Paul Edwards: 'Our Record Speaks for Itself'

As a business owner and independent contractor for the last 25 years, I feel I bring a strong sense of understanding of the ebbs and flow of our economy and continually strive to share with borough council our need to readjust and focus on prioritizing how we make decisions while working with a tight budget. I tend to look at the issues from different angles and ask questions as to why we continue to do things the same way and discuss ways we can improve or streamline our processes. This approach has afforded council fresh ideas with forward thinking. It also provides for a plan and directive that has been very successful the last four years. Being fiscally responsible while still providing the services people expect and want while keeping costs down and the budget balanced is just that, an art in balance and coordination.  Our record speaks for itself and I hope the people continue to have confidence in our endeavors to move Trappe forward.

The question of infrastructure as a priority has not changed. The Streets, Traffic and Safety Committee (STS), which I chair, continues to focus on the safety of our community with a concern for the means of Travel within our small borough. The volume of traffic has increased considerably during the last 20 years and continues to be an issue. Speeding, pedestrian navigation and accelerated deterioration of our roadways is a priority. Trappe was a small farming town with roads built upon dirt and stone. With the abundance of traffic and large trucks our roadways are falling apart and need to be addressed. Gilmore Associates, our Borough Engineer, is almost finished with our Borough Wide Roadway Study. When completed, we will have a qualified professional opinion of how we repair and maintain our roads into the future.

Moving forward, I have asked my STS Committee to meet with the Trappe, Today, Tomorrow Committee, The Trappe Business Assoc., the Muhlenberg and Speaker’s House, Historical Society and the Trappe Planning Committee to work as a collective mind in formalizing a plan to address the challenges we are facing with our Main Street Vision, historical goals, firehouse restoration, business community and parks and open space. Only by working together can we accomplish what our residents have asked for and hope to see for their children’s future.

In closing, I hope that everyone will exercise his or her right to vote next Tuesday and support Lew, Fred and myself for reelection. Most importantly, I ask the voters to support councilman Marshall Stomel. Marshall stepped up when asked by and voted unanimously by council to finish the term vacated by Ted Patrick who recently passed away. Marshall is running as a WRITE-IN candidate for the two-year term in an effort to remain on council for the next two years. Marshall is an independent thinker having the best interest of the community at heart. I am proud to work with him and offer my personal endorsement and ask you to WRITE-IN MARSHALL STOMEL when you go to the polls.