GOP candidates win spots for SR council race
SLIPPERY ROCK — A county prosecutor and a 52-year resident of the borough are among the three candidates for council who prevailed in a crowded Republican primary on Tuesday.
With transparency and spending dominating the campaign for Slippery Rock council, Russell D. Karl, C. Eugene Allison and Alexandros Petridis emerged as the three top vote-getters, meaning they will move forward and appear on the general election ballot this November.
Karl, who is an assistant district attorney for Butler County, emerged as the top vote-getter in the Republican primary with 125 votes. He said the primary victory left him “thrilled and excited,” at the prospect of serving on council — something he's been discussing with his wife “for quite some time.”
“I think the voters really agree that there needs to be more transparency in the borough,” Karl said. “They need to post their agenda and give people an opportunity to speak on issues that concern them.”
Allison, who has lived in the borough since 1965 and previously served two terms on council, won 111 votes. He said that the issues of transparency and irresponsible spending were the leading concerns for most voters on Tuesday.
“The big issue was the borough council spending money that we don't have,” Allison said. “And I know most people want to see (more) transparency in council as well.”
Petridis was the final candidate to win a spot on November's ballot, winning 92 votes in Tuesday's primary. He called his win on Tuesday “sobering,” and said it brought home the fact that he must win again in November to have a chance to enact his agenda, which he said was focused on transparency and Slippery Rock's fiscal health.
“This is about bringing some fresh voices on to council” he said. “I'm looking forward to working with (the other candidates) on creating a plan to solve some of the borough's issues and bring a little bit more prosperity the borough.”
The three Republican winners will face Democratic candidates Regina Greenwald and Itzi Meztli in the fall, who ran unopposed in the primary.
