McCann, Curtin Not Seeking Yardley Council Re-Election

YARDLEY, PA —Since September, the seven-member Borough Council has seen three departures.

Now there will be two more.

Yardley Borough Councilmen Matt Curtin and John McCann are not seeking re-election in the May 16 primary election.

McCann, who was first elected in 2019, said he is not running so he can spend more time with his family. He will complete his four-year term at the end of the year.

Curtin was appointed to a vacancy in September 2020 and served through the end of that term. He was then appointed to fill another vacancy in January 2022.

Borough officials said a policy at Curtin's workplace prevents him from running for office, but he could be appointed to fill another opening.

"I really enjoyed my service to the Yardley community and being part of this great group," McCann said. "I really felt council has had a tremendous impact on the well-being of our citizens through our work."

McCann said the council has made "considerable progress" on important public works projects, increased transparency, addressed citizens' concerns, enhanced the business climate, improved the budgeting process and funding for the police department, and continued to support and grow community events, among other accomplishments.

"I'm grateful for John's advocacy for the North Main Street Sidewalk Project and his meeting with residents during both phases, his work with the Friends of the Mary Yardley Bridge and his mediation skills in moving that lengthy project ever nearer to completion, and his advocacy for Yardley Borough small businesses," Council President Caroline Thompson said.

Thompson said that the council "would not have made it through the economic uncertainty of the last three years" without Curtin's help steering the financial/budgetary ship process with Borough Manager Paula Johnson and Financial Assistant Patty Sargant.

"Councilperson Curtin has received multiple public kudos for the increased transparency of financial matters that he has brought to the board," Thompson said. "I also really appreciate his ability to parse out facts from biased opinions on matters that the council votes on. I'm never quite sure how he will vote, but his reasoning is always well-based and impartial."

Curtin did not return emails seeking comment.

Thompson said that while both will be missed, she plans on utilizing their services over the next seven months.

In early January, two-term Councilman Uri Feiner was appointed to fill the vacancy opened by the departure of Matt Ross, who resigned at the end of the year.

Last September, Councilmen David Appelbaum and Don Carlson filled the vacancies of David Bria and Chris Campellone, who resigned because they were moving out of town.