Ross Commissioner Running for Tax Collector

Ross Township Commissioner Jerry O'Brien is running for Ross Township Tax Collector.

Donna Carey, a retired schoolteacher, held the office of Tax Collector for more 20 years. She stepped away from the work in June of 2011, deputizing Jordan Tax Service to handle the collection of about $44.3 million in annual property taxes for the school district and about $3.7 million in property taxes for the township. 

Carey continues to sign checks in her capacity as township treasurer and is ultimately responsible for the work that Jordan Tax Service performs. The township pays her $5,000 annual salary. Her term expires at the end of this year.

O'Brien, who has served as Ross Commissioner since 2000, earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and a Masters of Business Administration from Duquesne University.

His professional experience includes:

• Duquesne University: Director of Interamural Sports
• Sauers Trucking: Vice President and General Manager
• PA Revenue Department: Financial analysis of tax returns
• Allegheny County: Assistant County Manager
• Kane Regional Center: Assistant Executive Director
• PA Water & Sewer Authority: Controller

O'Brien said as tax collector, he would create a system to allow online payment of taxes, expand the hours of the office to include evenings and Saturdays, be willing to make appoinments 24/7, and he would be willing to make house calls to collect taxes from those residents with serious physical limitations.

O'Brien also plans to investigate the option of accepting tax payments via credit cards, although he admits credit card fees could present a problem.

Finally, O'Brien said he would install the necessary internal controls and systems to prevent the loss of any taxpayer dollars through fraud or embezzlement.

A former employee of the Ross Tax collector's office, with stealing $117,000 from the township and the North Hills School District. 

Should O'Brien be elected tax collector, he said he would resign as commissioner. His term expires at the end of 2014.

Click here for the complete list of candidates for municipal seats in Ross Township and West View.

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