Earlier today we published answers to a series of questions we asked of Independent candidate Ralph Frey who is running to represent Ward 7 on Conshohocken’s Borough Council. We also asked questions of Colleen Leonard (D), the incumbent candidate for Ward 7 and council president.
Leonard did not respond, but we felt you should know the questions we asked (maybe you can ask them when you see her campaigning or at the polls). The election is on November 7th.
What do you feel is the biggest issue in Ward 7 and how have you addressed it during your time in office?
No answer provided.
In 2022, you voted to remove residential uses from the zoning districts encompassing the riverfront. SEPTA has publicly stated (and taken some initial steps) to redevelop property it owns along the river with a residential use. You made a strong statement during a SEPTA board meeting that the borough would not consider allowing residential development on this property. Do you still hold this position? If not, under what conditions would you consider amending the zoning code to allow it?
No answer provided.
The legislative intent of the Residential Office District that was adopted in 2001 (and amended in 2005) was to “encourage the retention and preservation of existing Victorian and early 20th Century residences by permitting residential uses and conditionally allowing limited office conversions. Furthermore, it is the intent of this Part to maintain the existing residential streetscape of upper Fayette Street through regulations that allow these conversions only when front facades and porches are preserved and if building additions and parking areas are not constructed in the front yards.”
Are you concerned, that the proposed “Main Street Overlay Draft Ordinance” if adopted as it is currently written could result in the loss of the facades and porches that exist along Fayette Street in the 7th Ward?
No answer provided.
In 2021, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania found that a zoning amendment in relation to a proposed Wawa in Ward 7 that you voted for was spot zoning. Why did you believe that the zoning amendment was legal? And how should the borough’s elected officials and attorneys be held accountable?
No answer provided.
Earlier this year, The Philadelphia Inquirer referred to the Montgomery County Democratic Committee as having a “pay-to-play culture.”
How can members of the party holding office at the municipal level ensure that consultants are hired based on experience and not campaign contributions?
No answer provided.
The Conshohocken Beer Festival was a successful and popular fundraiser for the local Rotary club. You voted against renting the field in your ward for the event. After the vote during a public meeting you declined to offer an explanation to the members of the Rotary on the reasoning behind your vote. Why did you think they did not deserve an explanation?
No answer provided.
What steps can the Borough of Conshohocken take (or has already taken during your time in office) to ensure that the office market in Conshohocken stays healthy during an overall period of decline coming off the pandemic and the popularity of working from home?
No answer provided.
The wards in Conshohocken are currently very unbalanced when it comes to population. This isn’t actually a new problem generated by the new apartments in Ward 1. For example, Ward 2 had just 292 registered voters in the 2021 election, while three wards (1,3 and 5) had between 1,100 and 1,500. Why hasn’t the borough council taken action to bring balance to the wards as required by the law governing boroughs?
No answer provided.
What are you most proud of from your time on council?
No answer provided.
You have served eight years in office. What is the most surprising thing you learned while holding an elected office?
No answer provided.
Photo: Headshot/Conshohocken Democratic Committee