Wow! The signs are up all over York County! And not along strip malls or on public property, but in yards, and outside businesses. This show commitment to what we are trying to accomplish. We have been getting calls from folks who want more. If you would like a sign, or a bumper sticker(which we now have thanks to a donor), or want to help at the polls on May 19, send me an email through this site, or give me a call at 717-843-9023. Together, we are making a grass roots statement that “It’s Time!”

“And that’s why open records and open government laws are so important. Taxpayers have an absolute right to know what their government is up to. It is one of the founding principles of this nation. Still, efforts by government officials to keep citizens in the dark — more often than not, for political reasons — have thwarted attempts to make government more transparent.” 

This is the editorial quote from The Daily Record on March 20, 2009 pointing out the importance of openess in government.  I was struck at the comparison with the controversy surrounding the resignation of the District Attorney’s first assistant.  Neither he nor the District Attorney are talking, but it is apparent that he was forced out at the insistence of the Police Chief’s Association. “Why?” is the question.  The DA needs to give the community answers.  Rumors are rampant.  Until this is made clear, the reputation of law enforcement throughout the County will unfortunately suffer.

Many of you have asked how many signatures we received on the nominating petitions.  Here are the results. We needed 250. We obtained 1528–6 times the number required.  This number is over twice the number obtained by my opponent–662.  A big thank you  to all who circulated and signed.  It is a conformation of the level of support for what we are seeking to accomplish.

I recently took it upon myself to look at  recent cases in York County where defendants were charged with Murder of 1^st Degree.  I did this because the current DA is running on his record.  Well, here’s the record. You be the judge.

2005 cases - 5 

1-Guilty but mentally ill – awaiting appellate court decision

1-nolle prossed – guilty plea to 3^rd degree

1-nolle prossed – guilty plea to criminal conspiracy

1-nolle prossed – guilty plea to robbery,

1 – not guilty to 1^st degree-guilty of voluntary manslaughter

2006 cases – 8

2 - Guilty-1^st degree - Life

1 – guilty of inv. Manslaughter

2 - guilty to 3^rd degree

1 – guilty to burglary

1 – guilty of 2^nd degree

1 – guilty of 3^rd degree

2007 cases – 8

4 - Found not guilty by jury

1 – guilty of 3^rd degree

1 – guilty of inv. Manslaughter

1 – guilty of agg. assault, theft,  reckless endangerment, terr. threats, criminal

       mischief, arson

1– awaiting trial 

2008 cases – 12 

11 –awaiting trial

1 –3^rd degree

2009 cases – 1 (to date-2/24/2009)

1 awaiting trial

Standing before a group of Republicans earlier this week, our present DA beamed as he recounted the 95% conviction rate of his office.  Apparently this statistic is frequently used by our District Attorney to trumpet his success.  I know this because after the meeting a member of the group came up to me and said, “Everytime I hear him say that, I cringe.  He will charge a felony, accept a plea to a summary, and call it a win.” 

British Statesman Benjamin Disraeli said, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” Let me introduce a bit of truth and reality to this creative report.  The office frequently overcharges.  The philosophy seems to be; throw mud on the wall and we’ll see what sticks.  What sticks then counts as a conviction. All this overcharging costs money, and guess who pays?  One case I had was charged as murder 1, carrying a mandatory life term without parole.  The defendant went to a jury trial and was only convicted of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor. Under their statistical analysis, that was a conviction.  Show our community what was charged vs. what was convicted.

I’ve now completed visiting each York County Republican Row Officer and each Republican State legislator for the County.  I was struck by how little contact there seems to be with the DA’s office. I was even more struck that there is no formal protocol for regular meetings between the DA’s office and our State legislators.  How can our legislators legislate effectively without regular input from the chief law enforcement officer of the County?  Nor is there a point person within the DA’s office for inquiries made by our legislators regarding citizen concerns. How can the DA insure that we are serving our citizens unless contact exists?  Lines of communication between the people’s representatives need to be established!

Yesterday, I visited the York County Child Advocacy Center at 28 South Queen St. in York. It’s a child friendly environment where children who were allegedly abused are interviewed as part of the law enforcement process. The goal is to reduce the trauma experienced by the child and I was impressed with both the facility and the folks involved.  There was one glaring deficiency-the interviews are not videotaped. It’s not that they don’t want to, instead the District Attorney’s office has instructed them not to videotape.  I want to know if an interview were somehow tainted. On the other hand, a good interview, then shown to the defendant, is the best way to insure a plea of guilty, thereby insuring the child is not further traumatized by putting that child through a trial. Surrounding counties all videotape.  It seems that in York County, advocacy wins out over justice and the needs of children.

Today’s York Daily Record reported that despite a “looming 15 million deficit” for the County budget next year, the District attorney’s Office is requesting 13 new workers, which includes 8 Assistant District Attorneys. We simply cannot afford this.  A review of my ideas section and previous blogs has suggested ways to better utilize the resources we have instead of constantly asking for more.  Efficiency, not bloat, should be the watchword of the day!

I’ve been visiting with folks for a while now sharing with York Countians my intention to run for the office of DA. Those who know me, and many who don’t, seem to ask the same question. Why run?

Why seek a bloated office where morale is low, stagnation is everywhere, and frustration is around every corner? Why leave the financial comfort of a criminal defense firm you have labored over twenty years to build?  Why take on the challenge of change?

The answer is that “it’s time”.  I want change in that office, therefore, I must enter the struggle.  Power concedes nothing, without a demand.  Things need to change. Positive energy is what is needed.

The harm is in not acting, in standing by and doing nothing.  If you believe as I do, I’d like to know your name.  I want you on our team.  Send me an email with your ideas to vitalize the fabric of our justice system.  Together we will make a difference!