3 vie for 2 open board seats

LOWER POTTSGROVE » Three candidates are seeking two open seats on the board of commissioners in the Nov. 7 election.

Ray Lopez and Earl Swavely Jr. are the Republicans and the incumbents.

Democrat Michael Bianco is hoping to win one of those seats.

Republican Robert W. Mohollen is unopposed to complete the two years remaining in the term of the seat he was appointed to last year.

In his candidate response, Lopez, 67, wrote that he is running because he wants to “continue to serve the residents of Lower Pottsgrove Township, a task I accepted during the two previous years appointment.”

Lopez has worked i n municipal government for many years, including as a codes officer and Pottstown Borough Manager.

If elected, he wrote that his priority will be “to continue my efforts in seeing that the taxpayers are receiving municipal services as efficiently as possible, eliminating any duplication of services and maintaining professionalism and timeliness in the execution of those services. Eliminate any waste and maintaining openness and transparency throughout our municipal services”.

In his response, Swavely, 67, wrote that he is running because “after a career as a public servant since 1975 I wanted to be able to serve the community I live in and found that being a township commissioner would be great way to accomplish that. If re-elected I look for- ward to keeping Lower Pottsgrove a great place to live work and play.”

Swavely is the retired police chief in West Pottsgrove Township with 39 years of service in law enforcement. He has credits from several colleges and graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy for Municipal Police Officers.

He is a past member of township’s zoning board. He was appointed commissioner in 2015 and is running for a full four-year term.

“Quality of life issues a very important,” Swavely wrote. “I will work hard to maintain our professional police service and public works department keeping our residents safe as well as keeping our roads maintained and clear in the winter while staying fiscally responsible.”

Bianco did not provide a response to Digital First Media’s candidate questionnaire.