The Main Line Times

To the Editor:

Anyone who has been following the Lower Merion Township commissioner meetings has noticed a clear difference in governing style, philosophy, priorities and reliability, of the various commissioners.

Most recently, these differences were highlighted in the debate and vote on the "shared use agreement" with Lower Merion School District to allow a bus depot in a residential area ("Croyle property"). If it were not true that the township owns the property, zoning would not permit a bus depot there. Distinctions were also made clear in recent newspaper columns written by Commissioner Mark Taylor (D).

The Croyle deliberations show a clear difference in governing style, between the commissioners who validated non-public, public policy making of a prior board (instructions to the district to not consider certain appropriately zoned industrial/commercial sites for a bus depot), and those commissioners who want the public aware of actions that impact public policy and therefore did not validate the prior conduct.

The Croyle deliberations show a clear difference in governing philosophy, between the commissioners who contorted and subverted zoning ordinances and entered an unusual "shared use" arrangement for what they see as a "greater good," and those commissioners who understood the bad precedent being set and that sometimes it takes more flexibility and work to get results the right way.

The Croyle deliberations show a clear difference in the priorities of commissioners who sacrificed an existing residential neighborhood, and those who stood for protecting it, regardless of ward boundaries or voter registration.

Finally, the Croyle deliberations show a clear difference in reliability, between commissioners who voted to break the board's word to township residents (that buses would not back up) and those who did not.

The commissioners who stood to protect our neighborhoods and defend the integrity of the township's zoning and promises, and who stand for reliability and transparent government, are all Republicans. Republicans believe that educational achievement can be prioritized and maintained while strengthening our existing neighborhoods. Republicans understand that new high schools are not dependent on sacrificing the Croyle neighborhood. These Republicans need others on the Board of Commissioners who share their values. In November, voters will have an opportunity to elect commissioners who share these values and to replace those who do not.

Tracey Specter

Chair, Republican Committee of

Lower Merion and Narberth