Mike Fitzpatrick took public service to a higher level – Speak Your Piece – May 14, 2025
We’ve got politicians and public servants and sometimes they’re one and the same, if we’re lucky. I love to talk about both as I did earlier this week on Speak Your Piece, my daily talk show, covering myriad topics and people, Monday through Friday. It’s informative, fun and I’ve been at it a long time.
But there’s nothing that makes me more proud than WBCB’s “marriage” with Broad + Liberty and the Bucks County Independence. So let’s go over Monday’s show, which was more than an advance for the upcoming Michael G. Fitzpatrick Foundation (MGFF) fundraiser Garden Party, June 1. Public service and education are at the heart of it.
What an addition to the legacy of the late congressman, Mike Fitzpatrick, a Republican, who wholeheartedly believed in public service while racking up many political wins and serving as Bucks County Commissioner and later congressman from the 8th Congressional District (now the 1st). Tragically, Mike fought cancer for several years until his death in January 2020.
I worked for Mike and can attest to his public-service mindset. He believed the political route he chose was one of the best ways to improve communities and lives. After his passing, his entire family — wife and children, parents, and brother Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick — decided to continue Mike’s legacy by providing future public service-minded students with educational opportunities at Bucks County Community College.
They created a foundation with the goal of awarding scholarships to the two-year college for county-residents aspiring to public service and, of course, raising the money to do it!
We spoke to Mike’s brother-in-law Mark Guenther on air recently. A teacher, Mark devotes much time to the foundation and is leading the way for this year’s Garden Party.
Mark knew Mike Fitzpatrick believed in serving his community publicly and privately. And he said the students or “scholars,” as they’re called, may be further inspired when they learn more about Mike’s personal philosophy, the concept of public service, and how he used his political and communication skills to help individuals, underserved families and also our communities.
Political activity is the way to make change. As we know, Mike took it to a higher level.
Pat Wandling hosts “Speak Your Piece,” from which this commentary is adapted, weekdays at noon on WBCB 1490.
