Lawyer & Business Owner Square Off In Middletown Still Upset By Earned Income Tax

The race for the open seat on the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors has become one of the hottest in Lower Bucks County.

With key issues like the controversial Earned Income Tax (EIT) and possible development of Stone Farm on the table, both candidates – Democrat Mike Ksiazek and Republican Kevin Glasson – spoke with LevittownNow.com.

“I’m running because I care about the future and I see things that can be done better,” Ksiazek said.

During his interview, Glasson said he hopes to take his business and public service experience and use it to better the community.

Glasson and Ksiazek both said they want to look at the EIT and find ways to have the township best utilize its resources.

Glasson, the owner of a plumbing business for 34 years and a 27-year Middletown resident, said he plans to conduct a line-by-line audit of Middletown’s budget if elected. He wants to know where taxpayer money is spent and how savings can be made.

“I don’t see it going anywhere,” Glasson said. “Been going over the budget over the past few months and I don’t see that we can get rid of it.”

However, the businessman and longtime firefighter said he is against raising it and wants to see the Board of Supervisors work on refining costs before any property tax increases.

“There’s always something we can cut. Little percentages from all areas and be sizeable,” Glasson said. “I am going to see where we can start saving.”

Ksiazek, a father to young children and an attorney, said he wants to look at township spending and see where all the funds generated by the EIT are going.

“I have been very clear not to make any promises to taxpayers that if I win I will repeal EIT,” he said.

“I was unhappy and disappointed by the way it was passed.”

Ksiazek said he believes the township brings in more money than it truly needs through the EIT and wants to see how taxpayer money could be spent better, possibly being used to preserve Stone Farm before a 100-plus home development is built on the property.

The family man and attorney said he believes there is a way to preserve Stone Farm, but he would first like to put a ballot question to the voters before putting EIT funds towards any possible purchases.

Glasson also said he would like to see Stone Farm saved from development.

“That farm is important to me and a lot of other people in Middletown,” he said.

Looking toward preservation, Glasson said he would like to work with outside groups, the county and private businesses to work on ways to purchase the property. He stated there are major concerns over traffic, the impact on nearby homes and emergency responders.

Glasson, who raised his family in Middletown, said he hopes use his experience as a firefighter and fire company leader to zero in on ways the township can continue to tackle the opioid problem.

Recently, Middletown Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Gallagher, who did not run for reelection, posted a note online stated he left the Republican party and was pushed aside from running because “they could not control him.” He also noted his disagreement with the EIT several years back and another vote angered his then-fellow Republicans. He said a write-in vote for him Tuesday would be a protest against the Middletown Republicans.

Glasson said he had no comment on the message from Gallagher.