Lansdale Economic Development Committee Vice Chairman Richard Strahm has thrown his hat in the ring as a Democratic candidate for Lansdale Borough Council.

Strahm, 51, will be challenging Liz Troy and Leon Angelichio in Ward 3 in the May Primary. 

There are two seats up for grabs in Ward 3; they are currently held by council President Matt West and Dan Dunigan.

There are many reasons that Strahm, a real estate agent with Remax Realty Group in Harleysville, is running for candidacy.

One main reason: a desire to help keep the momentum that is making Lansdale grow, thrive and prosper a reality.

"I have, over the last three years, seen a lot of positive things happening in this borough that I like a lot," he said. "I don’t want to see the possibility of us going backwards."

Strahm is also running because, he said, there needs to be more independent thinkers on council — and not puppets of Democratic Councilman Jack Hansen.

"As I write this, Jack Hansen and his 'Friends of Lansdale' group is at a fundraiser to benefit his hand-picked candidates. In my opinion, bypassing the Democratic process—letting the elected committeepersons do their job and vote for the endorsement, as scheduled, on April 1—is plain wrong," he said.

"I see no progress in Jack’s purported 'progressive vision.' It is, in reality, a step back to the pay-to-play politics that have proven itself to be detrimental to our growth," Strahm said.

Strahm said independent thinkers must be on borough council who can do the best for Lansdale.

"Getting people on council who are additional puppets for Jack Hansen is not going to serve the borough well," he said. "I am not going to get the endorsement of the party because Jack pre-ordained that, so I will be going at this one alone."

Strahm does have two major items on his platform.

The first issue, he said, is making sure Lansdale Borough is more attractive to businesses and restaurants.

"I want to continue to help make Lansdale a destination in Montgomery County," Strahm said. "When you bring in more retail, more restaurants, more shops, you are making this a better borough for everybody."

Strahm said certain steps need to be taken to attract businesses, like the redevelopment of 311 W. Main St., the streetscapes and the development of the Madison parking lot.

"All of those things make Lansdale a better place to live and work," he said.

The second main issue on his agenda is continuing with Lansdale's award-winning fiscal responsibility.

"We had gone down a slippery slope of pretty bad money management prior to the last three years, and we've turned that around," Strahm said. "I'd like to say spending borough money is much like spending my own money: I do so with a lot of thought, with a goal in mind and make sure there is no waste."

Strahm, a Media native, has been a borough resident for almost eight years. He studied psychology at Albright College in Reading.

Aside from a bid for school postion in the seventh grade, Strahm's only political experience is his current role on the Economic Development Committee.

He also is a member of Lansdale's Business Improvement District Steering Committee, and sits on the board of directors for the nonprofit Discover Lansdale.

"Discover Lansdale is a nonprofit that keeps shared goals of seeing Lansdale prosper at the forefront," Strahm said.

Strahm said he is excited to run for council, and describes himself as "a lifelong Democrat and a long-term borough resident."

"I am truly looking forward to the opportunity of serving Lansdale in the capacity of councilperson," he said.

Nomination petitions are due for municipal elections in Montgomery County on March 12.

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