(Editor’s note: The following is an editorial submission, courtesy of Denton Burnell, for Lansdale Borough Council. The views expressed in this editorial are his own. To submit an editorial, send your Word document and a photo to [email protected].)
Dear Lansdale Friends,
It has been my honor to serve as your Lansdale Borough Council representative for the last eight years, and as President of Council for the last four.
When I compare the borough in 2012 to now, I see a town which has truly begun to experience a transformative revitalization. So many have done so much to bring that positive change about. We have seen private investment at many levels taking a chance on the future of Lansdale, while our public servants work hard to create and preserve an environment that fosters that investment. We have seen many new businesses come to Lansdale in that time, our events continue to draw bigger and bigger crowds, and there is a palpable positive buzz about where the borough is headed.
And yet, there is still much work to be done. For example, we have instituted a five year road maintenance program that proactively plans desperately needed road infrastructure upgrades. But that plan needs proper funding and effective management year over year. When re-elected, I will work to ensure that funding and continued management is in place.
We have begun to look at the borough's own consumption of electricity and ways to offset that expense while investing intelligently in renewable options that ultimately pay for themselves. But we need to go further, finding creative ways to reduce the borough's dependence on electric revenue without tax increases. We have made good strides on that path, including all of the work our borough team has done to derive revenue from our substantial electric pole infrastructure -- revenue that comes directly from commercial interests that use those poles. When re-elected, I will work with our staff to continue supporting programs like these, as well as seeking out other creative options that can minimize the tax burden on our residents.
We have also worked hard to make the business of government more accessible, more transparent and more welcoming. We video record all of our meetings and make them available online for all residents via our website at lansdale.org. Our meetings are also rebroadcast regularly on our cable access channels. Our meeting agendas, with detailed supporting documentation, are posted online ahead of our public meetings. And as President, I have always tried to provide a welcoming atmosphere during our meetings, encouraging public comment and participation. I want to sincerely thank all of my peers on council for helping me to foster that environment. If given the chance, I intend to continue doing so.
These are, of course, only a few of the things that I intend to tackle in the new year. Not surprisingly, there are many more matters that Council will need to address, and many opportunities we will need to pursue. Know that in all things, I am guided by a simple principle: always try to leave things just a little bit better than you found them. With your support in Ward 3, I look forward to the opportunity to continue putting that principle to the test.
I hope to see you at the polls on November 5th! Whoever you vote for, please do come out and vote!
Warm Regards,
Denton Burnell
President, Lansdale Borough Council
(Conflict acknowledgement: Though Denton Burnell has no financial interest or editorial influence on North Penn Now, he does serve as an unpaid volunteer on the technical/web development side of our business.)
See also:
Letter to the Editor: Annette Long, for Montgomery Township Supervisor
Letter to the Editor: Laura Smith and Chuck Wilson, for Towamencin Supervisor
Letter to the Editor: North Penn Neighbors for Progress, School Board Candidates
Letter to the Editor: Joyce Snyder and Peter Murphy, for Towamencin Supervisor
Letter to the Editor: John Waldenberger, for Montgomery County Commissioner
