The results are in, and they are not what we had hoped. However, we are extremely proud of the campaign we ran and extremely grateful for all the support we received. Thank you to the scores of donors, hundreds of volunteers and tens-of-thousands of voters who believed in our campaign for change. Please continue, in your own way, to further the cause of a better future for Chester County.
Gratefully,
The Cozzone/Scott Team
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Just like their heroes, Bush and Rove, Republican commissioner candidates Carol Aichele and Terence Farrell are playing the fear card. Heck, they just mailed selected voters that "scary" grinning jack-o-lantern. Ooooh!
This time, they're trying to raise unwarranted fears of higher taxes.
You might laugh at such a heavy-handed approach, but we're concerned about letting fear mongers like these continue to run our 
County government.
How to deal with fear mongers? With reason. With knowledge. With facts.
Here, point by point, are their claims; and here are the facts…
| Carol Aichele and Terence Farrell | |
|---|---|
| FICTION by Aichele and Farrell | THE FACTS |
| Carol Aichele has kept Chester Countyâ•˙s property taxes among the lowest in southeastern Pennsylvania. | Tax increases are tax increases, no matter how they compare. And since 2004, Carol Aichele raised our taxes every year, a total of 16.22%. |
| Terence Farrell generated over $2 million in new revenue for the countyâ•˙s budget, which reduced the financial burden on taxpayers. | "New revenue" just means he collected more in fees from taxpaying property owners. |
| Carol Aichele is working to pass a zero tax increase budget for Chester County taxpayers in 2008. | An obvious political ploy—after raising taxes four years straight— promising relief in an election year. |
| Terence Farrell made Chester Countyâ•˙s government less costly to the taxpayers by implementing new technologies and improving efficiency. | We are not aware of this. Where are the figures? |
| Carol Aichele has helped Chester County become one of the top 45 best financially managed counties in the United States, earning a bond rating that saves taxpayers millions of dollars. | Chester County earned the Aaa bond rating because itâ•˙s the wealthiest county in the state, top 50 in the nation. Unjustifiably, Mrs. Aichele takes credit for every good thing. Given time, she'll take credit for creating the Brandywine River. |
| Terence Farrell made his office more open to the taxpayers by making access to records easier and faster. | The Recorder of Deeds office has always been "open." Records computerization is a statewide program enabled by legislation. Farrellâ•˙s office had serious conversion problems such as the improper online display of numerous taxpayersâ•˙ social security numbers. |
| Carol Aichele has never voted herself a pay raise and froze all pay raises for county elected officials. | Playing with payrolls for her own political ends, recent hiring freezes are part of Mrs. Aichele's political effort to feign no tax increase this political year—first since the '90s. |
| THE COZZONE/SCOTT TEAM | |
| FICTION by Aichele and Farrell | THE FACTS |
| Bill Scott raised property taxes nearly 25% in just three years as a Councilman. | In the 5th, 7th and 8th year Bill served council, taxes were raised to offset investment losses, felt nationwide, (Mrs. Aichele's premise for the County's Pension Fund drop) and fund critical needs such as police. Bill's done something Carol Aichele NEVER has—voted NOT to raise taxes for 5 years! |
| Bill Scott supports a countywide property reassessment that will increase our property taxes. | Bill does not support reassessment. Please read his response to the Daily Local News/League of Women Voters question of September 2, 2007. |
| Bill Scott raised a tax on working families to the maximum level allowed by the state. | Every municipality adjusted the Occupational Privilege/Emergency & Municipal Services Tax. It's now $1 a week. |
| Bill Scott mismanaged an important public project that cost taxpayers almost an additional $100,000 to complete. | Many projects, including three parking garages, concluded while Bill served; none "mismanaged" before this mailer. The Market Street project welcomed County funds, which were never said to be mismanaged. In fact, Mrs. Aichele and Bill happily laid the final dedication bricks. Ancient infrastructure in the five blocks excavated, some "underground railroad" sites, caused overruns. |
| Bill Scott voted for a pay raise for elected officials. | Bill voted to raise the annual pay of future Council members from $2000 to $4000 to help compensate their time. Former Republican Mayor DeBaptiste initiated this, concerned potential low-income candidates could be discouraged. |
| Kathi Cozzone has NO EXPERIENCE protecting our tax dollars. | Your tax dollars maybe not, but Kathi has protected corporate dollars nearly 25 years; we think that correlates. Bill's substantial government experience and Kathi's business experience make a winning combination for the 148-year, top-to-bottom checkup Chester County so sorely needs. |
If the last six years have taught us anything, it's not to let fear mongers win. We won't. | |
Commissioners Forum: LWV & DLN
Question 10 10/28/2007
Global warming is a concern of many Chester County residents, and local government and businesses have begun "going green" to combat its spread. What specific initiatives, if any, will you encourage as commissioner both among the public and the county government itself to conserve energy?
On July 24th, Bill Scott addressed a regular meeting of the Chester County Board of Commissioners to request the immediate creation of a task force to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bill urged the Commissioners "to begin the process of forming a citizen-led task force to assist the County in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in investigating other environmentally-friendly initiatives." Bill cited the complete absence of controversy on the subject and said controlling greenhouse gas emissions should be initiated without delay because time was critical. The Board's response, given by Chairperson Aichele, was simply to thank Bill for his comments.
Bill Scott and I have been critical of the Commissioners, especially candidate Aichele, for repeatedly rebuffing efforts of environmentally-conscious citizens who have sought action on this issue for several years. In fact, the Commissioners could have accepted the necessity of the task force well before their recent action; their vote to do so last month was obviously politically-prompted. Fortunately, the Cozzone/Scott Team and others have been there to publicly hold them accountable.
The Cozzone/Scott Team's commitment to a healthy environment has never been just a campaign promise. Our four-part Action Plan for Protecting and Improving Chester County's Environment—which focuses on promoting clean air, water and earth, urban-center development, clean energy and energy conservation—is proof, and is now available to view/download at www.votebillscott.org/cozott.
To combat global warming, specific initiatives that we, as Commissioners, will take include: 1) A strong focus on conservation based on recommendations from our new Task Force; 2) The appointment of knowledgeable, dedicated and competent citizens to serve on environmental boards, task forces and commissions; 3) Ensuring adherence to an aggressive timeline for action by conducting regular review sessions with task force leaders; 4) Encouraging full engagement by the business and agricultural communities; 5) Learning from the lessons of prior, similar efforts now underway in Montgomery County and West Chester Borough and 6) Promoting emissions-reduction efforts to the 73 municipalities in Chester County.
Regarding Urban-center development, the good news is that the majority of future housing demand points to smaller homes and lots in urban neighborhoods where jobs and activities are nearby, and which require less automobile use. To encourage this trend, we as Commissioners will continue to support the full mission of Landscapes by increasing spending on urban-center development, prioritize County grants and funds to promote smart growth and multi-municipal planning around our urban centers, encourage redevelopment of Brownfield sites and advocate for a renewed commitment to public transportation.
VOTE |
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