DOWNINGTOWN — Nearly 100 borough residents gathered at Beaver Creek Elementary School on Tuesday night to witness a debate between two candidates vying to become the youngest mayor in the history of Downingtown.

Both candidates, Democrat Josh Maxwell and Republican Nick Winkler, are 26 years old and running for the seat currently held by Mayor Heather Bruno.

"This attendance is tremendous and shows the dedication of residents and your commitment to to the future of Downingtown," said Maxwell in his opening remarks.

During the debate, which lasted nearly 90 minutes, candidates gave opening and closing remarks and answered 20 questions. The debate was hosted and moderated by the Chester County League of Women Voters and all questions came from residents in the audience.

For each question, Winkler and Maxwell were given 90 seconds to answer. But moderator Karen Gorgonzola allowed each candidate 3½ minutes to answer a question about Kardon Park.

The borough is pursuing a plan to develop the park, expand the amount of usable park land and place a cap on pre-existing toxic waste that has been dumped in a wooded section there. Currently two lawsuits are open

against the borough in regard to the development, and the plans have stalled.

"To be clear, the planning commission and Borough Council have already approved this plan, and the next mayor will have very little to do with this project," Winkler said. "However, it has a great deal of pros, and I support it. It will enhance the borough, increase the tax base, which Downingtown desperately needs, and add 22 acres of usable park."

Maxwell, who was on the planning commission when the Kardon Park development was approved but did not have a vote on the issue, has four major concerns with the plan. He said he wants to ensure that it is energy efficient and at least 70 feet from the ponds, that each home is unique in its look and design, and that no rental properties are in the development that will attract out-of-town landlords.

As mayor, the primary role of either candidate will be to oversee the Downingtown Police Department. Both candidates addressed how they would handle public safety and how this would affect residents.

"We have a well-trained, well-equipped force," Winkler said. "The police department has become very creative in coming up with ways to continue to protect the town and yet not place all of the burden on taxpayers. We need to continue this."

Maxwell recounted a story of when he was growing up in Downingtown and he and his brothers and sisters had their bicycles out in front of their home. A police officer knocked on his door and told his mother about bicycle thefts in the area and advised her to lock up the bikes.

"We need to continue this proactive style of policing," Maxwell said. "We need to police involved in the community. Residents could come in and talk to police officers about how to make their homes safer and protect themselves."

When asked about the biggest issue facing the borough, both candidates had similar responses.

"The biggest issue is the developments coming into Downingtown," Maxwell said. "We have $400 million coming into Downingtown, and we need to use it in the best way possible. We need a mayor who understands these developments and how to plan."

"Taxes have the potential to go up if we don't follow through with our current projects," Winkler said. "If we don't increase our tax base, the taxes will go up."

Throughout the debate, Maxwell continued to stress he has been a lifelong resident of Downingtown and he emphasized his work on the borough's planning commission.

"I ran for mayor because I love being active in this community," he said.

Winkler stressed his leadership and role as an advocate.

"The unofficial role of the mayor is to be the best spokesperson for this town," Winkler said.

Winkler and his wife, Melinda, live in the borough. He's lived there for the past four years and grew up in nearby East Brandywine. He worked in the borough at the Coffee Cup Restaurant and attends St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.

In high school, Winkler revived the High School Young Republicans organization.

During the summer of his junior year in high school, Winkler interned for U.S. Rep. Joseph Pitts, R-16th, of East Marlborough. He also did campaign work for James Bruton, Borough Council's vice

president.

Winkler received his political science degree from James Madison University in Virginia and has a minor in Russian studies. During a summer in his college years, he was an intern for former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.

Currently, Winkler owns and operates his own business, is involved in the local Lions Club and has organized neighborhood watches in the Borough of Downingtown.

Maxwell has been a member of the borough's planning commission for two years and wrote an energy efficiency resolution later passed by Borough Council. He's also working with the borough's historical and park commission on the borough's 150th anniversary plans.

Maxwell has lived in the borough his entire life and has been active at Central Presbyterian Church in Downingtown. He is single and was a church deacon during high school.

Maxwell graduated from West Chester University with a degree in political science. He has a minor in international business and is pursuing a law degree at Widener University in Delaware County.

For the past year, Maxwell has worked with the Chester County Young Democrats. He has been general manager at the Microtel Inn & Suites in West Goshen since 2005 and said he's learned a business perspective and management experience there.

To contact staff writer Eric S. Smith, send an e-mail to esmith@dailylocal.com.