Incumbent Republican Szekely, Democrat DiPasquale Face Off for Lansdale Mayor

Lansdale Mayor Andy Szekely said he has racked up a lot of accomplishments in his tenure in the role: He founded the Lansdale Oktoberfest, which influenced the Lansdale Beer Fest, and both have raised more than $100,000 for local charities; he brought Caleb Torrice of Tabora Cafe and his landlord together for the betterment of business in Lansdale; he introdued Virago Baking Co. and Molly Maguire's to the borough in 2008; he co-founded The Water Gallery art gallery in the downtown; and convinced The Archive owner Dale Mechalas to open a satellite location in Dresher Arcade.
Now, Szekley, who is seeking re-election on the Republican ticket this Tuesday, wants to continue with the revitalization of Lansdale into the destination it was in his youth. 
He faces opposition from Democratic challenger Doug DiPasquale, 31, a 10-year resident of Lansdale, owner of Minuteman Press and president of Lansdale Business Association.
"When I first became mayor in 2008, I looked at the common denominators in other towns, and I assessed what they had and what we didn’t. They had restaurants, cafes, bakeries, art galleries, breweries and other shops. So what did I do? I went looking for those types of establishments with the intent ofrecruiting them to town. And it worked. Without paid consultants. All for the love of Lansdale," Szekely said. "These new businesses bring thousands of people into Lansdale each week every week, which in turn, benefit other businesses. This is what Lansdale needs."
Thus, Szekely, a chiropractor, sees borough initiatives like branding, wayfinding and a new website as bureaucratic issues bogging down groups like the Economic Development Committee.
"Therefore, I would like to ask this question: does anyone go to Doylestown, Ambler or Phoenixville for their websites, branding or wayfinding? The answer is no," Szekely said. "When I was president of the EDC, the task was simple, how many businesses did the EDC members contact? How many responded? And how many visited Lansdale? Not rocket science, but practical and successful. We even had a restaurant, the Chip Shop, from New York City come to visit."
DiPasquale said he has watched, listened and learned what is expected of a mayor, culling experiences from his time with the LBA, as vice chairman of nonprofit Discover Lansdale and a former Manna on Main Street board member.
"Unlike Andy," DiPasquale said, "when he was appointed six years ago. He stated on the radio show, "Comment Please" on WNPV, that he had no idea what was expected of a mayor. Well, I don't think he has learned over the past six years, so it is time for a change."
DiPasquale said a mayor must be someone who gets what is going on in Lansdale.
"If you are ready for some new blood, fresh ideas, and someone who is ready to work with everyone, than I am the best choice for mayor," DiPasquale said.
Szekely hates to see so many rental units in Lansdale lower property values and offers a solution of increasing taxes and fees as a top-down approach. The real, organic solution, he said, is revitalization, such as what Conshohocken and Ambler have done to improve their towns.
"Downtown is like the heart in a human body. If it is weak, then the rest of the body suffers. One need look no farther than downtown Norristown for what happened there. As downtown Lansdale becomes more and more attractive and bustling, property values will increase," Szekely said. "As property values increase, rentals will turn back into single family dwellings, and crime 
will decrease."
DiPasquale said revitalization begins with the business owners.
"I think it is hard to make fast changes in the borough with regard to businesses on Main Street. It starts first with working with the building owners," DiPasquale said. "The borough cannot control who owners put in their building, but we can work to see what they need or want."
He said the LBA has brought positive change to Lansdale.
"I enjoy volunteering my time to that organization because its mission specifically focuses on bettering our town," he said. "Organizations such as Discover Lansdale, LBA, Manna, and others are always focusing on that and I will be willing to help out in any way, as I do now."
311 Arts is another hot-button issue in Lansdale, one which Szekely has been very vocal about publicly.
"It is my firm opinion that the borough should not be in the arts, catering and café business with 100 percent of tax payer money. This council says it doesn’t want to manage or operate the facility, but they keep dumping money into it," he said. "They haven’t answered the question as to how much we will subsidize the arts in Lansdale."
Szekely said the question of how much the taxpayers are willing to lose on 311 Arts each year will divide the community.
"My solution to this problem is to put 311 West Main Street up for sale with a deed restriction that limits its use to a restaurant/theater, thus also satisfying its proposed intent as far as the state and county are concerned," he said, adding that all the successful theaters in the region are more than 80 percent privately funded.
"Without that private sector commitment, the Borough will always be the scapegoat for its lack of profitability," he said.
DiPasquale didn't touch on any specific issues in Lansdale, but he has gathered residents' concerns through campaigning. Some of the issues he has heard: More concentration on residential then business, crime and drugs, parking on narrow streets, and communication versus what is actually happening.
"Communication is something I have been a part of through my work on the EDC and the EDC working with the Communication Commission over the past two years, so I will make sure to relay this to them and see how I can help," he said.
In his role with the police department, Szekely said he has always been a staunch supporter of Lansdale Police and he will continue to do so.
"In 2008, Lansdale was deficient in its number of officers. Thankfully, 
this council and administration hired additional officers which I supported. I meet with our police chief every week to discuss crime in Lansdale—something that my predecessor did not do," he said.
DiPasquale said it is not hard to improve what Szekely does with Lansdale Police.
"You never hear him report at council meetings or talk about all the good the police are doing for the borough. Andy does not even hold offices hours. How can a mayor be in touch with the police and the community when he doesn't keep in touch with either, except when he chooses too?" DiPasquale said.
DiPasquale said, if he wins, he hopes to promote the proactivity of Lansdale Police to the community.
"I would not vote against a new building that the police so desperately need. Police officers do need support and it could be just as simple as stopping in to say 'hi' and chatting," he said. "This will be one of the first things I do as mayor, to make sure they all know I’m always available if they need to talk."