THANK YOU for electing me to serve on the Springettsbury Township Board of Supervisors.  I look forward to working with Kathleen Phan and the rest of the Board to help keep Springettsbury great!
 
THANK YOU for all the letters of support and encouragement.  Please click on each name to read their letter:
 
This is my letter published in the York Daily Record on October 22, 2013, and the York Dispatch on November 1, 2013.

“Facts are stubborn things” – John Adams, second President of the United States.

My opponents would have you believe that Springettsbury Township is on a reckless spending spree. The fact is that Standard & Poor's just increased the township's rating to A+ because of our strong financial controls.
My opponents would have you believe that you will lose your ambulance service. The fact is that the township wants to improve service, double the number of ambulances and keep control of our service here in our township.

My opponents would have you believe that the township has nothing in place to help protect our historical properties. The fact is that the township has a Historical Preservation Commission that has identified the top 100 historical sites in Springettsbury Township. There is a meeting at the township on Oct. 23, 2013, open to all residents, to learn more about historical preservation.

My opponents would have you believe that the township has a poor reputation. The fact is that Springettsbury is the envy of the mid-state region. With great shopping, great people and great jobs, Springettsbury is a great place to live, work and play.

My opponents would have you believe that there is no transparency in our local government. The fact is that the meetings are all advertised according to the law and open to the public. If OTBST succeeds, they will have a quorum in their lawsuit against the board of supervisors which will cost the taxpayers money.

The fact is that as a 27 year resident of Springettsbury Township, a senior project manager at The Hershey Company, a community leader and a 10-year member of the Planning Commission, I am the most qualified candidate to keep Springettsbury great and to take it to the next level. I ask that you make only one selection for the supervisor position on Nov. 5. Please vote for Mark Swomley.
 
THANK YOU for the kind words of encouragement and support in your letters to the editor.  Click on each name to see their letter.
 
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

As a 27 year Springettsbury Township resident who is actively involved in the community, I believe that I bring the leadership, experience and professionalism qualities necessary to keep Springettsbury a great place to live, work and play.  My first hand involvement on the Planning Commission gives me experience and insights into the operation of the township that my opponents do not have.  As a Sr. Project Manager at The Hershey Company, I have delivered many multi-million dollar projects for the corporation requiring strong leadership and budgeting skills.  As a Scoutmaster, I have taken a troop that was ready to fold for lack of involvement to a vibrant troop that has mentored over 18 Eagle Scouts.  As a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, I have been a Lector for the last 15 years, started the fellowship ministry with my wife Maria, and taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.  I have no personal agenda in seeking this office, just the vested interest in our community that we all share.  Vote for me, Mark Swomley on November 5th and together we can “Keep Springettsbury Great”.

 
What is the biggest issue facing your municipality, and how would you address it?

When I am out in the community speaking with our residents, there is one common theme that they tell me challenges them in their daily lives: Traffic.  One of the most important things I will focus on as a supervisor is the development of a traffic plan as part of the upcoming comprehensive plan.  By contrast, when I am in the business community discussing their challenges, they often mention the burden of regulations and difficult relationships with township officials.  During my tenure on the Planning Commission, I have been one of the biggest advocates of improved traffic and reduced regulations and I have worked to create an atmosphere of cooperation with residents and businesses alike.  I worked to streamline the process for small subdivisions, worked closely with our citizens to improve and simplify  ordinances and helped block provisions of a County proposed storm-water ordinance that would have put undue burdens on our community.

 
How do you propose to balance the municipal budget without putting further tax burden upon the residents?

Springettsbury has operated with a balanced budget and has not raised taxes on its residents in over 9 years.  Standard and Poor's recently upgraded Springettsbury to an A+ rating, which is considered investment grade, because of our strong capacity to meet financial commitments.  I will protect our resident’s taxpayer dollars by continuing to implement strong budget controls using the skills I have developed over a long career as a Department Manager at BMY, as a Sr. Project Manager at the Hershey Company and as a small business owner here in York County.  I will promote business opportunities through suitable development and redevelopment of commercial properties with the understanding that business taxes collected by the township are a major source of the revenues that operate our vibrant community.