Meet Forks Township Supervisor Candidate Bonnie Nicholas

Bonnie Nicholas

Though I am running on the Democratic line, as I have done throughout my career in public service , I look forward to serving all of the people of Forks Township regardless of there affiliation.

Forks resident since 1979

Raised in Palmer Township

I have a 21 year old son who also is a resident of Forks Township.

            I coached the following:

                        Forks soccer

                        Forks T-ball

                        Forks Baseball

            I was Cub Scout leader and Boy Scout leader in Forks Township

I served on the Zoning Hearing Board for 8 years, until I was elected Forks Township supervisor. 

Severed on the Board one term 2004 – 2009

            First Elected Female

            Served on the Sewer Authority to keep sewer out of Farm Preservation Area

            Served on all 5 committees

Negotiated with one other Supervisor Uniform and non uniform contracts without going to arbitration

            Updated Zoning Ordinance

            Updated the Comprehensive Plan working on several committees

            Developed 5 year plans for departments

            Voted against unwarranted development

            Kept a balanced budget for 6 years

            Kept spending to minimum

            Alerted residents of wasteful spending

            Worked on Forks Township 250th Celebration

            Worked with and supported the First Forks Community Days

I work for Specialty Minerals Inc. for a total of 21 years as a Senior Mechanical Designer. My work experience has given me the opportunity to see many different communities all over the world.  It has given me an even better perspective on zoning and proper maintenance of infrastructure.  I have cut projects to come within or under budget.  I develop drawings and work with civil drawing.  I have experience with building projects all around the world.  I am responsible for working and training people in foreign countries to develop detailed drawings.  I work with engineers, field construction manager and customers.  I am responsible for developing better designs for our plants.

Member and then President for 3 years of Forks Township Concerned Citizens

            We were township watch dogs informing residents of issues in the Township.

I started and ran the Easter Egg Hunt and Pictures with the Easter Bunny at the Forks Community Center

I started and ran the Holiday Tree lighting, Santa on fire truck and ornament contest at the Forks Community Center

Sponsored the first Meet the Candidates Night having the League of Women’s Voters       ask the question

Reasons for running

            Want a more fiscally responsible Board.

            Have a different opinion on the pass actions of former board members.  Paying for a public works building for the next 20 years is not in the best interest of the public.  We desperately needed a new building, just not a building that put the township in financial stress.  Not a building which leaks and is not up to the high standards Forks Township deserves.

            I do not agree with wasting monies, even if they are not tax dollars.  I feel that the monies we receive as recreation fees are still residents’ funds.

            I want to be the voice of the people.  I would like the residents to feel free to come and say how they feel and voice their opinions.  I do not believe in residents should only have 5 minutes to talk about non agenda issues.  Every issue a resident has deserves the time, response and resolution of the issue.  As supervisor I spent many late nights on the Board.  I felt every minute was worth it, as long as the end results with to benefit the residents.

            Goals:

To put the township in a better financial position, by cutting spending and looking into our tax base.

                        Encourage more environmentally friendly businesses into the township.

                        More support for the current businesses in the township.

Look into our infrastructure on how do improve roads and sewer by better maintenance.  Having the Township to go for all available grants to pay for the work is a must.

Having taxes go up gradually and not hit the taxpayers with a huge hike.

Forks taxes are the lowest taxes.  For every $50,000 a house is assed at it cost the taxpayer about $.77 cents a day.  We all know that you can not give raises and have utilities go up and run the township on the same budget as 15 years ago.  We have to cut spending.  We need to increase taxes slowly only with proper justification of the increase.   Taxpayers need to feel safe and the infrastructure needs to be maintained properly.   It is not what anyone wants to hear but these are the facts.  We are in the financial bind, a little less than $10,000,000 in debt.  Now we have to move forward in the right direction.

I would like to tap into the various talents of the residents for Forks to create a better sense of community.

Having more meetings to get people to attend is not the solution.  I would like to have a live webcast of the Board of Supervisor meetings to keep the residents involved.  Everyone has busy lives and can not attend all the meetings, but may want to know what is going on in the Township

I feel my past performance has proven me to be a leader that stands for the residents and the best candidate for the position.