By Gabbie Burton
Contributing Writer

The residents of Kennett Square will have a choice in the upcoming mayoral election that could help determine the future of the community.

This Nov. 4, residents will have the opportunity to vote for either four-time incumbent mayor, Democrat Matt Fetick, or Republican candidate and challenger Leon Spencer, who served as Kennett Square’s mayor from 1999-2010. To prepare for the election, the Chester County Press – in collaboration with the Kennett Library – will be hosting “A Conversation with the Candidates” on Oct. 23 at the library’s auditorium, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will give local community members a chance to hear and question the candidates on the issues most important to them.

“I think it’s the duty of the Press to provide opportunities for our readers and for the community as a whole to offer their input, their thoughts and their concerns about the future of this town,” said Richard L. Gaw, associate editor for the Chester County Press, who will moderate the one-hour event.

“I think local elections are so important,” Publisher Avery Lieberman said. “Given the current state of affairs, everyone focuses so nationally, while neglecting just how important it is to have strong leadership in the community.”

While this is the first event of its kind for the Press to host, choosing this local election and this community to focus on was an easy decision.

“The Kennett Borough community is so actively involved, and we have a lot of strong voices,” said Lieberman. “I think it’s really important to help give people a platform to voice them, and to hear from our leaders and future leaders.”

Gaw and Lieberman said that the conversation – and election - between Fetick and Spencer comes at a time when major decisions by its key lawmakers will heavily impact the future of the town.

“The question that’s looming over the town is, ‘How do we wish to define ourselves moving forward? Are we a small, tightknit community, or are we a tourist attraction?’” said Gaw. “The question that is foremost on residents’ minds is how does Kennett Square create a balance between smart growth and retention of its definition that it’s owned for many decades as a small, diverse community?”

“Are we growing faster than our infrastructure can handle?” added Lieberman. “It is a big question. I’ve lived in the borough now for over ten years, so I come to this town hall with a personal investment in it.”

Major topics that are top of mind for local residents include a residential development being planned at the former National Vulcanized Fibre Company (NVF) plant; concerns of over development throughout the borough; housing affordability and the rising cost of home ownership; economic inequity; traffic concerns and the rising cost of living.

“There is the fear that Kennett Square is becoming a place where only the financially well-to-do can afford to live, and I think that’s a talking point that needs to be addressed,” said Gaw. “What initiatives will these two candidates, should they be elected, do to create affordable housing options in the community, and how will State Street be redefined in the future?”

The development of Kennett Square over the past several years and the concerns surrounding affordable housing are a topic Gaw hopes the candidates will address in the town hall on behalf of those community members who long for the Kennett Square they once knew.

“There is a sentiment that we are on the verge of losing that small town mentality and way of life, and we hope that the Chester County Press offers those in attendance a forum to state their case,” said Gaw. “I think that this may be one of the most important conversations in recent Kennett Square history.”

While Gaw shared that both Spencer and Fetick will face tough questions, the event is designed to be a civil conversation, not a debate, between community members and the candidates. The first 30 minutes of the town hall will focus on questions from Gaw before the floor will be opened up to community members to ask their questions and voice concerns.

“You’ve got two long time and respected leaders who have been two of the largest architects of this entire town, and to have them in the same room talking about a subject they are both very passionate about and have had decades of experience leading will be a gift for the audience members to hear.”

Moving forward, Lieberman shared that the Chester County Press hopes to host similar events in the future to continue encouraging civic engagement amongst community members and voters.

“A Conversation with the Candidates” will take place on Oct. 23, beginning at 6 p.m., in the Kennett Library Auditorium. For community members interested in attending the event, please register by visiting the Kennett Library website at www.kennett library.org.