Candidate for
Supervisor; Township of Upper Merion

Leadership implies vision. A leader is someone with "the long view", who sees where we should be headed, helps others see the same vision in order to work together towards that shared goal. Leaders lead, and make change happen.

My vision is one of balance:

• 1 -- a healthy local economy with a balanced budget with either minimal or no use of township cash reserves.

• 2 -- an efficiently-run, transparent and ethical government that reflects the make-up of its citizenry in its balance, and is responsive to its citizens' concerns.

• 3 -- going green to save green: looking to alternate energy possibilities to provide practical solutions to our energy needs.

• 4 -- protection of the environment, preserving and improving our natural resources, finding a balance between commerce [development] and the environment.

1 -- Fiscal --

• It's easy to balance a budget when money streams in. This year, our budget is balanced, but only by dipping into our cash reserves, to the tune of $1.9 million. These are tough, challenging economic times. New challenges demand new solutions.

• What can we do? There are two ways: improve the revenue stream, and reduce spending.

• Develop a long-term plan for financing in our township that includes making full use of all public and private resources available, including state and federal grants and the stimulus package components available.

• Consider supporting BID [Business Improvement District] that is currently being investigated by the Township as a way to enhance the image and value of Upper Merion's business districts.

• Consider the use of inventive and temporary tax breaks to attract new businesses.

• Encourage green industry businesses. Actively seek out sustainable and renewable energy products and services companies.

• Investigate ways to improve even further the already-quite-good tax collection rate

• Question assumptions and reevaluate spending in our township in all departments to ensure that township operations across the spectrum operate as efficiently as possible.

• Anticipate future increased costs to the Township: e.g., electric rate caps will be coming off at the end of 2010, causing a definite increase in electric rates. We need to be proactive in planning how to reduce township energy consumption, and plan for alternative sources of energy for both the township and its residents to help reduce energy use.

2 -- Government --

• Supervisors should know the concerns of their constituents and be responsive to them.

• We will be proactive in seeking citizens' input: we welcome their suggestions on how to improve Township services, save money, conserve resources. Good ideas come from many sources.

• We should be easily available to receive suggestions, and to be made aware of problems. We need to take full advantage of all types of communications, from snail mail to email, in order to facilitate direct and immediate access between those elected and those they serve.

• We need to make better use of Internet resources, including creation of a more easily manipulated website that allows citizens easier access to township information.

• We will follow established processes and procedures, and promote transparency in government; no cronyism or backroom deals will be tolerated.

3 -- Energy --

We aim to promote fiscal and environmental responsibility -- the two can be, should be, and are related.

"Taking steps to address global warming not only makes environmental sense, but makes good economic and strategic sense. We need to spark an unprecedented transition to alternative, clean, and renewable power, to create a new clean energy economy and halt the damage to our environment. We need to recognize last year's spike in the cost of gasoline for what it is: the signal that the days of our reliance on fossil fuels are over. It is time to lay the framework for far-reaching and sustainable solutions to our predicament. " ~ Congressman Joe Sestak, email, April 9, 2009

• We have an opportunity to reduce energy use, encourage renewable energy, increase our amount of recyclable materials, and create green collar jobs, ultimately benefiting our community as well as protecting our environment. We will promote practical, money-saving solutions to reduce waste, encourage energy efficiency, and protect our natural environment.

• The congressional stimulus plan provides many opportunities to help finance alternative energy strategies for individuals, businesses and local governments.

• Solar power, geothermal energy and wind power are not pie-in-the sky dreams. A surprising number of our pioneering Upper Merion neighbors have already installed and currently use and benefit from one or more of these sustainable "alternate" energy sources. We have seen that there are many examples of communities in the region that are also forging ahead with these technologies. Our Township can and must do the same.

• Adopt a policy that requires a "Green fleet" whenever possible: i.e., township motor vehicles that operate efficiently with as little environmental impact as possible. Benefits: reduced expenditures through improved fuel economy and overall fleet efficiency, and less environmental impact through cleaner fuels and vehicles, and changes in driving behavior.

• Energy audits of Township buildings [grants are available for this]

4 -- Environment --

• Continue to closely monitor and question all new development, keeping in mind the ever-diminishing amount of open space.

• Work to increase the amount of open space in the township, both for human and for "wild" use

• Support the creation and extension of bike trails and walking paths where possible throughout the township to enable residents to reach their destinations without the mandatory use of motor vehicles.

• Make developers partners in our vision of sustainable development; reward "green" developers and contractors/give them priority when getting RFPs [Requests for Proposals, i.e. bids].

• Adopt new zoning and land development codes & ordinances to promote "smart" development and re-development (re-use) and incorporate green aspects such as LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] standards. One commercial building that incorporates such LEED standards received a commendation from UM Township on Earth Day, April 18, 2009 [The Liberty Property Trust building on South Warner Road has LEED Silver Certification].

• Investigate single-stream recycling, in order to expand the amount of materials that we can recycle and make recycling easier and more convenient for residents.

• Encourage the township's various Boards to investigate ways they can promote "greener thinking" behind all decisions they make in future.