Marino, Murphy face off
Supervisor candidates detail views on township’s budget, attracting more businesses
In Towamencin, Republican Rich Marino and Democrat Pete Murphy are both running for a six-year term on the township’s board of supervisors, taking the seat currently held by Republican David Mosesso, whom Marino defeated in the Republican primary.
Both were asked the same questions, and below are their answers:
Rich Marino
Q Describe your background, and why you are running for Towamencin supervisor:
A I grew up in the area; graduating from Lansdale Catholic in 1980 and from Villanova in 1984. I was commissioned as an Officer in U.S. Marine Corps in 1984 and served as an Infantry Officer and Armored Reconnaissance Officer on active duty until 1989 and in the reserves until 1995. I participated in numerous overseas deployments to the Far East, Mediterranean and Northern Europe. I served as an Armored Reconnaissance Company Commander during Operation Desert Storm and was honored to be awarded a Bronze Star for actions on 23-24 February 1991. I met my wife Margrit (a math teacher at North Penn High School) at Villanova. We married in 1986 and have been blessed with 4 children (Mike 28, Sam 27, Katie 22, Matt 18). Margrit and I have lived in Towamencin since 1997 and we are members of Corpus Christi Parish.
To me, when you run for local office; it is all about adding value. A board member should bring something to the table that will make their presence on a board worthwhile. The value added can be intangible (i.e. passion, vision), tangible (business experience, construction / maintenance experience), or a combination of both.
I firmly believe that “to whom much has been given — much will be required.” I joined the Marine Corps and have volunteered in my community for this reason. It is my hope that the knowledge I have acquired over my life will allow me to make a positive contribution to my community. While I do not pretend to know all the details of local government, it is my hope that my experiences in the Marine Corps, in business, and serving on the OSPAC, Planning Commission, TMA and TYA Boards will allow me to further add value to my community as a member of the Board of Supervisors.
Q Explain your thoughts and position on the township budget:
A Back in 2000 and 2002, Towamencin borrowed heavily for several projects and equipment upgrades. Current debt is in the $18 million range with annual debt service rising from $1.7 million to $1.8 million by 2025; before falling to about $650,000 by 2027. Like many residents, I wish there was more money for certain things, but until a good portion of our debt is retired, the township will be somewhat restricted in funding capital projects.
Meanwhile, costs for everything to include salary and benefit costs, infrastructure maintenance, equipment replacement as well as costs associated with regulatory compliance continue to rise. Of course we want to increase revenue, but we must be cautious about raising taxes. Although I can afford a modest tax increase — not everyone has that ability.
While not glamorous, I believe that the township budget needs to remain on its current course until the major portion of our debt is retired in 2026. We will need to be creative in seeking grants and funding for capital projects and equipment purchases. We will also need to encourage some limited, controlled and targeted development in order to increase our tax base, raise our property values while concurrently working to maintain our quality of life.
Q Thoughts and position on encouraging new businesses to come to Towamencin, and/or keeping our current businesses in the township:
A I have been in business for almost 30 years and one thing on which sales and marketing professionals agree is that it is always easier to keep an existing customer than to develop a new one. So to that point, the best thing our Board of Supervisors and Economic Development Committee can do is to make sure the businesses (and the jobs), that are already here — stay here.
As far as bringing in new businesses, there are opportunities within the township for both redevelopment as well as new development. Redevelopment should be encouraged and facilitated wherever possible as those sites are already available and are underutilized. And while there are still some parcels within the township that are available for new development; it is imperative that any development be responsible. I think most people are fine with the current state of development in the township and would be happy if everything was left as is. Yet property owners do have a right to develop their property in conformance with our local codes so we have to work with any developer to ensure that the character of the township is maintained and any potential effects on existing residents are thoroughly considered.
Q What other issue(s) do you feel are important to the township?
A There are two things that come to mind: Development — this is a challenge because it is the [proverbial] doubleedged sword. Approving a development is something that requires a thorough examination of the impact on our area in terms of quality of life, property values and traffic. Yet property owners do have a right to develop their property so long as it conforms to our zoning and codes. And some development is a good thing. Jobs are created (hopefully for some township residents), fees are generated and the tax base is increased. The challenge is to encourage responsible development — ensuring the rights of those property owners while at the same time, minimizing the impact of that development on our residents.
There is another thing that I would like to see improve and that is the relationship between the township staff and our residents. I know many of the people who work for the township and find them to be nice people who are competent and sincere in trying to do a good job. Yet somehow in dealings with residents, our township often comes off as heavyhanded, bureaucratic and somewhat unfriendly. I will actively work to improve that relationship.
Q Campaign Website / Social Media
A Facebook: Rich Marino for Towamencin Supervisor Twitter: @richmarino2
Pete Murphy
Q Describe your background and why you are running for Towamencin supervisor.
A I was born and raised in the area, and moved to Towamencin with Cortney, my wife of twelve years, in 2011. We have three children, Claudia 5 who just started kindergarten at General Nash (Elementary School), Liam 3, and Eleanor 16 months. I was an EMT by trade, having worked for several years. I have my associate degree in secondary education history, but put finishing my progress towards a master’s in history on hold to raise my family and take care of our home. Cortney is an ER nurse at Children’s Hospital. When we moved to Towamencin I decided to get more engaged with local government. I started attending a few infrequent meetings, then I began regular attendance of not only the Board of Supervisor meetings, but also a few of the committees. I wanted to get a better understanding of what goes on in our township and do my part.
I chose to run for three reasons: First, I believe in civic responsibility. I have the time, knowledge, and ability to represent my fellow residents. I served my community as an EMT and understand what it means to serve. Secondly, I would like to help Towamencin realize its potential. My wife and I chose to move here and raise our family because we love the school district, the local parks (especially Fischer’s Park), and the township’s amazing potential. Lastly, I believe our country was founded on the principles of representational government. Towamencin isn’t 100 percent any one party, yet our current board is all one party, and its time our board starts to reflect the diversity of ideas that is present in our township. If the roles were reversed I would want the same thing, as everyone deserves a voice in their government.
Q Explain your thoughts and positions on the township’s ongoing budget situation:
A The township is currently undergoing their budget process for next year. One of the biggest things that the township faces is burdensome debt. Tax money is not able to be used for the benefit of the township as it is transferred to paying off the debt. The 2017 budget saw money transferred from the General Fund, the Park Capital Fund, the Sewer Fund, and the Traffic Impact Fund, all to pay off debt. The fire company is looking at the real possibility of needing to start hiring employees due to lack of volunteers in the near future and we need to have money to see that our fire department is able to keep our township safe. As our township grows, so will our need for more services and more funding for those services. Our debt load hampers our ability to provide and increase those services. We should be providing the services our residents need without the worry about what might face budget cuts due to our debt repayment commitments. No one wants higher taxes and no one wants to sacrifice township services, so we need to be fiscally responsible stewards of the tax dollars with which we are entrusted.
Q Encouraging new businesses to come to town, and/or keeping those here now:
A Towamencin has the potential to make the
most of the opportunities our location provides for us. The turnpike and proximity to other highways provides us with a unique opportunity for a diverse collection of companies seeking such a place to do business. The 309 connector bypass will add yet another element to that list of benefits that Towamencin has to offer prospective businesses. Towamencin is attracting many people looking to raise families and will be looking for a township that offers things that families need. A grocery store, a movie theater, even convenient local services, like dry cleaners or restaurants. One way to do that is to have a comprehensive market study for our township, like the one being considered by the current board. This community profile and market study would give the township a tool to attract more family friendly businesses and utilize the township’s resources most effectively.
Q What other issue(s) do you feel are important to the township?
A Representation and constituent engagement requires something Towamencin is lacking: Transparency. As a history major, I feel as our founders felt, our government should not only represent the people, but also engage them as well. Currently the township does the minimum required by law for reporting on issues the board is considering. Placing a legal notice in a newspaper has not been an effective way of reaching people in quite some time. I’ve asked why it isn’t online, and have been told that they’re only required to put it in a newspaper. Today’s technology enables us to do more and we should be doing more. A majority of residents have no idea what is going on in our township unless the newspaper reports on meetings, and even then, it is only a limited amount of information. The Board of Supervisors should not be making decisions that require public feedback and affect the public, without giving them the tools to understand the issue. We need to do more to engage the residents on the issues at hand.
Q Provide campaign website and/or social media account for directing people to more information.
A @PeterMurphyforTowamencin on Facebook.