Who Gets Your Vote in Ward 3: Raymond Fullbright or Paul McElhaney?

The voters of 's Ward 3, which encompasses all of Belmont Hills and parts of Penn Valley and Bala Cynwyd, will choose their Board of Commissioners representative on Tuesday: either Democratic incumbent Paul A. McElhaney, the board's vice president, or Republican challenger Raymond E. Fullbright.

To learn more about the candidates ahead of Tuesday's election, Patch asked both the same questions, via email.

Fullbright's answers, edited only for Patch editorial style, are below. McElhaney did not respond to the request, but his page on the township's website invites residents to contact him via email to leave him a message.

PERSONAL

• Raymond E. Fullbright, 60, an insurance broker from Pencoyd Avenue in Belmont Hills

What’s the most important issue that is specific to your ward?

• FULLBRIGHT: Residents are greatly concerned about high taxes. Our township property tax went up by double digits last year. I oppose the unceasing property tax increases and the new trash tax.

What’s your opinion of the township’s current financial situation?

• FULLBRIGHT: Our current fiscal course is unsustainable. Total township debt has reached $111 million. Excessive spending and borrowing threaten our quality of life and property values.

What is the township funding too much or too little?

• FULLBRIGHT: It is spending too much on super-sized capital projects that are off schedule and over budget and dedicating too little to essential services like roads.

How would you approach your job in the upcoming term, if elected?

• FULLBRIGHT: The job is to represent, so my approach will be to communicate with my constituents to understand their issues and to serve their interests.  It is time Ward 3 had a commissioner who listened to residents and provided a voice for them on the Board.

What makes you a better choice than your opponent?

• FULLBRIGHT: My commitment to communicate with residents and my independence, I believe, make me the better choice. My opponent has shown no independence and has saddled Ward 3 with high property taxes that have given us no clear benefit.

Contrast the job performances of the board’s Democratic and Republican blocs in the past couple years.

• FULLBRIGHT: I do not view the world through a partisan lens.  I have seen some commissioners wanting to spend and borrow with little regard for taxpayers and other commissioners fighting for a more disciplined approach. 

What’s the most positive aspect of Lower Merion Township?

• FULLBRIGHT: The people: They are hard-working, honest and capable.