Tracy Lee Tackett Challenges In Phoenixville Boro's Middle Ward

Pennsylvania's Primary Election is May 18. Tracy Lee Tackett is seeking a seat on Phoenixville Borough Council representing the Middle Ward. She brings experience advising local governments on zoning and development as she challenges incumbent Beth Burckley.

Tackett explained why she is running for election.

Tracy Lee Tackett

Age: 51

Position Sought: Phoenixville Borough Council, Middle Ward

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Jeff Tackett, husband; daughters Emily Tackett, 11, and Tessa Tackett, 11.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: I am a planning and zoning consultant to local governments on an as-needed basis. I have been dealing with zoning codes, development projects, and ordinances every day for over 20 years.

Education: Bachelor of Science, Environmental Policy and Assessment from Western Washington University; Master's in Urban Planning from the University of Kansas.

Occupation: Planning and Zoning Consultant for boroughs and municipalities

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

Why are you seeking elective office?: To ensure that the Borough is demanding the best redevelopment possible; development that preserves the character of our neighborhoods and Community. Phoenixville is a community of neighborhoods and it is the people in these neighborhoods that make this town special. Development needs to respect the neighborhoods and residents that have invested their lives in this community.
I am running for another reason and that is none of the Borough Council candidates were challenged by either Republicans or Democrats. They were all just getting reelected without any challenger. A lot of residents were also shocked and disappointed none of the borough council candidates were being challenged by either Republicans or Democrats. It is a disservice to the taxpayers for a town like Phoenixville with so much going on in terms of development not to have anybody making these decisions face any challengers.

The single most pressing issue facing our borough is: Overdevelopment. I intend to press for improved regulations that protect neighborhoods, engage neighbors when development is proposed nearby, and press the Borough professionals to consider impacts of new proposals on the surrounding neighborhoods and fully analyze the regulation waivers being requested by developers.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?: My work experience enables me to have an in-depth understanding of the development process and effective regulations that can better protect neighborhoods and push for better development.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community.:They failed to engage with the neighbors in a meaningful way or support the neighbors' concerns regarding the overdevelopment of the building at the corner of Main and Church Streets. The development was approved even though several inconsistencies were pointed out in the interpretation of the code.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: Parking remains an ongoing issue and neighborhoods should be engaged to come up with creative solutions.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: I've advised elected officials in a variety of municipalities on planning and zoning issues for nearly 20 years. It seems a logical next step for me to shift to the decision-making side of the table. I've also run my own business for the last several years.

The best advice ever shared with me was: To remember that there is always more than one side to an issue and that I should consider all perspectives before making a decision.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: I'm not against development, but I believe it needs to be considered in the larger neighborhood context and long-term impacts need to be considered.

Tracy Lee Tackett's campaign website can be viewed here.

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