“The role of a Representative is to carry out the will of the district even when they personally disagree. That is how representative government is supposed to work.” Very Nice!

He's got my vote!

I'd like to hear more, I hope he comes to my neighborhood. Another article on how to help him get the 300 votes would be nice.

Don't quit your day job.

Has Mr. Smith left his position as principal as yet? If he is not running to unseat representative Metcalfe why take time from administering to Senaca's students. There are other ways to be a community activist on behalf of the students and tax payers. Perhaps reviewing how Senaca spends our tax dollars and finding areas to cut waste and consolidate services would be a better use of his time. This economy has forced all of us to review and cut our personal budgets. I have no problem with a representative that takes on a school district in an effort to save tax payers hard earned money and force a school district to tighten it's belt during these economic times.

seriously??? Raising property taxes because a middle school can't work out a budget? Metcalfe is working for all of us, not just the wants and needs of a middle school; he has to look at the big picture. This Smith guy seems to have no clue or experience to be s state representative!

Dick Rodgers, you are exactly right! That seems to be the way of liberals; just raise taxes rather than cut back/out things like the rest of successful people who know how to live on a budget when needed!

I'm not sure what the end result of this candidacy will be, but I do know that no one has attempted to call Rep. Metcalfe on his lackadaisical attitude regarding the community he represents. If this effort by Mr. Smith, who is by all accounts an accomplished professional only serves as a wake-up call for the incumbent, the community will be well served. (I mean how can states' rights advocates argue against a guy who wants to bring control and responsibility even closer to home w/rt government be bad?)

Janet Butler: Since when do liberals argue against unfunded state mandates and more local control over government? They don't. Smith's statements, if you read them and get past the "T" word, criticize Metcalfe for making claims against a singular action (the Act 1 exemption) when he did not have an informed opinion. Much like most of the people commenting here, he saw the word TAX, it set off a Pavlovian response: "UUrrgggh....Taxes BAD!!!" Why couldn't YOUR elected representative bother to investigate the motivations behind this request? Why hasn't he submitted a formal and informed reasoning defending his actions? Where is Rep. Metcalfe when it comes to doing something OTHER than getting your name in the paper to promote a populist message? ("Don't raise taxes!" "No domestic-partner benefits at PITT") Again....when do you hear him or ANYTHING about what he's doing???

Therefor, you have the candidacy, albeit a doomed one, of Mr. Smith. I wish him the best of luck in spreading his message and hopefully waking up this constituency.

Gary Ward, I read the entire article and I do not believe in always raising taxes just because a school cannot make a budget. This has to stop at some point. And, how do you know Metcalfe "didn't bother to investigate"? As for him not doing ANYTHING, do you consider the things he stands for, DON'T RAISE TAXES AND NO DOMESTIC-PARTNER BENEFITS, not doing anything? Maybe if you don't support those things, but to me, they are very important. It's all about what you support, obviously.

I'd vote for the gorilla before I'd vote for Metcalfe again! Talk about a waste of taxpayers money. He still took the raise, didn't he! There HAS got to be someone better than him out there. I wish he'd run for US Senator so we could share our misery with all of the USA instead of just Pennsylvania. AND who says Mr. Smith is taking time away from administrating to the students, we don't pay him 24/7 to be at the Haine School office, do we! I hope to get some of his stickers in my hands to pass out!

Mr. Smith has every right to run against Mr. Metcalfe. However, I would expect that this doesn't deter from or act as a distraction from any of his duties at Haine. As for Mr. Metcalfe's actions, if the populace was so disenchanted with his performance or voting record in Harrisburg, he would not repeatedly be re-elected by the vast majorities he typically sees. Argue all you want, but he always wins by a large majority. Seems to me the voting public appreciates all that he does. As for those that argue against him, they simply do not vote. Typical voter turnout in this area is 20 to 30% although it should be higher this year due to the Presidential election. If you don't vote, don't complain and don't present the pretense that you aren't adequately represented!

Nothing surprises me anymore. We have a school district with PROPERTY taxes being INCREASED each and every year much to the detriment of PROPERTY OWNERS. We are NOW GOING to put the "Fox in charge of the Hen HOUSE". It makes me wonder whether there is any morality or integrity anymore. We are all aware of the friends and relatives of teachers ON the school board. Are they representing YOU, the PROPERTY OWNERSor the TEACHERS' and ADMINISTRATORS" best INTEREST? Does it make you wonder when you see that Steve wants to RUN for Daryl's POSITION? Can he possibly want to ASSIST PROPERTY OWNERS who are being SQUEEZED to death in THIS school District? Can Steve be more or less INTERESTED in putting a LOCK or TOP LOADING the LEGISLATURE so as to PROVIDE MORE HUGH SUMS of money to TEACHERS and ADMINISTRATORS? Will Steve POSSIABLY have ANY INTEREST in attempting, as a School PRINCIPAL being REPONSIBLE with the PROPERTY OWNERS' MONEY by CUTTING EXPENSES TO THE OPPRESSED PROPERTY TAXPAYERS? I do NOT beleive that Steve has OUR best INTEREST as PROPERTY TAXPAYERS at HEART. Otherwise, HE would attempt at every turn, to CUT EXPENSES. Does anyone know that we HAVE some SCHOOL DISTRICTS in PA which are BANKRUPT?? Is it possible that we have KILLED the GOOSE that LAID the golden egg?? Check online or call Berkheimers'. They've told me they don't know where people are going to get the money for all of the FREE HEALTHCARE and RETIREMENT BENEFITS that these Teachers' want.

Marilyn, you hit the nail on the head!!! I have lived all over the country and have never lived in an area as taxed as we are here. It has to stop; this mentality of entitlement and give them more because people won't live within their means and on a budget, is crazy! And this Steve seems so amateurish in running for this office to get more money for his school!!!! LOL There is a whole lot more involved in this Representative job.

I have known Steve Smith since he first arrived at Haine Middle School as a teacher. I have full confidence that he will tackle the job of PA State Representative with the same vigor and professionalism that he has shown in his work as an educator. Since I worked in Cranberry Twp, I have had contact with Rep Metcalfe a number of times and have never been favorably impressed with him or his record. I am enthusiastic about Steve's campaign hope that he can garner a lot of local support. Cranberry Township deserves better than Darryl Metcalfe.

Daryl Metcalf is an embarrassment to this community. He is nothing more than a
modern version of Joe McCarthy. His only goal is to seek publicity for himself.
The next time he sends out a printed newsletter(at taxpayer expense) count how many pictures of Darylllllllllllll there are.

Thank you Boyerwedum. You have PROVIDED we who are PROPERTY owners with the TRUTH about how TEACHERS UNIONS STICK TOGETHER to BENEFIT themselves NOT US!! Love it!!! People who are CONCERNED about the OBVIOUS PUSH to RAM INCREASED TAXES down the throats of POOR Seniors on a FIXED INCOME shows just what KIND of UNETHICAL IMMORAL BEHAVIOR some people are capable of. In addition, how much grey matter do you have to have in order to AT LEAST disguise who YOU really are?? And WE have this kind of INDIVIDUAL TEACHING the CHILDREN IN SCHOOL. GIVES ME PAUSE for THOUGHT!!! Why NOT be HONEST POLLY and say that YOU PREFER to PUSH SENIOR CITIZENS who are on a FIXED INCOME out of their homes so that YOU can have that FABULOUS TRIP TO CANCUN?? Gee, AT least you could be honest. But then it might REFLECT WHAT TEACHERS' UNIONS are all about along with their REPRESENTATIVE. Let's SEE. Who is edj?? Does anyone know?

Anybody but Metcalfe. Anybody.

Glad to hear another teacher's SELF SERVING comment, i.e. Mimi B. Sorry that you as a resident of the School District deign it important to vocie that opinion. Can I say anyone but Butch Santicola, maybe even Adolph Hitler? Can we count you in as a resident? Not even a PROPERTY OWNER but a RESIDENT? Many people will eventually catch on to the methodolgy of this SV Teacher's Union and DECIDE NOT to MOVE INTO Seneca Valley. I do NOT undertand why YOU would CONTINUE to RAKE TAXPAYING PROPERTY OWNERS OVER THE COALS. Why not PUT an end to it and PLACE LEGISLATION on for a change to a SALES TAX to pay Teachers' RETIREMENT and HEALTH CARE BENFITS? It would be the FAIR WAY as many people who do NOT own PROPERTY MAKE DECISIONS on how much I have to PAY in PROPERTY TAXES, Does that MAKE SENSE? NO, I wouldn't EXPECT the Legislators to ACCEPT a FAR LESS TORTUROUS and FAIR way to pay for these FREELOADERS. In addition, these Socialist Teachers' Unions would NEVER RELEASE the Seniors from THEIR INDEBTEDNESS. It's like a STONE around everyone's NECK UNTIL they either DIE or MOVE OUT. That may be an OPTION.

When did I say I was a teacher? ( I am not.) What I am is a taxpayer and a long time Cranberry Twp. resident who has a right to voice my opinion. Also, I don't have children and I STILL pay SCHOOL TAXES but I do NOT PISS and MOAN about it like YOU do. Perhaps you should take your own advice and MOVE OUT.

Boyerwedum:

Educators pay into the pension fund and are also taxpayers. They also provide a service. What service does D Metcalfe provide besides seeking his own publicity?
Cranberry is a laughing stock politically because of this clown.

As for the 1%, hey just keep drinking the kool aid and watching faux news. Keep ripping on the middle class while protecting the "job creators".

edj: PTL Metcalfe is a "grandstanding attention grabber"!! I am proud to have a REP who stands up for his morals and get things done and IS NOT politically correct (radical liberal) and is not concerned with the radical minority, but the majority of us that he represents. How is Cranberry a laughing stock politically?? Cranberry is a great place to live, even though too many taxes! And you should be grateful for the 1% that provide the jobs and pay the majority of the taxes. Sounds like you are the one that's drinking the kool aid, or rather just listening to lies on mainstream media, instead of researching the facts for yourself. I challenge you to quit using the worn out talking points of the libs and find out the truth for yourself!

Miranda Malone, Marilyn O'Connell, Ming Sue Lee. Anyone else think they are the same person? The posts are VERY similar.

Boyerweduum

"There is a reason why these are the same old talking points."

It's called the big lie technique. If a statement or comment is repeated over and over again over a period of time people(as least people of limited intelligence) will tend to believe it true. The Nazi's perfected this during the 1930's in Germany. Todays right wing nut cases keep working to one up the Nazi Germans.

Please help me understand how Daryl is so wonderful. He voted to raise his pension, which is higher than any teacher in PA. He pays 1% of his salary for a health care plan no citizen of PA can get. He supports not documenting per diem expenses. What has Daryl done in 10+ years to lower education cost? Nothing I know about. Please enlighten me how he supports his constituents, and not his own personal agenda.

He's got my vote! I hope he wins! I despise career politicians. Being a representative of the people was never meant to be a career!

Oh my goodness, people....All of you seemingly self-proclaimed educated individuals need to step back, take a breath and do some good old fashioned research on Mr. Metcalfe, his platform, and his voting record. Research this man for yourself and THEN form your opinion, good or bad. Also, I suggest you do the same for Mr. Smith. You shred these two individuals apart and I question each of YOUR involvement and knowledge of policy. Not your knowledge of heresay and gossip. Someone balked at Mr. Smith's ability to educate our children, I ask, has that individual ever sat in and observed Mr.Smith teaching a class for any extended amount of time?
Dear people, do not jump on the "Bitching and Moaning" bandwagon. Do not drink kool aid. Do some research and make an EDUCATED and wise decision. And if vahnge is what you are looking for, and if you don't feel Mr. Smith is the one to do it...then I look forward to each of you putting together YOUR campaign to run for office! Ahhh, I am blessed and proud to be an American and live in this Land of Democracy!!!

I just heard a report from the Council on Foreign Relations today. I was shocked and disgusted. “Only a third of elementary and middle-school students are competent in reading, math and science.” … “The military can’t tap the 25% of American kids who drop out of high school, and 30% of those who graduate can’t pass the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery.” … “Even excluding teacher pensions and other benefits, per-pupil spending today is more than three times what it was in 1960 (in 2008 dollars).” (School Reform’s Establishment Turn: The Council on Foreign Relations endorses choice and competition. subscription required)The CFR reports calls for applying to education the same factors that have lead to success in other areas of human endeavor: “U.S. elementary and secondary schools are not organized to promote competition, choice, and innovation — the factors that catalyze success in other U.S. sectors.”The CFR report is U.S. Education Reform and National Security. The overview is blunt: “The United States’ failure to educate its students leaves them unprepared to compete and threatens the country’s ability to thrive in a global economy and maintain its leadership role.Do you prefer to CONTINUE deluding yourself? Is it possible for residents to see REAL TESTING results, not the one where kids are TRAINED to take a test. Why SUPPORT raising taxes year after year when the END RESULT is failure and INSTABILITY IN our educational system.

privateschooldad: you are absolutely correct! We sent our 3 sons to Christian private schools from age 3 through college. The scores in their schools, compared to public schools, did not even come close! That is exactly why we need to give students vouchers to attend any school they want; then the schools would be competing for students and I guarantee the level of learning would go way up!! In fact, the government spends more now per student in public schools, than what tuition is at a private school!! And raising taxes and giving these failing schools more money will only make the problem worse!

bdum:
"Right wing nut cases" would have prevented people like Hitler (a socialist) from taking power. Instead people of limited intelligence listened and believed his rhetoric. Just like we see today on the national level with our leaders challenging our Constitutional structure and creating a racial and class divide. (Remember what happened to the Jews in the 1930's and 40's?)
You can't be serious. If so that is scary. BTW, the right wingers from the US in the 30's were isolationists and wanted no parts of Hitler, Germany or the problems in Europe.

Thank you, Steve Smith, for throwing your name in the ring. How can I get a sign for my front yard?

Another question....How does a child reach middle school and is NOT able to read past a 1st grade level. It happens. Let's ask Mr. Metcalfe and Mr. Smith how this can happen AND ask each of them how they would IMPROVE our schools (especially if taxes are raised) so we can EXTINGUISH this so it doesn't become a new trend. If stats say are kids are not prepared, how about politicians step up?!? They have used education as a platform for so long and it appears our children's academic's have declined. If so much money is being pumped into education, who is keeping tabs on where it goes? You can't tell me teachers are benefitting from this?!? Why are class sizes gigantic?!? Common sense, smaller class size, better education. WHICH is why people choose to PAY for private school in a lot of cases. J Butler and privateschooled- how many students are/were in your class during the critical learning to read years (K-3rd grade)? Let's keep focus....the children, their academia AND who is running the show.

Gold, the class sizes were between 15-20 at my sons private school. But one important thing that might be lacking in the public schools is the parents were very involved. Parents backed the teachers and the students knew it. There was no classroom time wasted on discipline, which allowed all classroom time to be focused on learning. Also, since we were paying for their education, we made sure we stayed very well informed on their progress and had access to teachers at all times. These teachers also realized the investment that had been made in their students education and worked hard to provide the very best instruction. That's why I think vouchers and competition between schools would be the best and most economical solution for students today.

And that is the other CRUCIAL point....parent involvement. So very important! And yes, diminished behavior equals increased academic time. Yet when you speak to teachers, and even to students, conversations abound with stories of poor behavior. So many issues to address....again action needs to happen to correct these areas of concern. There has been a lot of talk, now the communities are demanding action. If Mr. Metcalfe is not or has not been able to solve these very important things, then maybe Mr. Smith is the likely candidate to make change happen!!!

um, don't think so. The Rep job involves so much more than the school problems. Mr. Smith would just be focussed on raising taxes and working for the teachers unions. Sorry, but I think his talents would be better served in coming up with a budget the schools can afford and quit focusing on raising taxes as a solution to incompetence.

True fact, the job does entail more than education. I was just responding to that issue as that seemed to be a none of contention with those above. Hmmm....I didn't realize that "Mr Smith would just be focussef on raising taxes and working for teachers unions."....I THOUGHT the Rep job involved so much more than that. Hmmm....Mr Smith is indeed doomed if that is his only focus. Did he publicly state that? Is that his platform? Come on now!

bdum:

The Repub conservatives of the 1930's are nothing like the conservatives of today.
Ronald Regan would not be considered conservative enough today(remember, he raised taxes around 10-11 times). Richard Nixon today would probably have to run as a Democrat. I don't what your point is, but your comparing apples or oranges.

As far as the individuals you mentioned, Charles Lindbergh was an anit-semitic and actually was an admirer of Hilter and Germany. So he is not one of those right wingers you mentioned would of stopped Hilter.
PLease turn off Faux news, go to the library, but don' waste your time reading right wing blogs. Educate your self.

If we had school vouchers and the Christians would have their own schools, maybe we could get pray back in the school where it belongs! VOTE STEVE SMITH!!!

Bdum

Why should Steve Smith do what you suggest. He can't be any worse than Joe McCarthy light. You remember him, don't you. Maybe you can take him to the library. Bet he has never seen the inside of it. The next time you use one of your
socialist perks(S.S. or Medicare) take Daryl to breakfast and then to the library.

P.S. - You remember praying in school, what you don't remember is the reason.
Was it the test or the sweet thing sitting four seats away?

A little good news last night in the Butler Eagle, if the new districts are approved Daryl Metcalfe will NO LONGER BE MY REP IN EVANS CITY! WAHOO!!!

We need a State Representative that will set an agenda that focuses on responsible economic growth and community development. We need representation that can work collaboratively with area business leaders and educators to secure our fair share of state funding, for our district. We need leadership that that can coordinate, communicate, and yes compromise! Every vote counts, so write-in STEVE SMITH on either party ballot. Steve's name is not on the ballot, so in order to have a choice in November, for State Representative, you will need to type in under, The General Assembly, 12th Legislative District, STEVE SMITH. Misspelled names are not counted as valid votes. Every vote counts!

I am writing because it is important to me. I was once a Metcalfe supporter until I was "educated" to the pratices and preaching of this man! I will not put personal into this message but rather will inform as to fact.
Article #1: Message for a Phila. newspaper:
http://www.citypaper.net/cover_story/2011-07-28-daryl-metcalfe-pennsylvania-state-representative.html

Please take a look at this published article. Mr. Metcalfe is a disgrace to our area and the caliber of the people we have in our community, why do we continue to support and evil man?

Here is another Daryl Metcalfe article. I have also included another article for your review. Is this the representation we want? Is this what "we" want our message to be?
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/category/people/daryl-metcalfe
He is speaking for us all and in return if we elect him AGAIN we are reaffirming his words......

Here is yet another Metcalfe article. He has very strong views on healthcare, this articles doesn't support his stance, which way is it? Please take a look, http://www.wtae.com/news/27046200/detail.html

Good Luck Mr. Smith, I have heard many things about your from children, adults and seniors. I respect a person that is willing to give up the accomplishments he has made to strive for the unknown because of convictions. I look forward to having the opportunity to see your work as a State Rep. Best wishes!