Students to the retired, vets to veterinarians: Meet 11 candidates for State College Borough Council
Eleven candidates are vying for the vacant seat on the State College Borough Council after Dan Murphy’s surprise resignation last month — and a new council member should be decided on Monday.
Residents won’t cast their own vote, of course. In this instance, the council itself will vote on who will finish out Murphy’s term, which ends in January 2022. If the appointed council member wants to serve another term, then he or she will have to run and campaign like everyone else.
The 11 candidates all took turns Wednesday night introducing themselves, before taking five minutes to outline their platform, experience and desire. They varied from students to the retired, from military veterans to veterinarians, to boasting of past political experience to boasting zero.
“From a staff standpoint and community member standpoint, you have to feel happy you got a diverse selection,” borough spokesperson Douglas Shontz said. “The council has a real tough decision to make.”
The appointment process is simple. On Monday, current council members’ names will be pulled out of a hat to determine an order to nominate candidates — and the council president will automatically go last. Each council member will then nominate one candidate apiece, and a vote will then take place on whether that first nomination should be the new council member. If there are four yes votes from the six current council members, that person will earn the appointment on the spot.
If there aren’t at least four yes votes? The council will move on to the second nomination, and the process will repeat. If there still aren’t enough votes after everyone has exhausted their nominations, the council will run through its list again — and, if deadlocked, it’s possible the candidate will not be determined Monday.
Here’s a closer look at those 11 candidates:
Oscar J. Baumert IV
Address: Waupelani Drive
Occupation/education: Penn State student (seeking B.S. in chemistry); counts experience in resume as Black Live Matter protests and as a Georgia State lab intern
Why become a council member: Wants voices in the community to be heard, such as from the Wage Justice Coalition and PA United
Fun fact: Involved in Habitat for Humanity and the Centre County COVID-19 Community Response
On the issues: On COVID-19: “What we should have done was not bring (students) back. But now that we have to deal with that, we have to find a way of dealing with that. We have to stop school, and we cannot just send students home. There has to be a period of time where they need to stay here, be quarantined and get tested.” ... On police: “We need to put the demands that 3/20 (Coalition) has put ahead of us. The whole list of demands. All of them. We need to have all of those demands met.” ... On other issues: Wants benches back near Schlow.
Thomas Dougherty III
Address: East Nittany Avenue
Occupation/education: Penn State student (seeking B.A. in Political Science, African Studies); counts experience on resume as being the University Park Undergraduate Association’s Chair of the Committee on Governmental Affairs and acted as the borough liaison in 2018
Why become a council member: Campaigned in 2019 for a seat; wants to bring university, borough and students together through collaborative efforts; believes council would benefit from having a student perspective
Fun fact: Was a primary Thon chair and dancer in 2018
On the issues: On COVID-19: “The university already has 1,000-plus cases now, and that statistic just came out today — and it has failed so many of its students. And the borough cannot fail its residents. And I just want to make well-sure that it does not do that since we are at the wheel.” ... On social injustice: “It happened here March 20, 2019. It happens every day to many members of community. You rally together during an unprecedented time for justice for change.” ... On police: “The State College Police Department conducted an internal review released in August that found the officers (involved in Osaze Osagie shooting) acted within policy in every area. The report was determined internally, not externally. We have to be harder on how we are reviewing our policing.”
Uche Ikwut-Ukwa
Address: Bradley Avenue
Occupation/education: Transportation Construction Inspector on highway bridges (seasonal); MBA in Business Administration (St. Francis, 2003); M.S. in Architectural Engineering (Penn State, 1990); BArch (5-year professional degree at Idaho, 1983)
Why become a council member: Spent more than 26 years in borough with children who went to SCASD; seeks to make borough “safe, diverse and inclusive”
Fun fact: 1980 finalist for the North American Scrabble Championship
On the issues: On police: “I will support an ordinance that limits the justification of police use of deadly force when their lives or public lives are not in imminent danger.” ... On other issues: “I pledge to work collaboratively with other council members to find optimal solutions to the many challenges that affect our community.”
Jeffrey Kern
Address: McCormick Avenue
Occupation/education: President, Senior Appraiser of Resource Technologies Corp.; Masters of Regional Planning (Penn State, 1980); B.A. in Political Science (Dickinson, 1973)
Why become a council member: Previously served as a borough council member; remains familiar with borough’s operation and believes he could help with budgetary process
Fun fact: Currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board of the State College Borough Water Authority and was once the Chairperson of the Downtown Improvement District Planning Committee
On the issues: On the budget: “This is going to be a tough budget year for the borough. We have lost a significant amount of earned income tax, which is roughly 20-25% of the gross revenue. We we are about to lose — even though we’re seeing significant growth downtown — the potential for real estate growth because of a recent ruling by the appellate court in Pennsylvania. ... Whether we are worried about climate change, which I am, or whether we are worried about racial inequities, which I am, whether we are worried about how we fix the potholes in the street, we have to have the revenue to do that.”
Ron Madrid
Address: West Beaver Avenue
Occupation/education: Retired (Penn State’s Director of the Office of Military and Security Programs); M.S. in Business (Troy, 1984); B.S. in Analytical Management (Navy, 1974)
Why become a council member: Feels called to serve as a former Marine; familiar with borough’s inner workings by already serving on planning, zoning and real-estate commissions, in addition to neighborhood associations over last 15-plus years
Fun fact: Won the borough’s XYZ Award in 2018 in recognition of service to the borough on authorities, boards and commissions
On the issues: Overview of challenges: “There are consequences to the decisions of council. I would help to ensure that we consider their actual and potential long- term effects and how those effects impact the borough and its residents. Racial economic inequality, police accountability COVID-19 mediation, interaction with Penn State and other municipalities, sustainability and taxation are all significant challenges.”
Elle (Louise) Morgan
Address: Westerly Parkway
Occupation/education: Penn State instructor in civic engagement and public speaking; MMC (South Carolina, 1992); B.A. in Speech and Theatre (Westminster College, 1974)
Why become a council member: Believes women are underrepresented in government; recognizes borough is in transition and believes she can look at local problems through a new lens
Fun fact: Wrote a book titled, “The Elements of New Life Scripts: A Retreat Guide” that centers on ideas for quiet moments, guided meditations, and the like
On the issues: On COVID-19: “The students are concerned about their health and welfare ... I think COVID is No. 1. It just colors everything that we’re doing in the world and in the borough of State College.” ... On police: “Every voice must be heard. And so the citizens’ committee, I totally am on board with that idea.” ... On social injustice: “We cannot have apathy any longer. We’re done with that; it’s time for action now.” ... On other issues: Cites sustainability, climate change, the sixth extinction, inclusivity and quality of life (health care, education, green space) as other big issues.
Ezra Nanes
Address: Sunset Road
Occupation/education: AccuWeather’s Director of Business Development, Account Management; MBA in Marketing and Finance (Penn State, 2012); B.A. in History of Art (Penn, 1994)
Why become a council member: Lived in borough for 8 years; wants to contribute through public service in some way with so many pressing issues: COVID-19, injustice (racial, gender, economic), climate change, etc.
Fun fact: Ran against Republican Jake Corman in 2018 in the general election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 34 and lost with 44.2% of vote (39,075 votes)
On the issues: On social injustice: “Injustice cannot correct injustice. And so when we talk about the killing of Osaze Osagie, we must talk of justice. And at this moment, justice has not yet been done for Mr. Osagie or his family. I am not here to blame. But to join you and all our community in shouldering the responsibility for this — until we get justice to Mr. Osagie, to heed the call of the 3/20 Coalition, the wound will never heal.” ... On changes to downtown: “The recent spate of high rises going up downtown most certainly raises red flags for many who live in the borough, or one might ask, whom do they most benefit? You will find me a strong advocate for a pedestrian-friendly, bikeable and accessible vision of our community.” ... On other issues: Believes renewable energy presents a major economic opportunity and lauded the council for its mask ordinance to fight COVID-19. Called for greater transparency from Penn State.
Daniel Risser
Address: West College Avenue
Occupation/education: Penn State student (seeking B.A. in Political Science); counts experience in resume as deputy field organizer for George Scott for Congress PA-10 (5 months) and as interim constituent services coordinator for 95th Legislative District in state House (9 months)
Why become a council member: Feels called to public service; has already taken steps (i.e. borough council mixer) to increase student engagement in borough; involved in Penn State’s student government
Fun fact: Currently serves as the vice chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs for Penn State’s University Park Undergraduate Association
On the issues: On zoning: “I will work to ensure the borough is not zoned exclusively with luxury high rises, but affordable housing for students and families alike wishing to move to the borough.” ... On social injustice: “In the wake of senseless killings of numerous African American citizens, it gave me great hope to see the State College community coming together to peacefully protesting the systemic and justices so many African Americans are faced with in our nation today. ... Additionally, the borough council and community as a whole should work together to lower the barriers of entry for marginalized communities to start and grow their businesses here in State College.” ... On police: “Borough residents have the right to know of the of the police department’s use of force policies.” ... On COVID-19: “I fully support and would like to strengthen the borough mask and social-distancing ordinance.”
Jacob Werner
Address: McCormick Avenue
Occupation/education: Penn State research professor and attending veterinarian for Agricultural Animals and Wildlife; VMD (Penn, 2000); B.S. in Animal Bioscience (Penn State, 1997)
Why become a council member: Lived in borough for 13 years; believes all residents should feel welcome and part of the community
Fun fact: Authored (or co-authored) nearly 20 articles published in peer-reviewed journals, most recently in 2019, which involved swine and cardiovascular changes
On the issues: On his own call to action: “This is my action: Work to foster business development, help families grow and develop great relationships that make everyone welcome. ... I believe in listening and being open to suggestions and ideas. I believe in conducting research into topics that I may not know about but to gain a full understanding and provide resources for growth.”
Mel White
Address: West Mitchell Avenue
Occupation/education: Penn State’s Associate Director in Global Operations & Learning; M.A. in International Affairs (Washington, 2000); M.A. in Administrative Management (Maryland, 1998); B.A. in American Civilization (Lafayette, 1989)
Why become a council member: Spent 25 years in the U.S. Army and believes in “selfless service”; feels qualified to address social unrest, political turmoil and the pandemic
Fun fact: Spent at least 4 years in Pakistan as both an Army program manager and an Army attache
On the issues: On COVID-19: “I’m proud of Pennsylvania, State College’s and Penn State’s reaction to the coronavirus. Lives have been saved. But we must never use fear or force to gain compliance; that’s not the kind of society we want to live in.” ... On social injustice: “I’m proud of these actions (3/20 Coalition, Black Lives Matter) because they show our community is unwilling to be silent in the face of inequity. And I’m also proud because these movements have been peaceful here to date.” ... On police: “The issue with policing today is not the militarization of equipment. It’s the militarization of the mindset. Policing cannot be successful if police officers view everyone out there as a potential enemy, and yet we increasingly see that police officers cannot be safe unless they do. ... Police need to be trained, equipped and funded for law enforcement and relevant duties.”
Katherine Oh Yeaple
Address: Hartswick Avenue
Occupation/education: Registered nurse at Penn State Health Services; B.S. in Nursing (Penn State, 2015); A.S. in Nursing (Delaware County C.C., 2006); M.S. in Urban Planning (Columbia, 1995); B.A. in English Literature (Swarthmore, 1988)
Why become a council member: Can give voice to issue in areas of health and wellness, transportation and education; wants to give back to community after living here 12 years
Fun fact: Has worked at different times for SCASD, Foxdale Village and Penn State
On the issues: On sustainability: “I see nothing but growth coming to our area, so we need to do it smartly. And I have experience with environmental impact statements. Are we ready? Is our infrastructure adequate for new developments and proposed development? And then thinking in terms of transportation impacts, wastewater, water quality ...” On police: “I do believe in a citizens’ committee. We need to address nonviolence issues and possibly the assistance of a mental health worker on staff with the police.”
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 2:56 PM.
