Mercer County Conservatives Undergoes Some Retooling

Written by Roberta Biros

The Mercer County Conservatives website was modified slightly last year. The changes were made for two reasons. The first reason is that I was devoting my energy toward my political campaign and removed portions of the site that required time-consuming maintenance. Second, I modified the site in an effort to diffuse some of the rhetoric that was surfacing from both sides of the aisle in local politics. Many articles were temporarily suspended from public viewing, and the “comment” feature was turned off to prevent ugly arguments. My political campaign last year triggered lots of emotions from Republicans and Democrats alike, and I couldn’t keep up with the constant arguing between politicians while also managing my own campaign for public office. I toned things down a bit in an effort to get through the campaign with my sanity intact.

Now that the campaign is squarely behind me, I’ve taken a look at Mercer County Conservatives and have decided to once again let out all of the stops. The changes are numerous, but here is a brief overview:

Our standard website at http://www.mercerconservatives.com/ has been re-initialized and re-tooled. The purpose of the site is to provide some structure to our blog and to make our content available to people and search engines in a simple HTML format. You can continue to access our blog through the mercerconservatives.blogspot.com address, but as an alternative you can access the blog through our standard web page at http://www.mercerconservatives.com/. It is an easier address to remember and it serves as a jump off point for our many activities.

Site Update #1: Most Popular Topics

The MercerConservatives.com site now offers an exciting summary area which provides easy access to our most popular topics. According to our web statistics, we receive the most traffic from individuals searching on the following topics through the standard search engines (Google, Yahoo, other). I’ve provided a brief opinion of why each topic is of interest.

Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper

The single most popular search query that points people to our many websites is the name of Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper. The Congresswoman’s personality creates quite a bit of curiosity amongst the electorate. While on the exterior Mrs. Dahlkemper carries herself in a distinguished manner, when you get an opportunity to talk to her she comes off more like a wet blanket than a U.S. Congressperson.

Congresswoman Dahlkemper is an anomaly to the educated politico. She is neither Republican nor Democrat. She is neither conservative nor liberal. She is neither “Blue Dog” nor Progressive. She attempts to be all things to all people, and yet manages to stand for nothing (I will expand upon this topic with a full blog post later this week). People are intrigued by her in much the same way that we ponder the age old question of “why do tornados always manage to find a trailer park to destroy”. Those in “the know” wonder about Mrs. Dahlkemper and they seek information in one of the few places that it is available . . . the internet. The internet is still one of the few places where freedom of speech is exercised on a daily basis. It is no wonder that she is our #1 topic of interest (nationwide, statewide, and countywide).

Representative Michele Brooks

People seek information regarding State Representative Michele Brooks from our site for numerous reasons. On the state-wide front, there are fiscal conservatives that watch the activities of Ms. Brooks and others in hopes of someday turning around the budgetary problems of the Commonwealth. Ms. Brooks has become an important member of a fiscal conservative movement in Harrisburg that is watched closely by many groups that support good government. Rep. Brooks also draws web traffic from her numerous enemies on the left who are just waiting for her to trip and fall in the public arena.

Running unopposed this year, Rep. Brooks finds herself in the cat-bird seat (a comfortable position that is also shared by Reps. Stevenson and Longietti and Senator Robbins). Unfortunately for her, the uncontrollable tendency to put friends, supporters, and concerned citizens on the backburner until she decides that needs them again may be a mistake in the long run. The “incumbent attitude” may eventually leave some former supporters with a sense that she is no different than the rest. For now, however, Rep. Brooks is at the top of her game, and she gets the web traffic that proves it.

State Senator Bob Robbins

I’m quite sure that the reason people come to our site in search of information regarding “our fine Senator” is that we are the only place on the internet that validates that “Coconut Bob” is, in fact, still alive and kicking. His inability to understand technology leaves his web presence well below zero. He rarely if ever publishes information about his accomplishments on the web. It may be because he doesn’t think it is important . . . or it is probably because he has no accomplishments to publicize. Yes, he still holds office, but only because he has made the position look so uninteresting that no one else wants it. State Senator "Coconut Bob" Robbins holds spot #3 in our most popular blog topics.

Roberta Biros

In the top of the pack of search queries, we find "Roberta Biros". Yep, that’s me.

While I’m currently nothing more than a concerned citizen, I draw attention from all corners of the state and county. While it is not unusual to receive daily visits to our sites from Mercer Countians looking for information about me and my very public opinions, I find it amazing when folks from Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh are typing my name into Google to learn more about me and my blog topics. Perhaps I should consider more activities statewide in the future?

Mercer County Commissioners and Farm Subsidies

These two topics rate almost equal in web search queries. Searches regarding Commissioners John Lechner, Ken Ammann, and Brian Beader (a.k.a. Moe, Larry, and Curly) are frequent throughout Mercer County. It is no doubt that the reason for the frequent searches is the disgust and dissatisfaction that many Mercer Countians have with our three stooges. The common link to Farm Subsidies is interesting as this issue of corruption is only tied to one of our fine Commissioners (Mr. Ammann), but many people in Mercer County and across the state link the two topics together. I find that very interesting.

Representative Mark Longietti and Representative Dick Stevenson

Rounding out the bottom of our most popular web queries are Representative Longietti and Representative Dick Stevenson. These two legislators receive an almost equal number of queries on a monthly basis. Both legislators fail to stand out in any positive way. They generally follow partisan straight-party politics, and they leave many political enthusiasts in the state looking for more substance. Unfortunately, it is an impossible task as these legislators are an unexciting as watching paint dry. Web visitors may be looking for more, but I simply don’t have anything to offer as both are simply politicians whose main concern is their own political well-being.

Site Update #2: Comments are Back ON

MercerConservatives.com has always been about sharing ideas and talking about current issues. The center of the conversation was our blog “comment” feature. Last year (during my campaign) I suspended “comments” as I simply didn’t have the time to moderate or respond to the many conversations that were going on. Now that we are back on track, I’ve re-initialized comments on the site so that we can get back to discussing the business of Mercer County politics. In making the change, I’ve also made available all of our past on-line conversations regarding farm subsidies, past County corruption and scandals, and examples of poor character in local politics. All of that information is back on-line and available for your review. Enjoy!

Site Update #3: The Gloves are Off

As a last update to MercerConservatives.com, I’ve given up on all attempts to “fit in” politically. I will no longer try to fit my square peg into any round holes that have been created in Mercer County. Instead, I will open up the flood gates and talk about EVERY ISSUE without any need to hold back or stifle my more controversial opinions. Everyone is an open target, and I will direct my comments (both good and bad) equally in all directions.

So there you have it. Our goals of providing the Mercer County electorate with information about good government, fiscal responsibility, and worthy public servants are back on track and ready to roll. Our comments and commentary will be unfiltered . . . non-partisan . . . and honest. We will share our opinions and we invite you to join in the conversation.

Welcome to the official unveiling of Mercer County Conservatives 2.0!

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Rep. Mark Longietti announces Financial assistance available for people with autism

LEGISLATOR ANNOUNCEMENT

From the Office of State Representative Mark Longietti:

I am pleased to inform you that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as families with a member who has it, can apply for state grants of up to $500 to help offset the costs of certain services or activities. The deadline to apply for this program is April 16.

Priority will be given to individuals who did not receive this grant from the Bureau of Autism Services in the past. Remaining grants will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Total funding for these mini-grants is limited.
To apply, visit the bureau’s Web site. You may also call toll free 1-866-539-7689 (select Option #2) and leave a message requesting a paper application be mailed to you.

As always, please contact me if you have questions about this, or any other state-related issue.

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Rep. Michele Brooks Says Applications Now Available for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

LEGISLATOR ANNOUNCEMENT

Rep. Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Mercer/Lawrence) would like to let residents know that forms for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2009 are now available and offers assistance to residents in completing the rebate forms.

Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with permanent disabilities.

Eligibility income limits for homeowners and renters are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits:

• $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and renters)
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners and renters)
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners only)
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners only)

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has been paid to qualified applicants.

Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. Applications are due by June 30.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting Brooks’ office at (724) 588-8911 or (800) 457-2040 or by visiting her Web site at RepMicheleBrooks.com.

Rep. Michele Brooks

17th District Pennsylvania House of Representatives

(724) 588-8911

(800) 457-2040

(814) 337-8132

(717) 783-5008

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Following My Moral Compass

Written by Roberta Biros

I was watching Fox and Friends on Saturday Morning (2/20), and I was intrigued by a conversation between Fox’s Peter Johnson Jr. and guest Bob McEwen, Chairman of Renewing American Leadership and former Ohio Congressman. The conversation began in reference to the CPAC convention and the people that were in attendance. Peter Johnson Jr. asked the following question of Mr. McEwen:

People who share the beliefs of CPAC . . . how do they act on it? How do they get involved in the process? What do they do?

In response, Mr. McEwen made the following statement:

People refer to it as the Tea Party movement, but certainly in Ohio what we have seen is that people have said “How do these things happen” . . . “How do these people get chosen”? And what we have seen is that people have become involved that never were involved before . . . to run for the local precinct committeeman, to run for the school board . . . the number that filed during the last week have set all-time records.
I admit that the people that pull the wagons, that coach the little league, that teach Sunday school, the people that have never been involved in government before . . . this has been an awakening time when we see where folks were headed to destroy our currency, to destroy our balance of trade, and to tell us that we had to learn to live with less and that America had to learn to be a second-rate country. Americans don’t believe that and they aren’t going to put up with it.

The conversation was very interesting. Some of you may, however, wonder why I found the conversation SO intriguing. Please allow me to fill you in.

A little background information

For those of you that are not familiar with me or my writings, I shared my personal political confusions very publicly last year. I wrote about my problems with the local GOP in Mercer County, and I then later shared my thought process regarding changing political parties (away from the GOP). The posts below tell the story:

What is a Conservative to Do When They Find Themselves Without a Party?

A Conservative Without a Party?: Perhaps I’m Not Alone After All

I’m Still a Conservative, but I’m OFFICIALLY No Longer a Republican

I left the Republican Party because I was disappointed with the way that the party was controlled locally (as well as at the state and federal levels), and I desperately wanted to be a part of positive change (most specifically in our County government). I moved to the Democrat Party in an attempt to facilitate that positive change. Unfortunately, I ran into the same problems with the Democrats as I had experienced with the Republicans. I found this out after I decided to run for county-wide office. I eventually found that the local Republicans and Democrats had nothing to do with good government or positive change. Instead, both parties (and the elected officials associated with those parties) are attached at the hip in a “very close circle of friends” that we call the “Mercer County Incumbent Party”.

What does it all mean?

It was all very fascinating, and my experiences during the 2009 election cycle were extremely valuable. My point, however, is that I DID exactly what Mr. McEwen referred to in his comments noted above. I was someone that had NEVER been involved in politics, but I decided to get involved because I was tired of sitting back and watching our government “fall off a cliff”. I decided to get involved . . . just like thousands and thousands of people are deciding to do this year. While I did not win my race in 2009, I made a great first step in the process. Most importantly, I have NOT GIVEN UP. I will continue to push and I will continue to work hard to attempt to penetrate the “inner circle” in Mercer County politics.

But what is next?

It was heart-warming to hear that I am certainly not alone in my quest, but my problems with “the parties” continue to cause me personal conflict on how to move forward. I was further intrigued when I watched Glen Beck’s keynote address at CPAC on Saturday night. I’ve always found Glen Beck to be common-sense oriented, and I like that. His speech on Saturday night, however, sincerely struck a chord with me. He simplified the problem with BOTH parties by explaining that the single problem with both Republicans and Democrats is PROGRESSIVISM. Progressives and progressive ideas are the root of our problems in this country, and both Republicans and Democrats are to blame. The only way to save our country and to clean up our government is to purge the system of Progressives!

Politicians from both parties and at all levels of government have decided that the ONLY way to solve our problems is to TAX and SPEND (or simply just SPEND). Progressives (a.k.a. “liberals”) are less interested with being self-sufficient and fiscally responsible and they are more interested in building size of the government. Democrats and Republicans are both guilty of it, and it is up to CONSERVATIVES to fix it.

Continuing to move forward as a Conservative

Regardless of my “party affiliation”, I’ve always remained a Conservative. Issues of fiscal conservatism are at the forefront of my blog posts, and those same issues were at the forefront of my political campaign in 2009. What I found most interesting was that those fiscally conservative ideals were accepted and embraced by both Republicans and Democrats. When party labels are thrown out the window and you take the time to actually TALK to voters, those voters are all (generally) on the same page. In my campaign as a fiscally conservative Democrat, my message was absolutely correct . . . I simply failed to share that message with enough voters before Election Day.

Are all politicians bad?

Don’t get me wrong . . . not ALL politicians are dirty rotten scoundrels. There are actual conservatives out there that work hard to try to make a difference. Unfortunately, they are often hard to find in all of the “white noise” that is generated by everyone else. The old-time incumbents that are there to simply suck off of the “government tit” are easy to spot (and I know exactly who they are). They generally stay out of the lime-light so as not to draw attention to themselves. In other words, they DON’T DO ANYTHING.

Hard-working conservatives are easy to spot (and I'm very familiar with them as well). They are always publicly providing their opinions on political issues (in an effort to draw legislative issues into the public’s attention) . . . they hold regular “town hall meetings” in an effort to keep the lines of communication open . . . they send out newsletters (both electronic and print) in order to keep the electorate informed of important issues . . . and they are willing to take their fair share of shots from the press because they firmly STAND FOR SOMETHING.

Checking my moral compass

So, where do I go from here? Politics are dirty, and most of the politicians involved in the politics are even more dirty. Republicans are concerned with self-preservation and protecting their political careers, and Democrats are concerned with self-preservation and protecting their political careers. Since both parties are equally bad, why would I want to be involved with either one? How do you choose? How do you really select the “lesser of two evils”? OR, does party really even matter any more?

So I’m back to where I was a year ago . . .

What is a Conservative to Do When They Find Themselves Without a Party?

As always, just my opinion. ~Mercer Conservatives

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District Attorney Kochems uses drug money as his own personal “Cash Cow”

Written by Roberta Biros

There was a very short but compelling news brief published in The Herald on Friday (02/12/2010). Just in case you missed it, you may read it on-line HERE. The piece is titled “New full-time ADA spot for prosecutors office”. If you haven’t read it, please do so now. Once you’ve read it, please take an opportunity to read it again. After reading it a second time, are you left scratching your head? If so, you are not alone. There is a much bigger story behind this snippet, and The Herald simply isn’t doing their job if they don’t attempt to dig deeper. Matt Snyder, WHERE ARE YOU?

Let me break the article down into smaller pieces for you (much in the way that a mother bird first chews and digests a meal for her young so that she can later regurgitate it into smaller pieces that are easier for her chicks to consume). I do this so that we can ALL take pleasure in the details and potentials of this story . . . every little savory nugget!

Topic #1:

Mercer County Commissioners (Moe, Larry, and Curly . . . oops . . . Brian Beader, John Lechner, and Ken Ammann) are holding hands with Mercer County District Attorney (Bob “let me see your tax returns” Kochems) as they announce that they will be switching out a part-time assistant DA for a full-time one. This is, of course, to meet the demands of the court schedule.

The article further goes on to explain that DA Kochems “is looking for more full-time employees in part because of their aging prosecutors. As they retire, new prosecutors have to be trained, and that can sometimes take time.”

Lastly, the article explains that the Mercer County District Attorney’s Office currently includes a full-time DA (that would be Kochems), five (5) full-time assistant district attorneys, a full-time juvenile district attorney, a full-time management position, and three (3) part-time assistant district attorneys. In summary . . . 1 DA, 9 ADAs, and 1 manager.

Head Scratch #1:

We should all be reminded that Mercer County doesn’t even require a full-time District Attorney. The fact is that Mercer County would only have a part-time District Attorney if we weren’t FORCED to have a full-time DA by a State Mandate. A currently UNFUNDED STATE MANDATE, I might add.

When the State decided that we NEEDED a full-time DA, they also promised to pay the difference in salary for that expanded position. It is my understanding that those funds are still outstanding from the State Treasury. We are already paying for a full-time DA that we can’t afford, but we are ALSO paying for NINE (9) ASSISTANT District Attorneys? Are you kidding me? Is Mercer County so crime ridden that it requires a total of 10 DA/ADAs?

Does anyone else see a problem here? Are all of the DA/ADAs being fully utilized? Is that utilization being documented? What is the total salary expense for the DAs office?

Topic #2:

The most interesting part of the article is how the District Attorney has figured out how to fund the upgrade of a part-time ADA to a full-time ADA. It seems that DA Kochems has decided to fund the next two years of this new spot with $25,000 “in seized drug money”. According to The Herald, “Kochems said when the $25,000 runs out in two years, they will have to look for new ways to fund the position during tight fiscal years.”

Head Scratch #2:

Okay. How do I say this politely? How do I measure my response so that it doesn’t come off as “mean-spirted”? How about this . . .

Since when does seized drug money become the personal “slush fund” for the District Attorney’s office?

How is that for a “head scratch”? Matt Snyder, are you reading this?

Head Scratch #3:

Next, what kind of assistant district attorney do you get for $12,500 annually? If that is the only cost of an assistant district attorney, I think we should FIRE the entire staff of the court house and replace all employees and row office holders with assistant district attorneys. It would be the deal of the century.

Something tells me that the math on this “deal” just doesn’t jive with reality. Does anyone else see a problem here? Matt Snyder, are you reading this?

Head Scratch #4:

What other “slush fund” money does that District Attorney’s office have access to? I would love to see some record keeping of “found money” that the DAs office has rolled into “special projects”. As a tax payer, I’d rather see “found money” become part of the general fund rather than a fringe benefit for Mr. Kochems. After all, the taxpayers DO fund the DAs office too, right?

Topic #3:

As if topics 1 & 2 weren’t enough, the article in The Herald noted:

“Commissioners, who are doing their own re-arranging of county employees, applauded the courts for finding a way to fund the position during tight fiscal years”

Head Scratch #5:

I can just picture it now . . . . Moe, Larry, and Curly are standing side-by-side applauding our fine District Attorney. Afterwards, “the stooges” sat down to determine how THEY can “find” themselves a little extra spending money. They wonder where they can find themselves a great drug dealer to take down in order to fill their piggy banks.

Maybe I’m over thinking this just a bit, but is this how you would describe “prudent fiscal management”?

All I can say is, “This is county government at its finest!” (Yes, that was intended to be a "tongue in cheek" comment . . . in case you weren't sure.)



My job here with Mercer County Conservatives is just too easy. This stuff simply writes itself.

As always, just my opinion.

~Mercer Conservatives

Rep. Michele Brooks’ Resolution Requests Federal Official to Reject Pennsylvania as 9-11 Trial Site

LEGISLATOR ANNOUNCEMENT

To honor and respect the memory of the heroic passengers and crew members killed aboard United Airlines Flight 93 in Somerset County on Sept. 11, 2001, and to protect the safety and well being of Pennsylvania residents, Rep. Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Mercer/Lawrence) is sponsoring a resolution urging the U.S. Attorney General to remove Pennsylvania as a possible location for the upcoming trial of the terrorists.

“We owe the brave men and women aboard that flight our eternal gratitude and respect for their bravery and patriotism shown in their final hours,” Brooks said. “These people were true American heroes, and to consider Pennsylvania as a location for the trial is dishonorable at best.”

The resolution, which Brooks expects to formally introduce in the House in the coming days, requests the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Eric Holder eliminate Pennsylvania from consideration as an alternative location for the trials of the Sept. 11, 2001, masterminds. The criminals are slated to go on trial in New York City; however, the Obama administration has since announced that alternative locations are being considered. The decision on an alternative location is being left up to Attorney General Holder.

Since this announcement, the federal court in the Western District of Pennsylvania – which includes all of Pennsylvania – has been mentioned as an alternative.

“The military should be handling these trials as the risks are too great to our homeland security. Although the federal government is now pledging $200 million to help pay for security costs, there is no indication that this amount will cover all of the necessary expenses which must be undertaken to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Brooks added.

Rep. Michele Brooks
17th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(724) 588-8911
(800) 457-2040
(814) 337-8132
(717) 783-5008
Member Site: RepMicheleBrooks.com
Caucus Site: PAHouseGOP.com

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