Dear Fellow Lower Makefield Resident: 

Before I became your State Representative last fall, it was my privilege to serve for five years as a Lower Makefield Supervisor. I know what the job requires and that is why I am writing to ask you to vote for Fran McDonald for Supervisor on November 3rd.

Fran McDonald is the only candidate who has been steadfast in his opposition to the proposed relocation of Frankford/Aria Hospital to Shady Brook Farm. If Frankford/Aria were to succeed, it would be a real blow to our town as it would add a tremendous amount of traffic to an already congested area and, as a non-profit, would not result in any revenue for the township. As a former leader of the group that stopped the Matrix big box store development, I know how important it is that we have a supervisor whom we can count on not to change course on this important issue.

Fran McDonald also will be careful with our tax dollars, while maintaining services that protect our home values. Fran’s opponent is trying to claim that Fran is somehow responsible for past township tax increases. That charge is baseless, of course, because Fran has never served on the Board. 

It misses the mark for another reason as well. The increases at issue (FY 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008) were passed by Republican majority Boards (FY 2003, 2005 and 2006) as well as a Democratic majority Board (FY 2008). So these increases were not partisan issues (in fact the current Republican supervisor, who supports Fran’s opponent, voted for all of them). Nor were they crushing increases: when totaled together they amounted to about $180 per household or $15 per month. This is what we got for that:

* more police to protect us; * more support for our Fire Department; * more saved open space;

* better parks and roads; and * more stable home values. 

At the same time, total township spending has actually decreased 1.7% since 2007.

These are tough times. We need someone on our Board who appreciates that and will stand up for us. Please vote for Fran McDonald on November 3rd, I am confident that he will serve our town well.

Respectfully,

Steve Santarsiero

Which Lower Makefield?

Reading the opinion piece titled, “Trickle-down mismanagement: We’re in big trouble,” I was wondering what place could this person be talking about? Which Lower Makefield? The same Lower Makefield where the (Democratic) board of supervisors passed an anti-sex offender ordinance? The same Lower Makefield where Community Day was created to bring residents closer together? The Lower Makefield where some of the increases in expenses to the township were related to the hiring of needed police officers so that citizens would be better protected?

The same Lower Makefield where a low impact development ordinance was developed to protect the township’s natural resources? The same Lower Makefield where a deer hunt was approved to protect drivers and our native plants? The writer cannot possibly be talking about my Lower Makefield, the place that currently exists?
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The writer must mean the Lower Makefield of 10 years ago where a farmer’s land was taken by eminent domain to build a golf course; where 10 years ago approval was rendered to the Matrix development that would have gridlocked Big Oak and Oxford Valley roads.

I do not want to live in that township, and I am sure the rest of the community does not want that township to return either.

This fall I will not be voting for a Democrat or a Republican. I will be voting for the individual, Fran McDonald, to keep the township’s positive and fiscally responsible momentum going.

Geoff Goll
Lower Makefield

McDonald, a 13-year resident of the township, said that he is dedicated to continuing the fine example set by the other recently elected Democratic supervisors. He cites the supervisors’ commitment to open government, fiscal responsibility, greater community involvement and projects that enhance both the quality of life for our citizens and our property values.

“I am truly honored that the Lower Makefield/Yardley Democratic Club has put their trust in me to run for Township Supervisor. I have spent the last 13 years volunteering my time to organizations geared toward improving the quality of life in Lower Makefield Township.”

McDonald has formed a fund-raising committee and now will begin actively campaigning for the position.

“I look forward to having the opportunity to talk to the residents and learn what issues are important to them. This is also a great opportunity for Lower Makefield residents to meet me and hear first-hand my position on issues currently facing our community”

McDonald is the operations director for Salisbury Behavioral Health, Inc. supervising a staff of 100 in eight facilities.

“I work with people who will require support for the rest of their lives,” he said. “I have a desire to give people with mental health issues the opportunity to be happy, productive members of our society.”

McDonald and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 13 years and have two daughters, Sarah, 12 (William Penn Middle School), and Brianna, 9 (Afton Elementary School).

He has coached with the Pennsbury Regional Basketball League for six years and has been on the township’s Parks and Recreation Board since 2006. He has made significant contributions to the community through his involvement with YMS, where he has been a member for nine years and currently holds the position of vice president. He is also the director of the YMS Epic Tournament, bringing approximately 200 soccer teams into the township each of the last two years.

McDonald will fill the void left on the ballot by former supervisor Teri Appelson. Appelson was forced to resign May 20 after learning that her new job prohibited her from holding elected office. On June 14, the Lower Makefield/Yardley Democratic Club nominated McDonald to fill the vacated ballot position.