2006 News

August 22, 2006

Commissioners Announce Appointment to Pennsylvania Weights and Measurement Standards Advisory Board
Bucks County Consumer Protection Director Mike Bannon to Serve on Newly Established Department of Agriculture Committee

Today, the Bucks County commissioners announced that Michael D. Bannon, the county’s director of the Consumer Protection/Weights and Measures Department, has been named to the Pennsylvania Weights and Measurement Standards Advisory Board by commonwealth agriculture Secretary Dennis C. Wolff.

In that capacity, Bannon will help formulate policy for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Weights and Measurement Standards.

“We are proud to have Mike represent Bucks County in this new advisory role,” said commissioners’ chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. “Through this appointment, he will bring expertise and enthusiasm about the many facets of consumer protection to Harrisburg.”

In addition to working with weights and measures issues, the department investigates a full complement of complaints, including those involving faulty products and repairs, advertising/telemarketing fraud and violation of landlord-tenant laws, among others.

Similarly, the mission of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Division of Weights and Measures is to work with county and city weights and measures programs to test devices ranging from fuel meters and retail store scanners to vehicle and livestock scales for consistent measuring standards.

“It’s a great honor to be asked to serve the state on such an important issue,” Bannon said. “With gasoline prices so high, the importance of weights and measures is more crucial then ever.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell created the weights and measurement standards advisory board to “improve upon the level of service and increase efficiencies throughout the Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards.”

The initial meeting of the weights and measurement standards advisory board is scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, at 10 a.m. in Harrisburg.

Added Bannon, “I expect (the advisory board) to look at cost effective procedures for officials to perform unannounced inspections on a regular basis. I look forward the challenges ahead.”