With the exception of four years after college, I am a lifelong resident of Cheltenham Township.  My husband and I chose to make our home here in 2008 because of the Township's diversity, history, natural beauty, and proximity to many economic and employment opportunities.  Like my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents before me, I love and appreciate what this Township has to offer.  However, I also see that we face many challenges at this pivotal point in time.  These challenges must be met with a look toward future generations so that my son and his classmates will continue to want to call Cheltenham home when it comes time for them to choose where to put down roots and raise another generation.

As not just a resident of the Township, but also part owner of a small business that has been located in the Township for forty years, I have experience with how legislative and operational decisions at the Township level impact both the home and work life of everyday people. In my role as Operations Manager of my small business, I see firsthand the struggle of providing clients the best possible service with the staff and resources that the business can afford.  This balance between service to residents and cost is at the heart of the Township's current facilities and budget deficit questions.  There must be a focus going forward on how the Township can use the resources it has to enhance the quality of life of its residents.  If we focus only on cost cutting and not on a strategic deployment of resources to enhance quality of life, we will end up in a Township where people do not want to live.  This would cause a downward spiral in the Township's ability to raise tax revenue and maintain its facilities and services in the future.

Some areas of focus that I see as essential going forward include:

• Pedestrian and cyclist safety

• Properly maintained facilities that are equitably accessible

• Promotion of historical assets

• Coordination with SEPTA to strengthen public transit access and ensure properly maintained transit facilities

• Responsible and appropriately sized development

• Support for local businesses and development of business districts

• Support for EMS and volunteer fire companies