Carmichaels Mayor
G. Michael Peccon grew up in a household where politics and public service were important so maybe it’s no wonder that the 22-year-old college senior became Carmichaels’ newest mayor. “This is something I wanted to do,’ said Peccon, who was appointed mayor by borough council last November after the former mayor Norma Kelley moved out of the borough. “A previous opportunity came when I was 18, but I was (away at school) and it was too much workload. I didn’t want to let it pass me again. I’ve been active in politics as long as I can remember. It’s something I wanted to do and I went for it.’
Although young, Peccon is accustomed to community service. Both his father, Gregory, and his mother, Joyce, served at different times as president of borough council and president of the chamber of commerce in Carmichaels. His grandmother, Wanda Bokat, donated the land for a pool for the community that became known as Wanna B. Park.
Peccon has also done his share of volunteering through the years, and takes no salary for his job as mayor.
“I’ve done hours and hours of volunteer work. It’s not all about the money,’ he said. “I love to work. There’s a salary as mayor, but I don’t take the money. It’s not that substantial an amount but I’m doing this to help everyone out.’
The Peccon house was also a place where there was a political difference of opinion: Peccon’s father was Democrat and his mother Republican.
“That’s why I’m interested in politics. I heard both sides – very opinionated, too,’ Peccon teased.
But since Peccon is a registered Democrat who would like to serve a full term as mayor, there have been changes in the Peccon household. His mother recently changed her registration to Democrat so she can vote for her son this year. Peccon’s appointment as mayor of this borough of 546 residents lasts only through 2003 so he plans to run in this year’s primary election.
“My family’s always been supportive of me,’ said Peccon.
In fact, when Peccon told his parents that he wanted to put in a petition to run for mayor, his mother said, “Get me a pencil and paper and let’s get this written down.’
Gregory Peccon said of his son’s position, “I think it’s terrific. It’s admirable today that a young person takes an interest in politics. We need more youths in this country to be motivated and step up to the plate and take positions that the old-timers are leaving and do a better job than we have.’
Then he teased: “We’re not too proud of him at all.’
Peccon grew up in Carmichaels, attending Carmichael Elementary School until the fourth grade when he transferred to All Saints School in Masontown.
He graduated high school from the Kiski School in Saltsburg, the oldest all-boys boarding school in the country, located about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh in Indiana County.
He is now a senior at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, set to graduate in December, and majoring in international business and Spanish.
“I’ve been studying Spanish since I was in the fifth grade. I had a private teacher,’ he explained. “I became interested in international business because my uncle is the vice president of Bell South International.’
While at Duquesne, Peccon is one of eight guys living in a house in Pittsburgh’s Uptown-Lower Hill area, located just a few minutes from the university. But Peccon’s permanent residence is Carmichaels and his mother noted that he’s home often.
“With a mother like this, I visit once a week. We’re on the phone probably once a day. It gives me an opportunity to catch up,’ Peccon said.
And it’s not too far away to be home in an emergency. Peccon drove home during the recent Presidents’ Day Weekend storm to handle snow removal for the borough.
“It was an experience: five hours in the streets shoveling snow and getting cars pulled out,’ he said. “Everybody has been cooperating in our town.’
Growing up, Peccon was involved in a myriad of activities.
His first political venture came at age 3 when he was named campaign manager for his mother when she became the first Republican woman to run for Greene County Commissioner.
As a youth, Peccon served as an altar boy at St. Hugh Roman Catholic Church in Carmichaels. He is still a member of the church.
For years, he has worked in the family business, Carmichaels Furniture.
“I’ve done everything from fix things in the store to being a salesman to delivering things,’ he said.
Peccon also became a lifeguard at the age of 15 and served on his high school and college swim teams. Injuries from a motor vehicle accident last summer, however, prevented him from being on the Duquesne swim team this year but he has been on the Commissioners Atlantic 10 Dean’s List.
Peccon also became involved in the Rails to Trails project, and has helped at the annual coal show parade in Carmichaels and backstage with the pageants.
“Basically, I tried to become involved in anything I could get my hands on,’ he said.
Outside the district, Peccon attended the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. And when his proud mother sent a photograph of Peccon carrying a welcome sign for the first lady to Hillary Clinton, Mrs. Clinton sent Peccon an invitation to the inauguration.
Joyce Peccon’s photograph album captures all this as well as photographs of her son with former Pennsylvania governor and now Homeland Security director Tom Ridge and with Pennsylvania Treasurer Barbara Hafer. In fact, Peccon worked on Hafer’s campaign for treasurer while he was at Kiski. Hafer’s husband was Peccon’s headmaster.
His political contacts also include state Rep. H. William DeWeese (D-Waynesburg) and Green County Judge William Nalitz, as well as Greene County Commissioner Farley Toothman, for whom Peccon served an internship.
What does he like about politics?
“Everything,’ said Peccon. “There needs to be government control and if you have the right people in position, everything will flow properly. It’s not like a power trip with me, but I’ve been instilled with good qualities. It’s almost like an obligation to my community. It gives me an opportunity to create jobs and beautify this small area, which after time and much letter writing, I hope my perseverance will accomplish something.’
Young and full of enthusiasm, Carmichaels Borough Council appointed him mayor in November when he was 21. His birthday is in December. Peccon handles the obligations of mayor while going to school and working 40 hours a week at a Best Buy store in Pittsburgh.
In addition, he belongs to Sigma Nu fraternity, is a sweetheart to Alpha Phi sorority and is a member of the Masonic Valley Lodge 459 in Masontown.
“Luckily, my work load isn’t that severe this semester,’ Peccon said of his college studies. “I call it multi-tasking. Being a procrastinator early in my life has taught me how to handle a lot at one time.’
As far as Carmichaels goes, however, Peccon gives credit to borough secretary Mary Lewis.
“Without her, this town would fall apart – end of story,’ he said. “She is a godsend to this town and this area.’
Lewis returned the mayor’s compliment: “I think he’s an outstanding asset for the community. He’s really an outstanding young man. We’re going to try to work to get things accomplished to beautify the town.’
Peccon also noted, “My council is awesome,’ giving credit to all the members: Ryan Armstrong, president; John Paletta, vice president; Annette Thomas, Josephine Gresko and John Hritz.
Armstrong said that when council was considering applicants for mayor that “I was impressed that (Peccon) was a nice young man, presented himself well and was well spoken and interested in public service.’
Asked how Peccon was doing as mayor, Armstrong commented, “I’d say pretty well. It’s nice to have an extra voice, an extra brain for ideas. He’s certainly appreciated.’
Peccon is also proud of his town and said he’s had positive feedback from the townspeople after taking on the role of mayor.
“I’ve had outstanding interaction with the community,’ said Peccon. “Everyone thinks it’s cool because I’m so young and they know me. They know I’m open minded and a good listener. They can complain to me.’
Gregory Peccon said, “Everybody I’ve talked to is very supportive. They’re glad to see a young person go into the political arena and not get caught up in drugs and be a good influence on his peers.’
“People stop in their cars and say ‘Tell Mike congratulations,” said Joyce Peccon. “People have watched him grow up.’
Of course, being mayor doesn’t come without a price.
“Being this young, it’s a big eye opener,’ Peccon said. “Now, I have to pay attention to all kinds of things, like driving the speed limit and going out to clubs – you have to mind your manners. It’s not just that you don’t want to embarrass yourself but you don’t want to embarrass your community.’
Peccon also avoids situations where there is the potential for harm, like turning down invitations to parties where there might be underage drinkers.
“I’d rather not have to worry about saying I didn’t know or wasn’t aware. I have never done drugs. I’m the good little Catholic all-American boy,’ he smiled. “That’s not to say I haven’t been near it. Everyone’s been around it or had the opportunity. I guess I was taught right and know when to say no.’
Having all this responsibility can also affect relationships. At the present, Peccon doesn’t have a girlfriend.
He said, “I don’t really have time to give 110 percent you should be giving. I don’t think it’s fair to a girl or myself.’
Yet, he later added, “I’m not off the market though.’
Summers also find Peccon busy as his family spends time at a cottage in Michigan. The last two summers he’s worked for the Hoover family of the vacuum company fame. This summer, he’s planning on working with contractors on building houses.
And he’s thinking about the future.
While Peccon does have his eye on politics, “There’s a lot more in store for me.’ He plans to enlist in the U.S. military after his college graduation.
“I feel a duty to my country as well,’ said Peccon. “If I wouldn’t have had these educational opportunities, I would have gone sooner. Being a politician, you serve your country in one way. Being a member of the armed services gives me the opportunity to show the appreciation to my country and everyone who served before me. Without them, we wouldn’t have the opportunities we have today.’