ASHVILLE, Pa. — The new mayor of the tiny Western Pennsylvania borough of Ashville is 19-year-old Justin Seese. But his legacy of public service is much older than it first appears.

Seese, who was sworn in Wednesday to lead the community of about 280 residents, is the grandson of one of the town's former mayors. Laverne Passanita, 75, was mayor for 12 years in the 1960s and 1970s. She also served on borough council along with her husband, Joseph.

Seese was 18 when he won the Democratic primary in May. He also won a seat on borough council in November, but decided to serve as mayor.