DEMOCRATS ENDORSED FOR NEWTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rosemary Wuenschel
215-499-7364
rosemarywuenschel@verizon.net

DEMOCRATS ENDORSED FOR NEWTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL
NEWTOWN, PA (February 27, 2007) – Three Newtown Borough residents want to take their experience in borough government to a higher level and announced their candidacies for Newtown Borough Council.

Gerard O’Malley, a pharmaceutical marketing executive, Mike Sellers, an attorney in private practice in Newtown, and Julia Woldorf, a physical therapist in private practice in Bucks County, received the endorsement for candidates for Borough Council by the Newtown Democratic Committee.

“The Borough is ready for a more open and engaged leadership on our council, and we have three dedicated and highly qualified candidates ready to do the job,” said Newtown Borough Democratic Committee Person Sally Thompson when she introduced the three at the committee meeting last evening. “We are ready for a change in leadership in Newtown Borough and we have the team to accomplish that in November.”

Three seats are up for the six-member council this year.
O’Malley, 47, has served on the Newtown Borough Planning Commission since 2005, while also serving on the Newtown Creek Coalition and the Newtown Library Company Strategic Planning Sub-committee last year. He is running for the one seat up this year in Ward 1. Ward 1 consists of all borough properties north of Washington Avenue, plus two blocks bounded by South Congress Street, Centre Avenue and South State Street, which are south of Washington Avenue.
“We need transparency in decision making, greater communication with the community and new ideas for preserving Newtown as a fine place to live, shop and worship,” O’Malley said. “We must focus on preservation of historic character while facing 21st century realities.”

Bringing 30 years experience in local government, Sellers, 55, serves as chair of the Newtown Borough Planning Commission, member of the Environmental Advisory Council, chair of the Design Committee of the Joint Downtown Newtown Corporation and a founding member of the Newtown Creek Coalition. Sellers previously was elected supervisor of Falls Township, and served as solicitor of Falls and as private counsel before various local government boards.

“People need to be invited back to participate in their local government and always feel welcome. Communication is key to having a truly democratic process – residents should always know what is happening,” Sellers said noting that Newtown Borough is the sole local municipality without televised meetings and pledging to bring Borough Council meetings to the television screen. “One important “happening” is the Borough Comprehensive Plan Update, which residents should be aware is underway. It is a roadmap for the future, and how our community should look and feel.”

A 30-year resident of Newtown Borough, Woldorf, 56, currently serves as chair of the Newtown Borough Environmental Advisory Council and is a member of the Newtown Creek Coalition. She was Zoning Officer for the Newtown Borough from 1979-1980.

“Borough Council should work more closely with the advisory committees and commissions which contribute valuable recommendations and expertise to our government process,” Woldorf said. “Council should also engage in a stronger dialogue with neighboring communities on key issues which impact both communities.”

Sellers and Woldorf are running for the two seats up this year in Ward 2. Ward 2 comprises of most of Newtown Borough South of Washington Avenue.
The Primary Election will be held Tuesday, May 15, 2007.
For more information on Newtown Democrats or the candidates visit www.newtowndemocrats.com.
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