Thursday, February 02, 2006

24: Alan Henry for State Representative in 91st District


Yes, this is an endorsement. For a Democrat. That noise you hear is Daddy yelling at us from beyond the grave, “The last two times you did that were disasters! Jimmy Carter and Ed Rendell! You'd better be right!”

We’re sure we’re right. There are important principles and values at stake here.

Months ago we would have naturally endorsed incumbent Steve Maitland. We even volunteered to help Maitland’s next campaign. Besides, he’s a personable, likeable, all around nice guy. That was before he voted for the Midnight Pay Raise, and before he refused to pay it back, instead paying his law school tuition with it, and weakly rationalizing that it would make him a better representative.

We believe, with others, that it is long past time to stop asking those who still have not repaid the unvouchered expenses they took under that pay raise, to give it back. We believe it is now time for the Attorney General to file charges of felony theft in Commonwealth Court against those so disposed to steal from the taxpayers what the rest of the General Assembly repealed, and the Governor signed into law.

Effective representation begins with trust. When you can no longer trust your representative enough that he will do the right thing, especially something so obviously right, then you can no longer support that representative. This is the case with Steve Maitland, who has broken the trust with his constituents.

We look for a new representative and, with the very capable aid of Russ Diamond at
Operation Clean Sweep, we find Mr. Alan Henry of Upper Adams. Mr. Henry has served the public for many years as a first responder, has some very good training in negotiations, and has an agenda for his term of service, if elected.

Mr. Henry stands on these issues:

  • Term Limits - Mr. Henry vows to keep his promise of serving no more than twelve years (six terms) as State Representative, and will work to impose such a limit on both houses of the General Assembly.
  • Education – Mr. Henry supports the No Child Left Behind program, keeping fiscal control of schools local, reducing class sizes, advancing early childhood education, and lowering college tuition.
  • Property Tax Relief – Alan supports Act 72, and would work to reduce or eliminate property taxes on farmers and homeowners, especially seniors.
  • Development – Alan sees the need to impose per-unit impact fees on developers to alleviate the impact of infrastructure and other related costs currently passed on to the taxpayer.
  • Environment – Alan Henry supports zoning and comprehensive community planning to avoid random developments with failed septic systems and undrinkable water.
  • Emergency Services – As an EMT/First Responder for many years, this would naturally be an area where Alan Henry’s expertise and experience can come directly into play. Alan wants to make the Adams County Emergency Services Training Center a reality.
  • Crime – Mr. Henry supports increased police presence in Adams County.

To see all of Alan Henry’s issue positions, climb on board his extensive website at:

Alan Henry for State Representative – 91st Legislative District

We like the positions Alan Henry has taken on the issues noted above and other issues. Alan has no legislative record, Maitland does. Two bills in 14 years, a broken promise to not run after the twelfth year in office, and not returning the money from the repealed pay raise. Perhaps law school will make him a good attorney, but 14 years in office has not made him a good representative.

When searching for a candidate, one should look for a number of qualities, among which are integrity, honesty, commitment, ambition, candor, and clarity of goals and objectives. These qualities all go far towards the making of a leader. Steve Maitland’s score on these counts has been compromised by his unethical stand on the Pay Raise. Maitland has also proven that he is not a leader. Alan Henry shows all the signs that he will meet and exceed these criteria, and be an effective, capable voice for Adams County in Harrisburg. Adams County needs and deserves new representation.

Let’s help kick the hubris out of Harrisburg by starting in the 91st Legislative District!

Vote for Alan Henry in May, and in November!

THE CENTRIST

“Kick the hubris out of Harrisburg!” THE CENTRIST

"It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs. " Albert Einstein

Copyright © 2006: “THE CENTRIST”. All Rights Reserved.

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