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Politics & Government

Macungie Borough Council Candidate Debra Cope

She brings to the table an open mind.

Editor's note: Four candidates are running for two four-year seats on Macungie Borough Council. Each was asked the same questions, and Patch brings them to you in alphabetical order today.

Republican Debra A. Cope of 208 Village Walk, is seeking her first four-year term on the Macungie Borough Council in the May 17 Primary Election.  She and her husband, Joel, have lived in the borough for nearly 21 years.  She has three children, Chad, Tara and Brandon, and two grandchildren.

Cope, 53, is employed at General Mills as an on-site coordinator for the Northeast Frozen Division.  Currently, she is working in Fogelsville.

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Why are you running for Macungie Borough Council?  Cope decided to run for borough after she had some issues with a neighboring property.  After attending the council meetings for over 18 months, she felt they weren’t always addressing issues as they should.  “I taught my children they shouldn’t complain about something if they weren’t willing to do something about it. So, I’m practicing what I preached and I’m going to try to make things better.”

“I will strive to help council members stay focused and concentrate on their commitment and responsibilities to the residents of the Borough and put their own personal agendas aside.” Cope said she will come to meetings with an open mind, always present the facts, and commit herself to bring resolution to an issue, no matter how big or small. 

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What do you feel is the biggest issue in Macungie?   Cope said the biggest issue in Macungie is the re-focusing of the council, the mayor and the police.  “Too much time is spent at meetings discussing issues concerning them,” she said, “and not enough time is spent on residents’ issues. Council members have to restore the confidence and trust they need from the residents of this community,” she added.

How do you feel about Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget and what it will do for education?   Education is going to suffer in a major way, she said.  Cope said two of her children will be in college next year, and it will be a difficult time.  We’ll have to see what happens with the budget, she stated, and go from there.

What are your plans for Macungie?  Cope would like to see more businesses come into the borough.  “Even though Macungie is a small town, there is still room for additional business to be established,” she said.  She plans to find a way to bring in more business and try to resolve the parking issues within the borough.

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