Dragons in the Algorithm
Adventures in Programming
by Michael Chermside

Election Guide for Nov 2023

This Tuesday we have an election coming up here in Pennsylvania. I've reviewed the candidates on the ballot in my locale and here are my thoughts on those candidates, along with the sources I used to come to these conclusions.

Justice of the Supreme Court (vote for 1)

Judge of the Superior Court (vote for 2)

Judge of the Commonwealth Court (vote for 1)

Judge of the Court Of Common Pleas (vote for 1)

County Council (vote for 3)

  • Monica Taylor (DEM) [Endorsed]
    • League of women voters: “What are your top 3 priorities if elected?” - 1. Housing(subcategories- unhoused/continuum of care, rental stability, and home ownership) 2. Maternal child health and combatting the disparities that exist in maternal mortality and morbidity. 3. Mental and Behavioral health service improvements and expansion (subcategories-DHS workforce development program with local colleges and universities, crisis services expansion and mental health provider development)
    • https://www.delcovictory.com/meet-the-candidates
    I am endorsing Monica Taylor.
  • Elaine Paul Schaefer (DEM) [Endorsed]
    • League of women voters: Top 3 priorities: First, to continue the transformation of the Delaware County government to a professional, efficient, transparent government that serves all residents and spends tax dollars wisely. Second, to continue our transformative investment in our natural resources, open spaces and trails, including building the East Coast Greenway trail in Chester. Along these lines, a major priority for me is to continue to invest in making our government more sustainable, including making our entire fleet electric, investing in solar energy production and investing in mass transit. Third, to preserve and improve access to both physical and mental health care for all of our residents, in every part of our County -- especially where access has been compromised due to the collapse of the Crozer system.
    • https://www.delcovictory.com/meet-the-candidates
    I definitely endorse Elaine Schaefer.
  • Christina A. Ruether (DEM) [Endorsed]
    With some doubts, I am endorsing Christina Ruether, although William Dennon was a close second.
  • Joy Schwartz (REP)
  • Jeffrey O. Jones (REP)
  • William Dennon (REP)

District Attorney (vote for 1)

  • Jack Stollsteimer (DEM) [Endorsed]
    It's a close call, but I'm endorsing Jack Stollsteimer.
  • Beth Stefanide Miscichowski (REP)
    • https://www.bethforda.com/ (I like what I see here)
    • League of women voters: top 3 priorities: My number one objective is public safety. I will ensure violent and repeat offenders are held accountable and if necessary incarcerated. I will prosecute all criminal matters and use my discretion to achieve justice as the number one priority in all cases. My second objective is to educate and train the assistant district attorneys to make the District Attorney's Office the best and most productive law firm in the county. If elected as Chief Law Enforcement Officer, I will work tirelessly 24 hours a day, seven day a week. I do not have political ambitions beyond the office of District Attorney. And my number three objective is to use available resources to support law enforcement and pursue community cooperation all in an effort to deter and reduce crime.
    • https://www.inquirer.com/politics/jack-stollsteimer-beth-stefanide-miscichowski-delaware-county-district-attorney-20231031.html

School Director Haverford School District (vote for 5)

Retention of Superior Court Judges (vote yes or no for each)

  • Retain Victor P. Stabile?
    I have some doubts about retaining Judge Stabile, but am not taking a position on it.

    • Retention of Court of Common Pleas Judges (vote yes or no for each)

    • Retain Richard M. Cappelli?
      I am not taking a position on retaining Judge Cappelli as I do not know enough about him.
    • Retain Barry C. Dozor? [Endorse "yes"]
      • Democratic party, in a close vote, decided to endorse NOT retaining -- for party reasons, not because of decisions made on the bench. See https://delawarevalleyjournal.com/bar-association-asks-voters-to-retain-delco-judges/. This is completely inappropriate on the part of the Democrats and I completely disregarding their position and, indeed, slightly MORE inclined to retain because of it.
      • Denied a petition to halt certification of Delaware County’s election in 2022.
      • The bar voted 91 percent to retain Dozor.
      I endorse retaining Judge Dozor.
    • Retain William Chip Mackrides? [Endorse "yes"]
      • Democratic party, in a close vote, decided to endorse NOT retaining -- for party reasons, not because of decisions made on the bench. See https://delawarevalleyjournal.com/bar-association-asks-voters-to-retain-delco-judges/. This is completely inappropriate on the part of the Democrats and I completely disregarding their position and, indeed, slightly MORE inclined to retain because of it.
      • The bar voted by 91 percent to retain him.
      I endorse retaining Judge Mackrides.

    Posted Sun 05 November 2023 by mcherm in Politics