As reported in the Delco Times, Magisterial District Judge Stephanie Klein, won both the Democratic and Republican primaries to retain her seat. (Klein’s district includes all of Nether Providence, Swarthmore, and Media.) Stephanie ran unopposed on the Democratic side. On the Republican ballot, she was challenged by Nether Providence Township Commissioner Bob Firkser. Klein is reported to have beaten Firkser by 66 votes.

Judge Klein’s victory is a tribute to her outstanding reputation for fairness. We congratulate her on her successful campaign and thank her for her continued service to the community.

House Bill 906, sponsored by Bryan Lentz (D-161), seeks to renew the Volunteer Fire Company and the Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program through 2012. The direct state grant program provides grants to volunteer fire, rescue and emergency medical services organizations for upgrading equipment, training volunteers, renovating buildings, or reducing debt from qualified purchases.

The grant program had expired in 2006. It was a critical source of funding for communities like Nether Providence. In the previous grant cycle, volunteer fire companies and EMS units in Delaware County received over $640,000 in grants. Among them were Nether Providence’s own Garden City Fire Co. ($12,654) and South Media Fire Co. ($10,761).

Failure to renew the program in 2007 would leave almost every Delaware County community scrambling to keep their emergency services funded appropriately.

For residents worried about transportation or parking for the Federal Aviation Administration hearing on its airspace redesign plans at Philadelphia International Airport, state Rep. Bryan Lentz is offering a bus to the event.

The hearing is the only currently scheduled event in Pennsylvania for public input directly to the FAA.

When: Tuesday, May 1. 6:30 to 10:00 PM.
Where: Holiday Inn, Philadelphia International Airport, Essington, PA.

Reservations for the bus seats are first-come, first-serve basis. Call his office at 610-544-7300 to reserve a seat. It will leave from his constituent service office on Fairview Rd, Swarthmore.

Both Lentz and Congressman Joe Sestak have been active on the FAA/airport issue since taking office in January. For further recent news, articles and releases are available online:

Joe Sestak meets with FAA Administrator Blakey and Transportation Committee Chairman Oberstar.

Lentz has shown some forward-thinking initiative at the state level by introducing legislation a new regional airport authority for Southeastern PA. The bill has bi-partisan support from area legislators. For more information, see the Philadelphia Daily News story from Delco beat reporter Bill Bender.

State Representative Bryan Lentz will open an additional constituent services office in Brookhaven. The Brookhaven office opening party being held this Saturday, March 17, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Brookhaven Borough Municipal Building (2 Cambridge Road).

Lentz and his staff will be available to answer questions and hear concerns on PennDOT, PACE/PACENET, Property Taxes/Rent Rebates, CHIP (children’s health insurance) and other topics.

While on the topic of Lentz, the Nether Providence Democrats wish to extend on our congratulations to him and his wife Jennifer on the birth of their son. Joseph Thomas Lentz was born on March 13, 2007. Mother and son are reported healthy.

State Representative Bryn Lentz, who represents almost all of Nether Providence, appeared on the Comcast Newsmakers program. The interview, which mostly deals with the Governor’s health care proposal, can be viewed online.

Today’s Delco Times provides an overview of the discussions at Congressman Sestak’s education summit, especially on the challenges of compliance with No Child Left Behind.

Assuming the weather doesn’t change the schedule, Congressman Joe Sestak will host a day-long education summit at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit tomorrow (Monday, Febrary 26, 2007).

The event is billed as an opportunity for invited educators, administrators and student leaders in his district to discuss key educational issues with policymakers. Among the invited guests expected to attend are Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, George Miller, and the Assistant Secretary of Education, Terrell Halaska. Panelists will examine early childhood, primary and secondary education, and special education.

The public may attend. For more information, call Courtney Mengel at 610-892-8623. More »

On Friday, February 9, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) is hosting and moderating a town hall, public meeting on the FAA’s proposed airspace redesign and airport expansion at Philadelphia International Airport. The event will be held at the Ridley Township Municipal Building on Friday, February 9, 2007 at 7:30PM. The FAA’s Airspace Redesign Manager and the Congressman’s Expert Advisory Board will be in attendance to update the public on the current status of the FAA projects, discuss next steps, and take questions from concerned residents.

Where: Ridley Township Municipal Building, 100 East MacDade Blvd, Folsom, PA 19033
When: Friday, February 9, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.

This meeting will be followed in the coming weeks by an event with House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Jerry Costello and Deputy Secretary of Transportation Maria Cino to hear resident concerns about the FAA airspace redesign and airport expansion.

It’s not in the on-line edition, but the Daily Times reported today that Bryan Lentz was offered a slot on the coveted Appropriations committee. Since Tom Gannon did not previously a seat in that committee, this plum is assumed to give Lentz an excellent platform from which to address district and regional concerns.

From the Delco Times, the Department of Defense’ approval of the Osprey deal should secure jobs at the Ridley Boeing plant at least through 2012.