Control Of Bucks Co. Commissioners At Stake In Nov. 5 Election

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — In the race to control the Bucks County Board of Commissioners, Republicans will be leaning on decades of tradition while Democrats hope a rising tide of support for their party in southeast Pennsylvania will wash its way across county lines.

Each party has put up two candidates who will compete, at large, for three seats on the Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 5 election.

On the Republican side are current commissioners Chairman Robert Loughery and state Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, a 13-term lawmaker from Bensalem. Taking them on are Diane Ellis-Marseglia, currently the commissioners' lone Democrat, and Bob Harvie, chairman of the Falls Township Board of Supervisors.

Commissioner Vice-Chairman Charley Martin, a Republican and 23-year veteran of the board, opted not to seek reelection.

Whichever duo comes out on top on Nov. 5 will control the purse strings in Bucks County, where the annual budget now approaches $500 million, as well as make decisions about day-to-day operations in the county of roughly 630,000 people.

In southeast Pennsylvania, Bucks County has become something of a last stand for the GOP.

After last year's General Election, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties saw either Republican majorities in their state House delegations turn to Democratic advantages or narrow Democratic leads turn to overwhelming ones. State senate and congressional seats followed the same trend.

But in Bucks County, the GOP-led House delegation's numbers remained the same (two seats flipped, one in favor of each party) and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick won reelection, touting himself as a moderate Republican in the face of Democratic efforts to tie him to President Donald Trump and other congressional leaders.

The Democrats seeking county commissioners seats hope that tide will wash ashore in Bucks this year.

"There has been one-party control over Bucks County for most of its history," Harvie said. "I believe that any party which has control for too long has the potential to lose sight of what they owe their constituents."

The Republicans, meanwhile, say they've set themselves apart in Bucks County through steady leadership and strong constituent service.

"The Republican majority has built a strong foundation and has a proven track record in Bucks County for delivering real, positive results for our residents," Loughery said.

Here is a closer look at the four 2019 candidates for the Bucks County Board of Commissioners.

(Editor's Note: Each candidate replied via email to Patch's questions. Their responses have only received minor edits for things like punctuation, spelling and style):

Gene DiGirolamo
Party: Republican
Current office: PA state representative, District 18

Q: What are some of the key issues that you believe need to be addressed by the county commissioners?
A: There are three critical issues facing Bucks County and its residents. Most important is the ongoing opioid epidemic. Drug addiction is ravaging our community, and it is truly heartbreaking. I have spent the better part of my career fighting for those addicted to these terrible drugs. It is crucial that the commissioners remain committed to properly funding the fight against opioids. Secondly, I believe we need to continue supporting our environment. The county has done a great job at preserving thousands of acres of open space and working to crack down on polluters. I have been a staunch supporter of our environment, and I look forward to bringing that passion to Doylestown. Finally, we need to continue to hold the line on taxes to help ensure Bucks County is great place for all of us to live.

Q: Why do you feel it's important that Republicans maintain a majority on the Board of Commissioners?
A: Bucks County is my home. It is where I was born, grew up, raised a family, and operated a business. Bucks County is truly a great place to live and that is because we have had good Republican leadership serving the county. We are in great financial shape, our county agencies offer premium services, we have protected the environment and we have fought to protect taxpayer dollars. I am excited for this opportunity to serve the residents of Bucks while fighting to maintain our quality of life that we enjoy.

Q: What do you feel you personally bring to the table that makes you better suited for the post than your opponents.
A: When looking at the county’s budget, almost 75 percent of the budget is dedicated to Health and Human Services. I have spent the previous 25 years serving in the legislature, earning the position of Majority Chairman of the House of Representatives Human Services Committee. I look forward to bringing all my knowledge and expertise to help continue protecting Bucks County’s most vulnerable citizens.

Robert Harvie
Party: Democrat
Current office: Chairman, Falls Township Board of Supervisors

Q: What are some of the key issues that you believe need to be addressed by the county commissioners?
A: I believe the current county government doesn't work hard enough for the residents. Most people know little to nothing about their county government, which, I believe, inhibits the effectiveness of the county government. I believe we can do a better job working with residents, businesses and local governments on environmental issues, improving our infrastructure, managing economic development and a host of other issues which affect our residents.

Q: Why do you feel it's important that Democrats take a majority on the Board of Commissioners?
A: There has been one-party control over Bucks County for most of its history. I believe that any party which has control for too long has the potential to lose sight of what they owe their constituents. We know from the County Row Officers we elected in 2017 that there are real problems in those offices that were hidden for years, if not decades. We know the current majority is responsible for losing a $68 million lawsuit that could cause a financial crisis in the county. And we know that the current voting machines, which were purchased under Republican leadership not that long ago, now have to be replaced because they are substandard, which is another blow to our treasury.

Q: What do you feel you personally bring to the table that makes you better suited for the post than your opponents?
A: My record as a three-term supervisor in Falls Township, chairman for the last 11 years, speaks to my commitment to bringing balanced, professional leadership which can attract jobs and protect the environment at the same time. I am also proud of our efforts to increase our communication with our residents, improve our quality of life while also not raising taxes. I was born and raised in Bucks County and have family roots which go back for many generations. I am committed to giving the residents of Bucks County the government they deserve.

Robert Loughery
Party: Republican
Current Office: Chairman, Bucks County Board of Commissioners

Q: What are some of the key issues that you believe need to be addressed by the Bucks County Board of Commissioners?
A: The opioid crisis is ravishing families and communities in our county. We are and will continue aggressively to confront it both through law enforcement and social services, including six new county detectives for the DA’s Drug Strike Force added two years ago, treatment programs for men and women in the correctional system, additional funding and support for the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission to expand access to treatment and prevention, a lawsuit against manufacturers of opioids and increased social services to support families. Affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities and mental health issues is also a critical issue facing the county. Working with our housing agencies in the county, we continue to explore ways to support affordable housing initiatives such as first time home buyer programs, reduce wait times at the homeless shelter for families experiencing homelessness, increase rental assistance programs, and blight removal programs.

Q: Why do you feel it's important that Republicans maintain a majority on the Board of Commissioners?
A: Year in and year out, Republican county commissioners in Bucks County have been able to provide quality services to our residents because of our strong financial position. This has allowed us to keep taxes low and to maintain programs and initiatives such as the farm preservation program that has preserved over 218 farms and 17,000 acres of agricultural land, the preservation of 5,000 acres of high priority natural areas, maintain a remarkable system of county parks and trails and support new, innovative workforce development initiatives that have trained employees with skills needed for today's economy. As we look at affordable housing needs, combating the opioid crisis, budget challenges to meet the needs of the county, holding the line on taxes, supporting workforce development, protecting the environment, and addressing critical infrastructure experience is required and the Republican majority brings the necessary experience and the results. The Republican majority has built a strong foundation and has a proven track record in Bucks County for delivering real, positive results for our residents.

Q: What do you feel you personally bring to the table that makes you better suited for the post than your opponents?
A: Experience counts and matters, especially in a county where the budget is $500 million and the workforce is close to 2,400. There are significant upcoming challenges and opportunities for an experienced commissioner to address. One of my top priorities, if elected will be to maintain the county’s strong financial position, which includes two triple-A bond ratings, a pension fund that is 100% funded and continued low real estate taxes, while still providing quality services for our residents. I have the experience and the record to address these and other issues. In addition, I have the ability to work with everyone, regardless of party or philosophy. Finding common ground to better the lives of our residents and the services the county provides has been a hallmark of my time in public service. I have worked very hard to make sure that is the case. I will continue to do the same if reelected.

Diane Ellis-Marseglia
Party: Democrat
Current Office: Member, Bucks County Board of Commissioners

Q: What are some of the key issues that you believe need to be addressed by the county Board of Commissioners?
A: The biggest issue facing Bucks County is the notion that we can distill things into distinct issues. This separation of issues, and "silo-ing" of responses, has resulted in perpetual problems. For instance, there is a struggle to find readily available and high-quality mental health care (psychiatry, psychology, social work, case management) in Bucks County. As a result, our jail is overcrowded with mentally ill adults who become increasingly sick. Likewise, there are many, who struggle with their mental health and turn to substances (alcohol, drugs, etc.), to cope — creating another challenging cluster. Moreover, children who don’t get adequate mental health support or are victims of abuse or neglect grow worse as they reach adulthood and, in turn, are often unable to adequately care for their children. Our systems need to interact with one another, move quicker to intervene, offer high-quality interventions and remain involved beyond the initial crisis. Assuring there is affordable housing and income-sustaining jobs is interrelated to maintaining and sustaining stability and mental health for all Bucks Countians. A related and equally largest issue is the cost of manpower and operating in the 21st Century. I will prioritize services and establish alternative funding. I will pursue more effective and economical programs (ex: Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts are cheaper and more effective than jail for substance abuse and mental illness). I will increase commissioner oversight as the county spends entirely too much money on lawsuits, arbitrations, and overtime.

Q: Why do you feel it's important that Democrats take a majority on the Boar of Commissioners?
A: I have been the minority commissioner as a Democrat. Thus, I have never been able to effect program changes or utilize the auditing and budgeting process to assure all departments and offices are performing at peak quality and efficiency. For that reason, I strongly believe a change in the Board of Commissioners is necessary. Having one-party control for decades to centuries is not healthy for any community and it stifles creativity, energy, and ethics. A new pair of eyes is always good.

Q: What do you feel you personally bring to the table that makes you better suited for the post than your opponents?
A: The county budget is nearly a half-billion dollars and more than two-thirds of those costs are social services. I have been a licensed social worker, in Bucks County, for more than 30 years. My life and work experiences uniquely qualified me for the leading, as the primary purpose of county government is providing a safety net. That net includes keeping children safe from abuse and neglect, preserving a safe environment through the court and jail systems, answering and dispatching 911 calls, and maintaining over 120 bridges — to name but a few. My priority is to make sure all of these systems are functioning in a high-quality, responsive, and effective manner. It is not enough to have these safety systems, in place, or to have their weaknesses kept hidden. I will insist on a goal of flawlessness as taxpayers deserve nothing less. My first priority, as a majority commissioner, will be to reassess our systems with a focus on those I know to be fragile and begin corrections immediately. I will be able to use my skills and experience to assure all county systems, are communicating effectively with one another. I will establish a system of response/interventions so taxpayers get answers and assistance and those requiring the county’s safety net get quality interventions quickly. We will provide better services to the community, keep it safer and healthier — at less cost — by having mental health, children and youth, corrections, drug and alcohol, intellectual disabilities all working together on an individual or family’s struggle.