Preview the Media Democrat Primary Candidates

Media Patch will run profiles on all the municipal and school board candidates running in contested races for the Primary Election on May 17. In , there are three, four-year term, openings on the borough council and four Democrat candidates running, none of which are incumbents. Media Borough Councilman Peter Williamson was running for re-election however he has withdrawn from the race. So before you cast your vote, read below about the Democrat candidates running in Media Borough. 

Kent Davidson - Newcomer

Davidson, 39, is married and has three children under age 10. He has lived in Media since 2006 and this is his first time running for public office. He is a technology executive, owner of two businesses in Media, lifelong Democrat, Democratic Committeeperson (West), and a member of Media's Technology Committee.

Davidson discusses his platform below.

Transparency: Media has thrived in the past 30 years under Democratic leadership, and I plan to continue that tradition. I have already improved transparency on Borough Council by attending meetings for the past nine months and reporting on them on my website, Media, PA News, and plan to continue that tradition if elected. I am in favor of fully debating issues and receiving public input, and am against the recent rash of policy changes which were rushed and poorly conceived. 

Communication: I'd like to create better communication with residents to keep them involved in local politics, leveraging our existing infrastructure, and adding new ways for residents to communicate with borough officials. 

Our Town: I am in favor of keeping Media's historic character, and renovating older buildings instead of building new ones. I am in favor of keeping Media safe with one-way streets and pushing traffic to the main thoroughfares in town. I am in favor of finding creative solutions to resident's parking needs, and in finding new ways to keep our streets clean.

"Media is truly a special place to live and deserves government which is thoughtful, skilled, and not beholden to any business, party or special interest. I am young, an independent thinker, and I have many new and creative ways we can solve many of our problems. I have learned about how borough council works in the past nine months by attending almost every meeting, and researching the history of our town and the background of specific issues," Davidson says.

Brian Hall - Newcomer

Hall and his wife, Celia, have lived in Media for the past 15 years and raised two daughters here. He says both he and his wife are deeply committed to the community and are very active in it. 

"As a lawyer who helps people in need, I am a trained listener and problem solver.  I will bring my professional training and my personal belief in the importance of open, inclusive government to borough council," Hall says. 

"I am running for borough council to restore openness and civility to our local government," he says. "Over the past year, a faction on council has acted to upend leadership and to change policies radically, with little or no notice to residents or community input. Media deserves better; I believe I can help."

Hall discusses his platform below and says he plans to address the following issues if elected. 

Open Government: More voices brings better solutions. The current council leadership acts on impulse and without meaningful public participation. I will work to ensure that all issues important to the Media community be discussed fully, fairly, and in public, and in a civil manner.

Public Safety: Media is a magnet for those who want a walkable community. I will support efforts to enhance crosswalk visibilty and traffic control devices and to make Media more bike-friendly. 

Support for the Arts: The arts in all varieties are vital to Media's continued vitality. I will support efforts to advance arts organizations in Media, including the development of a public arts program. 

Litter: Litter continues to bedevil Media. I will reconstitute the litter task force and enforce Media's anti-litter ordinance aggressively. Media truly is a special place - caring, diverse, and progressive. I will work with Media's residents and business community to sustain and build upon Media's success, while honoring the values that make it special.

Roger Ricker - Newcomer

Ricker, 46, has lived in Media since 1994. He is  director of public relations, company manager, an actor, educator and State Street Miracles director. This is Ricker's first time on the ballot, but he previously was a board member of the Media Business Authority. He is a past member, but still associated with, Media Rotary and a member of Veterans Alliance.

Ricker says he would like to restructure and revitalize Media Business Authority. Reinvigorate civic engagement and utilize his public relations and marketing background to gain more media attention for the borough.

He says one of the main issues facing the municipality is that there is too much of a distance between the public and the borough council.

"As I walk door-to-door to meet the residents, many don't even realize a Media Business Authority exists," Ricker says. "With my positions at Media Theatre, I am in direct contact with many local and regional families and youth, as well as politicians, community leaders and media outlets."

Paul M. Robinson - Newcomer

Robinson has lived in the Media area his entire life. He and his wife Christine have been residents of the Borough of Media for more than 38 years and raised their now adult children, Kate and James, here. 

"As a member of this community, I have had the honor and privilege of serving as a member of Media Borough Council for 14 years. I truly look forward to the privilege of serving again," Robinson says.

Robinson has served on several boards for organizations including Media Fellowship House, Ethel Mason Child Development Center, RTM Education Foundation, HDIC, Pennsylvania Veterans Museum and as president of the Media Youth Center and Rose Tree Colts and MLL.

"By serving my community I have learned firsthand the needs and wants of our community and our borough," he says.

Robinson says he will work to preserve the history and integrity of Media, to ensure, maintain and enhance the quality of life and safety for residents of Media. And to provide direction and focus for the future of business and residential neighborhoods.

"I feel that I, more than any other candidate for council can provide the direction and be part of that team to move the borough forward," Robinson says.

He says it is important to know where we have been as a borough. To know where the Borough is currently headed, and more importantly where we need to be focused for the future of this great borough.

"I look forward to working with such residents (and candidates) as Kent Davidson and Brain Hall. And to work once again with Media Borough staff, police, highway, fire and EMT personnel," Robinson says.