Spring is here, and, among other things, that means its Primary Elections time. This year’s Primary will occur on May 18, starting at 7am, wrapping up at 8pm (if you’re in line at 8pm, stay in line- you will be allowed to vote). As with last year, Vote by Mail is also an option. Voting this year will be held in the usual location- Edge Hill Fire Company on Limekiln Pike.
The layout of the polling place will be the same as it was this past fall (although I don’t anticipate the lines to be as long). As the pandemic draws down, we’re almost into the end zone, but we still need to exercise some caution, so the one way flow through the polling place will look familiar.
In the past four years, I have focused on:
WATER SAFETY: When the North Hills well was showing elevated levels of PFOA and PFOS chemical compounds in the drinking water, we were able to get the well shut down, stopping the distribution of these contaminants to taps in North Hills. However, we didn’t stop there. I’m pleased to note that at April’s Board of Commissioners meeting, the final land development approval was granted to Aqua PA to install filtration and reopen the well.
FLOODING: Residents on the 600 Block of Monroe were besieged by flood waters during heavy rains for years. Working with engineers, we were able to investigate the existing infrastructure below Monroe and locate the deficiency that was causing the flooding. Last year, despite the pandemic, work was completed on a fix that will now alleviate the flooding problem.
LISTENING TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Whether it was the installation of a turf field at Penbryn Park, or reopening Penbryn Pool when everything else was closed to give the community something to enjoy during the summer of 2020, I utilized polling via social media to get your thoughts and opinions, and measure the sentiment of our community. This was in addition to knocking on doors and having face to face conversations with residents.
In my second term, I plan on:
COMPLETING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR OUR COMMUNITY: Working with the Comprehensive Plan Development Team that I chair, I plan to complete the Vision 2035 Plan to establish a guiding vision of how the township should continue to evolve through 2035. This plan includes a look at land use and development within our township, transportation and movement, our parks, our natural resources, and so much more.
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS: Working with business owners, both present and future, to revitalize the Limekiln Pike business corridor. Attracting desirable, small, locally owned businesses along this corridor is crucial to restoring a vibrant, walkable streetscape along Limekiln Pike, which is essential to maintaining the small town feel that North Hills has come to love.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Continuing to work for the well being of our community in terms of safety and security. This means continually fighting for better traffic safety measures, working to ensure that building codes are adopted to protect the safety of both our first responders and our public, and working with our police and our neighbors to ensure equitable delivery of justice.
As your commissioner, I’ve been honored to serve you, and I’ve been honored to serve as chair of both the Land Use Committee and the Comprehensive Plan Development Team, and as an appointee of the Governor to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council. As a husband, father, and longtime North Hills resident, as your neighbor, I am once again asking for your vote this year. Please make sure you come out and cast your vote for me in the Primary Election on May 18, and again in the General Election on November 3.
Vote no on 4. The debt limit of the fund will not be increased, meaning volunteer companies like those in Abington will be left fighting for funds from the existing fund. Per the PA Department of State:
The purpose of the ballot question is to determine whether Pennsylvania voters authorize making municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies eligible to apply for loans from an already existing state loan program.
Pennsylvania voters approved the incurring of indebtedness of up to $100,000,000 in four previous statewide referenda: $10,000,000 on November 4, 1975; $15,000,000 on November 3, 1981; $25,000,000 on November 6, 1990; and $50,000,000 on November 5, 2002. Originally, this indebtedness funded a loan program for volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads.
Currently, municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies are not authorized to apply for loans from this program. The Pennsylvania General Assembly has determined that municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies are most in need of loans to replace outmoded or unsafe equipment and buildings to meet the increased demands for a higher level of service in the communities they serve. If approved, the referendum will allow municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies to apply for loans from the program, consistent with the existing law and regulations.
The Office of the State Fire Commissioner administers the loan program, and has promulgated regulations to govern the loan application process. Upon successful application, the Office authorizes loans for the purposes and in amounts specified by the Emergency Management Service Code and the Office's regulations. These loans may be used for establishing or modernizing facilities to house firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles. They may also be used for the purchase of new firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of these organizations' duties.
This referendum does not authorize incurring any additional debt to fund the loan program; it only expands the class of eligible loan applicants. It also does not expand the purposes for which loans may be made; municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies may only apply for the type of loans already provided for by law and regulation.
