Prevent An Awful Trick Three Days After Halloween

(This is a matter that pertains to local politics here in Bucks County, Pa, just to let you know.)

As far as I’m concerned, there are very few good reasons to miss an election, whether or not it’s in a year like last year with the presidential contest, or in a year like this one in PA, where the race that is probably garnering the most attention is that for DA between Chris Asplen and David Heckler (Asplen is the better choice, and he was endorsed by the Courier Times editorial board, which, though it is prone to make numerous bad pronouncements, has just about always come through with the right ones when it mattered most).

However, if you live in the Pennsbury School District and you happen to be reading this, I cannot urge you strongly enough to not only vote for Chris Asplen for DA, Ron Smith for District Judge, and Fran McDonald for Lower Makefield Township Supervisor, but also for Colleen Klock and Jonathan Shain for the Pennsbury School Board. The main reason why is because all of these folks as eminently qualified and live and work in our communities (and to read about a recent candidates’ forum, click here).

And particularly in the matter in the Pennsbury School Board, a vote for Klock/Shain means a vote against Kathleen Zawacki and Simon Campbell (pictured).

Now I’ll be the first to admit that I know barely anything about Zawacki, but the fact that she would choose to align herself with a combative instigator, nuisance and overall troublemaker like Campbell speaks volumes to me.

Campbell cares about slashing teachers’ salaries and pensions and eliminating their right to strike. And that’s about it. And he would be more concerned with developments in Harrisburg than he would about his own backyard.

And I think the following speaks volumes as to what Campbell is all about (from here)…

Some local critics say that Campbell goes beyond strongly preaching his views.

Ronald Smith, a Lower Makefield supervisor and criminal defense lawyer, said he dislikes his behavior.

“I'm of the opinion that he's nothing but a cancer. Although some of his positions may be laudable, he attempts to present his position by confrontation, intimidation and disparaging remarks to all those who may disagree with him,” Smith said. “They're afraid to say this but I'm not afraid. If you don't agree with Campbell, you are his archenemy. His position is — if you don't agree with me, I'll destroy you.”

Now when it comes to teacher strikes, I’ll grant you that trying to ensure coverage for a son or daughter while balancing work responsibilities is a first-class pain in the butt (I grew up in Philadelphia when it wasn’t uncommon to miss large chunks of the academic year for that reason). In response, though, I would ask that you read here to find out whether or not strikes have a net effect on academic performance (as well as to learn about the actual infrequency of strikes in PA overall).

Basically, this is the wave that Campbell has manufactured, and he’s trying to ride it as far as he can.

My guess is that, if you’re even reading this at all, you’ll tend to vote Democratic anyway. However, just because this is an off-year election is no excuse to think it is less important than the ’08 contest. And I would humbly ask you to communicate that to your family and friends who are registered voters in this state.

So please vote for Klock/Shain, Fran McDonald, Ron Smith, and Chris Asplen next Tuesday. That way, the only clout Simon Campbell would have would be on the Op-Ed page of the Bucks County Courier Times, along with all of the other loudmouths :-).