A Message from Ritchie Webb

After I retired from the Neshaminy School Board, I fully intended on taking some time off before deciding what I wanted to do next. But in the days following my departure, I became angry and frustrated all over again when I picked up the newspaper and read how local school districts were cutting programs and closing school buildings because they lacked funding or they could no longer afford their staggering share of the State pension fund for teachers (PSERS).
We dealt with these issues as best we could on the school board, but these are matters to be fixed at the state level. Education funding and the pension crisis have been unresolved issues for years, yet for some reason our elected officials in Harrisburg do little more than talk when it comes to fixing these problems.
I am tired of politicians getting elected on promises they never keep.
I am fed up with politicians crowing about meaningless legislation they have proposed while the really important issues are ignored.
I am sickened when I hear stories of how residents cannot afford to live in their homes.
I couldn’t sit back anymore. It was time to do something. This is why I decided to run for State Representative.
And this is why I am asking for your support.
On Tuesday, May 20th, I am asking for your vote in the Democratic primary. I want to bring my leadership skills and track record of working across party lines to Harrisburg so that together we can make a difference.
Running a campaign for a state-level office isn’t cheap. And as one of my campaign advisors keeps reminding me, we angered all the special interests while we were fixing things in Neshaminy so you know we won’t be getting donations from them! So unfortunately, I must also ask for your financial support.
At the top right portion of this website you will see the ways that you can contribute to my campaign. I know how tight money is these days, and I don’t make this plea for your support lightly. But Harrisburg isn’t going to fix itself, and so I am asking for your help so that I can help you.
In the weeks leading up to the May 20th Democratic primary, I encourage you to take a close look at the candidates, the issues they support, and the experience they bring to the table. Once you consider all these factors, I am both hopeful and confident that you will agree that I am the best candidate to represent the people of the 142nd Legislative District.
Thank you for reading, and THANK YOU for your support!
Ritchie Webb

Frank Farry is worried about tanning beds causing cancer but thinks a medical waste incinerator within minutes of several schools and millions of people is ok

Tanning bill the wrong focus (Bucks County Courier Times editorial, 3/28/2014)
State Rep. Frank Farry, R-142, Middletown, is sponsoring a bill to regulate the indoor tanning industry. Many states already have such laws; Pennsylvania is not among them. Farry wants to protect young people from the serious hazards of overexposure to ultraviolet light, which can lead to premature aging of the skin and, more seriously, melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
The bill would prohibit anyone 16 and under from using commercial tanning equipment that emits ultraviolet light; 17-year-olds would need parental permission before hopping on a tanning bed.
Given what’s known about the deleterious effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin — whether from the sun or man-made sources — Farry’s legislation is not a bad idea. Sensible regulation no doubt could have some positive health benefits. If nothing else, the rules would send a message that forcing a tan very often produces unpleasant long-term consequences.
That said, we would suggest the people of Pennsylvania would be much better served if Rep. Farry and his colleagues focused their attention — and the limited time remaining before they scatter for their biennial electioneering — on more pressing matters. Things like a law banning lawmakers from receiving gifts — all gifts, not just cash. Or facing instead of ignoring the impending pension catastrophe that threatens financial ruin for school districts and municipalities. Or addressing property taxes. Or placing limits on campaign contributions. Or assuring that social service agencies receive the funding they need. Or making higher education more affordable.
There are many, many issues that cry out for legislative remedy. And so little time to achieve anything — maybe only the next couple of months. When June rolls around, lawmakers will be focused on the budget. Then will come summer vacation. Then, if history is any guide, only a few session days interrupting what for many representatives and senators will be nonstop campaigning until November.
Lawmakers don’t have the luxury of debating relatively minor bills while matters of extreme urgency are begging for their attention. Pennsylvanians will survive an unregulated indoor tanning industry. But they might be consumed by the pension avalanche or a crushing tax structure. Or by their own elected representatives who base their decisions on the gifts they receive and not what’s best for the people they were elected to serve.

Typical politician (Courier Times letter to the editor, 3/28/2014)

I find it interesting that after being in office for five years state Rep. Frank Farry wants to work with the Neshaminy School District now that former board president Ritchie Webb is a viable candidate for his seat.

Ask Frank where he was when Neshaminy needed his guidance and support during the tumultuous years of dealing with the teacher's contract when assistance was sought from Harrisburg?

Lisa Ann Deon
Langhorne Borough

Democrats should rejoice

A Bucks County Courier Times editorial (2/28/2014):

It’s easy to criticize politicians, what with the gridlock in Washington and the snail progress is harnessed to in Harrisburg. That both situations are driven by divisive party politics grows skepticism about our leaders’ priorities and withers hope for the future.

So it is a joyful reprieve when there is good news to report. Such was the case this week.

If you’re not, you should be aware that this year’s elections include all of Bucks County’s state legislative seats. The good news is that voters in the very populous 142nd Legislative District (Middletown, the Langhornes and Southamptons) will have top quality candidates to choose from — not often the case in legislative races. Too often, one party or the other cannot muster a challenger to take on an incumbent. Nearly as often and more concerning is the entry of candidates who don’t have a clue.

That’s not the case this year. Democrats should rejoice that former Neshaminy School Board President Ritchie Webb will seek their party’s nomination in the primary election to run against incumbent Republican Frank Farry in the fall. This endeavor required Webb to change parties, a decision made easy by his political pragmatism and moderate views.

“I’ve always tried to come out and say pretty much what I think is correct, whether it aligns with the Democrats or the Republicans,” Webb said. There’s no doubt about Webb’s candor and his dedication to transparency. We can vouch for that. He was the school board’s lead negotiator through five contentious years of contract talks with the Neshaminy teachers union, a painful process punctuated by two strikes.

Webb would not yield on costly issues, while keeping the public informed throughout what normally is a secretive process. The union finally agreed to a contract that will save taxpayers millions.

To be clear, this is not an endorsement but a welcome embrace of a contest that will give voters a chance to decide between two quality candidates, should Webb get the Democrats’ nod.

Webb to challenge incumbent Frank Farry

From the Bucks County Courier Times (2/27/2014):

Ritchie Webb seeks to challenge State Rep. Frank Farry
By Christian Menno Staff writer

Former Neshaminy school board President Ritchie Webb confirmed Wednesday he will run as a Democrat in the May primary in an effort to face off against state Rep. Frank Farry, R-142, in November’s general election.

The lifelong Republican said he was recently approached by Democratic officials to see if he had any interest in running for the position.

“I had to give it a lot of thought in a short amount of time but I asked myself if I could help the school districts and the state (if elected) and I thought that I could so I said yes,” Webb said. The move to switch political parties was something Webb, 60, said he was OK with, adding that he’s “always been a down-the-middle person” during his time on the school board from December 2003 through 2013.

“I’ve always tried to come out and say pretty much what I think is correct — whether it aligns with the Democrats or the Republicans. The bottom line is the Republicans already have a candidate and he will receive the endorsement and all the financial support and benefits of being the endorsed candidate,” Webb said.

He added that the GOP does not typically host open primaries, with the resources usually going toward the endorsed candidate.

Farry announced that he will seek re-election last month during a press conference that featured several Republican officials. He has held the seat since the 2008 election.

When reached for comment Wednesday, Farry said he is “looking forward, as this race moves forward, to talking about the legislation that we’ve passed to make our community a better place and our efforts to create more jobs.

“I will reserve comment on Ritchie’s recent revelation that he has become a Democrat,” Farry added.

Farry, a Langhorne resident, works as an attorney and serves as chief of the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Co. He served as assistant township manager in Middletown from 2000 to 2008.

Webb, who lives in Middletown, currently works as Bristol Township School District’s food service director. He also operates a tax and accounting business and a food safety training business.

He became the face of the school board during the contentious, five-year-long contract dispute with the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers which was eventually settled last June. Because of recently approved redistricting, the 142nd will soon be comprised of Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor, Upper Southampton, Lower Southampton and a portion of Middletown. It will no longer include Hulmeville and Penndel.

Welcome to Webb for PA

Welcome to the official website for the campaign to elect Ritchie Webb as State Representative for the 142nd District!