Andrea Baptiste: 'I am a tireless worker on behalf of the residents'

On what makes her best for the borough council seat:
My career skills in the retail business, the construction industry and commercial real estate marketing have been an asset to Collegeville for the last four years in my tenure as chair of the Borough’s Business Liaison Committee.  I used these skills to Collegeville’s advantage to market the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel and to locate a tenant for the vacant Acme space, which fell through when Acme refused to give up their lease on its vacant building.
Additionally, my four years’ experience serving on Borough Council have demonstrated that I am a tireless worker on behalf of the residents. I also have experience chairing the Borough’s Parks and Recreation Committee, that oversees the Concerts in the Park, and working on the Borough’s Finance and Public Safety committees.

On the most important issues in Collegeville:
Right now, the most pressing issue for Collegeville is to work together with the management of Collegeville’s two shopping centers (to) try to find viable businesses to fill the vacancies. With the downturn in the economy and the opening of the Providence Town Center just two miles down Route 29, we realize that unless we take action now, the situation will only get worse. 

On revitalization:
We actually have all the tools we need to continue to move our revitalization forward. The Main Street program has completed a market assessment of Collegeville’s business district, which included survey results from residents, business owners and students concerning the types of retail businesses and restaurants they most preferred and would patronize. Additionally, the Montgomery County Planning Commission has completed a revitalization plan, which was approved by Borough Council. This plan provides a roadmap of suggested changes to our business areas which would not only make them more attractive but would create an amazing, vibrant town center for Collegeville. As chairperson of the Borough’s Business Liaison Committee and as a board member of the Main Street Program, I am excited to be a member of the team that moves these plans forward.     

On taxes:
The key to not raising taxes is to look for cost synergies and reductions wherever possible and to be vigilant about staying on budget, yet continue to endeavor to maintain quality services for the residents.

What else would you like the voters to know before they go into the voting booth?
It is important for us to focus on all of the above and also be mindful of maintaining the quality of life in Collegeville by continuing to provide family friendly activities, such as the Main Street Program’s tree lighting event. Other issues that are important to me include opposing any tolls on Route 422, accomplishing goals through community teamwork, and supporting our excellent Ppolice department, fire company, Ursinus College, our businesses and residents.