State College Borough residents have an exciting local primary coming up. While there are several good Democratic candidates, Jesse Barlow and Deanna Behring and stand out to me.
For the last three and a half years, I have worked alongside Barlow in the Council of Governments. Barlow is extremely thoughtful and passionate about this community and works so that it can thrive. He has a vision of a modern, inclusive and sustainable community that maintains mom-and-pop business and strong neighborhoods while it also faces infrastructure challenges and changing demographics.
Deanna Behring is a newcomer to local politics. But she has deep experience that matters. She and her family are committed to education and local conservation. Additionally, before she came to the area, she worked in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as the assistant director for international affairs.
Both Barlow and Behring also value science and our generations’ legacy to our children and the web of life. Barlow is proving it by introducing legislation to move the Borough to act on a positive solutions-oriented path to take on climate change at the local level. Having spoken with Behring, I know that she wants our region to become a state leader in renewable energy, green buildings and a vital climate-smart economy. Together, they will do great things.
Peter Buckland
Supervisor, Ferguson Township
