Galloway wins in the 140th district, defeats Jane Burger

State Representative 140th District

By: Christian Menno
Bucks County Courier Times
1 seat n 2 years

The district includes Bristol, Morrisville, Tullytown, Falls, two districts in Bristol Township and one district in Middletown.

Republican Jane Burger 6,413

Democrat John Galloway (I) 10,954

Vote totals don't include absentee ballots, which haven't been counted yet.

State Rep. John Galloway has won a third term, defeating Republican candidate Jane Burger for the 140th Assembly seat Tuesday.

"I am humbled and honored that the voters in my district once again elected me to represent them in Harrisburg," said Galloway, a Democrat. "I ran on my record of achievement with a positive, issues-oriented campaign and I was proud of that. I look forward to addressing the many challenges ahead of me."

His opponent, Republican Jane Burger, said she was proud of her numbers even though more than 63 percent of voters - not including those casting absentee ballots - supported Galloway.

"It was an uphill battle in a heavy Democratic district," Burger said Tuesday. "We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I am happy with the support that I received. It shows that the voters are beginning to look at the candidates and not just voting along party lines. Voters will be watching to make sure that Galloway works for the people and not for special interest groups. He worked for his re-election, and I wish him well."

Galloway now will have a chance to show his effectiveness as a legislator without the benefit of per diems - the daily expense allowance lawmakers are entitled to without producing receipts. Galloway, 50, said he has sworn off per diems after last year, when he took home one of the highest totals in the House.

He went to Harrisburg in 2006 as a legislator who ran on a reform platform. He became the only state representative to introduce legislation seeking a referendum calling for a constitutional convention.

"I want to shift from a local property tax to a state tax," he added Tuesday after the election. "That could either be an income tax or a sales tax that will change the way we fund our schools. And I want a constitutional convention to do it."

- Christian Menno

Gloria del Vecchio puts down Morrisville again

Thanks, to Jon for posting in the potpourri section about Gloria del Vecchio's piece in the BCCT. Once again she puts Morrisville down. As you may remember she put out a piece back in March 09 putting down the band and saying that it sounded like a "second or third grade music ensemble". We have attached a link to the old blog which thankfully has her letter. She has also put out a piece saying that the state should come in and take over the school district. She is quoted in her piece "I think the state should step in here-possibly taking over the district-because these kids are really going to go
nowhere in life"
The link to the full letter is here.
Her opinion piece in today's paper is kind of strange to understand. She complains that the council in Morrisville sit up high on their dais. Didn't the very politician she is endorsing sit up on that same council for many many years? Gloria is very very out of touch with a lot of the good things happening in Morrisville. Take what she says with a grain of salt.

Her piece from today's paper can be found here.

Burger to run for state seat

This was posted yesterday in the potpourri section but it certanily deserves it's own post.

From the BCCT:
Burger to run for state seat
By: CHRISTIAN MENNO
Bucks County Courier Times
The former Morrisville councilwoman will challenge state Rep. John Galloway.

Former longtime Morrisville councilwoman Jane Burger announced Monday that she's seeking the Republican nomination for state representative.

Burger, 64, will run as a Republican in the May 18 primary election for the 140th Assembly District seat held by Democratic state Rep. John Galloway.

"Government needs checks and balances," Burger said. "Harrisburg must operate more efficiently to control spending. Our legislators must work together to address the major issues facing Pennsylvania."

After failing to retain her seat on council last year, Burger said residents began pushing her to run for state office.

"Several people told me they could use my voice in Harrisburg to represent this district," she said. "I've never run for a state position before and never thought I would - but I never thought I'd have 17 years on (Morrisville) council either, so anything is possible."

Advertisement Burger was appointed to the borough council in 1992 and served as president for six years. She lost her seat by just 20 votes in November to Democrat Fred Kerner.

"Now I have this opportunity and I welcome the chance to run for this seat and serve this river district to take the local voice to Harrisburg," she added. "Galloway is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket and I just think people need a choice and I am here to give them that."

Galloway said Monday that he's open to the competition.

"We live in a democracy and the great thing about democracy is it does provide us with choices," he said. "I look forward to exchanging ideas."

Burger, a Morrisville resident, recently retired from her job as a social work administrator with the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

The 140th District includes Bristol Borough, Tullytown, Falls, two districts in Bristol Township and one in Middletown.

March 02, 2010 02:11 AM

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ja, 03-02-10, 10:43 am Rate: -1 Report

How can someone who cant win a Council seat in their own town win a larger seat that encompasses a tiny bit of their town as well as a few surrounding towns that dont even know who she is.
Take a bit of advise Mrs. Burger, give up already.


Tiospaye4, 03-02-10, 11:22 am Rate: 0 Report

Are there really republicans in Morrisville? Is this an early April fools editorial?


False Profit, 03-02-10, 11:50 am Rate: -1 Report

"Government needs checks and balances", says Burger, who just retired from a government job - in New Jersey. Hmmmmmm.

Bristol Borough, Tullytown, Falls, Bristol Township, Middletown residents of the the 140th district:

Beware of the Tea Bag hat - Morrisville 3rd Ward residents didn't re-elect Burger for a reason. A majority of people eventually get tired of stale career politicians with power and control issues who haven't delivered enough tangible benefits, progress, or economic revitalization.


Cellphone, 03-02-10, 4:08 pm Rate: 0 Report

Galloway or Burger - Wow, what a choice!
Any Libertarian candidate? Or Socialist Workers? Green Party?


Mary in PA, 03-02-10, 6:08 pm Rate: 0 Report

hh

We have a new mayor.....

Ledger sworn in as Morrisville mayor.
By: DANNY ADLER
Bucks County Courier Times
More than two dozen supporters crammed into a Morrisville courtroom to witness the "historic" swearing-in ceremony.

Morrisville Councilwoman Rita Ledger on Sunday was sworn in as Mayor Rita Ledger, the first woman to have that title in the borough's history.

Inside District Judge Michael Burns' Morrisville courtroom, Ledger, a Democrat, was joined by more than two dozen supporters, friends and family members for a swearing-in ceremony Sunday night. But according to a provision in the Pennsylvania Borough Code, she actually becomes mayor today - the first Monday of the new year.

With her 25-year-old son Mark Ledger standing by her side, the former councilwoman placed her left hand on the Bible her son was holding and raised her right hand in the air while she said her oath of office.

"I look forward to serving the borough of Morrisville as the first woman mayor," Ledger told her supporters. "I realize I am a marked woman because I am the first woman mayor."

Ledger then reiterated her priorities, saying she wants to see redevelopment in the borough's downtown business district along Bridge Street and to "move Morrisville into the 21st century" by utilizing alternative energy sources and using more energy efficient vehicles.


Jane Burger, a Republican whose 17 years on council came to an end last week, called Sunday a "historic moment."

"This just shows the support that this community has for Rita Ledger, our mayor," she said.

After all, Ledger lost her party's nomination in the primary election in May to fellow Democrat Patricia A. Schell. But with dozens of write-in votes by Republican voters, Ledger appeared on the November ballot under the GOP ticket.

Ledger then bested Schell by more than 200 votes and will replace Thomas Wisnosky as mayor. Wisnosky served as mayor for eight years but didn't seek re-election last year.

Ledger served as a Ward 1 councilwoman for four years. Before that, she sat on the Morrisville Zoning Hearing Board. Like other Pennsylvania boroughs, Morrisville has a weak mayor's office. Among its duties, the mayor supervises the police department and can also administer oaths and affirmations, declare states of emergency, break tied votes among borough council and veto council legislation.

Possible board vacancies

For some time now there has been speculation that there may be a few openings/vacancies on the school board. Vacancy #1 would be created when Brenda Worob steps aside due to her illness. Vacancy #2 would be created if Mr. Radosti steps aside, not sure how much traction this has, but it has been speculated it could happen for the better part of the year.

Either one of these openings creates an interesting problem/opportunity for the board. It would be against all things right and just if the recently defeated 4th ward councilman was to slide into either spot. Because of his past he would be a huge liability to the taxpayers and to the school district if he were to be appointed to the board. Other names mentioned for possible openings on the board are Ed Bailey, and Jane Burger.

The board has an opportunity to "mend some fences" if any spots should open up on the board. If they choose another buddy of theirs, like they did when Mr. Buckman was appointed, it sets up a long two years before the next election. Let's hope they make the most out of this opprotunity, and have a fair and open process in selecting possible new board members.

Stay on trackers select Ed Bailey for council

It's official, they did the unthinkable, stay on trackers Worob,Ledger,Burger, and Dreisbach voted to put Ed Bailey on the Boro Council. Luckily this is only till the first Monday in January when the winner of the election will take over. This charade was actually on the local TV channel apparently as a live broadcast. Comcast CH 22. and Verizon CH 38. Rita Ledger made a buffoon out of herself, and when asked if she felt someone was disenfranchised by the selection process, she said yes, even though her "guy" got the spot.
Fom the bcct:
Bailey selected for council
By: DANNY ADLER
Bucks County Courier Times
A Republican council candidate was appointed to Morrisville Council on Monday to fill the unexpired term of Democrat Edward Albertson, who resigned from council last month because he moved out of the borough.

Ed Bailey, who is running against Democrat Rhonda Davis in next month's election, was appointed by council in a 4-3 vote by council members Rita Ledger, Jane Burger, Stephen Worob and Eileen Dreisbach.

Council members Nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta and David Rivella voted for Morrisville Environmental Advisory Council member Deborah Colgan, who is not running for election this year.

Davis was the third nominee for the seat, but she did not get any votes Monday.

Quickly before an executive session at the end of the meeting, Rivella told the newspaper that he, Sherlock and Panzitta voted for Colgan because she was not running in this year's election, and that Colgan had said she would hold the seat until Nov. 4, then yield to whoever won the race between Bailey and Davis.

Solicitor James Downey told the council that if Colgan had won and stepped down on Nov. 4, officials would have to go through the whole process of filling the vacancy within 30 days again.

Bailey was sworn in and took his seat at the dais after the 4-3 vote. He will fill out Albertson's 3rd Ward council term, which expires at the end of this year.

Albertson was the second councilman to resign from that seat in a year. He was appointed by council to fill the seat of Republican George Bolos, who vacated the post in September 2008 because he also moved out of the borough.

Who will fill the 3rd Ward seat?

Three considered for temporary council appointment in Morrisville's Third Ward
Published: Wednesday, October 14, 2009



By Petra Chesner Schlatter; BucksLocalNews.com
Three people are being considered by Morrisville Borough Council members to fill the vacancy created by Ed Albertson's resignation from council.Albertson, who moved out of the borough, had been appointed to represent the Third Ward in the northern part of the borough when George Bolis resigned. Now, council must replace the council member in the ward for the second timeTwo of the three candidates are running for election in November - Ed Bailey (R) and Rhonda Davis (D). The third person being considered for the temporary appointment is Deborah Colgan (D).A decision is scheduled for Oct. 19 about who will replace Albertson until the term expires on December 3. The three candidates stated their case at the Oct. 13 council meeting.

ED BAILEY
Bailey said he started getting involved in the community when he joined the Morrisville Library Board.But Bailey said when he really delved into the community, was when he got involved in the "Stop the School" campaign. He was asked by now-school board member Robin Reithmeyer to survey residents about whether a multi-million-dollar consolidated school should be built.Bailey said he found that 88 percent of those questioned were opposed to the controversial proposed school, while only 12 percent favored it."Local government has to stay in step with what the public wants," he said. "That motivated me to stay involved in that issue...I feel a sense of responsibility to stay involved.”

DEBBIE COLGAN
Saying she was making a statement by applying for the council seat, Colgan, a member of the Environmental Advisory Council, said "Third Ward voters should be the ones who chose" who will represent them.Council, Colgan noted, is "legally obligated" to fill Albertson's spot within 30 days of his resignation. She said if she were picked by council, she would resign after the term expires in December."We know who you support," she told council members. "I ask each of you to allow the process of Democracy" to take its course... "You have the opportunity to pick an unbiased choice."Council member Jane Burger noted that Colgan is treasurer of the Democratic Party and that she is "working with one of the candidates."Colgan asserted that council's decision on an applicant would have an effect on the outcome of the election in the Third Ward.

RHONDA DAVIS
Growing up in a small town has meaning for Davis and she said she likes Morrisville because it is a small town. "Morrisville has some neat things going on,” she said. “I wanted to work with people my age...to make the community better. I just want to be more active in the community."Council member Dave Rivella asked how she sees herself fitting in with the current council members. "I'm very respectful of people's opinions," she said. "I am not a conflict kind of person...If someone's irate, I let them say their thing."Davis said she prefers places like Morrisville Borough. She and her husband had lived in Yardley. She said she prefers Morrisville Borough to townhouses."I like diversity and uniqueness. I believe that's what we have here," she said. She had told about her experience teaching in Georgia and how she had seen injustices there.”