Election 2023: Republican Jon Forest For Buckingham Twp. Supervisor

Candidates running in the Nov. 7 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — Republican Jon Forest is seeking re-election to the Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors. Two candidates - Democrat Michael Bateman and Republican Jon Forest - are vying for one open seat on the board.

Biographical Information

Name: Jon Forest
Age: 61
Town of residence: Buckingham Township
Position Sought: Township Supervisor
Are you an Incumbent: Yes
Party Affiliation: Republican
Family: Wife Denise and Son Joshua
Education: B.S. in Business Administration and Economics, LaSalle University
Occupation: Co-owner of Buckingham Valley Vineyards and Winery. I have also served as
a Pennsylvania State Constable for 32 years.

Questions

Why are you running for office?

I am running for office because I love our township, I believe in community service and I want to give back to the Township that has given so much to my family and I. My parents, Gerry and Kathy fell in love with Buckingham while attending school at the University of Pennsylvania. I have raised my family here on our family Farm. My son attended the same high quality Central Bucks schools that I did. This fall Joshua will attend the University of Kentucky to study food science.

As a fiscal conservative, I am proud of the direction we have taken the township. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of balanced budgets and the necessity of living within ones means. Hundreds of businesses in the township must adhere to these principles and government at all levels should be held to the same standard. Our township has the lowest township taxes in Bucks County and received AAA bond rating (one of only seven townships in the state) today we still maintain this rating.

What are the top issues facing the township and how do you plan to address them?

Local government’s face may challenges today, increasing costs, inflation, unfunded federal
mandates and a shortage of volunteer firefighters. The PADEP passed down federal mandates that have drastically affected a lot of what the township does every day. When building any structure over 1,000 square feet you must go through storm water management and construction. This process applies to the building of an agricultural building in the middle of a 10-acre farm or a tent with pavers. The process is even more tedious when building a single-family home where the costs are typically in excess of $100,000.

Finally, we have a shortage of young volunteer firefighters. As recruitment for volunteer fire companies shrink, the pressure for paid fire companies is increasing. Last year police departments accounted for about 50 percent of most township budgets. Paid fire companies cost as much and probably more than police departments because of the high capital expenditure.

What background /knowledge will you bring to the table?

Good local government does not happen by accident. It takes hard work, experience and proven leadership. Over the past 18 years I have helped make Buckingham Township one of the safest, most fiscally stable places to live in Pennsylvania.

During my first term we stopped the expansion of Doylestown Airport and brought professional management to the township. We formed a Youth Aid Panel for young first-time offenders. In 2008 we passed an open space referendum that passed by 83 percent. We got the Central Bucks East Stadium built. We achieved the lowest township taxes in Bucks County, and received AAA bond rating. We are consistently rated as one of the safest townships in the state, and in 2022 Buckingham Police Department received accreditation.

As lifelong resident who grew up on a family farm, I understand the importance of hard work and community service. If re-elected I will bring the same fiscal restraint and strong work ethic that I have demonstrated over the past 18 years.