News & Issues: Candidate Interviews

Delaware County Council Republican Candidates:
Christine Fizzano Cannon, Andy Lewis, and Thomas McGarrigle

  1. Why are you running as a candidate for County Council?

    Chirstine Fizzano Cannon: I have been a lifelong resident of Delco and I have served the residents of Middletown Township for the past 8 years. I would like to expand my community service to represent all the residents of Delaware County. As a Councilperson in Middletown Township, I really saw how I could make a difference as a public servant, and I would like to continue to do the same at the County level.

    Andy Lewis: Let me first just say that I have some real estate background. I was never an active REALTOR, but I did get my license a while back. You have to choose how you contribute to the community. My background in business--accounting, finance, marketing, auditing--is well suited to managing the County government and its $300 million dollar budget. I think that my background fits well in this position and it is my way of contributing.


    Thomas McGarrigle:
    I am presently VP of the Board of Township Commissioners. Since being on the Springfield Council, I brought in every department to assess their needs. In that way, I could understand what we needed. I pushed to get an apartment dwelling inspection, and I pushed to get the inspections of the apartments done. Additionally, we have an ordinance to inspect motels. When there was a high volume of crime at the Howard Johnson’s, I made sure that we got in there. At that time when we inspected the rooms, we closed 98 out of 100 rooms. This highlighted the need for more responsible ownership.
  2. What is the most pressing issue facing the county and what are your plans to address it?

    Christine Fizzano Cannon: The FAA’s proposal to change flight patterns to allow aircraft to fly at low altitudes over our County is an issue that stands out in my mind. I have not seen any data that comes close to justifying the impact that the FAA’s plans would have on our residents’ quality of life, our communities, and real estate values. I will do everything possible to oppose the FAA’s proposal, and believe as a last resort that the County should bring a legal action against the FAA to stop the proposed change to flight patterns. This is a dramatic issue that will adversely affect our Delaware County communities, and we need to fight it head on.

    Andy Lewis: I think that the tax issue is probably the biggest. There are a couple of issues on par though. I’ve talked to many people as commissioner about their taxes. We need to work at making things as efficient as possible at the County level. It is important that we make holding the line on taxes a top priority. The FAA battle is a quality of life issue could have a negative impact on property values. We are taking on the big federal bureaucracy. We need to continue that battle. Maintaining and/or enhancing our quality of life goes hand-in-hand with economic revitalization and open space preservation. We have to do what we can to help more established communities with economic revitalization and help to preserve open space where possible.

    Thomas McGarrigle: I think that taxes are one of the top issues. Also right now, I would say that it would be the FAA. It is a bad plan for several reasons. All day long you would have planes flying over at a low altitude. We had met with Congressman Sestak in Springfield He was originally going to shrug it off, but he is finally on board. With his help and the support from those in Delaware County, we may be able to challenge this. The third thing is crime. We have serious issues with Philly bordering the Eastern area s of Delaware County. It could be a serious issue. Law and order is key for us to maintain. The DA needs to work closer with the communities.

  3. If approved by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, would you support the imposition of a countywide real estate transfer tax to pay for open space preservation?

    Christine Fizzano Cannon: I would not support the imposition of a countywide real estate transfer tax to pay for open space preservation. I would like to see the development of a dedicated funding source for the preservation of open space. The portion of gaming revenues dedicated for municipal grants could be used as such a source. I would also consider another referendum questions on the preservation of open space, however, such a question would have to include community revitalization as well, making it a worthwhile venture for residents from all parts of Delaware County.

    Andy Lewis: I’m not really that familiar with this way of funding open space. I think that there would be better ways to do it. They did it successfully in Montgomery County with a countywide bond issue. You cannot put anything out there to the voters, however, unless you sell it as well. We have opportunities for open space preservation in certain townships and economic revitalization helps other parts of the County where open space opportunities are nonexistent or very limited. I think that these two things have to come as a package.

    REALTORS® are very knowledgeable about their communities and the real estate industry. As a County Council how would you utilize this expertise? Would you consider appointing individuals recommended by our organization to real estate related boards and commissions at the county level?

    I am always receptive to hearing from anyone about bringing good people to serve. I would be amenable to hearing what you have to say and weighing that heavily. In terms of making appointments, I believe that we should get the best people with the necessary expertise.

    Thomas McGarrigle: I would have to look into that. I am for open space, but not for increasing taxes. Hopefully, right now they are using the race track revenue. I hope that use some of that money to benefit older communities.

  4. REALTORS® are very knowledgeable about their communities and the real estate industry. As a County Commissioner how would you utilize this expertise? Would you consider appointing individuals recommended by our organization to real estate related boards and commissions at the county level?

    Christine Fizzano Cannon: Absolutely.

    Rick Lacey: If elected, I am going to visit every county real estate office. I am going to ask them to step up to the place. REALTORS have to be much more involved in our communities. We need to get involved at the local level. Should there be an ordinance that needs to be challenged, I would be willing to go to the local government as a member of county council to speak against it. It is about thinking of solutions that may or may not be obvious. Take the FAA struggle. The Council’s answer is to pursue litigation. There is no proof that will be successful. All along we could have been seriously developing plans to work on a second airport. If you look at places like Willow Grove, there are available places to house that within the region.

    Andy Lewis: Absolutely. It’s a question of what it costs and how we fund such improvements.

    Thomas McGarrigle: Yes. We have appointed REALTORS to several boards on Springfield. Chris Shanley and John McFadden have been tremendous.

  5. Access to accurate real estate records is an important issue for our REALTOR® members. Would you support funding to the Recorder of Deeds and Assessment offices to ensure availability and accuracy of this information?

    Christine Fizzano Cannon: I would. In order to have a well-functioning government, you need to have access to information. The County’s public access system needs improvement. I would support funding to promote transparency and promote the flow of information at the County level, including the information available on the County’s public access system, which includes deed and tax assessment information.

    Andy Lewis: Absolutely. It’s a question of what it costs and how we fund such improvements.

    Thomas McGarrigle: Yes.

  6. Have you been endorsed by any political party or organization?

    Christine Fizzano Cannon: Yes. I have been endorsed by the Delaware County Republican Party, Sierra Club, and Philadelphia Inquirer.

    Andy Lewis: Delaware County Republican Party.

     

    Thomas McGarrigle: Delaware County Republican Party has supported me. I would have to check about other endorsements.

  7. Why should a REALTOR® vote for you?

    Christine Fizzano Cannon:My record as a public official has demonstrated that I will work in a fiscally responsible manner on County Council to provide the highest level of service as the lowest possible cost. I will promote homeownership in the County, the preservation of open space, smart growth and community revitalization and I will work to improve the quality of life for the residents of Delaware County. My door will always be open to you to discuss the issues that are important to realtors and I will continue to view realtors as a valuable resource of information and guidance. Please visit our campaign website, www.delco2007.com.

    Andy Lewis: I think it comes down to quality of life issues and to a large extent that is what you are selling to your buyers. I believe in promoting open space, economic revitalization, and keeping taxes low. I also believe in safe schools and being tough on crime are also qualities that attract people to Delaware County. As a county council member, I would work to enhance our quality of life so that Delaware County is place where people want to live and buy a house.

    Thomas McGarrigle: I am for homeownership. Delaware County does have a program for first time homebuyers. I would go for expanding that program. I have had businesses in certain areas, and I have seen how the lack of homeownership and pride in the community can negatively impact everyone.

    I took Kitty’s spot on the tax appeals board. Certain school districts have utilized spot assessment. I am completely against it. We have tough zoning and rules and regulations, and to bring about such inequalities in taxation can cause a town to go down.