Development, Taxes Among Key Issues In Middletown Supervisors Race

Voters in Middletown this election day will be deciding who will lead the township.

Incumbent Republican George Leonhauser is teaming with former Republican Board of Supervisors Pat Mallon for the upcoming election. Democrats Anna Payne and Dawn Quirple are squaring off against the two Republicans for the two six-year Supervisor roles.

The heated race comes at a time when the township is seeing several development proposals, increasing traffic, and ongoing resident concern over taxes.

Payne and Quirple are running under the “Middletown Together” banner and focused their campaign messaging on fighting for open space, revitalization of the mall area, and “holding the line on taxes.”

Quirple, legislative assistant for Democratic State Rep. Tina Davis and a former teacher, said she brings experience from her jobs to the table. As a teacher, she learned she was a “tireless advocate” for her students and solving problems, she said.

On the campaign trail, both the candidates have heard earfuls about the township’s tax rate and the earned income tax (EIT) that was instituted several years ago.

Quirple said she has talked to residents just working to keep their heads above water and who would like taxes to remain steady while keeping up the level of service.

Payne, who works for county government and serves as chair of the Middletown Board of Auditors, said that if she is elected she will work to keep the budget in check as costs increase. She said that she would look at “creative ways” to fund township services.

Both candidates stated they were not running on the message of repealing the EIT, but were willing to look at all options.

Quirple and Payne both said they supported the township aiding in efforts to preserve open space and Stone Meadow Farm.

“People moved to Bucks County because it’s not the city and we need to look at preserving open space,” Quirple said. “Development is a concern for many people.”

Both candidates support redevelopment of the Oxford Valley Mall but wanted to make sure the revitalization will be responsible. They see the mall property as a major economic impact area for the community.

Payne wants to meet with stakeholders, engineers, and public transit officials to look at ideas to improve traffic congestion on area roadways. As a daily traveler of Newtown-Langhorne near the proposed Stone Meadow Farm development, she understands the congestion that has overtaken some roadways in the township, she said.

“I drive that road everyday. I get it,” she said. “It’s going to be a mess if they build houses.”

Payne, who was a delegate for Bernie Sanders presidential campaign in 2016, said she “will be a fighter for residents no matter of their political affiliation.” She cited her health issues as giving her perspective on making the most of her time.

Leonhauser, a retired township police officer and legislative assistant who has served on the board for 10 years, said he wants to keep serving the residents of the township he loves.

Mallon, who led the Supervisors when the EIT was approved in 2013, was voted out in 2015. He said he stepped up to run for this election in summer when he learned Bill Oettinger was moving out of the township, adding the situation felt like “fate.”

“The response has been great,” he said.

Although the EIT vote haunts his campaign, Mallon, a businessman and veteran, said the decision to implement the .5 percent tax came as a tough call to balance the budget 2013. It followed previous Board of Supervisor failures to properly prepare the township for increasing costs and pension obligations. The tax was designed to bring in revenue many working residents were already paying to other municipalities without raising taxes significantly on those who were retired and on fixed incomes, he said.

Leonhauser, who also voted for the EIT, defended its implementation in the context of the township’s financial outlook at the time and noted the Democratic majority that is on the board presently has not made a move to repeal the tax.

Mallon said he would support looking at a possible bond issue that could help preserve open space. He noted a program similar to the one the county has run could work in Middletown.

The former supervisor said drastic development can impact the quality of life of residents.

On development, Leonhauser said he aims to “preserve as much land as I can.” He cited his vote to preserve the Spring Valley Farm property and raised worry that if the township doesn’t work on a plan other undeveloped parcels could be targeted by builders.

Leonhauser s said he’s keeping an open mind on the proposed development at the Oxford Valley Mall site. He said his final decision will come after all the plans are reviewed and citizens have a chance to speak up.

“I’m not a fan of the 600 apartments (proposed for the Oxford Valley Mall) and wouldn’t agree with the zoning change that was approved,” Mallon said. He added that he supports some sort of redevelopment of the mall but is “skeptical” of the current plan.

Mallon said he would aim to work with PennDOT and the township to seek improvements to ease congestion in the township.

Leonhauser stated he supports continued efforts to ease congestion, especially as more development is proposed.

Mallon said that if elected again to the board, he would be a fiscal watchdog for the township.

“You’ve got to watch every nickel and I don’t believe the current board is doing that,” he said.