Forks Candidates For Supervisor Square Off, Part 2

EDITOR’S NOTE: Questions and answers from the recent forum have been published in a two-part article. This is part two 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 election. 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:

Q. What do you feel are the top three priorities in the township?

Martyak:

Review the proposed bandshell and new park in more detail to understand the long-term costs and value they will add before investing in such costly projects.

“We need to be out with the developers forecasting what we can do,” said Martyak.

O’Neil:

1.     Additional growth in the township and how to handle it.

2.     Bandshell (amphitheatre), “I’m not saying I’m against the bandshell,” said O’Neil. “I need to see how it’s going to be utilized.”

3.     More programs for adults.

Howell:

1.     Public works garage

2.     Establish a strong relationship with the Business and Commerce Association of Forks.

3.     Continue to attract development along Sullivan Trail corridor.

Gioia:

1.     More partnerships with local businesses.

2.     Greater recognition of volunteers. 

3.     Defending our zoning and land development ordinances from exploitative developers.

Wambold:

1.     Amphitheatre

2.     Master park plan

3.     Civility among board members.

4.     Economic development.

Parke:

1.     End special interest recreational spending

2.     Prioritize recreational spending

3.     Build the public works garage on budget and on time

4.     More shared services with other townships

Q. Are you in support of the creation of an environmental advisory council?

Howell:

“I proposed the formation of an environmental advisory council three years ago and it was rejected by the board,” said Howell.  However, the council would not have any voting power. Howell said he does plan to introduce again.

Gioia:

Yes.

Wambold:

“I am not opposed to it,” said Wambold. “I would be very much interested in that.”

Parke:

Yes.

Martyak:

 “I would never turn down a volunteer,” said Martyak. “I would want to learn more about it.”

O’Neil:

“It is our duty to protect the environment,” said O’Neil. But, O’Neil said he would like to research the powers that a council would have before voting.

Q. Can anyone elaborate on the lawsuit involving Strausser and the township? How much will it cost?

Gioia:

Could not respond due to subpoena to testify.

Wambold:

“I don’t know the cost but I am aware of what is going on. There are many issues.”

Parke:

Would not comment on the matter.

Martyak:

Would like to try and prevent future lawsuits of this sort by “bringing things to the table before it comes to a suit.”

O’Neil:

Aware of the suit, but not sure of how much money it will ultimately cost the township.

Howell:

According to Howell, there are four suits -- one in federal court in Philadelphia that claims the township discriminated against and was libelous and slanderous against Strausser. Three additional suits are pending in Northampton County Court and deal with the amount of money in reserve accounts for developers.

Q. Why does the township need a $3 million park dedicated to passive recreation?

 Wambold:

“I think it’s wonderful that the piece of property was bought,” said Wambold. “I think it’s a very expensive proposition. I’m not opposed to it.”

Parke:

“It seems like we sort of got away with the initial master park plan,” said Parke.

Instead, Parke suggested that a needs assessment be conducted asking residents what they really want to see.

Martyak:

“I’m all for parks,” said Martyak. “I’m not for any park that will add onto the township burden financially.”

Martyak suggested working with area businesses to see if they would be willing to contribute to the existing parks.

O’Neil:

“I’m not against parks,” said O’Neil. “We need to develop over time as the funds become available.”

A larger question, O’Neil said, is how the township is going to maintain the park once built.

“What’s the long-term costs to hire additional employees for maintenance? I’m all about development of the park but $4 million is just the onset costs.”

Howell:

“I think we serve youth sports well and we always will but adults need recreation too,” said Howell.

Gioia:

“There are many things we can do with this park,” said Gioia.

Q. What are some ideas that will bring additional income to the township?

Parke:

“It’s about fiscal responsibility,” said Parke. “Instead of using our funds to make an amphitheater, I think we should just get a small pool and get this monkey off our back.”

Martyak:

“A balance has to be struck between the opportunity to collect revenue from the tax base and, second, businesses coming into the township,” said Martyak.

Martyak also said the township needs to consider other opportunities like the boat launch at the Delaware River, local restaurants and service businesses to continue to bring in revenue.

O’Neil:

“You have to be careful of what businesses you bring into the township, then worry about holding onto the businesses you have in the township,” said O’Neil. “It's gotta fit into the current makeup of the Forks Township structure.”

Howell:

“We need to continue to foster investment…smart growth investment,” said Howell. 

Howell said the Business and Commerce Association of Forks is working toward attracting businesses. Additionally, incentives can help attract businesses to move into vacant commercial properties.

Gioia:

“I’m not that concerned because we have location, location, location,” said Gioia.

Gioia said the quarterly newsletter produced by the township is also a great source to promote businesses.

Wambold:

“We need to do something with the current businesses,” said Wambold.

“Our roads and infrastructures is a deficit, however,” she added. Wambold said the township needs to look into strengthening roadways in order to accommodate businesses.  

Q. How do you increase transparency and citizen engagement to truly hear the voice of the community?

Martyak:

“Communicate openly and honestly and truthfully,” said Martyak.

One way of doing so is by broadcasting the board meetings on the web. Another way, he said, is by providing documented minutes from all meetings and have them published in a timely fashion, “even if it’s draft mode.”   

O’Neil:

“Open communication,” said O’Neil. “Being in the public, speaking to residents. Open up the lines of communication. Broadcast meetings on the internet,” he added.

However, O’Neil said it’s up to the public to voice their opinions.

“That’s the key,” he said. “If it’s all hearsay and it’s not factually based and you don’t ask the question, I can’t respond to you.”

Howell:

“In 2005 my platform was open government,” said Howell. “I established five standing committees done in a public forum.”

Howell also had a hand in starting the “Forks Quarterly,” a newsletter published by the township that goes to residents four times a year. He also said he’d like to have the meetings video streamed to residents, but first the board has to improve the current sound system.

Gioia:

“I would like to increase volunteerism in the town,” said Gioia. “I want to know what people think.  I’m a proponent of meetings on the website.”

Gioia said she is in favor of updating the township’s website to provide more information to residents.  She would also like more press releases sent out to the press for event coverage. “There’s so many wonderful things going on,” she said.

Wambold:

“What I say is what I mean and what I mean is what I say,” said Wambold.

Wambold said of getting more information to the public, “Perhaps the structure needs to be changed. Maybe have more work sessions. There are different ways to do it,” she said.

Parke:

“Let the citizens pick recreational projects,” said Parke. “Allow the residents to vote on what they would want the funds allotted toward.”