South Whitehall Commissioner Candidates Address Priorities, Development

With the primary only a week away, Patch has posed SIX QUESTIONS to the candidates for Commissioner in an effort to help voters get to know them better.

Beginning today and continuing through Thursday, Patch will provide the candidates' answers, two by two.

Patch reached out to all six Republicans running for the three seats on the board. There are no Democrats running, but several of the Republicans plan to seek the Democratic nomination as a write-in candidate.

Each candidate was sent the same six questions last week, and they were given until Monday, May 9, to respond. Patch solicited questions from readers, and so the questions reflect readers' concerns.

The candidates were asked to respond in three to four sentences. Their answers are presented in full, and unedited. 

If a candidate did not return the questionnaire, "Declined to Participate" appears next to their name.

The candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the Republican ballot in the primary on Tuesday, May 17.

Today, the candidates respond to questions about their priorities and their views on development in a township once dominated by agriculture.

QUESTION:  What will your No. 1 priority be as commissioner? 

 * R.A. (Rene) Rodriquez: The implementation of the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan by adopting Land Development and Zoning ordinances that appropriately implement the provisions of the Plan.

* Glenn Block: My priority will be to ensure financial accountability and transparency regarding budgeting and spending.  It is imperative that we maintain a balanced budget so that we can continue in an effort to try and maintain a no tax increase, but at the same time we must ensure that proper funding is available and allocated for our police, firefighters and rescue department’s equipment and personnel.

* Brian Hite: Maintaining the culture of life we all enjoy in the Township while ensuring the services the community expects without raising taxes or compromising public safety.

Scrutiny of the budget line by line must occur in order to not have to raise property taxes in the future while working to encourage small businesses to come to South Whitehall to help the tax base.

Creating an environment of mutual respect at all levels while making sure the residents and businesses feel they have been heard and understood when discussing any concern with the township.

* Dale Daubert (Declined to Participate)

* Heidi A. McMahon (Declined to Participate)

* David Bond: To be a conduit for the residents & businesses; Listen, Learn, & understand the needs of the community and help foster the best actions to bring us into a prosperous and stable future. 

QUESTION: Agriculture was once the backbone of South Whitehall's economy. Now, it's commerce, mainly . As farmland gives way to development, what are your views on future development in South Whitehall?  A benefit or a detriment to the township’s standard of living? 

* R.A. (Rene) Rodriquez: Future development of SWT should emphasize residential development. Commercial and retail development appropriate to a primarily residential community should be encouraged.  This would ensure that they would be a benefit to the community.

* Glenn Block: Further development in this township is inevitable and the key is proper oversight and management.   My six years of Zoning Hearing Board experience make me an ideal candidate for input on this subject with the theme that the township will not be over-developed.   In addition, we rely on our township engineers to act as our consultants as well as you, our residents, to assist and oversee in ensuring that quality development is achieved in our township.  You have the right to attend meetings, present evidence, voice your opinions or just observe when a developer is presenting a project. We cannot stop development; however, we can and should manage future development to ensure the highest quality improvements to our township with a positive only impact to our community. 

* Brian Hite: Future development must be focused on businesses in the industrial and commercial zoned areas; the current infrastructure cannot handle increased  residential development in the northern tier of South Whitehall.

Encouragement of business enterprises will help the tax base of the township without burdening the Parkland School District with an increase in student enrollment which may lead to even further future school district tax hikes in order to properly educate the students. 

Large scale residential development would be a detriment to the Township as the proper road network is not in place to accommodate the vehicle traffic generated, whereas business development in existing vacant buildings and lots would balance the tax base and generate employment locally.

I believe there is room for residential and business with open space / agricultural farm land usage, a good mix is what makes South Whitehall special.

* Dale Daubert (Declined to Participate)

* Heidi A. McMahon (Declined to Participate)

* David Bond: Balance is the Key word here. We must balance both commerce, residential & agricultural growth through careful and innovative processes to be attractive to current and prospective business and residents while maintaining our diverse heritage and image as a great place to live and work.

Tomorrow: The candidates talk about budget shortfalls and township services.