2 vie for GOP nod in supervisors primary

There is a crowded contest for control of the three-member board of supervisors in the township.

EAST VINCENT » There is a crowded contest for control of the three-member board of supervisors in the township.

Board member John Funk, whose term expires in December, is not seeking reelection.

For a seat with a six-year term, incumbent Christopher Canale, who was appointed in February 2020 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mark Dunphy, is being challenged by Craig Damon to be the Republican nominee in November.

The winner of the May 18 primary will face Democrat

Endre Walls.

The East Vincent board also has a seat with two years left on its term up for grabs. There is no primary contest for that seat, but there will be one in November when Democrat Beth Flor faces Republican Austin Hodge.

Canale did not respond to The Mercury’s published call for candidates to fill our our online questionnaire. Damon did. Here is his response.

Damon, 51, described his occupation as a financial professional. He has never held elected office.

He wrote that he decided to run because “historically and currently, East Vincent Township’s board of supervisors have supported high density development proposals

with illusory promises of tax relief. The East Vincent Board of Supervisors raised taxes 133 percent approximately six years ago. East Vincent Township has been on a spending spree for a while including the $8.5 million township building built approximately six years ago which has resulted in East Vincent becoming the most indebted township amongst the servent townships that make up the Owen J. Roberts School District (i.e. $18.8 million future bond principal payments as of 12/3½020 in the township’s year-end financials).”

Damon added, “I don’t support those previously mentioned trends, I support a rural lifestyle and I’m against the township’s desire for urban sprawl. Using current stats, a rural lifestyle results in higher overall home values, less taxes, and less crime. East Vincent Township residents moved here for a rural lifestyle where they could raise a family, their kids have opportunities for a good education, their homes values increase over time, taxes are reasonable, and the local area is relatively safe and secure.”

“East Vincent Township residents did not move here so urban sprawl would eventually surround them. The board of supervisors needs a change in leadership with an outsider’s fresh perspective that is committed to protecting this township’s rural heritage and represents the resident’s interests. I am the candidate that will protect East Vincent Township’s rural lifestyle, listen to the resident’s concerns, and develop plans to reverse some of EVT’s unfavorable trends.”

Damon wrote that the most important issue facing the township “is a belief that is supported by the current supervisors that urbanization and high density developments will result in lower taxes with no detrimental impacts to the current residents. I intend to address this issue by supporting smart, reasonable, moderate township growth. I do not support high-density urban sprawl. I intend to take a very close look at this township’s spending habits and put the township on a path of fiscal responsibility that will result in lower taxes.”

He concluded, “I don’t support the current spending habits that appear to be rooted in the belief that tax revenues will increase and offset current township expenditures once these high density development proposals are approved and built.”

Craig Damon