Like you, I am a Golden Ram. I am a proud graduate of West Chester State College, Class of 1974 – BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education. (MEd with a concentration in Gifted Education from Widener University, 1986).I lived in Goshen Hall, and then off-campus on Miner Street. At that time, the hot topics were the Vietnam War, (concern about friends and fellow students being drafted as well as war protests), fears of nuclear war, environmental issues and the first Earth Day – 1970. Also on a lighter note, “streaking.”
Following graduation, I worked in the Octorara School District for 12 years, developing and teaching programs for academically gifted students, until the birth of our two children, who are now in their mid-20’s.
Since 1988, I have been the Vice President and CFO of Thomas Comitta Associates, Inc., a West Chester firm specializing in town planning and landscape architecture, and have worked in a number of capacities with World Information Transfer, Inc, a non-profit, non-governmental educational organization in general consultative status with the United Nations, promoting awareness of health and environment issues. Prior to being sworn in as Mayor in January of 2010, I was a West Chester Borough Council member for four years.
The Mayor has the responsibilities to oversee the administration of the West Chester Police Department, attend and deliberate in Borough Council meetings, has authority to break a tie or cast a veto, serves as the ceremonial head of Borough government, and takes action to bring people together to improve our community.
I am delighted to spend a good deal of time on campus have the pleasure of seeing many of you regularly through the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean’s Advisory Board, the Community Board for Aid to South Africa; as a WCU LGBTQA Ally, through the Campus Community Coalition, several School of Music international students for a number of years special student-run programs and events and new student orientations, to name a few. A WCU student serves as Intern to the Mayor.
In addition, our family has hosted several international music students over the years. So you can see that I am a proud member of the WCU family.
I am very interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions and questions. Please feel free to contact me any time by e-mailing mayor@west-chester.com. I welcome your questions and suggestions for columns in the future. Join me on Facebook: Mayor Carolyn Comitta and Twitter.
April in the Borough:
Borough Council meetings: www.west-chester.com.
All Parks Clean-Up on April 9, bring gloves to a park near you.
West Chester Restaurant Festival: April 25-30 www.downtownwestchester.com.
West Chester Film Festival: April 29-May 1.
United Nations Health and Environment Conference: April 27 www.worldinfo.org (e-mail me if you would like to go).