Candidate Questionnaire: Diane Edbril

Radnor Patch has reached out to local candidates to find out more about them. Here is information from Diane Edbril.

Name:  Diane Edbril

Running For: Commissioner of Radnor Ward 2

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Positions Held Previously: No prior elected offices

Why are you running for office: I am running for Ward 2 Commissioner to continue bringing transparency and fiscal responsibility to Radnor Township.  
 I already have a record of helping unravel serious wrongdoing in the township.  I was one of the small group of residents who uncovered the fraud and misconduct of our prior manager several years ago.  This past year, as a private citizen, I convinced the Board of Commissioners to amend the Township Charter to allow just one commissioner to put an item on the agenda for discussion. This guarantees that no matter how much opposition there may be, one dissenting voice can present something to the public that s/he believes is a matter of great concern.  I'm running for Commissioner so the citizens will have a better understanding of what's going on, and so the leadership and administration will be more accountable to the public.  

I'm also running for office because I want to help improve channels of communication between residents, elected officials, and township staff.  My campaign website, www.RadnorWard2.com, will be converted to a resource and communication portal for my constituents, where neighbors can read and contribute content of shared interest, get important information, and connect with one another.  I encourage everyone reading this article to visit the website and be in contact with me now.  I've been knocking on doors to meet the residents I don't yet know, but if I haven't gotten to your house yet, or if you were out when I stopped by, please use the Contact form to let me know how and when is best to reach you.

What do you think are the biggest issues you would face in office:
On a township wide level, our biggest challenge will be paying down the more than $220 million in employment related liability that was accrued under the mismanagement of the prior manager.  We also have to pay a figure called the MMO (for minimum municipal obligation)each year into the state retirement system for current employee pensions and benefits. CARFAC, the Citizens' Audit Review and Financial Advisory Committee, recommends that these two things be our highest budget priority, and I agree.

Other challenges, though somewhat less urgent, still should not be overlooked.  I think we will face increasing infrastructure maintenance costs as time goes on, and we will have to contend with added traffic and environmental problems from development happening in nearby municipalities that abut Radnor.  We have to stay tuned in to all the moving pieces so we can be ready to address big changes.  

Closer to home, the Second Ward is facing tremendous real estate development pressure that threatens our community's safety and quality of life. The owners of the Biomed Realty site, across from the high school at the northeast corner of Lancaster Avenue and King of Prussia Road, are seeking to pass an ordinance that would allow much denser redevelopment of their site.  This ordinance would also allow denser redevelopment of the three large sites owned by Brandywine Realty--Radnor Financial Center, Radnor Corporate Center, and 201 King of Prussia Road. The proposed development at Villanova University, though not physically in the Second Ward, will have serious traffic and congestion impacts for us, particularly our neighbors in the Ashwood area closest to the university.  In addition, the proposed ordinance may inadvertently create the possibility of too much development on the campuses of Cabrini College and Eastern University, which will affect all who use King of Prussia and Eagle Roads. As Commissioner I will be a strong, effective advocate for the Second Ward and the people who live here when it comes to these issues.


If elected, what would you aim to accomplish: I would like to make sure that we balance the pace of growth with the safety of our neighborhoods.   I want us to pay off our financial obligations as quickly as possible without increasing taxes to do so.  I want to go back to the public for a referendum on the purchase of open space at Ardrossan, since our financial position has changed so dramatically from when the open space bond issue was approved back in 2006.

I would like to see the Board of Commissioners work more collaboratively, and less confrontationally  than it has been doing recently.  I'm dismayed by the interpersonal conflicts that have been getting aired during Commissioners' meetings.  I spent many years as a prosecutor in New York City, and one of the things I had to do was work with disparate groups, individuals and agendas to achieve consensus and acceptable outcomes.  I believe I will be able to accomplish my goals while maintaining an atmosphere of civility and respect.

Website/other information to promote:
I hope everyone reading this will learn more about me at my website, www.RadnorWard2.com