Reading Eagle questions

Here are my replies to the Reading Eagle’s questions. For the second time this year, Ron Peters avoided answering the questions.

Question 1: What makes you an ideal representative of this area?

What makes me the ideal representative for Hamburg Borough is my experienced leadership and the deep roots my wife Charlotte and I have set here. We chose Hamburg as our 'hometown' from the start, not just by moving here, but by establishing two local businesses, actively joining community organizations, and contributing philanthropically. I believe leadership requires a proven track record, and mine is dedicated to prioritizing the needs of our residents, focusing on growth, safety, and community engagement. I’ve helped lead change in various organizations throughout my career, always emphasizing teamwork. My time in public service has been focused on transparency and effective governance. Furthermore, my experience as a retired senior leader of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard has instilled the integrity and vision necessary to serve this Borough. I am committed to being the experienced leader voters can trust for Hamburg’s future.

Question 2: What needs improvement in your municipality?

What needs improvement in our municipality are the key areas of growth and sustainability for Hamburg’s future. I plan to focus on leveraging the incredible assets we already have. First, we must capitalize on our ideal geographic location near major highways and population centers to drive economic activity. My initiatives will include promoting redevelopment throughout the Borough. A major focus is on making Hamburg a true recreation destination—we can achieve this by completing the Schuylkill River Trail and highlighting our close proximity to the Appalachian Trail. By working together, we can turn these improvements into a brighter, more sustainable future that honors Hamburg’s long history since 1787.