The Hopewell Express continues its election season coverage with a Q&A with mayoral candidate Ryan Kennedy and council candidates Heidi Wilenius and Sheri Hook, all Democrats. Republican candidate for council Charles Schuyler “Sky” Morehouse did not respond to multiple requests for participation.
Questionnaires were emailed to all candidates. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity and style.
Hopewell Borough mayor
Ryan Kennedy, 43, has lived in Hopewell Borough for 13 years. He has two daughters: Gloria, 15, and Pearl, 12.
Tell us about the moment that you decided to run for mayor.
Ryan Kennedy: With the planned retirements of our long-time administrator and Mayor Anzano this year, it was the right time to combine my council and professional experience with the energy and passion I have for our town, and run for mayor. Keeping our borough safe, green, accountable and affordable enough that my children might someday have the chance of returning here to live here, like I did, has always been my inspiration.
What are the two most pressing concerns in the borough today, and how will you address them as mayor?
Kennedy: I am not running to be the last mayor of Hopewell Borough, but without a focus on affordability, our independent days could be numbered. Affordability doesn’t just include our budget: it means smart plans for affordable housing so teachers, police officers and other essential members of our community can live here. It means aggressively managing our assessments using all the financial tools available and ensuring we only pay the right share of the pie when it comes to school costs. And on our water system, I will work with our professionals and subject matter leaders on council to tackle rising costs.
There is nothing more pressing than safety for bicyclists and pedestrians in our downtown. I live on Broad Street, and see this first hand from my front porch every time my children walk to the park, their school or a friend’s house.
With the recommendations of our advisory committee and a Safe Routes to School Audit in hand, we will take the next steps with Mercer County to implement improvements on the major roads that make up so much of our Borough, connect to our open spaces and design a Broad Street for the next century.
As a council member, I learned that community and collaboration is the only option and as mayor, I’ll build on the relationships I have established and the talent my colleagues bring to the table to work together and collectively serve this special place we call home.
What are you looking forward to most as you prepare to serve the next four years as mayor?
Kennedy: Hopewell Borough is a community because of its amazing people. As mayor, the privilege of connecting with and harnessing all of the unmatched energy and unique talent held by the citizens of this town is what I most look forward to. I’m grateful for the continued opportunity to serve our Borough and the people who make it a community.
Hopewell Borough council
Sheri Hook, 50, has lived in Hopewell Borough for nine years. She is married to husband James, with sons Fitz, 10, and Quincy, 7.
Heidi Wilenius, 51, has lived in Hopewell Borough for 17. She and husband Scot Pannepacker have two children: Maia, 21, and Cormac, 17.
Tell us about the moment that you decided to run, or run again, for council. Why did you make this decision?
Sheri Hook: I plan to always live here and have a vested interest in preserving what makes the borough so special. I believe a vibrant downtown is vital to the health of a community, and am concerned about our empty storefronts. I did not see this being addressed, and felt that a seat on council would allow me to capitalize on my corporate and business school experience to investigate and address the underlying issues causing these vacancies.
Heidi Wilenius: The moment for me arose from attending council meetings, and specifically when a conflict of issue matter arose. Several of us requested council “redouble their efforts to be mindful about possible conflicts — or the appearance of potential conflicts — in the future” but this concern was not addressed. There are many reasons I want to join council and effect positive change, but this was the final “push” to run.
What are the two most pressing concerns in the borough today, and how will you address them as a member of council?
Wilenius: Water is our most pressing challenge — and is the problem we are all facing globally, which is the level of PFOS in our water supply. The EPA is expected to tighten the standards for PFOS contaminants in our water, and we will need to make significant upgrades to our current system in order to stay compliant. We still have critical research to do in order to be able to assess the best course of action — if we make the upgrades to the system ourselves, at great expense; or if we instead choose to sell our water system to a private company who would manage it.
A comprehensive study of the options has already been approved by the current council, and as a council member, I would take the necessary time to review the options, and ensure that the community was included in the discussion.
Another major issue is pedestrian and bicycle safety in town, and following through on the recommendations of the PBSAC, including traffic calming gateways, curb bump outs and/or roundabouts, and more visible crosswalks. Done well, this will make the boro both safer, and more visually appealing, which will have the added benefit of supporting local business.
Hook: Our biggest challenge in the next few years will be to remain fiscally healthy while completing urgent infrastructure repairs and capital improvements. These include a recently discovered water leak that needs to be located and repaired; anticipated updates to our water system to meet more stringent federal PFOS regulations; and replacement of underground lead pipes.
These issues are currently under analysis to determine what makes the most economic sense for the borough (undertake the upgrades ourselves or sell our water utility for private management, for example). I would look forward to joining those discussions and ensuring that residents were kept in the loop during the process.
Thanks to careful planning over the years by Sky Morehouse and members of the current council, Hopewell Borough maintains a high municipal bond rating. As a member of council, I would work to preserve this rating, manage the debt load through responsible fiscal practices, and investigate additional revenue sources, such as increasing tax ratables through redevelopment areas, applying for federal grants, and saving money with more cost-effective municipal recycling.
The second challenge, in my opinion, is ensuring the continued interest of businesses wanting to invest in Hopewell Borough and managing the integration of those ventures into our community in a thoughtful way. As a member of council, I will investigate updating the master plan with redevelopment areas, working with Planning Board to help new businesses navigate approval processes, utilizing available small business services from Mercer County, and enacting currently proposed traffic safety measures.
Why should voters elect you to Hopewell Borough Council this year?
Hook: I care deeply about our town and its future; I believe in representing resident voices; and I bring a positive, collaborative approach to this position.
I appreciate the accomplishments of the current Council, and I will add a fresh perspective. Extensive corporate and volunteer experience prepares me to successfully manage both the financial issues facing our municipality and the partnerships needed to thrive as a community.
Creating open communication channels, collaborating with Township and County officials, and keeping a close watch on your tax dollars are how I will navigate growth while preserving what makes the Borough so unique.
Wilenius: I am willing to ask hard questions and call attention to issues in borough governance when they are not handled transparently. I am truly an independent voice on council — my only allegiance is to our community. Without someone willing to ask hard questions, inappropriate actions will be overlooked, making the borough vulnerable to legal action, and residents will lose faith in the governing body.
Specific issues that I will tackle include: improving communication with residents, on and offline; supporting small businesses; encourage more sustainable land stewardship; improving traffic and pedestrian safety; reducing our waste.
Heidi Wilenius.,
