Recognizing National Night Out
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Norma Torres introduced a resolution to recognize Aug. 1, 2023 as National Night Out.
For decades, National Night Out has brought communities together to promote first-responder partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. National Night Out encourages neighborhoods nationwide to come together to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and the community.
“A strong, open relationship between communities and law enforcement is paramount to public safety,” Fitzpatrick said. “I am so grateful to our men and women in blue in my district and across the country who bring our neighborhoods together by organizing and participating in National Night Out. Events like these are critical to a flourishing relationship between law enforcement and members of our community, and I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Torres on this resolution recognizing National Night Out.” ••
Grants for road safety
State Rep. Joe Hogan said that Northampton and Middletown townships have both received “Green Light Go” program grants from the state Department of Transportation.
Northampton Township is receiving $368,300 for updated signal equipment in Newtown at Richboro Road (Route 332) and Holland Road (SR 2067) as well as at Richboro Road (Route 322) and Rock Way/Spring Garden Mill Road. Middletown Township is receiving $138,887 for updated signal equipment throughout the township.
“I am very happy to see both Middletown Township and Northampton Township receive these grants,” Hogan said. “The safety improvements will help keep our drivers safe on the road and lessen traffic congestions at key points in the area.”
Green Light-Go grants are provided as reimbursement to municipalities for updates to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. These projects will be funded through the appropriation for fiscal year 2023-24. ••
Marking Kabul withdrawal anniversary
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick released the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan after what he called the “disastrous” withdrawal of American forces.
“In the two years since the tragic fall of Kabul to the Taliban, it has become increasingly clear that the Biden administration was unprepared for the consequences of their short-sighted withdrawal, and American families and our allies paid the price. The terrifying scenes of civilians hanging from planes, and women separating from their children to ensure their safety, were an embarrassing display of weakness on the global stage and only emboldened our adversaries. I am committed to holding those who made these devastating foreign policy decisions to account and getting answers for the American people, especially those Gold Star families who lost their loved ones. Such a failure can never happen again, under any administration.” ••
Presentations on estate planning
Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Linda Bobrin will be giving presentations at senior centers across Bucks County, addressing the importance of estate planning.
Half-hour-long presentations will be held on the following dates: Sept. 11 at 11 a.m., at Upper Bucks Senior Center; Sept. 19 at 10 a.m., at Bensalem Senior Citizens Association; and Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m., at Northampton Township James E. Kinney Center.
For more information, email Rachel Landsberg at ralandsberg@buckscounty.org. ••
Silent panic alarms in schools
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st dist.), along with Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Jared Moskowitz, Tony Gonzales and Don Davis, joined parents of the Parkland school shooting victims — Lori Alhadeff, Max Schachter and Tony Montalto — to announce school safety legislation to require silent panic alarms in schools nationwide and investment in School Resource Officers.
Alyssa Alhadeff, Alex Schachter and Gina Montalto, all 14, were killed in Parkland, Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018.
“We owe it to our students, educators and school communities to prioritize their safety,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our bipartisan package will require the implementation of silent alarms in schools and increase funding for School Resource Officers, allowing law enforcement to be notified and to respond at a quicker rate in the event of an active shooter situation. I am proud to stand with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in introducing these substantive, commonsense solutions to ensure our schools are more secure.” ••
Farry office hours in Bensalem
State Sen. Frank Farry (R-6th dist.) is offering satellite office hours the first Wednesday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bensalem Township Municipal Building, 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Farry’s staff will be on site to assist with state government services; Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, birth and death certificate applications, SEPTA Senior Key card registrations and renewals; and unemployment issues. ••
Financial benefits for nurses
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Brian Higgins, Jen Kiggans and Mike Thompson introduced the Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2023 to ensure tax-status parity between the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps programs by amending the Internal Revenue Code to create parity in tax treatment for these two scholarship and loan repayment systems.
Sens. Jeff Merkley, Roger Wicker, Patty Murray and John Boozman have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“Nurses are dedicated, diligent caretakers in our communities, and we owe it to them to prioritize their ability to obtain financial benefits promised to them by Health Resources Services Administration programs,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our bipartisan, bicameral Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act fixes an unnecessary disparity between two widely utilized scholarship and loan repayment programs, and I am proud to lead this effort to support nurses alongside my colleagues.” ••
Lower South supervisor meeting schedule
The Lower Southampton Township Board of Supervisors will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m., at the Township Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville.
Future meetings, all at the same times and location, are scheduled for Sept. 27, Oct. 11 and 25, Nov. 8 and 20 and Dec. 13 and 20. ••
No to the sale of kangaroos
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick introduced the Kangaroo Protection Act to establish federal penalties for commercial activities related to kangaroos.
Fitzpatrick was joined by Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Jeff Van Drew, Nanette Barragán, Tom Kean Jr. and Troy Carter.
“As a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I am proud to lead the charge on policies that promote animal welfare and conserve our wildlife,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our bipartisan Kangaroo Protection Act will prohibit the commercial sale of kangaroos, ensuring that those who exploit these animals in the United States are held accountable.” ••
Bensalem Council meeting schedule
Bensalem Township Council meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Meetings can be viewed live on Comcast Xfinity Channel 22 in Bensalem and on Verizon Fios Channel 34 throughout Bucks County. They can also be streamed live on the Bensalem Township YouTube channel.
The schedule is Aug. 28, Sept. 11, Oct. 16, Nov. 13 and 27 and Dec. 4 (budget meeting) and 11. ••
Special Envoy on Ukraine
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Quigley, co-chairmen of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, introduced the Partnership and Cooperative Transparency with Ukraine Act to further strengthen the long-standing partnership between the United States and Ukraine, and establish a Special Envoy tasked with strengthening the US-Ukrainian relationship while giving the American people transparency with respect to the aid given to Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian people have demonstrated their bravery, resolve and resilience in the face of Russia’s unprovoked invasion and continued brutal occupation of their sovereign homeland. As co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Congress, I remain committed to ensuring that the Biden administration and Congress, on behalf of the United States and alongside our NATO allies, provides Ukraine with everything they need to win this war,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our bipartisan PACT with Ukraine Act will ensure that our relationship with the Ukrainians is strengthened and that the administration’s delivery of critical financial and material aid to Ukraine is accounted for and streamlined.” ••
Bensalem school board meeting schedule
The Bensalem Township Board of School Directors holds meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy D. Call Administrative Center, 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem.
Upcoming meetings will take place on Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 28 and Dec. 19 (third Tuesday).
The public is invited to attend.
The School Board annual reorganization meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. ••
Money for local fire companies
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced the Newportville Fire Company #1 and the Edgely Fire Company have received FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance their response capabilities and more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel from fire and other related hazards.
The Newportville Fire Company #1 received a total of $20,952.38 and Edgely Fire Company received a total of $185,454.54. The Edgely Fire Company grant will be used as a regional grant for fire departments in Bristol Township, Falls Township and Morrisville Borough.
These grants will be used for operation and safety.
“For the last several decades, fire departments across the commonwealth and nation have been hindered in their ability to find volunteers and to raise the necessary funds to maintain the indispensable services that their departments provide,” Fitzpatrick said. “The residents of Bristol Township and surrounding communities will directly benefit from these essential grants that do so much to keep our communities safe. As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and a certified EMT, I am proud to see the AFG grant program directly benefiting our local fire departments.” ••
Commissioners meeting Sept. 6
The Bucks County Commissioners will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 E. Court St., in Doylestown.
The meeting will be broadcast on the county’s YouTube channel.
Future meetings will be on Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15, Dec. 6 and Dec. 20. ••
3 fire companies receive grants
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced the Fairless Hills Volunteer Fire Company, the Falls Township Fire Company and the Edgely Fire Company have received FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance their response capabilities.
Fairless Hills Volunteer Fire Company received a total of $33,333.33 to upgrade its fire sensors, the Falls Township Fire Company received a total of $233,587.27 for air packs and the Edgely Fire Company received $26,305.45 for a washer and dryer for their firefighting personal protective equipment.
“As the number of volunteer firefighters continue to diminish after every passing year, the need for modern fire fighting equipment and costs associated with fire protection service expenditures continues to increase,” Fitzpatrick said. “The AFG program is an incredibly vital investment to our volunteer fire departments as our emergency services continue to change and modernize over time. These funds are also very vital to our residents, who rely on these services to keep them safe, while maintaining the well respected departments that continue to serve our community.” ••
