Pattye Benson

Community Matters

Tredyffrin Township

Candidate Question & Responses – No Further comments on Question #2

October 4, 2010
1 Comment

No further comments on Question #2 will be accepted. I am still receiving comments on Question #2 — they will not be posted. I have replied to some of you privately, to the others — please know that your comment will not be posted. Please review Question #3 and its response and you are welcome to respond to that question, I am simply not posting any further comments to #2 question.

I stated on the top of Question #2 that no further responses would be posted to this question as Question #3 and response has now been posted. There were 3 comments that came in after I posted this information on Question #2 — please understand that your comments have not been posted. If you wish to review your comment and if appropriate re-send to Question #3, I will be happy to add your comment. Thank you.

PA State Representative 157 Race – Candidate Question #3 and Response

October 4, 2010
79 Comments

This is the Candidate Question & Response Forum for the Pennsylvania State House 157 candidates. As previously stated, candidate Warren Kampf declined to participate in the question and response forum. Candidate Paul Drucker’s response follows the question. Each Monday for six weeks, a new question and response will be posted. The candidate forum will end the week before the election.

Question #3: There is evidence of the large and growing gap between infrastructure needs and the resources available in Pennsylvania. How do you propose paying for transportation improvements?

Paul Drucker’s Response

The needs of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) have been growing from year to year. There are now 12000 structurally deficient roads and bridges throughout the commonwealth. There is simply not enough money in the budget to repair them all, let alone to break ground on new projects.

I have met with members of the house and senate transportation committees, transportation industry leaders, the chambers of commerce, commissions and boards created to address the transportation needs and constituents. The one thing everyone agrees upon is that something must be done.

I propose that we begin to explore new revenue sources not only for our roads, but also for new light-rail systems and other mass transportation needs. With an additional $3.5billion needed per year merely to keep up with infrastructure maintenance, there are some difficult decisions ahead of us.

I know there is some talk of imposing tolls on certain roads and that this idea is being studied. There are additional potential sources that the Governor has suggested be utilized for revenue, such as closing tax loopholes for oil companies and creating public private partnerships. While these ideas seem worth exploring, I’ll want to make sure they are fair, reasonable and that all impacts are fully evaluated and addressed.

We should also consider dedicating some portion of a tax on the Marcellus shale natural gas extraction to fund our transportation needs. Pennsylvania has the second largest reserve of natural gas in the United States. However, of the top 15 energy-producing states, Pennsylvania is the only state that does not have a severance tax. Such a tax, on the billion dollar companies making huge profits off our resources, would begin to fill the revenue gap.

Saturday’s 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest — a perfect day!

October 4, 2010
2 Comments

Photographer Glen Heck captures the crowds at the Blues Fest

Far from ‘singing the blues’, Paoli was alive and energized for the 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest and street fair this past Saturday. With the unsurpassed energy of Marie Thibault as a co-chair, this exciting community event exceeded any of our projected attendance numbers. With guidance from the third member of the Blues Fest board of directors, John Fattiene, the stage and sound crew, tent rental company employees and fest volunteers worked to ready the main stage, vendor row and the beer garden at Paoli Village Shoppes at dawn as the sun was coming up.

Young musicians from the School of Rock in Berwyn performed the final sound check prior to the professional blues bands taking the stage. As the blues flowed from the stage, the temperature soared and memories were created. In addition to the main stage, eight blues bands performed at the Paoli Shopping Center and at Malvern Federal Bank. The music committee did an amazing job of selecting the blues bands to perform on the main stage at Paoli Village Shoppes and secondary locations at Malvern Federal Bank and Paoli Shopping Center.

Working with our fellow Paoli small business owners and volunteers over the past year, this event was an opportunity to showcase our hometown spirit and the big heart of the community. With a budget in excess of $30,000, we are grateful to the many individuals, businesses and corporate sponsors who helped in the success of the 2nd Annual Paoli Sings the Blues. We appreciate major sponsors Paoli Hospital and Main Line Today and are grateful to many other contributors including Paoli Hardware, Malvern Federal Bank, MainLineNeighbors.com, The Hardware Center, Delaware Valley Friends School, Philadelphia Inquirer, Main Line Media News, to name a few, who believed in us, our vision and the community.

People arrived by car, by train and on foot. It’s hard to have an exact count on how many attended; we know the number was high and in the thousands; streets, sidewalks and parking lots were full and overflowing. With the economic difficulties facing our local business community, the 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest created an opportunity to introduce our local businesses and give the public a reason to come back to Paoli.

We thank the music committee, the tireless volunteers, the sponsors and most of all we thank the public for spending a magical, special afternoon in Paoli for the 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest. The memories of this day will last long after the music stopped and I was thrilled to be a part of it!

Pattye Benson
Co-Chair
Paoli Sings the Blues — 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest

The Closing of Southeastern Post Office — Can that be Possible?

September 29, 2010
16 Comments

I received the following press release from State Rep. Paul Drucker’s office that suggests that the Southeastern Post Office may be on the chopping block to be closed. This is the post office that I regularly use and my the length of the customer lines, it would suggest that many residents use this post office. The press release says the post office system is consolidating — why, as a budget cut? Like I am doing, I suggest that you take 5 min. and send an email against the idea to close Southeastern Post Office.

Share your comments
to help keep local post office open

The United States Postal Service is currently exploring the possibility of consolidating some of its mail processing operations in Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

Under this plan, the USPS is conducting a study as to whether the post office located at 1000 West Valley Road in Wayne, formally known as the Southeastern, PA Processing and Distribution Center, needs to stay operational.

I know that many of you use this location for your postal needs, and I would like you to have an opportunity to share your input. The USPS is currently soliciting public comment as part of the study process. The public’s comments will be thoroughly considered in any final determination.

Please send your comments to:
Donna Saulino
Customer Relations Coordinator
Philadelphia Metro Division – USPS
215-863-5009

donna.m.saulino@usps.gov

2nd Annual Paoli Sings the Blues, Saturday, October 2 — FREE

September 29, 2010
Comments

The countdown is on . . . just a few days remain until the annual blues festival in Paoli.

Yes, the 2nd Annual Paoli Sings the Blues is this Saturday. Along with Marie Thibault, I am co-chairing the blues festival which is setting itself up as a spectacular event . . . for Paoli, for the small business community and for the public! John Fattibene, our third partner (and financial genius) tells us that we are on target with the budget. Of course, he also reminds us that the Paoli Blues Fest is continuing to accept contributions and sponsorships right up to Saturday.

Along with hundreds of volunteers, vendors, musicians, etc. Paoli is the place to be on Saturday. The weather is also getting onboard – 68 degrees under sunny skies! Hope to see you there!

2nd Annual Paoli Sings the Blues
Saturday, October 2nd

Noon ’til 6:00 PM
Rain or Shine!

FREE CONCERTS! Street Fair, food, dancing, Beer Garden, Blues Fest t-shirts $15, kids’ stuff and lots of music – Paoli will be hummin’, singin’ and swayin’ to the Blues!

3 Stages!
Main Stage: Paoli Village Shoppes
2 Community Stages: Paoli Shopping Center and Malvern Federal Savings Bank

For Band Schedule for each Stage go to www.paolibluesfest.com

The Paoli Blues Fest, Inc. is a registered 501(c) nonprofit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible as the law permits.

Quick Response from Township Manager & Public Works . . . Political Campaign Signs Removed from Township Park

September 28, 2010
13 Comments

I received a response from township manager, Mimi Gleason thanking me for me email and explaining that the township would take care of the removal of the political campaign signs from Swedesford Road Open Space Park. Within minutes of receiving the email, a public works truck and two township workers arrived at the park. A township worker stood on the top of a tall ladder and a garden rake and his long reach were required to remove the signs. Good news . . . quick response from the township and the political campaign signs are down . . . bad news is that is that it required township time and money for the removal.

I’m sure that township residents don’t want their taxpayer dollars spent this way; I ask that political candidates instruct their campaign volunteers not to use our township parks for political signage. Thank you Mimi and Steve Norcini for your quick response!

What’s the Policy on Political Campaign Signs in Tredyffrin Township Parks? And What About Nailing Signs to Township Trees?

September 28, 2010
14 Comments

We live across from the Swedesford Road Open Space Park. During the last 24 hours someone either used a ladder or climbed up a township park tree and nailed 3 political campaign signs into one of the trees. We have lived here for 26 years and there has never been signs nailed on these trees. If the trees were on private property and the individual had permission, I guess it would be OK. Although I still would question the damage it may do to the tree. But the point is the tree with the signs is on township open space property.

During the political campaign season, you may see signs along Swedesford Road, particularly on private property or along the sides of the road but never on the park property. I sent an email to the Board of Supervisors asking what the policy was concerning political campaign signs in our township parks but have not yet had a response. If over zealous campaign workers had planted the typical metal campaign signs, you could simply remove them if the signs were in an inappropriate place. But these signs are at least 10 ft. up the tree and would require a ladder for installation or removal.

I do not think political campaign signs should be nailed to trees in township parks. On my email to the supervisors from my husband and I, I copied the township manager, head of public works Steve Norcini and township solicitor Tom Hogan. I asked the policy and asked for the removal of the signs. I do not think the signs should be removed at taxpayers expense nor should it be the responsibility of the township’s public works staff to climb the tree and remove the signs . . . rather, I would hope that the political campaign responsible would remove the signs.

I have not taken a trip around to visit other township parks but I am hopeful there have been no other defacing of township property.

PA State Representative 157 Race . . . Candidate Question #2 and Response

September 27, 2010
79 Comments

This is the Candidate Question & Response Forum for the Pennsylvania State House 157 candidates. As previously stated, candidate Warren Kampf declined to participate in the question and response forum. Candidate Paul Drucker’s response follows the question. Each Monday for six weeks, a new question and response will be posted. The candidate forum will end the week before the election.

Question #2: How do you propose to encourage job growth in the Commonwealth and specifically in your district?

Paul Drucker’s Response:

The length and depth of this economic downturn is astounding. I think a great deal about my friends, neighbors and constituents who are unemployed or struggling to keep their businesses afloat—and I know that we have to do a better job of fostering a climate of economic growth in Pennsylvania.

While I am proud of some of the economic development projects I helped bring to the district, like the $1 million grant to the Paoli train station that will produce 5,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs, I also know we need fundamental changes to Pennsylvania’s business climate.

First, we need to invest in a modern day infrastructure that includes new roads and bridges, better rail access and high-speed internet in rural areas. Next, we need to ensure Pennsylvania students have the best education in America. Finally, we need to help our small businesses grow and expand with a fair tax burden and access to low-interest grants and loans for new equipment and technology.

6th Annual Historic House Tour — 85% Jump in Ticket Sales from 2009!

September 26, 2010
2 Comments

Looking outside today, what a difference a day makes! Yesterday was one of those magical days that will be remembered long after the final guest departed. This year’s old house owners on the Trust’s annual historic house tour were amazing – the effort and time spent on details by each of the homeowners was truly remarkable. With blue skies, summer-like temperatures and help from many volunteers, the house tour surpassed my wildest expectations.

Using Community Matters, email blasts, the support from the local press – Main Line Media News, www.AroundMainLine.com and www.MainLineNeighbors.com, Conestoga Woodlea Civic Association, Facebook, Twitter, and word of mouth, this year’s tour literally ‘jumped’ in attendees and in dollars raised. There was a 85% increase in attendees from last year – 278 people paid for tickets! If I add the volunteers and homeowners, close to 350 people were on the tour.

Proceeds from ticket sales, contributions and sponsorships totaled $11,000 from yesterday’s house tour and benefit the Jones Log Barn rebuilding project.

PA State House Representative 157 Race . . . Candidate Question #1 and Response

September 20, 2010
14 Comments

This is the Candidate Question & Response Forum for the State House 157 candidates. As previously stated, candidate Warren Kampf declined to participate in the question and response forum. Candidate Paul Drucker’s response follows the question. Each Monday for six weeks, a new question and response will be posted. The candidate forum will end the week before the election.

Question #1: How is the Commonwealth going to help the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District’s ballooning pension obligations?

Paul Drucker’s Response:

It is important to note that there is no silver bullet to fix the pension obligations of Tredyffrin-Easttown or any of the other school districts in the 157th district. The situation in which we currently find ourselves is a cumulative effort that has been in development over the past 11 years of irresponsible handling of the pension system, combined with the stock market collapse of 2008.

Eleven years ago the rules were changed concerning vesting, multiplier rates, lump sum payouts, actuarial analysis and other matters. As a result, the Commonwealth and the respective school districts find themselves with millions of dollars of unfunded liabilities and are facing a potential spike in the payments due in the immediate future in the billions of dollars.

There are some acts the legislature can take to begin fixing this problem. This session, the House passed a pension reform bill that relieves many of these problems. By reducing the multiplier used to calculate benefits, eliminating the lump-sum payout employees receive and raising the retirement age, we addressed this crisis in a responsible, bi-partisan manner. 194 members of the House voted in favor of the bill (although, surprisingly, my opponent has stated that he opposes it). While the Senate has not yet taken action, I strongly encourage them to do so.

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