Candidate for
Township Commissioner; Township of Nether Providence; Ward 3

My litmus test for any decision we face on the Board of Commissioners is 1) whether the proposed action will improve the township, and 2) whether it is worth the cost to the township. To me the decision-making process should involve careful and thoughtful analysis of the issue, making sure we have enough information to make an informed decision, considering both short-term and long-term implications, making sure I understand any opposing views and information, and making sure we can afford it. Civility is always important, but I welcome disagreement and debate in the decision-making process.

During my six years as a Commissioner, I have tried to apply these rules to any issue the Board faces, as a test of both my views and the views of other commissioners. To me, it is much better to take a proposal I disagree with and improve it to the point where I can support it, than it is simply to oppose it.

During my tenure, working on Boards controlled both by democrats and republicans, I have made positive contributions in a number of areas where the Board has acted. In that time, the Board has:

• Established a new zoning district for our largest (and most sub-dividable) properties, to control development;
• Tightened our zoning ordinances (this process is ongoing);
• Carefully reviewed and controlled land development and subdivisions;
• Worked to control the number and location of new cell towers;
• Implemented energy-savings, and committed to make the township "greener";
• Developed many new sustainability measures, including a current effort to install high efficiency street lights using grant money;
• Addressed the need for new sidewalks where needed without changing the character of our neighborhoods, including the ongoing development of a sidewalk for Wallingford Avenue, funded almost entirely through grant money;
• Stepped up efforts to address our ubiquitous storm water drainage problems;
• Leveraged our limited re-paving budget through cooperative work with utilities whose maintenance work damages streets;
• Reversed the misguided and damaging decisions of a prior Board to terminate our highly experienced Assistant Township Manager and outsource (without competitive bidding) township inspections to a contractor that seriously dropped the ball;
• Found creative ways to upgrade police and fire department vehicles with much less budget impact;
• Maintained and improved financial oversight of township departments and fire companies;
• Brought in strong new leadership to our Police and Public Works departments;
• Stepped up efforts to address long-standing infrastructure problems in sanitary sewer lines;
• Established a much more "robust" township web site to promote open government (www.netherprovidence.org);
• Upgraded township computers, servers and software, streamlining and improving service in many areas;
• Upgraded public works equipment for leaf collection and snow removal;
• Maintained a very solid financial position and excellent credit rating for the township;
• Developed and updated long-range planning for township facilities and infrastructure and for the community, including long-term improvements in sustainability.