State of Independence Needs a Few Good Independents

After all, the new slogan for Pennsylvania is the "state of independence."

Where are the Independents when you need them, really, really need them?

Come November, will there be any Independent challengers to step up and run against the two-party stranglehold on local politics in the state of Pennsylvania?

How difficult is it to obtain the necessary nomination petitition signatures (valid) in counties whose voter registration rolls in many cases are over half (such as Fayette County) of the population count?

Fayette lacks funds to cull registration roll
By Chris Foreman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, May 13, 2007

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_507440.html

Southwestern Pa. counties lose residents, gain voters
By Chris Foreman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, May 13, 2007


If it weren't a trend throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, Fayette County might have a bit of explaining to do.
After all, how does a county lose almost 3,000 residents since 2000, while its voter registration rolls balloon by more than 7,444 names?..

...After a population upswing from 145,351 to 148,644 during the 1990s, Fayette's residency slipped to 145,760 through July 1, 2006, according to the March U.S. Census Bureau estimate.

The number of registered votes has ticked steadily upward, with 89,377 listed through the April 16 close of registration...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_507439.html

Dem nominee Lally for Fayette Co. controller left crash site
By Chris Foreman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Uniontown police are investigating a late-night, two-vehicle crash last week, in which Sean P. Lally, the Democratic nominee for Fayette County controller, admitted leaving the scene before an officer arrived.

In a telephone interview five hours after the crash, Lally allegedly admitted having consumed two beers before the Union Street wreck, but denied being drunk, Officer H. Dennis Field reported...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_510122.html

More

Ex-Fayette lawmaker owes $600 in ethics case
By Rich Cholodofsky
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, May 22, 2007


Former state Rep. Larry Roberts was fined $600 by the State Ethics Commission for allowing legislative staff to arrange campaign events in 2001 and again in 2004.
Roberts, a Democrat, represented the 51st District in Fayette County for 14 years. He chose not to seek an eighth term last year.

Earlier this year, Roberts was found to be in violation of two sections of the ethics laws...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_508816.html

Fayette Democrats give nod to Zapotsky, Vicites
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, May 16, 2007


Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent Vicites were on their way to winning Democratic nominations for Fayette County commissioner, according to unofficial results Tuesday...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_507896.html

Upset likely in Fayette County controller's race
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, May 16, 2007


Uniontown resident Sean P. Lally was working on an upset of Fayette County Controller Mark Roberts, according to unofficial Democratic primary results Tuesday night.
Two other Democratic row officers, Sheriff Gary D. Brownfield Sr. and Clerk of Courts Janice Snyder, coasted to victories.

No Republicans are running for a row office.

With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Lally led Roberts 52 percent to 48 percent.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_507915.html