Congratulations, West Chester!!  

"This Old House’s Best Old-House Neighborhoods 2012"

Learn More by clicking here.

(Or the image)

West Chester Black History Celebration

Senator Dinniman presented a resolution from the State Senate commending the students and the Borough in this importent celebration of WC's role in black history.

Mayor Comitta with WCU interns, Yheralis Lantigua, Kelcie Rudman and Daniel Colon: WC Black History Celebration - February 15, 2012

Read the Official Brochure

Mayor Comitta welcomes Girl Scout Troop 4563 to West Chester Borough Hall - January 26, 2012

"The People Win!!"

Pennsylvannia High Court Throws Out Assemby Redistricting

Learn More Here

"Congratulations to West Chester University Junior, Kevin Mann - Spring Semester Internship in Harrisburg."

Check out the article by clicking here.

“Dear President Obama…(On the eve of the State of the Union Address)”

Thank you for inviting me and other local and state elected officials across the country to join you and your staff for a conference call in preparation for your State of the Union Address...

Read Mayor's Comitta's complete letter to President Obama by clicking here. 

Conversations with the Mayor - Police

West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta discusses issues facing the borough's police with West Chester Patch.

Read the article by clicking here or by clicking on the Patch logo.

West Chester Borough resident, A. Roy Smith: Preservationist of the Year!

Main Line Today (12/22/11) Honored in 2011 by  recognized in Main Line Today.

Congratulations and thank you to West Chester Borough resident, Roy Smith, for by the West Chester Downtown Foundation. Smith shows us what a life of preservation is made of- and why it's good for the economy.

Read the article here.

Supreme Court Brief: WC Redistricting Appeal

The hearing will be in Harrisburg on January 23rd.

You can read the West Chester Electtion Challenge to Reapportionment Plan (Supreme Court Brief) here.

To read my speech and testimony regarding redistricting in Harrisburg click here.

NEWS ALERT!

Please take a few moments to read the following article as it contains detailed information on the borough's redistricting appeal.

"West Chester appeals split between 156th
and 160th" at http://westchesterview.tumblr.com/, setting forth the
context and giving sizable excerpts from the very convincing petition.

THE MISSION OF THE WEST CHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT

"The mission of the West Chester Police Department, a law enforcement agency dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, is to protect and serve our diverse communities by forging collaborative relationships." 

January 4th, 2012, marks the beginning of my third year as Mayor of the Borough of West Chester.  I am proud to provide civilian oversight of the administration of our highly acclaimed West Chester Police Department. 

(click on image for larger image)

We extend our appreciation to each individual and group who supports the Mission and work of the WCPD - our collaborative partnerships are at the core of the WCPD's exceptional capability to protect and serve.

Mayor Carolyn Comitta

Photo by Larry McDevitt, Daily Local News

Mayor Comitta and the West Chester Police Department 
January 2010

Congratulations to the 2012 West Chester Borough Council!  

Back row: Chuck Christy, Ward 3; Tom Paxson, Ward 5; Jordan Norley, Ward 4; Stephen Shinn, Ward 6.

Front row: Cassandra Jones, Ward 2; Holly Brown, Ward 1; Carolyn Comitta, Mayor; John Manion, Ward 7.

You can click on the image for a larger picture!

Photo courtesy of Jim Salvas.

Pennsylvania Redistricting

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission has been holding public administrative meetings in order to adopt the Final Plan for legislative redistricting.

On November 23, 2011 3 testimonials for West Chester were given.

You can view the video here or by clicking the above image.

You can learn more at the Pennsylvania Redistricting Website.

More information will be posted here soon!

West Chester's Old Fashioned Christmas, December 2, 2011

THANK YOU WC Chamber of Commerce, resident and parade organizer, Todd Marcocci, lead sponsor, Mars Drinks, parade hosts ABC channel 6's Adam Joseph and Cathy Gandolfo, and WC residents and visitors!!

West Chester's 32nd Annual Old Fashioned Christmas Parade was absolutely perfect in every way!! Perfect weather, perfect planning and perfect town!!

A special thank you to our own Todd Marcocci (above) for donating his time and creative expertise to organizing and presenting this spectacular parade each year.

It is people like Chamber President, Katie Doherty, and resident Todd Marcocci who make West Chester the perfect town!!

Happy holidays to all!
Mayor Comitta

Little Lincolns: Gettysburg Address competition for West Chester's 8th graders - historic Lincoln building.

WCU Marching Band at High & Market.

WCU Interns to Mayor Comitta, Joelle Tolifero and Courtney Potts, stand next to a portrait of past Secretary general of the UN, Kofi Annan.  On Nov 30th, over 50 WCU faculty and students attended a conference held at UN headquarters, NYC, "Food Insecurity".

The conference was organized by NGO, World Information Transfer, Inc. with whom mayor Comitta has worked since 1988. WIT is an international non- profit, non- governmental organization dedicated to educating citizens and world leaders about the effects of environmental degradation on human health. Www.worldinfo.org

Conference Room - speakers

WCU in UN conference room

Brian's Run 2011

Many thanks to West Chester Borough Councilmember, John Manion for his leadership is organizing the 34thAnnual Brian's Run in the heart of West Chester!

This year over $10,000 was raised for "Homes for our Troops", a charity that supports our wounded veterans, making their homes handicapped accessible. 

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board recognizes West Chester Borough for '100% RAMP Certification' project

Read More

"Congratulations to Coach O'Donnell and Henderson Girls Filed Hockey Undefeated Chesmont Champs!"

Learn More Here.

Daily Local News Team Article.

Read Mayor Comitta's

Testimony to PA State Redistricting Commission

Harrisburg, PA

November 23, 2011

Click Here

You can learn more here.

Mayor Comitta with long time Borough resident and friend, Jean Oakes, at the West Chester Senior Center Gala and Fundraiser this month.

Photo courtesy of Charles Streitwieser

Hang The Greens

Many thanks to the over 100 WCU students who help "hang the greens" in West Chester each holiday season!!

Pictured here are freshmen and o e junior from WCU's Honors College

Happy Thanksgiving from the WC Grower's Market and the Mayor!!

Hats and turkeys by Lindenhof Farms!

Dear Neighbors and Colleagues:

West Chester Borough Hall is now an official collection point for the 15th Annual Bear Fair!!!!   We will be accepting all new Teddy Bears from now until November 30th.   The collection box is outside of the Mayor’s office.   Spread the news!!

The Bear Fair started in 1997 as a WCU student’s service project.  Now in its 15th year, West Chester University’s Bear Fair has blossomed into a well-loved event that includes donations from individuals, businesses and organizations around Chester County.  This year, the WCU Bear Fair student committee hopes to reach close to 50,000 bears collected!  

You can help by dropping off a new bear in the box at Borough Hall today!!  

The Teddy Bears will be distributed to children in 29 local shelters & hospitals.  

Your generosity will be greatly appreciated by the children and their families….Happy Holidays!!

Mayor Comitta presents a 15th Anniversary proclamation to the 2011 WCU Bear Fair student committee!! 

(Photo by Maggie Tripp, Director, WCU Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs)   

Congratulations WCU Women's Field Hockey - NCAA Division II National Champs http://pic.twitter.com/SZ3tBiFW

Miss National Sweetheart 2012

Congratulations to two West Chester Henderson students: 

Sophomore, Jordan McCool: Miss Junior National Sweetheart 2012;

and

Senior, Courtney Baxter, Miss National Sweetheart 2012!! 

Two national winners from Henderson High School!  You make PA and West Chester proud!

: This award recognizes academic excellence and community service. The girls both volunteer with the Andrew Hicks Foundation and the Bear Fair, among other service projects.

Mayor Comitta presented Citations of Congratulations to each girl in the Mayor's office.

West Chester Rotary's Chili Cookoff- 2011

Good Will FD, #1 people's Choice Award - for second year in a row!!

2nd Place Award: Best Decorations -  2011 Rotary Chili Cookoff!!

 Congratulations to the Brotherhood cooks, carpenter/set designer and servers!!!

Mayor Comitta accepts award on behalf of the WC Police Brotherhood

Mayor Comitta welcomes Senya Isayeff, Chair, East Goshen Township Supervisors!

Women on the Move:

2011's Main Line Names to Know

These 24 ladies are making an impact on the Main Line and beyond. Here's a look at their lives as local leaders.

By Tara Behan and Shannon Hallamyer
Published August 18, 2011

Carolyn Comitta

No one is more surprised to be serving as mayor of the borough of West Chester than the mayor herself. For Carolyn Comitta, it was former West Chester University president Madeleine Wing Adler who planted the seed. A 1970s graduate whose commitment to the well-planned growth of her alma mater is well documented, Comitta was serving on borough council when Adler brought up the possibility of running. “She said the mayor had a tremendous opportunity to bring people together and improve the community,” recalls Comitta. “That’s what I really enjoy doing, so I thought being mayor might be a good fit for me.”

Voters agreed. Since her 2010 inauguration, Comitta’s responsibilities have been both diverse and challenging in a thriving university town with pressing budgetary concerns and quality-of-life issues for both students and residents. “We all have the responsibility to leave everything a little better than when we found it,” she says. “And when I leave the office of mayor, I hope I can say I did that about West Chester.”

Hopefully that won’t be too soon. Comitta is seriously considering running for a second term.

Mayor Comitta holds Proclamation:

International Day of Peace,

September 21, 2011 – in West Chester… and around the world.

International Day of Peace

September 21, 2011

Dear Neighbors:

Today is International Day of Peace in West Chester!!

Today, West Chester joins over 5000 communities around the world, in celebrating the International Day of Peace.  Please see the official Proclamation attached here. 

Two years ago, Borough Council voted unanimously to join the International Organization, Mayors for Peace, which supports a nuclear weapons-free world, and is committed to encouraging peace in all endeavors in our local communities and globally. 

In peace,
Mayor Comitta

(click on image to view proclomation)

Remembrance and Recognition to West Chester Emergency First Responders

September 13, 2011

At Tuesday's Public Safety Committee meeting, Mayor Comitta presented citations of Remembrance and Recognition to West Chester Emergency First Responders on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11: police, firefighters, ambulance and fire police.  Mayor Comitta called upon our citizens, on this 10-Year Anniversary, to remember those we lost on September 11,2001 and to recognize and appreciate the dedication and courage of West Chester's first responders and citizens who served on 9-11 and who serve and protect us every day!

"West End Community Garden Mural"

September 6, 2011

Jimmer Breen,  (resident, gardener and artist) and volunteers painting mural at the West End Community Garden Mural. The mural depicts the view east from the top of the water tower which stood in the garden site until it was dismantled.

West Chester University, Student Services, Inc. Sykes Union Advisory Board

Please Join - Learn How

Library wins 2011 Historic Preservation Award

All of West Chester should be proud of the winners of the Downtown Foundation’s Historic Preservation Awards for 2011

We at West Chester Public Library are especially proud to be the only public building on the list. The award was given to WCPL in recognition of the 2004-2005 “restoration of the 1888 building [which] was superbly accomplished while successfully addressing the need for more usable interior space.”  Learn more here.

The citizens of West Chester, through the foresight and good judgment of Borough Council, invested public funds towards a portion of the costs of this project, which positions the library for another century of service to the community.

Of all the buildings on the list of award winners, this is the one that every West Chester resident and visitor can enter and enjoy any time they wish! Learn more here.

Howard Sundwall
President, Board of Trustees

West Chester Public Library

West Chester recently featured by "Keystone Edge" in an article titled

"Walk This Way: Why We Love to Stroll in West Chester, Lancaster".

Read It Here

Chester County Detachment Marine Corps League members Dan Condon, Commandant, and Fred LeClair, Vice Commandant, with Mayor Comitta, presented West Chester Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Dale McClure with a certificate of appreciation for his assistance with the League's flag retirement program. When a flag is worn or no longer serviceable, it is retired with military honors.

  Mayor Comitta extends appreciation to Mr. McClure for his valuable efforts and thanks all members of the Marine Corps League and our Fire Department for their service to our community. (8/17/11)

Mayor Carolyn Comitta recently appeared on Comcast Newsmakers and talked about "Creating a Community Conversation".

Watch The Video

World Class Fiddle Player Receives Commendation from the Mayor

West Chester seventh grader and Stetson Middle School student Alexander Weir received a commendation from West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta on July 20, 2011for his accomplishments in fiddling.

Weir recently won a regional competition in Irish-style fiddling and will go on to represent the United States in a worldwide competition in Ireland in August.

Weir began playing the violin at the age of three, and began to show an interest in Irish-style fiddling as he got older.

After Weir played for the council, Mayor Comitta said, "We can all see why you're a world-class fiddle player."

You can watch Alexander perform for the Borough Council at www.westchesterpatch.com.

Mayor Comitta joins players from the Philly Independence and the visiting Women's soccer team from the United Arab Emirates at a reception in Washington DC last Wednesday. The UAE delegation/Philly Independence (our own pro Women's soccer team in 1st place in US!) partnership is a program called "Growth and Friendship through Soccer".  As part of their visit to the US, the UAE girls chose West Chester for their community service projects. One group planted flowers in the town center while another led a soccer clinic for our campers in Everhart Park. Thank you, UAE girls!

A Special Thank You - to Paul Haring

"I'd like to commend Good Will Fire Company's Assistant Fire Chief Paul Haring for the wonderful job he does with children's birthday parties at the firehouse. We had my grandson's 5th birthday party there on June 12, with 13 boys and 2 girls, ages 5 and 6 years -- and it was a truly memorable experience for children and parents alike. All the parents commented on how much they appreciated Paul's efforts. Paul has developed a program that's way more than just an exciting opportunity to climb on the fire trucks -- although that's certainly a highlight for the little guys. He also takes time to educate the kids in what firemen do, and, most importantly, shows them what firemen look like when they come into your house during a fire. This isn't trivial -- small children in a burning house are evidently frightened by firemen in full gear -- especially the air masks -- and tend to hide from them. So he spends almost half an hour of the party getting right down with the kids, talking to them as he slowly puts on all the gear, ending up with the mask. You should have heard the kids' responses when he finally put on that mask! Whoa! But now they know what to expect, should they ever (God forbid) be in that situation. And I'm grateful for that. It's not something I ever would have thought of, but it's clearly a critical issue in a fire. I'm sure you know what a group of small boys is like -- rambunctious is a word that comes to mind. But I was also impressed with how well Paul managed them. He was firm, but incredibly patient, and he won their respect immediately. So when he wanted their attention, he got it, and they listened and learned from him in ways that, to be frank, really surprised me for that age group. I hope you'll forward this message to Paul and his superiors and will mention it in Council. I think Paul has a program that's both fun and educational, and I'd recommend it to anyone in the area. Paul gives up hours and hours of his weekends to do this because he clearly cares about the community. AND it raises money for Good Will Fire Company to boot -- definitely a worthy cause."

All the best, Diane LeBold

"Many thanks to the East Goshen Township Supervisors, Senya Isayeff, Chair, for inviting us to their Community Fair and Fireworks: Saturday, June 25th.

Over 4,500 people attended the fair, enjoying great food, music and fabulous fireworks!  Many thanks to our neighbors in East Goshen."

In photo L to R: former Mayor Dick Yoder,  State Representative Dan Truitt, Mayor Carolyn Comitta and EG Supervisor, Marty Shane

Mayor Comitta receives WCU Distinguished Alumni Award.  L to R: WCU President Greg Weisenstein, Mayor Comitta, WCU Alumni Association President, Ed Monroe.

Congratulations, WCU Class of 2011!!

Dr. Oz, (Commencement Speaker) Mayor Comitta and President Weisenstein