Pat Wandling: Local politics rules
There is no better time to resurrect that old saying “all politics is local” than now, as we head into the municipal elections in November. We’ll be voting for Bucks County judges and row officers and in the municipalities for council members, supervisors, mayors, tax collectors, and school directors.
Despite ideology, political chatter on social media, and rhetoric suggesting the “world’s on fire,” voters are more likely to be influenced by issues close to home: taxes, school policies, public safety, development, roads, and bridges. And they’re more likely to be impacted by the decision-makers, local elected officials.
That’s why local elections, like the one coming up in November in Bucks County and its boroughs and townships are important. Voters are likely to have more familiarity, better access, and greater influence with local officials than those at the national or state levels. On the other hand, would-be and future local leaders know the strength of the citizens and the importance of their voice and ability to effect change.
We have many examples in Bucks County to prove all politics is local, including the grassroots movement to stop construction of a sewage treatment plant on the Newtown-Middletown Township border.
When a “proposal” turns into a public controversy and grassroots cause, the citizens can turn the tables on the proponents of a controversial plan, as was the case in Newtown and other municipalities before that. The archives of the Bucks County Courier Times, my former employer, are filled with stories highlighting the power of the people in influencing change.
The case in point involved the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority that had proposed a plan to build a wastewater treatment plant at the intersection of Lower Silver Lake Road and the Newtown Bypass to, they said, address rising costs and potentially gain more local control over wastewater treatment.
The first announcement raised a “stink” in surrounding communities – first, Middletown, quickly followed by Newtown and Lower Makefield townships. Opponents cited odor, environmental impact, decreased property values, and eventual rate hikes. It was an unexpected “overreaction,” the proponents said.
But a handful of Middletown residents living near Core Creek Park reacted with outrage to the 11th hour disclosure, and the location of the proposed plant and the direction of the effluent which could have a serious environmental impact on nearby water bodies like Core Creek, Lake Luxembourg, and Neshaminy Creek. Expert environmental input also was part of the opposition’s case. Thus, the grassroots “Stop the Plant” movement was launched, scores of meetings were packed, and that kind of persuasion worked. The citizens eventually were successful because they had the attention of all their local officials and, in the end, their support.
On March 11, 2025, the Authority stopped work on the proposed plant, and said it had no plans to advance the project. The decision did not cancel it; the Authority noted it had stopped the planning process. Plant opponents are continuing their efforts to have the project officially canceled, however.
The Authority issued this statement on March 17: “The Authority thanks the public, as well as our customers, for their interest and feedback as it relates to this project.”
Feedback is the key word. All politics is local, indeed.
Pat Wandling hosts Speak Your Piece weekdays at noon on WBCB 1490.
