2017 election

THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

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The Chester County (Pennsylvania) Democratic Committee believes in Freedom, Fairness, and Opportunity for all Americans, regardless of what they believe, who they are, and where they came from. Join CCDC in making Chester County a better place for all!

We have a chance to fundamentally shape the future of our country.
But that will only happen if all of us work together — starting right now.

Watch Our Video!

Every four years, the Democratic Party puts together our party platform, the ideas and beliefs that govern our party as a whole.

What follows is our 2016 platform — our most progressive platform in our party’s history and a declaration of how we plan to move America forward. Democrats believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls.

This party platform was voted on and passed by our membership at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016. The platform will be updated and re-approved at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Download 2016 Party Platform PDF

Platform Contents

To read the entire platform, choose a section to jump ahead or scroll down.

Preamble

Raise Incomes and Restore Economic Security for the Middle Class

Create Good-Paying Jobs

Fight for Economic Fairness and Against Inequality

Bring Americans Together and Remove Barriers to Opportunities

Protect Voting Rights, Fix Our Campaign Finance System, and Restore Our Democracy

Combat Climate Change, Build a Clean Energy Economy, and Secure Environmental Justice

Provide Quality and Affordable Education

Ensure the Health and Safety of All Americans

Principled Leadership

Confront Global Threats

Protect Our Values

A Leader in the World

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Mayor and Borough Council sworn in

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West Chester’s new Mayor Dianne Herrin and Borough Council members at their swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 2. We are proud to say that all of these public servants are Democrats and six out of eight are current or former members of the West Chester Democratic Committee. Photo by Jim Salvas.

See also Bill Rettew, “Dianne Herrin sworn in as new mayor,” Daily Local News, 1/3/18

Congratulations to our candidates!

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From chesco.org unofficial results for 11/7/17.

MAYOR WEST CHESTER BOROUGH
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
DIANNE HERRIN (DEM) . . . . . . . 2,192 72.41
TOMMY CICCARONE JR (REP) . . . . . 819 27.06
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 16 .53

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE DISTRICT 15-1-01
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
BRET BINDER (DEM). . . . . . . . 3,637 53.34
MARK A BRUNO (REP) . . . . . . . 3,176 46.58
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 5 .07

SCHOOL DIRECTOR WEST CHESTER REGION 1
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
JOYCE CHESTER (DEM/REP). . . . . . 6,672 98.49
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 102 1.51

SPECIAL ELECTION MEM OF COUNCIL WEST CHESTER 4TH WARD
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
MICHAEL STEFANO (DEM) . . . . . . 150 96.15
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 6 3.85

SPECIAL ELECTION MEM OF COUNCIL WEST CHESTER 6TH WARD
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
BERNARD J FLYNN (DEM) . . . . . . 362 98.10
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 7 1.90

MEMBER OF COUNCIL WEST CHESTER 1ST WARD
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
BILL SCOTT (DEM) . . . . . . . . 413 66.08
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 212 33.92

MEMBER OF COUNCIL WEST CHESTER 3RD WARD
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
MICHAEL R GALEY (DEM) . . . . . . 384 96.00
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 16 4.00

MEMBER OF COUNCIL WEST CHESTER 5TH WARD
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
W DONALD BRACELAND (DEM) . . . . . 282 96.25
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 11 3.75

MEMBER OF COUNCIL WEST CHESTER 7TH WARD
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1
DENISE M POLK (DEM) . . . . . . . 488 97.99
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 10 2.01

The 4 countywide Dem candidates also won in both the Borough and the County; see chescodems.org.

Dianne Herrin elected mayor of West Chester

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By Bill Rettew Jr., Daily Local News, 11/07/17

WEST CHESTER >> Energy efficiency consultant Dianne Herrin overwhelmingly defeated Realtor Tommy Ciccarone Jr. in Tuesday’s election and will become the borough’s next mayor.

With all but one precinct counted, Herrin, a Democrat, collected 1,863 votes, or 72 percent of the vote, while Republican Ciccarone finished with a tally of 700 votes for 27 percent.

All vote totals are unofficial until certified by the county board of elections.

Herrin will take over the reins from Mayor Jordan Norley, who decided not to run….

read more at Daily Local News

Herrin for Mayor’s Borough Briefs: Tomorrow is Election Day!

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Tomorrow is election day, and I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you why I hope you will vote Herrin for Mayor! My campaign manager, a WCU senior majoring in political science, and I have knocked 1,000 doors since we started this campaign in January.

We have experienced firsthand our diverse community.

We have heard great ideas and been inspired by the time and effort so many of you give to our community every day, simply because you care.

As your next Mayor, I will celebrate this greatness.

I will also seek balanced, smart solutions to our issues.

I will work to unite, not divide, us and improve our quality of life.

The only way I can be your Mayor is if you VOTE for HERRIN tomorrow (Tuesday Nov. 7)!

See the summary below, which demonstrates my commitment to West Chester.

Thank you for your support!!

With Gratitude,

Dianne

DIANNE HERRIN: SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE

Borough Resident 17 years.

Current Employment
VP, Practical Energy Solutions, a Borough-based energy efficiency consulting firm in operation for 12 years.

Supporters + Endorsements
Carolyn Comitta, Holly Brown, Richard May, Ray Ott, Kate Shaw, and 30+ more.

Read their statements here.

Service to West Chester Borough Government
12 years as Chair/member of 4 government committees.
12 years as a successful advocate for residents’ quality of life.
Member, Comprehensive Plan Task Force.
Public Education
Member, West Chester VOTE campaign, which brought bipartisan excellence to our school board.
Board Member, West Chester Area Education Foundation.

Community Involvement
Member, Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.
Charter Member since 2015, Friends of Marshall Square Park.
Member/Past Vice Chair, West Chester Food Cooperative.
Member, Melton Center #PoolTogether.
Member, Save the Y. This group successfully advocated to keep the in-town YMCA open.
Member, West Chester Borough Diversity in Action Committee.
New Member, West Chester NAACP.

Who’s on the ballot?

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See candidates here.

Democrats should receive a handout before Tuesday with recommended votes and other information. The West Chester Democratic Committee urges you to vote Straight Dem on the front and then on the back NO on the ballot question and YES to retain Judge Todd.

Please also check for any updates with your committeeperson or other Dem greeters when you go to vote on Tuesday.

Interview with Bret Binder

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by Nathaniel Smith, Politics: A View from West Chester, 11/1/17

I had a chance last week to interview Bret Binder, an East Bradford attorney who is running for the position of Magisterial District Judge in West Bradford, East Bradford, and West Chester wards 3, 6, and 7.

Why are you running for MDJ?

Too many people have lost faith in the Pennsylvania judiciary because of a series of scandals from the Magisterial District Courts up to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Given that most people’s only experience with the law is in the Magisterial District Court, I would like to bring accountability, transparency, professionalism, and respect to this Court. I believe there is a chance to make a large impact in my community as well as to attempt to implement changes in the court itself that could help all Pennsylvanians receive a better, fairer judicial system.

What does an MDJ do?

A Magisterial District Judge handles small claims cases (under $12,000.00), landlord tenant cases, traffic citations, summary offenses, and emergency protection from abuse orders. He or she also issues arrest and search warrants and sets bail and rules on preliminary hearings for those charged with felonies and misdemeanor. These cases range from routine to quite serious and require a judge familiar with rules of procedure, evidence, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. …

read more at Politics: A View from West Chester

Help Save the Historic Tax Credit

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from Herrin for Mayor’s BOROUGH BRIEFS, October 31, 2017

Arguably, the UPTOWN! Knauer Performing Arts Center would not have been possible without the federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC). It’s the most significant investment the federal government makes toward preserving historic buildings, and it was a key financial incentive for investors who helped make UPTOWN! possible for our community.

Unfortunately, several tax reform proposals circulating in Congress recommend a repeal of the HTC – even though it stimulates economic growth and returns more to the Treasury than it costs, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The HTC is an important tool for West Chester, as we work together to preserve our history. Without it, historic rehabilitation projects can face lender and investor bias because they often have higher costs and greater design challenges.

Add your name to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s campaign to save the HTC and protect West Chester’s historic brand! Sign on here. Thank you!