New mayor seeks change in Saxonburg
SAXONBURG — Jody Pflueger never considered entering the political arena before this year.
"I never even thought of getting into politics," she said.
Her view changed after hearing people talk about how the borough police department operated.
"No one was willing to step up and make it better," Pflueger said.
She eventually decided to wage a write-in campaign for mayor the day before the May 19 primary.
After receiving enough votes to get her name on the general election ballot as a Democratic candidate, she upset incumbent Mayor Brian Antoszyk in Tuesday's election.
She won by 33 votes, 174 to 141.
Pflueger, 45, was pleased to upset the Republican apple cart.
"My main goal is just to review the policies and procedures of the police department to make sure it's run the way it should be," she said.
Pflueger pointed to recent problems in the department, which culminated in the suspension of former officer-in-charge Erik Bergstrom.
"Recent events showed it was not the tightest ship it could have been," she said.
Pflueger also wants to ensure the borough has the most police protection available through adequate scheduling.
She supports Antoszyk's idea for a regionalized police department with surrounding municipalities.
"That is definitely something I would consider," she said.
Despite being an intensive unit care nurse at Presbyterian Hospital, Pflueger said she will be available much of the time to serve as mayor.
Pflueger works three 12-hour shifts a week, leaving four days off. She is scheduled on the night shift, keeping all days open.
She intends to be active in the community as well as to be an ambassador for Saxonburg, drawing new businesses to the borough.
"I plan to be a visible mayor," Pflueger said.
She attended Wednesday's council meeting to get a head start on her new job. She takes office in January.
Pflueger might have made history with her win. She apparently is the first woman mayor for the borough, according to borough officials.Antoszyk, 48, wasn't upset by his loss."I think it's great," he said. "I wasn't surprised at anything. I made no effort to try to keep the seat."Antoszyk said he was too busy to campaign, so he's content to abide by the wishes of the voters.He credited the efforts of Pflueger's campaign."They put a full-court press on," Antoszyk said.He said there should be turnover in government."I saw her (Pflueger) at the polls. I told her, 'I hope you get it,'" Antoszyk said.He has been mayor for the past 12 years and a councilman for six years before that."I looked at the (election) results, and I slept absolutely wonderful," Antoszyk said. "I had the best sleep I had in a long time. I have no ill will."He said no single issue affected the race, but conceded recent problems in the police department made his job harder.Bergstrom resigned last month after being suspended without pay for allegedly committing 10 infractions.A hearing process on Bergstrom's job status was aborted after new evidence was presented in his defense."I know the Bergstrom issue wore me out," Antoszyk said. "I'm glad it's resolved. I know there were many people irritated over the decision."However, Antoszyk doesn't regret any moves he made regarding that matter or any other issues during his tenure.He said he never made a decision for his own betterment."Many times, I ended up screwing up myself," Antoszyk said.But he did not rule out running for office again."You never know," Antoszyk said.Even before the election, he planned to resign his post as the borough's emergency management coordinator.Antoszyk said he doesn't have enough time to attend periodic classes on handling emergencies."If I can't do it 110 percent, I don't want to do it," he said.Council on Wednesday named Chris Ballina, a member of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, as the new emergency management coordinator.Although Ballina is a Clinton Township resident, he is permitted to be the coordinator for another municipality.Frank Matis, director of Butler County emergency services, confirmed the only requirement for a municipal coordinator is the person pass a criminal-background check.After borough council makes the recommendation to the state, the governor likely will appoint Ballina."I've never heard of anyone not being appointed," Matis said.
