Saturday, May 18, 2013
One poll suggests that, while Pennsylvania voters might support medical marijuana use, they aren't in favor of legal pot.
Pennsylvania voters aren't in favor of legalizing marijuana, according to one pole. The Frankin and Marshall College poll of Pennsylvania voters for May 2013 showed that 54 percent of voters polled opposed to legalizing marijuana in the state. A similar F&M Poll at the beginning of February found that 55 percent of respondants were against legalizing marijuana. While voters don't support its outright legalization, 82 percent of those polled favor the use of marijuana for medical reasons if prescribed by a doctor. The poll, which was conducted between April 30 and May 5, gathered responses from 526 registered voters, including 265 Democrats, 196 Republicans and 65 Independents. The full poll is available for review here. The following …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that he's exploring another run for the Senate; Sestak narrowly lost to Pat Toomey in 2010.
A rematch between former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is in the works as Sestak announced Tuesday that he's exploring a run for the Senate in 2016. Democrat Sestak, a former Navy vice admiral, lost narrowly to Republican Toomey in 2010. Sestak, of Delaware County, has formed an exploratory committee—the equivalent of launching a campaign in terms of Federal Elections Commission paperwork, according to a Washington Post report. Can Sestak beat Toomey? Who would you vote for if the Senate election was held today? Tell us in the comments section below. Tuesday's announcement ends speculation that Sestak, 61, is raising money to challenge Gov. Tom Corbett. Sestak raised $460,000 in the first quarter of this year. A Sestak-…
Thursday, May 2, 2013
County Republicans say the interim Voter Services director's involvement with a Democratic political committee is evidence of 'cronyism.' Castor: 'Everyone associated with this process has acted honorably.'
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners on Thursday continued to face questions regarding the recent dismissal of Joseph Passarella, the former long-time head of the county's Voter Services department, as the county's Republican committee pointed to his interim replacement's erstwhile role in a Democratic political committee as evidence of "Philadelphia-style political cronyism." Passarella was dismissed April 17 after almost two decades in the post. Commissioner Bruce Castor led off Thursday's meeting of the Board of Commissioners with a statement directly addressing the "public controversy," saying that he believed "everyone associated with this process has acted honorably and in the belief that they were doing what they thought …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
In a Letter to the Editor, Bill Parker, of Pottsgrove, states that he'd like to see school board candidates address issues publicly during a debate.
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Tuesday, April 30
Editor's note: the following post is a a submission from Bill Parker, of Pottsgrove. If you would like to have your own submission posted, email it to keith.heffintrayer@patch.com To the Editor: I have proposed that those running for Pottsgrove School Board have a 'Debate of Issues' to give the voters an opportunity to ask direct questions of all those running for school board, so they can make a well informed educated decision in who they vote for. There has been some consideration from each side as to whether they want to do this or not. At least one has said they would do the debate if the community wanted it. I know as a Pottsgrove resident, I would benefit – and be interested – in seeing the two sides together in a friendly and …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
In a Letter to the Editor, France W. Krazalkovich, a Republican candidate for the Upper Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners, urges local government to protect the Second Amendment.
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Thursday, April 25
Editor's note: the following post is a a submission from France Krazalkovich, who is a Republican candidate for the Upper Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners. If you would like to have your own submission posted, email it to keith.heffintrayer@patch.com To the Editor: The problem of violence involving guns in neighborhoods throughout these United States is real; HOWEVER, combatting this threat cannot come at the great expense of mitigating basic, fundamental, unalienable Rights. Kudos to our neighbors in East Coventry Township for recently joining the likes of the Borough of Gilberton, the Borough of Frackville, the Borough of New Britain, and even Susquehanna County - in passing Second Amendment Preservation Resolutions in Pennsylvania. …
Sunday, April 21, 2013
It's not too late to register to vote in the Primary Election.
The last day to register to vote in the May 21 Primary Election is Monday, April 22. You have until the end of business Monday to register. With a Montgomery County shaping up to likely be a hotbed of excitement with both Alyson Schwartz and the still-possible Bruce Castor taking a primary run at Pennsylvania governor, it could be a great time to be a Montco voter. Individuals applying to register to vote must be: Montgomery County answers some questions about voter registration here. Download a voter registration form in the pdf section of this article.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Joseph Passarella had led the county's Voter Services department since 1994. He reportedly was terminated Wednesday.
Last updated 4:45 p.m. Thursday Montgomery County officials were tight-lipped Thursday about the circumstances surrounding the apparent dismissal Wednesday of Joseph Passarella, who had run the county's Voter Services department since 1994. Passarella's termination was first reported Thursday morning by The Intelligencer, which cited unnamed sources who said Passarella was called into a noon meeting by unspecified county administrators on Wednesday and informed he was being immediately removed from his post. County Commissioner Leslie Richards, who also serves as chair of the county's Board of Elections, cited the county's policy of declining to comment on "personnel issues" when asked Thursday about both Passarella's departure and whether…
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
In a Letter to the Editor, Ross Belovich announces he's running for Mayor of Pottstown, and details issues with crime in the borough.
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Wednesday, March 27
Editor's note: The following is an announcement from Ross Belovich, who is running for Pottstown Mayor. To the editor: It is time for Pottstown to get serious about crime. The shooting at Brian's Cafe is just another huge warning sign to take notice of. There are reports of gunfire more and more often around here. Something needs to be done. We absolutely need to be more aggressive and proactive with investigation and prosecution of criminals. This goes for all criminals including the ones operating the stores on High Street and North Charlotte that were recently arrested for turning food assistance cards into cash and keeping about half of the money. This crime was investigated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. It also goes …
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The former 7th district Congressman would not rule out a challenge to Republican incumbent Tom Corbett. He would join a crowded field.
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Tuesday, February 19
Former Congressman Joe Sestak has not closed the door on a run for the Pa. governor's office in 2014. Sestak, who did not seek re-election to his 7th District seat in 2010, told the Delaware County Times on Tuesday that he wants to run for public office again, but would not be more specific. If Sestak does throw his hat in the ring for next year's Democratic primary, he could be joining a crowded field. 13th District Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, who has not publicly declared her candidacy but is said to be leaning towards a run, is widely regarded as the leading Democratic challenger to Republican incumbent Governor Tom Corbett, who has been plagued by weak polls and job approval ratings. State Treasurer Rob McCord is atop the pile of …
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Two politicians from the county may face-off in a race for the state's seat.
Of course, nothing is set in stone just yet, but with phrases like "80 percent sure" and "pragmatism and practicality" being floated around, it is possible that Montgomery County may be home to a hot race in the 2014 Pennsylvania governor's race. Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor has not put a percentage on his desire to enter the race, but has said he is keeping a close eye on the current governor, Tom Corbett's actions in the second half of his term. "I'm not going to run just to make a splash. I want Pennsylvania to go down the right path," Castor said in an interview with Pennsylvania Cable Network, covered by Patch in January. "I want Pennsylvania to be a conservative state, but with pragmatism and practicality. I don't see …
Logan
12:55 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013
There are more alcohol and prescription related deaths in the state of Pennsylvania. This is more related to the baby boomers for misinformation or "scare tactics" about the recreational use of marijuana. If there were more young people surveyed from age 18-25 the legalization would happen. The baby boomers are very stubborn in this state, and will get with the heard if effectively lobbied. This … more ›