x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

00:10:39

December 2025 #NewtownPA Police Activity Report

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/15

The provided documents for this "Deep Dive" podcast summarize the Newtown PA Township Police Department's performance and activity for December 2025. Police Chief John Hearn’s oral report highlights specific events, such as the successful holiday parade, the retirement of a long-term sergeant, and a mutual aid response to an explosion in Bristol. Statistical data from the 2025 Activity Report reveals that while the department managed over 2,000 service calls, overall annual incident volumes saw a

en

00:14:41

NBCJMA 13 January 2026 Meeting: Deep Dive Into Sewer...

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/14

This "Deep Dive" podcast outlines the discussion at the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA, aka "Sewer Authority") Board meeting held on 13 January 2026. The Board addressed administrative necessities, such as approving previous minutes and processing significant financial transfers between authority accounts. A substantial portion of the meeting involved financial oversight, including the authorization of a large payment for sewer infrastructure improvements and the review of

en

00:14:51

January 2026 EAC Meeting Highlights

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/13

This Deep Dive podcast is focused on the January 2026 Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) reorganization meeting, where members reappointed leadership and address local environmental initiatives. Key agenda items include managing a native plant project at Robert’s Ridge Park, coordinating a tree giveaway, and exploring solar energy grants for a local 100-acre parcel fo land. The plans for a partial ban on gas leaf blowers was also discussed. A significant portion of the dialogue focuses on a

en

00:05:14

Consent Agenda - Efficiency vs Transparency

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/11

A consent agenda is a procedural method used by governing bodies, such as the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, to approve multiple routine and non-controversial items with a single vote. While this practice promotes administrative efficiency and allows more time for significant policy debates, the source warns that it must not be used to bypass public transparency. Legitimate uses include approving meeting minutes or standard financial reports, but complex or high-cost items should be

en

00:13:20

Building Luxury Homes With 22 Zoning Waivers!

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/10

The provided documents detail a land development proposal by DeLuca Construction at Glengarry LLC to subdivide a 10.65-acre property at 473 Lower Dolington Road in Newtown Township. The project involves transforming the existing site into three residential lots, retaining one original home while constructing two additional dwellings and a private access road. Reports from engineering consultants and the Bucks County Planning Commission outline technical requirements for stormwater management,

en

00:01:57

Snyder Slams New BOS Leaders

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/06

At the Newtown Township Reorganization meeting held on January 5, 2026, Elen Snyder voiced her opposition to appointing a newcomer to a Board of Supervisors (BOS) leadership position, specifically addressing the prospect of Ed Merriman becoming the Chair. Ms. Snyder served as BOS Chair in 2025. While Snyder acknowledged that Merriman would likely be "worthy in time," she maintained that appointing a beginner was not the "proper course of action". Consequently, she stated she would not nominate him

en

00:11:43

John Mack: Local Government Watchdog!

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/04

This "Deep Dive" podcast details the professional background and civic involvement of John Mack, a long-time Newtown Township resident, former Supervisor, and "Bulldog" when it comes to keeping residents informed.Legal testimony and other documents highlight Mack's transition from the pharmaceutical marketing industry to local governance, where he manages a private social media presence focused on community issues. The records cover critical municipal concerns, including pedestrian safety on

en

00:16:38

2025 BOS Chronicle Review

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/27

The comprehensive chronicle of 2025 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meetings curated by John Mack, offers a detailed record of local governance and community issues. The text highlights significant infrastructure projects, including pedestrian safety studies, bridge designs over Newtown Creek, and the implementation of road paving programs. Public safety remains a central theme, documented through monthly police activity statistics, fire department recruitment efforts, and debates over the

en

00:13:44

Public Service at $10 Per Hour

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/26

This "Deep Dive" podcast focuses on a detailed accountability report from Newtown Supervisor John Mack reflecting on his final year of an eight-year tenure in 2025. He documents spending 388 hours on official duties, noting that meeting preparation and resident interaction occupied the majority of his schedule. The report utilizes various data charts to illustrate his time allocation by month, day of the week, and specific activity type, while clarifying that personal outreach efforts like blogs

en

00:13:07

Township Finances: From Mouse Traps to Pensions

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/22

This "Deep Dive" podcast focuses on official financial records for Newtown Township, documenting various expenditures and account activities throughout 2025.The provided Bills Lists detail payments to vendors for municipal services, including public works maintenance, police department equipment, and professional legal and engineering fees. Additionally, the records include fund transfer authorizations that move significant capital between the General Fund and specialized accounts for payroll,

en

00:12:40

The $11.5 Million Eminent Domain Reversal

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/21

This "Deep Dive" podcast focuses on a Right-to-Know Law request filed by John Mack to obtain records from the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority. The request specifically sought correspondence regarding a 17.5-acre parcel of land that the agency had previously acquired through eminent domain for a wastewater treatment plant. ollowing the decision to abandon the project, the Authority issued a formal letter offering to sell the property back to the original owners for the initial

en

00:12:37

OR District Zoning Workshop

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/18

This podcast reviews the zoning regulations for the Newtown OR Office Research Districts, specifying rules that govern land use within this area. These regulations delineate three main categories of permissible activities: Uses by Right, which are allowed provided all use regulations are met; Uses by Conditional Approval, which require meeting specific conditional use requirements; and Uses by Special Exception, which need authorization from the Local Zoning Hearing Board. Additionally, the

en

00:12:24

LI/O-LI Overlay Zoning Workshop

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/17

An August 2024 memorandum from the Bucks County Planning Commission details a proposed amendment to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance to establish the LI/O-LI Newtown Commons Overlay District. The primary goal of this new overlay district is to permit and encourage mixed-use development, including Town Center Apartments, within the existing Light Industrial and Office-Light Industrial zones to create a more walkable and vibrant community. The revised proposal specifically requires conditional

en

00:14:45

BOS 2025 Year End Meeting Highlights

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/15

The provided sources for this "Deep Dive" podcast - the official meeting agenda and a detailed transcript - offer insight into a Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting held on December 10, 2025. The meeting began with the recognition of two departing supervisors, John Mack and Dennis Fisher, who each offered farewell remarks expressing gratitude for their recognition of service. Key actions from the meeting included the controversial adoption of the 2026 budget, which faced strong

en

00:12:59

#NewtownPA's Fiscal Cliff and Political Games

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/13

The provided source for this podcast is the 9 December 2025 Meet Mack Zoom presentation and the following discussion with Newtown Township residents focusing heavily on local government issues. Key areas of discussion include significant 2026 budget concerns, with Supervisor Mack noting rising taxes and executive pay while roadwork funding decreases, suggesting a disconnect between resident needs and executive desires. Another major item is the status of the scrapped sewer plant plan and the

en

00:17:06

November 2025 NTPD Incident Report

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/11

When we think of police work, our minds often jump to the drama of television shows—non-stop action, high-stakes investigations, and dramatic arrests. This narrative shapes our perception of what a police officer does on a daily basis. But what does a typical month really look like for a local police department, away from the Hollywood script?By diving into the November 2025 activity report from the Newtown Township Police Department in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, we can look at the raw data. The

en

00:12:37

Solving a 50-yr-old Sewer Surprise

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/10

The provided sources for this "Deep Dive" podcast - agenda and audio recording - document the Newtown, Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) board meeting held on December 9, 2025. Key actions include motions to approve the minutes, review expenditures and receipts, and formally approve the payment of bills and a $920,035.94 transfer from the Trust to the Operating account. Discussions centered on the Penns Commons Sewer Lining and Replacement project, including the approval of a

en

00:12:18

NAC Misplaced Sign Variance Request Denied!

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/05

The sources for this Deep Dive podcast detail the specifics and subsequent rejection of a zoning variance request submitted by the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC). to the Newtown Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) on 4 December 2025 . The request was to legalize an improperly located sign. The NAC was seeking relief to allow a wall sign, installed in 2019, to remain in its current location facing the Newtown Bypass, violating size restrictions and the distance requirements stipulated in the municipal code

en

00:12:42

Newtown Fire Services Funding Stalemate

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/12/04

The source for this podcast - a Newtown Patch article plus comments - details an escalating contractual dispute between Newtown Borough and Newtown Township over the price of fire services for the upcoming year of 2026. ARTICLE LINK: https://rebrand.ly/Patch_FireAgrWhile the Borough is insisting the Township honor a previously negotiated "good faith" offer of $275,000, the Township's Board of Supervisors has officially countered by demanding a higher fee of $350,000. This higher demand was

en

00:16:42

Mack's 2024 Newtown Township Governance Chronicle

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2025/11/29

Newtown Township Supervisor John Mack's "Board of Supervisors 2024 Chronicle" details numerous Board of Supervisors meetings throughout 2024, focusing heavily on controversial development proposals and amendments to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO). Key land use issues include intense debate over the LI/O-LI Overlay District to permit high-density apartments, a contentious appeal by the Borscht Belt Deli regarding sign restrictions, and efforts to address "demolition by neglect" of

en

251 results

Similar Podcasts

The Fly

Georgetown"s Institute of Politics and...

THE CONSTITUTION STUDY

Paul Engel

The DSR Daily

The DSR Network

The Lawfare Podcast

The Lawfare Institute

Fora do Baralho

Rádio Observador