Candidate Profiles: Rees, Mann for Collegeville Borough Council

Roderick (Rod) Rees and Arnold Mann are running for Collegeville Borough Council, with fellow Republicans Paul MacDonald and Rowan Keenan.  Here is a look at what the candidates have to say:

Name: Roderick (Rod) Rees
Running for:     Collegeville Borough Council
Party Affiliation:    Republican
Positions Previously Held:    Collegeville Borough Council 1990-92, Collegeville Planning Commission 1993-2008, Collegeville Borough Council  2009-2012.

Why are you running for office?    To continue to serve the Borough, to help make the local government do the things it should do for the residents of Collegeville. Make sure the services provided by the Borough are done in an effective and cost efficient way. Our Police, Volunteer Fire Fighters and managers do excellent work for the residents. I want to ensure the Collegeville taxpayer gets value for taxes paid. 
 
What are the biggest issues facing your community? Local Business: The poor economy and the pressure from mall shopping have taken a toll on local businesses. to keep Collegeville a vibrant community we need to continue to work to reverse this trend and reinvigorate local business. Taxes: We are all paying taxes, they seem to be rising all over. Collegeville Council has not had a tax increase in the last three years. Government: The Federal Government, State of Pennsylvania and Montgomery County change the rules and add programs affecting local Municipalities like Collegeville.  

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish? Local Business: Borough Council and the Collegeville Economic development Committee will continue to attract new business to Collegeville to fill spaces that are vacant and work to expand new business. Taxes: Continue to provide excellent services and limit the costs. The Collegeville budget proposal for 2014 contains no tax increases. Government: Mitigate the added regulations and costs imposed by other Government  bodies.

Interesting fact about you:  Grew up in Worcester Township, Ursinus graduate 1979.  Married My beautiful wife Jill in 1982 and moved to the Collegeville. I have two adult children who attended PV schools since kindergarten and graduated from Perkiomen Valley High School. Own The Rees Companies, an Industrial Contractor located on Third Avenue.

Name: Arnold Mann

Running for: Collegeville Borough Council

Party Affiliation: Republican

Arnold Mann has lived in Collegeville since 1968.  He and his wife are members of the Trinity United Church of Christ.  Arnold  has served on Borough Council for 22 years as a former president and current vice president. He is chairman of the Finance Committee and chairman of Streets/Roads and Lighting.  In addition he serves on the Planning Commission and as treasurer of the Municipal Authority and Public Works Committee.  The "Re-elect" team has a proven track record:    zero borough tax increases since 2006    balanced budget    completion of Main Street Beautification Program    on-going infrastructure improvement    most affordable water/sewer rates in the area    seventeen (17) new businesses within the borough