In The News
The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Pivotal primary for mayoral candidates
Sunday, May 17, 2009
By DAN KRISTIE
WEST CHESTER - The borough’s Democratic voters will likely decide on Tuesday who will be West Chester’s next mayor.
Former Councilman Bill Scott and current Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta, both Democrats, are facing off in the Democratic primary. And, although they are not on the Republican ballot, they will likely face off in the Republican Primary.
No Republican is running for mayor, but some of the borough’s registered Republicans have indicated that they will write in either Scott’s or Comitta’s name. So it is likely one of their names will end up on the Republican side of the general election ballot.
There also aren’t any Republicans running for the four available borough council seats.
Councilwoman Holly Brown, a Democrat, is running for re-election to her first ward seat, and Councilman Chuck Christy, a Democrat, is running for re-election to his third ward seat.
Comitta is not running for re-election to her fifth ward borough council seat. Democrat Tom Paxson, a lifelong borough resident who works as a salesman for a pipe company, is running unopposed in her place.
Councilman Scott Smith, a Democrat, is not running for re-election to his seventh ward seat. Democrat John Manion, a 10-year borough resident who works in health care sales, is running unopposed to replace him.
And District Justice Gwenn Knapp, who is cross-filed as a Democrat and Republican, will run unopposed for re-election to her seat. Her jurisdiction covers the western half of the borough.
The race between Scott and Comitta has for the most part been friendly. The candidates have focused less on ideological differences than on differences of approach.
While Scott has presented himself as a maverick who isn’t afraid to stand up for the borough’s interests, Comitta has presented herself as a consensus builder who wants all borough stakeholders to feel like they have helped shape and are invested in borough government’s actions.
“I am prepared to lead by listening to understand the needs of our diverse communities and by bringing people together to create a West Chester that is safe, clean, and green,” Comitta said during an interview conducted on Friday.
“I am running on my many years of service, experience and knowledge about what would be good for West Chester and what a mayor can do for West Chester,” Scott said in a Friday interview.
Scott said that while former mayors have seen their primary duty as providing civilian oversight for the police department, he would expand the mayor’s role. He said he would introduce legislation to borough council and would use the weight of the mayor’s office to advocate for a wide range of issues.
While Comitta hasn’t talked as much about expanding the role of mayor, she has made environmental issues, which are typically dealt with by borough council, a centerpiece of her campaign.
Council members Holly Brown, Jim Jones and Sue Bayne have endorsed Scott. But Councilman Chuck Christy endorsed Comitta. The rest of the council members could not be reached for comment. (what the article doesn’t mention is that State Representative Barbara McIlvaine Smith and Former County Commissioner Patrick O’Donnell have endorsed Carolyn)CTC
To contact staff writer Dan Kristie, send an e-mail to dkristie@dailylocal.com.
article
© 2009 dailylocal.com, a Journal Register Property
‘You have to be someone who can unite everybody’
West Chester Mayor Dick Yoder and ex-mayors Tom Chambers, Clifford DeBaptiste weigh in on election for mayoral candidates
Thursday, May 14, 2009
By DAN KRISTIE, Staff Writer
WEST CHESTER — Two Democrats and no Republicans are running for mayor of West Chester, which means next week’s Democratic primary is likely to determine whether former Councilman Bill Scott or current Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta will be the next mayor.
Current Mayor Dick Yoder, as well as Tom Chambers and Clifford DeBaptiste, the two living former mayors, declined to endorse either of the candidates.
But they did talk about what it’s like to be mayor. And they shared their views regarding what sorts of personality traits the job requires.
Chambers, who served three terms as mayor and two as borough councilman, said that the job of mayor is one of “leadership and influence.”
This, Chambers said, means talking to citizens on the streets, easing conflicts between borough stakeholders, and serving as a figurehead at community events.
The mayor’s role, Chambers said, is not to craft legislation. Rather, he said, the mayor must be attuned to what is going on in the borough and use the power of the mayor’s office to lead the borough in the right direction.
DeBaptiste said that the mayor must be a uniter rather than a “big I AM.”
“You have to be someone who can unite everybody — all entities of communities,” DeBaptiste said. “Every entity in the borough is strong. The residents, the businesses, Borough Council, the county government, the university, they’re all strong. So you have to have a strong person who can come and have them all work together.”
Yoder said that the mayor should understand that his or her main role, according to the West Chester municipal code, is to provide civilian oversight of the police department. A big part of this, he said, is deciding which police officers get hired and promoted.“You have to make sure you hire the right officers,” Yoder said. “You have to be a good judge of character.”
Yoder added that while the mayor can veto ordinances and break Borough Council tie votes, he must use these powers lightly.
“If there’s a tie, I’m inclined to throw it back to Borough Council for a second vote,” he said. “And during my seven and a half years as mayor, there were only six things I was prepared to veto. But Borough Council voted them all down, because they knew ahead of time what I was prepared to do.”
Chambers, a Democrat turned Independent, said that although he knows who he wants the next mayor to be, he’s keeping his preference to himself.
Yoder, a Republican, and DeBaptiste, a lifelong Republican who changed his registration to vote for President Obama in the 2008 primary, agreed. But they did offer predictions of how they thought one of the candidates would perform.
“Bill Scott is very political,” Yoder said, referring to Scott’s longtime role as patron and coach of the local Democratic Party. “Will he be able to put that aside?”
DeBaptiste said he thinks that compared to Comitta, Scott would make a very confrontational mayor.
To contact staff writer Dan Kristie, send an e-mail to dkristie@dailylocal.com..
“I think he’ll probably challenge a lot of little things,” DeBaptiste said. “He’ll challenge county government, challenge the university.”
Letter to Editor
May 6, 2009
“Tall Tales: Getting Your Facts Straight on the next Mayor”
It has come to my attention that my opponent for Mayor of West Chester, Bill
Scott, has been misrepresenting my record, and that of Thomas Comitta
Associates, Inc. (TCA) on matters concerning building heights in the
Borough, while omitting his role in the development of the tallest building
in West Chester.
Misleading Accusation: Mr. Scott said, at our recently held debate on WCHE,
that TCA recommended a Borough building height of 180 feet.
Fact: In 1996, TCA, planning consultants for the Borough of West Chester,
recognizing the desire of the County to move operations back into the
Borough, consulted with County Commissioners to determine what building
height would be needed. The County determined they needed 12 stories, 180
feet, which is what West Chester Borough Council agreed to, to accommodate
their needs. Prior to this time, the building height was unlimited, then 225
feet. Actually, the HO-180 District required a “wedding cake” type of
design whereby a Building would be 90 feet, close to the sidewalk, and then
step back 15 feet for each story up to 180 feet.
Fact: During Mr. Scott’s eight years on Borough Council, the only action on
“building height” he led and passed was the vote to allow a “Government
Overlay District” in the 200 block of West Market Street, exempting the
County from the Borough’s zoning restrictions and height option design
criteria. Mr. Scott’s vote in favor of this special zoning, allowed the
construction of the tallest building in West Chester, by the Borough’s
biggest developer, the County, and permitted the building’s design, without
the step-back.
Fact: During Mr. Scott’s eight years on Borough Council, the Borough
building height remained at 180′.
Fact: During Mrs. Comitta’s first two years on Borough Council, she led and
passed an ordinance lowering the Borough’s building height from 180′ to 75
feet with an option for 90′ for residential or hotel use. (90′ is the
height of the Borough’s tallest historic building, the F&M Building.) The
tallest building Mrs. Comitta has voted for is 75′.
Fact: With the 10-year height logjam resolved, Carolyn has led Borough
Council and the community in focusing efforts on other pressing development
issues: strengthening our plan review process, passing “green” building
requirements, strengthening historic preservation guidelines, and
negotiating “splendid” compatible building design within the new 75/90′
maximum height.
Fact: For over 35 years, Thomas Comitta Associates, Inc. has been assisting
(over 50) municipalities, promoting Smart Growth, creating alternatives to
Suburban Sprawl, preserving historic resources, revitalizing downtowns,
preserving open space and creating walkable, livable communities. TCA is a
respected partner in the success of West Chester’s revitalization.
Fact: Mrs. Comitta’s leadership in bringing the community together to
improve the quality of life in West Chester, stems directly from her
experience as Vice President of TCA. Framing the issue, convening the
conversation, and working together with the community to find practical,
successful solutions for the future, is what TCA does, and is exactly what
Carolyn will do as the next Mayor of West Chester.
Sincerely,
Carolyn T. Comitta
Candidate for Mayor of West Chester
Member, West Chester Borough Council
Vice President
Thomas Comitta Associates, Inc. Town Planners and Landscape Architects
Borough joins lights-out event
World Wildlife Fund’s global initiative urges people to turn off non-essential lighting for an hour March 28
Monday, March 23, 2009 11:51 AM EDT
By DAN KRISTIE, Staff Writer
WEST CHESTER - The borough is participating in Earth Hour, and it wants you to help.
Earth Hour is a global initiative of the World Wildlife Fund during which people are asked to turn off all nonessential lighting.
This lighting includes overhead lights in homes and businesses, computers, decorative lights, neon advertizing signs, televisions, desk lamps, and outdoor lighting, as long as the absence of this lighting would not affect safety.
Earth Hour will occur between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on March 28. Its purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short term by getting people to turn off lights for one hour and in the long term by getting people to reconsider how many lights they actually need to use.
Borough Council passed a resolution Wednesday night stating that during Earth Hour, West Chester would turn off all non-essential lighting in borough-owned buildings.
The resolution encourages members of the West Chester community to do the same in their homes and businesses.
Borough Council President Sue Bayne said Earth Hour would provide residents a wonderful opportunity to take a nighttime stroll through the borough.
“You could go and visit your neighbors,” she added.
Councilwoman Holly Brown, who owns a downtown business, said residents might want to consider stopping by a local business during Earth Hour.
Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta said Earth Hour is “both symbolically and functionally significant.” She pointed out that the World Wildlife Fund has determined that the event has a noticeable impact on carbon emissions.
According to the Earth Hour Web site, 1,189 cities and towns across 80 countries have committed to participate this year.
The event began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007.
To contact staff writer Dan Kristie, send an e-mail to dkristie@dailylocal.com.
© 2009 dailylocal.com, a Journal Register Property
The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Opinion
Police station expansion should be high priority
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 6:09 AM EDT
It seems likely that the Borough of West Chester will make significant improvements to its police station at some point in the near future. But what’s yet to be determined is how extensive those renovations will be and, more importantly, how they will be paid for.
Borough Council is currently considering two options, very different in scope. One would add about 11,500 square feet to the station with costs ranging from $3.7 million to $4.9 million. The other would add 4,800 square feet and would cost between $1.7 million and $2.4 million.
The expansion project has received plenty of support lately from borough officials, including both candidates for mayor.
One of those candidates, former Councilman Bill Scott said last week that the conditions were crowded and “substandard.” The other, Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta, said the project should be a higher priority than the expansion of the public works facility, which the borough is also considering.
The truth is, they’re right. The original police station was designed for 32 officers, but 46 are now working there. More offices, interview rooms, locker rooms and holding cells are needed.
That’s why we stand firmly behind option one. Yes, it’s more expensive, but in the long run it’s the best move for the borough. Police Chief Scott Bohn has said it would fulfill all of the department’s needs, something option two would not do.
And while the borough could do a second expansion further down the line, that could cost more in the long run as prices increase. And really, what’s the point of doing an expansion that only accommodates some of the department’s needs?
If Borough Council members are serious about improving police facilities, they’ll find a way to finance option one. It may require some creative financing, but in the long term, it will be worth it.
One option would be to wrap the police department expansion debt around a soon-to-be-retired debt from renovations to Borough Hall. About $7 million in debt will come off the books by 2014. Borough officials say the police expansion debt could be added without seeing debt service payments increase.
If that is the case, we can’t think of a good reason not to select option one. Borough officials have other expansions they’re seeking to finance, and we laud them for their forward thinking, but really nothing rates as highly as the police station. Both Scott and Comitta drove that point home last week.
The fact that both candidates for mayor are such strong proponents of the expansion further drives home the point that it’s a matter of when, not if.
We’re on board - we’d just like to see Borough Council choose the best long-term option, and that would be the first one.
© 2009 dailylocal.com, a Journal Register Property
Garage facade, cost uncertain
Saturday, December 27, 2008 11:55 AM EST
By DAN KRISTIE, Staff Writer
Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta said the inclusion of a basement should not depend on current demand.
“This is a facility that will serve us for at least the next 50 years,” she said. “We shouldn’t base our decision on demand for spaces in a weak economy.”
WEST CHESTER - If it doesn’t cost too much, an ornate brick facade will likely be part of the new Mosteller Garage.
In a split vote, Borough Council earlier this month approved a version of the garage design that includes the brick facade. Some council members argued that instead of continuing a long debate over the garage’s exterior, it would be better to put the project out to bid with the brick facade and find out how much it will cost.
Sewer rate hike adds to economic woes of residents
Daily Local News Opinion
12/20/2008
To help preserve socioeconomic diversity, West Chester Borough Council members are considering hiring a consultant to study ways to promote attainable housing. Officials fear nurses, police, teachers and other service industry professionals are already beginning to be priced out of the borough. According to Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta, promoting attainable housing would avoid further gentrification. “It is wise to plan for maintaining economic diversity in our borough,” Comitta said last week. “It is part of our strength.” Commissioning an attainable housing study was discussed at the Dec. 9 meeting of the borough’s Planning, Zoning, Business and Professional Development committee, on which Comitta sits. Roses for the effort.
Height and zoning must be dealt with as separate issues
Daily Local News Opinion
It seems to be that height and zoning in West Chester are not like peanut butter and jelly or even cookies and milk.
McCool properties wants to build condominiums on East Market Street. The developer wanted the borough to include its project into a move with a vote on both the continuing height issue as well as a zoning change proposal.
However, Borough Council last week decided to move the discussion back to the committee level. That decision seemed to be based on the belief that the height question and the zoning question are, well, two different questions.
“I think that the residents need enough notice and time. I think we are rushing through the process,” Marybeth C. Phillips, of North Matlack Street, told council members on Wednesday. “This will impact us day in and day out. It is a huge issue. It’s not just about height,” she added.
Phillips went on to say that the condominiums will also affect traffic, borough services and the quality of life of residents.
Dale Frens, a member of the borough’s Historic Architectural Review Board, says council should not address the McCool petition or the planning commission recommendation until a comprehensive study is completed about the overall height issue.
“This is a larger question than a simple lot. I do not understand why our borough government is considering an isolated application,” he said. “We are rushing ahead with an individual application that could be sorely out of line with a comprehensive plan or ordinance regarding height.”
We agree.
Council’s decision not to take any action yet on the recommendation and the petition came after residents and borough officials expressed concerns at the recent work session and voting session.
Recently, council’s Planning, Zoning, Business and Industrial Development (PZBID) committee and neighborhood groups have been holding meetings, so residents can offer their input on development and height regulations.
Mary Ann Rossi, an attorney who represents McCool Properties, contends council should have a hearing on the petition and planning commission recommendation all together, so residents do not get confused.
“I would urge council to advertise all of it at the same time. Everyone who is interested in this application will have all of the information,” she said.
She also said that if council waits on the overall height issue to address the McCool issue, it could have a serious effect on the project.
Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta, chairwoman of the PZBID Committee, which made the recommendation that council discuss the issue, made a motion early in the meeting to schedule a public hearing for January to discuss the petition only. She hoped it would help council open up the discussion about the overall height issue.
“We can have the hearing and open up the dialogue. If we aren’t ready to make a decision, we can continue,” Comitta said. “It would help frame the issue.”
Comitta added that PZBID has been working hard on the height issue, and it is possible that a deadline may be set at December’s meeting to make some sort of decision about the height issue.
The issues of height and this specific zoning proposal ARE separate issues. We agree that they should be addressed that way.
CONGO Documents Library
Congo Committee on Health and Communication
31 August 2004
Report to the CONGO Board
August 2004
Submitted by Chair, Carolyn T Comitta, World Information Transfer
I LEADERSHIP and MEMBERSHIP:
Chair, Carolyn Comitta - World Information Transfer; Vice Chairs, Daria Dykyj, World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organization; Clarence Pearson, WHO; Secretary, Thema Bryant-Davis, American Psychological Association; Treasurer, Mario Viscovich — Croatian World Congress; Members at Large, Flora Bloom — International Union for Health Promotion and Education; Tariq Jawaid Alam, Galaxy of Youth
Membership: 23 member organizations
II EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS: (March — July 2004)
To Read WIT’s World Ecology Report 1992, click here.
