There’s been plenty of mud-slinging in the race for Pennsylvania’s 146th House District seat as incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Quigley faces Democratic challenger Joe Ciresi.
Quigley, 53, a former Royersford mayor, held the district seat from 2005 to 2012, when he lost a re-election bid, but then regained the seat in 2014. Ciresi, 46, has served for 11 years on the Spring-Ford Area School Board, where he is currently board vice president. He works as director of advertising sales at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
While both men said property tax reform and education funding were two key issues, their campaigns haven’t steered away from accusations and attacks.
The two campaigns clashed over a controversial flier Quigley mailed to residents recently that uses a photo of Ciresi dressed as Captain Hook from a Steel River Theater production of “Peter Pan.” The flier tries to paint the “Real Joe” Ciresi as a villain for having raised property taxes in Spring-Ford by 30-percent during his tenure.
Quigley said using the Captain Hook photo was a creative way to bring the subject to the public’s attention. Ciresi called foul saying “‘the Real Joe’ is someone who gives back to the community. Not a villain. It’s someone who cares.”
Ciresi then called on Quigley to explain why he refused a public debate on the Pottstown Community Television network.
“I don’t understand, I’m disappointed,” he said. “You’ve been a representative for a long time. Why decline? What are you afraid of?”
“I’ve never hidden from the public,” Quigley responded. “I’m focused on knocking on doors. I’ve got a 25 percent hit rate. I doubt 1,800 people would come to a town hall meeting.”
Quigley said he was emailed an invitation from Ciresi’s campaign and not from an independent organization to see if he was interested in splitting the bill for a debate. Quigley called it an attempt to draw public attention to Ciresi’s campaign, which is “having trouble getting off the ground.”
Ciresi later criticized Quigley for not attending many public meetings other than for the occasional photo opportunity, making him out of touch with the real issues of his district. Quigley said he’s always been “sensitive” about showing up to a meeting without an invitation but is always available to discuss issues with officials.
The 146th District includes the boroughs of Trappe, Royersford and part of Pottstown, as well as Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove and Perkiomen townships.
As for issues facing the district, Quigley said he hopes to build on his accomplishments, while Ciresi said he wants Harrisburg to step up and do its part.
With property tax reform, Quigley supports House Bill 76, which would eliminate school property taxes and increase sales taxes.
“This past November there was a plan that advanced the furthest in state Senate where it tied 24-24,” Quigley said. “Lt. Gov. (Mike) Stack broke the tie to defeat the plan. Over time as the property tax issue has expanded more statewide, we’re hearing more about it.”
The imposition of the Act 1 index has led to better control over school property taxes in the meantime, he said.
With education funding, Quigley touted the bipartisan supported basic education fair funding formula passed in June, where education funding increased across the 146th District. Perkiomen Valley School District saw an additional $8.9 million or 4.3 percent increase, Pottsgrove School District saw an additional $10.2 million or 2.8 percent increase, Pottstown School District saw an extra $13 million or 6.3 percent increase and Spring-Ford saw an additional $12.4 million or 4.5 percent increase.
In addition to helping pass a balanced 2016 budget, he also was proud of the bipartisan work to legalize medical marijuana. He fielded calls from 10 constituents thanking him for his help because of the good the law will do.
His experience in the General Assembly will lead to more accomplishments like this if re-elected, Quigley said.
Ciresi said he has been an advocate for education and wants Harrisburg to pay its fair share.
“State mandates and the Corbett cutbacks have hampered the school district and the 146th,” he said. “I feel the state needs to do its fair share. Our representation isn’t fighting for us.”
Property tax hikes, he said, are not the fault of local school boards but rather of Harrisburg passing its responsibility onto local communities.
He also called for a return of the railroad from Reading to Philadelphia to alleviate traffic on Route 422 and stimulate the economy in the region.
His years on the school board have helped make Spring-Ford one of the best in the state, Ciresi said.
“That’s helped property values and kids get into better colleges,” he said. “We had the lowest tax increase in Spring-Ford history and we dropped the per capita tax.”
Ciresi said he has a “vested interest” in seeing the 146th District do well because he owns property and cares about the community. He touted his work with local organizations like the Steel River Theater and local veterans groups among other community efforts as examples of giving back to the area.
“My opponent has gone after my record on school board,” he said. “It’s not true. I’m one vote of nine. I supported moving forward and what was right for kids.”
