With a competing slate of candidates organizing to challenge incumbents, it appears there will be a race to November in Springfield Township.
Incumbent Supervisor Collin Walls, apparently with some knowledge of the impending opposition, has already filed nominating petitions for reelection.
‘Rumors of my retirement are grossly premature,? Walls said last week, announcing his intent to seek a ninth term of office.
Walls was first appointed to fill a vacancy in 1976, then ran for election for what was then a two-year term. (By state law, all township board terms are now four-year terms.)
‘I enjoy what I’m doing and I want to stay around a little longer,? Walls said. ‘I have some things that are still uncompleted.?
Incumbent Clerk Nancy Strole’s answer to the question of running again was simple and straightforward: ‘Absolutely.?
Strole said only one of the seven board incumbents has made the decision not to seek reelection.
‘Events in my life have told me it’s time to get out,? Trustee Margaret Bloom said, but she believes her 15 years on the board have been worthwhile.
‘I have enjoyed it,? she said. ‘I really feel our board is very knowledgable and capable.?
An April 2 press conference is scheduled to introduce a slate of candidates supported by ‘Citizens for a Progressive Springfield.?
Diane Wozniak, who has been a member of the parks board and an activist in other local issues, said candidates will file petitions to run for supervisor, clerk, treasurer and at least two trustee positions.
Wozniak is not one of those candiates, but wants to see fresh faces at the township board table.
‘I believe I can do more for the community by not being an elected official,? she said. ‘It’s not a negative sort of thing [against the current board]. It’s just time to move on.?
Walls appears ready for the campaign, anticipating room for healthy debate over political philosophy.
‘Our ideas about government’s role are drastically opposite,? he said.
The deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions in the partisan races is May 11.