J.C. Kelleher, "Master of Ceremonies and DJ for all occasions," is running for Northampton County Council. On Tuesday night, this NRA dude will conduct an organizational meeting at the Bethlehem Brew Works, 7 PM.Formerly spokesperson for the "Testosterone Advantage Plan," JC is currently the manager at Channel 69's News Traffic Center. His web page proudly notes he is a parishioner at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Northampton, Pennsylvania. He's also an earl or something in the local Knights of Columbus.
In fact, when he returned my call on Sunday, he told me he had just come home from church. On his web page pitch for county council, he even asks us to "[h]ave a voice and speak out for traditional values for TODAY'S family."
So I asked him how many times he's been married. Turns out he's had three failed marriages, although he tells me there's an explanation for every one of them. He also acknowledges he is a "speed dating" and karaoke bar aficionado. "Is there anything wrong with that?" Dude, I'm not the three-time loser, nor am I the person harping about "traditional values." For what it's worth, he tells me he has sworn off that marriage thing. There goes all that testosterone.
Asked why he's running, he told me there's been way too much "head bashing" on Northampton County Council and it's time to get "back to the basics." Asked what basics he would like to get back to, he told me he'd have to get back to me on that one.
I finally asked Kelleher about the importance of open government and council's penchant for secrecy, figuring he should knock that one out of the park. "I don't think they've been hiding things that are of public significance. There are some things by design in public and some things in private. Why discuss things publicly if there is not a need to know? Like my private life."
Maybe Kelleher has heard local government is a good place to pick up hot babes. JC, I've been trying that for years, and the only person who will date me is Angle.
Stick to speed dating. Or run for the U.S. Senate.
50 comments:
This post isn't an opinion, it is a hatchet job. Talk about personal attacks! Whoa! Judge not lest thee be judged! I hope I'm not in the gallery behind you the day you stand for judgement! I wouldn't want to get sucked down to hell in that vacuum with you!
this guy sounds like a natural fit for norco council.
Anon 645, you got that right, he's the one.
The Banker
This guy sounds like a male version of Sam Bennett, a self-absorbed, hypocritical ego maniac.
He will go as far as she did in terms of winning election.
This is not the same guy I know, and I do know him. The JC Kelleher I have known for a while is up front and honest .I have worked wihh him on projects and he has always gone the extra mile to help out.He meets his coitments.
This review is not a fair analysis, I think we need to actually MEET someone and ask for more inputfrom folks who know him well (rather than what appears to be LOTS of rumor and inuemdo) before we make decisions about people.
Personally I was very happy to hear that he is running for County Council. He is a good man with the best of motivations, which is alot more than we can say for some of the folks on Council right now
No worse anti-Catholic than a fallen Catholic. Jews have the same self-hatred problem among their fallen. It's why Catholic and Jew hatred is more socially acceptable than ever. I wonder if fallen Muslims will eventually emerge to commit similar bigotry against their former faith?
Don't walk away angry. Just walk away.
marriages fail bernie. the loser comment was not-called for.
that said, the family values mantra is just tired.
"what appears to be LOTS of rumor and inuemdo"
he is rumored to be thrice-divorced?
Sure, marriages fail all the time. But I don't expect someone with three failed marriages anmd who gets around to beat his breast about traditional family values. I don't expect him to brag make his religion one of his selling points. I do expect him to know something about the job he's running for.
Incidentally, I'm no fallen catholic. I'm a lousy Catholic, but I go to confession and everything.
I have not met the dude, and he may not be as terrible as I've painted him. I concede that. But the reality is that people who talk about traditional family values are usually the ones who know the least about it.
Damn papists out to infiltrate county government! Hopefully we've caught this one in time. We don't need their kind around here.
Thanks for sleeping with one eye open for us Bernie.
Someone from WFMZ might be far right? NEVER! I mean (Pastor) Donald Barnhouse and his political commentary every weeknight, it's so centrist! lmao
Folks,
It seems that Mr. O'Hare took some liberties in sensationalizing a few items from our conversation. Please allow me the opportunity to clarify as well as mention what he neglected to...
Yes, I have been married three times. It is not something that I boast about or am proud of. However, the outcome of my first marriage is 2 handsome teenage sons, the older of which is now serving to protect our freedom in the US Marine Corps... By the way, the last 2 years he has spent living with me. I'm equally as proud of my younger son who is a junior in high school and quite the track star.
Aficionado, Bernie? Yes, I've gone to speed dating a few times which hardly makes one an expert... As for karaoke, that's a different story. I enjoy singing and other enjoy listening to me. It's how I enjoy time with my circle of friends and make new friends, too. Perhaps you'd like to hear me sometime (No, that's not asking you for a date).
Here is my PROFESSIONAL History... After graduating high school, I served a tour of duty in the US Air Force until I developed a problem with my spine and was sent home. I became an EMT and worked with the NYC Emergency Medical Service. I then obtained my degree in Computer Electronics Technology and honed my skills with great companies before relocating to the Lehigh Valley in 2000. Here, I worked for Rodale though 2001 when they had one of their frequent lay-offs. I then answered an Ad for MetroNetworks as a Traffic Anchor, which parlayed into the position of IT Manager for WFMZ-TV. I continue to serve as an EMT in a director's role with the regional EMS Council as well as serve as a republican voice for the Western portion of Northampton County on the NCRC.
So, Mr. O'Hare, I may be a three-time loser in your judgmental eyes. However, you neglected to mention the part of our conversation where I mentioned THREE TIMES about me working for what's in the best interest of the residents of Northampton County from their voices. The difference is that I'm taking an active POSITIVE role to make our county better... In fact, it's not a bad place as it is.
In summary, folks, I have a history just like everyone else. There are things I’m very proud of and thing not so proud of. I’ve learned from all of them. I prioritize my life by serving God, my Country, My family and lastly myself. Yes, I’ve had my instances of stumbles along the way. I’ve even had failures that have made way for successes. Yes, sometimes my ego can get the best of me as it always comes back to bite me. I can promise, though, that I will CONTINUE to serve my community to the best of my ability and take action as necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
JC Kelleher
Actually, there is no rumor or inuendo. He concedes three failed marriages. He acknowledges being a speed dating aficiando. I did not meet the guy, but did give him the courtesy of speaking to him. This is the guy whose web site asks us to speak out about traditional family values. So I did. With him.
He'll fit right in..as soon as NH county gets the video camera up and running! He can give traffic updates during the meeting!s
Mr. Kelleher,
I'd normall agree that your priovate personal life should remain that way. But you make it an issue with your bullshit claim about traditional family values. I exaggerate nothing in my converesation with you. You talk about working for the best interests of the residents of Northampton County but failed to list even one specific example of wehat you intend. But you defended secrecy in a governmental body with a penchant for deciding things behind closed doors.
County council is in horrible shape and needs people who will promote transparency and accountability, not someone who supports secrecy.
And nothing irks me more than those candidates who claim to be all about family values and who themselves can't ever seem to stay married.
Don't forget, your web page invites us to speak out about family values. I just did.
"Damn papists out to infiltrate county government! Hopefully we've caught this one in time. We don't need their kind around here.
Thanks for sleeping with one eye open for us Bernie."
He's got an Irish name, too.
"Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm." Your montra, Bernie. Let's practice what we preach here, sir. There is no need to be slinging mud.
Please check your resources and confidential sources for validity. Where are you finding this traditional family values thing? Don't get me wrong, family values are important. Even though many families may be broken, it doesn't mean that values are any less important.
I believe wholeheartedly that our officals should be accountable for their actions. I never contradicted that. We do not know everything that goes on within our government. It's not a matter of secrecy, it's a matter of common sense.
The guy won't stand a chance really. Let's assume Cusick runs for reelection (unless he runs for county exec, that seems like a safe bet). He'll probably be the top vote getting R. Let's also assume that the at-large results in a 2 D/ 2 R split. Most reputable voices suggest the Schwartz will run again. He'll probably be the 2nd top voting R. The only way this guy gets elected is if the D's manage to blow the majority and it goes 3-1 R.
I know you don't like dertinger but he'll be the top vote receiving D. Who the other top voting D is remains a mystery at this point. But this guy's endorsement of secret gov't activity won't be the one to make the miracle 3-1 R swing. Lot of style: no substance.
"Please check your resources and confidential sources for validity. Where are you finding this traditional family values thing?"
I got it from your own web page. I've just checked and you've removed it and now ask the question, as though I pulled it out of my ass.
Unfortunately for you, it's still in google's cache, and your comment about trraditional family values can still be found, at least for a limited period, right here.
So now we have a candidate who (1) tells people to demand family values while he has three failed marriages; (2) approves secrecy in county government; and (3) disingenuously removes a statement form his web page telling people to "Have a voice and speak out for traditional values for TODAY'S family." and then implies that I made that up.
You've just been caught being dishonest now, too. Like I said, you should run for the U.S. Senate, not county council.
Ah-ha! I've discovered the culprit and have dealt with it accordingly, Bernie. I didn't think that you made it up, I just hadn't seen it. I apologize for the misunderstanding.
JC
you are culprit. go deal with yourself accordingly.
man, this guy will fit right in. that's why he shouldn't be elected.
Bernie:
I love your blog, but you're off base with JC. He's a fine man and in my experience, he cares an awful lot about his community.
I'm willing to overlook the marriages thing, because I can't tell you the horror stories that I, and my friends have experienced in relationships. Bad relationships even happen to the best of us.
Working with JC, I can tell you he is a humble man who is reliable and approachable. My advice would be to sit down with the guy and get to know him. JC is a regular person with regular problems. Like all of us he understands that he has faults, but like people who aren’t egomaniacal, he is working to make himself a better person. Whether we may like it or not, the best way to advance ourselves is through organized religion. A reborn Christian, Jew or Muslim, the belief in something greater than ourselves is a healthy thing.
I know you frequently complain about the craziness of the Norco Council. I think JC on the Council would go a long way to move the council toward sanity. Compared to what we have, I would want someone who understands that they are imperfect and is committed to changing themselves for the better. A little humility on the Northampton County Council will make a dramatic difference. But then that’s just me.
Skip
Skip,
I may very well be off base, and it would not be the first time. I also have no problem w/ organized religion. I did speak to this guy although I have not met him one on one.
I have some problems. First, this traditional family values chant almost always comes from those who do not practice what they preach. Second, JC has no suggestion for what he will actually do if elected. Third, he defends government secrecy. Finally, between last night and this morning, he removes his family values statement from his web page and then tries to imply it was never there.
I'd love to see some good people on council. Mark Schwartz, who is Republican, impresses the hell out of me. JC does not.
Wow, the O'Hare hypocracy machine at work. This guy does sound like one of your run of the mill Rah, Rah, red tie wearing Republicans. Hi, I'm all clean and neat. Can I interest you in voting for me?
Still you have a lot of nerve O'Hare. You judge people on their morality and you have a history of being a thief, liar, cheat and worse. You claim that you openly admit it, actually you don't tell all and so what who cares. You are the last person to give a moral judgement on anybody. Hell, you think the model public servants are a bigoted thief-Angle and an incompetent dolt-Stoffa.
Also Ferraro will be the top Republican and probably top overall vote getter, what the Hell are some of you smoking, check the history of vote totals. Cusick could easily get knocked off and Schwartz is being reported to the Feds for possible Hatch Act violatoion. If the State Police have any Federal money going to their operations directly or indirectly through the State, he is out. You may disagree O'Hare but then you are not an attorney anymore. The Law is the Law. Hopefully the Dem's are not so dumb as to not follow up on this. Maybe you can get the Bethlehem lawyer who ratted out Heckman, to do the dirty work.
Finally, to JC himself, even though I won't vote for you, good luck. Don't waste your time on this silly blog. Myself and the 50 other peoiple who read this won't make or break your chances and you are spinning your wheels with O'Hare. You have been branded by him and all you will do is waste time bothering with him at this point. He is a mean vindictive little bastard so best to just move away slowly.
"I did speak to this guy although I have not met him one on one."
There seems to lie the disconnect. I suggest that you do meet with JC Kelleher, to limit what can be, or might have been, taken out of context.
Plus JC can met the "infamous" Bernie in-person. It was a moving experience for me too.
"Still you have a lot of nerve O'Hare. You judge people on their morality and you have a history of being a thief, liar, cheat and worse."
I guess you must have found out I was robbing graves. I thought I had that one expunged.
I met JC in the past year. I came to quickly trust him as a dear friend. I hope to be judged by my friends and I proudly include JC in the lot.
I agree with Skip: meet the man. Our leaders should not be without fault, but should learn from their mistakes.
This hatchet job is a mistake. Please meet the man and redeem yourself Bernie.
I think a new religion was founded today. You ever hear of "Marist?"
Now there's a new one "O'Hareist"
The order of thy holy Hypocrites.
Slams like that one work a lot better if delivered with a tad of humor. Your remark is just plain nasty. There is no such thing as the Marist religion, by the way.
Mr. Kelleher,
You've gotten in bed with the "dogs", you better get some flea powder!
Bernie... you have struck out again !
""Slams like that one work a lot better if delivered with a tad of humor. "" I thought it was funny and I am jealous that I didn't think of it first:):):):):) :p
"I agree with Skip: meet the man. Our leaders should not be without fault, but should learn from their mistakes.
This hatchet job is a mistake. Please meet the man and redeem yourself Bernie."
this was no hatchet job. simply an exposition of hypocrisy and deceit in action by yet another wannabe politician.
1) "Please check your resources and confidential sources for validity. Where are you finding this traditional family values thing?"
2) "Ah-ha! I've discovered the culprit and have dealt with it accordingly..."
What I find disturbing is that when comparing Response #1 to the "discovery" in Response #2, it appears that Mr. Kelleher is grossly unfamiliar with the content - and political mission statement(s) - of his own website.
Is JC's political machinery already that big that it's gotten beyond his sphere of control? Does JC's webpage represent his thoughts or the thoughts of the webpage developer who took a little liberty and put a few words in his mouth? (but I venture to say that this site was most likely a solo effort by JC himself!)
I just googled JC Kelleher and came to know him better. A man of many varied talents. A knowledgeable IT person, experienced EMT, and gregarious DJ/Master of Ceremonies. It's too bad he's not a magician too!
Then he could make the whole NC council disappear!
Bernie hasn't a microscopic fraction of the honesty, personal integrity, or fundamental courtesy of JC. It's why mopes like Bernie take out the hatchet for guys like JC. It makes him see what a miserable mess he is.
Don't feel bad JC. He won a poll for County Executive and since he is not 'Bernies' guy, O'Hare immediately put the hatchet to him. He was one of the most honest and capable government officials while in Northampton County.
don't let Dr. Evil O'Hare bother you.
I am very comfortable with what I wrote. JC invited the public to speak out about family values, and I did. Before I did so, I even spoke directly to JC about it so that I would have my facts straight. His comments here are welcome. In my view, which is apparently shared by WhetherVain, he just dug himself a deeper hole. Had he not bragged about family values and being a Knight of Columbus, I'd keep his personal life personal. But JC made it an issue. Moreover, JC actually was unable to come up with one simple example of what he would do to bring council back to basics. Finally, he supports council secrecy. That's three strikes with me. For those of you who like him anyway, you can go to his meeting tomorrow night.
He should reschedule this. Weather reports aren't looking pretty...
Not that he's going to get my vote anyway.
O'Hare is editing posts he doesn't like. Whats a matter afraid of the truth?
Flail away!
As indicated, I'm very comfortable with what I wrote. Kelleher made his personal lifestyle an issue, and he wqs properly taken to task.
I "edited" nothing here, but draw your attention to my comments policy - I reserve the right to delete anonymous personal attacks. Since this post deals with someone's personal life, I've allowed comments that attack me personally, too. Knock yourself out.
I would rather have the normal traffic guy and his whacky news.
Mr. "69 Traffic Guy" (god, you can't make this stuff up) is about 20 years too late for his schtick,however, those who love the Romney/Boehner(sp?) types, good looking empty vessels pandering to the empty headed, well, he has certainly has a large fan base.
Hopefully, he's not 69ing in Traffic while he's speed dating.
O'Hare you claim to be quick to delete personnal attacks, delete annon 6:08 or are you a hypocrite?
I have allowed the personal stuff in this post and said so.
Hypocrite!
WHOOSH! What's that giant sucking Sound? to paraphrase Ross Perot, that is the last shreds of one Bernie O'hare's limited credibility being sucked away. Far away, into the vacuum of what was once good intentions, and had turned into a blog that settles personal scores.
Don't hate be cuz' you can't be me.
its not even you!!! Post your real pic instead of your high school one.
Though by day JC is a media professional and involved in community projects, a small portion of his free time involves running a social meetup, the purpose of which is to get singles and single parents out of the house and able to go to a public venue, alone, and know there is always a group of friends waiting for them. He runs this meetup with his own time and money. He often will MC an event for free, and people look forward to his singing and jokes. He's been very instrumental in helping Valley singles make a new start. He sometimes makes these events fundraisers, one future idea being a singles dance to raise money for laptops for our soldiers in Iraq.
This is where this "karaoke" reference comes from, and it is absolutley horrendous how his personal life has been given center stage.
Let me get this straight. JC asks people to speak out about family values. I speak out about his own. And I'm horrendous? Try again.
Post a Comment