Six Bensalem locals are vying for your votes to earn a spot on the township’s council
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
On Nov. 7, Bensalem residents will have the final say in who will represent the township as members of its council. Of the six candidates on the ballot, voters can select up to three. Running on the Democratic side are Ed Tokmajian, Bhasker Patel and Jesse Sloane, and for the Republicans, Tony Belfield, Joanne Fields and Joseph Pilieri.
It may be Tokmajian’s first time running for council, but he prides himself on having deep roots in the community. Formerly the township auditor from 2002–2007, Tokmajian moved to Bensalem at the age of 11, and has called it home for more than 20 years. His educational background includes graduating from Holy Ghost Prep, Rider University and finally Holy Family University, where he earned a master’s degree. Now married with two children, he works as the finance manager of a pharmaceutical company.
Throughout his campaign, Tokmajian has centered his focus around two main issues. The first, he said, is the concern of the $60 million debt. According to him, the township recently borrowed $10 million to subsidize the cost of paving roads. If elected, he explained how he would cut back on borrowing until the debt is brought down to a more reasonable level. In addition, he would take a look at the township’s expenses through an audit and cut back on unnecessary spending. A focus for him would be reducing legal fees, which he said are high compared to other townships.
The second issue Tokmajian would address if elected is the opioid epidemic. During his time door knocking over the past several months, he found that many people either actively using or in recovery want more support in everything from financial assistance to housing. If elected, his plan to combat the epidemic would include implementing stronger ongoing support during the recovery process and educating locals on where to find resources.
“There’s an immediate need as well as afterward once they’re clean,” he said.
So why vote for Tokmajian?
He’s been an active member of Bensalem Township for more than two decades. In addition to his time as an auditor, he has experience in the corporate world handling large sums of money each month and “properly managing a budget.”
Next to Tokmajian on the Democratic ballot is Patel. Hailing from India, Patel grew up and earned his degree overseas before making the move to America in 1989. Originally a South Philadelphia resident, he transitioned to Bensalem in 1998 and has been enjoying his time there ever since with his one son.
Currently, Patel works for a construction project company, though he also has past experience as a Bensalem Democratic committee member. This will be his second time running for council. His run in 2009 was unsuccessful, but he’s ready to give it another shot.
If elected, Patel has a number of issues he wishes to tackle. Similar to Tokmajian, he plans to address the township’s debt, high legal rates and “reckless spending.” In addition, he wants to implement term limits for the mayor as well as a more accountable and transparent budget process. He also hopes to improve traffic gridlock throughout the township by creating a smoother traffic plan.
So why vote for Patel?
“We ask that you vote for new and fresh leadership,” he said.
The final candidate running for the Democrats is Bensalem native Sloane. A Drexel University graduate in both music and engineering, Sloane decided to focus on the latter, eventually becoming a professional licensed engineer. After college, Sloane joined the Navy, where he managed nuclear projects. In 2015, he moved back to Bensalem, and now works at a consulting firm in Montgomery County.
An interest in politics developed prior to returning to Bucks County during some time spent working in Washington, D.C. According to Sloane, it was hard not to be intrigued when issues like the congressional budget were affecting his day-to-day job duties. Once he was back home, his interest grew at the local level, especially during the 2016 election. Sloane had always enjoyed public service, one of his main reasons for joining the Navy, so he decided to reach out to the local Democratic party for steps on how to go about running for council.
With a wife, also from Bensalem, and three children ages 7, 5 and 1, he reflected on why this election was the right time to get involved.
“I’m concerned about what their futures might look like,” he said.
If elected, one of the main issues he plans to address is financial. According to him, excessive spending is taking place and with this year’s budget, there was a $7 million shortfall in projected revenue. After door knocking around the community, he said the consensus is that residents are frustrated and worried about how their tax dollars are being spent.
“The taxpayers can’t afford any more,” he said.
Sloane has also been campaigning for more transparency and accountability. He explained how he would make sure locals are aware of how things are being managed, and feel comfortable coming forward at board meetings to voice opinions on issues that affect their daily lives.
“Questions aren’t encouraged at the government level,” he said of how meetings are currently run.
So why vote for Sloane?
With his professional experience representing the interests of, first, taxpayers and now clients, he wants to put Bensalem on a “sustainable track” where it can continue to grow and prosper, and not push people away because of big property taxes.
“I want to make sure it’s a bright future,” he said.
On the ballot for the Republicans is incumbent Councilman Belfield, who is wrapping up his second term. Though he was born in Upper Southampton, he moved to Bensalem after getting married 25 years ago and has been a resident ever since with his wife, who works in the local school district with disadvantaged and special needs children, and two kids. His son attends Bensalem High School while his daughter is in her sophomore year at Drexel University.
After graduating with a bachelor’s from Rutgers University, Belfield embarked on a longtime career as a geologist, serving on the Bucks County Open Space Board, Bucks County Open Space Task Force and Bensalem Environmental Advisory Board. Overall, he said his focus is the local environment’s well-being.
During his two terms on council, Belfield reflected on a number of accomplishments and highlights. The first is a layered project of environmental protection, which involved the creation of open space and improvement to quality of life. He encouraged the township to become more energy efficient, which resulted in a “green” township building.
In addition, Belfield is proud to say he led by example when the 1 percent tax increase implemented in 2015 affected himself and the rest of the council. Other than that, he said taxes haven’t been raised in more than 20 years. According to Belfield, he has also helped maintain a balanced budget that’s projected over five years to ensure funds are available if unexpectedly needed.
For him, it’s all about fiscal management, treating money collected in taxes with care and responsibility and putting them to good use. During his time on council, street lights were improved and roadways were invested in, which he said will ultimately help businesses and the township.
If re-elected, one of his core focuses will be on a trail master plan, which he explained would take people anywhere in the county and its surrounding areas, including Philadelphia. The trail would follow along the main bodies of water, such as Neshaminy Creek and the Delaware River. This would tie into one of his core concerns of preserving the township’s landscape. Though it’s a 10–20 year project, he hopes to continue his work on it. Belfield also has a plan in the works with Cornwells Elementary School for a new nature center, which would include a living lab to help students learn about biology.
“It’s getting people to explore the natural features of our area,” he said.
The second issue he would tackle if re-elected is the opioid epidemic. He explained how the township has already sued drug companies, but he wants to continue to work with local doctors to show them what the police see daily, and how to take preventative measures. Though he said fighting this battle is daunting, the township has already taken some core steps to improve the situation.
“If you don’t start, it will never get solved,” he said.
So why vote for Belfield?
With his concern for the environment and ecology, he brings a unique perspective to issues the township deals with on a daily basis. According to Belfield, he’s fiscally responsible with the township’s money and will continue to be if re-elected. He also wants to help Bensalem continue to grow in a positive way that creates quality of life for its residents.
“I’ll retire from politics a happy man if I left it a better place,” Belfield said.
A current resident in the Eddington section of Bensalem, Joanne Fields was born and raised in the township and is a proud graduate of Bensalem High School. Fields is currently retired from her work as an administrative assistant at PECA, Inc., spending time with her husband, John, of 48 years, as well as her two children and three grandchildren.
As far as her community involvement, Fields served as the chair of the Parks and Recreation Board, was involved in planning the tricentennial celebration of the township and spent years on the Pride Day planning committee. Now, she’s looking to serve Bensalem residents in a new capacity as a councilwoman.
If elected, Fields said her primary focus would be safety and financial responsibility. First, she explained how the Bensalem Police Department and first responders would receive her full support.
“We cannot take our public safety for granted,” she said. “I believe any cuts to police, fire and EMS would be devastating to our community.”
In addition, she would work to maintain the township’s “superior financial status.”
“We are one of the largest municipalities in Pennsylvania, but we are in an outstanding financial position with a substantial trust fund and a superior bond rating. The financial future of Bensalem Township is secure, and I look forward to continuing that.”
So why vote for her?
“I love my community, and I will work tirelessly to make sure that our community continues to be a safe place to live, work and raise a family,” Fields said. “I look forward to the honor and privilege of serving as Bensalem’s first councilwoman in nearly 20 years.”
Last but not least on the Republican ballot is Joseph Pilieri, the incumbent council vice president. Originally from the Echo Beach area of Bensalem, he now resides in Eddington with his wife Cammy and three children — Julie, Joelle and Nicky. Pilieri is also a proud alum of Bensalem High School, and currently works as a senior loan officer for Annie Mac Home Mortgage.
A number of highlights come to mind from his past term on council, but most recently, Pilieri chaired a committee that worked with volunteer fire companies and emergency medical personnel to craft an ordinance that will award township tax credits to these volunteers. Scheduled to be adopted in early November, the ordinance will provide all eligible volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel living in Bensalem with a credit against their township property and income taxes beginning in 2018.
“As a former volunteer firefighter myself, I appreciate all of the sacrifice that our volunteers and their families make for our community,” Pilieri said. “They receive no pay for the opportunity to race into a burning home, and their families receive no pay for the hours that they worry and wait for their loved ones to come home from a call. They are deserving of this credit as a ‘thank you’ from this community for all that they do.”
If reelected, Pilieri hopes to continue as the liaison to the Township Emergency Management Board to keep the local government focused on issues of public safety in the community. Collectively, he explained, police, fire and EMS services make up the largest part of the township budget.
“Bensalem’s proximity to places like Philadelphia and Trenton necessitate these expenditures in order to keep our population and property safe and secure.”
Pilieri’s second key area of focus if reelected is economic growth along the riverfront. According to him, the riverfront region is a valuable resource, and he hopes to integrate 21st century technologies and businesses into the fabric of the community between the Delaware River and Delaware Expressway.
“A strong and vibrant local economy means good jobs and low taxes for all of our residents,” he said.
So why vote for Pilieri?
“Since the time that I became a member of the township council, our township’s quality of life and our council’s record of accomplishment are second to none,” he said. “I am a lifelong resident of Bensalem, a longtime volunteer, a local businessman and an experienced councilman.” ••
For more information on the election and to find your polling place, visit buckscounty.org/government/CommunityServices/BoardofElections/PollingPlaces.
