Roads an issue in Washington Township race
Two Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination for Washington Township supervisor, with no Republicans on the ballot.
Jamie Miller is in her first six-year term as a township supervisor and Dan Moody is hoping to start his first term in January. Moody, who grew up in Fayette City, has lived in Washington Township for the past 15 years. He ran unsuccessfully for the supervisor’s position two years ago.
Moody said he doesn’t have a personal agenda or political debts in his race for the office.
“I just think I can bring something to the table,” Moody said.
One thing he would like to bring is increased communications with police, fire and residents, saying only a handful of people attend the public meetings.
“The meeting format is unfriendly, as far as when they can ask questions. I would give them more of a forum to speak,” Moody said.
Moody said his background in the engineering field, where he works as a mechanical designer drafting manager, has taught him how to discuss multiple facets of an issue.
“I want to get in there and take my analytic approach,” Moody said. “Working in the engineering field, you learn to debate an issue and take action for the good of the community.”
Moody said he would put in as much time as the elected position requires, but with a staffed office, he sees no need for supervisors to be in the township building full time.
“I don’t think you need to be unemployed or retired to be a supervisor,” Moody said.
Moody said he is not interested in serving as a full-time road master for the township as his opponent currently does.
“It’s a position I think we need to get more out of. It’s a critical position for the township. All three supervisors are able to step up as part of that,” Moody said.
Moody said the township roads are in poor condition.
“We need to keep up with it instead of letting them get too far along,” Moody said.
Miller said the township has a good five-year maintenance plan for the roads.
“We’re paving 16 roads in the township this year and 25 next year. We put away liquid fuels (tax) money over the years to accumulate in CDs (certificates of deposit), and that’s how we’re able to pave our roads right now. We also purchased new trucks and police cars, and we were able to do that without raising taxes,” Miller said.
Miller said staff reductions from attrition in both the street department and the police department provided the extra money needed for new equipment.
“The savings in health insurance and salary was significant,” Miller said.
Miller said the township has completed a major sewerage project over the past six years.
“I would hope with the sewerage project there would be more growth in our township. Already there have been some houses built. We have a great location,” Miller said. “I’m at the building every day. I put full hours in, and I like the community. I like to watch the growth.”
Miller said the current board of supervisors works well together. Former state police Trooper Arnie Dull is serving as chairman and overseeing the police department. The third supervisor is Washington Township Water Authority employee Charles Yusko. Miller said none of the supervisors currently take any health insurance or pension from the township, which also has saved the township money.
“Everybody’s put their best foot forward. It takes everybody to make it work, not just one supervisor,” Miller said.