from the bcct:
Ethics complaint filed against Fitzpatrick
By: GARY WECKSELBLATT
Bucks County Courier Times
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington said the congressman violated House rules, federal law and the Constitution when he missed his swearing-in ceremony.
A political watchdog group filed an ethics complaint Wednesday with the Office of Congressional Ethics against Mike Fitzpatrick and Pete Sessions, the two lawmakers embarrassingly caught in a national media firestorm last week for missing their swearing-in ceremony.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington cites violations of House rules, federal law and the U.S. Constitution in its eight-page complaint to the OCE.
"Republicans have made strict adherence to the Constitution a hallmark of the new Congress," CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said. "Now we will find out if that was just window dressing designed to appease the tea party movement or if they were sincere. Two Republican House members have blatantly violated not only House rules, but federal law and the Constitution. Will they be held accountable, or given a pass?"
Though Fitzpatrick and Sessions were not on the House floor for the swearing-in, they participated in a series of votes that had to be nullified, and they later apologized to their 433 colleagues.
Fitzpatrick, Bucks County's 8th District representative, and Sessions, a Texas representative and head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, were at a reception for Fitzpatrick supporters when Speaker John Boehner issued the oath of office for the new chamber. Watching a large TV, the two raised their right hands and took the oath in front of about 500 Fitzpatrick supporters.
CREW claims the gathering was a fundraiser because about half of the estimated crowd paid $30 each to "Fitzpatrick for Congress" for a seat on one of several buses chartered by Fitzpatrick for the trip from Pennsylvania to the Capitol.
Fundraisers on Capitol grounds - the Fitzpatrick event was held in the Capitol Visitors Center - are against House rules.
"You're missing the oath for a fundraiser, what does that say about your priorities?" Sloan said. "It's all about the money from day one."
The Sunlight Foundation, another watchdog group, cited the House Ethics Manual when questioning the Fitzpatrick event.
It reads: "House rooms and offices are not to be used for events that are campaign or political in nature, such as a meeting on campaign strategy, or a reception for campaign contributors."
"We hope the Office of Congressional Ethics looks into this matter promptly," Sunlight spokeswoman Liz Bartolomeo said.
Last week, Fitzpatrick said, "To claim this is a fundraiser is just wrong."
On Wednesday, his spokesman Darren Smith said: "Congressman Fitzpatrick welcomes this review. The reception held last week in the Capitol Visitors Center was not a fundraiser. It was open and free to all comers and held in compliance with the House Ethics Manual."
Sloan said calling the Fitzpatrick event a reception and not a fundraiser "doesn't pass the smell test."
A registration form posted on the Fitzpatrick for Congress website provided options for contributing $30, $60, $90, $120 or "Other." The form, taken down from the site Friday and replaced with a thank-you note to those who attended the swearing in, was labeled "Mike Fitzpatrick's Swearing in Celebration."
Fitzpatrick said those amounts were based on people purchasing multiple $30 tickets for the bus ride.
"If you look at all the language that surrounded it, I would say that they were soliciting money," Sloan said. "This is not what you're allowed to use the Capitol Visitor Center for."
Election law expert and D.C. lawyer Brett Kappel sides with Fitzpatrick on the issue. He told Talking Points Memo last week that if the congressman's explanation of the event is true, it looks like the lawmaker wasn't doing anything against the law.
"This would have been a 'reception for campaign contributors' only if the event was only open to those who had made a contribution," Kappel said. "That doesn't appear to be the case."
Resolution of the complaint won't come any time soon, Sloan said. If the Office of Congressional Ethics dismisses it, that could come within 60 days. If it believes the complaint has merit, it'll take much longer.
"They're not quick," she said.
While Sloan admitted the actions of Fitzpatrick and Sessions are "not the end of the world," she criticized their "hypocrisy."
"Maybe we wouldn't have come down so hard on them but for the newfound devotion to the Constitution by Republicans. That somehow Republicans care about the Constitution and Democrats do not. When you claim you are going to be so devoted, you're going to be held, and I believe fairly, to a higher standard."
Gary Weckselblatt can be reached at 215-345-3169 or gweckselblatt@ phillyBurbs.com. Follow Gary on Twitter at twitter.com/gweckselblatt.
January 13, 2011 02:10 AM
Showing posts with label Fitzpatrick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fitzpatrick. Show all posts
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Fitz wins over incumbent Murphy
Fitzpatrick triumphs in 8th
TEXT SIZE 
Bucks County Courier Times
Riding a wave that carried Republicans to control of the U.S. House, Mike Fitzpatrick avenged his most bitter political defeat Tuesday by booting Congressman Patrick Murphy from office.
According to the unofficial voting machine results, Fitzpatrick took 54 percent of the vote to Murphy's 46 percent.
As hundreds of supporters at GOP headquarters in Doylestown chanted his name, Fitzpatrick said, "I'm incredibly humbled by this decision made by the people. I won't let you down."
Murphy, a two-term Democrat, spoke to emotional supporters at the Italian Mutual Aid Fifth Ward Association in Bristol.
"Tonight, we may have lost a battle, but the fight for our country must go on," he said. "I will never back down from my pledge to you to fight for the greatness I believe our country can achieve. I hope no matter what happens, I will continue to make you proud. I'm honored to continue the fight in this community. And my faith in America, and all of you, will never fade."
About 8,500 absentee ballots need to be counted - beginning today - after allegations of fraud tarnished the final weeks of the campaign. That won't impact the 8th District race, as Fitzpatrick led by more than 17,000 votes.
The Bucks County Board of Elections agreed last week to impound the ballots and count them at the courthouse to preserve any evidence of alleged ballot fraud.
During his concession speech, Murphy said he spoke with Fitzpatrick's camp. When the crowd booed, Murphy said, "They won fair and square + well, not fair and square, but you know +"
Four years ago, facing a voter backlash as the country soured on President George Bush and the war in Iraq, Fitzpatrick lost to Murphy by just more than 1,500 votes in an election where nearly 250,000 were cast. Democrats gained control of the House that year and increased their margin in 2008.
Republicans returned the favor Tuesday night, as Americans had their first chance to react to the policies of President Barack Obama and a Democratic House and Senate with large majorities.
"I've been through a lot the last four years and had the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong in Washington, and why the people fired my party," Fitzpatrick said. "That experience and that reflection have not been lost on me. This election was a referendum on President Obama's handling of the economy and it was also a referendum on Pat Murphy because Murphy is Obama."
Murphy, one of the first national figures to endorse Obama over Hillary Clinton, has been a solid vote for the Democratic agenda that included massive spending with the stimulus, bank, auto and state bailouts and health care reform.
Fitzpatrick, 47, made that the primary focus of his campaign, hammering away at Murphy with statistics that show unemployment has more than doubled during the Democrat's four years in office while the nation's debt has increased by $5 trillion.
He also echoed GOP talking points about shrinking government and with it, its taxes and regulations on small businesses.
And just as Fitzpatrick tried to tie Murphy to Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Murphy, 37, used the "Bush-Fitzpatrick" phrase early and often during several debates and news conferences.
Murphy jumped on Fitzpatrick from the day the Republican won the primary. He criticized him for his decade as a Bucks County commissioner and derided him as a "Fitz-flopper" for position changes during his one term in Congress.
But Fitzpatrick, who survived a battle with colon cancer, pulled off a political triumph that was seemingly unthinkable a year ago.
At the Moose Lodge in Doylestown, about 150 members of the Kitchen Table Patriots, a Bucks County Tea Party group, celebrated Tuesday night and reflected upon what their young movement has achieved.
"No matter what happens, this isn't the end, this is the end of the beginning for us," said Furlong's Paul Crovo, who said he wasn't politically active until joining the group last summer.
Members knocked on thousands of doors leading up to the election.
Marianne Davies, co-founder of the Kitchen Table Patriots, said the group invested "a long time and a lot of work. But we are going to hold Mike's feet to the fire."
Pat Poprik, vice chairwoman of the Bucks County Republican Committee, said, "We've won and we've lost and winning is a lot better."
Staff writers Rachel Canelli and John Mullane contributed to this story.
Gary Weckselblatt can be reached at 215-345-3169 or gweckselblatt@phillyBurbs.com
U.S. Representative 8th District
1 seat
2 years
The 8th District includes all of Bucks County, some districts of Abington, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland in Montgomery County and two wards in Philadelphia.
Republican Mike Fitzpatrick 126,404
Democrat Patrick Murphy (I) 109,157
Vote totals don't include absentee ballots, which haven't been counted yet.
November 03, 2010 02:10 AM
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Amnesia Watch
AMNESIA WATCH:
Is Congressman Fitzpatrick Confused About His Own Immigration Record?
Bucks County voters demand answers on why Congressman Fitzpatrick supported amnesty and voted against Arizona-Like measure
(Bristol, PA) – In recent days, former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick has again assumed that voters in the 8th district have amnesia – this time on immigration.
Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick now claims to support the new Arizona law, but he voted against nearly identical legislation while he was in Washington. The legislation he voted against would have given state and local authorities the ability to detain illegal immigrants in the course of the officers’ regular duties.1Further, Congressman Fitzpatrick voted to allow “sanctuary cities” to continue their practice of ignoring federal anti-immigration laws.2
Patrick Murphy doesn’t just talk tough on illegal immigration. He actually does something about it. Patrick broke with his party to support the Arizona law, which requires police to check the immigration status of individuals stopped for other crimes. He was the lone Democrat to vote in support of an amendment to prevent the Obama administration from using federal funds to sue Arizona over the law.
Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick also voted against providing $20 million for construction of a fence to protect our borders from the flow of illegal immigrations.3
Patrick Murphy, on the other hand, has constantly fought to beef up security along our borders and introduced legislation to increase penalties for border agents who help smuggle people into the country, a serious breach of national security.4
While he claims to be tough on illegal immigration, Mike’s voting history from his time in Washington falls far short of his newfound rhetoric. He also fails to match up to Patrick Murphy’s record of being tough on illegal immigrants as well as the employers who hire them.
Talk is cheap. Mike might hope people in Bucks County have amnesia, but it's impossible to forget a voting record this appalling.
1Roll Call Vote #659, 109th Congress, 1st Session
2 Roll Call Vote #177, 109th Congress, 1st Session
3 Roll Call Vote #669, 109th Congress, 1st Session
4 Secure Borders Act (H.R. 4622)
# # #
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Jackie Buckman can put out a puff piece too
Congressman could learn from his predecessors
Bucks County Courier Times
To be a congressman you need to be responsible for your actions and respond to the needs of your constituents. I would like to compare three congressmen that served the 8th District.
First, Peter Kostmayer: When on two occasions I asked him questions, first, about retirement legislation and second, about Social Security, he responded quickly and to the point in a clear, helpful, and concise letter.
Next, Mike Fitzpatrick, a dear friend: When I requested a flag for a special ceremony, he delivered at almost midnight direct to my friend's house, having just got off the train from Washington. The flag had flown over the Capitol.
Another time I called Fitzpatrick's office to obtain special copies of my discharge record in order to get a job in the security field. When he found out that I could not start work without these papers, he wrote a letter to the security firm on my behalf and I started immediately. The papers arrived two weeks later.
Lastly, Patrick Murphy: When I called his office in August of 2009 about a health care program introduced to help younger adults get health insurance at a low cost, his assistant told me I would have to call his Washington office; when I called that location they said that they would get back to me. I never did receive a response.
In late September or October of 2009 I found out that Blue Cross was increasing the cost of supplemental plans, while the government was not increasing Social Security payments. I wanted to know why, so I called Patrick Murphy's office in Washington. I was told that they were aware of this situation and they would call me back. Not only did they not return my call, they never even asked for my address to send a response to my inquiry.
Jack Buckman
Morrisville
Bucks County Courier Times
To be a congressman you need to be responsible for your actions and respond to the needs of your constituents. I would like to compare three congressmen that served the 8th District.
First, Peter Kostmayer: When on two occasions I asked him questions, first, about retirement legislation and second, about Social Security, he responded quickly and to the point in a clear, helpful, and concise letter.
Next, Mike Fitzpatrick, a dear friend: When I requested a flag for a special ceremony, he delivered at almost midnight direct to my friend's house, having just got off the train from Washington. The flag had flown over the Capitol.
Another time I called Fitzpatrick's office to obtain special copies of my discharge record in order to get a job in the security field. When he found out that I could not start work without these papers, he wrote a letter to the security firm on my behalf and I started immediately. The papers arrived two weeks later.
Lastly, Patrick Murphy: When I called his office in August of 2009 about a health care program introduced to help younger adults get health insurance at a low cost, his assistant told me I would have to call his Washington office; when I called that location they said that they would get back to me. I never did receive a response.
In late September or October of 2009 I found out that Blue Cross was increasing the cost of supplemental plans, while the government was not increasing Social Security payments. I wanted to know why, so I called Patrick Murphy's office in Washington. I was told that they were aware of this situation and they would call me back. Not only did they not return my call, they never even asked for my address to send a response to my inquiry.
Jack Buckman
Morrisville
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Fitzpatrick pledges 4 term limit
From the bcct:
Fitzpatrick pledges four term limit
By: GARY WECKSELBLATT
Bucks County Courier Times
The Republican restated his challenge to keep campaign spending to $1 million.
Saying it was good enough for Gen. George Washington, Republican congressional candidate Mike Fitzpatrick pledged Wednesday to limit himself to eight years in the U.S. House if he were elected to represent the 8th District.
"Four terms, then come home to Bucks County," Fitzpatrick said.
And since the former congressman has already served one term, he's got only six years to go.
"It would be my self-imposed personal commitment," he said.
In a 75-minute conversation with the Courier Times editorial board, Fitzpatrick reiterated his challenge to limit campaign spending to $1 million; gave his prescription for health care reform; and said if he wins the Republican nomination he would ask Congressman Patrick Murphy, his Democratic opponent, to participate in one town hall event each week.
"I'd do one a day and twice on Sunday if he'll agree to it," he said.
In a press release late Wednesday, Fitzpatrick stated: "Washington has become a town of embedded politicians, many of whom have lost their connection to the real world. A seniority system exists that rewards congressmen for political careers lasting decades and encourages members to serve in perpetuity. If money and power corrupt then Washington is the epicenter.
"I have no interest in becoming a professional politician," his release continued. "If the voters of our district choose me, I will represent their best interest wholeheartedly without regards to a political career. I pledge today not to become part of the problem, but part of the solution."
On health care, Fitzpatrick criticized Congress for "spending a year on it and accomplishing nothing." The lack of legislation was a "failure" for President Barack Obama, he said.
Rather than making the problem 2,000 pages big, Fitzpatrick said it should have been handled by looking for "commonsense solutions."
His four primary fixes:
??Permit individuals to purchase insurance across state lines
??Allow small businesses to group together and obtain purchasing power similar to large corporations and trade unions
??Medical liability reform: end junk lawsuits to reduce the practice of defensive medicine
??Support health care clinics that provide care for the uninsured. This would include tax credits for doctors who work at clinics.
"Our system performs miracles every day," said Fitzpatrick, a recent cancer survivor. "There have not been many times that the government has managed something better than the private sector."
In response to Murphy spokeswoman Kate Hansen describing his call for campaign spending limits a "gimmick," Fitzpatrick said, "I'm dead serious about it."
He called money the "gateway drug to the bad things that happen in Congress" and said of trying to raise campaign cash: "You think about it every day."
In two previous House races, Fitzpatrick outspent Ginny Schrader, $1.27 million to $620,000, and Murphy $3 million to $2.4 million.
Asked if he were the incumbent - with bountiful financial benefits at his disposal - would he agree to such a limit?
"If it was reasonable, why not," he said. "This is a very different economy. A lot of people are out of work. + If not a million dollars, maybe two million. What's the number?"
He said running a congressional campaign with frequent town hall meetings would lead to a more "substantive" political discussion compared with television commercials that are most likely short sound bites, often negative.
"In 2010, money will not buy an election," said Fitzpatrick, who added, "I'm just seeking a level playing field."
He said he entered the race with the support of his wife, Kathy, and six children "who are going to inherit what we're doing in the nation's capital."
He quoted from a book titled "New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America," by Burton Folsom. The words are those of Roosevelt's Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau in 1939:
"We are spending more money than we have ever spent before, and it does not work," Morgenthau said. "I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job. I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises. I say after eight years of this administration, we have just as much unemployment as when we started and an enormous debt, to boot."
Fitzpatrick pledges four term limit
By: GARY WECKSELBLATT
Bucks County Courier Times
The Republican restated his challenge to keep campaign spending to $1 million.
Saying it was good enough for Gen. George Washington, Republican congressional candidate Mike Fitzpatrick pledged Wednesday to limit himself to eight years in the U.S. House if he were elected to represent the 8th District.
"Four terms, then come home to Bucks County," Fitzpatrick said.
And since the former congressman has already served one term, he's got only six years to go.
"It would be my self-imposed personal commitment," he said.
In a 75-minute conversation with the Courier Times editorial board, Fitzpatrick reiterated his challenge to limit campaign spending to $1 million; gave his prescription for health care reform; and said if he wins the Republican nomination he would ask Congressman Patrick Murphy, his Democratic opponent, to participate in one town hall event each week.
"I'd do one a day and twice on Sunday if he'll agree to it," he said.
In a press release late Wednesday, Fitzpatrick stated: "Washington has become a town of embedded politicians, many of whom have lost their connection to the real world. A seniority system exists that rewards congressmen for political careers lasting decades and encourages members to serve in perpetuity. If money and power corrupt then Washington is the epicenter.
"I have no interest in becoming a professional politician," his release continued. "If the voters of our district choose me, I will represent their best interest wholeheartedly without regards to a political career. I pledge today not to become part of the problem, but part of the solution."
On health care, Fitzpatrick criticized Congress for "spending a year on it and accomplishing nothing." The lack of legislation was a "failure" for President Barack Obama, he said.
Rather than making the problem 2,000 pages big, Fitzpatrick said it should have been handled by looking for "commonsense solutions."
His four primary fixes:
??Permit individuals to purchase insurance across state lines
??Allow small businesses to group together and obtain purchasing power similar to large corporations and trade unions
??Medical liability reform: end junk lawsuits to reduce the practice of defensive medicine
??Support health care clinics that provide care for the uninsured. This would include tax credits for doctors who work at clinics.
"Our system performs miracles every day," said Fitzpatrick, a recent cancer survivor. "There have not been many times that the government has managed something better than the private sector."
In response to Murphy spokeswoman Kate Hansen describing his call for campaign spending limits a "gimmick," Fitzpatrick said, "I'm dead serious about it."
He called money the "gateway drug to the bad things that happen in Congress" and said of trying to raise campaign cash: "You think about it every day."
In two previous House races, Fitzpatrick outspent Ginny Schrader, $1.27 million to $620,000, and Murphy $3 million to $2.4 million.
Asked if he were the incumbent - with bountiful financial benefits at his disposal - would he agree to such a limit?
"If it was reasonable, why not," he said. "This is a very different economy. A lot of people are out of work. + If not a million dollars, maybe two million. What's the number?"
He said running a congressional campaign with frequent town hall meetings would lead to a more "substantive" political discussion compared with television commercials that are most likely short sound bites, often negative.
"In 2010, money will not buy an election," said Fitzpatrick, who added, "I'm just seeking a level playing field."
He said he entered the race with the support of his wife, Kathy, and six children "who are going to inherit what we're doing in the nation's capital."
He quoted from a book titled "New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America," by Burton Folsom. The words are those of Roosevelt's Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau in 1939:
"We are spending more money than we have ever spent before, and it does not work," Morgenthau said. "I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job. I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises. I say after eight years of this administration, we have just as much unemployment as when we started and an enormous debt, to boot."
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Fitz makes it official
Fitzpatrick makes it official: He's running
By: MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Surrounded by his family, the former congressman said he's ready to make another bid to represent the 8th District.
Mike Fitzpatrick formally announced before a large crowd of cheering supporters Saturday morning that he is running for Congress.
As he stepped up to the dais on a lawn near St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown, where he was treated for colon cancer in 2008, more than 300 supporters broke into chants of "Run, Mike, run!"
Surrounded by his family, Fitzpatrick said he's ready to try for the Eighth District seat once again after beating cancer into remission. The Republican candidate ran in 2006 but lost to Democrat Patrick Murphy, D-8. He faces a crowded field of Republicans hoping to snag the nomination.
"Being away has given me a fresh new outlook and a very clear vision,'' said Fitzpatrick. "Eighteen months ago, I did not expect to run again for public office. But I also didn't expect to see the runaway growth in the federal government, our national debt exploding, and so many fine Americans unemployed and underemployed."
His remarks were partially marred by a heckler in the crowd who repeatedly shouted, "How are you going to fix health care?" and other remarks as the crowd shushed him repeatedly and renewed their cries of, "run, Mike, run!"
The heckler left before the event was over.
Many in the crowd said they are unhappy with the current shape health care reform is taking.
Bill Quinn is a small business owner in Bristol. He said Fitzpatrick's years of community involvement in Bucks County shows that he listens to what people want.
"He's already done a great job. I'm looking for him to be a voice for Bucks County because he's in touch and involved in everything," said Quinn.
He has fears about the current health care reform agenda.
"We don't know how it's going to affect our taxes and premiums. Small business owners will get hit hard. I'm not rich. I can't afford to have taxes go up significantly," Quinn said.
Fitzpatrick said he believes the nation is heading in the wrong direction and that Congress is failing to properly address mounting job losses.
"We have to reform the health care industry. We don't need government to take over medical decisions that should be made by patients and their doctors. We need to empower patients and reduce costs," he said.
Fitzpatrick wants medical liability reform, he said. Furthermore, the system should be "permitting individuals and businesses to form associations to buy health insurance at lower rates, he said.
Neil Samuels, deputy chairman of the Bucks County Democratic Committee, said he thinks voters are better off with Murphy.
"In these tough economic times, I think voters will go with the Army veteran fighting for good jobs in Bucks County over the serial politician who voted repeatedly to raise his own salary and to raise Bucks County property taxes," he said in an e-mail to the newspaper.
Kate Hansen, communications director for Patrick Murphy, responded in an e-mail, "Mike Fitzpatrick must be counting on massive voter amnesia - the people of the 8th District already rejected the failed Bush-Cheney-Fitzpatrick economic policies that got us into this mess in the first place."
Republican Rob Mitchell, who withdrew his candidacy for Congress in the Eighth District, is now backing Fitzpatrick. The self-proclaimed "Tea Party" candidate and businessman from Doylestown has said he wants to help Fitzpatrick beat Murphy in the race.
As Bucks County Commissioner, Fitzpatrick was involved in preserving more than 11,000 acres of natural spaces. He oversaw efforts to make upgrades to the county's outdated emergency management system and played a role in the five-county region's anti-terrorism task force.
In 2004 he joined Congress for two years, supporting federal educational funding for local school districts and fighting Republican efforts to scale back Medicaid spending.
He also worked to restore cuts to Amtrak funding and worked to open the National Veterans Cemetery in Bucks County.
The lifelong Bucks County resident, lawyer and graduate of Bishop Egan High School said he's eager to start work in Congress.
"I think that we need someone in Congress who's more concerned with the citizens of Bucks County than with extraneous photo opportunities. We don't need someone in Congress who's a rubber stamp for bad national policy or misplaced priorities," he said.
By: MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Surrounded by his family, the former congressman said he's ready to make another bid to represent the 8th District.
Mike Fitzpatrick formally announced before a large crowd of cheering supporters Saturday morning that he is running for Congress.
As he stepped up to the dais on a lawn near St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown, where he was treated for colon cancer in 2008, more than 300 supporters broke into chants of "Run, Mike, run!"
Surrounded by his family, Fitzpatrick said he's ready to try for the Eighth District seat once again after beating cancer into remission. The Republican candidate ran in 2006 but lost to Democrat Patrick Murphy, D-8. He faces a crowded field of Republicans hoping to snag the nomination.
"Being away has given me a fresh new outlook and a very clear vision,'' said Fitzpatrick. "Eighteen months ago, I did not expect to run again for public office. But I also didn't expect to see the runaway growth in the federal government, our national debt exploding, and so many fine Americans unemployed and underemployed."
His remarks were partially marred by a heckler in the crowd who repeatedly shouted, "How are you going to fix health care?" and other remarks as the crowd shushed him repeatedly and renewed their cries of, "run, Mike, run!"
The heckler left before the event was over.
Many in the crowd said they are unhappy with the current shape health care reform is taking.
Bill Quinn is a small business owner in Bristol. He said Fitzpatrick's years of community involvement in Bucks County shows that he listens to what people want.
"He's already done a great job. I'm looking for him to be a voice for Bucks County because he's in touch and involved in everything," said Quinn.
He has fears about the current health care reform agenda.
"We don't know how it's going to affect our taxes and premiums. Small business owners will get hit hard. I'm not rich. I can't afford to have taxes go up significantly," Quinn said.
Fitzpatrick said he believes the nation is heading in the wrong direction and that Congress is failing to properly address mounting job losses.
"We have to reform the health care industry. We don't need government to take over medical decisions that should be made by patients and their doctors. We need to empower patients and reduce costs," he said.
Fitzpatrick wants medical liability reform, he said. Furthermore, the system should be "permitting individuals and businesses to form associations to buy health insurance at lower rates, he said.
Neil Samuels, deputy chairman of the Bucks County Democratic Committee, said he thinks voters are better off with Murphy.
"In these tough economic times, I think voters will go with the Army veteran fighting for good jobs in Bucks County over the serial politician who voted repeatedly to raise his own salary and to raise Bucks County property taxes," he said in an e-mail to the newspaper.
Kate Hansen, communications director for Patrick Murphy, responded in an e-mail, "Mike Fitzpatrick must be counting on massive voter amnesia - the people of the 8th District already rejected the failed Bush-Cheney-Fitzpatrick economic policies that got us into this mess in the first place."
Republican Rob Mitchell, who withdrew his candidacy for Congress in the Eighth District, is now backing Fitzpatrick. The self-proclaimed "Tea Party" candidate and businessman from Doylestown has said he wants to help Fitzpatrick beat Murphy in the race.
As Bucks County Commissioner, Fitzpatrick was involved in preserving more than 11,000 acres of natural spaces. He oversaw efforts to make upgrades to the county's outdated emergency management system and played a role in the five-county region's anti-terrorism task force.
In 2004 he joined Congress for two years, supporting federal educational funding for local school districts and fighting Republican efforts to scale back Medicaid spending.
He also worked to restore cuts to Amtrak funding and worked to open the National Veterans Cemetery in Bucks County.
The lifelong Bucks County resident, lawyer and graduate of Bishop Egan High School said he's eager to start work in Congress.
"I think that we need someone in Congress who's more concerned with the citizens of Bucks County than with extraneous photo opportunities. We don't need someone in Congress who's a rubber stamp for bad national policy or misplaced priorities," he said.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Weighing the Fitzpatrick factor
By: GARY WECKSELBLATT
Bucks County Courier Times
Should he enter the 8th District Congressional race, the fallout from a Republican Party endorsement could cause a fracture.
Mike Fitzpatrick's potential entry into the 8th District's crowded Republican field has been met with what amounts to a standing ovation by the GOP's hierarchy seeking to wrest the congressional post from Democrat Patrick Murphy.
And the reasons are obvious.
Fitzpatrick has a resume that already includes a congressional triumph, and he likely can extract cash from both the national party and local big shots - the lifeblood of a campaign and a talent Murphy has mastered.
These two credentials would certainly boost the former congressman's prospects of garnering the nomination if - when - he enters the race.
Then there are the nine announced candidates, none of whom has separated themselves from the pack four months before the May 18 primary, leaving Fitzpatrick an opening.
"I believe Mike will make an excellent congressman again," said Pat Poprick, vice chairwoman of the Bucks County Republican Committee. "He has always been very responsive to the community from as far back as his days as commissioner. I'd be shocked if he doesn't run."
Poprick's words carry significant clout. She says she's simply speaking her personal opinion, not necessarily that of the committee.
But in a year when Tea Party activists rue the deficit spending and health care legislation proposed by Democrats, they also have little faith in Republican leadership. They squawk at the thought of a party endorsement, fearing it could become a coronation and deny the 8th District an energetic primary.
Last Monday's candidates' forum, sponsored by The Kitchen Table Patriots whose initial grassroots effort was last spring's Tea Party at Washington Crossing State Park, shows the muscle the group is developing.
"Everybody's voice needs to be heard, that's the bottom line," Anastasia Przybylski, one of the KTP organizers, said of the candidates. "Mike Fitzpatrick, I wish him luck, but I sure hope that we have a primary."
Przybylski said the Bucks Republican Party should avoid endorsing any candidate in this race.
"I don't see the point," she said. "Just let it be. I think it could hurt Mike, make him look like he's part of the machine."
Poprick disagreed.
"Why have a party if we're not going to endorse?" she said. "That's our job."
Poprick applauded people like Przybylski for the energy they're bringing to the Republican Party, but said most Bucks County residents aren't politically active and don't get to see the candidates. "Many people rely on our recommendations," she said. "We listen to all of the candidates and let voters know what we think.
"It's an integral part of the party's job to do the screening for everybody. If we don't, shame on us."
Polls find that the Tea Party groups - those folks who flooded last summer's town hall meetings - are hardly a fringe group. In fact, they're more popular than Democrats or Republicans.
According to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, 41 percent of likely voters now have a favorable opinion of folks like Przybyski, compared with 35 percent for Democrats and 28 percent for Republicans.
"The popularity of the parties is diminishing across the country," Przybyski said. "People feel disenfranchised with the process. I don't know if the party realizes that."
But she is loathe to use her organization's influence to form a third party. She saw what happened in New York's 23rd District when GOP leaders endorsed a candidate that supported the stimulus package. Activists instead chose a conservative candidate and in a three-way race the Democrats took the seat.
Advertisement "I'm 100 percent opposed to a third party," Przybyski said. "People need to get behind the winner and take out Murphy. An endorsement might make people engaged for the first time look for another candidate. That's the risk they're running."
Republican strategist Charlie Gerow of Quantum Communications said an endorsement doesn't take away a primary "unless the candidates make it so. There will be a primary on May 18. The question is how many people will be on the ballot."
Which is Poprick's point.
"Our endorsement doesn't say someone else can't run," she said. "It says we think this is best person to run. We're not stopping any body."
All signs point to Fitzpatrick looking for another shot at Murphy.
He was in Washington on Wednesday with GOP leaders hoping to round up support, The Hill reported.
Asked last week on WNPV about running, he said "I'm certainly considering it."
Fitzpatrick, 46, an attorney and former Bucks County Commissioner from Middletown, was congressman from 2004-06. He lost his re-election bid to Murphy, 36, and a two-term Democrat, in 2006 by 1,500 votes.
Democrat Larry Ceisler, a political analyst and publisher of PoliticsPa.com, said conservative activists should be pleased if Fitzpatrick is their nominee.
"I don't know what these people want," he said. "If you look at Mike Fitzpatrick's record, it mirrored that of (former Sen.) Rick Santorum. That's one of the reasons he lost.
"If they want a revolution and they want primaries, chances are they're not going to win general elections. Mike Fitzpatrick has an uphill battle as it is against Patrick Murphy. Bucks County is not the southern part of Mississippi. If they want to make it tougher for Republicans to regain this seat, fine with me."
Fitzpatrick's expected entry into the race has already changed expectations of at least one national pollster.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan publication that previously listed the 8th District as "safe Democratic" changed its status to "likely Democratic" because of Fitzpatrick.
"I expect this to become even more competitive," said David Wasserman, Cook's House editor.
He said Murphy's victories have come in a "political environment that has gone from perfect to ugly."
The candidates, he said, would be basically switching places four years later. Murphy becomes the incumbent supporting an unpopular president. Fitzpatrick is the challenger with an energized base.
"Bucks County, despite having trended toward Democrats in the last several decades, is not exactly Barack Obama's natural constituency. Voters are upset with way he's running the country and that reflects back on the congressional landscape."
Terry Madonna, director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll, said the election will be about Obama.
"It's not about the personalities of the candidates," he said. "This is about Obama's stimulus, government control, health care, national security and Afghanistan. Is Patrick Murphy worth another term in that context."
Gerow, the Republican strategist, agreed.
"Patrick Murphy by his own choosing has cemented himself at the hip with Barack Obama. His political fortunes will rise or fall on the strength or weakness of Barack Obama. And right now he doesn't look too popular."
Congressional Quarterly's Scorecard, Roll Call's Outlook and Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball maintain the seat as safe for Murphy.
"I expect the race would tighten and we would change this again next month," Wasserman said. "It's rare that we move more than one column at a time."
By: GARY WECKSELBLATT
Bucks County Courier Times
Should he enter the 8th District Congressional race, the fallout from a Republican Party endorsement could cause a fracture.
Mike Fitzpatrick's potential entry into the 8th District's crowded Republican field has been met with what amounts to a standing ovation by the GOP's hierarchy seeking to wrest the congressional post from Democrat Patrick Murphy.
And the reasons are obvious.
Fitzpatrick has a resume that already includes a congressional triumph, and he likely can extract cash from both the national party and local big shots - the lifeblood of a campaign and a talent Murphy has mastered.
These two credentials would certainly boost the former congressman's prospects of garnering the nomination if - when - he enters the race.
Then there are the nine announced candidates, none of whom has separated themselves from the pack four months before the May 18 primary, leaving Fitzpatrick an opening.
"I believe Mike will make an excellent congressman again," said Pat Poprick, vice chairwoman of the Bucks County Republican Committee. "He has always been very responsive to the community from as far back as his days as commissioner. I'd be shocked if he doesn't run."
Poprick's words carry significant clout. She says she's simply speaking her personal opinion, not necessarily that of the committee.
But in a year when Tea Party activists rue the deficit spending and health care legislation proposed by Democrats, they also have little faith in Republican leadership. They squawk at the thought of a party endorsement, fearing it could become a coronation and deny the 8th District an energetic primary.
Last Monday's candidates' forum, sponsored by The Kitchen Table Patriots whose initial grassroots effort was last spring's Tea Party at Washington Crossing State Park, shows the muscle the group is developing.
"Everybody's voice needs to be heard, that's the bottom line," Anastasia Przybylski, one of the KTP organizers, said of the candidates. "Mike Fitzpatrick, I wish him luck, but I sure hope that we have a primary."
Przybylski said the Bucks Republican Party should avoid endorsing any candidate in this race.
"I don't see the point," she said. "Just let it be. I think it could hurt Mike, make him look like he's part of the machine."
Poprick disagreed.
"Why have a party if we're not going to endorse?" she said. "That's our job."
Poprick applauded people like Przybylski for the energy they're bringing to the Republican Party, but said most Bucks County residents aren't politically active and don't get to see the candidates. "Many people rely on our recommendations," she said. "We listen to all of the candidates and let voters know what we think.
"It's an integral part of the party's job to do the screening for everybody. If we don't, shame on us."
Polls find that the Tea Party groups - those folks who flooded last summer's town hall meetings - are hardly a fringe group. In fact, they're more popular than Democrats or Republicans.
According to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, 41 percent of likely voters now have a favorable opinion of folks like Przybyski, compared with 35 percent for Democrats and 28 percent for Republicans.
"The popularity of the parties is diminishing across the country," Przybyski said. "People feel disenfranchised with the process. I don't know if the party realizes that."
But she is loathe to use her organization's influence to form a third party. She saw what happened in New York's 23rd District when GOP leaders endorsed a candidate that supported the stimulus package. Activists instead chose a conservative candidate and in a three-way race the Democrats took the seat.
Advertisement "I'm 100 percent opposed to a third party," Przybyski said. "People need to get behind the winner and take out Murphy. An endorsement might make people engaged for the first time look for another candidate. That's the risk they're running."
Republican strategist Charlie Gerow of Quantum Communications said an endorsement doesn't take away a primary "unless the candidates make it so. There will be a primary on May 18. The question is how many people will be on the ballot."
Which is Poprick's point.
"Our endorsement doesn't say someone else can't run," she said. "It says we think this is best person to run. We're not stopping any body."
All signs point to Fitzpatrick looking for another shot at Murphy.
He was in Washington on Wednesday with GOP leaders hoping to round up support, The Hill reported.
Asked last week on WNPV about running, he said "I'm certainly considering it."
Fitzpatrick, 46, an attorney and former Bucks County Commissioner from Middletown, was congressman from 2004-06. He lost his re-election bid to Murphy, 36, and a two-term Democrat, in 2006 by 1,500 votes.
Democrat Larry Ceisler, a political analyst and publisher of PoliticsPa.com, said conservative activists should be pleased if Fitzpatrick is their nominee.
"I don't know what these people want," he said. "If you look at Mike Fitzpatrick's record, it mirrored that of (former Sen.) Rick Santorum. That's one of the reasons he lost.
"If they want a revolution and they want primaries, chances are they're not going to win general elections. Mike Fitzpatrick has an uphill battle as it is against Patrick Murphy. Bucks County is not the southern part of Mississippi. If they want to make it tougher for Republicans to regain this seat, fine with me."
Fitzpatrick's expected entry into the race has already changed expectations of at least one national pollster.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan publication that previously listed the 8th District as "safe Democratic" changed its status to "likely Democratic" because of Fitzpatrick.
"I expect this to become even more competitive," said David Wasserman, Cook's House editor.
He said Murphy's victories have come in a "political environment that has gone from perfect to ugly."
The candidates, he said, would be basically switching places four years later. Murphy becomes the incumbent supporting an unpopular president. Fitzpatrick is the challenger with an energized base.
"Bucks County, despite having trended toward Democrats in the last several decades, is not exactly Barack Obama's natural constituency. Voters are upset with way he's running the country and that reflects back on the congressional landscape."
Terry Madonna, director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll, said the election will be about Obama.
"It's not about the personalities of the candidates," he said. "This is about Obama's stimulus, government control, health care, national security and Afghanistan. Is Patrick Murphy worth another term in that context."
Gerow, the Republican strategist, agreed.
"Patrick Murphy by his own choosing has cemented himself at the hip with Barack Obama. His political fortunes will rise or fall on the strength or weakness of Barack Obama. And right now he doesn't look too popular."
Congressional Quarterly's Scorecard, Roll Call's Outlook and Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball maintain the seat as safe for Murphy.
"I expect the race would tighten and we would change this again next month," Wasserman said. "It's rare that we move more than one column at a time."
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Mikey Fitz's guest piece in the BCCT
from the BCCT:
Challenge to Murphy: Listen to the people, not the partisans
Bucks County Courier Times
By MIKE FITZPATRICK
Recently I attempted to speak with Congressman Patrick Murphy about the disappointing votes being cast in Washington as the current Congress squanders an historic opportunity to improve health coverage for all Americans. He told me to call him later.
Bucks Countians have been waiting months for their representative in Congress to hear their concerns about the gaggle of bills under consideration in the Capitol. Despite repeated calls for a town hall meeting where constituents can meet their elected federal representative face-to-face, questions and concerns have gone unanswered.
The reason: Patrick Murphy is in favor of government control of healthcare. I know because he told me so.
And in his quest to vote for a "strong public option" (read: the beginning of the federal government taking over our health decision making), he rushed headlong into H.R. 3962 which provides:
For individual taxpayers: Higher taxes on high-income filers, federal mandates to purchase health insurance or be subject to federal penalties and exemptions for non-resident aliens. In conjunction with the passage of HR 3962 (by the slimmest of margins and with Patrick Murphy's full support), Murphy also voted to pass HR 3961, increasing physician reimbursements and deficit spending, which adds to the federal debt.
For employers: Practically every small business is now federally mandated to provide "qualified" coverage or be subject to a new, 8 percent tax. Employers are also limited in use of Flexible Savings Accounts, which I use to pay out of pocket medical expenses for my children and used for my own recent medical expenses in cancer recovery.
Advertisement For seniors: $571 billion has been slashed from your allocated Medicare funding; $170 billion has been cut from your Medicare Advantage Plans. Your Medicare D premiums will be increased to help pay for new federal programs your representatives deem nice to have.
Murphy's bill is packed with problems too numerous to mention in my limited space available. But Murphy's bad bill got worse in the U.S. Senate. Now we find out that, in addition to paying new Medicaid increases for Pennsylvania residents, we also are expected to pick up the cost for Nebraska residents because they "cut a deal" to buy Sen. Nelson's support. Still no comment from Patrick. Still no town hall meeting for his constituents.
Provide tax relief that makes it easier, not more difficult, for employers to provide health coverage. Reform the health justice system. Incentivize innovative solutions that fight healthcare fraud. There is $250 billion in easy money - currently wasted - in the federal health programs. Recover the money and use it to cover pre-existing conditions and to reward health care clinics that already provide coverage to the uninsured: the Mother Bachmann clinic in Bensalem, HealthLink in Southampton and The Free Clinic at Doylestown Hospital.
I firmly believe that the best solutions already exist in the communities across America. Our representatives should spend more time listening to us and less time listening to the partisans inside the Beltway. An old-fashioned, town hall meeting back home in Bucks County would be a good start.
January 12, 2010 07:43 AM
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pajmf, 01-12-10, 8:30 am | Rate: 1 | Report
Well written piece, Mr. Fitzpatrick! It sounds like you had the same problem getting responses from Congressman Murphy as I did when I contacted his office. I didn't even get a form letter response.
False Profit, 01-12-10, 9:50 am | Rate: -1 | Report
That sounds familiar. On January 29, 2009, 348 days ago, there was a public hearing in Morrisville about permanently closing an elementary school that suffered a debilitating furnace explosion on Dec. 13, 2008.
At the hearing, the public was promised written responses within a reasonable time to all the questions raised at the hearing. So far, no responses have been provided.
The 2 people who made this promise, and it's in the transcript, are:
School Board President Bill Hellmann; and
School Board Solicitor ......
Mike Fitzpatrick
Challenge to Murphy: Listen to the people, not the partisans
Bucks County Courier Times
By MIKE FITZPATRICK
Recently I attempted to speak with Congressman Patrick Murphy about the disappointing votes being cast in Washington as the current Congress squanders an historic opportunity to improve health coverage for all Americans. He told me to call him later.
Bucks Countians have been waiting months for their representative in Congress to hear their concerns about the gaggle of bills under consideration in the Capitol. Despite repeated calls for a town hall meeting where constituents can meet their elected federal representative face-to-face, questions and concerns have gone unanswered.
The reason: Patrick Murphy is in favor of government control of healthcare. I know because he told me so.
And in his quest to vote for a "strong public option" (read: the beginning of the federal government taking over our health decision making), he rushed headlong into H.R. 3962 which provides:
For individual taxpayers: Higher taxes on high-income filers, federal mandates to purchase health insurance or be subject to federal penalties and exemptions for non-resident aliens. In conjunction with the passage of HR 3962 (by the slimmest of margins and with Patrick Murphy's full support), Murphy also voted to pass HR 3961, increasing physician reimbursements and deficit spending, which adds to the federal debt.
For employers: Practically every small business is now federally mandated to provide "qualified" coverage or be subject to a new, 8 percent tax. Employers are also limited in use of Flexible Savings Accounts, which I use to pay out of pocket medical expenses for my children and used for my own recent medical expenses in cancer recovery.
Advertisement For seniors: $571 billion has been slashed from your allocated Medicare funding; $170 billion has been cut from your Medicare Advantage Plans. Your Medicare D premiums will be increased to help pay for new federal programs your representatives deem nice to have.
Murphy's bill is packed with problems too numerous to mention in my limited space available. But Murphy's bad bill got worse in the U.S. Senate. Now we find out that, in addition to paying new Medicaid increases for Pennsylvania residents, we also are expected to pick up the cost for Nebraska residents because they "cut a deal" to buy Sen. Nelson's support. Still no comment from Patrick. Still no town hall meeting for his constituents.
Provide tax relief that makes it easier, not more difficult, for employers to provide health coverage. Reform the health justice system. Incentivize innovative solutions that fight healthcare fraud. There is $250 billion in easy money - currently wasted - in the federal health programs. Recover the money and use it to cover pre-existing conditions and to reward health care clinics that already provide coverage to the uninsured: the Mother Bachmann clinic in Bensalem, HealthLink in Southampton and The Free Clinic at Doylestown Hospital.
I firmly believe that the best solutions already exist in the communities across America. Our representatives should spend more time listening to us and less time listening to the partisans inside the Beltway. An old-fashioned, town hall meeting back home in Bucks County would be a good start.
January 12, 2010 07:43 AM
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pajmf, 01-12-10, 8:30 am | Rate: 1 | Report
Well written piece, Mr. Fitzpatrick! It sounds like you had the same problem getting responses from Congressman Murphy as I did when I contacted his office. I didn't even get a form letter response.
False Profit, 01-12-10, 9:50 am | Rate: -1 | Report
That sounds familiar. On January 29, 2009, 348 days ago, there was a public hearing in Morrisville about permanently closing an elementary school that suffered a debilitating furnace explosion on Dec. 13, 2008.
At the hearing, the public was promised written responses within a reasonable time to all the questions raised at the hearing. So far, no responses have been provided.
The 2 people who made this promise, and it's in the transcript, are:
School Board President Bill Hellmann; and
School Board Solicitor ......
Mike Fitzpatrick
Thursday, June 25, 2009
What really went down last night
From dictionary.com
cro·ny·ism (krō'nē-ĭz'əm) n. Favoritism shown to old friends without regard for their qualifications, as in political appointments to office.
As solicitor, Mr. Fitzpatrick should know better.
Here is what we don't get, if you are going to create this position for the purpose of shedding a positive ray of sunshine of the Morrisville Schools, why would you hire someone that has bashed the town in the past?
This board has once again dug itself into a deep hole. How will they explain hiring a $25,000 part-time employee, when they could have had one for free. Or is the $25,000 salary a payment for a political endorsement come election time. Remember she has a radio show, and our fear is that she will use that show to spew "stay on track" propaganda.
How many lap dogs does Hellmann have now? Add 1 more...Pat Wandling.
cro·ny·ism (krō'nē-ĭz'əm) n. Favoritism shown to old friends without regard for their qualifications, as in political appointments to office.
As solicitor, Mr. Fitzpatrick should know better.
Here is what we don't get, if you are going to create this position for the purpose of shedding a positive ray of sunshine of the Morrisville Schools, why would you hire someone that has bashed the town in the past?
This board has once again dug itself into a deep hole. How will they explain hiring a $25,000 part-time employee, when they could have had one for free. Or is the $25,000 salary a payment for a political endorsement come election time. Remember she has a radio show, and our fear is that she will use that show to spew "stay on track" propaganda.
How many lap dogs does Hellmann have now? Add 1 more...Pat Wandling.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Corruption at its finest
Last night the board voted 6-2 to approve and hire a "communications director". Their pick.....Patricia Wandling. Yes that Patricia Wandling. The same person that said Morrisville has nothing to offer. The same person who rarely has anything positive to say about our town. Her pay, $25,000. Here is where the corruption comes into play. Was this position ever posted anywhere? NO. The board was originally going to just approve the job description, but Mr. Fitzpatrick announced at the beginning of the meeting that there was an addition to the agenda and it was to hire Pat Wandling for $25,000. How can you hire someone if their job description has not even been approved? But here's the most corrupt part of it all...Melissa Danbury, during public session volunteered her services free of charge for six months, and after that time if funds were available, she would be willing to stay on the job on a part-time basis. What did the board do? They chose Patricia Wandling. And finally Patricia Wandling used to work for Mr. Fitzpatrick. This whole communications director has corruption written all over it. Great Job guys, your ways of cronyism, backroom deals, and unethical behavior will now be brought to light for all of Morrisville to see, and wherever Sharon Hughes plays her tapes of the board meetings. As board members you should all be ashamed of yourselves for the following reasons:
1: For being Bill Hellmann's lap dogs.
2. For not using common sense when voting on this "communications director" position
3. For allowing Sharon Hughes to go off on "non school board" issues, while reprimanding Mrs. Haug for actually speaking about agenda items.
Below is a recap of the board meeting from the BCCT.
Board hires part-time communications director
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
One board member voted no because she said the directors just received resumes and the recommended person used to work for the solicitor.
After a parent volunteered to temporarily do the job for free, the Morrisville school board Wednesday night approved 6-2 to hire Patricia Wandling as the district's part-time communications director for $25,000.
Board members Robin Reithmeyer and Joseph Kemp voted no to the hire and Gloria Heater wasn't present for the vote.
Board members Brenda Worob and William Farrell both voted in favor of the motion because they said Morrisville needs a way and place to advertise its positive communication.
"(This position) is very positive to have in the district for the community," said Worob. "People who aren't involved in the district don't know what's going on. (This can) bring the community together."
PTO member Melissa Danbury agreed, which is why she volunteered to do the job for free for six months.
A few residents and board members conceded that the district needs someone to help getting the word out to the community about what's happening in Morrisville. But others said the district shouldn't spend the money right now and accused the board of using the spot to further their own political agenda.
One community member suggested finding a volunteer, faculty member, or journalism class to write press releases.
After Reithmeyer expressed concern that the job description didn't specify a supervisor, Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson suggested adding that she would oversee the position.
Reithmeyer said she voted against the motion because the district only received resumes Tuesday, no one had a chance to interview anyone, and Wandling is a former employee of district solicitor Michael Fitzpatrick.
June 25, 2009 02:11 AM
1: For being Bill Hellmann's lap dogs.
2. For not using common sense when voting on this "communications director" position
3. For allowing Sharon Hughes to go off on "non school board" issues, while reprimanding Mrs. Haug for actually speaking about agenda items.
Below is a recap of the board meeting from the BCCT.
Board hires part-time communications director
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
One board member voted no because she said the directors just received resumes and the recommended person used to work for the solicitor.
After a parent volunteered to temporarily do the job for free, the Morrisville school board Wednesday night approved 6-2 to hire Patricia Wandling as the district's part-time communications director for $25,000.
Board members Robin Reithmeyer and Joseph Kemp voted no to the hire and Gloria Heater wasn't present for the vote.
Board members Brenda Worob and William Farrell both voted in favor of the motion because they said Morrisville needs a way and place to advertise its positive communication.
"(This position) is very positive to have in the district for the community," said Worob. "People who aren't involved in the district don't know what's going on. (This can) bring the community together."
PTO member Melissa Danbury agreed, which is why she volunteered to do the job for free for six months.
A few residents and board members conceded that the district needs someone to help getting the word out to the community about what's happening in Morrisville. But others said the district shouldn't spend the money right now and accused the board of using the spot to further their own political agenda.
One community member suggested finding a volunteer, faculty member, or journalism class to write press releases.
After Reithmeyer expressed concern that the job description didn't specify a supervisor, Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson suggested adding that she would oversee the position.
Reithmeyer said she voted against the motion because the district only received resumes Tuesday, no one had a chance to interview anyone, and Wandling is a former employee of district solicitor Michael Fitzpatrick.
June 25, 2009 02:11 AM
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