Martino Seeking Spot On Democratic Ticket For Dormont Council

Valerie Martino grew up in Dormont, raised her daughter here and wants to give back to the community she calls home.

Now that her daughter is in college, Martino said, she now has time.

Martino is running with Onnie Costanzo on a campaign supporting public safety.

They don’t have the endorsement of the Dormont Democratic Committee, but are hoping to win two of the three ballot spots for Democrats in the November election.

Like Costanzo, Martino said she is concerned about the direction she feels the borough has been heading.

“I support public safety. I think it’s very important and, mainly, I would like to see some respect back in our borough as a whole and not just in one area, but in every area,” she said.

Martino’s sister is married to Phil Ross, who is

That has no bearing on her decision to run, she said, saying she decided to run before that.
She said she was not familiar enough with the situation to say whether the demotion was warranted.

“All I can say to you is, I think the civil service commission will make their decision and that’s where that will end,” she said.

“I really never thought that I’d run for council,” she said. But “After going to quite a few meetings, I’ve seen things … I’m not happy with some of the interaction at some of the meetings.”

She said she feels there’s too much arguing and that some on council are too hostile toward the public.

“That is not what it’s supposed to be. You are voted into that position by the residents,” she said. “And you have to earn respect and you don’t earn respect if you don’t give it.”

Residents of other municipalities have commented to her about the fighting, she said.

She said she's also concerned about employee morale, citing a letter of no confidence in Manager Gino Rizza that was signed by all unionized employees

“You can’t think that something’s not wrong if you have that many people who are unhappy,” she said.

“As a manager, that would bother me. That would bother the heck out of me,” said Martino, who manages a physician and surgeon practice.

Her plans for Dormont include working to attract more businesses and keeping up with street and alley maintenance.

“If we get on (council) that’s great. If not, I still will encourage council to listen to the residents,” she said.

“I’m just an average person like you trying to make the community a little better. Because it is a good place to live,” she said.