D. Bruce Hanes, Montco Register of Wills

D. Bruce Hanes is running for re-election as Montgomery County’s Register of Wills.  This is the “hatch’em, match’em, and dispatch’em” office, as the Brits say.  The office handles petitions for adoption, marriage certificates, wills, probate, and inheritance taxes.   

On his campaign website he lists the positive changes made in the office:

My goal has been to bring the office into the 21st Century. One of my successes has been to increase computerization and electronic data management in the Register’s office. As an example, we introduced a new Electronic Docket Viewer in April of this year. This Viewer permits the user to see and print a screen shot if required of all of the entries on the Orphans’ Court docket. We have already begun a pilot program for electronic filing or e-filing in the Orphans’ Court.

Soon, we will make it possible for you to enter via the internet all of the data necessary to probate a will or apply for letters of administration. All that will be necessary in Norristown will be for you to sign the documents, swear the oath, and pick up your copies.

Something he doesn't mention is that he kept the office open late on Valentine's Day in case couples wanted to get a marriage license but couldn't get there during office hours.  

Hanes is an Army veteran.  Early in his law career he served as an Assistant Attorney General and then moved to private practice, focusing on wills, estates, and real estate law.  In 1987 he took on a Philadelphia towing company.  Hanes is active in the community and is an amateur Civil War historian.


Sources

Gibbons, Margaret, "Lawyers battle for Montgomery County register of wills office," Pottstown Mercury 10/27/2007
Gibbons, Margaret, "Register of wills makes time for love," Intelligencer 2/15/2009
Hanes for Register:  www.hanesforregister.com
Locy, Toni, "They want court to hook tow scam," Philadelphia Daily News 4/21/1987

A Note on Posts About Leslie Richards

The Montgomery County Democrats have been sending out a weekly list of campaign events, which has allowed me to follow campaigns there more closely than in the other counties I cover. Before the election I wanted to put together a list of posts I've written about Leslie Richards, one of the candidates for county commissioner (people can vote for two commissioner candidates).

Here goes:
Leslie Richards's electoral history (vote percentages / totals of her township races)
quick look at Leslie Richards
Richards and Shapiro on "Comment Please" radio show
Campaign office openings

Richards, who resembles fashion editor Nina Garcia, works at a civil engineering firm and is knowledgeable about infrastructure (roads and bridges) and urban planning. She is on the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors. She's the only county commissioner candidate who is not a lawyer. There is a lengthy biography of her on the county party website and also on the Shapiro Richards campaign website.

It's difficult to write a more personal post about Richards or a longer fact-based one. There isn't much in area newspapers or the internet about her. She's quiet and I'm quiet so it is hard to keep a conversation going for any length of time. It is a confident quiet though, not a shy quiet. I've asked her a variety of questions at events, on politics, the campaign, engineering, and so on. She's always had a good, sensible answer without a lot of flowery words or embellishment. She doesn't have the polished veneer that many candidates or elected officials do. You wouldn't get a lot of flash with Richards as a county commissioner, but you would get quiet, confident common sense.

Linda Hee for Montco Recorder of Deeds

Linda M. Hee is the Democratic candidate for Recorder of Deeds in Montgomery County.  If you are wondering what a Recorder of Deeds does, here is the description on the county website:

The mission of the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds office is to maintain the integrity of all land records and other documents entrusted to the department as well as the collection and monthly distribution of County/State fees and Real Estate Transfer Taxes for the State, Townships, Boroughs and School Districts; while efficiently serving the public with complete accountability and responsibility.  This office does not depend upon the County tax dollars to operate. The office of the Recorder of Deeds is self-sufficient and generates a profit (over the operating expenses) for the Montgomery County General Fund.

Like many local and county candidates there is not a lot of information out there about Ms. Deeds Hee, either in newspapers or on the internet.  This is the biographical statement on the county Democratic organization's website (with some family information redacted):

Linda M. Hee is Assistant Counsel to Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, the nation’s fourth largest Area Agency on Aging. Linda represents the agency in a variety of civil proceedings arising under the Older Adults Protective Services Act. Previously, Linda served as Assistant Counsel for the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, where she was a general practitioner representing individuals with AIDS. Linda received her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1999 and her B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy from the University of Scranton in 1993.  Linda has been a Democratic Committee Person for about ten years and is currently a committeeperson in Abington’s 11-2, where she lives with her husband, and their son. She was recently appointed as a Hearing Officer for the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board and was listed on the First Judicial District’s 2010 Pro Bono Roll of Honor for her volunteer work at the Face to Face Legal Clinic in Germantown.

There is a longer biography on Hee's campaign website:  http://www.heefordeeds.com/
 

Haverford Township's Day of Action

Bright and early on Saturday morning, the Haverford Township Democratic Committee held the kickoff for their part of the statewide Democratic Day of Action, organized by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Organizing for America, and the Democratic County Democratic Committee.  At 9 a.m. it was bright but a little chilly and people tended to huddle in the sunny spots in front of the Haverford Township Municipal Building.  A few small children alternated running around and sitting on the steps of the building looking at books.  The building is next to Darby Road and the traffic sometimes made it difficult to hear what all the candidates were saying.

I’ve typed up my notes from the event and supplemented them with information from the event press release and campaign websites.  Photos of the event have been posted online. As always, I apologize in advance for any errors or misconceptions.

Judith LaLonde, chair of the Haverford Township Democratic Committee started by emphasizing that the importance of municipal election in charting the future of Haverford Township. She announced that the League of Voters has scheduled a tentative date for the Candidate forum on Oct. 27^th or 28^th and the importance for a public discussion between opposing candidates on the issues in the township.  She then introduced State Rep. Greg Vitali from the 166^th district, which includes Haverford, Marple, and Radnor Townships of Delaware County.  Rep. Vitali spoke about the quality of local candidates in this election.  He introduced candidates for township commissioner and district judge.

First up was Philip Lozano, candidate for district judge in wards 1, 2, 3, and 7.  Lozano talked about the importance of accountability in local government.  He said electing the same people over and over led to a lack of accountability.  As an example he mentioned that in the past three years three district judges in Delaware County have been convicted or pled guilty to criminal activity (the specifics are outlined on his website).  He also mentioned a $6 million lawsuit against Haverford Township over the property value of the former Swell Bubble factory currently being leased and developed by the YMCA for civil rights violations: Watson v. Haverford Township Police Department. [blogger's note:  see comments below for explanation of this change]

One of the township commissioner candidates, Jeff Miller running in ward 3 spoke next.  Miller is an architect, past president of the library board, and past secretary of the Haverford Township Civic Council.  He spoke about working on a township wide coordinated plan to upgrade existing public works facilities, public buildings and infrastructure.  Looking at his website bio this is fleshed out a bit.  He served on the Township Eagle Road Planning Task Force for Commercial Revitalization which looked at best practices of other area townships.   The group then prepared a draft plan and an urban planner was hired by the township commissioners.  The plan was adopted by the township but has not been implemented.    

The candidate for ward 5, Darin Hayton, who teaches the history of science at Haverford College, said he would like to be part of moving the township forward.

Patty Loomer is the candidate for ward 9.  She has an accounting degree.   There are currently no women on the township board of commissioners and she would like to see a woman elected.  Among the items she would like to work on are bike trails in the township.  She thinks health and exercise are important.  Haverford is an inner ring suburb and she would like to see township infrastructure maintained.  

The next speaker was Tom Shiffer, candidate for ward 1 who has been a pension administrator for 40 years.  Specific issues he is interested in are infrastructure, traffic calming, and support for small businesses.  

Larry Chrzan, candidate for ward 7, described the morning event as “Occupy Haverford Township.”  Chrzan is a technology consultant and industrial engineer.  He said the GOP machine has ruled the county for over 100 years and the township for decades.  Recently he re-launched the haverfordblog.com where he posts the campaign finance reports of all candidates.  Chrzan doesn’t take contributions from people who do business with the township.  

State Senator Daylin Leach introduced former Congressman Patrick Murphy, who has announced his candidacy for the 2012 state Attorney General race, who said boots on the ground win elections.  He also referenced the death of Muammar Qhaddafi, especially since a Pennsylvanian Betty Ann Johnson of Greensburg was killed in the Lockerbie bombing.
He also spoke at length about veterans courts.

The next candidate up was MichaelSchleigh, candidate for county Court of Common Pleas.  Schleigh is an Eagle Scout and in addition to a law degree has an LLM (masters of law in trial advocacy).  He shares Murphy’s interests in veteran’s courts.  With the troops returning home from Iraq is it especially important that Delaware County have a court program that specifically addresses veteran’s needs.  Another issue is foreclosure mediation.  Yesterday there was a sheriff’s sale and 150 homes were sold.  If Delaware County had adopted a proposal similar to that in other counties 60% of those families could have stayed in their homes.   Schleigh also talked about the need for an independent judiciary. 

Another of the Democratic candidates for Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, Sally-Ann Heckert-Bikin, spoke next.  She mentioned that a Democrat has not been elected to this position in the county’s history.  There is an equal number of Democrat and Republican registration.  The county needs candidates that have ethics, morality, integrity, fairness and equality for all.  Heckert-Bikin is a nurse as well as an attorney.    Like Schleigh she has an LLM (masters of law in trial advocacy) degree.  This is an additional year of study beyond law school.   Only two schools in the country offer it, one is Temple University.   None of the Republicans running for Court of Common Pleas have this degree. 

The third candidate for the Court of Common Pleas, Larry DeMarco was unable to attend.  He, too, has an LLM degree. 

One of the three Democratic candidates for county council, Keith Collins, spoke.  Collins served in the army as an infantryman and a paratrooper.  He is an adjunct instructor at Delaware County Community College, is an ordained minister, and a small business owner.  He wants to limit the number of government positions one person can hold in the county to reduce costs to the taxpayer.  Revitalization is another issue he is concerned about.  Marcus Hook has a waterfront.  There are a lot of opportunities along 291. 

Jayne Young was not able to attend. State Rep. Vitali spoke in her place.  Young has been the mayor of Lansdowne for 10 years.  She is also part of the FirstSuburbs project.  

Lin Axamethy Floyd, a third candidate for county council, was also not able to attend.  Like Young she is part of the First Suburbs project and on the board of Habitat for Humanity.  She was a 2010 Fellow at the Center for Progressive Leadership.  

District Attorney candidate Kendall Brown was not in attendance.  Sally-Ann Heckert-Bikin spoke on her behalf.  

Cheryl Austin, Montco Judicial Candidate

Cheryl Lynne Austin is one of the Democratic candidates for Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. She grew up in Ohio and was the only one of five children to graduate from college.   Like many young people of limited means she paid for college by joining ROTC and going into the military.  The year she joined the Navy ROTC at Northwestern was the first year women were allowed participate.  After seven years of active duty she joined the Reserves, serving a total of 24 years in total before retiring in 2004.  Both in the military and after leaving active duty she worked in human relations and labor issues.  

In her late thirties she decided to go to law school at night and start a second career as a lawyer.  After graduating she worked for the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.  In 1996 she moved to Pennsylvania and has worked in real estate law and family law and also served as an Assistant District Attorney in Montgomery County, a Pennsylvania Assistant Public Defender, as well as other legal work.  She and her husband have one child.  

As a veteran she has an interest in veteran’s law and served as the eastern regional vice chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.  She has also chaired the Montgomery County Commission on Women and Families and was appointed a trustee at the Montgomery County Community College.  She has been recognized by the American Business Women's Association as an Outstanding Business Woman, and was named a Rising Star among elder law attorneys by Philadelphia Magazine.  In addition she was chair of the Diversity Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association, was a member of the Minority Attorney Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and is a member of the Willow Grove Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.  Austin is active in the Willow Grove chapter of the Pennsylvania NAACP and was the 2001 recipient of NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award.

This is all very impressive and a good background for a judge.  During the years I have been writing this blog I’ve run into Austin a number of times.  She’s quiet and low key and genuinely friendly.    I quite like her, more importantly if I or any member of my family or any of my friends ever had to go before a judge I hope it would be Cheryl Austin or someone like her.

Sources:

Hessler, Jr., Carl, “Crowded field for Montco judges,” Pottstown Mercury,  October 25, 2009

O’Toole, Stephen, “Setting sail,” Times Herald, June 24, 2001

Campaign website:  http://www.cherylaustinforjudge.com/

Questionnaire for Philly.com:  http://media.philly.com/documents/cheryl+austin+montco.pdf

Prez O on the End of the War in Iraq

from the inbox:

12:49 P.M. EDT

 

     THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  As a candidate for President, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end -- for the sake of our national security and to strengthen American leadership around the world.  After taking office, I announced a new strategy that would end our combat mission in Iraq and remove all of our troops by the end of 2011.

    

As Commander-in-Chief, ensuring the success of this strategy has been one of my highest national security priorities.  Last year, I announced the end to our combat mission in Iraq.  And to date, we’ve removed more than 100,000 troops.  Iraqis have taken full responsibility for their country’s security.

 

A few hours ago I spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki.  I reaffirmed that the United States keeps its commitments.  He spoke of the determination of the Iraqi people to forge their own future.  We are in full agreement about how to move forward.

 

So today, I can report that, as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year.  After nearly nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over.

 

Over the next two months, our troops in Iraq -- tens of thousands of them -- will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home.  The last American soldier[s] will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held high, proud of their success, and knowing that the American people stand united in our support for our troops.  That is how America’s military efforts in Iraq will end.

 

But even as we mark this important milestone, we’re also moving into a new phase in the relationship between the United States and Iraq.  As of January 1st, and in keeping with our Strategic Framework Agreement with Iraq, it will be a normal relationship between sovereign nations, an equal partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect.

 

In today’s conversation, Prime Minister Maliki and I agreed that a meeting of the Higher Coordinating Committee of the Strategic Framework Agreement will convene in the coming weeks.  And I invited the Prime Minister to come to the White House in December, as we plan for all the important work that we have to do together.  This will be a strong and enduring partnership.  With our diplomats and civilian advisors in the lead, we’ll help Iraqis strengthen institutions that are just, representative and accountable.  We’ll build new ties of trade and of commerce, culture and education, that unleash the potential of the Iraqi people.  We’ll partner with an Iraq that contributes to regional security and peace, just as we insist that other nations respect Iraq’s sovereignty.

 

     As I told Prime Minister Maliki, we will continue discussions on how we might help Iraq train and equip its forces -- again, just as we offer training and assistance to countries around the world.  After all, there will be some difficult days ahead for Iraq, and the United States will continue to have an interest in an Iraq that is stable, secure and self-reliant.  Just as Iraqis have persevered through war, I’m confident that they can build a future worthy of their history as a cradle of civilization.

 

     Here at home, the coming months will be another season of homecomings.  Across America, our servicemen and women will be reunited with their families.  Today, I can say that our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays. 

 

This December will be a time to reflect on all that we’ve been though in this war.  I’ll join the American people in paying tribute to the more than 1 million Americans who have served in Iraq.  We’ll honor our many wounded warriors and the nearly 4,500 American patriots -- and their Iraqi and coalition partners -- who gave their lives to this effort.

 

And finally, I would note that the end of war in Iraq reflects a larger transition.  The tide of war is receding.  The drawdown in Iraq allowed us to refocus our fight against al Qaeda and achieve major victories against its leadership -- including Osama bin Laden.  Now, even as we remove our last troops from Iraq, we’re beginning to bring our troops home from Afghanistan, where we’ve begun a transition to Afghan security and leadership.  When I took office, roughly 180,000 troops were deployed in both these wars.  And by the end of this year that number will be cut in half, and make no mistake:  It will continue to go down. 

 

Meanwhile, yesterday marked the definitive end of the Qaddafi regime in Libya.  And there, too, our military played a critical role in shaping a situation on the ground in which the Libyan people can build their own future.  Today, NATO is working to bring this successful mission to a close.

 

So to sum up, the United States is moving forward from a position of strength.  The long war in Iraq will come to an end by the end of this year.  The transition in Afghanistan is moving forward, and our troops are finally coming home.  As they do, fewer deployments and more time training will help keep our military the very best in the world.  And as we welcome home our newest veterans, we’ll never stop working to give them and their families the care, the benefits and the opportunities that they have earned. 

 

This includes enlisting our veterans in the greatest challenge that we now face as a nation -- creating opportunity and jobs in this country.  Because after a decade of war, the nation that we need to build -- and the nation that we will build -- is our own; an America that sees its economic strength restored just as we’ve restored our leadership around the globe.

 

Thank you very much.

 

                             END           12:55 P.M. EDT

A Firm From Nantucket

Joseph DiStefano had an interesting entry on his PhillyDeals blog Wednesday (published in the paper yesterday).  "Corbett:  Why PA gave millions to Janney," focuses on Janney Montgomery Scott, a financial firm that has been in Philadelphia for more than 100 years.  The Philly corporate hq employes over 500 people, and the firm has over 95 offices in 15 states.  These are good jobs and I'm glad they are in here in our area.

However, recently, when the firm's office lease was coming up they started making noises about moving elsewhere, perhaps south to Delaware.   To keep them here Gov. Corbett gave them $11.5 million.  So when your local schools cut programs and your neighbors get booted off the state's low cost health insurance for the poor and the bridges you drive over every day start to sag, remember that our elected officials have their priorities in order and gave over $11 million in grants to a profitable private company who decided to hit the state up for money in hard times.

Should you read some time in the next few years about Janney promoting themselves as a local firm or bragging about being good local citizens, remember that they blackmailed us when we were hurting.  If Janney makes some charitable donations and plays them up in the press, remember that unless the amount is over $11 million they're still coming out ahead. 

Or, to put it in verse:

We're Janney Montgomery Scott
Sentimental or loyal we're not
If you don't pay
We'll go away
Give us all the money you've got

To be fair I don't really understand these tax abatements and rent breaks to companies.  I only know that a lot of people in the state have lost their jobs and health insurance or have had to close their small business.  And we're giving money to a financial firm.  The optics are bad.

KRC Note on Sept PA Jobs Report

from our friends at the Keystone Research Center:

Keystone Research Center Economist Stephen Herzenberg issued the following statement on the September Pennsylvania jobs report:


“The number of jobs in Pennsylvania fell by 15,800 in September, over half of which was a 8,300 drop in government jobs. In another troubling indicator, the number of manufacturing jobs in the state fell for the first time in 10 months, a further sign that declines in public-sector employment are dragging down the private economy.

"Since May, the Pennsylvania unemployment rate has increased by more than a percentage point, from 7.4 percent to 8.5 8.3 percent, while the U.S. unemployment rate has held steady at 9.1 percent. As a result, the Pennsylvania Advantage — defined as the amount by which the U.S. unemployment rate exceeds the Pennsylvania unemployment rate — is smaller than it has been in three years. fluctuates a lot on a month-to-month basis, this gap has been smaller than the current 0.8% in only one month since 2009.

"The September report demonstrates yet again that Pennsylvania and the nation need a jobs plan. Policymakers have been sitting on their hands for the past two years and Pennsylvania families are paying the price."

Update on HR 822

Mayors Against Illegal Guns sent out an email yesterday.  Here is part of what it said:

A coalition of more than 600 Republican, Democratic and Independent U.S. mayors today called on the Senate to reject efforts by gun lobby allies to quickly introduce and pass a measure that would override state laws determining who can carry concealed, loaded weapons in public places.

Legislation to impose national reciprocity for concealed weapon permits – called the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 822) – was marked up by the House Judiciary Committee last week and is expected to be approved by the House as early as next week.  Senators are expected to try to attach a nearly identical measure to must-pass bills now on the Senate docket, including a series of appropriations measures and defense authorization legislation to be considered in the coming weeks.

 The legislation would force nearly every state to recognize permits to carry hidden, loaded weapons issued by any other state, even if the carrier would not qualify for a local permit.  In today’s edition of USA Today, the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition published an open letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid and members of the Senate strongly opposing the Washington gun lobby’s attempt to strip cities and states of their authority to set minimum standards for concealed carrying.

For more info, visit:  www.OurLivesOurLaws.org

Local info from CeaseFirePA:

Philadelphia City Council just passed a unanimous resolution opposing the federal "National Right To Carry Reciprocity" legislation being considered in Congress. This morning, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams briefed the Council on the threat posed by the legislation, and joined Councilman Darrell Clarke, who introduced the resolution, calling on Senators Casey and Toomey to oppose the bill.  

Other Blogs to Read: Two Johns and a Gun Guy

A few interesting blogs I've been checking on now and then:

John Hanger's Facts of the Day -- former Pennsylvania DEP Secretary blogs about energy and the environment, with a little politics thrown in.

Jon Geeting -- writes about politics in the Lehigh Valley and beyond

Mike B sings of the arms and the man (gun control and assorted other topics)

Bruce Castor, Charmer

Last August the Bryn Mawr Patch site ran an article on the Montgomery County commissioner's race, "Commissioner candidates trade barbs ..." by Keith Heffintrayer and Somer Wiggins (9/03). It ended with this quote from Republican incumbent Bruce Castor, regarding the multiple offices opened by the Josh Shapiro / Leslie Richards campaign

"Clubhouses, T-shirts, stickers and balloons do not make a campaign.  Voters are wise to the whole ‘hope and change’ thing. Without ideas, this is just fluff to give the appearance of substance where none exists. I hope their rent's high," Castor said.

It's the norm for candidates to disagree with each other and to think their opponents strategy is flawed.  But wishing their rent is high?  That seems just petty and mean.

Penn Prof Wins Award

A University of Pennsylvania professor will be awarded the National Medal of Science.  This Friday, Oct. 21, President Obama will recognize seven scientists across the nation for this honor. 

Ralph L. Brinster
University of Pennsylvania
For his fundamental contributions to the development and use of transgenic mice.  His research has provided experimental foundations and inspiration for progress in germline genetic modification in a range of species, which has generated a revolution in biology, medicine, and agriculture.

The Cafe Press and Comic Book Polls

Skeptical of standard political polls?  Here are a couple of lesser known, offbeat polls.

CafePress is the online retailer that let's people personalize merchandise (t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc).  Of course, some of this merchandise is personalized with candidate's names or information on it.  The company keeps track of what sells.  Here are their latest findings:

With this in mind, in the month of October, CafePress has seen an absolute surge in Herman Cain’s popularity, with merchandise tagged with Cain’s name accounting for 58% of the merchandise sales total for potential GOP nominees. Merchandise tagged with “Mitt Romney,” on the other hand, has accounted for only 6% of the nominee sales—a number that has fallen sharply since he held 15% in June. Interestingly, the merchandise tagged with “Romney” that has been doing well are Flip Flops. Perhaps this is related to the Obama campaign’s comments on Sunday (Obama strategist, David Axelrod, dubbed Romney a flip flopper)?

Decision2012 Comics asked people to pre-order biographical comic books of the presidential candidates.  Orders were due before Sept. 29th.  The top candidates were announced Oct. 6th:

BOOM! announces the results of DECISION 2012, the comic book industry's first straw poll: Barack Obama has won, with the top Republican candidacy going to Sarah Palin and a shocking result for last place: Rick Perry!

The results:
1. Barack Obama
2. Sarah Palin
3. Ron Paul
4. Michele Bachmann
5. Mitt Romney
6. Herman Cain
7. Newt Gingrich
8. Jon Huntsman
9. Rick Santorum
10. Rick Perry

Take this with a grain of salt, but enjoy it for the entertainment value!

Replacing the Water Cooler

Joseph DiStefano posted a note on his PhillyDeals blog last Thursday outlining a King of Prussia firm.  Quench provides a water service that does not use bottles, but instead us"activated charcoal, ultraviolet light and, sometimes, reverse osmosis to freshen common tapwater."

I'm intrigued by this.  A few years ago as part of cost cutting measure my employer stopped paying for the water cooler out of company funds.  I'm now the "water queen."  I pay for the water cooler and anyone wanting to use it pays a percentage share (number of people divided by average water bill). 

This could be an interesting option.

Three Reading Suggestions

Three interesting somewhat related things to read:

Chris Cillizza wrote his The Fix column today on John Edwards's "Two Americas" speech and how President Obama could use that populist message in the election.

Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele wrote "Big boost for Chinese steel," published in Sunday's Inquirer. This is well worth reading.  It discusses the shift of steel production to China.  Steel can be made more cheaply there but there are consequences, as they point out in the case of a California bridge:

That did not take into account the wages lost by steelworkers and ironworkers who otherwise would have been employed on the project. It did not take into account the taxes those workers would have paid - from California income tax to Social Security and unemployment taxes. It did not take into account the multiplier effect, all the related benefits derived across the economy from the daily purchases made by people with jobs. It did not count all the state and local taxes that employed workers pay for schools and highways. Nor did it take into account all the tax revenue that California and local governments had to expend for unemployment, health care, and other costs run up by people who have no jobs.

Something not quite similar but still related, in the political arena, "State for sale," by Jane Mayer in the October 10, New Yorker, discusses North Carolina Republican Art Pope and his influence not only on that state's Republican party but on the state political scene.  His use of think tanks, advocacy groups, and direct political contributions is one example of why some people are concerned about the Citizens United decision and campaign finance.

The Case of Anne Covey and the Disappearing Co-Author

Anne Covey, the Republican candidate for state Commonwealth Court, often mentions the book she wrote on employment law, The Workplace Law Advisor:  From Harassment and Discrimination Politics to Hiring and Firing Guidelines -- What Every Manager and Employee Needs to Know (2000).  The book has been well-reviewed.  I went to Amazon to see if it was still in print and was really surprised to see a co-author listed, Stephanie Narvell.  On Covey's work website, her campaign website, her bar association questionnaire, a 2000 CNN interview, and the PCN interview with her that I watched she mentions the book but never her co-author.  According to Amazon only Covey's name is on the cover, and the "look inside" feature shows that Covey alone holds the copyright.  There is a Stephanie Narvell in the area who is a specialist in human relations management but I'm not sure it's the same woman. 

It seems odd to me that Narvell is listed as a co-author on Amazon and several other online booksellers but not on the book itself.  Certainly writers often have help of varying degrees and this is often acknowledged either on the title page or in the introduction.  I don't have access to the full book so it is possible she does mention Narvell within the book.  Perhaps Narvell wrote or contributed to one of the chapters.  

Covey also often mentions the article she wrote in the Widener Law Journal on the history of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.  This also is mentioned on her firm's website, campaign website, the bar association questionnaire, and PCN interview.  I looked up the full citation and was surprised to see that not only did Ms. Covey have a co-author on this article as well but that she is listed second.  Looking again at her campaign site she has a digital version of the journal title page and it does list two authors but, at least on my laptop screen, it is difficult to read.  ("Contribution of the Commonwealth Court to public employee labor law:  The first forty years," by James L. Crawford and Anne E. Covey, Widener Law Journal 20 (2010-2011): 143-172).  The decision on which author's name goes first depends on a number of things.  Some people follow the standard practice of their discipline -- in some the primary author goes first, some go alphabetically, some flip a coin, it all depends.

The other two publications listed on her firm's website are co-authored with the other lawyer at her firm and that is acknowledged.   She lists one of those on her bar association questionnaire and on her campaign site but does not acknowledge a co-author on either. 

She lists two other articles on her bar association questionnaire.  One is from the National Law Journal, entitled "Whistle-blower protection acts broaden rights to employees."  I can't find the full text of this article but it listed in Google Scholar in the citations of other articles, as Cooper & Covey, which means here also she is the second author.  I can't find out anything about the other article, from the New Jersey Law Review, "How the blizzard of 1996 affected employee compensation."  

It may be common practice in law for those who publish not to acknowledge co-authors.  I'm not a lawyer and so cannot say.  Celebrities who write books with the assistance of others often don't mention that in interviews.  Politicians who write books with the assistance of others often don't mention that in  interviews.  I like to write (go figure).  I've written some things on my own and some with others.  It takes conscious effort to remember to differentiate between saying "I wrote" and "I co-wrote" or to say "my co-author on that ..."  Sometimes forms will leave space for co-authors and sometimes they don't. 

So there are all sorts of reasons why someone would not mention co-authors.  I just noticed this pattern.

Reports From Events I Missed

I receive notices of or invitations to a lot of events, and it would be impossible to attend all of them.  Occasionally people or organizations who have invited me to events will follow up and let me know how they went.

Here are a few recent reports from the field:

Last Thursday President Obama's re-election campaign opened their Philadelphia office.  According to follow-up emails over 600 people attended.  Senator Anthony Williams spoke.  Photos are available online.

This past Saturday SEPTA held its annual Rail Rodeo.  From the press release:

Each year SEPTA Market-Frankford Line and Broad Street Line operators, Regional Rail engineers and conductors and yard motorpersons form teams to participate in various tests of operational and mechanical skill on SEPTA’s trains. The competition is tough and top teams will represent the Authority at the 2012 International Rail Rodeo in Dallas. 

Today Abington Township (Montco) Commissioner sponsored a "Flourishing in Challenging Times" event.  A steady steam of people visited, stopping at tables with information from smoking cessation programs, PECO (energy efficiency), local colleges and businesses, and others.  

Anglers Support Renew Growing Greener

from the inbox:

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today announced that the following local chapters of Trout Unlimited have joined the statewide chapter in the push to restore state funding for Growing Greener:

Columbia County
Spring Creek (Centre County)
Muddy Creek (York County)
Forbes Trail (Westmoreland County)
Chestnut Ridge (Fayette County)
Lloyd Wilson (Clinton County)
Forks of the Delaware (Lehigh Valley)


“The members of Trout Unlimited recognize the important role Growing Greener plays in their mission of conserving, protecting and restoring our streams and waterways,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “The Coalition urges the legislature to heed the public and allocate a portion of any revenues from a Marcellus Shale impact fee toward offsetting the statewide environmental impacts of natural gas drilling.”

The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited, which represents approximately 12,000 members across the Commonwealth, has been a supporting member of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition for the past year. These groups have signed the Coalition’s Statement of Support, which calls for a dedicated and sustainable source of revenue to support the renewal of Growing Greener. They join more than 230 other organizations and groups that have also announced their support for renewing Growing Greener.

"More than 20 Trout Unlimited chapters in Pennsylvania have put Growing Greener funding to work on rivers and streams in local communities," said Ken Undercoffer, chairman of the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. "Coldwater fisheries throughout the Commonwealth have benefited from that work and countless other Growing Greener-funded projects."

Additionally, the Coalition announced that eight more municipalities have adopted resolutions in support of Growing Greener. They include:

Butler Township, Adams County
Germany Township, Adams County
Buckingham Township, Bucks County
Chalfont Borough, Bucks County
Doylestown Township, Bucks County
Quakertown Borough, Bucks County
Lancaster City, Lancaster County
Penn Township, Lancaster County
Hatfield Township, Montgomery County


With these, 112 government entities, including 24 counties, that represent nearly 6.5 million Pennsylvanians have passed resolutions calling on the Governor and legislature to restore funding for Growing Greener.

Growing Greener is a bipartisan program established in 1999 under Governor Tom Ridge and later expanded by Governors Schweiker and Rendell. Since its establishment, Growing Greener has created a legacy of success, capping over 2,100 abandoned gas wells, preserving more than 33,700 acres of Pennsylvania’s family farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, adding 26,000 acres to state parks and forests, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

Moreover, Growing Greener has contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget. This is more than an 80 percent reduction.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealth’s largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations representing nearly 350 organizations and government entities. For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

Upcoming Events

A couple of events coming up that might interest readers: Sunday, October 16, 1-3 p.m., Roslyn, Montco Flourishing in Challenging Times Tuesday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m., Manayunk, Philly Quizzo with the WHYY team

HR 358: Let Women Die Act

The US House of Representatives voted to advance HR 358, which amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed last year (this is the big health insurance reform bill). This amendment, introduced by Pennsylvania's own Rep. Joe Pitts, makes double sure that not only are no federal funds used to pay for abortions but that women can't use their own money to purchase separate abortion insurance through federal exchanges.

Independent fact check group Politifact specifically referenced Pennsylvania when it debunked the myth that federal funds would be used for elective abortions. National political newspaper The Hill discusses the particulars of HR 358 ("House votes to advance abortion bill," by Pete Kasperowicz, 10/13/2011).

Among the requirements of the bill are:

any such non-Federal health insurance issuer that offers a qualified health plan through an Exchange that includes coverage for abortions for which funding is prohibited under this sub section also offers a qualified health plan through the Exchange that is identical in every respect except that it does not cover abortions for which funding is prohibited under this subsection.’’;

So private companies that do offer plans including abortion must also offer plans that are identical except that they don't cover abortions. And the plans that do cover abortion can't be offered through a federal exchange. That's a lot of extra paperwork for the insurance companies. That section also notes that: "administrative costs and all services offered through such coverage or plan are paid for using only premiums collected for such coverage or plan;" Does that mean offices have to keep track of the administrative costs of processing those claims and charge separately for them?

Another wording choice I noted was the exceptions clause:

except—
‘‘(A) if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest; or
‘‘(B) in the case where a pregnant female suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the female in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.

That removes any mental health issues. It also creates a gray area for women who discover they have a serious illness while pregnant and want to undergo aggressive treatment for it, which might impact or be impacted by the pregnancy.

One other clause that is of concern is this one:

20 ‘‘(g) NONDISCRIMINATION ON ABORTION.— ‘‘(1) NONDISCRIMINATION.—A Federal agency or program, and any State or local government that receives Federal financial assistance under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act), may not subject any institutional or individual health care entity to discrimination, or require any health plan created or regulated under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act) to subject any institutional or individual health care entity to discrimination, on the basis that the health care entity refuses to— ‘‘(A) undergo training in the performance of induced abortions; ‘‘(B) require or provide such training; ‘‘(C) perform, participate in, provide coverage of, or pay for induced abortions; or ‘‘(D) provide referrals for such training or such abortions.
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term ‘health care entity’ includes an individual physician or other health care professional, a hospital, a provider-sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, or any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.

As noted by the VeracityStew blog:

Currently, all hospitals in the U.S. that receive funds from Medicare or Medicaid, are required under EMTALA, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, to perform emergency procedures on all patients, including emergency abortion procedures, regardless of their ability to pay. If the hospital is a religious-run hospital, like a Catholic hospital, and are opposed to abortion, they are still required to arrange transfer of the patient to a suitable hospital where the procedure can be performed.

HB 358 would exempt any hospital that opposes abortion from performing emergency procedures, and would also abolish the requirement of arranging transport to another hospital, leaving women completely helpless and without care.

In other words, left to die.

This is also pointed out in the House Report, 112-040

Subsection (a), paragraph (5) adjusts the current statutory language regarding preemption of state or federal laws to close loopholes. The state nonpreemption language currently contained in (c)(1) [redesignated at (e)(1) in the Protect Life Act] does not protect state conscience protection laws, and instead protects state laws requiring the provision of abortion and abortion funding. The Protect Life Act changes this language by removing protections for laws favoring abortion and instead ensures nonpreemption of State laws `protecting conscience rights, restricting or prohibiting abortion or coverage or funding of abortion, or establishing procedural requirements on abortion.' For the provision regarding Federal laws, a technical reference (`subject to subsection (g)') is added to ensure there is no conflict between this provision and the `Hyde-Weldon' conscience provision added in subsection (g).

Subsection (a), paragraph (6) inserts `Subject to subsection (g)' before the clause regarding emergency services including the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). There is not a conflict between the conscience clause and EMTALA because EMTALA references stabilizing the woman and her `unborn child.' The language clarifies that the general reference to `emergency services as required by State or Federal law' should not be construed to allow states to override conscience protections by labeling broad abortion mandates as `emergency service' requirements.

As I understand it, and I am neither a doctor not a lawyer, this means a doctor / hospital would be required to treat someone who had mowed down an entire Lamaze class of pregnant women, or a group of children, but would not be required to treat a woman who would die without an abortion. There's something very strange in that. (Yes, the does say "stabilize" but the bill takes out the requirement to refer the family to another facility or doctor who would do the procedure. In an emergency that kind of means she's likely to die.)

A Pennsylvania congressman introduced the bill and a number of other Pennsylvania congressmen co-sponsored it: Rep Critz, Mark, [PA- ]
Rep Kelly, Mike [PA-3]
Rep Marino, Tom [PA-10]
Rep Murphy, Tim [PA-18]
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19]
Rep Shuster, Bill [PA-9]
Rep Thompson, Glenn [PA-5]


The article in the Hill stated that all Republicans in the House and 11 Democrats voted for the bill. Something to remember come election time.

The entire text of the bill is available at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr358rh/pdf/BILLS-112hr358rh.pdf
You can find more information, a summary and voting records on the bill at www.thomas.gov (search for hr 358); this also links to the House Report.