Bucks Writs - Spring 2017 - 21

Diane believes that drug addiction, alcoholism and a
downturn in the economy are some of the core reasons
for homelessness. She was a leader on the "Code
Blue" project to assess the homeless and protect those
less fortunate from harsh weather, joblessness and
hunger. The County now works alongside churches and
synagogues to support people needing food and shelter,
partnering with over 100 food banks, the newest of
which is Rolling Harvest.

Ellis-Marseglia is an
advocate for specialty
courts, including those
carved out for mental
health cases and veterans.

Up next on Diane's agenda? What about running
for Congress herself? I asked that, too. No, she said.
She would like more time in the Commissioner's Office
to see more of her projects through. She sees herself
as a helping hand for people who can't advocate
for themselves.

believes that talking is the way to confront the stigma
surrounding the issue. Talking. And tackling the tragedy
of suicide head on.
In 2007, the Bucks County Democratic Party chose
her to run as Commissioner, and she beat her primary
opponent, Sandra Miller.

It is, she said, all about framing the issues and
framing the finances. So, maybe that's not about
politics after all. 

It's a State law that the county have at least one
Commissioner representing the minority party. When
I asked Diane how she felt to be in the minority as a
woman Commissioner, she reminded me of what I've
been saying for years, that "women aren't the minority."
Of course, she's right. (And, fun fact: in 1984, for four
years, two of the three seats in the Commissioner's Office
were held by Democrats.)

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As Commissioner, Diane chairs Bucks County's
Emergency Health Council and the local Emergency
Planning Commission, the Board of Elections, and
represents Bucks to the Delaware Valley Regional
Planning Commission. She was also nominated by
Governor Wolf in July 2015 to the Pennsylvania
Workforce Investment Board.
So, what is it like, being the only woman in
the room on the 5th floor? Diane said this past
term provided a fruitful working environment with
her colleagues, Vice Chairman Robert Loughery and
Chairman Charles Martin. She is an advocate for
specialty courts, including those carved out for mental
health cases and veterans. A substance abuse treatment
module at the county jail was piloted just nine months
ago, when Bucks County introduced a program which
offers addicts the opportunity for individual and group
therapy in an effort to turn their lives around. Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia has long recognized that serious
drug addiction has plagued our once sheltered suburbs.

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630 Freedom Business Center, Third Floor, King of Prussia, PA 19406 - 610.489.5100
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ISSUE: 1705
ORG/PUB: Bucks Writs
SPRING 2017

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