THE BORDER CRISIS REVISITED

Several years ago, I wrote about the border crisis. While circumstances have changed and presidential administrations have come and gone, the situation has gotten worse. Permitting tens of thousands of migrants to be stranded at the border in a humanitarian and political crisis was unheard-of until 2019. These untenable conditions are now taken for granted.

The solution to the border crisis remains in the hands of Congress. A complete overhaul of American immigration policy is not in the cards. However, recent bipartisan discussions to tighten up asylum policy as part of a government funding deal are encouraging.

We are overwhelmed by the daily news coverage of thousands of migrants in Mexico waiting for the opportunity to cross the border, only to form large encampments in America’s border towns. Buses full of migrants are sent to northern cities that lack the capacity to care for them.  Congress has not allocated federal funds to aid the involved states or local border communities.

Frustration and anger are directed at the President and his administration. In fact, the executive branch can only take limited action because of existing laws. This is unfortunate because Congress is often ungovernable and in no position to restore order at the border.

The two key components of the border crisis are (1) the need for border security and (2) legislation on comprehensive immigration reform. Republicans have insisted on addressing only the security problem with illegal or unhelpful physical barriers and a draconian show of force. Republicans have long avoided passing immigration reforms which would provide funding for border security based on new technology and that would provide the ability to decide asylum claims quickly.

Democrats support immigration reform legislation that includes funds for more advanced and humane border security along with an overhaul of the entire immigration system. This would include the fate of the Dreamer population, those undocumented immigrants living in America since they were young children.

In the last several years, the nature of the border crisis has dramatically changed. The problem is no longer undocumented migrants from Mexico entering illegally to work or join family members. According to government statistics, the majority of recent migrants are citizens from the troubled Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Increasingly there are also new migrants from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba.

The US Customs and Border Patrol reports that 250,000 migrants from these countries aggravated the most recent crisis over the past eighteen months. These individuals made the dangerous journey north to escape violent crime, poverty, natural disasters, climate change and other economic struggles. Few of the cases actually involve political persecution. However, after crossing the border, the majority of these migrants can legally claim political asylum until their cases are processed.

The existing U.S. asylum system was created in the Refugee Act of 1980 to review claims of persecution on a limited basis. Today, the asylum system has been transformed into the main avenue for mass immigration, a function it was never designed to serve. Julia Preston, the national immigration correspondent for the New York Times, addressed the problem in the July/August issue of Foreign Affairs. (The Real Origins of the Border Crisis). Ms. Preston found that “By the end of 2022, almost 800,000 asylum cases were awaiting adjudication in the immigration courts. The average asylum case took more than four years to decide. Since Congress has passed no clear-cut procedures for deporting asylum seekers whose claims were rejected, many of those people and their families, along with tens of thousands of asylum seekers denied in previous years, have quietly joined the millions of undocumented immigrants already in the country.”

The existing law creates a classic funnel, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Initially, all migrants can request asylum once they set foot on American soil. Next, these thousands of applicants are processed through an ever-narrowing chute of bureaucratic and legal requirements that takes years to implement.

What would new asylum legislation look like? It is clear that a system, which quickly and fairly processes new arrivals, is the sensible approach. When there is no opportunity to remain in the country for years as an unprocessed asylum seeker the flow of migrants will dramatically decrease. To this end, legislation must be passed to create numerous, large reception centers in border cities. These processing centers would provide faster screening, immediate deportation for ineligible applicants and give resettlement assistance for those who qualify. More asylum judges and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asylum officers must be hired. The DHS officers must be given the legal authority to make administrative decisions on uncomplicated claims to reduce those cases that require time-consuming court action.

Lawmakers should update and clarify the all-important “asylum persecution standard” to include those migrants who are victims of organized crime or sexual abuse. There must be immediate deportation of migrants whose claims are denied.

Congress must restore the asylum system to its intended, limited role. First, the requirements for asylum must be modified to match a changing world. Second, the other legal paths to immigration such as the labor and family unification options that are now underutilized must permit more legal immigration.

There has been a lack of Congressional will to find common ground and pass a bipartisan immigration bill. It is time for the American public to understand this complex problem and demand that Congress address the crisis.

ITALIAN FOLKTALES BECOME A BEDTIME RITUAL

“Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again” C.S. Lewis

Last June, while browsing through the latest issue of The London Review of Books, I came across an essay on the life and works of an Italian author, Italo Calvino (1923-85). He was one of Italy’s greatest and most popular writers.

Because Calvino led an interesting life and was once considered for a Nobel Prize in literature, I researched which of his works were translated into English. To my surprise, Calvino’s most popular work available on Amazon was not one of his novels. This honor went to a 700 page edited volume of 200 Italian folktales lovingly organized by Mr. Calvino. (Copyright 1956, first English translation, 1980)

All of the critic’s reviews of this compilation were over the moon. When first translated in 1980, the Los Angeles Times called the effort “One of the New York Times Best Books of the Year. These traditional stories of Italy, retold by a master, are a treasure.” The New York Times Book Review continued, “This collection stands with the finest collections anywhere.” Finally, Time Magazine opined, “A magic book, and a classic to boot.”

Because my spouse is a full-blooded Italian and a retired elementary school teacher, I thought the collection would make a great addition to our library. Little did I know that for months to come this book of Italian folktales would frequently be our bedtime ritual. The stories are leading us down a rabbit hole filled with the magic of folklore that have nothing to do with the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, or Disney. We finally understood what the renowned expert on interpreting myth, Joseph Campbell, meant when he said, “The folktale is the primer of the picture language of the soul.”

Since we received our well-preserved used copy of the book in July, our evening routine has often included a bedtime story. The retired teacher, who knows how to interpret a yarn with appropriate vocal emphasis, reads each tale aloud. When the story is finished, she reads the short biographical note at the end of the book, giving us some background. In many cases, Calvino has merged different oral versions of the same folktale, from different regions of Italy, adding his own literary embellishments, to construct his own interpretation.  

Next, it is on to Google where we research the oral tradition for each tale and determine if the creative arts have reimagined each ancient story for some modern purpose. To our amazement, many of the folktales introduced by Calvino have been reworked as record albums, children’s picture books, short operas, theater productions, and, in one case, a French movie. Our research reveals that the citizens of Italy know these stories well and are proud of their oral traditions.

As we make our way through the folktales, certain themes emerge. Overall, the stories are delightful, inventive, charming, often unexpected, and occasionally horrific.  Good and humble decisions lead to positive outcomes while poor or selfish acts lead to unwanted results. It is easy to imagine a parent sitting around an ancient hearth relating the milder tales to children to encourage good behavior.

When reading the stories, we are always on the lookout for the numbers three and seven, which seem to provide organizational themes for many of the folktales. Like a good joke, a plot based on “threes” creates more interest than one centered on “twos” or “fours” (e.g. three sisters, three tasks). Moreover, the number three has Biblical implications of something complete and good (e.g. the Trinity, Jesus rising after three days). The number seven also signifies Christian completeness (seven days of creation). Characters in the stories are often affiliated with the number seven to signify an insightful or wise personality.      

Some of my favorite tales revolve around the village idiot as the major protagonist. This character is not mentally disabled but is shown to be a free spirit, and unrealistically optimistic or naïve. His misunderstanding or misuse of common language often leads to comical results and good endings.

As in folktales from around the world, many females, particularly young women, are not treated well. Forgetting to retrieve one object or failing to be obedient will likely result in being cursed with the head of a monster and rejected by the handsome prince. Thankfully, these same characters are resourceful and eventually are transformed back into the most beautiful maidens in the land.

Many stories are so different from familiar folktales that they immediately grab your attention. The apple holds a prominent place as temptation in the Bible and as a symbol of everything from evil to nobility in folktales. Italians from Tuscany concocted their own interpretation. In Apple Girl, a barren queen finally gives birth to an apple “redder and more beautiful than any other.”  The fruit holds within it, a young girl who must endure the violent attacks of an evil stepmother before shedding her bloodstained apple shell to marry the waiting prince. The blood from the attack signifies every young women’s passage from maidenhood to adult. She is now capable of producing her own fruit of the womb.

Calvino’s Italian Folktales may not be everyone’s cup of tea. For the two of us, the nightly anticipation of a new tale followed by a restful sleep makes all the difference. We only have 120 more folktales to go.

 

VOTERS SHOULD RETAIN JUDGES COSTANZO & LUCAS

The final item on the November ballot asks voters to consider the retention of Judges Valarie Costanzo and Michael Lucas for a second ten-year term on the Washington County Court of Common Pleas. This pair of jurists were initially elected to the bench in 2013 on both the Republican and Democratic ballots. On November 7, if these judges receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes, each will serve another term.

There are two questions facing non-lawyers who are being asked to make this important decision. First, what is the purpose of a judicial retention election? Second, how is a voter unfamiliar with the day-to-day work of a local judge expected to make an educated decision? Fortunately, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) and the local Washington County Bar Association (WCBA) provide some answers to help inform voters not familiar with the legal system.

When candidates for the Court of Common Pleas initially run for election, they are affiliated with a political party. They campaign against other candidates and are permitted to run on both Democrat and Republican ballots in the primary. The fact that ten years ago both Costanzo and Lucas won on both ballots is a strong reminder of their qualifications to serve as judges. A majority of voters from both political parties elected them to serve on our local Court of Common Pleas.

This November, when running for retention, Costanzo and Lucas are not labeled as members of either political party.  According to the AOPC, “Retention is a nonpolitical method of reelecting Pennsylvania judges and is intended to be politically neutral as they do not require judges to engage in campaigning against other candidates.”

In the federal courts the judges at all levels, including the Supreme Court, are appointed and often serve for life. In Pennsylvania, because judges are initially elected, there must be a method to permit the public to “judge the judges” on a recurring basis. Retention votes are designed to be a non-political means for voters to weigh in on the overall performance of members on the bench.

In order to make the process as non-political as possible, the names of retention candidates appear on a separate area at the end of the November ballot, apart from individuals running for other elective offices. Political considerations are not part of the retention election equation. The only factors for voters to consider in retaining Costanzo and Lucas are performance and integrity.

Retention elections were adopted by Pennsylvania with the view that most sitting judges would be retained in subsequent elections. After all, ten years of judicial experience is a valuable commodity, particularly in a smaller county like Washington where each judge has been asked to work in the diverse areas of civil, criminal, and family court. Moreover, once a judge’s courtroom demeanor and legal opinions are known, attorneys who practice before them are familiar with what to expect, and the wheels of justice run smoothly.

How is the non-lawyer voter to gauge the achievements and judicial conduct of this year’s judicial retention candidates, Valarie Costanzo and Michael Lucas? On this question, the WCBA provides critical information for voters. A poll was conducted among all members of the local Bar Association who voted overwhelmingly to retain them. The lawyers were asked to consider in their decision each judge’s integrity, legal ability, diligence, and judicial temperament. The members of the Bar returned a 95% retention vote for Judge Lucas and 86% vote for Judge Costanzo.

As related by the WCBA in a press release following the Bar’s election poll, “Our members have practiced before these judges, and their perspective should be valuable to the public.” Based on this poll, all voters can confidently retain both hard working and valuable judges, Costanzo and Lucas, for another term.

 

SIZING UP THE NOVEMBER COMMISSIONER’S RACE

At the national and state level, the vote this November is an “off year election.” The voter turnout is expected to be light. This is unfortunate given that in Washington County the winning local candidates will be responsible for governing for the next four years. The contest to elect three county commissioners is, in my view, the most important of these elections.

The Pennsylvania County Code stipulates that each voter may cast a ballot for two commissioner candidates and that the three having the highest number of votes will be elected. This insures that the board of commissioners consists of two members from the majority party and one from the minority party to maintain a political balance.

Commissioner board decisions occur at their monthly public meetings. Other important commissioner functions include the salary board, election board, pension board, and prison board.  

The commissioners are responsible for monitoring and guiding the fiscal management of county government. The three commissioners work with  other county and state officials to ensure that citizens receive needed services.

Whatever the outcome of the election, the composition of the new board of commissioners will be noticeably different from prior decades. For the first time since 1996, Republican Diana Irey Vaughan will not be on the ballot. The other two incumbent commissioners Democrat Larry Maggi and Republican Nick Sherman are considered favorites to remain on the board. The political party that controls the board will most likely come down to whether Democrat Cindy Fisher or Republican Electra Janis captures the most votes. What follows is a brief analysis of each of the candidates.

Larry Maggi. Larry Maggi is currently serving his fifth term as commissioner. Commissioner Maggi is committed to keeping Washington County on the forefront of economic growth, low taxes, and quality of life issues.

Commissioner Maggi has a long history of public service. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1971. He then served 24 years as a state trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police. Mr. Maggi was first elected to public office in 1997 as Washington County’s Sheriff before being elected commissioner in 2003.  He continues to serve on a long list of veterans, community and governmental organizations.

Commissioner Maggi brings a wealth of experience and few surprises to the commissioner’s office. He has always been a watchdog of the public purse. Mr. Maggi recently joined with Republican Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughn in signing a bi-partisan, cost effective contract with the county’s chamber of commerce to promote long-term economic growth. This contract will ensure that the 25-year partnership between the county and chamber will continue to build and diversify our highly successful local economy.

Nick Sherman.  Nick Sherman is completing his first term as commissioner. When the local Republican Party attacked his fellow Republican commissioner, Diana Irey Vaughn, who worked tirelessly to get him elected, Sherman abandoned her. Mr. Sherman has shown himself to be an opportunist who places political calculations before good governance. He has supported election deniers rather than his responsible Republican, fellow commissioner.

Commissioner Sherman calls himself a “fiscal conservative.” However, he was the driving force behind the county purchase of the Crossroads Building at millions over market value.  Mr. Sherman has finally exposed his hand on his post-election plans for the economy and county government. On September 21, he voted against the above-described comprehensive contract to continue the county/chamber of commerce partnership to spark additional economic development. Sherman did not offer an alternative to the arrangement that has worked well for many years. One can only guess what other unannounced government changes Sherman has in mind if a new Republican board captures the majority.

Cindy Fisher. Cindy Fisher is currently serving her second term (9th year) as a Cecil Township Supervisor.   She has been the Chairperson of Cecil Township Board of Supervisors for the past three years and served three years as Vice Chairperson.  Prior to this elective office, she was an executive member of her local school’s Parent Council.  

Ms. Fisher is fiscally conservative and a moderate Democrat who has not raised taxes during her time on the Cecil Board of Supervisors.  She helped secure more than $1 million dollars in grants for improvements to Cecil’s five parks, bridges, the Montour walking trail, and improvements to its public works facilities. 

Like her running mate, Larry Maggi, her top priority is maintaining and growing a strong local economy.  Ms. Fisher recently outlined her economic vision in the Observer Reporter. It encouraged disgruntled residents in Allegheny County to move into Washington County. She stated, “With our growing economy, we can welcome Allegheny County families to our county by showing our area is a great place to work and live. We must promote that Washington County is not Allegheny County… we must not repeat Pittsburgh’s mistakes.”

Electra Janis.  Electra Janis is a young woman in her twenties who has not run for elective office prior to this campaign. She has no decision making experience in either county or municipal government. Ms. Janis has worked in her family’s restaurant business and been employed the past three years as district manager for her local state representative, answering questions for constituents.

There is an important distinction between Fisher and Janis. Cindy Fisher has the government experience and self-assurance to bring independent thinking to the Board of Commissioners. Electra Janis will follow the lead of her Republican handlers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE ELECTIONS FOR CLERK OF COURTS & REGISTER OF WILLS

On November 7, voters will elect Washington County’s Register of Wills and Clerk of Courts to four-year terms. These two Row Office positions normally attract little attention from the public. Traditionally, in each office, an experienced incumbent is reelected to continue performing case filing responsibilities on behalf of the Court of Common Pleas. Events since the last election in 2019 have altered this routine and predictable pattern.

In the Clerk of Courts office, Republican Brenda Davis generated more headline news than did the other elected county officials combined. She consistently defied President Judge John DiSalle by refusing to perform her official responsibilities as Clerk of Courts. This led to a finding of contempt against her, a jail sentence, and fines. Ms. Davis was defeated in the primary election by Republican Ray Phillips. Democrat, Bobby Dellorso is challenging Mr. Phillips for the office.

In the Register of Wills office, the incumbent, Republican James Roman will face off against Democrat, Alex Taylor. During his first term in office, Mr. Roman generated his own list of controversies. First, in successive years, he held the distinction of not cooperating with the mandated County audits of his office, performed by both Democrat and Republican Controllers. Second, he regularly appeared at public Commissioners’ meetings to attack them for policies that had nothing to do with his office. Third, he physically threatened an employee in his office. According to Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughn, there was a separate formal employee complaint raising safety concerns filed against him. Lastly, Mr. Roman played fast and loose with administrative orders published by the court, and courthouse procedures adopted by the commissioners. These incidents included courthouse-masking policies during the pandemic and the prohibition against weapons in the courthouse.

Clerk of Courts. The Clerk of Courts is the custodian of the records for the criminal division of the Court of Common Pleas.  All criminal motions and petitions are filed with the Office. These include expungements of criminal records permitted under state law.   

The office processes bail bonds to permit criminal defendants to be released from custody. It provides the means to perform criminal record searches on adults. The office is responsible for filing summary criminal appeals from the Magisterial District Judges, including traffic code violations. The Clerk of Courts accepts and processes appeals on criminal matters from the Washington County court system to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.

The Republican candidate, Ray Phillips, has campaigned on a pledge to turn the page on Brenda Davis’s term in office. During the Republican Primary, he wrote that, “We must restore integrity to the row offices of Washington County.” 

Mr. Phillips is a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College and has been employed in a variety of sales positions, including a Fortune 500 Company. He presently owns and operates Spraymasters Collision and Refinishing in Houston, Pennsylvania.

The Democrat candidate, Bobby Dellorso, who also attended W&J, is a lifelong resident of Canonsburg. At an early age he learned the trade of butcher and meat cutter. He is presently a Master Meat Cutter at Giant Eagle in McMurray. For 30 years, Mr. Dellorso managed U.S. government contracts for the Department of Defense and Transportation while employed by American Road Lines.

Like his opponent, Mr. Dellorso was encouraged to run because of the chaotic management in the Clerk of Courts office. On the campaign trail, he has promised to bring integrity to the office and to restore a spirit of cooperation.

Refreshingly, both candidates view the office as nonpolitical.

Register of Wills.  The Register of Wills is the elected official who is responsible for probating wills and maintaining records of wills, estates, and other matters under the jurisdiction of Orphans Court.   

Orphans Court is the branch of the Court of Common Pleas that adjudicates decedents’ estates, trusts, guardians of the persons and estates of minors and incapacitated persons, powers of attorney, termination of parental rights and adoptions, civil commitments, and marriage licenses. Inheritance and estate tax disputes are resolved in the Orphans’ Court.

The Register of Wills accepts and files documents necessary to complete the administration of all the above.  In addition, the Register of Wills grants letters of administration and appoints an administrator in cases where a person dies without a will. The office determines whether a document offered for probate is valid. State inheritance taxes are collected by the Register of Wills and forwarded to the Commonwealth.

Mr. Roman’s Democratic opponent, Alex Taylor, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh.  He is employed as the manager of 30+ individuals in the health care industry at Voices for Independence (TRPIL).

When announcing his candidacy for Register of Wills, Mr. Taylor stated, “We need county officials who treat their staff and county employees with dignity in the workplace, and who take the office they hold seriously and who show it by the way they act.” If elected, he promises to cooperate with audits, restore respectability to the office and to follow policies mandated by the county and the courts.

In recent comments, incumbent Jim Roman appears to blame the media for his questionable performance, as follows, “I can’t wait to see what they make up about the Register of Wills office. Crazy that my office has been fine since the last election, but right before this election, I'll be on the front page.”

 

 

WHAT IS A PROTHONOTARY AND WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?

There is a legendary Pittsburgh story from 1948 of then-President Harry S. Truman visiting the city during a campaign stop. As he was introduced to local officials in the receiving line, he commented, “What the hell is a Prothonotary?” When County voters go to the polls this November, many of whom are unfamiliar with the Pennsylvania court system, they will probably ask themselves the same question.

This commentary will explain why the Prothonotary’s office has a greater impact on our day-to-day activities than most voters realize. I will also review the qualifications of the two candidates running for the office of Prothonotary this November; Incumbent Republican Laura Hough and her opponent, Democrat Sandy Sabot. In the interest of full disclosure, my spouse is a close friend of Ms. Sabot and hosted a “meet and greet” function in support of her candidacy.

It would be unfortunate for residents to cast a vote for this important office supporting our courts based solely on party affiliation. Voters seeking good government should seek to match up a candidate's qualifications with the responsibilities of the position. In many jurisdictions, including the federal courts, the Prothonotary’s duties are considered so important that it is no longer an elective office. Instead, each court administration appoints a professional manager with specialized training to oversee increasingly complex court management systems, free from politics.

According to Wikipedia, the original meaning and function of a Prothonotary come from an ancient and rich tradition. The term is Latin for “first notary.” Under early ecclesiastical law, the Prothonotary would notify the Judge whenever a case was ready for trial. After the English court system was established, the Prothonotary acted as the chief administrator of the King's Bench and Court of Common Pleas.  

In the administration of our modern courts, the Prothonotary function has been modified to file storage and retrieval responsibilities. Accordingly, most jurisdictions have dropped the term prothonotary in favor of “civil clerk.” Wikipedia reveals that only four states, including Pennsylvania, have maintained the ancient title.

In Pennsylvania, the Prothonotary’s office collects fees for all of its services according to a schedule adopted by the legislature. The Prothonotary has administrative responsibility for keeping and maintaining all civil court documents. A copy of each document may be officially certified by the Prothonotary to demonstrate its authenticity for use outside the court system.

The list of essential Prothonotary functions is impressive. All civil complaints and related pleadings are time-stamped and stored for future reference. Divorce filings, custody cases, and Protection from Abuse actions are retained in Family Court matters. Appeals from the magistrate courts are accepted and scheduled for trial.  Cases that are appealed to higher state courts are organized and transmitted to the Appellate Courts. The Prothonotary is where an attorney or resident goes to obtain a subpoena, file name change petitions, tax assessment appeals, mechanic liens, judgments on court verdicts, and executions to enforce money judgments.

Laura Hough. The incumbent Prothonotary, Laura Hough, was swept into office in 2019, along with her fellow Republican Row Officers. She was the first registered Republican to hold the office in 40 years. Ms. Hough is proud of her office’s efforts to continue filing and retrieval operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is excited about the court’s new file management system.

Throughout her term, Ms. Hough has maintained a political alliance with the anti-establishment political views of the Clerk of Courts, Brenda Davis, and the Register of Wills, James Roman. Early in her tenure, she largely managed to avoid direct confrontation with the Washington County court system and the county commissioners.

Matters dramatically changed in April of this year. Both Republican and Democrat County officials rebuked Ms. Hough for inappropriately using a database, LexisNexis, installed in her office to track down addresses. She was cited for personally conducting background searches on two dozen individuals involved in local county politics, including the commissioners. The County revoked her search privileges after the improper searches were discovered.  According to the Observer-Reporter, a letter was sent to Hough reprimanding her for “usage clearly showing access to potentially confidential information of certain individuals.”

While Hough’s conduct did not lead to criminal charges, it was troubling. Misusing a database paid for by Washington County, for political purposes, has no place in the Prothonotary’s workplace. Ms. Hough has never explained why she conducted the unauthorized searches and has dismissed the admonishment from the commissioners as a “political hit job.”

Sandy Sabot. Sandy Sabot, the Democratic candidate for Prothonotary, has a degree in journalism and communications. She worked for nineteen years in county government as a Caseworker and Resource Specialist. Ms. Sabot has worked for a long list of public service organizations including the Washington School District, TRIPL, the Washington Symphony, United Way, Mental Health Association, Washington County Food Bank, League of Women Voters, and Faith in Action. She performed assignments in news reporting for WJPA radio and hosted talk shows discussing community services and county programs.

Ms. Sabot has been active in Democratic politics and was elected to serve as both a state and local committee member. As Prothonotary, she pledges to provide “open dialogue regardless of party affiliation.” Her goal is a well-run Prothonotary’s office free from “fights, backstabbing or lawsuits.”

For more information on this and other races, voters should attend the Candidates Forum scheduled at the LeMoyne Community Center at 7pm on October 11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE CANDIDATES FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY TREASURER

In the November general election, voters will decide who will serve as Washington County’s Treasurer. The candidates are incumbent Republican, Thomas Flickinger, and his Democratic opponent, Joseph Manning. Before reviewing the credentials of the candidates, a brief history of the English and early American position of Treasurer is informative.

According to Wikipedia, the position of English Treasurer is believed to have come into existence around 1126 during the reign of Henry I. The Treasury was originally a section of the Royal Household, having custody of the King's money. In 1216, this role expanded, and the Treasurer was appointed to take control of the Treasury at the seat of government at Winchester, London. The Treasurer was originally an officer of the Exchequer who was responsible for the collection and management of taxes.

Wikipedia discloses that in the 16th century, the office's title developed into Lord High Treasurer. By the reign of Henry VIII, the position had achieved a place among the Great Officers of State, behind the Lord Chancellor and above the Master of the Horse. Within decades, the position became the most important in the English government with the head of finance often becoming the de facto prime minister.  

The Continental Congress created two “joint Treasurers” of the United Colonies on July 29, 1775. Wikipedia reveals that they were instructed to reside in Philadelphia, then the home of the Continental Congress. Their primary responsibility was to fund the Revolutionary War.  By 1781, the U.S. faced an unremitting financial crisis. This was underscored by the January 1781 Pennsylvania Line Mutiny in which ten poorly fed, unpaid Continental Army regiments demanded better conditions from Congress. Though the mutiny was put down, it convinced Congress to implement reforms that created the departments of war, marine, finance, and foreign affairs, each of which would be led by a departmental executive. By a unanimous vote, Congress selected Pennsylvanian Robert Morris as the Superintendent of Finance. Morris convinced Congress to establish the first bank to operate in the United States. An excellent biography by Charles Rappleye, Robert Morris, Financier of the American Revolution highlights this early American history.

Over time, each state and eventually each local government established an appointed or elected Treasurer. In Washington County, the Treasurer's Office is an independent elected office with the primary mission to receive, disburse, and safeguard the monies of the County. The Treasurer collects payments of real estate taxes and fees, state and federal grants, and other monies due the county. Licenses issued by the office include dog, fishing, hunting, fur trapping, and small games of chance.

Both candidates for the office responded to my written questions concerning their respective campaigns. What follows is a summary of their qualifications and campaign positions.

Thomas Flickinger. Mr. Flickinger is coming to the end of his first term in office. He has an MBA in finance and worked extensively in the banking and credit industries. He was part owner of a business that has been sold.

Mr. Flickinger is proud of several initiatives he has established in the Treasurer’s office. These include improving the dog license process, establishing “eNotice” which permits taxpayers to receive, pay, and get their tax receipts over the Internet, and creating the Washington Abused Animal Relief Fund. This last effort has disbursed about $6,000 to animal relief organizations.

Mr. Flickinger points out that he convinced the office of Pennsylvania Tax Revenue to reimburse the county for services the Treasurer was providing. At the request of the Commissioners, he examined county finances. The Treasurer determined that if two County bonds were refinanced, 1.75 million dollars would be saved over the life of the bonds.

If elected to another term, Mr. Flickinger plans to “continue to seek opportunities to improve the taxpayer experience, reduce costs, and improve office operations.” As employees retire, his intention is to reduce staff to further streamline the office.

The present Republican Treasurer is an avowed conservative on both social and financial issues. Since his election in 2019, he has not actively engaged in the political disagreements that the local Republican Party and other elected Row Offices have launched against the Commissioners or against the court system.

Joseph Manning. Mr. Manning was a career firefighter before dedicating his career to elective public service.  He ran as a Democrat for the Washington City Council and served for 12 years. While on Council, Mr. Manning was appointed Director of Public Safety, Director of Accounts and Finance, and led the city’s Covid-19 Response Team.

If elected, Mr. Manning has pledged to review all operations in the Treasurer's office to improve its functions and service. He believes that his “30 years of experience” qualifies him to “continue my mission to provide the best service possible.”

Mr. Manning has a refreshing view of how the candidates and voters should view all the Row Office elections, including the Treasurer's Office. He believes it is “a non-issue, non-partisan position that serves an administrative role and should serve the interests of all residents, regardless of party affiliation.” He is concerned that over the past four years “our citizens have seen too much disruption from elected officials” and that “it is time for a new beginning and a return to dignified government and public service.”

Neither candidate chose to express any negative impressions about their opponent. By all appearances, either candidate would well serve the public’s interest as the County Treasurer.