Politics & Government

Transparency, Police Station Upgrades Top Incumbent's List

Democrat Patricia Fleming is running for another term on Hatboro Borough Council.

Eight candidates are vying for four seats on the 6-1 Republican-controlled Hatboro Borough Council. 

Residents can "meet" them all through profiles posted (alphabetically by last name) here on Patch. (Click here to see Michael Gorn's profile, here to see Thomas Harbaugh's profile, here to see Toni Kistner's profile, here to see Marty Palmer's profile, here to see Bill Tompkins' profile, here to see Ray Wallrath's profile, or here to see John Zygmont's profile).

PATRICIA FLEMING, 54, an Archbishop Wood High School and Villanova University graduate, is vying for a second term on the Hatboro Borough Council. She received an MBA from LaSalle University. She serves on the board of the Union Library of Hatboro, previously serving as past president and treasurer. She is a past member of the Borough Authority and Neumann Conference Center.

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What best qualifies you for a term on the Hatboro Borough Council?

I have worked diligently for the Borough for four years chairing the Administration and Finance Committee and the Grants Committee, securing grants for Public Works, and Clock Tower restoration among others. I look forward to continuing my service to Hatboro.

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What do you see as the big issues facing the town?

Always stormwater, keeping taxes down, maintaining our streets and parks. Getting more people involved our government process has been a challenge. We need to make the council chamber more resident friendly and transparent.  

If elected, how would you work to handle those issues?

I will continue to strive for transparency. Hopefully we can find a way to get these meetings aired in social media so people can see and hear what’s really going on. With technology today there’s no reason it should be so expensive to make this a reality.

What do you see as the best approach to dealing with the borough’s shortage of building space (i.e. police and public works) and need to renovate/update those buildings?

We’ve had xxx amount of studies on this already. The current police building needs to be completely renovated or replaced. I like the idea of using Borough property behind Burdicks to house more Public Works space, definitely doesn’t belong in Eaton Park!

What’s your vision for Main Street and how would you, as a council member, help the borough realize that vision?

I think Steve Barth has been doing a great job and I would continue to support his involvement in Hatboro’s Main Street. I would also like to see more interaction between Hatboro’s business district, Council and residents. I think that a specific committee with this goal would go a long way.       

How can council work to preserve Hatboro’s history and its historic buildings?

I’ve been asking our Zoning Committee Chair for quite some time on ideas to address this. We’ve lost too many treasures already. We don’t need anything too restrictive, but a set of guidelines would go a long way, especially with protecting the facades as Hatboro Federal Bank is currently doing.

As Hatboro redefines itself through redevelopments such as Station Park and the planned reuse of the former Cosmopolitan Motors, what do you see as the borough’s future and how can elected officials work to shape that?

It’s governments duty to ensure the quality of life here and I will continue to work hard when land development plans are put in front of us to make sure they impact our town in a positive way.

Anything else you’d like to add?

It’s been a pleasure serving the people of Hatboro and I look forward to another term here. I respectfully ask for their vote on Nov. 5.

Related: Michael Gorn

Related: 
Thomas Harbaugh

Related: Toni Kistner

Related: Marty Palmer

Related: Bill Tompkins 

Related: Ray Wallrath

Related: John Zygmont


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