Until a year ago, Dean Petrone had no interest in politics, much less the machinations of Allegheny County government and the politics of Grant Street.

At 40, he was content, he said, with his growing electrical engineering career and raising his two children -- a daughter, 11, and a son, 8 -- in North Fayette, where he grew up.

That sense of accomplishment, however, stirred something in him.

"I felt like I needed to do something more, to give back to the community," said Mr. Petrone, a partner in the Muninn Group Inc., an industrial and commercial automation firm based in Collier.

Initially, he thought about seeking a seat on his borough council or the school board.

"I spent a lot of time talking to people in the community, and the one thing I kept hearing was how much they didn't understand of what is going on in county government. They don't feel like they have a voice in the county," said Mr. Petrone.

That's why Mr. Petrone decided that his first foray into politics would be to seek County Council's District 4 seat in Tuesday's election. Incumbent Democrat Michael Finnerty is seeking re-election.

"I have never run for office . . . but I believe that my business background lends itself well to a position in politics," said Mr. Petrone, a Republican.

Mr. Finnerty, 64, a Democrat, can understand Mr. Petrone's political ambition.

He, too, had never sought public office until he was elected to council four years ago representing Bridgeville, Carnegie, Collier, Crafton. Findlay, Glenfield, Heidelberg, Kennedy, McKees Rocks, Neville, North Fayette, Oakdale, Glen Osborne, Robinson, Rosslyn Farms, Scott and Stowe.

A retired reading specialist at Chartiers Valley High School, Mr. Finnerty dismissed Mr. Petrone's charges that he is out of touch with his constituents.

"I'm definitely in touch with my constituents. In fact, it's the biggest part of the job," said Mr. Finnerty recently as he returned from visiting a constituent in Scott.

Mr. Finnerty said his four years on council have been a learning experience. As chairman of council's Committee on Economic Development, Mr. Finnerty said council and county Executive Dan Onorato have pursued initiatives to push forward infrastructure development projects that have created jobs.

Even though the county faces a reassessment that could lead to higher taxes, Mr. Finnerty, like Mr. Onorato, contends the problem of property assessments can be fixed only by the state Legislature.

Mr. Finnerty's closeness with the Onorato administration on key issues such as assessments and the drink and car rental taxes implemented last year are reasons that Mr. Petrone is challenging Mr. Finnerty.

"I find that this County Council has become a rubber stamp for the county executive. They don't seem to have the rapport among themselves to seriously challenge Mr. Onorato," said Mr. Petrone.

Mr. Petrone said he believes in a limited government, but he agrees that property assessment problems are bigger than Grant Street.

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