Bethel Park’s O’Brien recognized as outstanding council member
Bethel Park Councilman Mark O’Brien has been named “Outstanding Council Member of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Borough Councils Association. O’Brien is the sole recipient of the award in the state and will be recognized this month at the organization’s annual conference in Hershey.
“I’m so appreciative of this award. I’m truly humbled by it,” said O’Brien. “I see it as an honor for not only me, but for all of the individuals who’ve helped me along the way, including municipal staff, my fellow council members, my family, and so many more who’ve worked with me over the years. I need to emphasize that this would not have been possible without the decades of outstanding leadership dedication and the hard work of council President Tim Moury.”
This year, there were many excellent submissions for the award, according to John Ehrman, deputy executive director/director of education and training for the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
“Congratulations to Mr. O’Brien on this well-deserved honor and over 30 years of dedicated service to Bethel Park,” Ehrman said.
Bethel Park Council President Tim Moury agreed.
“Mark is very dedicated and thrives on helping people and addressing residents’ concerns,” he said.
Bethel Park Councilman Joe Consolmagno echoed those sentiments.
“If there ever was a more deserving person/councilman to receive the award it is Mark O’Brien,” said Consolmagno. “As one of my mentors on the municipal council, Mark was one of the first to call me. From that call forward, he’s always provided me with the best advice to provide service to Bethel Park residents. I owe him a great deal of appreciation, thanks and gratitude for who I am on council.”
O’Brien is in his 32nd year serving the Bethel Park community and representing those in Ward 6. And, while he’s enjoyed his time serving the community, he’s retiring in December.
“This has been such a journey. I’ve had such great mentors and amazing people to work with over the years,” said O’Brien. “But it’s time for me to shift my service into other directions.”
O’Brien will be getting more involved with the Bethel Park Historical Society, his church (South Hills Assembly of God), and the Bethel Park Veterans Memorial Committee.
Among his career highlights were helping to establish Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of the Bethel Park Municipal Building and new recreational park areas in Bethel Park. He also worked to address flooding issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his wife, Carol, worked with his church, the municipality and other community groups to bring food to residents in need. He also volunteered at numerous community events.
“Before my term is done, I want to solve the traffic issues at Irishtown, Logan and Patterson Roads,” said O’Brien. “I want to have discussions about a roundabout and talk about other creative ideas with the people who live there so that they’re comfortable with the process. Someday, I believe it will happen. I’d also like to see a bridge from the Montour Trail into the Industrial Park. In the past, Millennium Park, the Community Center, Veterans Plaza, and the Splash Pad were all ‘pie in the sky,’ so now it’s up to others to bring these new ideas to fruition.”
For O’Brien, the best part of his job has been the community.
“I’ve been blessed, and it’s been an honor to serve the residents of Bethel Park,” he said. “I hope I’ve done well; I’ve done my best.”