When James Viscusi told his wife, Susan, he would run for Bellevue council, she began to think about the campaigning she might do. Not for him, but rather, for herself.

Though the notion of running for a seat on council representing the borough's 2nd Ward was her husband's idea at first, she was intrigued by the idea.

"I thought there were things I could bring to the table on Bellevue council," Susan Viscusi said.

So began the separate campaigns of the Viscusis, both Democrats, seeking the two available seats in Bellevue's 2nd Ward. Ms. Viscusi, a registered nurse, was motivated to run for council to help turn around what she perceives to be a recent decline in the borough.

"There are a lot of empty stores in the business district. I'd like to see some different kinds of businesses come here," said Ms. Viscusi, a 22-year resident of Bellevue.

Mr. Viscusi, a semi-retired hair salon owner and retired corrections officer, said his desire to run for council has been building for the past few years. "Now that I'm retired, I have more time. Everything changes, but it's how it changes," he said in reference to recent changes in the borough.

They have been married for 11 years. Mr. Viscusi has two grown children, and Ms. Viscusi has six grown children. All of the children live in the Pittsburgh area, except for one who is in the military.

The husband and wife have completely different thought processes, Ms. Viscusi said.

"I have my point of view, and so does she," Mr. Viscusi said. "Naturally, we're not running against each other."

He would like to see spending by the borough brought under control. "I think the finances need to be monitored," said Mr. Viscusi, a 12-year resident of the borough.

Nicholas Myers, a Republican college student attending Robert Morris University, also is seeking a seat representing the 2nd Ward.

Three other seats are open on Bellevue council: two seats representing the 1st Ward and one representing the 3rd Ward.

Candidates listed for the 3rd Ward seat are Jerry Walter, a council member who recently resigned but whose name remains on the ballot even though he is not running; Mark Panichella, a Democrat who was appointed by council to serve the remainder of Mr. Walter's term and who hopes to be elected to the seat he holds; and David Price, a retired attorney and psychologist who is a Republican write-in candidate.

In the 1st Ward, where two seats are available, Democratic incumbent Jane Braunlich and Republican incumbent Kathleen Coder hope to keep their council posts. Their foes are Republican David Piet and Democrat Susan Schafer. Bellevue council members are paid $150 per month.

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