Double-Check Before You Donate

'Tis the season for giving, but unfortunately, it's also a time when unscrupulous charities take advantage of people, warns Goodwill.

Goodwill is urging consumers to double-check before donating goods this holiday season.

First, donors should check with their state attorney general or secretary of state's office to find out if a charity is legitimate.

Second, they should check with a charity-rating agency -- such as GuideStar or Charity Navigator -- or the Better Business Bureau to find out more about specific charities.

"At Goodwill, we find that people want to do the right thing by donating gently used items. Sadly, in the rush of the holiday season, they sometimes drop their unwanted items at the nearest collection bin," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "It may seem as if they are making a charitable donation, but that is not always the case."

Read more about how to make sure you are donating to a legitimate charity at the link below:

Double-Check Before You Donate

Tax Coalition Endorses Sam Rohrer for Pennsylvania Governor

No surprise here. A coalition of nearly three dozen taxpayer groups has endorsed state Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks, for governor of Pennsylvania.

Rohrer, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2010, has been the leading proponent of eliminating property taxes in Pennsylvania.

A member of the Legislature since 1993, Rohrer is the primary sponsor of House Bill 1275, the School Property Tax Elimination Act.

The Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations sees Rohrer's election as the best chance of killing the state's onerous school property tax.

From a press released issued by PCTA:

Rep. Rohrer has, through many legislative sessions, introduced the School Property Tax Elimination Act, legislation that would abolish school property taxes for all Pennsylvania homeowners and restructure a crumbling, antiquated education finance system. During the announcement of his candidacy on Nov. 17, Rep. Rohrer emphasized that school property tax elimination will be one of the five main planks of his campaign platform and a priority of his administration.

Rebecca Heller of The Patriot's Voice, one of the PCTA member groups, said, "Sam Rohrer is not just a candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, he is a true statesman and patriot. Rep. Rohrer selflessly devoted many years of his life to work for the citizens in his district. I do not live in his district, but because of his initiatives, I have always felt he was "my" representative. His goals have always reached much further than district lines. We will work for Sam Rohrer as hard as he has always worked for us."

Joel Sears of the York County Taxpayers Council, a PCTA member group, added: "The first time I met Sam, I knew there was something special about him. He is a true servant of the public whose principles align him with the vast majority of Pennsylvanians, not just his constituents. His approach is tireless, independent of any special interest groups, and always focused on the 'rightness' of the outcome. I am proud and privileged to know Sam."

The Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations is an alliance of 35 grassroots taxpayer advocacy groups from across Pennsylvania that is dedicated to equitable education funding reform through the enactment of the School Property Tax Elimination Act. For more about PCTA's efforts, visit the group's Web site.

For more information on Rohrer's bid for for governor, visit his campaign Web site, www.samrohrer.org

'Talking Politics' on WPAZ 1370 AM

Tune in to "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas & Mike Pincus" today at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM

You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.

If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com'

PA issues warning about H1N1 e-mail scam

This consumer warning issued today by the Pennsylvania Department of Health:

The Pennsylvania Department of Health urges computer users not to open a fraudulent e-mail that claims to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, and asks individuals to create a "personal H1N1 vaccination profile."

Anyone receiving this e-mail should not open it and delete it immediately. The fraudulent e-mail links to a fake Web site that attempts to collect personal information. Clicking on the embedded link in the e-mail puts users at risk of having a malicious code installed on their computer.

Some Pennsylvanians have coincidentally received this e-mail after registering for the Department of Health's H1N1 vaccine clinics, but there is no relation. Pennsylvania's online vaccine registration system is safe to use and does not ask registrants to provide any personal information other than their name.

For additional information, call 1-877-PA HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or visit www.H1N1inPA.com

Holiday Mail for Heroes

'Talking Politics' on the radio today

Tune in to "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas & Mike Pincus" today at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM

You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.

If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com'

So Much Is Owed

On Veterans Day, Nation Salutes Those Who Served

On Veterans Day, Nation Salutes Those Who Served

Taxpayer March on Harrisburg Nov. 14

From our friends at POLICY BLOG:

Join Pennsylvania Tea Party Coalition, Smart Girl Politics, Freedomworks, and other organizations for a Nov. 14 "March on Harrisburg" to take our message of fiscal responsibility and lower taxes directly to state lawmakers. Please join us for a big march and rally on the capitol steps in Harrisburg!

Who: Coalition of Tea Party groups and taxpayer advocates
What: March on Harrisburg (State Capitol Steps)
When: Saturday, Nov. 14th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Why: To send a message to state lawmakers that we support limited government and lower taxes

FreedomWorks Chairman Dick Armey will be the keynote speaker at the state capitol.

To RSVP for the March on Harrisburg, click here. For more details on the march, check out www.PAMarch.com

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

If the government can't run a flu program ...

Thanks for your support

While I was disappointed I was not elected to the Mount Penn Borough Council on Nov. 3, I was not surprised by the results.

Democrats enjoy a large voter-registration advantage in the borough and there were also three incumbents seeking the four open seats. (Despite the long odds, I finished 25 votes short of winning a seat on council.)

I'd like to thank the 149 residents who voted for me and wish the best to the newly-elected council members.

Here's how the vote went:

JANICE KROMER PODOLICK (D) 210
DENNIS L. SWARTZ SR. (D) 193
SCOTT M. HAUCK (R) 181
JAMES M. COCUZZA (R) 174
TONY PHYRILLAS (R) 149
LEONARD E. BURTON (R) 142

Pennsylvanians Urged to Vote in Nov. 3 Municipal Election

Pennsylvanians Urged to Vote in Nov. 3 Municipal Election

Vote for Experience/Leadership on Nov. 3

A recap of Civic/Community Activities that Tony Phyrillas has been involved with in recent years:

* Central Berks Regional Police Commission member, 2008 and 2009, the civilian board that supervises the Central Berks Police Department serving Mount Penn and Lower Alsace Township

* Mount Penn Borough Council member, 2006 and 2007, serving as Treasurer and Finance Chairman, overseeing the borough's $1.5 million annual budget

* Antietam School District Tax Study Commission member, 2006

* Kiwanis Club of East Penn Valley, charter member, 1995
* Kiwanis Club of East Penn Valley, Vice President, 1995-96; President-Elect, 1996-97; President 1997-98; Secretary, 1999-2001
* Editor, Club Newsletter, 1997-2000
* Honored by the club with Kiwanian of the Year Award in 1999

* Reading High School Alumni Association, life member
* Alumni Association Executive Committee, 2003-2006
* Editor, Alumni Association Newsletter, 2004-2006

* American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), member since 1987
* AHEPA Berks County Chapter, President, 1991 to present
* Delegate to State AHEPA Conventions, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
* Delegate to National AHEPA Conventions, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
* Publications Director/Newsletter Editor, AHEPA District No. 4, 1990 to 1995
* Chapter Scholarship Chairman, 1995 to present

* Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Facility Needs for Kutztown Public Library, Chairman, 1995-96
* Produced the Feasibility Study that led to construction of new library, 1996
* Publicity Chairman for Kutztown Public Library Capital Campaign, 1997

* Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Reading, elected to Church Council, 1995; re-elected 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
* Elected Council Secretary 1997, 1998, 1999; Elected Council Assistant Treasurer 2002
* Elected Council President 2003; Re-elected Council President 2004

* United Way Campaign Coordinator for 120 employees at The Mercury, Pottstown, Pa., and The Penny Pincher, Pottstown, Pa., 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

* Sts. Constantine & Helen Church Greek School PTO, charter member, 2007
* Elected Greek School PTP Treasurer, 2007, re-elected 2008

* Judge for Veterans of Foreign Wars 'Voice of Democracy' Contest, Manville, N.J., (VFW Chapter), 1990

* Judge for Sam Walton Community Scholarship Program, Pottstown Region, 2001

* Judge for the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, Diocese of Pittsburgh, Eastern Pennsylvania Division, Reading, Pa., 2002

* Habitat For Humanity-Berks County Chapter volunteer, 2003 to present

* Friends of the Exeter Community Library, member since 2006

* Guest Lecturer, Kutztown University English/Communications Department, Introduction to Writing Class, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996; Introduction to Public Relations Class, 1995, 1996

* Guest Speaker on government reform at Montgomery County Community College Healthy Lifestyles Expo; Kiwanis Club of East Penn Valley; Spring-Ford Rotary Club; and Pottstown Area Senior Citizens Discussion Group.

Don't pay for health care reform on the backs of our seniors

'Talking Politics' on the radio today

Tune in to "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas & Mike Pincus" today at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM for a preview of the key races in the Nov. 3 General Election.

You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.

If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com'