Press Release from the Governor’s Office

News Releases

HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell tonight announced the passing of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.

“On behalf of all Pennsylvania, Midge and I extend heart-felt sympathy to Catherine’s family,” Governor Rendell said. “Today we mourn the passing of one of the strongest, most dedicated public servants in Pennsylvania’s history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Catherine’s family. She will be deeply missed.

“Even as she fought cancer in recent months, she remained upbeat and dedicated to serving the commonwealth,” he said. “Catherine was a very passionate and exuberant advocate for many worthy causes. Her passing is a tremendous loss for the many people whose lives she touched.”

Knoll died Wednesday at approximately 6 p.m. at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she was recovering from treatment for neuroendocrine cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, Knoll will be replaced as Lieutenant Governor by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Joseph B. Scarnati III (R-Jefferson).

Noted on Keystone Politics….

Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll Dies, 78 | Keystone Politics

A sad day for Pennsylvania.

Catherine Baker Knoll, who at age 72 became the first woman to be elected as Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, died Wednesday.

She was 78.

Knoll died at about 6 p.m. at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she was recovering from treatment for cancer, Gov. Ed Rendell said in a statement.

Knoll was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in July 2008 and began radiation and chemotherapy treatments. She returned for the start of the fall Senate schedule in September, but showed signs of fatigue and on Sept. 22 announced she would heed the advice of doctors, family members and colleagues and take time off.

Governor Rendell appoints Daly as Borough EMC

Last April I posted (Daly nominated for EMC) that I was nominated by the Crime to replace the late Joe Sargent as the borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator. After review by the Bradford County EMC, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and the Pa. State Police, Gov. Rendell confirmed my appointment, effective August 4th, 2008. I’m a lot of work ahead of me. first on my list is to secure all the training this position requires and finish the rewrite of our emergency action plan.

The Obama push!

It is 6:30 PM and so far at least several robo-calls and one from a live person were on my answering machine! And three sets Obama volunteers knocked on the door! No one sign of (or call from) the McCain camp. Make’s one wonder.

Campaign buttons and shirts allowed!

Badges, We Can Wear Our Stinkin’ Badges | Keystone Politics

Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson declined to rule on whether voters could be prohibited from wearing campaign buttons and clothing into the polling place.Simpson also refused to require ACORN — the Republicans’ bogeyman for this election cycle — to turn over its voter-registration logs.

Judge says Pa. must provide paper ballots

Judge says Pa. must provide paper ballots | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/30/2008

A federal judge yesterday ordered Pennsylvania election officials to issue emergency paper ballots if 50 percent or more of any precinct’s machines fail at any one time on Election Day.

Sorry…

It has been a long time since I posted to this blog. I cannot offer any excuses – I simply forgot about it. Shame on me – I’ll try to do better.

Political robocalls can be blocked, Pa. Senate says — themorningcall.com

Welcome news indeed. I lost count of the number of calls I received from the various candidates.

Pennsylvanians could have fewer dinnertime interruptions and automatic political messages waiting on their answering machines under a bill approved by the state Senate on Wednesday. The measure would allow people to block automatic telephone calls, or ”robocalls,” by political campaigns, parties and organizations. The bill, which passed 48-1, now goes to the House of Representatives, where similar measures are awaiting a vote.

Political robocalls can be blocked, Pa. Senate says — themorningcall.com

Daly nominated for Sayre EMC

The Sayre Borough Council nominated Councilman Jim Daly as their nominee to replace the late Joe Sargent as the borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC). Jim is presently the council’s chairperson for their Emergency Management Committee and is presently the chairperson of the Valley Project Impact group.

Under Pennsylvania law, the governor appoints the EMCs for all levels of government. The borough will transmit the nomination to the Bradford County Emergency Management Agency, who in turn will send it to the regional PEMA office. PEMA will initiate an investigation and request a State Police check. When those actions are completed satisfactorily, PEMA will forward the nomination with their letter of recommendation to Governor Rendell. The time frame for these actions in unknown, but we can assume it will take as long as it takes.

Let the composting begin…

Warm weather has arrived with a vengeance. It was at least 74 degrees yesterday and today promises to be warmer. Many residents are taking advantage of the weather to get post-winter yard work done and large amounts of yard waste are decorating the streets of the borough. I’ve covered about a half of my frontage. Some neighbors began putting stuff out as early as the start of this month.

The borough is starting a composting operation this year. Public Works spent the winter processing the compost that was sitting unattended on the DPW property for years. The council authorized a collection point for grass clippings and brush for those who want to bring their yard waste over, and our curbside collection program began this month. Today is my neighborhood’s day for collection. We are trying something different this year and will try to keep to a once a month schedule. Already I’ve received a note of concern from a resident who relies on the curbside collection. She lives on a double lot and is a gardener and has concerns about storage between pickups. In the past, the DPW crews would move through the borough and pick up yard waste whenever they had the infrequent “free” moment, and many residents became accustomed to the practice. We’ll have to see how the schedule proceeds.