This year’s Pennsylvania primary election will be held on May 16. While there are no high-profile national races this time around there are a number of important local elections you should be paying attention to. If you haven’t received a sample ballot in the mail – which I have not – you can find the information online at Chester County Voter Services. It’s a 462-page pdf document.(Convenient, I know. If like me, you thought hey, I’ll just search the document for “West Chester” until I get to the correct batch of ballots. Well, bad luck. Sarah B. Black of West Chester Borough is running for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and her name appears on roughly 250 of the ballots. Same if you live in West or East Goshen.) There is one ballot block for the Republican primary and one for the Democratic primary. There is also a “non partisan” ballot which only included referendum questions and doesn’t apply here.
So, first, a look at what’s on the ballot (search West Chester 1, by the way, to at least get close to the correct version). There are a couple of Supreme Court appointments, a Commonwealth Court judge, and five positions open on the Court of Common Pleas. While the Supreme and Commonwealth Courts hear cases at a state level, the Common Pleas judges hear cases from all over the county.
There are also two County Commissioner positions on the ballot, District Attorney, Sheriff, Prothonotary, Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, School Board, and West Chester Borough Council. The last two of which we are going to focus on today.
Scroll to view all responses or click on a name to jump directly to a candidate.
- Borough Council Ward 2 – Bryan Travis
- Borough Council Ward 4 – Nicole Scimone
- Borough Council Ward 6 – Bernie Flynn
- School Board Region 1 – Alex Christy
- School Board Region 1 – Katy Frey
- School Board Region 1 – Robert Rafetto
- School Board Region 1 – Nick Spangler
Other races
There are 12 candidates seeking five open seats on the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. I wasn’t able to get to all the judicial candidates but fortunately, the Daily Local was. You can review thier candidate profiles here.
Two candidates are seeking one open seat representing the School Board from Region 3, including East Bradford, West Goshen, and Westtown. Four candidates are vying for two open positions in Region 2, which includes East Goshen and West Whiteland. Find the Daily Local questionnaire responses from Regions 2 and 3 candidates here.
West Chester Borough Council
There are three seats open on Borough Council – Wards 2, 4, and 6. Ward 4 covers from High Street east to Bolmar and Rosedale north to Magnolia. Ward 2 neighbors Ward 4 and covers Magnolia north to just below Chestnut Street and High east to Bolmar Street. The 6th Ward includes downtown West Chester (just below Miner to Chestnut) and Bradford Avenue to High Street. Not sure in which Ward you live? You can find that here along with your current representative.
Ward 2 – Bryan Travis
Running in Ward 2 and replacing current Borough Council Representative Nick Allen is Bryan Travis. Bryan and his family have been living in the borough since 2006. “It’s the place I’ve lived in the longest. I consider it home, and I’m here to stay.” Read Bryan’s responses to our questions.
Why did you decide to run for Borough Council?
Our young family moved to the WC Borough from Washington, DC in 2006. It’s the place I’ve lived in the longest. I consider it home, and I’m here to stay. As such, I’ve increased my involvement in our community to help shape its future. For example, I serve as one of West Chester’s Ward 2 Democratic Committee members. There was an opportunity to run for the Ward 2 council seat, and I didn’t hesitate.
What is your relationship to WC?
I’ve been a homeowner/resident since 2006. I renovated our fixer-upper residence on West Chestnut Street and moved to S Walnut Street in 2017. My kids go to West Chester public schools, and my wife is a professor at WCU. My son will attend WCU in the Fall. We have a close network of borough friends and colleagues.
My family also attends the United Methodist Church of West Chester where we are active members and volunteers. For example, I’ve led our church’s Good Works mission which provides volunteers and resources to help restore homes for community members who cannot afford to make necessary repairs.
What do you like best about living in West Chester?
Historic architecture, walkability to the gym, WCU, church, theater, restaurants, WC Growers Market, galleries, shops, and parks. We have vibrancy with tree-lined streets, festivals, events for families, culture, and arts, and great schools. West Chester has a balance of city-like qualities with a neighborhood feel.
In your opinion, what are some of the Borough’s greatest challenges?
Living in the borough is desirable, and that’s largely because there are more benefits than drawbacks. We are also the County Seat and are neighbors with a dynamic and growing university. Yet, we all share the same limited 1.8 square miles and its resources.
If elected, I would represent Ward 2 and borough challenges vary by geographic location. For Ward 2, roving noise, parking, trash, more resources for our parks, and affordability are key issues.
What would you like to see accomplished over the next 4 years?
More attention to infrastructure. Better transportation options for commuters and students to get more cars off the street. Make proper use of unoccupied/blighted spaces. I’d also like the Borough to take replenishment of our tree canopy and its benefits more seriously. I’d like to see some of our under-resourced parks get more attention and investment. Many residents want to see a locally sourced grocery within walking distance, and I think that’s a good idea.
What are your views on the Gay Street closure?
Having lived on Chestnut St, I’m a bit mixed on this one as traffic reroutes there from Gay Street. I think it was appropriate during the pandemic to give people something to do outside and help local businesses. I’d like to see the closures more event-driven and family oriented.
Why should residents vote for you?
- I want to serve and represent the community in which I live.
- As a 17-year resident, I know the Borough’s challenges and opportunities.
- I’m interested in helping shape the long view. Just like other residents, I will have to live with the decisions council makes and therefore committed to making the right ones.
Ward 4 – Nicole Scimone
Nicole Scimone is running in Ward 4 and replacing current Borough Council President Michael Stefano who is stepping down. She praises the town for its walkability, restaurants, and plethora of events. “It has everything I need and that makes me happy.” Doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. Here’s her answers to our questions.*
* Nicole, Robert and Nick agree to phone interviews so their answers have been transcribed from our discussions. Keep that in mind. For most people thinking on your feet isn’t as easy as planning your responses in advance.
Why did you decide to run for Borough Council?
Nicole Scimone is running in Ward 4 and replacing current Borough Council President Michael Stefano who is stepping down. Nicole discussed how she has worked and lived all around the world. “I always come back to West Chester,” she said. “To me West Chester is home. My hope is to do what I can to help our town continue to evolve and thrive into the future. When the opportunity to run for Borough Council came up, I knew it was the right thing for me to do.”
What do you like best about living in West Chester?
She praises the town for its walkability, restaurants, and plethora of events.
“The Borough has everything,” she said “I love the walkability. There are a lot of great restaurants. I am on the board of Uptown. There are all these great activities – now we have the Porchfest. It’s pretty cool. West Chester has everything I need and that makes me happy.“
In your opinion, what are some of the Borough’s greatest challenges?
“I live in the 4th ward over by the students,” Nicole said. “In my ward, we are always asking, ‘How do we continue to improve-the non-student, student relationship?’”
Much of that relationship centers around what Nicole describes as the problem trifecta – noise, parking, and trash. “I’m on the West Chester Community Campus Committee. The University reps on the committee are doing a great job. We are working on the noise ordinance. We want a balance. Students can have fun but not disrupt the residents here.”
“Outside of my ward – how do we develop in the Borough and move forward without hurting what the borough has to offer?” she said.
What would you like to see accomplished over the next 4 years?
“I think changing and improving some of the ordinances on noise control in and around the borough. We are finding that system could be improved,” she said referring to the Campus committee’s work. “It’s about making sure it’s about creating a good experience rather than about penalizing,” she said
She would also like to see improvements made to parking both metered parking which she believes may currently be too expensive and residential parking. “How do we improve parking for residents? Is there something we can look at there that is a missing part of the puzzle?”
Why should residents vote for you?
“I just want to get in there and learn. I want to hear the voices of the residents and learn what they see as issues in their neck of the woods,” she said.
Ward 6 – Bernie Flynn
Current Council Member Bernie Flynn is running for re-election in the sixth ward – or as he puts it, “the sweetest ward in the borough.” Bernie believes his institutional knowledge will be an asset to the newer members of council. Plus, there is so much to do. After shepherding through changes to the pension investment and the car purchasing programs, Bernie shares where we should go next.
Why did you decide to run for a second term on Borough Council?
Currently, I sit at 6 years on borough council with 4 years available in which I will term out. There is so much to do and with institutional knowledge, I’ve collected lends itself to other council members and to the residents. The enthusiasm is still there to work on issues and my health is in a good place. Plus the residents in the 6 ward have asked me to continue, which is most important.
What do you like best about living in West Chester?
First, I love saying we live in the borough! The footprint of West Chester engulfs many other municipalities, but this 1.8 square mile is the heart of Chester County. The borough is an urban community where neighbors know each other by name and are not afraid to share their stories and experiences with you. Once you accept living in the borough, your DNA, becomes the fabric of our streets and alleys and parks.
In your opinion, what are some of the Borough’s greatest challenges?
Let’s face it, the borough is old and quaint with declining infrastructure. Over the past 4 years, the utilities have invested multimillions on underground upgrades which will in the future make us safer. Until it’s completed, the roads and detours will be a huge inconvenience. Parking will always be front and center when trying to manage 20 thousand permanent residents with 19 thousand university students. In such a small area.
What would you like to see accomplished over the next 4 years?
The open air market becomes a meeting place we can be proud of , using natural barriers and an inviting setting for everyone to enjoy. I’m not fond of fencing in our town with gates and permanent barricades.
Flooding of Goose Creek is such an issue, very comprehensive work needs to be done upstream as well as downstream to eliminate the damaging water problems. Our neighbors must help with the multi governmental, natural disasters these floods cause to residential areas as well as the business district.
Lastly, the 4 corners of the borough, which are our gateways, need community support and input to make them more inviting to our community. I hope to start next year an adhoc committee to bring fresh ideas and design to council to improve the eye appeal as you approach the borough.
West Chester Area School Board
There are three school board regions with open seats and all of them impact West Chester residents in some way. Region 2 covers East Goshen and has two open seats, Region 3 covers East Bradford, West Goshen and Westown and has one open seat. Newcomer Alain Oliver is challenging current board member Gary Bevilacqua. Finally, Region 1 covers West Chester and West Goshen and has four candidates vying for two open positions.
Region 1 candidates, you will need to pick 2.
Region 1 – Alex Christy
Appointed by the WCASD School Board to replace outgoing member Kate Shaw in March, Alex Christy is technically already on the board, but he’s new to you. Alex grew up in the district and worked for a while as a substitute teacher here as well as with the Special Olympics. He now works with the state legislature. Here are his responses to my questions.
What is your background and connection to the district?
I grew up in the borough and am an alum of WCASD. After graduating, I attended West Chester University, student-taught in the district, and worked as a substitute teacher here.
I worked directly with teachers and students in Philadelphia, one of the largest districts in the country, overseeing an in-school Special Olympics program called Unified Sports. Students with and without intellectual disabilities practice and play on the same sports teams. I am proud that a number of WCASD schools already have successful Unified programs.
Currently, I work in the state legislature helping constituents, municipalities, and school districts on issues that impact people’s everyday lives. Through my work, I have gained a deep understanding of the issues facing public education– from fair funding to charter reform. Additionally, In March, I was voted by the board to fulfill a vacancy through November. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve over the next seven months.
Why did you decide to run?
Our public schools are essential in making our community and Commonwealth a place where all can succeed. I owe a lot of who I am to growing up in those very schools here in the district.
There are sustained, well-funded efforts to fully privatize public education in Pennsylvania and attempts to ban books and harm LGBTQ students. These threats are serious and dangerous. Often, I think we are given chances to either run away from fires or towards them. Knowing how important public education is and how critical it is to invest in our students now more than ever, I saw no other option but to run toward it.
What is one area you think the School District is doing well and what is one area you would like to see improved?
The thing that makes me smile the most is how many incredible and talented and thoughtful students there are in our district. From musicians to students doing DECA or Science Olympiad or the theater productions to the sports teams– there is a lot of good happening in our community.
In all those victories, I hope the district continues to focus on closing the achievement gap, increasing teacher support, and growing community collaboration.
What is your top priority for the District should you be elected?
I hope to push the district to build upon curriculum and further implement equity and inclusion practices to make sure all students in the district get the best education. We need to better listen to our teachers and make sure that families and community members are included in conversations that impact their children.
Why should residents vote for you – what do you bring to the table that doesn’t currently exist?
I am committed to making sure our district continues to play a central role in making our community great and listening to concerns from students, teachers, families, and stakeholders across the district. I believe that my work and understanding of the state-level issues impacting districts, and my demonstrated care for students, specifically those with intellectual disabilities, make me a unique voice among the nine-member board. It would be an honor to serve a full, four-year term, as a member of the board.
Region 1 – Katy Frey
Katy Frey lives in the Borough with her husband and toddler daughter. She has a background in social work and believes the District could do a better job providing access to mental health – a topic echoed by parents in a recent district survey. Read a full transcript of Katy’s responses.
What is your background and connection to the district?
I was born and raised in the West Chester Area (Pocopson Township) and attended the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. I grew up going into the borough on the weekends with my family, so I have many fond memories there. I went to undergraduate school at the University of Florida and got my degree in environmental management, African American studies, communications, and soil and water sciences. Following graduation, I decided to return to Chester County and now live in the West Chester Borough with my husband and daughter. My daughter is only a toddler but will be attending elementary school in the district within a few years.
Why did you decide to run?
I decided to run for school director in the West Chester Area School District (WCASD) given the current political attacks on public education happening across the country. As a product of public education, I am a strong supporter of protecting and strengthening the wonderful schools comprising WCASD. There have been valiant efforts to defund the district and establish more charter schools, which would take money away from providing students with the best education possible. It is imperative that people are elected to the school board that care about the district and want to see it thrive.
What is one area you think the School District is doing well and what is one area you would like to see improved?
I think the district is making great strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As a parent of a biracial daughter, it is very important for me that she attends a school that is welcoming and accepting of students of all backgrounds and identities. I think it is great that the district is taking the action necessary to ensure in particular that students from marginalized groups, such as BIPOC and LGBTQ+ groups, feel safe in school.
An area I would like to see improved within the district is greater access to mental health resources for students, support staff, and teachers. I am currently getting my master’s in social work, so I understand the need for and importance of being able to access mental health resources. I hope in the future the district makes this area more of a priority.
What is your top priority for the District should you be elected?
Besides the priority areas I mentioned above, I am committed to school safety. I am a strong advocate for gun control and if elected, I would aim to work with legislators in passing laws in Pennsylvania that implement stricter and safer gun safety measures. It is imperative that students, staff, and teachers feel safe going to school every day! Gun control — NOT arming teachers — is a small act that could play a huge part in making all parties feel safe when they walk into school each day.
Why should residents vote for you – what do you bring to the table that doesn’t currently exist?
If elected, I would be the only school board member from Gen-Z. I think it is very important for the school board to be made up of folks from a diverse set of backgrounds, including but not limited to age, race, sexual orientation, and professional background. I graduated from high school in 2017, which I think would allow me to relate to students and the issues they may be dealing with, such as active shooter drills, cyberbullying, the current college admissions process, etc. I think my experiences and age would bring a unique perspective to the board.
Region 1 – Robert Rafetto
Robert Rafetto, former owner of the Dilworthtown Inn, doesn’t have children of his own but he has employed many of the district’s kids and understands how they are being prepared for the workforce. Read Robert’s responses below.*
* Nicole, Robert and Nick agree to phone interviews so their answers have been transcribed from our discussions. Keep that in mind. For most people thinking on your feet isn’t as easy as planning your responses in advance.
What is your background and connection to the district?
Former owner of the Dilworthtown Inn, Bob Rafetto doesn’t have children of his own but he has employed many of the district’s kids and understands how they are being prepared for the workforce. He also believes his skillset as a restaurant owner puts him in a unique position to bridge conversations over broken divides. “Throughout this whole conversation, we have not talked about politics. We need to focus on the kids, parents, teachers, administrators – and the taxpayers.”
Why did you decide to run?
“I thought I could help on the board,” said Robert. “From the restaurant side, I have the skill set of listening and talking to both sides. I think I can act as an intermediary.” He also believes it is time the district gets back to basics.
“This is the foundation of the kids’ lives. We have this time. When they finish they have to be able to function by themselves,” Robert said underlying the importance of equipping all students – whether they decide to pursue college, the trades, or another path – with the skills needed to succeed not only for the next few years but for the remainder of their lives.
What is one area you think the School District is doing well and what is one area you would like to see improved?
In meeting and talking with parents and teachers throughout the district and the region, Bob notes he sees supporting teachers and rebuilding connections with parents as an area in which the district can improve. “In the 1980s and 1990s teaching was the best profession. 100 percent of parents would be there for parent-teacher conferences now it’s 30 percent,” he said.
Part of the problem, as he sees it, is a need to back up teachers’ disciplinary decisions.
“The teachers might discipline the kids but the administration doesn’t want to do anything because they are afraid of social media backlash,” he said Overall he believes there’s a general lack of discipline and acceptance of bad behaviors. “Now it’s 100% tolerance.”
What is your top priority for the District should you be elected?
Bob would like to see a renewed focus on closing education gaps. “I have not heard the school board talking about closing the learning gap caused by pandemic closures,” he said “We have a lot of good people but we have to academic performance back up. If it’s not working we need to refocus. What problem is this solving? Where’s metric to show this?”
Why should residents vote for you – what do you bring to the table that doesn’t currently exist?
Robert pointed to his status as a retiree as an asset giving him the time needed to dedicate to the position and engage all constituents.
“We should make a more concerted effort to get parents involved so it’s not such a shock,” he said referring to school board decisions. The idea of engagement, however, shouldn’t end with parents. “We only see residents when it is time to vote. We need to find a better way to get out and meet the voters.”
He also doesn’t pretend to have all the answers but sees his role as a guide for school leaders.
“There are super smart people in the administration,” he said. “But this is the first year they had goals. They had aspirations; they are not goals. We need achievable, measurable goals and focus. We have great people.”
Region 1 – Nick Spangler
Now retired, former Learning and Development analyst Nick Spangler has seen three generations of his family go through the West Chester school district. He continues to be impressed by individual achievements but worries about academic performance overall and what the district can do to create a safe learning environment for students. “If [students] are in an environment where kids are being bullied, they don’t want to come to school,” he said in an interview. Read Nick’s responses below.
* Nicole, Robert and Nick agree to phone interviews so their answers have been transcribed from our discussions. Keep that in mind. For most people thinking on your feet isn’t as easy as planning your responses in advance.
What is your background and connection to the district?
Now retired, former Learning and Development analyst Nick Spangler is a Henderson grad himself and has seen three generations of his family go through the West Chester school district. He has a master’s in education for Edinboro University and experience working as a special education teacher.
Why did you decide to run?
Nick noted several things during our conversation that he believes need attention from the school curriculum to safety concerns to tablet learning. He also suggested side issues distracting from the bigger picture. “People are getting caught up on small issues when they should be asking – ‘What is the most significant thing for my kid’s education?” he said. “We are building a foundation and it needs to start and finish between the grades of K-12. We are doing a great disservice if we don’t give the students the skills they need by they time they graduate.”
What is one area you think the School District is doing well and what is one area you would like to see improved?
“I’ve gone to seven or eight board meetings now and they do a lot of recognition of student achievement. That I think is good,” he said. He especially noted achievements in the areas of music and the arts. However, if you would like to see more effort to highlight programs that affect a large number of students. Especially in the area of academics. “There’s a lack of focus on education – on educational excellence.
He would also like to see safety in schools made more of a priority. “There are safety issues in the schools that are clouding what kids should be focused on,” he said citing incidents of bullying and vandalism. “If students are in an environment where kids are being bullied, they don’t want to come to school.”
What is your top priority for the District should you be elected?
Nick would like to look at the current curriculum and make sure it is effective in preparing students for the future.
“You need to find things that are going to be useful for kids that are going to be useful when they get out of the school district,” he said.
“Grades were slipping prior to COVID – and they slipped during COVID – let’s get back [to educational excellence]. Where are they going to capture what they don’t learn?”
He also voiced concerns over tablet learning.
“Some are still using a laptop a lot in the classroom. It creates separatism and I don’t think that’s what you want. You want peer-to-peer education,” he said suggesting a return to a designated computer lab.
Why should residents vote for you – what do you bring to the table that doesn’t currently exist?
Nick believes his work in the Learning and Development industry as well as his experience as a teacher and his retired status combine to provide a powerful asset. “You can’t rush experience,” he said.
A huge thank you to all of the candidates for responding to my questions or taking time for a quick call. These positions all require a big commitment of time and probably significant mental anguish, so we should be grateful to all candidates for stepping up. In our conversations, I found all candidates to be knowledgeable and forthcoming in their responses. Especially in positions where there are not a lot of choices, (cough) Borough Council (cough). it is good to know that those who are stepping up appear to be qualified and committed to building a stronger community.
Now, a note on the borough races. All of the candidates are running unopposed and they are all running as Democrats, so if you are a registered Republican or Independent you’ll have to wait until November to see these names on the ballot.
Great article as always. I wish I read this before I wrote my blog on the Back to Basics candidates. Good stuff!