2008 News
July 11, 2008
“Outstanding:” The State of Bucks County
Commissioners Deliver Annual Presentation during Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce (LBCCC) Percolator Meeting
Returning to the spacious, 340-seat auditorium at Bucks County Community College’s Newtown campus for the first time since July, 2005, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners offered a comprehensive “State of the County” presentation to 150 members of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce (LBCCC) on July 10.
“It is my pleasure to tell you that the state of Bucks County is outstanding,” Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. observed before delivering a sweeping update of the county’s strong fiscal picture and asking commissioner colleagues Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, for their support in the creation of an Economic Development Advisory Board to the Commissioners. The proposed board will consist of representatives from large corporations, Chambers of Commerce, small business owners, federal, state and local government officials, and members of the public at-large. Its overarching goal will be to make suggestions to streamline the business development process through collaboration and cooperation.
“Our goal in Bucks County is to be the best in a good region,” Cawley said. “We can no longer sit back and wait for the world to come to us. We must market ourselves aggressively, and with purpose.”
Following Chairman Cawley to the podium, Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia capitalized on her first State of the County address to discuss themes of human services and safety. During her first six months as commissioner, she has been proud to influence county services in the areas of Veterans access, Corrections injury reporting, the ongoing Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), the Bucks Employees’ Green Initiative (or BEGIN) Committee, the Cool Counties Initiative (Bucks was the first county in Pennsylvania to pass a resolution to reduce its carbon footprint on a wide scale), and a soon-to-be-deployed, one-stop hotline line for homeowners faced with foreclosure issues and other economic adversity.
“The first six months have been challenging, but I am pleased that we have been able to find common ground,” Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia told the gathering.
During his 14th LBCCC State of the County address, Commissioner Martin offered a comprehensive analysis of the Johnsville Naval Base redevelopment in Warminster/Northampton/Ivyland. He thanked the members of the Federal Lands Reuse Authority (FLRA) and Robert Cormack, executive director of the Bucks County Economic Development Corporation, for their vision and ability to transform the base into a thriving hub of business, residence and recreation, noting, “This project has resulted in 4,800 jobs, which is nearly double what the naval base employed.” The FLRA officially “sunsetted” during December, 2007, drawing praise from the commissioners, municipal officials, residents and business leaders. It became a national model for federal property redevelopment and positive economic development.
Commissioner Martin also provided an update on the county government facilities that are located on the former Johnsville site, including the county’s first centralized Forensic Facility (which opened last October) and the soon-to-be-opened 911 Communications Center, which is an annex of the county Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
“This is truly a success story,” Commissioner Martin added.
Another success story involves the relationship between the commissioners and the Bucks County Community College. Dr. James Linksz, president of the college, told the Cawley, Martin and Ellis-Marseglia his institution is characterized by “proud stewards” of the county’s higher education platform. Dr. Linksz also touched on themes of “return on investment” and “mobilizing destinies,” noting that the college offers a rich diversity of curriculum to students of all ages.
A PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the State of the County event is also available.