Dr. G. Gary Kirchner is no stranger to controversy.

His three-year tenure as Lancaster County coroner has been marked by errors — he once imposed a $500 fine on himself for every future gaffe — and numerous highly publicized clashes with prosecutors and police.

But the 73-year-old retired surgeon’s latest predicament, being charged with a felony by the state attorney general, likely spells the end of his short political career, the county GOP chairman said.

“I think it’s going to be very difficult for him to win both the endorsement as well as the nomination to get himself elected,” said David M. Dumeyer.

The November election put Republican Todd Platts in the minority for the first time in his congressional career, and that turn of events could mean both parties will be more interested in how he votes.

His vote could have added value to Republicans as they try to muster every bit of support to thwart the Democrats, some experts say. Others argue that Platts could now have more leeway to deviate from his party's leadership.

However his role changes, Platts said he will vote based on the merits of each bill. So far this year, that has made him seem more like a Democrat than a Republican.

In the first weeks of the new Democratic Congress, Platts and five other Republican congressmen have sided with Democrats on a minimum wage increase, 9/11 Commission recommendations, stem-cell research and Medicare drug prices.

A good read for those you, like me, who don't know that much about Rep Platts.

Bruce Beardsley is the chairman of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee. Lancaster County represents the sixth largest number of Democratic votes in the Commonwealth and has seen a number of successes in recent years.

You’re from New Jersey, we’ll forgive you for that, but tell Keystone Politics readers a little about your family and professional life.

I've worked in retail all my life, progressing from sales to store and district management to executive management. I started three companies and I've been President of two companies, Vice-President of one, and Chief Operating Officer of four. The companies have ranged in size of up to $75 million and 17 locations. Along the way, I've also served stints as Comptroller, Training Director, Personnel Chairman, and general manager. My wife was killed while we were vacationing in Jamaica six years ago. I have two step children, Mia 24, and Michael, 22.  read more »

Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that a Pennsylvania business will refund consumers, pay fines and get out of the health care business following claims that it used deceptive marketing tactics to lure senior citizens into purchasing prescription drug assistance programs that are available for free. Consumers have until March 21, 2006 to file a complaint to obtain restitution...

According to investigators, the company between 2004 and 2005 advertised statewide the sale of its services that claimed to help qualified senior citizens apply for low or no cost prescription drugs from the pharmaceutical manufacturers' Patient Assistance Programs.

Pro-Tel charged consumers a $60 fee, per prescription, per year to fill out applications and other documents. The ads and solicitations that reached thousands of older Pennsylvanians also included false representations that consumers were required to purchase life insurance to qualify for the services, according to the Assurance. During the investigation, Pro-Tel and the insurance company refunded more than $1,200 to consumers.

To make a long story short Democrats won big in Amish country. There have been many articles in the local paper: "How did Democrats win so big in the city?" and "Gray's stunning win highlights big day for local Democrats."  read more »

State Rep. Gib C. Armstrong was telling constituents that his plan to replace school property taxes with a state sales tax would require school boards to submit requests for more money to the state for review.

“That would be the first time in my life that schools have ever lived within their budgets,â€

Terry S. Trego, executive director of the Lancaster County Republican Committee, said Thursday he is stepping down, citing personal and professional reasons.

Trego, 30, a former Hempfield High School teacher who has served as the GOP committee director since January 2004, said he enjoys the job but wants to return to teaching high school and perhaps begin a family with his wife, Holly.

United Against Puppy Mills meets in Lancaster and discusses large scale commercial dog breeding in the county.

(ed note: comments next page)  read more »