Candidates For Wysox Twp. Supervisor State Their Views [Daily Review, The (PA)]

On Nov. 5, voters will decide whether incumbent Kenneth Whipp or William Them will win a six-year township supervisor position in Wysox Township. Whipp, who is a registered Republican, won the Democratic nomination. Them is the nominee of the Republican Party. The Review sent questionnaires to both candidates, and their answers are printed below.

Name: William W. Them

Age: 63

Address: 901 Red Rock Rd., Wysox, PA 18854

Office sought: Township Supervisor

Political party: Republican

Occupation: Real Estate Broker

Education: Bachelor's degree in Economics, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.

1. Why are you seeking the office?

I am seeking the office of supervisor because I have the vision to meet the challenges of the growing and changing nature of Wysox Township. Wysox Township would benefit from my years of experience as a businessman. I have been in business in Wysox Township since 1972 and I feel that the township needs a more businesslike approach to the way it is being governed. I am seeking office because I never again want to see a situation where the road master is a supervisor who answers only to himself to the detriment of the taxpayers.

2. What are your credentials for being an effective representative?

- Graduated 1972 from Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove Pa.

- 41 years in business in Wysox Township

- Regularly attend Wysox Township meetings

- Wysox Township Zoning Hearing Board member since around 2006

- I have a passion for seeing the change and growth in Wysox Township being handled correctly.

- Past president of the Wysox Chamber of Commerce

- Past director and the current treasurer of the Central Bradford County Chamber of Commerce to which the Wysox Chamber recently became a part of

- Director and past president of the Bradford-Sullivan Association of Realtors

3. If you are the incumbent, what have you done to deserve re- election?

I am not the incumbent.

4. If you are the challenger, what have you done to prepare for holding the office?

I have been observing how this township has been operated for the past six years by regularly attending township meetings. I keep myself informed about what is happening in our township. I have been gathering data about the township's finances and will utilize my education and background in business to improve financial controls and transparency.

I have attended educational courses offered by Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) with regard to the natural gas industry and the Zoning Hearing Board. I have kept myself informed of the governing decisions made by the township for the past six years. I have attended other township meetings in the county to see how they operate.

5. What are the top three issues as you see them and what would you do about them?

Surplus: As a result of the growing economy in our county and our township, the increase in Wysox Township's earned income tax revenue has resulted in a surplus of over $1.3 million. As your supervisor, I will develop a responsible township budget that eliminates the township's property tax. I will allocate the existing surplus to an interest-bearing account where it will be available if there is an unexpected decrease in future earned income tax collections.

Open Honest Government: I feel that the governing decisions made by the board of supervisors should be available to taxpayers who are unable to attend township meetings in person. A township website is necessary to provide meeting minutes and pertinent information to the public. Minutes of the meetings as well as annual budgets should be published. The list of bills paid and income received, which is available at the township meetings, should be available in a readily accessible public online forum. I am also in favor of the return to using township auditors to audit the township bookkeeping. This township currently has no elected auditors. At my suggestion, the supervisors now have two appointed auditors. I am in favor of appointing a third auditor to the position until the terms expire. I would then urge citizens to run for that elected office at the expiration of each term.

Ethics: Prior to my opponent's appointment to the board of supervisors, an ethics complaint had never been filed against our township. We have one now. In fact, I have learned that our road master has either resigned or is going to resign due to more alleged violations of ethics and honesty. Over six months ago, a completed forensic audit identified financial impropriety and mismanagement by the road master/supervisor. My opponent, Ken Whipp, refused to publicly call for his resignation after the report was released. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why the road master was not fired. And now, we have even more allegations of improprieties which allegedly continued to occur after the forensic audit report was released. This never should have happened! There should have been systems in place such as purchase orders and time sheets explaining what work was done each day. The road master refused to do either of these even though the chairman of the board of supervisors, Jon Kulick, who has endorsed my candidacy, requested it. But since the road master was a supervisor and Ken Whipp supported whatever the road master wanted, the chairman's hands were tied and it was two against one. Two for cronyism and good old boy politics and one for what was right. It is unconscionable and quite possibly illegal. An investigation of a possible cover up should be initiated.

If elected, I would never vote to hire a sitting supervisor as a road master. It is an inherent conflict of interest and in my opinion should not be done. I will strive to bring honor back to our township and make it one of the most respected and lowest taxed townships in Bradford County.

6. In the coming years, how would you like to see your municipality use its revenue from the impact fee on gas drilling?

I would like to see that money used for improving the infrastructure of the township. I would improve and pave the roads in the township in accordance with a documented plan. This impact fee may or may not continue in the future. I feel that a study should be done and a plan implemented for improving roads on a scheduled basis. I do not think that we should just spend $500,000 here or $500,000 there without a plan. Everything should be done to lessen the burden on every taxpayer and thereby result in lower taxes in Wysox Township.

After the roads are under control, other examples for the future could be a new or improved township building or a permanent manned recycling facility. However, this type of improvement should be studied and considered with public input, rather than just jumping in and doing it. There should be a plan in place for how the township should be improved. This Act 13 money may or may not be a permanent source of revenue, so it should be used wisely. I do not feel that that money should be used to operate any part of the township budget. I feel that it should be used for infrastructure projects which have had ample research and consideration.

7. What is your philosophy about taxation?

My philosophy about taxation is that government should not tax and collect more than is required to provide essential services to the public. I do not feel that a local government should accumulate money like a bank. A township should run as close to a balanced budget as possible. Any increase in revenue from temporary sources such as Act 13 should be used for capital improvements and not ongoing operational expenses. I believe that Wysox Township should eliminate its property tax given the projected operating surplus and current fund balance.

8. How have you been campaigning?

I have been campaigning door to door. I have been making phone calls to Wysox Township residents. I will be sending out mailers.

Name: Kenneth M. Whipp

Age: 72

Address: 21 Country View Drive, Towanda, PA 18848

Office sought: Town of Wysox Supervisor

Political party: Republican

Occupation: Sales

Education: High school graduate, many courses and certificates in management and sales

1. Why are you seeking the office?

If elected, it is my intention to maintain the order and fiscal control that is necessary for the welfare of the entire community, not just a select few. This has been my goal since I was appointed to the position in October of 2012 and I believe that I have acted accordingly.

2. What are your credentials for being an effective representative?

I have been a homeowner in Wysox Township for 18 years. In my job as a salesman and as a longtime resident, I have met most of the residents of the township and I have gained an understanding of the needs and the unique character of the people and the township.

3. If you are the incumbent, what have you done to deserve re- election?

During the time that I have had the pleasure of being a supervisor for the township, I have followed my conservative principles for the benefit of the people of the township. I have voted to make the necessary purchases and personnel changes that have made the township more responsive to the needs of the people.

4. If you are a challenger, what have you done to prepare for holding the office?

Not applicable

5. What are the top three issues as you see them and what would you do about them?

The most important issue to me is the wise use of the money that has come to the township as a result of the gas industry activities in the county. The decisions made now will have a lasting impact on the quality of life for us all. The second issue is that the replacement of dated and worn equipment needs to be addressed and resolved in a reasonable way. And the third issue is the maintenance of the quality of our roads. Our highways are vital to the continued growth of the township. We have put new blacktop on a number of roads, put tar and chips on many roads and installed guardrails in various areas of the township. In addition, while I have served as supervisor, we have extended the sewer lines.

6. In the coming years, how would you like to see your municipality use its revenue from the impact fee on gas drilling?

I would like to see the money used to improve infrastructure and to insure that the needs of the people are met in the future.

7. What is your philosophy about taxation?

I am a fiscal conservative. Less government is better than more government. The purpose of taxation is only to see that the basic needs of the people are met.

8. How have you been campaigning?

I have been going door to door talking to the voters, I have mailed flyers and many of our neighbors have allowed me to put signs in their yards.