Next campaign started
As a candidate for Connellsville City Council, I suggested that it was time for new leadership. The results at the voting booth in 1999 and again in 2001 indicated that most of the voters agreed. I never promised the voters a magic wand that would erase all the problems. I did promise the citizens that I would be dedicated and candid. I said I would work for the entire community and that I had no hidden agenda. I asked only for a chance to serve and do my best.
I believe I made my philosophy perfectly clear during the recent campaigns. If you missed it the first time, let me run it by you again.
I will not grant favors in order to preserve my popularity at the voting booth. I do expect that proper procedure as outlined in the Third Class City Code be followed. I expect that people play and live by the rules, and that government and the agencies that serve our citizens are held accountable. I will work to guarantee the efficient and effective use of tax dollars. I will never turn and look the other way while laws are violated because it makes someone’s life a little easier. And I will never use my position as a member of council as a stepping-stone to county or state office.
Do I make mistakes along the way? Sure I do. I am only human. Aren’t you?
I don t like the controversy or bickering any more than anyone else does. That is the nature of the political beast and we should all be wise enough to recognize it. The powers that held this town in gridlock for nearly a decade are shaken by their loss of the throne. They have already begun to play the game because primary election 2003 is just around the corner. The mud slinging has already started. The previous administration is still providing the ammunition; they just found someone else to fire the bullets.
Judy Keller
Connellsville City Council
Steps to respect life
Weary with a society where there is no respect? Looking for a generous society that values human life? One where mercy seeks to provide legal protection for all life from the womb to the tomb. A society where compassion defends a simple moral tenet: life should never be used as a tool, or a means to an end. President Bush in his message to the March for Life on Jan. 23, described America as that society. But without a constant vigil this right to life is slipping away.
One child is aborted every 24 seconds totaling 3,000 per day. For every 1,000 live births there are 306 abortions.
Here is what you can do.
Pray every day for a return to a respect for life from the womb to the tomb.
Educate yourself to the facts through your church and organizations. Web sites such as www.nccbuscc.org/prolife and www.hopeafterabortion.org are good sources of information.
Talk with others about this issue. Learn of the candidates for the election and how they stand on this issue.
Serve on programs that help pregnant women and children. Find out where your local centers are and how you can help.
Organize. Join your local church committee or in Fayette County there is the Greater Fayette County Respect Life Committee. For information call: 724-437-3943, statewide there is the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation 717-541-0034. Pregnant now and need help? 1-888-LIFE-AID or 1-800-848-LOVE.
What can you do? Now you know.
Life is precious, don’t waste it.
Lucinda Vinoski
Media spokeswoman, Greater Fayette County Respect Life Committee