In the news…
2023 ELECTION RESULTS!!!
Thank you to all the ARDC family of volunteers, both inside and outside the polls and a big thank you to all the Abington/Rockledge Democratic voters! Huge wins on election day!!
Congratulations to the
Education Counts in ASD team!
Shameeka Browne
Melissa Mowry
Rachel Seidman Hartman
Elisabeth Eisenhart
Cathy Spaulding
and to District Judge Jack Kessler!
2022: WE DID IT!!!
ABINGTON ROCKLEDGE FAMILY - WE DID IT!
First, thank you to all the inside workers, the poll greeters, the COMMITTEE PEOPLE!, the associate Committee People and volunteers who worked the polls, door knocked, door hangers, made calls, texted, talked to friends, talked to family, talked to neighbors, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL!
and special thanks to Rocky's Glenside who always does a great job with election day lunches and to 1910 Bar & Grille and State Reps Ben and Nancy for our election night celebration!
Not only did Josh win Governor!
Fetterman won Senate!
Madeleine won Congress!
Art Haywood won State Senate!
Ben Sanchez won State! Representative
& Nancy Guenst won State Representative!
Abington Rockledge had 70% TURNOUT (to compare, similar election in 2014 was 52% turnout!)
AND, (as it stands right now with a few more votes to count) EVERY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE WON EVERY SINGLE PRECINCT IN ABINGTON AND ROCKLEDGE!!!
let me say that again...
AND EVERY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE WON EVERY SINGLE PRECINCT IN ABINGTON AND ROCKLEDGE!!!
THANK YOU !!!
ABINGTON AND ROCKLEDGE
TOTAL 100% BLUE !!!!!!!
And that's not all!!!
Now, a word from the first woman Speaker of the House in Pennsylvania in history, because, again with a few more votes to sure up,
it looks like (drum roll)
PENNSYLVANIA FLIPPED THE STATE HOUSE BLUE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 12 YEARS !
THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO WAS ABLE TO JOIN US TO WELCOME JOSH HOME THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION!
2021 ELECTION
ABINGTON DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES SWEEP!
Abington Rockledge Democrats - ARDC
Ok, still waiting on the final count. There is an explanation on the MontCo Voter Services website if you are interested explaining the careful process of counting the mail-in ballots. https://election-results-ge2021-montcopa.hub.arcgis.com/
That being said, we are fairly certain that the mail-ins will not dramatically effect our races here in Abington, so here is the Super-duper, day after election wrap up !!!
First and foremost, THANK YOU to ALL the inside workers (regardless of party!) it is an incredibly long day and as I told many of you in person, we could not have the election without you!
Thank you to all the OUTSIDE volunteers, the Committee People, the Associate Committee People, and our family of true blue Democratic volunteers! YOU helped Abington buck the trend of many many many areas in PA, that is we beat the Republicans, by a lot, in same day voting as well as in mail-in!
Our WHOLE community saw through the lies, the hate and the dog whistles/bullhorns, and for that matter the meaningless party line trumpublican dark money propaganda that was being spewed all over PA. We thank all of you Abington for voting FOR our COMMUNITY SLATE!
Oh, and special thanks to Rocky's Glenside who always does a great job with election day lunches and to 1910 Bar & Grille for our election night celebration! Also special thanks to the ARDC team @Victoria Fairburn, Kate Forest, David H Floyd, John Spiegelman and of course ARDC Vice Chair, Robin Beall.
Congratulations
to our hard working community volunteers, the elected officials. People lose sight of the fact that these people take time out of their lives, away from their families and despite busy work schedules, to try to better our community. It's shameful how a VERY small minority of loud attention seekers treat these community volunteers. But, since the vast majority of our community sees the work and dedication, ALL were either re-elected or elected for the first time. So, without further commentary:
Congratulations
to
Ward 2 Commissioner Ken Brodsky
Ward 4 Commissioner Jimmy Di Placido
Ward 5 Commissioner Julia Vaughn Ward 5
Ward 6 Commissioner Mike Thompson, Abington Ward 6
Ward 8 Lori Henry, now Commissioner Lori Henry!
Ward 10 Commissioner Jessica Carswell
Ward 12 Commissioner Matt Vahey
Ward 14 @Commissioner Lori Schreiber
Congratulations
to Educators for Abington !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yaasiyn Muhammad
@Angelique Frazier
@Brian Allen
The educators for Abington team truly faced the brunt of lies, disgusting attacks and vitriol. Thankfully, it is such a small, yet loud minority of our great community. Thank you to them (educators for Abington team) and their families, for putting yourselves out there and running to help move our outstanding schools forward toward even great heights in the future.
Congratulations
to Jay Blumenthal! Your experience and love for the community was obvious to all, exemplified in your resounding victory.
Congratulations
to Re-Elect Dave Conway and Ryan Ehnts as Abington Township Constables our amazing constables! Dave and Ryan do such an incredible job all day on election day, the bi-partisan support you both received was well earned.
Finally, Congratulations to ALL the Democratic Judge of Elections and Majority Inspectors! As I said above, without you we wouldn't be able to have the elections. Your dedication to the Abington community is irreplaceable. We have included all of your names and results below!
Finally, finally, if you have signs they can be recycled. Info in the picture below.
Ok all, next ARDC meeting is 3rd Tuesday of the month, info to follow. We have more work to do, till then, take some time off, you all deserve it for such amazing results!
Thank you all again, you truly make Abington a great place to live!
Michael Barbiero
Chair ARDC
JANUARY 2021
WE DID IT!
THANK YOU THANK YOU
THANK YOU!
TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS, inside and outside the polls!
Abington Board Of Commissioners Election: Democrats Win Big
Abington Board Of Commissioners Election: Democrats Win Big
The shape of the Abington Township Board of Commissioners was determined on Tuesday, as 12 candidates competed for six open seats.
Nov 5, 2019 8:00 pm ET | Updated Nov 6, 2019 12:44 am ET
Six Abington Township Commissioners were elected Tuesday. (Google Maps)
ABINGTON, PA — The shape of the Abington Township Board of Commissioners was determined on Tuesday, as 12 candidates competed for six open seats.
It was a big night for Democrats in the township, as they won five of the available six seats, according to unofficial results. The projected winners of each race include:
Ward 1: Tom Hecker (D), 883 votes over Christina Baker (R), 443 votes
Ward 3: Drew Rothman (D), 1,112 votes over Bob Kumor (R), 585 votes
Ward 5: Wayne Luker (D), 763 votes over Ron Holt (R), 122 votes
Ward 7: Stuart Winegrad (D), 894 votes over Paul Morse (R), 406 votes
Ward 9: Dennis Zappone (R), 644 votes over Dave Corrigan (D), 610 votes
Ward 13: Bill Bole (D), 688 votes over Carol Gillespie (R), 619 votes
In only one case was an incumbent ousted, and it was the closest race, in which Bole defeated Gillespie by less than 60 votes, according to unofficial results.
https://patch.com/pennsylvania/abington/abington-township-commissioners-election-2019-live-results
Ben Sanchez Landslide Winner in 153rd District
Ben Sanchez landslide winner in 153rd District
By Staff Report
Posted Nov 6, 2018 at 10:35 PM
Democrat Ben Sanchez will take over the state representative seat vacated by Congressional candidate Madeleine Dean
Democrat Ben Sanchez scored an overwhelming victory in the 153rd legislative district.
With 42 of 44 voting precincts reporting, Sanchez had 22,417 votes, Republican Douglas Beaver 9,002 and Libertarian Marc Bozzacco 334, according to unofficial results. The three were vying for the Montgomery County state representative seat vacated by Congressional candidate Madeleine Dean, who won her bid for a seat in the U.S. House on Tuesday. Sanchez, a real estate attorney and Abington Township commissioner, said the current system of using property taxes for most school funding is flawed and more of the burden should be shifted onto the state. Beaver, who works in the Fastener Division at SPS in Jenkintown, said he would not favor shifting the major burden for funding public schools from property taxes to higher personal income taxes.
https://www.theintell.com/news/20181106/ben-sanchez-landslide-winner-in-153rd-district
Democrat Madeleine Dean wins Pa.’s new-look Fourth Congressional District
Democrat Madeleine Dean wins Pa.’s new-look Fourth Congressional District
Democrat Madeleine Dean celebrates after winning the Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District race at the Operating Engineers Headquarters in Fort Washington on Nov. 6, 2018.
CHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Democrat Madeleine Dean beat Republican Dan David to become the next congresswoman for Pennsylvania's newly redrawn Fourth District.
David called Dean and conceded shortly after 10 p.m.
Dean will be one of at least three women to represent Pennsylvania in Congress and one of a few suburban Democrats expected to flip seats previously served by Republicans. "Tonight we've changed the face of Congress," Dean said to loud cheers from supporters at the Operating Engineers headquarters in Fort Washington. "Tonight we're sending women to Washington!" Dean's new seat encompasses most of Montgomery County and a sliver of Berks County. From the outset Dean was favored to win. In the new district registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 50,000 and Hillary Clinton carried the territory in 2016 by about 20 percentage points. "This is our victory. Finally Montgomery County has a seat at the table," Dean said in reference to redistricting that gave the county its own congressional district. The crowd cheered. "We now have a voice and a vote."
Dean was born and raised in Glenside and is the youngest of seven. From an early age she had the political bug, running for committeewoman when she was a senior at Abington High School and defeating a long-term incumbent. She went on to graduate from La Salle University and received her law degree from Widener University. She practiced law for 10 years and, while raising three boys, took a job teaching at La Salle. It wasn't until 2011 that she ran for office again, this time for township commissioner. After a few months as commissioner she threw her hat in the ring for the area's state representative seat.
She was elected to the state House in 2012 and for the last six years has represented Abington and Upper Dublin.
Like many Democrats in this election cycle, Dean said that after the 2016 election she felt an "urgency to do more." Once the congressional districts were redrawn, she said she recognized that this was her opportunity to run. On Election Day, Dean went to two dozen polling locations trying to garner last-minute support. She even got into a minor car accident after her last stop. But as she told supporters when she took the stage Tuesday night, the woman who sideswiped her car was a supporter who told her "she was praying" for Dean to win. As to what comes first when she gets to Washington, Dean said she wants to work on government reform and "restoring decency to public service." "The second thing I really want to work on is gun-reform legislation," she said in a brief interview after her victory. "We must do something to save lives. It's a disgrace we haven't done anything by now."
David, who owns a financial services firm in Skippack, held more than a dozen town halls throughout the campaign. He attacked Dean on her pro-$15 minimum-wage stance, noting that her husband's retail bicycle business, Advanced Sports, purchases bikes made in China, where workers are paid just over $2 an hour. He also called for Dean to release the names of foreign investors in her husband's associated company, Jadeland Pacific. Dean dismissed such questions and said she wasn't obligated under campaign-finance rules to disclose the foreign investors.
In a statement sent after he conceded, David said that despite the outcome, he was proud of the exchange of ideas that took place during the campaign. "We ran a campaign that rejected the timeworn rhetoric and braved the difficult headwinds of present-day politics," David said. "I also congratulate my opponent Madeleine Dean and wish her the best as she prepares to represent our district."
by Claudia Vargas, Updated: November 7, 2018 https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/politics/elections/madeleine-dean-dan-david-pa-4-congressional-district-election-results-20181106.html
How Did Abington Vote In The 2018 Midterm Elections?
There were races for U.S. Congress, Senate, governor, and numerous local contests, Here's how Abington voted.
Nov 7, 2018 3:00 pm ET | Updated Nov 7, 2018 3:39 pm ET
ABINGTON, PA — Abington has long been a solidly blue section of a largely blue county, and Tuesday's 2018 Midterm Elections were no different. Democrats swept all major races both statewide and in the county, a microcosm of a larger national movement which saw the the left taking control of the U.S. House and state candidates making history in districts that have been red for decades.
Here's how the township voted on each of the races on the ballot Tuesday:
U.S. House of Representatives 4th District
Madeleine Dean (Democrat): 20,041 (overall winner)
Dan David (Republican): 7,720
U.S. Senate
Bob Casey (Democrat): 20,594 (overall winner)
Lou Barletta (Republican): 7,669
Kerns (Libertarian): 197
Neal Gale (Green): 256
Pennsylvania Governor/Lt. Governor
Tom Wolf/John Fetterman (Democrat): 21,138 (overall winner)
Scott Wagner/Jeff Bartos (Republican): 7,289
Ken Krawchuck/Kathleen Smith: 264
Paul Glover/Jocolyn Bowster-Bostick (Green): 129
Pennsylvania State Rep. 153rd District
Ben Sanchez (Democrat): 20,117 (overall winner)
Douglas Beaver (Republican): 2,461
Marc Bozzacco (Libertarian): 310
Pennsylvania State Sen. 4th District
Art Haywood (Democrat): 19,946 (overall winner)
Ron Holt (Republican): 8,585
https://patch.com/pennsylvania/abington/how-did-abington-vote-2018-midterm-elections
Abington 2017 Election Results: Dems Win 6 Commissioner Seats
Breaking: Democrats won six of the seven commissioner races across the township in Tuesday's election, as well as sweeping the school board.
By Justin Heinze, Patch Staff Nov 8, 2017 12:35 am ET
ABINGTON, PA — Democrats won six of the seven commissioner races across the township in Tuesday's election, while also sweeping the School Director races.
The lone victory for Republicans came in Ward 8, where Republican Peggy Myers defeated Democrat Chiquilla Holt. Myers garnered 59.51 percent of the vote, to Holt's 40.49 percent.
In Ward 2, Democrat Ken Brodsky defeated Republican Arthur Kousombos, 70 percent to 29 percent.
In Ward 4, Democrat Jimmy DiPlacido defeated Republican Daniel Mellon Sr., 70 percent to 29 percent.
Things were tighter in Ward 6, where Democrat Mike Thompson earned 52 percent of the vote to Republican Stephen J. Kalinoski's 46.69.
Democrat Matt Vahey defeated Republican Thomas J. Farren Sr. in Ward 12. Democrats Tom Hecker and Lori Schreiber ran unopposed in Wards 10 and 14, respectively.
In the School Director race, four Democrats received about 16 percent of the vote each, defeating four Republican challengers. Raymond McGarry, Adam M. Share, Barry J. Stupine, and Brian A. Allen were all elected.
Around 34 percent of voters turned out to the polls in Abington Township on Tuesday.
https://patch.com/pennsylvania/abington/abington-2017-election-results-dems-win-6-commissioner-seats
ELECTION 2017: Democrats sweep Abington School Board race
The Democratic winning streak across the nation and county continued in Abington and Rockledge, with voters overwhelmingly selecting the Democratic slate of candidates in the race for Abington School Board, according to unofficial results posted on the Montgomery County website Tuesday evening.
In the race for four four-year seats, incumbent Raymond McGarry received the most votes with 8,611, or 16.47 percent of the total vote. He was followed by fellow Democrats newcomer Brian A. Allen and incumbents Adam M. Share and Barry J. Stupine with 8,495, 8,438 and 8,421 votes, respectively.
Those vote tallies put them well ahead of their Republican challengers, Jocelyn Jones Pickford, Joseph J. Rooney, Angelica Belka and John J. Monaghan, who garnered 4,675, 4,656, 4,620 and 4,357 votes, respectively.
Sitting board member Marsha Levell not seeking to maintain her post.
The Democratic victory extended to the race for a single two-year seat on the board, with sitting board member Joshua M. Stein defeating Republican Renee McCullough.
https://www.montgomerynews.com/timeschronicle/news/election-democrats-sweep-abington-school-board-race/article_84aef090-c443-11e7-9eb6-ebcaf46fe6ad.html
ELECTION 2017: A Quick Recap and What's Next
From the ARDC Press Desk | February 2017
In November, we all first came together for the "Day 1" meeting.
In December, we "Socialized and Organized" and heard from many of our elected officials, both federal, state and local on what we can do to help them represent us!
In January, we joined with the world.
... and in February, we gathered to take the first local steps on the road back, by signing petitions to put candidates on the ballot for the 2017 elections.
Yes, it can be overwhelming. With all the lies and incompetence piling up, while also trying to keep track of important issues such as education, environment, and social injustice to just name a few. Don't you just want to turn off?
First, know that you are not alone. If you've attended an ARDC event (as shown above) over the last few months, you already know this. If you have not had the chance,our next meeting is March 21st, details to follow. The sense of community and common purpose at these events has been unmistakably.
Second, ARDC is partnering with local and regional grassroots groups to organize and mobilize. Our voices are louder together, pure and simple. While logistics are ongoing, one thing is clear, each local group has a place and a voice with the ARDC. The silver lining is that amazing leaders, the vast majority of which are women, have stepped forward. The ARDC has shared events and will continue to share the events of these groups, such as Fair Districts, Nevertheless She Persisted, Women Rising, United Abington Indivisible (just to name a few) and our own Call To Action Committee so that our voices on essential national issues are heard, together.
Finally, as indicated in the photo below, the journey to 2018 and 2020 starts now. The elections in 2017 are critical to laying the groundwork for delivering the messages for 2018. The conversations with actual neighbors about local community issues establish the relationships and opens the lines of communication for the national issues of 2018. That's it, it's that simple, and it starts now. The time commitment is based on you, the work is based on your interest, just like getting started starts with you. Simply send an email to info@abingtondemocrats.com!
If not you, then who?
If not now, then when?
Can you be an essential part of this movement?
As President Obama said: yes, you can. And he should know, that's what the man did.
What's Next?
Are you interested in working at the polls on election day as an "inside worker?" The people who check your name and staff inside where you vote are what make elections possible. In fact, they are crucial. Can you take two days a year to help our democracy? :)
If so, please contact us!
A TOWN HALL MEETING???
(Oh, wait. It's a Democratic Party elected official, of course...)
Please join Congressman Brendan Boyle and his staff for a series of community town hall meetings over the next several months. Congressman Boyle will be providing an update on current events in Washington and across the 13th congressional district, and his staff will be present to answer questions regarding various services the office provides.
The events are free, open to the public and will feature light refreshments. For more information, go here.
WATCH THIS SPACE!
More news and events coming soon...
... and thank you for all that you've done, are doing, and going to do!
1 vote puts Democrat Rothman in Abington commissioner seat
Posted Nov 4, 2015 at 12:01 AMUpdated Nov 4, 2015 at 12:05 AM
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
1 seat, 4 year term
Ward One
Democratic
Steven Kline, 836
Republican
Gary W. McDowell, 399
Ward Three
Democratic
Drew Rothman, 773
Republican
Lawrence F. Jones Jr., 765
Ward Seven
Democratic
Ben Sanchez, 833
Republican
Robert B. Sklaroff, 278
Ward Nine
Democratic
Mike Jones, 536
Republican
Dennis C. Zappone, 645
Ward 13
Democratic
Steven DelCarlino, 387
Republican
Carol E. Gillespie, 656
Other races uncontested.
Abington commissioner candidate Drew Rothman, according to unofficial results, beat Republican challenger Lawrence F. Jones Jr. for the seat representing the township’s third ward. In a real squeaker, Rothman earned 773 votes to Jones’ 765 votes. Fellow Democrats Steven Kline, in Ward One, and Ben Sanchez, in Ward Seven, beat back Republican challenges. The GOP, however, scored victories for commissioner seats representing Ward Nine and Ward 13, with Dennis Zappone and Carol Gillespie beating their challengers.
https://www.theintell.com/504fb398-7c5b-11e5-abd0-b79187a226db.html
ELECTION 2015: Democrats sweep Abington School Board race
The Democrats will retain control of Abington’s Board of School Directors.
According to unofficial results, Democratic incumbents Tracy Panella (12,289), Susan Arnhold (12,353) and Daniel Kaye (12,308) each received 19 percent of the vote and Michele Tinsman (8,731) received 14 percent of the vote.
In what became a hotly contested race between the six candidates, Andrea Lawful-Trainer (11,602), who recently announced her resignation, walked away with 18 percent of the vote, while Republican Joe Rooney (6,052) ended up with 10 percent of the vote.
That means that Lawful-Trainer, whose resignation became effective Oct. 31, will need to have her vacant seat filled by the board within the next 30 days.
Board Solicitor Kenneth Roos explained at the board’s Oct. 27 meeting that if Lawful-Trainer’s name were to remain on the ballot and she were to be re-elected, the board would have until the first Monday in December to appoint a replacement.
Furthermore, Roos went to on say that the appointed official would serve a two-year term as opposed to a full four years. Following the conclusion of that two-year term, any elected official for that seat would be running for another two-year term to complete the balance of a typical four-year term.
Lawful-Trainer announced her intent to resign after Rooney filed a petition with the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 21 accusing Lawful-Trainer of no longer being a resident of Abington Township after she got married in June.
In a previous statement made to Montgomery Media regarding the accusation, Lawful-Trainer maintained that she and her husband were in the process of rehabbing a house and would remain residents of Abington Township until their lease expired Oct. 31, at which point she said she would be moving out of the district.
In her statement, Lawful-Trainer said that she chose to run for school board because she thought she was going to be here “at the beginning of this journey,” but decided to resign when a new opportunity opened up for her.
Arnhold works in development and has served on the school board for the past nine years.
She said the balance of both financing the district’s mission and containing costs is the biggest issue facing the school district. Arnhold also said she would like to see school resources allocated toward a growing student population and addressing the needs of the aging high school.
“We’re very excited about results and I just want to thank the voters,” Arnhold said on election day. “Tonight they showed their support for public education. I’m looking forward to working with the board and administration to balance the needs of the school district.”
Kaye serves as the director of life enrichment at Rydal Park Continuing Care Retirement Community and said the district’s long-term economic stability and helping teachers, parents and taxpayers be heard are at the top of his list of important issues.
Panella, meanwhile, is a director of quality systems, supply chain at McNeil Consumer Healthcare and told the League of Women Voters she is concerned with the district’s challenging fiscal environment.
Tinsman, an investment professional, has served as a board member for 12 years and said maintaining top-level academics amid financial restraints is the biggest issue facing Abington School District.
“I am humbled and gratified by the support from the taxpayers of Abington Township and Rockledge Borough now that the tax base has spoken,” Tinsman said on election night. “I’m very grateful for their support in this election.”
Rooney, a pilot for Delta Airlines and frequent speaker at the board’s meetings, said addressing PSERS and Superintendent Amy Sichel’s contract would have been his highest priorities if elected.Facebook
By Stephen Pileggi
21st Century Media News Service Nov 3, 2015
https://www.montgomerynews.com/timeschronicle/news/election-2015-democrats-sweep-abington-school-board-race/article_8b59fc4d-84a7-594f-8975-ffd0ac45162d.html
____________________________________________________________________________
GOP Abington Ward 4 challenge dismissed
By Margaret Gibbons / Staff writer
Posted Dec 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
A Montgomery County judge Friday removed a legal obstacle that could have prevented Abington Democrat Jimmy DiPlacido from being sworn in in January as the new Ward 4 township commissioner.
Judge Bernard A. Moore handed down an order dismissing a Republican challenge of one of the 26 absentee ballots cast in that contest.
If the GOP challenge had succeeded, it would have resulted in Republican candidate Pamela Vasserman being declared the winner of the hotly contested race for the vacant seat.
“We are very happy with the judge’s ruling,” said Abington Democratic Chairman Michael Barbiero. “This is the second time we have won that election but it never gets old.”
Lansdale lawyer Frank R. Bartle, who represented the township Republicans, said he would have to discuss the judge’s ruling with Vasserman and Abington Republicans to decide whether an appeal should be filed.
On the contested ballot, the voter had checked off the straight Democratic box and then checked off each individual Democratic candidate’s box. However, the voter also checked off the write-in box next to each candidate although no name was written in in the write-in columns.
The three county commissioners, acting as the election board, recounted all 26 absentee ballots at the Republicans’ request. During the Nov. 20 recount, the three election board members, two Democrats and one Republican, voted unanimously to count the contested ballot in DiPlacido’s favor. That decision threw the contest back into a tie, with each candidate receiving 517 votes.
The two candidates then gathered several days later to draw numbered tiles from a ceramic jar to break the tie. DiPlacido was declared the winner of the race after he drew the highest numbered tile.
Bartle, at a hearing before Moore on Thursday, argued that the contested ballot should not have been counted because the voter’s intent was not clear. Lawyers representing the county election board and Abington Democrats disagreed with Bartle, pointing out that the voter never wrote in a name in the write-in column.
Moore, in his decision, found that the intent of the absentee voter was to vote for DiPlacido.
Even without DiPlacido’s win, Democrats were on track to take control of the 15-member board of commissioners for the first time since 1978.
When the new board takes office in January, there will now be nine Democrats and six Republicans.
Margaret Gibbons: 610-279-6153; mgibbons@calkins.com;
Twitter, @peggibbons
DiPlacido Wins!
Democrat Jimmy DiPlacido wins Abington race in a drawing
Thousands of dollars in campaign contributions, 10 months of campaigning, hundreds of phone calls, fliers, and handshakes. But on Friday it came down to 29 slips of paper in a kitschy blue jar. The Montgomery County Election Board held a "drawing of lots" to decide the winner of a tied municipal race. The two candidates for Abington Ward 4 (Elkins Park) commissioner each pulled a number.
The Democrat drew a 30.
The Republican drew a 3.
The Democrat won.
Modest cheers and congratulations, hugs, and exhilarated faces followed. Meanwhile, the Republican and her cohort quietly exited the room.
"My thoughts are -." Winner Jimmy DiPlacido paused to gather his words. "Wow. This is incredible."
Before the tiebreaker, the commissioners' board room in Norristown had been alive with humor and curiosity.
The Republican candidate, Pam Vasserman, had brought a good-luck gift bag - "little charms from people. A picture of my parents. . . . My husband just put in an Xbox controller," she said.
In the Nov. 5 election, Vasserman and DiPlacido both ended with 527 votes after a recount.
As the Election Board took its seats, Democratic lawyer Adam C. Bonin whispered, "May the odds be ever in your favor," the line from The Hunger Games.
The candidates' attorneys inspected the jar - a cardboard canister covered in cornflower-blue paper, with "Americana" in faded white letters.
They got to inspect the "tiles" - 29 slips of paper, roughly equal in size, numbered 2 through 30 in 26-point Calibri type.
Richards explained that the first number would be recorded and returned to the jar so there would be no advantage to going first.
"What, so we can tie again?" asked Robert Adshead, chairman of the Abington-Rockledge Republican Committee.
Both sides agreed that DiPlacido would draw first.
The county's chief operating officer, Lauren Lambrugo, held the jar high, so no one could see inside.
"Number 30 was picked by Mr. DiPlacido," Richards said.
The right side of the room fell quiet, while murmurs filled the left side.
Vasserman stepped forward, knowing her selection could not be a winner.
"Number 3 is picked by Miss Vasserman," Richards said.
With the novelty over, lawyers and candidates got serious again.
The commissioner-elect thanked his opponent for a lively campaign, noting, "In an election slated to bring in maybe 20 percent [voter turnout], our race brought in more than 50 percent."
"They got the right commissioner," said DiPlacido, who works for the American Red Cross and lives in the McKinley section of Abington with his wife and daughter.
Vasserman's attorneys began preparing an appeal, asking the courts to reconsider some of the absentee ballots that led to the tie in the first place.
But observer Karen Sanchez, a friend of DiPlacido's and wife of the Ward 7 commissioner-elect, Ben Sanchez, was still electrified by the display of democratic rarity.
"I've never seen anything like this in my life," she said.
by Jessica Parks, Inquirer Staff Writer, Posted: November 22, 2013
DiPlacido wins Abington commissioner election for Ward 4 by lot pull, results to be challenged
NORRISTOWN - Democratic candidate for Abington commissioner in Ward 4, Jimmy DiPlacido, won the previously tied election against Pamela Vasserman in a lot pull tie breaker Friday.
In the lot draw, candidates pull one tile, numbered one through 30, out of bucket. After the first candidate picks, his or her number is recorded and placed back into the bucket so the second candidate has a fair chance of pulling the same number. Whichever candidate pulls out the highest number is named the winner of the election.
'Should there be a tie, we will repeat this process until there is no tie,' Montgomery County Commissioner Leslie Richards said.
DiPlacido picked first and drew the number 30. Vasserman pulled the number three.
'This is incredible, but first and foremost, I just want to thank my opponent for the race that she ran,' DiPlacido said.
'In an election that was slated to probably bring in less than 20 percent of the voters, our race actually brought in over 50 percent of the voters in our neighborhood,' he said.
'I'm not too upset about the loss today,' Vasserman said. She is continuing to fight the results and will take the case to court Nov. 25. There is some dispute on how the ballots were counted, and Vasserman claims during a recount Nov. 12 she was up by two votes. When the Montgomery County Election Board recounted the ballots Nov. 20, DiPlacido and Vasserman were tied.
One of the ballots, according to DiPlacido's attorney Adam Bonin, was originally marked as a voided vote.
'One voter checked next to Jimmy and put a check next to the blank write in section,' Bonin said.
According to Bonin, the vote should not have been voided and was later determined to count as a vote for DiPlacido. On Nov. 8, during the recount, two ballots were misplaced. One was a blank ballot, and the other was a vote for DiPlacido.
'I'm confident the facts are in our favor,' Bonin said.
Vasserman will appear in court Nov. 25 to contest the election results.
Both DiPlacido and Vasserman were running for Ward 4 as newcomers to fill the spot current commissioner of Ward 4 John O'Conner holds. O'Conner will leave office after his term ends in the beginning of 2014.Facebook
https://www.timesherald.com/news/diplacido-wins-abington-commissioner-election-for-ward-4-by-lot-pull-results-to-be-challenged/article_256636e6-5780-5cbe-a11a-3a58a70ee2ee.html
At Least Four Newcomers Win Seats on Abington Board
Abington Patch | Mischa Arnosky | November 6, 2013
Though two of the races ended in a tie, the Democrats will control the Abington Board of Commissioners.
Of the nine races yesterday for seats on the Abington Board of Commissioners, two incumbents were ousted … and two races ended in a tie, according to unofficial results from the county.
Ousted were Republican Robert Wachter of Ward 2 and Republican Matthew Willis of Ward 7. Democrat Michael Markman defeated Wachter by about 60 votes, according to the county’s unofficial results late Tuesday night. And newcomer Ben Sanchez defeated relatively-new commissioner Willis by about 450 votes for a two-year term in Ward 7.
Incumbent Republican commissioner Stephen Kalinoski defeated challenger Steve Torres for the seat in Ward 6 by 40 votes; current board president Peggy Myers, beat Democratic challenger D. Gregory Holt handily for Ward 8; incumbent Thomas Farren defeated Democrat Joseph Smith in Ward 12; and incumbent Democrat Lori Schreiber beat challenger Jack Howarth in Ward 14.
Newcomer Democrat Tom Hecker defeated challenger Jamie Maerz by about 100 votes to take the seat in Ward 10.
The races for Ward 3 and Ward 4, both ended in a tie.
Incumbent Lawrence Jones, a Republican, and former commissioner Michael O’Connor, both garnered 510 votes in Ward 3.
Newcomers Pamela Vasserman, a Republican, and Democrat Jimmy DiPlacido both brought in 577 votes in Ward 4, according to the unofficial results.
Abington Democrats gain control of commissioner board
The Intelligencer | November 6, 2013
(Full Article Here - Subscription Required)
Abington Republicans Might Have a Short Night
Abington Patch | November 6, 2012
Madeleine Dean with Josh Shapiro
Update 10 p.m.:
Dean wins with 21,100 votes to Mattiacci's 11,400. Adshead calls the lopsided victory 'a little unexpected.'
Update 9:45 p.m.:
Nick Mattiacci concedes; thanks Jon Fox, Abington Commissioners, "tips his hat" to Madeleine Dean. See it here.
Update 9:38 p.m.:
State Rep. Madeleine Dean is leading challenger Nick Mattiacci by a vote of 17,354 to 9,198
President Barack Obama is leading Mitt Romney in Abington by a vote of 17,501 to 10,094
[ original here ]
Dean sworn into first term in House of Representatives
Press Release | May 8, 2012
State Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Montgomery, today took the oath of office for her first term as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives serving the 153rd Legislative District.
Dean was sworn into office after winning a special election for the seat vacated by former state Rep. Josh Shapiro. She and 5 other members won special elections to join the House in the 195th Legislative session.
"I want to thank my constituents for giving me this opportunity to serve them in this historical chamber," Dean said. "Although I begin my public service halfway through the legislative session, there is a lot of unfinished business that needs to be addressed in Pennsylvania. My priorities will remain in education, the environment, jobs and health care. After spending months on the campaign trail, I know these are the issues that people are waiting for Harrisburg to take action on and I can't wait to get started."
Dean's constituent service office is located at 1175 Old York Road in Abington and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 215-517-6800. She can be contacted via e-mail at RepDean@pahouse.net. She also has a website at www.pahouse.com/Dean.
Residents are also invited to sign up for periodic e-mail updates from Dean on state issues and services by visiting the website and clicking on the "E-Mail Alerts" link on the left side of the page.
Prior to being elected, Dean served as Abington Township Commissioner in Ward 7. She also taught persuasive writing, rhetoric, business writing, legal writing, and ethics as an assistant professor of English at La Salle University, and was a frequent contributor to the Philadelphia Daily News.
Dean began her law career as an associate in Philadelphia. She went on to serve as in-house counsel to Cunnane Bicycle Company, Inc., and later opened a small three-woman general law practice in Glenside.
Dean earned her undergraduate degree at La Salle University, Philadelphia, and her law degree at Widener University School of Law, in Wilmington, Delaware. She is currently attending the University of Pennsylvania, Fels School of Government.
(original here)
Turnout in strongholds crucial to Montco Dems
The Intelligencer | November 10, 2011
Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards
A targeted get-out-the-vote effort in Democratic strongholds appears to be one of the primary factors in the historic victory Tuesday by Montgomery County Democrats in winning control of the three-member board of commissioners.
The Republican commissioner candidates, incumbent Bruce L. Castor Jr. and Lower Merion Commissioner Jenny Brown, on Tuesday were the two top vote-getters in 43 of the county’s 62 municipalities. State Rep. Josh Shapiro and Whitemarsh Supervisor Leslie Richards, the two Democrats, came out on top in 15 municipalities while the vote was split among the four candidates in four other municipalities.
However, it was the margin of victory in those 15 municipalities that boosted the two Democrats over their Republican counterparts, giving control of county government to the Democrats for the first time in 140 years.
For example, the two Democrats won by about 5,000-vote margins in the heavily Democratic municipalities of Abington, Cheltenham and even Brown’s home municipality of Lower Merion.
“We knew we had to have a large voter turnout in those communities,” said Richards, a 44-year-old senior project manager for a civil engineering firm. “Josh is from Abington and people know us in those areas.”
Rather than discuss a targeted turnout effort, Richards said their victory can be attributed to the thousands of volunteers who worked in their behalf, whether it was joining them in knocking on more than 100,000 doors, making “tens of thousands” of phone calls, sending thousands of emails and even just getting family and friends to support them.
While Republicans may have won more municipalities, their victory margins were often less than the registration ratios because of this massive volunteer effort, according to Richards.
Richards also noted that she and Shapiro, who has served in the state House for seven years, “reached out” to as many voters as they could by knocking on doors, attending small gatherings in living rooms, visiting with commuters at train station and shoppers at supermarkets and attending community events.
“Both Josh and I have a record of reaching across party lines and addressing issues and I think that resonated with many of the voters with whom we had contact,” said Richards.
County Democratic Chairman Marcel L. Groen said he believed that the public was fed up with the ongoing bickering among the three commissioners in the current administration.
“People can see (Shapiro and Richards) get along well together,” said Groen.
While many had expected Shapiro to win, the real surprise was that Richards finished a strong second, almost 9,350 votes ahead of Castor, who served as the county’s district attorney for eight years prior to winning his first four-year term as commissioner in 2007. Many had thought it would come down to a battle between Richards and Brown for the third seat.
Democratic campaign aide Frank X. Custer Jr. said that the campaign, in its electronic advertising and campaign mailers, repeatedly emphasized that voters had two votes to cast in the election and that they should use those votes for the like-minded Democratic pair.
In a press conference called by Castor and Brown Wednesday to discuss the election results, Castor said that the GOP lost its stranglehold on county government because the Democrats were better financed initially and because Democrats now hold a 36,063 edge in voter registration.
Castor said people stopped contributing to the Republican Party and its candidates during the last four years because they felt betrayed by Republican Commissioner Chairman James R. Matthews’ unprecedented power sharing pact with Democratic Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III. This left Castor, Matthews’ former running mate and the top vote-getter among the commissioner candidates in the 2007 election, as the odd man out in the current administration.
(read the original full article here or download PDF stub from Chronicle/News)
50 Year Democratic Reunion & Member Appreciation Picnic
Lorimer Park | August 28, 2010
Our picnic was a huge success with good food, great weather, outstanding music and lots and lots of excellent people. Thanks to you all for coming out!
More pictures from the event can be found in the gallery, or on our Facebook page!
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz
April 25, 2010—"Why We Stand - The Democratic Character" was the theme for this year's annual Spring Banquet, held at the Old York Road Country Club in Ambler. The Spring Banquet is traditionally the ARDC's most successful fundraiser and social event, and this year was no exception. We were honored to feature Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz as Keynote Speaker. Also in attendance were other prominent state and local officials including State Senator LeAnna Washington, State Representative Josh Shapiro, State Representative Brendan Boyle, Montgomery County Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Joe Hoeffel, Jury Commissioner Greg Holt, and an unexpected appearance from Congressman Joe Sestak.
In addition, two members of our community were also honored this year: ARDC Committeeperson and Abington extrovert John "Spiegs" Spiegelman was named Democrat of the Year and Loretta Fox Outstanding Community Leader.
This year once again featured our new environmentally-friendly "paperless" ad program projected during the banquet and available for download soon. (The 2009 Program is available here.) Proceeds from the event help support Democratic candidates in our area.
2010 Spring Banquet Honorees
Many thanks to Robin Beall, who organized the event, and the rest of the Banquet Committee, who worked diligently to ensure that the 2010 banquet was an outstanding, enjoyable event!
[ Pictures from the event coming soon! ]
ARDC hosts Sestak
Times Chronicle | February 10, 2010
Congressman Joe Sestak
Senatorial hopeful U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-7, was present at the Abington Rockledge Democratic Committee meeting Monday night to talk about his primary campaign against incumbent Arlen Specter.
“I never expected to run for Senate. But while I greatly respect Arlen Specter and his service to the state, I highly disagree with him,” Sestak said.
The meeting, which one committee member said had more than double its usual attendance, began with Sestak talking about why he wants to be the next junior senator for Pennsylvania.
“I decided to run because I absolutely believe that the House of Representatives and the Senate have forgotten for a period of time that the support has to be given for the working class in this country,” Sestak said.
He spoke out about repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that keeps gay and lesbian troops from serving openly in the military. Sestak, a retired 3-star Admiral in the Navy, said he knew from personal experience that the policy should be changed.
“On an aircraft carrier with 5,000 young men and women, with an average age of 19 and a half, I can tell you, they don’t care. The people they are serving with, their sexuality isn’t an issue,” he said.
(read the full article here or download PDF version)
Democrats win school board contest
Glenside News | November 4, 2009
After Tuesday night’s election, the Abington School Board will consist entirely of Democrats, as the three incumbents and Democrat Adam Share won the at-large election.
Democrats Barry Stupine, Jeffrey Bates and board President Raymond McGarry will rejoin the board for another term. Jo Blumenthal, the lone Republican on the current board, did not run in the general election. With no incumbent running in the fourth open slot, Democrat Adam Share will join the board.
“I’m very happy to have been elected, and I look forward to contributing to the school system and continuing the good work that the school board has been doing,” Share said.
After a tough campaign from Republican opponents Bradley Werden, Stephen Kalinoski and Joseph Denelsbeck, the incumbents and Share each received about 15 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Montgomery County Web site, as opposed to about 12 percent each for their opponents.
Running under a campaign promoting school board reform, none of the Republican candidates could be reached for comment Tuesday night.
“People seem to be happy with the schools and with the job we are doing as incumbents,” McGarry said. “I’m very proud of the work the school board does and look forward to another four years of service.”
ARDC and Allyson Schwartz celebrate Women In Politics
Event News | September 13, 2009
A gathering and fundraiser to introduce, mentor, & support
Abington Commissioner Lori Schreiber and Commissioner Candidates Joan Goldstein, Lois Koff, and June Parkinson was held September 13th at Curds & Whey, 817 Old York Road, Jenkintown and featured the culinary stylings of Davida Burger.
INVITED SPECIAL GUESTS
Dr. Jill Biden (Willow Grove’s own!)
State Senator LeAnna Washington
Ruth Damsker
Happy Fernandez
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE INVITATION
FOR THE EVENT
(770K .pdf)
Nine candidates running for four school board seats
Glenside News | May 11, 2009
Abington School Board has four open seats this election season, with nine candidates running on both the Democratic and Republican tickets in the May 19 primaries.
Incumbents Jeffrey Bates, Jo Blumenthal, Raymond McGarry and Barry Stupine are running for re-election. Newcomers Joseph Denelsbeck, Stephen Kalinoski, Kerry Litvin, Maryanne Rickenbach and Adam Share are running in the primaries as well.
(full article)
Residents from two townships join in cleanup
Glenside News | April 23, 2009
The Abington Cheltenham Cleanup Day was organized by Glenside resident June Parkinson in honor of Earth Day to take care of the area around the Keswick Avenue train underpass that borders the two townships.
“I looked at the Earth Day Web sites for Abington and noticed that there was nothing in my area and I looked at the Environmental Advisory Council Web site, and there was nothing around here, nothing in Glenside. So I started thinking about that bridge” said Parkinson, who is currently running as a Democrat for Abington Ward 12 commissioner.
(full article | photo gallery)
Thanks to all for making our 2009 Spring Banquet and Silent Auction a tremendous success!
Congressman Patrick Murphy
April 19, 2009—"Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future" was the central theme for this year's annual Spring Banquet, held at the Old York Road Country Club in Ambler. The Spring Banquet is traditionally the ARDC's most successful fundraiser and social event, and this year was no exception. We were honored to feature Congressman Patrick Murphy, who arrived early to sign copies of his book Taking the Hill - From Philly to Baghdad to the United States Congress, as Keynote Speaker. Also in attendance were other prominent state and local officials including Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, State Senator LeAnna Washington, State Representative Josh Shapiro, State Representative Brendan Boyle, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Montgomery County Democratic Committee Chairman Marcel Groen, Jury Commissioner Greg Holt, along with many 2009 judicial candidates from across the state and all of ARDC's endorsed candidates, as well as ARDC community leaders and dignitaries from years past.
In addition, two members of our community were also honored this year: ARDC Committeeperson Committee Chair Kathleen Joyce was named Democrat of the Year and Al Herrmann Outstanding Community Leader.
This year also featured our new environmentally-friendly "paperless" ad program projected during the banquet and available for download here. Proceeds from the event help support Democratic candidates in our area.
2009 Spring Banquet Honorees
Many thanks to Robin Beall, who organized the event, and the rest of the Banquet Committee, who worked diligently to ensure that the 2009 banquet was an outstanding, enjoyable event!
[ See pictures in the gallery ]
Eminent Domain Power the Answer for New Library Location
Times Chronicle Glenside News | February 13, 2009
As a long term homeowner in Roslyn, I want to thank the Board of Commissioners for its approval Thursday night of the much anticipated expansion of the Roslyn Library, which requires a new location. It is anticipated that the new facility will also have an art center and some outdoor community space. At the hearing, this project was supported by members of the library, the local arts community, Abington’s Economic Advisory Board, as well as my neighbors.
It was clear at the hearing that the Roslyn library is overused, crowded (over 20,000 people used it just this year!) and only has two parking spots. In fact, so many people use the current Roslyn branch that people can’t even find a designated parking space. Although the effect on Roslyn will surely be to its economic benefit, the clear purpose of building the expanded library is to make our library system more accessible to more people, especially children and seniors who may be unable to get to the main branch of the library.
It is the need for revitalization that has allowed Roslyn to get the grant money to proceed with the library’s expansion. After an exhaustive search by our Township Manager and Assistant Manager, this building, vacant for nineteen years, was selected to be the one with optimum size, good parking easy traffic flow, and location on the main street of the area.
Although the Township has recently tried to purchase this property from the owner for fair market value, it has met with a brick wall. All attempts to enter into good faith negotiations have failed.
Our Township Manager testified at the hearing to his good faith efforts to make a deal. Using our township’s eminent domain power will protect the property owner, who will get the entire fair market value of the property and the community will get its much needed library. The project demonstrates a traditional use of our U.S. Constitution’s power of eminent domain, which is the power of government to take private property, if and only if it is needed for public use, while reimbursing the owner in full for the value of the property.
I also want to congratulate the bipartisan approach which enabled this project to move forward. It is a testament to our Township Commissioners that they were able to keep our library’s best interests at heart.
Barbara Halpern
Abington Resident
Barack Obama at Abington High School
ARDC | October 3, 2008
Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) campaigns during a rally at Abington High School, October 3, 2008.
From Obama's remarks:
"We know these are difficult times. We know how bad Pennsylvania has been hurting. But here's what I also know - I know we can steer ourselves out of this crisis. Because that's who we are. Because that's what Americans do. This is a nation that's faced tougher times than these - we've faced war and depression; great challenges and great threats. And at each and every moment, we've risen to meet these challenges because we've never forgotten that fundamental truth - that here, in this country, our destiny is not written for us; it's written by us."
REUTERS/Jason Reed
FULL COVERAGE:
Refocused—and on the attack, Obama, McCain seek status as economic savior
Chicago Tribune | October 4, 2008
Voters at the Obama rally were anxious after a week of bad economic news. Patty Deitch of Glenside, Pa., who runs a group of local community health centers, said she's worried about her investments and whether she can retire in 10 years as she has planned. She believes McCain and Palin would cut taxes—just not for her.
"I believe Obama understands something they don't," she said. "Helping the middle class is what will save this country." (full article here)
Message on sign prompts protest
Times Chronicle Glenside News | August 20, 2008
Abington residents protested a vague message on an electronic sign in the 800 block of Old York Road Aug. 17.
The relatively new sign at Noble Square, in front of the former Houlihan's restaurant, features an electronic and color display that says the word "UNION" in the middle of a red circle with a line through it, as one of its several messages. The messages cycle every couple of seconds - the following message is the same, but adds the phrase, "HOLD THE LINE," under the red circle. The message was up as of Tuesday. Goodman Properties, a real estate and development management firm out of Jenkintown, owns the property.
John Spiegelman, one of the protesters, said he doesn't know how long the message has been displayed, but noticed it last week.
"I don't really know the background behind the sign," Spiegelman said, "but others took offense to it. It's a rather odd thing to have up on a glorified electric clock and a lot of people around here are pro-union." (full article here)
Abington Residents Protest Anti-Union Sign
ARDC | August 17, 2008
A group of Abington Township residents gathered outside of Noble Square along Old York Road to protest an offensive anti-union message being displayed on the shopping center’s electronic sign. Noble Square is owned by developer Bruce Goodman’s Goodman Properties, which placed the anti-union message in the sign’s display rotation; the sign normally advertises the names of Noble Square’s tenant businesses, such as Barnes & Noble.
(more)
Money names Abington one of 'Best 100 Places to Live'
Money Magazine | August 2008
A half hour north of Philadelphia, it boasts good schools, bustling shopping districts and a variety of diverse small communities. Leisure and culture can be found at the famous Keswick Theatre or Briar Bush Nature Center, and there is a plethora of after-school programs for kids.
The town may not quite have everything, but with both low crime and low property taxes, you won't hear many complaints. (details here)
2008 ARDC "Rising Power" Spring Banquet and Silent Auction a resounding success
May 3, 2008
Mayor Michael Nutter
[ See pictures from the event in the gallery ]
The "Rising Power" Spring banquet at the Old York Road Country Club in Ambler is our most successful fund raiser and social event, and this year we were excited to feature Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter as keynote speaker.
In addition, two members of our community were also honored this year: ARDC Vice-Chair Michael Barbiero, Esq., was named Democrat of the Year and Valerie Ward of Willow Grove Outstanding Community Leader.
Prominent state and local elected officials attended the event as well, which raised over $10,000 to help support Democratic candidates in our area.
2008 Spring Banquet Honorees
Many thanks to Barbara Halpern, who organized the event, and the rest of the Banquet Committee, who worked diligently to ensure that the 2008 banquet was an outstanding, enjoyable event!
Agostine out, other incumbents in for board of commissioners
Mischa Aaron Arnosky | Times Chronicle Glenside News | November 8, 2007
Several close races for commissioner in Abington's odd-numbered wards yielded only one real upset Tuesday.
According to unofficial totals from the Montgomery County Web site, with 100 percent of the vote counted, Abington has gained a Democratic commissioner with Ernie Peacock defeating incumbent Doretta Agostine, 708-534, in Ward 7.
Along with the Ward 7 victory, Democrats took another seat as Steven Kline defeated Republican Jeff Schaffer 760-603 for control of Ward 1 - a race in which both of the candidates were newcomers.
Peacock, greeted by cheers when he arrived at The Wet Whistle, Election Night gathering place for Abington Democrats, said though he was extremely excited, his goal was to differentiate himself from incumbent Agostine.
"I felt I needed to states a clear distinction between my opponent, and I thought she did not do a good job ... and I said why," Peacock said.
Reached Wednesday, Agostine initially said she wasn't looking to comment on her loss Tuesday, but then opened up - and had some pretty harsh words for her opponent as well as all of the Abington Democrats seeking election in the race.
"My opponent and all Democrats for commissioner spent money like it was a congressional race," Agostine said. "This is the most distorted, lie-ridden, negative campaign I have seen [with the exception of] presidential races."
Agostine said the Democrats made false allegations of corruption at the township level. And she said she was also upset that State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153, campaigned against the Republican commissioners.
Agostine, sounding upset, said she took the blame for the Rydal Waters developers going bankrupt and said, "If people want a change, they'll get a change - and I'm OK with it."
At the Abington Republicans' gathering at the Ukrainian Cultural Center Tuesday night, Ward 12 Commissioner Carol DiJoseph said Agostine was ousted simply because she has issues happening in her ward.
"It's a shame," DiJoseph said. "When you have things happening in your ward, sometimes it goes against you ... and when things are happening in your ward, it means more work for [the commissioner.] If there are no issues, things will stay the same."
The "issues" in Ward 7 surround development of the Baederwood Plaza and Rydal Waters. Peacock said he is looking to resolve the issues, but they need to be done "the right way."
Kline said he was excited and a little surprised in his victory.
"There's nothing wrong with Jeff [Schaffer,]" Kline said. "He's a great competitor and I'm glad to know him now."
Kline said he is going to take the energy he had on the planning commission and run with it on the board of commissioners.
"I'm not really a 'blend-in' type of guy," he said.
In a close race for Ward 3, Democrat Michael O'Connor narrowly defeated Republican Richard Gaglianese 684-633, though he was losing with 67 percent of the vote reported on the county Web site shortly after midnight.
Dennis Zappone, incumbent Republican commissioner for Ward 9, defeated Democrat Kathleen Joyce 602-423. William Lynott, incumbent Republican commissioner for Ward 11, hung on to defeat Democrat Robert Niewodowski 539-459. Michael Gillespie, incumbent Republican commissioner for Ward 13, defeated Democrat David Ennis and Libertarian Jude Hanrahan 602-447-14. And John Carlin, incumbent Republican commissioner for Ward 15, handily defeated Democrat Angel Gauthier 545-305.
Wayne Luker, Democratic commissioner for Ward 5, ran unopposed and was re-elected.