Candidates for the Mayor of Gettysburg in the November 4 Municipal Election, Chad-Alan Carr and Rita Frealing, met on Tuesday evening in Mora Hall on the Gettysburg College Campus for a forum sponsored by the College’s Eisenhower Institute.
Gettysburg College Public Policy Professor Anne Douds moderated the debate which also included comments from two candidates for GASD school board.
Professor of Political Science Alauna Safarpour opened the session by reviewing the duties of borough mayors under Pennsylvania State law. Safarpour noted that the mayor of Gettysburg is the borough’s sole elected executive officer, tasked with preserving order, enforcing ordinances, signing contracts, and reporting to borough council. Safarpour said that while the council establishes and funds the police department, the mayor has day-to-day operational control, including supervising the police chief, directing deployment, and coordinating law enforcement.
Safarpour said the law allows a mayor, with council approval, to delegate some duties to the borough council, but that this is optional and dependent on the mayor’s judgment. Safarpour said the only other way to change the balance of power is through a voter-approved home rule charter.
The question of whether mayoral authority over police should be delegated or restructured framed the sharpest contrast in the debate.
Challenger and current council member Chad-Alan Carr argued that the current system gives the mayor too much unchecked authority. “Every single one of our departments except for one reports to 7 elected council members. The police department is the only one that only reports to one person,” Carr said. He called for shifting oversight to borough council, saying this would increase transparency and accountability.
Frealing pushed back strongly, citing Pennsylvania law. “It’s clearly stated in Pennsylvania law who has oversight of the police department,” she said. Frealing warned that efforts to alter that balance without proper legal process could result in a lawsuit. She pointed to her record, saying “While I had oversight of the police department, not one lawsuit was brought against them.”
Frealing said she was a “native daughter” of the Gettysburg area. “I grew up here. I went to school here. I have more than 40 years of experience in law, public policy, communications, and direct public services,” she said.
The candidates also differed on economic development strategies. Carr emphasized bringing in new families and businesses to grow the tax base, saying, “Smart growth that attracts businesses and encourages young families to settle here will influence some economic development and our tax base.” Frealing focused on repurposing local buildings, asking, “Why aren’t we bringing business innovators incubators in here? The library is getting ready to be vacant. Couldn’t that be a business incubator?”
On political identity, Carr identified closely with his party. “Much of my work is centered on building community… I believe that those are the qualities of the Democratic Party, which is why I am glad to be the Democratic primary nominee having won the primary.” Frealing highlighted her bipartisan appeal, noting she lost the Democratic primary by 31 votes but gained enough Republican write-ins to appear on the fall ballot as a Republican: “If those people took time to write me in, I’m not going to ignore them. I have worked for Democrats and Republicans, and I want to reach out to the independents,” she said.
Frealing framed the mayoral position as ambassadorial: “You serve as an ambassador for Gettysburg to make people aware of what we have here.” Carr said the mayor should still be an advocate for all: “I do believe that the role of the mayor is, and should be, a champion for the town… listening to what people want here in the borough.”
The candidates also discussed housing, taxes, and the Gettysburg non-discrimination ordinance.
The second half of the debate focused on the Gettysburg Area School Board race, where voters will choose four at-large members (who will debate in a similar forum on Sept. 18) and decide between two candidates for a special two-year seat who were present at the session — Republican Mark Hopkins and Democrat Ryan Kearney.
Before the conversation began, Safarpour reminded the audience that school boards shape curriculum, hire teachers, and levy taxes, meaning their decisions affect both families and property owners.
Hopkins, a retired combat veteran and father of five, stressed “quality education for all students regardless of status” and warned against what he called “indoctrination of impressionable young minds,” urging a back-to-basics focus. Kearney, a Gettysburg College biologist and father of four, highlighted his direct experience as a parent and educator, emphasizing science outreach and community connection.
Click here to view a videotape of the forum.