It has become something of a tradition in Richland - a political candidate with claims so outrageous that you have to wonder if he even believes them himself. We saw it with Mike Zowniriw, Vic Stevens, and Brian Kline. Now there is Patrick Murphy. The other Patrick Murphy, not the Congressman. The hearing aid salesman who would be supervisor.
Murphy's campaign literature states "My opponent (Rick Orloff) voted himself healthcare benefits costing taxpayers $18,500 a year". Raise your hand if you believe him. I thought not. Orloff never voted for this. Supervisors in Pennsylvania receive health benefits determined by the state, not the supervisors. This includes Murphy's good buddy, Zowniriw. Raise your hand if you believe that Murphy will be criticizing Z for taking the coverage. I thought not.
Murphy promises that, if elected, he will not accept that health insurance, nor the $2500 per year supervisor stipend. Considering the number of hours that Richland supervisors put in, they are receiving less than minimum wage anyway. But Murphy's business grosses over a quarter of a million dollars, and using his personal wealth as a campaign tool is arrogant and insulting. His Pay-to-Play grandstanding sets a terrible precedent here. Rule By The Rich. The same philosophy that allows the wealthy to buy into state and national politics.
Murphy alleges that Richland's sex offender ordinance is not adequate. He wants to extend prohibitions further than Megan's Law, and further than other municipalities in the country. Sound good? Think again. Richland is one of the relatively few local governments that protects residents with an ordinance. Legal experts and insurance companies warn that stricter controls could be an incredibly costly mistake. Murphy apparently has no concept of the dangers...
There are still serious questions about how far these laws can go. Are they constitutional? Do they violate civil liberties? Can municipalities legally enforce restrictions? Numerous versions have been struck down, and the concept has never been fully challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court. The overwhelming fear of every town with limited resources is "What if an offender, backed by the ACLU, decides to take us all the way as the test case?"
Legal bills for landmark issues run in the millions. But Pennsylvania currently has four bills pending in the legislature which could tighten restrictions without risking Richland dollars. Our supervisors have done more than most local governments to protect the township. Are you so worried, that you are willing to risk those millions, just to enact Murphy's Law? A show of hands, please. I didn't think so.
Murphy claims that the supervisors have allowed Richland to become overdeveloped. This was the battle cry of pals Zowniriw in 2003, Stevens in 2005, Kline in 2007. But the official data says that it just isn't so. According to the 1990 and 2000 Census figures, township growth was about half of what the government projected. And, keep in mind, the supervisors are limited by the Constitution, Municipal Planning Code, and the township's Comprehensive Plan. Richland's 1997 version was terrible. It relied on antiquated, court-weakened zoning laws. Water and sewer lines gave developers access to land that should have been restricted. It insulated the homes of the planners, but not the large tracts that needed protection.
Who created that 1997 Plan? Murphy's fellow Richland Citizens Alliance buddies, including Kline and Jane Steeley. And, when the Census figures they used revealed only half of their planned growth, they still scream "overdevelopment!" Again, Murphy has overlooked the truth to manufacture a campaign issue. A new Plan takes years to develop, but, fortunately, Richland's is almost finished. Driven by supervisors Orloff and Craig Staats, it is based on proven professional planning techniques.
And Murphy surely didn't oppose local development before he was a candidate. Ah, the proverbial smoking guns: In 2000, he became part of the growth when he built himself a new house in Richland. In a 2002 letter to the township, he wrote "I see development slowing down to preserve open space". During his brief stint on the township Water Authority, he voted for every motion to approve new service to housing developments - 13 in all!!! And, in 2005 sworn testimony, he stated "The Board of Supervisors, they were into preserving open space". And it gets better...
Murphy claims that "More housing equals higher taxes", and that he "will show zero tolerance for waivers and variances granted to developers". What a blatant crock! Despite the growth in Richland, township property taxes have increased only 2 mills since 1992, due primarily to the sound fiscal policies instituted by Orloff. And that "zero tolerance" is pure hypocrisy. Murphy's own house was granted four waivers, and three variances, including a Special Exception!!! Truth be told, although "waivers" sounds ominous, they are usually inconsequential items like notes on a plan, sidewalks where none are needed, or road sizes inappropriate for the area. Four years ago, Zowniriw campaigned against waivers, but has ended up voting for almost every one. Another Murphy-created non-issue.
According to Murphy, the supervisors wasted tax dollars defending a Federal lawsuit. The suit was filed by Murphy himself, when the supervisors, at the behest of fire chiefs, removed him as Richland's unpaid, volunteer Emergency Management Coordinator - after only six weeks in the position! Governor Rendell upheld the termination. But Murphy demanded $300,000 of your taxes (a number seemingly picked from the air), Orloff's resignation, a personal apology, and reinstatement to the post. Richland's insurance company settled the claim for $50,000. No resignation, no apology, no reinstatement. And Murphy signed a statement acknowledging no "evidence of liability or wrongdoing of any nature or description on the part of the Township". He later actually admitted that he "hoodwinked" the supervisors! But Candidate Murphy simply disregards his own words. Again.
I just love this one: "Pat Murphy puts others before himself. Audiologist helping the hearing impaired". Helping? He has become a wealthy man by selling to the disabled. And who is Murphy "helping" by having Kline as campaign manager? The guy quit as a candidate after he was caught insulting Christian children and schools.
Anyone who would trust Murphy as supervisor, raise your hand. I thought not.