Signs of the Changing Times
As if by magic, two things I never thought I’d live to see recently appeared in our rural township in southeastern Pennsylvania — a pair of shiny, new fire hydrants and political campaign signs in front of a firehouse.
We live in Upper Milford Township in Lehigh County. That’s about one hour north of Center City Philadelphia and two hours west of midtown Manhattan — on a good traffic day.
These days, good traffic days in the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton) are getting about as rare as honest politicians. Urban refugees from Philly, New Jersey, New York state and New York City are flocking into the area. They’re like hungry birds after the juicy, ripe blueberries on our small farm.
Newcomers love the more affordable housing and low taxes on the western side of the Delaware River. But they still bitch about taxes, probably because all they see on their tax bills is the thousands and thousands of dollars in constantly rising school taxes.
One of my great delights when I served as township supervisor (2011-2016) was surprising township residents with the news that the township portion of their annual tax bill was the equivalent of two large pizzas.
Despite such a deal, many hesitate to buy a ten dollar raffle ticket to support our two local volunteer fire companies. So, like volunteer departments throughout the United States, our volunteers are struggling, financially.
They’re limping by with aging trucks and outdated firehouses, doing everything from selling T-shirts to Christmas trees to keep the lights on in the firehouse and fuel in the fire trucks. The hope is that by pinching every penny twice, maybe they can put a few bucks away to replace aging gear and antique vehicles. Meanwhile, the original purchase price of everything they need to replace doubles, triples and quadruples. It’s a vicious cycle.
Most of these newcomers have no idea that our firefighters are volunteers. Some are so far out of touch with the reality of life in the country that they complain to the township
manager about the teeming wildlife hereabouts. They demand that the township clean up after the deer that have the nerve to poop on their perfect lawns.
I know. There’s no cure for stupid. But back to signs of changing times.
The new fire hydrants are on Main Road West. The narrow, winding state highway is a popular shortcut to and from I-78 for commuters and even 53-foot tractor-trailers.
The hydrants flank the entrance to a new housing development, the Estates at Maple Ridge. It’s the future site of thirty new luxury homes. Custom-built homes there, according to the builder’s website, are “priced from the high $790s.”
Maybe that’s why, in a complete break with tradition, the fire chief at our Eastern firehouse (Station 28, Vera Cruz) gave permission for the incumbent township supervisor to place two campaign signs in front of the station. Joyce Moore is a proven friend of our fire companies. The other two supervisors are friendly to a point.
What of Angela Ashbrook, Joyce’s Republican opponent? In announcing her candidacy last May, Ashbrook said, “My message is that I will work to make government for the people again, that elected officials are meant to work for the voters and not against them. I believe in accountability and transparency and fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.”
What does that mean, exactly? Made people wonder, and worry, especially considering her recent track record on council in the neighboring borough of Macungie. For months, Macungie’s volunteer fire department has been shut down, without much explanation from either the borough or the fire department. Fire calls are being handled by a neighboring volunteer department.
Just before the November election, Ashbrook described the numbers being floated by our fire departments in Upper Milford as possible budget-busters, a real hot button issue for her.
On Nov. 7, Ashbrook won the general election with 1,379 votes (51.13 percent) to Moore’s 1,315 votes (48.76 percent). While Moore won the eastern precinct, 793 to 717 (with three write-ins), she got skunked in the more rural west, 662 to 522.
What’s going to happen? Your guess is as good as mine. Watch this space.