Khan gains Philly support
Nine Philadelphia Democratic open wards have endorsed former Bucks County Solicitor Joe Khan in the April 23 primary for state attorney general.
The Democratic committees of the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 9th, 15th, 18th, 21st, 30th and 39A wards, accounting for 23.2% of last year’s Philadelphia Democratic primary electorate, endorsed Khan.
There are 11 Philadelphia Democratic open wards that have made an endorsement. One ward endorsed Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. One ward endorsed former Defender Association of Philadelphia chief Keir Bradford-Grey.
The other Democrats running are state Rep. Jared Solomon and former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale.
The Republicans are York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and state Rep. Craig Williams.
Khan and his two sons, Sam and Nathan, live in the Central Bucks School District. For 10 years, he worked in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He began his career in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and ran for DA in 2017. He is currently a partner at Curtin and Heefner in Bucks County. ••
FOP knocks Casey for ties to leftist group
FOP Lodge 27 held a news conference in response to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. joining the defund-the-police organization Indivisible Philadelphia for a campaign event and then receiving its endorsement. Indivisible Philadelphia has advocated to end cash bail.
“I represent over 1,300 law enforcement members here in Delaware County … Casey’s decision to align himself with these defund-the-police activists is alarming and extremely dangerous,” said Folcroft Deputy Police Chief and FOP Lodge 27 President Chris Eiserman. “Thankfully, Pennsylvania has a law-and-order Senate candidate that will work with the police and not against us: Dave McCormick. Delaware County FOP Lodge 27 is proud to support Dave McCormick and his run to replace Bob Casey as our senator.” ••
Tools and resources to avoid scams
Rep. Joe Hogan and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Chairman Josh Kail, convened a hearing to discuss scams and ways to protect people.
The hearing, “Safeguarding our Community from Fraud,” featured the following testifiers: Fred Harran, Bucks County sheriff; Jennifer Schorn, Bucks County district attorney; Nicolette Brown, director of customer care, PECO; Jeane Vidoni, CEO, Penn Community Bank; and Rick Cimakasky, director of fraud and security management, Penn Community Bank.
“Keeping our community safe is a top priority for me,” Hogan said. “Educating consumers about fraud is key to protecting them from falling victim to scams. We are grateful to our law enforcement for holding these criminals accountable and leaders in the community, such as PECO and Penn Community Bank, who are taking great strides to protect consumers.”
The hearing took place during National Consumer Protection Week, which raises awareness of consumers’ rights and how they can avoid falling prey to fraudulent activity. No one is immune to fraud; however, older populations are especially vulnerable. Testifiers emphasized the importance of reporting suspected scams to police as soon as possible and reminded people to run an annual credit report to verify all activity is accurate. They also recommended tools and resources, many of which can be found at www.rephogan.com/FraudScaminfo.
“Criminal activity targeting Pennsylvania’s aging population – or any population – is atrocious,” Kail said. “I strongly encourage all Pennsylvania businesses and consumers to determine their vulnerabilities and put safeguards in place. These scammers may be getting savvier, but with the right preventive measures in place, we can stop them before any harm is done.” ••
Big grant for Bensalem schools
Sen. Frank Farry and Rep. Kathleen “K.C.” Tomlinson announced that Bensalem Township School District received a $1,833,360 grant from the state Department of Education though the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections Grant.
The grant is meant to help school districts establish a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment in elementary and secondary schools.
“This grant is a great victory for Bensalem students,” Tomlinson said. “This money will go directly to ensuring student safety when they are on school grounds, which will create a safer and stronger learning environment where they can succeed. I want to thank Sen. Farry and Bensalem Township School District leadership for working alongside me in securing this crucial funding.”
“I’m pleased to announce Bensalem School District has been awarded a nearly $2 million grant through the Building Stronger Communities Act. This significant investment will enhance educational opportunities and infrastructure, ensuring every student has the tools they need to succeed,” Farry said. “This grant reflects our commitment to providing quality education and strengthening our communities.”
With the funding, Bensalem Township School District plans to implement a district-wide Student Success Initiative to enhance the success and well-being of both their students and staff. ••
Money for Middletown pedestrian safety
Rep. Joe Hogan and Sen. Frank Farry announced that Middletown Township has received a $146,283 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The funding is for pedestrian safety improvements on Langhorne-Yardley Road.
The grant money comes from CFA’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, which provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the state. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.
“I am pleased to see Middletown Township receive this important funding,” Hogan said. “Many discussions with constituents, conversations with Middletown officials and my own personal experience has shown a need to help alleviate traffic congestion throughout our community. These funds will help to encourage other means of transportation while keeping pedestrians safe. I want to thank Sen. Farry and Middletown Township for their assistance in securing these funds.”
“I am pleased to have helped secure this funding for Middletown Township,” Farry said. “This important project will greatly benefit our community and ensure the safety of our residents.” ••
Penalties for assaulting letter carriers
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Greg Landsman introduced the Protect our Letter Carriers Act (H.R. 7629).
The legislation addresses the rise of violent crime committed against letter carriers as they carry out their duties. Since 2020, there have been more than 2,000 attempted or actual robberies and assaults against postal workers nationwide.
The bill would address the outdated collection boxes and arrow keys, which letter carriers are often targeted for in robberies; ensure that the Department of Justice appropriately prosecutes crimes committed against letter carriers through designating an assistant in every U.S. Attorney’s office to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of alleged offenses committed against postal workers; amend sentencing guidelines so that any assault or robbery committed against a letter carrier has a more severe sentence recommendation.
“The rise in robberies and violent assaults being committed against letter carriers in recent years is deeply concerning and Congress must act to ensure their safety,” Fitzpatrick said. “I am proud to be leading this bipartisan effort, which provides necessary resources to protect our dedicated postal workers while making sure we are punishing criminals to the fullest extent of the law. The men and women of the postal service are often the backbone of a community, and they work hard around the clock, rain or shine, to deliver essential goods, and I will always have their back.” ••
Services for veterans
Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Linda Bobrin will be hosting the second of four 2024 free wills events on Saturday, May 11, at the Falls Township American Legion Post 834, 300 Yardley Ave., in Levittown.
The event will provide information on wills, living wills, health care and financial powers of attorney to military veterans and first responders and their spouses/partners.
Other Wills for Heroes events will be Saturday, June 22, at Lower Southampton Fire Department, 466 Elmwood Ave., in Feasterville, and Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Bucks County Bar Association, 135 E.State St., in Doylestown.
Each event will begin at 11 a.m. Appointments will last about one hour per individual or couple and must be scheduled online. To register, visit www.buckscounty.gov/willsforheroes.
For more information, email Linda Bobrin at lbobrin@buckscounty.org or Rachel Landsberg at ralandsberg@buckscounty.org. ••
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. ••
Lower South supervisor meeting schedule
The Lower Southampton Township Board of Supervisors meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Township Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville. The next meeting is April 10. ••
Commissioners meeting
The Bucks County Commissioners meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 E. Court St., in Doylestown.
The meetings are broadcast on the county’s YouTube channel.
The next meeting will be April 3. ••
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 April 8, April 29, May 6, May 20, June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, Aug. 12, Aug. 26, Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 15 (Tuesday), Oct. 28, Nov. 12 (Tuesday), Nov. 25, Dec. 4 (budget meeting) and Dec. 16. ••
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.
The next meeting will take place on April 30 (fifth Tuesday).
The public is invited to attend.
Future meetings are on May 28, June 25, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 26 and Dec. 17 (third Tuesday). ••
