State Rep. Bryan Lentz (D, PA-161) invites all district residents to a town hall meeting. Bryan will hear from constituents and discuss some of the critical issues recently debated or coming up in Harrisburg, including mass transit funding, energy independence and legislative reform. He will also be discussing his proposal to create a Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Airport Authority to help relieve the overcrowded air traffic at Philadelphia International Airport.

Where: Ridley Municipal Building, 100 E. MacDade Blvd, Folsum. [map]
When: August 30, 2007, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Residents who cannot make it to the town meeting are reminded that Lentz’s district office is located at 630 Fairview Road, Suite 104. You can call the office at (610) 544-7301.

* * * *

Update: The Delco Times covered the town hall meeting, which ranged over a variety of issues.

The Philadelphia Inquirer article today talked about how aggressive opposition from the Democratic ticket, spearheaded by David Landau, has forced the Delco Republican slate onto defense. A few telling points stand out:

• The Democratic agenda has defined the terms of the debate. If you look at the issues section of the Republican web site (delco2007.com), the topics they cover are essentially responses to the platform of the Democratic ticket–open space, transparent government, public health, and economic revitalization.
• The Republicans do not identify themselves as such anywhere on their web site. They know that their party is baggage.
• The GOP is looking for a cheap label that they can throw at Landau, but they’re drawing blanks:

The GOP has invoked the American Civil Liberties Union to claim Landau’s policies are outside the traditionally conservative politics of Delaware County.

“He is an ACLU lawyer,” McGarrigle said in an interview. “Lawyers like that tend to care more about criminals and cop killers than residents of Delaware County.”

When asked, McGarrigle could not cite anything specific in Landau’s background to support the accusation.

While the machine is sure to rally, they’re not used to having to campaign hard.

Ann O’Keefe (Haverford), has launched her campaign website to support her bid for Delaware County Council. The site contains a number of resources for voters researching candidates, including her bio and position statements.

In introducing her campaign, Ann says:

I am running for County Council to bring accountability, responsibility, and transparency back to our county government. I’m deeply committed to the belief that the people of Delaware County deserve good and honest legislative management. I also understand the need to insure that our County is safe, clean and a viable place to raise families, have jobs, and own homes. I am an accomplished leader ready to fight to end the one party patronage machine that has eroded public confidence in our county government as well as in many of our county municipal administrations. I am well aware that this pay to play addiction for political bosses will be hard to stop because of the current political landscape and political power-hold. However, I will demand that best business practices and fiscal responsibility be the standard for the transaction of all county government business.

Ann is running this November for one of the three open seats on the Council, along with running mates David Landau (Nether Providence) and John Inelli (Rose Valley).

What: Town Hall Meeting on Iraq
When: Thursday, August 16th at 6:30 pm
Where: The Science Center, Room 101, Swarthmore College.

Congressman Joe Sestak will hold a town hall meeting on Iraq. He plans to give brief remarks and then take questions from the audience. The event will be open to the public and press.

Directions: From Rt. 320 North, turn left onto Elm Avenue. After the first stop sign, proceed to the stone pillars on your left. Turn left onto Whittier Place. Cross several speed bumps. Park in the large visitor’s lot on your right. The Science Center is the huge building right next to the lot.

The David Landau for County Council campaign has a new campaign headquarters. A grand opening celebration is planned for Sunday August 12th. Anyone who’s interested in seating Democratic representation on County Council is welcome to come join in the festivities and hear David’s plan. Refreshments will be served.

When: Sunday, August 12th, 3-6 PM.
Where: 400 N. Springfield Rd, Clifton Heights. (Corner of Springfield Rd. and Oak Ave.) [Google map]

This Sunday (8/5/2007) at 11:30, the NBC-10 News Live @ Issue program will focus on the controversial FAA airspace redesign. Both Congressman Joe Sestak and State Representative Bryan Lentz are expected to appear.

The FAA released its final Environmental Impact Study (EIS) in the Federal Register on August 3. Within 30 days, the FAA can issue its Record of Decision. Implementation of new flight paths would take at least 8 months. By that time, the Government Accountability Office will have released its study of the process. Congressman Sestak has this to say on the issue:

“I have worked aggressively with leaders in Congress, as well as with those at the state and local level, to address the concerns my constituents have over the noise and environmental impact of this redesign,” stated Congressman Sestak. “I’ve said all along that the FAA’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement is based on flawed models and assumptions. The study conducted by GAO will give us the investigatory results for stopping the FAA Airspace Redesign Project in its entirety. This GAO report will serve as an accountability study of whether a true cost-benefit analysis was done, and will serve to halt this project until a proper analysis is done, forcing the FAA to look at other options because Congress is now provided with an objective government study outlining why this process is flawed, forcing it to be ended.”

In the meantime, Rep. Lentz is advancing his proposal for a regional airport authority in Harrisburg. The transportation committee held a public hearing at Ridley High School on July 23rd. His legislation, H.B. 1182, has bi-partisan co-sponsorship from legislators throughout suburban Southeastern PA. The legislation would create a regional approach to planning and operations among the area’s airports. The authority would also coordinate with neighboring state authorities.

* * * UPDATE * * *

The full program on the FAA/Philadelphia Internation Airport can now be viewed online.

Press Release from Bryan Lentz’s office:

State Rep. Bryan Lentz, is reminding residents that their registration with the Pennsylvania Do Not Call list could expire soon and subject them to unwanted phone calls.

The state’s Do Not Call law, passed in 2002, allows residents to register their phone numbers on the Do Not Call list for five years to avoid getting calls from telemarketers. If a phone number was first listed in 2002, it must be re-registered by Sept. 15, or else it will expire Nov. 1. Registration on Pennsylvania’s Do Not Call list automatically registers residents with the national Do Not Call program.

To register or re-register, visit www.nocallsplease.com or call 1-888-777-3406. Registration is free.

If people who are registered continue to receive unwanted telemarketing phone calls, complaints can be filed with the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-800-441-2555 or online at www.attorneygeneral.gov. Violation of the law carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 and as high as $3,000 if the person contacted is 60 or older.

However, Lentz noted, the law does not prevent telemarketers from calling those with whom they have had an established business relationship within 12 months preceding the call, or calls from charities, political parties or candidates.