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.
Showing posts with label Burns Mike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burns Mike. Show all posts
Monday, January 4, 2010
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A message from Ron Smith
This was posted as a comment, but it deserves it's own post.
"To all my friends, neighbors, and township residents:
During the last 2 weeks, our mailboxes have been inundated with what can charitably be best described as negative mailers filled with character assassinations, outright lies, falsehoods and distortions. I guess when my opponent is scared of his own reputation and credentials, the only way to proceed is to attack his opponent.
As bad as the libelous negative mailers of my opponent have been, tonight the line of common decency and fair play was crossed. When my wife came home from work, she did what most people did. She went to check the mailbox and was greeted by what appeared to be numerous dead rodents in the mailbox. She was frightened and extremely shaken by this event. Although this may sound like something hilarious to my opponent, the result was an unfortunate terrorizing of my wife Felice. The police have been contacted and a report was taken. In fact, this is the 3rd police report that has been filed for vandalism against my home and my campaign property during the last few weeks, In addition, all of my campaign signs in the rear of my home were stolen this evening.
I am sure that the opposition will deny their involvement, but the tearing down of my big signs, the ongoing theft and destruction of my smaller signs along with the libelous mailers all fits the same pattern of political sabotage. I would hope that we would expect more from an individual who is running for District Judge.
We can all sit back and do nothing or we can send a message on this Tuesday to the Burns campaign. That message is " We are not going to accept such outrageous conduct from the Burns team and we are going to cast our vote for Ron Smith for District Judge". I apologize for this message, but when one threatens innocent family members, such as my wife, the time is here to say enough is enough and we will not tolerate that kind of behavior, let alone politics. Please feel free to send this message to one and all. Thank you. Ron Smith"
"To all my friends, neighbors, and township residents:
During the last 2 weeks, our mailboxes have been inundated with what can charitably be best described as negative mailers filled with character assassinations, outright lies, falsehoods and distortions. I guess when my opponent is scared of his own reputation and credentials, the only way to proceed is to attack his opponent.
As bad as the libelous negative mailers of my opponent have been, tonight the line of common decency and fair play was crossed. When my wife came home from work, she did what most people did. She went to check the mailbox and was greeted by what appeared to be numerous dead rodents in the mailbox. She was frightened and extremely shaken by this event. Although this may sound like something hilarious to my opponent, the result was an unfortunate terrorizing of my wife Felice. The police have been contacted and a report was taken. In fact, this is the 3rd police report that has been filed for vandalism against my home and my campaign property during the last few weeks, In addition, all of my campaign signs in the rear of my home were stolen this evening.
I am sure that the opposition will deny their involvement, but the tearing down of my big signs, the ongoing theft and destruction of my smaller signs along with the libelous mailers all fits the same pattern of political sabotage. I would hope that we would expect more from an individual who is running for District Judge.
We can all sit back and do nothing or we can send a message on this Tuesday to the Burns campaign. That message is " We are not going to accept such outrageous conduct from the Burns team and we are going to cast our vote for Ron Smith for District Judge". I apologize for this message, but when one threatens innocent family members, such as my wife, the time is here to say enough is enough and we will not tolerate that kind of behavior, let alone politics. Please feel free to send this message to one and all. Thank you. Ron Smith"
Thursday, October 29, 2009
DJ candidates have different plans
From today's BCCT:
DJ candidates have different plans
By: GEORGE MATTAR
Bucks County Courier Times
Sitting District Judge Mike Burns is being challenged by Ron Smith, a Lower Makefield supervisor.
There's only one contested district judge race in Lower Bucks this November, and it's a hard-fought battle taking place in Morrisville, which is one of the busiest courts in Bucks.
The sitting district judge is Mike Burns, 47, who is seeking his second six-year term. In his years on the bench, he has handled more than 50,000 cases, he said.
His opponent, Ron Smith, 58, is a Lower Makefield supervisor and an attorney who works in Philadelphia.
Burns said his court will handle nearly 9,500 cases in 2009, due in part to Lower Makefield's aggressive traffic enforcement. He said most courts in counties as large as Bucks handle about 6,500 cases annually.
Both attended Pennsylvania State University for their undergraduate work. Burns earned a law degree from Widener University and Smith from Villanova University. Both are Lower Makefield residents.
Magisterial district court is the first level of authority in Pennsylvania and is the court where most people experience the judicial system for the first time.
District judges handle all traffic cases and other minor criminal and civil cases involving up to $8,000. District judges also set bail and conduct preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases to determine if the case should be dismissed or transferred to the Court of Common Pleas for further proceedings. They are state employees and earn about $81,000 annually.
In last May's primary, Burns received 3,005 votes and Smith 2,033. Both were cross-filed and Burns got 1,031 Democratic votes and 1,974 Republican votes. Smith received 1,448 Democratic votes and 585 Republican votes, county voting records show.
Smith said, if elected, he would institute a regular night court schedule.
"In these tough economic times, many people cannot leave work to come in for a traffic ticket or some other case. I believe I should be available at night for the working people," he said. "I want to bring integrity back to the district judge position and put an end to judicial arrogance."
Smith said he is proud of his community service and has two years left on his term as a Lower Makefield supervisor. He has spent 20 years as a soccer coach for Yardley-Makefield Soccer, with seven of those years as president. He and his wife, Felice, raised three children, two sons and a daughter, who are all on their own.
Smith said he is proud he has led the fight against Aria Health bringing a hospital to Lower Makefield and his stand against further cell towers.
Smith also wants to stagger the court's schedule for police officers so they are not sitting around wasting time in court. He said that would save taxpayers in reduced overtime costs.
"It's important they be on the street protecting out citizens, not sitting around waiting for a hearing. That must be addressed," he said.
To do that, he proposes talking to the three police chiefs in the court's district - Yardley, Morrisville and Lower Makefield.
"I will have each officer show up for his or her hearings at certain times. For example, if an officer has four hearings, he or she will come in at 1 p.m., finish all four at once and leave. An officer scheduled for 2 p.m. would come in and do the same. This way we maximize the officer's time on the streets and be responsible to taxpayers by reducing overtime," Smith said.
If elected, he said he would practice law on a limited basis and vows to not represent anyone in Bucks County Court, which he said would be a conflict of interest.
Burns prides himself on what he says is his proven record of being tough on criminals, yet giving juveniles who make first-time mistakes a chance to turn their lives around.
The juveniles are why he has advocated drug courts in Bucks County. He wants first-time offenders to get counseling and help, rather than being dumped in a prison cell with no help.
Burns cites his work on two county-wide domestic violence boards as another reason he advocates intervention, rather than sending people to prison.
When a student is truant from school, he gets the parents to come in and discuss what the underlying problem could be, such as drug and alcohol abuse at home, or even parental abuse.
"Truancy is not about just not going to school. It is an indication there could be other problems at home," he said.
Burns said many kids make first-time mistakes, but with the proper guidance and showing someone cares, "we can work together and succeed."
One of the abuse committees he sits on is called "Intervention Batterers Oversight Committee." This committee's goal is to work with local police and ensure they notify groups like NOVA, so the groups that can help know there is a particular problem in a home," Burns said.
He said the victim's name is confidential and the batterer doesn't know she has contacted anyone. Burns said he also would continue his fight for drug courts, which he says will work.
He also plans to continue advocating more Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs and to suggest flex time for county employees, who would volunteer for the cause.
Burns and his wife, Karen Saraco Burns, have no children. He was named 2007-08 Lion of the Year by the Yardley-Makefield Lions Club. He also said he would be a full-time district judge and not devote much time to his law practice, which he shares with his father.
DJ candidates have different plans
By: GEORGE MATTAR
Bucks County Courier Times
Sitting District Judge Mike Burns is being challenged by Ron Smith, a Lower Makefield supervisor.
There's only one contested district judge race in Lower Bucks this November, and it's a hard-fought battle taking place in Morrisville, which is one of the busiest courts in Bucks.
The sitting district judge is Mike Burns, 47, who is seeking his second six-year term. In his years on the bench, he has handled more than 50,000 cases, he said.
His opponent, Ron Smith, 58, is a Lower Makefield supervisor and an attorney who works in Philadelphia.
Burns said his court will handle nearly 9,500 cases in 2009, due in part to Lower Makefield's aggressive traffic enforcement. He said most courts in counties as large as Bucks handle about 6,500 cases annually.
Both attended Pennsylvania State University for their undergraduate work. Burns earned a law degree from Widener University and Smith from Villanova University. Both are Lower Makefield residents.
Magisterial district court is the first level of authority in Pennsylvania and is the court where most people experience the judicial system for the first time.
District judges handle all traffic cases and other minor criminal and civil cases involving up to $8,000. District judges also set bail and conduct preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases to determine if the case should be dismissed or transferred to the Court of Common Pleas for further proceedings. They are state employees and earn about $81,000 annually.
In last May's primary, Burns received 3,005 votes and Smith 2,033. Both were cross-filed and Burns got 1,031 Democratic votes and 1,974 Republican votes. Smith received 1,448 Democratic votes and 585 Republican votes, county voting records show.
Smith said, if elected, he would institute a regular night court schedule.
"In these tough economic times, many people cannot leave work to come in for a traffic ticket or some other case. I believe I should be available at night for the working people," he said. "I want to bring integrity back to the district judge position and put an end to judicial arrogance."
Smith said he is proud of his community service and has two years left on his term as a Lower Makefield supervisor. He has spent 20 years as a soccer coach for Yardley-Makefield Soccer, with seven of those years as president. He and his wife, Felice, raised three children, two sons and a daughter, who are all on their own.
Smith said he is proud he has led the fight against Aria Health bringing a hospital to Lower Makefield and his stand against further cell towers.
Smith also wants to stagger the court's schedule for police officers so they are not sitting around wasting time in court. He said that would save taxpayers in reduced overtime costs.
"It's important they be on the street protecting out citizens, not sitting around waiting for a hearing. That must be addressed," he said.
To do that, he proposes talking to the three police chiefs in the court's district - Yardley, Morrisville and Lower Makefield.
"I will have each officer show up for his or her hearings at certain times. For example, if an officer has four hearings, he or she will come in at 1 p.m., finish all four at once and leave. An officer scheduled for 2 p.m. would come in and do the same. This way we maximize the officer's time on the streets and be responsible to taxpayers by reducing overtime," Smith said.
If elected, he said he would practice law on a limited basis and vows to not represent anyone in Bucks County Court, which he said would be a conflict of interest.
Burns prides himself on what he says is his proven record of being tough on criminals, yet giving juveniles who make first-time mistakes a chance to turn their lives around.
The juveniles are why he has advocated drug courts in Bucks County. He wants first-time offenders to get counseling and help, rather than being dumped in a prison cell with no help.
Burns cites his work on two county-wide domestic violence boards as another reason he advocates intervention, rather than sending people to prison.
When a student is truant from school, he gets the parents to come in and discuss what the underlying problem could be, such as drug and alcohol abuse at home, or even parental abuse.
"Truancy is not about just not going to school. It is an indication there could be other problems at home," he said.
Burns said many kids make first-time mistakes, but with the proper guidance and showing someone cares, "we can work together and succeed."
One of the abuse committees he sits on is called "Intervention Batterers Oversight Committee." This committee's goal is to work with local police and ensure they notify groups like NOVA, so the groups that can help know there is a particular problem in a home," Burns said.
He said the victim's name is confidential and the batterer doesn't know she has contacted anyone. Burns said he also would continue his fight for drug courts, which he says will work.
He also plans to continue advocating more Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs and to suggest flex time for county employees, who would volunteer for the cause.
Burns and his wife, Karen Saraco Burns, have no children. He was named 2007-08 Lion of the Year by the Yardley-Makefield Lions Club. He also said he would be a full-time district judge and not devote much time to his law practice, which he shares with his father.
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