Pennsylvania
2009 Pennsylvania
Leadership Conference
Putting the Taxpayer First
- Moderator:
- Chris Freind, Columnist
- Panelists:
- Joe Sterns, Citizens Alliance of PA
- Curt Schroder, State Representative
- Doug Reichley, State Representative
- Lyndsay O’Herrick, Citizen Activist
Saturday, April 17, 2010
- 9:30 - 10:30 am
-
Moderator:
- Chris Freind, Columnist
(click for bio) - Exposing the Delaware River Port Authority's (DRPA) fiscal irresponsibility / mismanagement and conflicts of interest, which resulted in the forced termination of a high-ranking official.
- Highlighting Gov. Ed Rendell's intimate relationship with Ballard Spahr (his former law firm), and large campaign donors, focusing on millions in secretive, no-bid state contracts received by such entities.
- Detailing the high-speed money-connection between Ed Rendell and the Comcast Corporation -- and the inherent conflicts of interest.
- Breaking the story of secretive taxpayer bailout talks between Philadelphia Media Holdings (owner of the Inquirer and Daily News) and Gov. Rendell.
- Examining highly-questionable practices of two leading candidates in Philadelphia District Attorney race; both men were later cited by the Philadelphia Ethics Board for these activities.
- Detailing the conflicts regarding how the PA Turnpike Commission awards contracts, including those to (former) Turnpike Commissioner Tim Carson's law firm.
- Illustrating a Philadelphia criminal justice loophole that allowed a convicted felon, recaptured after unlawful flight, to be freed upon returning to Court.
- Exposing the hypocrisy of Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig regarding the steroid controversy.
 |
| Chris Freind |
Chris Freind is an independent columnist and investigative reporter who runs the fiercely independent Artorius News Bureau. Readers of his "Freindly Fire" columns hail from 6 continents, 30 countries and all 50 states. Freind also serves as a weekly guest commentator on a Philadelphia-area talk radio show, WCHE, and makes numerous other television and radio appearances.
He tackles issues with a fire and passion rarely found, exposing cowards, frauds and hypocrites in politics, business, sports, entertainment and yes -- the media. Freindly Fire takes on the most controversial issues in a unique way, described as "aggressively hitting on the points people whisper at the water cooler -- but only wish they could publicly say."
Prior to his column, Freind served as Chief Executive of the REACH Alliance in Harrisburg, where he worked closely with former Governor and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge in attempting to enact landmark School Choice legislation. Additionally, Freind was the President of a statewide organization committed to restoring balance to the Pennsylvania legal system through tort reform (by way of a state constitutional convention).
Critically-acclaimed investigative series include:
He can be reached at CF@FreindlyFireZone.com ("e" before "i").
(hide bio)
-
Panelists:
- Joe Sterns, Citizens Alliance of PA
(click for bio) - Curt Schroder, State Representative
(click for bio) - Doug Reichley, State Representative
(click for bio) - Lyndsay O'Herrick, Citizen Activist
(click for bio)
 |
| Joe Sterns |
Joe Sterns is State Senator Mike Folmer'’s director of policy and communications.
For the last decade, Sterns has been active in Republican politics as a speechwriter, spokesman, consultant, and issue advocate. He has worked on numerous campaigns at the local and state level, including a role as press secretary for Pat Toomey’s U.S. Senate campaign.
In 2006, following the aftermath of the pay raise scandal, Sterns penned the "Promise to Pennsylvania," and consulted two of its sixteen signatories to historic primary victories over powerful incumbents.
A graduate of California University of PA with a degree in public relations, Sterns worked for four years in Harrisburg as a communications specialist for House Republicans.
He is a former state chairman of the Young Republicans, and a founding father of the Young Conservatives.
Sterns lives in Deer Lake with his wife, Gretchen, and their sons, Samuel and Luke.
(hide bio)
 |
| Curt Schroder |
Chester County native Curt Schroder is serving his seventh term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was first elected to represent the 155th Legislative District in November 1994.
As a member of the General Assembly, Schroder serves on the newly formed House Gaming Oversight committee, which is responsible for oversight of the Commonwealth's gambling industry, as well as the House Liquor Control, Urban Affairs, and Insurance committees.
Throughout his legislative career Schroder has been a leader in the fight to lower malpractice insurance costs to keep good doctors practicing in the Commonwealth.
In 2006, Schroder led legislative efforts to reform the General Assembly as a founding member of the Jefferson Reform Initiative (JRI) and the Bipartisan Reform Group. In 2007, Speaker Dennis O'Brien appointed Schroder to serve on the Speaker's Bipartisan Commission on Legislative Reform. The commission is charged with reforming the legislative process and bringing greater openness to the legislature.
A dedicated public servant, Rep. Schroder has been the recipient of several awards including the Matthew J. Ryan Legislator of the Year Award (2004) and the TriCounty Chamber Foundations's Legislator of the Year Award (2004, 2006). Most recently, Schroder was named the first recipient of the Sen. Robert J. Thompson Public Service Award by the Exton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
He and his wife, the former Deanna K. Doty, reside in Downingtown with their two children, Mark and Kristen.
(hide bio)
 |
| Doug Reichley |
Doug Reichley, a resident of Emmaus, is serving his fourth term as state representative of the 134th Legislative District.
He currently serves on several key committees, including the House Appropriations Committee where he serves as Vice Chairman, and the House Republican Policy Committee. He is also a member of the Consumer Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Professional Licensure committees.
He is also co-chair of the Life Sciences Caucus, and co-chair of the Alzheimer's Caucus, Autism Caucus, Firefighters and Emergency Services Caucus, Irish Caucus and Sportsman's Caucus. In previous terms, he has served on two select committees, the House Select Committee on Information Security, and the Majority Leader's Task Force to Connect Education to the Workplace to examine Pennsylvania's education system in terms of preparing students to become skilled employees.
Reichley has focused on ways to enhance Megan's Law enforcement by requiring sexual predator registration, address problems in the vehicle emissions inspection law, create a disease management health insurance option, protect children from inhalants with an anti-huffing bill, and create jobs by advocating for the Keystone Manufacturing Initiative to help strengthen the economy.
Prior to running for office, Reichley worked in private practice with Lightner Law Offices in Wescosville. Prior to that, he was an assistant district attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. He worked as an assistant district attorney in Lehigh County for 11 years, from 1989-2000. He began his law career as an associate with the law firm of Snyder, Dimmich and Guldin in Allentown.
Active in his local community, Reichley served as president of the Allentown YMCA/YWCA and of the Emmaus Kiwanis and on the board of the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims' Council. He has worked as an instructor at the Allentown Police Academy, Northampton County Community College, and DeSales University.
Reichley has recently been active in an array of issues including gaming enforcement reform, MCare abatement and procurement reform.
Reichley holds a Juris Doctorate from Dickinson Law School and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Law from Lafayette College. He is member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church.
(hide bio)
 |
| Lyndsay O'Herrick |
Lyndsay O'Herrick began her political career at the grassroots level working for the political consulting firm Arena Strategies and the political action committee Greater Opportunities for Pennsylvanians. Drawing on those experiences, Lyndsay transitioned to the state level as the Outreach Coordinator to State Representative Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery).
Currently, Ms. O'Herrick works in the Government Affairs Department for one of the world's leading communications companies, dealing with various issues on the local, state and national levels.
Lyndsay believes passionately in the importance of both political and community involvement, and for the past five years has been actively devoted to endeavors in both areas. She has invested time and resources in giving back to the community, ranging from her involvement in charity-focused distance runs that support local and national non-profit organizations, to volunteering in Hurricane Katrina efforts. Lyndsay also took a hands-on approach to her call to service, working abroad to improve the quality of life in impoverished areas of India, Guatemala, and the Bahamas.
In addition to her involvement with numerous local, state, and federal campaigns, Lyndsay has both written and spoken of the challenges - and rewards - of being a politically active young professional in the Republican Party.
Ms. O'Herrick is a graduate of Temple University, having earned a degree in Political Science and History. She is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County.
(hide bio)
