Sweeney for Supervisor
Outcomes Through Effort
Sean’s interest in public service centers around providing the citizens of Tredyffrin Township with solutions to issues important to the community. His commitment to excellence in all aspects of his life lends itself well to the maximum effort he will expend on producing positive outcomes to the following major challenges facing the township today:
Stormwater Management and the Environment
Tredyffrin Township has not kept up with the rapid development in our township over the past few decades. This has resulted in excessive problems with stormwater management and damaging the environment.
New! Posted 10/1/21 — CLICK HERE for videos of Sean’s response to the stormwater problems in contrast to the response from incumbent Supervisor-at-Large, Murph Wysocki.
+ The Problem
The current Tredyffrin Township Stormwater Management System is outdated and the consequences are obvious with each significant rainstorm. Our bridges, culverts, and roads become dangerous. Our residents' homes become damaged due to flooding. Our children attending schools located near streams are at risk of exposure to unhealthy chemicals from run-off and leaching. Our public parks and vital natural resources are jeopardized from pollutants and dangerous chemical overflow.
+ Sean's Solution
Sean will work to create a Master Plan to address the problems with stormwater management and environmental concerns in the township with particular attention to areas near schools and parks. There also are well-documented "trouble spots" in the township that flood consistently during rainstorms. Sean's Master Plan will prioritize solutions to these areas first. He will work to create a public-private partnership with environmental foundations to assist in funding our solutions to the stormwater problems facing our township.
Sean will collaborate with citizens regarding their concerns of stormwater problems affecting their properties. He believes the township should collaborate with its residents on solutions to mitigate future damage.
Posted 9/20/2021 - The beginning stages of a solution - general outline for a master plan to address the stormwater problem in Tredyffrin formulated by concerned citizens and Sean Sweeney.
+ The Bottom Line
A Master Plan to address stormwater issues in the township will be created. The plan will incorporate triaged priorities around school safety, environmental concerns, and known problem areas. Residents will have access to the plan so they can understand and observe the pace at which stormwater issues are being resolved.
Fiscal Responsibility
Tredyffrin Township spends more than it collects in taxes from residents year after year. Our residents are not in the position to do the same — there should be no double standard for local government and taxpayers.
Each year, the township must be fiscally responsible and serve its residents.
+ The Problem
Taxes in Tredyffrin Township have increased approximately 3% in the previous fiscal year. Tax increases have been trending upward for the last three years.
Unfortunately, along with these increases, not only has there been no noticeable increase in services to the residents, there were reductions in township services ranging from park use to summer recreational services.
Even more concerning is the steady increase in professional service fee expenditures. In 2020 alone, the township spent over $300,000 of taxpayer money on professional fees. Many of these expenditures are used to fund township lawyers in disputes with its own residents. Sean has firsthand experience with this; in a stormwater management dispute, the township spent almost three years with their lawyers in an attempt to shift responsibility. In so doing, the township spent thousands of taxpayer money for something that could have simply been resolved for much less.
+ Sean's Solution
Sean will bring his expertise in finance to his Tredyffrin Supervisor role. While the Covid-19 pandemic has reduced township revenue, the responsibility to make up that shortfall should not be directed at the township residents. Had responsible decisions been made in the past, the shortfall would not have been as significant a problem to solve.
+ The Bottom Line
The township focus must shift to fiscal responsibility and serving its residents. Township spending must be transparent, accountable, and collaborative with its taxpayers. Services rendered to its residents must hold value and continue making Tredyffrin Township a world-class place to call home.
Government Accountability
Our local government needs to be more accountable in serving the needs of its residents.
Citizen service, standard operating procedures around inquiries and complaints, and measurable metrics and reporting are minimal requirements for accountability.
+ The Problem
Too often issues and problems facing the township remain unresolved due to poor communication (or lack thereof) and an absence of taxpayer accountability standards.
+ Sean's Solution
Sean's solution incorporates two important ideas. First, he plans to develop township benchmark service standards to increase prompt communication and resolution of resident inquiries and requests. Township service standards will address response promptness for:
- Telephone calls
- Email requests
- Zoning requests
- Property damage disputes
- Sewer service
- All other inquiries and requests
Second, Sean proposes a user-friendly CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system with an easily accessible portal to date- and time-stamp all resident requests and inquiries. A CRM system, or "Citizen Relationship Management" system as Sean would like to call it, is a process in which an organization administers its interactions with its customers -- in this case, the township residents. The CRM system will document receipt of and response to all resident inquiries.
Given the revenue cuts the township has endured due to the Covid-19 panndemic, township employees have been pushed to the brink. The CRM system will leverage their time efficiently so their efforts can be best utilized to serve our citizens in a timely manner.
+ The Bottom Line
Government accountability begins with transparency. Developing service standards and a CRM system will enable collaboration, communication, and clear resolutions to taxpayer issues. Instituting and reviewing a "taxpayer net promoter score" for each interaction a township employee has with a resident will continually improve service for township residents.
Non-Partisanship
Elected government officials must be responsible fiduciaries for the taxpayers and residents.
We are here to serve and get things done for the people we are elected to represent.
+ The Problem
The current state of hyper-political polarization plaguing our country impedes the important work elected officials must do for its citizens. Allegiance to a specific party has forced our government into a stalemate of inactivity. It appears that each elected official is more loyal to their party than to the constiuents they represent.
+ Sean's Solution
As an elected Supervisor, Sean will focus on creating positive outcomes for all residents of Tredyffrin Township. He will work with all elected officials regardless of party affiliation to create a better environment for all.
Throughout his career, Sean has worked successfully with people of all different backgrounds and idealogies. He is committed to working in a consultative, collaborative fashion to create solutions where divergent viewpoints come together to benefit the taxpayers and residents.
Working together and creating compromises will ultimately craft the best solutions for important issues facing the township such as:
- Infrastructure improvement
- Stormwater environmental reform
- Expense Management
- Parks and recreation
- Balanced development
+ The Bottom Line
Sean's philosophy that "Action Matters" is the backbone of his commitment to work past any political differences, bring solutions to problems affecting our residents, and serving the residents of Tredyffrin Township.
Diversity and Inclusion
Tredyffrin needs to do a better job proactively recruiting high-achieving and qualified individuals for employment to better reflect the diversity of our society.
+ The Problem
In recent years, our community has become more acutely aware of the need to improve racial equity. In particular, underrepresented people of color from economically challenged areas should be afforded equal employment opportunities assuming they are well-qualified and educated.
Tredyffrin Township has not done a good job attracting these individuals for township job opportunities. Residents and taxpayers only stand to benefit with increased performance and innovation when the township workforce is diverse.
+ Sean's Solution
On an annual basis, there is a 15% turnover in township employees, with these positions often being filled without extensive searches for qualified and motivated workers.
Sean's objective is to attract well-educated, qualified, civil servants from diverse and under-represented background to fill these positions. The township gains from motivated individuals who are eager to perform their jobs well and from increased diversity and inclusion. This is a win-win for Tredyffrin.
Having been on the ground floor creating Cristo Rey High School in the Tioga section of Philadelphia, Sean knows the quality of individuals who have graduated from college with engineering, civil service, criminal justice, and public administration degrees. He believes in making quality job opportunities available for these qualified candidates.
Job prospects from economically challenged areas have amazing talent and enthusiasm and can provide the residents of Tredyffrin unparalleled service. Every department in the towship from sewer management to the police department would benefit from hiring diverse, qualified candidates.
+ The Bottom Line
Sean's goal as Supervisor is to create a culture that is more diverse and inclusive. If diversity and inclusion matter to us, why is it that our township is so under-represented in this area? Let's take action on what matters to us. Tredyffrin Township will benefit from proactively recruiting talented and qualified individuals in all levels of township employment and reap the rewards of service provided in a first-class manner by employees who appreciate the opportunity.
Historic Preservation
Our township is blessed with its close proximity to Valley Forge Historical National Park. Protecting the historical resources of the township, along with the environment, is a key objective for Sean.
Currently, our historical organizations have very little influence in preserving properties they deem historical. Nor do they have the funds to clean-up historical sites that present a threat to the environment.
+ The Problem
Tredyffrin Township must do a better job educating residents about its rich historical properties. Along with increasing this awareness, we must also make available funds to survey and restore historic sties that may pose a threat to the environment.
Sean has first-hand experience with this issue. About ten years ago, the Sweeneys purchased the Ann Pugh Farm property and soon discovered asbestos in the building, lead pipes in the basement, and an underground oil tank. The property had no stormwater management system and these pollutants were likely adversely affecting the elementary school located next door.
After consulting with and gaining approval from the previous owners, realtors, and township officials, the affected part of the property was demolished and a state-of-the-art stormwater system was installed.
With increased education, advocacy, and awareness training along with funds available to address environmental issues, the community will be better equipped to make appropriate decisions about whether a property should be restored or demolished.
+ Sean's Solution
Balancing the two objectives of historic preservation and environmental protection can be expensive. Sean proposes the creation of a $10 million endowment fund to be administered by historical organizations. This money will be raised through public/private partnerships with non-profit foundations that are focused on historic preservation. Additionally, improved fiscal responsibilty on the township level will also free-up funding for this purpose. This fund will enable the township to:
- Purchase and preserve properties that are deemed historically significant
- Clean-up historical sites that threaten the environment
+ The Bottom Line
This endowment fund will enable Action and Advocacy for important historical properties in our township. Action Matters.
Bike-Friendly Township
Our township has some beautiful cycling trails. We can leverage these resources and expand our road designs to be more comprehensive and encompass the entire township while improving safety and comfort for all road users.
+ The Problem
The bicycling conditions in Tredyffrin Township should be improved. Our community can develop a network of on- and off-street trails that residents can use to commute to work, go shopping, or just enjoy some physical exercise.
Our township has one of the state's top mountain biking teams. The Tredyffrin-Easttown mountain bike program is a co-ed sports opportunity for 6th through 12th grade students. It is an inclusive program and helps develop strong character for the youth of our township. By adopting a community bicycle plan, we recognize and support their quest to achieve consistent excellence. The problem is that we currently have a patchwork of unconnected trails and many roads are unsafe for cycling.
+ Sean's Solution
Sean will develop a comprehensive plan with annual goals to increase bike usage and bike facilities. The township would work with the League of American Bicyclists along with other localities which have been successful in developing bike-friendly townships (e.g., Doylestown). Once an action plan is created, the program would be implemented in phases over a number of years to ensure fiscal responsibility and working within the township "Master Plan", codes, and policies.
Moreover, simple educational initiatives such as "sharing the road" messages and signage can have a significant impact in creating a bike-friendly township.
+ The Bottom Line
The benefits of becoming more bike friendly include:
- Improving the environment by reducing our carbon footprint
- Reducing congestion on our roads
- Boosting our local economy by creating attractive alternative-travel options for our residents and businesses
- Saving township funds by increasing the use of public space and reducing road maintenance costs
- Improving the health and well-being of our township residents by promoting routing physical activity
