2 candidates run for Connoquenessing Township
Two candidates are running for Connoquenessing Township supervisor on the Republican ticket this primary, incumbent Supervisor chairman Terry Steinheiser and challenger Angela Fleeger.
Fleeger said she has worked with Walmart for 28 years, and 25 of those years have been in management. She said her experience currently managing Butler Walmart, as well as two other Walmarts in her history with the company, gives her strong leadership, which can bring residents together to improve Connoquenessing Township.
“I didn't expect to be running but I felt very passionate about the direction this township is going,” Fleeger said. “I feel like I can unite the citizens of Connoquenessing and put people first.”
Steinheiser was elected supervisor 12 years ago, and has been chairman for the past 11 years. He said he is an independent businessman, having owned several types of businesses throughout his life, who is running for reelection to continue listening to resident concerns and to keep working on the township sewer plan.
“The reason I’m running again is most of the residents gave me the input that they want me as representative in the township,” Steinheiser said. “I am not running for any personal reasons whatsoever.”
Fleeger also said the Act 537 Plan for sewage in the township, which has been an ongoing item of discussion for the supervisors, prompted her to run for office. She said she wants to confront the potential project’s cost and scope before committing to a proposal.
“I am opposed to an unaffordable sewage plan and will work with the DEP and sewer authority to resolve this long-term issue,” Fleeger said. “I’m focused on making responsible financial decisions as to what sewage looks like in the community.”
Steinheiser said he is one of the original members of the township’s sewer authority. He has appointed multiple people to fill its board over the years, and said he recently gave its members complete control over the township sewage plan.
“We had this burden put upon us and we are trying our best to handle this in the best interest of the township residence,” Steinheiser said. “I gave (the authority) full authority to take care of any issues and not to bring it back to us until they had several different options which the supervisors at that point in time would review.”
In addition to the sewer plan, Fleeger said she would like to further support the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, and vowed to put her supervisor payments toward the department if elected.
“Anything I make I am going to donate to fire department,” Fleeger said. “I am also not participating in the expensive family medical plan, saving our residents thousands of dollars.”
Fleeger also said she has organized efforts with her Walmart team, raising thousands of dollars for programs including the Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, Butler Stand Down Event and Butler Township Police Department for the annual Shop with a Cop event.
She also said she thinks she would bring a diverse perspective to the board of supervisors as the only female candidate. She lives in the township with her husband and operates a duck farm where they raise seven different types of ducks.
“I think first year goals is just uniting citizens of the township, make it known that we are listening,” Fleeger said. “Uniting the people is definitely one of the things I feel like we need to establish immediately.”
Steinheiser said he has only supported raising the millage rate in Connoquenessing Township once to support the volunteer fire department in his entire tenure as a supervisor. He also said in his time as supervisor, the township road crew has “done an excellent job” and the annual township audit has always been found in compliance.
He said he hopes to continue serving the township with the encouragement of its residents.
“I look forward to another six years serving our residents of Connoquenessing Township and listening to their concerns,” Steinheiser said.
