2009 News
July 9, 2009
Commissioners Deliver Annual “State of the County” Addresses to Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce
Offering a broad update of the economic and capital project management that takes place daily within Bucks County government, Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin, joined his colleagues James F. Cawley, Esq., and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW and dignitaries of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce (LBCCC) today on the stage of the Bucks County Community College auditorium. The event doubled as the 15th time Chairman Martin has addressed the Chamber as a member of the Board of Commissioners.
During his remarks, Chairman Martin emphasized his administration’s current streak of three consecutive years without a county property tax increase. Last December, by a 2-1 vote (Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia dissented), Commissioners Martin and Cawley approved a $467.6 million 2008 budget. It marked the first time since 1994-96 that the county held the line on property taxes for three straight years. The chairman received a loud ovation while sharing that fiscal information.
Chairman Martin also chronicled the “unprecedented time of capital expansion” that is underway throughout Bucks government, including 2008 ribbon cuttings for the new 911 Communications Center in Ivyland, the Upper Bucks Government Services Center and District Court 07-2-05 in Richland Twp., groundbreaking and substantial progress on the 1,200-space parking garage in Doylestown Borough, and several bridge rehabilitations. Since its opening in October, 2008, the 911 Communications Center has received almost 800,000 calls, which include more than 125,000 911 Emergency dials.
The chairman’s remarks also included an update on the county’s ongoing open space and agricultural preservation achievements. Since the LBCC was last updated, the county has preserved 14 farms totaling 860 acres. Since 1990, with the public support of two 10-year referendum votes (1997 and 2007) totaling $146 million, the county has preserved 129 farms that include 11,188 acres. In addition, nearly 500 acres of open space, natural areas and parkland have been preserved since last July’s State of the County address.
The remainder of Chairman Martin’s comments focused on the federal Stimulus Bill and its impact on Bucks County residents. County officials submitted an application three weeks in advance of the federal deadline. Programs that will be funded include a $2.9 million Energy Block Grant, of which $500,000 is dedicated to the “green” expansion at the Churchville Nature Center. Overall, more than $90 million will be directed to Bucks County projects, including $637,811 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, $975,905 dedicated to Homelessness Prevention and Rehousing, $58 million for transportation projects involving I-95, curb ramps, a bridge, the New Hope Canal Project, and Stoopville Rd. improvements, and $21 million in transportation-mass transit funding – which includes improvements to the Croydon and Langhorne SEPTA Stations.
During her remarks, Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia offered an update of changes she feels are needed within the county Children & Youth Social Services Agency. She pointed out a state hearing held in Bucks County earlier this year which raised state-wide issues regarding foster care. She urged her commissioner colleagues to join her in reaching out to providers to encourage more in-home and in-county treatment and services. She also cited “Crisis Intervention Training” options that are currently being instituted as a partnership between Bucks County Behavioral Health System, local police forces including Bensalem and Northampton Twps and the mental health community. She also asked for ongoing analysis of the feasibility of “Drug and Mental Health Courts” within the county, suggesting it can serve to save costs and provide community benefit.
Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia also discussed the effects of the current housing market, which has seen a decrease in new home construction and an increase in foreclosures. She touted the county’s 800 foreclosure referral line (1-866-760-8911) as an option for help.
Commissioner Cawley thanked the assembled business leaders for allowing the commissioners’ board to act as “stewards of Bucks County’s quality of life.” He touted the state of the county as “extremely positive,” adding his perspective that “government does not create jobs – you create jobs. Government helps to set the table.”
One year after proposing a county Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) in order to streamline the business climate and “unite corporations, Chambers of Commerce and medium and small business owners with federal, state and local government officials in the goal of marketing Bucks County as a global destination,” Commissioner Cawley delivered an update on what he and the other 19 members have done to date. Formally introduced on Feb. 18, 2009 at the Bucks County Courthouse, EDAB is co-chaired by Commissioner Cawley and Congressman Patrick Murphy. The board’s inaugural meeting took place March 20, at the Heritage Conservancy in Doylestown.
Commissioner Cawley amplified on EDAB’s stated goals, among them: 1) maintaining the diversity of the economy; 2) maintaining a high quality of life; 3) creating a good business climate; 4) building and retaining a skilled workforce; 5) revitalizing downtowns and Main Streets; 6) reusing vacant and underutilized industrial sites; and 7) redeveloping vacant and underutilized shopping centers.
One of the highlights of the event was Commissioner Cawley’s announcement of a scheduled July 24 signing ceremony, which will include members of a Republic of Korea delegation from the Namdong District. At the Pearl Buck International headquarters in Perkasie (520 Dublin Rd.), the mayor of Namdong, Yoon Tae Jin, will join the Bucks County Commissioners to sign a “21st Century Alliance” between the two communities. The relationship will seek to share and further bonds of culture, education, economic development and the environment involving Bucks County’s industrial and emerging technology centers and the Namdong Industrial Complex.
In addition to the commissioners, the head table included Michael B. Connor of Bucks County Bank, the 2009-10 LBCCC Chairman of the Board, Clark Shuster, president of the LBCCC, Dr. James J. Linksz, president of Bucks County Community College, and county Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director David M. Sanko. During his welcoming remarks, Dr. Linksz stressed the significance of the Community College’s partnership with the county. He touted the college’s “Green Looking Ahead Partnership,” noting that Bucks County Community College’s enrollment was up 10 percent last semester (or 1,000 students), and the current summer session is up 20 percent.
Click here to view the Commissioners' presentation.