Jim McCollum for Penn Hills Mayor

Well, We didn’t win. 

However, We did accomplish a few things. We raised the level of conversation on the future of Penn Hills and forced the Democrat Party to present their ideas to the people. We brought new people into the political process and reinvigorated some of the veterans. We created a platform to rebuild the Republican Party in Penn Hills.

We learned a few things. We learned that the people of Penn Hills are not happy with code enforcement, lack of development, schools and Coal Hollow road. We learned about signs, literature, knocking on doors and barking dogs. We learned that people will listen and vote when we give them a reason. We hope we learned enough to be more successful next time.

I would like to thank the Democrat Committee of Penn Hills for a great campaign. It takes two parties to have a conversation and that conversation will be what drives the future of Penn Hills. I would like to thank the Republican Committee of Penn Hills for all the help with the grass roots effort.

I would like thank all those who prayed for me and encouraged me when this process wasn’t a lot of fun. I would like to thank my wife for being behind me and assure her I’ll catch-up on all those chores I’ve ignored while campaigning  Most of all I would like to thank all of you who came out to vote and ask that you continue to stay engaged with your local government.

As a well know Republican Governor once said “I’ll be back”.

Jim McCollum

It’s the final week leading up to the Nov 6 election and we need your Help. 

If you agree that Jim should be the next mayor of Penn Hills, Please tell you family and friends.

If you would like to help at the polls,  send an email to jim4mayor@comcast.net with a phone number or email address.  Tell us what poll you could work and what hours. Even a couple of hours could really help us.

Most of all get to the polls and vote.

Thanks for your Support

Jim 

Today’s article in the Penn Hills Progress on the candidates for mayor make their priorities clear.  Does Penn Hills need parks improvement or retail development? Park signage or code Enforcement?

 http://www.yourpennhills.com/pennhillsprogress/article/election-2007-democratic-mayor-faces-republican-challenger

On Nov 6 you get to choose the future of Penn Hills. 

It’s been 10 weeks since a day of heavy rains set loose a mud slide that closed Coal Hollow rd. For 10 weeks Penn Hills residents have been rerouted over the narrow winding Line Hollow rd. For 10 weeks the leaders of Penn Hills have been unable to persuade the state to clean up the mess.

It’s time for new leadership in Penn Hills.

Jim McCollum for Mayor

Mickey O’Connor and Heather Hoolahan for Council 

 UPDATE - 10/25/07

It could be open by Spring?
http://www.yourpennhills.com/pennhillsprogress/article/design-work-next-coal-hollow-road-slide

Tell us where we need to concentrate.  What needs to be fixed? Click on the comments below and make this a campaign of the people.

Jim

I would encourage everyone to read the Penn Hills Charter.  http://www.pennhills.org/index.html?government.html&1 

The charter defines the roles of council, mayor and manager. The council and the mayor are the political side, the law makers and the budget approvers. They are to have no role in the day to day operations of the municipality.  The charter even admonishes against interference of council with municipal management.

The manager is appointed by the council and is responsible to council. He is the Chief Operations Officer and controls the day to day operations of Penn Hills.  He prepares the budget for council approval.

Penn Hills has had four managers in the past four years. I think this speaks to two issues. The first is that unqualified managers have been hired by council. Municipal managers are professionals with educational criteria and national organizations for training. It does not appear that Penn Hills is hiring from this pool of professionals.  Secondly, this type of manager turnover indicates that there has been council interference with the manager’s office.  In either case Penn Hills has not been well served by the current mayor and council.

My candidacy for mayor was immediately challenged based on a form not being filed within proper time limits.  I was able to show in court that we had met the time constraints.

Unfortunately, these challenges based on paperwork technicalities are more the rule than the exception. The Democrat party wants to keep the decision away from the people and suppress the truth that will come out during the election process. This challenge was exceptionally shady.

The challenge originated in State Representative Deluca’s office. I don’t believe that the State Representative should be interfering with local elections.

The lawyer that brought the challenge does a significant amount of work for the Municipality of Penn Hills. Since the challenge was to the benefit of Mayor Deluca does this represent a conflict on interest? Will the challenge be paid for by inflated billing to the Municipality?

I am very happy that we will be moving forward and the decision will be with the people of Penn Hills.

Jim

http://www.yourpennhills.com/pennhillsprogress/article/judge-rejects-challenge-mccollum-stays-ballot

http://www.yourpennhills.com/pennhillsprogress/article/local-gop-has-candidate-mayoral-race-mccollum-replaces-larko-who-withdrew

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_524787.html

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07242/813134-56.stm

I will bring a professional attitude to the municipal government where all the managers will be qualified in their disciplines.  I will seek out business partners to bring residential, retail and light manufacturing development to Penn Hills. I will initiate a program to bring new home buyers to Penn Hills so they can enjoy the greatest values in Allegheny county.