Melissa M. Weber Seeks Whitpain Township Supervisor seat

Political Views

• Republican
• Fiscally conservative

Positions Held:

• Attorney and shareholder (similar to partner) for Elliott Greenleaf, Blue Bell, 2005-present
• Whitpain Township Zoning Hearing Board member, 2010-present 
• State Representative 148^th District, for part of Whitpain Township and surrounding communities, 2002-2004 
• Assistant District Attorney for Montgomery County, 1996-2002
• Wissahickon Lacrosse Club coach, 2007-present

Issues of Focus:

• Re-evaluate the 39 percent tax hike approved by the supervisors in 2009.  “The tax has generated $1.3 million, which I am not sure is necessary,” Weber said. “We are a hard-working township, and I’d like to look at numbers I am not privy to now,” to see if the tax can be reduced, she added.
• Monitor traffic issues and protect the township since a lot of traffic flows through the township on Routes 202 and 73, Weber said. “I would use my relationships [forged as a state representative] to protect Whitpain and make sure it gets its fair share of highway dollars,” she said. 
• “The township has done a noble job of preserving open space,” said Weber. She would work to protect open space by:  1) encouraging developers to reuse existing, vacant properties, which would increase property taxes and earned income credits for the township, and 2) limiting development on pristine land. Weber thinks using for athletic fields is “intriguing.” As a Wissahickon Lacrosse Club coach, Weber said there is a need for fields. As a Zoning Hearing Board member, she said, “I look at each property before hearings,” and she continued, “I would hear and address Yost Road neighbors’ concerns about developing fields in their neighborhood.”

Accomplishments:

As a state representative:

• Voted “no” on Gov. Rendell’s proposed tax hike
• Voted against pay raises for Pennsylvania legislators
• Voted for increased SEPTA funding to reduce traffic congestion, decrease need for road expansions, decrease taking properties by imminent domain
• Worked with the Schuylkill Valley Transportation Coalition to assess regional and future traffic growth in communities bordering the Schuylkill River west of Philadelphia
• Authored anti-sprawl legislation for redevelopment in communities with vacant buildings with existing water and waste water treatment resources, and thus, diminish development of pristine land

As an attorney:

• Recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers as a Rising Star, 2005, 2006, 2007
• Recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer, 2010
• Received Montco Chamber of Commerce’s Wynn’s Group Award for Women’s Leadership Excellence, 2006
• Other recognitions may be viewed here.

Her Best Quality for Serving Residents

• A fresh perspective with energy to meet residents, investigate issues in the township and seek creative solutions to needs. Weber cites being a mother of two small children, practicing law, coaching lacrosse and carefully preparing for Zoning Hearing Board meetings as proof of the energy she has to wear many hats and get jobs done.

Weber has lived in Whitpain Township more than four years.  For more information on Weber, visit her webpage.

CORRECTION: This article orginally read "Re-evaluate the 39 percent tax hike approved by the voters in 2009." The tax hike was approved by the supervisors, not the voters.