Incumbant candidate Ray Rodgers is seeking his fourth term as a Snyder Township Supervisor.
“I enjoy this job,” said Rodgers on why he is seeking another term in office. “I wouldn’t have done it this long if I didn’t like it.”
Not only has Rodgers served as a supervisor for nearly 18 years, he served as the road foreman for the township for 12 years and has worked for the township on and off for 40 years.
In Rodgers three terms as a supervisor, there have been some positive changes in the township.
“We have sewage in the township now,” said Rodgers of one of the biggest accomplishments during his time in office. “When I came on, we started putting water and sewage in Grazierville and it has worked its way out through Bald Eagle. Another accomplishment is getting Smith Transport to locate here. We’ve made great steps to improve the roads in the township. I worked on the roads in the township when there weren’t roads.”
Keystone Opportunity Zones are one way smaller townships have helped lure new business into their area. Rodgers thinks that KOZs are good for the township.
“We gave a five or 10 year tax break to Smith Transport when they located here,” said Rodgers. “I would be willing to do what we did for Smith Transport for other businesses. If it helps people get jobs, I will go along with it. As long as they follow the township rules and regulations that are in place.”
Rodgers is not in favor of zoning for the township.
“If the Federal and State governments come in and tell me I have to do it, I will, but I will not go for zoning unless we have to,” said Rodgers. “Ordinances put people out of business. If we ran the ordinances and stuff we are supposed to do, there would be no room for people here in Snyder Township. Ordinances chase jobs off. Businesses won’t come in if a lot of ordinances are in place.”
Rodgers believes that the future of the township is tied to transportation.
“I have been working on the roads for years,” said Rodgers. “The better you get around, the more chances there are for income to come in. You have to maintain the roads and it is a project that takes years and years. Anything that comes up that will bring jobs to our area, I will go along with. I don’t want to see a lot of ordinances and stuff because that chases jobs off.”
Rodgers will be on the Republican ballot in the May 20 primary election. The Snyder Township Supervisor position is a six-year term.
