It's getting nasty in the PA House 16!

I was given some information a while back about Kathy Coder's tax liens, and I didn't share it because I didn't expect that race to get nasty. However, that has changed with a recent mailing by the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania in support of Kathy Coder. A simply nasty hit piece that tries to tie Rob Matzie to Jerry Sandusky.

But the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania didn’t do their homework about how hypocritical of an attack this is. Kathy Coder's husband, who is a Penn Stater, Evangelical NFL football player Ron Coder, has been intimately entwined with The Second Mile charity ofJerry Sandusky fame/infamy for years if not decades, yet Citizens Alliance sent out a mailer last week trying to tie State Rep. Rob Matzie to Sandusky on the basis of a charity funding vote in Harrisburg?  

Mrs. Coder also has some skeletons in her budget. She won’t let the government spend her money on something she doesn’t want them too. Mrs. Coder and her husband don’t like to pay their taxes on time.

 

Don't you think those who want to serve in government ought to pay their fair share to the government to start with?

UPDATE FROM THE BEAVER COUNTY TIMES: Coder paying off $42,500 in back taxes, tax lien on homea link to The Citizens Alliance of PA on the website of Tea Party Patriots of Central Pennsylvania. Here's what the Tea Party people say about their Citizens Alliance buddies:
http://www.empowerpa.org
“Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania (CAP), founded to raise the standard of living of all Pennsylvanians by restoring limited government, economic freedom, and personal responsibility.. By empowering the Commonwealth’s employers and taxpayers to break state government’s “Iron Triangle” of career politicians, bureaucrats, and Big Government lobbyists. “

Check out the cozy links:

http://www.teapartypatriotscpa.com/links.html

So the Republican party throws money directly at Kathy Coder's campaign while she smiles for the camera and the Citizens Alliance throws money at trashing the incumbent. Nice little game there. If it was a beauty contest, no doubt Kathy would win. Homegrown beauty queen Kathy's face is plastered on billboards in Beaver County - same photo as the one on Kathy's Republican-Party-of-PA-financed mailers. Last week she let on at the Chamber of Commerce debate in Monaca (PSU Beaver campus) that she came home to Conway, Beaver County a few years ago. No! She has been living in and dividing the town of Bellevue in Allegheny County for the past four years on its borough council. She and her prayer group prayed about it and they overthrew the sitting council president in a midterm reorganization coup in 2008. Beauty is as beauty does.

And if you think THIS is a qualifier for running the business of government, well, shame on you:

https://dcr.alleghenycounty.us/DisplayImage.asp?gPDFOH=vol924%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20000006DE&CaseID=FTL-10-003193&DocketType=1040&SeqNumber=1

Don't you think those who want to "serve" in government ought to pay their fair share to the government to start with? Only those who don't have the luxury of big money backing from the Republican Party, the Citizens Alliance, etc., right? Disgusting!

Unfair and absurd negative mailer from Mark Purcell

Generally speaking, this is an okay piece. Put your positive comments on the front and the negative on the back. However, my opinion (Mr. Purcell is going to love this) is that this piece is absolute b.s. and absurd. To put a fuzzy still from a video of someone with their eyes closed as proof that they are sleeping is just ridiculous. If you have a video of Ravenstahl sleeping, that would be proof, but generally speaking people do blink sometimes.


So I thought I would have a little fun with Mr. Purcell's videos he has posted on his facebook profile. Here are some clips of Mark Purcell sleeping:

Mark Purcell's new campaign slogan should be: "I will never blink as your State Representative!"

This isn't the first time that Mark Purcell has made a questionable campaign mailer:

Another question comes up about copyrighted material. Both pictures appear not to have been taken by Mark Purcell. The first picture that he altered appears to be the same as Rep. Ravenstahl's official picture at his State House website. The second picture has to be a still from a PCN video. There is always a disclaimer during PCN broadcasts that you can't use their copyrighted material for political purposes. I doubt there is any reprimand for using these pictures illegally, but I'm sure Mark Purcell will plead no contest to those charges too:







Mr. Purcell has attacked me for being anonymous, accused me of being part of the conspiracy, a girlfriend of a candidate, Luke Ravenstahl, and working for the Ravenstahl campaign. I'm sure this post won't help.

Let the conspiracy continue!

New positive piece from Adam Ravenstahl

Great positive piece about reform. I think this will resonate with the voters:




I have heard from sources that Mark Purcell sent a negative piece out against Ravenstahl today.
Two of my sources have told me that the the latest Purcell negative is borderline slanderous with a untrue statement claiming that Ravenstahl was sleeping on the floor of the House with a picture of him either blinking or looking at the computer on his desk. I hope to have a copy to share soon.

Positive Mail from State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl

Positive mail piece from Adam Ravenstahl:

Pittsburgh Councilman Bruce Kraus Supports Molchany in House District 22

From the Erin Molchany campaign:

Bruce Kraus Supports Molchany
Councilman Endorses Erin Molchany in 22nd Legislative District

Pittsburgh-- City Councilman Bruce Kraus announced today his endorsement of Erin Molchany in the April 24th Democratic Primary for the 22nd Legislative district.

"Erin Molchany is incredibly committed to making her community and our entire region a better place to live," said Kraus. "She brings to office a record of accomplishment fighting to save public transportation and education. I'm proud to endorse her as the next Representative in the 22nd district."

Molchany has focused much of her campaign on transportation and education issues, and also has committed to bringing resources back to neighborhoods in the 22nd district to help spur economic growth on mainstreets again.

"I'm honored to have the support of Bruce Kraus," Molchany said. "We need to elect a representative who will work with City Council and State Senators and fellow representatives to make our communities stronger, safer, and more prosperous. I will work with anyone to make things better for my district."

Erin Molchany is running for the full two-year term as a Democrat in the April 24th Primary in Pennsylvania's 22nd State House District. Molchany is also endorsed by Ironworkers Local 3, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC, Equality PA, Progressive Pittsburgh PAC, Stonewall Democrats, Gertrude Stein Club of Greater Pittsburgh, and Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak.

# # #

Negative mail in the 20th District State House race

Here is a recently mailer that Mark Purcell sent.

Since the piece is only one color, it won't stick out. It doesn't stick out in a handful of business post cards. I also believe the picture to be a bit childish. I expect more from a 65 year old candidate, but after reading some of the tactics that Mr. Purcell has used in his numerous runs for office (State House as a Republican in 1982, County Recorder of Deeds in 1987, U.S. Congress in 2002, State House in 2006, State House in 2010) I don't expect him to do much that isn't negative.

I had a discussion with Mr. Purcell via email about his attack on Adam Ravenstahl for not talking on the floor of the house is going to resonate with the voters:

To: NorthPgh Progressive

William:
Thanks for the thoughts, But he is very doable because the fact of the matter is that he has done virtually nothing the whole year and a half he has been there,…for example…he has never once taken the microphone and spoke one word on the house for, or in caucus…Never attends any community meetings..yet he promised to roll up his sleeves and fix the property tax assessment mess….not one word out of his mouth about it in any way shape of form…No proposed legislation of any kind, nothing…he is one of the worst legislators I have ever seen,…when I get done with him he will be running away from Harrisburg…He is way out of his league there. Keep I touch, I always like hearing differing opinions…keeps me in prospective.

Mark
----------

From: NorthPgh Progressive
Date: Sat, Jan 7, 2012
To: Mark Purcell

How do you know so much about what goes in in caucus? I take it a House member doesn't like Ravenstahl and is feeding that info to you? Do you still work for the State House? I thought you worked for a representative last time you ran. I don't have that much time to watch PCN for what goes on in session! haha.

I have to disagree with you again, because I'm not someone that believes you have to be vocal to be a leader in a group of 203 cocky elected officials. Sometimes talking can be detrimental to the cause and I believe in elected officials that listen more than they talk sometimes. I guess I judge a freshman representative different than you. The ones that get up there and make a big stink usually burn out early because the guys that have been there forever control everything.

As for the tax assessment mess, what more could any of our State Reps do? Except for Randy Vulakovich, all of our Allegheny County reps voted for the moratorium. I am on the email blast list for the reps in the North Hills and I got an email from Ravenstahl that said how to appeal and what he has tried to do. I don't attend community meetings, but I get an email from him about every 2 weeks about what he is doing. If he isn't doing anything, he is at least doing a good job of sounding like he is up to good things in Harrisburg if you are a progressive Democrat and on our side about Marcellus Shale, School Choice, etc.

Sorry to be negative again, but the things you explained don't play well with the average voter in my opinion. Sadly, the average voter doesn't read blogs and barely pay attention to what State Representatives do. Even if you try to explain that in a mailer I think it would be tough to get across. I'm a political mail junkie. haha I just feel this would be extremely costly to make this race doable considering Ravenstahl won convincingly last time with 2 other candidates from the Northside in the race. I will guess that many of the Northside votes that went to Keller would jump to Ravenstahl. Like I said before, if the original map that the GOP drew up that didn't even have Ravenstahl's house in it, you would be sitting on higher ground. But with a city base and spread out to Coraopolis where I will assume the Reps that had those areas before will help Ravenstahl, it will be an uphill and costly battle for you.

After all that opinion, I will wish you good luck still. Keep me updated on your campaign and I will spread the info on my blog when I have time too. A question, are you going to file for the endorsement? I'm not a big believer in what the endorsement does for a candidate in the North Hills, but I'm not familiar enough with the city to see if the process does anything in those areas.

Thanks!
North Pgh Progressive

I have no problem with a elected official that doesn't get up to the microphone too often. I generally think that those that give speeches on the house floor are grandstanding. The members in the background on PCN generally look like they aren't paying attention. I often wonder when I turn on CSPAN or PCN if anyone is paying attention to the floor speeches by other members.

Also, I feel that there is way more to being a State legislator than giving speeches in Harrisburg. If Adam Ravenstahl wasn't saying anything all to his constituents, then I would have a problem. However, his state website looks like he is decently active in sending out press releases and newsletters. I know that I have signed up for emails from the legislators that serve the Northern part of the county and I have received quite a few from Adam Ravenstahl about what is going on in Harrisburg.

I really didn't think I would cover this campaign that much, but a few conversations (or should I say scoldings) from Mr. Purcell and it has become the 2nd most exciting race (after the Altmire/Critz race) for me. Mr. Purcell has attacked me for being anonymous, part of the conspiracy, a girlfriend of a candidate, and working for the Ravenstahl campaign. I'm sure this post won't help.

Let the conspiracy continue!

Background Checks!

I've been reading a few articles recently about candidates that have criminal backgrounds. I can't believe that anyone that has been accused of theft of monies from the government would think they could ever run for public office. Maybe that is because the mindset of the people that would steal from the government find a way to justify it by blaming that they were caught on someone else.

Simply put, if you have a criminal background that involves theft of public dollars I don't expect the voters to be able to trust you with their tax dollars.

State House District 22:

Twelve years ago, Marty Schmotzer was charged with stealing $50,000 from county taxpayers while working as a deputy clerk of courts in the 1990s.

Eric Heyl's article in the Trib is a good read: Democrats' pick for House must fight temptation

The Pennsylvania Progressive wrote about Mr. Schmotzer's problems also: Another Black Eye For PA Dems

Past articles about Mr. Schmotzer's theft:
Auditors Track Down Funds
Row Office Clerk Pleads Guilty to Stealing $50,000.

State House District 20

In 1979 Mark Purcell was charged and plead 'no contest' to unemployment fraud while serving as a Ross Township Commissioner. He continues to plead his innocence and claim that he took poor legal advice. As expected, these charges have been brought up every time he has run for office. When I mentioned these charges to Mr. Purcell in an email the other day this was his response:

"Since I know for certain you are part of the conspiracy, let me have you pass on some information to your friends…I have done my homework on the Ravenstahls and their inner circle extensively…Dzamko, Klinger, Quigley, just to name a few of these sleaze bags…..You, them, Schiulenberg could not hold a candle to my integrity. They don’t want to go there with me, it’s a battle they cant win."

Going through some old newspaper clippings, this seems to be Mr. Purcell's style. If you say anything remotely negative about him, he attacks back and points out that he is better than you. He used this technique with his neighbors (page 31) when he was a Township Commissioner.

Some articles about Mr. Purcell's 'no contest' charge:
Jan. 17, 1980

April 16, 1980

May 1, 1980

May 8, 1980

May 19, 1980

May 21, 1980

Oct. 17, 1997

State House 24

Joe Preston didn't get accused of stealing money from the government, but he does have some legal issues that have popped up in the past:

From the Tribune Review, Aug. 3, 2007: A state lawmaker accused of assaulting a former girlfriend was found guilty of a reduced charge by a district judge on Thursday. Rep. Joseph Preston, 60, had been charged with simple assault following an altercation in his district office Sunday, but District Justice Jim Hanley found him guilty of harassment. He was also fined $300.

Read more: State Rep. Preston guilty of harassment - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_520491.html#ixzz1r8NwlQlZ

Would you be willing to vote for any of these candidates?

The interesting mailings of State House candidate Mark Purcell

I received a copy of a letter that Mark Purcell sent to Democratic committee members when he was running for the endorsement for State House. Other than being long winded and negative they appear to be intentionally misleading and at least one 'fact' is pure speculation.

First off, this if just ridiculous if Mr. Purcell thought people might read this letter and think this is about Adam Ravensthal's campaign report. Luke's name was left off of every sentence and instead he was referred to as 'Ravenstahl' in hopes the committee members would think Adam Ravenstahl and Mike Turzai are in cahoots.

Secondly, you have to be kidding me that you think Luke Ravenstahl (cash on hand $342,000) and Mike Turzai (cash on hand $314,000) would risk their political careers for $1,000 donation to 'fix a legislative seat for Adam.' It is also crazy to think that Mike Turzai would fix any seat for a Democrat after the way the redistricting was handled. My sources tell me that any changes that were made to the 20th were between two Democrats (Adam Ravenstahl and Dom Costa) and that historically the majority party has allowed the minority party to swap parts of their districts between their own members.

Also, you might want to check some labor political action committees. They have given Republicans in the State Legislature thousands of dollars in the last few years including Republican Leader Mike Turzai.

There should be some accountability when someone makes a claim like this in a political mailer. Usually you see a footnote and a source.

Now let's talk about calling out everyone for being self-serving. Did Mr. Purcell really think that calling out Democratic chairs would win him the endorsement? (It didn't.) What happens if Mr. Purcell wins, does he think that Rep. Dom Costa and Democratic Leader Frank Dermody won't remember that they were called self-serving by the new freshman Representative? This sure won't be a conversation starter in Harrisburg as Mr. Purcell claims he will do on his website:

"The gridlock in Harrisburg and our national politics has a profound negative effect on all of us. We need to move away from partisan politics and move towards conversation and cooperation. I will work with both Democrats and Republicans for the good of Pennsylvania and its citizens."

This isn't the first time Mr. Purcell has printed misleading campaign literature. (Page 17)

Let the conspiracy continue!!

Dave Schuilenburg stays on ballot in PA House District 20

This is good news for State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl who now has two opponents instead of one. Even though it appears that Rep. Ravenstahl already had the upper hand in this race. Ravenstahl won in 2010 by 15% and is facing Mark Purcell (who ran against Ravenstahl in 2010) and Dave Schuilenburg. I don't see any mis-steps that Ravenstahl has made as a Democratic State House member. He has voted the way I want Democratic/progressive elected officials to vote.

I hate petition challenges that just seem frivolous. I understand that we don't want 10 people on the ballot, but going after technicalities of seroius candidates is just un-democratic in my opinion.

Press Release from the Schuilenburg campaign:

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRASSROOTS HOUSE CANDIDATE OVERCOMES VOTER SUPPRESSION CHALLENGE

Summer Hill, Pittsburgh - After comprehensive review by the Commonwealth
Court, local grassroots & community organizer, Dave Schuilenburg,
currently a candidate for PA's 20th House District, easily survived an
unsuccessful ballot challenge to his candidacy.

The challenge was formally filed by Bobby Wilson, a known supporter of
Mark Purcell of Ross Township, another challenger for the seat. Purcell, a
perennial candidate who has lost bids for the same post 4 times in the
past, a bid for congress in 2002, & a bid for County Council in 2005, has
been known for challenging petitions.

"While I respect Mr Wilson & Mr Purcell's legal right to do so, what the
residents of our district so desperately need right now are candidates
ready to run on the issues most directly affecting them, and not petition
challenges & potential redistricted maps. Worse, though, is the method in
which they did so, appearing on elderly voters steps as late as 10pm to
interrogate & serve them with subpoenas, voter intimidation tactics which
are clear signs of a desperate campaign."

Schuilenburg, a 9-1-1 Officer & a respected community leader on the North
Side, reaffirms the reason for his candidacy as proof of why his petition
was challenged. "As I did when I ran for Pittsburgh City Council on the
issues in 2007, & subsequently amassed 25-30% of the vote, I accepted
calls to run again this year on the issues as Mr Purcell refuses to do so,
and would rather run a republican style negativity campaign. As such, he
perceives my candidacy as an obstacle to his quest for power."

"If Mr Purcell truly believes he is the best candidate to address the
needs of voters in our district," adds Schuilenburg, "then I formally
challenge him to a debate! Let's hash it out, on the issues. It is time
that the voters of the 20th District had real choices at the ballot box,
and not just the same unproven and unelectable candidates that they have
seen in years past."

# # #

Did Rep. Eli Evankovich break House rules?

On Feb. 23rd I received an email from State Rep. Eli Evankovich that stated this:

If you would like to continue receiving email updates from me about state government issues during the next few months, please take a moment to visit my website and sign up. A state House rule prevents me from providing you with these updates during the 60 days before certain elections unless you specifically ask to receive them. The sign up process is a simple one. Just enter your email address and zip code in the top right-hand corner of my website.

I did not sign up to continue to receive Rep. Evankovich's emails during the 60 day blackout, that I just learned about, and would have started on Feb. 24th. However, just a few days (March 2nd) later I received an email titles 'Notes from Eli.' You can view it here.

So it appears that Rep. Evankovich broke the House rules, but what kind of punishment comes with breaking House rules? Doesn't even look like someone can challenge the breaking of these rules because Rep. Evankovich has no opponents in the Primary or General election this year.