Category Archives: Uncategorized

Independents help pay for primaries, but can’t participate

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I have a slightly different opinion on a recent (though not new) proposal to open up primaries to 740,000 independent and “unaffiliated” Pennsylvania voters to select a Democrat or Republican ballot on election day. Under the proposal, nothing would change for voters who are registered as either Republicans or Democrats. They would continue to be required to vote only on their respective ballots. Here is a recent article on the proposal:

Open primary voting in Pennsylvania? The state Senate’s top leader is floating a bill to allow it.

Most takes on this subject have to do with inducing higher turnout during primaries. Though concerning, my main problem is that all taxpayers including those locked out of the process entirely are funding what is essentially a private party process. This is because in PA county and state tax dollars pay the costs associated with holding elections. Obviously, it’s important for political parties to have the right to elect their own nominees. I’m not arguing against that. I just think that if large segments of voters are “locked out” of a public process it’s unfair to ask all taxpayers to fund it. This is the case today. In Lower Mac, for instance, over 3,500 registered independent voters are forced to help fund primaries through public tax dollars but are prevented from taking part in closed primaries.

How much does our closed primary cost you ask? Like with most items, the state of Pennsylvania has one of the most expensive systems in the nation with Presidential primaries costing over 20 million dollars. This pays for administration, use of buildings, contracts, and portions of salaries for publicly paid for employees, purchasing and maintaining publicly owned machines etc.

As long as the two parties rely on public taxpayer dollars to fund what is essentially a private function then yes, primaries should be opened up to independents. Now, if leaders from the two parties have an issue with that (in many ways understandable) then the two major parties ought to fund their own private internal nomination processes with private monies.

As long as we use public dollars to finance elections, everyone should be allowed to vote.

Seeking soldiers from East Penn area to enroll in troop support program

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13th Annual Troop Support Program
Each year Lower Mac collects donated items at the Community Center and ships boxes to individual soldiers from the community to share with their Troop. The boxes are shipped out in early December for troops who cannot be home with their families for the Holidays. The Township supports the event by paying for shipping and related charges for the packages sent to soldiers.
 
So, we are seeking soldiers names who are serving from the East Penn School District. We need name and address (with APO or FPO).
 

To enroll: Call the Community Center Monday-Friday,  8am–4:30pm at 610-966-6924 to register your loved one for the program.

To donate: We welcome the donations of the following NEW items:

Beef Jerky/Turkey Jerky (no pork)
Cheese Crackers & Cookies (no chocolate)
Gum & Candy (no chocolate)
Hard Container – Pretzels/Nuts/Chips
Energy Bars (no chocolate)
Dry Milk
Juice Boxes
Instant Coffee/Cocoa/Tea Bags
Cereal
Dried Fruit
Beverage Mixes – Ice Tea/Lemonade/Fruit Flavors
Pre-packaged individual fruit cup, pudding, applesauce, & raisins

Donations accepted from September 4 through November 25 at the LMT Community Center Monday during hours of operation.

More detailed info here

Other News:
Lower Mac Preserves 185 acres of farmland. 

John McCain & American virtue.

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I’ve always greatly admired John McCain. There have been (many) times I’ve not agreed with him. As an example, his repeated support of spending vast amounts of American blood and treasure on foreign entanglements. One thing he always preached however was that our shared values go beyond policy disagreements. Disagreements over foreign policy are very much a serious thing. So, we argue our positions with passion. But end of the day we are all still Americans. One nation under one flag. That’s what John McCain was always about. It’s an ideal he personally suffered the unimaginable for.

John Sydney McCain was not a perfect man. He was the first to admit. More emphatically as he grew older and wiser. He possessed the sort of self-awareness that used to be an American hallmark.

I carved out time today to watch the memorial. I’m utterly moved. My wife and I don’t have cable so I tuned into Facebook to watch a stream. I turned off the comments on the feed. As I read so many completely ignorant and small comments from folks who seemingly turned completely to identity politics to fill some void I feel nothing but sadness.

Our nation has always honored self-sacrifice. Service. Integrity. honesty. Humbleness. American virtues are being showcased today in our capital. These are things John McCain exemplified but unfortunately, have fallen to the wayside as values. There was a time, when something like this brought us together. For many, we have that today.

It doesn’t always seem like that’s the case now. America remains wounded in that way. Patriotism and nationalism are not one in the same. Patriotism is grounded in the principles of our American democracy brilliantly laid out by our founders. Nationalism is entirely different. Something mired in tribalism. Factional elements are to blame for this as they always have been. In fact, the founders themselves were the first to warn us. Those who promote divisions are two sides of the same coin. I do have faith we will turn this around. 

The American Greatness that has existed since our inception in our shared values will again prevail.

Balance the books. Throw the playbook in the trash can.

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Over time if a community takes on more liabilities associated with growth decisions than new revenue generated by build out, they eventually are left with a cash shortfall. Simple accounting 101.

 

When this happens there is a generic playbook that typically presents elected officials with three bad choices. 1.) Raise taxes 2.) Take on (more?) debt or 3.) Go hat in hand to the State/Feds for pass-through money or a bailout. None of these are options are attractive. But more important none are long-term sustainable. 

There is a 4th option. That’s taking control of our own destiny by proactively planning ahead before we’re forced into a no-win scenario. 

This is at the center of a conversation we’re having tonight at a joint BOC & Planning Commission meeting related to choices we have about taking on long-term liabilities when certain types of new development plans are put before us. There are levers we can push and pull and in doing that we need to be obsessive about accounting for revenues, expenses, assets, and long-term liabilities (do the math). Do we continue to subsidize negative transactions or do we simply stop?

The More We Grow, the Poorer We Become

We can buck trends and become fiscally resilient with sustainably low taxes and high quality of life for the long run. We just have to think differently. In PA 40% of local communities are distressed in some fashion. Shocking percentage. This means the playbook needs to be throw in the garbage can. That’s the position I’m arguing tonight.

The joint BOC & Planning Commission meeting is tonight 7pm in meeting Rm. A.

I oppose 5 dollar registration fee hike.

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Another Morning Call article today covering a proposed registration fee increase by Lehigh County driven by the County Executive. Without more information, I DO NOT support this.

First, this is presented as one of those disappointing binary choices – For example, raise the gas tax or watch roads “insert alarming hyperbole here”. Or raise registration fees or risk “insert alarming hyperbole here”. (Note: PA legislature recently raised our gas tax, we have the highest in the nation – yet our road situation continues to get worse, not better.)

Rarely are choices this simple. For example, to push back on binary thinking – In my opinion, before raising another cent of new revenue as a band-aid (not a solution), we have to address underlying problems. The system is broken. In PA it’s due to the disproportionate amount of money spent on road expansion vs. road repair. Until we re-balance priorities, feeding the pig won’t solve anything.

Today, Pennsylvania spends record dollars on roads yet things don’t improve. When I wrote this blog post in 2014 after the state legislature increased our gas tax (I opposed) I said to folks, “if you think this is the end of the increases, I got a bridge to sell you…” And here we are just 4 years later another increase. Yes, this is a County proposal but without question, the state is driving it.

We keep getting duped. And here we go again. If this passes and we continue to ignore the actual problems just prepare yourself now for another increase and then another and another. What’s that old definition of insanity?

-Ron

How to keep taxes low in the long run? Preserve Farmland.

Commissioners will announce Vertek Warehouse decision Thursday

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Here is Thursdays Board of Commissioners meeting agenda with detail.
Vertek Conditional use application

We will tackle the final discussion and deliberation on a warehouse conditional use application for Vertek Construction Management. As a matter of background: Lower Mac hires special counsel ahead of warehouse conditional use hearing. 

The facility was originally proposed as a 180,000 square-foot warehouse with 20-30 dock doors located on a roughly 12-acre parcel at 3262 Schoeneck Road.

Over the last few weeks, we held a number of extensive public hearings on the application. All told taking in approximately 12+ hours of testimony from the applicant, special counsel, experts and neighbors including townships resident and residents of neighboring communities who wished to speak. Many from Alburtis Borough including the Mayor offered testimony.

Note: Because these hearings are judicial in nature, the official record for the hearing closed at the conclusion of the final hearing. So, commissioners cannot entertain additional public questions or comments Thursday. By law, we can only take into account the official hearing record when rendering a decision. We can only consider what was presented to us during the hearing. In this case over 12 hours of testimony.

Also we must make a decision only based on criteria laid out in the MPC and zoning ordinance. These items include our local zoning code’s general criteria which are listed below:

Does the application/Is the application:
1. In accordance with the Lower Macungie Township Comprehensive Plan and consistent with the spirit, purposes and intent of the ordinance.
2. In the best interests of the Township, the convenience of the community, and the public
welfare.
3. Suitable for the property in question, and designed, constructed, operated and maintained so as to be in harmony with and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity.
4. In conformance with all applicable requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
5. Suitable in terms of permitting the logical, safe, efficient and economical extension of public services and facilities such as public water, sewers, police and fire protection.
6. Suitable in terms of effects on street traffic and safety with adequate sidewalks and vehicular access arrangements to protect major streets from undue congestion and hazard.

The board has the following options:
Do nothing. However if we fail to render a decision within 45 days of the last hearing, the
application is be deemed approved.

Approve with or without reasonable conditions. Reasonable conditions
are those that advance a valid zoning interest and are supported by evidence of record.

Deny the application. If we do so, we must cite in detail sections of the zoning ordinance, MPC, or any other ordinance or regulation relied upon and the reasons why the application does not meet them.

A final note:

  • Lower Macungie removed warehouses from the zoning code in the Spring of 2017. However, this application was grandfathered in before new rules took effect. (as often happens since developers become aware of changes when the township advertises ordinance updates which we are required to do by law . . ) So, the fact warehouses are no longer allowed in this zone cannot be taken into account with this decision. Once an application is grandfathered they retain all their vested legal rights.

Also at Thursdays meeting:
We will accept with regret the resignation of Melissa Burchett from the Zoning Hearing Board. She served for just about 2 years. Unfortunately, her husband got a job out of state and they are moving. She was a valued member. Best of luck to Melissa and Brad. We always need volunteers to serve on various boards and commissions but the zoning hearing board is of particular importance since they make decisions on zoning relief independent of the BOC.

The 6:45 executive session will cover personnel and real estate issues. Both permitted discussions per the sunshine laws. More information coming on the 2nd part as soon as we can relay

Finally, there will be a discussion on whether or not the township should take ownership/dedication of additional public roads associated with a small development proposal off Elbow Ln. This issue warrants it’s own post which I will try to draft before Thursday.

LCA Letter of concern + BOC opposes filling in floodplain

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Since this article was written on June 12 the Board of Commissioners took a position strongly opposing filling in or relocating the floodplain associated with this proposed land development. We authorized (unanimously) sending staff to attend the ZHB hearing which was scheduled for Tue June 26th representing the board to testify in opposition. The applicant has since pulled the application from tomorrow’s agenda and offered a continuance.

Next, a few points about the land development. First, this isn’t a proposal for a “truck stop”. It’s a decking operation associated with Mack Trucks. This is the company that already moves trucks made at the Mack plant. Again, something that already happens currently in the area over at the Tyler Pipe property. This new land development could move associated operations closer to the Mack Plant. It’s essentially product storage. Not a warehouse, not a truck stop and not a truck terminal.

Now, while this move makes sense for Mack and could take truck traffic off Rt. 100 going into Macungie Borough – the applicant proposing filling in and relocating floodplain is a serious concern. Our Board takes a hard stance on protecting township rivers and streams from floodplain incursions.

Given the Boards unanimous opposition along with the LVPC, LCA and Planning Commission this project is not moving forward at this time. It proposes too much on too small a parcel with far too much impact on the creek. We will continue to work with Mack and their partners to find an alternative solution.

Yes, Lower Macungie Reduced your Residential Property Tax Bills

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Neighbor,

 

Yesterday, Ryan Mackenzie dropped a negative mail piece distorting my record as a Lower Macungie Commissioner. It was boilerplate negative junk mail complete with scary imagery of burning money and a black and white photo of me. You know the deal. The kind of nonsense career politicians spend shocking amounts of money on to stuff your mailbox with during elections. (each mailer costs many 1000’s of dollars)

 

I wanted to write a response in the form of a letter to give you factual information to consider when voting next Tuesday.

 

In 2014 I came into office as a local Commissioner after winning by record margins on a platform of farmland preservation, transparency, and fiscal restraint. The question we asked was how do we preserve farms while giving homeowners a tax break? The result was instituting an innovative use of the homestead exclusion. And this is where Ryan’s distortion comes into play. 

 

Essentially this allowed us to adjust the baseline millage, while giving homeowners an exclusion on 50% of their assessed value. In plain English, this meant we ensured impactful land uses like shopping centers and warehouses paid for preservation efforts instead of homeowners. In doing so 90% of homeowners got a break on their property tax bills shifting the burden away from residents and onto warehouses. A sensible thing to do since for better or worse we now have many warehouses in the township.
So, over the last 4 years:

 

  • 80% of homeowners got an ongoing break on their municipal property tax bills
  • 10% of homeowners now get a bill for 0.00. (Mostly our mobile home communities)
  • Yes, warehouses pay a little bit more
  • We used the money to preserve 6 farms including most recently 185 acres on Sauerkraut Ln. A property that could have otherwise been built out with nearly 300 new units.

In biggest land preservation move yet, Lower Macungie will vote to preserve nearly 200 acres.

 

The fact warehouses and other impactful land uses now pay slightly more is where Mackenzie attempts to distort the record for political gain. The mailer attempts to categorize this as a broad-based tax increase. That’s both factually incorrect and misleading. What he doesn’t mention is even with the slight increase warehouses now pay, Lower Mac has the lowest millage rate of any suburban community. We offer an extremely competitive playing field. This is why companies are choosing to relocate to Lower Mac.

 

Linked below are numerous sources you can read in full. Another trick career politicians use is to only post headlines instead of full copies of articles and background information.

 

 

I’ve focused this campaign on my record of results and refused to go negative. So, needless to say, this last-minute tactic was very disappointing. Career politicians often drop things like this very late in the game – days before the election. They do it so there isn’t time to respond. And that’s why I’m hand delivering this to you today. I hope it helps.

 

End of the day Tuesday, whether you vote for the incumbent or myself, I want to help give you the facts before making your choice.
-Ron

 

Here is a chart of savings from 2015-2016 and the total reduction since 2014. 

#TERMLIMITSNOW

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PA has the largest/most expensive but worse rated legislature in the Nation. Reducing its bloated size and cost is a good idea, but not a new idea. In fact, it’s been around for decades.
But… it never happens.
Pennsylvania House leaders tout, then ignore, bill to cut its size.
Why?

Pennsylvania has some of the highest property taxes in the Nation.
Property tax reform is a great idea, but not a new idea. In fact, MANY proposals have been floated for decades.
But… none ever get passed.
Pa. Senate votes to reject measure to scrap property taxes
Why?

PA has an antiquated prevailing wage that drives up costs for local governments.
At the very minimum, the threshold which hasn’t been touched in 40 years should be increased. After decades of inaction, this at a minimum should be a no-brainer.
But… it doesn’t.
Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Law. Not updated since 1961
Why?

People often seek office for the right reasons. But once they get in, something happens. They become politicians. Well-intentioned folks become unwilling or unable to get basic items passed. The problem is compounded in our state because Reps serve 2-year terms. In PA representatives never stop campaigning and get stuck inside the Harrisburg bubble.

The Answer? – #TERMLIMITSNOW

The single essential good government reform. The one that can break the back of the incumbency machine that both parties indulge in.

Term Limits ensure that no individual can focus more on keeping a job or attaining power than representing and serving the public. When public officials know, that they only have the opportunity to serve in one position for a limited amount of time, they become more willing to make the tough but necessary decisions. 

Professional politicians like to talk about the value of experience in government. Nuts! The only experience you gain in politics is how to be political. – Ronald Reagan

Press Release: Beitler to Mackenzie – Retract False Attacks