Negativity

Well, I guess it's that time again. At all levels, the negative ads, negative commercials, negative press releases are the tactic in vogue.
If I could have it my way, I would simply stress my own accomplishments and value to the District, but politics is a contact sport, some would say a "blood sport," and it sure isn't Burger King.
In my first race for State Rep, a professional asked me to tell him about myself, my background, my qualifications so he could help me prepare an advertising campaign. Then he said, "Tell me the bad things."
I thought about that for a while and said, "Well, I don't know. I think I've been a pretty good girl all my life and I don't think I have ever done anything really bad."
He didn't miss a beat:"They will make it up. What will they make up ?"
Sure enough, they did. I was astonished how a record of being tough on development was turned around to suggest I had encouraged it!
I've gotten a little bit thicker skin these days, but I still don't like it. No one does. It's not that there isn't some element of what comedian Stephen Colbert would call "truthiness" in a negative ad, it's just that it's put together in a way that leaves a false impression of who the candidate is and what she's done.
The professionals will tell you that negative ads work, that while voters say they hate them, they actually remember them, believe them, and they believe them more than the ads which state the candidate's accomplishments.
There's a reason political contests are called "campaigns," which is a military term that evokes war and winning battles.
For the record, I have a 98% attendance record and have made more than 10, 852 votes. It's after 9 PM, and I am writing this after coming off the Floor. In a few minutes, I will jump in my car and drive home so I can be in North Wales tomorrow morning before driving back up here to Harrisburg. I know I work hard for the District, whatever the negative ads say, and a lot of other people know it too.
And anyway, here's some food for thought : campaigning here beats campaigning in Iraq, either the military or political kind. Today's newspaper carries a story about women afraid to list their names on the ballot for fear that others who disagree with her beliefs will retaliate violently against members of her family.
The photos of me on the other side's mailers are ugly but they don't draw blood. And I know from experience that later people will say, "Have you lost weight ? You look so much better in person."
To which the appropriate response is, "Well, thank you very much" without noting that in person, I'm in color and three dimensional, too.
Kate Harper

Days in the Lives of a Community

This past weekend was so busy, I didn't get a chance to mention two very important events. I was honored to be a part of the anniversary celebrations of the Upper Gwynedd Fire department (the West Point Volunteer Fire Company) and Boy Scouts of America Troop 610 in Lansdale.
The Fire Company, still all volunteer after all these years, celebrated 100 years of people in the community coming together for the Common Good. The old leather bucket among the memorabilia was a perfect metaphor for the day -- the simple notion of a community passing the bucket along to fight a fire as each in his turn did what he could, always recognizing that it was the joint action, the coordinated response, that made it work. It's inspiration to watch these firefighters of today, men and women, highly trained and high tech now, with fire engines that function like mighty mechanical horses, go out to meet whatever challenge comes after a call for help.
The other event I wanted to note was the fortieth anniversary of another volunteer organization, Boy Scout Troop 610 in Lansdale, which celebrated their milestone with an "alumni" dinner, photos of boys camping, hiking, earning merit badges and clowning around for the last forty years. Once again, it's forty years of volunteers, men and women in the community and their boys, coming together to learn that "Character Counts," and what the boys learn in Scouts will provide them with a compass bearing for life's challenges as long as they live.
These groups are what makes a community great. Heck, corny as it might sound, they are what makes a place a community at all.
Kate Harper

Bert DeAngelis and Kate Harper

Bert DeAngelis and Kate Harper go Door to Door in Plymouth Township.

Door To Door

For years now I have been going door-to-door with my friend Bert DeAngelis, former Plymouth Township Councilman, and GOP Committeeman, in his eighties and still going strong. I was introduced to Bert by former State Representative Joe Gladeck, who also walked some of these same streets with Bert. Of course, the streets we've been doing recently are brand new and didn't exist then. Bert's claim to fame is that he and his late wife, Mav, actually cooked dinner at their home for George and Barbara Bush, when THEY campaigned in Plymouth. Bert and Mav were great Italian cooks and everyone enjoyed that meal, I am sure.
We have a routine, Bert and I. I knock on the door, he stands on the step or sidewalk behind me, and I say, "Hi! Welcome to the neighborhood. I'm Kate Harper your State Rep and this is Bert, your neighbor. " The usually startled, usually sleepy 20 or 30 something new homeowner tries to be gracious. We chat and move on, with Bert accosting dog walkers, power walkers and joggers as they pass, "Hey, come here. I want you to meet your State Rep." It's actually a lot of fun. I like door to door because when someone calls the office and sends me an email, I can picture the neighborhood, and even the street, as we work out problems. And, of course, I love Bert DeAngelis. You're the best, Bert !
Later, if I can figure out how to do it, I'll get a picture of Bert up on this blog. It will take a while because the family IT department went back to college.
Kate Harper

Frisbees, water bottles, magnets and jar openers

Want to see a candidate cry ? Stand next to the trashcan at your local post office and systematically weed through the political mailers in your stack of mail, dropping each smoothly into the trashcan, pausing only to ensure that it IS political mail before you toss it. Oh, the heartburn! Each beautiful mailer represents thousands of campaign dollars in photography, design, printing and postage to the hopeful candidate but junk mail to the average recipient. Seeing it in the trashcan (before it even makes it to your home) is enough to make any candidate cry.
But stuff is different. Giving away stuff is a good thing. The candidate is happy and the recipient is happy. Generally, "stuff" has a longer shelf life too.
OK, so it has nothing to do with qualifications, positions or votes, whether you want "change" or not, but if it's useful, people accept it gratefully.
I am always on the look out for "stuff" that's not too expensive, not too heavy, and, in some way, useful and long-lived. At an event I attended recently, Todd Stephens was giving out "Todd Stephens" bottled water. I am sure he borrowed that idea from Dr. Gordon Clement, last year's candidate for County Coroner, but it's a very good example of "stuff." I myself borrowed Senator John Rafferty's idea to give out "Kate Harper" Frisbees, and that's a good giveaway at events that draw children or dogs (but the shelf life with dog lovers is not so hot for my Frisbees). Refrigerator magnets are always a good idea since they are small, can carry printing, and "stick around" for a long time on metal surfaces.
But my best giveaway is the one I inherited from my predecessor in office, former State Representative Joe Gladeck. He gave away those rubber jar openers that lasted so long they acquired a life well beyond campaign season. One GOP supporter from Plymouth Meeting told me her family used the thing so often, they called it "The Gladeck," as in "I have to open this jar of spaghetti sauce--give me the Gladeck." Of course, Joe served 22 years, and probably only ordered the things once or twice. That's how long they last!
I have also heard them called "rubber husbands" (?!) or "grippers," causing me to wonder if The Gipper might also have given away the gripper ?
Anyway, I give away Kate Harper Grippers with the slogan "Kate has a GRIP on the issues." Duh. No, I did not pay anyone to think up that slogan, but when they ask, "Why do you give these out?" My answer is swift and sure: " Because they work and so do I."
Works for me.
Kate Harper

War and Peace in the Campaign Season

The Maple Glen Community Association, Jack Easton, Ross Schriftman and the Supplee Memorial Presbyterian Church hosted a "Political Preview on What's Ahead from Our Local Political Leaders " this morning which was well-attended by area state rep candidates. The forum drew State Rep. Rick Taylor, Candidate Todd Stephens, Esq., State Rep. Tom Murt and Candidate Lisa Romanello, as well as Candidate Frank Custer and I. What never fails to surprise me at these things is how close we all are on the issues that are important to eastern and central Montgomery County.
At Plymouth Country Club this morning, GOP Thirteenth Congressional Candidate Marina Katz, State Senate Candidate Lance Rogers and I spoke to a mostly Republican crowd to garner their support in the Fall election. Marina told her truly inspiring life story--of coming here from Russia as a teenager, learning the language, working her way through college and law school while juggling two jobs, and now running for Congress. Lance's stump speech features a Floor debate where, ironically, State Rep Daylin Leach, his opponent for the Senate seat, was debating me about the DUI bill I worked on.
Clearly, however, the best event of the day was a luncheon held at The Bethlehem Baptist Church where my friend Thaddeus W. Smith Jr. was being honored by the Golden Chain Missionaries for a lifetime of community leadership. He and Judge Horace Davenport reminisced about the lawsuit that desegregated the local schools. Then many in the room, including Reverend Quann, the Ambler Olympic Club's Larry Wilson, and I all confessed that Thaddeus was, and remains, a mentor to us. His four daughters were warm and funny and everyone agreed his wife Irene gets much credit too. You could really feel the love in that room. And did I mention that Thaddeus is a Republican and Irene a Democrat ? She says that it was lucky her dad, a longtime Democratic Committeeman, was dead before Thaddeus switched to the GOP. "We all knew Daddy was kickin' the slats out of that coffin," she told me.
Later, at a picnic in Bucks County with LaSalle University Honors Program classmates, it was clear reports of the 'burbs being a "battleground" in the Presidential Campaign is true. Let's just say we had a "spirited discussion" and parted, as we always do, as friends.
Kate Harper

Home Can be the Pennsylvania Turnpike

Sometimes I listen to music or a book, or practice a speech in my head or listen to a policy CD, or talk radio as I drive back and forth on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Yep, Billy Joel was right, "Home can be the Pennsylvania Turnpike" when you drive it so often! Tonight, however, I listened intently, switching from station to station as the miles melted away as I progressed across the state, to listen to the Presidential debate live, without commentary. I caught almost every word as Senators McCain and Obama discussed, and at times, argued, over the future of our economic and foreign policy. I was proud, once again, to be an American, where citizens get to choose their leaders. I am not cynical about this --- of course, I know who I am supporting, but nonetheless, it was good to hear that we have a real choice to make. I wonder how many citizens simply take this all for granted, wishing, perhaps, that the usual TV and radio programming isn't preempted ?
Other days, I let the radio pick the station switching from NPR and soft rock to Christian and country stations as I reach the middle of the state.
I watch the farms, too, taking note of a particularly tidy farmhouse where jeans and dresses often hang neatly on the clothesline early in the morning, supplemented some times with camouflage pants and jackets during deer season. I saw this industrious farmer's wife one Sunday, not working, but walking two little children up the driveway, wearing a cotton dress, her hat neatly captured in a bun and net. What was she thinking I wondered ? Was she wondering where we, on the highway nearby, were going ? Me, I was wondering what her life was like. And in a moment, I was a mile away.

College days and Turnpike Ways

The day started with breakfast with Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman, who reminded a group of Republican women leaders that we are the new face of the GOP, once derided by the Democrats as the party of "old white men."
Then, it was onto to Gwynedd Mercy College for a spirited discussion with Professor Terry Wimmer and the students about the major American political parties and the core values of the Sisters of Mercy. One student, a Libertarian, added quite a bit to the discussion and perhaps the most interesting question came from the student who required me to "say three good things about Obama," and the Professor to do the same for McCain. The assignment was surprisingly easy but was an eye-opener all the same.
Speaking of College age voters, I was advised to get a Facebook internet account and use it to recruit election day volunteers, so I asked my son Tom Kelly, a Drexel University student to use his Facebook account to request help for me from his friends. The answer was quick and to the point, "Mom, that is so uncool..." Can you just see him roll his eyes ? I could. I might have been angry but he lives in the District and I am hoping to get his vote.....
Tonight was a great public forum with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission about their plans to widen the Northeast Extension. The plans had been revised substantially to reduce the number of "takings" from more than a hundred to a mere handful, and sound barriers had been added to protect nearby neighbors. This was a far different result from an earlier meeting where the Turnpike engineers had unrolled plans that required land from many properties and failed to offer sufficient sound protection. While any large project is worrisome to the neighbors, the revised plans were so much better than the first set than many neighbors simply felt relieved. I was grateful that the Turnpike engineers had listened to our concerns and made substantial revisions. They were grateful that the intervention of area legislators had helped smooth the way with the DEP to get the new storm water management system approved, and that the neighbors were no longer so angry. A good night all around for showing how reasonable people can disagree and work something out that gets the job done and respects the neighbors' concerns. Aint Democracy grand ?

I know where Sarah Palin was this Weekend

While I was driving around today from event to event, I happened to catch a news reporter intoning "Sarah Palin has nothing on her schedule today," and thought to myself---she's a wife and mother of five--are they kidding ?
By all accounts Alaska's First Dude is a supportive and caring husband who can wrassle a bear and burp a baby with the best of them. I am lucky to be married to a similarly supportive and talented guy. Nevertheless, he still believes there's such a thing as the "toilet paper and toothpaste fairy," who magically replaces the empty toilet paper roll and replenishes the toothpaste whenever it runs dry.
On a weekend before Session in Harrisburg, I run around replenishing bathroom and kitchen supplies, doing the laundry and stocking up on frozen dinners, and planning at least one big "crock pot meal" so the family doesn't starve while I'm away.
I know where Sarah Palin was this weekend. She was doing the laundry.
I, on the other hand, joined the North Wales Historic Commission to mark the placing of a monument to William Trego, celebrated painter of large heroic American paintings like the "March to Valley Forge," near the spot where he lived in the Borough.
From there, it was onto my favorite place on earth, Penllyn Woods, for the Lower Gwynedd Countrie Picnic where I talked to lots of folks and got to judge the cookie contest. I know, it's a tough job but somebody's got to do it!
Meanwhile, I did two loads of laundry this morning before I left the house and I can finish up the rest tonight. Sarah, I'm with you ! Kate Harper

A beautiful day in the neighborhood--Township Style

Today was the Montgomery County Association of Township Officials' (MCATO) Fall Convention at Presidential Caterers and it was a beautiful day as well. Township officials are unsung heroes many days. They deal with the problems closest to home and are seldom recognized for the very real service they do for their communities, like dealing with streets that need paving; trash that needs to be picked up --or recycled--; conflicts between soccer players and football players for the use of the fields and let's not even talk about not having enough fields or enough basketball courts! When I was a Lower Gwynedd Township Supervisor, I used to do my best "constituent service" work in the aisles of the local grocery store. I still do. People stop me when they recognize me and say, "I don't want to bother you but I have a question...." I don't mind it at all. I learned long ago that many folks would never think to go to a public meeting and express a concern on a Tuesday night or to call their State Rep or send a letter or email, but they have ideas, have observed problems, and just want to know what's going on. When they recognize me and let me know what's bothering them, it's good for both of us, especially if it's something that I can deal with easily. The MCATO convention was good too. It's nice when local government people get together to talk socially. They DO appreciate each other. They often discover they are dealing with common problems and can be a source of good ideas for one another. Today, Whitpain Township was still happy about the Turnpike's new and improved plans (sound barriers! fewer"takings") and Montgomery Township was happy to hear the Route 202 bids were opened and construction will begin soon on the section from Welsh Road to Horsham Road. Lower Gwynedd was asking about transportation dollars generally --when will we see some money for Welsh Road and 202 section 65s ? I really like MCATO -- I was once the President--and going to lunch with them is like coming home. But then it's back to the office to read and try to answer the dozens of emails, check the schedule for the weekend, and pick up copies of the bills listed on the House Week Ahead so I am ready to go Monday. Kate Harper

INN the District

Breakfast at the William Penn Inn discussing the preservation of open space and farmland with the Montgomery County Lands Trust (I chair the Board), then lunch at the Montgomery Bar Association's handsome brick building in Norristown, and dinner tonight at the Blue Bell Inn. No wonder I can't lose any weight!
In Harrisburg, I make it a point to walk up and down the marble steps all day long; back here, it's in the car sitting most of the time.
The discussion with the MBA Real Estate Committee is about a couple of new laws I helped to write in the Local Government Committee to address court decisions concerning zoning amendments and development applications. This is where experience as a township supervisor and a municipal solicitor comes in very handy.
From there, I jump back in the car to visit North Wales Borough to deliver a grant award for AED's for the police cars.
Tonight the Blue Bell Inn hosts the monthly meeting of the Montgomery County Council of Republican Women (MCCRW), a great group of ladies who love the campaign season and wearing red, white and blue. They are terrific campaign workers.
Kate Harper

Busy Day at the Peoples' House

We are in Session here in Harrisburg, and bills and amendments are fighting for space on the last, few crowded days of the Voting Calendar. because the Democrats have a one seat majority in the House, it's very difficult to get Republican bills considered, making it a frustrating time. Nonetheless, I managed to get my own HB 2753 voted out of the House Transportation Committee today (thanks, Chairman Markosek) and hopefully it will make its way to the Floor. The bill would allow Montgomery County to have almost a "right of first refusal" to buy "leftover" land from PENNDOT for open space, trails, and protecting historic sites. It could prove very helpful to us in preserving land and historic sites. That was a small victory! Also, the Environmental Committee passed a bill that would slow the deregulation of electric prices, in an effort to temper the expected price jump for heating and lighting homes and businesses when the rate caps come off and consumers are forced to pay the "true cost" of their power. Meanwhile, the Capitol was crowded with folks advocating for various bills like an extension of the MCARE fund (which subsidizes the doctors' malpractice insurance), the PA Credit Unions (just visiting), and animal rights activists pushing the puppy mill bill which should get a vote tomorrow (I heard the Guv brought his dog so that's probably what people will see on TV back home), but we were so busy in Committees, caucuses and on the Floor, I never saw the Governor or his dog who were outside across the street. Nice to chat ever so briefly with Matt Handel of Blue Bell advocating for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia which wants to see a bill become law to ban investments in countries that sponsor terrorism. The House has already passed the bill, and it is in the Senate now for approval. Off to a scheduled dinner hoping to be safely tucked in my hotel by 9:30 PM when I call home each night I am here and not there. Kate Harper

Back in Session Going to the Dogs

Pennsylvania's had the unfortunate distinction of being in the news and even on Oprah for some horrible abuses involving cruel and inhumane dog breeders and the apparent inability of the Commonwealth to effectively regulate and eradicate puppy mills. Today we had the chance--voting on dozens of amendments to HB 2525, a very lengthy and comprehensive bill that provides regulations for cage sizes, exercise, lighting in kennels and many other aspects of dog care for puppies and dogs who are born or kept in commercial kennels or who are simply away from home at a kennel for hours or days. The goal was to come up with a law that would be easier to enforce than current law by providing clear standards for responsible breeders and kennel owners to follow and for humane officers to enforce without putting responsible dog breeders and kennels out of business. It is a difficult thing to legislate specific standards that will apply throughout this very large Commonwealth where rural and suburban and urban dwellers might not have the same standards for acceptable dog care. We all know what we don't like and don't want to see--on Oprah or anywhere--but deciding whether a kennel needs "ten foot candles of light" or "60 watt lightbulbs" is a bit tougher. If all the amendments have been heard (and I think they have although new ones could be filed), then the bill will be ready for a Floor vote on Wednesday. Since we finished after 6:30 PM tonight, and under our new rules, it needs 24 hours after amendment before it can be voted, it could be voted Tuesday night but Wednesday is more likely. Many people will heave a sigh of relief when the bill passes (and it will) and moves on to the Senate for action there. My dog, Scout, however, will be none the wiser about such things since he prefers to sleep the end of my bed to any kennel ! Kate Harper