Berks State Rep Candidate Mike Morrill Is a Trash Talker

When he was a green, community activist Mike Morrill ran for governor. That was in 2002. Although I eventually became disenchanted with the greens, I met Morrill several times, and he impressed me as one person who represented what was right about the green party. He advocated clean election laws and a living wage. He was also the best trash talking candidate.

Now I don't mean the kind of trash talk you usually get from me. Here's what Mike said at the time. "Pennsylvania imports more trash than any other state in the nation, by more than two to one. As a matter of fact, we import right now about a ton of trash for every man woman and child in the state. We import it from 28 states. We import it from Canada. We import it from Puerto Rico. Which tells you something about the economics of trash." His solution? Lower daily volume permits.

Now Mike is a Democrat. Instead of running for governor, he was elected to West Reading Borough Council. There, he's persuaded fellow council members to adopt, unanimously, a clean air ordinance that deals with a kind of trash we can't see. It imposes restrictions on mercury emissions eleven times tougher than our current federal standard. This may sound a bit draconian to those of you who just hate when Big Brother meddles in business. But that neurotoxin is dangerous. One of every twelve women of childbearing age, has levels high enough to endanger her unborn children.

Over the weekend, John Morgan at Pa. Progressive asked me to tell you about Morrill's current bid for election to the state house in Berks County. "Mike Morrill has devoted his life to liberal and progressive causes, for working families, for improving our communities, our state and our nation. He has stood for labor rights, social justice and for US. It’s time we elect someone in the 127th who will truly represent the people of the 127th instead of the legislator’s family. It’s time we elect Mike Morrill, someone who won’t vote for the Republican Speaker of the House in Harrisburg."

"I believe candidates with strong, sound stances deserve our support, and this is a race where your dollars can make the difference. Please make a contribution to this critical cause."

If you can afford to contribute, Morrill's ActBlue page is here.

What the Hell is Going on in Berks County?

One blog is not enough for John Morgan. In addition to Pennsylvania Progressive, he also owns Berks Democrats. The latter blog, which focuses on county government, is one of my faves. But it's beginning to scare the hell out of me.

Northampton County has a well-deserved reputation as the most dysfunctional county government within a 1,000 mile radius. Now Berks County is mounting a serious threat. Get a load of these comments about different row offices.

1. Domestic Violence. - Essentially the protection from abuse office is set up totally for the convenience of the employees and judges, not those seeking help. Their goal seems to be to make the process as difficult as possible. This entire direction is wrong and misguided. Their sole purpose is helping those who feel they are being threatened and in danger. It isn't working in this case and something is fatally flawed, maybe literally.

2. Prothonotary's Office. - They are also charged with sending notifications of hearings, dismissals, etc., handling all the civil court's communications with the parties to lawsuits. Unfortunately this office cannot seem to do any of this. I've been there several times requesting to examine public records and been refused. I've seen them mail legal papers requiring a thirty day response halfway through that period. Many other times they NEVER get the paperwork sent. Trying to get anything done through this office is enough to challenge any one's patience. They are thoroughly incompetent. If Marianne Sutton spent half the time managing her people instead of decorating things might improve. Maybe not.

3. Family Court. - The family court system in Berks County is broken and scandalous and the Prothonotary's office is also part of the problem. Litigants aren't being notified of hearings (a common problem), transcripts aren't being made available and paperwork continues being delayed. These have all been persistent problems in this office.

4. Sheriff. - Sheriff Barry Jozwiak, who opposes all gun control legislation, used a list of county gun owners to send campaign fundraising letters. After being sued, he posted the names of all 25,000 gun owners on his county website. With ALL of their personal information.

5. Recorder of Deeds. - The recorder's staff would find insignificant or nonexistent errors on documents and refuse to accept them in order to screw the companies she didn't like (those that weren't renting space from her.)

John has been fearlessly reporting every detail. I hope he's current on his life insurance premiums.