MEDIA, PA- On Tuesday, David Landau, Candidate for Delaware County Council, advanced his investigation of the patronage jobs, no- bid contracts, conflicts of interest, and nepotism within county government.

Landau’s investigation targeted the Solicitor’s Office as well as the three departments charged with voter protection and information: The Election Bureau, Voter Registration, and the Voting Machines Department.

Landau revealed several startling facts including:

Voter Registration, Election Bureau, and Voting Machines
▪ Of 31 staffers listed, all are registered Republican

▪ 7 of 31 employees are Political contributors since 2001,
including the Director of the Election Bureau

▪ 1 GOP Committeeperson and several related to Committeepeople.

“The conflict arises when employees are actively participating in partisan politics as these folks have”, Landau stated from the front of the Courthouse.

Solicitor’s Office
▪ The Solicitor’s office has made over $91,000 in Political Contributions since 2001 ranging from $900 to $38,088. Every Assistant Solicitor has given at least $900.

Of the 15 staffers in the department all are registered Republican.

Landau also criticized the conflict-of-interest of the county’s head solicitor.

“When people ask what I mean by ‘Bush-Style’ Government, this is it in a nut-shell. You have the county’s chief civil litigator and his hands are tied by partisan politics and conflicts-of-interest. It’s the same type of situation we saw with Alberto Gonzales.”

In addition to his duties as Solicitor, the Solicitor is an Associate at the law firm of Council Chairman Andy Reilly. On the firm’s website McBlain is also listed as:

▪ Redevelopment authority of the County of Delaware, Solicitor
▪ Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board, Solicitor
▪ Borough of Millbourne, Solicitor
▪ Borough of Sharon Hill, Zoning Solicitor
▪ Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau, Solicitor

“But perhaps most troubling, is in addition to these conflicts, the County Solicitor also serves as Treasurer of the Delaware County Finance Committee” said Landau. “When you have that degree of partisan dealings polluting the courthouse, the people are not going to receive adequate representation.”

The “Case Against the Courthouse” is a department-by-department exposé of the waste incurred through patronage jobs, no bid contracts, conflicts of interest, and nepotism. To learn more about David Landau and the “Case Against the Courthouse” please visit www.davidlandau.net.
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DAVID LANDAU FOR DELAWARE COUNTY COUNCIL

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday Sept. 18th, 2007
Contact: George Matysik
610-623-7402
georgematysik@gmail.com For Immediate Release

MEDIA, PA- On Monday, David Landau, Democratic Candidate for County Council, announced preliminary results of his investigation into corruption at the Delaware County Government. Dubbed "The Case Against the Courthouse," Landau is presenting a detailed exposé of the waste incurred through patronage jobs, no bid contracts, conflicts of interest, and nepotism.

"This case just confirms what voters have suspected for years," Landau stated from the front of the courthouse. "Patronage is alive and well in Delaware County and we intend to put an end to it."

"I truly believe most of the courthouse employees to be good people, but a small portion of the courthouse crowd think they are completely unaccountable to the citizens of Delaware County," said Landau.

Landau pointed specifically to the Executive Director and Personnel Departments. Of the 40 employees working in the Personnel and Executive Director's offices, 38 are registered Republican and 31 are Republican Committeepeople or local GOP donors.

"Last week the Executive Director insinuated it is entirely acceptable for council to have unanimous and unaccountable voting records, now we see why."

Landau also pointed to contracts given to political contributors, including those for independent audits on county expenditures.

"Our supposed independent auditors are some of the largest contributors to the local GOP coffers in the County," said Landau, pointing specifically to one auditing firm which doled out nearly $50,000 to local Republicans.

Landau also took exception to the high percentage of family members working in the courthouse. Eight of the 40 employees in Personnel and the Executive Director's office had family members working elsewhere in the county government. Pointing to other potential conflicts, Landau noted that two executive county employees hold office in their local municipality.

"Despite what the party bosses may think, county government is not their personal family business," criticized Landau. "That is precisely why I am advocating merit based hiring and promotion."

Landau has garnered a wave of attention for his vision to end the culture of corruption in Delaware County and restore faith in local government. For more information on David Landau and "The Case Against the Courthouse" please visit www.davidlandau.net

# # #

--
George Matysik
Communications and Policy Director
David Landau for County Council
o. 610-623-7402 │c.215-803-6676

Delco Courthouse Just Doesn’t Get It

MEDIA, PA- On the heels of David Landau’s proposal for Accountable Government, County Executive Director and GOP Spokeswoman, Marianne Grace, enlightened voters that the workings of the all-Republican County Council may seem “mundane” for those not involved.
“Grace’s insinuation that Council’s agenda is not important enough to raise citizen comment is exactly what’s wrong with this closed-door government,” said Landau campaign manager Jared Solomon.
In attempting to clarify why Council has voted unanimously in every vote since 2003, Grace informed voters “It’s not like council members are debating something that would require the partisan give-and-take found at higher and lower levels of government.” Grace cited the War in Iraq and rubbish disposal contracts as two issues which were substantive enough to warrant debate.
Solomon voiced concern at Grace’s comments stating, “Well at least it's out in the open now, the courthouse considers "mundane" issues that affect the economic, social, and overall welfare of the citizens of Delaware County.”

# # #
Wednesday Sept. 6th, 2007
Contact: George Matysik
610-623-7402
georgematysik@gmail.com

Delco Courthouse Just Doesn’t Get It

MEDIA, PA- On the heels of David Landau’s proposal for Accountable Government, County Executive Director and GOP Spokeswoman, Marianne Grace, enlightened voters that the workings of the all-Republican County Council may seem “mundane” for those not involved.
“Grace’s insinuation that Council’s agenda is not important enough to raise citizen comment is exactly what’s wrong with this closed-door government,” said Landau campaign manager Jared Solomon.
In attempting to clarify why Council has voted unanimously in every vote since 2003, Grace informed voters “It’s not like council members are debating something that would require the partisan give-and-take found at higher and lower levels of government.” Grace cited the War in Iraq and rubbish disposal contracts as two issues which were substantive enough to warrant debate.
Solomon voiced concern at Grace’s comments stating, “Well at least it's out in the open now, the courthouse considers "mundane" issues that affect the economic, social, and overall welfare of the citizens of Delaware County.”

# # #
Wednesday Sept. 6th, 2007
Contact: George Matysik
610-623-7402
georgematysik@gmail.com

David Landau and Democratic Council Candidates Steer Delco Infrastructure in New Direction

CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PA- On Wednesday, Delaware County Council candidate David Landau unveiled his plan, "A New Direction: Infrastructure Planning in Delaware County" at his campaign headquarters in Clifton Heights.

"Community Revitalization is not just skin deep," said Landau. "It goes far beyond a fresh coat of paint and some new street signs."

Flanked by State Senator Anthony "Hardy" Williams and fellow Council Candidate John Innelli, Landau admonished the courthouse for their lack of long-term planning.

"The courthouse tells us the county is on the right track," said Landau. "Perhaps they should hold off waving the 'mission accomplished' banner and take a look around."

"The number one thing keeping Delaware County from performing to the level of it's peers is the ridiculous limitations of partisan politics," added Sen. Williams. "In my ten years in the State Senate, I have never been invited to county council. Not once. We need bipartisan leadership on County Council."

Landau's "New Directions" White Paper calls for comprehensive technical and planning assistance for municipalities as well as specific policy initiatives. Landau's proposals range from sewer maintenance and street lighting to a comprehensive approach to infrastructure improvements.

The Delaware County Democrats highlighted the importance of planning and leadership.

"We need to think long term and provide a workable and flexible approach when it comes to infrastructure improvement and replacement," said John Innelli.

# # #

DEMOCRATS FOR DELAWARE COUNTY COUNCIL

www.davidlandau.net , www.annokeefe.com

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: George Matysik
610-623-7402
georgematysik@gmail.com

For Immediate Release

Democrats to GOP: Lets Talk Issues

CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PA- On Wednesday, Delaware County Council candidate David Landau called out his Republican opponents for failing to address the issues facing Delaware County voters. "I proposed eight debates and our opponents have only agreed to two." We need a robust dialogue about the future of Delaware County," stated Landau.

Landau, acting in concert with his democratic running mates, sent out a letter urging his republican opposition to agree to a series of 8 debates. They have failed to respond to this request.

"I have been firm on this from day one," Landau stated from his Campaign Headquarters in Clifton Heights. "The residents of Delaware County deserve a serious discussion of the issues affecting our future."

"In order to make this democratic process a meaningful one, we need more than two isolated debates," said Ann O'Keefe. "The citizenry of Delaware County deserve more."

The Democratic Candidates for County Council have outlined a series of eight debates among the candidates to be scheduled throughout the county.

"I'm in this race because I see a county government that has an utter lack of accountability," said John Innelli. "Now, we are offering our opponents the opportunity to hold themselves accountable to the voters of Delaware County."

"A few weeks ago, our opponents campaigned on a truly Democratic principle- Government Transparency," Landau stated. "Well here is their chance to show it wasn't just a hallow gesture."

For more information about the Democratic Delaware County Candidates, please visit www.davidlandau.net and www.annokeefe.com.

# # #

CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PA- Standing in front of a packed house at the Grand Opening of his Campaign Headquarters, Democrat David Landau was lauded by hundreds of supporters and elected officials for his vision to restore faith in local government.

“The days of unaccountable, Bush-style government end today!” Landau exclaimed to a host of cheers from the large crowd of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. “With your help, we can take back the County Courthouse and usher in a new day in Delaware County.”

U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak and State Rep. Greg Vitali were on hand to encourage Landau supporters to continue their hard work.

“This election is not just about having Democrats elected,” said Rep. Sestak, (D- PA 7) “It’s about having an open, transparent debate of issues. David Landau, John Innelli, and Anne O’Keefe have been there from the beginning- giving me advice and support.”

Greg Vitali, (D, Haverford) underlined David’s qualifications.

“His leadership and the professional way he runs his campaign is exactly the kind of guidance we need on county council,” Vitali extolled. “He has the qualifications and the principles we need to turn this county around.”

Landau’s positioning of his office in Clifton Heights highlights a significant change in Delaware County voter trends. Areas of the county which have traditionally leaned Republican in the past have seen a shift toward Democratic reformers like Landau.

“We’re seeing broad support from all walks of life,” said Landau “The citizens of Delaware County want to see an end of the culture of corruption. Democrats and Republicans can both agree- what this county needs is honest, homespun government.”

Contact: George Matysik
610-623-7402
georgematysik@gmail.com