We invited the candidates for the borough municipal government to tell voters a little about themselves ahead of the vote. Here’s how they responded.
By Matt Skoufalos | November 1, 2021
On November 2, voters in Haddon Heights will choose from among four balloted candidates for two seats on the borough council. They are Democrats Christopher Morgan and Kathryn Russo and Republicans Kevin Ehret and Kimberley Stuart.
We invited everyone to reply to the same set of prompts, telling voters about themselves, their priorities, and their views of the current state of the community. Answers were edited for clarity and length.
Kevin Ehret. Credit: Kevin Ehret.
Kevin Ehret (R, Challenger)
Kevin Ehret, 53, is a four-year Haddon Heights resident who enjoys gardening and home improvement projects, and volunteers with a group that provides meals to seniors.
What is your philosophy of government?
I believe the function of local government is to be a support system for families and businesses by providing the means for both to grow and flourish while maintaining law and order.
Why would you like to serve on the Haddon Heights borough council?
I chose to run for council this year to fill the need for more transparency and to restore the checks and balances we had in place before we were under single-party rule.
What are the biggest challenges Haddon Heights faces?
As a long-established town, there are limits to creating growth. We need to utilize what we currently have, and employ innovative solutions to safeguard our growth for the future.
What are the biggest strengths of Haddon Heights?
Most Americans want to live in a town like those seen on TV, which is what we have here, with locally owned businesses, tree-lined streets, recreation areas, and youth programs, while being centrally located.
What are three key issues on which you’d like to focus if elected?
My first priority is to improve the business corridors. There are several vacant properties along the Black Horse Pike that I would like to redevelop with new and unique businesses.
Next, I would focus on improving our streets. A lot of our streets have been neglected for years, and we can’t wait any longer to address the issue.
I’d also like to increase our sustainability efforts by finding ways to decrease our carbon footprint and increase our recycling efforts.
Kathryn Russo. Credit: Kathryn Russo.
Kathryn Russo (D, Challenger)
Kate Russo is a master’s degreed civil engineer, a licensed and practicing professional engineer, and a professional traffic operations engineer.
A married mother of two, Russo has dedicated her time to various municipal efforts in Haddon Heights, serving on the borough Safe Routes to School group, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Historic Preservation Committee.
She looks forward to applying her engineering knowledge and love of walkable communities to a role on the Haddon Heights Borough Council.
What is your philosophy of government?
I believe that local government should be transparent, smart, and responsible with taxpayer dollars. Local elected officials have a responsibility to serve their constituents by listening to their communities, gathering quantifiable data and making informed decisions in the best interest of their municipalities.
Why would you like to serve on the Haddon Heights borough council?
I am seeking a term on Borough Council for several reasons. I have a natural interest in the various infrastructure projects proposed in town, in large part due to my background in civil engineering.
For instance, I am excited to represent the community, as projects such as the Circuit Trail are constructed, which if done well, should attract new businesses as well as families that appreciate our community.
At the end of the day, I care about this town and want to see it grow and prosper.
What are the biggest challenges Haddon Heights faces?
Infrastructure. Specifically, the borough’s sewer system is in dire need of upgrades, since it is at or close to 100 years old, exceeding its usable life span.
The borough has received funds from the federal government to put towards infrastructure improvements, such as our sewer system. Unfortunately, this amount is not nearly enough to cover the upgrades that are needed throughout the town.
If elected, we will continue the efforts that borough council has made towards completing the existing condition assessment and implementing a sustainable program to have continual upgrades to the Borough’s sewer system (which will include repaving roads) so that it improves function and reduces or eliminates the need for costly emergency repairs.
What are the biggest strengths of Haddon Heights?
My family moved to Haddon Heights because of the small-town community and everything that it entails: the weekly farmers market, swim club, library, ice cream shop, and restaurants.
Haddon Heights has beautiful, tree-lined streets and many sidewalks that are beautiful, walkable, and safe. We also have vibrant parks, an active beautification group, valuable historic resources and a strong, diverse school system. Last and most importantly, we have a great community of people.
What are three key issues on which you’d like to focus if elected?
Infrastructure. Community. Smart Growth.
We will develop a sustainable program to make continual upgrades to improve our aging infrastructure such as replacement of the borough sewer system, repaving roads, and providing key connections to our parks, sports fields and the Dell.
We will continue to support traditional events in town, beautification projects, as well as new community efforts to bolster our downtown.
We will apply smart growth planning principles to support the right mixture of businesses, multiple travel modes and a variety of housing options to support a vibrant, historic downtown.
