Former hair-raiser seeking House seat

Barry Cassidy, a Downingtown resident whose municipal resume includes jobs in Downingtown, Phoenixville, and Philadelphia, announced his candidacy today for the newly created 45th District House seat.

Cassidy, 62, a Democrat, said he felt the district's Rt. 30 corridor - including Caln, East Fallowfield, Sadsburg and Valley Townships; the boroughs of Downingtown, Modena, Parkesburg, South Coatesville; and the City of Coatesville - dovetailed with his background.  "I have worked corridors doing commercial and housing development for the last 40 years, and it seemed to be a perfect fit," he said in a news release.

After working as a consultant in Philadelphia, Cassidy first made headlines in Chester County when he served as the high-profile Main Street Manager in Downingtown from 1994 to 2001. Among his accomplishments: jumpstarting a 1999 fund-raising campaign for a community center by putting his prized ponytail on the auction block. His tresses locked up $1,000.

Cassidy also worked for the South Street Headhouse Business District Authority in Philadelphia for two years before returning to Chester County for the Main Street Community Development Corporation in Phoenixville, a part-time position he continues to hold. Former Gov. Rendell dubbed Cassidy an "agent of change" for his efforts to revitalize Phoenixville.