Two board seats at stake

UPPER MERION » Republican candidates Mark Volpi and Joseph J. White Jr. are challenging Democratic incumbents Gregory W. Philips and Carole Kenney for the two contested seats on the board of supervisors in the Nov. 7 election.

Volpi and White are running a shared campaign and supplied collaborative responses to questions from Digital First Media regarding their backgrounds, qualifications and goals.

Philips and Kenney did not respond to Digital First’s requests for information.

Volpi is lifelong resident of Upper Merion and a graduate of Upper Merion High School who worked from the age of 10 with his father, Chuck Volpi (a past supervisor), in construction. He currently works for RM Scavello Corp. of Bridgeport.

White, who is married with three children, is a fourth-generation resident of Upper Merion.

A member of Mother of Divine Providence Parish and a graduate of Upper Merion High School, he studied business management at Drexel University and is currently president of JJW Inc. of King of

Prussia.

White has been coaching youth sports since 1990, including the UMBA Baseball and Softball, Valley Forge Patriots Travel Softball, Prussian Soccer and Bridgeport Boys Senior Baseball. Through the Patriots, he organizes a food drive that collects thousands of pounds of food every year to benefit Upper Merion Emergency Aid.

White built the township’s 9/11 Memorial, donating labor and equipment from his business. In addition, he donated a new roof for the West End Civic Association, fabricated and erected a scoreboard at Heuser Park, painted the tac house at Walker Field and maintained the fields at Heuser and Bob Holland parks, all at his own expense and on his own time.

The men said they want to bring their extensive construction experience, business skills and love for the community to the board of supervisors. They envision keeping the residential character of Upper Merion and the close community spirit that has been the hallmark of the township for the last 50 years. They say they will work hard to stop the Rail and to control growth by attempting to roll back the double density zone changes that will impact traffic and ultimately or quality of life.

Volpi and White also said they are concerned with the rapid development of the township in the past six years.

“Upper Merion has and always will be a great place to live, work and worship. It is a desirable location for businesses and for people to live. However, the recent zoning changes by the current board has allowed for double the density and mixed-use development. Approximately 3,000 residential units will be constructed with the approved plans. We will revisit the zoning changes and ensure that the residents understand the impacts that our community will face in the next five to 10 years,” Volpi said. “We will advocate for restraint in future zoning changes and development plans to allow for the township to absorb what has been approved in the last few years.

“Secondly, we are concerned with the oversized influences on our community from outside groups such as SEPTA and large corporations. We feel that the residents need an equal hearing when it comes to development and taxation.

“Lastly, we are concerned with the spending priorities in the township. We will try to bring resources back to maintenance of our parks, facilities and equipment. We will ensure that our roads are cleared promptly and efficiently in the winter and that our road maintenance program is returned to its former capacity.”