Preserving open space, transparency key issues in Upper Saucon supervisors race, candidates say

• There are four candidates running for two open seats on Upper Saucon Board of Supervisors
• Currently, the board's five members all are Republicans, so the election won't change party control
• Candidates said open space, fiscal responsibility and public safety were key issues

UPPER SAUCON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Two Democrats are looking to shake up the township’s all-Republican Board of Supervisors this election season.

“I ran for supervisor two years ago and I learned a lot about the process,” candidate Timothy Foley said. “Most notably, that you need a full slate running if two positions are open and you are running against two Republicans and you are a Democrat.

“This year, there is another Democrat running, Anthony Murphy, which vastly improves both of our chances.”

Foley and Murphy are running to unseat incumbents John Inglis and Dennis Benner in the Nov. 7 election.

The five-person board has staggered, six-year terms. While the township, which has about 15,000 residents, hasn’t seen a tax increase in three decades, candidates said fiscal responsibility, as well as public safety and protecting opening spaces, are key issues.

Republican incumbents

Benner, a Lehigh University graduate with a degree in government who works as a lawyer, has been on the board for 12 years.

He currently serves as chairman of the board's Planning and Zoning Committee.

“People have to realize that local government is very, very important,” he said. “And their lives really focus around local government and the importance of that.

"For example, the roads that you drive your car on, the taxes that you pay, the police and emergency services that are made available — those are the kinds of things that people live with day to day.”

Maintaining and strengthening services and infrastructure, as well as public safety, are important, he said, especially when planning for the future.

“You have to look out and plan out because a lot of retirements come up and you can't be left holding the bag without having protection,” he said.

“For example, Upper Saucon Township this past year was inundated by a bunch of burglaries … Our police force was very, very proactive. And if you don't feel safe in your home, you really aren't.”

It’s similar with volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians, he said. While the departments are robust now, it’s not too early to plan for future deficits, he said.

While the township has a full-time fire chief, the rest of the department is made up of volunteers, Inglis said.

“I don't want to sound an alarm, like, ‘Oh my god, we don't have any volunteer firefighters,’” he said. “But I think it’s going to be a longer-term issue that we're going to have to address, and it's simply just that people don't do it anymore.”

Inglis, who graduated Moravian University in 1987 with degrees in Economics and English and is a small business owner, is running for a second term.

“When a BOS position became open, I thought it was a natural progression from the Parks and Recreation Board to this position,” Inglis said. He’s been on that board for a decade.

“Through my prior service, I was familiar with the personnel and the inner-workings of the township," he said. “I feel strongly that with my business experience and strong civic duty that I can make UST a better place to live.”

He said he supports “responsible development that benefits the community and doesn’t burden the school district,” as well as keeping taxes low and preserving open spaces, he said.

Democratic challengers

It’s Murphy’s first time running for a supervisor seat, and there are three reasons why, he said: integrity, honesty and accountability.

“Serving in office tends to peel back the veneer of a person and reveal who they are inside, their true character,” he said. “I think the folks of Upper Saucon Township will find that my heart is in public service, and I am genuine about it. I care.

“As our area rapidly expands and develops, managing our township with this mindset is paramount.”

Murphy, who has a master’s degree in political science, said improving transparency is paramount.

“I intend to facilitate clear, open and honest communication with the people of Upper Saucon Township,” he said.

“In my experience, folks value transparency, and that is something our township would greatly benefit from. Communication is fundamental to securing our investments here and to ensuring the safety and prosperity of our families.”

As a member of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Murphy said protecting open spaces is another key part of his platform.

“The building of huge warehouses and expansive new residential developments must be met with a careful and balanced eye,” he said.

“Open spaces and natural areas are vital to the well-being of any community, and should not be so easily dismissed. This is very important.”

Foley, who holds a doctorate degree in educational technology from Lehigh, has a similar platform, focused on stemming the rise of warehouses and improving transparency.

“I am aware of the deteriorating quality of the township, especially concerning the expansion of trucking and warehousing,” he said.

“I am retired and self-funded. I am running for the role of township supervisor out of a genuine desire to serve and improve the community, rather than pursuing any personal or ulterior motives.

“This transparency can build trust and confidence among voters.”