Voters in New Cumberland will choose from two competitors. Incumbent Judy Takach Bartley and newcomer Anne Blankenship will vie for the Ward II, Seat position,
Bartley is a lifelong resident of the area and has served ten year on Council. She was appointed to her first term to fill a vacancy and was subsequently elected to two full-terms. During her tenure on Council, she has served on the Finance, Police, Park & Recreation Committee and on BHJ under the administration of former Mayor Linda McNeil.
The desire to do something for her community was the impetus that caused Judy to serve on Council. Her deceased husband, Ken Bartley, Sr., was a former Mayor and Chief of Police in New Cumberland, and Judy had been recently widowed when the Council seat became available
“It’s a long hard ride the community and county has been on especially with COVID,” said Judy. “But there are brighter days ahead.” She feels that the new road will open new opportunities and she is excited to see the hard work put into the renovation of the water/sewage projects finally come to fruition, Problems caused by unleashed dogs who have attacked residents are on her priority. She would like to work with legislators to craft legislation that can allow city council to put in place a dog ordinance which addresses the problem of vicious dogs. She said that another resident in the community recently was bitten by a dog and she fears people are moving out of town due to the problem.
Bartley also would like to see a dog park located on the old Matt Phillip’s ball field and a portion of the rescue funds allocated to the City tear dedicated to demolishing dilapidated buildings in the community.
While Anne Blankenship only moved within the City limits of New Cumberland about a year ago, she has been a life-long resident of the New Cumberland area. She grew up on Hardins Run and then moved to Wylie Ridge and has many fond memories of small-town life and has committed to work to ensure that community life is preserved while making way for economic development.
Currently employed as the Office Administrator for the Hancock County Commission, Blankenship believes her biggest challenge if elected will be to learn the infrastructure as to the inner workings of City government works. She believes her biggest contribution will be bringing fresh ideas to Council. She plans to absorb all she can about the town; how it works; and the problems it faces.
“I plan to be like a sponge, absorbing it all,” Blankenship said.
She sees the problems that have plagued the City for many years with roads, water and sewage and dilapidated buildings. She also knows, however, that there exists a fine line between ensuring modernization and progress continue and preserving the historic buildings and small-town life that makes the community special.