Borough Council Candidates Face Off In Public Forum

The six candidates vying for three seats on Borough Council met Monday at a public forum organized by the League of Women Voters. The forum, which was held at the Chancellor Center, touched on several local issues, including future development, parking, taxes and the health of the business district.

There are three Borough Council seats up for grabs in November. Incumbents and are running on the Democratic ticket. The Republican challengers are , and .

The evening opened with a question about the proposed mixed-used development on the former Stockburger Chevrolet site off South State Street, which Woldorf called a key step for the future of the borough.

“I think we really need to look at it as a step for the future,” she said. “It’s going to bring in more people, it’s going to bring in more business. I am very much in favor of it.”

Others, like Salvatore and Auerweck, say they worry about the traffic and parking impacts a residential and commercial development of that size would have on the borough.

The issue of valet parking, which local businesses are working to have implemented by the holiday season, was addressed during the forum.  All candidates expressed support for the initiative, which will begin as a trial run.

Salvatore said he fully embraces the idea and, as a Newtown Corporation volunteer, is working to help organize the details between the businesses and the valet company.  His running mate was also enthusiastic about valet parking. “I think it’s an excellent idea,” Auerweck said.

Woldorf said she is “looking forward to seeing how it works. If it’s good for the business community, it should continue, if it doesn’t work then it should stop.”

Sellers called valet parking “a great example of innovation” and commended council’s swift action to allow for the initiative on State Street.

The prosperity of the borough’s business district was a recurring topic throughout the evening. And according to some candidates, the health of State Street hinges on parking.

“The biggest problem for the business people is parking. Until that is solved, we’re not going to do much to help the businesses,” Auerweck said.

Woldorf said it’s not just parking that’s hindering local merchants.

“State Street itself needs a facelift,” Woldorf said, adding that facelift could be as simple as trimming trees.

The rocky relationship between the borough and the Newtown Corporation was addressed, too. The Newtown Corporation is an economic development organization initially created to serve the interests of both the township and borough. But lately, the relationship between the Newtown Corporation and the borough has been tumultuous and the borough may withdraw from the organization.

Republicans were unwavering in their support for the Newtown Corporation. “If you look at what Newtown Corporation is trying to do, they have consistently helped support the borough,” King said.

But Sellers and Woldorf had an opposing viewpoint. The Newtown Corporation has “lost its way,” Woldorf said. “I think it’s time to admit it’s no longer what it was.”

Candidates were asked how to make borough government more transparent and accountable. “Get people involved,” Salvatore said. “We need to get people engaged."

Democrats cited their accomplishment of getting the meetings of Borough Council televised. O’Malley said he recalled the Democratic majority approved that measure two months into his term.

“We have an extremely open governmental process. Everything that we are able to put online has been put online,” Woldorf said, adding council is also working to update the borough’s website, which in its present form is “archaic.”

In his closing remarks, O’Malley stressed that he is not a politician but rather “a regular guy who lives on Washington Avenue.”  He said he wants to continue working with residents and committee members to help make the difficult choices that the borough will face over the next four years.

Sellers closed the forum urging voters to choose candidates with vision. “What Newtown Borough needs going forward is vision and vision is a component of good leadership.”

King concluded the evening by saying Newtown is a special community and should be kept the way it is. “The people that live in Newtown Borough like Newtown Borough the way it is,” he said.

Auerweck said if elected, he would like to see some old borough traditions, like outdoor concerts and parades, resurrected. “I think we have lost some of our identity,” he said.

Woldorf cited the past accomplishments of the current council, including the creation of a revised comprehensive plan as well as an open space plan and a study on the Newtown Creek. She said now is the time to look towards the future.  “We must be planning vigorously for our future. Council in the last two years did a lot to prepare for the future.”

Salvatore said the key to success in Newtown Borough is working together regardless of party affiliation. “We’re only Democrats and Republicans twice a year on Election Day,” he said, adding that if elected, he will put politics aside and focus on what’s best for Newtown.