 2018-2019. I sat on Bethel Park Historical Society’s board of directors from 2018-2019. My oldest son goes to George Washington Elementary School, and I’m currently the PTO Homeroom Parent Coordinator, which has been challenging during the pandemic. My love for volunteerism started with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. I was Big Sister from 2007-2017 until my Little Sister phased out of the program. I completed the Court Appointed Special Advocates program in 2015. I was briefly a volunteer with the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Legal & Business in 2014. Finally, I was the Washington County March for Babies Chair in 2016 & 2017.

I work in a corporate legal department at a major international manufacturing company. My educational background is in organizational leadership and law and public policy. My favorite pastime is traveling with my family, it has created a lifetime of memories and experiences I could not obtain any other way. As quoted by Mark Twain, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.”

James P. Hannan

Q Why did you decide to run for election?

I’ve been on council for a few terms and I think our best is yet to come! We’ve also had some great improvements over the years, and I want to continue that for the Bethel Park community.

Q What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

How to increase services on limited budgets; there are also issues related to how covid funds get spent for the betterment of everyone.

Q What should voters know about you?

I’ve worked for municipal authorities for half of my career and local government is what I do. I’m also a member of the board of directors of the Allegheny County Boroughs Association and served a term as president as well.

Ward 5

Democrat Joe Janosik will face incumbent Republican Donald Harrison in the November election.

Ward 7

Current councilman Jim McLean is not on the ballot for reelection.

Republican David C. Espinar will have his party’s nomination for the general election. No Democrats are on the ballot in this ward for the primary.

Ward 9

Current councilwoman Lorrie Gibbons is not running for reelection.

Democrat Lindsay Flinn is running unopposed in the primary. She will face the winner of the Republican primary in the November election.

Here are the responses to the election questions posed to the two Republican candidates by the Bethel Park Journal.

Justin Tiano

Tiano did not respond to requests for comment for this article.

Jonathan Winfield

Q Why did you decide to run for election?

To give back to the community that my family has called home for the past 20 years. I want to do more to keep Bethel Park the greatest place to live, work, conduct business and raise a family in Allegheny County.

Q What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

The safety of all residents, businesses and those working or shopping within our borders is a top priority.

I am a strong supporter of the men and women of the Bethel Park Police Department and our Volunteer Firefighters. I want to help our first responders receive the training and additional tools needed to keep us all safe as well as ensuring the safety of the officer or firefighter while on the job.

Additionally, The Bethel Park Public Works department has been the best in class keeping our roads clear and our parks clean. I support the management and employees of BPPW. I want to help Public Works get the equipment they need while seeking to expand services offered to residents.

Q What should voters know about you?

I have been married to my wife, Amy Allen Winfield, for nearly 18 years. I am the father of five children: one son and four daughters ages ranging from 2 to 21 years old. I am a district sales leader for a Fortune 500 company, responsible for over 400 accounts and seven direct reports. In this role, I cultivate business relationships, negotiate contracts, resolve customer issues and continue to successfully lead my team to increase volume and revenue growth. I have conducted multiple organizational health roundtables with employees that have honed my listening and resolution planning skills. My work ethic is second to none.

I am a member of the South Hills Knights of Columbus, a Son of the American Legion and a Eucharistic minister at St. Thomas More Church in Bethel Park. I organized a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish with Bethel Park Public Works, partnered with Hero Box and One Warm Coat to organize charity drives and have volunteered as a coach for Bethel Park Baseball Association, Bethel Park Soccer Association and Ava Maria Academy Soccer Program. Lastly, I received a Citation Award from the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Fighters for assisting in the rescue of a stranded and injured individual.

I will hold this office in the highest regard, listen to my constituents’ needs and seek the appropriate resolutions.