Forks Candidates For Supervisor Square Off

EDITOR’S NOTE: Questions and answers from the recent forum will be published in a two-part article. This is part one of that article. This is not an exhaustive list of answers from the session. Some responses may not be listed.

On Tuesday, May 17, voters will cast their ballots in the primary elections. Up for grabs are two available Forks Township Board of Supervisor seats -- one six-year term and one four-year term.

The candidates are: Democratic incumbents Lilly Gioia and C. David Howell, Democrat John O'Neil and Republicans Dan Martyak, Andrew Parke and Georgeann Wambold.

Here are some questions and responses given on Tuesday night at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Northampton County  and held at the Forks Township Community Center:

Question: What skills would you bring to the table as a supervisor?

Gioia: “As we approach the challenges of Forks in the upcoming years, we’re going to be facing union contract negotiations,” Gioia said.

As a former reporter covering several contract negotiations, she said, “I think I will bring a breath of wisdom to that.”

Howell: “I believe that short- and long-term planning is essential in a period of recession,” said Howell, a former attorney.  “I know Forks Township. I know it very well. I know its people and I know its needs. I do think I have the pulse of the community,” he added.

O'Neil: O’Neil said his background in accounting will help with review of the municipal budget for non-essential items to help keep the tax rate steady.

“We have to look beyond the five-year plan because this township is growing. You have to be proactive, not reactive,” he said. “If you wait to be reactive you’re behind the eight ball. I plan on looking ahead and looking to the future. We are growing. My goal is to be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Forks Township.” 

Martyak: Martyak said as a manager, many times given the responsibility of handling multimillion-dollar projects, he would make sure decisions are looked at for the long term, not just the short term.

“I am not one to make decisions on speculation. I would gather the facts…assemble the data,” he said.

Parke: Parke, an AirForce pilot, said he brings to the table 12 years of experience and a master’s degree in business administration.

Wambold: Wambold, a former Planning Board member, said her awareness of the various projects within the township, both current and pending, will help.

“There are things that the public is not even aware of,” she said. “I am very conscientious of what is going on. It is very important to work together with planning and zoning. I always do my homework.”

Q. What are some personal challenges involved in taking the post?

O'Neil: “Getting everyone to work together as one unit,” said O’Neil. “Showing mutual respect for each other. Being open and being able to communicate in a respectful manner whether Democrat or Republican, it doesn’t matter. You’re here to make the best decision for you.” 

Howell: Howell said although the township is in good financial order, other sources of income besides residential development need to be explored.

“There are several capital projects and we must complete at least one of them,” he said. “That is the biggest challenge that faces of the board right now, including the acquisition of additional revenue.”

Gioia: “I’m open to hearing all points of views,” said Gioia. “There’s no way you can make everybody happy.” Gioia said she would also like to keep in touch with residents.

“Ten years ago, there was a big influx of people moving into Forks. In fact a 45 percent increase, according to the recent Census data. Farmland preservation, land ordinances and zoning for responsible development…that is a challenge that I always have on my mind.”

Wambold: Wambold said with so many new developments in the township, her biggest challenge will be to learn all the streets and the different neighborhoods.  

“Also trying to get people more involved. That’s difficult. Knowing what everyone’s needs are and listening to the public as much as you can,” she said.

Parke: “Finding ways to keep spending down and make everyone happy,” said Parke.

Martyak: “Making sure that residents' voices are heard,” said Martyak. “Also manage and work through those ideas and respond back.”

Martyak said he would also like to figure out how to make government in Forks more effective and timely.

“ I would work with different boards, the finance manager and the township manager,” he said. “And provide data back to the public as soon as possible.”

Q. What are the criteria for essential expenditures? If you couldn’t cut enough of essential expenditures, would you raise taxes?

Wambold: “I would work in unison with the finance manager and township manager,” said Wambold.  “If you have to raise taxes you do that but you try to keep it to a minimum for the people. With the economy, the people can't bear any more taxes.”

Parke: “If I am elected, I promise you that I will not raise taxes,” said Parke.

Martyak: “It’s all about prioritization,” said Martyak. “I would look at the expenses on a quarterly basis.” He also said expenses would be looked at more than just in the short term -- instead, to see how various expenses would affect the long term.  

“Increasing taxes is a necessary burden when it is required,” said Martyak. “Part of the process is to drive down expenses. Only when it is the last resort would I raise taxes.”

O’Neil: O'Neil said he would work with the township finance manager as much as possible.

“There are essential items you need to run the township,” he said. “Without that this township doesn’t run.

“I can’t promise that taxes would be raised. If it’s something that the township needs that is essential, you have no choice.”

Howell: “If it’s essential, it’s essential,” said Howell. “We have delayed untold minor purchases of equipment. We monitor cash in this township like a hoarder.”

And it is because of this, Howell said, there has been only two tax increases in 16 years.

Gioia: “It’s how you define essential,” said Gioia. “It’s about sensible budgeting. We go over every penny. There’s very little that we let slip by. We are really on top of what’s going on in the township,” she said.

Q. Regarding fiscal responsibility, have any of you reviewed the budget for current excess? How can we spend less on anything today to be better for our future?

Parke: “The $3.7 million public works building was budgeted based on bids,” said Parke. “The design is not cost neutral. I’m very skeptical that this building will be on budget.”

Martyak: “I have reviewed the budget but have not gone into every line item,” said Martyak. “You have to trust that the departments have done their due diligence and ask tough questions.”

O'Neil: “I haven’t looked at the budget from a high level overview,” said O’Neil.  “The bigger question is how do we bring in additional income into the township. It’s not about how do we cut expenses,” he added. “We have to be more proactive and figure out how do we get businesses into the township.”

Howell: “The name of the game is revenue,” said Howell.  Almost all of the budget is spent on contractual obligations, mandatory expenditures and training and classes for township employees,” he added.  

“We have very healthy employees and we get substantial refunds from our insurer from low claims of employees through wellness programs.”

Regarding the future public works building, Howell said, the environmental roof on the garage has a life of more than 50 years.

“To take it off, the long-term maintenance effect would negate that savings,” he added.

Gioia: Gioia said the township is receiving the best bang for its bucks with the design of the new public works building.

“Residents would prefer to see one that fits into the environment,” she said.

Wambold: “I believe economic development is going to be the way to go,” said Wambold. “Encouraging businesses that are currently here, bringing in more ratables. Housing is not a ratable since the school district is the largest tax.”