3 CANDIDATES VIE FOR WEST CHESTER MAYOR

WEST CHESTER » HELP WANTED: Historic Borough, Chester County, county seat and home of West Chester University seeks a new mayor. Voters to choose from among three candidates.

During Monday’s forum, those three candidates sat at the podium answering questions served up by voters, in Borough Chambers at Borough Hall.

Current Mayor Jordan Norley sat listening intently in the first row of the packed chambers and will give up his ability to present keys to the city, cut ribbons and oversee the police department on January 1, following the November 2 election. Norley lost in the Democratic Primary.

Democrat Lillian DeBaptiste, Independent Eric Lorgus and Libertarian Beth Ann Rosica all participated in the Chester County League of Women Voters Candidate Forum. There is no Republican listed on the November ballot.

League of Women Voters member Susan Carty asked the questions and member Pamela Gray was timekeeper.

DeBaptiste stressed the importance of communication and listening. She has lived in four or five of the town’s seven wards, including as a West Chester University student, and said she can comfortably talk with all residents.

Her run for mayor was sparked by the murder of George Floyd.

“I’m trying to be the change I want to be,” said the funeral director. “I could be the change I wanted to see.” Lorgus talked policy. “The more people who participate the better it is,” Lorgus, a businessman said. He also supports livestreaming borough council meetings and reinstating Monday night Open Door Meetings with the mayor.

“I’m optimistic for the future,” Lorgus said.

Rosica, a business woman, said she is “passionate” about West Chester.

She would improve relationships with police, between residents and WCU students, and the borough and businesses. She supports a good neighbor campaign for students. The Libertarian seeks liberty over bureaucracy and limiting red tape for businesses.

The office seekers were asked about improving communication.

Lorgus, a former member of council, said that while emails sometimes get overlooked, he supports bringing back a printed newsletter.

Rosica supports regular email blasts, while DeBaptiste said that communication is at the heart of every situation.

“It’s about people, what each and every one of us brings,” she said.

Moderator Carty asked each candidate about environmental justice.

Rosica is for establishing best business practices and then awarding a window sticker. The public could then decide whether or not to base its patronage on the sticker. The programs would not be mandated and would be voluntary.

DeBaptiste said that people do not always do the right thing.

“It is important that we do things to mandate people to do the right things,” the daughter of former Mayor Clifford DeBaptiste said.

Lorgus suggested tackling regular flooding at Goose Creek and working closer with West Goshen Township.

“Goose Creek flooding needs to be moved up the priority list,” Lorgus said.

Not every candidate favored reestablishment of rail service from West Chester to Philadelphia.

“It’s not feasible financially,” Rosica said about the project that might cost more than half a billion dollars. “It’s an incredible amount of money.”

She also said that the borough has SEPTA bus service to the city, with a commuter rail station in Exton.

Lorgus said he would love to see rail service return. He talked about an enjoyable recent ride on the heritage tourist train to Glen Mills using those existing SEPTA tracks to Philly.

Candidates discussed the borough’s Diversity Task Force, which is meeting regularly, in a bid to hire a more diverse police department. The candidates talked the police department, which they will oversee.

Lorgus said that the borough’s hands are somewhat tied due to state Civil Service requirements. He suggested expanding the pool of candidates and reaching out to WCU Criminal Justice majors.

“What are they looking for, and then take a look at our own police department and see if we need to make any changes?” Lorgus said.

DeBaptiste is a member of the task force. She said that borough police are well-trained, efficient and effective. She noted that the number of arrests during recent WCU Home Coming celebrations dropped from 80 to 30.

Rosica suggested establishing a youth and police initiative that would help develop relationships, reduce tension and incidents, and improve overall harmony.

When asked about the borough relationship with WCU, Rosica suggested pushing for funding from state sources, which is not now allowed.

DeBaptiste said that having the university located within the borough is a good problem. She is in favor of collaboration, conversation and working together.

“Laws can’t mandate problems, people can fix problems,” she said.

The audience had been silent, as was required by the league, throughout the forum and erupted in applause for all three candidates at the conclusion.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Three candidates are running for West Chest mayor.