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Yardley Borough Council (4 YR Term) {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The Borough Council is the governing body for the borough. A borough council member oversees the provision of borough services, enacts ordinances and sets the borough budget and taxes.

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    Uri Feiner
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Jason Goldstein
    (Dem)

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    Martha Howlett
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Paul Mencel
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

What do you consider to be the most important issues facing your community, and how do you propose to address them?

Why are you running for this office?

What qualifications and experience do you have that will assist you in the performance of the duties of this office?

Education Stuyvesant High School (NYC); BS in Agricultural Economics/Entrepreneurship (Summa Cum Laude), University of Vermont (Burlington, VT); Integrative Nutrition Certificate, Teachers College, Columbia University (NYC)
Experience I'm an entrepreneur with a background in health, wellness, and technology. As a CEO, I created the world's first mobile education app for what became the world's largest nutrition and health coaching school. I'm Vice President of council, chair of Public Works, and have served on all committees.
Immediate challenge: We need to ensure that our community remains safe and continues to benefit from the 100-year tradition of having our own police department. We can meet the challenge of the moment by applying smart efficiencies while hiring a qualified chief who wants to work in Yardley for the same reasons we all enjoy living here.

Ongoing: We live in a beautiful and historic town that was built for horses and carriages. Today, as Yardley grows in popularity, one of the biggest challenges we face is preserving a high quality of life. That means being able to walk around safely and enjoy our peaceful surroundings in every part of the Borough without being overrun by speeding traffic.

While we have made progress with sidewalks, traffic calming, and open space, there is much more work to do. Resources are limited. To address this challenge, I will continue to work relentlessly to secure state and federal funding while working creatively with the Borough and community at large.
I love Yardley and care about our community so much! Our ongoing challenge is to preserve and improve the quality of life in our special town despite limited funding. I find that employing vision, a pragmatic approach, and creative problem-solving delivers tangible results.

I live on North Main Street and have been working for years on getting a sidewalk. Now that it’s mostly built, I enjoy watching people stroll, bike, jog, and walk their dogs. It’s not just good for the environment, but also for our own wellbeing.

I am excited to work on adding amenities to our newest public spaces: the Yardley Borough Trailhead and Judy's Garden. But the work is far from done. I see the potential for so much more. Imagine if we could make use of one of our greatest resources–the Delaware River–by turning existing Borough property into usable space for all to enjoy?

Yardley is a special place and a strong community. With vision and creativity, I believe we can accomplish a lot together!
I serve as Vice President of council, chair of Public Works, and—now on my 4th term—have served on all the committees.

Accomplishments resulting from my in-depth work and initiatives include preservation of Reading Avenue open space; prevention of unwanted zoning changes; tightening of finances while increasing transparency and reporting; reworking the Borough’s website and adding a mass email system; advocating for walkability and traffic calming that helped create the North Main Street sidewalk, Mary Yardley Bridge replacement, Main & Afton intersection reconstruction with pedestrian signals, and more prominent crosswalks; and raising millions of dollars in grants to pay for “unfunded” projects.

As an entrepreneur and former CEO, I understand the challenges of managing complex projects with steadfastness, honesty and respect for everyone involved. When things seem impossible, I’ve learned to think outside-the-box. My motto is, “There’s got to be way.”
Education Vanderbilt University, M.A. Economics; University of Maryland at College Park, B.A. Economics
Experience Healthcare analytics and financial professional with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry leading analytics teams and driving data strategies to improve outcomes. Excel in translating complex data into actionable insights, fostering collaboration, and mentoring teams.
Increase community participation in issues affecting Yardley Borough by leveraging multiple technology platforms that allow the community to voice their opinions.
Leverage information and technology to increase YB community information sharing and engagement. Continue on-going work on YB development of green spaces and accessibility in the Borough such as PECO lot, Judy’s Garden, and Afton sidewalk expansion.
My work experience is in the healthcare industry leveraging data and technology to improve outcomes that have lasting value. I also lead collaborative teams across multiple stakeholders and departments to build consensus for project planning and implementation. The skillsets I’ve developed during my professional career would be an asset to YB Council in leveraging information and technology for community sharing and engagement, budgeting and forecasting, and working as a partner with the community to build project consensus that have lasting value.
Education Barnard College
Experience Associate of the Society of Actuaries; Certified Enterprise Risk Analyst; Crisis Text Line Volunteer; Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer
The biggest issue our community faces is how to make investments in public safety, recreation and environmental preservation while remaining an affordable place to live. Yardley Borough needs hard-working volunteer council members to dedicate themselves to finding creative solutions so we can continue to grow.
So much that is great about Yardley depends on volunteers and community involvement: the Harvest Festival, our Memorial and Veteran’s Day parades, Lake Afton, the Historical Society, and Gather Place, to name a few. I’m inspired by all my fellow community members who donate their time and energy to Yardley to do so myself at the government level
In my work as an actuary, I make decisions based on uncertain outcomes and risk – something our local government has to do all of the time. My work also helps me bring the quantitative and analytical skills necessary to be a detail-oriented council member.

In my capacity as a volunteer crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line, I have to remain calm in stressful interactions and empathetically listen, which are great skills for a council member. I also get exposure to where our communities and institutions may be failing our most vulnerable members and inspiration for us to do better.
Education Temple University
We need to modernize without losing the charm that makes our town special. The most important issues I see are revitalizing the business district, improving infrastructure, and planning for a more sustainable future. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of walkability, clear permitting processes, and policies that support both growth and character. I want to help attract new businesses while supporting the ones already here. We also need to make it easier for young families to live and stay here—with better communication, updated zoning, and long-term planning. I believe in listening first, being proactive, and using data and experience to guide our decisions. Yardley’s best days can still be ahead—we just need to be intentional.
I’m running for office because I believe Yardley deserves forward-thinking leadership that balances tradition with progress. As a business owner and active community member, I’ve seen both the potential and the challenges our borough faces. I want to help create a Yardley that works for everyone—longtime residents, young families, and small businesses alike. We need clear communication, modern infrastructure, and thoughtful planning that keeps Yardley vibrant and walkable. I’m not a career politician—I’m someone who cares deeply about where I live and wants to help build a stronger future here. I believe my background in growing a successful local business gives me a practical, results-driven approach to problem-solving. This is about giving back and helping move our town forward, together.
As the founder of a successful local business, I’ve built teams, managed budgets, solved complex problems, and created jobs—all within our region. I understand what it takes to move ideas from concept to execution. My experience has taught me how to listen, collaborate, and make decisions that balance vision with practical outcomes. I’ve also worked with a wide range of stakeholders—contractors, clients, local officials—and know how important communication and accountability are. I bring a forward-thinking, solutions-oriented mindset to everything I do. I’ve also been active in community-building efforts and understand the need for thoughtful infrastructure, small business support, and policies that serve all residents. I’m running not just to represent, but to contribute meaningful leadership based on real-world experience.