Letter: Dunigan Wants to Continue Improving Lansdale's Fiscal Health

To my Friends and Neighbors of Ward 3:

My name is Daniel P. Dunigan, and I am the only experienced Republican candidate running for Council in Ward 3.

I am proud to have been elected in 2009 by the residents of Lansdale, who valued my extensive professional experience in finance.  That experience led to me being appointed to Chairman of the Borough’s Administration & Finance committee, a position I have held since being sworn-in in January 2010.

As Chairman of the Administration & Finance committee, I led the current administration’s effort to restore the Borough’s fiscal health.  In the decade preceding my term, the Borough was headed for bankruptcy as a result of continued deficit spending.  Since my time as Chair, the Borough has been run in a more business-like fashion.  We have refinanced old debts, analyzed operating costs, reduced expenses, and increased revenues, thus dramatically correcting the un-sustainable financial course on which the Borough was headed.

During my tenure, the annual Borough budgets have been truly balanced with no deficit spending or service reductions.  Recently, the Borough’s financial auditors noted our balance sheet is among the best.  This was done in three years, while the average borough residents’ tax bill is still under $400/year. 

While leading the Borough’s financial team, I am proud that our efforts have been recognized by the Governor’s office, as the Borough earned the 2012 Award for Fiscal Accountability and Best Management Practices, via the Department of Community and Economic Development.  This award is a first-ever for the Borough and a campaign promise of 2009 fulfilled.

I played an integral role in establishing a business relationship with Merck and the Borough’s sewer authority, resulting in more than $1,000,000 of additional annual revenue, added to a one-time upfront payment of $7,000,000.

Under my guidance, the Borough’s budget was able to support the addition of 5 new properly equipped police officers.  This investment, along with a lot of great police work, has translated to a 30% reduction in crime.

I also serve as the Chairman of the Parking Authority.  During my term, I have guided the Authority in attracting $50,000,000 of private investment for the redevelopment of Madison Lot by Equus (formerly BPG).  This project will bring jobs to Lansdale.  It will also expand the tax base by $750,000 annually and provide an additional $1,000,000 in upfront payments.  Hundreds of new residents will increase foot traffic downtown, which will continue the improvements already underway and apparent.  This project is a “hallmark” Transit Oriented Development project and will be a model in the Commonwealth and beyond.

For the future, if reelected, I will continue to use my experience to work to further strengthen the Borough’s fiscal health by:

• Continued wise investment decisions - both short-term and long-term benefits for the Borough, residents and taxpayers.
• Expanded best practices approaches to all Borough operations to improve efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.
• Seeing the Madison Lot project through to conclusion and use it as a springboard to further grow the Borough by attracting more businesses through marketing our business-friendly approaches.
• Ensuring that our branding platform is woven into the efforts to assure that we use the knowledge gained in the branding process to project and enhance the values and benefits of Lansdale to attract both residents and businesses.
• Continued commitment to maintaining a fully-staffed, well-equipped and operational police force to protect the Borough and keep crime to a minimum.

I ask for your continued support by voting for me, Daniel P. Dunigan, by pressing E12 on May 21, 2013.  I will see you at the polls!

Dan Dunigan
Lansdale Ward 3 Republican candidate