McCormick brings campaign to Bensalem
Dave McCormick, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, brought his “Price of Poor Leadership Tour” to Bensalem Farmers Market & Deli, meeting with owners Ajay and Paul Singh.
McCormick was joined by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders; Lower Southampton Township Supervisor Kim Koutsouradis, manager of Casanova’s Kitchen; and Sarah Oziminski, a mother to a 3-month-old child.
“If you’re comfortable with the status quo, then you should vote for Bob Casey. If you think we’re in trouble — if you think that working families are getting squeezed, if you think our energy policy is taking us over the cliff … then you should vote for me. I’m the candidate that’s going to bring about change, and the reason I’m going to bring about change is I know what’s wrong with our economy right now and I know what [we] need to do to fix it,” McCormick said.
Koutsouradis said, “I think I can speak for so many small business owners that over the past years, it’s becoming more and more difficult to keep our heads above water … It’s not even possible for me to raise my prices to keep up with the increases. What’s the answer? I know what the answer is not. The answer is not re-electing the same old failed leadership that we have in Washington today.”
Oziminski said, “I’m here because, as a new mom, I have a whole host of new expenses, and families like mine are being crushed by the high cost of living … Childcare alone — costs are through the roof, with many families spending more than $12,000 per year in Pennsylvania. Baby food and formula prices rose 8.7% in one year alone, and that’s on top of the cost of groceries … This is the price of poor leadership, and terrible career politicians like Bob Casey are to blame.”
Sanders said, “It’s hard enough to be a parent without people like Bob Casey and [Kamala] Harris and [Tim] Walz pushing down terrible policies, making it even more difficult, making it more expensive, making it more challenging in every aspect of life … That’s why it is so important that we elect Dave, not just because we want a change in policy, but because we need leadership that’s not afraid to stand up for what’s right.” ••
CR Newtown Little League honored
The Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic champion Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association’s Little League 12-and-under baseball team was recognized in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Senate for its accomplishments during the 2024 season.
The Council Rock Newtown Little League team went 20-2, winning the District 30, Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic region tournaments. As the Mid-Atlantic champion, Council Rock Newtown was one of 10 U.S. teams that earned a spot in the Little League World Series in Williamsport.
Council Rock Newtown won two games in the LLWS, finishing fifth among the U.S. entrants.
Sens. Steve Santarsiero and Frank Farry and Reps. Perry Warren and Kristin Marcell hosted the champions.
There are an estimated 6,500 little leagues worldwide. Of those 6,500 leagues, 10 U.S. and 10 international teams qualify for the Little League World Series.
“It was great to see our community come together to cheer on these talented young athletes. I want to congratulate the entire team, coaches and their families on a remarkable and unforgettable season,” Farry said. ••
Congressional Gold Medals for Rosie the Riveters
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick hosted a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the women of Bucks and Montgomery counties who stepped forward as Rosie the Riveters during World War II.
Among the honored guests were four living Rosies: Rita Colella (102 years old), Dorothy Trate (102 years old), Michaeline “Mickey” Kryven (97 years old) and Mae Krier (98 years old).
The families of the following 15 Bucks and Montgomery County Rosies who have since passed were also in attendance: Pauline Biedka, Angela Calabrese, Virginia Cocci DiMaggio, Sarah Eglinger, Marion G. Gelb, Eunice Pearl Heath, Beverly Jean O’Bradovic, Angelina Romello, Barbara Roth, Alice K. Schafer, Mary Schaefer Simmons, Ann Meredith Smith, Eleanor Sladko Stern, Rose Magari Sutor and Doris Wiley McNichol.
Each family received a Congressional Gold Medal, a citation and an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.
Fitzpatrick’s legislation, the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act, signed into law in 2020, honors the 6 million American women who joined the workforce and volunteered to support the war effort.
Fitzpatrick said, “To this day, the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter conjures a feeling of immense pride, patriotism and courage. The real Rosies were our neighbors, our friends and our family members — women from right here in Bucks and Montgomery counties, some of whom we are fortunate enough to have amongst us today.
“They rolled up their sleeves and took on the monumental task of building the very machinery that would defend the cause of freedom and democracy. It was in our factories, like Kaiser Fleetwing in Bristol Borough, that these women — our mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers — worked tirelessly to ensure our soldiers had the tools they needed to defeat tyranny. They weren’t just building planes or assembling parts, they were building the future of freedom, safeguarding the American way of life for generations to come. Their work laid the foundation for the America we cherish today — a land where liberty thrives, and the ideals of democracy reign supreme.” ••
Strengthened penalties for street racing
Reps. K.C. Tomlinson and Joe Hogan, along with Sen. Frank Farry, announced that legislation strengthening the penalties for street racing passed the Senate 48-1.
House Bill 2266 would update the penalties that exist for street racing, by increasing the fine from $250 up to $2,000 per violation and taking the driver’s vehicle away on any second or supplementary violations.
The legislation would also create new penalties for those who organize a street race, including charging them with a third-degree felony if anyone is seriously hurt or killed from a street race.
“I am thrilled to see this important legislation has been passed by the Senate and is now heading to the governor’s desk,” Tomlinson said. “This modernizes the existing law, while also creating new punishments for those who set up these dangerous street-racing events. Since day one, I have been committed to making our communities safer and House Bill 2266 does just that.”
“This is another example of Bucks County working together to improve lives. Thank you to Rep. Tomlinson for her leadership on this issue,” Hogan said. “House Bill 2266 would keep our streets safer by working to eliminate dangerous street-racing activities. I hope Gov. Shapiro acts swiftly to sign this legislation, which received strong, bipartisan support in both chambers.”
“I authored similar legislation in the Senate to address this growing problem of street racing in our cities and our suburbs,” Farry said. “I want to thank Reps. Tomlinson and Hogan for their efforts in getting House Bill 2266 passed so we can give our law enforcement the proper tools they need to swiftly address this problem.” ••
Grant for Bensalem Library
Rep. K.C. Tomlinson and Sen. Frank Farry announced that the Bucks County Free Library branch based in Bensalem has received a $281,662 grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program.
The funding will enable the library to implement steps in its facilities plan to maintain critical systems that keep the facility safe, welcoming and open to the public.
“It is great to see this grant funding approved for the Bensalem branch of the Bucks County Free Library,” Tomlinson said. “This funding will help them make necessary updates to the building infrastructure so it can continue to serve the Bensalem community.”
“The Bucks County Free Library Branch in Bensalem has been a great resource and community hub to the residents of Bensalem for many years. I am pleased they were approved for state funding to make the necessary improvements to continue to provide a safe and welcoming space in our community for many years to come,” Farry said. ••
Bill to address antisemitism
State Reps. Kristin Marcell and Martina White introduced House Bill 2615 to amend Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
The bill is intended to help address the rise of antisemitic incidents across Pennsylvania, particularly at universities, following the October 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas.
“Jewish Pennsylvanians deserve robust protections from discrimination,” Marcell said. “This legislation ensures the Human Relations Act is equipped to address and prevent antisemitism in workplaces, schools and communities.” ••
Weddings, vow renewals
Linda Bobrin, Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court, will be holding her annual Vows and Veterans wedding celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. in the third-floor rotunda of the Bucks County Administration Building in Doylestown.
In addition to the wedding ceremony, a vow-renewal ceremony will be part of the celebration. Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy will officiate the ceremonies.
The free wedding will feature photography by Courtney Kanig Photography, live music by Mervin Toussaint Jazz Band, flowers, videography, cupcakes and a catered lunch. The first five participating couples will receive a gift certificate for a night at 1740 House in Lumberville.
The registration deadline is Oct. 30. Email willsandweddings@buckscounty.org. Participating couples looking to marry or renew their marriage vows must include at least one veteran or first responder. Couples interested in the wedding ceremony must apply for and obtain their marriage license by Nov. 1. The marriage license application can be found at buckscounty.gov/marriagelicenses.
For more information on how to participate or to donate services or funds, call Rachel Landsberg at 215-340-8268. ••
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 Oct. 23. ••
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 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 Nov. 26.
The public is invited to attend.
The following meeting is on Dec. 17 (third Tuesday). ••
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 Nov. 6. ••
