Meet Upper Providence Candidate: Robert Holber

Name: Robert H. Holber             

Municipality: Upper Providence Township

Party:  Democratic

Running For: Precinct 3—Upper Providence Township Council

Positions Held Previously/Years in Office:  None

What are the larger issues facing the municipality and how would you like to see them resolved?

• Better efficiency in government
• Commission study for feasibility of merger of police departments
• Review options towards reduction of expense of street lighting
• Review necessity for solicitor and engineer to be present at every public meeting
• Negotiate more favorable terms for upcoming contract for worker’s retirement
• Set up long term needs and budget accordingly
• Review options for an increase in alternative means of income, ie. advertising
• More transparency and inclusiveness in government
• More specific information about our budget should be available both during and after the budget consideration
• Encourage interested residents to sign up for e-mail information and notifications
• Treat residents with respect when they come before council
• Council should not recommend a particular professional to residents
• Workers should be employed, and professional hired, without consideration of political party
• Council should strive to represent residents regardless of affiliation
• Members of council, no matter what party affiliation, should strive to work together towards the common good
• Find funding for the library renovation—50 percent of cardholders are from Upper Providence Township and 40 percent of the walk-in traffic is from our township, it will provide increased educational opportunities for all, and will provide increased space for groups to meet, with minimal cost to taxpayers

Would you welcome more transparency with the taxpayers? How could you make that possible?

We should have more transparency. There should be more specific available information about the township budget both while in the decision making phase and afterwards. Residents can be offered the opportunity to sign up for e-mail information if they request same.

If elected, what changes would you like to see in the municipality or what is working well and you'd like to continue?

I would like to see a more thorough review of how our funds are spent. Is there a better way to do things? For example, should we:

1. Commission a study to see whether we can reduce the budget for the police department while keeping the same level of service by combining our police force with another.
2. Can we reduce our expenses for street lighting by utilizing LED lighting or solar panels?
3. Should we stand firm in the near future while negotiating our labor contract so that our pension costs are reduced?
4. We should discuss as to whether it is necessary to have legal and engineer advisors at most, if not all, meetings.

Council should not recommend certain professionals to residents who come before it. This is unfair to professionals who are not personally favored by a sitting council. This leads to the appearance of impropriety as council, even unintentionally, could steer residents to a favored professional leaving the impression that only certain professionals should be utilized. Council should avoid that appearance.

Why should residents give you their vote?

I bring a fresh approach to council with specific ideas that merit discussion. We can think “out of the box” and see if there are ways to make our government work more efficiently while keeping the same level of service. Let’s increase our level of transparency by increasing the data available to residents. We should see if it makes sense to use increased electronic communication to keep interested residents informed. All residents should be treated with respect when they come before council. Employees and professionals and appointees should be employed based upon their qualifications not party affiliation. Lastly, council members should work together for the benefit of all. These are ideas and ideals worth supporting.