Tuesday, May 14, 2013
According to poll results, more voters support same-sex marriage in 2013.
A majority of state voters said they are in favor of allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally marry, according to one pole. The Frankin and Marshall College poll of Pennsylvania voters for May 2013 showed that 54 percent of voters polled were in favor of allowing legal same-sex marriages. The 54 percent in favor is up from 48 percent in the previous year. The poll, which was conducted between April 30 and May 5, gathered responses from 526 registered voters, including 265 Democrats, 196 Republicans and 65 Independents. The full poll is available for review here. The following information representes the questions asked in the survey and the results given by voters. 1) Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would allow…
Former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that he's exploring another run for the Senate; Sestak narrowly lost to Pat Toomey in 2010.
A rematch between former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is in the works as Sestak announced Tuesday that he's exploring a run for the Senate in 2016. Democrat Sestak, a former Navy vice admiral, lost narrowly to Republican Toomey in 2010. Sestak, of Delaware County, has formed an exploratory committee—the equivalent of launching a campaign in terms of Federal Elections Commission paperwork, according to a Washington Post report. Can Sestak beat Toomey? Who would you vote for if the Senate election was held today? Tell us in the comments section below. Tuesday's announcement ends speculation that Sestak, 61, is raising money to challenge Gov. Tom Corbett. Sestak raised $460,000 in the first quarter of this year. A Sestak-…
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The county is participating in Bike to Work week starting Monday.
The Delaware County Government will be celebrating Bike to Work Week, which starts Monday, May 13. The county is holding a celebration of the week on Friday, May 17 in Media. Those looking to participate in the ride can meet at the county courthouse at 8:30 a.m. Refreshments and prizes will be available. In a release from the county's planning department, the celebration is part of an effort to "help make others aware of alternative means of commuting ... to avoid gas and parking expenses ... to minimize pollution ... to exercise and have fun." Read more from the county on its website. Read more about Bike to Work Day from Bike Leauge.
Monday, May 6, 2013
A proposed law would lower the value needed for a felony charge in retail theft.
A new bill passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives could crack down on retail theft, or make it easier for someone to become a felon. Under House Bill 1000 any incident of retail theft in which the value of the items stolen exceeds $1,000 can result in a third-degree felony charge. Before this bill the cutoff line for a felony charge of retail theft was $2,000. As the law exists now, there are a number of ways one can be charged for retail theft as explained below: The bill passed 195-0 in the House and now moves on to the Senate. Do you support this bill? Let us know what you think in the comments area below.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
A new bill in the Pennsylvania House aims to crack down on sex crimes.
A new bill approved in the state House of Representatives aims to crack down on human trafficking and sex work. House Bill 663, which was unanimously passed 195-0 in the House, expands what the state considers "commercial sex acts" and raises the crime of buying or selling people for sex work from a third-degree to a possible first-degree felony. Under the new bill, the definition of commercial sex includes being forced to perform "any sexual activity … in which anything of value is given to or received by another person" and includes "prostitution, participation in the production of pornography, performance in strip clubs and sexual activity … regardless of the age of the victim." As the law is currently written, there are no provisions …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
The Newtown Board of Supervisors authorized for roadwork to go out for bid.
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the authorization to go out for bid in order to conduct roadwork following the Public Works Department's roads tour. Director of Public Works George Sharretts presented his report at Monday's meeting and it is expected to be posted on the township website as well. He said the 49 miles of township roads were evaluated, state roads and paper or privately-owned streets, were not included. "It's our intention to prepare a long term road program," Sharretts said. "The program will need to be a living plan which can be adapted and evolve." The program would address the refurbishment of the roads that have been evaluated to be in poor condition first, then address the roads that were…
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The left turn lane already exists at the intersection but the traffic signal needed to be modified.
At the request of residents, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors approved traffic signal modifications at Troop Farm Road and Route 252. Supervisor John Nawn said at the board's Monday meeting that the current closure of nearby Gradyville Road has caused traffic problems and a left turn signal was needed at the intersection. The left turn lane and traffic light already exist at the intersection but the traffic signal needed to be modified in order for the signal to have a left turn arrow. Nawn said the township's traffic engineer investigated the issue and determined it was warranted and presented a plan to PennDOT which was approved. The cost was estimated to be $14,547.53 for installation, change of the controller and wiring …
Friday, April 19, 2013
It's not too late to register to vote in the Primary Election.
The last day to register to vote in the May 21 Primary Election is Monday, April 22. Delaware County citizens can register to vote at the Voter Registration Commission in the lobby of the Delaware County Government Center, adjacent to the Courthouse, in Media, according to the county. Regular office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during weekdays. To be eligible to vote, an American citizen must be 18-years-old by Election Day. Citizens who turn 18 no later than May 21, 2013, are eligible, if registered in time, to vote. An eligible voter who lives in Delaware County can learn if he or she is registered by contacting the Voter Registration Commission at 610-891-4659. The TDD line for the hearing-impaired is 610-891-4306.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Senate rejected Pat Toomey's attempt to expand background checks via a controversial gun control amendment voted on Wednesday afternoon.
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey sounded unconcerned in a conference call Wednesday when a reporter asked about the possibility that his NRA rating would be downgraded because of his recent compromise move on gun control. "This is not about the NRA or politics for me," Toomey said. The Toomey-Manchin amendment to expand background checks was narrowly defeated in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon. The vote was 54 yes to 46 no. Sixty votes rather than a simple majority were needed to pass the amendment. Toomey issued this statement just after the vote: “I did what I thought was the right thing for our country. I sought out a compromise position that I thought could move the ball forward on an important matter of public safety. My only regret is that our…
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Delaware County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle presented the 2013 State of the County address this week.
Delaware County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle presented the 2013 State of the County address at a Delaware County Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Towne House Restaurant in Media on April 9. McGarrigle highlighted economic success stories and presented an update on the Local Economic Development (LED) strategy for the future. McGarrigle listed many economic "silver linings" in Delaware County including redevelopment of the refineries, new retail stores in Upper Darby, the Quarry Development in Haverford, new hotels coming to Springfield, Tinicum and Ridley, and the U.S. Open coming to Merion Golf Club in Haverford. Read more about the address here.
Juana Saunders
2:29 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
I am one of many gay woman in the state of Pennsylvania, and all I need to say is.... pass the law Already!!!!! more ›