But two supervisors will be attempting to retain their seats in the Nov. 6 election.
Because of the way he filed to run in this years election, supervisor John Minito wound up squaring off against colleague William Brown for a six-year seat on the board in the May primary.
Brown won the election, by a 150-vote margin. Hes now running uncontested in the general election.
Minito, meanwhile, got enough Republican write-in votes for his name to appear on the general election ballot for a partial two-year term on the board of supervisors.
Thats for the supervisor seat Minito was appointed to in September 2006. Hell face an opponent in that race, Democrat Julie Haertsch.
The York Dispatch asked the candidates the following questions.
Questions and Answers
1. If the board of supervisors could make one change to improve the quality of life for township residents, what change would you recommend supervisors make? Explain your answer.
Haertsch (two-year term): Preserve the quality of life in the township through the preservation of open spaces and a smart growth philosophy. I believe better communication is essential, as this would allow residents the opportunity to know what is going on in the township and to provide feedback to the township regarding their feelings on development projects. I think it is important for each of us to ask, "What do we want
Minito (two-year term): I would like to address the issue of property taxes for township residents as I think many residents are adversely affected by higher property taxes. However, without some type of "offsetting" tax, this issue is a very difficult one to address.
Brown (six-year term): My wife wants sidewalks, but that is highly unlikely in the rural sections of our township. Seriously, I would want the board to create ways to preserve a maximum amount of green space in our township without strangling necessary growth.
2. At 1.396 mills, Fairview Townships property tax rate is the eighth highest among the countys 35 townships. Are taxpayers getting their moneys worth from township government? Why or why not? Are there avenues the township should explore to save money or control costs? What are they?
Haertsch: I believe there are places that the budget could be trimmed and more efficient approaches to save tax dollars could be taken. The challenge at the local level is that you have more things to do with less dollars. New development is a challenge as each newly built home brings in about $1.50 in increased services. I propose reasonable impact fees to support these services. What is reasonable? I believe $300 on a new built home, which sold at $300,000 is reasonable. The township recently built a new fire hall and purchased fire trucks -- I dont have a problem with that as I support these important services. My question is, since this information was not readily available, "Did the township actively seek grant money and was grant money received in support of this spending?"
Minito: I do believe township residents are getting their money's worth from the township government. Having said that, however, I do believe there always exists ways to save money or control costs. Hopefully, during my next term, I'd like to address that very issue with my fellow supervisors.
Brown: Our current millage rate is 1.369 mills, which equates to $136.90 in tax revenue coming to the Township for every $100,000 in appraised value. I will take your word that we have the eighth highest tax rate in York County. For our 1.369 mills we are providing our residents outstanding police, fire and emergency medical services. We have excellent road crews to maintain the township roads. Our township administrative staff is highly professional and helpful to all residents who express concerns or problems. We have recently opened a yard waste facility, which has allowed 1,413 residents to drop off 66,664 cubic feet of yard waste and 598 residents to pick up 22,469 cubic feet of material to be used in their yards as mulch and fertilizer. We also pick up from residences on a regularly scheduled basis. All of this in just five months of operation. As a taxpaying resident I consider the millage rate to be fair and equitable, considering the services I receive.
3. Fairview Township is served by its own police department. How to you feel about the level of service the township gets from the department? Is it a cost effective means of police coverage? Can you forsee a need to change police coverage in the next six years? Why or why not?
Haertsch: I do believe our police department is doing a fine job. At this point in time, I do not believe that we should merge police departments. As the township grows, it could be a future consideration as I believe asking these questions are in line with a smart grow philosophy; however, cost effectiveness is not the only concern. If the police department is regionalized, what is the impact on the quality of services ? How do you distribute the resources to ensure everyone is being served equitably? And of the foremost concern, what is the impact on the resident safety? This issue should be considered with extreme caution.
Minito: I do believe the township is well served by its police department. Additionally, as the township continues to grow with regard to development, I do foresee the need to add to our police department.
Brown: I consider our police department to be one of the best, if not the best, police force in South Central Pennsylvania. It has gone through a rigid accreditation process which few departments achieve. Our residents want to feel that they are secure and our police department provides that assurance. We increased the size of the force by two officers after 9/11 and we had to raise taxes to accomplish that. Not a single resident complained. A major change I see coming on the force is the need to add additional officers as our population continues to grow.
4. Why should voters support you in your bid to be a member of the Fairview Township board of supervisors for the next four years? What issue(s) would you like to address?
Haertsch: I believe, I have the vision needed to preserve our current quality of life in our beautiful rural setting. I believe in smart, planned growth. I will support traffic studies and listen to feedback from township residents when dealing with roadway safety issues. I understand that our rural back roads are often considered to be more dangerous than our highways. As our community grows, I will partner with other township officials, our police, firefighters and EMT's, PennDot and our state representative, Scott Perry, to promote a safer roadway within our township.
Minito: My first partial term as a supervisor would be termed by me as a "learning experience" and I believe, if re-elected, I am ready and able to become more active and vocal in representing the Township residents.
Brown: I have served this township on the zoning hearing board and am now in my sixth year as supervisor. I am seeking another term because I wish to continue serving and I feel that the township will face significant issues as we continue to grow and have to face the consequences of the Chesapeake Bay Nutrient Reduction Program. I have not been afraid to speak out on the hard issues we have faced and will continue to do so if re-elected
Candidate Profiles
Candidate for six-year seat
William C. Brown
Republican
Age / Address: 66; Old Quaker Road, Lewisberry
Family: Married with one grown daughter and three grandchildren
Occupation: Retired
Education: Bachelors degree, applied mathematics, NC State; Master of Science, Operations Research and Systems Analysis.
Community service: Township zoning hearing board, 1996-2001; Fairview Township supervisor, 2002 - present. Retired as full colonel from United States Army after 30 years of service.
Candidates for partial 2-year term
Julie Haertsch
Democrat
Age; Martingale Drive, Camp Hill
Family: Widow; shares home with her son and her father
Occupation: Human Resources Professional; Employed by the PA Turnpike Commission
Education: Bachelors degree in organizational management from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA; undergraduate work at University of Utah
Community service: Involved with church work
John C. Minito
Republican
Age / Address: Thorley Road, New Cumberland
Family: Married to wife, Kelly
Occupation: Account manager, Acosta Sales and Marketing
Education: Diploma from Bishop-McDevitt High School
Community service: member of Fairview Township Recreation Board since 1991, served as chairman 1996-present.
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