Candidate Questionnaire: Gerry Hart

Haverford-Havertown Patch has reached out to local candidates to find out more about them. Here is information from Gerry Hart.

My name is Gerry Hart and I am the Democratic candidate for the 8th Ward Commissioner in Haverford Township. 

I have worked as a family physician for the past 30 years. I have never before served or run for elective office.

I have been very involved in youth sports programs in the township, and I currently serve on the boards of Brookline Baseball and Softball as well as the Haverford Heat American Legion baseball program. 

I am running now because I think my combination of civic engagement and life experience would help keep Havertown a great community. 

Some of the major issues we face include a decaying infrastructure in the town as a whole. We have had ongoing problems with storm water run off, and many of our township buildings are reported to be in various stages of disrepair.  The township has suffered from the absence of a strategic plan for its future.

I would hope to work with my fellow commissioners and township residents to develop long term planning for Haverford. It will be important to continue the process that has begun in recent years of determining if our current aging township buildings, including the library, police station and township municipal building, are capable of meeting residents' needs in the near future, and if not, to begin the process of repairing or rebuilding in a cost effective manner.  To help defray the cost of any building program it will be important to work to broaden our tax base by encouraging further business development in the township. I would also hope to develop and further expand our bike and walking trails in Havertown.