Six Candidates Vie for Three Council Seats

There are three Democratic candidates – Mary Jeffery, Bob Heller and Bhavin Patel – challenging three seated Republican Bensalem Council members – Ed Kisselback, Joe Knowles and John Mathieu – on Tuesday’s Election Day.

The Democrats are hoping voters are seeking change; the Republicans are standing on their records.

Democrats

Mary Jeffery, a business administrator from Hulmeville Road and Park Avenue, told Bensalem Patch that she wants to be a councilperson so that she can offer the township “a fresh perspective not controlled by the Mayor (Joe DiGirolamo).”

Jeffery, 61, would also like to make the police department “more efficient and accountable.”

When asked why voters should choose her, Jeffery said, “Because I care deeply for the people of Bensalem and I have a vision of a clean Bensalem with a transparent government - no more back room deals.”

She claims the township has mishandled casino funds and water/sewer service.

Jeffery identified the budget as the biggest challenge facing the township.

“Revenues are down,” she said. “Council needs to provide independent review of the budget and not be a rubber stamp for the Mayor and his administration.”

Bob Heller, a teacher from Kings Avenue and Hulmeville Road, named Public Safety Director Fred Harran as the township’s biggest challenge.

He said Harran has “run wild” while “harassing volunteer fire fighters and shutting down Union Fire Company.”

Heller, 59, a lifelong Bensalem resident, said he knows the township very well.

“I am independent. I will vote for the public interest, not the Mayor's and his political party,” he said. 

He said he would strive for more diversity in township positions.

“We can end the one party rule by electing me and my running mates Tuesday.”

Bhavin Patel, 55, of Knights Road, told Patch he “can and will represent all of our diverse Bensalem community. “

Bensalem is very diverse and our Council should reflect that diversity, but it never has. There is no better time to begin than now.”

“We do not have enough economic opportunities here for our young people,” Patel said when asked about the township’s problems. “We need to streamline our budget, eliminating some of the Mayor's pet projects.”

Regarding the budget, Patel said the township should stop paying for multiple solicitors and engineers.

All three Democratic candidates said the budget deficit that occured last year and how the township "solved" it by dipping into the township's trust fund was a big problem.

"We do not play favorites," they stated. "We want to represent all of the people of this town and will welcome any credible ideas, from anyone regardless of political party."

Republicans

Ed Kisselback, 62, is the current president of township council. He’s been a member of the panel for 16 years.

Kisselback, owner of a photography studio, has said, “every option must be considered” when dealing with the township’s budget challenges.

Kisselback listed some accomplishments for PhillyBurbs, including: “the annual $500 volunteer fire- fighters’ incentive and retention grant, the creation of MXD zoning along the river, an increased home improvement grant for seniors, an ordinance banning handheld cell phone use and texting while driving, and the balancing of our yearly budget with no tax increase.”

Kisselback has been a committeeman in the Lower East since 1995. His memberships include: St. Ephrem's Parish; Bucks County Planning Commission, chairman; Bensalem Senior Citizens Center, legislative liaison; and Bucks County Enterprise Zone Commission.

He served in the U.S. Navy and attended Temple University and Allentown College of St. Francis DeSalles.

Joe Knowles, 51, is a real estate broker. He has been a council member since 2008 and currently serves as vice president.

Why should voters choose Knowles?

“I have worked hard during my first term to represent the residents best interest and have contributed to the businesslike approach the Council has taken to keep Bensalem moving in the right direction,” he told Patch. “I care about Bensalem and want to be part of contributing to its future.”

Like his colleague, Knowles is also a Lower East committeeman and a member of St Ephrem’s Parish. He is also a member of the Knight of Columbus.

A lifelong township resident, Knowles currently live in Barnsleigh East. He attended St. Charles Grade School, Bishop Egan High School and West Chester University.

Regarding the budget, Knowles said the “overall condition of the economy has made it difficult on many of our residents.”

“We need to continue to provide the same high level of service to our residents and promote business and opportunity in our community,” he added.

John Mathieu, 56, has lived in Bensalem since he was a young child.

Mathieu is the newest councilman. He filled the post left vacant by the resignation of Joe Szafran, who was appointed Bucks County Recorder of Deeds in July.

Mathieu told PhillyBurbs that local government should “hold the line on township property taxes during these difficult economic times.”

A graduate of Bensalem High School, Mathieu works for the School District as its facilities manager. He currently serves as the township’s Zoning Hearing Board secretary.

He is a former member of the Eddington Fire Company, Bensalem Township Code and Appeals Board and Planning Commission. He is also a former township auditor.

Active in the Republican Party, Mathieu serves on the Bensalem and Bucks County executive committees.

Mathieu praised the current council and administration.

“Mayor DiGirolamo and council have increased police protection, hired daytime firefighters, constructed a training facility for our first responders, built a new senior center, opened new playgrounds and ball fields, and renovated our country club,” he said.

Click here to view the PhillyBurbs voter guide.