Politics & Government

Q&A: Edgewood Mayoral Candidate Mal Hellett Discusses Primary Election

Here are Hellett's answers to a few questions before tomorrow's primary.

Why are you running for mayor? 

To continue Edgewood police department's reorganization. Chief Payne and I started this process the first week of 2011. In four months, the chief and I have turned the police department around. Without the cooperation and help from each individual officer, this would not have happened. Most people are unaware of the difficulties between  and former  These issues caused him to resign from his position in October 2010. Edgewood's council members and residents were shocked and saddened. Davin submitted her resignation effective December 31, 2010. Council members with the help of borough manager Warren Cecconi began to negotiate with Payne for a rehire. Payne started on January 3, 2011. I resigned from the council vice president post and was appointed mayor the same day.  There is a rumor that we became the "Dream Team."

What experience prepares you for this position? 

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Seven years as an in the trench council member and former chair of public safety (police department) and personnel. Decades of management experience in the private sector has allowed me to bring a wealth of knowledge to the office of mayor.  A touch of common sense helps.  2010 was an important year for me.  As chair of public safety, I had the pleasure of working with Audrey Waldock and Gregg Bowers, together with Chief Payne we worked through tough issues that effect every Edgewood resident.  The transition from council member to mayor was seamless. 

What are the main issues facing the borough?

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A razor sharp budget and wanting to provide high level services to the residents becomes a challenge. The current council continues to work miracles. The office of mayor has three important components: veto power, ability to preform marriages in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the daily oversight of the police department. A well trained and highly effective police department is paramount.  This will allow us to reduce, solve and fight crime more effectively which will result in residents and visitors feeling safe as well as being safe. 

Keeping the newly established line of communication between our sister neighborhoods, Swissvale police department, Wilkinsburg PD, Braddock Hills PD and the City of Pittsburgh open and share information without regionalization.  Keeping our crossing guards. Providing council members with real time information on police department issues. Shelving old school politics like a useless hoop skirt. 

How will you address those issues? 

They are or have been addressed as you read this sentence. Chief Payne continues in house training to all officers. Most police departments much larger don't have our level of specialized training.  Edgewood police department is solving crimes and putting the perps (bad guys) behind bars.  Chief Payne has championed a communication link between all local police departments. This expedites crime solving.  School crossing guards, will keep them.  I created a communication tool called the Mayor Minute.  It is sent once or twice a week to all council members, chief of police and borough manager. It contains daily and weekly information from the police department, so everyone is in the loop. 

How will you promote stability in borough leadership? 

Managing - not micromanaging.  Make tough and sometimes unpopular decisions that may put a bullseye on my back.  I believe in leading by example not arm chair quarterbacking.    

What plans or programs would you hope to promote? 

Public safety - feel safe, be safe. Encourage block watches. Support our library (CC Mellor) and recreation programs (Koenig Field).  Most of all, have a program or plan so interested residents can become part of the solution towards issues. Edgewood has enough intellectual fire power to solve any issue. Keeping residents informed, read the newsletter, read the website,  read the borough marquee and attend council meetings. Get involved. Understand the process. 

Question #8   How will you effectively work and communicate with the police chief? 

Currently Chief Payne and I speak daily and I visit the police department several times a week, critical issues we are available to each other 24/7, without micro managing.  Our communication system has allowed oversight and Chief Payne to successfully lead our police department.  Officers say they enjoy coming to work and morale couldn't be higher.   Ego's are left at the curb.  All this in four months.   


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