In Delaware County, the Springfield Township Republican Committee is under new leadership.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Former state Sen. Tom McGarrigle was elected chairman on May 26, replacing Mike Puppio, who served for nearly 20 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
McGarrigle said he hopes to grow the Springfield GOP, bring in new people, \u201cget people motivated,\u201d and \u201ckeep Springfield Republican-run.\u201d<\/p>\n
He hopes to have people knock on the doors to welcome newcomers to town and let them know that the \u201creason Springfield is a desirable place to live is the township and school board are in Republican hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s why Springfield is Springfield,\u201d said McGarrigle.<\/p>\n
The new residents probably left Democratic-controlled areas where crime is high, and the schools are \u201cterrible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey only need to look to the east,\u201d McGarrigle added, where Democrat-run Upper Darby \u201cis now almost bankrupt.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGarrigle, who also served on the county council, plans to recruit excellent candidates to run for office.<\/p>\n
Broad + Liberty asked Puppio why he decided to step down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have life obligations that have grown,\u201d said Puppio. His mother is living with him now. And Puppio is the father of \u201ca beautiful, energetic, 17-month-old\u201d daughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Springfield Republican Party is as strong as ever,\u201d said Puppio. \u201cTom will do an excellent job. He was a commissioner for years and has his finger on the pulse of the township.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Speaking of Upper Darby, four residents sued the township<\/a> over the council\u2019s February 18 adoption of new rules concerning public comments at meetings.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Also, the Home Rule Charter says, \u201canyone can go up and address Council about anything they want. Now they say you can only talk about things that are on the agenda,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n And residents only have three minutes now, and can\u2019t cede their time to another person to continue reading their remarks.<\/p>\n \u201cThat violates not only the state constitution, but the Home Rule Charter, and it also violates the federal constitution,\u201d said DeMasi.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHere we are 250 years after the first 4th of July, and we still have to fight for the right of free speech,\u201d DeMasi said.\u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n In conjunction with the ceremony, a virtual display featuring Pennsylvania women veterans will be available online<\/a> beginning Monday, June 8.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen have served our nation with courage, skill, and unwavering dedication throughout every era of our military\u2019s 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,\u201d said Pennycuick, who is herself an Army veteran.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n It\u2019s going to be a hot summer in Bucks County.\u00a0 Attack ads<\/a> for the November election have already begun.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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 \u201cFire Bob Harvie.\u201d<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n One ad called Harvie an \u201carrogant elitist\u201d and showed a video snippet<\/a> of Harvie in action during a county meeting telling former County Sheriff Fred Harran to sit down, saying, \u201cI\u2019m not done with my speech. I\u2019ll be done when I\u2019m done.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The ad, so soon in the November general election cycle, seeks to paint a negative picture of Harvie in voters\u2019 minds, and is reminiscent of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s campaign ads<\/a> that defined his 2022 opponent, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), early \u2014 so early they ran on television during the Republicans\u2019 crowded primary.\u00a0<\/p>\n