Martoni likely to succeed Burn
Jim Burn, the president of Allegheny County Council, said Wednesday that he isn’t seeking his colleagues’ support for re-election to the post.
Figures familiar with council deliberations said that Councilman Charles Martoni, a veteran Democratic member of the panel and an administrator at Allegheny County Community College, is expected to succeed Mr. Burn. Mr. Martoni could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mr. Burn, who is also chairman of the state and Allegheny County Democratic parties, did not completly close the door on a new term as the council’s leader but said he had never planned to fill the post beyond the current term. Mr. Burn was elected after his predecessor, Rich Fitzgerald, resigned to seek the county executive post he won in November.
“When I took that seat … [in March], I made it pretty clear that I only wanted to do it until the end of the year.’’ Mr. Burn said, adding that his duties as state chairman would be his chief focus next year.
Having said that, however, the former Millvale mayor said that while he is not actively seeking another term as president, he might reconsider if a majority of his colleagues asked him to stay.
“We’ll see how those conversations play out,’’ he added.
But other senior Democrats said a consensus had already formed behind Mr. Martoni, the District 8 council member who is currently the vice presient of council.
“If Chuck wants it, he will get it,’’ said Councilman Jim Ellenbogen, who represents District 12. “He seems to be the one that everyone is gravitating toward.’’
Mr. Fitzgerald, who will succeed Dan Onorato as the county’s chief executive, said he intended to stay neutral on the council post, noting that that was a choice for his former colleagues.
Figures familiar with council deliberations said that Councilman Charles Martoni, a veteran Democratic member of the panel and an administrator at Allegheny County Community College, is expected to succeed Mr. Burn. Mr. Martoni could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mr. Burn, who is also chairman of the state and Allegheny County Democratic parties, did not completly close the door on a new term as the council’s leader but said he had never planned to fill the post beyond the current term. Mr. Burn was elected after his predecessor, Rich Fitzgerald, resigned to seek the county executive post he won in November.
“When I took that seat … [in March], I made it pretty clear that I only wanted to do it until the end of the year.’’ Mr. Burn said, adding that his duties as state chairman would be his chief focus next year.
Having said that, however, the former Millvale mayor said that while he is not actively seeking another term as president, he might reconsider if a majority of his colleagues asked him to stay.
“We’ll see how those conversations play out,’’ he added.
But other senior Democrats said a consensus had already formed behind Mr. Martoni, the District 8 council member who is currently the vice presient of council.
“If Chuck wants it, he will get it,’’ said Councilman Jim Ellenbogen, who represents District 12. “He seems to be the one that everyone is gravitating toward.’’
Mr. Fitzgerald, who will succeed Dan Onorato as the county’s chief executive, said he intended to stay neutral on the council post, noting that that was a choice for his former colleagues.