Trust Election: Meet the Candidates
All New Castle Residents (of 1y+) Eligible to Register & Vote, October 3-8
This Monday through Saturday, city residents will go to the polls for a very special election in which only they - New Castilians of 18+ years who have lived here for at least one year - get to participate.
The Trustees of the New Castle Common is a unique, non-profit organization that manages a large portfolio of land and assets on behalf of city residents. New Castle Common was established as a shared resource for the people of the city by William Penn himself, and has been managed by a 13-member, citizen-elected board for hundreds of years.
The Trust contributes to big city projects, houses and supports our local library and fire house, maintains several undeveloped parcels including the Hermitage Natural Area, supports local non-profits and civic groups with grants totaling tens of thousands of dollars per year, and more. Board members contribute to decisions about how the Trust is stewarded and how income from its working assets (such as commercial rental properties) gets used.
Two candidates are running in this week’s election: Francis DeAscanis and Karen Igou. We reached out to both to learn their thoughts on the Trust and why they are running to help manage it. Candidates’ unedited responses to each question have been put side-by-side, rather than together as a block by candidate.
What do you feel qualifies you to serve as Trustee of the New Castle Common for the next 12 years?
Francis DeAscanis: I've spent most of my life in New Castle, know it's history and understand it's people. I grew up here and spent my career working in my family's local home building business. Since Trust duties are primarily managing it's land and other real estate assets, my career experience makes this a good fit for me to serve the community.
I've often kept somewhat abreast of Trustee issues by speaking with Trustees or Staff whom I know. Also, my Father was a Trustee for many years and I recall the Trustee matters he would often discuss, which provides me with some helpful background.
Karen Igou: I am qualified to be on the Trust because I truly care about the land and the people in this town who own the land. I put myself through college, was a program director for the Ministry of Caring, had my own business for the past 12 years until recently selling it, and now work on energy efficiency and climate resiliency in the built environment for the Philly based non-profit Green Building United.
As one can tell from these examples, I am a capable, well-rounded person who is interested in helping people and the environment, of which we are all a part. I work well in groups, am a good communicator, and will represent the people of the city in all I do on the Trust. I work tirelessly for a better quality of life for all living things now, so to help direct the use of the land and the assets gained from the land for the betterment of the residents of New Castle seems a perfect fit for me.
What would your goals be, as a member of the Board of Trustees?
Karen Igou: My goals as a member of the Trust would evolve as I learn more about what the people of the city want, but my first are to have more community input on Trust matters and more transparency of the Trust management.
Through my canvassing thus far, I have been told that things can move very slowly with Trust proceedings so I would hope to help with anything that might move things along quicker especially regarding projects that have been approved but not implemented and funds that have been promised but not received. I have heard from many neighbors in Dobbinsville that they would appreciate attention to their parking situation, their playground, and the safety of their children crossing Rt. 9 to the playground so I would like to lift up those endeavors.
I'm sure I will learn more as I continue to canvass the city but at the least, in all of my work on the Trust I would be responsive and dependable and would do my best to get the people of New Castle what they need with the assets of the Common that are rightfully theirs.
Francis DeAscanis: My first goal is to always be a conscientious, contributing member. Initially, I hope to find how best to work with each of the other members to achieve optimal results. it's important that I learn as much as possible about Trust assets and how they are being used.
After becoming more familiarized, I hopefully may be able to identify new necessary ideas or programs to offer for implementation. I'll also need to be open to change as future needs may require.
How do you think the idea of “the Common” applies to the way people live today in 2022?
Francis DeAscanis: Over its history, The Common has had to adapt and adjust as required by changing times to be able to provide for the needs of the citizens. First, leasing land to farmers and later, selling some of the land. Realistically, the present day and future needs of the City will require more cash than in previous times. Even any future "green" initiatives that may be taken will not be cheap.
I'm not advocating selling or developing any existing open spaces, farms or natural areas. We just need to be as smart as we can about receiving a maximum return on the developed properties we have and expand them, if needed.
Karen Igou: I think that the original idea of "the Common" applies little to how we live today. In the original meaning, the people who lived on the Common worked the land and used its resources to survive. Everyone worked together on undivided land to feed themselves, stay warm, live, and congregate.
Now, the bulk of the land of our Common is built up and the Trust manages the revenues from leasing the properties to help the town with projects, upkeep, and scholarships for area youth. I would go so far as to say that most people who live in New Castle are not even aware of the New Castle Common or that it is supposed to be for their benefit.
I appreciate this question because I have a dream of the Common being used more in its original meaning, with some of the acres that we lease now for corn and soy for factory farmed animal feed being put in to small acreage incubator farms for beginner and/or bipoc farmers; a food forest with perennial fruit and nuts; small manufacturing to benefit the town such as a cannery for the farms to extend the harvest with food preservation; or grain production so that we have staple crops grown nearby as drought and flood problems for farmers in the west continue. We could even grow hops, grapes, and hemp.
I know these ideas seem out of the ordinary to most, but we must face that our climate is changing and we are facing supply chain disruptions therefore we must adapt so that we can take care of ourselves and future generations as best we can. The fact that we all share this over 600 acres of land, as well as our own Municipal Services Commission, makes us uniquely poised to take better care of ourselves if we make that a priority and are willing to embrace necessary change.
This could put New Castle on the map as a town not just rooted in history, but also working together in community to transition in a way that would create jobs, provide sustenance, and build equity among residents.
What can be done to make residents more aware of the Trust, how it works, and the benefits it provides to New Castle?
Francis DeAscanis: There are available means to learn more about the Trust. Since Trustees terms have been shortened from lifetime to 12 years, we see more elections, about 2 per year, which allow us to ask candidates questions about the Trust either in person or through avenues such as this or the Weekly.
The Trust also has a website which provides information about the Body. They have also published a 9 page brochure, which is a brief but informative overview of it's history, current committee workings and other info. Anyone interested should take advantage of these resources.
Karen Igou: Making the community more aware of the Trust, how it works, and how it benefits the residents here would be a top priority for me as a Trustee.
There used to be a mailer that went out to all residents in their MSC bill so that could be done again on a more regular basis. There could be a campaign to digitize communications and use social media so that it could be more cost effective and efficient to correspond with residents. We could reach out to neighborhood civic associations and community groups to give informational talks about the Trust or have community liaisons to relay information and gather input. We could go back to having the meetings public for all regularly rather than only 4 times a year and/or offer a virtual option for attendance.
If elected, I would to my best to find ways to reach more residents in the city, get their input on Trust matters, and implement projects as fairly and equitably as possible. I would also work to help diversify the Trustees by encouraging others to run, as right now we have no people of color on the Trust and only 2 of the 13 members identify as female.
Thanks to both Francis DeAscanis and Karen Igou for participating and sharing their views! Check out this week’s issue of the Weekly for more about their understanding of and thoughts on the Trustees of the New Castle Common.
Voting Information
Voting will be held at the dates and times below, at New Castle Town Hall at 201 Delaware Street.
Monday, October 3, 11am to 4pm
Tuesday, October 4, 11am to 4pm
Wednesday, October 5, 11am to 4pm
Thursday, October 6, 11am to 4pm
Friday, October 7, 11am to 6pm
Saturday, October 8, 8am to 12 Noon
Voters must present state-issued ID and be registered on the Trustees’ special voter list, which is separate from those used for government elections. Qualified New Castilians (18+, residents for 1y+) can register and vote at the same time - bring your MSC bill or another proof of residence in addition to your ID in order to do so.
Further information can be found on the Elections page of the Trustees’ website.
I love Karen Igou's plan for the common. I'll be voting for her this week.