FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A Real Record on Open Space vs. Political Rhetoric MEDIA, PA -- In an effort to distort real progress made by Delaware County, a Democrat running for County Council recently made blatant distortions and false statements (see related Philadelphia Inquirer story) on open space preservation efforts in Delaware County. With no record of municipal service, particularly on preserving open space, the Democrat's record is in stark contrast to the proven record of Republican candidates for County Council. Christine Fizzano Cannon has experience on open space preservation issues, a sharp contrast to David Landau’s lack of municipal experience and lack of knowledge on the issue. While serving eight years on Middletown Township Council, Fizzano Cannon led the effort to preserve a 22-acre tract of land at Sleighton School, now slated for a Township active-recreation park and open space. She also worked to preserve a 76-acre historic tract of land that was part of an original William Penn land grant. This space is also slated for passive recreation and open space, bringing the Township's total preserved open space to over 650 acres. In addition, Republican Christine Fizzano Cannon served as a volunteer on the County's Open Space and Environmental Task Force and is largely credited with creating a program that has successfully preserved 272 acres of open space through the County in the Townships of Middletown, Concord, Marple, Upper Chichester, Ridley, Thornbury and Upper Providence and the Boroughs of Glenolden and Rose Valley. “I was pleased to work with officials from Natural Lands Trust and municipal officials throughout the County on this important effort,” said candidate Christine Fizzano Cannon. In the Democrat's first campaign press conference, they chose to attack the County, but forgot to check their facts. "I find it troubling that the Democrats would not even take the time to call the State and learn the facts about the County program” said County Council Chairman Andy Reilly. “Instead the Democrats made an uninformed partisan attack on an issue in which all Delaware Countians need to work together.” The three Democrat candidates have never served on a local elected body in the County where many important development decisions are made each day. While the County government is determined to continue to work with all of its residents to keep preserving important open space, it is strange that the Democrats, with no record of public service of protecting open space, would use this issue to begin their attack campaign. Christine Fizzano Cannon, serving in her 8th year as a Councilwoman in Middletown Township, is joined on the Republican ticket by Haverford Township Commissioner Andy Lewis, whose efforts have resulted in a plan that preserves more open space and recreation for the residents of Haverford Township and Delaware County. Also, running on the Republican ticket, is Springfield Commissioner, Tom McGarrigle who was influential in the expansion of Smedley Park located in Springfield and Nether Providence Townships. McGarrigle is also Chairman of the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners’ Parks and Recreations Committee, overseeing improvements and enhancements to the township’s 24 parks in addition to its public golf course Paid for by the 21st Century Victory Committee |
