John Bendel, Ward 1
Arden Road
Director of Community Investment for FHLBank Pittsburgh
CONTACT: jbendel@mtlebanon.org [1]
FAMILY: Wife, Andrea; three children
VOLUNTEER: Served on statewide and regional boards and advisory groups, including Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, Commonwealth Cornerstone Group and Pennsylvania Housing Advisory Committee.
NAME A FAVORITE AUTHOR: David McCullough.
WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD 100TH BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR OUR TOWN? I think it is appropriate to honor the past and look forward to the future. A gift of 100 cedar trees (Mt. Lebanon’s name comes from the region where the Cedar of Lebanon trees grow natively) honors the past, and a time capsule to be opened at the bicentennial would allow us to look forward to our next 100 years.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE THAT YOU THINK MOST PEOPLE LOVE? Facebook…it’s not technically a dislike, but I’m not as interested in using it as most others.
WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE WOULD YOU TAKE TO DINNER? Ronald Reagan.
[2]
Kelly Fraasch, Ward 5
Academy Avenue
President/Executive Director of Parent Resource Network
CONTACT: 412-580-7665; kfraasch@mtlebanon.org [3]
FAMILY: Husband, James; two children
VOLUNTEER: American Academy of Pediatrics/EPIC Statewide Medical Board; National Alliance of Preemie Parents, Sunrise Rotary; Washington Elementary School PTA
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE that YOU THINK MOST PEOPLE LOVE? Squirrels. I don’t like them. Definitely don’t trust them. I was mildly traumatized by one as a child.
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO READING? No One is Here Except All of Us by Ramona Ausubel.
WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD 100TH BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR OUR TOWN? New revenue sources.
WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE TO DINNER? Eve. I would like to hear her side.
[4]
Kristen Linfante, Ward 3
Roycroft Avenue
Professional freelance violist
CONTACT: 412-561-2790;
FAMILY: Husband, Craig Knox; two sons
VOLUNTEER: Key Communicator, Mt. Lebanon School District; Utilities Management Group, Mt. Lebanon School District; Foster Elementary and Mellon Middle schools PTA; Ex-officio member of the board and elected chair of the players’ committees to Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra and Grand Teton Music Festival.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE THAT YOU THINK MOST PEOPLE LOVE? I have never been a fan of chocolate, but I know some people who can’t live without it. I also really dislike TV. I know it is one of the world’s “pastimes,” but I don’t enjoy it.
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO READING? I just purchased Images of America: Mt. Lebanon. I look forward to diving in and learning more about the history of Mt. Lebanon.
WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR OUR TOWN? Excellent and dedicated governance. I pledge my time and my best effort in giving Mt. Lebanon the committed, honest, collaborative leadership it so richly deserves.
WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE WOULD YOU TAKE TO DINNER? Mozart. I would love to talk about his inspiration and his ability to unite humanity with his music.