William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 1-8-16

It was at Disney World where Richard Nixon  infamously declared “I’m not a crook”.

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 1-8-16

Barrar Backs Chesco Purge???

Barrar Backs Chesco Purge??? — Say it ain’t so, Steve. Barrar Backs Chesco Purge???

Friends of Steve Barrar is among the organizations kicking in to a group created to crush a Chester County conservative good-government movement.

The group ironically named Oxford Good Government Committee (OGG) was registered March 19 after Chesco GOP Area 19 Chairman Mark Plaugher lost his title the year before to East Nottingham Committeewoman Jane Ladley.

Plaugher is the treasurer of OGG, which is chaired by Michelle McLeod.

Well, OGG ran several candidates, including Ms. McLeod in East Nottingham, in last spring’s primary for municipal offices against candidates of the Area 19 committee and was generally successful.

No problem. That’s the American way.

The problem is the question as to why Barrar’s political campaign fund would back them as did that of Jack London, the presumptive GOP nominee for the 19th District State Senate seat now held by Andy Dinniman.

The Area 19 committee is controlled by people who became involved in politics after Obama revealed himself as a wannabee tyrant shortly after his election. They are concerned about the loss of economic and political freedom — think speech codes — and the spiraling debt, federal and state, being placed on the next generation.

These people are not professional politicians. None of them seek to to get rich from politics — committeeperson is an unpaid job — and they aren’t interested in sounding the trumpet before them or pushing people around. Like Shrek — and George Washington for that matter — they just want to do their job and go home.

London and Barrar, as he does every election, are going to come before these people this year pounding on the stump declaring Consitutionalism and conservatism and how much they need them to fight them big-spending, gun-grabbing, pro-abortion gubmint liberals.

Friends of Jack London gave $250 to OGG while Barrar’s group chipped in $150.

Who else gave? Well funds affiliated with former State Sen. Dominic Pileggi contributed at total of $1,000 but there is no surprise there.

Delco Future Leadership Fund which is chaired by Delaware County Council woman Colleen Morrone — why is Delaware County involved? — gave $500.

Committee for Excellence in Public Education, for which we unable to find a listing on Pa Voter Services, gave $500.

Of the $10,426 raised by OGG last year, $3,115 went to the political consulting firm Red Maverick Media, which, like State Street Strategies, is run by Ray Zaborney and his wife, Jennifer.

A whole lot of effort seems to be being made by those who get nice livings from government to chase away those who actually believe the stuff they were taught in school regarding citizenship.

Hey Jack, you ever read “To Build a Fire“? Unlike the tale’s protagonist, the group to which you have donated  might have succeeded.

And Jack, regarding any support you expect from the party bosses? Just beware.

Barrar Backs Chesco Purge???

 

 

Chesco Inquisition Postponed

Chesco Inquisition Postponed
Donna Ellingsen

Chesco Inquisition Postponed — Donna Ellingsen, one of the four Chester County Area 19 Republican committee people being called before a party inquisition with the intent to remove her from office, has announced that the inquisition that had been scheduled for Jan. 11 has been postponed.

When the new date is named we will let you know.

Chesco Inquisition Postponed.

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 1-7-16

Manayunk is the Lenape word for “place to drink.” So if one is looking for a bar in the Philadelphia area . . .

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 1-7-16

Montco Favorites Nominees Sought

Montco Favorites Nominees SoughtMontco Favorites Nominees Sought — Montco resident? Here’s a chance to nominate your favorite Montgomery County person, place, business or event at Montco Happening.

Nomination for the 3rd Annual Happening List® competition  opened on Jan. 4. The voting starts Jan. 15.

Information can be found here.

Montco Favorites Nominees Sought

Chesco Empire Strikes Back

Chesco Empire Strikes BackChesco Empire Strikes Back — The Chester County GOP Empire is striking back.

Marian McGrath, the East Bradford committee woman who chairs the Party’s Area 12 has sent out an email blast expressing hurt and outrage over recent stories publicizing the employment (and candidate contributions) of Republican Party boss spouses.

“The tone of these email/blog posts against our Chairman and his wife has compelled me to respond,” she says.

“It saddens me,” she says.

Don’t be sad. Val DiGiorgio isn’t sad. He’s happy. His wife is making $105,000.

Now granted the guy that gave her the job is  Josh Shapiro, the Dem bigwig who runs Montgomery County but a job is a job and $105 Gs is $105 Gs.

And Marian, that case back in 2011 where you had to remove a “moderate-leaning” committee person who violated bylaws? Were there four of them, one being an area chair? If you have that many people violating bylaws the problem is with the bylaws — or  the people interpreting them.

And what’s with  party bosses supporting an organization that primarys committee people? You have to admit that kind of raises eyebrows.

Here is Marian’s complete “unite together” (cough) apologetic.

Dear Friends of the GOP:
You may have received an email or read a blog post indicating that the Chester County Republican Committee is “trying to purge Conservatives.”  The tone of these email/blog posts against our Chairman and his wife has compelled me to respond.
The individuals sending these messages are under review by the Republican Committee of Chester County for allegedly violating RCCC bylaws in the November election by working against the candidates the Republican voters chose in the Primary Election. Multiple witnesses have accused these committee people of working against our Republican candidates in the General Election.
After the Republican voters choose their candidates in the Primary Election, it is imperative and required under our bylaws that our committee people support those candidates.  Working against these candidates is working against the will of the Republican electorate, and we cannot stand by and allow any committee person to oppose the will of our Republican voters.
As the bylaws require, we are in the process of scheduling a hearing and three republicans will hear testimony and determine if in fact a violation did occur. The accused have been provided with copies of the complaint letters and the materials provided by the complainants. Each side has the opportunity to state their case and present evidence. At this time, no decision has been made as to anyone’s guilt in this matter and that decision will be made only after a hearing and in accordance with our bylaws and precedent.
In 2011, while I was acting Chair of RCCC, a similar incident occurred in which a committee person, who was moderate-leaning, also violated the bylaws and was removed from committee through the same procedure. The allegations that the RCCC is purging conservatives could not be further from the truth. The bylaws state that action needs to be taken and if found not guilty, the individuals will remain on the committee.
It saddens me that at a time when our nation is facing real threats abroad and economic threats at home, these individuals would disparage the wives of our party leaders and our Chairman versus having an open and honest discussion about their actions.
As we head into 2016, we need to unite together in order to be successful.
Best regards,
Marian McGrath

Chesco Empire Strikes Back

Bob Asher Behind Chesco Purge?

Bob Asher Behind Chesco Purge? The Chester County GOP big bosses called in the candyman  when they needed some cash to try to crush the grassroots activists encroaching on their turf. Bob Asher Behind Chesco Purge?

The United Republicans of Chester County (URCC) which primaryed, mostly without success, several new committeepersons in 2014 received $5,000 — about half its income — from Pa Future Fund which is run by the  Bob Asher, owner of Asher’s Chocolates and convicted felon.

The other major donors were Bryan McElwee of Valley Forge and Richard Ireland of King of Prussia who gave $2,500 each.

The URCC was chaired by Alex Rahn and its treasurer was Bradley Vasoli. It was terminated on Jan. 15, 2015.

And where were these Chester County “Republicans” working from? According to the campaign finance report it was 241 S. 6th St., Apt. 405 Philadelphia.

Go figure.

And then go figure why the GOP’s state-wide big money guys are trying to chase away their most motivated activists.

Bob Asher Behind Chesco Purge?

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 1-6-16

William of Newburgh and zombies
If I see a walking dead I’ll bite its foot.

William of Newburgh was one of the most esteemed and learned men of the Middle Ages.

While his reputation is based on his histories, he delved into other matters.

Like zombies.

“It would not be easy to believe that the corpses of the dead should sally (I know not by what agency) from their graves,” he wrote. “And should wander about to the terror or destruction of the living, and again return to the tomb, which of its own accord spontaneously opened to receive them, did not frequent examples, occurring in our own times, suffice to establish this fact, to the truth of which there is abundant testimony.”

And the poor people back then didn’t even have shotguns to shoot them in the head.

William of Newburgh William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 1-6-16

Funeral Bill Called Conflict For Tomlinson

Funeral Bill Called Conflict For TomlinsonFuneral Bill Called Conflict For Tomlinson

By Leo Knepper

In Harrisburg, most people know Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson as a state senator from Bucks County, serving his fifth four-year term representing the 6th District. A career politician, he also represented the people of the 18th House District from 1991-94.

But most people back home in his district know him primarily for his other career – as a full-time funeral director and owner of Tomlinson Funeral Home in Bensalem, which was opened by his father in 1945.

These two careers shouldn’t interfere with each other, but Sen. Tomlinson’s role as chairman of the Senate of Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee is putting his two jobs in conflict, raising profound ethical questions that should concern Pennsylvania taxpayers.

Despite no documented consumer complaints, his committee and the Senate have approved SB 874, pushed by Sen. Tomlinson and his fellow funeral directors to stop legitimate competition with cemeteries in the area of pre-need sales. The name of the committee is ironic since the legislation would create less competition and higher prices for families burying loved ones.

While he isn’t the prime sponsor of SB 874, Capitol insiders refer to it as “Tommy’s bill.” Many are rightly calling this bill a product of a “turf war” between southeastern Pennsylvania funeral homes and a company called StoneMor.

Here’s a brief primer on pre-need sales and the incarnation of SB 874: In May 2014, StoneMor entered into a lease to operate eight of the diocesan cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and a management agreement for the remaining five diocesan cemeteries in the Philadelphia area. Before StoneMor assuming operational responsibility of the cemeteries, the archdiocese didn’t offer customers the option of purchasing vaults and caskets directly from the cemetery. As a result, those products were purchased only from funeral directors, with no competition from cemeteries. When StoneMor entered the market, it started selling cemetery merchandise in competition with the funeral directors.

Senate Bill 874 would force cemeteries to adhere to the 1982 Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, even though the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has refused to include cemeteries due to a lack of consumer complaints. The FTC reviewed this legislation and concluded Senate Bill 874 could result in potentially higher prices and less consumer choice, without producing any benefits for consumers.

Last legislative session, a similar House bill received a hearing by the House Consumer Affairs Committee.  Shockingly, Sen. Tomlinson, a funeral home owner whose business would benefit greatly by the legislation’s passage, was permitted to participate in the panel during the hearing and ask questions. The transcript of the hearing reads like an attack on StoneMor by Sen. Tomlinson and Rep. Micozzie.
At one point, former Pennsylvania Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association President Guy Saxton testified: “I know you don’t like StoneMor, but I’m not StoneMor. And this bill puts me out of business. And everything I’ve heard today tells me that this bill is not in good faith. It’s not trying to help the consumer, it’s attempting to put StoneMor out of business, and we’re collateral damage.”

Why should Pennsylvania taxpayers care?

Taxpayers from Bensalem to Bethlehem to Butler should worry when a powerful, five-term senator is using the legislative process to protect his family business by eliminating the competition.
The state Senate must answer serious ethical questions on how Sen. Tomlinson is allowed to chair a committee that directly impacts his industry. Further scrutiny is required to understand how Sen. Tomlinson was permitted to vote on the Senate floor for this legislation.

If Sen. Tomlinson were interested in what’s best for consumers, he would reduce the regulatory burden for funeral homes. There is a disparity between how funeral homes and cemeteries are treated under the law. Cemeteries have few restrictions on who can sell preneed products and how the funds from preneed sales are allocated. Pennsylvania government has created an environment that increases costs for consumers. Instead of working to make it easier for funeral home operators and thereby reduce the cost for consumers, Thomlinson is advocating for policies that will increase funeral costs for consumers and hurt his competition.

SB 874 is an excellent example of crony capitalism and a perfect illustration of how government increases the cost of living, or in this case dying, in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Knepper is executive director of Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania.

Funeral Bill Called Conflict For Tomlinson

William Lawrence Sr. Omnibit 1-5-16

Edward Franklin Albee III, the favored playwright of 1960s academics, was the adopted grandson of Edward Franklin Albee II. Albee II ran vaudeville theaters.

William Lawrence Sr. Omnibit 1-5-16