The Pro Team will take on Ann DiCampello of the Green Party in Bristol’s Nov. 7 election for council
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
It’s officially that time again, Bristol. Polls will open on Nov. 7 as you decide which four candidates of the five on the ballot will hold a spot on the township’s council. Craig Bowen, Cynthia Murphy, Raymond Blalock and John Monahan, also known as the Pro Team, will run for both the Democratic and Republican parties, while Ann DiCampello will represent the Green Party.
As the incumbent council president, Bowen is no stranger to the inner workings of the township from both a political and business standpoint. Born and raised in Bristol Township, Bowen started his own business at the age of 18. More than four decades later, his creation, known as Bowen Carburetor, is still in operation at 3950 New Falls Road.
For four years, Bowen attended school in California to enhance his management skills. But he wasn’t about to leave his business behind. Every Thursday, he flew out West for classes, only to get back on the plane by Monday to make the 3,000-mile journey home.
It wasn’t until about seven years ago that his interest in politics truly began. After running Bowen Carburetor for some time, he realized he wasn’t happy with the way taxpayers and business owners were treated in the township. So, he decided to run for office in 2012. That year, he won the election for a two-year term, followed by his most recent four-year term.
When he first came into office, Bowen explained how the township was in severe debt. But within two years, there was a surplus of money. For him, it was all about playing to his strengths.
“I wanted to run it like a business and get the politics out,” he said.
At the same time, Bowen was also forming his “Pro Team” of Murphy, Blalock and Monahan, fellow Bristol locals who believed in what he was trying to achieve. According to Bowen, once all four were elected to council, a number of improvements started to take off. Out of the township’s 170 roads, 130 have been paved, a new recycling program was recently launched, taxes were lowered twice and 2,500 jobs came to the area thanks to new businesses.
“The goal is to make it the best place to live,” he said.
If re-elected, Bowen plans to continue working with state representatives to improve and regulate local recovery homes. Though it’s been difficult with the Fair Housing Act in place, which prohibits discrimination against renters, he said the council is still pushing forward.
Also in the works for Bowen is the expansion of the township’s sewer plant, which he explained would ultimately expand the number of local businesses. Currently, Bristol is waiting on approval from the DEP.
A final focus of Bowen’s campaign is the township’s $6.2 million in unfunded liability, which has been an overhanging cloud for some time now. Bowen said he wants this gone for good, and will continue to keep chipping away until it’s paid.
So why vote for him?
“I will keep working hard for the township,” Bowen said. “The taxpayers always come first.”
As for his Pro Team running mate, Murphy, the incumbent council vice president grew up in Fairless Hills and now resides in Levittown. After graduating from Harry S. Truman High School, Murphy earned an associate’s degree in accounting before embarking on a lifelong career in banking. Currently, she holds a position at an investors bank.
Six years ago, a surprise visitor graced the front doorstep of Murphy’s Levittown home — it was Bowen, campaigning for his first two-year term. Though this was a quick meeting, things came full circle two years later when she found herself at a local pizza shop during a community meet and greet with Bowen. After telling him she appreciated the work he’d been doing, he informed her he was looking for a running mate. Until this point, the banking professional never envisioned herself in the political world, but after some encouragement from her husband, Murphy agreed to be a part of Bowen’s Pro Team.
Now, as she comes to the end of her first term and fourth year on council, Murphy said the experience has been informative as she continues to learn something new every day. Her major accomplishments to date include the township’s beautification project, which introduced welcome signs and a uniform system for trash pickup, as well as the installation of LED street lights, which according to Murphy, will save a large amount of money.
If re-elected, Murphy will support Bowen in the expansion of the sewer plant, which she said would create many new jobs.
“The township is positioned well,” she said. “There are a lot of business development opportunities.”
So why vote for her?
“It’s not politics as usual with us,” Murphy said.
Running alongside Bowen and Murphy is former township mayor Monahan, who is currently completing a four-year term on council. Due to health circumstances, Monahan was unavailable for comment.
Also on the Pro Team is Raymond Blalock, owner of Blalock’s Auto Service, located at 3013 Ford Road. Blalock is currently serving as a member of Bristol Township’s Civil Service Commission. He was unavailable for comment.
New to the ballot this year is Ann DiCampello. Though the Green Party candidate is running against several incumbents, she isn’t letting that slow her down. A Levittown native and Pennsbury High School alum, DiCampello attended Misericordia University in upstate Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry. After graduating in 2003, she returned to her Levittown roots, where she now resides with her husband and three children.
DiCampello’s passion lies with environmental needs. As an active member of the Sierra Club, an organization that protects open spaces and natural resources, and a member on Bristol’s environmental council, whose primary goal is to keep the township clean, her initial campaign was solely focused around these topics. However, according to DiCampello, her mission has been to determine what the community wants out of its council. After speaking with residents, she discovered the depth of the recovery home issue, and adjusted her campaign to address it.
The main problem DiCampello found is the number of uncertified recovery homes. She explained how there is a loophole in the ordinances, and the homes have to elect to be certified. Currently, there are more than 100 in the township, which she said breaks down to approximately 10 per neighborhood. With such a large number, it’s difficult to know what kind of help the people inside require, and without proper treatment the residents tend to relapse, which she said in turn hurts the community.
“They’re not managed,” she said of the homes. “It’s out of control.”
If elected, DiCampello said she would work with key players like Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to bring the issue to light at the national level. According to her, the definition of “recovery home” is very loose, and needs to have stricter standards. She also plans to regulate who is qualified to run the homes — she found that too many owners only care about receiving a rent check, not the wellbeing of the residents.
In addition to the implementation of stricter standards in recovery homes, if elected, DiCampello would address community solar and open land. As an advocate for the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 initiative, she wants to see Bristol make the transition to 100 percent clean energy. She explained how this would be a 20-year project, but she at least wants to get it underway.
To get the township on the path to clean energy, DiCampello listed a number of initial projects. Currently, she said there are five elementary schools up for sale, so she would like to see those spaces used for long-term sustainability with solar roofs installed. She explained how it would be more cost efficient to set up a community solar grid rather than a few individuals spending more than $20,000 for a single home roof.
As part of her sustainability initiative, DiCampello would work to bring the township up to speed with the nationwide push for electric car charging stations, install solar roofs on all new businesses, and possibly create a local solar company, which she said Bristol could benefit from.
“We want Bristol Township to be ready for clean energy,” she said.
So why vote for DiCampello?
She’s already listening to the community and what they want. Though this is her first time running, with her current and past experience in leadership, she explained how she’s able to work collaboratively, even with people who do not share her views. As for the recovery home issue, she said she’s ready to “cause a ruckus” to get a response.
“I’m willing to lobby all the way to the state for social justice,” DiCampello said. “These issues haven’t been dealt with in years.” ••
Polling places are subject to change. Polls are open Election Day 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To find your polling place, visit buckscounty.org/government/CommunityServices/BoardofElections/PollingPlaces.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
