HS Essay Contest Winners Honored for 2012

FRANKLIN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE
PRESENTS ESSAY AWARDS

Greencastle,PA.

At an Awards Ceremony at Casey’s in Greencastle, PA, on Monday October
15 @ 7:00 PM,  Franklin County Democratic Committee (FCDC) Chairman Steve Harris
presented the winners of the ” Let Freedom Ring” High School essay contest, “Why Don’t All
Young People Vote?” with cash awards.

Cameron Schroy of Greencastle-Antrim High School took top honors
with Savannah Fritz also from Greencastle-Antrim High School second place and Alexander
Buback, of Chambersburg High School with third place.

In his winning essay Schroy concluded, “Youth will vote if they see leaders that put forth
solutions to political and economic problems that affect them. To increase the turnout rate
among younger voters Election Day could be moved to Saturday from Tuesday, and declared
a national holiday, so that youth could cast their ballot without fear of interfering with any
obligation they may otherwise have.”

Shroy received $300, Fritz, $150 and Buback $50 for their winning entries from Chairman
Harris, who said, ”The youth of this nation need to be involved in the decisions made today
that will affect theirs and future generations to come. The quality of writing and thoughtfulness
put into these essays gives me confidence in the future of America”.

Also participating in the presentation wereFranklin County Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski, Chambersburg Mayor Pete Lagiovone, FCDC members and friends and families of the contest winners.

Why We Must All Vote!

A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll found that an estimated 90 million people won't vote this fall. That's more than a quarter of the population of the United States.
You -- or someone you know -- may be one of those 90 million choosing not to vote. Voting is not compulsory. America is a free country. A free country honored by 1.3 million soldiers who've died since 1775 defending our nation and our precious right to vote.
It's also the same free country that today saw thousands of immigrants line up for their newly granted relief from deportation --immigrants desperately wanting to stay in America, to be citizens of America, to vote in America. Immigrants who were brought here at great risk and great cost just for a chance to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities built upon our right to vote.

If you're one of those 90 million people, you can certainly choose to reject that right, for whatever reason. You might think you're too busy to vote; or that the partisan fighting makes you nauseous; or maybe you feel your vote doesn't count. But let me tell you: If you're staying at home because you're disgusted by the negative tone of the campaign; or you believe both sides run the same vile, lying, attack ads; or because you're turned off by politics: Congratulations, you are fulfilling someone else's agenda. You are following their plan to the letter.

The right is working very, very hard this election, spending record amounts of money, for the purpose of having you decide not to vote. They are desperate for you to stay home. They are spending money on ads. They are spending money on voter suppression. They are spending money on letting you know they are spending money so that it disgusts you; so that you're turned off by the whole awful spectacle they've created. They have the champagne on ice, ready to pop the cork on election night when you opt out.
Not voting isn't just sitting it out. Not voting is giving in.
A 'no vote' is really a 'yes' vote for Romney, Ryan, Adelson and the Koch brothers.
If that's what you want, go for it. But if you actually care about the precious right to vote -- now and in the future -- then go register and go vote. And please take one or two of the 90 million with you.

Submitted by Lee Scott, editorOriginally aired on "War Room with Jennifer Granholm." "The War Room" airs weeknights at 9 EST on Current TV.

New Franklin County Democratic Officers Announced

     Steve Harris, a retired Episcopalian Pastor from Waynesboro, has been elected as the new President of the Franklin County Democratics after the resignation of Paul Politis of Greencastle, PA.  Sheldon Schwartz of the Antrim one precinct of Antrim township has been elected to fill Steve's past position of 2nd vice chair.

    Paul has spent many hours the last two years juggling both politics and business, and the club thanks him for his great efforts.

   Steve's capable wife, Becky, currently serves as secretary to the organization and is on the website committee.

Activists Cheer Sestak Who Visits to Say "Thank You"

Franklin County Democrats gave a warm welcome to their Senate Candidate Joe Sestak at a meeting at the Main Street Deli in Chambersburg at 8:30 am, Dec. 7. A good crowd of more than forty joined in a frank question and answer session about the candidate's campaign, his future plans, and the future for progressive ideas in Congress. Rep. Sestak said he had not made specific plans about any future campaigns but would stay in "public service." Rep. Sestak is visiting every county in Pennsylvania and left Chambersburg to attend a similar gathering in Fulton County.

Greencastle Democratic regulars staffed a booth at the town's Heritage Christmas celebration on Friday December 3 and collected contributions for the local food bank and the club, giving out free hot chocolate and cookies donated by members. There's another chance to join them and give visibility to the club on Friday, December 10. We are raffling off two ticket for a ride on the horse-drawn carriage on December 17 at 6:30 pm in return for contributions to the food bank.

DON'T FORGET OUR DECEMBER MEETING ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2010. GOOD PLACE TO PLAN YOUR POLITICAL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2011.

*****FINAL NOTE: While you're distributing your end of year contributions, consider a contribution to the GreencastleAntrim Democratic Club. You can bring it to the meeting.