Two supervisors in Newberry Township face challenges to their positions in the 2007 election.
George Knoll and Charlie Richcreek are seeking re-election in a race that features five Republican candidates.
That means voters could settle the issue of who will sit on the board of supervisors during the May 15 primary.
Challenging Knoll and Richcreek are Robert Carter Jr., Robert Conley and Ernest Helmick Jr.
Candidate Profiles
Robert J. Carter, Jr. (Bob)
Age: 68
Address: Pleasant Drive, Dover
Family: Wife: Beth; three children: Ken, Heather and Cathy
Occupation: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Senior Manager, retired
Education: Associate's degree in electronic engineering technology; associate's degree in general studies; 2-1/2 years of technical training from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Department of Transportation (FAA); 1-1/2 years of Management training, University of Guam and U.S. Dep. of Transportation (FAA)
Current community service: Volunteer safety counselor for the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team, FAAST. I am also the author of "FOB-10" a published book about the FAA; A small book, 22 pages, titled Small Group Dynamics, A modern tool for decision making and problem solving, and numerous technical papers and articles.
Robert Conley
Age: 64
Address: Old Quaker Rd, York Haven
Family: Wife Anna Mae; Daughter Tracie
Occupation: Self Employed (Owner of Rock-It Pizza)
Education: Pre High School grad
Community service: Newberry Township supervisor from 1993-2002, donating all municipal paychecks to Red Land Senior Center.
Ernest Helmick, Jr.
Age: 52
Address: 530 Miller Road, York Haven
Family: Married for 29 years with four children
Occupation: General Manager, Wood's Edge Builders, Lancaster
Education: Graduated from Cedar Cliff High School and Wesley College in Delaware
Community service: Newberry Township Planning Commission, 1989-1997. Active member of Christian Life Assembly Church since 1984; member of Lancaster Building Industry Association; member of PA Builders Association; member of National Association of Home Builders; licensed real estate agent; involved in farm preservation.
Charles Richcreek
Age: 47
Address: Old Quaker Road, Etters
Family: Married with two children and two step-children
Occupation: Self-employed farmer and electrician
Education: Attended Williamsport Area College for two years
Community service: Served as supervisor for six years, serves on township’s sewer board, member of local hunting clubs.
George Knoll
Age: 65
Address: 20 Hillcrest Circle, Etters
Family: Married for 43 years with two grown daughters
Occupation: retired; VietNam veteran
Education: Bachelor of arts in political science, Moravian College; associate of arts degree, legal science, Harrisburg Area Community College; associate of arts, business and finance, Harrisburg Area Community College.
Community service: Newberry Township Supervisor 2002-present; member of Board of Directors of James A. Danner VFW; board member of Newberry Township Municipal Authority.
The York Dispatch asked the candidates a series of questions as follows.
1. Residents have complained about noise from Susquehanna Speedway where racing is limited to two nights per week — three nights if racing occurs on a holiday in a given week. Should township supervisors move to tighten restrictions on racing at the speedway? Why or why not?
Carter: Newberry Township is a bedroom community for York and Harrisburg. People choose to live here because it offers a high quality of life. It's a great place for families. Since the Susquehanna Speedway came under new management the racing activity has tripled, and all that activity takes place on the weekend, every weekend, all summer long. Homes within one mile of the speedway are profoundly impacted by the noise and airborne particulate matter generated by the track. They are disturbed in their sleep and otherwise prevented from the quiet enjoyment of their residential property. I do not advocate interfering with, or curtailing speedway actives. I do strongly advocate curtailing the air and noise pollution that has a negative impact on the surrounding community.
Conley: The speedway has been there for more than 50 years. Many of the residents have moved into that area knowing that the speedway was there before them. When someone buys a business that has been there that long, they should be permitted to have a chance to make it work. They have bills and mortgages to pay just like many of the residents that live in the area surrounding the speedway. It is my understanding that the owners have not violated any ordinances since they have owned it. There should be a compromise that all parties involved should be able to work with.
Helmick: In this particular situation, a few vocal residents seem to influence the supervisors in dealing with this business. I do not believe that any business should be singled out like this, scrutinized in every way, and regulated to the point where it is difficult to operate. We have a well established business that has been in this community for over 53 years, providing hundreds of jobs, providing family entertainment and keeping a long American tradition of racing alive. Yes, there is dirt and noise but, the business is professionally run, abides by all the rules and regulations that have been continually imposed on them and is willing to work with the community.
Richcreek: No. It's a business that has been there since the 1950s. We have three people complaining about it in a township of 15,000 people. I'd like to see the community work together on it and, other than these couple people, I think it is.
Knoll: Prior to adopting the racetrack ordinance several years ago, there were no restrictions on racetrack operations; the track could race 24/7 if it so chose. Since it was a business in operation since approximately 1955, the options facing the township: to try to buy it or try to regulate it. This business had and has a legal right to operate and so regulations could not be made so restrictive as to cause them to be unable to operate. Buying the track was not an option as the price was very high and would not benefit a majority of the taxpayers. Since the track has been in operation, the township has had only a small number of complaints.
2. Back in 2005, proposed ATV restrictions caused considerable debate in Newberry Township. At the time, supervisors voted 3-2 to drop the proposal. Was that the right decision? Why or why not? Should the issue be revisited?
Carter: In 2005 some ATV's were having a negative impact on the quality of life here in Newberry Township. Some of the residents felt that they were an unnecessary nuisance. They went to the township supervisors to get relief in the form of ordinance to restrict their operation. Faced with government intervention, the ATV problem has subsided. The operators of the ATVs have become better neighbors. Quality of life issues must be carefully studied if the right course of action is to be taken. That quality of life depends heavily on a little tolerance and a lot of being good neighbors to each other. The supervisors made the right decision at the time, but if the need arises, the issue must be revisited.
Conley: This is very hard for me to answer as I don't know what the issue or problem really is. I don't believe anything should be changed if it was a dispute between two people that potentially affects 14,000 residents of the township. I need more information on the issue before I can offer an opinion.
Helmick: I was not aware of this situation. Obviously it was another one of these short lived hot issues that really did not matter in the overall scheme of things. The focus needs to stay on the overall well being of the township and its future. Are we taking care of what we have, effectively managing our resources, employees and services? Are the taxes too high? Are we discouraging new residents who want to live here?
Richcreek: It was the right decision. The motorcycle groups have gotten involved in it. They've gotten the people not to ride so much and to show respect for their neighbors. We're not getting many complaints at all about the ATV issue now.
Knoll: Perhaps at some point in the future the issue may need to be revisited. However, since the proposed regulations were dropped, there have been approximately four complaints that were ATV/Trail Bike/4-Wheeler related. It appears the riding community has recognized the need to be respectful of its neighbors and is self-regulating in order to avoid ordinance based regulations.
3. If elected, name two issues you would like to address in Newberry Township over the next six years. Explain how you would address those issues.
Carter: I will use my years of leadership experience and training to maintain and enhance the quality of life enjoyed by the residents of Newberry Township. I will never allow the desires of individuals or special interest groups to be put ahead of the needs of the community. I have no commercial interests in Newberry Township. I am only a person that enjoys the quiet country living and wants to continue doing so. The budget of Newberry must be balanced and cash reserve re-established. This can be done, without raising taxes or reducing services, by better program and resource management. If everyone works a little harder and lot smarter, Newberry will be fiscally sound, out of debt, with a cash reserve.
Conley: The number one issue is "roads." When I was in office as supervisor for nine years, we repaved more than 40 miles of roads. Since I have left office, approximately two miles of roads have been repaved in five years. Every township taxpayer township uses roads almost every day and we need to upkeep them before they deteriorate beyond repair. The next issue is the potential of raising taxes. When I was in office, we had a surplus of $1 million to $1.5 million and now, five years later I am told that the surplus is completely gone and the township is in debt. They have already raised taxes once and now they want to raise them again in the future.
Helmick: It appears that the current board of supervisors is not interested in citizen input, closed and inaccessible. Communication between the township and its residents are poor. An example of this is that the board currently is adopting some zoning changes to accommodate a developer to bring in a Super WalMart to the township. All residents in the township would be affected by a store of this magnitude and should be informed. I would like to see a web site that is up to date and informative along with an inclusive quarterly newsletter to inform the residents what is going on.
Richcreek: The fire companies are the main issue I'd like to work with. They're all volunteer and work their butts off to collect money to keep the departments operating, and we keep getting less volunteers. We need to do something to rectify the money issue so we can get volunteers to come out and fight the fires. The other issue is recreation. We need to get a centralized recreation area in the township.
Knoll: Managing growth and providing supporting infrastructure are the two issues I would like to address. Balancing housing with business development coupled with quality of life / public safety are the challenges within growth issues. Road maintenance/repair, snow removal and the provision of sewer and water services are the challenges within infrastructure issues.
4. Why should voters support you in your bid to be a Newberry Township supervisor for the next six years?
Carter: I have a vision of a township supervisory board with members that can put aside their petty differences and bring real teamwork and leadership to the community. A board that faithfully puts the best interests of the community ahead of the desires of the special interests. A board with members that are accessible to residents of the community and actively solicits their input on important decisions. A board dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of Newberry Township's quality of life. A board that can rise above the routine work and develop a vision for the future of the Township. A board that can, and will, lead the town into that future and beyond. I will work hard to see my vision become reality.
Conley: Voters should vote for me because of my past track record as a Newberry Township supervisor for nine years. If I am elected to office, one of my main priorities is to find the answer to where has all of the taxpayers' money gone. Then we will try to fix the problems so that hopefully taxes will not have to be raised for all of the residents.
Helmick: It is time for a change. Residents are not pleased with the current board. I feel that with my education and experience from owing a small business to managing a multi-million dollar construction firm, I have a lot to offer. Responsible government is possible. We need to spend wisely the tax dollars received and be accountable to the community. Our open spaces and farms need to be protected. On May 15th the voters will have a chance to decide if they want new faces on this board. I believe they do. Thank you for your vote!
Richcreek: I hope my last six years is a track record of my ambition and what I would do in the position.
Knoll: I have been a resident in the township and paid taxes to it for 34 years and I care about the future of the township. I think the residents are entitled to high quality affordable police protection, a sound road maintenance program and protection of their property values through property maintenance codes and sound zoning practices. In my five years as a supervisor, I have carried into township government my principles that tax money be spent wisely, effectively and efficiently.
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