First of all, I would like to thank the Board for this honor and their confidence in electing me as Chairman. Secondly, I would like to thank and commend Mr. Kinney for the leadership and dedication he exemplified in 2002. He has set the groundwork for the many things we still have to do this coming year in preparing this Township for the future. So Jim, thank you for all you have accomplished in 2002 and I’m sure you will be just as energetic this year.

This year we will see the completion of many projects that were started in 2002 and the start of projects in 2003 that were envisioned this past year and prior. In addition, we will I’m sure, come up with more positive ideas or visions for the future. We have many things on our table already, and much work is required to bring these projects to fruition. I can spend an hour or more just talking about them, but I will spare you the details. Suffice it to say, this Board will continue to meet the challenges faced today, as well as those challenges that lie ahead. And we will do so with conviction, just as we always have.

We have a fine mix of individuals up here, each with his own ideas, goals, objectives and personalities. Sometimes on certain issues, some of us are 180 degrees apart, while on other issues we have unanimous concurrence. Differences are to be expected and are considered to be a positive factor, not a negative one. The people who elected us did not do so because they wanted us to all think alike. They elected us because they had confidence in our ability to govern. But as diverse as our opinions sometimes are, we are a team, and we work as a team. I’d like to think of us as a professional team that is owned by the stockholders who are the citizens of this Township called Northampton. And the citizens expect us to put a winning team on the field, and that’s exactly what we have done in the past and what we will continue to do in the future. As any pro team has demonstrated, the team is not going to win every game. But if we lose one from time to time, we won’t lose for lack of trying. And that’s what the residents want to see from us. Give it 100% and we will support you, give it anything less, and you are not doing your job. I can assure all of our residents that this Board will continue to give you 100%.

I have always believed that Northampton’s residents are the most informed about their local government than any other community in Bucks County. We were the first to televise our meetings; we have an Annual Report to Citizens that consistently wins top awards from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Officials; we have a pretty good website with lots of information and ways to contact us; and we have a Bulletin Board on Cable Channel 23. Yet, with all of that, our residents can look forward to even more in 2003. We realize that not everyone has cable tv or the time to watch it. Not everyone has access to the internet, and not everyone receives a daily newspaper. Shortly, all residents will receive the first of a series of quarterly newsletters that will present relevant facts about your local government in condensed style. Through this effort, the public will become even more informed and hopefully, will appreciate more fully what Northampton is all about and where we are going in the future.

We are also working on another area of communication and contact in local government. I have been in touch with our new state representative Scott Petri and state Senator Tommy Tomlinson. We are going to try to set aside some time, perhaps on a monthly basis, whereby we can have one of our legislators come in at the beginning of our meeting and let the Board and public know what is going on in Harrisburg and how we may be affected locally. It would also afford the Board an opportunity to have a dialogue with these individuals in order to express any concerns we may have. I believe both are receptive to this invitation and we will publicize the dates as soon as we know further details. Again, more information going out to our residents that will enable us to keep in touch with each other on an ongoing basis.

One final note. Each of us is accessible to every resident by phone. We are all listed in the phone directory and if we are not at home, or available at the time you call, leave a message and we’ll get back to you. We also have a Township website at www.northamptontownship.com where we each have an e-mail link where you can send us messages or concerns in addition to learning more about what this great Township of ours has to offer. So take advantage of all the opportunities available to let us know what you have on your minds, whether pro or con. You don’t have to wait for a Supervisors public meeting to bring us your questions during Citizens Concerns. Feel free to contact us, or the Administration, beforehand. This way, we can be prepared to discuss it in the interim before we meet and precious time will not be lost. In some cases, we may even be able to address your concern before the next public meeting. Don’t get the facts second hand, get them first hand. We welcome all inquiries and concerns; always have and always will.