I have taken so long to write about this, because I needed the time to sort out my feelings about [Bill Scott and Carolyn Comitta] as people, and weigh that against my understanding of what the Borough needs from its mayor. ...I am casting my vote for Bill Scott at Tuesday's primary.

Read On My Mind (May 15) below (key points) to learn why Borough Council member Jim Jones chose Bill Scott and why ...the kind of confrontation that Scott is willing to offer [will] make a great mayor for West Chester. And visit Jim at WCJIM.COM.

On My Mind (May 15) by Jim Jones

As numerous people have pointed out to me, I can not claim to comment on important Borough issues without saying something about the Democratic mayoral primary. As everyone probably knows by now, there are two people competing for the nomination, and no Republican has surfaced to challenge the winner in November. That means next Tuesday's vote will determine the next mayor of West Chester, so there's no doubt that the issue is important enough to deserve comment.

I have known Bill Scott since 1997 when he ran for his first term on Borough Council, and I have known Carolyn Comitta since 2005 when she ran for Council during my own campaign for mayor. I have worked with both of them, I like both of them, and I don't want to hurt the feelings of either of them. That's why I have taken so long to write about this, because I needed the time to sort out my feelings about them as people, and weigh that against my understanding of what the Borough needs from its mayor.

For the past fifteen and a half years, the Borough has had two men serve as mayors who focused on acting as advocates for the police department. The police department needs an advocate because its officers operate at the vortex of a complex web of forces, both criminal and political, and sometimes have to make decisions on a split second's notice. That is why their training is so intense, and why having an advocate is a good thing. There are times when police officers need someone who understands the pressures they face and can explain their decisions to the public.

But the mayor is also expected to serve as an advocate for the public when it has questions or concerns about the activities of the police department. That is ultimately the more difficult task, since it requires reading spreadsheets, studying reports, and developing trusting relationships with police administrators so that they can receive questions and suggestions without taking offense. The task is made difficult by the fact that police department activities generate an extraordinary amount of data and because officers know that mayors come and go. If a mayor presses too hard in an unpleasant direction, it is always possible to wait him or her out.

With all of that in mind, I am casting my vote for Bill Scott at Tuesday's primary. His long experience on Borough Council as well as his eagerness to go beyond what was required — by participating in neighborhood activities, "showing his face" around town, and supporting events throughout the Borough — have given him an understanding of the personalities and issues that face our community. Please note: Bill and I have often disagreed, but he is always well informed and ready to hear a well-reasoned counter-argument. On more than one occasion, I have been able to change his mind, and on other occasions, he has done the same to me.

Former mayor Clifford DeBaptiste, the Republican who served from 1996 to 2001, was quoted in yesterday's Daily Local News to the effect that "compared to Comitta, Scott would make a very confrontational mayor." What the article failed to mention was that Scott, along with many other people, confronted DeBaptiste — who otherwise did a pretty good job as mayor — because of his ties to a group of landlords who fought every effort to get them to clean up their act. Fortunately for the Borough, Scott and his supporters prevailed. If that's the kind of confrontation that Scott is willing to offer, he'll make a great mayor for West Chester.

— Jim Jones, Borough Council Member, Sixth Ward

Resumption of R3 rail service to West Chester should be a top priority.

West Chester University President, Greg Weisenstein, agreed, saying in a May 14th letter of support for the project, "Rail transportation has significant advantages over commuting by automobile. Sky-rocketing gas prices, the cost of parking and its limited availability, insurance expenses, and traffic congestion are all good reasons to choose rail service over the automobile. In addition, passengers are able to work and/or study while commuting. Just as important, however, the restoration of rail service to West Chester would provide valuable long-term benefits for the environment."

Here are the facts:

• West Chester is the only county seat in suburban Philadelphia without rail service
  
• It is "stimulus time" and this project should be funded now, but nobody is pushing for it hard enough — including the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), which has been tasked with drawing up a list of priority transportation projects for the region which are to receive Federal stimulus dollars (resumption of R3 service to West Chester tied for 8th place in a list of priority projects — the top five were recommended for funding, source: www.dvrpc.org)
  
• We propose a small high-level WC based committee that would exist as long as necessary to lobby for the project. The TMACC and the DVRPC and all the townships that would benefit from the SEPTA commuter line must be organized to achieve the goal, but if WC doesn't take the lead, no one else will
  
• Return of rail service will result in development of our West Chester terminus area and great benefit of our downtown and Borough, including less automobiles and congestion on Borough streets and area roads
  
• Strong and historic support exists for the project from a broad-based group of business and civic leaders, as well as citizens and commuters
  

May 8, 2009

Daily Local News
250 North Bradford Avenue
West Chester PA 19382

Editor:

As the Mayoral election nears, the opposition to Bill Scott's candidacy is distorting the laudable approach he has taken to Borough issues during a fourteen year period. Bill is a strong advocate for what is best for the Borough and is willing to contradict even experts when he feels it is necessary to do so. He has the strength "to speak truth to power."

Prior to his election to Council, Bill was a key player in protecting the citizenry's interests in the Friends Hall property transition to single family homes, the Barclay adaptation, and the Milner property transition, to name a few. Some proposed uses for these properties could have destroyed the quality of residential life in our neighborhood. Many of us considered moving from the Borough because the then Council's and Borough Administration's interests did not align with those of the Borough's residents. Bill's leadership and influence kept us here. His subsequent work on Council helped realign the Borough's policies and practices with the best interests of the residents.

The First Ward is comprised of active community members from different political parties and people with a range of personalities and life styles. Republicans, Democrats, men, women, straight and gay support Bill based on their experiences through those trying times, his tireless work on Council, and his general community service. Bill energized and unified us and moved us forward. We elected him our Council representative twice.

I am proud to call Bill Scott my neighbor and friend. I was proud to call him my Councilman. I will be proud to call him my Mayor. He stood with us during our very difficult times, and I will stand with him now as the unifying leader that he is.

Patrick F. Moran
441 North Walnut Street
West Chester PA 19380

We started with 165 Bill Scott for Mayor lawn signs. Now only a handful remains—ask if you want one. Look closely; you'll see the word Mayor covering Chester County Commissioner. Because our campaign is Green, we recycled the leftovers from the 2007 Primary, through the clever conversion efforts of Lane Randall and Jim Salvas. With the economy being what it is, our grassroots campaign intends to continue spending wisely the generous contributions received from so many. Besides, since Bill came in first out of the four candidates in the 2007 primary, these signs are good luck.

If you have helped the campaign by displaying a sign in your yard, thank you very much. Please make sure it stays on your private property as required by Borough ordinance. Your sign should be between the sidewalk and your house. If no sidewalk, the sign should be set back as if there were one.

Many lawn signs for Bill's opponent—the candidate of the landlord industry, as opposed to single/small rentals—are multiple placements on properties of people who can't vote in the Democratic Primary. Signs don't vote. Our goal is votes, not signs.

Some have felt the right to remove some of Bill's signs and probably his opponent's as well. Hopefully, we won't see any more of that. However, the election is a week from Tuesday, and we will be retrieving some of your signs for placement at the polls on Election Day, May 19th.

Thank you again for your support.

Jordan Norley
Field Coordinator

Now, May 7^th, you can click here to hear the show.

Tune in Tuesday, May 5, 2009, to WCHE, 1520 AM. Station Manager, Bill Mason, moderates a joint appearance by Bill Scott and Carolyn Comitta.

We are pleased to announce the endorsement of Bill's candidacy by Holly Brown, Borough Council Member from the First Ward. Many also know Holly as the owner of KALY, 37 West Gay Street, one of the longest-lived shops in our downtown. Holly has been a very active member of the West Chester community, working alongside Bill many times for the good of our town.

If you don't know Holly, you can visit Holly's website from her run for Borough Council in 2005.

Also, this Friday, May Day, we're asking you to join us at a party to celebrate the blooming of Spring and to help Bill Scott become the next Mayor of our beautiful town. (Click on the Events button above for details.)

Holly's letter below explains why Bill Scott is The Right Choice for West Chester.

April 25, 2009

An election like no other will be held this May 19th. For the first time since I can remember, the Democratic Party primary winner will likely be the next Mayor of West Chester. Because I have worked with Bill Scott for almost fifteen years on Borough issues, and I know just how hard he has worked on your behalf, I am asking you to help get Bill elected Mayor.

I have often said that running for office is not a popularity contest. It is a time to look past all the pretty rhetoric—for substance, history and accomplishments.

In the past, as both a private citizen and an elected public official, Bill has accomplished so much:

• Bill and the Citizens Business Alliance worked closely more than twelve years ago to fight developers who wanted to eliminate all height and design ordinances in the Borough.
  
• Bill worked to develop a new trash policy and recycling policy.
  
• And, whether or not you like the new Justice Center, it is where it is now because Bill worked tirelessly to prevent it from being built right in the center of town where we would have lost a big inventory of historic properties.

My decision really boils down to one thing: who do I want to be the civilian steward of the police department; who do I want to be in a key seat to help direct operations if there should be an emergency declared in West Chester? It is someone I know who will be there every time he is needed. Someone who is not afraid to make unpopular decisions that are necessary. Someone who will make the right decisions for the town and ALL its citizens, not just the interests of a special few.

Please help me in supporting Bill Scott for Mayor of West Chester. Bill will not be taking any support from large developers or special interest groups. Literature and mailings are expensive, and only weeks remain to communicate Bill's message; if you can contribute, please do so now. If you can put up a yard sign, please do so now. And lastly, please remember to vote for Bill Scott for Mayor on Tuesday, May 19th.

Sincerely,

Holly V. Brown

Protecting our Environment in West Chester

Back in 2002, while Bill Scott was on Borough Council, West Chester resolved to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). Four years after that promising start, the Borough established the ad hoc BLUER (Borough Leaders United for Emissions Reduction) committee.

Now, after thousands of hours of volunteer work, the BLUER committee is scheduled to present its Climate Action Plan to Borough Council this Wednesday, April 15, from 6 to 7 PM at Borough Hall. We urge all concerned citizens to attend this very important meeting. West Chester has taken a lead on this critical effort, and BLUER is helping lead the way for West Chester.

Cleaning Up for Earth Day

You can also help keep West Chester clean by participating in the 4th Annual Chester Creek Earth Day this Saturday, April 18, by helping to clean up Goose Creek.

Then there's the ALL PARK CLEANUP, sponsored by West Chester Recreation, 9 to 11 AM, Saturday, April 25th. Eleven parks right in the borough of West Chester, and you can select a park! To sign up call (610) 436-9010.

Members of Bill's team will be down at the creek and at the park right in front of his home, along with members of Friends of Marshall Square Park, another community organization Bill helped to get off the ground in 2005.