Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Republicans have filed a lawsuit to remove Michael Paston as acting director of Montgomery County Voter Services, alleging that commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards appointed him illegally.
The Montgomery County Republican Committee (MCRC) has sued commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards and county employee Michael Paston regarding Paston’s position as “acting director” of the voter services department since the firing of long-time director Joseph Passarella in April. The suit alleges that Shapiro and Richards illegally appointed Paston, former Democrat elected official and current county archivist and print shop manager, to the post without approval from the salary board, according to the suit. According to a Margaret Gibbons article in Phillyburbs.com, sources say Shapiro and Richards wanted to immediately appoint Paston to the position but did not have the votes necessary. Republican Commissioner Bruce Castor and…
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
After Montgomery County denied an additional $11 million loan for what it considers a nonviable development project, the lender filed for foreclosure on Logan Square in Norristown.
The senior lender behind the Logan Square development project, located at Markley Street and West Johnson Highway in Norristown, filed for foreclosure on the property on May 3, putting in jeopardy a $24.5 million investment the county made to the development between 2009 and 2011. The project began in 2007 when Charles Gallub, principal at Develcom in Bellmawr, NJ, began working with government officials and a private investment group, Axis Advisors, LP, to develop the 24.5 acre site, including the abandoned Sears and Ports of the World, totaling 150,000 square feet in retail space. A plan to bring Raleigh Studios to the property fell through after failed negotiations over tax credits with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the plan …
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Norristown's interim Chief of Police Willie Richet and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro are expected to lead the call to end gun violence and 'support commonsense gun laws' as part of a "National Day to Demand Action."
The debate over gun control continues in the county seat as both Norristown's interim Chief of Police Willie Richet and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro are expected to take to the steps of Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown at 2:30 p.m. today, Thursday, March 28 to call for an end to gun violence and urge lawmakers to pass gun safety legislation like universal background checks. The planned rally is part of a "National Day to Demand Action" organized by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a bipartisan gun violence prevention advocacy organization co-chaired by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. There are similar events planned in more than 100 towns and cities across the country today, …
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493 Swede St, Norristown, PA
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
A code blue declaration will last from 9 p.m. Wednesday night through noon on Friday.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, March 13
According to the Montgomery County Comissioners, a Code Blue Declaration has been issued for Montgomery County for the period beginning at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13 through noon on Friday, March 15. “Spring is coming, but there are still some cold days and nights to get through,” said Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Commissioners. “Thank you to all of our first responders, social workers, and volunteers who work so diligently to protect our most vulnerable.” A Code Blue Cold Weather declaration is made in Montgomery County when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals without shelter. A Code Blue is called when the combination of air temperature and wind chill is anticipated to be 20ºF …
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Montgomery County Commissioners have embarked on a series aimed at informing the public about its plans and goals at the county level. Its first stop was Saturday in Lansdale Borough
Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards — minus Commissioner Bruce Castor Jr., who had prior appointments — visited Lansdale Borough Hall Saturday to discuss the status quo of county government today. Among the points talked about included morale, reform and the "fiscal mess" that Chairman Shapiro said the commissioners inherited from the previous administration. It was all part of a new series aimed at keeping county citizens updated on the projects and legislation coming out of Norristown. "We believe engaging with the public all through the county is critical to our job," Shapiro said. "We do better when you tell us what's on your mind." Shapiro said the commissioners there are three things that are benchmarks …
Monday, October 22, 2012
In anticipation of tonight's final debate, Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards spoke in support of their party's candidate, President Barack Obama, today in Norristown.
Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will square off tonight in the third and final presidential debate, this time on foreign policy. The rhetoric is expected to be heated, and most polls have the candidates in a dead heat following their earlier sparring matches. Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards took to the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse to vocie support their party's standard bearing, President Obama. The commissioners told those in attendance that when it comes to foreign policy, the president has the experience and the record needed to lead our country for the next four years. "We are electing a commander-in-chief, someone who will keep America safe," Shapiro said. "All Mitt …
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Montgomery County Courthouse
493 Swede St, Norristown, PA
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Thursday, August 9, 2012
The values and the vision for this country are reasons why President Obama is running for second term.
More than 1,500 people were fired up on Thursday to see First Lady Michelle Obama at the Upper Dublin High School gymnasium. Dan Siegel, the Montgomery County regional field director for Obama's re-election campaign, told the audience that in 2009, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. He said they were lucky to have full health insurance to cover to costs of her medical expenses. However, he added that the Affordable Care Act, passed by President Obama, means his mother's illness will never be considered a pre-existing condition and cannot be grounds for denial of health coverage. Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro said he and his wife spent time at the White House and were surprised by how much the President and First …
Monday, July 16, 2012
HB 2552 proposes that new revenue generated by the Valley Forge Casino and Resort be distributed to local parks and heritage sites and non-profits.
On Monday, July 16, the Montgomery County Commissioners, along with state Representatives Marcy Toepel (R-147), Mike Vereb (R-150) and Todd Stephens (R-151), held a press conference to reveal new legislation that would redistribute casino revenue from the county’s share assessment. If House Bill 2552 is passed, the casino would give 2% of its gross revenue back to the community – 75% of that will be going to maintenance and refurbishment services of parks and heritage sites, while the final 25% would be split evenly between local nonprofits Laurel House and Mission Kids. "An estimated $1.2 million will be generated. $900,000 to the parks and heritage sites, and $150,000 each to Mission Kids and Laurel House," explained Toepel. Currently, …
Monday, July 9, 2012
Shapiro: 'Overt gerrymandering' should again be struck down by the high court.
Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards, along with six other public officials and Montgomery County residents, filed an appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Monday contesting the latest reapportionment plan from the state legislature. The appeal is part of a second round of filing against the 2011 Reapportionment Plan, after the Supreme Court sent back an initial plan in January 2012 following a challenge. At that time, the court ruled that the redistricting plan did not adhere to the state constitution's requirements for compact districts. Many Democratic leaders hailed the decision, stating that the proposal gerrymandered districts in favor of Republican political interests. A second plan was then …
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Over 900 Montco veterans have received their photo-ID cards, which can be used for discounts at more than 80 different locations across the county.
It's only been a couple of months since Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Nancy Becker implemented the county's veterans discount program, but already a group of nearly 1,000 former service-members has signed up to take advantage of the discounts made available by more than 80 local businesses. As a result, Chairman Josh Shapiro took the liberty to tout the program's early success during Thursday's Montgomery County Commissioners meeting. "We've handed out photo ID cards to over 900 veterans since we started the program in March of this year, and we've recorded nearly 500 new military discharges," said Shapiro. In order to participate in the program, veterans are asked to bring their DD-214 Certificate of Release to the Recorder of Deeds…
Curmudgeon
2:23 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Because of his background, Paston is qualified to run the print shop. As far as voter services, this is purely a political appointment. Why don't you guys just have the balls to say that. It would at least be honest. Why won't Castor and Greenleaf support Paston?? Castor has been very bipartisan in his dealings on the Board of Commissioners, maybe, because the appointment sucks!!! more ›