Kathryn Chandless, Newtown Township Supervisor Candidate

Kathryn Chandless - Township Supervisor

Age (as of Election Day)

44

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

I have been married for 18 years and we have five children ranging in age from 17 to 2.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

I graduated from Haverford College in 1998, and from Georgetown Law School in 2001.

Occupation

I am an attorney in my own practice for the past 15 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I currently serve on the Marple Newtown school board, and have done so for the past 11 and a half years.

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/VoteC...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking this office because I am invested in Newtown Township, and I want to protect the qualities that attracted me here to raise my family 20 years ago. Selfishly, I want my children to want to stay in this township to raise their own families. And, quite frankly, I am tired of complaining about traffic, construction and overdevelopment, and I want to be part of the solution.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue facing our township is the need to protect against overdevelopment and preserve remaining open space. I intend to make this a top priority, exploring opportunities for the township to be more proactive and involving all stakeholders collaboratively. I would develop partnerships and programs, and work with local organizations and residents, to encourage beautification of the landscape and properties throughout the township. I would also ensure that we have comprehensive, long-term plans to create a cohesive, sustainable community atmosphere, solicit resident input and assistance in how to do so, and actively working with legislators to push for better protections for municipalities such as ours that are continually impacted by utilities projects.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The critical difference is my proven experience (over nearly 12 years on the Marple Newtown school board, 7 of which I served as Board President) in responsible fiscal management, keeping taxes low while still investing responsibly in infrastructure, security and program improvements. I have also shown my commitment to this community for well over a decade, having served in several volunteer roles, including as a past President of the Newtown Square rotary club (currently responsible for our annual Christmas giving program), soccer coach, cub scout den leader and “popcorn kernel.”

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I think boards of the past were short-sighted and failed to implement sufficient protections to avoid the overdevelopment of our township. I have seen the current board of supervisors recognize this issue and begin moving in the right direction, but I believe this needs to be our absolute top focus. I also believe that more needs to be done to address the utilities’ treatment of the township.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Community engagement is key. When it comes down to it, I believe most of us want the same things – we want the opportunity to be successful through work hard, we want to keep a fair amount of the money we earn and know that the money we pay in taxes is being spent properly, and above all we want to know that our families are happy, healthy and safe. Elected officials need to work for, and with, the residents, to facilitate these goals.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My answer to this question is threefold. As an attorney, for multiple years I have been named as one of Delco’s Best Lawyers by the Delaware County Times, named as one of Main Line Today magazine’s Top Lawyers and named in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Magazine. Certain of these awards are voted by my peers in the legal community, and others by the community at large. These accomplishments confirm that I work extremely hard for those I represent, but without sacrificing decency and respect for all involved. I believe these are important qualities for an elected representative to possess.
Second, I would cite to my accomplishments while on the school board. During my tenure, we implemented initiatives including security and facilities improvements, a plan to utilize School Resource Officers (which I took the lead in coordinating with Newtown and Marple Townships), and technology improvements such as a 1:1 laptop program – all while maintaining low taxes and high academics and programs (for example, MNSD was recently named as one of the best communities in the nation for music education). I also have served as the chief labor negotiator for the school district, during which time we have enjoyed a period of significant labor peace and forged strong relations with our labor groups, recognizing that we all share a common goal of giving our students every opportunity to be successful in the future.
Third, and maybe most importantly, I am a mother of five (ranging in age from teenagers to a toddler). Although this past year of virtual learning and pandemic-related challenges has added a gray hair or two, successfully negotiating the “what’s for dinner” question every night for the past 17 years may be one of my proudest accomplishments to date!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have a varied background that allows me to see issues from various perspectives. I’m a mother, a small business owner, an attorney. In my practice I have represented both employers and employees equally. I have had (and currently have) children in both public and private schools. My husband and I both work full-time and budget for every dollar. I worry about the high price of higher education for my kids, I have struggled with how to help my now 91-year old father find and afford long term care. I get frustrated with traffic and worry about how our township can handle the pressures of development. I relate to a lot of the struggles that residents, parents and business owners are facing right now and I want to do my part to support them. I also know that there will be people with different experiences from mine. In those situations, I will listen to their concerns to really understand them, and try to incorporate those voices so that we are a community of inclusion.