News & Issues: Candidate Interviews

Chester County Republican Commissioner Candidates:

Carol Aichele and Terence Farrell

  1. Why are you running as a candidate for County Commissioner?

    Carol Aichele:As Commissioner, I have worked hard for the people of Chester County over the last four years.  I have been part of a team that has accomplished many things for county taxpayers.  Our county property taxes are among the lowest in the suburbs, and taxes have not exceeded the rate of inflation.  We have received Moody’s prestigious Triple A bond rating (one of only 45 counties in the entire country), saving taxpayers millions of dollars.  We have invested $15 million annually in land preservation, helping to preserve farms and open space around the county.  We have remained on time and on budget with the county’s new Justice Center project.  We have supported the business community in many ways, helping keep Chester County’s unemployment rate below the federal and state unemployment rate.  In short, I have worked to help make Chester County a great place to live, work, do business and raise a family.  I will continue to support this vision for Chester County families if I have the honor of being re-elected this year.

    Terence Farrell:You all know me. I've had a REALTORS® license since 1995 with Prudential, Fox and Roach. I have served as Recorder of Deeds since being elected in 1999. I took office in 2000, and I was reelected in 2003. Currently I feel that I have the experience to make Chester County a better place. My parents were educators and taught be the value of public service. This has been something that I greatly value. In this way, I have actively worked with projects such as the OxfordMain Street,Inc. (OMI), Southern Chester County YMCA, and the Chester County Economic Development Council to serve the community. I think that these experiences have enriched my outlook and make me a better candidate.

  2. What is the most pressing issue facing the county and what are your plans to address it?

    Carol Aichele:The biggest challenge today in county government is making sure we continue to provide a high level of service to residents while trying to keep taxes low.  County government affects local families in many different ways.  We are responsible for funding the courts and court-related offices, we administer vitally important health and human services programs, we fund open space preservation and community revitalization programs, we operate the 911 system, County parks and libraries, we assist municipalities in a variety of ways, and we are involved with important capital improvement projects, to name a few.  In order to continue providing these services while keeping taxes low, we need to constantly examine our budgeting process to find innovative ways to save money. Terence Farrell: There are three key concerns that I see facing the county. The first, obviously being the tremendous growth pressures and managing this growth… When open space went on the ballot, 87% of the people approved of using funds to augment this effort. It is a matter of reaching that balance for us to have the best types of development moving into the county. Ideally, it would act as a stimulus to economic development within the county. Economic development, of course, is another major issue that the county faces. It is important that we are ambassadors for the community in augmenting this economic development . Public safety is another countywide issue. First responders need a public safety training center. We are the only county in the region that does not have one. The county needs to foster that type of training.

  3. 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?

    Carol Aichele: I do not support an increase in the real estate transfer tax.  Among other things, an increase in this tax would hurt new homebuyers and would make it less likely that many people would be able to realize their dream of buying a home.

    Terence Farrell: Basically, I am against taxes-or more specifically increasing taxes in this manner. As Recorder of Deeds, I was particularly sensitive to this issue. We had a number of fees imposed upon us that were not directly related the function of the office itself. We had one fee imposed on us that was meant to support the Supreme Court's computer system. We challenged this, and amazingly the courts decided to uphold the fee. What Carol Aichele and I would propose is that we maintain the $15 million dollars currently earmarked for open space preservation in the county. Sustaining open space is important, but can be done through the support from various sources. So far, the county has spent $175 million dollars, but that has been helped by $257 million dollars in support from other sources, particularly the municipalities. We also want to encourage individuals to help with this effort.

  4. 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?

    Carol Aichele:Yes, I support realtors being involved with county government, including on our boards and commissions.  I believe the knowledge and expertise realtors have relating to the housing market in our county would be a real asset.

    Terence Farrell: Yes. I would most definitely use the resources that REALTORS are able to bring to the table. The county itself is involved in many dealings with real estate. It owns a number of buildings, so property management is a consideration at that level. Just the knowledge that REALTORS have specific to properties and management can be a tremendous resource. I think that REALTORS, along with other members of the community, should sit at the table.

  5. 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?

    Carol Aichele:As Commissioner, I have allocated funds for the Recorder of Deeds and Assessment offices in order to help ensure quality services in both offices.  I will continue to make sure both offices receive the necessary funding so that the public has access to accurate real estate records.

    Terrence FarrellThat funding already exists in a couple of different ways. Not only is the Recorder of Deeds a revenue positive department, we give more money to the general fund than any other department. We are the highest in departmental earnings. There are recording fees and other fees associated with document recording. We get a five dollar charge for the UPI fee. There is also a five dollar technology fee that we use to improve our records. that the Act 8 funding must be spent within four years or, we turn that money over to the Record Improvement Committee. This year we turned over $1.2 million dollars to the committee. This year we have used some of that money, and we have used some to support the Assessment Department.

  6. Have you been endorsed by any political party or organization?

    Carol Aichele I have been endorsed by the Republican Committee of Chester County and the Chester County Police Chiefs Association.

    Terence Farrell: I have received the endorsement of the Republican Committee of Chester County and the Chester County Police Chiefs Association.

  7. Why should a REALTOR® vote for you?

    Carol Aichele:I believe people should vote for me because I am completely committed to the betterment of Chester County.  Over the last four years we have made real progress on a number of issues, moving Chester County in the right direction.  Under my leadership Chester County was rated as one of the best financially managed counties in the nation, we were given the 2007 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Leadership Award and our taxes are one of the lowest in the suburbs.  My record as a public official shows that I am a person who can get results for those who make Chester County their home.  If re-elected, I will continue to fight for Chester County’s special quality of life. For more information about my campaign visit: http://www.aichelefarrell.com/.

    Terence Farrell: I am a REALTOR and I exemplify those qualities--commitment to the task, timeliness of service, and the pursuit of exemplary customer service--that REALTORS uphold. I believe that if you can get a task done that day, it should be done. I regard my position with the county seriously, and I will continue to exemplify those values in the future. The bottom line as Commissioner is to return value to the client-the taxpayers. For more information about my campaign visit: http://www.aichelefarrell.com/.