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PODCAST

Mack"s Newtown Voice

Mack"s Newtown Voice

I have been a resident of Newtown, PA since 1995. I am currently a member of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors. The opinions expressed here are solely those of John Mack and do not represent the opinions of any other person or entity.

government

All Episodes

00:16:04

Fire Wars: Six Minutes vs. Seventeen Minutes

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/14

This "Deep Dive" podcast concerns ongoing negotiations between Newtown Borough and Newtown Township regarding a new intermunicipal agreement for fire protection services, as the current agreement is set to expire.

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00:13:08

The Six Year NAC Sign Saga

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/11

The provided documents detail a Variance Request (#1237-25) submitted to the Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board by the Newtown Racquetball Association, operating as the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC), regarding an existing wall sign. The core issue is that the NAC installed an illuminated "NAC" wall sign in 2019 that violates existing zoning regulations concerning sign location, number of signs, and maximum allowed sign size. Specifically, the club seeks variances to allow the sign to remain in its

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00:15:17

The Tow Truck and the White Line

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/09

The sources for this "Deep Dive" podcast are excerpts from the October 8, 2025, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting where members of the Newtown Gate Townhouse Association voiced strong complaints regarding traffic congestion, speeding, and a sudden, strict enforcement of parking regulations on Fountain Farm Lane. Chet Zaremba, the association president, detailed the residents' anger over new ticketing after 35 years of unhindered parking and questioned the fairness, pointing out that a

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00:13:52

8 October 2025 Newtown BOS Meeting Highlights

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/09

This "Deep Dive" documents the administrative and project-based activities of Newtown Township, focusing on municipal projects. The Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda for October 8, 2025, outlined upcoming actions, including a public hearing for a PRD variance, considering payment of bills totaling over $750,000, and authorizing the solicitor to address fire services and a pedestrian bridge agreement. In the Newtown Gate community, a long-simmering frustration has boiled over. After decades of

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00:18:57

Newtown Township PA vs Conversion Therapy

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/08

This "Deep Dive" podcast reviews Newtown Township Ordinance No. 2018-0-8, also known as the Newtown Township Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, enacted in November 2018, which establishes the Newtown Township Human Relations Commission. This ordinance broadly prohibits discrimination in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations based on numerous characteristics, including race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. More to the point with regard to recent news,

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00:14:18

How Supervisor Mack Works For You

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/05

This a "Deep Dive" podcast into Newtown Township Supervisor John Mack's September 2025 timesheet, detailing his work activities, hours, and compensation for the month. This records tracks 31.17 total hours worked, categorized by type, with preparation for meetings consuming the largest percentage of time at 42%. Specific activities include attending various township meetings like the Board of Supervisors (BOS), Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB), and Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC), as well as

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00:13:04

Newtown Creek Bridge Intergovernmental Agreement

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/04

The provided source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between the Township of Newtown, the Borough of Newtown and the Newtown Creek Coalition. Only the township and borough, however, are the designated signatories to this agreement. This formal document outlines the planning, funding, and construction of a pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek, which is being called the "Bridge Project." [Refer to the Briefing Document for a detailed summary:

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00:17:57

Proposed Sign Definitions for the JMZO

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/03

This "Deep Dive" podcast reviews the working draft for a Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO) for the Newtown Area, specifically addressing Sign Definitions as of September 4, 2025. This extensive list offers precise definitions for numerous types of signs, ranging from permanent and temporary displays like "MONUMENT SIGN" and "FEATHER FLAG SIGN" to signs categorized by location, such as "AWNING SIGN" and "ROOF SIGN." The text also defines technical aspects of signage, including types of

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00:14:20

Fogline Firestorm: Parking Along Fountain Farm Ln

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/02

The sources for this podcast comprise several emails between Newtown Township residents and officials regarding ongoing safety and parking issues along Fountain Farm Lane and surrounding streets. The correspondence reveals that residents like Ed McCorry and Steve Bacher have repeatedly raised concerns about speeding, illegal parking that obstructs traffic, dangerous stop sign violations, and the lack of pedestrian crosswalks. In response, an official relays that the police chief acknowledges the

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00:14:12

Mini Storage Plan Versus Zoning

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/10/01

Upper Silver Lake Storage Unit Sketch Plan Discussion The provided text contains excerpts from a Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) transcript that focuses on a sketch plan review for a proposed three-story mini storage facility at 98 Upper Silver Lake Road. The discussion involves Planning Commission representative Peggy Driscoll and BOS members, primarily addressing variances and waivers sought by the developer, 1784 Holdings. A major point of contention is the plan to include one

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00:15:09

#NewtownPA BOS Showdown: Parking, Zoning, Bridges &...

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/25

The source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is a transcript from the 24 September 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting, detailing several key discussions and resident concerns. Public comments focus heavily on a parking enforcement issue at Newtown Gate, where a resident representative argues against recent ticketing on Fountain Farm Lane and alleges a double standard in enforcement. Another resident addresses traffic and pedestrian safety issues at the intersection of Summit and Newtown Gate,

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00:12:03

The Melange Mess and Ghosting the Zoning Rules

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/25

The source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is a transcript excerpt from a Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting on September 24, 2025, specifically focusing on a public comment and subsequent discussion regarding zoning enforcement and code violations. A resident, Charlie Feuer (pronounced Foy·er), raised concerns about the status of a cease and desist order issued to a restaurant named Melange Louisiana on North Sycamore Street for unauthorized construction, emphasizing the importance of preserving

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00:11:09

The Comedy of Local Government

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/24

This podcast summarizes a stand-up comedy routine delivered by John Mack, who is a Newtown supervisor and a retiree. Mack uses his time on stage to joke about his experience as an elected official, highlighting the often trivial nature of local political complaints in his community, which he compares to "Pleasantville" issues. The would-be comedian jokes about the extraordinary number of chicken restaurants in Newtown and recites in the "Bubba Gump" mode the many varieties of chicken available

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00:14:14

Newtown Community Development and Governance Review

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/23

The source for this podcast is an excerpt from a September 22, 2025, "Meet Mack Monday" Zoom meeting transcript, which serves as an in-depth summary of local government topics and community concerns, led by Supervisor John Mack. The discussion covers a wide range of issues, including a controversial mixed-use development proposal by Jim Worthington (Goodnoe Homestead), various concerns about historic preservation and signage at a new restaurant called Melange, and the ongoing saga of the sewer

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00:12:37

Sidewalks, ADA Ramps and Zoning Loopholes

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/20

Newtown Planning Commission Synopsis: September 16, 2025This synopsis of a Newtown Township Planning Commission meeting details discussions and recommendations for two land development proposals. The first proposal concerns subdividing a 5.11-acre parcel on Upper Silver Lake Road into three residential lots, with the Commission recommending approval contingent upon the requirement of sidewalks, crosswalks, and handicapped ramps. The second discussion centered on a sketch plan for a three-story

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00:13:29

Pipes, Pressure & Penalties: Review of BCWSA...

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/17

The 16 September 2025 presentation by the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) and Carol Engineering covered several key environmental and infrastructure topics relevant to Middletown and Newtown Townships, including the Neshaminy Interceptor replacement project, challenges with infiltration and inflow (I&I), water supply, and associated planning and operational concerns.

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00:19:42

Beyond Bagels & Billboards: 10 Sept 2025 BOS Meeting

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/16

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors 10 Sept 2025 public meeting covered several key topics, beginning with a special proclamation honoring Chief Glenn Foresight for 50 years of distinguished service in fire services, which includes a personal address from the Chief himself. The public comment section featured residents from Chandler Hall advocating for improved crosswalk safety on South Sycamore Street, citing increased traffic and the vulnerability of elderly residents, supported by a

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00:15:36

Newtown's Tug of War: Developers Versus Residents

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/13

During a Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting on September 10, 2025, resident Bradley Cooper expressed significant concern regarding a proposal by Jim Worthington to develop the Goodnoe's Farmstead on Sycamore Street into a large apartment complex with ground-floor businesses. Cooper argued that Newtown Township supervisors consistently favor business development over the interests of residents, citing a pattern of approving large-scale projects despite widespread public opposition. He

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00:15:02

Chandler Hall Crosswalk Safety Advocacy

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/12

At the 10 September 2025 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, residents and the CEO of Chandler Hall advocated for enhanced crosswalk safety. Speakers, including Laura Lee Stucky, CEO John Whitman, and Marcia Stemer, highlighted increased traffic, the advanced age and reduced mobility of residents, and previous close calls and accidents as reasons for concern. They specifically requested the installation of brighter, more active flashing lights at the existing crosswalk, similar to

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00:15:40

Rewriting the Rulebook for Greener Communities

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/09/08

This podcast is a "Deep Dive" into proposed revisions to #NewtownPA SALDO regulations concerning plant installation in land development. These revisions, which were summarized at the September 2 Planning Commission meeting, emphasize a 100% native plant requirement for all new plantings in subdivisions and developments, explicitly prohibiting invasive species and their cultivars. The updates also introduce new diversity standards for species, set stricter tree protection zone requirements, and

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234 results

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