tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post111569271723854552..comments2023-10-24T11:05:25.288-04:00Comments on Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Diven, Fontana trade jabs. Numbing jabsMark Rauterkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1115692777223838072005-05-09T22:39:00.000-04:002005-05-09T22:39:00.000-04:00Diven, Fontana trade jabs in 42nd District raceMon...Diven, Fontana trade jabs in 42nd District race<BR/><BR/>Monday, May 09, 2005<BR/>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette<BR/><BR/>State Rep. Michael Diven, a Democrat-turned Republican, had little to say yesterday in response to the latest punch thrown in his political cat fight for the state Senate seat in the 42nd District. His opponent, Democrat Wayne Fontana, accused him this past weekend of failing to pay his Allegheny County property taxes in a timely manner and lying about why.<BR/><BR/>"People have been later in returning Blockbuster videos," said Diven, who admitted to being five days late paying his $347 tax, including penalty and interest.<BR/><BR/>"I believe this shows the level of desperation [Fontana's] campaign is faced with," he said.<BR/><BR/>Fontana, who left his Allegheny County Council seat to enter the race, said in a statement that Diven blamed his bank, First Commonwealth, for the delay, when, in fact, the bill went directly to Diven's home at 1040 Brookline Blvd.<BR/><BR/>"When you make a mistake, you need to be a stand-up person and own up to it," Fontana's statement read.<BR/><BR/>Diven said he wasn't sure where the bill was usually sent. County records show Diven paid his property taxes on time in 2002, 2003 and 2004.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com