Candidate Questionnaire: Elaine Paul Schaefer

Radnor Patch has reached out to local candidates to find out more about them. Here is information from Elaine Paul Schaefer.

Name:  Elaine Paul Schaefer

Running For: Fourth Ward Commissioner

Party Affiliation:  Democrat

Positions Held Previously: Fourth Ward Commissioner, President and Executive Director of Radnor Conservancy, Board Member of Radnor League of Women Voters and Radnor Educational Foundation, President of Ithan and RMS PTOs.

Why are you running for office:  I’ve had a very successful and productive first term during which our Township has gone from complete disarray to financial stability, finally taking action on many of the long term problems we have faced, and finally back in the position to make investments in the future of the community.  I would like to continue my public service for another term and see through the many vital projects we have begun.

What do you think are the biggest issues you would face in office:  The three most pressing issues in Radnor today are (1) maintaining financial stability, (2) monitoring and controlling development pressure, and (3) controlling the negative impact of flooding by improving our storm water management program.

If elected, what would you aim to accomplish:

(1) Regarding financial stability:  The current Board has worked very hard to regain the solid financial position that a Township as fortunate as Radnor should have.   We have appointed an independent advisory committee, accounted for and established a funding plan for our long term liabilities, trimmed our staff and expenses to be more in line with our needs, and amended our contracts and benefit packages to better reflect market levels.  In addition to these efforts, we need to continue to nurture and support our business and corporate community, and continue to manage our own budget in a fiscally conservative manner.

(2) Regarding development pressure:  The drawback to being a highly regarded and sought after Township is that when the economy is good, we experience unrelenting development pressure-- both commercial and residential.   Redevelopment, refurbishment and controlled growth can all have positive implications for the existing residents – the key is that it must be monitored and shaped so as to complement and improve rather than just pile on.   This can be accomplished by carefully vetting each and every development proposal that comes in, soliciting and incorporating residents’ concerns and suggestions, and vigilantly planning for any attendant stresses such as traffic and congestion.  In addition, it is vitally important that in the face of such pressure, we remain fully committed to our community’s undisputed support for open space preservation and natural resource protection.

(3) Regarding stormwater management:  As a consequence of the sustained level of development we have experienced over time, the storm water management needs of our community have reached a critical level.   We have reached a point of crisis, where even ordinary heavy rain storms cause some of our main roads to be closed.  This problem affects ALL of our residents, even those who live on the high ground.  Our infrastructure in every part of this town is in need of maintenance and repair.  As a long-overdue first step, we have instituted a fee, rather than a tax, so that the many non-profit institutions (who are often the worst offenders in terms of impervious coverage) will have to pay their share of the solution and our taxpayers will not be asked to subsidize them.  The revenue raised will go toward repair, maintenance, non-structural avoidance and detention where necessary.  

Website/other information to promote:  RadnorWard4.com, @EPSinRadnor on Twitter