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Font ResizeRunning for those seats are council members Lucy Cadwallader and John Peters and three challengers, Neal Strein, Doug Young and Lisa Stare.
Stare and Cadwallader are running as Democrats; Peters, Strein and Young as Republicans.
Settled during the primary was a three-way race for a two-year council seat. Richard Shiles, another current council member, won that position.
The York Dispatch asked a series of questions of the candidates still in the race for the four-year seats. Their responses follow.
Candidate bios:
Lucy Cadwallader (D)
Age / Address: 48, of Hanover St., Glen Rock
Family: Married, 2 children
Occupation: Homemaker
Current community involvement: I am currently in my second year on Glen Rock Borough council, I chair Special Projects, Co-chair Public Safety, I am a member of LGAC (Local Government Advisory Committee), President of the Glen Rock Community Center Organization, I attend Glen Rock Planning Commission meetings, York County Economic Development meetings and currently working on the Southern York County Comprehensive Plan and FEMA recommendations for the borough. I also work with the Southern Branch YMCA Youth/SACC/Camp-Program Committee.
John Peters (R)
Age / Address: 28, of Manchester Street, Glen Rock
Family: Single, no children.
Occupation: Senior Security Specialist
Current community involvement: As a current member of council it keeps me busy with community activities such as Public Safety training, Council, Police Commission, Public Safety, Special Projects, Buildings and Property meetings and all the tasks that come with them.
Lisa Stare (D)
Age/Address: 42, of High Street
Family: Married, one daughter, twin boys
Occupation: Worked for a real estate company in Maryland and now a stay-at-home mom
Current Community Service: PTO member, recently the Friends of the Library
Neal Strein (R)
No response
Doug Young (R)
Age / Address: 45 / 2576 Rexwood Dr
Family: Married, two children, one at Susquehannock High School and one in college
Occupation: Retired Air Force Officer and Professional Pilot
Current community involvement: I am currently involved with an aviation related educational mentoring program that teaches math, science, geography, language arts, career planning, and presentation skills in a 5th grade class at Friendship Elementary School. I attend most borough council meetings.
Questions:
1. If the borough council could make one change to improve the quality of life for borough residents, what change would you recommend supervisors make? Explain your answer.
Cadwallader: I would like borough council to form and adopt a Historical Preservation Committee to look into a state grant to purchase the old Oakworks building. The grant would bring the building up to code and make it useful to the community. Our community center on Baltimore Street has been condemned and will be torn down this year (due to a CDBG grant). A community/recreation center in the heart of the downtown area would serve not only the youth of Glen Rock, but would also bring money and interest into the borough. Glen Rock's tax base is extremely limited due to the present economic conditions and lack of available land to develop, therefore, small businesses/shops in the recreation center would help offset rising taxes.
Peters: The traffic issues in the borough. Citizens know what traffic can be like in the borough. Church Street with the overweight trucks illegally traveling it; we need better signs (PennDOT). Manchester Street is like a racetrack. Hanover Street is 95% residential homes and for some reason there are residents that don't care about the 25 MPH speed limit. There is the blind spot coming out of Water Street on to Main Street. Vehicles running the traffic light and the “now” one-lane bridge to Valley Street. I could go on. There have been traffic studies done on several intersections in the borough. Some of the conclusions I am unhappy with, others need change and repair but can't be addressed because of the budget. There are too many people out and about for traffic to continue this way. It needs improvement for the safety of our citizens.
Lisa Stare: I think right now, one of the most important things is that (the borough) do(es) not have enough community evolvement. We need to get the word out to the community with what the borough is doing and how (residents) can get more involved.
Neal Strein: No response.
Young: I would like to see the borough council improve communication with borough residents. The borough could really benefit from having its own web site to facilitate communication with the people of Glen Rock. A dedicated web site would have many uses; for example, provide access to information about permits, trash collection, and upcoming events and meeting schedules. I feel that many community events in the borough are under-attended because residents are unaware or find out too late to include the event in their plans. Although the borough may not have the resources for a robust event schedule, the events that the borough does have could be better advertised. I believe making borough information available via a web site would increase participation in community events, improve the efficiency of the borough office and benefit all residents in many ways.
2. At 2.8 mills, Glen Rock's property tax rate is a little above average for York County's 37 boroughs. Are taxpayers getting their money's worth from borough government? Why or why not? Are there avenues the borough should explore to save money or control costs? What are they?
Cadwallader: Glen Rock's budget required a property tax rate increase in order to continue with Southern Regional Police. We are using a large portion of our budget to pay for police coverage. To keep costs down in the borough, we are extremely fortunate to have volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel. The borough had to lay off two of its four staff in 2009. Our secretary and maintenance supervisor are working solo. They are thankless jobs, and Glen Rock residents should feel fortunate to have such dedicated staff working and volunteering for the borough.
As a member of council, I feel Glen Rock borough officials are doing the best job possible under extreme financial limitations. Under special projects, I am currently looking into grants to help pay for our infrastructure problems and to revitalize our downtown area. Also, it would help if everyone within the borough would do their part as well-keeping their property appearance attractive and homes in good condition.
Peters: No, the citizens are not getting their monies worth; they are getting what we can afford. With not much room to grow, we are limited financially. The budget must be met. Yes, there are avenues we can explore to save money and control cost, and we have already taken some of those avenues such as budget cuts on projects and personnel. We are seeking help through grants.
Lisa Stare: I would say yes. Reasons being—when it snows around here, our borough is one of the ones where the streets are done. I believe the public works does a good job keeping our roads safe, the fire department does a good job, and we are able to pay for regional police.
Neal Strein: No response.
Young: There is always room for improvement, especially when it comes to spending taxpayers' money. I feel the borough can greatly improve its budgetary planning process and also improve its fiscal discipline in spending money. On several occasions, I have witnessed the council allocate funds to projects with little analysis of the benefit to the residents and with few project details. At the time there didn't seem to be any long-term planning involved in the council's decision-making process or prioritization of projects. I think better long-term budget planning would serve the borough well and ensure funds are allocated where they are needed most.
3. How do you feel about the police protection Glen Rock receives? Should Glen Rock explore changes in terms of local police coverage?
Cadwallader: Overall residents feel Southern Regional Police response time is good. As stated in question 2, regional police coverage is becoming too costly for small municipalities such as Glen Rock.
Peters: As most are well aware we are having a hard time affording our police services that are projected in the future for Glen Rock. As a result, we might not have the excellent services of the Southern Regional Police Department (SRPD). Due to the lower tax revenue coming in for Glen Rock and the cost of service increasing for (SRPD); this ruff economic time is showing an impact. Their services are 39% of our budget. I don't feel State Police coverage is effective enough by it's self. There are many ways to go about the service from (SRPD); we have to work out what is best with the budget we have. I have explored other ways of police protection and have found that we would have less service and more cost with State Police and to start a local police department of our own. Neither compare to the cost and quality of service that Southern Regional Police Department offers Glen Rock at this time.
Lisa Stare: I would be very devastated to see them go. I do believe their presence in the community makes a big difference. There is crime here. Not having the Southern Regional Police Department—underage drinking can get out of control.
Neal Strein: No response.
Young: I believe Glen Rock borough is well served by the Southern Regional Police Department. This is in addition to protection provided by the state police. The Southern Regional Police Department provides 24-hour emergency response as well as routine patrol services of the borough. The council should always be open to change however, I do not know of a better option for police coverage. Right now it would be cost prohibitive for Glen Rock to have its own police force. The borough must continue to provide police coverage for the safety and protection of its residents and Southern Regional is the best way to accomplish this objective.
4. Why did you decide to run for election this year and why should voters support you in your quest for a seat you are seeking? What unique qualifications do you offer voters?
Cadwallader: I have decided to run for re election in 2010 on the 4 year ballot because I would like to continue with projects I started in my first term. The Codorus Creek is an intricate part of Glen Rock's downtown area. For two years I have organized a “Glen Rock Clean the Stream” day.
I would like to continue to focus on our stream by working with WAY (Watershed Alliance of York), Jake Romig president of Ecostruction, LLC, PA Borough's Association, and government agencies. I plan to continue to improve the safety and appearance of the downtown area.
My most unique qualification I offer voters is my dedication to my job. In my 16 months on borough council, I have attended seminars, meetings and training programs to further understand the mechanics of local government. I apply what I have learned to my borough council position in Glen Rock.
Peters: I decided to run again because I want to continue with the improvements and activities the borough is going through. Whether I get elected or not, I will continue my community involvement. Being on the council helps keep me in the loop. I offer an open mind for improvement and growth. I am committed to this and will do my best. I will defend what's in the best interest for the citizens of Glen Rock Borough to the best of my ability.
Lisa Stare: I got involved because of a complaint. We're at a dead end street and someone wanted to build houses down there. We've been able to control how many houses were built. I was so intrigued how (council) worked and I got to know the council members and they pretty much invited me to run.
I care. I am one of the people. I hope to get more people involved. I am knowledgeable and I can learn, and sometimes a fresh prospective is a good thing.
Neal Strein: No response.
Young: I have attended many council meetings and felt there were many ways to enhance council processes, make improvements to benefit Glen Rock, and become more responsive to the residents. I was asked by several people to run for a council position because they believe I would have a lot to contribute to the borough. I feel that I could help the council become more efficient and better serve the community and I am willing to spend the time needed to do just that. Having spent over 21 years as an Air Force officer, I have the professional leadership training and experience to provide a proactive approach to the issues. I've had plenty of experience leading people, managing a budget, running projects, and improving processes in my career. These skills would be valuable in addressing all of the issues that come before the borough council. I would appreciate your vote!
