More YDR questions

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