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Washington Twp. fiscal officer candidates have experience

Incumbent has been in job for nearly eight years; challenger, a former township trustee, is chairman of zoning committee.

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By Jill Kelley, Staff Writer 11:01 AM Thursday, October 13, 2011

WASHINGTON TWP., Montgomery County — There are two candidates running for Washington Twp. fiscal officer, and both have served the township for many years.

Incumbent Tom Zobrist, 70, has been fiscal officer for nearly eight years.

He said, in the wake of state cuts and the repeal of the estate tax, that increased efficiencies are needed in the township.

The eventual loss of the estate tax, which has provided an average of about $1.3 million annually, was cited as the biggest hurdle.

“We will probably have to decrease manpower,” said Zobrist, noting that the township has not filled many full-time and part-time positions as people have retired or left in the past several months.

“We also could cut back on our contributions to Hithergreen (Center) and the historical society.”

Zobrist said the township also has been looking into a cooperative purchasing group to save money.

“The cost of salt, for instance, has gone completely whacky last couple of years,” he said. “There can be some additional efficiencies by tying together municipalities.”

Zobrist said the edge he might have on his challenger is that he is familiar with the financial landscape.

“I think I can cope with it easier because I know what’s going on,” he said. “There is a lot to be said right now for being an incumbent.”

Challenger Harry Drain, 64, is a former Washington Twp. trustee and current chairman of the township zoning committee.

“I have had 24 years of experience with Washington Twp. government, and know the operations very well,” Drain said. “I also have 32 years of business management experience, and have managed multimillion-dollar budgets.”

Drain said he would like to see the township put a business perspective on government finances, and balance the budget through spending cuts rather than raising taxes.

He would like to maintain the police and fire departments as they are, but would trim from the township’s legal department.

“The township needs to use the services available through Montgomery County, like they do with the sheriff’s department, rather than contracting for our own legal services,” he said.

Drain cited the lawsuit currently under way between the township and a handful of homeowners on Paragon Road.

“They have been working on widening that road for quite some time, and trying to negotiate with homeowners down there,” he said. “They ought to be able to come up with a viable solution.”

Trustees are trying to acquire the rights-of-way needed for the project, after years of negotiation, through eminent domain. The residents have fought back, and the case is currently in the courts.

“It looks like taxpayers are going to pay a lot for legal fees,” Drain said. “I think the township can do a better job, and the fiscal officer can really help in that arena.”

Both candidates have websites that offer more information on their positions. They are www.harrydrain.org and www.tomzobrist.com.

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