My Qualifications for Supervisor:

I first became involved in civic events when I was a youth and I joined the Teenaged Republicans in Warminster Township when I helped stuff envelopes with GOP campaign materials during the Barry Goldwater Presidential Campaign. My Father was a Judge of elections and my Mom a Republican committeewoman back then and I recall growing up in a conservative Republican household. I have retained those values to this day, as have most of my children.

When I was a young adult, and had my own home in Warrington Township, I was asked by then GOP County Chair Harry Fawkes, to be an assistant committeeman in Warrington Township, a position I was most honored to accept. I served as such for several years. As my family continued to grow, we moved to New Britain Township, where I became one of the original founders of the NBT Republican Club, an elected Committeeperson, and for several years, President of the Club - growing the membership to over 100 active members. My wife an I hosted many GOP fundraisers at our NBT home, including for many township candidates, a local magistrate, several State Representatives, and a few Common Pleas Judges. There should be absolutely no doubt about my credentials and loyalty as a Republican, however, I am also experienced in working on a bi-partisan manner to get things done.

My qualifications and experience as a Township Employee, Official, and civic leader include the following:

Community service as a Volunteer Firefighter.

I served as a volunteer firefighter for several years, following in the footsteps of my father and two older brothers. I understand the pressures on the volunteers, especially having to beg for financial assistance after volunteering hundreds of hours each year on behalf of the community. There should be no doubt that I respect and support the fire service and will be attentive to their needs if elected Supervisor.

Community Service as a youth sports coach.

I served as a community youth coach in Warrington and New Britain Townships, assisting in baseball and wrestling programs. As such, I understand the important role that townships can play in supporting programs for our young people as they develop their athletic skills and learn sportsmanship.

I provided community service as a Sunday school teacher for Jr. High Boys for several years.

As a Sunday school teacher, I learned how to work with the younger generation, as well as learning patience and the ability to really listen to better understand other people's questions and viewpoints. Having attended Haycock Public meetings, I quickly determined that traits would be very helpful as a Supervisor. In public service, there are always many points of view to be respectfully considered.

I served as a Deacon, Elder, and member of the Session at Lenape Valley Presbyterian Church. While working as a member of a Church session, I again learned the importance of working as a team member and respecting various points of view. I believe that his lesson will serve me well if elected.

Served as member and President of Warrington JAYCEES: As a young man in my early 20's I was elected as President of a local JAYCEES Chapter and Chaplain of the District. In these roles, I had many members who were older than I, and I learned how to properly respect my peers and elders while leading the diverse group.

Served as a member of the Warrington Twp. Growth Control Advisory Committee

Many years ago, while still in my 20s, I was nominated and then appointed as a member of the township Citizens Advisory Committee on Zoning and Growth Control Ordinances. Through my work with that committee, I learned about the importance of clear and consistent zoning laws and the need to ensure that they are legally enforceable and uniformly enforced in a non-discriminatory manner.

I served as one of the founders and members of the Board of Directors of the Chal-Brit Regional EMS (CBREMS) In this role, I learned quite a bit about the administrative working of such an organization, as well as the number of hours each volunteer had to donate to keep his or her medical certifications up to date. I drafted their first Capital Reserve Plan to assure future funding for ongoing and timely ambulance replacements, and to maintain their headquarters and garage facility. This experience should serve me well if elected as a Supervisor.

I served as a member of the Chalfont-New Britain Sewer Authority Board of Directors.

This experience taught me quite a bit about intermunicipal cooperation, as the Authority was owned in jointure by a township and a Borough. As haycock has interworking relationships with neighboring municipalities, and PennDOT, this experience will assist me in my duties, if elected.

I currently serve in a similar capacity and managerial role in the Forest Park Water Treatment Plant, a Joint venture between the North Penn and North Wales Water Authorities. As NWWA Executive Director, I have many responsibilities for administrative and personnel oversight needed to manage over 70 employees and many professionals daily. We serve over 40,000 customers in two counties, and serve an average of 17 million gallons of water to nearly 100,000 homes and businesses each day. I have learned how to lead, without micromanaging every aspect of our daily business.

In addition to managing our staff and serving customers, my responsibilities include preparing and monitoring our annual budget daily, weekly, and monthly.

I have prepared and managed many balanced annual budgets and successfully passed over 30 years of annual audits, without a single negative finding of mismanagement or misappropriated funds.

This knowledge and experience can be of assistance to Haycock residents if I become a Supervisor.

In addition to the above, I have served as the Pa. Municipal Authority (PMAA) District Director of Region 1, including 20+ Water and Sewer Authorities throughout Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties.

In this role, I also served on the statewide Board of Directors and the Pennsylvania State Legislative Committee. This work taught me the importance and process of working with various committees, intergovernmental agencies, and differing interest groups in a positive and productive manner. This trait is sorely needed in Haycock Township at this time, and one that I will bring to the table, if elected, and as we work together to Restore Haycock Unity!

As to my hands-on experience with townships for nearly 30 years, please consider the following actual experience I have gained:

• a. Warrington Township Public Works:

  Going back to the beginning - in 1971, I took a position on the Warrington road crew, starting as a laborer and water meter reader. I patched potholes, mowed the parks and road banks, and picked up the dead animals on the roadsides. I was highly motivated and quickly learned how to drive and repair the dump trucks, snow plows, motor grader, backhoe, mowers, paver, roller and virtually ever piece of equipment they owned. I learned how to weld, and I still maintain my CDL license.

  
  

  As such, I better understand and appreciate what our road crew does each day, and I can lend my experience and support as needed, if elected.

  
  

  b. Warwick Twp. Roadmaster, Building Inspector, Zoning Officer, Administrative Assistant to the Supervisors.

  
  

  As Township Roadmaster at a very young age, I did everything listed above, but this time as the Superintendent, leading the crew. At that time, Warwick had a working relationship with PennDOT, similar to that which Haycock has, so I understand the importance and benefit of that working relationship. While still working full time, during the evenings, and even some Saturdays, I took classes to continue my education, including becoming a certified building and plumbing inspector, Assistant, and then Zoning Officer, positions I managed and held until I resigned my position there to pursue a career opportunity at NBT.

  
  

  c. New Britain Township Manager, Secretary, Zoning Officer, and Public Water System Manager. I wore many hats during my early years at NBT, as is typical of smaller municipalities.

  
  

  During my 18 years there, my roles slowly evolved from a front-line employee to managerial and administrative roles, and finally as the Township manager.

  
  

  The benefit of that succession is that over the years, I have held almost every township position at many levels. The exception was a police officer. However, the Chief of Police reported to my office on all administrative, budgetary and non-criminal matters.

  
  

  In addition to employees, I worked closely with many citizen volunteers and attended hundreds of public meetings, including the Supervisors, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, Financial Advisory Board, Park and Recreation Board, Open Space Preservation Committee, the North Penn Water Authority, and the Environmental Advisory Committee.

  
  

  All of the above experiences have proven very valuable over the years and will benefit us in my role as Supervisor, if I am elected.

  
  

• d. Bedminster Water and Sewer Authority

Shortly after moving to Bedminster Township, the township manager asked me to consider serving on the Water and Sewer Authority. I was interviewed and appointed by the Board. I served for several years and continued to learn each day how to best handle a few demanding customers and to respectfully coordinate with my colleagues, even when we respectfully disagreed. I held this position until the day that I needed to resign when moving to Haycock Township.

Although I left behind many good and dedicated people, I still remain friends with many. My experiences there will also assist me in Haycock.

e. Haycock Township Planning Commission

Not long after moving into Haycock Township, I contacted one of the Supervisors and expressed my willingness to share my municipal experiences if I could assist the community in any manner, as both my wife and I have decided that this is the last stop. We love it here.

Of importance is the fact that I have successfully managed and prevailed in numerous personnel matters, including binding arbitration negotiations, PA. Human Relations Commission reviews, Unemployment Compensation Appeal Hearings, and a Tri-party panel of American Arbitrations Hearing officers, on various personnel issues. I have prevailed in several termination of employment appeals, and my preparation and knowledge of the process ensured that the township prevailed in every case, with not a single judgment of damages against the township. I will bring that experience to Haycock and assist my colleagues wherever needed, recommending action only when an issue is ripe, but not procrastinating, or acting too soon, allowing problems to worsen, only to cost more later.

Two years ago, I was appointed to the Haycock Planning Commission, a position I truly value and hold to this date. That experience will assist me as a supervisor as I better understand our community.

As an individual who was formerly a trainer at many Planning Commission training seminars, I have a great respect for the Haycock Township Planning Commission, after watching them handle their duties and responsibilities, always showing a great respect for the citizens of our Township.

The PC just completed a significant update of our Zoning Ordinance and stands ready to address any planning challenges that the township may face in the future. I am honored to have been a small part of that effort.

Should I be chosen for election, I will continue to value and support our Planning Commission and rely upon their knowledge and guidance while carrying out my duties.

In summary, my wife and I love Haycock Township and intend to live here for the rest of our lives. Our children and grandchildren visit frequently (we recently attended the annual Easter Egg Hunt), and we just bought a pontoon boat to take the kids to Lake Nockamixon as often as possible. We are permanently committed to this beautiful community and our neighbors.

I respectfully submit that I am both qualified and prepared to serve, if you wish me to do so.

I welcome your contact should you have any questions, or even better, wish to lend a hand on election day!

Thank you, and no matter what you decide...VOTE!

Bob Bender