Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Mayoral candidates discuss issues
Dianne Herrin, Kyle Hudson and Cassandra Jones answered questions from the public
Three candidates for mayor faced off against each other during Saturday morning’s candidate forum at Borough Hall.
The forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters. Susan Carty, president of the Pennsylvania League of Voters, moderated.
Carty said after the debate that the candidates were “well informed and well spoken.”
About four dozen residents heard three candidates answer 11 questions on topics as diverse as relationships with police and West Chester University students, and plans for the Wyeth property. The questions were posed in writing by members of the public and formally asked by Carty.
Dianne Herrin, Kyle Hudson and Casandra Jones are all Democrats hoping to take the seat held by Jordan Norley who is not running in Tuesday’s primary.
Hudson noted that with no candidates listed on the Republican ballot, that the winner of
the Democratic primary will likely become the next mayor of West Chester.
The candidates were asked what they consider “the most important skill” a mayor should possess.
Jones said that people skills and communication are key.
“It’s so important to relate to people, to talk to everybody,” Jones said. “When you get an opportunity to walk around … it really opens your eyes.”
Jones served on borough council for two terms.
“People don’t care how much you know, they do care that you care and understand what people need,” she added.
Herrin said she “gets things done” and that a mayor is the borough’s biggest “cheerleader.”
“I sit on boards but I also create them,” she said. “I’m committed and very persistent. I truly get things done. I strongly believe that when we want something we should get it.”
A good mayor should be bipartisan, according to Hudson.
“We need to reach across party lines to get the best ideas,” he said. “As a mayor you’re an advocate. If we work together across party lines we will produce a much better West Chester.”
Hudson said he came to run for mayor along an “unconventional path” after working as a former server in a borough restaurant.
“I don’t do anything half-way,” he said. “I will come out for everybody … no matter what corner of the town you live in. Nothing great can be accomplished alone.”
When asked what the community can do to help those in need, Herrin said she has worked hard to establish a co-op store in the borough. She wants some of the $7 million spent at supermarkets located outside the borough to be spent on local staff and goods and within its borders.
Hudson and Jones both said they have worked hard to promote and better the Melton Center and the surrounding neighborhood.
“I’d like to see more people involved in the process and let citizens know they are important,” Jones said.
All three candidates favor reaching out and strengthening the relationship with WCU students.
“Instead of treating it as a problem to be solved, treat (the students) as future residents,” Hudson said, “Take the time to engage and say hi to them.”
Hudson favors students living closer to the university and within the borough. Jones was seemingly opposed to more student residents that might “overrun” the central district.
Herrin talked about the vitality of students and quality-of-life issues. She supports enforcement of the two-strike rule and limits on student housing.
“I believe in enforcing borough ordinances,” she said. “Put police and resources in that area.”
Said Jones, “We need to move forward to keep (students) engaged and set the foundation for when they become residents. Our ordinances currently work well. We’ve seen good results from those ordinances.”
Both Hudson and Jones suggested that taxes might be raised, in part, to pay for mounting police pension costs.
Herrin said that in light of increasing costs to abide by environmental regulations for the borough’s two water treatment plants, the borough might consider selling the facilities to a private firm.
All three supported more public transportation initiatives linking the borough to the Exton Train Station. Hudson suggested that the borough’s commuters might consider working closer with ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft.
“We need to stay creative and look at all our options,” Hudson said.
When asked about the best and worst possible uses for the Wyeth property, everyone agreed that creating a solar farm at the Brownfield site would be a fine idea, and that the worst plan would be to build a baseball stadium at the former pharmaceutical complex.
“I’m not a fan of the stadium proposal,” Herrin said. She was opposed to increasing traffic, noise and light pollution.
All three candidates were opposed to dropping standards for hiring police officers, in a proposed bid to hire more minorities and women officers.
Plans call for expanding Borough Hall, the home of the police department. Jones suggested that city government, public works and police might be moved to a new building at the Wyeth property.
The candidates were asked how they would deal with crime and drug addiction.
“I’d reach out as mayor,” Hudson said. We need to destigmatize addiction.”
Jones said that being poor is the biggest stigma encountered.
“It is an addict who has to make that choice,” Herrin said. “We need to make sure services are there when they do reach out.”
The polls for the Primary Election are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16. A final decision for mayor will be made by voters in November.
Hudson noted that with no candidates listed on the Republican ballot, that the winner of the Democratic primary will likely become the next mayor of West Chester.