Pine-Richland School Board Elections

While I haven't heard much about who might be running for Pine-Richland School Board this year, I have been outspoken about my frustration with the tax increase that the all REPUBLICAN school board voted for last year. I would like to see some sort of interest in these races, but it has been very quiet.

Here are school board seats that are up for election in 2011.

Region 1 (Pine Twp. 1, 4, 5, 7, & 8 - 2 Seats):

Therese Dawson
Kevin Nigh*

Region 2 (Pine Twp. 2, 3, 6 & Richland Twp. 1, 2, 7, 8 - 1 Seat):

Scott Stedeford*

Region 3 (Richland Twp. 3, 4, 5, &6 - 2 Seats):

Aafke Loney*
A. Robert Necciai*

*Voted for the property tax increase

The Pine-Richland School District Board of School Directors adopted a modified regional plan for the election of school directors. This plan was presented to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and approved. The realignment is designed to more accurately reflect the changing populations in the Pine and Richland Townships and to equalize the three regions. Each of the three regions elects three school directors to the Board.

The former arrangement grouped all of the Pine Township into Region #1. Region #2 is the western portion of Richland Township, and Region #3 is the eastern portion of Richland Township. Pine has been growing rapidly since the present arrangement was put into place and the population gap between the two municipalities has narrowed.

Under the new realignment plan, the Board expanded Region #2 and added to it three electoral districts from Pine. The plan encompass portions of both townships and involves electing.

Turzai double dipping taxpayers

One of the hardest thing about using the media to grandstand like Rep. Turzai has since his first failed run for Congress in 1998, is it can often times be hard to not contradict yourself.

CasablancaPA is a blog that doesn't even try to pretend to be objective, but they still usually have some interesting facts that they bring to the table. Their newest post points out how much Turzai has collected in Per Diems while having taxpayers foot the bill for meals. I suggest you check out the BLOG for yourself to see all the hypocrisy that Turzai is involved in.

I also would like to point out some other hypocritical things that Turzai has been involved in:

He has railed against WAM money, then sent a political mailer that said "Thanks a million" as he bragged about all the WAM money he has brought back to the district.

He has labeled any tax plan that Democrats have introduced as tax shifts, yet he proposed a tax shift in 2006 that would have raised sales tax in Allegheny County to at least 8%.

He loves to say that he voted against the payraise because elected officials shouldn't benefit from the taxpayers. However, Rep. Turzai's wife owns a large medical practice in the North Hills. Turzai fights for medical malpractice subsidies that have most likely put more money in his family's pocket than any payraise.

2 Political Junkies: Tales Of Tea Party Texas

2 Political Junkies: Tales Of Tea Party Texas: "- The Intolerant, Bigoted 'Christian' Part. From Thinkprogress:Last month, several Tea Party activists formed a right-wing coalition to ous..."

Credit where credit is due

New construction allows Pine to hold line on taxes

New construction in Pine has allowed supervisors to hold the line on taxes for the eighth year.

Supervisors Monday night unanimously approved the $11.8 million budget for 2011. The tax rate will remain at 1.2 mills.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10341/1108846-100.stm#ixzz17UVm1Hz1

Many of you know I was upset that our all Conservative Republican School District in Pine-Richland raised taxes, but the municipal officials in our area have generally done a good job of keeping the tax rate down. We'll see if Richland Township can hold their tax rate this year with their now very conservative Board of Supervisors.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Presidential Proclamation--Thanksgiving Day

A beloved American tradition, Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity to focus our thoughts on the grace that has been extended to our people and our country. This spirit brought together the newly arrived Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe -- who had been living and thriving around Plymouth, Massachusetts for thousands of years -- in an autumn harvest feast centuries ago. This Thanksgiving Day, we reflect on the compassion and contributions of Native Americans, whose skill in agriculture helped the early colonists survive, and whose rich culture continues to add to our Nation's heritage. We also pause our normal pursuits on this day and join in a spirit of fellowship and gratitude for the year's bounties and blessings.

Thanksgiving Day is a time each year, dating back to our founding, when we lay aside the troubles and disagreements of the day and bow our heads in humble recognition of the providence bestowed upon our Nation. Amidst the uncertainty of a fledgling experiment in democracy, President George Washington declared the first Thanksgiving in America, recounting the blessings of tranquility, union, and plenty that shined upon our young country. In the dark days of the Civil War when the fate of our Union was in doubt, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day, calling for "the Almighty hand" to heal and restore our Nation.

In confronting the challenges of our day, we must draw strength from the resolve of previous generations who faced their own struggles and take comfort in knowing a brighter day has always dawned on our great land. As we stand at the close of one year and look to the promise of the next, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, for one another, and for our Nation. This Thanksgiving Day, we remember that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These patriots are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and they and their families deserve our profound gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

This harvest season, we are also reminded of those experiencing the pangs of hunger or the hardship of economic insecurity. Let us return the kindness and generosity we have seen throughout the year by helping our fellow citizens weather the storms of our day.

As Americans gather for the time-honored Thanksgiving Day meal, let us rejoice in the abundance that graces our tables, in the simple gifts that mark our days, in the loved ones who enrich our lives, and in the gifts of a gracious God. Let us recall that our forebears met their challenges with hope and an unfailing spirit, and let us resolve to do the same.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 25, 2010, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all the people of the United States to come together -- whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors -- to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

North of the Burgh: Jason Altmire is Correct

North of the Burgh: Jason Altmire is Correct

Not only did Rep. Altmire's district go to John McCain by more than 11%, the other Democratic candidates in the 4th Congressional District got crushed this year:

Onorato lost by 55,981 votes (23.44%) and Sestak lost by 37,767 votes (15.92%).

Election Results

Congrats to Toomey, Corbett, Altmire, Orie, and Turzai. Now can we stop partisan bickering for at least a few months? Thanks.

Keith Rothfus Shenanigans

As I walked up to my Election Poll, I politely took all the handouts from those that are handing out candidate information. While I stood in line, I decided to look at the literature and found something interesting on the Keith Rothfus literature. He had a sticker that said he was endorsed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, Mr. Rothfus was not endorsed by the Post Gazette.

For someone that says he has "Strong. Conservative. Values." I think misrepresenting yourself on Election Day cuts into to your 'values' claim.

Jane Orie attacks Dan Demarco for a property tax reduction

I went off the other day about Sen. Jane Orie attacking Dan Demarco for raising taxes $15 (or 150%) based on legislation that Orie voted for that raised most of her constituents taxes by 420%. Then little information was provided to me about this 'tax hike' from 2004. The legislation that Dan Demarco voted for to increase the Emergency Municipal Services tax (formerly the Occupational Privilege Tax, currently the Local Services Tax) included a Property Tax CUT for Ross Township Residents. So Dan Demarco voted to REDUCE the property tax from 2.0451 mills to 1.9671 mills. Here is the the PG article.

The PG gives some more detail on the Emergency & Municipal Services Tax, which is essentially a 'user fee', that affects about 22,000 workers in Ross of which 86% don’t even live in the Township but use Ross services. So Dan Demarco was looking out for the people he represented and Jane Orie wants you to think she is the one that will fight for us? I hope the voters see through her games.

How much support with Keith Rothfus accept from organizations that don't disclose their donors?

This is the third direct mailer that has been sent out against Jason Altmire this month from the 60 Plus Association. With a $600,000 television ad buy by the Americans for Job Security and three direct mailers from the 60 Plus Organization how much money will Keith Rothfus accept in indirect campaign assistance from organizations that don't disclose their donors?

I would hope the voters and the candidates call for the end of this shady money like this that is influencing our elections. However, Mr. Rothfus doesn't just stand on the sideline like most candidates would in this situation. Mr. Rothfus has come out in support of these shadow groups while at the same time saying we need campaign finance reform. So is Rothfus's idea of campaign finance unlimited and undisclosed money for our political campaigns?

What will candidates like Keith Rothfus be expected to do for these groups that have offered campaign help?

Mike Turzai Mailer

Let's be honest, I don't think it is possible for Mike Turzai to lose. I might be okay with him being my State Rep, if he didn't take the time to go after the only local elected Democrat in his legislative district just because of party politics during the 2009 elections. Mr. O'Malley was a young fresh voice on the entirely senior citizen Richland Township Board of Supervisors. Mr. O'Malley voted 99% with the Republicans on the Board of Supervisors.

So why did Mr. Turzai waste his important time to send out a mailer against someone who never raised taxes, consolidated the police force, saved taxpayers a million dollars in building costs, and eliminated a 1/3 of the Richland Township employees? Sounds to me like Mr. O'Malley was doing everything that Mr. Turzai says he is fighting for in Harrisburg. I guess policy will always be trumped by party politics in Mike Turzai's world.

FYI, Mr. Turzai's opponent is Dr. Sharon Brown. I don't know much about her other then some bad literature I saw during the Primary Election and that Mr. Turzai challenged her petitions in the spring. The Post Gazette has endorsed Mr. Turzai.

Random RNC Mailers

Just thought I would share.

Jane Orie: I was for the tax before I was against it.

Sen. Jane Orie has really outdone herself this time. In her most recent mailing she accused her opponent, Dan Demarco, of raising taxes by 150%. Local elected officials in Pennsylvania have very few taxes they can impose or raise. One would assume this 150% tax increase must be property taxes, but that would mean a major increase in property tax millage. Generally our citizens pay very small amounts of our property tax bill towards the municipality. Our school taxes are the largest chunk of our property tax bill. A little research on Ross Township’s property tax rate will find the 8th lowest property taxes (1.97 mils) in Allegheny County. That seems like a pretty impressive record for any elected official in Allegheny County.

So what tax is Jane Orie talking about? She is referencing the $52 Occupational Privilege/Emergency Municipal/Local Services Tax. In 2004 the state gave every municipality the option of raising the tax on citizens that worked in the municipality from $10 to $52. So Dan Demarco and Ross Township only raised the tax to $25. So Sen. Orie is telling us because of a $15 increase in taxes we should vote for her and Dan Demarco is just another tax and spend liberal. Jane Orie wants to scare us with facts and figures, but would we be as scared if she told us that Dan Demarco didn’t raise taxes as high as 110 other municipalities in Allegheny County did?

In order for Ross Township to have this option of raising this tax in 2004 on those that were employed in Ross Township, the state had to amend the local tax enabling law of 1965. So the State Legislature had to approve this new option allowing municipalities to raise this tax. Guess who supported and voted for this tax increase? Sen. Jane Orie. So using Jane Orie’s math, she approved a 420% tax increase in 2004, and now is trying to use that same legislation against her opponent.

I started to think back a few years and I remembered that this isn’t the first time Jane Orie has used legislation that she voted for against a political opponent. When first running for State Senate against a member of the Rooney family she attacked him because the Rooney’s accepted public funding for Heinz field and the implosion of Three Rivers Stadium. The kicker was she voted for the legislation that approved funding to be used for the stadiums and convention center.

Jane Orie, just another power hungry politician grasping at straws.

Another 60 Plus Mailing for Rothfus

The other day I was told by a Keith Rothfus supporter that my first post about the Anti-Altmire 60 Plus Association direct mailing was "difficult to read the fine print on your blog, but it seems to be primarily an anti-tax ad, not anti-Altmire." and "In fairness, that ad doesn't even mention Rothfus OR voting against Altmire. It says "Call" him & ask him to vote."

If you can't see that this is a shady attack attempting to convince you that Congressman Altmire is behind the 'claims' of these mailers that are not true and talking points from Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh, then enjoy your far right world.

If Conservatives want to close their eyes and pretend they don't care where the money comes from for organziations like Americans for Job Security and the 60 Plus Association that will influence their Elections so be it. However, I don't want to see these same conservatives complain about candidate funding and attempt to make it a campaign issue. So I was surprised to see after I was told that there was nothing wrong with these anti-tax mailers, that this same blogger wrote a post about Congressman Altmire outfundraising Keith Rothfus. She tried to highlight money that Altmire received from groups with addresses outside of Pennsylvania as an campaign issue. It will be completely ignored by those that are blindly fowling the Republicans and Tea Party that at least $650,000 has been spent on TV and direct mail against Congressman Altmire. We will never know where that money has come from.

So once again, will Mr. Rothfus denounce these ads? It doesn't matter now, these ads have already accomplished what was needed. They have allowed Mr. Rothfus cover, while these organizations put out attacks on Congressman Altmire based on lies and innuendos.

North of the Burgh: Post-Gazette Endorses Jason Altmire

North of the Burgh: Post-Gazette Endorses Jason Altmire

Dan Demarco Mailers

Letting you all know that Jane Orie isn't the only one sending direct mail in the 40th District PA Senate race.

Why Did Jane Orie get indicted? Hmmm...

Why Did Steve Zappala indict Jane Orie? Hmmmm.....overwhelming evidence is the correct answer. The actual question is misleading since a jury of Orie's peers indicted Sen. Orie (h/t RossRenegade on Twitter):

* Rioja (Intern) testified that beginning in fall of 2009, she personally observed Orie's paid staff members performing political campaign work for Orie's sister, now Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin.

*Rioja became aware that various election and campaign materials for Orie Melvin were being created on Orie's district office equipment, including the photocopier, scanner, computer(s) and telephone(s) which were provided and paid for by the Pennsylvania Senate.

*Rioja testified that a majority of the political work that she observed had been conducted in the Orie office during the legislative workday by senate staffers Joshua Dott (hereinafter "Dott") and Kurt Acker, Esquire (hereinafter "Acker"). Rioja also stated that she had heard Acker state to fellow staffers on at least one occasion that if the Attorney General's Office knew what was occurring in Orie's office, that "they all would be in handcuffs".

*Young indicated via IM that Frantz had been directed to conduct certain campaign work for Orie Melvin's campaign during the legislative workday while at Orie's office.

*That day, after Rioja had submitted her resignation from her internship, Rioja called both the Pennsylvania Bureau of Elections and later the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General to report the political activities that were being carried out at Orie's legislative office. Rioja was told by the person with whom she spoke at the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General that her complaint should be directed instead to the Office of the District Attorney of Allegheny County. Rioja's own telephone records for that day have been admitted into evidence, and they corroborate Rioja's description of the sequence of the phone calls that she made that day that ultimately led to her filing a written complaint with the Investigations Unit of the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office. (Where were you at Mr. Corbett???)

*Pavlot recalled that on October 29, 2009, Pavlot directed Frantz to make phone calls to convents because Orie wanted to deliver letters to nuns promoting Orie Melvin's campaign for Supreme Court Justice.

*According to Pavlot, as per the directive by Orie, Campbell, Frantz, Young and another Orie staffer, Dan Soltesz, all helped to prepare those campaign materials for delivery to the convents; Pavlot admitted that this work was done at the legislative office using senate-owned equipment and supplies, as well as legislative workers who were on state time.

*This Grand Jury takes note of the fact that during the pendency of this investigation, no fewer than fifteen either current or past members of Orie's Senatorial staff have testified under oath before this body that they either participated in, and/or observed non-legislative work occurring during legislative working hours. Staffers reported that directives to do this political and campaign work came from at least three sources: Orie herself, Orie's Chief of Staff, and, in regard to the 2009 political campaign of Joan Orie Melvin, from Orie's sister, Janine Orie. (I'd like to point out that I know someone that did a high school shadow study with Ms. Orie when she was still a State Representative in 1999. He observed campaign work on state time and even had a staffer tell him that it was 'part of the job?')

Did Jane Orie "screw" with the Zappala family? She didn't pass any legislation that has hurt the Pennsylvania Casino Association. She just makes up stories about casino gangsters based on popular movies so that she can frame her crazy arguments.

By the way Jane, your opponent is Dan Demarco, not Steve Zappala! Demarco is a Ross Township Commissioner that is so 'unconnected' that he didn't even decide to run against you until April. Demarco had to get on the ballot as a write-in candidate. If this conspiracy theory exists about the Zappalas and the insider deals, wouldn't the Zappalas have lined up a candidate to go against you this year in February when a candidate can circulate a petition to get on the ballot?

Ms. Orie, I used to have respect for you. I also used to vote for you. These mailers and your campaign is a joke.

Also, why haven't we heard more Joan Melvin Orie's indictment?

The Rest of the Jane Orie Mailers - So Far

I might have more to say later, but sometimes the crazy speaks for itself.

More $hady money flows for Keith Rothfus

A few weeks back, I was reading an article at the New York Times about the organization named "Americans for Job Security" that was running ads against Congressman Jason Altmire. I was one of the people that was very disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision regarding companies being able to make independent expenditures against and for candidates. Over the last few months we have seen more and more groups that don't have to disclose their donation sources buying television ads and sending mailers against candidates. I have seen it on both sides of the political isle. I would like to see the candidates that these ads support denounce these groups as shady and their money shouldn't be influencing our democratic process.

Here in my district, Tea Party candidate Keith Rothfus has been the benefactor of a $600,000 television ad buy from Americans for Job Security:


Just your usual attack ad with no basis other than scare tactics. I particularly don't like that all of these conservative/tea party/Republican groups act like Democrats have raised taxes when in fact since 2008 federal income taxes have been lowered by Congressman like Jason Altmire. Actually in the last 7 years, my only tax increase was by the all Republican Pine-Richland School Board. Jason Altmire and Barack Obama lowered my federal income taxes and Governor Rendell and the State Legislature lowered my school property taxes. I guess the Republicans will stick to their guns and call everyone with a D next to their name a tax and spend liberal. Even if there isn't any proof.

The other day I got a horribly misleading mailer from the 60 Plus Association. This is another group that does not disclose their donors. This mailer is made to look like it is a IRS bill and I can't believe they can get away with the line: "Please submit your check today to avoid penalty." The figure on the front of $31,000 per household is misleading since very few people in this country pays $31,000 per year in federal income taxes. It based on averages by extremely conservative groups that ignored the spending of the Bush administration. On the back of the mailer there is a figure of $42,000 per household in 2020. I can't find anything to back that up that claim and they don't give a source. Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

So Mr. Rothfus, will you denounce these ads? Or will you just keep your mouth shut and reap the benefits of half truths being spewed by your Conservative friends?

We don't need another extreme right wing or left wing member of Congress. I believe that there are enough people in the 4th District that are independent thinkers and know that Congressman Jason Altmire is representing us in Washington. As Congressman Altmire's ads say, 'He listens to us.'

Dan Demarco Mailers

I thought since I was showing off all of Jane Orie's mail, I would let you see what her opponent was sending. Some positive mail pieces from Dan Demarco.

Will these mailers convince you that Jane Orie didn't abuse taxpayer's money?

#1: Jane Orie is not running against Steve Zappala or his family, she is running against Dan Demarco, a Ross Township Commissioner and Harrisburg outsider. Hardly a 'Good Old Boy'

#2 Are we supposed to ignore the nepotism by the Orie family when Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin (Soon to be indicted!) gave Janine Orie a government job working directly for the Supreme Court Justice.

#3 Why everyone ignoring how poorly Tom Corbett handled the intern's complaint?

#4 Did Jane Orie blatantly break the law and use taxpayer money and resources to campaign for her sister because she knew she would be safe from an Attorney General investigation? Does anyone remember this quote from the Trib:
"As a former prosecutor, I understand it's extremely complicated and (the investigation) expands as he goes along," said Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, a former assistant district attorney in Allegheny County. "I'm confident in (Corbett) and I think he has handled this well."

#5 This is a sad display of a power hungry politician and family.

Jane Orie's Fantasy World

I thought I would take a moment to share last few pieces of mail that State Senator Jane Orie has been crushing my mailbox with. If you have ignored every newspaper article about her indictment, maybe you could believe this fantasy world that she is trying to create about how she is 'under attack' and is 'fighting for us.'

Jane Orie has been watching too much Boardwalk Empire:

Seriously, who is she fighting to 'clean-up' the gambling industry? She has held press conferences and put out press releases, but it has all been grandstanding at best.

Fighting for our wallets - to pay her staff to do campaign work:

Sen. Jane Orie's shameful mailing

I thought I would take a moment to share the hypocrisy of one of our State's leaders. Sen. Jane Orie is under indictment on multiple charges of corruption. Even with her upcoming trial hanging over her head, she has the guts to put on a mail piece that she is cleaning up Harrisburg. Is she speaking of the same Harrisburg that I know? A Harrisburg that includes her Republican buddy Tom Corbett ignoring the call from the intern that reported her misuse of taxpayer staff and resources for her sister's Supreme Court campaign? I would only believe the first line of this mailer if she was wearing a janitor's outfit and had a broom in her hand.

I also want to know what she means by 'fighting for us.' I don't believe that 'us' includes me. I believe 'us' only includes those with a name that starts with a J and includes an Orie somewhere.

Today her opponent, Ross Twp. Commissioner Dan Demarco, announced that he is leading her in polls. I hope that the voters see the past Sen. Orie's misleading mailers and think twice before sending her back to Harrisburg.

North Pittsburgh campaigns - State Senate

Does Dan Demarco have a chance at beating Jane Orie?

We all know about the Orie indictment, but will she follow other State legislators that have been re-elected under indictment like Bill DeWeese (D – Greene County) and John Perzel (R-Philadelphia)? The Dan Demarco campaign came on strong to win the write-in nomination on the Democratic side, but I haven’t heard much since. State Senate districts are way bigger than many realize and the Orie’s will bankroll a decent campaign I’m sure to hold onto their power.

Luckily Jane Orie’s trial got pushed back to November. She has always been popular in the North Hills and has crushed quite a few Democrats through the years. I hope the State Democrats and the local Democrats will do what they can to make this a real race, but the lack of news coverage makes me think that Orie has this one in the bag.

Let the political ads begin

I have to say I enjoy political ads during the news this time of year. The positive ads are 60% spin and the negative ads are 75% scare tactics. I have seen mostly positive ads, except for some negative ads in the Special Election to fill Murtha's Congressional seat.

The great invention of the Internet (Thanks Al Gore! Even if the joke is based on a misinterpretation) allows candidates to post their ads on their websites and YouTube. While I question how much posting a commercial on YouTube helps reach undecided voters, it sure is fun for political geeks like me.

My favorite negative ad I've seen this year is by Keith Rothfus who is running in the Republican Primary against my favorite former US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan for Congress. While I don't agree with most of Keith Rothfus's platform, I do believe he is the better candidate for the Republican Primary. Sadly, his campaign has barely been mentioned thanks to Mary Beth Buchanan's superior name recognition.

Mr. Rothfus, you have my vote for best negative ad of this year's Primary season so far:

Pine-Richland School Board is out of control

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported today that the Pine-Richland School Board voted for a $41.7 million cap on expansion project. Does Pine-Richland really need this project?

The Pine-Richland School Board’s spending is already out of control.
The school board claimed it had no intention of raising taxes, but they voted for a proposed budget with a tax increase. Now they have voted for a cap that they have no intention of using. Why do they need to fudge numbers if they have no intention of using reaching the cap ?

"There is no one up here who has any intention of spending that amount of money," Director Kevin Nigh said.

I applaud School Board Vice President Richard Herko for his comments:

Vice President Richard Herko cast the lone dissenting vote. He said he realized the number was "imaginary," in that the board has no intention of spending that amount for construction, "but it feels like a real one."

Buchanan campaign chief quits in Orie furor

The congressional campaign manager for Mary Beth Buchanan -- a man named Kurt Acker who was formerly a staffer for state Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless -- resigned yesterday in the wake of the fraud charges filed against his former boss.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10100/1049364-454.stm

Beaver County Times: Beaver County man named in Orie indictment

Republican 4th Congressional District candidate Mary Beth Buchanan’s campaign manager, a Beaver County resident, did political work on legislative time while working for indicted state Sen. Jane Orie, according to testimony in Orie’s indictment. Read more at:

Beaver County Times: Beaver County man named in Orie indictment

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2 Political Junkies: Bravo Debuts "The Real Political Dynasties of Southwestern PA"

2 Political Junkies: Bravo Debuts "The Real Political Dynasties of Southwestern PA"

Mary Beth Buchanan and Corrupt Politicans

You may think that this post will be about Mary Beth's 'proud' record of going after 'corrupt politicians.' I wouldn't be proud of spending millions of our dollars to prove nothing, but Buchanan has been telling everyone that will listen about her fight against public corruption as she runs for Congress.

When one starts to throw stones, they better not live in a glass house. So will Mary Beth Buchanan answer any questions about her connection to corrupt staffers from State Senator Jane Orie's office? Mary Beth Buchanan's campaign manager is Kurt Acker. He is mentioned as a staffer aware of the illegal activities that were going on in Orie's office:

"During her testimony, Ms. Rioja quoted staff member Kurt Acker as once saying, "if the Attorney General's Office knew what was occurring in [Sen.] Orie's office, that 'they all would be in handcuffs.'"

Mary Beth Buchanan touts her job as a federal prosecutor going after politicians like Jane Orie, but she looks the other way when hiring these corrupt staffers for her own staff.

Update: Mr. Acker has since changed his twitter page since this blog was posted. Here is the screen shot from this morning: