Election 2023: Democrat Nicole Reichner For Hatboro Council

Candidates running in the Nov. 7 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

HATBORO, PA —Nicole Reichner is running for re-election as a Democrat for a seat on the Hatboro Borough Council in the Nov. 7 general election.

Reichner is running with Councilwomen Nicole McMenamin, and Nicole Shay for three seats against Republican challengers Tom Rafferty, Justin Platt, and Gary Blickley.

Biographical Information

Name: Nicole Sutton Reichner

Age: 40

Town of residence: Hatboro

Position sought: Council Member at large

Are you an incumbent? yes

What Towns Does Your Position Cover? the borough of Hatboro

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Husband, John; 3 sons, Erich, Joshua, and Caleb

Education: Associate in Arts- Mass Media Production from Montco, finishing my last semester for an Associate in Liberal Arts.

Occupation: Accounts Receivable Specialist at Steve Weiss Music in Willow Grove

1. What are your position's top issues, and how do you plan to address them?

The top issue that I see in the borough of Hatboro is trying to maintain the unique history of the borough while also trying to remain current so people will want to buy a home, raise a family, grab dinner, take a walk, and relax here. It is difficult to keep history when it is expensive and there is not a lot of return on your investment at first. The work we are putting into ensuring the Loller building, the Cressbrook Property, Union Library, and the Old Mill are on the historic registries will be fantastic for future generations. I'm afraid some residents may not always see the benefit right now, but I assure everyone, having grown up here, seeing how the borough has changed in the last 40 years is staggering; many beautiful homes and buildings have been lost.

The other side of that coin is also trying to maintain our relevancy with neighboring townships and boroughs having larger areas to grow their business sections and maintain their residential zones is a little easier, but here, everything is condensed so much that any change is drastic because of how close we all are to each other; it's a bittersweet problem to have. We need to maintain our main street and make it liveable for the neighbors because, in the end, if we grow too much, we will push out the residents, and that is not something I would like to see happen.

2. Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your position:

I will work to continue protecting the historic properties and our open space. I am committed to having safe and enjoyable parks for children and adults, and I love seeing people utilizing them daily throughout the borough. I have been a member of the Hatboro Pool my entire life, and it is one of my favorite places to relax all summer. I plan to keep the pool improving each year with activities and amenities, and hopefully, in the next few years, we can get a new slide in there for everyone to enjoy. Our parks, while beautiful, need work; we need to take our MS4 more seriously and get to work helping in any way possible to alleviate some of the flooding near the creek.

3. What is your experience or background that prepares you for election to the office?

I have been a public servant of the borough for just about four years, and in that time, I have worked to keep our borough a safe place and a fun place to grow up and live. I have seen this borough change for good and not so good my whole life, and I know I am helping to better the residents in every way I can. I have been volunteering at Crooked Billet Elementary School for over ten years. I have served on the Hatboro Storm Swim Team board and as a den leader of Cub Scout Pack 17, and I am also helping to produce the musical at Keith Valley Middle School for the second year. I love helping my community and try to be an example for my kids and the community daily.