Election 2025: Another rematch for North Wales mayor race

    Elections (Credit: MediaNews Group)
  

For the third straight election, voters will have two familiar faces on the ballot for mayor of North Wales.

Incumbent Democrat Neil McDevitt and Republican Greg D’Angelo, who held that post for two terms prior to 2021, are squaring off once again for the Nov. 4 election.

Both candidates were asked the same questions, and below are their answers.

McDEVITT

    Neil McDevitt (Submitted photo)
  

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I’m wrapping up my first term in office as Mayor of North Wales Borough. In the past four years, we’ve made amazing achievements, from continuing popular events such as Summer Kickoff and North Wales Community Day to pulling together $2 million in grants to complete the transformation of St. Luke’s Church to the North Wales Arts and Cultural Center which opened earlier this year.

I’ve lived in the borough since 2015 and in the region since 1996.

Currently, my primary job is executive director for a nonprofit organization. I also previously worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and worked on several Homeland Security grant programs before that. I was a firefighter with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township for seven years. Closer to North Wales, I have served on the North Wales Water Authority Board of Directors since 2017, along with a short term on the Parks and Recreation Committee.

I love living in North Wales. It reminds me of the small town I grew up in North New Jersey that was walkable, bike-able and friendly small businesses.  My amazing wife Sarah, my two sons and our little menagerie of dogs along with a cat and lizard keep our days full.

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?

The most recurring issue and concern from residents centers around the related issues of cars speeding on surface streets and/or volume on those streets. As a small borough, we are extremely limited in what we can do legally due to state law. However, we have been proactive.

In 2023, borough police procured two visible speed display units. They’re set to flash when people are driving over the speed limit. In 2022, police also obtained passive equipment that would allow them to record speeds and volume over longer periods of time.

With both of these, we found that on average, most people driving on the surface streets are at the speed limits. The folks who drive above the limit are not driving fast enough for us to be able to write them a ticket (under current state law). We also found that when visible speed display units are used, people following the speed limits increases by 27 percent.        

Additionally, we also recognize that many of the concerns about volume and speed originate with folks who are commuting to/from their jobs at Merck facilities in Upper Gwynedd. I worked closely with their site executive to develop messaging to their associates reminding them to stay on the main roads, don’t cut through residential areas, and respect the speed limits.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Facebook: Mayor Neil for North Wales

D’ANGELO

    Greg D’Angelo (Submitted photo)
  

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I served as mayor 2014-2021; receiving strong Democrat support; including endorsements from former Mayor Herb Schlegel.

As mayor, I introduced day and evening office hours for residents to meet with me without appointments. I initiated a welfare check program for housebound residents. I worked with council on ways to help first-time drug offenders. I represented North Wales beyond our borders, attending funerals, speaking at events, and serving on the committee that established the Korean- American Peace Memorial in Montgomery Township.

I earned the Certified Borough Official designation from the PA State Association of Boroughs. Since 2010, I have served on the Planning Commission, and I am currently its chair. I served on the North Wales Water Authority Board 2013-2017. Since 2012, I have been a (non-firefighter) volunteer with the North Penn Volunteer Fire Company, serving eight years on its board.

Finally, after serving for a few months, Mayor McDevitt said that he never realized all that went into being a mayor and thanked me for providing him with an orientation. He said that he hoped to be half as good as I was. I was both grateful and proud.

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?

Political divide can be a concern for residents, especially when one political party holds every elected office. My record of bipartisanship shows that I put politics aside for the good of North Wales and its residents.

Safety is another concern that I often hear. We have an excellent police department; thanks to the efforts of Chief Erenius. He is always working to raise the bar, since status quo is never acceptable. Advising our residents on all that has been accomplished, and continues to be done, should help to relieve their concerns.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

I do not have a campaign website. I can be reached at (215) 616-0348, or at [email protected].