2013 Supervisor candidate profiles. UPDATED

[davidk]

This article appears in the April 13, 2013 edition of the TImes-Tribune

Newton Twp. Republican voters will choose between two men to be their candidates in the November general election.

Robert Naegele and John J. Shaffer are facing off in the primary May 21 for a spot on the general election ballot as Newton supervisor. With no Democrat in the competition, the primary victor is likely to succeed in the general election to serve on the three-person board overseeing the township noted for rolling hills and agriculture. The post pays $1,500 annually.

Mr. Naegele, 38, an engineer and member of the planning commission, said a supervisor's post is a natural extension of his involvement in the community. His Clarks Summit firm is not looking for work from the township. Nevertheless, he said his background allows him to make a contribution as a board member. He wants to continue to shepherd the township natural gas ordinance and road improvements.

A retired logistics worker, Mr. Shaffer, 58, hopes to reclaim a supervisor's post from which he resigned in 2003 for health issues. Those issues resolved, he wants to continue to contribute. He's concerned about the financial commitment the township has made to the recreation center, which he said has taken money away from needed road work and put the township in debt.

"I supported the center when I was on the board, and I support it now, but now we are spending too much money on it to the ruin of the roads," he said. "Everyone uses the roads, but not everyone uses the rec center."

Mr. Shaffer thinks the township should work to improve fire and emergency protection and reinstitute spring cleanup.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.comRobert Naegele

Age: 38
Family: married to Katie, with two elementary-aged children.
Education: Bachelor's in civil and environmental engineering from Lafayette, licensed professional engineer
Employment: Principal, Colwell-Naegele Engineering, Clarks Summit.
Experience: Township planning commission for a year.
Top issue: The natural gas ordinance and road improvements.

John J. Shaffer
Age: 58
Family: Two grown children
Educ­ation: Abington Heights
Employment: retired from International Correspondence Schools, logistics
Experience: Newton supervisor from 1999-2002, eight years on planning commission, for a time as chairman. Oversaw recycling program and spring cleanup; currently a township auditor.
Top issue: Prioritize spending with focus on roads.

[Sal]

The above story states that Shaffer resigned as supervisor in 2003.  But at the end, it says he served until 2002.  In actuality, both are wrong.  Mr. Shaffer served until 2005, just before his term expired, because the Board was being reduced from five to three supervisors.  The news was reported here on this website by davidk.  Link
It’s a good thing that we have this website to keep the facts straight.

In an interview, Mr. Shaffer talked about his eight years on the planning commission, where he also served as Secretary and later as Chairman.  He has been recycling Coordinator, Roadmaster, Township Supervisor plus Township Auditor.   Shaffer has served the Township for over 16 years.

Shaffer has a lot of experience and if he is not elected, the Township with be left with three supervisors that  have very little experience.  The lawyer that wasn’t elected will be directing them and billing away.  The current supervisors would be wise to vote for Shaffer so that they have someone with experience and integrity to help them.

If someone doesn’t get things under control, you know what happens next.  Taxes go up.

In his last tour of duty as supervisor, Shaffer executed the Township’s largest dirt road paving and improvement project.  He upgraded road maintenance equipment and improved the buildings.  He rented unused Township land and buildings to generate revenue.  Along with all of the other accomplishments, the Township got out of debt, and property taxes were reduced.

They have to stop wasting money!

Mr. Shaffer expressed his concern that the Township is in more debt today than ever with hundreds of thousands of debt and interest payments. On top of that the township recently paid $45,000 for a worthless lot and that’s not including the money paid to lawyers for years fighting over that lot.  They’re still going at it with that lot and the legal bills and costs keep piling up.  If someone doesn’t get things under control, you know what happens next.  Taxes go up.

I have the experience and the time to take care of the Township

People need to understand that there is a lot to running a Township and it takes more than someone with a title to do it.  “I have the experience and the time to take care of the Township,” he said.

Next Candidate

I tried to extend every courtesy and equal time to Mr. Naegele.  Last week I call twice and left messages for him but he didn’t return the calls and that’s not good.  It’s a bad omen when a business person that wants to be a supervisor won’t return calls not to mention that it’s rude.

In all the years that I have been involved in the Township, he is the only person seeking the position of supervisor that didn’t attend township meetings.  I never saw Naegele sit through an entire Township meeting.  Even if he had nothing to say, he could have at least sat there and pretended that he was interested.

The only time that I saw him at Township meetings was when he was trying to get approval for his projects.  And that was the only reason he was there, because as soon as he was done he left.

Sometimes he didn’t even show up at meetings for his own projects.  They would call his name and he wouldn’t be there.

I wanted to ask Mr. Naegele if he felt that it is a conflict of interest for him to financially benefit from entities that seek permits in Newton Township.  But since he ducked all the question, it's up to you to decide.

[davidk]

Members of the Planning Commission are not paid, they are essentially volunteers.

[davidk]

I have known and worked with John for many years, going back to my initial involvement with the township.
He clearly has the most experience and will make a 5 star supervisor.

[Sal]

Members are not paid to be on the planning commission.  However, an engineer that is on the planning commission and takes on work that needs recommendation from the planning commission and approval from the supervisors can make a lot of money.  Just think how much money he can make as a supervisor.

The controversy is nothing new.  I have been hearing about it since last year.  It is bad enough that something like that is going on in the planning commission but what’s next?

Hey, Mr. Engineer that is on the planning commission and now a township supervisor, how about getting my project approved.  How much money do you want for that?

Here is how you spell conflict of interest.  NAEGELE