These are my responses to the York Daily Records original questions sent March 30th, 2009
1. If the borough council could make one change to improve the quality of life for township residents, what change would you recommend supervisors make? Explain your answer.
Transparency. We, as taxpayers, deserve transparent records. It’s our money, and we need to know where it’s going, when, why, and who is sending it there. We as taxpayers need to be involved in our governing. Town meetings and political process need to be open and involve the thoughts and concerns of the constituency that elects it.
2. At 4.9 mills, West York’s property tax rate is the highest among York County's 37 boroughs. Are taxpayers getting their money’s worth from borough government? Why or why not? Are there avenues the township should explore to save money or control costs? What are they?
The tax payers of the borough are not getting their money’s worth from the government. The rate of 4.9 mills is too much for a start. High taxes and limited infrastructure does nothing to encourage families to move here, and prevents businesses from coming into the borough.
If we can increase the borough’s attractiveness to businesses, we can offset and decrease the tax burden for all parties. There are many steps that can be taken to improve our attractiveness for businesses, but they have not been approached. We also need to pass incentives to businesses that are already here, to make sure they stay.
3. Specify another major issue that faces the borough in your mind. How would you address that issue?
West York has offered very little in infrastructure improvement in the last twenty years. We are behind the times and behind many of the other borough in the county. There are esthetic changes that need made as well that are long, long over due.
There is another thing that is not a political issue, but a social one. No one seems to know their neighbors. Perhaps we know the people adjacent to us or across the street, but other than that, were all just really strangers living in close proximity. I have some great ideas to help bring us together, to know one another and to get a real sense of community that has been missing. Ideas the council should lead, to join the borough as a community.
4. West York relies on its own police department for police coverage. How do you feel about the quality and quantity of the police protection the borough receives? Are changes needed? Should the borough explore consolidation with other nearby police departments? Why or why not?
I believe the West York PD is doing a superb job with the resources they have. There is always room for improvement in all factors of our local government. Serious kudos need to go out to the fine people involved in our neighborhood watch program. They are the eyes and ears of the police, but, they need more residents to stand up and volunteer for the safety of our children and security of our homes.
I do not believe that we should outsource our police. They are as much a part of West York as the bulldog displayed on their cruisers. With Mayor Brenner’s policy of “pushing the bad guys west”, we need to give our police department all the tools they need to maintain the peace.
5. Why did you decide to run for election this year and why should voters support you in your quest for the seat you are seeking? What unique qualifications do you offer voters?
My wife and I raised our children here, and we want them to be able to raise their children here. It’s a good place with good people. The world is changing, and we must be ready.
I am running for this position because I can no longer sit in the background and be a spectator. There has never been a better time to take action.
Government needs to answer to the people it serves. For most of us, we don’t know what the questions are. If there is transparency and accountability, the question is never the problem.
I’ve spent the last year and a half as a Senior Internal Auditor and Fraud Risk Investigator for a large international company. Prior to that, I helped create one of the most ambitious and dynamic supply chain and distribution networks in the country where there was none before.
Shane Louthian (R)
Age / Address: 39/Monroe Street
Family: Married, 4 children
Occupation: Consulting
Current community involvement: Taxpayer, citizen
Are you a current council member, a member of a borough board or a past council or board member? No
Thursday, April 23, 2009
2009 Voters Guide York Daily Record responses
These are my unedited responses to the York Daily Records Voters Guide 2009 questions submitted 4/23/2009.
Welcome to the 2009 Primary Voters' Guide
Submitted April 23rd 2009
Name the three biggest issues facing your municipality and how you would address them.*
1) Lopsided governing.
The people of the Borough are not being heard. There are very few outlets for us. Town hall meetings are not enough; there are better ways to communicate that have not been addressed.
2) Out of control spending.
We need to reign in spending and work with what we have. Before a penny is spent on anything, the issue needs to be debated and voted upon by the entire Council. Committee spending is what we get out of Washington DC, and that just doesn't work.
3) New ideas.
The Borough has stagnated and thrown out very few "new" ideas that actually benefit the community. Here's one, how would you like to get paid for recycling? This is something cities and towns are getting involved in. How about saving on your electric? There are programs that could help the residents of West York before the caps are taken off. These are some of the ideas that need to be discussed, because they affect all of us everyday.
In these economic times, would you rather raise taxes or cut services?*
Neither. Taxes are too high now for the services the Borough residents are receiving. Everyone in the country is tightening their belts, government is no different. We can't continue to "rob Peter to pay Paul". We can do what needs to be done with what we have. Sure, we would all like new parks and amenities, but now is not the time.
What goals would you want to accomplish during your term?*
1) Transparency of spending and income.
The taxes paid in are the property of the taxpayer. The taxpayer has the right and responsibility to know where the money is going and why. The budget should be posted where the residents can access it. All members need to show how they voted and why they voted that way.
2) Saving for the future.
The Borough can not continue to siphon money out of emergency funds to sponsor pet projects or to further their careers. That money was put aside for emergency purposes and needs to be replaced.
3) Encourage enterprise.
We need to attract responsible commerce to the area, and make sure we give incentive to the ones that are here. This will assure the Boroughs solvency.
Welcome to the 2009 Primary Voters' Guide
Submitted April 23rd 2009
Name the three biggest issues facing your municipality and how you would address them.*
1) Lopsided governing.
The people of the Borough are not being heard. There are very few outlets for us. Town hall meetings are not enough; there are better ways to communicate that have not been addressed.
2) Out of control spending.
We need to reign in spending and work with what we have. Before a penny is spent on anything, the issue needs to be debated and voted upon by the entire Council. Committee spending is what we get out of Washington DC, and that just doesn't work.
3) New ideas.
The Borough has stagnated and thrown out very few "new" ideas that actually benefit the community. Here's one, how would you like to get paid for recycling? This is something cities and towns are getting involved in. How about saving on your electric? There are programs that could help the residents of West York before the caps are taken off. These are some of the ideas that need to be discussed, because they affect all of us everyday.
In these economic times, would you rather raise taxes or cut services?*
Neither. Taxes are too high now for the services the Borough residents are receiving. Everyone in the country is tightening their belts, government is no different. We can't continue to "rob Peter to pay Paul". We can do what needs to be done with what we have. Sure, we would all like new parks and amenities, but now is not the time.
What goals would you want to accomplish during your term?*
1) Transparency of spending and income.
The taxes paid in are the property of the taxpayer. The taxpayer has the right and responsibility to know where the money is going and why. The budget should be posted where the residents can access it. All members need to show how they voted and why they voted that way.
2) Saving for the future.
The Borough can not continue to siphon money out of emergency funds to sponsor pet projects or to further their careers. That money was put aside for emergency purposes and needs to be replaced.
3) Encourage enterprise.
We need to attract responsible commerce to the area, and make sure we give incentive to the ones that are here. This will assure the Boroughs solvency.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Welcome
Welcome.
My name is Shane Louthian. I am running for Borough Council on the Republican ticket. I am a newcomer to the political arena, but I look forward to serving the good people of the Boro.
I started this Blog to give an outlet to all residents and business owners to address concerns and issues they would like dealt with. If elected (or even if I'm not elected), I will keep this blog open.
Our local representation is pretty tight-lipped, so I wanted to provide an outlet for transparency and line of communication outside of a monthly boro meeting that few attend.
The primary is Tuesday, May 19th, and voting is at the Reliance Fire Hall. If you or someone you know needs a ride to the polls, please list it here (even if you're not voting for me :)), and we'll see if we can't get you transportation.
My name is Shane Louthian. I am running for Borough Council on the Republican ticket. I am a newcomer to the political arena, but I look forward to serving the good people of the Boro.
I started this Blog to give an outlet to all residents and business owners to address concerns and issues they would like dealt with. If elected (or even if I'm not elected), I will keep this blog open.
Our local representation is pretty tight-lipped, so I wanted to provide an outlet for transparency and line of communication outside of a monthly boro meeting that few attend.
The primary is Tuesday, May 19th, and voting is at the Reliance Fire Hall. If you or someone you know needs a ride to the polls, please list it here (even if you're not voting for me :)), and we'll see if we can't get you transportation.
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