As a legislator, I’m not a big fan of highlighting projects or initiatives that I’m “fighting for” if I know I have no means of accomplishing them. I often talk about the distinctions between being an advocate, with the power of agitation; a legislator, with the charge of building consensus; and an executive, with the responsibility for implementation.

I’m slow to publicly declare what I dedicate myself to because I don’t want to lead my community into false hope or give the impression that elected officials are lying to them. When I commit myself to a cause and time passes without delivering solutions, I lose sleep. It stays with me. I still wrestle with how to fairly address weather-related flooding for residents on the 1600 and 1700 blocks of Cheltenham Avenue. I am still working on improving biodiversity along our roadways.

There’s another initiative I will publicly commit to today. I have been working to build a population health fair for communities across the state to improve access to care and personal ownership of our healthcare journeys. I’ve been working behind the scenes for well over a year, and while it hasn’t yet come to fruition, it feels within reach. I am declaring now that it will happen.

The impetus for this declaration (and long message) is personal. Many in our community just paid our final respects to Anita Conner, a Glenside native, Elkins Park resident, and hero to many. She survived breast cancer for nearly three decades prior to her passing two weeks ago. For the past 20 years, Anita and her daughter, Kerri, were leaders in cancer advocacy and awareness campaigns. Kerri’s own fight with breast cancer ended in 2022. Cancer is still impacting my family, as I’m certain it is so many of yours.

When we finally launch our health fairs and draw hesitant or skeptical neighbors in to be screened, tested, fed, and entertained, I am certain that someone will get a diagnosis they never knew about. Someone will come for a giveaway or to meet a celebrity and will begin a treatment plan that otherwise would not have been on their radar. Someone’s life will be saved because they heard music from around the corner or brought their grandkids to play in our bounce house. Families will get to hold onto their loved ones because we built a consensus-driven program. The legacy of the Conners and so many other champions, survivors, and families will be honored.

I don’t yet know exactly how I will do it, but I know it needs to be done. Until I am successful, it is worth losing sleep over. Hold me accountable and celebrate with me when we have better news to share.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, August 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Curtis Dog Park, 1250 W. Church Street, Wyncote, PA 19095. Join us for our Bark in the Park Dog Licensing Event to get your dog licensed quickly and easily!

Pennsylvania law requires all dogs eight weeks and older to be licensed. Representatives from the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office and the Cheltenham Township Police Department will be available to help.

Please bring:

• A Permanent Identification Verification Form signed by your veterinarian (print it online or pick one up at our office)

• Proof of your dog’s rabies vaccination

• Payment by check, money order (payable to “Montgomery County Treasurer”), or cash

Licensing fees:

• Annual license: $8.70

• Permanent license: $52.70

• Senior (65+) and disabled discounts available: $6.70 annually or $36.70 permanently (bring proof of age or disability)

• Permanent licenses are available only for dogs that are microchipped or tattooed.

Please ensure your dog is properly trained and on a leash while getting licensed. Note that park rules do not allow dogs under six months old or dogs in heat. Questions? Contact us!

On Tuesday afternoon, first responders worked quickly to contain a fire that broke out inside a donation storage trailer at Mitzvah Circle on Montgomery Avenue, just off Doylestown Road. The fire extended to an adjacent warehouse and garage before it was brought under control by 4 p.m.

While there were thankfully no injuries and no road closures, the fire damaged much-needed supplies including clothing and diapers. These are items Mitzvah Circle relies on every day to help families in crisis.

Mitzvah Circle is a nonprofit that provides essential items such as clothing, shoes, diapers, toiletries, household goods, and other necessities to people facing some of life’s toughest challenges. This includes those experiencing homelessness, illness, domestic abuse, and extreme poverty. The organization steps in to fill critical gaps for people who have nowhere else to turn, helping to restore dignity and hope during difficult times.

If you are able, we are asking for your help to replace what was lost. The following donations are most needed at this time:

• Sneakers in all sizes for women, men, and children (new or gently used)

• Women’s, men’s, and boys’ underwear (new only)

• Toiletries

• Baby items (new)

Donations can be dropped off at our district office.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help Mitzvah Circle continue their mission to meet the basic needs of children and families during their most difficult moments. Let us come together to show the strength and generosity of our community!

Join our office and Representative Ben Sanchez for a free shredding and electronics recycling event. Safely dispose of old documents and unwanted electronics at no cost.

When: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA, 19027.

Please enter on Meetinghouse Road via Township Line Road. Call our office at 215-572-5210 with any questions.

Planning your trip to Williamsport for the Little League World Series? PennDOT has you covered with an enhanced, easy-to-use webpage that provides real-time travel updates and alternate route options to help you get there smoothly and safely.

Visit www.511PA.com/map/page/LLWS to see current traffic conditions, travel times, road incidents, construction alerts, traffic camera views, and more along the main routes to the event. Whether you’re coming from the north, south, east, or west, the site offers helpful information to help you choose the best route.

PennDOT is also sharing real-time updates on digital message signs near Williamsport to keep drivers informed.

As always, please drive safely: avoid distractions, follow speed limits, and stay alert, especially with more pedestrians in the area during the event.

511PA is free and available anytime online, on your smartphone via app, or by calling 5-1-1. You can also follow regional traffic alerts on Twitter through the 511PA site.

Stay informed, plan ahead, and enjoy the game!

We have plenty of backpacks left to help students get ready for the new school year. If you have a student living or attending school in the Cheltenham, Springfield, or Jenkintown school districts (including private schools) please contact us to reserve a backpack and supplies!

Don’t miss this chance to start the school year with everything your student needs. Reach out to us soon to claim yours!

As Rite Aid stores continue to close across Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department is urging health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to help patients maintain access to their prescription medications without interruption. Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys emphasizes that insurers and pharmacies must work together to ensure families can easily find new pharmacies and avoid unnecessary delays or extra costs.

Key steps insurers and pharmacy managers are asked to take include:

• Helping patients quickly find new pharmacies if their local Rite Aid has closed

• Allowing use of out-of-network pharmacies without higher costs when no in-network options are available

• Automatically transferring existing prescription approvals to the new pharmacy so patients don’t have to reapply

• Providing hotlines or websites to assist with prescription transfers

• Fast-tracking urgent requests such as specialty medications

• Pausing or rescheduling pharmacy audits to allow pharmacies to focus on patient care during this transition

If your Rite Aid pharmacy has closed, please contact your insurance company first. If you experience difficulties or do not get a timely response, visit pa.gov/consumer or call 1-866-PA-COMPLAINT for help.

For questions about this notice, you can contact the Bureau of Health Coverage Access, Administration, and Appeals at RA-INHCA3@pa.gov or call 717-787-4192 or toll free 888-466-2787.

Harrisburg Office

325 Irvis Office Building

PO Box 202154

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2154
(717) 783-1079

Glenside Office

115 East Glenside Avenue

Suite 8
Glenside, PA 19038
(215) 572-5210