Bensalem residents can vote for either Joseph DiGirolamo or Bryan Allen for mayor on Nov. 7
The time has come, Bensalem. On Nov. 7, the power rests in your hands as you decide who will shape the future of the township as mayor — incumbent Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo on the Republican side, or Bryan Allen for the Democrats.
Whether someone is new to Bensalem or a lifelong resident, chances are good that most people are familiar with DiGirolamo, who has held his mayor title for 24 consecutive years. Born and raised in the township, he grew up assisting his parents with their farming business, which he took over with his brother at 21. For 25 years, he served as CEO, and though the two bought other farms across the country, Bensalem always remained their base.
After retiring from the business, DiGirolamo got involved with the community, assisting the first elected mayor, Ed Burns. Throughout the early ’90s, DiGirolamo had a large hand in creating many of the township staples seen today — the complete transformation of an old farm into the township building, the celebration of the first Pride Day (now known as the Fall Festival) and the construction of Penn Community Bank Amphitheater.
After so much success, Burns approached DiGirolamo about running for mayor, something he never considered before. Despite his lack of political experience, he was elected, and has come out victorious every election since.
Once in office, DiGirolamo explained how he began feverishly working to improve the township and its infrastructure.
“It was deplorable here,” he said.
Immediately, he reopened the budget and took out $5 million to be put toward the repair of drainage systems and roads, which are 75 percent completed. Once this was done, he set to work on filling the large number of empty stores, which totaled 13 on Route 1 alone. A sign stating “Business Friendly Bensalem” was hung, and small businesses started to take off.
“The township was on the rise,” he said.
In the more than two decades that followed these initiatives, DiGirolamo reflected on a number of highlights and proud moments. A key one for him is the growth of the police force. When he first came into office, there were 75 policemen. Currently, there are 100.
“That’s the nucleus to keep us safe,” he said of the police, fire and rescue.
Though an earned income tax was implemented a few years ago, DiGirolamo explained that without it, 25–30 policemen would’ve been laid off. For him, cutting the police force is simply not an option. If anything, he wants to get officers further training to be prepared for natural disasters or instances like the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
“When I got sworn in every time, it was for the safety and welfare of the community,” he said.
As for the tax, while it does affect the working people, including himself, for the last 24 years, seniors and anyone who doesn’t work have not had their taxes raised. In fact, he said they’re lower than when he came into office.
“The earned income tax should sustain this community for a very long time,” he said.
Currently, DiGirolamo is working to get ahead of something that wasn’t a major factor in his first term — the opioid epidemic. A few years ago, he hosted a lunch for doctors and pharmacists, showing them overdose statistics and ways to slow it down. More recently, the DA’s office hired a task force of six additional people to solely focus on the issue plaguing the community.
According to DiGirolamo, the issue with Bensalem is its central location to Philadelphia, Trenton and New York, I-95 and major rail lines. On any given day, more than 200,000 people come through the township, and while he knows the epidemic is a big battle to win, he believes the extra DA staff will make all the difference, especially with a $4 million drug bust already under their belts.
DiGirolamo also touched on several more notable accomplishments — the creation of an in-house DNA lab that can have autopsies completed in 90 minutes; the kickoff of Community Week, which starts on Martin Luther King’s birthday and includes lunches at churches of all denominations to inspire conversations about diversity; and the current project of revitalizing the riverfront.
In addition, he is fighting against Philadelphia’s 1934 Sterling Act. More than 200 township residents work in the city and are paying an almost 4 percent wage tax. DiGirolamo wants to get back Bensalem’s 1 percent, which he said would equal $2.7 million a year.
So why should you vote for DiGirolamo?
“№1, I do my job,” he said. “I’m not a politician.”
For him, it’s all about accenting the positive, which he said is the way he runs his life. According to DiGirolamo, he will continue to work collaboratively with the people of the township to make it the best it can be.
“I really love this community and I’ll give everything until my last dying breath,” he said.
Allen may not have as much life experience under his belt, but he’s still no stranger to the world of politics. A Bucks County native, Allen moved to Bensalem from Bristol at the age of 11, and has been there ever since. Allen had a typical upbringing, working at the local Bensalem Acme throughout his high school years before attending Bloomsburg University.
After graduation, his political resume began to grow as he joined the State House of Representatives as a legislative aid. In 2005 at only 27 years old, Allen was elected to the Bensalem Township Council and served for one term. Though he lost his re-election in 2009, that time was certainly not put to waste.
In the years that followed, Allen got married and had three children before another run for council in 2013. This time, he was victorious, and is currently coming to the end of his second nonconsecutive term as the lone Democrat on the five-member council. Reflecting on both terms, Allen explained that his mission remained the same — a commitment to serving the people of Bucks County’s largest municipality.
During his first term, a major highlight was the creation of Parx Casino. According to Allen, one of his biggest achievements was advocating for more police officers in the area. With the uptick in visitors, he found that more safety measures needed to be taken, and having a larger police presence would be a win for all — guests could feel at ease while more officers received work.
Throughout his most recent term, Allen said his main focus has been on fiscal responsibility. Several years ago, an earned income tax was placed upon the working residents of Bensalem, and he was the only council member to vote against it. According to Allen, the township is currently $60 million in debt, and he only sees it continuing to mount.
After his experience on council, Allen decided to run for mayor “out of frustration.” He wants to see a focus on checks and balances, and also a stricter budget. According to him, he’s seen the township pass a budget in December, but then freely move the money around by January.
If elected, Allen plans to implement term limits. In the past, he explained how Bensalem was run by a board of supervisors, but after a government study, the township adopted a mayor and council format. When led by a board, there were set term limits, so he said the idea wouldn’t be something completely new.
A key focus of Allen’s campaign has been transparency. Right now, he said there is no detailed budget plan available to the community. If elected, he would stream council meetings online and give locals more access. So far, he has had several in-depth discussions with IT professionals, who have said this is doable. As part of his transparency plan, Allen explained how he would take public input into consideration throughout the year, rather than at one final meeting in December, as it currently stands.
Lastly, he wants to cut back on legal fees. Whereas other areas such as Falls Township and Middletown Township are spending $540,000 a year, he explained Bensalem is paying $1.8 million for the same services. His goal is to get township spending under control before important resources are forced to be cut back, which he said would ultimately hurt the township even more.
“Finances are the key to everything,” he said.
So why should you vote for Allen?
“It wouldn’t be a blind leap of faith,” he said.
Though he’s new to the mayor ballot, he’s a veteran when it comes to local politics. Genuinely worried about the future of the township, Allen said he’s been advocating to fix the same situations for several years now.
“I want Bensalem to be a great place to live in three years,” he said. ••
Bensalem Polling Places
• Belmont Hills Elementary School, 5000 Neshaminy Blvd.
• Bensalem High School, 4319 Hulmeville Road
• Cecelia Snyder Middle School, 3300 Hulmeville Road
• Cornwells Elementary School, 2215 Hulmeville Road
• Holy Family University — Woodhaven, 1311 Bristol Pike
• Kings Library Church of the Redeemer, 1065 Bristol Pike
• Polish Army Veterans Hall, 3258 Knights Road
• Robert Shafer Middle School, 3333 Hulmeville Road
• Russell C. Struble Elementary School, 4300 Bensalem Blvd.
• Samuel K. Faust Elementary School, 2901 Bellview Drive
• St. Mary Wellness Center, 2546 Knights Road
• Union Fire Company, 2067 State Road
• Valley Elementary School, 3100 Donallen Drive
Polling places are subject to change. Polls are open Election Day 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information on the election and to find your polling place, visit buckscounty.org/government/CommunityServices/BoardofElections/PollingPlaces.
