WASHINGTON COUNTY PRIMARY PRIMER: CORONER, REGISTER OF WILLS, PROTHONOTARY

This commentary will discuss the final three contested Republican primary races that will appear on the May 16 ballot. Each contest comes with its unique history of past performance on the part of the incumbent and a Republican challenger seeking public office for the first time.

Coroner

Tim Warco. Warco is a Washington funeral director who has served eight terms as the Democratic Coroner. He has now switched parties and is running in the Republican primary. He has come under scrutiny by Republicans who question his sincerity as a conservative. Warco’s experience and job performance are beyond reproach.

Marc Zmijowski.  The challenger to the long-term incumbent is also a funeral director with businesses in Roscoe and Charleroi. Zmijowski has not previously served in public office and his campaign is relying on testimonials from friends and family. He appears to have the full support of the Washington County Republican party as one of their own.

Register of Wills

James Roman.  Roman’s term in office as the elected Register of Wills has been marred by a constant stream of his bravado, bullying, incompetence, and defensiveness. In my view, he exemplifies the opposite of what a responsible public servant should be.

I have observed Roman speaking at commissioner’s meetings and leveling personal attacks against other public officials. His bombastic rhetoric included unfounded accusations of corruption and malfeasance that were unproven, embarrassing, and disrespectful. Roman’s outbursts had little to do with the business of the county or with his office. Ironically, his own conduct in office should be a concern for primary voters.

Roman boasts on the campaign trail that the Register of Wills is the best-run office in Washington County. He does not want voters to focus on the unusual staff turnover in his office or his threats of violence in March against an employee. The incident required intervention by Sheriff’s Deputies. Recent disclosures by Republican Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan reveal that staff members have complained about Roman’s conduct. Some have expressed concerns about their safety. This should be enough to disqualify him from office.

Roman’s unwillingness to cooperate with county audit procedures is further grounds for rejecting his stand for reelection. In May of 2021, the county controller found numerous defects with record keeping, internal controls over bank accounts, and untimely payments to the state and county. Rather than correct the problems, Roman challenged the required audit as an effort to discredit him. In March of this year, the Republican controller, April Sloane, was forced to subpoena documents from Roman in order to complete her most recent audit work. She explained: “Mr. Roman kicked us out of his office and tried to fire my audit manager.” On April 19, 2023, the audit was released with findings of inadequate internal controls over banks’ accounts and accounting processes. Roman has attempted to hide behind state audits that do not address these issues.

Roman has a troubling history of behavior that has compelled the Court, which he is elected to serve, to take action against him. During the pandemic, the President Judge issued a courthouse mask mandate. Roman posted a sign stating that masks were not required in his office and was summarily directed to remove the sign. In July 2021, the Court became aware of misplaced, incomplete, and late adoption filings from the Register of Wills Office. After remedial measures were not taken, the President Judge issued a five-page administrative order forcing Roman to correct the deficiencies under threat of contempt.

Christine Wiles Thomas. Ms. Thomas is a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College and has never served in public office.  She has held positions in public education, as Director of the Washington/Greene Association of Realtors, and as past president of Washington Business and Professional Women. 

Thomas refuses to criticize Roman’s term in office but she proclaims that if elected “the office will function in a culture of respect, honesty, and collaboration.” Her public statements do not give the impression that she fully understands the functions of the Register of Wills. However, I have no reason to disbelieve her desire to work with the court to achieve “a positive result” and to “promote efficiency and transparency.”

Prothonotary

Laura Hough. Hough was swept into office in the last Row Office election cycle. She maintains an alliance with her fellow anti-establishment Republican officials.  Hough supports the reelection of both Davis (Clerk of Courts) and Roman (Register of Wills). Hough has at times expressed dissatisfaction with the decision-making of the Republican County administration and of the Court. However, she has managed to avoid confrontations with the Court that would hold her in contempt or place her at odds with the County Controller. In this respect, she is the less extreme of the Row Office contenders that the “patriot” Republicans are supporting in the primary.

When the Court first introduced the new comprehensive Case Management System, Hough opposed it and was vocal in letting the county know she had a better plan. More recently, she has bought into the project and is now campaigning on how the system “will revolutionize the filing processes for the Prothonotary’s Office and its users.”

Kevin Hill. Hill is a former district manager for the Washington County Republican Party. A challenge by Hough to Hill’s nominating petition, because it misrepresented his employment status, was dismissed on Monday. Hill maintains that he is self-employed selling sports memorabilia and that he has business knowledge as a manager in the insurance industry. Traditional Republicans appear to back Hill’s campaign.

 

 

 

AN ENGAGING SOJOURN TO PORTUGAL

Until recently, Portugal was not a major travel destination. Most tourists wanted to visit larger European countries. Portugal was considered too small or more of the same. Once word got out that Portugal offered a unique travel experience, the American tourist began visiting in record numbers.  Moreover, Portugal has become a popular landing spot for retired Americans seeking year round great weather along the coast and an inexpensive standard of living.

We found Portugal to be a land of friendly people, great cuisine, fascinating culture and shifting geography. The most striking social dynamic for me was that in Portugal, people realize they are a small country and must pull together. They accept high taxes in return for cradle- to-grave benefits that all of society enjoys.  While Portuguese grumble about the government, they see that the benefits of democratic socialism far outweigh the limitations on wealth. Contrast this view with our wealthier, more diverse country. America does not have a single important cultural, economic, political or social force that is not tearing us apart more than bringing us together.

We were enticed to visit Portugal by reports of a fabulous travel experience with low tour costs because of inexpensive meals and hotels. Our journey was delayed twice by severe COVID outbreaks in Europe. Finally, in early March, we were off for Lisbon. We chose to travel in early spring to avoid the 100-degree temperatures and forest fires that have plagued inland Portugal during the summer months. We landed three days before our tour began to conquer jet lag and take in the museums and history of the capital.

In Lisbon, we were struck by the lack of medieval buildings. While cobblestone streets and colorful azulejos tile are everywhere, the city looks like what one would find in North America. We learned that in 1775, an earthquake and tsunami destroyed Lisbon and the enjoining areas. It was one of the deadliest climate events in human history with 50,000 people losing their lives.

The art museums in Lisbon are small, but world class. The day before our tour began; we journeyed to the nearby town of Sintra, one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country. The destination is a gorgeously landscaped hilltop favored by Portuguese royalty. The local summer palace contains centuries of history and artifacts that gave us a foundation for what was to come.

That evening we had a welcome dinner with our tour group and prepared for the first of many early morning bus rides to cover the countryside. Before leaving Lisbon, our group visited the famous Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower and the Monument of the Discoveries. The latter two attractions pay homage to the many explorers who left Lisbon to bring fame and fortune to their country. On our last evening in Lisbon, we were treated to a traditional Portuguese meal with melancholy Fado music.

Our next destination was Nazare. This sleepy surfing village has turned into a worldwide sensation after an HBO documentary highlighted what are considered the largest surfing waves in the world. Unfortunately, on the day of our visit, the surf was calm. We had to make due with an incredible fish stew, fresh bread and sardine pate.

Next on tour was the town of Tomar, a charming and naturally beautiful town in central Portugal. It is popularly known as the Knights Templar City as it was once the seat of this famous Order. The Knights Templar were persecuted in France and forced to relocate in Portugal. In Tomar, the Knights built the Convent of Christ, one of the important works of the Portuguese Renaissance.

In the morning, we were off to spend two days in Porto, located in northern Portugal and the country’s second largest city. J.K. Rowling conceived Harry Potter in this town, inspired by the breathtaking riverfront views and ancient buildings. On our last evening, we broke away from our group for a private dinner across the river, looking down on the lights of Porto. A cruise on the Douro River capped our experience.

Our bus traveled onward to Guimares for a rainy day walking tour. The town is another World Heritage site with a wealth of well-preserved buildings from the middle ages. This was followed by visits to Viseu and Evora. The former gave us a walking tour of the Jewish quarter and the Jewish museum. The latter presented a town in central Portugal that can trace its history back for 5,000 years.

Highlights in Evora were a well-preserved roman temple and a sixteenth century chapel completely decorated with bones, skulls and entire skeletons. Over the entrance to the chapel are the words, “We Bones Are Here, Waiting for Yours.” The monks believed this chapel of bones was a helpful place to meditate on the transience of material things in the undeniable presence of death.

On the way back to Lisbon and the wrap up of our adventure, we were given excellent tours of a port winery and a cork factory. Portugal is the world’s leading producer of natural cork. It is home to the largest cork forest in the world covering 1.8 million acres of land. Cork purses and shoes were in high demand in the gift shop.

Our trip was both entertaining and informative and included other venues not discussed here. Do not hesitate to place Portugal on your travel bucket list. 

 

 

  

Washington County primary primer: Clerk of Courts

Normally, the primary election campaign of row office candidates is a mundane 

affair with little opposition to incumbent office holders. This has changed because of the disruptive actions of several Republican row officers in Washington County.

These individuals, whose sole function is to manage file clerks, have compelled the county court and commissioners to react to inappropriate and illegal behavior. In the primary election on Tuesday, May 16, Republican voters should consider alternative row office candidates. This commentary will discuss the contested Republican primary for the clerk of courts office.

Brenda Davis. Incumbent Brenda Davis is attempting to bolster her primary reelection campaign through unfounded accusations against county and court officials. Her term in office has been a tangled web of fighting the court she was elected to serve, even being held in contempt and incarcerated for ignoring court orders, while claiming victimhood to cover up her misdeeds.

This sordid tale began when the Republican-controlled board of commissioners voted unanimously to transfer workers who collect juvenile court payments from the clerk of courts office to the adult probation office. This action was under discussion well before Davis took office, and after she refused to collect DUI fees as mandated by law. The transfer of her employees was in accordance with state law that says “all restitution, reparation, fees, costs, fines and penalties shall be collected by the county probation department or other agent designated by the county commissioners of the county with the approval of the president judge.” Such payments are collected by numerous probation offices across Pennsylvania, and Davis had no standing to object.

Davis was furious that the county relocated staff. In retaliation, she prepared and presented a bogus “waiver document” to President Judge John DiSalle. In the document, Davis stated her refusal to perform many of her statutory responsibilities, including functions involving juvenile case files. Next, she filed a series of appellate court appeals designed to keep her employees. All the appeals were dismissed.

Davis continued to resist. As a last resort, the president judge signed an order transferring all juvenile case files from her office to the probation office.

In the course of a standoff in the courthouse, Davis blocked court officials sent to retrieve the files with a tantrum. The president judge scheduled a contempt hearing to address her outrageous behavior. Additional Davis appeals were filed, first to block the contempt hearing and later to overturn the finding of contempt, fines and incarceration.

Finally, nine months later, in August 2022, the appeals were exhausted, and the contempt hearing was held. DiSalle described Davis’ conduct as “the most undignified behavior he has seen in all of his years in the law.” Davis was removed from the courtroom in handcuffs to serve at least 15 days in jail, fined $5,000 and ordered to pay the costs of prosecution.

All but one of the Davis appeals have been resolved against her. The appellate courts found that all actions by the commissioners and the president judge were appropriate. The only matter still on appeal is a minor issue involving the size of the fine imposed by the president judge against Davis at the contempt hearing.

In May 2022, it was revealed that the state attorney general’s office is investigating Davis. The allegations involved manipulation of electronic time cards to misappropriate public funds and provide unearned compensation to her remaining employees.

Davis has attempted to gain leverage against the court and commissioners by claiming that erroneous findings by the Republican state auditor general prove that she was instrumental in uncovering improper use of state funds. At issue was Washington County’s 25-year-old criminal court program for defendants who performed thousands of hours of community service in lieu of paying fines. The administrative office of Pennsylvania Courts and Washington County’s Republican district attorney, among others, found the program well within the county’s jurisdiction. Davis’ efforts to turn substantial funds over to the state were disregarded as baseless.

This is not the story of a principled official standing up to corruption and power. It is the sad tale of a vengeful supervisor of clerks, overstepping her legal authority and embarrassing her office and the county. Davis should be confronted on her efforts to fog up the factual history of her abhorrent behavior during her term in office.

Ray Phillips. Mr. Phillips has the backing of traditional conservative Republicans seeking to return the clerk of courts office to some sense of normalcy. His press release announces he is running “on a foundation of integrity, ethics and cooperation among governmental offices.” Philips is a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College and has been employed in a variety of sales positions for over 30 years. Phillips agrees with the straightforward job description for the clerk of courts and, if elected, promises he will “work to communicate with the judiciary of the county.”

No one is begrudging the fact that Republicans have secured a sizable majority in Washington County voter registration. Concerned onlookers are simply asking that Republican primary voters consider the facts and support responsible candidates for office.

Washington County Primary Primer: The Commissioner Candidates

This commentary will discuss the Washington County Republican commissioner candidates in the May 16 primary election. My first task was to reach out and ask each non-incumbent candidate what they would do differently than the present Republican-majority board, and why voters should favor them over the other candidates. Two candidates responded and their comments are included.

Overall, the Republican primary has gotten off to an inauspicious start. After nomination petitions were submitted, there were attempts among Republicans to get candidates thrown off the ballot. These unsuccessful challenges, with one appeal, were followed by a kerfuffle over distribution of unauthorized ballot-slate cards. The cards endorsed only more radical Republican candidates. Clearly, this primary season will be a raucous affair.

There are two distinct groups seeking Republican voter approval. One group of “patriot” commissioner candidates is teaming up with the disruptive, row-office incumbents to shift local government to the far right. These candidates are out to challenge the courts, dismiss knowledgeable civil servants and to replace the county’s voting system. Their goals have little to do with forming a well-run local government.

A second group consists of Republicans that are more traditional. Although lifelong conservatives, they appear to be motivated by good governance. These candidates seem dedicated to keeping Washington County moving forward on a responsible track without endless confrontations

Nick Sherman. Incumbent commissioner Nick Sherman does not fit within either Republican camp. He would like the traditional Republicans to view him as the adult in the room. However, when convenient, he offers support to “election denier” patriots to gain a foothold with their extreme voters. Sherman is certainly the most experienced candidate, but has done little to distinguish himself during his term in office. His path to a primary victory is working to ensure that the other contenders cancel each other out, leaving him as one of the last two Republican candidates standing.

Ashley Duff and Bruce Bandel. I am discussing Duff and Bandel together because they are inseparable on the campaign trail and are running as a Republican team. They are the heart and soul of the extreme county patriot movement. Neither has served in public office or distinguished themselves in public service beyond the claim that they are the only candidates who have attended every public commissioners’ meeting since the 2020 presidential election. What is left unsaid is that their repeat attendance has been a well-choreographed exercise with their supporters to hijack the public comments portion of each commissioners’ meeting. Their goal has been to win backing for Donald Trump’s election-denial movement in local government. Neither candidate has stated publicly what specific actions he or she would implement, beyond removing voting machines, if elected. There is no evidence that they care about or understand the practical mosaic of county government.

 Kevin Redford. Redford is a small-business owner who has never served in public office. He supports the leadership of Diana Irey Vaughan, the Republican commissioner who is stepping down. Redford would not be running if she had remained in the contest. He is loathe to criticize the other candidates, but clearly believes that in Washington County “we have something that is working well.” Redford impresses me as a pragmatic, thoughtful candidate who would grow into the position.

Sonia Stopperich Sulc. Ms. Sulc is employed as a nuclear cardiology nurse at Canonsburg Hospital. She has a long resume in Republican politics at both the state and county levels and is a former supervisor of North Strabane Township. In 2014, she lost her bid as a Republican candidate for state representative. Sulc supports Trump in his bid for another term in the White House and is a staunch conservative. She believes her experience as an elected official sets her apart from the field. As commissioner, Sulc would review the performance of civil servants before replacing them.  

Electra Janis. Janis entered the race when she learned that incumbent Irey Vaughan was retiring. She has been endorsed by Republican State Sen. Camera Bartolotta. Her background is in psychology and human resources. Janis has served as a district director with the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives and in numerous capacities in the private sector. A press release from her campaign focuses on her experience in state government. Janis pledges “to find innovative ways to solve problems for our people so we can ensure families flourish and jobs are plentiful.” It is not clear how this statement is meaningful when the present Republican administration in county government has the economy firing on all cylinders with a low unemployment rate. Janis should be more specific on whether her goal is to maintain the responsible status quo or to make radical changes in county government.

Being a county commissioner involves making complex decisions on administrative, financial and emergency-management issues. The three individuals ultimately elected in November, representing both the Democratic and Republican parties, must be prepared to hit the ground running. They will oversee a sprawling government that serves a population of 203,000 people. There is no place for tribal politics or for candidates who have little understanding of how county government functions.  

WASHINGTON COUNTY PRIMARY PRIMER: THE ISSUES

 

On May 16, 2023, Washington County Republican voters will face one of the most important primary elections in decades. All of the noteworthy contested races are in the Republican primary.  This commentary will examine several primary issues and raise questions that the candidates should address before ballots are cast in May. A future commentary will discuss the Republican primary candidates.

Republican voters that are seeking a change in our local government should be careful what they wish for. We have recently experienced the damage that disruptive officials with misguided motives can cause in the Row Offices. Electing two extremist Republican commissioners in November could further unravel a well-run county government by depleting county reserves and crashing county bond ratings.  Radical ideology does not foster rational governance.

Cultural War Issues. The primary election offices being contested are the Commissioners’ Office, District Attorney, Treasurer, Coroner, Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and Register of Wills. The last three positions are clerical offices with a single statutory function, to serve and support the courts.

Republicans already control much of Washington County government. It would be a mistake to elect more extreme commissioners who are wallowing in the election victimhood and cultural war positions of the former president. Washington County needs pragmatic commissioners who will continue to guide our strong economy and maintain our high standing as a well-run medium size Pennsylvania county.

Term Limits. Republican candidates proudly push term limits and other government reforms as a campaign issue. In 2021, two of our present commissioners also wanted local voters to consider term limits. Under state law, the only path to accomplish this goal was to prepare and place a referendum to adopt a Government Study Commission before county voters. Astonishingly, two years ago, several Republican candidates in this primary, rather than elect study commission members who agreed with their reform positions, worked tirelessly to defeat the Study Commission referendum. This insured that term limits along with other initiatives to improve local government could not be considered and presented to the voters. The result was no term limits or other reforms.

Voter Integrity.  Republican commissioner candidates claim voter integrity as an important campaign issue.  Several extremists seeking primary votes have spent their Thursday afternoons since the 2020 presidential election at commissioner meetings. Their group of election deniers have demanded unwarranted election recounts, wacky forensic audits, the replacement of voting machines with paper ballots and the decertification of election results.  It did not matter that Republicans carried Washington County by a significant margin, that voter fraud does not exist or that voting machines are secure. Other integrity issues, like requiring voter ID, are state issues and cannot be changed by county officials.

Replacing Appointed Civil Servants with “Patriot” Republicans.  Republicans have controlled all aspects of county government over the past election cycle. Nonetheless, a more radical breed of Republican has captured the local party apparatus and is supporting extremist candidates in the primary. A vote of no confidence contributed to Republican Diana Irey Vaughan’s decision not to run for reelection.

A troubling position of the extremist Washington County Republicans is to terminate experienced civil servants within the present Republican administration and replace them with unqualified partisan supporters. This would include Chief of Staff, Michael Namie, (brought out of retirement by the Republican Commissioners); Elections Director, Melanie Ostrander, (responsible for the administration of complex, contested elections); highly respected Finance Director, Joshua Hatfield; and President of the Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Kotula (who has worked for 20 years to bring economic opportunities to Washington County). If new commissioners gut these and other important positions, it will decimate the administration of county government and the public will suffer.

Qualifications and Performance in Office.  Voters should consider the qualifications of each new candidate and the performance of in office incumbents.  For new candidates it is not enough to parrot a vague party line without demonstrating qualifications for and knowledge of the position each is seeking. Bad behavior while in office should be sufficient to disqualify incumbents.  This would include being held in contempt and incarcerated for failing to follow court directives and for other unconscionable conduct, which has embarrassed the county.

Cooperation with the Courts and with Audits. The Row Offices’ first priority is simply performing statutorily mandated clerical functions by serving the Washington County Court of Common Pleas. The second nonnegotiable function is cooperating with the county controller in the yearly audit process.

The voters should not support any Row Office candidate who balks at following directives from the President Judge. This conduct violates the law. In addition, Court Administration is installing an automated case management system designed to save time and money. Row office candidates must pledge their support to implement this important project.

Regarding audits, the voters should reject any office seeker who refuses to cooperate with the county audit process designed to uncover financial discrepancies and faulty accounting procedures. Elected officials cannot fall back on requesting state audits (which only audit the limited funds payable to the state) to absolve them of this absolute responsibility.

Individual Issues.  Voters may have individual issues to present to the commissioner candidates. In my case, commissioner formation of an authority to develop a performing arts center and appointment of a county diversity commission are important. The coming months are a time for the candidates to hear proposals from the voting public at candidate forums and other events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON COUNTY NEEDS EQUALITY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

As a child in New Jersey, I attended a neighborhood elementary school.  Most of the students walked to and from school, creating shortcuts through yards and wood lots whenever possible. As post-war baby boomers, our classes were large and filled with promise. We grew-up and learned next to our best friends and neighbors.

The regional high school I attended was a shock to my young system. Thirteen elementary schools fed into one large high school. The student body was 95% white and Protestant. It took me well over a year to become adjusted to the immense campus. The bus rides to and from the front door were 45 minutes. For after school sports and other activities, bus rides were at least 90 minutes. Through four years of high school, I never came to know many of the students in my class.

Much different was the public school education of my spouse who attended classes and taught for over thirty years in the Washington School District.  The elementary schools were in neighborhoods with one nearby central high school. In the 1970s, the elementary schools were integrated via busing and later consolidated into one campus. The high school provided a diverse learning experience; helping its students prepare for a world filled with people, who did not all look or think alike.

Today, living in East Washington, I think about these different learning environments in reviewing the public schools of Washington County. There are a number of rating agencies that grade the quality of education at each school district. Not surprisingly, Peters Township, Canon-McMillan and Trinity Area School Districts are at the top of the list. All three receive high marks for teaching and academics. The Washington School District only receives a high rating for diversity.

To provide some other comparisons, Peters Township has a 9-12 enrollment of 1326, is ranked seventh within the Commonwealth, has a minority enrollment of 8%, and 6% of its students are economically disadvantaged.  In contrast, Washington High School enrollment is 422, it is ranked 345th within Pennsylvania, the total minority enrollment is 49%, and 93% of students are economically disadvantaged.  

With this degree of disparity, one would assume that the Washington School District would receive more funds than Peters to help its disadvantaged students catch up to their wealthy neighbors. Unfortunately, the reality is the opposite. In Pennsylvania, we have created a school funding system where the students who need the most get the least because of where they live.

According to the Pennsylvania Education Law Center, our school funding system shortchanges students of low-wealth school districts. 50% of the state’s Black students and 40% of Latin students attend schools in the lowest wealth districts. Overall, 86% of Pennsylvania’s students attend underfunded schools.

The reason for this gross inequality is simple. The low share of school funding coming from the Commonwealth causes deprivation. Pennsylvania contributes 38% while the national median for state funding is 47%. Accordingly, local wealth based on higher property taxes determines whether students get adequate teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians, reading specialists, STEM labs, art and music, and extra help for students who need it.  This inequality leads to an absence of opportunity resulting in lower graduation rates and fewer students earning degrees.

Last month, after an 8-year court battle, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court finally recognized that a two-tiered funding system of the haves and the have-nots was unacceptable for the children of our state.  In a lengthy opinion of almost 800 pages, the court held that the state's funding of public education falls woefully short and violates students' constitutional rights. If the opinion stands and is implemented, there will be billions of dollars in additional annual support to equalize public education in Pennsylvania.

Unfortunately, the opinion is long on platitudes and short on specifics. While it concludes, “It is now the obligation of the legislature, executive branch, and educators to make the constitutional promise a reality in this Commonwealth,” it does not outline how educational funding should be raised or distributed. My fear is that without appropriate pressure, action could be delayed for decades.

The solutions are not that complicated and New Jersey offers a detailed roadmap for Pennsylvania. Each year NJ prepares an “adequacy budget calculation” with a baseline of what it would cost to educate one student. This base per pupil amount considers many factors including salaries, supplies and inflation. After the budget is determined, the question becomes how much each school district will pay. Our neighboring state developed a formula that determines local share based on district property values and the income of each districts’ residents. Once the local share cost is computed, the state provides the difference in equalization aid. This system has provided quality public education for all of New Jersey’s students for many years.

My hope is that the solution for equality in Pennsylvania education does not include merging long-standing smaller school districts into larger ones. Washington School District is a unique institution that plays an important role in building a strong community. The students benefit from community support, and the school in turn fosters connections among neighbors and encourages civic participation. Moreover, the tradition of ‘Prexie Pride” in sports and among alumni would be lost forever.

Washington and other small school districts should be permitted to remain intact, but with the adequate funding all students deserve and our constitution demands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TREATING COVID BY THE NUMBERS

These days, being both fully vaccinated and contracting COVID-19 is a “viral topic” among our friends of similar age. While the virus no longer comes with the severe medical complications and death for our age group, people are becoming infected with the virus when they least expect it.  Now we are learning that no vaccine is 100% effective and that breakthrough infection of new COVID variants is to be expected.

Over the course of 2022, my wife and I resumed all of our normal activities and again began traveling overseas. In late October, we spent two weeks in Italy with two dozen strangers on a tour bus. We remained infection free after mingling with large crowds in Sorrento, Rome. Florence and Venice. At home, our masks hung unused from the car steering wheel, unless entering a nursing home or physician’s office.  

In early February, two days after returning from a trip to New York City, my phone began “blowing up” every morning. The message blurted out that we were exposed to the virus while in the city. The “COVID Alert NY” app works by using secure Bluetooth technology to detect when another phone with the same app is near. If the two apps sense that they have been in within six feet of each other for longer than 10 minutes – they will exchange random codes.

Little did we know that the phone warnings were prophetic of incoming COVID. Our year of dodging the bullet, following attendance at dozens of events with large numbers of unmasked people, was over.  My wife was the first to experience symptoms after returning home. On February 7, she went to an area dealership to pick up a vehicle we had purchased. She sat inside the car for 30 minutes with the salesperson going over all the bells and whistles. (Of course, this poor fellow came down with COVID.) She had a fever that evening and other tell-tale symptoms developed. Two home tests for the virus were negative.

Finally, our physician tested her in the parking lot of her office. On February 9, she was confirmed positive. Paxlovid, the oral anti-viral drug for COVID was administered. We learned that the home test kits, which are rapid Antigen tests that produce results in 15-30 minutes, are less reliable than laboratory based tests.  Negative antigen test results do not rule out infection and should be repeated if symptoms persist.  

By February 12, her symptoms were already resolving. Three days later, with the physician’s approval, my wife and a girlfriend, both masked the entire time, attended the Yo-Yo Ma concert at Heinz Hall.

My COVID experience that followed was both rapid and predictable.  When my spouse received her laboratory test, she learned that COVID-19 tests only detect the presence of the virus – they do not determine the variant.  What is known is that the variants now circulating are so contagious that even if we are diligent with masks, up to date on vaccines or have been infected before, many of us will continue to be susceptible to catching the virus. Thankfully, the vaccines are holding up well against serious disease, and we are not back in the dark days of 2020.

It was not until after my wife tested positive that we began to occupy separate living spaces. By then, the “COVID Rule of Fives” had guaranteed I would contract the virus despite our best efforts. These rules include: (1) If fully vaccinate, get tested 5 days after exposure, (2) If there are no  symptoms, continue to wear a mask for another 5 days, (3) Stay home for 5 days after symptoms appear and until fever free, (4) Wear a mask for an additional 5 days after no longer isolating.

Exactly 5 days after my wife learned she was infected, I tested positive with a home test. I had multiple symptoms but never contracted a fever. Because of another medication I was taking, Paxlovid was not prescribed. During the video conference with my physician, we were given the only good news of the week. We would both have excellent renewed immunity for our planned trip to Portugal on March 1.

Keeping up on the science of the virus fell off the radar when our lives were COVID-free. Since our infections, we have learned from findings published in The New England Journal of Medicine that protection against infection from the virus plateaued about four weeks after our fourth shot was administered.  Among those who did not get the second booster, the infection rate was about twice as high.

More encouraging was the second booster's lasting effectiveness against severe COVID-19. A month after getting the fourth shot, the rate of severe disease was 3.5 times lower in that group than in those who had only received three shots. The boosters have shown the ability to provide needed protection for people who are immunocompromised, including those with cancer, who are often given immunosuppressive treatments that weaken their innate immune defenses. 

COVID-19 is a resilient disease that can be controlled with yearly boosters. The greatest danger may now be contracting “long COVID.’’ Thankfully, modifiable lifestyle factors that help prevent other diseases also appear to fend off chronic post COVID conditions. These include, never smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, a high-quality diet, good sleep habits and moderate physical activity.  The pandemic is over but long-term COVID prevention still requires vigilance.