Read welcome remarks by Gil Cox CTRO Chairman

Message from the Chairman

At this Holiday Season we all have something for which we should be thankful. We have two Cheltenham Republican Commissioners who stand up for the residents and taxpayers of Cheltenham. Through their efforts alone they are responsible for reducing the proposed Cheltenham Budget from $1.1 million deficit to slightly under a $300,000 deficit. They were the only Commissioners to speak up on the budget and were able to find some long standing wasteful programs that they were able to eliminate. They refused to allow a giant tax increase in Township taxes and believe that with further work, the complete deficit could have been eliminated and a balanced budget could have been adopted without a tax increase. Unfortunately the 5 Democrats refused to work for the benefit of the Cheltenham residents and voted 5 to 2 to adopt a budget with a tax increase. Charlie McKeown and Drew Sharkey Voted against increasing Taxes in Cheltenham and deserve our Congratulations and Sincere Thanks for their efforts. Charlie and Drew reflect the best in Republican Ideals and practices. Let us strive to send them help in the next township elections.

Let me take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. I want to thank all of you for the support you have given me and CTRO throughout this past year and I look forward toward working with you in 2010.

Best wishes,

Gilbert Cox

Chairman CTRO

Dear Cheltenham Resident,

The election day is Tuesday, November 3. Please get out and vote and encourage other citizens to do the same.

Your support, encouragement and feedback are important to keep our organization and its publication grow stronger and healthier in days to come. Please send your comments and suggestions to ctroinfo@gmail.com.

Report from the 6th Ward commissioner candidate Myron Goldman

The campaign continues into the final phase. After dropping a flyer at every home in the 6th Ward, the final phase involves visiting homes when there is a higher percentage of finding people home. The idea is to speak with the voter, let the voter interact with me and then leave a flyer.

The Ashbourne development is a major concern in some parts of the 6th Ward. There are many problems with the proposal and the potential gains could be illusionary. The Matrix proposal, calling for a mix of age-restricted housing and condos is inconsistent with the R-1 zoning. There are potential traffic issues and the Township is having a traffic study done. Issues also include stormwater runoff and stresses on the limited and aged Township sanitary water system.

As for the potential gains, they could be illusionary. The potential gain to our Township would be increased tax revenue. However, that gain is dependent on the sale of the built homes while not increasing the costs to our school district and our township. Should the homes not sell or if the development should bring additional school aged children into our district, the potential gains could become a deficit.

The Matrix Corp. is seeking numerous and significant variances from township zoning regulations. The zoning board will hear the Matrix case in November. The granting of the variances is opposed by a citizen's group, CC4A. At some point prior to a ruling by the zoning board, the Board of Commissioners will provide the zoning board with a non-binding recommendation. The burden of proof is on the Matrix Corp. which has to prove hardship, that is, that the zoning regulations are preventing it from developing the land. There is evidence that without the requested variances, 78 housing units could be built, while the Matrix proposal calls for 342 units.

On another front, a debate has been organized by the Cheltenham Chamber of Citizens for all the commissioner candidates. I have declined to participate and stated my reasons in a letter that appeared in the Times Chronicle of September 16th. To summarize the two issues, Republican involvement in the formation of questions was rejected and the debate format would not be revealed until after a candidate had agreed to participate.

As for the election, based on the 2005 election returns, I believe it will take about 600 votes to win and I am working to get those votes by visiting homes and by having people call their friends asking them to vote for me. My thanks to everyone who is working on behalf of my candidacy.

Contact Myron at mgoldman13@comcast.net.

Mary Beth Carroll for Commissioner - 4th Ward

Mary Beth Carroll With the election is only less than a week away Cheltenham Township 4th ward's Republican candidate Carroll outlined her priorities for the township as commissioner in a recent debate. She emphasized the need for increased communications with constituents, continue her environmental initiatives within the township and undertake responsible development in the 4th ward. Mary Beth is a member of Cheltenham Township Environmental advisory Council and has been a local resident for 14 years. She is a scout leader and a business person actively involved in various pursuits supporting a better future for the local community.

For details of her campaign, please visit the website http://www.carroll4commissioner.com.