A beautiful day in the neighborhood--Township Style

Today was the Montgomery County Association of Township Officials' (MCATO) Fall Convention at Presidential Caterers and it was a beautiful day as well. Township officials are unsung heroes many days. They deal with the problems closest to home and are seldom recognized for the very real service they do for their communities, like dealing with streets that need paving; trash that needs to be picked up --or recycled--; conflicts between soccer players and football players for the use of the fields and let's not even talk about not having enough fields or enough basketball courts! When I was a Lower Gwynedd Township Supervisor, I used to do my best "constituent service" work in the aisles of the local grocery store. I still do. People stop me when they recognize me and say, "I don't want to bother you but I have a question...." I don't mind it at all. I learned long ago that many folks would never think to go to a public meeting and express a concern on a Tuesday night or to call their State Rep or send a letter or email, but they have ideas, have observed problems, and just want to know what's going on. When they recognize me and let me know what's bothering them, it's good for both of us, especially if it's something that I can deal with easily. The MCATO convention was good too. It's nice when local government people get together to talk socially. They DO appreciate each other. They often discover they are dealing with common problems and can be a source of good ideas for one another. Today, Whitpain Township was still happy about the Turnpike's new and improved plans (sound barriers! fewer"takings") and Montgomery Township was happy to hear the Route 202 bids were opened and construction will begin soon on the section from Welsh Road to Horsham Road. Lower Gwynedd was asking about transportation dollars generally --when will we see some money for Welsh Road and 202 section 65s ? I really like MCATO -- I was once the President--and going to lunch with them is like coming home. But then it's back to the office to read and try to answer the dozens of emails, check the schedule for the weekend, and pick up copies of the bills listed on the House Week Ahead so I am ready to go Monday. Kate Harper