Sharpsburg voters will choose between 2 newcomers for 2-year term

Sharpsburg voters will choose between two newcomers on Nov. 7 for election to a two-year term on council.

Democrat Corey Ochai and Republican Diana Oliver will compete for the position.

Other races in the borough are uncontested.

Here are the answers given by Ochai and Oliver to questions posed by The Herald.

Corey Ochai

Age: 37

Political affiliation: Democratic

Education: high school graduate

Occupation: founder and owner of production company, OCHi Productions

Previous elected experience: none

What is the biggest issue facing the borough?

Ochai: “I believe we need to strengthen the pipeline of communication,” Ochai said. “Of course there are numerous issues that I can address but if you look at any problem the common denominator is most likely communication.

“If we can effectively communicate to the people it strengthens our understanding as a council and gives us a higher probability to find a solution. That is the formula that I want to implement.”

How would you solve it?

Ochai: “Listen to the people and learn from our conversations,” Ochai said. “I would bring that information to the team and make decisions using the information we gathered.”

What skills would you bring to council?

Ochai: “I’m a great networker and listener, as well as communicator,” Ochai said. “I work extremely well with a team and I also bring strategic planning experience.

“I’ve lived in Sharpsburg for 13 years and I plan to be here my whole life.”

Diana Oliver

Age: 41

Political affiliation: Republican

Education: current CCAC full-time student studying social science, business, global studies

Occupation: homemaker

Previous elected experience: none

What is the biggest issue facing the borough?

Oliver: “I believe that our most important need as a community is that we keep it affordable for the families that have always called Sharpsburg home for generations.”

How would you solve it?

Oliver: “I would be mindful of future hikes that directly affect our residents and advocate to consider all other options possible before agreeing to negatively affecting our residents.”

What skills would you bring to council?

Oliver: “I would continue to bring the current level of dedication that I have been,” Oliver said. “I will continue to attend all meetings, as I have been, to remain being informed.

“Being informed is the most important aspect that I can bring forward to council and our residents.”