Jo Ellen Litz

Recipes

People Above Politics

Taking Action, Getting Results.

2501 Cumberland St., Lebanon PA  17042

644-4698

If you demand open government, drop me a note to receive email alerts informing you of meeting highlights that let you know how commissioners vote on issues.  Litz@mbcomp.com

Team Litz:

Honorary Chair:     Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll --a woman who broke the glass ceiling and contributed greatly to PA politics; born in 1930, died November 12, 2008.

Chair:  Jeff Werner

Treasurer:  Richelle Whitman

Convention News

Hillary Vision video (from a Harrisburg PA visit in March 2008)

Thursday

Sorry it took so long to post the events from the final day of the Convention.  After getting to bed at midnight, I had to get up at 3AM to get ready, check out of the Marriot Denver Tech Center Hotel, catch a shuttle to the air port and my plane home where I arrived about 5PM.

At Thursday morning’s breakfast, Joe Biden joined the PA delegation.  I didn’t know much about Joe before the Convention.  I like him.  His wife was along too.  It turns out he spent time in PA.  As mentioned on Wednesday, at the Convention, his son told a heart-wrenching story about how his dad raised him and his brother.  Of course he remarried his present wife.  But I digress.  At the breakfast, Joe shook hands with a line of people.  I didn’t realize that he’d stay so long and be so gracious with photo ops.  Since I was in the back of the room, I didn’t think I’d have a chance to talk to him one -on-one.  He’s supposed to be campaigning pretty hard in PA, so I hope I get another chance.

Also, Bud George and his wife were given an anniversary cake.  I had my picture taken with the lovely couple.

Next, I did some commissioner business with Administrator Wolgemuth over the phone; typed up my journal from the previous day, and posted it to my web site.

We also had a lunch—Philly Cheese Steak salad--at the hotel. 

Then, we boarded buses to Invesco Field.  I put on sun screen, purchased a visor, took along sun glasses, and dressed in layers.  Delegates were in the field.  If you were facing the stage, Pennsylvania was to the right.  I sat in the seventh row, the third seat in from the isle.  By now you probably know the stage looked like a coliseum with steps and pillars.  There were three podiums.  We heard from generals, former vice president Al Gore, a guy named Barney Smith who wanted a president to care more about him than Smith Barney….  We got to see and hear Stevie Wonder live.

But the main event was Obama’s acceptance speech.  He stood at the middle podium.  From where I sat, I could see the speech scroll on a knee wall directly ahead of him, maybe 100’ away.  Even more important, I could see his entire body.  I am in transition to a new presidential candidate.  I really wanted to see him in person, not just a head shot on television.  I need to be able to put trust in him to lead the United State of America.  I need more than a spectacular speech.  I need to know what makes him tick.  I like his commitment on energy, and really enjoy seeing him with his family.  His two daughters are delightful. 

The night ended with fire works.

I left the stadium still wondering what made him tick.  I saw the visual of him with an older woman, and they mentioned steel mills closing, but I also wondered what a community organizer really did.

Friday

The plane trip home brought more answers to my questions.  In the terminal, I sat beside Obama’s neighbor and fund raiser.  He said that as an organizer, Obama helped to find jobs, training, food,…when people lost their jobs.  Since it was some time ago, I thought it must have been a precursor to our Careerlink.

Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray suggested that I purchase Obama’s book, the Audacity of Hope, which I did at the airport.  Finally, Obama the man is emerging in my mind.  He is a man who taught about the Constitution in college.  He described meeting Senator Byrd of West Virginia.  He said that Senator Byrd carries around a book of the Constitution. 

I also met, then on the plane sat next to former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder (1990-94) who was the first elected and only the second Governor who is African American in any U.S. state.   We speculated about McCain's choice of a running mate.  Without electronics, we didn't get an answer until later Friday night. 

Saturday

Received an email from news anchor Susan Monday who wants to do an interview Sunday night at 10PM on The Big Talker 1210 in Bala Cynwid PA.

Wednesday

After breakfast, I voted and signed my ballot for Hillary Clinton.  Then, I signed up for Hillary’s “meeting” downtown.  Next, I hopped onto the light rail, and went to the Denver Convention Center at 14^th Street and California.  The second time I rode light rail, I felt like a pro.  All I had to do was hit "quick ticket" and insert $3, validate the ticket with a time stamp, and hop on the "F" line.  Riding the train could get addicting.  I met and talked to other delegates and volunteers on the ride.   The Convention Center was packed.  The Center had to clear a larger room to accommodate the crowd.  It was so encouraging.  There were no seats.  It was to be a relatively short speech.  Hillary said that she was casting her vote for Obama.  At breakfast, Rendell said that he would follow Hillary’s lead.  In fact he asked for a unanimous vote to be cast, but said no one would pressure anyone into voting for Obama.  He said that our vote would be respected and understood.  I was happy with that.

After Hillary’s announcement, I walked to the Pepsi Center, grabbed some lunch and ate it on a side ramp.  There were no tables and chairs in the Pepsi Center food courts, and you also weren’t allowed to take food to your seat.  Another couple stopped on the ramp too.  Carrying a large plastic bag, a husband and wife of forty years pulled out a donkey suit.

It was time to find my seat on the floor.  Governor Rendell had also explained that if you weren’t in your seat during the role call, your vote would not count.  It was 3PM.  Immediately after the pledge of allegiance, national anthem, and prayer, nominations for president were received by Nancy Pelosi.  Many of PA’s seats were empty.  Now it was time for the role call by states.

It was a very emotional time. I kept track of the votes, but didn't hear the final vote that put Obama over the top.  I asked to see the final Pennsylvania count.

Melissa Etheridge sang God Bless America.  As she added, “I was born in the USA,” one by people rose to their feet until the entire forum us on their feet.

Some of the notable people I met tonight included:

John Kerry gave a hard-hitting speech.

At one point, all of the elected women serving in the US House of Representatives were on the stage.

President Bill Clinton received an extended standing ovation.

After being introduced by his son Bo Biden, the evening closed with Joe Biden accepting the vice presidential nomination.  Senator Obama also made an appearance.

Slightly more than one-half of this year’s delegates were women.

Did I mention that you could smell the ink as signs were removed from bags?  They were literally ‘hot off the presses.’  Signs distributed included:

Thursday, we'll be in the stadium, which holds 20,000 people. 

Tuesday, I tried light rail.  A shuttle bus took us to the rail station, and I hopped on the “E" line.  Due to security, the Pepsi Center station was closed.  So, I got off at Invesco Field, and walked, or should I say hiked.  The early arrival accommodated a request by local WGAL TV8.  Eric Nazarenus, their assistant news director, was at the convention.  The floor was empty, but the musicians were practicing.  The interview went fairly quickly.

On the walk from the light rail station to the Pepsi Center, Jean Simon Gagne, a young man from Quebec, Canada introduced himself as a reporter for the Le Soleil, a French newspaper.  I have to find someone to translate French for me.  The url is www.lesoleil.com .

Since it was lunch time, I purchased a meal inside the Pepsi Center, then went to the floor to find a seat.  Luckily, I brought along the free newspapers from the hotel to read.  But, before I got them out of my case, Chelsa appeared on stage, then Hillary.  I rummaged through my bag, and grabbed my Hillary book to try to get her autograph.  She didn’t hear me.  I forgot about all of the press on hand.  Eli and a cameraman from Denver’s channel 2 turned around and photographed me trying for Hillary’s signature.  Then, his reporter asked a few questions.  So did reporter Susan Page for USA Today.  And that’s how the day started.  When I sat down, I put my book beside me on a chair, just in case Hillary came out again.  Then, as I read the newspapers, I noticed a shadow over my shoulder.  A man was standing on a chair taking pictures of me reading an article about Bill Clinton with my Hillary book on the chair beside me.

Remember Cory, the page?  He came over to me, and asked if I would talk to Bryan, a CBS reporter.  I said ok.  I usually don’t go to reporters with a story, but as a commissioner, I’ve always had a policy of cooperating with the press.  I didn’t know I'd get to see both Katie Couric and Morgan Fairchild.  Katie waved to me.  Wow.

I saw Kate Snow too.

Right after the convention opened with prayer, I think one of my colleagues, Commissioner Carpenter called.  It was loud, and I couldn’t hear all of the words.  I think he said that I was on CNN praying.  I’m really not sure.

I sat on an isle so I wouldn’t disturb people if I had to get out.  For some reason, one media person after another kept asking me questions:

The “Boiler Room” handed out six signs Tuesday night:

Some of the memorable quotes of the night:

Kucinich was animated.  He had the crowd on their feet.

During Hillary’s speech, there was so much noise and commotion around me that I have to watch it on TV.  I did get sound bites taped.  All I know is that I could see tears well up in her eyes, but she kept it all together.  I was so concerned for her.  It must have been hard, but she did a marvelous job.

After the convention, I hiked to Invesco Field for a reception.  Boy am I glad that I did.  The entire Clinton family attended--Hillary, Bill, and Chelsa.  Again I tried unsuccessfully to get my book signed.  However, I did get some pictures.