ST. MARYS — St. Marys resident Margie Brown has announced that she will be running as a write-in candidate in Tuesday’s primary for the third open seat on St. Marys City Council.
Although Brown already appears on the ballot for school board, she is still able to run for the council seat.
“Prior to the date that petitions were filed, I believed I would best serve my community as a school director,” she said. “However, only two candidates filed petitions for St. Marys City Council, and I want to serve where I am most needed.”
Brown is a half-time broadcast communications professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. She has worked as a substitute in the St. Marys Area School District as both a teacher and an aide.
“Working in our schools was a great way to get to know the people of St. Marys,” according to Brown. “It was a pleasure to work with these students.”
Brown has also worked as a journalist.
She explained, “I have covered township and council meetings in both New York and Pennsylvania. I have spent many hours reporting on meetings and following up on local issues and the resolutions.”
Brown began serving her community as a young adult.
“My first position was on the board for The Victim’s Resource Center in McKean County,” she said. “It was an honor to serve on that board at age 21. Throughout my adult life, I have continued to volunteer and help strengthen the communities I have lived in. I have never been paid for serving as a board member or student advisor.”
As for serving in government, Brown believes that researching before decisions are made, being fiscally responsible and communicating with other cities’ council members to learn from their experiences are all important efforts that council members must make.
“I won’t rubber stamp something, but I will be open to facilitating needed changes,” Brown said. “No matter how good a job any local government does, they will need to be open to changes because they will come whether we are ready or not.”
Brown believes big changes in federal and state government will affect operations at the local level.
Brown has lived in St. Marys since 2012. Her daughters, Olivia and Elaine, are grown. She noted, “Elaine is a 2013 graduate of St. Marys Area High School.”
Brown lives with her husband, Scott, and their labradoodle, “Trixi.”
