Posted by: wcdem2 | December 30, 2011

Borough Council reorganization meeting

Monday, January 2, 2012, 7pm – Borough Hall, 401 E. Gay St., West Chester. All welcome to the swearing-in of Cassandra Jones (reelected from ward 2), Jordan Norley (newly elected from ward 4), and Steve Shinn (newly elected from ward 6), all to Borough Council, and of Tony Polito to the Civil Service Commission.

2012 BOROUGH COUNCIL
(front row) Borough Council Vice President Cassandra Jones, President Holly Brown, Mayor Carolyn Comitta, Councilman John Manion; (back row) councilmen Chuck Christy, Tom Paxson, Jordan Norley and Stephen Shinn. Photo by Jim Salvas


Followed by, for those who wish, a reception with snacks hosted by Jordan Norley at Jazmine Thai Restaurant, 344 West Gay Street, West Chester. If you plan to come to the reception, please RSVP by evite if you received one, otherwise by email to jordannorley@gmail.com.

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Posted in Borough

Posted by: wcdem2 | December 27, 2011

Video: Mayor Tesitifies About Redistricting

by Jake Speicher, West Chester Patch, 12/18/11

West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta spoke with members of the Pennsylvania redistricting committee the day before Thanksgiving to ask the committee to reconsider splitting West Chester into two legislative districts.

Currently, the whole borough resides in legislative district 156. The new plan would split the borough between 156 and 160, and it would even split West Chester University where some dorm buildings would be in 156 and others would be in 160.

The new district line would also put half of the borough into the same district that mostly represents Delaware County even though West Chester shares no borders with communities in Delaware County.

View video at West Chester Patch

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Posted in Borough

Posted by: wcdem2 | December 15, 2011

West Chester remains split in final redistricting

by Eric S. Smith, Daily Local News, 12/14/11

The north side of Union Street in West Chester, left, will now be part of the 156th District in the state House, while the south side will be part of the 160th District. Redistricting has split the borough into two districts. Staff photo by Tom Hope

The Pennsylvania state House and Senate seats for the next election cycle were finalized on Monday and despite opposition from local officials West Chester remains split between two representatives.

The 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th wards will be a part of the 156th District, which previously encompassed the entire borough and is currently represented by Republican Dan Truitt. The 3rd, 4th and 5th wards will now be part of the 160th District, a seat held by Republican Stephen Barrar. The legislative districts are final pending any legal challenges that can be filed in the courts.

West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta and representatives from East Bradford and West Chester University testified before the legislative redistricting committee in Harrisburg in November, urging members to keep the borough and East Bradford as whole municipalities within a single district. East Bradford has also been split between the 156th and 160th.

Most of West Chester University will be part of the 160th, which is predominantly in Delaware County.

“It would be an anomaly for half of the borough, the seat of Chester County, to be moved to a Delaware County district,” Comitta said at the redistricting hearings last month. “It is certainly not a good idea to split a county seat, especially one that is an urban center providing a myriad of essential services for the region.”…

read more at Daily Local News

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Posted in Borough

Posted by: wcdem2 | December 8, 2011

Defending Democracy: Confronting Modern Barriers to Voting Rights in America

NAACP, 12/5/11

On December 5, 2011, the NAACP released a new report revealing direct connections between the trend of increasing, unprecedented African American and Latino voter turnout and an onslaught of restrictive measures across the country designed to stem electoral strength among communities of color.

The report, Defending Democracy: Confronting Modern Barriers to Voting Rights in America, details a plethora of voter suppression initiatives, most of them pushed in states with large African-American populations and where voting turnout has surged. The joint report by the NAACP and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund examines scores of legislative proposals, ballot initiatives and voting laws enacted or proposed since the 2008 election.

Copies of the report will be sent to the federal and state agencies that monitor, administer and enforce voting rights, including the US Department of Justice, the Federal Elections Commission, and the Election Assistance Commission, as well as Secretaries of State and Attorneys General in all 50 states. In addition, the report will be delivered to the appropriate committees of jurisdiction in the House and Senate, and entities within the United Nations.

“It’s been more than a century since we’ve seen such a tidal wave of assaults on the right to vote. Historically, when voting rights are attacked, it’s done to facilitate attacks on other rights. It is no mistake that the groups who are behind this are simultaneously attacking very basic women’s rights, environmental protections, labor rights, and educational access for working people and minorities,” said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “Voting rights attacks are the flip side of buying a democracy. First you buy all the leaders you can, and then you suppress as many votes as possible of the people who might object.”

Successful registration, education and get-out-the-vote campaigns in the last Presidential election cycle helped overturn electoral barriers and generated Black voter turnout at record high numbers across the country. Calling the response “historic in scope and intensity,” the report highlights voting barriers that range from new and enhanced voter identification requirements to provisions that will curtail voter access to registration. Other proposals challenge mass registration drives, limit voting periods and tighten the ability of newly registered voters to cast ballots.

The report maintains that the vote-blocking measures are not only a threat to individual voters, but are also an assault on Latino and African American communities that are enjoying demographic growth and the prospects of majority voting status in many districts.

“This assault — which is comprehensive in its reach and was launched in time to affect the 2012 elections — threatens to undermine the record levels of political participation witnessed during the historic 2008 Presidential Election, by blocking access to people of color, the poor, the elderly and the young,” the report warns.

“These block the vote efforts are a carefully targeted response to the remarkable growth of the minority electorate, and threaten to disproportionally diminish the voting strength of African-Americans and Latinos,” said John Payton, LDF President and Director-Counsel….

keep reading and download the full report at NAACP

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Posted in National, State

Posted by: Webmaster | December 7, 2011

Chris Matthews on the Direction of the 2012 Race

MSNBC Hardball’s Chris Matthews explains why Newt Gingrich and the GOP want to see “the destruction of a positive, hopeful, progressive presidency that proves the American dream is for everyone.”

Play Chris’s Video

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Posted in National

Posted by: wcdem2 | December 5, 2011

Jones Leaving Borough Council to Slow Down

By Jake Speicher, West Chester Patch, 12/5/11

Councilman Jim Jones will step down from West Chester Borough Council at the end of December.

You’ve probably met Jim Jones. He’s a familiar presence around town. He wears glasses, taller than you’d expect. The man knows everything.

“I’ve knocked on every door in the borough at least three times,” Jones said. “I don’t think there’s a door I haven’t touched.”

One round of knocking came when he ran for mayor. The next round came when Jones took it upon himself to hand count every parking spot in the borough.

He has a mantra: “No one else will do it. I’ll do it.”

It continues: “Somebody’s got to clean the toilet.”

At the end of December, Jones will step down from borough council, and he plans on slowing down.

After he came to West Chester in the fall of 1992 to work at the university no one saw him for the first two years he was here.

“I was getting the handle on a new job,” said Jones, who besides everything else is also a professor of history at West Chester University. “But then I got that all squared away, and I wanted to see what was up with my neighbors.”

That simple “what’s up” quickly spiraled into committee appointments, board nominations and elected offices. In 14 years, Jones has served his neighborhood association, the library board, the planning commission, the zoning hearing board and most recently borough council.

“I’ve always been someone who gets involved,” Jones said. “There’s a job that needed to be done. I did it, and I learned a lot of stuff.”

Dr. Jones is in the knowledge business, both gaining it and dispensing it. He speaks German and French fluently, and at one time he could also speak two native African languages.

“I’m most proud of my education,” Jones said. “Not just all the stuff I’ve learned, but also the way I learned it.”

Jones’ non-government resume reads like something out of some epic American novel.

He was a migrant worker in Europe while he was trying to hitchhike across the world. He was also a bus driver, a motorcycle mechanic, and he also spent time in the Peace Corps in rural villages in Swaziland in Africa.

“My rule of thumb for any job is that I had to do it for two years,” Jones said. “There were a lot of jobs where that last year was really hard to get through.”

Jones has served on borough council for four years, a kind of capstone to everything else he’s done for the borough.

“My first West Chester experience was I went down to this old-timey Woolworth’s where Iron Hill is now to have coffee with a guy whose apartment I wanted to rent. That’s been the biggest change, the whole revitalization. West Chester’s always been a nice place to live, but now it’s become really desirable.”

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Posted in Borough

Posted by: wcdem2 | November 29, 2011

Mayor Carolyn Comitta’s testimony to Reapportionment Commission

[for background see the 4 previous posts, especially "West Chester council taking redistricting resolution to Harrisburg," from Daily Local News]

State Reapportionment Commission Hearing
Testimony by Mayor Carolyn Comitta
Borough of West Chester

November 23, 2011

Good afternoon, honorable members of the Reapportionment Commission. I am Mayor Carolyn Comitta and I bring you greetings from the citizens of the great Borough of West Chester!

I am honored and proud to be the first bi-partisan-elected Mayor of West Chester. As such, I truly represent ALL the voters of the Borough.

Along with me today, are two colleagues who will also testify: permit me to introduce Rich Miller, graduate student at West Chester University, and Bret Binder, resident of East Bradford Township.

In order for you to fully comprehend the significant negative impact of the proposed redistricting on the Borough of West Chester and its neighbors, we believe that it is important for you to hear the complexity of concerns raised from our three perspectives.

Each of us will testify that we believe the proposed split of the Borough of West Chester is in direct violation of the Pennsylvania State Constitution. Mr. Binder will discuss this matter in detail. On display are two boards, prepared by Mr. Binder, that show the existing and the proposed boundaries of the 156th and the 160th, along with the specific text from the State Constitution that we contend is being violated under the proposed redistricting.

West Chester is a 1.8 square mile, compact, historic urban municipality and is the County Seat of Chester County.

The Borough of West Chester has its own charms and challenges that are distinct from its neighboring municipalities. It is a complex community complete with a thriving retail and restaurant district, our county government center, industrial areas, diverse neighborhoods, and a university campus.

In addition, West Chester serves our region as the urban center for social, legal and financial services, culture, higher education and healthcare.

Currently, all of the Borough of West Chester, and all of West Chester University are included in the 156th. The proposal is to split the Borough into two separate House Districts. It would be an anomaly for half of the Borough, the seat of Chester County, to be moved to the 160th, which is essentially a Delaware County District!

If it is not a good idea to split a County, as Senator Costa has stated in his November 18th “Exceptions to the Preliminary Plan,” it is certainly not a good idea to split a county seat, especially one that is an urban center providing a myriad of essential services for the region. For example Judge McEwen, the proposed splitting of the Borough of West Chester would be akin to splitting half of Media and putting it in a predominantly Philadelphia District!

In the spirit of open-mindedness, it is fair to ask, “Hey, couldn’t it be a good thing to have TWO people standing up for you in Harrisburg!”

Good question! And as you can guess, I bring you some good answers!

The West Chester Borough Council frequently works closely with our state representative to address state-regulated issues such as: alcohol (the Borough has 39 liquor licenses!), community development, aging sewer and road repairs, environmental regulations and public safety, such as equipment and training for our highly acclaimed police and volunteer fire departments as well as our state university challenges and opportunities.

Moreover, West Chester Borough is under a Common Pleas Court Order regarding redistricting our Ward system, which has not yet been completed. Keeping the Borough in one House District will eliminate the possibility of conflicts with the State Plan.

Managing two districts within the Borough raises some important practical questions! If two House districts split our town, we can imagine West Chester Borough Council or West Chester University students asking:

“Do we need both Representatives to support this idea?! How do we get them together to discuss this issue?! Where do we meet? Do our two reps agree or are there conflicting Delaware County issues at play etc., etc…?”

There is also the significant confusion and hardship generated for the elderly and for students and minorities (not to mention the rest of us!).

For the past 35 years, our state representative has had their District office in the Borough within walking distance of over 19,000 of their constituents—including the elderly, low income and students, many of whom don’t drive. The proposed split would require half of West Chester’s citizens to drive 40 minutes to Chichester to their representative’s office!

In conclusion, instead of doubling our representation, we believe the proposed redistricting would significantly diminish our voice in Harrisburg and would compound the effort needed to address the Borough’s diverse health, safety and welfare issues.

We ask this final question: “Is it in the best interest of the people, is it constitutional, is it ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to split the great Borough of West Chester, risking diminishing the leadership and regional services of one of the urban jewels of our state??”

We believe it is absolutely necessary to keep the Borough together—and to keep its State University together—under one House District in order for us to have the best chance of not just surviving but flourishing into the 21st century. Mr. Binder will share an alternative plan that will do just that.

Our future is in your hands. The people of West Chester thank you for your thoughtful consideration. Thank you.

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Posted in Borough, County, State

Posted by: Webmaster | November 28, 2011

Neither desirable nor necessary

See the previous post, and please give your opinion to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, Judge Stephen J. McEwen Jr., Chair.

[As submitted to the Legislative Reapportionment Committee]

I object to the planned redistricting of Pennsylvania Legislative District 156 because splitting three municipalities is neither desirable nor necessary, as outlined in our state constitution.

The district now has one split municipality, East Bradford. The current plan calls for splitting three, East Bradford (while switching all precincts in that township), Westtown and West Chester.

In fact, retaining the integrity of all municipalities serves the goal of proportionality by population, more easily and honestly — reunite East Bradford’s southern precincts with its northern half in the 156th District, leave West Chester in the 156th, and leave Westtown in the 160th District.

That this simpler solution exists not only gives the lie to the idea the current plan is “necessary” but opens the plan to serious legal challenge.

Please reconsider your plan to split these three municipalities. Instead, leave them intact and reunite East Bradford, allowing all to have adequate, cohesive, and honest representation.

Jim Salvas
Secretary, West Chester Borough Democrats

Please give your opinion to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, Judge Stephen J. McEwen Jr., Chair.

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Posted in Borough, County, State

Posted by: wcdem2 | November 26, 2011

WC Mayor and Council seek YOUR SUPPORT to keep a single legislative district in the Borough

Downtown West Chester, 11/21/11

West Chester, PA — Citizens are encouraged to voice their objection to the proposed redistricting of West Chester Borough into two districts instead of one, according to Mayor Carolyn Comitta and Borough Council President Holly Brown.

The Pennsylvania Legislative Redistricting Commission has proposed to split the Borough of West Chester into two separate House Districts. Currently, House District 156 serves the whole of the Borough of West Chester, an area of 1.8 square miles. But due to redistricting, a process that occurs every ten years to insure that all districts have about an equal number of persons residing within them, the Borough would be served by both the 156th and 160th districts. The new boundaries would set by the wards. Ward 1, 2, 6, and 7 would continue to be in the 156th District and wards 3, 4, and 5 in the 160th District.

“We are asking West Chester citizens to contact the Legislative Reapportionment Commission by November 30 and let them know that West Chester residents object to splitting the Borough into two legislative districts,” said Mayor Carolyn Comitta.

On November 16, the Borough Council passed a resolution to urge the 2011 Legislative Redistricting Commission to maintain the entirety of the Borough of West Chester in a single Chester County legislative district. The resolution indicates that West Chester is a compact, historic urban municipality and is the County Seat of the County of Chester. It also states that West Chester is “an urban community that is unique and does not share the same characteristics as the surrounding suburban communities.” Read the entire resolution: Redistricting Resolution.

Of equal concern, part of West Chester University would be separated from the 156th and put into the 160th, thus dividing the university between two districts. Further, there are no common borders between West Chester and any Delaware County community. Some also feel that the division of West Chester Borough is not absolutely necessary and is therefore in violation of the State Constitution.

Citizens may download a petition here Redistricting Petition and contact members of the Legislative Reapportionment commission with their concerns.

Click on the members below for e-mail contact:

Legislative Reapportionment Commission, Judge Stephen J. McEwen Jr., Chair

Sen. Dominic Pileggi

Sen. Jay Costa

Rep. Mike Turzai

Rep. Frank Dermody

Here also is the message to the same end, telephoned and emailed to the Borough’s distribution list:

Community Blackboard Message: November 26, 2011

Dear West Chester Borough Neighbors:

This is West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta. Borough Council and I need your help.  We are asking West Chester citizens to contact the State Reapportionment Commission by November 30, and let them know that West Chester voters object to splitting the Borough into two House districts.

The proposed redistricting would remove half of the Borough and half of West Chester University and place it in a district which is mainly in Delaware County. We firmly believe this split between two districts would significantly diminish and dilute West Chester’s voice at the state level, and that the plan is a direct violation of the State Constitution.

West Chester is a complex, regional urban center. We are the County Seat, of Chester County. West Chester needs a unified voice in Harrisburg to address its unique needs.  We urge you to speak out now. Visit www.downtownwestchester.com for details. Thank you!

Carolyn T. Comitta, Mayor
Holly Brown, Borough Council President
Borough of West Chester

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Posted in Borough, State | Tags: , ,

Posted by: wcdem2 | November 26, 2011

WC government: complain to Reapportionment Commission

Community Blackboard Message: November 26, 2011

Dear West Chester Borough Neighbors:

This is West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta. Borough Council and I need your help.  We are asking West Chester citizens to contact the State Reapportionment Commission by November 30, and let them know that West Chester voters object to splitting the Borough into two House districts.

The proposed redistricting would remove half of the Borough and half of West Chester University and place it in a district which is mainly in Delaware County. We firmly believe this split between two districts would significantly diminish and dilute West Chester’s voice at the state level, and that the plan is a direct violation of the State Constitution. 

West Chester is a complex, regional urban center. We are the County Seat, of Chester County. West Chester needs a unified voice in Harrisburg to address its unique needs.  We urge you to speak out now. Visit www.downtownwestchester.com for details. Thank you!

Carolyn T. Comitta, Mayor
Holly Brown, Borough Council President
Borough of West Chester

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Posted in Borough

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