Video: Candidates Forum: James C. Kovaleski

On Oct. 19, candidates for Phoenixville Borough Council headed to  for a candidates forum.

In the days leading up to the Nov. 8 municipal election, we'll present video of each candidate's answers. Each candidate responded to four questions dealing with topics like crime, downtown revitalization, traffic, parking, infrastructure and more. Dr. Lou Beccaria of the  served as moderator of the event.

The candidates had time to prepare answers to the questions before the forum.

Up next, going in alphabetical order, is James C. Kovaleski, who is the Democratic candidate in the west ward. Watch the above video for Kovaleski's responses.

Name: James C. Kovaleski

Party: Democrat

Ward: West

Opponent: 

Forum Summary: Kovaleski's questions dealt with the borough budget, downtown redevelopment, parking and quality of life. 

Budget 

Kovaleski said that with the downturn of the economy, many have had to cut back and take a harder look at their household budgets, and the same should be true of the municipality budget. 

"In that sense, I'd like to see the borough follow the same path," Kovaleski said. 

He said officials should examine ways to create efficiencies to save money, and look at ways to save without cutting back on the services the borough provides. Continued growth can also help add to the tax rolls, increasing revenue. 

Additionally, Kovaleski said the borough could look to government grants to fund programs that already exist or to help fund shovel-ready borough projects. 

Revitalization of the Downtown 

Kovaleski told the crowd he began coming into the borough in 1998 when he was dating his wife, and he said at that time, there was little reason to visit the downtown district. 

"Now you look at the downtown, there's a lot of reasons to go down there, a lot of different and interesting shops, restaurants, other types of faciliites, amenities to draw you downtown," Kovaleski said. 

He said council should continue to foster "rational and reasonable" development downtown, and he said he'd prefer to see mixed-use development or commercial and retail development to add to the tax base, rather than residential development, which can take up services. 

While growth stagnated to a degree due to the down economy, Kovaleski said the borough fared better than others. 

"We're still seeing development opportunities here in Phoenixville, which a lot of surrounding municipalities are not seeing," Kovaleski said. 

Parking 

Saying it's "definitely an issue," Kovaleski explained that he feels parking is a major issue for residents near the downtown district, and he pointed to a recent move by borough council to look at an adding permit parking to Hall and Church streets. 

For visitors to the borough, there's always a way to find parking, and Kovaleski said visitors can pay a little bit of money for a very convenient spot or find a free spot that's still relatively close. The parking authority helped to clear out the lots to free up spots, according to Kovaleski. 

He said he hopes parking could be cost-effective and possible a revenue generator for the borough in the future, and he noted that strides have been made with parking downtown. 

Quality of Life 

Giving it an eight out of 10, Kovaleski said the quality of life in Phoenixville is very good. 

He moved to the borough in 2006, and one of the reasons that he and his wife, who lived in Phoenixville her whole life, bought a home in the borough was because of the high quality of life. 

"There's good individuals who live in the borough," Kovaleski said. 

He said he hoped some of the downtown vacancies could be filled. The borough also boasts great parks, Kovaleski said, and he said he is hopeful the park system can grow.