A Republican and a Libertarian candidate will face off Nov. 7 for a seat on the Cranberry Township board of supervisors in the general election.

One four-year term is available. Newcomer Taleb Talaat, Libertarian, is running against incumbent Karen Newpol, Republican, for the seat.

Taleb Talaat, born in Ridgway borough of Elk County, has been a resident of Cranberry Township for 34 years.

“As a longtime resident of Cranberry Township, I am very familiar with the township and its needs,” he said.

Talaat said his two children graduated from the Seneca Valley School District, and that his business — TRE Services Inc. — has helped provide jobs throughout the region.

“I have had my refractory engineering business in Cranberry Township for 27 years,” he said. “I am an engineer and designer by training.”

As a small-business owner, Talaat said he understood the need for “cost control” in the municipality.

“I understand cost-benefit analysis and return on investments,” he said. “I understand accounting and the need to be accountable for the decisions made and costs those decisions impose upon the township taxpayers.”

Talaat said he previously applied for the position of interim supervisor after the death of former supervisor Dick Hadly in 2022.

“I am now running for the position as I believe I can make a positive contribution to the maintenance and development of our community,” he said. “The township has many strengths and, like all governments, there is room for improvement. I hope to be a part of the team that manages and leads that improvement.”

He thanked the 140 township residents that petitioned to include him on the ballot, and said that, if elected, he would address tax increases and “fairness.”

“Certain companies are receiving local tax free status while others are being taxed on business conducted overseas,” he said. “The system seems to lack uniformity.”

He also said that he would address noise and safety in the township, as well as the new tax on runoff water.

“I have experienced polluted runoff issues on commercial and residential properties in Cranberry Township,” he said. “We have a variety of zoning areas here in the township, and I think we need guidelines or ordinances that deal with the runoff issues and fills in the holes in the Commonwealth regulations.”

Talaat said the three biggest issues facing the township were development, noise and its “long-term debt load.”

For development, Talaat said he would like to notify residents ahead of the approval process and make addressing the impact of developments a priority.

He also said he would review the long-term debt load of the township, ensuring the township was “promoting private enterprises by not directly competing in business ventures.”

“I think I am in a good position to understand the projects that Cranberry Township is facing and how they need to be managed to be sure they are successful and benefit the community,” Talaat said.

Newpol said she has been volunteering in the township since 1997. She retired from a career in graphic design and has held the position of township supervisor since October 2022.

“It was a natural step up after volunteering for many organizations,” Newpol said. “I enjoy helping to make the community a better place.”

Newpol is a graduate of the Community Leadership Institute of Cranberry, an elected Cranberry Township Republican committeewoman and a member of the Cranberry Township Community Chest board.

As director for the 5K CTCC Community Chase, she said she has helped raise more than $8 million for community projects.

She also is president of the Sunrise Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris, Rotarian of the Year and Person of Action awards. She is a chaplain board member of the Cranberry Elks Lodge, receiving the 2021 officer of the year award, and vice president of the Cranberry Township Historical Society.

She was selected from 28 “highly qualified candidates” in 2022 to replace former supervisor Dick Hadley, who passed away that year.

“Since then, I was involved in developing and approving the 2023 budget,” she said. “I have met all the staff managers and know the inside operations of the township.”

Newpol said she also aided in approving the Powell Farm donation, and has taken part in a redevelopment study discussion for Routes 19 and 228.

“I have also interfaced with PennDOT and the turnpike specific to the Rochester Road tunnel under the turnpike, and I am pleased that this improvement will finally happen,” she said.

The expansion and improvement of Franklin Road will remain one of her priorities if reelected, she said, as well as overseeing the Rochester Road project and a master plan for parks and recreation in the township.

“I would love to continue with all of the infrastructure expansions and improvements, along with seeing the master plan for our three parks completed,” she said. “Along with helping to see how best to utilize Powell Farm for our residents.”

“I want to see Cranberry continue to get its Triple-A rating from Moody’s,” Newpol said. “There are only 14 municipalities out of 2,560 in the state that have this highest rating they offer.”

Newpol said she believes the top three issues affecting the township are increasing the traffic capacity of its roads, community planning to meet residents’ needs and — particularly — public safety.

“Safety is very important, and I am very proud of our police, our fire company and EMS for all their support,” she said.