By Rachel Sawicki

Bruce Orr, 57

Work and/or education: Bachelor of Science in economics from Penn State University; Master of Arts in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh; vice president of sales and marketing at Lacrosse Homes.

Family: Married with two children.

Middletown residency: 8 1/2 years, lives in The Legends.

Q: Why are you running for Middletown City Council?

A: Volunteerism. I’ve volunteered my time in many ways over the years, and I’ve sat on the Planning & Zoning Commission for the last two years. For me, I look at it as an opportunity to give back to the community that supports us and provides us a great place to raise our kids. I want to give my support to the growth that we’re seeing in Middletown.

Q: What is your top priority?

A: Smart growth. And within that is looking at the growth that’s affecting our infrastructure and how to manage it. We’re in a growth cycle now, but there’s going to be a time where that levels off and then peaks again. So everything goes through cycles. As long as we’re planning for those cycles, then we’re going to be well positioned as we move forward as a town.

Q: The Middletown comprehensive plan is due for an update this year. How has the town met some of its goals from previous plans and what should be included in the update?

A: If you look at the goals of the plan, maintaining the historic feel of Middletown I think is really important. It was what attracted my wife and I when we first came to Delaware. The goals of it are figuring out how you can make the town pedestrian-friendly and have green space, while also promoting public health and safety and making sure that residents have access to work and employment, services and medical offices. Those things are critical.

Q: Does Middletown need more new homes and commercial spaces or better utilization of existing structures?

A: We need to look at both. I don’t look at growth for the sake of growth, I look at it as smart growth. There are multiple reasons why some of the infill things aren’t really happening, but can the town incentivize companies to come in and make that effort? I think there’s also opportunity for growth outside the main corridor. … Downtown, you’re restricted based on the location of existing buildings.