Todd Rock

Republican lawmakers from Franklin County, Pa., shared excitement Tuesday that Tom Corbett had been sworn in as the state's 46th governor. "It's a fresh start. ... This is just a breath of fresh air," said state Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin/Cumberland. Kauffman was on his way to the inaugural ball Tuesday evening, after watching the mid-day ceremony from an office window at the Capitol. "We're excited about turning things around in the commonwealth," Kauffman said. State Rep. Todd Rock, R-Franklin, said the ceremony took less than an hour in a light rain on the slushy, snow-covered grounds.

Franklin County ballots for Pennsylvania's April 24 primary election are changing to reflect objections filed in court regarding candidates' nominating paperwork. Two county men will not appear on ballots as planned. Travis Schooley of Quincy Township, Pa., will not appear as a candidate for the Ninth District in the U.S. House of Representatives and James B. Taylor of Mercersburg, Pa., will not be listed as a candidate for the 33rd District in the Pennsylvania Senate. Both received challenges to their nominating petitions based on not having enough valid signatures from registered voters.

Elected representatives should lead by example To the editor: Franklin County Commissioners Bob Ziobrowski, Bob Thomas and David Keller, along with state Reps. Rob Kauffman and Todd Rock, and state Sen. Richard Alloway recently voiced their support for legislation that would eliminate the prevailing wage. These elected officials argue that taxpayer monies are wasted when Franklin County workers are paid a wage equal to wages earned by workers in other parts of the state.

State lawmakers from Franklin County, Pa., will have to wait several days to learn if they will be part of contested races in November. Republican lawmakers fared well among voters from their own party in Tuesday's primary election, but write-in votes by Democrats could create contested races for Nov. 6's general election. Write-in votes cast Tuesday will be cumulated and organized by name starting Friday. “Hopefully, we'll have that done Monday or Tuesday of next week,” said Jean Byers, deputy chief clerk for Franklin County.

WAYNESBORO, PA. The Waynesboro School Board has approved a three-year contract with its 302 teachers that will increase salaries 3.5 percent each year but require higher deductibles and contributions from teachers for health care. The teachers voted Thursday, May 25, "overwhelmingly for approval," Waynesboro Area Education Association President Mike Engle said. On Tuesday, the board voted 5 to 1 in favor of the package. Board President Larry Glenn was joined by Stanley Barkdoll, K. Marilyn Smith, Anna Bostwick-Foley and John Fitz in approving the contract.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - State Rep. Mark Keller won the Republican nomination by a lopsided margin on Tuesday in a primary election race with the same challenger from two years ago, according to complete, but unofficial election results. Keller had 4,530 votes in Perry County's 32 precincts and 1,256 votes from Franklin County voters in the 86th House District, which includes parts of Fannett, Metal, Peters, St. Thomas and Hamilton townships. His challenger, Michael J. Lapp, had 1,733 votes in Perry County and 205 votes in Franklin County.

State Rep. Todd Rock, R-Franklin, has been selected to serve on the newly formed Pennsylvania House of Representatives Select Committee on School Safety and Security, which is tasked with developing and examining legislation to enhance the protection of school students and personnel. “As a father and former educator, I am absolutely dedicated to making sure our schools are able to provide a safe and secure environment in which our children can learn and grow,” Rock said in a news release.

Franklin County, Pa., municipal leaders joined their counterparts from communities with similar demographics Monday to push for prevailing wage reform in the state's capital. Washington Township Manager Mike Christopher, Chambersburg Borough Council President William McLaughlin and Southampton Township Supervisor Samuel Cressler participated in a news conference in the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg, Pa. They told lawmakers that relief from the mandate could allow for more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

The dwindling number of GOP presidential candidates and the sparse number of Democrats running for office led to diminished voter turnout Tuesday in Franklin County, Pa. About 27 percent of registered Republicans and 16 percent of registered Democrats went to the polls, according to complete, but unofficial results. In 2008, the last presidential primary, overall voter turnout was 35 percent. “Turnout was significantly affected by the exit of (presidential candidate) Rick Santorum.

Sheldon Schwartz of Greencastle has launched a write-in campaign to represent the 90th House District currently held by Todd Rock. Schwartz, 75, wants to unseat Rock, R-Franklin, by running a write-in campaign as a Democratic candidate in the April 24 primary. Rock has served two terms in the state house. The 90th District includes Waynesboro, Greencastle and most of the surrounding townships. “I'm asking all voters to blacken in the oval and write my name in. It is time for someone to speak up for the middle class in Franklin County,” Schwartz said.

Elected representatives should lead by example To the editor: Franklin County Commissioners Bob Ziobrowski, Bob Thomas and David Keller, along with state Reps. Rob Kauffman and Todd Rock, and state Sen. Richard Alloway recently voiced their support for legislation that would eliminate the prevailing wage. These elected officials argue that taxpayer monies are wasted when Franklin County workers are paid a wage equal to wages earned by workers in other parts of the state.

Franklin County, Pa., municipal leaders joined their counterparts from communities with similar demographics Monday to push for prevailing wage reform in the state's capital. Washington Township Manager Mike Christopher, Chambersburg Borough Council President William McLaughlin and Southampton Township Supervisor Samuel Cressler participated in a news conference in the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg, Pa. They told lawmakers that relief from the mandate could allow for more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

State Rep. Todd Rock, R-Franklin, has been selected to serve on the newly formed Pennsylvania House of Representatives Select Committee on School Safety and Security, which is tasked with developing and examining legislation to enhance the protection of school students and personnel. “As a father and former educator, I am absolutely dedicated to making sure our schools are able to provide a safe and secure environment in which our children can learn and grow,” Rock said in a news release.

A $27.7 billion spending plan passed Thursday by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives calls for 10 percent cuts to human services, flat funding for state-supported colleges and universities, and slight increases for K-12 education. The Pennsylvania Senate may vote as early as Friday on the budget, which affects the 2012-13 fiscal year starting Sunday. The House passed the plan 120-81 after three hours of debate. In interviews at the Capitol, Republican lawmakers from Franklin County, Pa., said they support the budget drafted by their party's leadership.

State lawmakers from Franklin County, Pa., will have to wait several days to learn if they will be part of contested races in November. Republican lawmakers fared well among voters from their own party in Tuesday's primary election, but write-in votes by Democrats could create contested races for Nov. 6's general election. Write-in votes cast Tuesday will be cumulated and organized by name starting Friday. “Hopefully, we'll have that done Monday or Tuesday of next week,” said Jean Byers, deputy chief clerk for Franklin County.

The dwindling number of GOP presidential candidates and the sparse number of Democrats running for office led to diminished voter turnout Tuesday in Franklin County, Pa. About 27 percent of registered Republicans and 16 percent of registered Democrats went to the polls, according to complete, but unofficial results. In 2008, the last presidential primary, overall voter turnout was 35 percent. “Turnout was significantly affected by the exit of (presidential candidate) Rick Santorum.

Sheldon Schwartz of Greencastle has launched a write-in campaign to represent the 90th House District currently held by Todd Rock. Schwartz, 75, wants to unseat Rock, R-Franklin, by running a write-in campaign as a Democratic candidate in the April 24 primary. Rock has served two terms in the state house. The 90th District includes Waynesboro, Greencastle and most of the surrounding townships. “I'm asking all voters to blacken in the oval and write my name in. It is time for someone to speak up for the middle class in Franklin County,” Schwartz said.

Franklin County ballots for Pennsylvania's April 24 primary election are changing to reflect objections filed in court regarding candidates' nominating paperwork. Two county men will not appear on ballots as planned. Travis Schooley of Quincy Township, Pa., will not appear as a candidate for the Ninth District in the U.S. House of Representatives and James B. Taylor of Mercersburg, Pa., will not be listed as a candidate for the 33rd District in the Pennsylvania Senate. Both received challenges to their nominating petitions based on not having enough valid signatures from registered voters.

“Does anyone know of a place that recycles or shreds tires? Or maybe someone that will pick them up. We would appreciate it if you left a message on Mail Call.” — Boonsboro “I am always outraged by violence, whether it be against men or women. You can help do something about it by contributing to CASA, which offers programs and shelter for the abused. They can be reached at 301-739-4990. I personally have seen what changes they can make in a person’s life — including saving lives.”   — Williamsport “I haven’t heard any liberals mention how Obama stuck his nose in Boeing wanting to build a plant in North Carolina.

Republican lawmakers from Franklin County, Pa., shared excitement Tuesday that Tom Corbett had been sworn in as the state's 46th governor. "It's a fresh start. ... This is just a breath of fresh air," said state Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin/Cumberland. Kauffman was on his way to the inaugural ball Tuesday evening, after watching the mid-day ceremony from an office window at the Capitol. "We're excited about turning things around in the commonwealth," Kauffman said. State Rep. Todd Rock, R-Franklin, said the ceremony took less than an hour in a light rain on the slushy, snow-covered grounds.