Three people were honored at the Erie County Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson and Jackson dinner.

The award recipients Friday included Judi Roth,  2012 committeewoman of the year, and Robert Merski Jr., 2012 committeeman of the year. Merski is an Erie city councilman.

Erie County Election Office Supervisor Sharon Drayer, who is retiring after the May 21 primary, was honored for more than 20 years of exceptional service, said Bill Cole, the party’s chairman. Drayer is retiring May 24.

Drayer said she couldn’t attend the event  due to a prior commitment.

– John Guerriero

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn will be the special guest tonight during the Erie County Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson and Jackson dinner.

Jim Burn/ETN file photo

The event is always held before the spring primary, and this one features plenty of candidates in municipal races.

That  includes the big one for county executive between incumbent Barry Grossman and challenger Kathy Dahlkemper, both of whom are seeking the Democratic Party nomination and the right to advance to the Nov. 5 election.

Republicans Don Tucci, Thomas Wesley McGahen and Tom Loftus are seeking the GOP nomination for county executive.

But expect Burn to spend some time talking about Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and what is shaping up as a tough bid for re-election in 2014.

Tonight’s dinner will be at the Concourse of Union Station, 121 W. 14th St., starting at 7 p.m. Cash bar starts at 6 p.m.

Tickets will be sold at the door for $35 per person, or $250 per table, said Bill Cole, Erie County Democratic Party chairman.

– John Guerriero

It’s getting to be that time of year — endorsement season.

Andre Horton has picked up a labor endorsement in his bid for an Erie County Council seat.

Andre Horton/ETN file photo

Horton, the former president of the local chapter of the NAACP, has gained the backing of the Great Lakes Building & Construction Trades Council. Horton is a 25-year member of Laborers’ Local 603.

“Andre has the intelligence and vision to bring new ideas to council,” Dan Harmon, president of the labor organization, said in a prepared statement. The group represents thousands of workers from 17 trade and construction unions.

Horton said in a prepared statement of his own: “Our message of change on County Council is resonating and I am very proud of this endorsement.”

Horton is among five Democrats seeking his party’s nomination in the May 21 primary for the 2nd District seat on County Council. Among the candidates is longtime incumbent Joe Giles.

– John Guerriero

Kathy Dahlkemper, a Democratic candidate  for Erie County Executive, will be scooping out ice cream and politics on Sunday.

Kathy Dahlkemper/File photo

She’s taking her mobile headquarters to Cherry Hill Drive-In Ice Cream shop, 8915 Route 6N,  Albion Borough, from 5 to 7 p.m.

She will serve ice cream to customers, and before that, campaign door-to-door in nearby neighborhoods.

“Places like Cherry Hill are what make Erie County unique,” Dahlkemper said in a statement. “They’re important to the fabric of the community, and it’s important to give them the support and encouragement they deserve so they know how appreciated they really are.”

Dahlkemper’s platform includes what the campaign calls openness and accessibility. As part of that platform, she is meeting with residents to hear their concerns and to talk about her priories of job creation and economic development, according to a news release.

Dahlkemper will square off against incumbent County Executive Barry Grossman, a fellow Democrat, in the May 21 primary.

– John Guerriero

If the Erie County Election Office is testing the ballot software for the primary, can voting day be far away?

The answer, of course, is no. The primary is May 21.

The Election Office today started to test the software, a process that could run into Thursday, said Doug Smith, Erie County clerk of elections.

Test votes are being cast for every candidate on the ballot , in all 154 voting precincts in the county.

The test results are uploaded onto the 154 personal electronic ballots, the devices that collect the unofficial totals on primary and election nights, Smith said.

All test votes will be cleared from the PEBs and voting machines after the testing, the Election Office said. A sampling of about 20 voting machines also are being tested, Smith said.

The testing is required by Pennsylvania election law.

– John Guerriero

It’s that time of year again for candidates to be in the spotlight.

Community Access TV, Channel 2, is airing its “Access to the Candidates” segments, up to the May 21 primary.

The station had  invited candidates on city ballots to record a segment - 15 minutes or less - in its studios. The candidates had the option of speaking directly to the camera or using an interviewer, with recordings done in one take, according to Robert Lechner, executive director of CATV.

The candidates’ presentations have been divided into five separate programs, edited together alphabetically by last name.

The programs, on the city’s Time Warner Cable Channel 2, start airing today and will run through May 21.

They will air Monday through Friday at 9 a.m., and Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. A more detailed schedule is available on the Community Access TV website:  catverie.org.

Here is a breakdown of the programs:

Program 1:  Erie City Council, Dave Brennan, John F. Evans, Selena King, Casimir J. Kwitowski; Erie City Controller, Patrick Cappabianca and Teresa Stankiewicz.

Program 2:  Erie County Council, 2nd District, Lisa Austin, Joe Giles, David Pamula, Ned Smith, Renee Vendetti.

Program 3:  Erie County Executive, Kathy Dahlkemper, Barry Grossman, Tom Loftus, Don Tucci.

Program 4:  Judge, Erie County Court, Bill Kelly Jr., Jamie Mead, Bob Sambroak, Joe Walsh.

Program 5:  Erie School Board, John R. Dundon, Angela Euell-McNair: County sheriff, John Loomis.

(Jamie Mead is a board member and shareholder of the
Times Publishing Company, which publishes the Erie Times-News and GoErie.com.)

– John Guerriero

Lawyer Bill Kelly Jr., a candidate for Erie County judge, will meet voters at two upcoming events.

Bill Kelly Jr./File photo

He will meet with residents May 8, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Corry VFW, 1151 Mead Ave., Corry.

And Kelly will meet with voters May 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Fat Willie’s Wing House, 205 Waterford St., Edinboro.

There is no charge for either event.

Information about the events can be found on Kelly’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BillKellyJrforJudge.

Inquiries for more information can be sent to billkellyjrforjudge@gmail.com.

 The May 21 primary is quickly approaching. Kelly, like the other three candidates on the ballot, will appear on both party ballots.

– John Guerriero

Lawyer Joe Walsh, candidate for Erie County Court judge, is holding three events this week to meet residents.

Judge candidate Joe Walsh/file photo

Walsh will talk with voters tonight, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Library Bar & Grill, 203 N. Center St., Corry.

He will meet more residents Tuesday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Johnny B’s Restaurant, 37 Vine St., North East.

Then on Saturday, he will be available, from 9 to 11 a.m., at Hamilton Insurance, 207  Erie St., Edinboro.

Residents will be offered complimentary refreshments and will be able to learn about a program to support the troops overseas: “Operation: Care and Comfort.” Walsh is a military veteran.

The Committee to Elect Joe Walsh will accept donations – money or travel-size toiletries — on behalf of the organization at the three locations. The committee said it will bear the costs of shipping the items collected to Operation: Care and Comfort.

Questions can be directed to nancy@joewalshforjudge.com or Nancy Walsh at 460-8106.

– John Guerriero

Joe Sestak and the Associated Press are among this week’s mentions. Check it out here.
Have a great weekend everyone.

–Kevin Flowers

It’s shameless promotion time.

Tonight’s episode of the Pennsylvania Cable Network’s  ”Journalists Roundtable” will feature three Erie Times-News reporters:  Kevin Flowers,  Jim Martin and John Guerriero. Set your DVR for 8 p.m.

PCN President Brian Lockman visited Erie on Tuesday with a camera crew to tape the one-hour public affairs show and ask questions of the reporters.

The discussion included insights into Erie, GE Transportation, local politics, economic development, the municipal primary, and the two congressmen who represent Erie County, Republicans Glenn Thompson and Mike Kelly.

In case you miss tonight’s show, a rebroadcast will air  Sunday at 5 p.m.

– John Guerriero