Local Primaries: Mossie defeats Fieo

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 02:04 pm

Wow, great news. Now we have a real chance to create better government in Upper Providence!

Mike Hays May 18, 2011 at 02:05 pm

I am proud to announce that Eric O'Connor ran a successful write-in campaign for Spring City Borough Council on May 17. Unofficial tallies showed that he easily earned more than 10 write-in votes - the minimum needed to get on the fall ballot.
This November, three Democrats (Dunwoody, Finklestein, and O'Connor) will face three Republicans (Shaner, Petak, and Sweeney).

Bruce Bailey May 18, 2011 at 04:47 pm

Right you are, Gil - we need better government in Upper Providence, but I'm not sure that Lisa Mossie is the way to get it.
Mossie is the hand-picked candidate of the Czop Engineering co., (fyi, the Czop family basically runs Upper Prov Repubs behind the scenes). This was Czop's revenge on Fieo for not getting all of the township business at sky-high prices. High on Mossie's list of people she thanked today? You guessed it - "Special thanks goes to my committee members, in particular...Chris Czop." We need to stop this cronyism and elect somebody who won't be joined at the hip with a company looking to gobble up taxpayer money.

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 05:30 pm

Bruce, I'm all for re-examining how UPT does business. I talked to Lisa about this previously and we should ask both candidates how they will approach issues that create poor perceptions. I think there's room to explore how jobs, commission memberships, chairmanships and township contracts are handed out. And while we're at it, let's look at other contract obligations, including Solicitor, Town Planner, Traffic Consultant, and Manager. Personally, I don't see us getting tremendous value for what we're spending on talent. Let's take a look at stipends, employee contributions to benefits, reimbursements for meetings, everything can and should be on the table. We can do better. Why settle for nepotism, cronyism and doing only what's necessary to get by when our neighboring townships model more inclusive, transparent and quality government. We need leaders who will not be bobble-headed, back-office good-old-boys. Just because we live near New Jersey doesn't mean our leaders should act like Jersey politicians.

Bruce Bailey May 18, 2011 at 07:07 pm

Too bad you weren't the candidate, Gil. Something tells me you would have avoided this glaring conflict of interest that Lisa Mossie is going to have to defend through November. Personally, I don't see how see can.

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 07:14 pm

Let's give Lisa and George the opportunity to address this and all the other issues at a town-hall style event. If you are interested in helping facilitate, send me a message and we can chat offline.
gil.zimmerman@yahoo.com

Bruce Bailey May 18, 2011 at 07:22 pm

I think that would be a horrible idea, actually. From what I read, Lisa is a professional right-wing entertainer, sort of like Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck. Giving her a public forum just so she can ridicule or belittle her opponent doesn't accomplish much, the way I see it. I'm sure there will be League of Women Voters questionnaires or other forums that aren't quite so open to grandstanding.

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 07:36 pm

I've looked over both Lisa and George's resumes and think it would be a good idea for township residents get an opportunity to address both candidates directly. I'd rather look them in the face, ask them where they stand on a particular question and see how they handle themselves. Conversation can be much more revealing than the cut-and-paste voters guides and pamphlets distributed by third parties. If we're successful setting up a live debate, I hope you'll show up to address each candidate directly.

Bruce Bailey May 18, 2011 at 07:44 pm

I think if they're good candidates, they'll be knocking on your door at some point between now and November and asking for your vote. That should give plenty of opportunity to look, ask and see. Without the additional opportunity of attack, ridicule and confrontation - something that we get enough of on WPHT radio and Fox News these days.

David Powell (Editor) May 18, 2011 at 07:48 pm

I'd like the opportunity to host a debate between Ms. Mossie and Mr. Faris. If Patch sponsored and coordinated such an event, would both candidates attend?

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 07:51 pm

Good idea, David. The point is not to rehash pre-conceived notions but to allow the candidates to hear from the citizens and respond to each other. I've already pitched the idea to the Republicans...waiting to hear from them. Would like to connect with the Democrats and see if they are willing, too.

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 07:54 pm

Sorry, Bruce, I don't follow those news outlets. I hope enough of the citizens keep an open mind until they have a chance to hear and ask for themselves. If they knock on my door and I'm not home, I'll be very glad that there might be another venue where I can still participate and get the info I need. Hope you'll reconsider, if not, you're loss.

Bruce Bailey May 18, 2011 at 08:08 pm

Sorry, I still think it's a real bad idea, but I'm speaking only for myself. I have no idea what George Faris thinks of it.

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 08:55 pm

George seemed like a very nice guy, I met him for a few minutes on Election Day. We should give him a chance to weigh-in on the subject and find out more about him. If fact, it would also give you an opportunity to meet Lisa and find out for yourself who she really is.
If the concept of an debate and open forum is good enough for other public office contests, we should not be content to limit our options. After all, if we model community involvement, the 'town hall meeting', our current and future township leaders just might feel compelled to integrate the concept into their workflow and processes. Maybe we would end up with truly more representative government.

Bruce Bailey May 18, 2011 at 09:58 pm

Gil, have you seen what those Tea Party town hall meetings turned into? And from what I've been able to read in her online writing, Lisa is a diehard Tea Partier. That partisan, yelling Tea Party stuff is something I'd rather not see here in Upper Providence.

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 10:19 pm

That's why we plan and invite the media and representatives from all sides. These things can be done well, with a good moderator, advertised rules and an expectation that everyone, Democrats, Independents and Republicans, behave like responsible citizens. Quite frankly, more often than not, the times I saw coverage of meetings that turned confrontational, it was the politician who lost control first by insulting, ignoring or confronting constituents . People are frustrated with government. Too many elected officials don't listen or respond. We have a chance here to model a process that hasn't been done before. Some folks are afraid of new things. Some politicians might be afraid of stepping out if front of the folks who elect them.
And since you've been naming names a lot, don't forget the absolutely outrageous behavior of the 'left' in Wisconsin. I will assume you're a fair guy and find fault with bad behavior, no matter where it comes from. On the whole, we've seen much more dangerous, uncivil and outright criminal behavior from out of control union members, socialists and anarchists the last few months than anywhere else. It's not Tea Party members who rampaged through government offices, vandalized buildings and threatened the lives of elected officials. Get informed and get real. Don't make blind accusations without facts.

Gil Zimmerman May 18, 2011 at 10:22 pm

Be careful what you wish for or who you call out. Find out who's been gobbling up our government money the most and making back room deals. Models of questionable behavior are all around us. The truth may not always be who you think it is.

Bruce Bailey May 18, 2011 at 11:29 pm

I had a feeling it wouldn't take long before this got bitter and partisan, and I guess that feeling was right. I brought up the Tea Party because Lisa Mossie is very much involved in it according to her website. As far as I know, none of us who live in Upper Providence had anything to do with Wisconsin. This is exactly the kind of partisan wrangling that I think most people here want to stay away from.

Gil Zimmerman May 19, 2011 at 02:41 am

Bruce, you only have to look at your first and subsequent posts to see where bitter and partisan is coming from. We now have two good candidates, both of whom appear to be very qualified. In the coming months, we'll all learn more about them and give them a chance to educate us about their perspectives. The electoral process will benefit from that kind of openness and dialog. Other than their party affiliations, it is not beneficial to throw out partisan invective by labeling Lisa a "tea partier" just as it would not be appropriate to call George a "socialist" or "progressive" or anything else. I think it's irrelevant to the question at hand and irresponsible.

Gil Zimmerman May 19, 2011 at 02:46 am

Specifically at the local level, I believe more folks have open minds than not. Those that don't know who they are, show who they are and in time, they de-select themselves from the process or get asked to leave. Sound familiar? While I have a generally negative perspective about the quality of local government, I have a very positive attitude about the potential to create effective solutions through citizen participation. I'm complaining but I'm also working with like-minded neighbors to effect change...and my neighbors come from left, right and centrist points of view...it doesn't matter. What matters is quality. We don't have it...we need it...and you either contribute or don't. If we're lucky, we'll create some great events to infuse quality in the electoral process. Everyone who wants to be part of a solution can be. Others will remain part of the problem.

Bruce Bailey May 19, 2011 at 03:10 am

Except, Gil, that Lisa has repeatedly stated her admiration and support for the Tea Party movement. Her blog carries pictures of her attending a Tea Party rally. So I'm not "throwing out partisan invective." I'm just quoting what she herself has already said. I believe this is a label she wears rather proudly, as I'm sure she will confirm to you.

Bill May 19, 2011 at 12:37 pm

Pleased that after 12 years wether its George or Lisa that it is not as likley to be business as usual in UPT.
I say lets hear a debate without sensored questions. Its the answers i'll listen to, not the delivery. For too long there has been too much abdication of supervisors responsioblity to control and manage growth for all township citizens, not just the developers. And the contractors and employees we have in place as Gill notes supported that status quo for the last 12 years. Bring on a debate.

John from Oaks November 3, 2011 at 01:27 am

Bruce - Were you at the Mossie / Faris debate last night (November 1st)? Did she ever "ridicule or belittle her opponent"? In fact, they both agreed more than not...