Politics & Government

Candidate Profiles: Republicans, Democrats Running for Spring City Borough Council

A look at candidates on the ballot in Spring City Tuesday.

Election Day in Pennsylvania is Nov. 5 – and Patch is providing our readers with a look at the candidates running for office locally. 

Here is a look at the Republican candidates running for  four seats on the Spring City Borough Council - Daniel Bauman, Sr., Louis DiGiuseppi, Paul Kern and Tom Kratz, and Democrats James J. Burns, Eric O'Connor and Keith Kreider, who is running a write-in campaign.  Democrat candidate Erica Redahan Weiherer was profiled last week.

Republicans for Spring City Council

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The Spring City Republican party is dedicated to safety/crime prevention, continuing borough revitalization efforts and fiscal responsibility. All of the Republican council candidates are longtime residents, have a history of community service and are experienced with budgetary matters. We thank the Spring City residents for past support and hope you will support us Tuesday, November 5. Every vote counts!

Daniel Bauman Sr.

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  • Spring City resident for 64 years
  • Retired from Bell Atlantic after 31 years
  • Served on Spring City Planning Committee
  • Served on Spring City Council
  • Active with Liberty Fire Company for 41 years as firefighter, assistant chief and driver

Louis DiGiuseppi

  • Spring City resident for 55 years
  • US Navy Veteran, served on a Fleet Ballistic Missile Nuclear Submarine
  • Thirty years of middle management experience
  • Served on Spring City Council since 2009
  • Served as Borough Council President since 2010

Paul Kern

  • Spring City resident for 27 years, lifelong Spring-Ford resident
  • Served as President of Liberty Fire Company for 13 years
  • Deacon at the First United Church of Christ Spring City
  • Telephone technician for 28 years

Tom Kratz

  • Spring City resident for 26 years
  • Graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering
  • Self-employed owner of home design/building remodeling company
  • Volunteers in Haiti with his church; the North Pointe Community Church
  • Current Councilman and Chairman of the Police Committee
Democrats for Spring City Council

James J. Burns
Name: 
James J. Burns
Running for: 
Borough Councilor
Party Affiliation:  
Democratic
Positions Previously Held:  Borough Councilor, Chair Planning Commission, Chair Parks & Rec. Police Committee
Why are you running for office?   I feel that brick and mortar alone do not revitalize the borough.  In the past six years I have brought several creative ideas and projects to the table.  I would like to see some of them accomplished.  Mike Hays and I have worked on issues and projects that needed to be done but there is a lot more to done.
What are the biggest issues facing your community?    Like any borough our size and age we have problems with drugs, aging infrastructure, declining ratables, failing waste water treatment plant and empty storefronts.  None of these issues is insurmountable.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?   If elected, I hope to accomplish the balancing of the borough council with like minded citizens at are not interested in the status quo, but in taking a new direction and impetus in reinvigorating the borough and its brighter view for the future.  We have over 150 residential units in the works being needlessly held up by the EPA because we need an expanded waste water treatment plant - something that should have been done years ago.  We need to look at our fee schedules for violations so that our ordinance have teeth and are enforced.
Interesting fact about you:  I have been President of the Spring City Lions Club for the past 4 years.  I am the author of the popular Spring City Calendar and Chair of the Historic Windshield Survey of the borough's buildings.

Eric O'Connor
Name: Eric O'Connor
Running for:
Spring City Borough Council
Party Affiliation:
Democratic
Positions Previously Held:
Chester County Democratic Committee 570 (Spring City 3)
Why are you running for office?
I feel that the status quo is lack of accountability and an incentive to do nothing. I believe that simply by setting a course for a more open and transparent council with even the most basic level of accountability that anyone would expect of their local government, I can help create an environment where Spring City can hopefully go a step farther than that. Spring City has a long history of missed opportunities, and that is something that I would like to play a part in putting us on the path to correcting.
What are the biggest issues facing your community?
We are faced with a sewer system that is in need of repair in the midst of a major streets project, although initial steps have been taken to resolve some of the more immediate concerns, there is still work to be done. We are in need of municipal parking. Possibly one of the largest issues we face is the need to provide incentive for growth of local business. We have a serious issue in the community if members of council still think that installing cameras on main street takes priority over economic development.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
I support the plan for the economic development zone. This tax cut for opening local businesses would create new local jobs, create additional short term tax revenue, and is a sound investment in the economic growth of the community. Along with this plan, there is a need to invest in municipal parking in the downtown area.
Interesting fact about you:
I play a part in the successful management of an online gaming organization. The team's mission statement is to build a group that thrives on cooperation and competition, while working towards common goals.

Keith Kreider

Name:  Keith Kreider
Running for:  Borough Councilor
Party Affiliation:  Democratic
Positions Previously Held:  Area Party Chairman
Why are you running for office?  At this level of government, political affiliation should be irrelevant; however, the affiliation ratio in the Council is directly proportional to its efficacy to getting things done.  Councilors Burns and Hays have made significant strides, but trying to get past the one-man road block needs to change.
What are the biggest issues facing your community?  Drugs are an issue and with the new Chief, progress is being made on that issue.  There are concerns about rental inspections, housing safety and enforcement of ordinances already on the books.  The big ticket item is the enhancements to the waste water treatment system so that we are no longer under the moratorium of the EPA and a return to new planned residential development.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?  I hope to invigorate an already apathetic population and stimulate some of the community interest that should exist.  I want to promote our downtown and assets such as the Schuylkill River Trail.  I don't think we should be making excuses for ourselves.


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