Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘ HOUSE’- HOLD NAME
Carolyn Comitta talks about her journey from West Chester mayor to the state Legislature
WESTCHESTER>> The world is full of lovers and fighters.
Former borough councilwoman, mayor and newly elected state Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D- 156, is both. There’s a small bit of fighter in her DNA, but she loves helping people, which is what propelled her into public service.
The first thing you notice when entering Comitta’s new office is a pair of boxing gloves sitting on her desk.
The gloves were a gift fromher husband, Tom Comitta, a town planner.
“A year after I became mayor, I realized that I had a lot of work to do,” she said. “I went to Tom and said, ‘ It’s time to put on the boxing gloves.’”
When children visit they often want to know about the gloves.
“I put them on the desk to remind me to fight for the best interests of the citizens and to remind me that it sometimes takes a lot of effort to move forward,” Comitta said.
Comitta stepped down from her seat as West Chester Mayor March 15 after serving as the leader of the borough for almost eight years.
A one- term councilmember and twoterm mayor, she is proudest of her ability to bring people together for collaboration.
As the first woman mayor in the borough’s 210- year history, Comitta said she had bipartisan support, after winning the Republican primary twice as a write- in candidate.
“I couldn’t have won without the support of Republican and Independent neighbors,” she said. “This set the stage of being able to bring everyone together.”
Winning a seat in the state Legislature was no walk in the park either. Comitta challenged incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Truitt. On election night, she
trailed by 78 votes. However, overseas and military ballots put her up by 18 votes. That later expanded to 25. Truitt filed for a recount, which officially made Comitta the winner.
Comitta held both seats before giving up her seat in the mayor’s office.
When Comitta looks back she is proud of her work to help end what she said was an “adversarial relationship” between the community and West Chester University.
What started with talks between residents and the borough about the then proposed New Street parking garage blossomed.
Conversation was key to ensuring Comitta’s number one priority, positive “Town Gown,” or the interactions between West Chester University and borough residents.
Both a task force and the Borough University Officials Group were created.
Noise, vandalism and even public urination, or what police refer to as nuisance crimes, all linked to the university, were becoming a plague on the borough.
Stakeholders met often. Through research, a look at best practices and intervention with police, judges, business owners and landowners, a plan developed.
“The most startling fact we uncovered was that 99 percent of quality of life issues were alcohol- fueled,” said the former mayor.
Twelve recommendations were made through the work, focusing on how to reduce student alcoholrelated crimes.
Also, residents are now notified and meet annually with the university concerning both long- and short- range developments, such as university plans for a new garage or dorm.
“Residents are informed and can weigh in, in a timely way, to address problems before it is essentially too late,” said the avid reader.
The mayor also worked
closely with the police force.
Along with Chief Scott Bohn and many others, Comitta examined the department’s strategic plan and organizational chart.
She said that the very last item listed on the chart concerns police “public relations.”
Comitta first saw the mission statement in 2009, which reads, the police are to serve and protect a diverse community by forging collaborative relationships.
“I can support that mission,” said the gardener and avid kayaker with two grown children, “I can help forge these collaborative relationships.”
Comitta talked about diversity and creating consensus.
“When you bring a group of people together with diverse viewpoints, you set the table for coming up with solutions that will really work for people,” she said. “If you are preaching to the choir and everyone is coming fromthe same view point – the richness of ideas – it’s easy tomiss the consequences of any idea.”
Diversity is key. “I have always tried to bring the most diverse viewpoints to the table,” she said. “Sparks can fly, but so do really good ideas and a deeper understanding of the problems and possible solutions.”
Everyone wants to be heard.
“The key to success in this sort of collaboration and problem- solving conversations is that people trust that they will be respected and be heard – but maybe not agreed with,” Comitta said. “I try to provide a setting where people feel comfortable to talk about things they can agree on for success.”
Comitta also said that everyone she has invited to “the table” showed. The work takes practice and perseverance.
“Sometimes it takes a few conversations, sometimes years,” she said. “As long as you keep talking, you can move toward that better idea that will work in the community.”
Comitta often hears that there are no resources or
money available for a specific project.
“My response was always, ‘ I know we don’t have any money so how are we going to do it?’” she said. “Who are the partners who could help?”
Whether it’s wellness checkups for police, provided pro bono by the university, closing the racial divide, discussing building heights or talking to landlords, Comitta is listening.
The dancer said that will continue on the same path as a state rep.
Priorities of the former school teacher include, promoting public safety, ensuring pipeline safety, work with environmental health and safety, and ending gun violence. The following issues are near and dear to Comitta’s heart, confronting the opium epidemic and making sure that children have the access to the best public education.
“Everything I do I talk to people and spend a lot time thinking about it,” she said. “I will have the opportunity to continue working on any number of things I’ve been involved with for years. I also have the opportunity to go to Harrisburg and advocate for improving not only our local community but our commonwealth.”