Harris/Means Update [UPDATED]

This came in an email to me:

The PG and Trib endorsed Sue Means. PG said Harris wasn't informed or qualified. Trib said that Republicans made a mistake when they picked Harris over Means to replace Gastgeb and the voter has the chance to right that wrong.  Maybe if the three Republicans currently on council, led by Heidlebaugh, had not held the vetting and vote in secret, breaking the Sunshine Laws, we could have gotten the right selection.

On top of above, Cold Sparks is working for both the Wagner campaign and the Peduto campaign. That means Krista, et al is taking money from Democrats which should also disqualify her. Should Cold Sparks continue to work for the winner, then Krista and her husband will have to resign from the Mr. Lebanon Republican Committee...

Update May 24, 2013 8:10 PM

 

"Laurel: To Sue Means. Fifth District Allegheny County voters rejected spoils-system politics when they elected the Bethel Park Republican to serve out the remaining term of departed County Councilman Vince Gastgeb. She defeated Republican Krista Harris, appointed to the seat on an interim basis as a reward for a relative's work on another pol's campaign. Here's to voters who rejected such a machination."

http://triblive.com/mobile/4040053-96/pittsburgh-sports-lance

At least they got this right

Ouch! Read what the Trib has to say about Krista Harris.


Voters in Allegheny County Council's 5th District have an opportunity on Tuesday to use their franchise to right a political wrong.

When marginal Republican Vince Gastgeb of Bethel Park, a 13-year veteran, left the council in February to do Democrat Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald's bidding for the county Airport Authority, the GOP had the opportunity to name a replacement. It chose Krista Harris of Mt. Lebanon. Actually, she was a “chit choice” — a spoils appointment for the work of a political operative relative.

Voters in the district composed of Bethel Park, Bridgeville, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair deserve better than such rank political spoilage. That's why they should vote for Sue Means, 61, of Bethel Park.

Mrs. Means is no stranger to conservative political circles. Trained as a nurse, she's long been engaged in politics — she's run, twice unsuccessfully, for the Pennsylvania General Assembly — and in community service in the South Hills. She's a good, engaged and decent person. And if you don't know her personally, you'll recognize the name of her family's business, Brookside Lumber.

Because there's no Democrat in the primary, the winner of the GOP primary on Tuesday will serve out the remaining two years of Mr. Gastgeb's term. Fifth District voters would serve their best interests (and that of the political process) by rejecting representation by proxy and voting for representation by Sue Means.

Read more: http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/3999522-74/political-primary-sue#ixzz2TcC4XtmB

Gastgeb's replacement

Mt. Lebanon's Krista Harris will be replacing Councilman Vince Gastgeb for County Council. Allegheny County Council Republicans have selected Ms. Harris to represent Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, and Bridgeville until the special election which will be held in November. It is expected that Krista will go on to win the May primary and become the party's candidate to fill the remainder to Mr. Gastgeb's term, which runs through 2016.

Krista Harris made the news when Rich Fitzgerald and her husband, Mark had a verbal altercation after the November 2011 debate for county executive. Raja: Fitz behavior "erratic" When Krista shook Fitzgerald's hand and said, "I'm his wife,"  Fitzgerald, smiling, responded with: "I wouldn't be proud of that."

Republican candidates have until March 12 to submit their nomination petitions with 250 signatures for the May primary.

It's Your Turn

In Mt. Lebanon, candidates are needed for Wards 2 and 4 on the Commission side while four seats for School Board are opening up.  The first day to obtain signatures for candidates' nomination petitions is February 19, 2013.   In addition, the GOP is looking to fill Vince Gastgeb's seat.

I received this timely letter to the editor from a former elected official who would like to remain anonymous.

It's Your Turn

In local politics everything is personal. All decisions at this level of government affect our children's education, our traffic patterns, our First Friday's, the quality of the streets on which we drive. Local officials also determine the levels of income and property tax we pay to our school district and municipality.

These decisions impact each and every one of us every day. That's why I am hoping that more of us take these issues personally.

It's personal when my home appraisal goes up 50% but my neighbor who bought their house at the same price as mine is underassessed by 30%. It's personal for some people when a Commission decides to let high powered rifles be fired literally feet from our homes. It's personal for parents when their children are being taught a math curriculum with which they disagree.

So here is my challenge to the everyday residents of Mt. Lebanon. If you get the sense that things are a bit off kilter and that you might have some ideas on how to change local government for the better, then consider a run for school board or commission.

Run if you think math needs to change,
Or if it makes you feel deranged.

Run if you want to shoot deer with high powered rifle
Run if you want deer over for after-dinner trifle

If you think the school board is competent
Or if you think the board is incontinent
RUN!

If you want to fill our fields full of plastic
or if you think that kind of money is too drastic,
RUN!

Whether you want things to be the same
Or you just want someone else to blame
RUN!

Don't sit down and let people question
"Why only these same people up for election?"

Ten signatures gets you on the primary ballot
At times you may feel as if struck by a mallet

But the rewards of lifelong friendships are great
The people you meet and affect will appreciate

That you spend all your spare time
Trying to save them that dime.

February 19th comes quick
Give me somebody new to pick!

Go to the County Elections Page
And just maybe you will become all the rage!

http://www.alleghenycounty.us/elect/cal.aspx