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Chester County Press

Candidates in primary election vie for seats on New Garden Board

05/12/2015 01:22PM ● By Richard Gaw

Three long-time residents of New Garden Township have entered into the race to occupy two seats on the New Garden Board of Supervisors that will become vacant at the end of the year. The primary election will be held on May 19. 

Christine Witherspoon, a 16-year resident of the township and the wife of former township supervisor Warren Reynolds, is the only candidate for the board whose name will be included on the ballot. Township residents Randall Lieberman and Michael Loftus have both entered into the race as write-in candidates.

 The candidates are looking to occupy two seats on the board that will become vacant at the end of the year. The two-year term of Patrick Little, who is filling the place on the board left when Reynolds resigned from the board in 2013, following allegations of child pornography – in which he was later convicted and is now serving a prison sentence – will expire on Jan. 1, 2016. The other seat is currently being filled by Loftus, who was appointed to the board to replace former supervisor Betty Gordon, who resigned on April 1.

New Garden Township supervisors are elected to six-year terms. The term of current board chairperson Stephen Allaband expires on Jan. 1, 2018; and the terms of vice chairperson Richard Ayotte and Randy Geouque will expire on Jan. 1. 2020.

Lieberman, a 24-year resident of New Garden Township, is a local business owner and the publisher of the Chester County Press and its seven magazines.

The basis of his campaign for Township Supervisor is his support to:

  • Explore methods of lowering taxes in the township
  • Nurture a local business community and stimulate economic growth to create more tax-ratables and jobs
  • Seek methods of improving the township's infrastructure; namely, water and sewer
  • Invest township funds into proper repair and maintenance of its roads
  • Support the local mushroom industry, for the benefit of all
  • Facilitate the creation of a regional police system while maintaining our exemplary local law enforcement

Witherspoon has lived in Chester County for 27 years and in New Garden Township for 16 years. Mrs. Witherspoon co owns Greenvalley Farms, a certified organic farm in New Garden. The property is an original William Penn land grant, circa 1709. In addition to being an interior designer, landscape designer, fine art collector and art consultant, she has managed large estates and properties for the last 25 years, and has a close relationship with local banks and financial institutions. She has a strong accounting background, and is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, feminist and activist.

The platform of her campagin for Township Supervisor is her support for:

  • Keeping the agriculture and mushroom industry in New Garden Township
  • Financial oversight of the New Garden Township budget
  • To create a public oversight of the New Garden Township Police and regional police proposal
  • To continue to explore methods and opportunitys for preserving open space, historical preservation and restoration in our township; and
  • Creating a better New Garden Township by building better relationships with all residents and businesses.

In addition to his current position on the Board of Supervisors, Loftus has served as a member of the township's Planning Commission. He is the Assistant Director of Grounds, Facilities and Auxiliary Services at the University of Delaware. He could not be reached to provide his campaign platform.

The voting station for Precinct 385 is at the Bancroft Elementary School on 181 Bancroft Road; the voting station for Precinct 391 will be at the Kennett Middle School on 195 Sunny Dell Road; and the voting station for Precinct 390 will be at the New Garden Township Building on 299 Starr Road. To determine the precinct boundaries, visit the New Garden Township website at www.newgarden.org.

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