Congratulations to
Frank Rothermel and Jim Cunningham
Our New Northampton Township Supervisors
Welcome to NorthamptonDemocrats.org, the website of the Northampton Township Democrats of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. For decades, the Democrats of Northampton have been committed to maintaining the values of community, responsiblity, and tradition in our township and throughout Bucks County. We are always seeking volunteers to be committee people and to assist us in our efforts to strengthen the presence of Democrats in the community. Please contact us if you would like to be involved or learn more information by following the links to the left.
Vijay Khanna, Chair
Dennis Amareld, William Richardt, Lydia Sakaitis, Vice Chairs
Anne Markowitz, Recording Secretary
Raisa Silver, Treasurer
Northampton Historical Highpoints
In 1683, William Penn purchased from the Lenni Lenape Indians land lying between the Pennypack and Neshaminy Creeks including what is now Northampton Township. Dutch and French immigrants followed the original English settlers.
Many of the Dutch settled in the southeastern corner of the township in what came to be called "Holland". Churchville was originally called "Smoketown" because of the Dutch custom of smoking long clay pipes.
Probably named for the old city of Northampton in England, our- Northampton in 1722 became one of the largest townships in Bucks County Taverns followed new roads and commerce. The Black Bear Tavern, at 2nd Street and Bustleton Pikes, and the White Bear Tavern, at 2nd Street Pike and Almshouse, were typical. Democrats met at the White Bear; Republicans met at the Black Bear.
The first of many schools in Northampton was built in 1737, and the Addisville Reformed Church, founded by the Dutch in 1710, is the oldest church.
Locally prominent families included the Cornells, whose farm on Holland Road was painted by Edward Hicks, and Henry Wynkoop, who was a delegate to the Third Provincial Congress in Philadelphia, and was elected to the first U.S. Congress in 1789.
Northampton Township today covers an area of approximately 26 square miles and has a population of about 40,000. The Township elects one representative to the State Assembly In its changing form, from rural to a growing population center, the Township has faced the tasks of selfdefinition. Only through a clear understanding of where we are going can Northampton realize its full potential, beginning with the question of land use such as preservation of historic sites, protection of natural resources, housing, school needs, and economic development.
The Northampton Township Democratic Committee is prepared to accept these challenges.
What it means to be a Democrat
"One of the major issues that has divided Democrats and Republicans ... has been the fierce debate over the role of government. Republicans insist that there should be only a minimal role for government in our daily lives and that we should `let the market place alone and it will solve most problems' ... Democrats, on the other hand, have always felt that government must do for its people the things that the market place cannot or will not do.
Democrats need to remember the fine heritage and values which their party stands for, and what men like FDR, Truman, JFK, LBJ, and even President Clinton have created. None of these men were perfect ... Nonetheless, FDR's New Deal created more than 20 programs ... unemployment compensation, Social Security, and the FDIC being only three of them. Harry Truman's Fair Deal desegregated the armed services with the stroke of a pen; JFK's New Frontier created the Peace Corps as well as maintained a silent alliance with Martin Luther King, Jr., which enabled the entire civil rights movement to survive ... LBJ's Great Society, with more than 30 programs, created Head Start, VISTA, and PBS ... Clinton has launched Americorp, signed the Family Leave Act, and has been a strong advocate for education and health care.
During a time when the electorate is concerned about family values, medical coverage, downsizing and the environment - we need to be mindful that none of these problems can be effectively dealt with without a critical role for government to insure that everyone has an `adequate place on the bus'."
* Excerpts from a speech presented by Thomas Mazurek, J.D. He is a professor of history at Bucks County Community College.
Democrats are people you see in your community, at work, at your place of worship, at the store and at the ballpark. We come from all walks of life, but our shared beliefs and values help shape a strong county, state and nation where every citizen has the opportunity to succeed.
We believe:
- In equal opportunity for all citizens.
- In rewarding honest, hard work with a living wage and in a tax system that is fair.
- In family values that are more than a political slogan.
- In quality education that gives all citizens the opportunity to reach their potential.
- In freedom from government interference in our private lives and personal decisions.
- That individual strengths in our diverse population are a benefit.
- In security in our homes and safety on our streets. Criminals should face swift and certain punishment.
- In separation of Church and State to preserve the freedom to pursue our beliefs.
- In a strong United States - morally, economically and militarily.
- In common-sense reforms that give us cleaner and safer air and water.
The History of the US Democratic Party
For general or press information contact:
Frank Rothermel
64 Chapel Drive
Holland, PA 18966
215-435-0552 (cell)
215-367-9264 (home)
215-568-0100 (work)
Frothermel@northamptondemocrats.org
For Web page questions or info - web@northamptondemocrats.org
Contribute to the N.T.D.C.
Through your generous contributions to the Northampton Township Democratic Committee we can help to elect Democrats who will work for all of the people of Northampton Township. Providing:
- Fair, Honest, and Open government.
- Fiscally and environmentally responsible growth.
- Responsible improvements in our schools, infrastructure and in the quality of life of every Northampton Township resident.
To donate by mail please print our Donation Form
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Use the secure link at left to make a credit card contribution
Thank You for YOUR Support!
Volunteer for the N.T.D.C.
The northampton Township Democratic Committee needs volunteers in the following areas:
- Serve as a committee person
- Display yard signs
- Greet voters at polls
- Distribute literature
- Address and stuff envelopes
- Help get out the vote
- Drive voters to polls
and many more depending on your abilities and our needs. It would be great to have you working with us!
Please take a moment to fill out our Online Volunteer Form or you may print the Volunteer Form and send it to us.
Thank you for your support!
Democrats Committed to Public Service, not Self Service
By John F. Cordisco
Bucks County Courier Times
A recent Courier Times editorial suggested that if Democrats win the majority in this November's county commissioner race, we would be no different than the current ruling Republican Party when it comes to patronage, pay-to-play, and political appointments.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The editorial related to a disturbing e-mail that was sent by Vincent Deon, a member of the Bucks County Republican Party Executive Board, to other Republican operatives encouraging them to enlist “courthouse employees and consultants (that have a memory)” to register new Republicans because “many professionals, consultants, contractors and loyal GOP supporters have benefited handsomely by GOP leadership Bucks County wide.” (For those who wish to read the e-mail and judge its content for themselves it is available in its entirety at www.BucksDemocrats.com.)
In contrast, Democrats have embarked on a very different path. A number of years ago, we committed ourselves to building a party of service that puts our community first. It has been a consistent theme during our campaigns and the most important advice we have given to candidates aspiring to win our nominations and become our elected representatives. It seems to be working.
There is a reason Democrats won 119 of 174 contested local races two years ago all up and down the county. There is a reason Patrick Murphy is serving us so ably in Washington D.C. today. It is because we have embraced candidates who understand that governance is first and foremost about public service — and not about self service.
We want to elevate competency as the primary requirement for work in public life. That is why we have nominated the most qualified team in the history of our party. We welcome the scrutiny of the electorate. Match our candidates' credentials and accomplishments against their opponents.
Competency is what we need in Bucks County and our candidates for county commissioner, Steve Santarsiero and Diane Marseglia, and the row offices, Kathryn Boockvar, Cynthia Philo, Fred Viskovitch, and Dr. Polly Beere, have it in abundance.
In closing I would like to draw your attention to a column written by J.D, Mullane, a columnist for the Courier Times. Last December he interviewed me. I reprint a portion of his column exactly as it appeared in the Courier Times to underscore how consistent and determined we have been about changing the current culture of county government.
“If the Dems win, it won't be business as usual, Cordisco said. "We need to run people who believe community is first, party is second,' he said. "The people we run must be there primarily for the community. We're not there for the patronage.' I nearly fell off my barstool. No patronage in the county government? Why, how will ne'er-do-well sons, unemployable daughters and no-good-nick brothers-in-law find work?
“Cordisco insisted he will encourage a meritocracy when it comes to handing out county work. "If a Republican deserves the job, he should get it,' he said. I wagered Cordisco dinner and drinks at the King George Inn if he wins the courthouse and gives jobs to Republicans. "I'll take that bet,' ” he said, as we parted.
I hope you and your readers appreciate the unambiguous and consistent message of the Bucks County Democratic Party. We are absolutely committed to competency in government, not patronage.
So please do not condemn the Democrats of Bucks County because of the practices of some Republican leaders. Give us the chance to lead the county and judge our county commissioner and row candidates by their performance once they are in office, not before they are even sworn in. Please do not paint us with the broad brush of cynicism before we even have a chance to govern. We didn't send the e-mail that stated “many people owe their jobs to GOP Leadership.” That came from a Bucks County Republican leader not a Bucks County Democratic leader.
John F. Cordisco, New Hope, is chairman of the Bucks County Democratic Committee
Why I Am A Democrat
by Frank Rothermel, Chairman Northampton Township Democrats
Out on the campaign trail, people often ask “when did you become a Democrat?” They’re often amazed when I tell them the exact date – March 26, 1966. I was 7 years old. My Dad had just died, losing a near-2 year battle with colon cancer. He had just turned 40 and left behind his beautiful wife (my mother) and 4 children. He was orphaned himself in his teens, along with a younger brother whom he raised. When he turned 18, he entered the Army and fought in War II. Upon returning home, he put himself through college on the GI Bill, graduating from New York University in civil engineering. He designed bridges for a living, working in NY, Florida and then for PennDOT in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for 8 years before he died. Despite being deathly ill, he went to work everyday to provide for his young family; and when he died, he still had accrued sick leave that he didn't use. He was a great guy, good and honest, and loved by everybody.
As with most men back then, he had very modest life insurance benefits. When he died, though, we didn’t get thrown to the curb. My Mom went back to work and we received Social Security benefits. While not always easy, we kept our home (bought with a low-interest VA mortgage), had health care coverage, and no one went hungry. We all worked from an early age too, which none of us minded because everybody had to pitch in. My Mom did remarry a few years later and we were the"Brady Bunch", gaining another brother and sister. All six of us studied and saved,but if it wasn’t for grants and student loans, none of us could have afforded college. With government help though, my sister graduated with a Ph.D. in Immunology from Thomas Jefferson University here in Philadelphia; my other sister graduated from Temple University as a Dental Hygienist; my twin brother became a Geology/Oil & Natural Gas Engineer from Penn State; my youngest brother graduated with a Business Degree from Lock Haven and has become a highly successful VP of Operations for a national retail chain; my youngest sister attended Community College and became an Administrative Assistant for a small insurance agency; and after a few years working construction and other hard-knock jobs, I finished college and went onto law school on scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating, I joined the United States Department of Justice where I served as a Fraud Prosecutor, earning several awards and commendations. I now have my own small law firm with two good friends in Philadelphia.
So, all along the way my family was given “government handouts”. My father was orphaned, had no money for college and was only able to afford it under the GI Bill -- a Democratic program. When he graduated, married, and started a family, he had no money for a home but could afford one with low-interest VA loans championed by the Democratic Party. When he was taken at such an earlier age, we kept our home and survived by receiving Social Security benefits – a Democratic program. We all attended college on Pell grants and student loans – yet another Democratic program. And while we attended Catholic grade school -- we all went onto public high school and then onto publicly-funded colleges and universities -- Temple, Penn State, Lock Haven, Harrisburg Area Community College, and University of Pittsburgh -- all supported by the Democratic commitment to public education at all levels. So the Democratic Party was always there for my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters and I – offering not a handout, but a helping hand so we could develop our talents and achieve our dreams. I'm a Democrat till I die, and hope to live long to help provide the same opportunities to all others in need that I was so fortunately blessed with when I was younger. My real shame is taking so much for granted, letting others shoulder the burden for so long, and not getting more involved earlier to help support the Democratic Party.
I realize my story is not unique. That everyone has a similar story that makes them a Democrat. Often one can't even articulate the reasons other than just knowing it down deep in your gut that the Democratic Party, despite its flaws, is fighting for the common good, trying to make things better, more fair, more just, more safe and more true for you, your kids, your grandkids and your parents. Can anyone of us really say that what we Democrats stand for doesn't make a dime's bit of difference. Everyone of those programs that helped me when I was young was a Democratic initiative. All were fiercely opposed during their time, and only through the hard fought and determined efforts of countless Democratic volunteers and candidates up-and-down the ticket were those programs successfully championed into law.
