News, Entertainment, Enlightenment
Women Veterans Honored In Delco — The public is invited to a flying of Women Veterans Casket Flags, 5 p.m., Sunday, May 21 at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial, 4599 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, Pa. 19073.
To be honored are Elizabeth McGrath of Broomall who served as a U.S. Navy radioman during World War II and Margaret Jane Lozinak Lawrence of Springfield who served a U.S. Army Nurse during the Korean War.
Vocals will be by Theresa Flanagan Murtagh.
Pennsylvania Corruption Has Accomplices In The Courts
By Lowman S. Henry
Pennsylvania has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to corruption among elected officials. In just the last few years both the elected state treasurer and attorney general have pled guilty or been convicted of crimes and forced to resign.
This is, unfortunately, nothing new. Entire books have been written detailing the sordid history of official corruption in state government. We even witnessed the spectacle of two former speakers of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives – one Democrat and one Republican – occupying the same prison at the same time.
Scandals ensnared a long list of powerful legislative leaders making household names of John Perzel, Bill DeWeese, Robert Mellow, Vincent Fumo and Mike Veon to name just a few. Not to be outdone, the judicial branch chipped in with two justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court being forced to resign in an e-mail scandal and another convicted of using public resources for campaigning.
To the degree there is any good news in all of this it has been that these wayward public officials have been caught, indicted, prosecuted, convicted and most sent off to prison. But the story has not stopped with prison sentences with some emerging from the jailhouse armed with lawyers seeking to regain their pensions, reduce or vacate fines, or even overturn their convictions.
Unfortunately the courts have become willing accomplices in allowing these convicted felons to escape parts of their punishment. Recently the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that former Speaker DeWeese, who has already served his prison time, will not be required to pay $116,000 in restitution. This based on the astounding theory that the commonwealth was not a “direct victim” in the case.
Keeping in mind that we the taxpayers are the commonwealth; that DeWeese’s actions in office resulted in the misuse of our money by having state workers illegally perform political work on government time; and that our tax dollars were used to investigate, prosecute, and confine DeWeese it is an appalling act of judicial jujitsu to claim we are not “direct victims,” because we have clearly suffered financial loss. That same court also left former Speaker John Perzel off the hook for $1 million in restitution ordered by the lower courts.
In another case, former Senate Democratic Leader Robert Mellow has petitioned the state to restore his state pension which was ordered forfeited upon his corruption conviction. Mellow is now arguing that he is entitled to a $20,000 per month pension payment from the state’s public employee pension fund. It might be some time before Mellow’s appeal is decided.
While the appellate courts have gone soft on punishing these criminals, the state legislature is moving aggressively to close the pension loophole. Current law only makes about a dozen offenses subject to pension forfeiture. As a result, many of the accused plead guilty to lesser offenses in order to preserve their pension benefits. The state House of Representatives this past week – in a rare show of bipartisan unity – voted nearly unanimously to make all felony convictions subject to pension forfeiture. Similar legislation is pending in the state Senate.
Given the recent sordid history of corruption in Pennsylvania’s judicial system it is outrageous to see our appellate courts weaken the penalties for those convicted of committing crimes in office. These recent rulings further erode the credibility of and confidence in our courts at the exact time the judiciary is still reeling from its own scandals.
Those convicted of abusing the public trust deserve not only prison time, but they should not benefit from lifelong public pensions after having committed crimes while in office. As well, taxpayers deserve to be compensated for our financial losses through the payment of restitution and prosecution costs.
Prosecutors and the lower courts have done their job in cleaning up the state of corruption that is Pennsylvania. It is a miscarriage of justice to see the appellate courts chip away at penalties that must justly be paid by those who have flagrantly violated the public trust.
What can you as a citizen and a voter do about this? Here in Pennsylvania we elect the judges and justices who serve on our statewide appellate courts. This November we will elect a Supreme Court Justice, four Superior Court Judges and two Commonwealth Court Judges. Make an effort to learn which candidates will hold those who violate the public trust accountable for their actions.
Mr. Henry is chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal
Who was E. Irvin Scott? He was the Swarthmore resident, who along with brother Clarence, was the first to sell toilet paper on a roll. The Scotts had a great company whose headquarters ended up near Philadelphia International Airport until it was destroyed by Albert J. Dunlap in 1995.
Seth Rich Story Ignored — Guess what story did not make the pages establishment media. That’s right, the revelation that murdered Democrat National Committee Voter Data Director Seth Rich was the Wikileaks source regarding dirty deeds by the Hillary Clinton campaign.
In other words, not the Russians.
What story is being pushed by the media minions of the deep state? That President Trump is going to be impeached because he warned Russia that laptop computers can be disguised as bombs to blow up airplanes. It almost deserves an LOL.
And if this is so vitally secret why did the Washington Post expose this? The Russians weren’t going to tell ISIS.
The deep state is a swamp filled with snakes. It must be drained.
William Durant last years — William Durant, the founder of General Motors, went bankrupt in the Great Depression. He spent his last years managing a bowling alley in Flint, Mich.
Royal Farms Glenolden Store Is A Hit
By Kate Rainey
Today, May 16, is the First Anniversary of the opening of Royal Farms on 145 N. MacDade Blvd, Glenolden.
The Wawa competitor was was founded in 1959 by Baltimore’s Cloverland Dairy. The company, owned by third generation Kemp family, started in 1918 delivering milk by horse and wagon to Maryland homes. Today it is known for their “World Famous Chicken” and has over 170 locations in the Mid-Atlantic.
Colin, a cashier who has been working at the store since March said nothing special was being done for the anniversary.
“The company is busy opening other stores,” he said.
There are 16 new stores listed on the website, along with four locations under construction, which includes their first to open in New Jersey.
The other Delaware County stores are on Stewart Avenue in Ridley Park just across from Boeing which opened in January 2015, and at 314 Market St., Aston, which opened in July.
Last week when I tried this store for the first time, I had a $5 coupon for their $13.99 eight piece chicken. Advertised as “always fresh, never frozen – lightly breaded and pressure cooked in trans fat free cooking oil,” it was moist, crisp and well seasoned. The only disappointment was there is MSG in it.
Upon arrival, the server behind the open kitchen announced they had to cook more chicken and there would be a 10 minute wait. Because I didn’t get my number, I missed that round and then had another 10 minute wait. When I went to check out, didn’t charge me due to the long wait. He also returned the coupon to be used again.
When I returned for my second visit, I found Ray who I met the first time.
He was having an egg white and cheese biscuit sandwich ($1.69), and has been a daily customer for the last four months.
“Part of the Royal Farms experience is coming in here to relax,” said Ray of Crum Lynne. “The Royal Farms Reserve coffee is really good.”
A retired professor, Ray, became a patron for the “cheap gas,” which is $2.42 for regular. This store, which is 5,100 square feet with high ceilings, has 16 fueling stations. The kitchen also serves hand cut fried western fries, hot and cold subs, wraps and other side dishes. There is a variety of fresh brewed coffee that is served 24 hours.
According to Colin, the coupons that went out in flyers earlier this month have brought in a lot of new customers. Because of the seating area, unique menu and positive interactions with employees, I would return for this fast food. It is a different adventure than WaWa, which had it’s first store built down the street in 1964.
Seth Rich Revelations With Comey Gone — Something interesting has happened with the draining of James Comey as FBI director, namely revelations that the feds knew that Seth Rich had been communicating with Wikileaks.
Rich was voter expansion data director for the Democrat National Committee. He was shot to death July 10 in the tony Washington D.C. neighborhood of Bloomingdale.
The murder remains unsolved.
Rich’s killing occurred just two weeks before the Democrat National Convention in Philadelphia and the release of emails showing that Democrat National Committee undermined the Bernie Sanders campaign in favor of Hillary Clinton.
A federal investigator says that 44,053 emails and 17,761 attachments between Democratic National Committee leaders, spanning from January 2015 through late May 2016, were transferred from Rich to Gavin MacFadyen, an American investigative reporter who was director of Wikileaks, before May 21.
He says the FBI has possession of those emails.
Now when are people going to start remembering John Ashe or don’t BLM?
MacFadyen died Oct. 22. He was 76 and had lung cancer.
Today, May 16, is Pennsylvania Primary Election 2017. To be chosen are the major party candidates for municipal and judicial offices. Turnout is usually very low.
One Pennsylvania Supreme Court seat is on the ballot. Republican Sallie Munday was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf last year to fill a seat on the nine-member board vacated by J. Michael Eakin and is seeking a full term. She is running unopposed in her primary. She will face in November Democrat Dwayne Woodruff, an Allegheny County Common Pleas court judge who is uncontested in his primary. Chief Justice Thomas Saylor (R) and Justice Debra Todd (D) will have retention votes in November, however.
For Pennsylvania Superior Court, there are four vacancies in which five candidates are running in each party. Superior Court is intermediate appellate court for most things.
The Republican candidates are: Emil Giordano, a Common Pleas Court judge in Northampton County; Wade Kagarise, a Common Pleas Court judge in Blair County; Mary Murray, a magisterial district court judge from southwestern Pennsylvania; Paula Patrick, a Court of Common Pleas judge in Philadelphia; and Craig Stedman, the Lancaster County district attorney.
The Democrats are: Bill Caye, an attorney in private practice; Debra Kunselman, administrative judge for the civil division of the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas; Maria McLaughlin, a family law judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; incumbent Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Moulton Jr.; and Carolyn Nichols, a Philadelphia Common Pleas judge.
For Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, there are two vacancies.Commonwealth Court is the intermediate appellate court where cases involving state agencies are heard along with some in which the Commonwealth is a party.
Republicans Christine Fizzano Cannon, a Delaware County Common Pleas Court judge in Delaware County and Paul Lally, a Pittsburgh lawyer are uncontested in their primaries.
Seeking the Democrat nominations are: incumbent Joseph Cosgrove, who was appointed last year and is seeking a full term; Bryan Barbin, a state representative from Cambria County; Timothy Barry, a lawyer from Allegheny County; Ellen Ceisler, a Court of Common Pleas judge in Philadelphia; Irene McLaughlin Clark, a lawyer from Pittsburgh; and Todd Eagan, an attorney from Scranton.
In Delaware County, District Attorney Jack Whelan is running for Common Pleas Court Judge. He is uncontested on the Republican side and has cross-filed as a Democrat where he will face Kelly Eckel. For County Council Republicans John J. Perfetti and Dave White, and Democrats Jennifer Leith and Brian Zidek are uncontested in their primaries. For Sheriff, Republican Mary Hopper and Democrat Jerry Sanders are uncontested in their primaries. For County Controller, Republican Robert Kane and Democrat Joanne Phillips are uncontested in their primaries. For Register of Wills, Republican Jen Maddaloni and Democrat Mary Walk are uncontested in their primaries.
In Springfield, Republicans Joseph Rago and Margaret Young are unopposed for auditor and tax collector respectively and there are no candidates in the Democrat primary. In the 4th Ward, Republican Paul Weschsler and Democrat Bonny Hodges are unopposed in their commissioner primaries. In the 2nd and 6th wards, Gina Sage and Bob Layden are unopposed in their commissioner primaries and there are no Democrat primary candidates. In the school board races, Dennis Dunn and incumbent Board President Jennifer Lofland are running in Region 2. Both candidates have cross-filed. The Springfield Republican Party treats school board races as non-partisan but one is upset at the proposed $130-million-plus plan for the new high school and lives in Region 2, well, Ms. Lofland is the incumbent.
Domenic Bentivegna is unopposed in Region 1; Jennifer Flynn is unopposed in Region 3; and Bruce Lord is unopposed in Region 8 albeit Lord, unlike, the others did not cross-file on the Democrat ballot so even a loosely-organized write-in campaign can conceivable give him opposition in November.
Yes Robert James, “robot” comes from the Old Church Slavonic word rabota for servitude. It was popularized in an English translation of a Czech by Karel Capek which described those used to do forced labor as robotniks.
Turzai Donors Include Stradley Ronon, Comcast — Mike Turzai, the speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, is rumored to be interested in taking on incumbent Gov. Tom Wolf next year.
Turzai, who represents the Allegheny County-based 28th District, has received $22,500 from Comcast, which is legendary for its political cronyism.
He also received $20,000 from everyone’s favorite puppet master Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young. When you have had the state attorney general and the state GOP chairman, the governor’s office is just icing on the cake.
He also got $10,000 from the Chester County Republican Committee. Why back a guy from Pittsburgh, Val, especially at this point in the race? One hand washes the other it seems.
Here is a list of Turzai’s donations.