Towamencin Candidates Square Off for Supervisor’s Seat in Next Month’s Election

Dan Sokil | The Reporter•

Election Day on Nov. 7 will give residents another chance to shape the future of Towamencin Township.

Incumbent Republican Rich Marino is facing a challenge from Democrat Kofi Osei for a six-year term on the township board of supervisors.

Both candidates were sent the same questions, and below are their answers:

Marino

Rich Marino. (Credit: submitted)

Describe your background and qualifications for a position on Towamencin Township’s Board of Supervisors

I have deep roots in our local area, having graduated from Lansdale Catholic in 1980 and later Villanova in 1984. Following graduation, I dedicated myself to serving our nation as an Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984 to 1989, with continued service in the reserves until 1995. My commitment was further solidified as a combat veteran in Operation Desert Storm, for which I was honored with a Bronze Star.

My personal life flourished here as well. I found my wife, Margrit, a dedicated Math Teacher at North Penn HS, at Villanova. Since tying the knot in 1986, we’ve been fortunate to raise four wonderful children in Towamencin, where we’ve resided since 1997 and actively participate in both the North Penn High School and Corpus Christi Parish communities.

I’ve been an active member of the Board of Supervisors since 2018 and the Towamencin Municipal Authority since 2016. My earlier contributions include roles in the Planning Commission and Open Space Committee. These experiences have enriched my understanding of local governance. As a Road Construction Contractor, I possess practical knowledge about the infrastructure needs of our Township. I’m eager to continue to leverage my professional and civic experiences for the betterment of our community.

Why are you running for a position on Towamencin Township’s Board of Supervisors?

My primary motivation for seeking re-election on Towamencin Township’s Board of Supervisors is to preserve the unique character of our Township. Our community retains a distinct rural setting, and I am committed to safeguarding our open spaces. I firmly believe in resisting any external pressures to modify zoning regulations for high-density housing, ensuring our Township remains true to its spirit.

A significant challenge ahead for Towamencin is the impending need to refurbish and upgrade infrastructure from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Drawing from my construction background, I am confident in guiding the Township through this transition in the most economical and efficient manner.

Furthermore, my tenure witnessed considerable change, including the global pandemic’s impact and multiple leadership transitions within the Township. Despite these challenges, we’ve made commendable progress, such as finalizing Master Plans for our parks, conducting a Connectivity Study, and initiating the revision of our Comprehensive Plan.

With a dedicated Township Staff on board, I am eager to continue collaborating with them to realize the visions we’ve set in motion.

Lastly, my dedication to service is unwavering. Since 1980, I’ve consistently served either my nation or my community. My involvement in the Towamencin community dates back to 1997, and presently, I actively contribute to TYA, Towamencin Municipal Authority, the Board of Supervisors, and serve as the Board liaison for the Public Works Committee, Planning Commission, and Veterans Committee. My commitment to our community is rock solid, and I aspire to continue this service through the Board of Supervisors.

The township sewer sale discussion has prompted years of debate within the community. What would you do during your term as Supervisor to bring that debate to a
close?

The ongoing debate surrounding the Township Sewer Sale has been a prominent topic of discussion for years within our community. As a Supervisor, I recognize that it is not within my power to conclusively end this debate. The community’s right to voice concerns and engage in discussions is paramount, and as long as residents wish to participate in these conversations, they will persist.

Presently, the sale’s decision rests with the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and there’s an ongoing legal challenge that will navigate the judicial system. These proceedings ensure that the sewer sale remains a topical issue, and any updates or developments will inevitably spark further public discourse. Eventually, a resolution will be reached, and the community will move forward.

A significant outcome of this decision will be its impact on our Township’s financial landscape, which is a subject for another extensive dialogue.

However, amidst this debate, I’ve been heartened by my interactions with our residents. While some individuals hold strong opinions against the sale, many are open to dialogue and understanding. I’ve engaged in sincere and candid conversations with those who initially opposed the sale, sharing my perspective, apprehensions, and reasons for believing it’s a beneficial move for the Township. Even if they remain unconvinced, many have come to appreciate the rationale behind such a decision.

While vocal opponents often dominate Township meetings, my experience suggests that a significant portion of our community is open-minded, inquisitive, and willing to engage in constructive discussions.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Instagram: @richmarino2023
Facebook: Rich Marino for Towamencin Supervisor and Friends of Rich Marino

Osei

Kofi Osei. (Credit: submitted)

Describe your background and qualifications for a position on Towamencin Township’s board of supervisors.

I have a Bachelor’s in Applied and Computational Mathematics and am an Actuarial Analyst by trade so I am fully capable at crunching the numbers to make sure the township is running in a fiscally responsible way. I also recently finished a term as a government study commissioner which not only gave me the knowledge of local government, but showed the voters of Towamencin my work as a public servant. I did what I promised to do on the government study commission and the voters of Towamencin approved the study commission’s proposal.

I grew up in Towamencin and love it here. My parents are immigrants from Ghana and I’m glad to be able to grow up in a township like this with little issue. I would use my recent experience of being a child in the township to provide a different perspective.

Why are you running for a position on Towamencin Township’s board of supervisors?

Over the past few years, I have been diligently attending board of supervisors meetings and it feels like there is a mismatch between what the general public expects from their local government and how the current board has been acting. The sewer sale is obviously the big issue in the township, but underneath the drama is a genuine need to talk about how much it cost to maintain the township at our current service levels.

I would like to go further in including the community in discussions about how we can fund things like our roads, fire department, employee pensions, stormwater infrastructure, et cetera, without breaking the banks of the families that live here. We have a lot of smart people in this township that could provide valuable insight but the way decisions are made are highly insular and cater to a very small subset of residents. I’d like a thriving civic culture in Towamencin where we can actually collaborate on solutions.

One issue of particular passion of mine is what we can do as a township to promote pedestrian and bike safety in the township. There is a lack of sidewalks and trails in the township and we can do a better job of finding ways to provide paths for our children to move around safely.

The township’s sewer sale discussion has prompted years of debate within the community. What would you do during your term as supervisor to bring that debate to a close?

I believe the debate about the sewer sale is over. Towamencin voters approved the home rule charter that prohibits the sewer sale with a bigger vote margin than any of the current supervisors had in their last election. As supervisor, I would terminate the sale agreement at the earliest possible moment. I would also make sure to call out the mistruths that have been spreading about the sale from 4 of the current supervisors.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Website: www.KofiKOsei.com

Facebook: Kofi Osei For Towamencin

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