May 13, 2025

.

Judy and Marjorie’s primary opponents have been trying to make an issue about representation and how – if Judy and Marjorie are elected – there would be too many Upper Allen Commissioners living in Precinct 2.   They offer maps worthy of illustrating the Battle of Gettysburg.  

For comparison, we found a Gettysburg battle map image and created one of our own to show the dire state of “present” representation amongst the Park & Rec. Board.  

The opposing candidates live in Precinct 9.   They are allied with Board Chair Ken Martin – who lives in Precinct 2.   But on their map, Ken is being counted as one of those having “rural/historic” interests even though he is aligned with the opposition.  We’re not sure how anyone having “rural/historic”  interests is a threat to anyone; but so be it. 

It’s ironic that some of those now complaining about 3 Commissioners possibly living on the same road (McCormick Rd. is 3 miles long) never complained when there were 2 Commissioners living in the same house!  This was when Bill Kane and Ginnie Anderson (husband and wife) served together as Upper Allen Commissioners for 19 years. 

We say it’s not where you live as much as what your message and values are as a candidate.  Values include listening to the people one supposedly represents.

We say representation is being used as a diversion to avoid discussing real issues like the effect of over development on our taxes, quality of life, schools, etc. and whether it’s wise to spend $20 million paving over Generations Park vs. keeping it passive. 

The whole precinct thing is nonsense because precincts are simply a way to balance population and the location of polling places.   As it is now, there is a real issue with Precinct 8 being too large and too many residents having to vote at the Township building.  This is the type of precinct discussion we should be having. 

Some may recall that when Ginnie Anderson resigned; Phil and Eric nominated Jim Paulus and Barry Strock (both from Precinct 6 – if that is truly important to anyone). This would have provided the Board with needed AG and land preservation perspective, but neither Ken Martin (Precinct 2) or Rick Castranio (Precinct 1) would support either of Upper Allen’s best known farmers.    This is telling.

The vacancy fiasco serves as reminder of how political this Board of Commissioners has been and how the incumbents have now had 20+ years to stack the various sub-committees with people that support their views.  

No where is this more apparent than with the appointed Park & Rec. Board which has repeatedly been used to by-pass decisions at the elected Commissioner level.   This is how Generations Park planning keeps stumbling along without anyone insisting on a full costing of 8 restrooms, 540 parking places, roadways, amphitheater, etc. 

Here we have seven (7) unelected members that serve for five (5) years at a time – 1 year longer than Commissioners.  All of them live in suburban areas of the township.   

If there was true concern about balanced representation – or balanced park perspective – the Park & Rec. appointees would include residents from the Rural and AG areas who are more familiar with the wants and needs of those areas.