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After an upset in the primaries, only two of the five candidates running for three open Seven Fields Borough Council seats are incumbents.
The two incumbents — Brian Trimble and council president Kimberly Regan-Koch, both Republicans — hope their track record can propel them to victory; their opponents — Democrats Kim Grasso and Angela Nickum and Republican Jeffrey Smouse — hope voters want new blood.
Similar reasons
Although all five candidates have different backgrounds, their stated goals for running for council share similarities. From a sense of wanting to give back to the community to wanting to be the residents' voice on council, the candidates said they want to represent Seven Fields as best they can.
“This is right up my alley, in my wheelhouse, and I'm trying to get as involved in my community and bring more awareness to community members that they can get involved in the decision-making, even down in the local level,” said Nickum, who is studying for a master's degree in social work and community organizing.
Smouse, who said he has a background that would be “unique” to council, added he thinks there's a level of improvement he could bring.
“The main reason is to give back to the community,” he said. “I think there's an opportunity to improve the government function here, to have increased community involvement, increased community events, and I think there's an opportunity to spend taxpayer dollars more wisely than in the past.”
Regan-Koch and Trimble both had similar sentiments, saying they want to bring their experience from previous years on council back again to best represent the interests of residents.
Incumbents tout pasts
Regan-Koch said one main qualification that sets her apart from other candidates is her “proven track record.”
“I feel that myself and the board have made many great strides in my first time and, two years in, I was elected as president,” she said. “I hope to maintain that position moving forward.”
Trimble largely echoed Regan-Koch's remarks, saying he thinks both his prior term and his engineering background make him a prime candidate for council.
“We've continued to maintain a good community, by having no raising of taxes and things like that, and we've done a pretty good job getting through the pandemic by having a surplus,” Trimble said.
Fresh voice on council
Even if both incumbent candidates are re-elected, however, one seat remains open for a new face. The three newcomers have differing ideas for what they would bring.
Smouse said he appeals to voters who “want to see the transparency improve and responses to residents' issues” improving.
“Some of my background and some of my capabilities I can bring to the borough council is something that's not currently there,” he said. “I'm probably best suited to be able to improve the efficiency and execution of the government, based on my background.”
For Grasso, transparency and communication is a much higher priority.
“I feel it's important to give the residents a voice in what they'd like to see in their community, and I think I'd be a positive contribution toward that end,” Grasso said.
Nickum too said she sees her being a liaison between Seven Fields residents and its professional staff.
“I've seen a lot of concern from residents with regards to the borough manager not having good communication, and I feel maybe I could be that go-between,” she said. “I respect and get along well with the borough manager, and I think I would be a good fit to be that bridge.”
Quality of life key issue
All candidates — incumbents and newcomers alike — agree that residents' quality of life is paramount.
For Regan-Koch, one way to do that is ensure adequate investment in certain areas.
“I feel one of our biggest challenges is keeping the neighborhood updated, so it doesn't become one of so many of the older neighborhoods that look older — keeping it new and fresh all the time, improving things, putting money back into our neighborhood and our amenities,” Regan-Koch said.
Trimble agreed, saying he wants to see responsible development — “making sure we are bringing in the right kind of mix” — as well as amenity improvement.
“When we talk about Seven Fields, talking more about the community center, we upgraded that a couple of years ago, the playing fields are also kept at a pretty high level,” he added. “Coming up in the future is the pool; we're looking at upgrading the pool.”
Smouse said he wants to ensure the community is a good place for all.
It's important to “make sure this remains an ideal place to live, and doing all the community type things available ... that there's a lot of opportunity for them to enjoy themselves,” he said.
Keeping the community together is a key issue for Nickum.
“I would just like to see more community involvement, inclusiveness and having each others' backs — being more diverse in our community,” she said.
Grasso said she wants to look at keeping the “small-town” feel along Route 228, even as it bisects the community.
“I've been here for 21 years, I am devoted to the community, I am devoted to giving residents a voice, I am devoted to making sure Seven Fields maintains an aesthetically pleasing and welcoming community,” she said.
