Guide to 2021 Tredyffrin-Easttown Local Elections

A special report contributed to by staff reporters Mareska Chettiar, Oviya Ignaci, Zachary Rejonis, Zara Samdani, and co-webmaster Shreya Vaidhyanathan.
Podcast edited by multimedia web editor Alexis Costas. Code and design by co-editor-in-chief Reese Wang

Note from the Editor:
In anticipation for the 2021 local elections, The Spoke compiled a podcast package for the T/E community to get to know the candidates for the school board and supervisors at-large. The interviews ran different lengths, as candidates were not limited in their time to respond. Each candidate was interviewed and asked the same four questions, with two additional questions tailored to the backgrounds of each candidate. The recorded interviews are listed below with a short bio about each candidate. To listen to the interviews, choose a race and choose your region or township, and the page will direct you to those candidates. The Spoke does not endorse any of the candidates interviewed.
-Alexis Costas and Reese Wang, Multimedia Web Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief



Description of a school board member: Work without salary to set priorities for the schools and the T/E district based on what they believe the needs of the school community to be. Responsibilities include monthly school board meetings and committee meetings.

REGION 1 REGION 2 REGION 3

Roberta Hotinski (2023)
Todd Kantorczyk (2023)
One seat up for election

Michele Burger (2023)
Stacy Stone (2023)
One seat up for election

Sue Tiede (2023)
Tina Whitlow (2023)
Two seats up for election


Description of supervisor at-large: Establish township policies, oversee funding for emergency services, and fund public use facilities. Appoint township officials. At-large supervisors supervise the entire township.


REGION ONE:


1 seat available, 2 candidates

Dr. Yolanda Allen (D)

Career Background: Director of Workforce Career Services for the State of New Jersey and community volunteer for the youth.
Relationship with Community: Resident of Tredyffrin-Easttown, volunteer with various community-based organizations.
Passionate about: Student health and success, COVID-19 reopening, and financial decisions.

For more information, visit Allen's website

Leslie Elken (R)

Career Background: Eastern University College of Business and Leadership affiliate professor.
Relationship with Community: Resident of Tredyffrin-Easttown, parent of Conestoga senior. Previous 9th Grade Honors World Literature teacher at Conestoga High School.
Passionate about: Transparency, financial decisions, and quality of education.

For more information, visit Elken's website

REGION TWO:


1 seat available, 2 candidates

Dr. Robert Singh (D)

Career Background: Vascular surgeon and Chief Medical Officer of The Infusion Center of Philadelphia.
Relationship with Community: Resident of Chesterbrook, parent of two Conestoga graduates and one Conestoga junior.
Passionate about: Budget proposals, financial decisions, and mental health.

For more information, visit Singh's website

Deana Wang (R)

Career Background: Background in business development and pharmaceutical drug development.
Relationship with Community: Resident of 12 years, parent of one Conestoga graduate and one middle schooler. Founder of Chinese American Parent Association - T/E.
Passionate about: Transparency, financial decisions, and quality of education.

For more information, visit Wang's website

REGION THREE:


2 seats available, 4 candidates

Susan Audrain (D)

Career Background: Retired, background in nursing and hospital administration.
Relationship with Community: Resident of 5 years, with two grandsons in Berwyn.
Passionate about: Student well-being, informing taxpayers, and communication with constituents.

For more information, visit 'Tredyffrin Township Democrats

Rachel Kill (R)

Career Background: Background in financial and credit underwriting. Current home office underwriter.
Relationship with Community: Resident of Devon.
Passionate about: Budget proposals, financial decisions, and mental health.

For more information, visit Kill and Nolan's website

Bill Nolan (R)

Career Background: Retired, background in finance and accounting. Handled contracts at the Department of Defense and served in the Vietnam War.
Relationship with Community: Resident of 30 years, husband of retired Beaumont teacher.
Passionate about: Student success, fiscal policy, and student safety.

For more information, visit Kill and Nolan's website

MaryAnn Piccioni (D)

Career Background: Development Director for the Easttown Library, community volunteer for the youth.
Relationship with Community: Resident of 36 years, parent of four Conestoga graduates.
Passionate about: Diversity and inclusion, providing students at-home and in-school resources, and practicing tolerance.

For more information, visit Tredyffrin Township Democrats

TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP:


2 seats available, 4 candidates

Matt Holt (D)

Incumbent: elected to Board of Supervisors in 2017.
Career Background: In-house council at Bryn Mawr Trust, private practicing attorney.
Relationship with Community: Paoli resident
Passionate about: Stormwater issues, sewer maintenance, emergency services and first responders.

For more information, visit Tredyffrin Democrats

Sean Sweeney (R)

Career Background: Director of 1251 Capital. Background in risk management.
Relationship with Community: Parent of three Conestoga graduates, husband of T/E school district nurse.
Passionate about: Non-partisanship, historic preservation, and taxpayer accountability.

For more information, visit Sweeney's website

Murph Wysocki (D)

Incumbent: Elected to Board of Supervisors in 2013, current chair of Tredyffrin Board of Supervisors.
Career Background: Real estate attorney.
Relationship with Community: Resident of 43 years.
Passionate about: renewable energy in township buildings, stormwater management, and township economic development.

For more information, visit Wysocki's website

Jim Zdancewicz (R)

Career Background: In-house council at Bryn Mawr Trust, private practicing attorney.
Relationship with Community: Resident of 21 years, with two kids at Conestoga High School. Currently serves on Tredyffrin Township's Foundation for Parks and Recreation.
Passionate about: fiscal discipline, logical decision-making, and transparency.

For more information, visit Zdancewicz's website

EASTTOWN TOWNSHIP:


2 seats available, 4 candidates

Candidate Alex Bosco (D), did not respond to our interview request.

Jay Jennings (R)

Career Background: Math teacher at Episcopal Academy.
Relationship with Community: Resident of 21 years, with two kids at Conestoga High School. Currently serves on Tredyffrin Township's Foundation for Parks and Recreation.
Passionate about: Volunteer work, working with students & parents, and transportation laws.

For more information, visit Easttown Republicans

Alessandra Nicolas (R)

Career Background: Background in accounting and finance.
Relationship with Community: Resident of 17 years. Member of the Easttown Citizen’s Advisory Committee, among other committees.
Passionate about: Easttown values, zoning, and financial decisions.

For more information, visit Easttown Republicans

Erik Unger (D)

Career Background: Civil litigation lawyer.
Relationship with Community: Resident of Easttown Township. Volunteers at the Upper Main Line YMCA.
Passionate about: Transparency, sustainability, and Easttown values.

For more information, visit Unger's website