News & Issues: Candidate Interviews
Chester County Democratic Commissioner Candidates:
Kathi Cozzone and Bill Scott
- Why are you running as a candidate for County Commissioner?
Kathi Cozzone:I am running to establish a long-term vision for Chester County, as well as to challenge the one-party system currently in place. Drawing on my decades of experience as a financial professional, I hope to develop a long-term strategic plan for the County. Through strategic planning, I hope to address the long-term fiscal health of the county, as well as look into ways to improve the social services the County provides and improve the County's commitment to preserving Open Space and revitalizing our urban centers, all while eliminating reactionary tax increases. I also hope to address issues such as pay-to-play and voting integrity to restore public confidence in County Government. Finally, I plan to bring leadership and advocacy back to the Commissioners’ office. Too often, County Commissioners hide behind their legal inability to legislate the solutions to problems. As a County Commissioner, I plan to be involved in local, state and federal issues when they affect Chester County. Using the “bully pulpit”, speaking to the media, supporting grassroots activists and lobbying legislators are just some of the ways that County Commissioners can become involved in improving our Communities in addition to their role as administrators of County Government.
Bill Scott:
I am running for County Commissioner because I am concerned about land use in Chester County. I am interested in stopping sprawl, promoting smart growth and improving our quality of life here in Chester County. I have a secondary goal. As a life-long Democrat I would like to be one of a team of two Democrats on the Chester County Board of Commissioners, which would be the first such Democratic majority in Chester County history.I am from West Chester, I have been deeply interested in that community for many years and served on Borough Council for eight years. One thing that I'm proudest of about West Chester is the success of our historic preservation efforts. There is a great deal of history in the property there. Historic preservation on a county-wide basis interests me as a way of maintaining an important part of Chester County's heritage. Many people are concerned about how a historic preservation program such as inclusion in the National Historic Register will restrict their ability to do with their property what they wish. I became aware of those concerns when I was on Council and we expanded our Downtown Historic District to include nearly the entire town. Actually, there are virtually no restrictions placed on the property owner and public fears can be allayed easily by emphasizing the positive aspects that historic preservation can bring to a community. Designation as a historic property gives the owner bragging rights and the value of the property is nearly always increased. I support historic preservation and I believe that realtors should as well.
I have other interests as well. Affordable housing is a major issue facing our County. I'm a member of the Advisory Board of Chester County 2020, a group thats purpose is to support the Landscapes Plan. We are holding a major event focusing on this topic titled 'Under One Roof 2'. This will be a very important gathering of experts and players with respect to the issue of affordable housing. 2020 is not governmental in anyway, and I am their unofficial urban center proponent.
- What is the most pressing issue facing the county and what are
your plans to address it?
Kathi Cozzone:The most pressing issue facing the County is land use planning. As Commissioner, I will make sure that my commitment to fiscal responsibility results in a greater County contribution to open space. I also plan to be a stronger advocate for citizens in land use matters. The County Commissioners can provide support to citizens, when their local supervisors fail to stand up to developers. When supervisors are overwhelmed, the County Planning Commission should do impact studies provide legal assistance. Furthermore, the County Planning Commission must take a greater role in opposing development that does not fit into the County’s Comprehensive Plan – Landscapes. Kathi will use the influence of the Commissioner’s office to foster more regional planning among communities based on Landscapes. Municipalities that share urban or suburban centers should plan those centers together. Townships outside these centers should work together to contain suburban landscapes and push development to villages. Additionally, aspects of Landscapes still need attention. Some funds must address transportation needs, infrastructure improvements and the environment. Finally, I believe that re-development of our cities, boroughs and villages is a key component to preserving our way of life in Chester County. Any efforts to save open space must contain a component to invest in our town centers as well.
Bill Scott: To me the most pressing issue is the rampant development of Chester County. I believe that it has gotten to the point where we can all say that we are experiencing over-development. Population growth in Chester County is significantly exceeding all predictions so that we will be dealing with development issues for many years, if not decades, to come. The commissioners should be protecting our County. County leadership should be more proactive in bringing people together to stop sprawl, promote urban centers and encourage smart growth. The County's Landscapes Plan is an excellent plan and is in fact an award winning plan. Our goal must be to make that plan effective. To make its goals realities.
When I say that there is failure at the county level, I would like to temper that statement. Chester County has a good Planning Commission staff. They developed a Landscapes Plan. We even sent one of our Commissioners to Oregon when the Plan was first introduced to accept a national award of excellence for the development of the Plan. Landscapes calls for public education about the plan and a much better job of that could be done.
If I were a Commissioner, I would be more aggressive about implementing Landscapes. My emphasis would be on revitalizing urban centers and preserving the open space that surrounds each. I would do so by encouraging greater coordination between governments, citizens and groups in the entire area. Positive dialogs about this aspect of the Plan should be strongly encouraged. For example, look at Coatesville. I am running for an office that includes that city as part of the constituent district. For nearly ten years Coatesville has had a back and forth struggle concerning the development by the city of a golf course to enhance the municipality's future. It's been a decade of disaster. County government had and has a responsibility to get involved aggressively in Coatesville and the area. County government must do more than just give out “how to” booklets about municipal planning. County government must help with practical, hands on suggestions, assistance and direction.
I'm very much pro-development when it comes to smart growth, much of which is needed in and immediately around our urban centers. For example, West Chester's Market & Gay Street corridor, from Borough Hall to the 202 bypass in West Goshen, is designated by Landscapes as part of an urban center. I want to see grant money awarded for a plan to make that gateway into the county seat to be something that the community can be proud of. Substantial smart growth can be sustained in that area. County government should heavily support that type of development. - If approved by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, would you support
the imposition of a countywide real estate transfer tax to pay for
open space preservation?
Kathi Cozzone:Through long-term planning, I hope to put the County on sound financial footing. A crucial aim of this plan is to keep county taxes down. I am not in favor of imposing new taxes to achieve this goal. If additional revenue were needed for open space preservation, I would prefer to see a referendum on a bond issue, or another remedy that affects taxpayers more equally.
Bill Scott:I don't know. Currently we have a 2% transfer tax. I am not opposed to using public funds for open space. I live in West Chester and I am enriched by what we have there as well as by the open space a short distance from town. I want the best of both worlds. I think that it will come back many fold. Before any additional transfer tax was imposed, I would have to know that it would make a significant impact on open space preservation.
I am not opposed to using public funds for open space. I live in West Chester and I am enriched by the quality of life in town. But I am enriched as well by the beautiful open space that I have access to only a short distance from West Chester. Public funds spent on Chester County open space greatly benefits all county residents. I am an open space advocate.
- REALTORS® are very knowledgeable about their communities
and the real estate industry. As a County Commissioner how would
you utilize
this expertise? Would you consider appointing individuals recommended
by our organization to real estate related boards and commissions at
the county level?
Kathi Cozzone:As a matter of governing philosophy, I think it is vitally important that any board, task force or commission include representatives from any and all stakeholders. I would seek and accept the professional opinion of realtors whenever appropriate.
Bill Scott: Yes. Absolutely. In my efforts in government over the last 8 years, I have often been complimented for being inclusive. - Access to accurate real estate records is an important issue
for our REALTOR® members. Would you support funding to the Recorder
of Deeds and Assessment offices to ensure availability and accuracy
of this information?
Kathi Cozzone:Many County departments are in need of technological and “user-friendliness” improvements. Unfortunately, it is difficult for the County to make improvements that are sometimes costly in an environment where budgeting is done only year-to-year. Through long-term planning, we can decide how we want County offices to operate, determine the cost of improvement and plan to make it a reality.
Bill Scott: Yes. Absolutely, if that is what is needed. The Recorder of Deeds is an ancient office in Chester County. We need to have one that works. I have been a lawyer since the 60's, and know that one needs to have accurate information from the Recorder of Deeds office. For many people in Chester County, Recorder's office may seem like an inconsequential corner of the bureaucracy. However, it is vitally important for those who own real estate.(As I read the information on your website about reacting to growth, I noticed that about 85% percent of it looks to be exactly what I would say. But part of it seems like you do not want to have growth constrained. My priority is to control over-development.)
- Have you been endorsed by any political party or organization?
Kathi Cozzone:The Democratic Party did not endorse a candidate(s) in the race for County Commissioner. I have not yet accepted the endorsement of any other Party of group.
Bill Scott: I have been endorsed by the Chester County Democracy Caucus (2CDC).
- Why should a REALTOR® vote for you?
Kathi Cozzone:In addition to my vision and leadership discussed above, my husband and I own a small Decorative Concrete business. My experience in the corporate and small business arenas set me apart from my opponents in this election. While I will strive to preserve the beauty and character of Chester County, I also understand the economic benefit of development. My intention is to help the County manage development, not cut it off. Too many of our County’s citizens trust their livelihood to development to be in favor of cutting development off entirely.
Bill Scott: I really believe in Chester County. I want there to be an exceptional quality of life here. I want our county to be seen as the model for others to follow. And I want you to be proud of what you are selling.