Elections (Credit: MediaNews Group)
A dozen candidates will be on the ballot for six available seats on the Perkasie Borough Council in the November General Election.
In Ward 1, Republican incumbent David Worthington, Republican Csaba Lorinczy, Democrat Lilli Benner and Democrat Stephen Nathan are contending for two seats.
In Ward 2, Republican Joel Nieto and Democrat Jaclyn S. Cornelius are contending for one seat.
In Ward 3, Republican incumbents Scott Bomboy and Randy Faulkner and Democrats Joseph Green and Collin Garr are contending for two seats.
Also in Ward 3, Republican Dale Schlegel Jr. and Democrat Emma Hawkins are contending for a two-year term.
The Republican candidates are running as a team titled, “Perkasie’s Hometown Team,” while the Democratic candidates are running as a team titled, “Perkasie First.”
All candidates were asked the same set of questions. Their answers are listed below.
Worthington
Dave Worthington, Perkasie Borough Council incumbent (Courtesy of Perkasie’s Hometown Team for Borough Council)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
Dave Worthington, Candidate for Re-Election as Ward 1 Councilperson. Completing my first 4-year term representing Ward 1, serving multiple years as Chairman of Parks & Recreation Committee. Construction industry professional involved with government infrastructure improvement projects. I am a member of numerous volunteer organizations and committees predominantly in the Emergency Services sector, having spent fifteen (15) years as Fire Chief. I have been a resident of Ward 1 since 1988.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
I am seeking to continue our civic approach to create small business economic opportunities for the community as a whole, and to improve our Parks & Recreation activities for all residents, whether active or passive spaces.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Website: perkasieteam.com
Facebook: facebook.com/perkasieteam
Instagram: instagram.com/perkasie_hometeam
Lorinczy
Csaba Lorinczy, Perkasie Borough Council candidate (Courtesy of Perkasie’s Hometown Team for Borough Council)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
Before retiring, I spent three decades helping organizations design and implement IT solutions across a wide range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and state and local government. My experience spans from hands-on development to executive leadership, with a consistent focus on creating practical, results-driven systems that address real business challenges.
I bring a balanced perspective — able to assess both the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of proposed solutions — which I believe can contribute to meaningful improvements within Perkasie Borough. Having worked in the fast-evolving world of information technology, I have developed a strong ability to adapt, learn new concepts quickly, and apply innovative ideas responsibly to achieve positive, fiscally sound outcomes.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
We are living in turbulent times, and everyone is experiencing some degree of financial pressure — Perkasie Borough is no exception. It is essential that we remain committed to the Borough’s ten-year fiscal plan, which is currently being updated. Our residents place great value on maintaining strong public safety, reliable services, and a responsible approach to taxation and spending.
Because Perkasie Borough has limited opportunities to generate additional revenue through new businesses or development, careful budgeting and financial discipline are crucial. By staying within our means, we can continue to provide the quality of life our residents expect while keeping taxes low and sustainable.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Website: perkasieteam.com
Benner
Lilli Benner, Perkasie Borough Council candidate (Courtesy of Lilli Benner for Perkasie 1)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
My background and qualifications for Perkasie Borough Council Ward 1 start with the fact that I have lived here for 35 years. My husband and I raised our family in Perkasie Borough, where my sons attended and graduated from the Pennridge School District. I am educated to work as a Therapist and am involved in a process called MST (Multi-Systemic Therapy). I have worked with teens and their caretakers to improve their family functioning. I am currently a supervisor and manage 2 teams in Bucks/Montgomery and Lehigh/Northampton Counties. I am trained to actively listen and help families solve problems. I am willing to use these skills in my role on the Borough Council.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
The most common concern I hear from residents is that their voices are often not reflected in local decisions. Whether it’s about new development, traffic flow, or access to services, people want to feel included—not just informed. I share concerns about Perkasie’s growth outpacing our infrastructure. We need to ensure that new housing and businesses come with adequate parking, safe walkways, and support for our small business community. I’ve also heard from families struggling with the rising cost of living and limited childcare options, and from seniors who worry about staying connected and supported as they age. If elected, I’ll advocate for community-led planning, strengthened partnerships with local service providers, and practical investments that make Perkasie livable for all generations. My goal is to preserve the charm of our town while making it more accessible, affordable, and responsive to those who call it home.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Facebook: Lille Benner for Perkasie 1
Nathan
Stephen Nathan, Perkasie Borough Council candidate (Courtesy of Stephen Nathan)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
I am a retired litigation and corporate paralegal, after 30 years, and had various positions in healthcare insurance companies during the past 10 years. From early on in my career, up to and including now, I volunteer for several community-based organizations that serve from the very young to the elderly, covering housing, education and healthcare, with particular emphasis on advocacy, working with elected officials from the borough to Harrisburg and DC on these issues. I meet the legislators and administrations live and head-on to work on resolving issues in the middle, as compromises, and pragmatic solutions that best serves the public.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
Surface water and stormwater run-off matters, such as flooding, seem to be leading in my immediate area as we live on a slope from Ridge Road, Rte. 563. Residents are concerned about crime, taxes, and a lack of public transportation. Safety on the streets is a growing critical issue, with the mix of increased traffic, speeding and reckless drivers, and the conditions of our roads. I am currently work with Mayor Hollenbach and Perkasie Borough to improve the safety of Fifth Street and Shadywood Drive from the aforesaid, especially now since PennDOT worked on the Fifth Street this past spring, but did not complete the job. The borough ended up striping the intersection for PennDOT.
Housing is also a concern, in terms of too much development, even though there is a critical need for more affordable, or attainable housing in the area.
The area needs a diverse tax base to ease the tax burden on the residents already burdened with runaway inflation. Residential and commercial taxes alone can’t sustain growing municipalities. We need light industry that brings tax relief to every resident that also sustains our environment.
The area also needs more affordable housing, and affordable public transportation, for the low to medium wage-earners, and the elderly, to live and travel to and from work, and to go food shopping, visit doctors, clinics and hospitals. We have both in our surrounding communities in Montgomery and Lehigh Counties, but not in this part of Upper Bucks County where both are needed the most.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Facebook: Stephen Nathan for Perkasie 1
Nieto
Joel Nieto, Perkasie Borough Council candidate (Courtesy of Perkasie’s Hometown Team for Borough Council)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
I hold a degree in Psychology from Arcadia University and have built my career in roles that require strong communication, problem-solving, and community interaction, ranging from customer service and the food industry to logistics, where meeting deadlines and managing people’s needs is key. I’ve volunteered on the Perkasie Parks and Recreation Board for the past two years and co-founded the Skatepark Subcommittee, which helped lead successful renovations and increased youth engagement while also helping to reduce loitering. I’ve also regularly volunteered at town events, deepening my connection to the community and understanding of its needs. I bring dedication, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for making Perkasie a better place for everyone.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
Many residents share concerns about keeping Perkasie affordable while continuing to grow in a way that honors its small-town charm and close-knit community. People want thoughtful progress, not change for the sake of change, but improvements that reflect our shared values. I believe the best way to achieve this is through listening. I’m committed to being a voice for residents, ensuring their input shapes decisions, so we preserve what makes Perkasie special while building a future we can all be proud of.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Facebook: facebook.com/perkasieteam
Cornelius
Jaclyn S. Cornelius, Perkasie Borough Council candidate (Courtesy of Pennridge Democrats)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
I am running for Perkasie Borough Council to bring a strong combination of professional expertise, community commitment, and fresh ideas to local leadership. My career background is in operations, marketing, and project management, where I have successfully managed budgets, overseen complex projects, and collaborated with diverse teams to achieve results. These experiences gave me the skills needed to evaluate challenges, find practical solutions, and ensure resources are used responsibly—qualities that are essential for effective local government.
I hold a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Seton Hill University, where my studies focused on legal studies and political science. My academic background sharpened my understanding of governance, law, and policy, while my professional path, including experience in the energy industry, prepared me to navigate complex issues and balance competing priorities.
As a resident raising two young children here in Perkasie, I am personally invested in our borough’s future. I actively support local youth sports, value our small businesses, and appreciate the traditions that make our community unique. I am running to promote transparency, smart development, and strong community engagement while honoring Perkasie’s history and character.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
The concerns I hear most often from residents focus on development, fiscal responsibility, utility services, and protecting the character of our town. People want to see Perkasie grow, but they are concerned about development happening too quickly or without the necessary infrastructure to support it. Many want growth that benefits small businesses, strengthens our downtown, and preserves the unique charm that makes Perkasie special.
Another recurring concern is the reliability and affordability of electric service. As a borough-owned utility, residents expect clear communication, fair rates, and dependable service. I believe in improving transparency around utility operations and ensuring decisions are made with the best interests of residents in mind.
Flooding is also a pressing issue, especially in neighborhoods that have seen repeated damage from heavy rains. Residents want assurance that stormwater systems are being properly maintained and upgraded where necessary. Addressing these issues will require long-term planning, investment in infrastructure, and collaboration with local, state, and federal resources.
Finally, fiscal responsibility remains a priority. I will advocate for transparent budgets, smart investments, and careful planning to avoid unnecessary financial strain while ensuring public safety, infrastructure, and family-friendly spaces remain strong foundations of our community.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Facebook: Jaclyn S. Cornelius for Perkasie Borough Council
TikTok: tiktok.com/jaclyncornelius4
Linktree: linktr.ee/perkasie
Bomboy
Scott Bomboy, Perkasie Borough Council incumbent (Courtesy of Scott Bomboy)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
I am a digital executive, journalist, and historian with experience in constitutional law, economics, and digital technology. At the age of 35, I was managing editor of the Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition, which was named the best educational publication in the country. Since 1997, I’ve managed and launched 15 major digital products, working at CNBC in New York and locally for WXTF and NBC10. I joined the National Constitution Center in 2012 as its first Editor in Chief. In my career, I won five Edward R. Murrow Awards in television, and I was named to the ABA Journal Blog Hall of Fame in 2018.
I also have a B.A. in History from Penn State, an M.A. in History from Arizona State, a Master’s certification in Internet Marketing from the University of San Francisco, a Historic Preservation from Bucks County Community College, and I was named as a Certified Borough Official by the Pennsylvania State Boroughs Association this year.
This background and record is a perfect fit for local government, since I spent a decade covering local government in the Philly area, and an additional nine years serving on Perkasie Borough council as an elected official.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
I speak with residents regularly, and most feedback I hear is very positive about Perkasie. The first question I’m usually asked is “if I am running for office again,” and then I am thanked for my service to the community. I’ve never had a disrespectful complaint.
Some concerns are about road and traffic conditions, others are noise or neighborhood questions. These are communicated to the Borough’s staff or other channels for action. Other complaints are about electricity, recycling, and refuse pricing, which are mostly driven by outside of the Borough market factors.
The key to addressing concerns is to listen respectfully. People appreciate it when you take the time to explain the details. I am very involved with economic development, obtaining grants, and historic preservation, which are also keys to the Borough’s growth, especially when we can reuse properties instead of building new ones. I’ve written two Perkasie history books, so knowing our town is critical to understanding the origins of problems, and how they can be addressed, locally or the state or federal level. There is a saying that “you can’t know where you are going unless you know where you came from.” That’s really true in Perkasie.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Website: perkasieteam.com
Facebook: facebook.com/perkasieteam and facebook.com/scottbomboyperkasie
Authory: https://authory.com/ScottBomboy
Faulkner
Randy Faulkner, Perkasie Borough Council incumbent (Courtesy of Randy Faulkner)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
I am an eleven-year resident of Perkasie. I have served eight years on Borough Council, prior to that was on Perkasie Planning and zoning. Prior to Perkasie, I served on Chalfont Borough Council for three years. I also am/ have been on the Pennridge Wastewater Treatment Authority for two years. I have a degree in accounting and an MBA. My finance background has proved well in helping with balancing budgets and tracking revenue and expenses.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
Inflation is always a fear for residents — especially seniors. Whether it is eggs, electricity or property taxes. We have been successful in holding the line on real estate taxes for more than a decade. We can’t control the price of eggs — or the reduced supply of electricity and increased electric demand of artificial intelligence computers, but we can control spending and taxes here in the community. We have a continued task of balancing how to continue to improve the community while holding the line on spending. I love this town; it is a great place to live.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Website: perkasieteam.com.
Garr
Colin Garr, Perkasie Borough Council candidate (Courtesy of Pennridge Democrats)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
In my job, I have to balance the perspectives of various stakeholders and colleagues, each who want the same thing in principle, but different things in practice. Sometimes, when we live separately from each other, each with a different life and perspective, we can forget that we all want the same thing. I see it all the time in my work – we cannot see the forest through the trees. We all want to live with dignity and respect. We want our friends and family to be happy and healthy, and we want to be safe and supported in making our way through life. Applied to a business setting, we all want our business to be strong and provide a great product to our customer. Doing our best to do our best brings good things for all. Despite the same starting point, much of my role balances competing perspectives on how we get to where we want to go (honestly it’s not easy work, but nothing worth doing really is). Since that is my chosen profession I want to be able to apply it at home as well.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
Our greatest challenge as a community is having the courage to speak up. I think that we all have our own reasons for our silence. Perhaps some of us are suffering in silence, afraid to make it known to our neighbors because we are embarrassed, unsure or discouraged. Perhaps some of us honestly believe that everything is fine, and would prefer to sit on the sidelines. The truth of the matter is that all communities must be maintained. There is always something to be improved upon – roads, crosswalks, bridges, or someone that needs support when all else seems hopeless. Few of us actually vote. Few of us have a voice, not because it is not our right, but because it has atrophied with disuse. That is our greatest issue, that our community is not being stewarded to reflect the people because most of the people do not make known their wishes. I wish to provide the community with something real and immediate, based on their views, and not after exhausting all other options instead.
As a newer member of this community, and someone that wishes to create a life for myself and my future family here, I want to ensure that we live in a safe, happy and prosperous place. I also want to ensure that when times get tough, we are ready for them – that resiliency and the ability to persevere in the face of anything that may come is an important part of what make us who we are. I am running because I think I will bring a fresh vision to the council, and I have the energy to get it done. I want to work as a team, to think deeply about what we do best, and what we can do better. I think the members of the current council are good people, but I think it is time for something new. As things continue to change around us, we need to bring in fresher voices with various perspectives on life. People that can work together to get things done quickly and expediently, keeping everyone’s desires at the forefront.
Schlegel
Dale Schlegel, Perkasie Borough Council candidate (Courtesy of Dale Schlegel)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
My wife, Brittany, and I moved to Perkasie in 2015 after falling in love with the area and its strong sense of community. Since then, we’ve planted our roots here and are raising our three boys. I stay actively involved by organizing a local business networking group that helps connect professionals with each other and the community. I also volunteer in the Pennridge School District and coach both baseball and ice hockey. With a degree in Risk Management and Insurance, I bring a thoughtful, analytical approach to decision-making, balancing opportunity and responsibility to ensure our borough remains well-prepared for the future. Currently, I’m honored to serve as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
One of the biggest concerns I hear regularly is the issue of overdevelopment in the borough. I believe the best way to address this is through a thoughtful, strategic plan for growth. My goal is to ensure that our borough remains a desirable destination for visitors while preserving the “small-town” community feel that makes it such a special place to live.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Website: perkasiehometownteam.com.
Hawkins
Emma Hawkins, Perkasie Borough Council candidate (Courtesy of Emma Hawkins)Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
As I have been reflecting upon my qualifications for the role of alderman, I find myself coming back to the lessons I have learned working in the food service industry for almost 10 years.
Having spent most of my life working in restaurants, I’ve learned the value of transparency — something I believe is too often missing in local politics. If a table’s food is taking much longer than it should, I don’t shy away from the possibly unpleasant conversation. I make sure my guests know what’s happening and that I’m actively working to improve their experience. I believe in facing challenges directly to ensure people feel seen and heard. I’ll bring that same approach to public office, keeping constituents informed about local issues, regardless if it puts me in a good light or not.
What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?
It has been incredibly illuminating spending the past few months speaking with my neighbors on their thoughts about borough issues. A through line I have found is that a lot of folks feel a deep disconnection with local legislative happenings. Many residents care deeply about their community and how it’s run, but shy away from getting involved, purely due to a lack of outreach and information on the borough’s part. To address this, I wish to begin livestreaming Borough Council meetings through social media. These weeknight meetings are almost completely inaccessible to the average working resident, especially those with young families. Livestreams will create an avenue of accessibility to a wider swath of my future constituents, ultimately creating a more unified and informed community.
Please list your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Facebook: Emma Hawkins for Perkasie Borough Council
The remaining candidate did not respond to a request for comment.
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