I, Eleanor Breslin, am the Democratic candidate for Tinicum Township supervisor.

I care about the environment, the well-being of my neighbors, and having a transparent, collaborative and responsive local government.

It was recently suggested that the incumbent’s record is not well-known in part because the COVID-19 pandemic discouraged some Tinicum Township residents from attending the board of supervisors meetings. It did not have to be this way.

Bucks County is home to 54 municipalities; 30 of them make it possible for the public to attend board meetings remotely.

Our current board should do the same.

Instead, it has put Tinicum residents in a position where they must choose between risking their health and having their voices heard by elected local government – which brings me to the three promises I am making to the residents of Tinicum Township.

First, if I am elected, you will be able to attend board meetings remotely even after the COVID-19 crisis is over. Broader access will enable more residents to participate which will increase transparency, engagement and community-wide collaboration.

In turn, the board will be more responsive. It’s an easy, long-overdue ix.

Second, I will align the board’s priorities with the township’s conservation values by (a) reactivating Tinicum’s all-volunteer Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), (b) updating the 10-year comprehensive plan, and (c) creating a Tinicum Climate Action Plan (CAP). Tinicum should join the network of 140 EACs in Pennsylvania.

What happens up-stream impacts life in Tinicum, and what we do impacts our neighbors downstream.

Most of us believe climate change is real. Municipal governments play a role in taking climate action through mitigation and adaptation strategies, and every local priority and decision intersects with environmental issues. In the five-county region of Southeast of Pennsylvania, 35 municipalities have Climate Action Plans. In 2020, 30 more municipalities across our commonwealth took steps to write their own CAP. Tinicum must join this forward-looking network of municipalities, and be ready to access federal and state funding sources to help ensure Tinicum’s children have a healthy climate in their future.

Third, our township parks must be improved and maintained to be inviting places to gather. While public parks may not be a priority of the current board, it is not acceptable to simply neglect them. Particularly for residents in the southern tip of the township, this is a basic quality of life issue that must be addressed.

True leadership requires deep understanding of issues that matter, widening the lens to see all that is possible, and possessing an authentic interest in serving all of Tinicum. This is what I will deliver. On May 5 I’ll add a Q&A page onbreslinfortinicum.com.

Email my campaign with questions or if you want a yard sign (they’re 98% recyclable!).