Why TrappeGOP did not endorse Marshall Stomel

Years ago, Fred Schuetz, Paul Edwards, and Lew DiPrete, whom together with Ted Patrick and Matt Watson, formed a majority faction calling themselves "The Trusted Team."  In 2011, this faction appointed one of their friends, Marshall Stomel, to fill the unexpired Council term of Ted Patrick who had recently resigned. Stomel served on Council for months in 2011.  He approached fellow Republican Committee Member, Stu Strauss, and me seeking endorsement for a two -year term beginning in 2012.  We met with him and asked questions; as an example, we queried him about Trappe's law holding all property owners responsible for maintaining their own sidewalks, and if he thought it was fair to require tax-paying residents to pay for their own sidewalk repairs plus also make us fund sidewalk renovations for businesses along Main Street - which is part of "The Trusted Team" agenda.  Yes, he said that was fair.  We disagreed.  Similar answers, along with observing his motions and seconds to motions during monthly Council meetings, added up to no endorsement.  We endorsed candidate Tammy Liberi, a far more qualified candidate, and voters rejected Stomel in favor of Liberi by a resounding margin.  Marshall had served his few months and then Tammy Liberi took her place on Council in January of 2012.

Then in 2012, another member of the faction, Matt Watson, resigned.  And again, his friends appointed Stomel back onto Council one year ago.  In that year, we attended Council meetings and observed his performance.  He read a letter aloud, one he intended to send to every Trappe resident, explaining why he wanted to start charging an individual fee for trash collection, a service Council historically provided to homeowners as part of our ongoing budget. Our jaws dropped.  Stomel and his faction members continue to advocate annual Trappe real estate tax  increases. This push to accumulate coffers of spendable tax dollars as opposed to running a tight budget and exhausting all prudent efforts to reduce costs - this "tax-and-spend" mentality - goes against our core Republican values and vision for Trappe. 

Certainly we want to maximize the historic beauty of Trappe, but there is no room in our minds for sloppy fiscal management and shouldering residents with the bill. There certainly is no justification for not incurring making major "nice-to-have"costs that necessarily result in growing annual taxes for us all - not without first presenting full unbiased information WITH ALL COSTS to the public, and allowing voters to weigh in on such major spending issues through fully informed community input. 

Pat Webster has what we consider a remarkable public service record.  In fact, I don't believe any current Council member or candidate's service history is as impressive as Pat's.  Over the past year I have seen her attending Council meetings, asking very smart questions, and when she approached us for endorsement it was as they say a "no-brainer." Pat is experienced, fair to all, competent, very much a team player, really cares to hear and consider all sides of every issue, and she is a fiscal watchdog for taxpayers. She also knows and is well-liked and respected by just about everyone in County and local municipal governments, both Democrats and Republicans, due to her former role as Government Affairs Manager at PECO Energy.  No one has a negative thing to say about Pat.  Both her professional and volunteer experience and skills make her a perfect fit for the role of Trappe Council Member.  We are thrilled that someone of her gravitas has stepped up to serve.