A newcomer to Pennsbury Township politics is the second candidate seeking the Republican Party nomination for supervisor.
Steve Eichinger, a 32-year-old self employed consultant in communications and high technology will be running against Aaron McIntyre in the May 19 primary.
Eichinger said he has no prior township involvement, adding, “I want to fix things. There’s too much anger. I want to help the township.”
A staunch advocate for open space preservation, Eichinger said he has no allegiance to any political faction and only started going to meetings because of his work and family ties with the Mendenhall family.
He said he’s frustrated and upset over the way things have been going in the township, over the bitterness and lack of effective communication.
Township leaders need to open up to build more trust, he said. He stressed that he wasn’t implying that sitting supervisors Wendell Fenton and Charles “Scotty” Scottoline aren’t being honest, but that things such as litigation in the township aren’t really being discussed “and that leads to mistrust,” he said. “The solicitor doesn’t really answer any questions, maybe he can’t.”
Eichinger, a 14-year resident of Pennsbury, added that he’d like to see less anger from the public who ask questions at supervisors’ meetings.
“People are afraid to go to township meetings,” he said, explaining that they’re afraid of not getting real answers and are “uncomfortable in not knowing who to believe.”
He also said people think both factions within the township are unwilling to discuss issues beyond their differences.
Eichinger said he thinks he can help heal the rift in the township by bringing energy and attention to communication with residents.
On issues, Eichinger said he’s a firm believer in open space preservation.
“It’s great to preserve the rich farmland we have… I want to help prevent development, but I respect and understand a landowner’s need to sell.”
He said townships should look for grants and corporate sponsorships to help preserve those lands and understands the township can’t stop development, and that they shouldn’t be stopped.
He wants to work with landowners, to learn what they need to keep their lands.
In turn, he said, townships should also work with developers.
“We can say, ‘This is what we’d like to see,’” he said. “’We can fight or work together.’ It shouldn’t end in litigation, wars and anger.”
When offered the opportunity for a formal statement, Eichinger said: “It’s about finding a way to make things better, to work with residents. The factions are driving out everyone else.”
There have been a series of lawsuits involving the township, various residents, Supervisors’ Chairman Fenton and Pennsbury Village Associates, the developer of the multi-use Pennsbury Village project.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
