MOVING UP? SEPTA Board member and former Cheltenham Township supervisor Thomas Jay Ellis recently was endored by the Montgomery County Republican Executive Committee in his bid to replace Michael Marino as Montgomery County Commissioner. Marino, the former MontCo DA who was elected to his first term in 1999, chose not to seek re-election this year. In a somewhat strange twist of irony, Marino and James (brother of "Hardball's" Chris) Matthews defeated Mario Mele in the 1999 GOP primary. A couple of years ago, Mele was replaced on the SEPTA Board by ... Thomas Jay Ellis. Talk about full circle...

DART HEARING AHEAD DART First State is planning a public hearing workshop on Tuesday, March 25 at the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington. The workshop, which will take place between 11:00am and 2:00pm, is part of DART's schedule adjustment process. There are very few changes in New Castle County, however, a new Route 7 is proposed to operate between Rodney Square and the Canby Park section of Wilmington. Most of the changes are proposed for Resort Transit service in Sussex County, which would involve reduced service until July 1 (when the new fiscal year begins).