Caln leader seeking another "first"
Caln Township Commissioners' Chairman, Joshua Young, a lifelong Chester County resident who has specialized in "firsts," is seeking a newly created state House seat.
In 2005, Joshua Young, a lifelong Chester County resident, was elected to the Caln Township board of commissioners at age 23, its youngest commissioner ever. He was reelected in 2009 and became the township's chairman in 2010, the same year he became the youngest chairman ever of the Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees.
Now, Young, a 29-year-old Democrat and part-time auto mechanic, wants to shift gears and set another precedent, becoming the first representative of the newly-created 45th District. In a news release, he touted his record as a commissioner: "I never once raised property taxes. We have preserved over 177 acres of open space and worked to reduce our carbon footprint, as well as created jobs here in Pennsylvania."
Young said his municipal and business experience - his family owns a car-repair and towing business in West Chester — will help him serve his constituents. "As the vice-president of Young's Garage, I know the challenges facing small business in Chester County," he said. "I have just as often fixed brake pads as I have worried about payroll, paying business taxes, and negotiated with health care companies. My first priority if elected state representative is helping small businesses create jobs."
The 45th district includes the City of Coatesville; Caln, East Caln, East Fallowfield, Sadsbury, and Valley Townships; and Downingtown, Modena, Parkesburg and South Coatesville Boroughs. Barry Cassidy, the former Main Street Manager of Downingtown, announced his candidacy earlier today.