Plum council race has 6 candidates for 3 seats
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Three Republican incumbents on Plum council have three Democrat challengers for three seats in the upcoming election.
Council Vice President David Seitz and fellow members Dave Majernik and John Anderson hope to keep their positions for another four years.
Meanwhile, former Councilman Dave Vento and challengers Dan Hadley and Ryan Delaney want to take borough leadership in another direction.
Following is information submitted by the candidates as well as their response to questions posed by the Trib:
Question 1: Why did you decided to run for election?
Question 2: What is the biggest issue that needs addressed?
Question 3: What do voters need to know about you?
David Seitz
Home: Balkan Drive
Age: 54
Occupation: Attorney
Previous elected office: Plum council
Question 1: I am running for re-election to continue the work that’s been done by the current council over the last 10 years. In that time, we’ve managed to increase or improve the general services provided by the borough to all residents, such as public safety, EMS, road maintenance, infrastructure improvements and seasonal community events, During that time, we also maintained a healthy general fund balance that we’ve been able to use for additional projects, such as providing the school board with funds to enable them to implement various safety improvements. I believe that we can continue to improve on these successes, and add more, with sound management and responsible spending.
Question 2: With the recent flooding experienced by the borough, I think identifying and implementing additional infrastructure improvements to mitigate future flood events is an important issue. Although the borough has spent more than $10 million on stormwater management improvements over the last eight years, there is still more that can be done. Additionally, relocation of the existing borough facility on New Texas Road, which is very outdated and no longer adequate to support the borough staff and police department, is also an important issue, along with re-development of the existing site to hopefully bring additional retail and dining options into the borough.
Question 3: I have an engineering degree and a law degree and I’ve lived in the borough for the last 27 years. In addition to my six years on Plum council, I helped form the Plum Baseball & Softball Association and served on the PBSA Board for six years as vice president and president. I’ve also coached baseball, softball and basketball, and served as the athletic director for St. John the Baptist School. I am married and have two children, one in college and one at Plum High School. I feel I have the right qualifications for the council position and I’ve very much enjoyed my time as a Plum council member so far and want to continue serving the borough in that capacity.
John Anderson
Home: Rustic Ridge
Age: 54
Occupation: Consultant and actuary for Aon, a global professional services firm based in London
Previous elected office: Plum council
Question 1: I feel as though what we’ve done over the last eight years has been a great job and gained a lot of momentum with infrastructure and finance. I just want to continue it.
Question 2: Nobody would argue that the roads and the sewer system and things like that need a lot of work. We’ve worked hard and spent a lot more money now than we used to on roads so they’re in better shape and get paved more frequently than the schedule the previous council was on.
Question 3: I’m a regular guy, father of two and work hard. I’ve spent a lot my time coaching kids and being on council and I do like giving back to the community.
Dave Majernik
Home: Rockland Drive
Age: 73
Occupation: Retired software engineer
Previous elected office: Plum council
Question 1: I decided to run for election to work to continue the progress of making Plum a livable and dynamic community. I want to participate in making it better. We’re working hard to make it very livable and a place where people want to move to and increase the real estate value.
Question 2: The biggest issue needing addressed is storm water and flooding management. We have a lot of creeks and waterways in Plum and have been getting these crazy storms the last number of years. It’s really hard to deal with the infrastructure that was built 50 years ago and to update it is extremely expensive to do. We’re working on dealing with that, but it’s not an easy problem.
Question 3: I lived in Plum for 26 years and have been active in community on Plum Civil Service Commission, Plum Library Friends, Plum Vacancy Board, founding board member of the Plum Chamber of Commerce and also served on the Pennsylvania Architect’s Licensure Board.
Dave Vento
Home: Unity Center Road
Age: 67
Occupation: Self employed contractor and retired from Pennsylvania Turnpike
Previous elected office: Plum council
Question 1: I was not a candidate in the primary election but my name was written in by enough people to get me on the ballot for the general election. At that time I decided to commit to run and win a seat on council.
Question 2: The biggest issue from a lot of residents I have talked to is infrastructure. Residents are concerned that the larger storms that seem to occur more frequently are flooding more homes and businesses. They want to know how this flooding can be stopped and what the borough will do after the storm hits; what is the borough’s plan?
Question 3: They need to know after 40 years I still think Plum is a really wonderful place to live, raise a family, and grow old. I want to do everything I can to insure Plum continues to be a place we are all proud to call home.
Ryan Delaney
Home: Black Hills
Age: 32
Occupation: Mental health therapist
Previous elected office: None
Question 1: I decided to run for election because I firmly believe that while I cannot change the world, I can change my part in it. I have lived in Plum since first grade, and I have not been pleased with it’s progress, with the destruction of farmlands and lack of business development. So instead of complaining about it online, I am taking action. I threw my hat into the ring because one has to take action if they want to solve life’s problems.
Question 2: For me, the biggest issue is infrastructure. I think we all saw that with the summer floods. Instead of spending money for Astroturf at Plum Creek Park, we should be spending money to fix our water and sewage systems. We should be spending money to upgrade our roads to handle the increase in traffic from all the housing plans and so we can spur more business growth. So for me, it is all about infrastructure and spending our tax money wisely to ensure Plum is growing in the way it needs to be.
Question 3: The voters need to understand that I am not a politician, but a regular, average citizen that has grown tired of how things are being done and wants change. I am not someone that can be bought by corporate interests as my vote is and will never be for sale. I am simply a man trying to give back to the community that has provided him a wonderful life. If elected, I will always put Plum citizens needs first.
Dan Hadley
Home: Dinwiddle Drive
Age: 40
Occupation: Majority owner and president of Dad’s Pub & Grub
Previous elected office: None
Question 1: Since 2000 I have been involved in the service industry. I have had the opportunity to open four and now own two successful small businesses. In the past 20 years I have worked with large budgets, business projections, and a multitude of business professionals. In short, I understand the burdens of being overtaxed and under pressure to make a small business successful. I feel that my experience in this industry can be of great value to our community. I am not doing this for any personal benefit. I am seeking a seat on council because I have a vested interest in this community and believe I can help. My wife and I are raising our children in this community and I want Plum to be a great place for them and all of the people who live here.
Question 2: Our current council seems to have little or no foresight or forethought. They need to be proactive to try to prevent issues as opposed to reacting after they happen. They also need to react quicker when issues do arise. Our council needs to proactively plan for the future of our community.
Question 3: In the summers when I was 14 I was a garbage man. When I was 16 I worked mornings at a hardware store and nights at a movie theater 12-14 hour days 5-6 days a week. I worked my way through college as a dishwasher, a cook, a server, a bartender, and when I finished school I moved into management which was followed by ownership. I understand what it is like to work paycheck to paycheck, and how frustrating it can be when taxes are increased due to fiscal irresponsibility. I will work for everyone in this community and I will try my best to make sure we properly plan for the future while being fiscally responsible.