Politics & Government

Third Ward Commissioner Candidate Opens Home To Voters

Jeff Miller has meet-and-greet at his home.

Despite the rainy day and threats of a flood watch, an estimated 25 curious people walked into Jeff Miller’s home on West Clearfield Road Friday night to find out more about the Democratic candidate running for third ward commissioner.

“It’s not good for one party to rule anything. I wish we had a couple more Democrats as commissioners,” said Martha Murphy, who said she came after she received a phone call about the meet-and-greet.

The laidback atmosphere had a spread of food and drink in the dining room as guest mingled with each other and got a chance to speak with Miller.

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But before guests arrived at his home that he shares with his wife and two sons, Miller sat down with the Haverford-Havertown Patch about his candidacy.

Miller, who has served for seven years as president of Haverford Library Board of Trustees and a secretary of the Haverford Civic Council, said that because of his years of service to the township he wants to move to a higher role. 

Find out what's happening in Haverford-Havertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I like to do it, to give back to the community,” Miller told Patch, which the news website was invited to the meet-and-greet. “I have practice of getting things done.”

Some of his agenda items that he would like to see accomplished if elect are: 

  • A single township newsletter that goes out to all wards to better communicate with residents.
  • And a master plan for the township to help better coordinate such things as rain runoff, traffic lights and subdivisions.

But the architect, who has lived in Havertown since 2000, is facing off against Republican candidate Jane Hall for the third ward’s commissioner’s seat. The two, in many ways, are nearly identical in terms of experience and background. , Hall said during her meet-and-greet earlier this month that she too has been on the civic council.

But while Miller admits that Haverford Township has more Republicans than Democrats, he says that Republicans are more independent and might consider him over Hall.

Also in attendance was Robert E. Trumbull, who will be retiring after 12 years of serving the third ward as its commissioners.

“It’s been a wonderful 12 years and I have met some great people,” he said, who also added that one of the advices he will give Miller is to “have a thick skin” when dealing with the issues and the voters, he said with a laugh.

But Miller was not the only candidate who was there. Candidate for the magisterial district judge’s seat Philip Lozano was also there.

Speaking about his own campaign, Lozano said that he has been speaking with his supporters and going door-to-door, very much like Miller.

But being a Democrat who is facing Republican incumbent Robert Burke, Lozano may have to deal with political stereotypes.

“I object to the characterization of Republicans are strong on crime,” he answered when asked how he felt that some people view that the GOP are typically seen as being tough on crime.

Lozano stated that as an attorney of Jennings Sigmond, P.C., that his firm has represented a Fraternal Order of Police chapter in Philadelphia and if elected, he wants to create a clear vision between the Haverford Township Police Department and the district court.


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