Tax collector defends unpaid taxes

Middletown's tax collector on Tuesday defended the fact he owes $26,000 in back taxes, saying medical bills accumulated during his late daughter's battle with cancer.

Ray Chapman said he's worked out a payment plan with Bucks County's tax claim bureau. He failed to pay his taxes on his Route 413 real estate office in 2011 and 2012, according to county records. Leah, his daughter, died in 2009.

Chapman, a Republican, is up for reelection this year. Tom Kearns, his Democratic opponent, criticized Chapman's unpaid taxes this week, stating that "it's unconscionable that a tax collector could be in arrears on tax payments." Chapman receives $150,000 a year to serve as the township's tax collector.

This year's election will be the second time Chapman and Kearns face off. Kearns served as tax collector for one term before Chapman ousted him in 2009 by 150 votes. More than 8,000 votes were cast.