In Delaware County, the Springfield Township Republican Committee is under new leadership. 

Former state Sen. Tom McGarrigle was elected chairman on May 26, replacing Mike Puppio, who served for nearly 20 years. 

McGarrigle said he hopes to grow the Springfield GOP, bring in new people, “get people motivated,” and “keep Springfield Republican-run.”

He hopes to have people knock on the doors to welcome newcomers to town and let them know that the “reason Springfield is a desirable place to live is the township and school board are in Republican hands.

“It’s why Springfield is Springfield,” said McGarrigle.

The new residents probably left Democratic-controlled areas where crime is high, and the schools are “terrible.” 

“They only need to look to the east,” McGarrigle added, where Democrat-run Upper Darby “is now almost bankrupt.”

McGarrigle, who also served on the county council, plans to recruit excellent candidates to run for office.

Broad + Liberty asked Puppio why he decided to step down.

“I have life obligations that have grown,” said Puppio. His mother is living with him now. And Puppio is the father of “a beautiful, energetic, 17-month-old” daughter.

“The Springfield Republican Party is as strong as ever,” said Puppio. “Tom will do an excellent job. He was a commissioner for years and has his finger on the pulse of the township.”

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Speaking of Upper Darby, four residents sued the township over the council’s February 18 adoption of new rules concerning public comments at meetings. 

Lead plaintiff John DeMasi told Broad + Liberty that the council had followed the wrong procedure by passing a resolution rather than an ordinance in violation of the Home Rule Charter.

Also, the Home Rule Charter says, “anyone can go up and address Council about anything they want. Now they say you can only talk about things that are on the agenda,” he said.

And residents only have three minutes now, and can’t cede their time to another person to continue reading their remarks.

“That violates not only the state constitution, but the Home Rule Charter, and it also violates the federal constitution,” said DeMasi.

The residents have offered to speak with township officials to see if they can reach an out-of-court settlement, which would save taxpayers money, but council members refused, presumably on the advice of their attorneys. Solicitor Jordan Brickman, with Clarke Gallagher Barbiero Amuso & Glassman, who represents Upper Darby in the case, did not respond when asked to comment.

“Here we are 250 years after the first 4th of July, and we still have to fight for the right of free speech,” DeMasi said. 

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On June 12, Sen. Tracy Penycuick (R-24) will hold her fourth annual Women Veterans Day observance on June 10 at 10 a.m. in the Ryan Office Building atrium the state capitol in Harrisburg.

In conjunction with the ceremony, a virtual display featuring Pennsylvania women veterans will be available online beginning Monday, June 8.

“Women have served our nation with courage, skill, and unwavering dedication throughout every era of our military’s history. Women Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize their contributions, honor their sacrifices, and ensure their stories are remembered for generations to come. As a combat veteran, I am proud to stand alongside these remarkable women and celebrate their service to our country,” said Pennycuick, who is herself an Army veteran.

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It’s going to be a hot summer in Bucks County.  Attack ads for the November election have already begun. 

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1) fired a salvo against his opponent, county Commissioner Bob Harvie Jr. (D), with social media posts titled “Fire Bob Harvie.” 

One ad called Harvie an “arrogant elitist” and showed a video snippet of Harvie in action during a county meeting telling former County Sheriff Fred Harran to sit down, saying, “I’m not done with my speech. I’ll be done when I’m done.”   

The ad, so soon in the November general election cycle, seeks to paint a negative picture of Harvie in voters’ minds, and is reminiscent of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s campaign ads that defined his 2022 opponent, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), early — so early they ran on television during the Republicans’ crowded primary. 

Harvie, meanwhile, has released a campaign video, as well. 

Buckle up, Bucks!