Election Letters to the Editor for Oct. 23

Steve Santarsiero's 'conflict of interest'

As a close observer of politics in Bucks County for 20 years, I have closely followed the career of Steve Santarsiero. He has run for a number of offices. At times he has won (state representative and current state senator) and times he has lost (U.S. Congress). He makes no secret that he has ambition for higher office. I can respect someone that doesn't hide this raw ambition to climb the political ladder.

Where I take exception is when someone like the senator asks the voters that he represents to return him for another term in Harrisburg with zero legislative accomplishments. The Senator with 12 years (eight with a Democrat Governor) has certainly attempted to write bills. The problem is he hasn't gotten any of them passed.

Earlier this summer he took over as the chairman of the entire Bucks Democrat party. In this job, his top goal is to win political races for his party. In this role, the people of Bucks are not his only and certainly not his top concern. He is a hyper-partisan and obviously lacks the ability to work with the other side and get things done.

Now he is asking us to send him back to Harrisburg for another four years. Will his ability to negotiate improve as he holds down this second job? The people of the 10th Senatorial District deserve someone that, once elected, will think of all the residents of the district and not about his party in the next election.

Howard Schargel

Plumstead

When local government is responsive

Hurricane Ida made the shortcomings of an under-maintained stormwater infrastructure obvious. The streams, culverts, bridges and ditches that were quickly overwhelmed also have compromised safety in less momentous storms. Residents by themselves cannot improve the infrastructure; ensuring the safety of its residents (and taxpayers) is a key role of local government.

Fortunately, our Solebury supervisors and township staff, supported by commonwealth resources has begun the long process of maintaining and updating our stormwater needs. They have started securing the necessary funding and permits, lining up contractors to do needed work, and removing some debris from our waterways. While a lot remains to be done, it’s a start. Our township representatives are also pursuing work with government agencies that will hopefully help plan stormwater abatement, serving the safety of its residents.

The progress that has been made would not have been possible without the focus and dedication of our township supervisors and committed township staff. Nor would it have been possible without the experienced and concerned efforts of Senator Steve Santarsiero and his staff. It is welcome after other federal and commonwealth elected officials’ promising overtures haven’t had the progress we had hoped for in the wake of Ida.

Doug Shaw

Solebury

Greenwood endorses Democrat Stoltz

When the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, it imperiled the rights of women in Pennsylvania. That decision by the Supreme Court changed the stakes of this election. These are extraordinary times where our rights are on the ballot.

Every day, we see the impact of failed policy when it comes to gun safety. Each day brings new tragedy to our children, families, and schools.

As an elected official, I never wavered in support of women to make their own health decisions and have always been in favor of commonsense gun safety measures. When I was in elected office, I could not imagine that we would be in the position that we are in today where we must fight for our rights again.

Gwen Stoltz will defend our rights and reproductive freedoms so that women can make their own decisions and have autonomy over their bodies. She will be a voice of reason for commonsense gun safety legislation needed to keep our communities safe.

Gwen understands what makes Bucks unique. She’s from Bucks, for Bucks. She and her husband grew up here, and she graduated from Central Bucks schools. Now, she’s raising her three children here. Gwen’s extended family all calls Bucks County home.

By trade, Gwen is a scientist. She has dedicated her life to truth and facts in the public interest. She will take a logical and pragmatic approach that is desperately needed in our current state legislature.

I am proud to endorse Gwen Stoltz for state representative in the district that I represented for 24 years.

James Greenwood

Bucks County

John Fetterman fights for us

The problem with our economy is that Congress is filled with politicians who live in a bubble and have lost touch with "we the people." For decades it has become more difficult for hard-working Americans to raise a family on one income.

Jobs that used to provide a respectable standard of living for a family of four have been shipped overseas and replaced with jobs with low benefits including sub-par health insurance, if they offer any benefits and health insurance at all.

I am supporting John Fetterman for Senate because he knows that unions built the middle class and are the only thing protecting workers from exploitation by corporate bosses. He’s not afraid to stand up to the bosses in corporate America or in Washington D.C.

John has stood with striking workers across Pennsylvania from Kellogg's workers on strike in Lancaster, ironworkers on strike in Erie, and teachers striking in Scranton. Not only has John never crossed a picket line, he used his email fundraising list to raise directly for striking unions’ strike funds — helping ensure that hard-working Americans would not be bullied by hedge funds and billionaires.

There are few times where we have the chance to vote for someone who is legitimate in their beliefs, their words, and their actions. We have that opportunity with John Fetterman and I hope you will vote for him on Nov. 8.

Adam Blum

Hatboro

Re-elect Brian Fitzpatrick

I am an 86-year-old Army veteran. My wife and I moved to Bucks County in 1996. Prior to that, I spent most of my professional life working for large advertising agencies in Greater Philadelphia.

It was a privilege and an honor to have worked on the successful mayoral campaigns of James H.J. Tate and Frank L. Rizzo.

In 1999, a business associate asked me to work on a campaign to re-elect commissioners Mike Fitzpatrick and Charley Martin. They won a convincing victory and went on to outstanding careers.

In 2003, I first met Brian Fitzpatrick who is now running for re-election in Bucks County. He impressed me as an unusually intelligent young man who had a great many qualities, one of which is modesty. I later found out that he was born and raised in Bucks County. He attended Bishop Egan High School, then graduated from LaSalle University and Dickinson School of Law.

Fitzpatrick was so moved by the events of 911 that he applied to the FBI. He was first in his class and given a top assignment to One Hogan Place in New York City. He went on to a brilliant 17-year career in Manhattan and Los Angeles.

Don’t be fooled. There’s only one Bucks County person who has the proven ability to be an independent congressman. That’s why my wife Pat and I and many of our neighbors will be voting on Nov. 8 to re-elect Congressman Fitzpatrick.

Kenneth S. Mugler

Buckingham

Fitzpatrick a voice of reason in Congress

Brian Fitzpatrick is the voice of sweet reason in Congress, possessed of common sense, and a big part of the group that is willing to compromise during these times of political war.

The long diatribes that we see on the editorial pages must be written by persons of the far left who find fault with his not marching to the Democratic beat; folks, he is a Republican. A Republican who represents his constituency.

Wake up, Bucks County. Do not let Brian, one of our finest public servants, go the way of another: Marguerite Quinn.

Ephe Olliver

Doylestown

This article originally appeared on The Intelligencer: Election Letters to the Editor for Oct. 23