Two running for Mayor in Milford

Peter Cooney

Why are you running for Mayor?

As a 32-year resident of the borough, I am deeply interested in the well-being of the community. As Mayor, I will continue to serve our community.

What are the top three things you aim to accomplish if elected?

(1) establish a great rapport between the police department and the community; (2) improve pedestrian safety in all crosswalks in the borough; (3) maintain 24/7 coverage of the Borough by our local police department

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

As a six-year council member of the Milford Borough Council, I am a hard-working and dedicated person who is not afraid to upset the Apple Cart when needed. I am an Independent Thinker and was the only council member to vote against Earned Income Tax and the Boondoggle which is the centralized sewer. I led the change against the proposed 5G Tower in the heart of the Borough.

Additionally, I helped negotiate a lease for the former Borough Office Building, which yields a revenue of approximately $10,000 per year for the borough.

I am the current human resources director who helped negotiate the first ever police department and the department of public works contract with teamsters local 229 of Scranton, Pa. I feel this contract is a fair and equitable agreement, which brings cost certainty for the next three years.

It would be a great honor for me to represent and work for all the residents of this great Borough.

Candace Mahala

Why are you running for Mayor?

I am motivated by my family: my husband, Ben, and our daughter, Violet. We want Violet to grow up in a Milford that feels as magical and safe as it did for me when I was young.

I graduated from Delaware Valley High School in 2002, then went on to earn degrees from Emmanuel College and Northeastern University in Boston. For the past 20 years, I’ve consulted for the U.S. DoD and NATO, specializing in operations research and program management. I am a current member of Milford’s Planning Commission and the Vice President of the Milford-Matamoras Rotary Club. I’d like to use that experience to preserve Milford’s charm while building a stronger future for all of us.

What are the top three things you aim to accomplish if elected?

My top priorities for Milford are safety and maintaining an independent police department, transparent leadership and open communication and cultivating a welcoming, inclusive, family-friendly borough.

Safety on our streets and in our crosswalks will be addressed by working with the council to implement safety measures, including pedestrian-activated lights and as an interim measure “see me flags.”

Strategic and financial planning will allow for more transparent leadership and regular easy-to-read updates for our neighbors.

A new welcome package for new residents and business will let them know right from the start that Milford isn’t just a town — it’s a community that’s glad they’re here.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

Everyone who runs for office in Milford says they support keeping an independent police department. What is important is which candidates have the background and skills required to keep it independent. Every year, the cost of policing increases faster than the Borough’s revenue increases. Proper staffing, training, and equipment don’t come cheap and is why careful planning is so important, to:

• Develop multi-year budgets to prepare for future requirements;

• Proactively identify and apply for grant opportunities to fund our requirements; and

• Explore strategic partnerships to earn extra revenue.

These are my strengths. In my professional life, I have led budget forecasting and strategic planning teams for nearly 20 years. I look forward to putting those skills to work in Milford and rely on an independent police department on duty 24/7.