What’s the 422?

[Editors' note: What's the 422? sent the following questions to all Limerick Township supervisor candidates on September 17. We asked candidates to respond by October 9. The Democratic candidates' responses are below. Representatives for the Republican ticket have suggested that they will reply in the coming days. When we receive their responses, we will post them in the same format.]

The candidates:

Incumbents – Kara Shuler, Republican; Joseph St. Pedro, Republican

Challengers – Annamarie Chestnut, Democrat; Thomas Roache, Democrat; Michele Chrisman, Democrat

Primary election winner – Tom Neafcy, Republican (defeated Supervisor Renee Chesler in the Republican primary election May 19)

1. Revenue shortfalls are a reality for many municipalities. Limerick Township, as you know, took over the sewer authority last year. Would you consider selling the authority to a private company?

Michele Chrisman (six-year term): “NO!  I would not consider selling the authority to a private company.  I made some inquiries to see how involved and what the upside/downside would be.  I personally don’t think selling the authority to a private company would ever be in the best interest of the the constituents that are tied into the sewer system.  A for-profit private company would only have the best interest of their bottom line in mind  – not the residents.  Larger companies tend to sub contract out everything like billing and customer service, another huge downside.”

Thomas Roache (six-year term): “Is it necessary to sell the authority? I think not, the authority at one point was a self-sustaining entity within the township. It can be that again. The previous authority did not see Revenue shortfalls as a separate entity.

In reinstating the authority to its previous status, then the current Unused and Vacant municipal authority building can be utilized as it should.  The current municipal employees that were relocated to the township building will return to the previous site where they will be able to fulfill the necessary responsibilities of a municipal authority. These moves will also eleminate the unnecesary taxing of all residents that do not use public utilities. Presently all residents pay taxes on public utilities used by the public sewer constituants. This will provide a more focused authority and provide a better service to the constituants of Limerick and allow the current Township staff to provide a better level of service to all the residents of Limerick.

Annamarie Chestnut (two-year term): “No, I do not feel that selling the sewer authority to a private company is necessary, nor would it be beneficial to our residents. If it was sold to a commercial company, their goal would obviously be to make a profit. Services from a “for profit” company would always be more costly, than a Municipal Authority. Those costs would then be passed on to our residents. The sewer authority should have remained the self- sufficient entity it was. There were questionable motives surrounding this takeover. It was not necessary, and if the Township was concerned about revenue shortfalls, other areas could have been examined. In my opinion, revenue shortfalls must not have been the real concern. The Township is currently in the beginning of a $700,000.00 renovation, which includes making office space to house the sewer staff in the Administration building, while leaving the building that was used to house the Authority vacant. These decisions seem to be short sighted. Decisions need to be based on what is in the best interest of Limerick and its residents..”

2. Over the last decade, the township’s budget has relied on revenues from new construction, including developer contributions, permits, and commercial property taxes. Is this sustainable, given the finite amount of land in Limerick and current trends in consumer spending?
Are further cuts to the budget necessary?

Chrisman: “No, from what I have access to – it doesn’t seem to be sustainable – especially given
the economic downturn the country has been experiencing during the last year and
a half.  There are likely many cuts to the budget given that the townships budget has
more than doubled in the last three years.  The current board and/or staff has put off
budget workshops until AFTER the election.  There are also many properties requesting
reassessment.”

Roache: “As it is the current budget has risen from approx 7 million to over 16 million in 3 years. How can this happen in a recession period, where is the money coming from? Where will the money come from in the future? The increasing budget  is a trend that needs to be nullified, the current residents of Limerick are ultimatly giong to pay the price. A major review of the current budget will be necessary for the livelyhood of the Township. Unnecessary spending, overinflated salaries and unnecessary outsourcing are concerns that the public should be aware of. Currently, they are not. The trends of late show that the Township currently waives commercial taxes and approves developments when monetary contrabutions are made.

“The land in Limerick is finite and zoned accordingly. Money, research, and time were spent to provide comprehensive plans for the future of Limerick. These plans were adopted this year and subsequently disregarded soon after. Why spend the time and effort to do a plan only to disregard it. It’s wasteful.”

Chestnut: ”This is absolutely not sustainable. At some point the residents will be stuck paying for the mistakes of the past. The repercussions of over development are forever.  Limerick has an abundance of empty retail available now, and we keep building more. Our residents can not sustain all of the spending needed to keep all of the retail stores alive.  I have seen the budget, and just at first look there obviously areas of question that have to be thoroughly examined, but without hesitation I can say it MUST be at least frozen in its tracks. For the budget to climb from 7 million to over 16 million in just 3 years is irresponsible. The Township needs to be fiscally responsible at every turn; it is taxpayer money that it is spending. With the position current board taking, offering to waive commercial development taxes, this is again short-sighted, and a detriment to the taxpayers. Corporate retail should be expected to pay their fair share in Limerick. We will be a built out community of stores that still does not have a strong enough tax base to benefit our residents now.”

3. Do you think the township’s reputation has suffered as a result of the FBI investigation, or the resignations of David Kane and Frank Kotch? If so, what can the board do to restore confidence in local government?

Chrisman: “Yes, the townships reputation has and continues to suffer under the cloud of suspicion
waiting for any indictments that may be announced related to the FBI investigation and
Grand Jury process.  This board hired an attorney more than a year ago and bills are still
being paid, but as usual, everything’s a secret.

“Sadly until we know who did what, when and where – the current board cannot fix the
trust issues. The process the current board used to fill the vacancy created by the departure
of Mr. Kane was handled poorly.  They had a chance to fix their mistake when a replacement
was needed for Mr. Kotch’s term – but again they chose to pick friends instead of placing a
notice in the paper and fairly interviewing any and all interested residents.”

Roache: ”Does the term ‘embarassment’ spring to mind… Do we have to live in a township where the residents are left in the dark and the local government makes decisions for themselves and not the public? I think not. There is no input coming in to the township from the public. They are currently “out of the loop”. So the board makes decisions without public recommendations or input. The local government should be for the people and by the people. If there is a way to restore the confidence in local government, it should be informing the public in what is happening with the township with the investigations of past members and the reasons for resignations and current firings. This can be done for example by public access television, Twp. website postings, and newspaper articles that are posted in the local newspapers.

“There are no avenues that a resident can take to ask questions of the current board. Only comments are welcome but will be disregarded and/or forgotten soon after. Give the residents an opportunity to provide an informed voice in the township. INFORM THE PUBLIC.

Chestnut: ”Limerick’s reputation, has not only suffered, it has been pummeled.  The ‘backroom deals,’ the questionable judgments and the lack of informed decision making just compounds the problem. Decisions that affect our residents need some thought and research. The residents deserve better. The current Board meetings are very quick, with no real discussion on what they are voting on, or why. That makes you wonder if things are planned out in advance in violation of the Sunshine Laws. The “appointing” of new board members to replace old members, who have resigned due to scandal, is also questionable. Where were the ads in the Mercury asking for candidates? Public input was apparently deemed unnecessary.  A board’s actions should be transparent and open. This impropriety needs to be stopped. The local government should be for the people and by the people. If there is a way to restore the confidence in our local government, I don’t think the current board can. There has been too much secrecy and too many unanswered questions.

“A new start is NEEDED. All meetings should be publicized in the LOCAL paper, not the Norristown paper. Meetings should also be available on either the cable access channels or the internet, or both. Agendas should be available a week ahead of time for the residents. The public should be able to ask questions and comment about their concerns, BEFORE votes are taken. Extra care is needed in Limerick if the reputation is to change. The residents must be heard.”

4. Development is usually a topic of interest in Limerick. What do you see as the ideal “build out” scenario in the township?

Chrisman: “The ideal build out scenario, given the current traffic we’re all sitting in  – in my opinion
is not that far away.  There are quite a few projects in the pipeline now, between the
proposed Wal-mart, Costco/Sanatoga Springs development, The Home Depot property, a
Chili’s and another McDonalds…  How much more traffic can our roads handle?   The
school district, senior citizens with fixed incomes and current traffic congestion all need to
be considered with any more residential development.  Someone needs to shift the focus
away from retail and onto helping the existing corporate centers find companies willing to
have their regional locations/corporate head quarters here in Limerick.  Corporate locations
will help fill the 2 or 3 planned hotels filled.  How many empty stores does Limerick have now?
Too many!  Built out and occupied/thriving are two different things.”

Roache: “Currently, a resident of Limerick cannot pay a mortgage in Limerick with a job in Limerick, of course there are exeptions though few. Because we are a Bedroom Community with a Big City Budget, we create minimum wage jobs, traffic and growing congestion. This “build it and they will come” approach is not providing good results for the township. The pro-development approach is forcing long time residents to leave, due to higher commute times and lower quality of living standards.

“In providing a more restrictive Zoning ordinance and providing a restrictive approach to development, better jobs for the community of Limerick can be obtained. Better quality of development will attract better companies and corporations, and better jobs for the residents of Limerick. This approach is not an instant gratification approach and will take time to implement. But will provide a better future for the families of Limerick.”

Chestnut: “I believe, that due to the current Board’s “Pro Retail” stance, Limerick is almost over developed. An ideal ‘build out’ would be a balance of homes, recreation/open space, and commercial. In the past, Limerick has brought in corporate retail stores, which provide minimum wage retail jobs. Currently, a resident of Limerick would most likely, not be able to pay a ‘Limerick’ mortgage with a ‘Limerick’ job.  This trend is not looking out for our residents. Smarter development and some proactive thinking could have turned Limerick in a new direction. We need to strive to fill our vacant buildings, before we build more. If Limerick was looking out for the residents, it would have amended our zoning laws, and slowed the retail trend, looking to bring the balance back to our home. Industry jobs, would have better served our residents. Instead, they filled us with convenience stores, and banks and look to give the retail stores tax breaks, and while giving developers custom designed zoning in exchange for donations.

“Again, these practices only help the developers and the retail corporate giants. Someone needs to safeguard the residents. This RETAILization of Limerick approach is not providing anything that our residents NEED. The convenience that development brings is obvious, but when is enough, enough? We are lacking the balance. Progress and development are a fact of life, but someone needs to be minding the store. .While campaigning, and talking to the residents of Limerick, we have come to find, the majority agree. We all want a nice, safe, family friendly, community bonded township, where we can live, play and shop.”

5. Yes/No: Should supervisors attend township staff meetings?

Roache and Chestnut: No

Chrisman: Yes, if done properly. Using staff meetings to allow a newer board member to learn
the process or to see who’s who can be beneficial.  However; during this boards tenure
many decisions were reached and deals made in staff meetings, held out of public view.

6. Yes/No: Should supervisors be entitled to participation in the township’s health insurance plan?

Roache, Chrisman and Chestnut: No

7. What does Limerick Township do particularly well?

Chrisman: The best thing Limerick currently does is Community Day.  There should be
a few more weekend events throughout the year where people can come out and meet one
another.

Roache:

• Provide a surplus of minimum wage jobs for the people of Limerick.
• Spend money…
• Provide benefits to its employees. Whether they should get them or not.
• Pay it’s high ranking employees well.

Sorry the more I learn the more bitter I get…

Chestnut: ”Well, this one is difficult; I am a true believer in, ‘if you don’t know something, research it until you do.’ I still haven’t found much as far as the Township. So let’s just say the road crew does a great job plowing our street, and our  residents are what make Limerick home.”

A little about the candidates:

Chrisman, 41, is an account executive. She serves as the Limerick Planning Commission chairperson. A Spring-Ford Area High School graduate, Chrisman is a mother of three children.

Neafcy, a regional operations manager for Transervice Logistics, is a former chairperson of the Limerick Board of Supervisors. He was a supervisor between 1993 and 2001, and also served on the planning commission and several township committees. He is married with one child.

Roache is a 37-year-old professional civil engineer. A Limerick resident since 2003, he has two children. Roache is also a gymnastics coach and worked as a volunteer firefighter for 16 years. He lived in southern Maryland before moving to Pennsylvania.

Shuler, an incumbent on the Board of Supervisors, was appointed to her seat in September 2008 following the resignation of former supervisor David Kane.  A Spring-Ford Area High School graduate and mother of five, Shuler has lived in Limerick since 2000.  She is a paralegal and a Realtor.  Her husband is Ken Shuler, chief of the volunteer Limerick Fire Company.

Chestnut, 34, is the owner of Annamarie’s restaurant in Royersford and a mother of two. Her husband, Paul Chestnut, was one of three township employees terminated in March when the township elected to outsource its codes/zoning department. Chestnut is a graduate of Spring-Ford Area High School.

St. Pedro, 58, currently sits on the Board of Supervisors.  He is the founder of St. Pedro & Associates Inc. Financial Services on Lewis Road.  A previous two-term president of the Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce, he replaced former Supervisor Frank Kotch, who resigned this past March following press reports of  his guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge in Chester County in the fall of 2008.

The polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.