Four Democrats and two Republicans are seeking party nominations for one Springfield Township supervisor seat in the May 19 primary.
In November, one Republican and one Democrat will vie for the position.
Supervisor Ken Johnson is not seeking reelection, and all candidates are seeking their first term.
Democrats on the primary ballot are Roy Bowser, Matthew Show, Scott Swope and Brian D. Upton. Republicans are William Miller and Larry Yealey.
Bowser, a self-employed cemetery caretaker for the last 30 years and a local bus driver for the last 20, said he is the longstanding vice president of the Normalville Cemetery Association.
He has a commercial driver's license and experience running and maintaining equipment, knows carpentry and concrete work and said he is not afraid of hard work.
“Our township is faced with very poor road conditions and lack of funding,” said Bowser.
“I plan to seek out and apply for all available funding, with the help of others,” he said. “I will take advantage of the education and workshops available to supervisors, which enables the township to obtain funding. I plan to listen to peoples' concerns, return their phone calls, working with them and the other supervisors to come up with the best possible solutions to our road problems, using the resources available.”
“I am a hard-working, self-motivated person who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done,” Bowser said. “I feel I can make a positive change in this township.”
Show said cutting back one supervisor's position to part time would save money.
“I want to try to save money for the township,” Show said. “Why do we need another insurance expense? The way it is, we will have to raise taxes. Eliminating a full-time road master means we could hire a full-time truck driver without benefits in the winter to maintain the roads (and save money).”
Show agrees that more outside money must be found.
“The big issue is to try to get (more) grant money to try to improve roads,” Show said. “I don't think we need that much equipment to run the township.”
Show said his experience as township tax collector for 13 years and as an auditor for eight years gives him plenty of experience.
“I've worked in all facets of the township government except in the office of supervisor,” Show said. “My bachelor's degree is in accounting and management from Pitt.”
He'd like to see the bike trail go through Springfield Township, connecting to the trail at Ohiopyle.
“Some supervisors in the past were anti-bike trail,” Show said.
Swope said he's worked for the township for six years and is actively involved with people.
“There are certain issues that need fixed,” Swope said. “Working with the people, locally, everybody knows me.”
He said he would make sure he takes care of people in the township who have issues that must be corrected.
Upton said he is running because of his love for the community. He grew up in Springfield.
“I hope to be able to help acquire grants and other funds,” Upton said. He believes some of the roads need work and have drainage issues.
“I've been in construction all of my life,” Upton said. “I can address these issues and actively solve some of them.”
He said he has worked in the construction field for about 20 years. He has worked for Shallenberger Construction for the last five years. He recently went back into the family paving business, Upton Paving.
“I have skills to offer the township,” Miller said. “I would say experience and accountability are two issues faced in the elections.”
He said he will apply his experience in the field and administratively. He is planning to address accountability.
“Accountability is a problem in most townships,” Miller said. “Ours is not an exception.”
“I have construction experience and business experience,” Miller said. “I also have part of my career in public relations.”
Yealey is a township employee.
“I'm working for a little bit more money and insurance,” Yealey said. “I've been there for 13 years, and I know somewhat about what is going on.”
He said his time working for the township gives him a clear idea of what is needed.
“We have a lot of bad roads,” Yealey said. “We try to do with what we can with the money we get. There are only six of us (township employees) working on the roads.”
Karl Polacek is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at kpolacek@tribweb.com or 724-626-3538.
