As a resident of Willow Grove living in the 153rd legislative district, I thought it was important to attend the . While I found the credentials of both candidates impressive, I left believing Nicholas Mattiacci was the more qualified of the two.
Mattiacci struck me as very personable, someone whom people can relate to. Rather than rigidly adhering to obviously pre-scripted answers to the anticipated questions, I thought Mattiacci spoke from the heart. While her answers were insightful, Madeleine Dean struck me as someone who was only capable of answering questions based on what she prepared, unwilling to stray from her pre-determined “talking points.”
Aside from their mannerisms, I was surprised to learn Dean was recently elected to a Commissioner’s seat in Abington. The fact she’s running for a new position only months after being elected to a previous one, coupled with how she appeared unwilling to digress from her prepared statements, leads me to believe she’s more politically opportunistic than concerned with the issues of our district.
One of the most informative statements was when Mattiacci mentioned how he’d be able to benefit our district because he’s a member of the same party as the Governor. Unfortunately we live in a bipartisan nation in which elected officials quibble over every issue, refusing to break stride and working with their opposing party. For better or worse, having a State Representative from the same party as Governor Corbett would behoove our district more so than the alternative.
On April 24 I hope the members of the 153rd district exercise their right to vote and cast their ballot for Nicholas Mattiacci. Madeleine Dean personifies the career politician, while Mattiacci represents a breath of fresh air. As a first-time candidate running for office and young father and husband, he can relate to the people of this district because he shares many of our same concerns, that of his growing family — not a growing political career.
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Michael P. McIlmail
Willow Grove
That's the sort of information that should be divulged. And let's not nominate someone just for the sole purpose of being able to work with the Governor during bipartisan times. What we should REALLY be looking for is someone in EVERY role willing to work together with anyone regardless of their political affiliation. Simply bringing this to the forefront makes it seem like Mattiacci plans to follow the GOP agenda. I can't picture Corbett giving anything a rubber stamp approval just because it's coming from someone in his own party, as Mattiacci mentioned, but if that's the case it doesn't make Corbett seem especially good at what he's supposed to be doing for our state.
As far as her comments on the cutbacks to funding for education, for someone who does that, she should know that you can't just keep throwing money at the problem as Nick mentioned. The more money you throw at it, the more waste there is. Nick Mattiacci grew up in this area and chose to raise his family in this area. Do you think he wouldn't want what's best for his children that will be going to the very schools in the district that Dean complains the cutbacks would affect?
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i93kmmsf0iuujou/RZThf4auLh/McIlmail.pdf
That's a pretty lousy way of campaigning and I hope those undecided voters can look at this as an example of how political campaigns should NOT be run. I hope some "decided" voters also look at these sort of tactics with some seriousness. (Makes you wonder if Mattiacci was being honest now when he says he had nothing to do with those telephone polls that were spreading false rumors about Dean). Shame on you Mr. Mattiacci /or/ Mr. McIlmail...whichever of you is the guilty party in this. This is a slimy move. I hope Patch puts an editor's note at the beginning of this "article" stating that the author is a paid member of Mr. Mattiacci's campaign staff to put things in perspective.
Your comment that "thompso" has done this on other websites brings into question, then -- how many other places have you sent a similar letter as this one?
Either Mattiacci's statements are inaccurate or you're not telling the whole story, and I'm not sure which is worse.
Having read the comments here, I see two people who were asking for answers or, at the very least, clarification of the relationship between Mr. Mattiacci and Mr. McIlmail. You have made assumptions of their intent and can not know what they feel. Your statements have been incorrect, inappropriate and immature. Perhaps it is you sir, that needs a "time out".