Borough Council's Susan Bayne Running for County Commissioner

West Chester Borough Council’s Sue Bayne has filed paper work to run for county commissioner in the November general election.

“I have enjoyed working in the borough, but the county is a bigger piece of the puzzle,” Bayne said.  “I want to work with a bigger group of people.”

Bayne has served on the borough council for eight years and is not allowed to run for a third term. 

Bayne represents the fourth ward, home to the majority of college students in the borough.

“I haven’t always been a friend to the university,” Bayne said.  “But I think they’re facing a lot of the problems a lot of us are.”

Bayne would be stepping into a position responsible for guiding the county’s financial development over the next several years.

Bayne is currently the chair of the borough’s finance committee, and she has served on that committee for many years.

Bayne fears that her opponents will use the borough’s 2010 shortfall and subsequent 20 percent tax hike against her in the election.

“The finance committee came up with a plan that didn’t include such an increase. There were other measures to cover the gap.  There was a last minute change to raise taxes.  I voted against it,” Bayne said.

Bayne also admitted that she has approved tax increases in the past, but according to her they were incremental and necessary. 

“You need to keep up your infrastructure,” Bayne said.  “Somebody has to pave those roads.”

Bayne added, “We also have two unions that work for the borough, and they have raises built in.  However, I believe we’ve been modest with tax raises over the years.”

Bayne also said that she has some work to do to raise her profile within the county.

“Some people know me.  It’s just a matter of getting my name out there,” Bayne said.