Meet the Candidates: Patrick M. Leonard

Patrick M. Leonard

Running For: Upper Saucon Board of Supervisors

Affiliation: Republican

Residence: Upper Saucon

Education: GED in military, some college

Profession/Work Experience: manager

Elected Positions: I was appointed to positions

Committees: Open Space Study, Planning Commission, Environmental Advisory Council, Zoning Hearing Board

Why are you running? I think for the foreseeable future balancing the budget is going to be top priority. I believe that the current administration has done a fantastic job of setting a new direction for the township.

If elected, what would you like to accomplish? I want to make sure that the momentum keeps going. We need to continue to manage development and increase funding for open space projects or even land preservation, however, we cannot lessen the need to provide basic municipal services to our residents and we will have to do all this with less money than ever before.

FORUM QUESTIONS

Vision for the future of the Township:

I would like to see the township stay rural. I think we need to stick with that. It’s important to have revenue streams outside that, though. One of the great things about our township is there’s a lot of open space. I would like to see that continue so my children and others' children have the same opportunities that I did.

What is your position on collaborating with the school board?

I think we have to work with the school board. The school board and board of supervisors haven’t had the closest relationship in the past but it's important to develop a close working relationship. We all have to work together to make sure what we have is the best it can be.

Township Employee Pay Raises

I don’t have a lot of information, but I do know there are other states and municipalities that do make salaries based on the CPI (Consumer Price Index). It’s very possible we could do that. I want to see how they’re being reviewed, how they’re being evaluated to try and put some basics together on employee salaries.

How many township supervisors meetings have you attended in the past yr?

I’m not sure, five, six, maybe seven.

What is the annual township budget?

At the moment I do not remember.

Have you ever filed any legal action against the township?

No, I have not had any legal action with the township.

Do any of the candidates have land investments? Would this cause any issues, and if so would you recuse yourself?

I don’t have any land owning outside of my home. If you did, recusing yourself would be necessary.