Bucks County

A dispute over attempts to move a polling station in Bensalem goes to court today, with Democrats arguing that the attempted move is a Republican ploy to stifle turnout.

The Inquirer reports that the federal voting rights lawsuit filed by Democratic voters is scheduled to be heard in Philadelphia today.

At issue is a polling station in Creekside Apartments. Turnout could impact Democrat Harris Martin's efforts to unseat state Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bensalem) in the 18th Legislative District.

PIPERSVILLE -- At U.S. Sen. John McCain's town hall meeting here Monday, the presumptive Republican nominee was challenged by a questioner who said his appraoch to development of new energy techonologies required a greater push by the federal government.

McCain respectfully disagreed, saying the approach was rooted in encouraging free-market style innovation.

"The way to solve this issue is the let a thousand flowers bloom," he said.

Here is the full video of his response. 

Anti-war protestor outside a John McCain town hall event Monday in Bucks County. Several dozen were on hand in Pipersville: Politicker PhotoPIPERSVILLE -- Anytime U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Airz.) campaigns in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Iraq war protestors are there. They were there in Philadelphia. And they were there in larger numbers today in Bucks County, where McCain appeared at a town hall event here.

This time, several dozen convened outside the contracting company warehouse where McCain spoke. A couple stood by the street corner leading to the company complex holding signs against the war.

Inside, as he usually does in campaign appearance, McCain said America was now winning the war.

PIPERSVILLE -- The presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) rolled into this quiet, rural village in the Philadelphia suburbs today, as McCain addressed voters in packed company warehouse a month after cancelling the event because of a head cold.

McCain arrived at Worth & Company Inc., in Bucks County after rolling through the state from Harrisburg. As more than 1,000 people looked on in the crowded warehouse on a hot day, he gave only brief remarks before taking questions. But he did take time to give a nod of approval to both Worth & Company, calling it a "great American story," as well as the state's residents serving in the military.

"No one has served more heroically than the Pennsylvania Guard and reserve, and I know you're very proud," he said.

A political battle between two powerful Bucks County women seems headed for resolution on Saturday, when a Republican Party reorganization meeting will yield a new vice chair for the first time in over three decades.

Keren McIlhinney Putnam, 65, has long been a force in Bucks County politics as the Republican Committee vice chair under longtime party leader Harry Fawkes. Rarely in her more than 30-year run as vice chair has McIlhinney Putnam, protected by Fawkes, ever been seriously challenged for reelection.

But last week she decided to cease her bid for reelection, paving the way for state party treasurer Pat Poprik to take her place, The Intelligencer reports.

"I realize now that even by winning the office of vice chairman, we would not have united leadership for the party," she wrote in a letter to committee members last week, according to The Intelligencer.

After considering ending his 36-year run as Bucks County's top Republican Party official, Harry Fawkes said Thursday that he would seek reelection for another two-year term, The Bucks County Courier Times reports.

“I've been doing this for 36 years and I think I want to continue to do what I can for Bucks County and the Republican Party,” said Fawkes, the chairman of the Bucks County Republican Committee.

His decision to run again, announced in a letter to Republican Committee members this week, confirmed an earlier report by PolitickerPA's Wally Edge. He is expected to run unopposed.

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was scheduled to appear at a town hall meeting in Bucks County tomorrow, but his campaign e-mailed reporters this afternoon saying the event had been cancelled.

McCain, the presumptive Republican nomninee for president, will also not make a scheduled press briefing after the town hall meeting, which was to have been held at a Pipersville company locked in a fight with the state over wages.

The campaign did not say why the appearance was cancelled or where the candidate will be. A campaign spokesperson was not immediately available to elaborate.

Steve Santarsiero, a Democratic Lower Makefield Supervisor and candidate for State House, said yesterday he would lead efforts to block sex offenders from social networking sites.

After promising legislation similar to that in New York, his Republican opponent for the 31st District seat chimed in with support.

"I think that, as [Santarsiero] would, I would support anything that protects our kids as long as it was legal, constitutional, workable and had real teeth," fellow Lower Makefield Supervisor Peter Stainthorpe told The Bucks County Courier Times.

The six members of the borough council were unanimous in choosing Dennis O’Brien to replace Glenn Hains, who resigned recently to be Bucks County’s solicitor.

O’Brien, who taught in the Neshaminy school district for 31 years and is also president of the Newtown Library Co., will take the oath of office next week.

 “I love Newtown as a community. ... I have no political allegiance except to the borough,” O'Brien said.