The faces of Green Tree government will change in 2006 as a new mayor and four new council members are chosen in next month's general election.

Two candidates, one from each major party, are running for mayor. There are three Democrats running for council and four Republicans.

Current Mayor Chuck Hammer, and council members Marlene Wandrisco, Dorothy Schwartz and Daniel Fisher, chose not to seek re-election. Council member Adele Bonassi is running for mayor on the Republican ticket.

The endorsed Democratic slate is composed of council hopefuls Mark P. Sampogna, Paul T. Kirsch, and Ed Schenck, and mayoral candidate Vincent Abbato.

Mr. Sampogna, 54, is product manager for an electrical distribution company that sells automation equipment; Mr. Kirsch, 71, is a retired elementary principal in the Northgate School District; Mr. Schenck, 53, is a litigation attorney with Tighe Evan Schenck Paras; and Mr. Abbato, 58, is owner of Vincent's of Greentree, an Italian restaurant.

Steven J. Pavlack, who won a spot in the May 17 primary, withdrew his candidacy. In July, he came out of retirement to take a job working evenings to help defray his children's college expenses.

Mr. Schenck was a write-in candidate who received the fourth highest number of votes in the primary.

The four candidates' four-point platform includes plans to beautify and upgrade the Greentree Road business district; start a sidewalk enhancement program; expand recreational activities for adults; and look to develop a dog-friendly area in one of the parks.

Since all are sharing the cost of signs, Mr. Sampogna estimated each candidate will spend less than $250, although Mr. Schenck might spend more for letters he plans to have printed for hand-delivery.

Green Tree council members are paid $125 per month, while the mayor receives $350 per month.

The endorsed Republican slate consists of council hopefuls Robert A. McCormick, Evelyn L. Weaver, and Margo "Peggy" Quinto, and mayoral candidate Mrs. Bonassi. Their names share the same signs to keep costs down, said Mr. McCormick.

Daniel Behanna, 36, is also running for council as a Republican, but didn't get his party's endorsement.

He ran independently in the primary, spent $1,500 for that election, and will spend about $500 this time.

Behana, a PNC Bank vice-president in the commercial credit card group, would like to make the "no pets" borough parks "dog-friendly."

Mr. McCormick, 59, vice-president of Core Technologies, an engineering firm, would like to see more activities for seniors, and to have students cut grass and plant flowers for seniors and the handicapped to fulfill the Keystone Oaks community service requirement.

Mrs. Weaver, who was unavailable for comment, is vice-president of the Keystone Oaks School Board.

Mrs. Quinto is retired from the Allegheny County Special Courts.

She served two terms on council in the 1990s; prior to that, she was a member of the borough's Recreation Board and Bicentennial Committee.

Mrs. Bonassi, 45, is a manager for a real estate development company, with experience that includes 12 years on council, four of those as president.

She feels the mayor's race is about her experience in local government and her character, which includes volunteering in community activities for more than 20 years.

Mr. Abbato said in his bid for mayor that he wants to capitalize on the borough's tremendous "location, location, location" by attracting more businesses through a unique borough identity with more sidewalks, benches, and a town square gathering spot.