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Font ResizeCandidates include Democrat Audrey Coons and four Republicans -- Margaret Malehorn, Bryan Householder, Stephanie Congdon and Patrick Vehar.
The York Dispatch asked the candidates a series of questions. Their answers appear below.
Candidate bios:
Stephanie Congdon (R)
Age/Address: 33, of 20 S. Front St., York Haven
Family: Husband and two children. Six year old son attends local public elementary.
Occupation: Wife, mother, homemaker and transcriber.
Current community involvement: Active in several ministries at Bible Baptist Church.
Audrey Coons (D)
Age/Address: 71/ Front Street
Occupation: Retired, purchasing agent for the New Cumberland Army Depot, worked for Pennsylvania Auto Dealers
Family: Married, 1 son
Current Community Service: Secretary for the Ladies of the Susquehanna Fire Co.
Bryan Householder (R)
Age/Address: 49 / Landvail Street
Occupation: Work for an auto auction, write a column for the newspaper, work at the speedway as an official
Family: single, no children
Current Community Service: Board of Directors for York County Racing Club
Margaret Malehorn (R)
Age/Address: 61 / Pennsylvania Ave.
Occupation: Retail sales
Family: Married, three daughters, 4 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild
Current Community Service: Belong to Bethlehem United Methodist in Dallastown, Ladies Auxiliary of the York Haven Fire Company, American Welding Society
Age/Address: 47/Front Street
Occupation: Retail Manager
Family: Married, 1 daughter
Current Community Service:
Questions:
1. If the borough council could make one change to improve the quality of life for York Haven residents, what change would you recommend council make? Explain your answer.
Congdon: No response.
Coons: I think (the council) should listen more closely with what the people are saying. We are elected by the people and we should do what the majority wants. In other words, follow what our constituents want.
With the water situation, they wanted to put city water through the town. The majority of the people said no. Why should be the people who did have good water have to sacrifice what they want?
Householder: I don't believe that there is any one change to improve quality for everyone. We just need to keep working in the direction we have to keep the town viable and a good place to live.I would say stay the course of what we are doing and try to continue to make things better in that way.
Malehorn: More activities for the youth in the borough.
Vehar: Just to listen to the residents and listen to what there needs are. And to make affordable changes in the community.2. At 4 mills, York Haven's property tax rate is the third highest among 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?
Congdon: Are taxpayers getting their money's worth from borough government? No.
Why or why not? Borough council members are not required to attend meetings in order to receive their pay. The mayor frequently does not return phone calls to concerned residents, or returns them in an untimely fashion.
Are there avenues the borough should explore to save money or control costs? Yes.
What are they? To begin with, repeal the ordinance that allows council members to receive payment for council meetings even when they are not present, regardless of what the reason for their absence. Possibly look into an ordinance mandating a specific number of days in which those serving in elected positions have to respond to questions and concerns from their constituents.
Coons: No comment.
Householder: Quite honestly, I believe that in a borough in this size, we are trying to do everything we possibly can to keep costs down. But there is no industry here, so residents have to foot the bill. We have tried to keep costs as low as we can. Our services are as good as any small town in York County.
Malehorn: I think that we are. We balance our budget with little to spare. It's a small community, there's a higher tax rate to support services.
Vehar: As of now, no. I think we could do a better job of planning and using our money wiser than we have in the past. I think it will be a line by line thing, that we watch where we spend and make sure what we do is within our means.3. Specify another major issue that faces the borough in your mind. How would you address that issue?
Congdon: Specify another major issue that faces the borough in your mind. Public water.
How would you address that issue? I am not opposed to bringing public water into York Haven Borough. However, I am opposed to mandatory hook-ups. Those who want the water are welcome to bear the expense to hook-up if there is a proposal that does not force those who don't want public water to hook-up. Those homeowners who are content with their current water situation or cannot afford another added expense should not be forced to hook-up. Additionally, as stated in question two, the property tax rate is already ranked at No. 3 of 37 in York County. Property owners can hardly afford to bear another expense.
Coons: We are in a town where there is no possibility where anything is being built. I would love to see something like a McDonald's or a Wendy's but we don't have the ground for that. I would also like to see more people own there own home, instead of renting. A lot of people left after the paper company was sold. I would love to see more people buy their homes and less rentals. At one time York Haven had three or four different grocery stores, we don't have any today. I would like to see that again for people to be able to buy bread and milk.
Householder: I don't think that we have any major issues that need to be faced. We probably have the same issues that most small towns in the county have. There is no room to expand the town, we have a limited base to draw from, everything is limited to what we have now. I think every property in the borough has been developed on. What we have is what we have.
Malehorn: A major issue facing all of the townships and boroughs is bringing the sewer systems up to the code that they are requiring.
Vehar: I think there are still a lot of people that want to work out the (city) water issue. Needs a lot more before we can go forward with it. It's pretty split -- where people have existing wells and they don't want to pay for city water to come through when they have wells. It should be a case by case basis.4. How do you feel about the police protection York Haven receives? Are changes merited? Why or why not?
Congdon: How do you feel about the police protection York Haven receives? Police respond to calls, but speeding is a big concern, particularly along Front Street where many children live and play.
Are changes merited? Yes.
Why or why not? Speed limits need to be better enforced. The posted speed limit on Front Street is 25 mph, and yet vehicles frequently exceed that to a degree that is not only astounding, but also frightening to parents and grandparents.
Coons: I think for what we pay Newberry Township police, I am very happy with what we get. Whatever we ask of the police, they try to do.
Householder: I believe that it is adequate, or better than adequate. I don't think a town in our situation could ask for more than what we have. We are getting a good value on the dollar that we spend.
Malehorn: I think Newberry Township does a wonderful job.
Vehar: I think it has been pretty good recently. I've been here 15 years and I think they are doing a pretty good job. I don't think there are any major changes at this time that need to be made.5. Why did you decide to run for election this year and why should voters support you in your quest for the seat your are seeking? What unique qualifications do you offer voters?
Congdon: Why did you decide to run for election this year and why should voters support you in your quest for the seat you are seeking? I served on the water committee, distributing and collecting surveys. The residents of York Haven Borough responded by a 2/3 majority that they did not want public water. However, this issue seems to keep resurfacing.
What unique qualifications do you offer voters? I am a stay-at-home mom, working part-time from home, so I have the opportunity to observe and interact my neighbors and see what goes on during the day when most council members are at work. Also, if I am elected, I would be the youngest person on the council. Presently, most of the members are over 50. I would like the chance to bring fresh perspective to the council and represent a younger demographic.
Coons: I was asked by several people to hang in there one more term. I didn't want to. I am at the age where I think younger people need to involved. I hope (voters) vote for these new people that just got on the ballot in the primary. They are good people and younger people, which we need.
Householder: I have been on borough council for a number of years. I first decided to get involved because they needed people there. I've been around the town all my life. I care about the borough and the people in it and I want to help to keep going. I guess you could say is concern for the borough, the ability to work with people and the ability to listen to people.
Malehorn: This will be the third term that I've run for and I would like to see the inter-community township project with Newberry Township--to see it completed. The project would improve the ball fields, improve concession stands and bathrooms. Obviously with the terms I've been in, I am familiar with the workings of the council and the problems in the community.
Vehar: I just want to be more involved. I want to make sure that the right things are being done, that we aren't putting too much of a burden on the taxpayers. And I would just like to be able to help out. I've been in management for many years, about 20. I've been on the council, I know how it works and what needs to be done. I've lived in York Haven for 15 years and I know the people and I want to do what's best for them.
