Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Republicans have filed a lawsuit to remove Michael Paston as acting director of Montgomery County Voter Services, alleging that commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards appointed him illegally.
The Montgomery County Republican Committee (MCRC) has sued commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards and county employee Michael Paston regarding Paston’s position as “acting director” of the voter services department since the firing of long-time director Joseph Passarella in April. The suit alleges that Shapiro and Richards illegally appointed Paston, former Democrat elected official and current county archivist and print shop manager, to the post without approval from the salary board, according to the suit. According to a Margaret Gibbons article in Phillyburbs.com, sources say Shapiro and Richards wanted to immediately appoint Paston to the position but did not have the votes necessary. Republican Commissioner Bruce Castor and…
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
After Montgomery County denied an additional $11 million loan for what it considers a nonviable development project, the lender filed for foreclosure on Logan Square in Norristown.
The senior lender behind the Logan Square development project, located at Markley Street and West Johnson Highway in Norristown, filed for foreclosure on the property on May 3, putting in jeopardy a $24.5 million investment the county made to the development between 2009 and 2011. The project began in 2007 when Charles Gallub, principal at Develcom in Bellmawr, NJ, began working with government officials and a private investment group, Axis Advisors, LP, to develop the 24.5 acre site, including the abandoned Sears and Ports of the World, totaling 150,000 square feet in retail space. A plan to bring Raleigh Studios to the property fell through after failed negotiations over tax credits with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the plan …
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Norristown's interim Chief of Police Willie Richet and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro are expected to lead the call to end gun violence and 'support commonsense gun laws' as part of a "National Day to Demand Action."
The debate over gun control continues in the county seat as both Norristown's interim Chief of Police Willie Richet and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro are expected to take to the steps of Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown at 2:30 p.m. today, Thursday, March 28 to call for an end to gun violence and urge lawmakers to pass gun safety legislation like universal background checks. The planned rally is part of a "National Day to Demand Action" organized by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a bipartisan gun violence prevention advocacy organization co-chaired by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. There are similar events planned in more than 100 towns and cities across the country today, …
40.116063
-75.34366
Montgomery County Courthouse
493 Swede St, Norristown, PA
/articles/gun-control-rally-planned-for-montco-courthouse-thursday-afternoon
1266307
/locations/9118649
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
A code blue declaration will last from 9 p.m. Wednesday night through noon on Friday.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, March 13
According to the Montgomery County Comissioners, a Code Blue Declaration has been issued for Montgomery County for the period beginning at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13 through noon on Friday, March 15. “Spring is coming, but there are still some cold days and nights to get through,” said Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Commissioners. “Thank you to all of our first responders, social workers, and volunteers who work so diligently to protect our most vulnerable.” A Code Blue Cold Weather declaration is made in Montgomery County when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals without shelter. A Code Blue is called when the combination of air temperature and wind chill is anticipated to be 20ºF …
Monday, February 4, 2013
The commissioners will hold a meeting tonight.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, February 4
The Montgomery County Commissioners will hold the third of their “Conversations with your Commissioners” program tonight at Arcadia University. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Castle of the Glenside college. The program is part of a series in which the Montgomery County Commissioners hold meetings throughout the county. “These conversations with the commissioners are another in a series of ways we are trying to keep residents informed about what we are doing,” Josh Shapiro, chair of the commissioners, said. “We live stream our meetings on line and use social media a great deal to inform everyone about what is going on in the county. “We urge residents to attend these conversations so they can hear what we have tried to do during…
40.08994
-75.163269
450 S Easton Rd, Glenside, PA
/articles/montco-commissioners-take-conversations-to-arcadia
/locations/8738488
Thursday, December 27, 2012
The former Methacton School Board member takes his seat as one of Montgomery County Community College’s 15 board trustees.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, December 27, 2012
According to the Intelligencer, State Sen. John Rafferty, Jr. (R-44) has become a trustee of Montgomery County Community College (MCCC). Rafferty, a former Methacton School Board member, as well as a former member of Montgomery County’s board of assessment appeals, was appointed by the county commissioners last week. “John Rafferty is an outstanding state legislator and someone who cares deeply about the community college,” Josh Shapiro, county commissioner chairman, told the Intelligencer. Rafferty, whose 44th district includes parts of Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties, was appointed one of two new members on the 15-member MCCC board of trustees. --- For the full story, visit www.phillyburbs.com ---
Friday, December 21, 2012
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Last night, Abington residents came together for a candlelight vigil to mourn the death of those killed in the Newtown, Conn. massacre last week. Neighbors braved the cold and gathered at Conway field in Ardsley, along with elected officials and clergy. Theresa Keenan-Flite organized the event in a very short amount of time — about three days — by utilizing social media. “We hope this will give the community a chance to mourn and we hope and pray this doesn’t happen ever again,” she said as set up for the event on the field in the light rain. Neighbors stood on the field holding candles; children took time to sign a poster that will be mailed to the residents of Newtown, Conn. State Rep. Madeleine Dean, Montgomery County Commissioner …
40.126301
-75.156621
/articles/abington-holds-candlelight-vigil-for-newtown-victims
/locations/8432436
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Visiting Abington, Pottstown on voter turnout drive
- ELECTIONS
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Sunday, November 4, 2012
Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and former state representative, will visit Abington and Pottstown on Sunday in support of President Barack Obama's reelection campaign. Shapiro will visit Obama field offices in Elkins Park and on High Street in Pottstown at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., respectively. The campaign said Shapiro will be speaking on the importance of voting in the general election this Tuesday, Nov. 6. Obama supporters will be canvassing neighborhoods and working on phone banks in support of the campaign. Later Sunday, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will appear at a campaign stop in Yardley. On Monday, former President Bill Clinton will stump for Obama in Blue Bell, part of a …
40.2455
-75.648969
238 E High St, Pottstown, PA
Obama for America PA Field Office
/articles/shapiro-to-stump-for-obama-sunday
/locations/8100687
40.077383
-75.126982
8120 Old York Rd, Elkins Park, PA
Obama for America PA Field Office
/articles/shapiro-to-stump-for-obama-sunday
/locations/8100686
Monday, October 22, 2012
In anticipation of tonight's final debate, Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards spoke in support of their party's candidate, President Barack Obama, today in Norristown.
Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will square off tonight in the third and final presidential debate, this time on foreign policy. The rhetoric is expected to be heated, and most polls have the candidates in a dead heat following their earlier sparring matches. Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards took to the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse to vocie support their party's standard bearing, President Obama. The commissioners told those in attendance that when it comes to foreign policy, the president has the experience and the record needed to lead our country for the next four years. "We are electing a commander-in-chief, someone who will keep America safe," Shapiro said. "All Mitt …
40.116063
-75.34366
Montgomery County Courthouse
493 Swede St, Norristown, PA
/articles/montco-commissioners-shapiro-and-richards-take-to-courthouse-steps-to-stump-for-obama
1266307
/locations/8050438
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Shapiro: 'Troubled' by Corbett Administration's 'inappropriate' comment
- ELECTIONS
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Tuesday, September 25, 2012
To the editor: Earlier this year, Pennsylvania passed a new law requiring voters to show an ID in order to vote. While at first blush, this may sound sensible to some, it will likely have the effect of suppressing the rights of certain voters who do not meet the new strict standards. In Montgomery County alone, according to a report from the commonwealth, over 49,000 people either do not have the necessary identification to be able to vote or there is some question about their ID card. While my opposition to this new law is well-documented (I voted against it when I served in the State House), as the Chairman of the Montgomery County Commissioners I took an oath to uphold all of the laws of the commonwealth —even those I disagree with. …
Curmudgeon
2:23 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Because of his background, Paston is qualified to run the print shop. As far as voter services, this is purely a political appointment. Why don't you guys just have the balls to say that. It would at least be honest. Why won't Castor and Greenleaf support Paston?? Castor has been very bipartisan in his dealings on the Board of Commissioners, maybe, because the appointment sucks!!! more ›