|
|
Kaitlin Carney | Democrat
Incumbent Nadia Rajsz faces opposition from Ron Thiele for the Town of Lumberland supervisory seat.
|
Fiscal responsibility, transparency are Rajsz’s selling points
Story by Kaitlin Carney
GLEN SPEY — October 29, 2013 — Incumbent Nadia Rajsz is seeking re-election to supervisor of the Town of Lumberland.
Supported by her husband and two daughters, Nadia is driven by her desire to serve her constituents as well as be a positive and strong role model for her daughters.
“I want to continue the positive direction undertaken four years ago in the Town of Lumberland, and to keep moving in a positive way,” said Rajsz.
During her first campaign, Rajsz ran with three goals in mind: to be fiscally responsible, to be transparent, and to explore the possibility of economic development.
“Lumberland is primarily a bedroom community with little industry. I don’t want to bring in a Wal-Mart, I want to support and encourage small businesses to grow our economy,” said Rajsz, who feels in her first term as supervisor she has fulfilled her first two goals, creating fiscal oversight and responsibility and encouraging transparency in government.
“For the past two years the budget has gone down in hope of decreasing town taxes. However, we are also at the mercy of the county,” she noted. “We’ve decreased the deficit substantially and I hope to eliminate it before the terms of the bonds. I’ve taken the town into a positive financial position, and there is transparency, within the town government.”
Rajsz also sees part of her role as connecting Lumberland to the rest of the county, and to make sure her constituents’ needs are known. She represents the town as chair of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway. Her connection and advocacy with the byway has resulted in a number of grants and opportunities for the town.
“I have positive connections with Assemblywoman Gunther and Senator Bonacic’s offices, and they are very supportive and helpful when the Town of Lumberland needs something,” she said.
As she enters her 12th year of public service, Rajsz looks to continue to develop the economy of the town and to expand the tax base to decrease the tax burden on residents.
“I would support casinos if we can ensure that the build out, from construction to implementation would provide jobs and opportunities for our residents, not be outsourced,” Rajsz said.
The incumbent looks forward to another opportunity to work with her town board, noting, “we are a team, and even if we don’t see eye to eye on something, our hearts are in the right place and we work well together.”
Rajsz, who regards herself as being honest to a fault, would like to continue to serve the town, and its residents. “I am again running on integrity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. Those ideals have not changed, and never will,” she said.
Thiele wants to take next step
Story by Kaitlin Carney
GLEN SPEY — October 29, 2013 — Councilman Ron Thiele thinks he has more to offer to the voters and residents of the Town of Lumberland.
After being elected and serving two years on the board, Thiele decided to enter the supervisor’s race. His opponent is current Supervisor Nadia Rajsz.
“The year before I ran for councilman, there was a lot going on in town and people were not happy with the board,” Thiele explained.
He feels that, after restoring confidence in the council, he has a few larger missions.
“We are being priced out of our town by taxes. I don’t see any limit to making it a tourist spot and little effort to make is so full-time residents will stay.”
These issues are what concern Thiele the most, and what he hopes to work on if elected to be supervisor.
As a lifelong resident and owner of two local businesses, Thiele feels he knows what the constituents want. His goals are to make it more affordable for people to live in Lumberland, to spend taxpayer dollars on things that benefit them, not just people passing through, and to work with other portions of government and the community to increase efficiencies.
For example, Thiele would work with the school to ensure that parents do not have to choose between an event at the school and participation in town board meetings.
Thiele also thinks it is important to ensure that constables are scheduled at the most appropriate times, citing the recent manhunt as an example of need.
On casinos, the candidate feels they could potentially be a great tool for the county if they were done correctly.
“I wouldn’t want lawmakers distracted by the dollar, but to look at how it can benefit the county,” he said, noting that before offering his support he would want to know that locals comprise a large percentage of the work force, and that developers are dedicated to using local resources during building and when the casinos are open.
Thiele feels his business experience, running many others before having two of his own, has prepared him for the job.
“The town should be run like a business. I have a realistic idea of what people that live here want… it’s not about what I want, it’s about what the people who elect me want.”
Thiele has the support of his wife and five children as he runs for supervisor. He would like voters to remember that first and foremost, he is a citizen of the town, and that drives him in his goals.
|
