After a long five years, Dave Long is back on the Springfield Township Board of Supervisors. Long and fellow resident Lorna Yearwood were sworn in this month.
Long quit unexpectedly and dramatically at a 2019 meeting, surprising his colleagues, but returned last year to the planning commission. Encouraged by residents to run again, Long took the plunge, coming second to Yearwood, who topped the poll, ousting incumbent Jim Nilsen. Fellow supervisor Anthony Matzura declined to run.
Previous board members most certainly faced a backlash across the township after their controversial decision to approve the H&K quarry despite environmental, health and quality of life concerns of residents, as well as perceived interference by the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which Nilsen is a member, in the Pieri farm case. The church, across the road from the farm, allegedly offered parking to would-be wedding-goers.
“Many of his previous supporters felt his actions reflected poorly on the role of a supervisor,” said Mike Clime, who along with his wife led the successful effort against the Pieri Farm commercial expansion. Clime called Yearwood an extremely intelligent, well-rounded and experienced woman who would bring a refreshing presence to the board.
“We need more transparency and accountability in our township supervisors and many folks believe Lorna and Dave will be the balancing force that is needed,” he added.
Long and Yearwood, a United Kingdom native and former chairwoman of the Environmental Advisory Council, have pledged to maintain the township’s rural character and widen the township’s tax base: Long, by expanding the industrial base; Yearwood, by adding affordable housing near the population centers of Springtown, Pleasant Valley and Zion Hill.
The pair will be working with Bill Ryker, elected chairman; Vice-Chairman Pete Kade; and grizzled veteran, Supervisor Jim Hopkins.
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