Two seek Democratic nod for city treasurer
A Uniontown city councilman and the deputy city treasurer are seeking the Democratic nomination for city treasurer in the upcoming primary, and a Republican candidate is running unopposed. Joseph N. Giachetti, who is serving his second term on council, and deputy treasurer Charlanne C. Makarun are vying for the nomination to run in the general election for a four-year term as treasurer.
Robert E. Jones Jr., a former councilman, mayor and Fayette County commissioner, is the lone Republican candidate.
They are running for the treasurer’s position, which Susan Maher has held for 26 years.
She is retiring at the end of the year.
Makarun, who has been deputy treasurer for a year, said she gained a complete working knowledge of the office while working under Maher and would continue to run the office in the same professional manner as Maher does.
“I really enjoy the job. I have 30 years of banking experience. This job is like coming full circle for me,” said Makarun, a Uniontown native and homeowner. “I’ll serve the taxpayers with hard work and integrity.”
She said she and Maher recently applied for a state grant for new computers for the treasurer’s office. The existing computers are outdated, she said.
Makarun said she balances the city’s 25 bank accounts every month and processes and posts tax payments every day.
She said she worked for National City Bank for 30 years before she was appointed deputy treasurer.
While working for the bank, which underwent several name changes over the years, Makarun said, she had a variety of jobs. They included processing deposits and checks, preparing daily reports and statements for 24 branch offices, processing mortgages and loans and working as a customer service representative.
Makarun said she has a degree in business from Waynesburg College and a foundation of banking diploma from the American Institute of Banking.
While campaigning, Maka-run said she learned that some residents mistakenly believe the treasurer receives a percentage of the collected taxes as her salary.
She said she wants taxpayers to know the treasurer receives a fixed salary and City Council sets the amount.
Giachetti, head of the parks and recreation department, served 10 years on the Uniontown Area School Board before he was elected to council.
“My record speaks for itself. I think I’m the best man for the job,” Giachetti said.
If elected, he said he would donate $10,000 a year from his salary to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program being offered through the Uniontown Public Library.
Giachetti said he would have an open door policy and work full time as treasurer.