End The Home Tax Rally Is May 7

The Capitol Rally for Property Tax Independence will take place 10 a.m. to noon, May 7 in the Main Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.

The supporters are calling for a plant to replace Pennsylvania’s school property tax system.

Count me in. It’s time to stop renting our homes from the government.

Hat tip State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

Why Sam Rohrer Should Be The Nominee

By Fran Coppock

Sam Rohrer should be the Republican choice to run against incumbent Senator Bob Casey.  Besides having a proving record of supporting the Constitution, he is the only one of the three front-runners who is actually a life-long Republican.

He is also the only one of the five on the primary ballot who is an experienced statesman. Look up his voting record and see how he has voted in his 18 years in the Pennsylvania House. When you hire someone you want experience and honesty. He has both.

 Something else to remember: one of the former Democrats running against him helped finance Joe Sestak in order to get our own Curt Weldon out of Congress. This is the one our Delaware CountyRepublican Party is endorsing. His name is Steve Welch. Don’t be fooled.

 When you go to the polls on April 24 be educated before you vote. We  need someone who is a fiscal conservative in these hard times. We would have that with Sam Rohrer. Look at his voting check list on www.rohrerforsenate.org

Mrs. Coppock is a resident of Thornbury Township in Delaware County

Nobody Trusts a Republican Who Switches to the Democratic Party

By Chris Freind

It’s the bottom of the ninth, you’re down a run, two outs and a man on second. Should he try to steal? Hell no. A single probably scores you, and getting thrown out ends the game. Simply stated, the risk outweighs the reward. But if, for whatever reason, the decision to steal is made, there’s only one rule: You damn well better make it. Fail, and you’re toast with the fans, the media and your teammates.

For the political equivalent, look no further than Governor Tom Corbett’s bewildering decision in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

For a year, there were those who questioned whether Pennsylvania even had a governor. Then Corbett stormed out of nowhere to endorse young businessman Steve Welch, strong-arming the Republican Party to do the same. But despite this pressure, and the fact that the Governor personally recorded the vote of every State Committee member during the public proceeding the endorsement vote was still close. Why?

Maybe it had something to do with Corbett asking loyal Republicans to do the unthinkable: back a candidate who voted for Barack Obama. No, that’s not a misprint, and yes, that bears repeating: Welch voted for Mr. Hope and Change himself. But there’s more. He also contributed to Joe Sestak, and hosted an event for the man who was arguably the most liberal member of Congress.

Here’s the kicker: Despite Corbett’s support, Welch is running third and even fourth in some tracking polls (in a five-man race), and his fundraising is nowhere near what you’d expect from the anointed favorite of the Governor.

Many rank-and-file in the GOP are still scratching their heads as to why Corbett would back a flawed candidate who, should he win the primary, faces a huge uphill battle against incumbent Bob Casey. Given the circumstances, a Welch candidacy in the general election would be a gift from God to the Democrats. Consider:

The President’s approval rating remains dangerously low; gas prices are soaring; Obamacare is hugely unpopular; and the economy is not recovering to the satisfaction of many. These are big negatives that may prove decisive in races around the nation, and could become a backlash against the entire Democratic ticket through “guilt by association.” So in a year that the normally unbeatable Casey has become very mortal, many in the GOP simply aren’t buying the Corbett line that Welch is the best candidate.

And for good reason. Because of Welch’s support of Obama, any attack against Casey can be easily rebutted.

“Bob Casey, you supported the President’s agenda,” would be countered by, “Yes, Steve Welch, and by voting for Obama, so did you. Glad we agree. What’s your point?”

It doesn’t help that Welch’s story keeps changing. He claims he left the Republican Party because George Bush and the GOP Congress weren’t doing enough to advance the conservative agenda. Fine. Many felt the same way. That’s why God made the Independent, Reform and Constitutional parties. But it’s mindboggling that any conservative would leave the GOP for the ultra-liberal Democratic Party.

Welch then claimed he voted for Obama to stop “Hillary-care,” which also makes no sense since Obamacare is a far more aggressive government health care system. So which was it? Hillary-care or dissatisfaction with the Republicans? And his claim that he was duped into believing Sestak was a fiscal conservative is laughable. Perhaps more than any politician in the nation, Sestak has proudly been true to his core beliefs—all of them staunchly liberal.

To save the Pennsylvania Republican Party from national embarrassment, rank-and-file Republicans would be wise to hang the Steve Welch/Barack Obama/Joe Sestak debacle right where it belongs—as an albatross around Tom Corbett’s neck. He owns it, and he alone should bear the consequences of what most likely will be a colossal failure.

Ironically, Corbett has placed himself in a catch-22. He made his endorsement, misguided as it is, and with his image and credibility at stake, his candidate better “make it.”

If Welch loses—and worse, comes in third—Corbett takes a hit. And yet, if Welch wins, he almost certainly loses to Casey in November, a defeat many will lay at the Guv’s feet for backing a candidate who was doomed from the start.

But here would be the biggest irony of all. Due to the Governor’s own ineptitude, a stronger Bob Casey emerges victorious in November, then takes on and defeats Corbett in two years. And since no Casey has ever lost a general election in Pennsylvania history, that’s a real possibility.

Talk about the chickens coming home to roost.

Ex-O’Hara Teacher Faces Trespass Charge

By Pattie Price

Former Cardinal O’Hara High School teacher Walter Lion, 61, of Chadds Ford waived a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Dave Lang on two counts each of defiant trespass and disorderly conduct. The charges stem from an incident 11:48a.m., Feb. 24, when he entered the school building at 1701 S. Sproul Road, Marple, Pa.

According to the affidavit, Marple Detective Larry Gerrity said Delaware County CID and Marple Police investigated a report in March 2008 that a school computer had images of underage people engaging in sexual activities. The computer was linked to Lion and he was terminated and told he was not allowed to return to the school property.

Gerrity said the school’s disciplinarian saw Lion in a classroom speaking to a teacher on Feb. 24. Lion said he was at the school to inquire about a teacher who was on medical leave. The disciplinarian escorted Lion from the building and told him never to return. Lion walked toward the parking lot.

A few minutes later, the disciplinarian saw Lion in the school gymnasium with his pants zipper down. When Lion saw her, he turned and ran.

The school administration called police and locked down the building. Marple Police were assisted in searching the building by numerous officers from other jurisdictions for more than two hours. The search was called off when Pennsylvania State Police located Lion at his Chadds Ford residence.

Lion was released and is scheduled for a May 10 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * * 

Joseph Hallinan, 19, of Marple, waived a hearing on the charges of a minor driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia. In exchange for the waiver the charges of restrictions on alcoholic beverages, driving without headlights on, driving while his license was suspended, and underage drinking were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 11:48p.m., Feb. 18, at Sproul and Cedar Grove roads.

According to the affidavit, Marple Officer Kate Connolly stopped a black Chevy Blazer when she saw it stopped at a red-light, without its lights on.

The driver, Hallinan had an odor of alcohol and a portable breath test revealed the presence of alcohol. He was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test.

Several cans of beer and two smoking pipes were confiscated from the vehicle.

Hallinan was released and is scheduled for a May 10 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * * 

Cara DeVito, 23, of Marple waived a hearing on the charges of DUI and careless driving stemming from an accident 9:29p.m., Jan. 17, at Cedar Grove Road and Kingswood Lane.

According to the affidavit, Marple Officer Nick Coffin responded to a report of an accident and located an overturned car. The driver, identified as Ms. DeVito was located inside a nearby home using the bathroom.

Ms. DeVito told police she lost control of her car when she swerved to avoid a tree and the vehicle rolled over.

Ms. DeVito had an odor of alcohol, was not sure where she was, and didn’t know where she was coming from. A portable breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .157. She was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test.

Ms. DeVito was released and is scheduled for a May 10 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

Jootz Open House

Jootz is having an open house April 21-22, April 25 and April 28-29 at 14 Windsor Circle, Springfield Pa. 19064

Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekends and 6-9 p.m., on April 25 which is a Wednesday.
Jootz — run by artist Springfield artist Judy McGrane —  makes hand-crafted, custom designed artwork.
For information call 484-472-7305 or email mcgranj@comcast.net

Pileggi, Howard To Debate April 19

State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and Rogers Howard, the taxpayer representative seeking to replace him as the Republican nominee for the 9th District seat, will square off in  a debate, 7 p.m., April 19 at the Crosslands Retirement Community, 1660 East Street Road, Kennett Square, Pa. 19348

It will be hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Pileggi is in a surprising tough battle with Howard who has tapped into to anger about cronyism and government waste, and how the Republican majority installed in 2010 has neglected to make the reforms it claimed it would.

Strange Fact Of The Day

Unitarianism started in Transylvania.

Back in 1568. Really. One grants that this is a tough one to accept.
In the United States, it was strongly promoted by the chemist Joseph Priestley who moved to Northumberland County, Pa. in 1794 after a mob burned down his house in London.
Priestley was famous in his day for having invented soda water.

Honor Flight Philly First Solo Mission Lands

Honor Flight Philly First Solo Mission LandsHonor Flight Philly First Solo Mission Lands — Honor Flight Philadelphia’s first solo trip ended with a rousing reception at Anthony’s Restaurant, 4990 State Road in Drexel Hill from their day in Washington D. C., April 14.

Greeting the three busloads of World War II veterans and their guardians were The Greater Overbrook String Band; Philadelphia Flyers Ice Girls; Swoop, who is the Philadelphia Eagles mascot; an arch made by fire company ladder trucks; honor guards from at least two different units; the Manhatten Dolls singers; and Congressman Pat Meehan.

There was hardly a dry eye among the veterans as they walked or were wheeled down a red carpet past a throng of flag wavers.

“It was a memorable day for me, said Myer Kurgan, a 95-year-old Army veteran from Delaware Valley  Veterans Home in Philadelphia. “It was very thoughtful.”

Kurgan served 38 months in Europe during the war.

“I started to feel good again,” said William Wilson, also of Delaware Valley Veterans Home. “I wouldn’t give it up.”

Wilson,87, was a Marine Aviation gunner who served in the South Pacific.  “We did a lot of damage,” he said.

Honor Flight is a national non-profit organization founded in 2005 to give aging or terminally ill veterans a day of honor in Washington D.C.

 There is no cost to the veterans. 

The Philadelphia hub was started by Springfield resident Andrew  Schiavello, who last June had seen a feature about the national group on Fox News  that piqued his interest.

“I  called (Honor Flight) about it,” he said. “There wasn’t a hub in Pennsylvania and they had been trying for six years.”

He decided to start a Philadelphia hub.

“How can a city this big not have a hub when little towns across the country have them,” he said.

The national group sent him the paper work along with directions as to how to start things. He got an accountant to help him set up a 501C3 tax empt organization and he created a board of directors.

With all the T’s crossed,  Honor Flight sent him the applications on file for the Philadelphia area — which had a 100 mile radius and included South Jersey, the Poconos, and Delaware.

There had been a waiting list of 130 persons some of whom had been on it since 2008. Only a handful were still interested in participating. Thirty had died. The health of others had declined. The average age of World War II veterans is 87.

Schiavello and his fellow board members Cathy Domizo of Newtown Square, Marie Martinelli of Havertown, Tracy Hagan of New Jersey, Laura Bennditt of Philadelphia, and Andrew’s wife, Angela,  began seeking new applicants. VFW and American Legion posts were contacted and message was spread through word of mouth.

They were “living Honor Flight”, Schiavello says.

“Any time I saw an older gentleman, I asked him (if he was a World War II veteran)” he says.

The group got a chance for a practice run last November when the History Channel asked them to organize a trip to Vietnam veterans for a Veterans Day event. Normally, Honor Flight assigns places on the basis of age, which in the case of the Philadelphia region means World War II,  or on whether the veteran is terminally ill. The special trip was a boon to the group, however, as the cable channel supplied the funding which the new group desperately needed. Each trip costs about $250 per veteran.

Due to the age of the veterans Honor Flight discourages trips from December through March when icy walkways are a concern.

So this meant Philadelphia’s first solo fight was going to be in April. The recruiting continued.

Linda Frangipane of  Vitas, a national veterans care group, joined the organization. She signed up 25 vets and provided 50 wheel chairs. Bill Lawrence of Springfield was tasked with publicity. All are volunteers.

When the day came 74 veterans and 72 guardians boarded the bus.

Schiavello, 52, who is the owner of Cappuccino Connection, a wholesale coffee supply house, said fundraising may be the hardest and most unrecognized part of making the trips works.

He said the assistance provided by local businesses was invaluable. He cited  Swiss Farms Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews, Herr’s, Wawa, the Pilgrim Gardens McDonald’s, and Anthony’s Restaurant as being especially helpful.  He also expressed gratitude for the contributions by the Philadelphia Phllies; the Philadelphia Eagles; the Philadelphia Flyers’; bugler Al Harper; The General Smedley D. Butler Marine Corps League Detachment; American Legion Post 667; the Pennsylvania State Police which provided an escort for the veterans departure;  Warriors’  Watch Riders which provided an escort for the veterans arrival; and the Broomall and Garrettford-Drexel Hill fire companies.

Also making a significant contribution were members of Local 752 IATSE Ticketsellers. Ann Hagen helped check in veterans in at 5:30  the morning of the trip, and Carol Clowry  and Mike Lutz were guardians. Board member Tracy Hagen, who is also a member of the union, went along as a guardian as well.

Those wishing to make a donation, and donations are very much needed, can do so either through PayPal or by credit card from the website .

For information about getting involved with Honor Flight Philadelphia, or about where to mail a check call 610-662-1812 or email andrew@honorflightphiladelphia.org

Honor Flight Philly First Solo Mission Lands

Rusty Carter Welcome Home

 Rusty Carter Welcome HomeRussell (Rusty) L. Carter was welcomed home this afternoon, April 14, with a police escort that included cars from just about every jurisdiction in Delaware County, fire engines, Mummers, dozens of motorcyclists from Warriors’ Watch Riders and a crowd of hundreds that lined his small block on Orchard Road between Leamy and Woodland avenues in Springfield Pa.

The procession proceeded through an arch made from ladder trucks from the Springfield and Clifton Heights volunteer fire companies from which hung an enormous American flag.

Rusty served as a member of the 101st Airborne Division and was deployed to Afghanistan. In July 2010, he came under hostile fire and suffered a concussion. A month after being treated from his wounds he returned to his unit.

On Jan. 2, 2011 while returning from a night mission, Rusty was in the turret of his Humvee that experienced mechanical problems and went over the side of an unprotected bridge, crashing into a ravine and coming to rest in the river bed 50 feet below. While the five other soldiers on board sustained recoverable injuries, Rusty suffered several broken bones, severe lacerations to his face and skull and a complete C 4 separation of the spine.

Rusty has lost all motor function; he is paralyzed from the chest down and has no feeling from the elbows down. He also suffers from minor traumatic brain injury. The prognosis is that he is permanently disabled, will never walk again and no longer has use of his hands.

The event was organized by Warriors’ Watch Riders, an organization of motorcyclists dedicated to honoring those who served pictured below turning onto Orchard Road from Leamy Avenue.

 Rusty Carter Welcome Home

Wounded Springfield Vet To Get Big Welcome Home Today

Orchard Road in Springfield Pa. will be closed at about 12:30 p.m., today, April 14, for a big welcome home for Army Specialist  Russell (Rusty) L. Carter to his home on the street.

Rusty served as a member of the 101st Airborne Division and was deployed to Afghanistan In July of 2010. He came under hostile fire and ultimately suffering a concussion. A month after being treated from his wounds he returned to his unit. On Jan. 2, 2011 while returning from a night mission, Rusty was in the turret of his Humvee when, after experiencing mechanical problems, it went over the side of an unprotected bridge, crashing into a ravine and coming to rest in the river bed 50 feet below. While the five other soldiers on board sustained recoverable injuries, Rusty suffered several broken bones, severe lacerations to his face and skull and a complete C 4 separation of the spine.

While he has undergone spinal and neck surgeries, he is paralyzed from the elbows down. 

Rusty will be escorted home by Springfield Police and The Warriors Watch Riders, along with members of the community.

Please join Jerry in welcoming home a severely injured young soldier from Springfield, PA  (See the above link regarding our hero, Army Specialist Russell Carter).

The escort is expected to arrive at 1 p.m.

God Bless Our Troops, God Bless America and God Bless Rusty Carter.

Hat tip Cathy Craddock.

Aslo today, at 6:30 p.m., the World War II vets participating in the Inaugural Trip of Honor Flight Philadelphia will be returning to  Anthony’s Restaurant, 4990 State Road in Drexel Hill from their day in Washington D. C.

The  public is encouraged to greet them.

Honor Flight is a national non-profit organization founded in 2005 to give aging or terminally ill veterans a day of honor in Washington D.C. 

There is no cost to the veterans. Thousands of them have participated in the last six years.

The Philadelphia hub was started and is managed by Springfield resident Andrew Schiavello.