ELECTION DAY TUESDAY NOV 7th, 2023 Polls open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 PM
EVERY VOTE IS NEEDED – YOUR VOTE – AS A WRITE IN CAMPAIGN IS BEING CONDUCTED BY FORMER BUSINESS MANAGER, ED NELSON WHO NOW WANTS TO BE SUPERVISOR.
PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE AS ‘OTHERS’ WILL GO TO VOTE. THIS COULD COME DOWN TO A HANDFUL OF VOTES AND YOUR VOTE WILL MAKE A CRUCIAL DIFFERENCE!
If you need transportation – please contact us.
Prospective Candidates for Township Supervisor – takebackumbt.net – PLEASE VIEW so you know thoughts and platform. There are video interviews on the takebackumbt.net site. VOTE. OUR VOICES BY VOTE NEED TO BE HEARD. OUR TOWNSHIP’S FUTURE IS IN THE BALANCE. https://takebackumbt.net/index.html
Upper Mount Bethel Township is a second class township administered by a 5 member Board of Supervisors. Two seats are contested this year for a 6-year term. The seats are currently held by Robert Teel and Martin Pinter. Cori Eckman and Jason Albert won the primary and are on BOTH Republican and Democratic ballots. However, former Business Manager Ed Nelson is conducting a write in campaign to take one of these seats as a Board of Supervisor.
As citizens we all have a duty to be involved in and educated on the governance of our Township and home. This election is about the candidate. Although not running “together”, Eckman and Albert are complementing each other. Both are more than willing to speak with any resident and discuss their thoughts regarding our township. Please do not hesitate to contact them with questions, for conversation and clarification or to offer support.
TOGETHER WE CAN BEGIN TO HAVE CITIZENS VOICES BE RECOGNIZED AND HEARD AS HAPPENS IN OTHER TOWNSHIPS. THIS BEGINS WITH YOUR VOTE-WITH ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER. IT TAKES ALL OF US TO ACCOMPLISH THIS. EVERY, SINGLE ONE OF US!
Northampton County Elections office at:
Phone: (610) 829-6260
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
About Cori:
Cori opted to run for the position of Supervisor with the aim of restoring transparency to the residents. Throughout the past few years, she had attended numerous meetings and observed the exasperation etched on the faces of the residents while attempting to obtain answers. There are various concerns within the township that have a significant impact on many residents, and when they voice their opinions, they are frequently met with silence. It is unacceptable for residents to feel demoralized in the township they call home.
At present, during a meeting, you are permitted to speak for three minutes to make comments. However, despite posing questions, they often go unanswered, and reports are reviewed without any explanation provided to the residents. In the township we reside in, it is crucial for residents to receive both questions and answers. It is imperative that we stay informed about what is transpiring in our community.
Numerous contracts are approved without prior communication to the residents. The trash contract is a prime example of this. It should never have been handled in the manner it was. Merely because we were informed that no one responded to an advertisement, the township was obligated to act in the best interests of the residents and reach out to collection services.
Traffic has emerged as a major concern in our township due to the recent events in neighboring towns. To address this issue, we must conduct our own traffic impact study instead of relying on a developer’s report. Additionally, we require a contingency plan for when incidents occur on Route 80, resulting in a complete halt of traffic on our roads and surrounding areas, making it impossible to enter or exit the town.
Cori is a life-long resident. Many of you already know her as she has been involved in our community for a long time and the last few years has been very visible at Township meetings on many levels. You may have also seen her helping to run or assisting in various community fundraisers for community members. She is a straight shooter who is not afraid to stand up and speak and voice concerns or suggestions. She knows how HARD people work to have a home or residence in this community — having worked multiple jobs over time to be able to purchase her home. She cares about people, she cares about and LOVES her community and the way of life that we live in UMBT. She is long on common sense and understanding of residents and short on tolerance for lack of transparency or double talk.
About Jason:
Jason is running for Township Supervisor with the objective of restoring openness and transparency to the Township. He desires to connect with and understand the residents, listen to their concerns, and take appropriate action. Ignoring taxpayers’ grievances is no longer an option. As a Township Supervisor, his primary responsibility is to safeguard taxpayers’ funds and ensure their safety, health, and wellbeing. He has previously served on the UMBT Open Space Advisory for two terms, been a Bangor School Board Director for four years, and volunteered for over 20 years as a Bangor Fireman. He has extensive experience in serving the public and is determined to ensure that the Township adequately provides for all its residents.
Every resident has the right to know the current happenings in the Township, as they are the ones funding the daily operations. Unfortunately, these rights have been disregarded over the past few years. The Township Supervisors are not superior to the residents; they represent their interests at meetings and must align with the majority. Sadly, some members of the current Board are indifferent to the people who voted them into office. There are secretive meetings and discussions that have a significant impact on the public, but they are not held publicly. This practice must come to an end. Taxpayers should be able to ask questions and have their concerns addressed, instead of being ignored.
The future development of the Industrial Park is inevitable, and it is essential to ensure that it is developed responsibly without giving in to the developer’s demands. This can be achieved by following the proper procedures, starting with planning, zoning, and voting by the BOS on the recommendation. Private meetings, backroom deals, and ignoring conflicts of interest should not be tolerated. The right channels must be followed. Currently, several light industries have complied with these guidelines and are operating successfully. It is imperative to ensure that the rest of the industries follow suit.
It is essential to consider who will benefit from the creation of a Sewer and Water Authority. The Authority is a separate entity from the Township, and only its board members are appointed by the Township. The generated money will not be deposited into the Township’s account but rather into the Authority’s account for the maintenance and repair of lines and a sewer plant that will only benefit the Industrial Park. If expansion is allowed, only a small portion of the Township will benefit. It is crucial to seek feedback from residents and third-party experts before making a decision. Rushing through this process, as certain members of the current BOS are attempting to do, is not advisable. A thorough examination is necessary and should take an adequate amount of time.
Jason, too, is a long time resident of Upper Mount Bethel who cares deeply about his community. He is very visible in the Slate Belt Community and gives of his time to protect it and to work with others to keep it strong. He is easy to talk to, attentive, and genuine.
Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it!”
~ Susan B. Anthony
Please VOTE for these candidates. This election is extremely important to the future of our Township and way of life! YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!
Concerned Citizens of UMBT 