Supervisors Election In Warminster Is For Control Of Board

WARMINSTER, PA — Partisan control of Warminster's board of supervisors is at stake in municipal elections on Nov. 5.

One incumbent Republican on the board and one GOP newcomer are facing two Democratic candidates for seats on the board, which currently is led by Republicans with a 3-2 majority.

Supervisor Dan McPhillips and construction-company owner Bob Welsh are seeking to defeat Democrats Kenneth Hayes, a geologist, and Judy Hoover, a retired City of Philadelphia employee.

The two top vote-getters in Nov. 5 voting will serve 6-year terms on the board.

The race is happening over a backdrop of major issues which future supervisors may be tasked with addressing. The township is working to get its financial situation in order and avoid bankruptcy. Supervisors are currently pondering selling Warminster's water and sewer service to a private entity and, underlying it all, is the persistent question of dealing with potentially hazardous chemicals known as PFAS in the area's water supply.

The board is up for grabs this year after current Chairman Jason Croley chose not to seek re-election for after his term expires at the end of this year.

McPhillips is seeking re-election after initially announcing that he, too, would not seek another term on the board.

In July, David Hauschild, a Republican nominee for a seat on the board, withdrew from the racedue to a life-threatening health scare. The Warminster Township Republican Committee announced that McPhillips would take his place on the ballot.

Hayes, who moved to Warminster with his family in 1995, serves as chairman of the Environmental Advisory Council, a member of the township's Budget and Pension Investment advisory committees and an alternate on the Planning Commission.

Hoover is currently a Warminster Township auditor, recording secretary with the Buck County Democratic Women's Forum and previously served as legislative coordinator for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

McPhillips currently serves as the board's vice chairman, a role in which he's worked with the Warminster Police Department. He also serves as a member of the Bucks County Community Development Board and, before becoming a supervisor, served on the zoning hearing board, planning commission and in other posts.

Welsh is the owner of DW Construction and cites economic development and fighting the opioid crisis as key issues he'd address if elected.

Kenneth Hayes
Age: 62
Occupation: Geologist
Party: Democrat
Education: Temple University (BS), Drexel University (MS)
Key Issues: Developing a long-term plan to get township finances solid and avoid bankruptcy

Judy Hoover
Age: 72
Occupation: Retired, City of Philadelphia
Party: Democrat
Education: Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences
Key Issues: Avoiding bankruptcy without selling water authority

Dan McPhillips
Age: 49
Occupation: Tax agent
Party: Republican
Education: LaSalle University (B.A.), BCCC (A.A.)
Key Issues: Dealing with the opioid crisis

Bob Welsh
Age: 61
Occupation: Owner, DW Construction
Party: Republican
Education: Bishop McDevitt, Montgomery County Vocational School
Key Issues: Opioid crisis, other drug issues