East Whiteland Supervisor Race: McMichael and Matty

The Nov. 8 ballot will have two candidates for Supervisor:

• Virginia McMichael (D) - incumbent
•  Len Matty (R)

A profile of each candidate is below. For sample ballots and poll locations, click .

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Virginia McMichael is a lawyer who has served two terms as a supervisor.

• Background:
       McMichael received her J.D. from University of Texas Law. She and her husband, Larry, a Great Valley alumnus, moved to the area in 1995, shortly after their son was born. She worked at Philadelphia-based law firm Dilworth Paxon until 2007. Gov. Ed Rendell nominated her to be a judge on the court of common pleas, but the nomination stalled in the state senate, and she said she is now in between career moves. She is on the task force for the .
• Issues:
       McMichael cites infrastructure, corporate health and rising costs as salient issues for the township. Tax revenue generated by the corporate center has allowed the township to meet its obligations to residents with no property tax increase during her 12 years on the board, she said. To that end, she and other township officials courted Endo Pharmaceuticals, who recently decided to move to East Whiteland.
       "It’s very important for long-term economic health to have a vibrant corporate community in the Great Valley Corporate Center. And I’ve worked very hard to do that, and have it not exceed our infrastructure," she said.
       She pointed to the board's decision to take on the heated issue of lights at the , listen to all parties and allow the lighting with restrictions as an example of proactive leadership.
• More Information:
       Thus far in 2011, McMichael has been involved in , , the new and . Also this year, Larry McMichael was hired this year as counsel to Brian O'Neil, developer of Uptown Worthington. To avoid a conflict of interest, Virginia McMichael the room when related issues are discussed, but will vote to break a tie, and did so recently.
       In the League of Women Voters guide, McMichael wrote: "During my twelve years on the Board, we have managed our budget well. We have a substantial 'rainy day fund' that helped us through the recent recession. East Whiteland has a very bright future and I hope to be a part of it."

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Len Matty works in marketing and has lived in East Whiteland since 2003.

• Background:
       Matty is an account director for a digital marketing firm and a newcomer to politics, having not served on any municipal boards or commissions. According to his website, he volunteers with Good Works Inc., a Christian nonprofit that performs home maintenance for low-income families in Chester County.
       He and his wife have three young children, and he said his campaign is part of his effort to be more involved with the community. He holds a masters degree in criminal justice from St. Joseph's University, and he cites his professional experience as credentials for the role of township supervisor.
       "I will take what I’ve learned in the business sector and apply it to the board. I have a department I’m responsible for, [including] stewardship of budgets. I'm held accountable to my clients that I deal with everyday," he said.
• Issues:
       Matty pointed to three items he sees as top priorities for the board of supervisors: defering non-essential capital expenditures until the economy improves, staying engaged with the corporate community and revisiting benefits plans for new township employees to avoid future budget crises.
       His campaign website touts his lack of political involvement as being in line with the founding fathers' intentions of citizen government. The website also asserts his intention to trim or cut any unjustifiable expenses, but he did not name any budget items specifically.
       "My goal would be to maintain any services that I can without having to raise taxes. The current board has done a good job in many ways in keeping life in our township at a high level, which is very much appreciated by everyone," he said.
• More Information:
       Matty said his campaign has been rewarding in itself, as it's given him a chance to connect with the township in news ways.
       "Getting out and meeting all the residents has given me a new outlook on the township we live in. It has ... opened my eyes to many corners of the township I wouldn’t have otherwise gone," he said.
        In the League of Women Voters guide, Matty wrote: "If a given project cannot be funded without borrowing money to do it, then given the current financial climate, that project should be put on hold. You cannot spend what you do not have, and increasing taxes is not the answer."