Dauphin County has a new commissioner, a former Chester County sheriff has to pay back thousands of dollars, plus PA Society is slated to return in December. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.
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PA Society. Pennsylvania politicos rejoice. Pennsylvania Society announced this week that the annual get-together in the Big Apple will return in December. The newsy weekend in New York City will take place a few months before the all-important 2022 primaries for governor and U.S. Senate.
Chad Saylor. Dauphin County has a new commissioner. PennLive reports that Chad Saylor, Dauphin County’s chief clerk, was appointed and sworn-in to serve on the Dauphin County board of commissioners. Saylor fills the vacancy left by Jeff Haste, who announced his retirement in early-May.
Dr. Jason Wingard. Temple University has a new president. Wingard, who has served as vice dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, has been named as Temple University’s next president. WHYY reports that Wingard “will be the first Black president in the university’s 137-year history.”
Robert Semenza. This Northeast PA politician has been charged with bribery. PennLive reports Semenza, president of the Old Forge Borough Council, was “charged by Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler with soliciting and accepting cash payments in return for official acts between January 2019 and February 2020.” The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Semenza will plead guilty.
Bunny Welsh. A former Chester County Sheriff, who was active in the GOP, has been ordered to “pay back thousands in theft case.” KYW Newsradio reports Welsh and “her live-in boyfriend will have to pay back thousands of dollars that they were accused of improperly paying to deputies.”
Michael Nutter. After a full recovery, the former Philadelphia mayor is bringing awareness to a health matter. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Nutter, who had surgery for prostate cancer, is “is advocating that men undergo regular screening for prostate cancer with the PSA blood test.”
Mark Squilla. A pair of bills introduced by a Philadelphia City Councilmember were passed this week. WHYY reports that Squilla’s bill “modeled off similar legislation in Boston and New York City” that aims at “toughening regulations and improving transparency around short-term rentals, like those found on services like Airbnb or Vrbo” was passed. Another bill, introduced by Squilla and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Alan Domb and Derek Green, “aimed at cracking down on people riding dirt bikes on city streets after months of complaints from city residents who don’t like the vehicles,” was unanimously passed by Philadelphia City Council.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
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— Jonathan Tamari (@JonathanTamari) June 10, 2021