The Martin Tract controversy in Upper Gwynedd, and some good news (!) about Democrats in Upper Gwynedd-6
Special Edition of Upper Gwynedd-6 Newsletter
The latest issue of intense interest and controversy in Upper Gwynedd is the Martin Tract. This issue is now so explosive, it may threaten the candidacy of Democratic Upper Gwynedd Commissioners Denise Hull and Liz McNaney. That’s why I’m writing a “special edition” of this newsletter.
The threat to the candidacy of Liz and Denise is yet another reason to vote in the upcoming Municipal General Election in person on November 2nd, or right now, by dropping your mail-in ballot at the dropbox at Pennbrook Parkway near the County Court.
The current Upper Gwynedd Commissioners (all women, all Democrats) have started a “rumor mill” webpage to quell rumors about issues of intense interest in Upper Gwynedd, including the Martin Tract issue. Please read it! Currently it covers Martin Tract, sidewalks, the proposed Wawa site, and coyote sightings.
The Martin Tract Controversy
Here’s an account in the Reporter of the many Republican residents, and former residents, who were recruited by Mr. Martin to attend the Upper Gwynedd Commissioners’ Business Meeting this past Tuesday to make their grievances known.
These residents, past and current, are responding to the results of a months-long process of inquiry and study by the Commissioners to determine what the residents of Upper Gwynedd most want. The response to the Commissioners’ studies was overwhelmingly that residents want more open space in Upper Gwynedd.
As a result of these meetings, a plan for a park to be created at the southwestern corner of Allentown Road and Broad Street was born over this summer. The plan would involve purchasing a parcel of land, currently owned by Mr. Martin, under eminent domain. Mr. Martin would receive market rates for the property from a combination of grants and the Township’s already-existing funds. The Township already has more than enough money in the bank today to pay $3 million market rates for the land, and would not raise taxes to purchase it from Mr. Martin.
Here are some facts that are important to counter the wailing outcry from Republicans against this plan for The Martin Tract:
Mr. Martin is no longer a resident of Upper Gwynedd. He did, indeed, grow up on that parcel of land. However, he has long resided in New Hampshire and will not be homeless as a result of the purchase of land through eminent domain. Mr. Martin long ago sold the parcel at the northwestern corner of Allentown Road (where the brick office building that sort of looks like a big brick house stands, among other structures.) Mr. Martin had plans to develop the southwestern corner of Allentown Road and Broad Street with townhouses.
When Mr. Martin says in his statement to the Township Commissioners that they are offering him $3 million for the property, but the property is worth $6 million, Mr. Martin is ignoring what the appraiser says about the worth of the land ($3 million) but rather what he would walk away with were he to develop the property as townhomes and sell all of them ($6 million.)
The amount of land that Mr. Martin is offering the Township “for free” is meant as bait to get Republicans angry. Mr. Martin has not specified yet how much open space he would grant the township. Furthermore, Mr. Martin is asking for a zoning variance that would allow for higher-density, taller townhouses than he had originally planned for. Mr. Martin is planning to develop the land with the same number of townhomes that he was going to originally, but on smaller lots, and possibly with another story added to the top of the houses. Then he will donate whatever land is leftover to the Township. If the Township accepts this offer, they lose control over the size of the proposed park. With $11 million dollars in the Upper Gwynedd bank account as a rainy day fund - enough for 11 months of expenses, when most townships only have enough for 3 months of expenses in theirs.
Upper Gwynedd residents should not cave to some Republicans’ demands that we accept Mr. Martin’s offer of “free land” in order to save Upper Gwynedd Township money. There will be no new taxes as a result of purchasing this land. We are a cash-rich Township that has the luxury of building a park for the enjoyment of residents. To think otherwise is small-minded, short-sighted thinking.
The Upper Gwynedd Sidewalk Conspiracy
Another rumor that may have been started deliberately to hobble the candidacy of Denise Hull and Liz McNaney for Upper Gwynedd Commissioner is about sidewalks.
Sidewalks. In the long-term future plan for the Township, the Commissioners expressed an interest in making the Township more walkable by adding more sidewalks. This was intended as a future wish, but is tied to no “concrete” plans. :) If the sidewalks were to be designed and built, it would be at the Township’s expense (again, we are a cash-rich township.) The Township would not charge the homeowners for sidewalks to be constructed in front of their property, or on their streets, which is the rumor.
Good News about Democrats in Upper Gwynedd-6 (!)
Some Good News: There are twice as many Democrats in Upper Gwynedd-6 who vote in EVERY election (including primaries) in Upper Gwynedd as there are Republicans who do the same! 40 Democrats in Upper Gwynedd-6 have voted in every single one of the last 13 elections, and only 20 Republicans have.
If this describes you, wow, we applaud you! THANK YOU for being a committed voter. You are literally helping to save Democracy itself with your vote. (This is unfortunately no longer an exaggeration.)
When the Herculean efforts to nudge the low-attendance voters happen twice a year, we lose the opportunity to thank you richly, as you deserve. AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THE 40 VOTERS IN UPPER GWYNEDD WHO VOTE EVERY TIME!
However, there is much more work to do to wake voters up to the imminent peril faced by Democracy if we do not get EVERY Democratic voter to mimic the behavior of the high-turnout voters.
Please see my last newsletter on Substack that describes the smoldering of the house of Democracy, and how the whole thing may soon go up in flames, right here in Upper Gwynedd, Pennsylvania, and the nation. Every Democratic voter can be a firefighter to save this house of Democracy, if we all just vote in every single election.
In particular, keep an eye on the November 2nd, 2021 race for Judge of Elections. The Republican candidate for Judge of Elections in Upper Gywnedd-6 seems to believe the 2020 election was stolen.
My husband, Ken Keiser, a cybersecurity expert for the prestigious consulting firm, EY (formerly Ernst & Young,) is the Democrat currently serving as Judge of Elections for Upper Gwynedd-6. He is opposed by a Republican who appears to believe that the 2020 election was stolen. It’s scary to think a man who is in line with the beliefs of domestic terrorists and traitors may be in the position of Judge of Elections right here in Upper Gywnedd-6. Please vote in the upcoming municipal election. The deadline to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot is 10/26/2021, but we recommend ASAP since the mail has been super-slow lately.
The only Democratic Judge for retention on the ballot in the upcoming Municipal Election is Judge Haaz.
All other Judges up for retention on the ballot are Republicans. Since the job of Judge in Pennsylvania is officially considered a non-partisan one, when a Judge runs for election they can cross-file with both parties. When they are up for retention, such as on the upcoming Municipal Election ballot, the Judge’s party affiliation isn’t mentioned on the ballot at all. This creates a lot of confusion in this partisan era.
In the future, keep an eye on Republican efforts to reform the way PA Supreme Court Justices are elected since they stand in the way of gerrymandering. Most likely, this effort will be through ballot measures during future low-turnout primary elections, which favor Republicans.
Right now, the public servants who have blocked Republican efforts to gerrymander Pennsylvania’s voting maps as a result of the 2020 census are Governor Tom Wolf and the Democratic-majority PA Supreme Court.
If Democrats lose the Governor’s seat in the 2022 election, expect increased efforts at reforming the way that State Supreme Court Justices are elected. Most likely, another ballot measure to change the State Constitution to elect Supreme Court Justices regionally, by district, instead of state-wide, will be slipped onto the ballot during a primary election when Republicans think Democrats are least likely to turn out.
We look forward to seeing any of you who turn out in person to vote on November 2nd, and thank all of you who vote by mail (and please use the drop box, to counter efforts by Louis DeJoy to slow down your ballot!)
Speaking of evil Trump crony and Postmaster Louis DeJoy, I found out that 2 of the terms of the Board members at the United States Post Office are set to expire on December 8th, 2021. At that time, Joe Biden is expected to appoint Democrats to those Board seats, and DeJoy will finally be forced out.