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Health & Fitness

Willows Proposals

My position of the Willows.

There has been a lot of "talk" recently about the proposals that have been received regarding the Willows. In response to our request for proposals for the future of the Willows we have received nine proposals. To say that I am elated would be an understatement. My position on this has always been that the operation of the Willows Mansion is not the “business” of the Township and that the taxpayers would be better served and the asset better secured by a public
 private partnership. Government should focus on the efficient delivery of services including, but not limited to, public safety, trash, sewers and streets. The role of elected officials is to assure that the services expected by the citizen are provided in an efficient manner and to further community values.

Contrary to suggestions otherwise, the Township could easily continue to operate the Willows and the necessary expenditures could be included in the budget. Radnor is far from a poor community. That being said, it is my opinion that this is not the course that is most responsible. My goals for the Willows are fairly straight forward: Preserve the asset for the taxpayer and assure that the operation is cost neutral or, better yet, profitable for the taxpayers.

As we move forward in reviewing the proposals the process will be completely open. The Parks and Recreation Board will review the proposals, along with staff, and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. It is my expectation that there will be several of the proposals included in their recommendation because there are several excellent proposals . I have suggested that we also bring in an outside consultant conversant in the hospitality industry to review these proposals to review the “finalists.” This is a decision will has lasting effects on our community and much be approached in a thorough and thoughtful manner.

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