Coffee & Politics with the Bristol Township Democratic Committee

Editor’s Note: In an earlier version of this story, Bristol Township School Board President Angela Nober’s last name was spelled incorrectly. We have corrected our error.

Dozens of constituent’s showed up, greeted by the aroma of a percolating primary season starting  Saturday morning for an ongoing series of meet and greets the Bristol Township Democratic Committee has been holding at the Ramada Inn on Route 13 in Levittown.

Among the BTDC represented  were Councilmen Rick Pluata and Tony Tucker, candidates for council, Gallus Obert and former council member Jim Monahan.

Candidates for the Bristol Township School Board (BTSB)  Angela M. Nober (current president), James E. Baker, (current member) and candidate Kathy Bachman.

Every corner of the room had a current elected official, or candidate engaging potential voters about their concerns, over coffee and assorted breakfast treats.

Residents of the township,  who stopped  by for mini question and answer sessions had, three issues  on their  minds, BTDC Chairwoman Linda Tarlini said.

The need for more cops on the streets,  the “embellished”  statements about the unfunded debt of the township, and treating residents “with dignity and respect.”

“They keep talking about that 88 million of unfunded debt, but what  people don’t get   that number is arrived at. The way you get that number, is if all of the township’s employee’s were to quit or retire today. I mean every one of them would have to do that, then yes that number is true, but let me ask, what’s the actual chance of that happening?”  Tarlini asked.

“The budget was balanced on the backs of township employee’s, and now  their spending money fixing  roads when more police are needed on the streets,” said Tarlini.

Tucker and Pluta echoed Tarlini’s sentiment and took it one step further, with both agreeing the current council  isn’t exactly telling all the facts, just bullet points.

Pluta, explained the groundwork for he  great  report about the township sewer system was laid out by past administrations.

“We’ve been working on that issue for as long as I’ve been on the board, and its something that doesn’t happen overnight, he said.

Tucker, who was speaking with a constituent, said , claims that  businesses’ and jobs are being brought here, so far, don’t ring true.

Tarlini said, “The other thing really bothering me and voters are the way people are treated  by  the council and Township Manager Bill McCauley at meetings.”

“All you have to do is watch the meetings and see the  lack of respect and dignity people are treated with in public.”

As potential voters and supporters came and went, weighing in on issues important to them, the subject turned to the Bristol Township School District.

BTSB President Nober shared that there was going to be a “big announcement Monday about one of our schools by BTSD Superintendent Sam Lee.”

When pressed further, Nober said, all I can tell you right now is its good news.

There will be two more meet and greets for the public to attend on May 4, and May 18 at the Ramada Inn from 9 a.m. -11a.m.

Continental breakfast will be provided.

For more information about the BTDC please visit their website by clicking here. 

Or you can visit them on Facebook, by clicking here.