PALMER TWP., Pa. — Land development, public safety and government transparency are some of the issues at the forefront of the upcoming township supervisor’s race in the primary election.
- Palmer Township has a contested supervisor's race in the upcoming primary election
- There are seven candidates, including two Democrats and five Republicans
- The primary will be held on May 16
Seven candidates have filed nomination petitions, splitting the field at two Democrats and five Republicans for one open seat.
The Democrats are Baron Vanderburg and Charles Bellis, while the Republican candidates are Phil Taverna, Kristopher Grube, Colin M. Burke, Andrew Rossi and Charles Diefenderfer.
All current township board members are Democrats. The majority has served on the township’s board for more than a decade: Michael Brett and Joseph Armato were both elected in 2022; K. Michael Mitchell and Ann-Marie Panella, both elected in 2000; and Jeffrey Young, who was elected in 2014, but also served from 1988 to 1999.
Panella’s term will expire in December, and it’s her seat that’s available.
Pennsylvania's May 16 primary is fast-approaching.
Because Pennsylvania is among nine states that hold closed primaries, a voter must be registered as a Democrat or Republican by May 1.
Those who prefer to vote in person may go to their polling place on Election Day, or voters can cast a mail-in or absentee ballot. Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. May 16 or they will not be tabulated.
Here are some of the other municipal races to watch.
Here are the candidates and responses to questions from LehighValleyNews.com:
Baron L. Vanderburg
Education: An Easton Area High School graduate, Vanderburg received an associate’s degree at Northampton Community College, a bachelor’s at East Stroudsburg University, and a master’s in higher education at Kutztown University.
Occupation: Assistant Director of Admissions at Kutztown University
What qualifications make you a good fit for Palmer Township supervisor?
Vanderburg is a former vice president of the Easton Area School Board. He cited his educational background in public administration, experience with unions and community leadership experience through church activity and other operating boards and committees.
What qualifications make you a good fit for Palmer Township supervisor? What issues do you want to address? What’s your political history?
Vanderburg said his platform includes maintaining the quality of the township’s neighborhoods, committing to common sense land development while controlling warehouse development, preserving township open spaces, finding/creating economic and community development opportunities for the township and minimizing tax/fee increases.
Vanderburg was appointed to Easton Area School Board in 2012 to fill a vacant seat, and a year later, won an election for the rest of the term until 2017. He's also been a member of the Northampton County Democratic Committee since 2008, and is now serving a four-year term as a county committee member.
“When the announcement came out that Ann Marie Panella was retiring, it was a no-brainer decision for me,” Vanderburg said. “She, along with the current board, [has] done an incredible job in leading Palmer Township, and I believe that I have some qualities and platform positions that will continue that great trajectory."
“Many times, candidates run to ‘fix’ the mistakes or poor decisions of others. It's not often that a candidate has an opportunity to run for a spot on a well-oiled machine, where one can bring creativity and experience to continue moving forward. I saw the latter in this position. My approach to politics, both local and national, is 'moderately progressive,' meaning I like to take the best parts of both ideologies and synergize them for the greater good of people. As the township enjoys a great diversity of residents, considering age, race and ethnicity, family structure and more, I believe there is space in the township for a moderate progressive to continue to move the township forward and be a unifying voice for all people.”
Andrew Rossi
Education: An Easton Area High School graduate, Rossi graduated in 2008 from the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Occupation: Construction Project Manager
What qualifications make you a good fit for Palmer Township supervisor?
“Through my occupation, I am well-versed [in] managing budgets, communicating efficiently between multiple parties and am a creative problem solver."
A lifelong and multi-generational township resident, he also has several volunteer and public service roles, including the captain of the township’s fire department. He is also treasurer of the fire department’s board of trustees. He also sits on the township’s planning commission and is vice chairman of its zoning hearing board.
What issues do you want to address? What’s your political history? Why did you decide to run for the open supervisor seat?
“In thinking about the future of Palmer Township, it will be important to support, uphold and modify public safety services based on the needs of the residents,” Rossi said. “Land development as it specifically relates to traffic and storm water issues. Keeping the township budget manageable to ensure that taxpayers are not overwhelmed with large tax increases.
“My decision to run is based on the fact that I will bring a young, fresh perspective to the township. As I am raising my family here, I want to become more involved in township decisions to continue to make this a family-oriented, safe, economically successful place to live. I want our township to continue to be a beacon for other local governments to aspire to.”
Kris Grube
Education: Grube has a bachelor's degree from DeSales University and a Project Management Professional certificate from Lehigh University.
Occupation: Associate Director, Supply Chain
What qualifications make you a good fit for Palmer Township supervisor? What’s your political history? Why did you decide to run for the open supervisor seat?
Grube has been actively involved in the community for more than 15 years, serving as chairman of the zoning board, a former firefighter and board member of the township’s fire department and an HOA board member for Hillcrest Acres.
“Myself and family have a rich history in Palmer Township, having played an active role in the community for over 50 years,” he said. “I have a proven track record of leadership and collaboration.”
What issues do you want to address?
Major topics of Grube’s campaign include ensuring public safety and emergency preparedness, managing the township budget effectively and the finances productively, and encouraging public participation and transparency in decision-making.
Colin M. Burke
Education: Burke has an associate’s degree and is currently enrolled at Northampton Community College.
Occupation: Quality Assurance Technician Lead in Cryogenics
What qualifications make you a good fit for Palmer Township supervisor? What issues do you want to address? What’s your political history?
“I am very proficient when it comes to dealing in risk assessment and risk management in determining hazards that can occur when a decision will be made on the town’s behalf,” Burke said. “It also takes good communication between the council and residents of Palmer to keep them informed of issues going on in town."
“When it comes to finances, I have multiple years in pharmaceuticals, dealing with millions of dollars and always had positive numbers at year's end. I always believe never let your emotions cloud your judgment and always ask for help when needed.”
Why did you decide to run for the open supervisor seat?
“A typical response when an incident happens in your town, someone says, ‘Oh it can happen anywhere.’ But in Palmer, certain incidents shouldn’t happen. An issue came up in a park in my neighborhood where children play all the time and it was considered a closed issue."
“I am concerned for the children who don’t understand the way the world is headed and when their area of happiness has been compromised with a weapon, I decided that our keepers are not doing enough to keep the residents safe. So I decided that our town does not need more supervisors, they need a leader now.”
Phil Taverna
Education: Taverna has a bachelor’s degree, a doctor of dental surgery from NYU, and attended four years at Seton Hall School of Law.
Occupation: Dentist and Real Estate Management
What qualifications make you a good fit for Palmer Township supervisor? What issues do you want to address? What’s your political history? Why did you decide to run for the open supervisor seat?
Taverna said he has experience in the township’s stormwater management.
In addition to citing rampant “corruption” throughout the township, Taverna said he wants to create a council to review complaints brought by residents against land developers. He also wants to fix stormwater issues at Park View Estates.
Charles Diefenderfer
Education: After graduating from Easton Area High School, he received a bachelor’s degree at Lehigh University.
Occupation: Senior Project Manager, retired
What qualifications make you a good fit for Palmer Township supervisor? What’s your political history?
Diefenderfer is vice chairman of the township’s planning commission. He volunteered for more than 10 years with the suburban rescue squad, serving as both financial secretary and captain. As a resident, he has attended supervisor meetings for more than a decade.
“My prior work experience has provided me with knowledge regarding bidding requirements, budgeting, contract negotiation, state and federal regulations and project management,” he said. “My work as a senior project manager has involved several multi-million-dollar projects.”
What issues do you want to address? Why did you decide to run for the open supervisor seat?
“Increased development within the township has created concerns about traffic, stormwater runoff, conflicts between residential, commercial properties and available open space. I believe that once the township adopts the updated Zoning Ordinance and continues to follow and implement the long-range items established during the process of creating the Comprehensive Plan, along with continuing to listen to residents’ concerns the township will continue on a pathway to be an even better place to live.
"The updated ordinance would help eliminate current conflicts between commercial and residential zones by increasing buffering requirements and also require commercial developments to provide additional detail with their plan submissions to address potential conflicts with existing residential districts.
“It’s not about politics; it’s about participation, listening to different viewpoints, and having thoughtful discussions prior to reaching balanced decisions that comply with the law. Over time, I have had the opportunity to observe the need for the interaction between the residents and the township’s governing body prior to reaching decisions, and based on my experience, I strongly believe that I can be an effective addition as part of this process.”
Charles Bellis
Charles Bellis did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
