Election 2019: Meet The Candidates For Newtown Borough Council

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The race for three seats on the Newtown Borough Councilis heating up, with six candidates vying for three spots. All seats are four-year terms.

In Ward 1, incumbent Democrat Tara Grunde-McLaughlin is facing Republican challenger Thomas Dillione.

RELATED: Pennsylvania Election Day Guide 2019: What Voters Need To Know

Grunde-McLaughlin is the current council vice president. She believes the biggest issue facing the borough is development, and ensuring that new development aligns with the town's historic charm, according to questionnaire from the League of Women Voters of Bucks County.

"At present we are facing proposed property developments, and I will work with our engineer and solicitor to ensure that proper rules and procedures are followed and that input from the Planning Commission and HARB is heard," she said in the questionnaire.

Dillione and his wife have been Newtown Borough residents for more than 30 years. He is the chairman of the Newtown Borough Zoning Board, and a vice president/national sales manager for a wine and spirit import company.

"I am running to give back to the community that has given so much to me. My desires are to keep out citizens safe so I support our independent police force. We need prudent fiscal management and responsible growth so the borough can continue to evolve but not burden our citizens with taxes," Dillione said. He also cited parking and traffic speed enforcement as key issues.

In Ward 2, Republican Kevin McDermott, the current council president, is running alongside Charles Adcock. The pair faces Democrats Susan Turner and Robert Szwajkos.

McDermott, who is retired from Munich Reinsurace Co., said the biggest issue for Newtown is "striking the right balance between promoting business growth and maintaining our unique charm as an historical, walkable town." He also cited parking as a key community issue.

Turner, owner of the home-based Green Frog Bakery, also said retaining the historic charm of Newtown while supporting the business community is a key issue.

Szwajkos, a partner at Curtin & Heefner LLP, said Newtown's biggest issue is maintaining Newtown as a "magic place to work in and well as live in while balancing the historic qualities and need to meet modern needs."

You can see all candidates' questionnaires in the League of Women Voters' questionnaire here.