Where's your P.I.L.O.T?

Dear Neighbor and Fellow Voter:

This year, you will finally have a choice between two candidates for the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners - Ward 4.  

As a small business owner and professional fundraiser, I'm running for office because I believe the Township has made several decisions that have negatively impacted our wallets.

These are just a few of the things I've heard along the campaign trail...

1) Does the Township have a grant writer?  I'm still waiting for an answer, since there's no information on the Township's website.  Why is this important?  

Grants from government, corporate and private foundations can be used to pay for important projects (i.e. building renovations, new fire trucks, additional police officers) rather than continuing to raise our school and property taxes.  

But if no one applies for the grant opportunities, the Township is forced to pass those costs on to us, the taxpayers.

2) A new hotel that doesn't pay its fair share in school and property taxes.  As a local business owner, I welcome projects that bring new jobs to our Township.  And I'm even willing to live with the increased traffic that will occur along Baltimore Pike and Route 320 as a result.  

But I don't think it's fair that the hotel owner gets to make a small payment in lieu of taxes (P.I.L.O.T.) for the next 30 years while the average citizen or other business owners do not receive the same break.  Where's your P.I.L.O.T.?

The P.I.L.O.T. system shortchanges our school district in the long run and once again passes the costs on to us, the taxpayers.  

3) Outsourcing animal shelters services to Chester County SPCA.  Each month, Delaware County pays $30,000 a month to handle stray animals and each Township must pay a portion of this fee, whether any stray animals are found or not. 

Yet the Township won't reveal how much it spends, because it's afraid to post a copy of its operating budget on its website for you and I to see.  As taxpayers, I think we have a right to know where and how our money is being spent.  

If you don't have the time to file a Right to Know request to track your tax dollars, I I'll be happy to file on your behalf.  You can learn more about my campaign at www.smartvoter.org or springfielddems.org.  

Thank you for your time and consideration.  I look forward to seeing you at the polls on Tuesday, November 5th!

Sincerely, 
Mandy Santiago
Candidate, Springfield Township Commissioner - 4th Ward