Lansdale Candidate Q&A on Election Day

When you go out to vote today in , you will see these names on the ballot.

.

The tax collector position, however, is borough-wide.

The candidates for borough council were asked the same four questions:

What needs to change in Lansdale?

What are the three issues you'd like to solve as councilperson?

Why did you choose to live in Lansdale?

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

The two candidates for tax collector were asked similar questions:

Why do you want to run for tax collector?

What issues would you like to see changed in your position?

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

Lansdale Council Ward 1

Republican Nancy Frei vs. Democrat Steven Malagari

Nancy Frei, resident for 23 years, inspector of elections since 2009

What needs to change in Lansdale?

"I think, from my perspective, the residents need to be more active in the whole process," Frei said. "They need to come out to the meetings. They need to voice their concerns, their interests and what they would like to see done."

What are the three issues you'd like to solve as councilperson?

"I'd like to have honest and open government. I want to try to eliminate wasteful spending, and I want to always make sure we are getting the most for our tax dollars."

Why did you choose to live in Lansdale?

"I moved to Lansdale because, when I lived down in Philly, there was a big change going on down there, and we wanted to move to a smaller, nicer town."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"I'm excited, for whatever happens. I'll still stay involved whether I win or don't win the election."

Steven Malagari, born and raised on E. Fifth St., no prior experience

What needs to change in Lansdale?

"I think there needs to be a little bit more transparency on council so voters and regular citizens know what is happening in government. The public needs to be made aware of what is happening."

What are the three issues you'd like to solve as councilperson?

"One of the biggest issues we, as council, need to solve is what is going to happen with 311 W. Main St. What is the future of the building and whatever the task force decides is what we as a council need to consider. What is best for the town financially and the community as a whole is one of the biggest issues we need to address.

We need to continue with the streetscape project and make sure we see that through to completion. Of all the things slated to be completed - the removal of trees, sidewalk and curbing - we need to make sure all of it is up to par for the general public.

The third thing is we need to look at the development plans for Madison lot, and at least be asking for Requests for Proposals to see if there is a plan for that area. If development is for a parking garage and mixed retail space, I would support something along those lines.

We are stretching our wallets far right now. If there's a good argument made that this will benefit us in five, 10, 15 years down the road, and we justify it based on that, it's up to discussions from engineers and from what council decides as a whole."

Why did you choose to live in Lansdale?

"I was born and raised in Lansdale, and I never left, except for college. When I came back, I lived in my father's house; he lives in Ward Two. I became more active with the things going on in the town as a way to give back to the community. Once my fiancee came out here, we decided this is going to be our home. This is where we want to stay."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"I feel pretty confident. I feel that I will win tomorrow. Regardless of who wins, Ward One will be proud of who they vote for. It's a win-win overall. When it comes to Lansdale, Nancy and I both want to make it the best that it can be. We do what's best and we do what's right. It's our homes and we don't want anything bad to happen to it."

Lansdale Council Ward 2

Incumbent Democrats Jack Hansen and Rich DiGregorio vs. Republicans George Fenzil Jr. and Sam Carlo

Jack Hansen, resident for 26 years, elected to council in 2007

What needs to change in Lansdale?

"The big thing that needs to change is we have to televise our meetings. People either won't come to the meetings or they physically can't come out. They have to be televised so all the people know what's going on."

What are the three issues you'd like to solve as councilperson?

"The traffic problem - that has been an ongoing situation for close to 100 years in Lansdale. It's something we can solve and there are different possibilities. The Vine-Wood Connector will  help a lot to get traffic off of Main and Broad.

Another situation is over at Knapp Elementary School and getting a flashing school zone ot there as students walk to and from school

The third is development. I would love to see our businesspark developed more than it is now. We need good industry and we need to put people back to work. We also need to bring businesses and shops into the downtown. We've been talking about that for four years. With the Lansdale Business Association and council, I think we can bring people in. If you bring business in, you bring more people. Once more people are on the streets, crime is going to go down."

Why did you choose to live in Lansdale?

"What brought me to Lansdale is a friend recommended my house. I thought that it was a very nice house. I had no thoughts of moving to Lansdale at the time. I moved in to be here for two years while I built a house somewhere out in the country. I got here, I liked it and I never left."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"I'm extremely nervous, but I'm nervous before any election. I loved the last two weeks before an election; it gets the juices flowing. But I'm excited too, and excitement relates to nervousness. You never know what the voters are going to do."

Rich DiGregorio, resident for 13 years, elected to council in 2007

DiGregorio was unavailable for comment on this story.

George Fenzil, resident for three years, no prior experience

What needs to change in Lansdale?

"Jack and Rich had their chance to make things better, and they need to step aside and let someone else have a chance."

What are the three issues you'd like to solve as councilperson?

"Based on the feedback from the residents, the three biggest issues are fiscal responsibility, safety and the downtown Main Street area."

Why did you choose to live in Lansdale?

"I chose Lansdale because it is a very pedestrian-friendly town that is convenient to many areas. I often walk to Main Street to patronize the local businesses and the farmers' market. If needed, the train is available to take you to Philly. As an added benefit, my morning commute is only 10 minutes."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"I feel confident that the residents will trust my educational credentials, military service and business experience and make the right choice."

Sam Carlo, resident for nine years, member of the planning commission

What needs to change in Lansdale?

"I have been on the planning commission since 2006, and based on the interactions I have had with council, it became apparent that there are problems in the borough that need to be addressed. Issues like having an open and honest government, eliminating wasteful spending and attracting viable businesses back to Lansdale should be paramount."

What are the three issues you'd like to solve as councilperson?

"As I have walked Ward Two, I have listened to my neighbors and their concerns are similar to mine. We need to hold the line on taxes, eliminate wasteful spending and return fiscal responsibility to the borough, and revitalize our downtown."

Why did you choose to live in Lansdale?

"My wife and I moved to the borough almost 10 years ago. We liked the quaint, down-home character of the borough."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"I am very excited. I think the residents of Ward Two want change and they are not satisfied with a status quo approach to borough government."

Lansdale Council Ward Three

Incumbent Republican Mike Riccio vs. Democrat Denton Burnell

Mike Riccio, born and raised in Lansdale, councilman since 2007

What needs to change in Lansdale?

"I think continued open government and continuing to move forward and get Lansdale in the direction where it's a town that is safe and has a great downtown that people want to come to as destination."

What are the three issues you'd like to solve as councilperson?

"I want to continue to work on the things we are trying to work on, which unfortunately, take time in government with all the people involved. We need to continue to support our police that's been dramatically effective now than it's been in the past couple of years, and that's due to support of officers and more equipment.

We need to continue to update our infrastructure with the sewer and water lines that haven't been done for years. We need to continue to update our 100-year-old infrastructure.

We need to continue to support the downtown and businesses in the downtown. In order to support the destination of the downtown and our tax base, we need new businesses."

Why did you choose to live in Lansdale?

"I was born at the old Elm Terrace, I grew up on Pennbrook Avenue. Going through Lansdale Little League, and the swimming and diving team, winning a championship there, I love being a part of the community. I do love being here."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"I think it's great. I've had the privilege four years ago running against a good friend, Drew Stockmal. He went on to do great things, like the Beer Fest in town. And now it's the same thing: I have a good friend in Denton, and he's doing the same thing with bringing great things to Lansdale. If I win, I'll keep doing what I'm doing and getting people involved. The more people are involved, the better it is."

Denton Burnell, resident for six years, chairman of the Communications Commission

What needs to change in Lansdale?

"That's a tough question. I think one of the things I campaigned on and one of the thigns that's been important to me is getting more people involved and invested as to what's going on in town. I'm energized about the changes in town, and that energy will propel us forward. It's all part of making the revitalization happen."

What are the three issues you'd like to solve as councilperson?

"Certainly, the fulfilling promise of revitalization gets talked about every two years around here. It's about actually taking the momentum the current sitting council has and propelling us forward.

I'd like to see more partnership with constituents, more town halls, more citizen involvement, more people out at council meetings. There must be greater transparency throughout the whole process.

I'd like to bring a fresh perspective to council. There are nine of us up there and it's our responsibility to work together as a nine-member team. I'd like to leave part of my legacy on council.

Why did you choose to live in Lansdale?

"It was really easy. My wife and I were looking for houses. We drove through the neighborhood and looked at a house on Delaware Avenue. We fell in love with the community. There are a lot of young families in our neighborhood, a lot of kids the same age. It has a neighborhoody feel to it and it turned us immediately."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"I feel great. I worked really hard and tried to connect to as many people as I possibly can. It was a tough primary to get here - it was a three-vote differential. It wasn't hard to take the energy from that and move foward to here. I like my chances. I hope people get out and vote."

Lansdale Tax Collector

Incumbent appointed Republican Christine Calhoun vs. Democrat Jim Hanratty

Calhoun and Hanratty are vying to fill the two years of a four-year term vacated by Republican Robert Di Domizio. Calhoun was appointed tax collector in the interim.

Christine Calhoun, born and raised in Lansdale, former Hatfield Borough tax collector for 15 years, former deputy tax collector under her father for seven years

Why do you want to run for tax collector?

"I was tax collector for 15 years in Hatfield Borough, and seven years experience in the Lansdale tax office under my father. With my experience, I know the job inside and out, and it was just a natural fit to help Bob (Di Domizio). It's been a constant since 1994.

Once I got to know all the residents here in Lansdale through the tax office, it's been a wonderful experience. I would just love to continue this and serve the people of Lansdale."

What issues would you like to see changed in your position?

"The big issue this past year has been the loss of the tax office at borough hall. Unfortunately, it was out of my control. The borough wanted it out and I had to make other arrangements.

I tried to expand the collection process by having late hours and Saturday hours at Harleysville Savings Bank, and they were just wonderful over there giving me the space for free.

There were hours at borough hall, but I had to pay rent out-of-pocket, and times there were limited. If I get elected, different arrangements can be made to help people out. A lot of residents like to pay taxes at borough hall."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"I'll be relieved when it's over. The campaigning part of the job isn't one of my strong points. I'm here to serve the people and I hope my message got out."

Jim Hanratty, resident for 25 years, former councilman, current Democratic committeeperson

Why do you want to run for tax collector?

"I wanted to run two years ago, but Ed Scheuring decided to run and I was starting a new career. This year, I thought, 'Why not take a shot this time?' Democrats in Lansdale haven't won boroughwide in a long time. I think now is a good time. I want to do it.

"I also own by own business, East Coast Services, a vending business. I know about sales. I know profits, losses and margins."

What issues would you like to see changed in your position?

"I want to try to get the tax collector back in borough hall. I don't know what happened. I think the borough is trying to get an office back in there with basic customer service and somewhat regular office hours.

You need to get back to people, whether it's email, voicemail, text, whatever. I've heard a lot of complaints and it seems the opportunity is there so I'm going for it.

The main thing is customer service. A lot of seniors are annoyed that things moved and there are different hours. A lot of people don't like change. You need to appease the people as best as you can: they want to pay in person or they want you to get back to them on the phone."

What are your feelings on the eve of the election?

"If the Democratic vote comes out, we will win. The trend is there. We have to keep it going, and eventually we will be where the Republicans were 20 years ago. If we keep applying ourselves, we will have victory."