Hatfield Township Down to One-on-One in Ward 1 Race

Dan Sokil | The Reporter•

After a primary race in May, Hatfield’s Ward 1 seat on the township’s board of commissioners is back on the ballot.

Incumbent Republican commissioner Greg Lees is facing a challenge from Democrat Jennifer LoStracco, who prevailed in the township’s only primary race.

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

LEES

Greg Lees (Submitted photo)

Describe your background and qualifications for a position on Hatfield’s board of commissioners.

I’m a Hatfield Township resident since 1973. I’m currently the Commissioner for Ward 1 in Hatfield Township, and I have four years experience as a Township Commissioner. Throughout my Naval career, I’ve been in Leadership positions where I have led as few as four people, and as many as several thousand people. I’ve been managing budgets from a few thousand dollars to multiple millions of dollars for years. Having over 40 years of experience as a First Responder, I am intimately familiar with the needs of our Emergency Services organizations and how they are run. With my background in construction and building, I’m very familiar with their needs, the permitting and inspection processes, and the needs of Public Works.

Why are you running for a position on Hatfield’s board of commissioners?

I’ve been involved in helping and protecting my neighbors and the residents of the Hatfield Community since I was 15. Whether that was as a Volunteer Firefighter or as a Volunteer EMT for the VMSC of Lansdale. I served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman attached to the US Marine Corps Fleet Marine Force, the Seabees, and the Fleet. I’m currently a career Full time 911 Paramedic. For the past four years, I have fulfilled the volunteer elected position as a Hatfield Township Commissioner, and I enjoy helping people.

What would be your goals and priorities for your term?

Continued Fiscal responsibility and holding the line on taxes.

Preservation of open space. We’ve preserved over 30 acres with the plan to preserve over 65 more.

Building a new public safety building on Cowpath Rd.

Improving the intersections of Welsh and Orvilla Roads, as well as Koffel Road and Orvilla Road.

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

Website: GregLees.com

LOSTRACCO

Jennifer LoStracco. (Campaign photo / Facebook)

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I am a Speech Language Pathologist with over 25 years of experience at the Bucks County IU serving the community in both public schools and community preschools. I have experience as a Democratic Committeeperson, first in Montgomery Township, and now in Hatfield Township. I was elected to the Montgomery Township Board of Auditors in 2017 and then moved to Hatfield Township with my husband and son in 2020.

I also support the needs of teachers all over Bucks and Montgomery counties as the current Secretary for the PSEA Mideastern Region. For my local union, I have served as a union rep, Grievance Chair, President, Secretary, and Negotiations Team member. I believe my leadership and team collaboration experience in these capacities, will allow me to be a positive addition to the Board of Commissioners.

I want to help the members of our community to solve large and small problems, grow, learn, and prosper.

Why are you running for a position on Hatfield’s board of commissioners?

I want to continue my community involvement at the township level so that I may engage with the community and help meet our diverse needs. Helping the community to grow and flourish even further, is something I know I can accomplish on the Board of Commissioners.

My husband and I love raising our family here and will stay here for the long term. We are active in several local community sports teams for my 10-year-old son. It has been our joy and priority to be active with our son’s school, AM Kulp Elementary, in the North Penn School District. I am proud of the learning and leadership opportunities that have made me who I am today, and I want to continue this work.

What would be your goals and priorities for your term?

My top three goals would be to continue and develop new ways to provide accessible resources to everyone in our township. I would like to continue to help push for sustainable community projects within our parks and recreation areas, and all other infrastructures. Lastly, I want to help ensure that any new development in Hatfield will add to the community, rather than detract from it. Our community deserves someone who is transparent, fiscally responsible and responsive, flexible to the needs of our community, does ongoing research, asks tough questions, and carefully investigates the best ways to bring this community into the future.

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

Facebook: Jen LoStracco for Hatfield Twp. Commissioner Ward 1

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