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…
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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Tuesday, August 21, 2012
In a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-13th District), Montgomery County Commissioner Leslie Richards and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), discussed the differing views of the presidential candidates.
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-13th District), Montgomery County Commissioner Leslie Richards and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), held a joint press conference Tuesday afternoon on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse. Schwartz began by saying with the selection of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s running mate, “We did want to talk about the really strong contrast between the visions for our country and the way we're going to get there." She added, “There is such a stark contrast on priorities and choices.” She highlighted seniors, specifically medicare, as well as education as some of those differences. Schwartz told those who gathered that Romney and Ryan are campaigning on the idea that tax cuts for the wealthy will create a …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Montgomery County Commissioners Bruce Castor and Leslie Richards react to the news that Judge Robert Simpson has upheld Pennsylvania's Voter ID Law.
Montgomery County Commissioners Bruce Castor and Leslie Richards were in Norristown at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Elmwood Park Zoo's new parking lot expansion when news that Judge Robert Simpson upheld Pennsylvania's controversial Voter ID law requiring voters to present a valid photo ID at the polls in order to vote. When they learned of the decision, Castor and Richards offered their thoughts on the news to Patch.
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 …
Monday, May 7, 2012
County Commissioners Shapiro and Richards, along with DA Risa Ferman, honed their marksmanship at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus last Friday.
On Friday, May 4th, Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards toured the Montgomery County Safety Training Campus, and had the opportunity to fire handguns and a Thompson submachine gun. The facility is located at 1175 Conshohocken Road, in the Conshohocken section of Plymouth Township. District Attorney Risa Ferman, Chief Operating Officer Lauren Lambrugo, Sheriff Eileen Behr, and a number of other county employees joined the commissioners on their tour. Commissioner Bruce Castor was unable to make it due to illness. Watch our video for an up-close look, and to find out who's got the best shot.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
New policies governing bids for county business, employee ethics introduced as new administration marks 100 days in office.
The current Montgomery County Board of Commissioners marked its first 100 days in office Thursday morning with a special meeting that introduced new county ethics and procurement policies intended to increase transparency and eliminate patronage and corruption from county government. Board chairman Josh Shapiro said Thursday marked the beginning of a "new era" for Montgomery County. Reading from a prepared statement, Shapiro said the new procurement policy will "ensure a level playing field and a good value for the taxpayers" while the "totally revamped" ethics policy will "value integrity and not one's political agenda." New procurement policy favors local businesses, punishes misconduct The new procurement policy replaces a policy passed…
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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 ›