On January 2nd, the Board of Commissioners (BOC) cast their votes, electing Trace Slinkerd as President and Hank Llewellyn as Vice President. In the years past, Trace’s leadership has brought significant benefits to the Township. Thanks to his guidance and the collective efforts of all commissioners, our township’s financial situation has transformed from dire to the best it has ever been. We are now debt-free, generating approximately $1000 per day, every day, in interest, thanks to strategically placed investments. The collaborative efforts of the staff and board leaders have been instrumental in creating a sustainable long-term plan to keep the township financially sound.
Trace has also fulfilled his commitment to township residents by restraining overdevelopment, a pledge that has safeguarded us against proposed housing projects that could have introduced hundreds of additional homes and the associated increased costs and traffic congestion. Despite the complex and costly legal challenges involved, Trace’s strong leadership is steering the township towards a resolution.
Regrettably, two commissioners, Cathey Paretti and Dave Waldt, voted against Trace during the reorganization without providing reasons or expressing their willingness to take on the role of president when offered. This lack of transparency and reluctance to lead is a frustration for many voters, not just in our township but in broader political contexts. Differing opinions are healthy, but the absence of alternative solutions or a willingness to step up is counterproductive and not in the best interest of taxpayers.
I’ve observed a consistent stream of attacks on Trace from a small faction of the public, often originating from anonymous sources seeking to conceal their identity. Anonymous letters and social media posts under fictitious names reveal the artificial nature of these accusations, lacking substantiation. Additionally, some fellow commissioners, namely Cathey Paretti and Dave Waldt, have resorted to mailing false statements about Trace to voters, including baseless claims that he has somehow stifled resident questions.
Contrary to these allegations, I’ve personally witnessed Trace invest hours in meetings with concerned residents, even bringing in staff and other leaders to ensure comprehensive and accurate responses.
Trace Slinkerd has proven to be an exemplary leader for our township, working tirelessly to ensure every decision is in the best interest of the taxpayers. As Hank Llewellyn aptly put it, “We are getting a six-figure CEO to lead our township for $200 a month.” I wholeheartedly agree. We thank him for agreeing to continue to lead this township.