Meachem claims victory in election suit

MILFORD — Candidate Mike Meachem’s federal lawsuit prompted a headlong rush to amend local sign ordinances last week. The Lehman Democrat and Prothonotary (read chief clerk) candidate went to court earlier this month claiming fees and ordinances limiting election signs were unconstitutional. In a statement, Meachem announced, with “great satisfaction,” the decision on the part of the surrounding townships to revise political sign ordinances in order to conform with U.S. Constitutional standards, suspending current regulations. “If I in any way have modified thinking and made the election process less complicated for any political aspirant, particularly the everyday grassroots candidate, then I consider my candidacy an accomplishment. I see these modifications as a victory and fuel to address other Constitutional shortcomings within the county which stand long unaddressed.” A scheduled Oct. 19 hearing in U.S. Federal Court to impose an injunction against the imposition of any political sign ordinance enforcement became unnecessary after negotiations between Meachem’s Doylestown attorney Lawrence M. Otter and the respective townships’ solicitor(s). Meacham said that “substantive discussions to fully resolve and modify the ordinances and practices are undergoing and are projected to be completed in the near future. “These are the first steps in bringing credible recognition to all the residents of each townships within Pike County. One of our chief goals is to debunk the common opinion that fairness and equity ... are only dispensed based upon personal association,” he said.