Carolyn Comitta

Local legislators join fight to bring clean energy solutions

/ wcdem2 / Leave a comment

Daily Local News, 7/26/18

State Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, right, Mayor Dianne Herrin, and West Chester University Director of Sustainability, Bradley Flamm, take questions at a clean energy forum promoting clean energy solutions Wednesday night.

West Chester >> On Wednesday night, PennEnvironment was joined by state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, state Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, Mayor Dianne Herrin, and West Chester University Director of Sustainability, Bradley Flamm, to hold a clean energy forum promoting clean energy solutions and calling on Pennsylvania to transition to 100 percent renewable energy as quickly as possible.

Almost 90 Chester County residents joined the panelists Wednesday night at Mitchell Hall at West Chester University, filling the room to the point of standing room only. Event attendees submitted questions for the panelists, and an engaging discussion ensued about how residents can work together to push for clean energy and ensure a healthy, livable climate for all.

With record heat waves and torrential downpours hitting the state and wildfires burning across the West Coast, the need for clean energy solutions and moving off of fossil fuels to solve climate change could not be any clearer.

“As Pennsylvanians, we have a constitutionally-protected right to ‘clean air, pure water and the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.’ We must continue to assert ourselves in defending and supporting those rights,” said Dinniman.

The state-elected officials in attendance both cosponsored legislation in the General Assembly that would require Pennsylvania to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. This legislation is HB2132 in the state House and SB1140 in the state Senate. Continue reading →

Advertisement

“Families Belong Together” rally, West Chester, June 30

/ wcdem2 / 1 Comment

Our elected representatives were there in force, all speaking eloquently to the crowd of about 600. Some highlights:

West Chester Mayor Dianne Herrin:

“We are here because we are facing a crisis that transcends politics.”

“We will not be accomplices to this cruelty that is before us.”

“We are going to insure Liberty and justice until we win.”

156th district representative in Harrisburg Carolyn Comitta serves on the Governor’s Commission on Women, which together with the Commission on Latino Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs, and African American Affairs has issued a joint statement denouncing the separation of families and the use of children as “political pawns.”

See the text at “Governor’s Advisory Commissions Urge Reunification of Immigrant Families,” 6/26/18.

State Senator Andy Dinniman (D-19) noted that he has spoken many times on the court House steps, but never thought he’d be there protesting the separation of families by the US government.

His remarks received sustained applause, including “It’s cruel, it’s immoral, it’s wrong, and we’ll make sure that it stops” and “We are here today to reclaim the soul of America.”

See the full video of the rally, courtesy of Chester County Community TV Live, here. And don’t miss WCDem singer par excellence Stephanie Phillips, in the video at 7:50.

SEEKING ANSWERS: Leaders call on Costello to explain his vote to cut EPA’s budget

/ wcdem2 / Leave a comment

By Fran Maye, Daily Local News [online only in e-paper], 9/30/17

“Without the EPA’s protection, communities would be unable to argue that our constitutional rights to a clean environment should be protected. We need to set the example and demand that our legislators stand up for the environmental rights that our laws allow.” — Carol Armstrong, The Way Forward

WEST CHESTER » In a rally at the old courthouse Friday afternoon, community leaders called on U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R6th Dist.) to answer for his vote to cut $800 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Interior’s budgets.

State Rep. Carolyn Comitta speaks to a crowd in West Chester on Friday, calling on U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello to answer for his vote to cut $800 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Interior’s budgets.

“As a former county commissioner, I am sure Congressman Costello knows Chester County has a strong record supporting environmental protection,” said Diane LeBold, West Chester council president. “But with his vote to cut the EPA budget, it is clear Congressman Costello has fallen in line with those who are answering to a different constituency – the powerful corporations who are jumping at the chance to take apart the EPA and block enforcement of existing regulations. This is very disturbing. I am here to tell Mr. Costello and his colleagues in Congress that they are fighting a losing battle.”

State Rep. Carolyn Comitta told the crowd they can take action by writing to their local lawmakers, and to join her in the fight to protect the environment.

“Our DEP has seen funding and staff cuts over the last several years that seriously hinders their ability to do their job,” Comitta said. “The potential harm to our streams, groundwater and air from lack of consistent enforcement pose serious public health hazards.”

Dianne Herrin, chair of the West Chester’s sustainability advisory committee, said climate change is real, evidenced by recent natural disasters.

“We are facing complete federal inaction on climate change,” she said. “The reality is at the federal level we are going backwards and yet we are in a time of environmental crisis. Think about what has happened in the past few months….

read more in e-paper (by subscription)

Rep. Comitta (D-156) proposes Pipeline Communication and Safety Board

/ wcdem2 / Leave a comment

See her video announcement “Comitta Fighting To Keep Pipelines Safe” at YouTube. Text there:

Published on Jun 19, 2017

The creation of a Pipeline Communication and Safety Board is needed, as our state government struggles to keep residents up to date on pipeline construction, operation and maintenance. The Pipeline Communication and Safety Board will ensure timely and effective dissemination of relevant information to help all citizens, and make our government agencies more efficient.

Remember the Ladies, May 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

/ wcdem2 / Leave a comment

State Representative Carolyn Comitta works for you!! You are her strongest supporters and helped to elect her to the Pennsylvania State House so she could advocate for the issues of concern to you! She’s only just begun to make a difference in what we all know has been a very fractured, partisan, ineffective state legislature. That is why it is so important to make sure she stays in office, to represent you!!

To ensure Carolyn’s re-election in 2018, we are hosting the second annual Remember the Ladies fundraising event in support of Carolyn’s campaign. Will we see you there?

This event will take place on May 4th, 5:30-7:30pm at Milestone Events. Your continued support will make all the difference in her chances to win reelection in 2018. To sign up online, please use this link, which will take you to the donation page.

As most of you are well aware, Carolyn’s race for State Representative was won by the slimmest of margins ( 25 Votes!!). Recent analysis of voter registration shows this district with 37% registered Democrats, 17% Independents and 46% Republicans. She beat the odds by winning this seat, because of supporters like you!!

The 2018 campaign to hold this seat has begun!! Our second annual Remember the Ladies (and the gents who support the ladies) will be held on May 4th, from 5:30-7:30pm at Milestone Events, 600 E. Market Street, West Chester. Many of you were able to attend last year and we hope you and others who missed it will be able to attend this year.

‘House’-hold Name: Former West Chester Mayor Comitta looks back – & ahead to rep’s job

/ wcdem2 / Leave a comment

by Bill Rettew, Daily Local News, 4/1/17

WEST CHESTER >> The world is full of lovers and fighters.

Former borough councilwoman, mayor and newly elected state Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, is both. There’s a small bit of fighter in her DNA, but she loves helping people, which is what propelled her into public service.

The first thing you notice when entering Comitta’s new office is a pair of boxing gloves sitting on her desk.

The gloves were a gift from her husband, Tom Comitta, a town planner.

“A year after I became mayor, I realized that I had a lot of work to do,” she said. “I went to Tom and said, ‘It’s time to put on the boxing gloves.’”

When children visit they often want to know about the gloves.

“I put them on the desk to remind me to fight for the best interests of the citizens and to remind me that it sometimes takes a lot of effort to move forward,” Comitta said.

Comitta stepped down from her seat as West Chester Mayor March 15 after serving as the leader of the borough for almost eight years.

A one-term councilmember and two-term mayor, she is proudest of her ability to bring people together for collaboration….

read more at Daily Local News

Continue reading →

Mayor Comitta to West Chester

/ wcdem2 / Leave a comment

Tonight I submitted my resignation as Mayor of West Chester. This is a bittersweet moment, as I transition away from a position I have loved for almost 8 years. But I am not leaving you. As your State Representative, serving the 156th Legislative District, I continue to keep my focus on those of you living in the Borough, while expanding that focus to others living in our neighboring townships.

In Harrisburg, my Committee appointments are:

Aging and Older Adult Services
Environmental Resources and Energy
Local Government
Professional Licensure

Recently I spoke before the Appropriations Committee to discuss our concerns surrounding pipelines. See the press release and video here.

I am pleased to announce the opening of my District Office, on March 24th, from 11am-2pm, at 21 W. Washington St., Suite A, West Chester (please see below).

Warmly,

Carolyn

Comitta to host district office open house event Friday, March 24

State Rep. Carolyn Comitta will host an open house event at her district constituent service office, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 24.

Her district office, which is open now, is located at 21 W. Washington St., Suite A.

The 156th Legislative District includes West Chester Borough, West Goshen, East Goshen, Westtown, Birmingham and Thornbury/Chester County.

This open house event is an opportunity to meet Comitta and her staff and to learn about the services they provide locally.

All are invited to this free event. Light refreshments will be served and no RSVP is required. Parking is also available.

“I’m excited to welcome residents of the 156th and for them to know we are here for them,” Comitta said. “We can assist with all state-related business, and refer out when necessary, so we encourage constituents to come in or contact us anytime.”

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
http://www.pahouse.com/Comitta