The Republican Committee, under the leadership of Sean Rafferty, has been busy lately opposing my candidacy with some curious spin on the facts. So, as a current township supervisor, a resident, and a candidate, I want to set the record straight.

In the past 15 years, Pocopson has changed from a predominately rural area into one with a more suburban character. That’s why today we face growing traffic challenges, pressures from emerging technologies, infrastructure and storm water issues, and more.

And that is precisely why the status quo won’t work.

Efficiency in government

As a supervisor, I have witnessed firsthand the heavy workload required of the supervisors and staff. I’ve been a small business owner all my life. I know that to control costs, one must carefully examine the efficiency of all current business practices. That’s why, to make an administrative assessment as objective as possible, the supervisors and I authorized spending $2,000 to bring in an outside, independent municipal consultant. We are convinced that this money is well spent because it will surely lead to significant operational savings in the future.

Why even consider a different style of township management?

The Republican committee says that I want to bring in a township manager at $100,000 a year. That’s just a ludicrous assertion in a township of our size.

The real point here is that many townships, even ones smaller than ours operate under a township-manager system. They have found it to be an efficient and affordable way to run even very small municipal governments. Right now, we don’t know what the consultant will recommend concerning our management structure. But I do know that it is a healthy and prudent exercise to raise questions, encourage dialog and get suggestions from an expert.

The Earned Income Tax

Whether Republican or Democrat, we can all agree on at least two important issues for Pocopson: keep taxes low and property values high.

We’ve chosen to have open spaces, public parks and trails, top quality schools and safe roads, all those things that make Pocopson a desirable place to live and help to keep our property values high.

Maintaining this character isn’t easy and doesn’t come free. With growing regulation, rising material costs and limited new development, supervisors often have to choose between raising revenue and cutting services. I believe we must choose the least impactful and fairest ways to accomplish this balance.

The Republican Committee says I’ve raised taxes by 150 percent. Yes, the arithmetic is correct, but consider this:

• No supervisor can make a unilateral decision to increase taxes. The law prevents that. Furthermore, all three supervisors, the other two Republican “endorsed” supervisors and I voted unanimously to raise the EIT from 0.2 percent to 0.5 percent after six advertised public meetings in which not one resident objected.
• Of the 73 municipalities in Chester County, Pocopson is among the 7 townships with the lowest EIT. Most other municipalities charge 1 percent or higher.
• Raising property taxes might force some of our seniors and fixed income residents out of their homes.

The Barnard House

In 2008, the Board of Supervisors agreed to take possession of the historic Barnard House and its 64 acres from Chester County.

The site is now eligible for National Register of Historic Places, a recognition of its national historic significance. That means we can continue to access additional government grants for its renovation.

No new construction will begin until we’re sure the house is truly useful and practical as a public space for the community. That analysis is underway now. This important project can be completed without raising taxes.

$42,000 for a historic commission?

No. Seventy-five percent of this is a grant to be awarded by the county for a two-year survey of Pocopson’s many historic resources.

What are the criteria for a Republican endorsement?

Apparently an endorsement is simply a way to inject a party “agenda” into this local election. That’s a shame because the day-to-day needs of the township and its residents are the real issues that should override political affiliation and outweigh any political party’s “agenda”.

Municipal experience matters

Clearly getting the party “endorsement” does not reflect an evaluation of a candidate’s experience and is no guarantee of success.

The last “endorsed” candidate for supervisor had no municipal government experience. That perhaps explains why he quit after serving only four months.

In this election the two “endorsed” candidates have no municipal experience. They’ve never served on any township committee nor participated in any public meeting until after receiving a party “endorsement”.

Politics aside, it will take a lot of hard work to preserve the special character of Pocopson. To keep taxes down and property values up. We must not accept a status quo. It is our job to find smarter and affordable ways to do better.

Look carefully at the un-spun record and don’t be swayed by people who want to twist facts to gain a political advantage. Don’t let partisan politics pollute our election. We’re better than that.

Barney Leonard

Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors Chairman