Mayor Aidsand F. “Ace” Wright-Riggins
We’ve just gone through the 2025 elections here in Collegeville. While elections, by their nature, involve choices and sometimes division, the days after an election focus on something much more important: it’s about purpose and unity.
First, I want to sincerely congratulate my colleagues on the council who have been re-elected. Cathy Kernen, Gary Hoffman, Damien Brewster, and Marion McKinney, we salute you. The voters have confirmed their trust in your leadership and vision, and I personally look forward to continuing our important work together for the people of Collegeville.
The election results were clear. Our citizens affirmed their desire for us to keep Collegeville moving forward – safely, responsibly, and united.
I also want to take a moment to sincerely thank every person who put their name on the ballot this year, including Barry Flicker, John Zvarick, Brian Booker, Tara Bracht, and Hugh Braun. Daring to serve the Collegeville community, standing up for what you believe in, and risking your reputation for public scrutiny… that is a powerful act of civic courage. It’s not easy. It requires time, passion, and a deep love for our community.
For those of you who fell short, please know that your contribution to the conversation was invaluable. You brought new perspectives to the table, and you helped ensure that our democratic process stays strong. We appreciate your passion and your willingness to serve.
But today, the campaigns are finished. The lawn signs are taken down. The political season has ended, and the work of governing goes on.
And in that work, we are not opponents. We are neighbors. We are partners. We are, and must be, “One Collegeville.” Our focus, now and always, must be on the shared goals that unite every person in this borough. We all want safe streets. We all want vibrant local businesses. We all want beautiful parks for our families.
Our responsibility, both as a borough and a community, is to make Collegeville a great place to call home—a place that everyone is proud to live in. A place where every resident feels heard, respected, and included in our shared future.
That is the task ahead of us. It’s not partisan work; it’s community work. This work cannot be done by the Mayor and Council alone. ‘One Collegeville’ calls for a united community effort. I ask you today to go beyond voting—get involved. Attend a borough council meeting this coming year to see the challenges we face. If you notice a problem, don’t just post about it online—bring it to us along with your ideas for solutions. Join one of our borough committees, where the real work shaping our future takes place.
Moving forward requires more than just policy; it calls for partnership. How can you help advance Collegeville starting tomorrow? It’s simple: Be an active neighbor. Support the vibrant local businesses we all cherish by shopping small this holiday season. Help keep our streets safe by slowing down through our neighborhoods. Take ownership of our shared spaces by volunteering for a park cleanup. Small actions, multiplied by every resident, create meaningful change.
So, I call on the entire community to bring new energy into our efforts. If you supported a candidate who didn’t win, stay engaged—I value your passion. If your candidate did win, hold them accountable—we count on your vigilance. Shop local, volunteer your time, and listen to one another. Let’s get to work together and keep moving Collegeville forward.
