Frequently Asked Questions

Strengthening Meadville by Listening, Leading, and Taking Action

Is your platform a social experiment on the city of Meadville?

No. This claim is false. It is often spread by individuals who are misinformed and believe in a conspiracy that misrepresents our goals and intentions. The truth is that our election candidates in Meadville are long-time residents who are raising families here, working locally, and investing their time and energy into building a stronger, more inclusive Meadville. We are focused on addressing real challenges, like affordable housing, public safety, economic opportunity, and community well-being, not experimenting on our neighbors.  

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Why are you running as a team?

Our Meadville Democratic candidates are running together because we share a common goal: to make Meadville a stronger, safer, and more inclusive city for everyone. Our team brings different life experiences, as a mayor, teacher, mentor, parent, and community leader, but we’ve all seen what happens when people work together across differences to solve problems. We believe city leadership works best when it reflects the entire community and focuses on solutions, rather than politics.

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Is the city really in financial trouble?

Meadville’s budget is stable today, but only because of careful planning and temporary federal relief. The long-term outlook is more uncertain. Costs for essential services, such as fire and police, are rising every year. At the same time, more than 40-45% of city properties are tax-exempt, meaning fewer taxpayers are covering the cost of services for everyone.

We believe Meadville needs more flexibility and new tools to keep services strong without putting pressure on working families. That’s why we support tax fairness, regional cooperation, and exploring solutions that give us more local control and planning power.

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Are you trying to punish landlords or make it harder for renting in Meadville?

No. We value the many responsible property owners who invest in our community. Our goal is to raise the standard for all housing, not create burdens. The rental registration and inspection program focuses on basic safety, including items such as working smoke detectors, heating, clean water, and safe wiring. These standards help protect renters, reduce emergency calls, and maintain the quality of the neighborhood for everyone, including nearby homeowners and landlords.

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We’ve also seen firsthand how neglected housing can bring down property values and affect nearby families. Well-maintained rentals are good for landlords, renters, and the entire city. We believe in fairness and are committed to supporting responsible landlords while ensuring every resident has a safe place to live.

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Are you forcing government control into private property decisions?

Not at all. We support property rights and responsible ownership. At the same time, we believe that when a property is rented out or left vacant, it becomes part of a larger neighborhood, and that neighborhood deserves basic protections.

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Our Meadville housing policy ensures that rental units meet clear safety standards and that vacant properties don’t hurt surrounding homes or businesses. This protects neighbors and keeps property values strong, while respecting the role of landlords and homeowners who follow the rules.

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What is a land bank, and who benefits from it?

A land bank is a tool that helps the city address vacant, abandoned, or tax-delinquent properties. These properties often sit empty for years, which can bring down the nearby home values. A land bank enables the city to acquire ownership, resolve title issues, and collaborate with local partners to renovate or sell the homes to new homeowners.

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This isn’t about taking property away from anyone. It’s about returning neglected properties to productive use, helping stabilize neighborhoods, and supporting new housing opportunities for people who want to live and invest in Meadville.

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Are you proposing to cut city services or reduce public safety?

No. We strongly support police, fire, and emergency services. In fact, under Mayor Kinder’s leadership, the city expanded police coverage, restored police pensions, and launched a public ambulance service to improve emergency response in Meadville. We are committed to fully funding public safety, but we also believe the city should plan responsibly, avoid long-term debt, and look for outside funding wherever possible.

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Where will the money come from for these programs?

We are focused on bringing new dollars into Meadville through grants, state and federal funding, and public-private partnerships. There are millions of dollars available right now for housing repairs, infrastructure, public safety, and workforce development, but to access it, we need plans, partnerships, and a city government that is ready.

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Our election candidates in Meadville have already helped secure funding for parks, emergency services, and housing policy, and we’re ready to keep doing that work. We also believe every dollar should be used responsibly and with community input.

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Are you trying to expand the government too much? Shouldn’t residents solve these issues themselves?

We believe in local responsibility, and that includes having a city government that listens, sets clear standards, and helps people work together to get things done. Our approach is not about big government. Instead, it’s about smart, local leadership that makes it easier for residents, business owners, and community organizations to succeed.

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When the city steps in to improve housing safety or clean up vacant lots, it’s often because others have already tried and run into roadblocks. We believe it’s more responsible to fix problems up front, rather than waiting for them to become more expensive or dangerous later.

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Isn’t this platform just more spending and more government programs?

No. Our Meadville Democratic candidates believe in being careful with every dollar and only spending when there’s a clear return for the community. We’ve balanced two city budgets without raising taxes and addressed long-standing needs by identifying grants and building partnerships, not expanding bureaucracy.

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Our team focuses on securing outside funding and planning ahead so that the city can invest in public safety, neighborhood stability, and long-term growth without increasing the burden on taxpayers.

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Is this team too focused on social issues instead of economic ones?

We believe economic health and community health are deeply connected. That’s why our top priorities include improving infrastructure, workforce development, public safety, and bringing in investment.

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Our policies support working families, small business owners in Meadville, and property owners alike. Whether it’s making a rental unit safe, helping someone afford energy upgrades, or building job training pathways, we’re focused on getting results that improve everyday life.

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What does “community investment” really mean?

It means using public resources to make the city better, in ways that support long-term stability and opportunity. That includes:

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• Improving parks and public spaces

• Supporting small businesses and local jobs in Meadville

• Investing in housing and infrastructure

• Creating new workforce training programs

• Strengthening youth programs and community organizations
   

This is not wasteful spending. It’s how we grow Meadville’s economy and quality of life for the future. These kinds of investments make the city more attractive to families, employers, and young people who want to stay here.

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How will you make sure the public is kept informed and involved in decisions?

Transparency is essential to trust. We believe city government should be accessible, open, and easy to understand, not hidden behind complex rules or rushed decisions.

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We support public work sessions, clear communication about budgets and policies, and using a wide range of tools, from town halls to surveys to online updates, to ensure every resident can weigh in. Our Meadville election 2025 candidates also want to develop a new Comprehensive Plan that is informed by public input.

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Information on candidates running for office in Meadville: Why should I trust this team?

Because we’ve already delivered results, and we’re from this community. Mayor Jaime Kinder has led the city through real progress: balancing the budget, expanding emergency services in Meadville, and supporting renters and homeowners alike.

 

Andrew Herbstritt has served the Crawford Central School District for nearly two decades and understands what families, students, and workers need.

 

Mary Moody has spent over 17 years helping women and families overcome trauma, poverty, and housing insecurity, always focused on dignity and hope.

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We are not running to divide. We are running to build a better Meadville for everyone, regardless of income, background, or political beliefs.

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How do I vote in Meadville?

For official voting information, including registration status, mail-ballot tracking, polling-place lookup, and local contacts), use Pennsylvania’s Voter Services and Crawford County Voter Services.

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What does Meadville City Council do?

Meadville uses a council-manager system. City Council is the legislative body (five members, including the Mayor as Council President). Council sets policy, passes ordinances, adopts the budget, and hires the City Manager to run day-to-day operations. Meetings are public.

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How can I support Meadville city council Democratic candidates?

There are three easy ways you can provide support for Meadville democratic candidates. Either donate via the campaign’s ActBlue page, volunteer or attend events advertised by the our campaign and partners, and stay informed and share updates from the campaign’s site and socials. These actions amplify our platform on safe housing, open/sustainable government, and community investment in Meadville.

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Is Meadville a good place for families?

Yes! Families benefit from a small-city feel with 100+ acres of green space, dozens of local shops and eateries, active arts & culture, and the Crawford Central School District, along with private school options. City leadership also prioritizes safe and affordable housing, something our Meadville city council candidates will continue to champion if elected this fall.

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Is Meadville a good place to work?

Yes! Meadville has diverse employers and growing partnerships through Allegheny College that focus on workforce development and community impact. County and city agencies (EPACC, RDA) support local economic growth and property revitalization. Meadville is also home to local start-ups and coworking spaces that fuel small business growth and remote workers. 

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Is Meadville pro-business?

Yes, Meadville supports businesses like no other in the region. The city and partners offer small-business resources, redevelopment loans, and technical assistance while the Chamber connects and promotes local businesses. Our campaign platform explicitly supports partnering with local organizations to strengthen the economy.

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Is Meadville safe?

Public safety services are a core city function. In fact, Council meetings are always transparent regarding Meadville safety. For objective crime statistics, Pennsylvania’s UCR dashboard provides the official data. The goal of our Meadville City Council candidates is to continue to build  neighborhoods where residents feel “safe, heard, and supported.”

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Is Meadville a good place to retire?

Yes! Many retirees appreciate the walkable downtown, parks and green space, community events, accessible healthcare via Meadville Medical Center, and a steady slate of civic and cultural activities supported by the city and Allegheny College. Property prices and renting are still affordable. If you are looking to make your retirement dollars stretch, Meadville's low cost of living is something to consider.