My Plan for Upper Macungie Twp. (Pt. 2)

In of my plan for Upper Macungie Township I discussed the need for a township manager to handle the day-to-day operations of our township.  I appreciate all of your comments and the great discussions we've had as a result of that column.  I've enjoyed your phone calls, e-mail messages and our face to face conversations on the topic.  It's this exchange that will create the best ideas for the township to implement going forward. 

In any organization it's important to get a broad sampling of ideas and opinions in order to make the best decisions.  While it's true that 'too many chefs can spoil the broth', it's important to find a manageable number of people to form any kind of working group.  The Second Class Township Code under which Upper Macungie Township operates establishes the size of the Board of Supervisors, which is currently set at three members.  Under the code the board may be expanded to five supervisors under resolution by the board or by voter referendum.  It's time for Upper Macungie to expand the Board of Supervisors to five members.

There are multiple reasons to add two more members to our governing body, including the opportunity to get a better sampling of ideas and more diversity in our thinking.  No one has all the answers to the challenges we face in making and keeping our township a highly desirable place to live.  By expanding the board we will have the benefit of two additional people working on the important issues that we'll face in the years ahead.  Another benefit will come in the decision making process.  All too often our current board discusses an issue and it's obvious that two of the board members are in complete disagreement.  This makes the third supervisor the sole decision maker on these important issues.  As Thomas Jefferson said about such votes, "Great innovations should not be forced upon a slender majority".  With five supervisors some issues will still be decided by a three to two vote, but it will take at least three people to agree that something is a good idea before it passes.  That's a lot better than what we have currently.

Finally, the 2010 US Census showed Upper Macungie Township to be one of the fastest growing areas in the state with a population of 20,063 people.  This is an increase from the 13,895 residents recorded in the 2000 census.  This increase in our population merits an increase in the Board of Supervisors.  The additional supervisors allow us to keep pace with our population growth and provide the best government for UMT residents. 

Good government must be responsive and accountable to the citizens it serves. What we've done in the past isn't good enough anymore.  We're going to need new ideas and creative thinking to prosper and that's why our township will be best served with a five member Board of Supervisors.  When elected I will propose a resolution that increases the size of our board and best equips us to meet the challenges we face in Upper Macungie Township.  Please remember to vote on election day!