Politics & Government

Meet Your Candidates: Joan Doyle

The Democratic incumbent is seeking re-election to Doylestown Borough Council.

Name: Joan Doyle

Occupation: Councilwoman, Realtor, Business & Marketing Consultant

Length of time living in Doylestown Borough: 10-1/2 years

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What organizations and activities are you involved with locally? 

Committee to Save the Doylestown DART; Doylestown Business & Community Alliance; Turn the Towns Teal; Doylestown Historical Society, Wesley Enhanced Living and Center Square Towers, volunteer with pet rabbits

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Why do you want to serve on Doylestown Borough Council?

I want to continue serving on council because as a councilwoman I have met the challenges we have faced with a common sense and practical approach. I have helped shape important legislation that has been enacted during the past four years, and I believe I can continue to have a positive impact during my next term. I have contributed to keeping our tax rate steady, our public safety issues a priority, to zoning and aesthetic decisions for the Justice Center, to shaping legislation ensuring the rights and dignity of everyone in the borough and in maintaining the wonderful atmosphere and balance that we enjoy here as residents of Doylestown.

As a watchdog for taxpayers’ money, I have made budget decisions to keep Doylestown “living within its means.” I have extensive experience with municipal budget creation and oversight. I am a proponent of long-range budget planning and of using our reserve fund to continue to fund capital improvements and to offset any tax increase. I want to be on council so I can work to maintain our resident and community services while facing increasing operating costs and expenditures and decreasing revenue.

I am familiar with every aspect of borough council responsibilities and oversight. I chaired the Public Safety and Zoning & Planning Committees and continue to serve on them. I served on the Finance & Police Pension Committee and currently serve on the Public Works & Administration and Environment & Recreation Committees.

My proven track record as an advocate for both citizens and local business is also why I want to continue to be a council member. I enjoy helping people. I am accessible, responsive and gratified that I have assisted many constituents with their concerns by listening, questioning, facilitating and obtaining resolution. I want to continue working for our large senior population.

Public service has been a lifetime passion of mine. I have a strong background in zoning and police matters, from elected and appointed positions in New York. I have held leadership roles in community organizations. My business acumen from a long career in corporate management and consulting, in business development and marketing, also contribute to my effectiveness on council.

In Doylestown, I have now been in public service for almost a decade. Before being elected to council, I was a five-year appointed member of the Doylestown Revitalization Board. I have been part of the discussions and decisions that council made during that time.  That knowledge is invaluable as Doylestown faces the changed economic climate that affects residents and our business community. My perspective as the “keeper of history” assists me in making decisions for short-term and long-term goals and financial management.

I make informed decisions for the best interest of Doylestown and the people I serve. Maintaining quality of life and the health, welfare and safety of our residents and visitors is of paramount concern. I can best contribute to that by serving another term on borough council.

The troubled economy has hurt many Doylestown businesses, and we’ve seen the closure of several longtime stores, including Maison du Cheese, Coffee & Cream and Chico’s. What can or should Borough Council do to support the town’s businesses?

The borough has set the stage, so to speak, for businesses to thrive here. Borough Council has invested in the infrastructure, beautification and creation of a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Council already partners with the Doylestown Business & Community Alliance to provide many of the amenities that define our “Destination Location” community – hanging flower baskets and holiday decorations. The police department has been responsive to business concerns and council has asked for and received a greater police presence downtown when circumstances warrant that action.

Council cannot control the ebb and flow of businesses, entrepreneur’s decisions about retiring or an establishment’s financial assessment of the strength of a location and economic market conditions here.  The Doylestown Revitalization Board, an important adjunct to council, continues to play a vital role in keeping the downtown viable.  They have, in the past, made recommendations about parking changes that were adopted by council. Through committees of the Revitalization Board, store vacancies are monitored, new businesses are welcomed, business owners are given information about long-term, permit parking for employees and the Juror Room in the County Courthouse is provided with a list of every restaurant in the borough.

An often-heard complaint of many stores is that their rent is too high in relation to the income they are now generating in today’s economy. Council cannot interfere with free enterprise, but an informal approach that facilitates dialogue between property owners and business owners could be a helpful step in stemming the possibility of more stores shutting their business. This could be facilitated by the Government & Community Affairs Committee of council or by the Revitalization Board.

An active downtown merchants group exists, and they are the best ones to bring forth ideas to council through the Revitalization Board and DBCA. DBCA sends a liaison to the Revitalization Board meetings and a council member and the mayor also attend, so there are already communication measures in place and an open exchange of ideas.

Council is committed to supporting borough businesses in whatever manner they can, within the confines of their responsibilities. The Borough Manager is always open and receptive to suggestions. The Elm Street Program to enhance the residential areas surrounding the downtown is outlined and designed and awaiting state funding.

Borough Council supports First Friday Doylestown, which is designed to attract families and visitors to the borough, in order to introduce them to the retail, service and eating establishments. The commitment to support community events by covering some police overtime costs is another way in which council encourages people to visit, eat and shop here, which in turn bolsters our businesses.

A proposed 2012 redesign of the borough website will offer better links to the cultural institutions, businesses and attractions in the borough. The link to the DBCA website provides information about each of the business members of that civic organization that is committed to beautifying the borough and promoting businesses.

Parking is the second issue that impacts downtown businesses. The borough has markedly increased parking by negotiating evening and weekend use of the Wells Fargo lot on W. Court Street and the County’s VIP lot on Pine and E. Court Street.

 

The borough’s weekly police log is filled with alcohol-related incidents, ranging from property damage and theft to public urination, fights and more. Can or should Borough Council do more to protect people who live or own businesses near the downtown bars and restaurants? If so, what suggestions do you have and how would you implement them?

Council, Chief Donnelly and the Doylestown Police Department are cognizant of the growing number of incidents in and around downtown that are alcohol-related and measures have been taken to keep them to a minimum. There are weekend nightly patrols of the borough’s night spots, until after they close. Although council does not have direct control of the management of the police department, we are kept informed by the Mayor who is responsible for the oversight of the department.

The Public Safety Committee meets monthly with the Chief of Police and the Mayor to go over items that affect public safety and constituent concerns, i.e., speeding, traffic control and signs, pedestrian safety, municipal parking lot policy and fees, sight obstructions. I recently requested, and received, a report on police activity in the downtown area, specifically related to liquor licenses.

The health, safety and welfare of everyone in the borough, residents and visitors, is of paramount importance. People that have chosen to live in the downtown area, the business owners and patrons, should not hesitate to call the police to report any incident. That is of paramount importance, because the police cannot act if they do not have information or notification. The Liquor Control Board requires citations be issued, or arrests be made, in order to effectively oversee whether an establishment is a problem spot.

We already have laws and ordinances that address many of the situations that occur. In addition, the borough staff together with the Doylestown Revitalization Board created a brochure for eating establishments and bars that outlines what they should do to minimize the impact their patrons have on the community when they leave. Consistent enforcement of already existing laws and ordinances is vital.

What more can be done?

  • Request the Public Safety Committee get a monthly report from the Chief showing all complaints, citations and arrests downtown, including daytime and night disturbances.
  • Bar managers should be encouraged to take a more pro-active approach to problem patrons.
  • Ensure that the Liquor Control Board receives police information so it can better monitor activity of each establishment.
  • Council has virtually no control over expansion of established businesses serving alcohol (a function of LCB) but can review an application for a new liquor license in Doylestown.
  • Establish a liaison from the restaurant/bar community to meet quarterly with Public Safety or the Borough Manager.
  • Encourage resident complaints/reports about noise, inappropriate behavior or criminal activity.

What other issues would you like to see come to the forefront if you are elected to the board?

The issue of police regionalization is another reason why I am running for re-election. This very important decision will need the understanding, backing and support of the community. As a council member, I represent all constituents and I examine the pros and cons of each issue before I make an informed decision.  I want to ensure that the many positive reasons for regionalization are weighed against the borough’s unique needs as the County seat with our bustling downtown, cultural institutions, large community events and many thousands of visitors monthly. Once the participating boroughs and towns are known, conduct a town meeting with all the participating communities to better inform residents and listen to any concerns and questions, prior to elected officials taking a final vote.

If we cannot bring the regionalization decision to fruition by the middle of 2012, I would like to evaluate what council should do to improve the working conditions of our police department. This has been on the back burner awaiting a decision about regionalization.

Semi-annual discussions about partnership/purchasing opportunities between taxing entities: borough, township, school district.

Quarterly presentations to council by borough department heads, i.e. public works, parks, water.

Semi-annual town meetings for feedback from constituents.

Further exploration of public access opportunities for televising council meetings, for greater transparency.


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