John Norvaisas is a truly nice guy who wants very much to help people. Yep, that John Norvaisas. The guy I roasted two years ago because he ran for State Representative using a website resume that turned his culinary arts certificate into a college degree. But no longer are too many cooks spoiling his campaign broth.
After losing that first stab at public office, Norvaisas made big changes to his life menu. He gave up his bread truck route and took a position as an insurance office manager. After canning political "advisors" Mike and Amy Zowniriw, he ran for Richlandtown borough council as a workingman who wanted to do good for his community. Who but a true workingman would drive all the way to Norristown just to buy rolls from a union bakery for a fundraiser barbeque?
And he won! Soon after his victory, I received an email from him: "Hello Richard, I would like to thank you for the great columns you wrote about David Zaiser this year. Thank you again and Merry Christmas to you and your family. John Norvaisas."
My curiosity was piqued. If Rick Santorum and Mike Fitzpatrick can reinvent themselves, could John? I answered, "Thank you for the sentiments, and a very happy holidays to all the Norvaisases (what is the plural of a Norvaisas???). And the question does come to mind - since I have been less than flattering in my columns about you, why this burst of friendliness?"
His reply reminded me of Forrest Gump's box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get: "I just think it's time to change. I'm sick of the lawsuits and the negative politics that are going on in Upper Bucks. I also don't think you are as bad a guy as some of my fellow Democrats think you are. Please keep in touch and Merry Christmas again".
What did we have here...an extremely honest politician who has seen the light, or the world's biggest suckup??? My reply: "Thank you for the explanation, which I will take as a compliment. However, it is not necessary to be a Democrat to think that I am a bad guy. There are a few Republicans on Quakertown Borough Council (and in the White House, if they were to read The Free Press) who probably agree. I guess it depends on whose dirty laundry is being aired."
The dialogue continued throughout the year, and he explained how, and why, he abandoned his attack-dog persona of 2004. For starters, he jettisoned the Zowniriws, who he referred to as "wackos" after they shut off the water to their elderly neighbors. He took on a team of professional political advisors. And he decided just to be himself. Mr. Nice Guy. The person he should have been all along.
The next real test of the new/old Norvaisas is a political mission impossible - again challenging Paul Clymer for the House Seat in the 145th District. Clymer, everyone's Dutch Uncle, is an icon of conservative Upper Bucks, and won 70% of the vote in 2004 for his 13th term. He is the chairman of two house committees. Even the most optimistic Norvaisas fan can't help but be pessimistic.
But that hasn't slowed John down. He is campaigning to abolish the state's property tax system, prevent large pay raises for legislators, and require government officials to disclose what they have received from lobbyists. He even says he would refuse the usual state car, paid for by taxpayers. He says all the right things, and he truly means them.
He even says that he likes Clymer! He disagrees with many of Paul's positions, but not his personality. In fact, Norvaisas was very upset when a local newspaper recently revived a comment taken from one of his early press releases: "I would be interested in hearing what Paul Clymer thinks about the Eagles," Norvaisas said then. "Then again, maybe he doesn't like the Eagles. He looks like a Cowboys fan."
"I didn't write that", Norvaisas told me. "It was written by (Richland Democratic committeeman) Brian Kline, and I told him not to send it out. Paul and I are both huge Eagles fans. Kline also sent out other press releases without my knowledge." Finally, Norvaisas wrote to Kline, and Richland Democrat Patrick Murphy (the other Patrick Murphy), his former campaign team members:
"Hello Brian and Pat - I want to say to the two of you, myself and a lot of fellow Democrats are sick of all the negative politics and lawsuits. I keep telling you we need to win elections and build the party. The way you two keep going on with lawsuits and negative politics, it's turning people away, not building the party.
People want positive politics and someone to give them hope, not attack all the time. I like you two personally, but not politically, so I must break my ties with you politically and keep moving forward, and not being a part of your negative politics and lawsuits. I will run the rest of my campaign with positive Democrats that want to move forward. We will never win or build our party if we keep on with the negative politics."
Even with the increased Democratic registration in Bucks County, and the change in Norvaisas' team, the house seat is almost certainly Clymer's as long as he chooses to serve. Paul is a tireless public servant who has literally devoted his life to his job. But someday he will retire, and his position will be up for grabs for the first time since 1980.
And the Democratic candidate will not be a rookie with negative-agenda advisors, but a veteran councilman who campaigned repeatedly, despite long odds, for that someday when he would get the chance to help lots of people .