Event to give a Voting Scorecard to Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick

The Penn Action group of Progressive activists in Bucks County had a great day at the Levittown Post Office today.  The rain stopped and we had a good turnout, and a lot of drive by traffic.

We were working with the National week of action on giving “Scorecard” information to the people on how our Congressman had voted on issues that are important to us – the Middle Class and the rest of the 99%.
We are very concerned about the proposed Ryan Budget that the Republicans are promoting that will destroy the safety nets that are now in place for people with Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

Many people think that Medicaid is for poor single mothers, and other types of families.  We believe that this is an important need in our society.

However, most families are touched by Medicaid when a family member runs out of money and needs services as they need to live in a skilled nursing facility.  This is also a Middle Class issue.
Check out the Penn Action Facebook page for more info!  http://www.facebook.com/PennAction

__________________________________________________________________

Bruce and Sally K Witt
Social Media and Ministry
sallykwitt@gmail.com
skype – sallylovesanimals
home office (267) 209-0558

http://10KChallenge-Witt.com
Take The 10K Challenge – 35 Min. A Day http://ibourl.net/WittTeam

Happy Birthday Medicare! Wishing you a long and happy life!

We are happy to celebrate 47 years of Medicare.  It is important to get the word out that the programs that we depend on are in danger with the Republican Ryan Budget.  This budget would cancel all the advantages of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and destroy Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security as we know it.

Our Bucks County group of Penn Action and Moveon.org has been working for years on preserving the programs needed for our families.  This is not a one time action, but a coordinated effort with related groups.

Athena Ford from The Pennsylvania Health Access Network  -  organized a great rally today at Congressman Fizpatrick’s office.

Penn Action and Moveon.org coordinated to bring together as many interested people as possible today. Many people also support the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare – NCPSSM.

Art by Theresa BrownGold of Doylestown – telling the stories of the uninsured and under-insured http://artassocialinquiry.org/

It is so important that the current and future leaders of our country preserve the programs that care for the elderly and disabled.  We all paid into the programs, and deserve some assurance that the programs will be there for us as we need them.

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa BrownGold talks about her art-

__________________________________________________________________

Bruce and Sally K Witt
Social Media and Ministry
sallykwitt@gmail.com
skype – sallylovesanimals
home office (267) 209-0558

http://10KChallenge-Witt.com
Take The 10K Challenge – 35 Min. A Day http://ibourl.net/WittTeam

July 5, 2012 Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon – Penn Action Group

Between all the excitment and the Heat Wave, I am exhausted!

Next meetings -

Monday July 9 7pm – You MUST RSVP.  We will cancel if there are not enough people to justify the evening meeting.

Wednesday July 11 – this week at 2pm because of a conflict that Robin Stelly has.

Information and Photos have been submitted by many of our members.   Thank you Mike, Clare, and Robin for always keeping me full of emails, photos, and video for the newsletter!

1.  A number of our seniors went to the White House Summit June 24-27 to be trained on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.  They had a jam packed 3 days, and came back on fire!

2.  When the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, we were thrilled.  There was a rally last Friday at PA State Rep Tina Davis’ office.  We want a good and fair health exchange system for Pennsylvania!!

See more photos here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.443976315634307.104834.152915228073752&type=1

OUR Barb Stakes was interviews on Channel 10 News!

—————-

3.  The Nuns on a Bus came to Bucks County!!

4.  Important info shared by Mary Downing-

a.  “Independent expenditures.”

That’s the Washington, D.C., inside-the-Beltway term for money that corporations, billionaires and pretty much anything or anyone who isn’t a candidate is throwing toward tilting elections one way or another.

Many of these “independent expenditures” will be secretly funneled into front groups that blast our airwaves with smears, half-truths and outright lies.

Meanwhile, the big spenders behind the big money are doing all they can to keep their spending in the dark.

This July 4, stand up for true independence by urging your senators to fight for an election season that’s independent of secret money. Tell them to cosponsor the DISCLOSE Act.

For more information about the DISCLOSE Act, read my earlier email, copied below in case you missed it.

b.  Who in their right mind would have the nerve to say that Tammy Duckworth — a double-amputee Iraq War Veteran and current candidate for Congress in Illinois — is anything less than an American hero?

Her opponent — Republican Congressman Joe Walsh — has decided that his only chance to beat her is to hurl character attacks at Duckworth, saying today that she’s not a “true hero.”

Tell Walsh that all of our Veterans are heroes and that we can never recognize them enough for their service >>

It’s a new low for Joe Walsh. Let’s hold him accountable.

5.  From Nancy Traflin -

Dear Bucks County MoveOn member,

Representative Marguerite Quinn of the 143rd Assembly District in Bucks County is one of the architects of Act 13, the fracking law passed in the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Act 13 strips away our local zoning laws, enforces a gag order on our doctors, and allows drilling and open impoundment pits of fracking waste that threaten to pollute our ground, water, and air for generations to come.

That’s why I created a petition on SignOn.org to Rep. Quinn, which says:

Repeal Act 13 and return local zoning control back to the townships and municipalities of Pennsylvania. According to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania it is our duty and our right to protect our air, water, and land. Give us back our rights!

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276836&id=44939-6185641-IGrKC7x&t=2

Thanks!

–Nancy Taflin

_________

You are welcome to join us at events, and at our weekly planning meetings!

Our Core group meets every Wed. at 1pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  New Core members are always welcome.  This is where we plan, keep updated on news from Moveon and Penn Action, and share ideas.  email for directions sallykwitt@gmail.com.  

We are adding an evening meeting once a month on the 2nd Monday at 7pm, same place.  Please RSVP at sallykwitt@gmail.com for each meeting so that we know to expect you.

Getting Letters to the Editor, and Guest Opinions printed is so important.  Let us know if you are willing to write, or if you need help writing one.  Contact Frank Arcoleo Frank.Arcoleo@verizon.net or Bob Mason robmas1@verizon.net for ideas or help.  

Robin Stelly – Penn Action
Joan King, Sally Witt

Moveon.org Bucks County Coordinator -  Mike Sullivan

We are now doing a weekly newsletter for our larger group.  Questions, or suggestions can be sent to sallykwitt@gmail.com.

Sally K Witt
Social Media and Ministry
sallykwitt@gmail.com
bruceandsallywitt.wordpress.com

http://xeeme.com/SallyKWitt/

Take The 10K Challenge – 35 Min. A Day
http://bit.ly/witt10k

Here are some places that you can advertise for free!
Family friendly ads and links only, please.

http://sharefreeads.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/381189205273950/
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Share-Free-Ads-4495601
http://empireavenue.com/community/page/discuss/?c=3016

June 23, 2012 Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon – Penn Action Group

1.  Come see the Nuns on the Bus!   They are coming to Congressman Fitzpatrick’s Langhorne office June 29 at 3pm.

http://nunsonthebus.com/

From Robin -

Please do your best to be there as they will be carrying the message that Penn Action

has been carrying since the first time Rep. Paul Ryan introduced one of his “budgets”.

You can see some ideas for signs in this video at Bill Moyers’ site, which

is following the Nuns’ bus tour:  http://billmoyers.com/category/nuns/

Feel free to be creative and respectful (of course, you always are!)

Thanks – see you at the Congressman’s office on Friday, June 29 at 3:00pm.

2.  We are outraged!  This came from our Mary Downing to pass along =

Forward to volunteers and get them to sign this petition.

Thanks

Mary

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: Watchdog.net <info@watchdog.net>
To: Mary Downing <maryedowning@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 3:38 PM
Subject: GOP Spokesman Urges Supporters To “Hurl Some Acid At Those Female Democratic Senators!”

Demand Progress has teamed up with Watchdog.net, a new site where you can start a petition on any topic. Here’s one we think you might be interested in.

Dear Mary Downing,

Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth’s campaign spokesman Jay Townsend has launched a vicious online attack against feminist politicians, mocking them as “Lily Ledbetter hypocrites” and arguing that the War on Women is a myth.

But it was his sign-off that horrified so many readers and outraged so many constituents: his call to “hurl some acid at those female democratic Senators!”

Acid attacks are one of the most common and horrific gender-based crimes in the world, an excruciating and disfiguring form of “revenge” used to punish women who disobey. That Jay Townsend would use this example of female torture to mock those fighting the War on Women is not just unprofessional—it’s horrific! 

We need to get this man out of Hayworth’s office. This isn’t some right wing blogger or anonymous supporter. It’s a congresswoman’s right-hand man—and if enough of us threaten to oppose her re-election, she’ll have to listen. Take a stand: Sign our petition to take down Townsend NOW!

REP. NAN HAYWORTH: Jay Townsend speaks for you—and you don’t repudiate his call to “hurl some acid” on our female representatives, we’ll assume you condone his vicious attack. Release a statement condemning your spokesman’s words and removing him from his position immediately—or count on losing our vote this fall!

Please, click here to sign now!

Thanks,
– The folks at Watchdog.net

3.  Plans in July

Please consider helping with our phone banking in July to identify voters, and see who needs help with getting ID’s.  Contact Robin Stelly for more information!  pennaction@gmail.com

We are having a presentation on July 25 at 2pm by PHAN http://pahealthaccess.org/) at the King/Witt home after our planning meeting.  Contact Barb Stakes for more info itsjustme.stakes@gmail.com

4.  Get Money Out of Politics!!

Even though the weather was dangerously hot, a faithful handful of protesters went to Mike Fitzpatrick’s office to deliver the petitions begging for the money to get out of the political decisions!

5.  Rapid Response – when Supreme Court gives decision on Affordable Health Care Act

Hi, Please make room in your schedule to be at the rapid response to the Supreme

Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).   I will send out a notice

as soon as I hear that the Supreme Court is releasing its decision.

Rapid Response details are:

WHEN: NOON on the day after the Supreme Court announces a decisionWHERE: We’ll be gathering at Rep. Tina Davis’ office on Green Lane in Bristol.
Address: 3611 Green Lane - Levittown, PA 19057WHY: No matter what the decision is, we will be calling on the state legislature to

move forward to create an exchange that protects the gains of the Affordable Care

Act.  That’s why we’ll be at Rep. Davis’ office.  She’s a State Rep on the Insurance

Committee so she’ll be involved with creating the exchange in PA.  Rep. Davis

has given every indication that she will support a strong exchange in PA so we

will be there to encourage her and to draw attention to the state legislature where

the important action will be after the Supreme Court releases its decision.

If you have a story to share about how the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

has helped you specifically (adult kids on your plan, donut hole rebates, Medicare

wellness visits, small business rebates …) please let me know.

Any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Robin Stelly

Penn Action
c: 203.216.9719
e: rstelly@pennaction.org

6.  White House Summit

A group of delegates from our Core Group are leaving tomorrow for a very important set of meetings and training for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.  We are going to have a crack team on the ground right here in Bucks County to help with accurate information.

We will still have our meeting on Wednesday at 1pm, even though the group will be about half the size!

Have a great week.

P.S.  Happy Birthday Mom!!  (Joan King)  June 24

___________

You are welcome to join us at events, and at our weekly planning meetings!

Our Core group meets every Wed. at 1pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  New Core members are always welcome.  This is where we plan, keep updated on news from Moveon and Penn Action, and share ideas.  email for directions sallykwitt@gmail.com.  

We are adding an evening meeting once a month on the 2nd Monday at 7pm, same place.  Please RSVP at sallykwitt@gmail.com for each meeting so that we know to expect you.

Getting Letters to the Editor, and Guest Opinions printed is so important.  Let us know if you are willing to write, or if you need help writing one.  Contact Frank Arcoleo Frank.Arcoleo@verizon.net or Bob Mason robmas1@verizon.net for ideas or help.  

Robin Stelly – Penn Action
Joan King, Sally Witt

Moveon.org Bucks County Coordinator -  Mike Sullivan

We are now doing a weekly newsletter for our larger group.  Questions, or suggestions can be sent to sallykwitt@gmail.com.

Sally K Witt
Social Media and Ministry
sallykwitt@gmail.com
bruceandsallywitt.wordpress.com

http://xeeme.com/SallyKWitt/

Take The 10K Challenge – 35 Min. A Day
http://bit.ly/witt10k

Here are some places that you can advertise for free!
Family friendly ads and links only, please.

http://sharefreeads.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/381189205273950/
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Share-Free-Ads-4495601
http://empireavenue.com/community/page/discuss/?c=3016

June 14, 2012 Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon – Penn Action Group

Happy Father’s Day to all!

 

1.  June 14 –  Movie and Discussion at Mike Sullivan’s!  TONIGHT!!

                      GET MONEY OUT OF OUR POLITICS

                The Koch Bros out of the shadows and into the spotlight

                               10 shocking facts about the Koch Bros

                                        KOCH Bros. EXPOSED

                                        the 1% at its very worst

                    Come see the movie on June 14th at 7:00pm at

                                      116 Indian Creek Dr

                                       Levittown, Pa    19057

Meet members of the Bucks County Moveon.org and Penn Actions groups. We work to inform and help see positive changes in our area for our families and the county, the state, and the US.

rsvp: mjsull116@gmail.com

         267-243-5795

 2.  Sign the petition to get Money out of Politics: http://pol.moveon.org/amend/  Pass it on to your friends!

3.  Thursday June 21, 4pm  Petition Drop off at Fitzpatrick’s office!

 GET MONEY OUT OF POLITICS!!!!

Details and sign up here for event https://www.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=130407

4.  Very important in Pennsylvania – sign ASAP

Here’s the link to the petition at SignOn.org.

http://signon.org/sign/big-money-is-buying-bad

5.  Rapid Response – when Supreme Court gives decision on Affordable Health Care Act

Hi,Please make room in your schedule to be at the rapid response to the Supreme

Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).   I will send out a notice

as soon as I hear that the Supreme Court is releasing its decision.

Rapid Response details are:

WHEN: NOON on the day after the Supreme Court announces a decisionWHERE: We’ll be gathering at Rep. Tina Davis’ office on Green Lane in Bristol.
Address: 3611 Green Lane - Levittown, PA 19057

WHY: No matter what the decision is, we will be calling on the state legislature to

move forward to create an exchange that protects the gains of the Affordable Care

Act.  That’s why we’ll be at Rep. Davis’ office.  She’s a State Rep on the Insurance

Committee so she’ll be involved with creating the exchange in PA.  Rep. Davis

has given every indication that she will support a strong exchange in PA so we

will be there to encourage her and to draw attention to the state legislature where

the important action will be after the Supreme Court releases its decision.

If you have a story to share about how the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

has helped you specifically (adult kids on your plan, donut hole rebates, Medicare

wellness visits, small business rebates …) please let me know.

Any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Robin Stelly

Penn Action
c: 203.216.9719
e: rstelly@pennaction.org

6.  Important for PA farms – submitted by Joan King

Dear Joan,Pennsylvania Dutch Country and our Amish farmlands are one of the state’s most iconic landscapes. We take pride in the region’s great history. And we’re relieved to know that nearby farmers are working hard every day to put healthy, locally grown food on our plates. We have two weeks to stop Gov. Corbett from changing all of that by ending the nation’s most successful farm preservation program. Email your legislators today and tell them that we want to help Pennsylvania’s family farmers and working farmlands—not turn our back on them. We know that Amish country—and other great farming areas in Bucks County, Chester County and throughout the Commonwealth—are under immense pressure from encroaching overdevelopment and sprawl. Many of these great communities look nothing like they did when I moved to Pennsylvania in the mid ‘90s—and it would have been much worse if steps hadn’t been taken to make sure we can protect as many family farms as possible from being razed and turned into the next strip mall or McMansion housing development. That’s why I was appalled to learn that Gov. Corbett has proposed to halt the funding that’s dedicated to Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program. Will you join me in standing up for the farmers who’ve worked to keep Pennsylvania beautiful and put food on our plates for years? Click here to send your legislators an email for Pennsylvania’s farms. Thanks for all your support. Sincerely, David Masur PennEnvironment Director PS. Do you know a family farmer or someone who enjoys Pennsylvania’s Farmers Markets and locally grown food? Send this alert to them today so they can help save Pennsylvania’s farmland.

7.

Update: Community Campaign for Voting Rights

Hi Everyone,

Here’s the news on the voting rights / Photo ID education front.  There’s

a lot to update so please read this entire email.

1. Phone banks are starting up to contact people most vulnerable to being

disenfranchised by the Photo ID law are starting up.  We need volunteers

to help make the calls.  Details for two in July are below.

This sort of outreach can work wonders.  In Milwaukee, during the recall election,

Citizen Action of Wisconsin focused on 50 low-turnout neighborhoods with this result:

The results:  Our 50 low propensity wards (precincts) had 77.4% turnout!! 

That beats the overall City of Milwaukee turnout of 76.13%.  We transformed 

low propensity wards into high turnout wards. 

We’ll be starting our phone banking in July, well ahead of the election in

November, to let the people we reach know that they are more than numbers

to us.  We want them to hear about the Photo ID law in time to be ready

for it.  We want to help.  And we want them to be able and encouraged to

vote in November.  Please join our phone banking and help us reach 77%

turnout (or higher) in Bristol!

WHAT: Phone bank

WHEN: Thursday, July 19  6:30pm

WHERE: Annex

             Norton Ave. First Baptist Church

             1230 Norton Ave

             Bristol, PA 19007

RSVP:  Please click here to let us know that you’ll be joining us.

WHAT: Phone bank

WHEN: Thursday, July 26 6:30pm

WHERE: Annex

              Norton Ave. First Baptist Church

              1230 Norton Ave

              Bristol, PA 19007

RSVP:   Please click here to let us know that you’ll be joining us.

2. The Photo ID Education Task Force met for the first time on June 7

in Doylestown.  It was an interesting meeting.  It’s clear that the members

of the committee want to do their best to educate the county about the

Photo ID law.  It’s also clear that whatever the county ends up doing, it

won’t be enough so we have to keep working on our own to reach out to

vulnerable communities in our reach.

The meetings of the task force are open to the public.  The next meeting

is happening on JUNE 20 at 7pm in Lower Bucks. The location hasn’t

been set yet.  Please make plans to attend the meeting.  I’ll send word

around about the location as soon as I know it.

Thanks,

Robin Stelly
Organizer
Penn Action
c: 203.216.9719
e: rstelly@pennaction.org

8.  Barb Stakes is scheduling a House Party in July for updating us with Health information from PHAN

PHAN (Pennsylvania Health Access Network) House Party, my house. July – Date to be determined.

The discussion will be moderated by Athena Ford of PHAN and will be about the Ryan budget’s negative impact on Medicare.

Please contact Barb for more info as it becomes available.

9.  email info from Frank Arcoleo

Sally,I meant to tell everyone today that I whole family went to a spectacular performance last weekend.  It’s Lillian Hellman’s “The Little Foxes” at the heritage Center right there in Morrisville.  The production was so relevant to the “greed” topic that we’re actually dealing with in our work.   But what I couldn’t get over was how fantastic the acting was from top to bottom. It plays Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon this next week and the week after.  Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 with WHYY membership.   Please let everyone know how fantastic an opportunity this is.

Thanks,

Frank

___________

You are welcome to join us at events, and at our weekly planning meetings!

Our Core group meets every Wed. at 1pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  New Core members are always welcome.  This is where we plan, keep updated on news from Moveon and Penn Action, and share ideas.  email for directions sallykwitt@gmail.com.  

We are adding an evening meeting once a month on the 2nd Monday at 7pm, same place.  Please RSVP at sallykwitt@gmail.com for each meeting so that we know to expect you.

Getting Letters to the Editor, and Guest Opinions printed is so important.  Let us know if you are willing to write, or if you need help writing one.  Contact Frank Arcoleo Frank.Arcoleo@verizon.net or Bob Mason robmas1@verizon.net for ideas or help.  

Robin Stelly – Penn Action
Joan King, Sally Witt

Moveon.org Bucks County Coordinator -  Mike Sullivan

We are now doing a weekly newsletter for our larger group.  Questions, or suggestions can be sent to sallykwitt@gmail.com.

June 10, 2012 Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon – Penn Action Group

image from kozzi.com

1.  Monday Evening meeting – PLEASE RSVP!!  June 11 – Monday at 7pm.

This Monday is our first evening meeting for our core group in this new series.  PLEASE RSVP so that we know how to set up the room!

7pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  We will give you the address when you email us that you are coming!

sallykwitt@gmail.com

2.  Thursday June 21, 4pm  Petition Drop off at Fitzpatrick’s office!

 GET MONEY OUT OF POLITICS!!!!

Details and sign up here https://www.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=130407

3.  Move Your Money continues! submitted by Cathy Leary

photo from kozzi.com

Quaker group takes on PNC Bank

By Crissa Shoemaker DeBree Staff writer | Posted: Sunday, June 3, 2012 12:00 am

Brad Berry walked into the PNC Bank branch in Morrisville Friday and closed his bank account.

For most, that would be an unremarkable event. But for Berry, and the small group of people who accompanied him, the closure was designed to send a message.

Berry was among an unknown number of people who began closing their PNC Bank accounts Friday to protest the Pittsburgh-based bank’s lending to companies that perform mountaintop removal coal mining, a controversial form of mining in which the tops of mountains are removed to access the coal underneath.

“Money talks,” said Berry, 31, of Falls. “I think that doing an action with such tangible effect as removing money from a system is really powerful.”

For two years, the bank and its lending policies have been targeted by the Earth Quaker Action Team, a group promoting “a socially just and environmentally sustainable economy” through the use of nonviolent direct action, said team board member Jonathan Snipes.

“We believe that lobbying, education, legislation, advocacy — all those things are important,” said Snipes, a Falls Township supervisor and a farmer. “But they need to be backed up with people willing to put themselves on the line for what we say we believe. Nonviolent campaigns are a crucial part of social change and a crucial part of people participating in a democratic system.”

Snipes said the group chose PNC Bank as the target of its first campaign — called “Bank Like Appalachia Matters” — because that bank is the largest lender to companies that perform mountaintop removal projects.

Quaker team organizers say such mining violates federal Clean Water Act standards and has led to increased rates of health problems for people living in the region where such mining is done. The group has identified about $500 million that PNC has lent to mining companies that perform the procedure.

“There are many environmental and social issues that people are working on and we might have chosen,” Snipes said. “But looking at the environmental practices that are the most egregious, mountaintop removal is right up there among the most environmentally destructive industries in the country.”

PNC Bank spokesman Fred Solomon declined to comment Friday.

But in its 2011 Corporate Responsibility Report, the bank said it didn’t lend to individual mountaintop removal projects or to any coal producer that receives a majority of its production from such mining.

“This policy arose from our consideration of the legal, regulatory and public policy developments concerning MTR activities and the mining industry, as well as discussions with various stakeholders throughout our communities,” the bank report stated.

“PNC acknowledges the concerns that have been raised about the environmental and community impacts associated with extraction of fossil fuels, including the horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing methods used to obtain natural gas, and the surface mining practice known as mountaintop removal, which is sometimes used to obtain coal. The companies that rely on these methods to meet our energy demands have come under increasing scrutiny, and we monitor the environmental, safety and compliance records of our customers,” the report continued.

The Earth Quaker Action Team is demanding more.

The group, Snipes said, wants PNC to agree not to lend to any company that does any amount of mountaintop removal mining. Last month, members walked from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to protest the bank’s policies and gave PNC a deadline of May 31 to change its policy.

When it didn’t, members began closing their bank accounts Friday.

Berry said he would take the nearly $8,000 he withdrew Friday and put it in a new account at Hatboro Federal Savings, a small, community bank.

Snipes didn’t know how many individuals would close their accounts, but said the group has gotten commitments from people who had more than $2 million with the bank. As of March 31, PNC reported deposits of $206 billion.

“This is just the beginning,” Snipes said. “We’re hoping to gain more traction as we go along.”

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/money/quaker-group-takes-on-pnc-bank/article_6da96f14-c665-5d97-914f-ed28d9086f4c.html

4.  99% Declaration Convention!

From our favorite delegate nominee – Steve Cickay!

The updated list of grievances may be found here: http://www.the99declaration.org/full_text. You may submit grievances, ON OR BEFORE JUNE 15th, by emailing the99declaration@gmail.com. Be sure to put “New Grievances” in the subject line.

All questions about the election, bug reports and problems with voting
should be directed to support@votenet.com at Votenet solutions and
someone will address your issue. We have had issues with ballots and
voters for which we did not have the correct zip code+4 which might
result in your getting the wrong ballot.

The 99% Declaration
http://www.the99declaration.org/

5.  Voter ID, registration, and more…

Robin is working so hard on these projects.  Please contact her to ask questions, and/or volunteer to help!!

Robin Stelly, Organizer Penn Action

pennaction@gmail.com
c: 203.216.9719

6.  June 14 – House Movie and Discussion at Mike Sullivan’s!

http://www.kochbrothersexposed.com/726122/moveon_org_and_penn_action_in_bucks_county_host_a_screening_and_discussion

 GET MONEY OUT OF OUR POLITICS

                The Koch Bros out of the shadows and into the spotlight

                               10 shocking facts about the Koch Bros

                                        KOCH Bros. EXPOSED

                                        the 1% at its very worst

                    Come see the movie on June 14th at 7:00pm at

                                      116 Indian Creek Dr

                                       Levittown, Pa    19057

Meet members of the Bucks County Moveon.org and Penn Actions groups. We work to inform and help see positive changes in our area for our families and the county, the state, and the US.

rsvp: mjsull116@gmail.com

         267-243-5795

___________

You are welcome to join us at events, and at our weekly planning meetings!

Our Core group meets every Wed. at 1pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  New Core members are always welcome.  This is where we plan, keep updated on news from Moveon and Penn Action, and share ideas.  email for directions sallykwitt@gmail.com.  

We are adding an evening meeting once a month on the 2nd Monday at 7pm, same place.  Please RSVP at sallykwitt@gmail.com for each meeting so that we know to expect you.

Getting Letters to the Editor, and Guest Opinions printed is so important.  Let us know if you are willing to write, or if you need help writing one.  Contact Frank Arcoleo Frank.Arcoleo@verizon.net or Bob Mason robmas1@verizon.net for ideas or help.  

Robin Stelly – Penn Action
Joan King, Sally Witt

Moveon.org Bucks County Coordinator -  Mike Sullivan

We are now doing a weekly newsletter for our larger group.  Questions, or suggestions can be sent to sallykwitt@gmail.com.

May 31, 2012 Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon – Penn Action Group

1.  YOU can help with the Wisconsin election!

http://chicagoist.com/2012/05/09/wisconsin_recall_primary.php

Why does it matter to us?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57443168-503544/why-wisconsins-recall-election-matters-to-obama-and-romney/

email from Democratic Party of WI:

It all starts here. 

On Tuesday, we can notch a big victory for working families across America by helping Tom Barrett defeat Scott Walker here in Wisconsin.

New polling shows what we’ve known all along: with both candidates at 49%, this race is going to go down to the wire. Tom Barrett will win if we get Democrats to the polls.

Fortunately, no matter where you are, you can help Wisconsin Democrats beat Scott Walker, progressives’ public enemy #1.

So grab your phone and join the movement: use our virtual phone bank tool to call Wisconsin voters right now. It’s really easy.

Scott Walker’s campaign is loaded with shadowy, out-of-state money, and he’s bent on continuing his war on workers, women, seniors, and the middle class.

But we have you: grassroots activists from across the country ready to win this first big election of 2012 and send a big message to the Tea Party, the Koch Brothers, and their right-wing pals.

Help us recall Scott Walker and elect Tom Barrett: join our virtual phone bank and call Wisconsin voters today.

There are five days left. Let’s do this!

Thanks,

Mitch Wallace, Recall Director

Democratic Party of Wisconsin

2.  Important Article on Fitzpatrick

image from http://thatsmycongress.com/house/repFitzpatrickPA8112.html

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/the_intelligencer_news/fitzpatrick-s-legislation-questioned/article_c89e644e-a349-51fc-b2c3-b61337b4019b.html

Fitzpatrick’s legislation questioned

By Gary Weckselblatt Staff Writer | Posted: Thursday, May 31, 2012 6:00 am

Back in March, following a fundraiser at a Florida resort, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick introduced legislation to eliminate the cap on the number of reverse mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

Donations from reverse mortgage brokers proceeded to flow to the 8th District Republican.

Earlier this month, as Roll Call reported Wednesday, Fitzpatrick introduced several bills to suspend tariffs on chemicals to help a local business. The online publication that covers Capitol Hill said eight of the 12 proposals would benefit United Color Manufacturing Inc., a Newtown company whose owners have donated $26,000 to Fitzpatrick in the last decade.

The story caught the eye of Public Campaign Action Fund, which is in favor of publicly financed elections and campaigns to hold elected officials accountable for opposing reform and for the special favors they do for their political contributors.

“Voters send people to Congress because they think they’ll do what’s in their best interests,” said Adam Smith, spokesman for the watchdog organization. “Then you see legislation like this introduced and it raises real questions about who these members are working for in Washington.”

Smith said Public Campaign is not a partisan group.

“Issues around who does favors for donors is not partisan,” he said. “If a Democrat had come out with this sort of legislation for a donor we would have done the same sort of thing.

“The question is whether people support legislation to end this system. So far Congressman Fitzpatrick has not sponsored legislation to do so.”

Fitzpatrick said both pieces of legislation he introduced will help the 8th District.

“American manufacturers are fighting for their economic life,” he said, “and this tariff bill is all about protecting Bucks County jobs.”

His reverse mortgage amendment, which was withdrawn to allow the House Financial Services Committee more time to examine the issue, “would allow seniors to stay in their homes longer, and that’s a good thing,” he said.

Tom Nowakowski, president of United Color, doesn’t know what all the fuss is about. He said he approached Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, both in 2009 and again this year about the same issue. He has not donated to Casey, who introduced legislation similar to Fitzpatrick’s.

“All we’re trying to do is make sure our costs are in line to keep jobs in Bucks County and in Pennsylvania,” said Nowakowski, whose company, which also operates in Philadelphia, has 40 employees.

He said the tariff suspension will save his company in the “low six figures” and allow it to “compete with low-cost companies offshore. … I would think Congress would want that.”

Asked about the campaign donations from Nowakowski, Fitzpatrick said, “We’re willing to help any American manufacturer.”

Of the donations from reverse mortgage brokers following the Florida fundraiser that was attended by members of the financial industry, Fitzpatrick said he introduced similar legislation back in 2005. “This is not something I started working on last month.”

Fitzpatrick, a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, received donations from a dozen bankers in the weeks following the fundraiser, according to the Federal Election Commission.

They included seven $500 contributions from reverse mortgage specialists: Mark A. Browning of Home Equity Conversion Corp., Rochester, N.Y.; John Larose, CEO, Celink, Plainwell, Mich; Mario L. Martirano, reverse mortgage banker, Residential Home Funding, Mahopac, N.Y.; Robert W. Wyatt, reverse mortgage banker, Reverse Mortgage Associaton, Fort Myers, Fla.; Robert D. Yeary, Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Fort Worth, Texas; James T. Cory of Legacy Reverse Mortgage, San Diego; and David Peskin of Vertical Lend, Melville, N.Y.

Kathy Boockvar, Fitzpatrick’s Democratic opponent in the 8th District, said the “appearance of impropriety is why people have lost faith in their representatives. I don’t know the facts but the appearance is problematic.

“Voters don’t want to think you can pay to play. They don’t want to see a conflict of interest. They believe in being represented equally.”

 

 

3.  Saturday protest at training for Tea Party Volunteers, submitted by Mary Downing:

 

Join the Take Down Mike Fitzpatrick campaign to protest Rep. Fitzpatrick’s Tea Party supporters this Saturday in Ivyland. Saturday, June 2 at 9:45 am: Protest Mike Fitzpatrick’s Tea Party Supporters in Ivyland. Hi Mary, Dick Armey, a wealthy lobbyist, former leader of the House Republicans and current leader of the extreme organization Freedom Works, is set to conduct a training for Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick’s Tea Party supporters on Saturday. Fitzpatrick’s Tea Party supporters will be trained on Get Out The Vote tactics and receive new media training. Local Tea Party groups are calling this a “great day of activism.” So are we. Join us as we protest this Tea Party training on Saturday morning. Let’s send a message to Fitzpatrick’s local and national Tea Party supporters that their values are too extreme for Bucks and Montgomery counties. What: National Tea Party Leader Protest When: Saturday, June 2 at 9:45 a.m. Where: Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Rd, Ivyland, PA (map). Why: Because Pennsylvania teachers, schools and families need our support! We’ll be protesting outside on the street and doing carpools from our Doylestown office.RSVP here if you think you can join us. If you would like a ride, or would be able to provide a ride to other CREDO members, please let us know. If you want to reach us in advance, you can email Anthony Smith at anthony.smith@credosuperpac.com. Michael Eagle District Director CREDO SuperPAC’s Take Down Mike Fitzpatrick campaign. CREDO SuperPAC

 

 

4.  THIS SUNDAY need help to “man” a Voter Registration table in Washington Crossing – from Steve Scickay:

 

Contact Steve at scickay@comcast.net if you can help!

 

image from comparative.wordpress.com

I am volunteering at the Tail Wagger’s Strut this Sunday June 3 at Washington Crossing State Park in Pennsylvania to support an organization that wants to build a no-kill animal shelter here in Bucks County.

http://www.thecrossingsanimalsanctuary.org/twstrut.html

The Crossings has offered to allow us to set up a voter registration booth for only $20 and give us free parking. Hey, if we get even one person who votes for our side, it’s worth it.

The pet fair lasts from 9 AM to 4 PM.

So Lynda has volunteered to man the table from 10 AM to 1PM.  She has the voter registration forms. Can you find me some more people to help out or help us out yourselves?

If I can get one more person to stay from 1 PM to 4 PM or 1 PM to 3 PM, I think this will be worth the effort.

The Strut will be fun too. Several hundred pet owners will bring their dogs for a pet parade in beautiful Washington’s Crossing park about 3 miles north of the bridge near the Thompson-Neely House off of Route 32 . It should be a fun day.

http://www.thecrossingsanimalsanctuary.org/documents/TWS2012_VenueMap.pdf

Thanks for your help. Let me know soon.

Steve  scickay@comcast.net

5.  You can STOP Predatory Lending from being approved in Pennsylvania!

They are trying to sneak into PA, and we can STOP them.

Payday wall of shame! Rally in IL http://cap36.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/join-the-movement-to-stop-predatory-lending-in-our-communities/

Predatory lenders may be coming to PA and we need your help to stop them.  We need to make sure that HB 2191 doesNOT pass the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Time is short – the vote may be called as soon as next week but there are two easy ways you can help.

1. Send an email to your State Rep to let him/her know that you do not want predatory lending to be legal in PA – vote NO on HB 2191.

2. Make a visit to your State Rep’s local office this week.  Our Representatives are home right now and we are asking people to drop by the offices with a flyer asking the Representatives to vote NO on HB 2191.  You don’t need an appointment.  You don’t need to be an expert in finance.  You just need to want predatory lenders to stay out of PA and drop by your State Rep’s office to let him/her know.  Click here to get the flyer and more information emailed to you asap.

Payday loans are an abusive form of lending that traps borrowers into a long-term cycle of debt at rates of 300% annual interest and higher.  Triple-digit interest payday loans have long been illegal in Pennsylvania, whether made at storefronts or online.But now out-of-state payday lenders like Cash America and Check N’ Go are lobbying furiously to legalize predatory payday loans in Pennsylvania.

HB 2191 would roll back our existing consumer protections and allow predatory payday loans carrying rates of 300% or higher.  In Missouri, where payday lending is king, rates can get to over 1900%!  HB 2191 permits a product that is a debt trap by design—it does NOT protect consumers.     This is what a May 27 editorial at Lancaster Online said about HB 2191 and Pay Day Lending:

One of the most corrupt legislative bodies in America is considering crawling into bed with one of the vilest industries in America.

We can stop them.

Thanks,
eR

Robin Stelly Organizer, Penn Action
c: 203.216.9719  e: rstelly@pennaction.org

 

 

6.  June 14 – House Movie and Discussion at Mike Sullivan’s!

http://www.kochbrothersexposed.com/726122/moveon_org_and_penn_action_in_bucks_county_host_a_screening_and_discussion

 GET MONEY OUT OF OUR POLITICS

                The Koch Bros out of the shadows and into the spotlight

                               10 shocking facts about the Koch Bros

                                        KOCH Bros. EXPOSED

                                        the 1% at its very worst

                    Come see the movie on June 14th at 7:00pm at

                                      116 Indian Creek Dr

                                       Levittown, Pa    19057

Meet members of the Bucks County Moveon.org and Penn Actions groups. We work to inform and help see positive changes in our area for our families and the county, the state, and the US.

rsvp: mjsull116@gmail.com

         267-243-5795

7.  From the Sierra Club  —Tell EPA to Ban Diesel Fuel in Fracking submitted by Lynda Mintz

image http://sierraclubillinois.wordpress.com/tag/fracking/

In 2011, the natural gas industry was caught red-handed, secretly pumping
over 32 million gallons of diesel fuel into the ground — and threatening
our drinking water.

In response, EPA has released draft regulations for the use of diesel in
fracking. However, we need EPA to take it a step further and ban the use of
diesel and diesel by-products in fracking fluids. Will you help me get
25,000 letters to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to show widespread support
for a ban on diesel? I sent my letter today!

Find out more and send your message here:
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=8391&s_src=7
12CSCZZ86

To take action on this issue, click on the link below:
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?s_oo=1bjCOHerLbxO1xbz09Lv_w&amp;i
d=8391
If the text above does not appear as a link or it wraps across multiple
lines, then copy and paste it into the address area of your browser.

8.  From Robin Stelly - update of voting rights work that Penn Action is doing and/or knows about 

from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/the-daily-need/craig-newmark-on-voting-rights/13487/

Good article from pbs!  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/the-daily-need/craig-newmark-on-voting-rights/13487/

**************

Penn Action still has a target of 1000 contacts before Election Day.  We want to start

phone banking in July.  We need places to call from and volunteers to call for two-hour

shifts.  Norton Ave. First Baptist Church has graciously offered the use of the annex,

for two evenings, which will be fantastic.   If anyone has any space or time to volunteer,

please contact me.  Phone banks are fun – the time usually flies and there will be

snacks!  Our goal is to contact 1000 people (mostly women) about the Photo ID law,

be sure they know what they need to vote in November and then work in October to

be sure that the same people get to the polls.  It’s an all-volunteer program so we

need your help.  Please call me with any questions and/or ideas – all thoughts and

energy welcome!!

The NAACP will be canvassing at local Shop Rites.  They’ll be working through

the summer on registration, education and outreach.  Any questions – please

contact Johnnifer Harris, Bucks County NAACP Chapter Secretary, at

johnnifer@msn.com.

Upcoming Meetings:

1. Photo ID Education Forum (tomorrow night!)

WHERE: Bristol Sr. Center, 2501 Bath Road, Bristol Township

WHEN:   6:00pm (I’ve also heard 6:30pm) THURSDAY, May 31

WHO:     The forum is sponsored by Councilman Tony Tucker and the NAACP

2. First Meeting of the Bucks County Steering Committee 

WHERE: Planning Commission, which is in the Almshouse Building, the old

building near the Department of Health and Grundy Hall, at 611 and Almshouse.

WHEN:  2:00pm THURSDAY, June 7

WHO:  The meeting is open to the public so we may be there to watch the proceedings.

3. Community Campaign for Voting Rights

WHERE: Norton Ave First Baptist Church

WHEN:  6:30pm  THURSDAY, June 7

WHO: Us!

___________

You are welcome to join us at events, and at our weekly planning meetings!

Our Core group meets every Wed. at 1pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  New Core members are always welcome.  This is where we plan, keep updated on news from Moveon and Penn Action, and share ideas.  email for directions sallykwitt@gmail.com.  

We are adding an evening meeting once a month on the 2nd Monday at 7pm, same place.  Please RSVP at sallykwitt@gmail.com for each meeting so that we know to expect you.

Getting Letters to the Editor, and Guest Opinions printed is so important.  Let us know if you are willing to write, or if you need help writing one.  Contact Frank Arcoleo Frank.Arcoleo@verizon.net or Bob Mason robmas1@verizon.net for ideas or help.  

Robin Stelly – Penn Action
Joan King, Sally Witt

Moveon.org Bucks County Coordinator -  Mike Sullivan

We are now doing a weekly newsletter for our larger group.  Questions, or suggestions can be sent to sallykwitt@gmail.com.

May 25, 2012 Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon – Penn Action Group

1.  Have a Safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend!

from Wikipedia -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May.^[1] Formerly known asDecoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. (Southern ladies organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.^[2]

2.  We are adding an evening meeting once a month for the summer to allow more people to be involved in our meetings.  If it goes well with the election year heating up, we will of course continue them.

To avoid confusion, we will keep our weekly daytime meeting on Wednesday’s at 1pm, and will add a Monday evening meeting at 7pm the SECOND Monday of the month.

June’s meeting will be on June 11 at 7pm.

The meetings will be at Joan and Sally’s house.  Please RSVP!  sallykwitt@gmail.com

3.  Predatory Lending in PA – you can help stop it!

PLEASE pass along this email to your friends in Pennsylvania!

Of course we need YOU to click through as well!!  Any questions - Robin Stelly
e: rstelly@pennaction.org
c: 203.216.9719

———————————————–

Hi,

Can you help us stop predatory lenders from coming to PA?  Predatory, payday lending companies are making a push to invade PA and weaken our economy but we’re making progress in stopping them.  Can you take just a moment to help?

Payday loans are an abusive form of lending that traps borrowers into a long-term cycle of debt at rates of 300% annual interest and higher.  Triple-digit interest payday loans have long been illegal in Pennsylvania, whether made at storefronts or online.

But now out-of-state payday lenders like Cash America and Check N’ Go are lobbying furiously to legalize predatory payday loans in Pennsylvania.

If you could send an email to your State Representative today, it would be a huge help in the fight against predatory lending.  Details are here.  The email is ready to go – and easy to edit, if you choose.  When you call the State Rep’s office, all you need to do is ask him/her to vote NO on HB 2191.   Then ask a friend to do the same by sending him/her this URL: http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/12/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=334

HB 2191 would roll back our existing consumer protections and allow predatory payday loans carrying rates of 300% or higher.  In Missouri, where payday lending is king, rates can get to over 1900%!  HB 2191 permits a product that is a debt trap by design—it does NOT protect consumers.

Momentum is shifting to our side, but we need your help.  Please take action now to keep predatory lenders from flooding our communities.

Thanks!

(sign your name here)

————————————

4.  Lynda Mintz shared this photo and article.  I LOVE IT!

from NY Times

read the article here http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/24/us/politics/indelible-image-of-a-boys-pat-on-obamas-head-hangs-in-white-house.html

5.  Voting Rights in Pennsylvania

update from Robin Stelly-

As you probably know, at last week’s Commissioners Meeting, the Bucks County Commissioners voted unanimously

to convene a Steering Committee to recommend a plan to educate the general public about Pennsylvania’s new Photo ID

law.  The Committee’s meetings will take place in public.  This significant victory for the voters of Bucks County is a direct result of your work to encourage the Commissioners to do the right thing.  Thank you very much for signing on to the letter asking for the committee as well as public input into its decisions.  Your voice was heard.

Please take a minute now to send a thank you email to the Commissioners.  Their email addresses are:

commloughery@co.bucks.pa.us, chmartin@co.bucks.pa.us, CommEllisMarseglia@co.bucks.pa.us

You can see video of our work toward this great win here.  You can see video of the Commissioners voting for the

creation of the Steering Committee here.

A great letter to the editor about the Commissioners’ decision and written by Doylestown resident and voting rights activist, Rick Howe, appeared in today’s Intelligencer.  You can read it here.

As you know, there’s a lot to do to be sure that everyone who wants to vote in November will be able to do so,

but the Commissioners’ decision is a good step in the right direction.  Penn Action will continue to work with other

groups to help get the word out about the requirements of the new Photo ID law as well as identify people who need

help getting ID.   We’ll update you as the work moves forward.  In the meantime, thanks again for taking this important

action and helping to make a positive difference in the lives of your Bucks County friends and neighbors.

Contact Robin if you would like to help with this ongoing project!

e: rstelly@pennaction.org
c: 203.216.9719

6.  June 14 – House Movie and Discussion at Mike Sullivan’s!

http://www.kochbrothersexposed.com/726122/moveon_org_and_penn_action_in_bucks_county_host_a_screening_and_discussion

 GET MONEY OUT OF OUR POLITICS

                The Koch Bros out of the shadows and into the spotlight

                               10 shocking facts about the Koch Bros

                                        KOCH Bros. EXPOSED

                                        the 1% at its very worst

                    Come see the movie on June 14th at 7:00pm at

                                      116 Indian Creek Dr

                                       Levittown, Pa    19057

Meet members of the Bucks County Moveon.org and Penn Actions groups. We work to inform and help see positive changes in our area for our families and the county, the state, and the US.

rsvp: mjsull116@gmail.com

         267-243-5795

___________

You are welcome to join us at events, and at our weekly planning meetings!

Our Core group meets every Wed. at 1pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  New Core members are always welcome.  This is where we plan, keep updated on news from Moveon and Penn Action, and share ideas.  email for directions sallykwitt@gmail.com.  

We are adding an evening meeting once a month on the 2nd Monday at 7pm, same place.  Please RSVP at sallykwitt@gmail.com for each meeting so that we know to expect you.

Getting Letters to the Editor, and Guest Opinions printed is so important.  Let us know if you are willing to write, or if you need help writing one.  Contact Frank Arcoleo Frank.Arcoleo@verizon.net or Bob Mason robmas1@verizon.net for ideas or help.  

Robin Stelly – Penn Action
Joan King, Sally Witt

Moveon.org Bucks County Coordinator -  Mike Sullivan

We are now doing a weekly newsletter for our larger group.  Sally Witt and Linda O’Connor will be managing the newsletter.  Questions, or suggestions can be sent to loc2000@aol.com or sallykwitt@gmail.com.

May 19, 2012 Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon – Penn Action Group

Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon/Penn Action Group

Saturday May 19, 2012

1.  Voter ID  Education/County Commissioners

img – http://montgomerynews.com

We did not have our regular weekly meeting because of the County Commissioner’s meeting in Warminster on Wednesday.  Here is Robin Stelly’s report-

I am very happy to report that on Wednesday, the County Commissioners voted

unanimously to convene a Steering Committee to develop a plan to educate the

county about PA’s new Photo ID law.  Please take a minute to congratulate yourselves.

As late as March, the word was that the Commissioners would not consider getting

involved in education around the Photo ID law.  Because of your work, they reconsidered

that position and put together a committee that satisfies nearly all our requests.

There’s a video of Comm. Loughery describing the Committee’s make up and the

job it is expected to do at this link: http://youtu.be/vAh05Uywm3U

Please watch it so you can hear details directly from Comm. Loughery.

Story in the Courier http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/state-lawmakers-to-serve-on-county-voter-id-panel/article_64e26b8c-9e6e-5f60-a1cb-024ccf76ec7d.html

In a nutshell, the Committee will meet over the next 45 days in public meetings and report an

education plan to the Commissioners at the July 11 Commissioners Meeting.

The Committee will be made up of the following groups and individuals:

Democratic State Rep –  Tina Davis

Republican State Senator – Chuck McIlhinney

Democratic party member

Republican party member

Board of Elections

Kids Voting – Richard Coe

Bucks County Office of Public Information

Human Relations Commission

Bucks County Mental Health and Development Programs

Area Agency on the Aging

League of Women’s Voters

From Cathy Leary at CFPA:

BuxMont Coalition For Peace Action - Peace Action in Bucks County …

BuxMont CFPA will be walking in the New Hope Pride parade at noon on Saturday.  We are also going to share a vendor table after the parade with Penn Action.  If people want to walk with us, have them meet us at New Hope Solebury High School around 11:15.  They can email me at cfpabuxmont1@aol.com or call me at 215-917-2891 if they have an questions.

We have the quarterly Lower Bucks CFPA meeting schduled on Sunday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Fallsington Friends.  We have decided to have a localvore picnic as the theme of the meeting.

Dr. Margaret Flowers is coming to Bucks County on Friday, June 22.

More information will be forthcoming on both events.

From Education Voters of Pennsylvania via Joan King:

FROM:  Susan Gobreski, Education Voters
SUBJECT:  Education budget negotiations underway!  This is your “Call” to Action.

As we near the end of the fiscal year, legislators will begin to negotiate the terms of the budget. It is at this time that we must remind them that education is a priority to us and urge them to stop the cuts!

On Wednesday, May 23^rd, Education Voters, along with other organizations across the state, is hosting a Statewide Call to Action for Public Education.   We are asking parents, teachers and community members to call their elected officials and tell them to restore funding to public education. We must invest in our economic future and our future workforce. We must invest in public education!

SAVE THE DATE – MAY 23^rd – CALL TO ACTION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

This event is more impactful the more people participate. HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

• CLICK HERE to send an email to your friends, family and neighbors asking them to participate.
• DOWNLOAD a flyer and share it with your network. Share our CALL GUIDEand show people how EASY it is to participate.
• POST about the call in day on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.
• TALK about it and send people to our website to learn more.

Sincerely,

Susan Gobreski

Executive Director

____________________________________________________

You are welcome to join us at events, and at our weekly planning meetings!

Our Core group meets every Wed. at 1pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  New Core members are always welcome.  This is where we plan, keep updated on news from Moveon and Penn Action, and share ideas.  email for directions sallykwitt@gmail.com.  

Getting Letters to the Editor, and Guest Opinions printed is so important.  Let us know if you are willing to write, or if you need help writing one.  Contact Frank Arcoleo Frank.Arcoleo@verizon.net or Bob Mason robmas1@verizon.net for ideas or help.  

Robin Stelly – Penn Action
Joan King, Sally Witt

Moveon.org Bucks County Coordinator -  Mike Sullivan

We are now doing a weekly newsletter for our larger group.  Sally Witt and Linda O’Connor will be managing the newsletter.  Questions, or suggestions can be sent to loc2000@aol.com or sallykwitt@gmail.com.

May 13, 2012 Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon – Penn Action Group

Newsletter for our Bucks County Moveon/Penn Action Group

Sunday May 13, 2012

****NO Meeting this week on WED at Joan and Sally’s  because of the Commissioner’s meeting in Warminster!!****

 

 

 

 

 

We are very happy to announce that Mike Sullivan is our new Council Coordinator with Moveon.org!  He has a great background, including his service in Vietnam.  As a veteran, he brings a great perspective to our progressive politics and actions.

We will all continue to work together, and appreciate Mike so much for stepping up.  Mom and I will still help and have the meetings here at the house.  We both have a lot of health concerns and needed to let go of some of the stress!

Thanks Mike!

You can contact Mike at mjsull116@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 9 was a great protest at Bank of America!!  See the blog post at http://bruceandsallywitt.wordpress.com/2012/05/13/banks-got-bailed-out-we-got-sold-out-may-9-protest-at-bank-of-america-bucks-county-pa/

1.  Join us at the next County Commissioner’s Meeting!!

May 16, 2012 10:00 am

Archbishop Wood High School

655 York Road, Warminster, PA 18974

We want to support the creation of the Bucks County Photo ID Educational

Steering Committee.  The Commissioners are supposed to vote on it at this

meeting so the more the merrier.

Everyone that attends will be invited to lunch with the Doylestown supporters.  Everyone will pay for their own lunch.

2.  Info from our good friend and activist  Barb Likkens-  Groups like ours will definitely be affected by changes in the Library policies.  If you can support Barb on Wednesday evening, please let her know!

Let me cut to the chase. If this policy is enacted as proposed, groups who have been using the library meeting rooms for free will be charged $40. per 2-hour meeting to use the small rooms (seating approx. 35) and $100 for the larger ones (seating approx. 95).

The Library Board had no projections on how much money these rental fees would raise.

Every non-profit group (if you can call the library that) is cash-strapped in these hard economic times. And many of them hold fundraisers to help cover the shortfall. They have dinners and silent auctions, golf outings, fashion shows, yard sales, and book talks by well-known authors. These programs bring more people into the library’s orbit instead of chasing them away, as this meeting room policy will likely do.

Please consider attending the next library board meeting. And if you are so moved, please make a comment to the Board.This is by no means a done deal. Unless we throw up our hands and walk away.

Date: Wed., May 16, 5:30 PM

Place: Levittown Library Meeting Room

7311 New Falls Road, Levittown

I will be at the Yardley Library at 5:00 to lead a caravan over to the Levittown Library if you prefer. We must leave no later than 5:10.

If you want to read the Library Board’s Meeting Room Policy Overview, please paste this link into your browser. They have been very thorough in laying out their proposal.

http://www.buckslib.org/meetingroompolicy/

Feel free to contact me either by email (barblikens@aol.com) or by phone at 267-981-0076.

3.  From Rochelle Tormollen

Film –  The Last Mountain  http://thelastmountainmovie.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, May 26th, 7 PM, Buckingham Friends Meeting

FREE ADMISSION!  FREE PARKING!  FREE SNACKS!

A passionate and personal tale that honors the extraordinary power
of ordinary Americans when they fight for what they believe in, THE LAST
MOUNTAIN shines a light on America’s energy needs and how those needs are
being supplied. It is a fight for our future that affects us all.

Film is 1 hour 35 min

Buckingham Meetinghouse is located just south of Peddler’s Village
Lahaska, Pennsylvania (Buckingham Township).
(If you reach the fork of routes 202 and 263, you’ve gone a little too far)

4.  Memorial Day is coming quickly.  Mom wanted to share some of these with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are welcome to join us at events, and at our weekly planning meetings!

Our Core group meets every Wed. at 1pm at Joan and Sally’s house.  New Core members are always welcome.  This is where we plan, keep updated on news from Moveon and Penn Action, and share ideas.  email for directions sallykwitt@gmail.com.  

Getting Letters to the Editor, and Guest Opinions printed is so important.  Let us know if you are willing to write, or if you need help writing one.  Contact Frank Arcoleo Frank.Arcoleo@verizon.net or Bob Mason robmas1@verizon.net for ideas or help.  

Robin Stelly – Penn Action
Joan King, Sally Witt

Moveon.org Bucks County Coordinator -  Mike Sullivan

We are now doing a weekly newsletter for our larger group.  Sally Witt and Linda O’Connor will be managing the newsletter.  Questions, or suggestions can be sent to loc2000@aol.com or sallykwitt@gmail.com.