Candidate Questionnaire: Jim Donahue

Your Name: Jim Donahue

Running For (and which year will the term end?): Lower Providence Twp. Supervisor, ending 2020.

Party Affiliation: Democratic

Positions Held Previously (both in and out of politics):

-Secretary of Lower Providence Concerned Citizens Association

-Active in The effort to Save Indian Head Dam

-Active in the effort to preserve Hoy Park 

-Member of the Mayo Society

Why are you running for office:

During my 25 years living in Lower Providence, my wife and I have enjoyed the many benefits and advantages our township has to offer. I am now retired, and this gives me the opportunity to give back to our community.

I have been involved in several local issues, including joining with a number of my neighbors in preserving the Indianhead Dam and fighting to protect the Perkiomen Creek and Hoy Park.

My involvement in those efforts showed me the importance of good local government and having representatives that are committed to serving our community and residents before all others.  For the past several years, I have been in regular attendance at Board of Supervisors meetings.  This experience has given me first-hand knowledge of how our township works.

What do you think are the biggest issues you would face in office:

Perhaps the most significant matter to come before the Board of Supervisors recently is the opportunity for the township to lease land to the Audubon YMCA to build a modern, full service facility to serve our community.  Many of you already are familiar with the Audubon Y. We trust them to care for our children both in the Methacton Elementary after school programs and the many summer camp programs at Mill Grove.  They’d like to build a new modern facility, designed specifically to continue and enhance the support for our community.  It would be located on 17 acres of the 107 acre parcel owned by the township, currently known as the Club at Shannondell (formerly known as the General Washington County Club).  I strongly support the YMCA proposal.  My opponent in the upcoming election strongly opposes it.

Please consider the following benefits from a new YMCA facility:

·                The Y will serve more members of our community than just a golf course.

·                It would provide programs and services to all ages from children to seniors at no cost to the township.

·                The new Y facility would be built at no cost to the township.

·                The township would receive $300,000 rent from the Y proposal.

·                The rent would plug a $300,000+ annual deficit between the existing golf course revenue and the debt service directly related to the land.  All of us pay for that yearly deficit currently through our taxes.

·                The Y proposal should eliminate a need for a tax increase.

·                The 17 acres used by the Y would be replaced with additional open space, accessible to all of our residents free of charge.

·                The Y proposal does not interfere with Chadwicks restaurant or the swim club, which are already on the site and will remain, and the golf course will continue to operate as a 9-hole course.

If elected, what would you aim to accomplish:  

I have 4 goals I’d like to accomplish:

·       Lease township land to the Audubon YMCA to build a new state of the art facility for our community

·       Pressure our Montgomery County Commissioners to quickly replace the Arcola Road Bridge

·       Hold the line on taxes by plugging a $300,000+ budget deficit at the township golf course 

·       Acquire new open space which would be open to the public for free.

What else would you like residents to know about you?

I Look at the Job Of Supervisor as a steward of the Township for the Residents. Looking out for THEIR Interest.  I know how it feels to be helpless and frustrated, caught in the gears of Government. I won’t pretend to be able to right all the wrongs in Lower Providence, I will tell you that I will be honest and fearless in my pursuit of fairness for all Its residents. Our Township and world is in the midst of change It will take all of us to make that change a positive one.  Please Help me help All of us.  Vote on November 5th and vote for me if that’s what your heart tells you. 

In Humble Gratitude, 

Jim Donahue