Dear Neighbors,
You may have received a campaign letter from my opponent, Travis Laughman. It highlights the clear contrast between us. While I’ve focused on ideas, performance, and Heidelberg’s future, he resorts to personal attacks, falsehoods, and distractions. My vision honors our Commonwealth’s traditions — low taxes and transparent government. He defends bureaucratic, wasteful government and the poor decisions of the same elected insiders who back his campaign — Tim Hansen and Matt Bollinger. You deserve honesty from your elected officials, so I’m responding with facts — not insults.
FALSE CLAIM: I “spread disinformation” and “scare residents with false information about taxes.”
FACT: Taxes were not raised BECAUSE of the actions of residents who showed up and demanded accountability. My concerns were fully justified. The expenditures revealed that we were well over budget, by over $100K. While the BOS did not raise taxes at the time, they hve since sought to obtain loans, one of which is a PIBB loan, at one time for as much as $800K plus interest, which would have devastated our Road Maintenance Fuel Fund.
FALSE CLAIM: I “make unrealistic promises about cutting taxes.”
FACT: I have never promised tax cuts. I have consistently called for fiscal responsibility: competitive bidding, lean operations, careful grant use, and keeping government small. That’s not a gimmick — that’s good governance.
FALSE CLAIM: I “ignore township procedures” and “hurt finances.”
FACT: The current financial and policy issues in our township — from inconsistent zoning records to questionable expenditures — occurred under the long-term oversight of the very supervisors who support Travis Laughman’s campaign. I have consistently advocated for clean audits, open records, and proper procedure. I’m the only supervisor who has publicly pushed for more accountability — not less.
FALSE CLAIM: I “took disallowed compensation.”
FACT: This claim is a distortion. Based on Chairman Hansen’s participation in the township’s healthcare plan, I believed I was eligible for reimbursement of Medicare supplemental costs and received less than $1,000 in total. When I later investigated the matter through Right-to-Know requests and concerns were raised, I worked with the township to clarify and correct the policy — and then reimbursed the township in full. What Mr. Laughman fails to mention is that his ardent supporter, Tim Hansen, received over $85,000 in reimbursements, which have never been fully explained or reconciled. I have nothing to hide.
FALSE CLAIM: I “divulged confidential health information.”
FACT: I never discussed any personal health information about any supervisor, present or past. I only discussed expenditure for health care insurance premiums. This is an egregious lie, as I would never divulge any such information about any individual.
FALSE CLAIM: I “disparage others” and “cause conflict.”
FACT: I speak plainly and honestly about township business. That may be uncomfortable to those in power, but transparency is not “disparagement.” I have never insulted any employee or resident — only challenged decisions made in secret or without accountability. I always document my concerns at every meeting because I know it is the intent of the other supervisors to distract.
FALSE CLAIM: I want to bring in public water to increase development.
FACT: I do not support public water expansion that would change our rural character. Any suggestion otherwise is dishonest. I have always voted and advocated for keeping Heidelberg rural and protecting farmland from overdevelopment.
Travis's Record: What Has He Actually Accomplished?
Mr. Laughman claims to offer a different kind of leadership, but let’s look at his actual record:
• As Planning Commission Chair: He has presided over years of inaction. Since taking over chair, Travis promised a review of zoning and development regulations and plans. Since his election to chairman, more meetings have been canceled than held. There have been NO agenda items on updating existing zoning and development plans. Our current plans are over 12 years old. How much has our township changed in this time? The lack of updated regulations and plans do not protect the township from encroaching development.
• As Chair of the Water Board: In more than a year under his leadership, the board has not developed an engineering plan, not surveyed customers, and not written or applied for a single grant. Instead, they have prioritized a water shutoff policy and rewritten the board’s own ordinance twice, spending $1,000 in the process. As a committee created specifically to make recommendations to the BOS, the only recommendations they have ever made have been about themselves.
Our township deserves better than leadership that dodges hard work and shuts out the public.
A Final Word
I have no interest in running a negative campaign. I have stayed focused on issues that matter: low taxes, rural preservation, open government, and ending the insider control that has led to mismanagement for too long. Mr. Laughman’s letter is an attempt to distract voters from the real issues by attacking my character. I trust that the people of Heidelberg can see through that.
You deserve a supervisor who shows up, does the work, and tells the truth — even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s what I’ve done for six years, and that’s what I will continue to do if re-elected.
With respect,
Paul King
Heidelberg Township Supervisor
Paul King for Heidelberg Township Supervisor 