John Mack

I have been a resident of Newtown Township since 1995
I recently retired from my pharmaceutical marketing online publishing business
I am a member of the Newtown Business Association
I have B.A. degree from Franklin and Marshall College, an M.S. and MPhil degree in biochemistry from Columbia University and an M.A. degree in communication arts & computer graphics from the New York Institute of Technology
I have served on the Country Bend Homeowners' Association Executive Board 2014
I am married to my wonderful wife Debbie for more than 34 years and we have two grown sons who attended Council Rock North and the Pennsylvania State University

I Swear to Uphold Your Rights

In January, 2020, I was sworn in
as Supervisor for a new 6-year term by
District Judge Mick Petrucci.

When I took the oath of office as Newtown Supervisor in January, 2018 and again in January 2020, I swore to uphold the Pennsylvania Constitution, which affirms that, “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.”

As a citizen and someone with degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, I am concerned about chemicals in our environment whether they are contaminants in our water and air or addictive drugs.

I have made it a goal to do all I can to keep the public informed about these and other issues and, especially, to do whatever is possible to fight the current Opioid epidemic. Through my efforts, for example, the Township now offers a 24/7 drop-off program for unused prescription and other drugs (read "My Case for a 24/7 Drug Drop-Off Box" and "Newtown Has a 24/7 Drug Drop Box").

My Acceptance Speech

The next few years will require much needed input from well-informed and engaged residents to help plan for the future of Newtown Township.

As a supervisor I will continue to do my best to inform and actively seek input from residents, ask thoughtful questions, be an advocate for better channels of communication with the public, and work with my fellow Board members for the good of the township.

I was a strong supporter of the anti-fracking resolution enacted by the Board in March, 2018 (read “Newtown Township Supports a Complete & Permanent Ban on Fracking and Related Activities”). This resolution called upon the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) to “enact a complete and permanent ban on natural gas development and hydraulic fracturing and all related activities.” When I learned that the resolution was not included in official comments to the DRBC due to an oversight by the previous Town Manager, I made it a point to summarize the major points of the resolution in person at the June 13, 2018, public meeting of the DRBC.

I introduced and championed the approval of the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance that established the Newtown Human Relations Commission, which is meeting for the first time tonight. The Commission is tasked with resolving complaints regarding unequal treatment based on “actual or perceived” race, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability. Newtown is the FIRST Township in Bucks County to pass such an ordinance to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community. Before this ordinance was enacted, 5.2 percent of Bucks County’s residents lived in protected municipalities. Now, factoring in Newtown Township’s 19,000 residents, 8.3 percent are covered. Obviously, much more needs to be done.

Making Newtown Better

After personally listening to and meeting hundreds of residents, I have learned a great deal about the issues of importance to Newtown. Equally important is that I learned how to work with my fellow Supervisors and township officials to make the right decisions that aim to benefit all residents. This experience is invaluable and will prepare me to be an even better and more productive Supervisor as I begin a new 6-year term. I hope to finish what I started, which is to help make Newtown a better place to live, work and play.