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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Chester County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Basic Services
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. As the demographics change in your township, how do you plan to provide for basic services?
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Answer from Joe Denham:
As a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Physician,I continue to advocate for my patients' and families' Health, Safety,and Welfare. To improve and optimize services for our Township's residents, I would also advocate for their Health, Safety, and Welfare in a fiscally responsible manner.
To help achieve successfully these goals, I would engage each resident to voice her or his concerns directly to me about issues in our Township. Communication, Transparency, and Accountability are needed in our Township. I would listen to each resident, and advocate their right to petition the Township's Board of Supervisors to review their concerns.
As a West Whiteland Fire Company Board of Director and Finance Committee Member, I have developed a Cardiac Screening Program for our Volunteer Fire Fighters.I have partnered with an area Cardiologist, and Main Line Health [ Paoli Hosp.,etc.]
The vast majority of Fire Fighter in-the-line-of-duty deaths are caused by cardiac issues. Our women and men who volunteer their time, and place their lives on the line 24/7, never ask for anything. They devote their passionate energies to protect our homes,schools,hospitals,and business entities.
In addition, I would continue to enhance our region's educational mission for our early childhood and elementary
schools. As a Children's Book Author, I have been an invited guest author at Chester County, and surrounding Counties' Elementary schools. I continue to advocate for every child, and partner with teachers in their daily commitment to advance reading and writing skills.
Answer from Keith Choper:
NOTHING IS PERMANENT BUT CHANGE. That expression accurately characterizes the demographics of West Whiteland Township. For example, our population has increased and will continue to grow. In 1973, 8,000 people lived here; today our population is close to 20,000 with a growing number of both "seniors" and children. That says a lot about the desirability of living in West Whiteland Township.
During my 12-years on the Board of Supervisors, even as the Township's demographics have changed, I, along with the other Township Supervisors, have taken significant steps to keep West Whiteland Township a great place to live and work through thoughtful, fiscally responsible planning as well as by providing services that create safe and enjoyable living.
To mention just a few of the changes I have worked on to ensure our growing and changing population thrives in a safe environment, we have:
- Provided services that are targeted to better care for our increased number of seniors and residents with special needs. Our Police Department now maintains a listing of residents with special medical needs so that when an emergency occurs our responding personnel are aware, in advance of arriving on scene, of the special services that may be required.
- Recognized that increased traffic can impact critical emergency medical response. The Township's Fire Company has partnered with the Uwchlan Ambulance Corp to house a Mobile Intensive Care Unit in West Whiteland during the busiest times of the day, a move that shortens response time. This realignment of resources was a direct result of planning and responding to our increased population.
- Enabled our Police Department to better serve and assist residents whose native language is not English. We have offered foreign language training instruction to our police officers and have provided the police with access to translators + a resource that can avoid miscommunication and save substantial time, effort and costs.
- Enhanced communications with our residents by improving the Township's newsletter and website, and by instituting an email system to notify residents of current Township events.
Additionally, I and the other members of the Township's Board of Supervisors understand the importance of providing services that enhance the quality of life within the Township. We have and will continue to:
- Support the policy that new developments minimize their impact, control stormwater runoff, allocate land for public open space and install sidewalks. Where it is possible, we strive to have new sidewalks and trails connect to our expanding pedestrian circulation network.
- Ensure that our parks, walking trails and municipal complex are designed to maximize their ability to be used by all residents, including those with special needs.
- Work with the "Challenger Division", a separate division of Little League created to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges to enjoy the game of baseball, so they can have access to ball fields.
- Work to ensure our Township's highly regarded annual Easter Egg Hunt continues. This event is recognized as a unique expression of caring and sensitivity for our residents with special needs and it is an event that I personally enjoy and will continue to support.
- Increase the number athletic fields, add park playground equipment and constructed additional venues for both active and passive recreation, including walking, biking and dog friendly trails.
As our demographics continue to change, I will work to ensure that all people within our community are provided with desirable services that are delivered wisely and in a cost-effective manner.
I would appreciate your vote both on May 21st in the primary election and in the general election on November 5th. I appreciate the continued interest of our residents in the programs that have been provided and as always, everyone is invited to contact me with suggestions. For additional information, please visit my website at www.keithchoper.org; contact me via email at KeithChoper4Supervisor@comcast.net or any of the additional contact options listed on the League of Women Voter's website.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as
submitted. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of Chester County, Pennsylvania
