Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
4 seek supervisor seats in West Goshen
WEST GOSHEN » Four candidates for township supervisor seek two positions on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Incumbents Democrat John Hellmann and fellow supervisor and Republican Hugh Purnell are in the race along with challengers Democrat Tinamarie V. Smith and Republican Katie Thoms.
Voters will choose two of theses candidates to serve as supervisors.
Married for 45 years, Hellmann’s three children attended West Chester Area School District schools. He said the township is great place to raise a family.
The retired electrician, current supervisor and St. Joe’s Prep, and Temple University graduate, with a B.A. in Liberal Arts, wants to give back. He served his electrical apprenticeship with IBEW Local 654.
“I have the time and the deter
mination to give back and continue to make this adesirable place to live, work, worship and play,” he said. “I know what the job entails because I’ve been doing it.
“While on the board I have pursued a policy of fiscal responsibility. One example was reforming theposition of tax collector,” he said. “The position was paid $28,000 a year.
“Now it will be paid $1,000 a year, with the work being done by in-house staff.”
Hellmann noted other accomplishments.
He participated in the vetting process to select the newpolice chief after conducting a nationwide search.
A portion of West Chester University sits in West Goshen Township.
“Another policy Ipursued was the Planned University Campus Ordinance which will contain further intrusion of the West Chester University into the Roslyn neighborhood,” he said.
What policies would he enact if reelected?
“I will push for a policy of fiscal responsibility, which means keeping taxes low yet investing in the necessary infrastructure like sewer, stormwater, public works (streets and parks) and public safety (the police),” he said, “On other fronts we need to have plans in place for our first responders and residents in the event of a pipeline emergency. I have pushed for exercises to test these plans.
“After the George Floyd murder last year, I have supported a Citizens Advisory Group, made up of People of Color and of all faiths, that have been meeting with our Police Department’s Chief and Command Staff to address issues of community concern including racial justice.”
Purnell is a practicing CPA with his own practice. He is a graduate of the Kiski School and Widener University, with graduate work in economics at Widener. The widower raised two children and five grandchildren.
He enjoys antique car clubs and community volunteering for the Lions, West Chester Fire Dept., is a church trustee and volunteers for other organizations.
“I have worked hard as a township supervisor for six years,” Purnell said. “I attended the township meetings having served as Vice Chair of the Board and on the budget, pension, historical and police committees during my current term as supervisor.
“I have fought to keep taxes low and the budget balanced during these difficult times. I previously served as a township Auditor.”
What is Purnell’s agenda if reelected?
“Having grown up in West Goshen Township, my objective is to keep things honest and well run for the benefit of my fellow residents; to re-achieve our prior status of one of the best places in the country to live and to plan for making that possible into the future,” he said. “My management experience as a corporate controller, treasurer, and vice president, as well as an independent businessman all lend themselves to reaching that objective.
Smith is an Environmental Associate, with 40 years in the environmental regulatory field.
She has been married for 41 years, with two sons, while earning A.S. and B.S. degrees.
Smith has been a member of the Sewer Authority Board for five years.
She pointed to upgrading failing infrastructure, while a member of the board, while saying that no work was performed in over 60 years, created a five-year capital engineering plan five years ago for $27 million, with most of the work completed for regulatory compliance, helped fix deteriorating infrastructure, employee life, health and safety concerns, and a sustainable level of service as expected by customer.
She also helped develop another 10-year capital engineering plan for $4.7 million and the work will be done over the next 10 years.
“I will follow the same engineering process to upgrade the existing failing storm water infrastructure,” she said.
As a yearlong member of the Sustainability Advisory Committee the candidate has worked to ban single use bags and straws, with the tree city ordinance, on urban tree coverage, for a splash pad at the community park, on the urban community garden, to install electric car charging stations, on the Arbor Day event, for a solar ordinance and with the riparian buffer at Barker Park.
What policies would Smith enact or push for if elected?
“I would apply my environmental experience and leadership abilities to give back to the community in the following ways while enacting policies: work on developing a pipeline emergency response plan for residents; develop and implement improved environmental stewardship programs; bring a balanced approach to future Development and Zoning changes; and list and respond to residents needs and concerns and then develop the policies based off of their needs.
Thoms, 36, is an Independent Administrative Consultant and married with one son.
She enjoys coaching her son’s football team, camping, cooking and fishing, though she admits to not usually catching anything.
“Over the past decade I’ve spent my professional time in business administration / management,” she said.”I’m experienced in resource distribution, asset management, and contract review and negotiation.
“I’ve been involved since a very young age in service to my community. I have always been, and will continue to be, dedicated to giving back to my community in every way that I can.”
If elected she said she is committed to serving the West Goshen Township Community as a supervisor “with open ears.”
She said she would bring a return to the original intention of the “workshop” meeting to listen to constituents’ community concerns, rather than conducting business during workshop sessions.
“I will bring more balance to a super majority Democrat run board,”Thoms said. “I will use my contract / negotiating skills to ensure fair payment for service to all contractors.
“I will be a strong proponent of common sense spending, transparency, and a stronger more open relationship between the Board of Supervisors and the community we are elected to serve.”
To vote in the general election, visit the polls on Nov. 2 or mail in a ballot by 8 p.m. Election Day.