Listening, compromise keys to a healthy, vibrant community

One of the most rewarding things about running for office has been meeting people from all over West Chester and listening to what’s on their minds about our community. People have shared subjects as varied as wanting speed bumps installed in neighborhoods; concern about warehouse development and increasing truck traffic; feeling their voices are unheard by the current administration; wanting to become a city; wanting to stay a township; and even seeking permission to keep chickens in a back yard.

I knew before I ran for office that my job as trustee would include listening to the community. I have opinions-of course-- but as my wife jokingly reminds me, my opinions are usually wrong. I’ve learned from my military experience that the best outcomes are produced by listening to people from diverse backgrounds and combining the best suggestions to create solutions better than any individual idea. That usually includes some form of compromise. Bargaining and making concessions can be good, as long as ethics and morals remain intact. Compromise works because it means everyone is invested in creating a common desired outcome. During my campaign, I have listened to and spoken with groups from across the political spectrum as well as multiple community groups. I actively seek out these chances because I will always listen to, learn from, and represent everyone in our community regardless of whether I share all of their opinions.

I’m a fiscal conservative. That means I want to spend money wisely, not on vanity projects that don’t benefit the people who live here.

But being fiscally conservative doesn’t mean I shout out a reflexive “no” to all spending, because that’s not productive. We need to properly fund and resource our police and fire departments, our roads, and other vital infrastructure. We have to invest in policies and infrastructure that improve our community in order to keep us attractive for current and future residents. Voters have shared dozens of ideas with me about how to make us even better tomorrow than we are today.

I’ve chosen to be accessible and responsive to voters. I’ve answered phone calls, emails, texts, Facebook and Instagram messages. I’ve made my opinions publicly and easily available on my website and Facebook. I don’t always agree with voters and they don’t always agree with me (and those are good things!), but I believe in letting people know where I stand. Most political advisers recommend not going on the record and far too many politicians follow that advice. Unfortunately, that means once politicians are elected, their decisions can surprise us. I find it offensive when elected officials hide what they believe or make it difficult to find out their stances.

I pledge, as a West Chester Township trustee, to listen without judgment, to ask questions, gather information and judiciously consider viable options in solving community problems.

When we genuinely listen to other peoples’ concerns, we open the door to considering new options in addressing community issues. Listening creates bridges that lead to compromise and good decisions.