Constables Cost Counties Money

Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham has proposed that deputy sheriffs assume the role of constables in collecting unpaid parking tickets in Allentown. President Judge Bill Platt, no friend of Cunningham, can see the savings. ''This is not anti-constable. This is pro-taxpayer.''

Naturally, blogger Michael Molovinsky scoffs at the very notion, deriding Cunningham as "a little Eddie Rendell in training pant" and as "Don Bureaucrat Cunningham." Lehigh County Exec candidate Scott Ott also questions the idea, minus the vitriol. "[I]t seems like common sense to use contractors who charge only for results, rather than to bring that task in house and assume the ongoing care and feeding, nursing and retirement of full-time government employees."

Here are the facts. Constables cost counties money. When indigent Defendants are unable to pay the costs associated with serving a warrant, the county foots the bill. In 2007, for example, Northampton County taxpayers shelled out nearly a million dollars in constable fees that they will never get back. This is in addition to fees that constables collect from defendants who have the means to pay. Cunningham's proposal will spare taxpayers that expense while simultaneously making them the beneficiaries of fees that defendants can afford. It is innovative fiscal management, demonstrating precisely why he belongs at the helm.

In addition to these financial reasons, there's another concern. Constables, who are independent contractors with no oversight, sometimes lack the training demanded by the job. This point was driven home by a reader who had a bad experience on Monday night.

"I rent a townhouse at [redacted] in Bethlehem, PA. Last night while making dinner we received a knock at the door. My roommate and I secured the dogs by putting them downstairs and he answered the door, I hung back but was interested to see who it was. The gentleman at the door was a large black man with a shaved head wearing a large, visible pistol on the front of his belt. Apparently this man was a constable, we didn’t know because he failed to identify himself. He was looking for our landlord, who someone had filed a civil complaint against because he hadn’t paid a bill. The constable asked for our landlord by name, was told he didn’t live there and he sneered in disbelief. He then demanded to know who we were, sneering again in disbelief when we told him. He continued to stand in our doorway, never telling us who he was or why he was there until he produced a paper and said 'you better make sure he gets this.'

"This man clearly had the intent of trying to intimidate us. He never identified himself or had anything on him that would have led us to assume he was a lawman of any kind. He was confrontational and menacing all in the name of serving a warrant for an unpaid bill for someone that doesn’t live there.

"I don’t think this is the kind of thing a person should have to endure. When someone shows up at your front door wearing a weapon and trying to intimidate you he should immediately identify himself.

"Anyway, I wanted to file a complaint against this guy but everyone I call seems to have the perfect excuse for not doing anything about it because I couldn’t give them his name. I don’t know it and it was no where on the paperwork he gave us to pass on to our landlord. I was hoping you could point me in the right direction and maybe even give me this man’s name. "

"I greatly appreciate any help you can give, no one deserves to be treated like that in their own home."

I was able to get the name of this constable, but there's still a problem. My reader tells me this constable is black, but this person is white. When I sort things out, I'll let you know.

Hershman to Donovan: Allentown Needs Watchdogs, Not Lapdogs

Allentown city council candidate Lou Hershman is unwilling to sit on his hands and do nothing in response to The Morning Call's disturbing report about firefighters' sick-time abuse, which has inflated overtime and pensions. He refuses to shrug his shoulders and say, "We have no power," as most city council members do when confronted with the Pawlowski regime's abuse of the week.

Yesterday, Hershman noted the need to start an investigation now. "We definitely should not wait until budget time, as Council VP Michael Donovan mentions on his blog." Since Lou does have 32 years of experience providing oversight to the Queen City, I would listen to him. But not Donovan.

In a blog post entitled Comments on another blog, Donovan takes these jabs: "[H]e does not understand how the policy system actually works." ... " City Council and the Controller have no control over those contracts. They are negotiated and managed by the administration. We are not at all a part of that process." ... "Mr. Hershman asks many questions and claims that he has all the answers. Wrong. For all the times he has spoken, I have rarely, if ever, found that his issues have substance. He has this grand idea that if he yells enough, something will happen. No, we are constrained immensely by the Charter." ... "My observation of prior councils where Mr. Hershman sat was that committee effort was a rubber-stamp, quick and dirty affair."

Looks like Lou can forget about getting a Christmas card from Donovan this year. Donovan apparently believes city council should only provide oversight at budget time. Here's how Lou reacts. "I don't have all the answers, but know enough to look for them. That's why we're there. There's no point even being there if they're unwilling to provide oversight. When a newspaper reveals overtime abuse like what we see from the firefighters, I have to question where they've been. We sign on to be watchdogs, not lapdogs. The Morning Call is not a member of city council, but seems to know more about what is going on than our elected officials. Don't the people deserve better representation than that? "

Hershman also points to the city's home rule charter provision that expressly gives council the power to conduct investigations and even subpoena witnesses. "Why is that there if we only provide oversight during budgets?"

Hershman finally questions just how effective council members can be when an administration finances their campaigns. "I think Donovan took $100 from the mayor. It should not be a nickel, no matter who is in office."

On his own blog, Donovan admits he's still learning. That's why Hershman's experience should be viewed as an asset instead of as a hindrance.

Obama's New Government Guardian Angel Program

Scott Armstrong is one busy Allentown activist. In addition to his job and family responsibilities, he publishes The Allentown Commentator and blogs at the recently launched Lehigh Valley Conservative Voice. His services are always in high demand, mostly because he is one of very few Lehigh Valley conservatives who actually knows how to read and write. His well-chosen words, often dripping with sarcasm, have ignited more than a few fires on this blog.

Many of you consider him a rabid partisan, but I'll let you in on a little secret. His beautiful wife, like beautiful me, voted for beautiful Obama. She'd rather listen to "All Things Considered" than Rush Limbaugh. She even made Scott move his Glenn Beck statue to their back yard. Worst of all, she's French.

Scott's latest essay is an examination of Obama's new Government Guardian Angel Program. I told him last night that after I post this, I'm moving into the bunker.

The administration plans to move forward shortly with a bold new plan that will deal simultaneously with both the unemployment problem and the so called “Tea party” protesters. Anonymous White House insiders say the proposal will provide funding to employ Democrat activists who will provide mentoring and guidance to Americans who have demonstrated a misunderstanding of the president’s message of Hope and Change. These misguided people have been identified through various channels including surveillance photos and informants and clearly need to have their values and energies redirected. It will be the duty of their new “Government Guardian Angel” to see that they understand clearly and quickly that service, faith and obedience to the government are essential to their future well being. According to reports these “angels” will be granted sweeping powers and discretionary authority over their charges.

Based on the 2008 election results government economists believe this program could supply jobs for as many as fifty million people in time but warn the program could take months or even years to get fully operational. In addition, some of those targeted for “government angels” will come into compliance with acceptable thoughts and practices more quickly than others. This will add a variable to potential employment possibilities. Still the administration sees this program as a win-win for the nation. With one single effort we can end unemployment, dissent and discord. Hope will triumph when the nations sings in a single unified voice, it will be a happy day for America.

LC Exec Race: Ott Takes a Shot at Cunningham

Lehigh County Exec candidate Scott Ott took a few shots at incumbent Don Cunningham yesterday, with a robocall claiming that spendthrift Cunningham has depleted the cash reserve. Only he can prevent a certain tax increase next year. But is he right?

Below is the text of Ott's message. If you'd prefer Scott's truly melodious radio voice, you should be able to listen to an audio of his robocall here. I've concluded that Scott is mostly mistaken. As a matter of full disclosure, you should know that I support Cunningham.

Your Lehigh County taxes will jump in 2011 but you have the power to stop the looming property tax hike. Go to votescott.org right now. Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham spent all of the county’s reserve funds and his new budget is nearly 20 million out of balance. Our property taxes will jump if you do nothing. Go to votescott.org. That’s votescott.org. My name is Scott Ott, candidate for Lehigh County executive. I wrote this message and my campaign paid for it. Thanks for listening.

1. Has Cunningham spent all of the county's reserve funds? No. If he did, he'd be in jail. A reserve fund, as explained by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, refers to monies that are legally restricted for a particular purpose, such as state grants that must be used for specified human services.

2. Has Cunningham spent all of the county's unreserved funds? No. Cunningham's predecessor, Jane Ervin, imposed a 70% tax hike that turned out to be totally out of whack with Lehigh County's needs. She established two accounts for this excess money - a $28 million tax relief fund and a $20 million tax stabilization fund. The tax relief fund was established specifically to avoid tax increases when spending exceeds revenue. Cunningham actually contributed to that balance when times were good. Now he is exhausting that fund when times are bad, exactly as contemplated when the tax relief fund was first established.

The $20 million tax stabilization fund, or rainy day account, remains untouched.

3. Is the new budget nearly $20 million out of balance? Yes. The 2010 budget shows estimated tax revenue of about $91 million, but spending is at $110 million. That's why the Tax Relief Fund was exhausted.

4. Will there be a tax hike next year? Although Ott is no fortune teller, that seems like a safe bet. It is highly unlikely that revenues will match spending, even with draconian cuts. Cunningham has already reduced personnel to its lowest level since 1990, at about 2200 employees. Before he became County Exec, Lehigh County was actually on track to have over 2500 employees this year.

5. Can Scott Ott prevent a tax hike? No. I called Scott about his robocall this evening. He told me his three-point plan, spelled out on his web page, consists of (1) zero-based budgeting, (2) accountable leaders and (3) independence from state funding.

So far as I know, both Lehigh and Northampton Counties start each year's budget from the ground up. Some departments may get less while others get more. It also appears that Cunningham's staff, which has kept employment at its lowest level since 1990, is already accountable. Finally, I understand Ott's personal disdain for state funding. I get it. But it's really dangerous when it comes to county government.

Ott correctly notes that "Lehigh County's dependency on state funding [has grown] by about $35 million to a total of more than $305 million." But what he seems to miss is that this funding is for mandatory human services. If Lehigh County turns its nose up and sends the money back, it still has to supply the services. That would mean a Scott Ott tax increase in the vicinity of 400%.

Scott Ott? Not.

Update: As a point of clarification, I should note that Cunningham considers the $28 million tax stabilization fund a true rainy day fund. It is off the table for purposes of balancing a budget, including next year's budget.

Hershman: Overtime Abuse Nothing New in Allentown

Outspoken Allentown City Council candidate Lou Hershman is one of few people unsurprised by The Morning Call's recent shocking revelation that firefighters' sick-time abuse has depleted Allentown's budgeted overtime while increasing the pensions of 11 recent retirees. He's seen it before.

As a member of Allentown City Council during the Afflerbach reign, Lou spearheaded an investigation into astronomical police pensions, learning they were caused by excessive overtime. Nobody in the Finance Department could even confirm that the hours claimed were actually worked. There was no independent audit. What did exist were various double entries of four and five hours by the same officer for a single day. Forty-three police pensions were under close scrutiny until now Mayor Edwin Pawlowski begged Council to drop its review. "We'll never know how much that cost the city," notes Hershman.

Allentown City Council member Michael Donovan has already stated "we have little power over this issue until we address the 2010 budget in November." Wrong answer, says Hershman. "If there are no checks and balances by the Controller or Mayor Pawlowski, this could easily happen in other departments. This is why City Council needs to get involved now, to find out what this administration is doing to control overtime. We definitely should not wait until budget time, as Council VP Michael Donovan mentions on his blog."

Sometimes, the voice of experience should be heeded. Hershman pointed to a 2006 email from a city administrator conceding that a council review of overtime "could be useful in determining the need for external auditors."

Is Northampton County Sheriff's Department Bloated?

Just how big is Northampton County Sheriff's Department?

Sheriff - 1

Chief Deputy Sheriff - 1

Executive Secretary - 1

Administrative Specialist - 1

Clerical Specialist -1

Clerical Technician - 1

Criminal Supervisor (Lt) - 1

Admin Supervisor (Lt) -1

Security Supervisor (Lt) - 1

Deputy Sheriff - Sergeant - 6

Deputy Sheriffs - 42

Part Time Deputy Sheriffs - 12

Part Time Court Security Officers - 2

Part Time Security Screening Officers - 5

That's 76 people. Northampton County poured $5.2 million into that department this year, which translates to $72 thousand per person. Of course, some of that money is spent on bullets and gas masks.

Will the Senate Ever Recognize WWII Merchant Mariners?

We've just finished "Cash for Clunkers," designed to aid our impoverished car salesmen. Before that, the Wall Street bailout saved countless stock traders and bankers from jumping off skyscrapers. But our Senate is unable top scrape two nickels together for the few remaining Merchant Mariners who served during WWII.

Last month, LV Congressman Charlie Dent presented fifty WWII Merchant Mariners with long-overdue honors for their service. In the meantime, the Senate drags their feet on legislation that would provide some compensation and finally recognize these sailors, who were never even classified as veterans until 1988. Both Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey have, to their credit, agreed to co-sponsor this legislation. Here's how Lisa Wilken, a veterans' rights advocate with Operation Firing For Effect, explains it.

"I am a Veteran and volunteer working to help WWII Merchant Mariners on Senate Bill 663. Here is a little information about this bill.

"This bill has been around for 10 years now and has passed the House 3 times, but the Senate never lets it come to the floor for a vote.

"This bill will give our WWII Merchant Mariners the recognition they deserve for their service during WWII and offer them a 1000.00 a month payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs for five years. This payment is not transferable to a surviving spouse. The benefit dies with the Veteran.

"This bill came about because Mariners were not considered Veterans at the end of WWII and were not eligible for benefits. These Mariners were not able to take advantage of the GI Bill, VA Home loans, unemployment assistance, post war job preference, and medical care for their disabilities. In 1988 these Merchant Mariners were finally granted their Veteran status but it was too late for these 'new' Veterans to take advantage of many of the benefits that they earned.
"Most people don't realize that the Merchant Marines had the highest casualty rate of all the services in WWII. The Mariners were under attack before the U.S. entered the war and over 50 ships were sunk after V-E and V-J days. Most people think that these men were compensated at a higher rate than their Navy counterparts, but that is not true. This bill will not elevate these Veterans to any higher status than any other Veteran group. This bill is capped at 485 million for the 5 years. That number is based on the CBO's estimate that there are about 15,000 Mariners still living. The US Merchant Marine Organization puts that number between 9-10,000, not the 15,000 that the CBO used. Also, that number is if every Mariner alive when the bill is signed lives for the next 5 years. We are losing them at an alarming rate as their average age is around 84. The WWII Merchant Marines were the ONLY integrated service of WWII.

"Veteran’s benefits were promised to these men, but Congress never acted. As he signed the GI Bill in June 1944, President Roosevelt said, 'I trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to the members of the Merchant Marine who have risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of their country.'

"This bill can be paid for by using the money that the VA already pays out via disability compensation and pensions to other WWII Veterans who pass away. These Mariners will replace them in their pay slots. The disability compensation and pensions that are currently being paid is much more than the 1000.00 a month being offered to the Mariners; therefore, this will have no impact on the VA's budget.

"In 2007, this bill had 61 cosponsors in the Senate, but died in committee because leadership on the committee from both sides of the aisle failed to support it. I don't know why that is, especially when you look at the WWII Filipino Veteran Equity Act that passed last year as part of the stimulus package. Why is it that Congress affords these Filipino Veterans more consideration than our American WWII Merchant Mariners?"

Cunningham Will Award Community Policing Grants This Thursday

"How can it be wrong to have ten additional policemen?"

That's the question Lehigh County Commissioner Gloria Hamm asked when Exec. Don Cunningham first proposed handing out $1 million, over three years, to fund community policing in Lehigh County. That was back in April of 2008.

All five Republican Commissioners, worried that Lehigh County was going beyond its core functions, had reservations. But Commissioner Dean Browning decided to support the project when he and Cunningham worked together to find a way to fund this grant without spending real estate tax revenue.

Lehigh County taxpayers currently spend $1.1 million per week to prosecute and incarcerate criminals. If that cost can be reduced by funding a few cops on bicycles, it is money very well spent.

Cunningham will hand out more than $300,000 in checks to six municipalities that qualified for a Safe Streets Grant to hire police officers during an 11:30 a.m. presentation on Thursday, Oct. 1 at the West Bethlehem Police Substation at 434 W. Broad St., Bethlehem. He'll also be introducing some of the new community police officers who will be serving in Allentown, Bethlehem , Catasauqua, Fountain Hill, Macungie and Salisbury.

Allentown will receive funding for four police officers, Bethlehem two and the boroughs of Catasauqua, Fountain Hill and Macungie, along with Salisbury Township, get one.

Cunningham, who initiated community policing as Bethlehem's Mayor, hopes that the visible presence of police officers will draw people back to downtown areas and reinvigorate the urban core. “It’s a win-win situation. Municipalities save money on police and the county becomes a more desirable place to live.”

This is the first year of a three-year county grant program, awarded to communities who put forth the best community policing programs.

Will New Sheriff Rein In Renegade Northampton County Deputies?

There are at least thirty-six detailed applications for the Northampton County Sheriff's slot being vacated by Jeff Hawbecker. Whoever gets this job will have his or her hands full. Sheriff Hawbecker has done a fine job - establishing efficient systems for concealed permit applications, transporting prisoners and PFA. But there will still be a major problem re-establishing control over some renegade deputies who think we work for them. Last Thursday, I briefly mentioned some of my past criticism of the Northampton County Sheriff's Department. It's time to open up.

They react poorly when anyone looks at them too closely. So as critical as I can get, even I hesitate when it comes to deputies. Let me give you some examples of this vindictiveness.

Last February, I published a complaint from Exec John Stoffa about deputies who were propping open side doors and disabling alarms. They would leave and enter the government center through these side doors because it was convenient. They could grab a slice of pizza across the street. Depending on where they parked, they could get to their cars more quickly. But then members of the public started entering the courthouse through these side doors, too. Stoffa decided it was time to act, and complained to the judges. Amazingly, deputies entrusted with the lives of judges would risk that for a slice of pizza. When Stoffa's criticism was published here, deputies were furious. They did batten down the hatches. But as punishment for what really was their own haphazard approach to security, they decided to force everyone entering the building to undergo third degree searches. Searchers were specifically told they could thank me.

In years past, I've been pulled over by them, too. One deputy who worked part-time as a Palmer Township cop ticketed me for a burnt out tail light instead of providing the written warning he would give to anyone else. I fought that in court ... and lost.

When I arrive at the courthouse today, who knows what wonders will be in store? But it's time to tell you about these prima donnas.

For one thing, there's far too many of them. $5.2 million in county tax dollars was poured into that bloated department this year, well in excess the $3.6 million paid to operate the District Attorney's office. It has become a retirement home for state troopers and Allentown cops looking for a second public pension.

They milk taxpayers at every opportunity. Want some examples? Unfortunately, I have a few.

They love to don SWAT team uniforms, but one of their few real jobs is to transport prisoners. When they drive fifty or sixty miles, they can get lunch free on the county. So what these guys were doing is running up to Monroe or Carbon, making sure they have fifty miles, and then sticking the County for their lunch at some restaurant in Easton. Stoffa stopped that.

They hate Stoffa. When he became county executive, he also stopped the practice of allowing most deputies to drive county cruisers home every night. At one point, he even had to count cruisers in the lot every night to make sure they were listening to him. Deputies shrieked this would lead to all kinds of increased criminal activity and hamper their ability to respond quickly to emergencies. Time has taught us that these concerns, like their budget, is overblown.

They've tried to play County Council off on the Executive. On several occasions, they've marched en masse before the county's legislature to whine about Stoffa's refusal to pay them time and a half or whatever for providing security at Easton football games, something Stoffa had no idea they were even doing. Instead of getting their time and a half, they may have blown their gig. Stoffa may have stopped all this moonlighting.

Council member Ron Angle, who bluntly told this crew that the legislative branch has nothing to do with administrative matters, was rewarded with a letter from the deputies' union, telling him they don't consider the Northampton County Bulldog "law enforcement friendly."

I'm sure you've all seen and grumbled about cops who park cruisers in fire lanes while they rush into some restaurant for their caffeine fix. Imagine what it's like at the courthouse. In Northampton County, deputies regularly parked cruisers up and down the metered parking spots outside the courthouse. In fact, they'd even drive right up onto the sidewalk so they would only have to walk about ten feet to one of the side doors. This would force members of the public to walk for blocks while depriving Easton of the parking money that deputies never put in meters. Stoffa and Sheriff Hawbecker have tried to end that, too. To set an example, John Stoffa gave up his reserved parking spot even though his hip was replaced. Sheriff Hawbecker purposely parks at the lot located farthest from the courthouse. Now, I see deputies' personal cars parked along side streets with signs like "official business."

For whatever reason, too many deputies believe we exist to serve them. Perhaps they developed that attitude in their previous careers elsewhere, but it's a flop in Northampton County. Workers in other departments see what is going on.

My criticism of deputies on Thursday was much milder than what you're reading today. In fairness, I mentioned that I've seen them save lives when someone collapses at the courthouse and provide comfort to many of the distraught people who visit that building. I should also add that this criticism is only directed at a handful. Most take their work seriously, despite a corrupting atmosphere. But my criticism last week was still apparently too much. On Friday morning, courthouse bulletin boards were decorated with diatribes aimed at me. When I asked the Sheriff's office to investigate something they very well may have done themselves, I was repeatedly disconnected and misdirected to Human Relations.

For folks who like to brag they are really cops, they seem particularly uninterested in looking into criminal harassment that may come from one of their own.

Charlie Dent: Let the Sun Shine, 72 Hour Notice of Proposed Bills

LV Congressman Charlie Dent has joined the effort to require all proposed House actions be posted on the Internet at least 72 hours prior to consideration on the House floor. He's just signed a bipartisan discharge petition that would force a vote on the measure.

If a majority of House members join in this discharge petition, it will force the House to vote on a bipartisan resolution amending House rules to require that legislation and conference reports be posted on the Internet for at least 72 hours before they receive a vote on the House floor. So far, 115 House members support this requirement.

“Democracy only works when the public is informed, and too often Congress has rushed legislation that Members barely have time to review, let alone the American public,” Congressman Dent said. “This is not a partisan issue – this has occurred both under Republican and Democrat leadership. However, this ‘midnight legislation’ problem has accelerated this past year as we considered huge, transformational legislation without proper time to review the completed bill – and this process has completely left out the American public. A 72-hour public notice requirement will bring sunshine to the process, and perhaps help restore the public’s confidence in a Congress that too often works in the shadows.”

$6 Million in Stim Funds to Bethlehem Tech Center

Six million dollars in stim funds have been awarded to Bethlehem's Ben Franklin TechVentures. Below is a news release I've just received from the Department of Commerce.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra visited Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania at Lehigh University today to discuss job creation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Obama Administration’s strategy to spur American innovation.

“America's creative thinkers and innovators will lead the way to economic recovery,” Locke said. “President Obama is taking historic steps to lay the foundation for the innovation economy of the future. Earlier this week he laid out a strategy for American innovation that builds on more than $100 billion of Recovery Act funds that support innovation. Today we move that strategy forward.”

Locke and Chopra also announced a significant new Recovery Act grant for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania to expand Ben Franklin TechVentures, its incubator/post-incubator facility. The $6 million grant, from the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), will increase Ben Franklin’s ability to deliver to early-stage technology companies hands-on support, guidance and connections to key resources during the economic recovery. The construction of the facility’s addition will also create jobs in the short term.

“Ben Franklin TechVentures is an award-winning facility that now stands as a leader in Pennsylvania's tech industry, providing space and expertise for the businesses of the future,” Locke said. “This project creates jobs and fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth companies.”

Under the Recovery Act, 4.8 million Pennsylvania families have benefited from $2.5 billion in tax relief under the Making Work Pay Tax Credit. An additional 10,868 Pennsylvanians have taken advantage of the First Time Homebuyers Credit, receiving $87 million in tax relief. All told, more than $9.5 billion has been obligated to Pennsylvania under the Recovery Act.

“I am pleased to see stimulus funds at work for Ben Franklin Technology Partners and Ben Franklin TechVentures,” U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter said. “Support for this economic development initiative advances the role of market success through technology, ensures cutting-edge industry in the Lehigh Valley and helps hasten economic stability for Pennsylvania.”

Responding to aggressive goals set out by President Obama and Vice President Biden, Secretary Locke directed the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration to act expeditiously to deliver Recovery Act funds to communities where they were needed most. Across the country, the department has made vital investments in initiatives like workforce development and training centers, regional business incubators and transportation projects to connect communities to key markets.

With the delivery of today's grant, EDA has dispersed all $150 million of its Recovery Act funding one full year ahead of schedule.

“This grant should help promote economic development in the eastern part of the Commonwealth, and I am glad that the U.S. Department of Commerce is announcing this award today,” U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said. “This project is another example of how the Recovery and Reinvestment Act is delivering targeted investments that will help Pennsylvania’s economy turn the corner.”

President Obama’s strategy for American innovation seeks to harness the inherent ingenuity of the American people and the dynamic private sector to ensure that the next economic expansion is solid and broad-based. It focuses on critical areas where sensible, balanced government policies can lay the foundation for innovation that leads to quality jobs and shared prosperity.

The administration’s strategy has three parts:

1. Invest in the Building Blocks of American Innovation. Ensure that our economy is given all the necessary tools for successful innovation, from investments in research and development to the human, physical, and technological capital needed to perform that research and transfer those innovations.

2. Promote Competitive Markets that Spur Productive Entrepreneurship. It is imperative to create a national environment ripe for entrepreneurship and risk taking that allows U.S. companies to be internationally competitive in a global exchange of ideas and innovation. Through competitive markets, innovations diffuse and scale appropriately across industries and globally.

3. Catalyze Breakthroughs for National Priorities. There are certain sectors of exceptional national importance where the market is unlikely to produce the desirable outcomes on its own. These include developing alternative energy sources, reducing costs and improving lives with health IT, and manufacturing advanced vehicles. In these industries where markets may fail on their own, government can be part of the solution.

“Ben Franklin TechVentures will bring together technology entrepreneurs, Ben Franklin staff and Lehigh University faculty and students to their mutual advantage,” R. Chadwick Paul, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, said. “This 47,000 square-foot building addition will accelerate growth and innovation in our technology economy as more space becomes available in our expanded incubator/post-incubator facility.”

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania is part of a four-center, state-funded economic development initiative that links companies with business and technical experts, universities, funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. The organization’s strategy encompasses three key areas: developing early stage, technology-oriented companies; helping established manufacturers creatively apply new technologies and business practices; and promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth companies. It also operates Ben Franklin TechVentures, an award-winning incubator/post-incubator facility, on Lehigh’s campus. Ben Franklin Technology Partners helps clients to achieve and sustain market success and competitive advantage through technology. For more information, visit: http://nep.benfranklin.org/.

LV Conservative Voice Gives Me a Fruit Basket

I was going to spend a quiet evening at home, throwing hatchets into the wall, until I remembered that Lehigh Valley Conservative Voice (LVCV) was having some sort of public meeting last night. Figuring this was my chance to load up on "cigars, cognac and fine wine," I bolted over to Allentown's Scottish Rite Center.

As everyone knows, the Scottish Rite is actually some sort of secret society bent on world domination. It includes the Gettys, Rotschilds, Vatican, Queen Elizabeth, George Foreman and Scott Armstrong. Shawn Millan is their evil henchman, and sure enough, he was the first person I saw when I entered the belly of the beast. He had local Republican Julian Stolz strapped to the rack, and was yelling as I slipped past him.

"Talk, Stolz! Did you ever vote for a Democrat, yes or no?"

"No."

"You lie!"

Shawn turned the crank a little and poor Julian broke down.

"Alright, alright, I admit it. I voted for Sam Bennett. She has nice hair."

Shawn laughed maniacally, and cranked the rack a little more.

It's nice to see someone who really loves his job.

I decided to disguise myself instead of telling this horde of nearly two hundred meat-eating, gun-toting conservatives that a pinko was in their midst. So when I got my name tag, I carefully scrawled "Barack Obama." That should fool those knuckledraggers.

Unfortunately, Joe Hilliard blew my cover almost immediately. "Hey Bernie, nice to see you. You and Barack Obama have the same initials and you both stink." Right after that, Scott Armstrong grabbed me and said, "You're paying for your food."

"Rightyo, Scott, rightyo."

That's why I was there. I was expecting a buffet of lobster and filet mignon and whatever else it is that Republicans eat. Maybe freedom fries. But all I saw were chicken mcnuggets and watermelon. What is up with that? Obviously, this was intended as some sort of racist slur.

Let me tell you, it was a veritable who's who of local conservatives. In addition to the players I've already mentioned, I saw Vic Mazziotti, John Hinkle, Lou Hershman, Dave Shoemaker, Glenn Eckhart, Dawn Berrigan, Bill Hall, Dave Balliet, Bill Platt, Dr. Bob Romancheck and Mike Schware. I also finally met affable Allentown City Council candidate Joe Brudnak.

Former Northampton County Council member Nick Sabatine told this collection of conservatives they need to work within the Republican pary. Third party efforts will fail. He should know. He organized the Patriot Party in Pennsylvania and ultimately became its national chair. Although his party included people as varied as Klansmen and Communists, it has evaporated. Nick explained why. "Ultimately, people will not vote for a third party candidate because they can't win. They can only make a point."

Last night's keynote speaker was Lehigh County Exec candidate Scott Ott, who delivered a lengthy but stirring speech. At his most eloquent, he derided real estate taxes as the "most pernicious form of taxation out there," noting their impact on seniors with fixed incomes. "We owe them an explanation of what we do with their money. You think we pay sheriffs to take care of you. But we pay them to take away your home. ... Is it too much to ask that our government show a little restraint and cut spending at this time?" Ott claims that incumbent Exec Don Cunningham has "backed himself into a corner," which means a tax increase or spending cuts next year.

"You lie!" I was ready to shout, but Millan was a little too close and had already turned poor Julian Stolz into an NBA player. So I ate some watermelon.

Ott received a standing ovation from an obviously friendly crowd. The closing ceremonies included a raffle drawing, followed by some waterboarding videos. The fruit basket was won by a person Scott Armstrong called the "biggest fruit in the room." Me.

Those damn Republicans can't win anything.

Now I completely disagree with most of what I heard last night. I believe government exists to help people who can't help themselves, while these folks tend to view government as our worst enemy. But I still left feeling really good inside. Despite occasional digs that were more humorous than insulting, we both want to help people. There was none of the partisan rancor that has made dialogue impossible. We just have different approaches.

Would You Retain Any Luzerne County Judge?

Two former Luzerne County judges currently face a 48-count federal indictment for bribery money laundering, racketeering as a result of the "kids for cash" scandal. They were paid $28 million, under the table, to steer kids convicted of minor offenses to for-profit detention centers.

While these defrocked judges file motions and try to claim judicial immunity from civil litigation, two other Luzerne County judges - Tom Burke and Peter Olszewski - seek retention. One of them actually spent some time in Florida at one of the disgraced judge's condos.

Based on the comments at Lu Lac, I'd say both of these judges should be in trouble. But my bet is they'll be retained. The deck is already stacked in their favor. They serve ten year terms, which should be enough to insulate them from unpopular decisions. Then, instead of facing an opponent, voters only decide whether to keep or reject them.

I do think we need to continue electing common pleas judges instead of going the appointment route, which simply takes the politics away from the people. But retention elections after ten year terms is a bit much. They should run for the seat.

The Downside to Pulling Over For a Cellphone Call

Pennsylvania's most recent attempt to impose a ban on hand-held cell phones went down in a very close vote in April, mostly along party lines. But it's coming. So I've been pulling over lately if I get or receive a call while driving.

I should just turn the damn phone off. Yesterday, on my way home from the courthouse, my cell phone started ringing, so I pulled off along the side of Tatamy Road to take the call along some freshly cut grass. I was just off the road. Honest.

Unbeknown to me, I drive right into a groundhog's living room. He must be a rich groundhog, too, because that was one deep hole and there was no way I would get out.

I inconvenienced police officers from both Tatamy and Palmer Township, who were mystified that a sober person could drive off the road and right into a hole. I'm unsure they bought my cell phone story. A tow truck eventually pulled me out.

Worst of all, this happened in my brother's truck. My Jeep recently died after 210,000 miles, and he has let me use his old truck until I find something. Don't tell him.

Fortunately, there's no law against being an idiot.

Northampton County Deputy Sheriff Gets Valor Award

I'm fairly unpopular among Northampton County Deputy Sheriffs. Most of them shake their heads or just look the other way when I'm coming down the hall, even when my fly is up.

Over the years, I've been pretty tough on them. I've claimed we have too man of them, for one thing. The Northampton County Sheriff's Department is little more than a retirement home for Allentown cops and state troopers already collecting a pension. I've criticized them for driving county cruisers home every night, a real waste of taxpayers' money ended by John Stoffa. Some of them have milked the system, demanding two deputies to guard a single hospitalized inmate. A gaggle of them recently insisted that Northampton County Council get them overtime for security at Easton football games. Many of them have forgotten they work for the taxpayers. They seem to think their uniform and gun somehow elevates them above the people who pay their salaries.

But that's only part of the story. I've also watched them save lives when people collapse in the courthouse. I've seen them provide comfort to abused women. Today, I'd like to focus on Deputy Sheriff Patrick J. Cubbage. He comes from Philly, where he started as a cop in 1970. He worked his way up to become a County Detective with the District Attorney’s Office, Chief Inspector in the Sheriff’s Office and Bail Commissioner with the Philadelphia Municipal Court.

When terror struck on September 11, 2001, Cubbage handled the emergency deployment of military aircraft and personnel from Philly into New York’s ground zero. He also signed on to a Faith Based team, which organized relief efforts and spiritual guidance to the law enforcement officers traumatized by the disaster. He is part of the Evangelistic Rapid Response Team and a Police Chaplin.

On Saturday, Cubbage was honored for his work with a Valor Award from Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. Over two hundred people witnessed the award ceremony in downtown Philly. Cubbage, like most deputies and law enforcement types, has spent a lifetime dedicated to community service while putting up with assholes like me.

This awards ceremony also honored two Philadelphia Police Explorer Cadets - Harvey J. Lewis (15 years old) and Dominique R. Smith (17 years old) - who were senselessly murdered in April when mistaken as gang rivals.

Should I Enable Comment Moderation?

View Beyond Bethlehem is the fearless product of Donald, an openly gay Bethlehemite who also shares his political views about local and national issues. He loves blogs himself, but only rarely reads the comments. Here's how he explains it:

"It's not that I don't care what people are thinking, I do, otherwise why would I spend so much time reading blogs? I don't read comments because so many commenters are rude, coarse, crude, insulting, petty, foul, nasty and often uninformed. This may come off sounding a tad snobbish or elitist but most commenters do not know what the hell they are talking about. If they did they would not resort to the petty insults and name calling. The ones that peeve me the most are the anonymous ones. If you are going to attempt to insult me or put me down at least have the guts to sign your name or at least your first name."

I've often claimed that the comments are the best feature on this blog. I learn from you and get many useful tips. I particularly enjoy the spontaneity of unkoderated comment. This interactivity is what distnguishes a blog from other websites. On the other hand, it is impossible to write about controversial subjects or express strong opinions without being attacked.

I expect that. But personal attacks in a post about my grandson's football team? Those are really disgusting and are almost always made whenever I write about him. This time, he saw some of them before I could delete them.

Several people want me to enable comment moderation. I've hesitated, thinking that the good outweighs the bad. Won't enabling comment moderation make me a censor? Doesn't that convert a two-way street into a one-way street? I've decided to beef up my comments policy. But what do you think? Should I screen incoming comments?

Cunningham Never Told About Debate

One person is totally baffled to learn that Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham ducked a Monday night debate with challenger Scott Ott. That person is Don Cunningham.

He knew nothing about it until his office received a telephone call late Monday afternoon. His office tried calling back, but there was no answer. Yesterday, he learned that Muhlenberg's Republicans had actually rented the space, not exactly an impartial group.

Ott has previously complained that Cunningham ignored three requests to participate in this debate. I tried calling Ott twice last night, but he was unable to immediately return my call. Obviously, there's been some sort of mix up. What I did get was a statement from Cunningham campaign manager Dan Kelly.

"I read inaccurate criticisms today of County Executive Cunningham for not attending last night’s Republican meeting.

"I understand that this is Scrappleface’s first run for office (if we don’t count his run for President of the United States last year) and I can see why he may be confused. But, if you are seeking an executive position you need to have a basic understanding of how to bring people together to discuss an issue – a necessary requirement of leadership.

"The County Executive received no letter of invitation, no request for a meeting date or phone call in advance from any group sponsoring a 'debate' last night. But, that’s because there was no debate – and Team Scrapple didn’t want Cunningham there.

"But, hey, we realize that debate challenges are an age old political stunt employed by challengers. And, last night was just a group of friends and supporters getting together for a night of scrapple and rhetoric.

"In regard to real forums and debates, County Executive Cunningham has received and accepted three invitations from legitimate organizations hosting forums or debates: the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Allentown Neighborhood 7CW Association and the Catasauqua Borough Business Association.

"Don believes that three forums are generous to discuss issues with someone who has yet to tell the voters what he does for a living, if he’s currently employed or why he’s qualified to manage the largest government in the Lehigh Valley.

"And, hey, it’s actually three more forums than Scrappleface got to participate in during his run for President of the United States last year."

Morning Update: Scott Ott, in a telephone call this morning, confirms that signals were indeed crossed. He is happy to learn that Cunningham has agreed to three debates and is looking forward to them. So is Cunningham. Should be fun.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary at 75: Great Place For A Date?

Back in my drinking days, an inebriated friend once assured me that Hawk Mountain is the perfect spot for a first date. Mind you, the closest he'd ever come to any bird, to say nothing of a raptor, was the Wild Turkey bourbon he guzzled with reckless abandon every weekend. But he really wanted to impress a lady friend with his knowledge and love of nature, gained mostly from watching the Discovery Channel. Unfortunately, it worked. He married her. Now they cart their kids there several times a year, where peregrine falcons and bald eagles can shit on them from 10,000 feet above sea level.

"Say hello to my little friend."

I tried his ploy myself. I took a date to dinner and Hawk Mountain, but it was a bust. She had trouble with Taco Bell's admittedly rich, international cuisine. That became all too evident during a short ride in my Jeep. She married someone else. He takes her to Hawk Mountain all the time.
Did you know Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey? That it was founded in 1934 by private conservationists? That it's been designated a Registered National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1965?

Neither did I. Yesterday, Congressmen Charlie Dent and Tim Holden co-sponsored a House Resolution saluting and honoring Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on its 75th birthday. They salute Hawk Mountain, its full-time staff of sixteen employees and more than 200 volunteer members for their contributions to the preservation of wildlife, especially birds of prey, and the native ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Congressman Dent provides some background in remarks on the House floor on Tuesday, where the resolution was adopted:

“In 1934, noted wildlife conservationist Rosalie Edge was drawn to Hawk Mountain after learning large numbers of hawks were being killed as they migrated along the Appalachian Mountains’ Kittatinny Ridge. After this initial visit, Edge leased 1,400 acres of the ridge for a mere $500 and opened it to the public as place for local residents to view birds of prey in their natural habitat. Later, the property was deeded to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, which oversaw the preservation of the land and protection of its wildlife.

“Since its modest beginnings in the 1930s, Hawk Mountain has remained a year-round wildlife sanctuary that introduces students and visitors to the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the many birds of prey that call the range home. Today, sixteen full-time employees and a volunteer workforce of over 200 dedicated members help educate thousands of visitors each year about the value of preserving the native ecology of eastern Pennsylvania. With the goal of providing a unique and engaging educational experience for its visitors, Hawk Mountain offers weekend programs for local residents, guided programs for students and groups, and fully-accredited college-level courses in cooperation with Cedar Crest College, located in my District.

“In addition to educating the public, the employees and volunteers at Hawk Mountain have contributed greatly to the development of effective conservation practices that help preserve vital ecosystems throughout the world. The sanctuary staff works with world-class raptor scientists, conservationists, graduate students and international interns to collect and analyze important information, as well as formulate and test new conservation strategies."

Unfortunately, the House Resolution fails to mention is that Hawk Mountain is a great place for a first date. Must have been an oversight.

Update: Is Hawk Mountain Haunted? Steve Barron thinks so. Hawk Mountain was apparently once sacred Indian land, and the Lenni Lenape murdered a few irreverent early settlers. This, of course, led to ... ghosts. Imagine that! In addition to impressing your first date with your love of nature, you can scare the hell out of her with a few ghost stories. She'll be in your arms in no time.

Grammes: Republicans Out of Touch

Marc Grammes is a former Republican Lehigh County Commissioner who has a bone to pick with his own party. He's agreed to share it with all of you.

Dear Folks,

Today I went to my mailbox, and there were several pieces of mail which really disturbed me:

1) An invitation to join Representative J. Harhart, D. Reichley, G. Day, Craig Dally and Sen. Pat Browne for an evening of "Cigars, cognac, and fine wine" at the Melt Restaurant at $200 a pop.

2) An invitation to the Grube household (which looks like a castle) for a Pat Browne for minimum $100 a pop, but up to $1000.

These people are out of touch. In this economy, no one should be puffing on cigars and drinking cognac to raise money for a taxpayer funded job. They are supposed to be public servants, not cigar smoking, cognac drinking politicos. So much for a citizen legislature. No wonder we have problems. And let's not forget...80 days late on the budget. While some of the most vulnerable went without services. The invites are posted prominently at a local business for the public to see.

And so it goes....

Scott Ott: Cunningham Refuses to Debate Me

If you know anything at all about Scott Ott, you most likely know him as "ScrappleFace," where he presents "News fairly unbalanced. We report. You decipher." He tells me he's part of the new media. He's also running against Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. He's upset that Cunningham ignored three requests to meet him last night for a debate at Muhlenberg's Moyer Forum.

In a news release, the normally affable Ott fires away with zingers like this. "Don Cunningham traveled the state for a year and a half, drumming up support for a planned gubernatorial race. He has more than $700,000 in his campaign war chest, but apparently he now lacks the time to drive seven minutes from his office to Muhlenberg in order to defend his record for the people of Lehigh County. Perhaps if we held the debate at a $500 per plate dinner for Philadelphia attorneys we could get him to show up, since we know he likes those."

And this.

"The residents of Lehigh County face a major tax hike in 2011, and Don Cunningham won’t say what he plans to do about it. His self-generated reputation as a fiscal conservative masks the reality of a budget that’s $19.2 million out of balance, reserve funds that will be utterly depleted in 2010, and an abject failure by Cunningham to make significant spending cuts. He’s been living high off Jane Ervin’s 70 percent tax hike, but in 2011 the party’s over and local residents get stuck with the bill.”

Cunningham's refusal to debate is bad for democracy, but unfortunately, it's also smart politics. As Ken Petrini astutely observes, "You can understand why Cunningham is reluctant to debate—he gains nothing. He has a wide lead. A debate between a clear front runner and a challenger can only help the challenger."

Ott goes on to complain about state for pass through money, suggesting that Lehigh County reject it. In a recent op-ed, he said we should move charity "out of the arena of entitlement and back to the realm of love." I'm sure that's music to a conservative's ear, but it also reflects a basic misunderstanding of county government. The state mandates most of these human services and funds the lion's share - approximately 80% - of the cost. Rejecting this pass through money, as Ott suggests, means Lehigh County would just have to fund these required services itself. County tax bills would instantly quadruple under Executive ScrappleFace. That's one hell of a price to pay for making a point with Harrisburg.

Scrappleface might want to think that one through before he faces Cunningham.

Jake Towne: Charlie Dent Won't Answer My Open Letters

Jake Towne is an independent candidate for Congress. He calls this the "Fighting Fifteenth" Pa. Congressional District for some reason. That might be a good name for a military unit, but a Congressional district? Does he picture us mounted on steeds, preparing to invade New Jersey, with him leading the charge across the Delaware? That's a little bizarre.

Towne is upset with LV Congressman Charlie Dent. The incumbent has declined so far to answer eight of Towne's lengthy open letters.

"I handed my latest letter to him, and must confess that I am exasperated. I am a citizen in his district, I have written eight (8) open letters and many more unpublished letters - many from before my candidacy even began. He has not answered a single one, even though I have taken the care to hand him paper copies of each open letter in person."

Open letters, by their very nature, are usually intended to publicize the author's position on an issue, as opposed to that of the recipient. Towne may be a constituent, but he also wants Charlie's job. Does he really expect Dent to draw attention to an underfunded challenger?

"Call me an optimist," Towne tells me.

Towne's most recent open letter suggests ways that Dent can improve transparency with online public feedback, monthly reports detailing positions on bills as well as office finances, online bill submissions for constituents drafting legislation and on-demand town halls. Jake tells Dent, "I am available for consultation either privately or publicly as I have spent a lot of time refining the idea and I have great ideas on the specifics of how this system should look like."

Bethlehem's Steel Curtain

Are you ready for some football? Steelers football? No, I'm not talking about those candy asses in Pittsburgh. I'm talking about real football from the nearly 300 spirited kids and cheerleaders known and feared as the Bethlehem Steelers. When they man the field in their dreaded black uniforms and begin chanting their war cries, ambulances and hospitals everywhere are put on red alert.

The Steelers are actually just one of seventeen, equally fierce, teams participating locally in the Suburban Youth Football League. It draws kids from Parkland to Saucon Valley and Emmaus. Despite my hype, the real powerhouse is traditionally North Parkland. It's packed with juvenile delinquents, convicted felons and ringers from Mongolia who guzzle Budweiser during water breaks. Some say Michael Vick played there last year.

But last year, North Parkland was crushed by the 90 lb. Steelers' team. It had a perfect record, winning most games by 20 or more points. Those boys, and their coaches, have all moved on to the next level, where they are once again terrorizing the league.

All but my grandson, Dat.

He's very proud that he now tips the scales at a hefty 72 lb. (with pads), and is joined this year by the kids who played in the 80 lb. division last year. They're scrappy, but lost every game. This year looked like a repeat performance. Upper Macungie's Mustangs broke them in the season opener, 13-7. In their second game, South Parkland's Trojans prevailed in overtime.

This weekend, these 80-turned-90 pounders finally shed their curse as a team that always snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. Power running back Justin Schmoyer, who always hovers near the upper weight limit, beefed up the line, and the Steelers' luck changed. In the first half, he opened up a gaping hole that Dat Lambert exploited for a sixty yard touchdown. Once he got through the line, Dat was able to elude defenders and ran like hell for the end zone, and fortunately in the right direction.

In the second half, Schmoyer opened another hole for Joshua Clark, who himself scampered another sixty yards down the sideline for a second touchdown. In addition, Lambert and Clark had some long gains that were called back because of holding.

Final score? 12-0. After the game, the two Bethlehem teams congratulated each other, were hugged by moms and ate cupcakes and an increasingly popular Puerto Rican meat pastry called patellias(sp?). My grandson may now weigh 72 1/2 lb.

But before trying on another championship jacket, there are plenty of tough teams standing in the way. Next weekend, the Steelers face the 3-0 North Parkland Powerhouse.

Blogger's Note: The photos used here come with the kind consent of Jeff Kaboly Photography, who told me my blog sucks while I worked the chain gang. I speared him.

Hershman: More Cops Without More Taxes

Allentown City Council candidate Lou Hershman had a news conference outside city hall on Friday morning. I was unable to attend, but he has supplied me with his statement explaining how the Queen City can add more police officers without raising taxes. Here it is.

Thank you everyone for coming out today. I'd like to discuss the issue of adding more police to the Allentown force. Al! the candidates in the race for city council declare they will put more police on the streets of our city, but they can't say how it will be funded. They can't say because they probably have no idea aside from raising your real estate taxes. Part of the problems in our city stem from the election of officials who do not know how to read or stay within a budget. Understanding finance is a very important, yet often ignored, qualification for holding public office. I am the candidate who understands economics and can tell you how I will add more officers to the force without raising your property taxes.

1. I will introduce legislation to bring all money collected from parking tickets issued by police and fire to the general fund after the operating funds have been deducted. Currently these dollars remain in the parking authority department.

2. I will Introduce legislation to collect 50% of ail money obtained from the sale of unclaimed vehicles by the [towing company] after the cost of towing, storage and transferring titles of these vehicles have been deducted. Currently the towing company keeps all the proceeds. I believe the city should have some of these funds.

3. I will move to transfer the solid waste fund back to the general fund, as it was prior to 1992. The cash balance of this fund will be included in the general fund, which could be several million dollars. This would not only help pay for additional police, but could also reduce the deficit.

4. As the solid waste fund would be joined to the general fund all fines collected from street sweeping violations by the parking authority, minus operating cost, will go to the general fund. Operating cost would be the salaries of enforcement officers and the cost involved in collecting fines.

5. Introduce legislation to hire a firm to study the benefits of having the Allentown police department assume responsibility for enforcing all parking violations. This has been done in the past, and currently the police department enforces parking violations on weekends and holidays. Parking enforcement officers, once transferred to the police department, could also enforce double parking, handicapped parking and littering codes along with any other duty assigned by the police chief. Additionally, during patrols, officers could spot any unlicensed business operations and make sure they are updated to the Allentown tax rolls.

6. The mayor's blue ribbon panel recommended a study to see if the parking authority was necessary. I will introduce legislation to do this study.

All candidates promise more police for the city of Allentown. The citizens want this, but it needs to be funded. I am the only candidate who has presented a plan to pay for these added officers.

Police protection is very important to all of us, and we can do it in a way that is fiscally responsible. These are not easy financial times, and any candidate asking for your votes has the responsibility of backing up his promises, especially when it concerns taxpayer dollars. I've just done that, and ask for your vote on election day.

Margarita Likes the Occasional Margarita

Susan B Anthony. Sacagawea. Eleanor Roosevelt. Now we can add another name to history's list of famous and fascinating women - Margarita Lopez. Selflessly disguising herself as Delores Rivera, she saved countless thousands of Allentown women from the clutches of Tony Phillips.

That's right. She disguised herself as an Internet hottie for you. And in case her online banter is insufficient evidence to ruin Tony Phillips' mayoral campaign, she told an obliging Morning Call that he very nearly assaulted her. Sure, she waited two months before bothering to report this supposed violence, and than waited another two frickin' years before complaining again. If she really wanted to warn Allentown women about evil Tony, why didn't she report this supposed fracas when it happened? Did Tony lock her up in a dungeon somewhere? Ir was she trying to squeeze some money out of the guy?

One thing that Margarita apparently forgot to tell the press is that she enjoys an occasional margarita. In 2001, she enrolled in Lehigh County's ARD program after being charged with drunk driving. She apparently plowed into a parked car and did some damage to Muhlenberg College property. In fact, she was even charged with criminal mischief, but prosecutors dropped that once she agreed to the first-time offenders' program. Tony must have stuck a funnel in her throat, poured down booze, and then forced her to damage property while he laughed maniacally. God, are you lucky that she dimed him.

She may have recently been here in the Lehigh Valley, by the way. On September 11, right around the time this story first broke, a car registered in her name was ticketed with a parking violation in Allentown. Was she pressuring Tony for money? I'm sure she was just checking out locations for her victory party. Now she's back in Margaritaville.

There's a New Blog in Town

Lehigh Valley Conservative is actually much more than a blog. It's a political action committee promoting limited government. It will start things off right this Thursday with a 6 PM meeting at Allentown's Scottish Rite Center, 1540 W Hamilton Street. Isn't that anti-American? Scott Armstrong is bringing the haggis, followed by a bagpipe duet featuring Glenn Eckhart and Dean Browning.

Blog authors so far include two well known local conservative voices - the Allentown Commentator's Scott Armstrong and former Morning Call columnist Don Hoffman. In his latest post, Scott worries that President Obama may soon be compared to former Allentown Mayor Roy Afflerbach.

Was Afflerbach born in Kenya, too?

These guys may claim they're trying to get money, but I think they're hoping to pick up babes.

More Outrageous Claims About Tony Phillips

"The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones."

As Tony Trashers continue to dance on his grave, another woman has anonymously come forward with wild allegations about Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips.

I was a homeless street kid with a world of hurt and pain on my shoulders alone and scared no one to turn to im sitting on a bench on hamilton st when officer phillips approached me like a concerned parent and asks me why i was 18 and a girl on top of it when i told him of the horrible abuse i was suffering from by the hands of my own father he became more than just a beat cop he became my best friend that is his true character honesty compassion and respect as an adult nearly twenty years later i will never forget the hero he became to a scared and lonley girl thank you tony

When "Delores" made her anonymous smears, they quickly became front page stories. But the Poet is right. This abused child's hero will be quickly forgotten. People who quickly swallowed Delores' salacious story, will question every syllable of this anonymous tale.

McClure: Stoffa Operates in "Shroud of Secrecy"

When Bethlehem Township zoners were slamming the table and tossing papers during the discussion of a proposed treatment and work release center on Wenesday night, Council member John Cusick was quietly sitting in the audience. Even County Council candidate Walt Garvin was there. Now Lamont McClure's District includes Bethlehem Township. In fact, he lives there. But he was nowhere to be found as zoning mavens squirmed to find some way, any way, to keep dastardly drunk drivers from serving their sentences at a facility located anywhere inside their municipal boundaries. Let Easton deal with it.

McClure made up for his absence at last night's meeting of Northampton County Council. He had no problem accusing the Stoffa administration of operating in a "shroud of secrecy."

"We're not being given the price tag because the price tag is going to far outstrip anything that we're currently doing in addition to the needs we have." Council Prez Ann McHale gravely and knowingly added, "Right concept, wrong location."

McClure apparently thinks County Executive John Stoffa should have a lease with Abe Atiyeh, who has an option but does not even own the property being considered. Ron Angle tried to explain things. "He wants to know, is this doable, before he enters into an agreement. ... He's not going to play his cards 'till he sees what's available."

But McClure remained adamant. "We need to start getting numbers. ... It's a huge undertaking."

McClure: "You will not come clean with the public as to what it is the cost will be."

Stoffa: "Mr. McClure, you want to get figures when the figures don't exist, when the site hasn't been acquired, when we don't know what zoning would approve. You want me to come in with figures and then you can criticize us for being low or high or not being accurate. I'm not a fool. Don't take me for one."

McClure: "So you're not giving us figures because you don't want to be criticized."

At this point, Stoffa walked back to his seat while an exasperated Angle told McClure "He can't give you what he doesn't have."

I could understand asking Stoffa to execute a memorandum of lease. But are terms like "shroud of secrecy" and "not coming clean with the public" really necessary? Those verbal grenades are intended to suggest Stoffa is doing something underhanded or possibly corrupt. McClure certainly has an obligation to act as a check and balance on the County Executive, but he also has an obligation to respect the office. Stoffa makes it a point to attend every council meeting, and usually has most of his cabinet on hand. That's a demonstration of respect to the legislative branch. Is it so hard to reciprocate?

Had McClure actually attended the zoning hearing in his own township on Wednesday night, he could have seen Stoffa explain that he has no intention of asking Council to commit to a project until he is certain that it can be done, and on terms favorable to the taxpayer. He would also know that this move may actually cost the county nothing at all. During a break, administration officials told me they expect to realize significant savings in personnel and utilities when they close the old, Civil War era, jail. That may completely offset the cost of operating a new treatment and work release center.

Maybe McClure should do his homework before making wild allegations.

Hanover Township Business Rated 5th Most Promising Young Company in USA

During last night's Northampton County Council meeting, Rev. Mike Dowd told fellow council members that Weather Trends, a Hanover Township business established in 2006, has been recognized by Forbes as the fifth most promising young company in America. "This is out of 12,000 companies that were reviewed. They were number five. It's remarkable, a remarkable story." If this company can really predict which way the wind is blowing, it should forget meteorology and get into political consulting.

Angle Predicts Northampton County Tax Hike

Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle, waited until the end of last night's county council meeting before quietly predicting a tax hike next year. "My annual prediction is sliding between 11 1/2% and 13 1/2%. I'll let you know better in another week or two."

LV Congressman Charlie Dent gets a little nutty when it comes to ACORN. It describes itself as "the nation’s largest grassroots community organization of low- and moderate-income people with over 400,000 member families organized into more than 1,200 neighborhood chapters in 110 cities across the country." It's Project Vote added 1.3 million voters to the rolls in 2008, including 153,000 here in Pennsylvania. These were mostly Democrats. So it's no surprise that Dent, as blogger Pam Varkony notes, wants to turn off the federal faucet that has poured $53 million into this organization since 1994.

This is nothing new. Last October, Dent was one of the Pennsylvania Republican Congressman who asked the state AG to investigate allegations of what really amounts to voter registration fraud, in which canvassers register dead people or supply false registrations. Now, he's cosponsored legislation to deny federal funding to ACORN, and the language of that bill was incorporated into another piece of legislation that passed the House.

Congressman Dent has also co-signed a Congressional letter to the President, asking for the disclosure and termination of all federal funding to ACORN. The Census Bureau has already cut off its association.

Dent believes ACORN has become too tainted by all these allegations of impropriety. In a statement released yesterday he acknowledges "[t]here may be some well-intended, honest volunteers who are not involved in illegal activity at ACORN. I suggest they contribute their time to one of the many legitimate housing and anti-poverty organizations that provide help for vulnerable citizens without becoming embroiled in the fraud and corruption that has continually surrounded ACORN.”

Wanna' Plant a Few Trees?

If you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty, Lehigh County could use your help.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, the Department of Parks and Recreation is holding a tree planting event at Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville. Thanks to a $10,000 donation from Air Products, the county purchased 500 trees to restore a healthy ecosystem on the north range of the preserve.

The event will take place rain or shine. No tree planting experience is necessary but volunteers are asked to bring their own shovels, gloves and water to drink. I personally don't drink water. Fish piss in it. I'd suggest a flask or two of something else like gatorade. And a few buffalo burgers.

If you’d like to volunteer, call Robin Stemetzki in the Parks and Recreation at 610-871-0281 or email her at robinstemetzki@lehighcounty.org before Oct. 2.

Bethlehem Township's Kangaroo Court

It's pretty hard to feel sorry for Abe Atiyeh, who is referred to by Bill White as Allentown's Rajah of Rezoning. Sure, he may carry bags of candy that he hands out to people everywhere. Yes, he did drop $5,000 on a homeless shelter about a year ago. But let's face it, most of us don't like rich guys unless they're professional athletes or bloggers. It's just the way it is. But I couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy for the guy at last night's meeting of the Bethlehem Township Zoning Hearing Board. Let me tell you what happened.

Northampton County would like to set up a new, 300-bed, treatment and work release center. It's already been shot down in Glendon and West Easton. Then Abe Atiyeh came up with a site in Bethlehem Township, located smack dab inside an industrial park, nearly a mile from the nearest home. Even better, this site is in an area zoned for treatment centers. But Bethlehem Township wants nothing to do with anything that houses prisoners. That's no surprise from a municipality that refused to contribute a dime towards homeless shelters.

Northampton County Council Prez Ann McHale, when she was running for county executive, sided with the NIMBYs, piously declaring that "[a] facility in an industrial park is not the answer." Incumbent Executive John Stoffa stuck to his guns. "We have four people in a cell, four bunk beds, a commode and a hopper, and it is disgraceful the way we treat our people in our jail." McHale ended up winning Bethlehem Township ... by one vote. She was trounced everywhere else.

Bethlehem Township zoners can impose reasonable restriction on this treatment and work release center, but they pretty much have no legal basis for denying an application. Of course, they did anyway. Judge Franciosa recently told them to think again.

That was supposed to happen last night, and the place was packed. ZHB Solicitor Larry Fox, who has an uncanny ability to spend hours saying absolutely nothing, wasted nearly a half hour just introducing all the lawyers and parties involved. When the hearing finally got underway, it quickly became apparent that the ZHB, stung by Franciosa's remand, will soon be reversed again.

Gary Brienza, himself an attorney, was the worst of these zoners. He repeatedly slammed the table and tossed papers. Jennifer Sletvold, another attorney, repeatedly interrupted witnesses and Attorney Jim Preston, who was presenting Atiyeh's case. Preston had a slew of witnesses on hand, prepared to address anything that still bothered the ZHB. But they insisted that Preston should just flail away and try to read their minds. "It's not appropriate for us to be asking you questions," huffed Sletvold, with fancy pink designer glasses perched atop her nose.

Brienza: "So we have a stalemate."

Preston: "I have another word."

Brienza: "We are not here to try your case."

Preston: "We are not here because this applicant failed."

When Preston called Warden Todd Buskirk to address security and public safety, board members suddenly thought it was appropriate to ask questions after all. Buskirk was peppered by Brienza, not about security, but about Buskirk's recent decision to step down as Director of Corrections. Brienza attempted to embarrass Todd, a class act, with needless and irrelevant questions about the real reason for that decision.

Todd did finally get to testify about the number of guards needed for security, but zoners argued with him. Todd invited them to tour the current work release center, where there is much less security, but they all turned up their noses. When Stoffa suggested bringing a few work release people in to testify, Sletvold's designer glasses cracked and she very nearly hurled.

If you'd like to see this kangaroo court in action, they'll be meeting again on September 30th to hear testimony about all the traffic nightmares that 300 inmates will cause. After that, they'll deny the application and get reversed again.

Why Pa. Needs Health Insurance Reform

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Sebelius today released a new analysis of last week’s U.S. Census numbers regarding those who have no health insurance. The need for health insurance reform in Pennsylvania, something about which both parties agree, is demonstrated by these sobering statistics:

* The number of uninsured in Pennsylvania has increased from 1.0 million in 2001 to 1.2 million in 2008.

* The percentage of non-elderly adults without insurance increased from 10.8% to 13.2% in 2008.

* The percentage of people with employer-based coverage decreased from 80% of the population in 2001 to 74% in 2008.

* The percentage of workers from Pennsylvania without insurance has increased, from 9.8% in 2001 to 12.5% in 2008.

Tony Phillips: In Memoriam

Today's very detailed Morning Call account - Phillips' Facebook chat mate revealed - tells us that a Tony Phillips' ex-girlfriend is the culprit who set out to undermine his candidacy. A woman scorned, and not the Pawlowski camp, managed to divert everyone's attention from a an unsafe city in fiscal crisis. Had her identity been known from the onset, I doubt this would ever have been a story. Private lives should remain private.

President Judge Alfred Williams, who presided over many a custody dispute in his day, once told me there are three sides to every domestic dispute - her side, his side and the truth. We've heard her side. We may hear his side. I doubt we'll ever hear the truth.

Being human, we love all those titillating details about Tony's relationship, even if we don't know for sure exactly what happened. We're shocked, just shocked, to learn that he had a stormy relationship that ended badly. Nobody questions the temptress who created a false identity and who outright lied to put Tony in a position where she could pounce on him.

I might be Tony's sole defender here in Blogistan. I'll agree he used bad judgment, whatever that means. But he'd by no means be the first person who exercised bad judgment in a relationship. Nobody is willing to acknowledge that obvious truth. Instead, he is now being shunned by the very party that nominated him, denied an opportunity to speak at the first ever LV Republican convention this past Sunday. "With friends like these ..."

Michael Molovinsky is a former mayoral candidate who was treated pretty badly in his own run. He might be expected to have a shred of compassion. Wrong. He instead questions Phillips' intelligence in a post entitled Stupid is as Stupid Does. What is that if not mean-spirited?

Blogger LVCI incredibly condemns Tony for getting caught. "By allowing himself to be exposed he demonstrated his inability to be discrete." I see. If LVCI prefers a mayor who can hide his transgressions, King Edwin is the man for him. Would you like a mayor who claims that the city is really, really safe as bullets whizz over your head? Do you really want someone who brags about restoring fiscal stability while laying off city workers? Actually, King Edwin has been caught himself, and on matters a little more relevant to our lives.

Over at LVPoliblog, VDSM - a woman - chides men who think "with parts of their anatomy other than their brain." Gee, that's certainly true, but doesn't "Delores" play a teensy little role in this soap opera, too? Didn't Eve tempt Adam?

I can think of several local elected officials who've been involved in relationships that have ended badly. Some have been accused of cheating and other dastardly private deeds. There may even be a few pick their noses and eat it. I have some pretty hard evidence on a current candidate for public office, married with children, begging a college student to hook up with him. Should I publis that? Is it open season on private lives? You tell me.

We're very willing to examine all the lurid details of Tony's private life, putting him in a no win situation and effectively ending his candidacy. We're equally unwilling to delve into private lives of other officials. Why is that? Could it be that Tony's race enters into our thinking? Are we so willing to pronounce Tony a "horn dog" because he is, after all, black? You tell me.

I realize this defense of Tony is both unpopular and futile, but there's little point to blogging if I'm unable to express minority views.

Update: In the comments to The Morning Call story, "Delores4u2" is now claiming she is HIV positive and, like Florence Nightingale, she is simply warning other women about the danger of unprotected sex with Tony. Alrighty.

Will Dems Make Clean Sweep on Allentown City Council?

Four Democrats and two Republicans will face off this November for four openings on Allentown City Council this November. Will City Council remain an exclusive, Democrats' only, club?

Mike D'Amore and Julio Guridy, Democrats both, are incumbents seeking re-election. They are joined by recently retired school administrator Ray O'Connell and young but energetic Mike Schlossberg, a certified urban revitalization specialist working for the Chamber of Commerce.

Republicans are fielding Lou Hershman, a former Democrat and grizzled veteran of city government. He has spent over thirty years as both Controller and Council member. Lou is joined by Joe Brudnak, about whom I know absolutely nothing. I hope that changes in the next few weeks when I meet him.

In the primary, this is how the candidates finished: D'Amore - 2,464; Schlossberg - 2,447, O'Connell - 2,221; Guridy - 2,056; Hershman - 1,609 (175 Republican write-in votes); and Brudnak - 1,283. As an incumbent city council President with close ties to the unions, D'Amore should come out on top. But Schlossberg's strong, second place, showing is a surprise, especially for a newcomer. He even edged out incumbent Julio Guridy. Is this an indication that Allentown Dems are more progressive now than they were a few years ago? If that were so, Guridy would have done much better. Schlossberg's relentless door-to-door campaign is probably what helped him more than anything.

Of the Democrats, Guridy is the most vulnerable. He actually lambasted members of the public during a recent city council meeting. He had hinted that opposition to a playground at Cedar Creek Parkway might be racially motivated. That resulted in some groans, and an upset Guridy lectured everyone, comparing city council chambers to a courtroom.

Lou Hershman has managed to surprise a few people, too. On primary eve, anonymous robo calls falsely blamed him for a pension deal that was actually brokered by Mayor Ed Pawlowski. Lou's campaign as a Democrat went down in flames, and he was counted out. Hershman believes city council needs to be more an administration watchdog, not a lapdog. Pawlowski knows this, and for that reason privately encouraged the robocalls, even going so far as to pick up the checks that funded them. Amazingly, candidates are too afraid to say this publicly. But Lou is still in the race. An experienced politician, he had an ace hiding up his sleeve and managed to capture the Republican nod as a write-in.

On my left sidebar, I have links to for each candidates. I have also spotlighted the five candidates I know in separate posts below. Throughout the campaign, I plan to add more and more information so that you can make an informed choice. You can also help with links to stories or by adding your own insights. I like Hershman. He brings fiscal experience that may prevent Pawlowski from falsely presenting budget figures. I also like Schlossberg's youthful exuberance and intelligence.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Lou Hershman

D.O.B.: 1936
EDUCATION: Lehigh Community College, Accounting
OCCUPATION: Business Owner, Hershmans & Associates, Prepare Income Taxes
QUALIFICATIONS: Businessman, Councilman, City Controller, Special Investigator, PA. Dept of Revenue, S-2 US Army.
Web Page: None
Party: Republican.

LV Ramblings Posts:

Was Hershman Political Ad Censored in Allentown?

Allentown City Council Muzzles Citizen Participation

Allentown's Incumbent Protection Rule

Tony Phillips & Marc Grammes: Let Lou Speak!

Allentown: We're Broke, So Let's Borrow Money!

Allentown City Council Votes To Let Lou Speak, 6 to 1

Allentown City Council Contender Lou Hershman: Ban Convicted Drug Dealers From City

Lou Hershman Being Victimized By Anonymous Robocalls

Rob Hopkins, James Spang Behind Anonymous Hershman Slur

Lou Hershman Still in Allentown City Council Race as Republican Write-In

Allentown's Three Blind Mice

Lou Hershman Now Batting Righty

Hershman Demands Debate With Hopkins & Pawlowski

Lou Hershman Will Refuse Allentown City Council Salary

Other Sources

Queen City Daily: Meet Lou Hershman

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mike Schlossberg

D.O.B.: 1983
EDUCATION: B.A. (Political Science & Psychology), Muhlenberg College, M.A. (Political Science), Lehigh University
OCCUPATION: Urban Revitalization Specialist
QUALIFICATIONS: Former aide to Representative Jennifer Mann and County Executive Don Cunningham, State-certified Urban Revitalization Specialist, Allentown Government Reform Committee, West Park Civic Association Officer, Hamilton Street Revitalization Committee, Congregation Keneseth Israel
Web Page: www.mikeschlossberg.com
Party: Democrat.

LV Ramblings Posts

A Reason for Urban Living

Schlossberg, Hoover Weighing Allentown City Council Races

Muhlenberg College Dems Like D'Amore & Schlossberg, But Not Howells

Allentown's Three Blind Mice

Schlossberg Recognized for Façades

Other Sources

Queen City Daily: Meet Mike Schlossberg

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mike D'Amore

D.O.B.: 1969
EDUCATION: Graduate of Dieruff H.S.; BA Moravian College (1992); MA University of Vermont (1998); Ph.D. University of Massachusetts-Amherst (2009)
OCCUPATION: Community College Faculty
QUALIFICATIONS: Born & raised in Allentown; Current President of Allentown City Council; Current member of Allentown City Council
Web Page: None.
Party: Democrat.

LV Ramblings Posts:

Eckhart & D'Amore to Duel at Coplay Coke Wagon

Mike D'Amore Rules Out Challenge to King Ed's Allentown Throne

Lehigh County & Allentown Conduct Peace Talks

Muhlenberg College Dems Like D'Amore & Schlossberg, But Not Howells

Allentown City Council Muzzles Citizen Participation

Allentown City Council Votes To Let Lou Speak, 6 to 1

Allentown's Three Blind Mice

Allentown City Council: Public Needs More Time For Cedar Park Plans

Other Sources:

Queen City Daily: Meet Michael D'Amore

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Ray O'Connell

D.O.B.: 1949
EDUCATION: BS – Kutztown State University, 1971; M Ed – Lehigh University, 1977
OCCUPATION: Retired
QUALIFICATIONS: Public School Employee/Administrator – 1972 to 2007 (35 years); Allentown resident for 33 years; Member of Allentown Recreation & Allentown Human Relations Commission

LV Rambings Posts

Allentown's Three Blind Mice

Other Sources

Queen City Daily: Meet Ray O'Connell

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Julio Guridy

D.O.B.: 1960
EDUCATION: BA in Sociology, Minor in CJA; MA in Sociology
OCCUPATION: Director of Compact Authorized Investment - DRJTBC, Business Owner, Real Estate Investor
QUALIFICATIONS: Incumbent who chairs the Public Works Committee and an ad- hoc Finance Committee. Member of Public Safety Committee, Human Resources Committee, Community and Economic Development and Legal and Legislation.
WEB PAGE: http://www.guridyforcitycouncil.org/
Party: Democrat.

LV Ramblings Posts

Allentown's Motto: Stupid is as Stupid Does?

Allentown City Council Votes To Let Lou Speak, 6 to 1

Allentown "Development Specialist" Engages in Illegal Political Activity

Eichenwald: A Teachable Moment

Other Sources

Queen City Daily: Meet Julio Guridy

Obama Stumps For Arlen in Philly

The report below comes from the Pa. press pool covering President Obama's visit to Philadelphia today. Tom Fitzgerald, a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter, prepared the report below. I presume it's something I can load on my blog.

President Obama told Democrats at a fundraising reception that it was vital to his agenda for them to re-elect Sen. Arlen Specter.

“He was a great senator when he was a Republican and he is going to be an even greater senator now that he is a Democrat,” Obama said, drawing laughter from a crowd of about 500 at a pre-dinner general fundraising reception.

In a more serious vein, the president said that Specter was a pragmatist after his own heart. “Arlen is not someone who came to Washington to fight for a particular ideology. He came to fight for the working men and women of Pennsylvania, and he has a long record of success.”

Obama praised Specter’s crucial vote for the stimulus, saying people who criticize it have “selective memories” about how bad things really were. “Arlen thought it was more important to answer to the people who sent him to Washington rather than his party,” Obama said. “That’s why you should send him back for another six years – because you know he’s going to fight for you.”

Specter said he was honored to have Obama in Philadelphia, calling him a “transformational president” who has “tackled the problems of the nation and the world with vigor.” He mentioned health-care reform, climate change legislation and immigration reform, while resuscitating the economy.

“Most of all, and perhaps toughest of all, I predict the president is going to bring civility to Washington,” Specter said.

Apparently that was news to Rep. Joe Wilson (R.,S.C.) last Wednesday night.

A ticket to the reception cost a donation of $2,400, though the audience included some rank-and-file members of the Democratic State Committee who were invited to attend gratis by the Specter campaign.

“It was a smart move for him to show his commitment” to party workers, said Mike Quigley, a state committeeman from Allentown, Pa. “I’ve always had great respect for Sen. Specter.” Quigley opined that the Obama endorsement would influence Democrats who might remain lukewarm to Specter. “The fact that he would endorse Specter makes everyone take a hard second look,” Quigley said.

Guests drank beer and wine, and nibbled chunks of cheese and other snacks. The lone hors d’oeuvres table in the center of the room at the cavernous Pennsylvania Convention Center featured a centerpiece of sunflowers, the iconic state flower of Specter’s native Kansas.

Gov. Ed Rendell ( D) and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (D) also spoke in praise of the senator of the hour.

“We need to send a message to this country that we are serious about Arlen Specter,” Nutter said.

4 of Every 10 Single Moms at or Below Poverty Level

The latest poverty rate, 13.2%, is at its highest level since 1997. But according to the Institute for Public Accuracy, single moms are hit hardest. 38.9% of them are living below the poverty level. No bailouts for them. If they get hungry enough, they can just eat their kids.

LV Blogs: Echo Chamber for the Mainstream Media?

Yesterday, I was chastised anonymously in a comment for my shortcomings as a blogger.

"I'm finding the perspective of this blog more and more disingenuous every day. Double standards galore for favored pols, trying to deflect legitimate criticism of those favored pols and community leaders and an unwillingness to even consider that other people just might have it right or offer a more informed perspective.

"Blogs are relevant to politics, but the LV blogs are only relevant to those who care to read them any more. It has become the classic echo chamber form of media.

"And that's a crying shame."

The first paragraph is a shot at my own blogging style while the second slams LV blogs in general. Pardon me for being introspective today, but I'd like to take some time to talk about my blogging "perspective" and whether LV blogs are just empty echo chambers for the mainstream.

I make no apology for my point of view. I do try to inform you, providing details that are either completely independent or that complement what you see in the newspapers and on TV. Let's look at some independent stories that published last week alone. Ken Matthews resigned as campaign manger to Allentown mayoral candidate Tony Phillips. The Trexler Trust diminished $26 million in just one year. Republican House members, including Charlie Dent, shared their views on health care reform. A growing number of properties - possibly a record - is being sold at tax sale in Northampton County. LV legislators, led by Criag Dally, initiated an effort to break the state budget logjam. I sought no approval from any editor or publisher, but simply chose to write about what interests me.

In addition to these independent stories, this blog complemented a few stories from the newspapers and on television. For example, the entire, hour long, conversation between Tony Phillips and "Delores," was posted here. A blog about State Senator Boscola's insistence on ghost voting, supplemented what had already appeared at Capitol Ideas.

I have an arsenal of flipcams, digital recorders, a broken down PC that I put together myself, a fancy laptop that friends gave me as a gift on my birthday, a clipboard donated by Bob Romancheck and lots of pens and paper. But I work alone and often put in long hours, getting by on four or five hours of sleep.

Do I have a point of view? Absolutely. Do I disclose it? Yes. I defend it, too, and sometimes in an ornery way. I'm a miserable bastard. I have no training in journalism and feel my writing is more honest if I just state my opinions. If I were to try to be objective, I would fail. I do spend a lot of time trying to get my facts right, but I'll concede that I tend to minimize the flaws in someone I admire and maximize the shortcomings in someone I despise. So what? Readers here are sophisticated enough to reach their own conclusions.

I'll plead guilty to bias, but that disingenuous label vexes me. By revealing my bias, I think I'm more honest than I would be if I were to try to be objective.

As far as the condemnation of other LV blogs is concerned, all I can say is that readership continues to grow, especially at election time. People are hungry for local political news, and the new media has been pretty good providing stories that are no echo of what you'll see in the MSM. Neighbors of Easton, A-town Fiscal Watchdog (Ken Petrini) , Molovinsky on Allentown, Pamela Varkony's Perspectives, LVCI, News Over Coffee: Nazareth News, Northern Lehigh Valley Logic and, most recently, LV Poliblog, ALL do independent reporting. Many of these blogs have rather intense discussions, which contradicts that echo chamber assertion.

I'll say this to my critic. If you feel that we set such poor examples, why not start a blog and set us straight?

Bless Me Rebecca, For I Have Sinned

Her name probably means very little to most of you, but I'm a big fan of blogging pioneer Rebecca Blood. She may avoid politics like the plague on her own blog, but long ago suggested a very brief set of six ethical standards that apply particularly well to poliblogs. I've posted them here before. One of her six commandments is to "Write each entry as if it could not be changed; add to, but do not rewrite or delete, any entry."

Well, bless me Rebecca, for I have sinned. I've already taken down a few posts critical of LVPoliblog and blogger Chris Casey.

As most of you know, I really am a miserable bastard. When I get into one of my moods, I can clear an entire aisle in the Recorder's office in three seconds flat. It's a good thing I'm incredibly handsome.

In addition to being temperamental, I sometimes attempt unilaterally to impose my blogging standards on everyone else, whether they like it or not, for their own good. That's not my call to make. For that, I am sorry. To prove it, I have violated my own frickin' rule and deleted some of my own posts for the first and, hopefully, the only time. Yes, I have broken Rebecca's Fourth Commandment and taken down a few posts that really just vent about other bloggers instead of informing you about local issues.

I'll try to do better in the future.

To his credit, Casey has acknowledged his own mistakes. As far as I am concerned, the matter is over and it's time to move on.

If we screw up again, Rebecca will nail us with a thunderbolt or something.

LVR is Now a Poof Blog, Too!

I've just broken a rule I've faithfully followed since I started blogging. I've taken down a few posts. I've even decided to privatize the Troll Parade, where I spotlighted a few local trolls and gave them an opportunity to spew their venom away from the rest of us. I'll explain my reasoning tonight.

Update: I've reversed myself on the Troll Parade. Trollvilla first heralded it as a victory for him (that's OK), but then simultaneously claimed that my sole reason to privatize the blog was so he'd be unable to defend himself. My mistake.

Delores Strikes Again!

Last week, Allentown mayoral hopeful Tony Phillips may or may not have been damaged by the revelation that he - a single man - had a titillating online conversation with a "woman" named Delores. One thing is certain; he sure got a lot of free publicity. When details of this private, mostly banal, conversation were posted on the Internet by Delores, we all went a little nutz. The Morning Call published two front-page stories (here and here). It was also a top story on Channel 69.

Some people inside Tony's inner circle, like campaign manager Ken Matthews, ran like a rabbit being chased by my grandson's dog. After all, Ken goes to Life Church. LC Republican Chair Bill Platt also threw Tony under the bus, telling blogger Pam Varkony, "We can't force Tony Phillips out of the race".

Outside this inner sanctum, the views are less charitable. Morning Call columnist Bill White concludes Tony "behaved like an idiot." And Michael Molovinsky, who has humbly anointed himself the Queen City's "shadow mayor," questions Tony's intelligence.

Now that we've all had time to settle down and let the facts sink in, it appears that an as yet unidentified person deliberately set out to sabotage Tony's campaign. Shortly after this story erupted, "Delores" appeared on Craigslist as the "clean up woman," gloating over the damage she caused. And on Saturday night, while trolling Facebook for single politicians, "Delores" found time to post this "victory get together (allentown)" announcement.

"this is delores and i am inviting everyone who has read article on mcall about tp to join me in victory get together. this will be held after election in nov. press welcome and anyone who wants to know who delores is and why. looking for suggestion to where it should take place in allentown pa. any business who would like to spon. can email delores4u2@aol.com and those who will be attending. need to know how many are attending. thank you."

So who is Delores and what is her motive? That's the real story. Obviously, it could be someone inside the Pawloski camp, although that has been strongly denied. It could be a woman scorned. It could be someone inside the Allentown Police Department who is still angry at Tony's civil rights litigation from his time as a cop. You see, Tony was bothered by cops goose-stepping around headquarters with swastikas. He never saw the humor in cutting off a black baby doll's head and attaching it to the steering wheel on Tony's cruiser. Those rascals may be playing another joke. It could be some femme fatale who feels Tony failed to give her the attention she deserved. It could even be TrollVilla, who threatened as recently as last night to destroy local pols who talk to me. "[H]opefully they'll see our message about us calling out (and ruining politically, as best we can) any/all politicos who continue to yuk it up w/ O'Hare in the local blogosphere as if O'Hare is a credible source (or destination) for anything."

The LVPoliblog has tried to establish lines of communication with Delores. Me, too. In an email from "Delores" today, she hints she may meet me. We'll see. If we do meet, I have to scrounge up a wizar'd robe and hat somewhere. I told her I'm a Druid. I had a long chat with her today. It went something like this.

Delores: Hi
Councilman Ron: hello
Councilman Bernie: who is this?
Delores: just a someone?
Councilman Ron: A someone I know?
Delores: nope
Councilman Ron: Then why the hell are you bothering me?
Delores: well sorrrrrry
Delores: I just wanted to chat with you
Councilman Ron: why?
Delores: nevermind your an jerk
Councilman Ron: Hey wait a minute
Delores: yes?
Councilman Ron: look I'm sorry. I'm just a little paranoid
Delores: paranoid?
Councilman Ron: yes
Delores: of what?
Delores: me?
Councilman Ron: No. I'm in hiding.
Delores: LOL
Councilman Ron: Don't fucking laugh at me!
Councilman Ron: This shit is serious!
Delores: What are you hiding from?
Councilman Ron: The cops.
Delores: gimme a fucking break
Councilman Ron: I'm serious.
Delores: I don't get it
Councilman Ron: The cops are after me.
Delores: For what?
Councilman Ron: I'm wanted in three states
Delores: For???
Councilman Ron: It's kind of embarrasing.
Councilman Ron: I had sex with a turkey.
Councilman Ron: Hello?

Did Deegan and Dally Solve State Budget Crisis?

Last month, Express Times editor Jim Deegan slammed local legislators for their failure to do do anything about the annual state budget impasse.

"The legislators will hunch their shoulders, point fingers at the power-brokers and yammer about how they told the governor this or warned their caucus about that. Then they'll lament about how they're just as frustrated as you with the logjam in government."

When Deegan speaks, LV legislators listen. Last week, I told you about recent efforts to break the state budget logjam, being spearheaded by State Rep. Craig Dally. He is proposing that all 253 members of the state house meet and remain in continuous session, as a committee of the whole, giving the rank-and-file an opportunity where leaders have failed. In just one day, there were already 65 co-sponsors from both parties, including LV legislators Joe Brennan, Rich Grucela, Karen Beyer, Gary Day, Julie Harhart and Dough Reichley.

Craig tells The Tribune-Democrat that constituents are disgusted by this impasse, which hurts people who need help the most. "[T]hey expect us to have a say in the process." Joe Brennan has experienced much the same reaction from his District in Fountain Hill and South Bethlehem. "When I cut my grass on Sunday night, people ask me 'Why aren't you at work?'"

If Dally is able to get 102 co-sponsors, the House will be forced to take action. But amazingly, just one day after Dally's proposal, three of the legislature's four caucuses have agreed on a compromise $28 billion budget. Of course, the drama still unfolds. Governor Rendell is threatening a veto because it spends too little. House Republicans may refuse to override that veto because the deal spends too much.

Did Dally's threat spur this compromise? I suspect leaders are very aware that the rank-and-file is ready to revolt. But what really got them off their asses was Deegan's blog.

Housekeeping

I'm a dumbass. I blew out my template this evening while tinkering with the blog, trying to get it to load faster. I lost no posts, but the links along my sidebar vanished. I'm manually restoring them over the weekend. If you'd like to see a blog or news source listed here, feel free to let me know in the comments.

Stoffa Involved in Sex Scandal

It breaks my heart to bring you this story, but I'm a citizen journalist, damn it. Keep this away from your children.

Just two days ago, we were all shocked to learn that Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips chatted with a fake person who pretended to be married. On the heels of that stunning revelation comes the shocker that Northampton County Executive John Stoffa has actually had sex ... at least twice.

I first got suspicious when I noticed he has two children. His son, Jeff, looks just like him, too. So late yesterday afternoon, I confronted the Exec, who is trying to cobble together a budget.

At first, he tried to play cute.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Well, as most of you know, I'm relentless and saw right through his charade. Oh, he tried to deny it, but I broke him.

"How do you explain the two kids, Stoffa?"

It turns out that not only did he have sex, but the little pervert actually enjoyed it. He even told me he's not the only elected official who likes a good time. It's a frickin' conspiracy.

Now I agree that Tony Phillips should withdraw from the mayoral campaign and be shot or electrocuted because, after an hour of temptation, he engaged in sexual banter with a woman. But that's nothing compared to Stoffa, who actually did the dirty deed. And to think I supported him. I feel so ... violated.

String 'im up.

Next week, I'll be telling you about Ron Angle's sick attraction to parakeets.

(Thanks for the photo).

Dent: We Have Too Many Czars

Is Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent a Commie after all? He wants to get rid of all the czars. Hey, let's face it. We've got a lot of them. Car czar. Green jobs czar. TARP czar. Stimulus Accountability czar. Health czar. Drug czar.

And so on.

At the rate we're going, we'll soon need a czar czar, to make sure all the little czars are doing their job.

Charlie Dent says enough already. He has signed onto legislation to revoke funding for the Administration’s “czars.” This legislation, H.R. 3226 - the Czar Accountability and Reform (CZAR) Act, was introduced by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA).

The problem with all these czars running all over the place is they are exercising significant authority without having their appointments confirmed by the Senate, as required by the Appointments Clause. pursuant to the laws of the United States be appointed in the manner prescribed by the Appointments Clause (Article II, Section 2).

“Although their actual job descriptions suggest they are subordinate to Cabinet members, this is merely window-dressing,” Congressman Dent said. “The term ‘czar’ implies absolute power, something that should already raise warning flags in a nation built on the principle of separation of powers. In town halls in my district throughout August, I heard from countless constituents who are alarmed by the number of ‘czars’ in the Administration and the broad powers they are exercising.

“There are times and issues where it is necessary for departments and agencies to coordinate across their jurisdictional boundaries. I understand the need for an officer who will oversee those efforts. But these individuals must be accountable and their actions must be transparent. This legislation will restore the checks and balances that are crucial to our representative democracy.”

Ironically, the media first used the term "czar" to unflatteringly describe certain Presidential advisors during the Franklin Roosevelt Administration. However, no recent administration has had more than three or four such officials – and those officials, such as the “drug czar,” were visible and accountable. A lack of oversight distinguishes the “czars” in the Obama Administration.

“I believe the President has every right to name advisors and Cabinet officials he wants, provided they have no significant legal issues or other problematic history,” Congressman Dent said. “But he has an obligation to get Senate approval for individuals who wield significant authority to shape policy for the American people.”

Northampton & Lehigh Counties Will Help You Save on Prescripton Drugs

In July, 2008, Northampton County began offering free prescription discount cards to residents. Thousands of cards have been issued, and 2,500 residents have saved over $150,000 in prescription drug costs.

Lehigh County began offering free discount cards, too, and over the last eight months, its residents have saved $72,000 on 4,800 prescriptions..

“By partnering with NACo (the National Association of Counties) we have been able to save our residents a significant amount of money in prescription costs,” said Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. “But these cards aren’t just for the poor and elderly. They can be used by small businesses, the unemployed, or anyone who has a prescription to fill that’s not covered by insurance.”

You can expect to save an average of 23.8 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs. For mail order prescriptions, the savings can be as high as 50 per cent.

Rosemarie Nonnemacher, a Macungie Borough employee who works part-time at a CVS pharmacy, said people are “grateful, delighted and surprised” by the amount of money they save on their prescriptions by using the card . “With so many people losing their jobs, we give out cards daily,” she said. “I have seen $50 savings on expensive prescription and people really do appreciate a break of even a few dollars.”

Would you like a card? Lehigh County residents can download the card at the county web page. Northampton County residents can download a free card here.

There is no cost to county residents and neither NACo nor Lehigh County benefit financially from the cards. The program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company.

About 100 pharmacies in Lehigh County accept the card.

Approximately 47 million people, or 15.8 percent of the U.S. population, did not have health insurance during 2006, according to the annual Census Bureau.

First Sowing Seeds Bike Ride Tomorrow in Upper Milford

Although I think it's a tad tacky for Allentown to conduct a bike race on 9/11, you can actually ride in another bike event the following day in Upper Milford. It's the first ever Sowing Seeds Charity Bike Ride, and it will be staged from Jasper Park.

A 5-, 20- or 40-mile ride will benefit Lehigh County’s Seed Farm, a non-profit agricultural incubator that trains people to become farmers on 25-acres of land in Upper Milford.

Registration for any of the three bike routes is $25 in advance and $35 if you register the day of the event. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Start times for the three rides are staggered with the 40-mile group heading out at 8:30 a.m.

After the ride, bikers will be served a lunch of locally grown food at Jasper Park.

Lehigh County is a leader in farmland preservation, protecting more than 19,291 acres on 233 farms from urban sprawl and development. The agricultural incubator will help the county build a new era of farmers and agricultural professionals, said Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham.

“Agriculture and farming are a vital part of Lehigh County’s economy,” Cunningham said. “We have to approach economic development in that industry just as we would any other. Our goal is to allow prospective farmers to enter the business of agriculture without having to make huge investments in land and equipment.”

Participants are paired with mentor farmers in the program and given access to land, tractors and other equipment during their apprenticeship. Produce, such as lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes, and herbs and livestock raised on the Seed Farm are sold at local farmer’s markets.

If you'd like to become a Seed Farm apprentice, contact Jeff Zehr, Director of Farmland Preservation at 610-391-9583 ext. 15 or by email at jzehr@lehighconservation.org. The deadline is Nov. 1 and classes begin in February 2010.

9/11: Obama Honors Fallen While Allentown has Bike Race

Today, on the eighth anniversary of 9/11, Allentown is having a bike race. Jumbotron and everything!

Whoopee!

Meanwhile, back on the ranch, President Barack Obama has just issued a Proclamation to commemorate that horrible day with a moment of silence, a day of community service and a recommendation to fly flags at half staff. But what the hell does he know?

Through the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humanity and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans.

Today, we honor the lives we lost 8 years ago. On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our Nation and the world.

As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizens, and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. We must apprehend all those who perpetrated these heinous crimes, seek justice for those who were killed, and defend against all threats to our national security. We must also recommit ourselves to our founding principles. September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which our Nation was built: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today.

In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all Americans to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad. In April, I was proud to sign the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Originated by the family members of those who lost loved ones on 9/11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance is an opportunity to salute the heroes of 9/11, recapture the spirit of unity and compassion that inspired our Nation following the attacks, and rededicate ourselves to sustained service to our communities.

Throughout the summer, people of all ages and backgrounds came together to lend a helping hand in their communities through United We Serve. As this summer of service draws to an end, we renew the call to engage in meaningful service activities and stay engaged with those projects throughout the year. Working together, we can usher in a new era in which volunteering and more service is a way of life for all Americans. Deriving strength from tragedy, we can write the next great chapter in our Nation's history and ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the promise of America.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2009, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.

I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with other ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

Dally Attempts to Break State Budget Bottleneck

Pennsylvania has the dubious distinction of being the only state in the nation with no budget. If you're a rank and file state representative with no leadership position, what can you do? Rep. Craig Dally answered that question today. He's proposing that the House meet daily and remain in continuous session, as a committee of the whole, until we finally have an appropriations bill.

Dally told me early this evening that he has over sixty co-sponsors from both parties, and is working to get to that magic number of 102, which will force the Speaker to take action. These included Lehigh Valley legislators like Joe Brennan, Rich Grucela, Karen Beyer, Gary Day, Julie Harhart and Dough Reichley. But legislators like Jenn Mann, Bob Freeman and Steve Samuelson had not yet signed on. I hope that changes tomorrow, and that people like Mann and Freeman are more interested their constituents than they are in keeping leadership positions.

In a news conference late this afternoon, which you can see on Dally's web page, Craig and numerous other state representatives explain their thinking.

“Once convened, the first order of business will be to resolve the House into a Committee of the Whole to prepare a bill to be enacted as the General Appropriations Act of 2009,” Dally said. “As elected members of the House of Representatives, we have the responsibility to our constituents to take the necessary action to pass a budget bill without further delay, and a Committee of the Whole is the best way to do that.

“Not only is the lack of a state budget an embarrassment to the Commonwealth, the stalemate is having an adverse effect on many children, families and taxpayers across the state,” Dally said.

Procedurally, there are a number of differences between the Committee of the Whole and regular House Session. The motions are restricted to limiting debate and to recommend and to rise. The Committee of the Whole cannot take any final action, and its power is limited to making a recommendation to the House, the same as any other committee.

Dally said a Committee of the Whole will give every House member the opportunity to step forward and express their frustration with the process and offer their solutions. It gives each member a voice.

“Under the temporary rule I am proposing, only the General Appropriations Act of 2009 can be considered. Votes on various budget proposals can be taken, but no record will be retained of the individual yeas and nays. When a budget proposal receives a majority vote, the full committee of the whole must 'rise and report' its work to the House. The House will then convene in regular session and vote on the General Appropriations Act of 2009, which is the work product generated by the Committee of the Whole.

“With Pennsylvania’s budget now late by more than 70 days, lawmakers are asked every day by the people who elected us: ‘What are you doing to get a state budget passed?’” Dally said.

“We recognize that the conference committee members have been using their best efforts in reaching a resolution, and their work is in no way impeded by this process. It allows a parallel process to be engaged with the ultimate goal being a General Fund budget.

“Passage of this resolution will allow rank-and-file members to be actively engaged in bringing this budget drama to an end,” said Dally.

Though unable to attend this afternoon's news conference, Rich Grucela claimed we need to "use every tool at our disposal to enact a budget.”

The failure to adopt a budget over the last 72 days is an indictment of the leadership of both houses of the legislature, as well as Governor Rendell. If they are unwilling to lead, or are too busy raising funds or golfing, perhaps the Committee of the Whole can recommend new leaders who are willing to do the job.

At the end of today's news conference, about ten state representatives asked reporters if they had questions. There was only one. When the camera panned to the reporter pool, I expected to see a crowd, but there was just one reporter.

Blogger's Note: The Resolution is called HR 460.

Tony Phillips Will Stay in Allentown Mayor Race

I met Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips last night at Yocco's Hot Dog Shop on Airport Road, thinking I could treat him to a "long n hard" hot dog, a Delores special. Unfortunately, he stopped eating beef and pork years ago to keep his weight under control, so I gobbled down the dogs I had ordered for him.

"Can I offer you a tossed salad?" I suggested. After spending a day answering calls and emails concerning a private online chat, he was still able to laugh. What's more, he's still in the race and tells me he intends to win his bid against well-funded incumbent Edwin Pawlowski.

It's been a tough few days. His $700 per week (yes, that's $700) campaign manager suddenly quit. And on Monday night, he had to reassure nervous Allentown Republicans who wondered whether they should withdraw their support. Yesterday, he endured all sorts of public criticism for a conversation he had every right to assume was private.

Tony provided me with a few additional details about "Delores." There were actually two online chats. They occurred on August 28th and 29th. Before he actually chatted with her, she had sent him several suggestive messages.

It's now pretty clear that, all along, Delores' goal has been to undermine Phillips. She admits as much at Craigslist, with a "goal completed" taunt. There is no evidence that anyone from the Pawlowski camp has anything to do with "Delores," and Tony himself acknowledges that.

Will the publication of this private conversation hurt Tony's campaign? It has turned off some, but galvanized others, and may have created some sympathy for him. It might have the added benefit of creating some interest in the real issues facing distressed Allentown. It's broke yet desperately needs more police officers. Businesses are leaving. There is no transparency.

Varkony: "Delores" Just Won't Go Away

"How I love the kisses of Delores
Aye-aye-aye Delores
Not Marie or Emily or Doris
Only my Delores"

I called an Allentown politico early this evening. He answered the phone, "Hello! This is Delores." She's on everyone's mind.

According to a typically excellent post from Pam Varkony, "Delores" (or an impersonator) has gone from Facebook and Get Satisfaction to a "clean up" woman at Craigslist. She anonymously asks those who've played the role of the "other woman," whether with Allentown mayoral candidate Tony Phillips or anyone else, to contact her.

761 Properties Up For Tax Sale in Northampton County

On September 17, the tax man cometh. If your Northampton County property is two or more years delinquent in real estate taxes, it will be sold at an "upset" tax sale to the highest bidder. The leeches from Philly and Jersey, as we like to call them, are already researching different properties they'd like to buy this month.

Overworked Cindy Hoffman, who runs our tax claim bureau, tells me that 761 different properties are still listed for sale. I'm pretty sure that's a record, but Cindy has no time right now to compare this year's tax sale to what has happened before. She and her staff are on the phone, trying to track down property owners before their house is literally sold out from under them.

Dent: Health Care Reform, Like All Good Things, Should Come in Small Packages

In an eloquent address to Congress tonight, President Obama noted that there's already a consensus on eighty per cent of health care reforms. Now, he wants to deliver on a gigantic, thousand plus page, bill that allows Americans to keep existing insurance plans while establishing an "insurance exchange" to deliver affordable insurance to those not already covered. His rationale? It's the right thing to do.

“That large-heartedness – that concern and regard for the plight of others – is not a partisan feeling. It is not a Republican or a Democratic feeling. It, too, is part of the American character. Our ability to stand in other people's shoes. A recognition that we are all in this together; that when fortune turns against one of us, others are there to lend a helping hand. A belief that in this country, hard work and responsibility should be rewarded by some measure of security and fair play; and an acknowledgement that sometimes government has to step in to help deliver on that promise.”

Ironically, that's pretty much the same sentiment expressed by Republican House members during a blogger conference call conducted this afternoon. Chief Deputy Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) were the participants, and all agreed our system needs a major overhaul. But what Charlie Dent and others proposed is a series of small bills to enact reforms now where there are areas of agreement. "We already have a bipartisan consensus on patient-centered care over government-centered care. We agree to incentivize. We agree on prevention and wellness and on coverage for pre-existing illness."

Dent's Tuesday Group, a coalition of centrists who first gained notoriety for challenging former President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq, already has a package of individual health care reform bills that separately address regulatory relief, individual tax breaks, malpractice limits, pooling, preventive care and promoting efficiency by computerizing patient records.

These Congressmen return to D.C. amazed by how their constituents react to the single-payer health care solution. "I have never seen anything like this with the engagement of the American people," remarked Rep. Biggert. She also questioned the 27 nationwide speeches that President Obama has already given to sell his health care reforms. "If it was good, you would not have to spend so much time selling it."

Congressman Dent warned that if the single-payer health bill passes, it will cost jobs here in the Lehigh Valley. He pointed to a major burn center that will have to close its doors. In addition, Guardian Insurance has told him that dental premiums alone will force the elimination of between 300 and 500 jobs. "This is a very big issue. It's 17 or18% of our economy."

So will Obama listen to these concerns? Is his door truly open, as he has promised?

Stay tuned.

Excerpts of Obama's Health Care Address to Congress Tonight

Below are excerpts from the speech that President Obama plans to deliver to Congress tonight. It comes at a time when many of us are beginning to question whether hw has bitten off more than he can chew.

I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. It has now been nearly a century since Theodore Roosevelt first called for health care reform. And ever since, nearly every President and Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, has attempted to meet this challenge in some way. A bill for comprehensive health reform was first introduced by John Dingell Sr. in 1943. Sixty-five years later, his son continues to introduce that same bill at the beginning of each session.

Our collective failure to meet this challenge – year after year, decade after decade – has led us to a breaking point. Everyone understands the extraordinary hardships that are placed on the uninsured, who live every day just one accident or illness away from bankruptcy. These are not primarily people on welfare. These are middle-class Americans. Some can’t get insurance on the job. Others are self-employed, and can’t afford it, since buying insurance on your own costs you three times as much as the coverage you get from your employer. Many other Americans who are willing and able to pay are still denied insurance due to previous illnesses or conditions that insurance companies decide are too risky or expensive to cover.

***

During that time, we have seen Washington at its best and its worst.

We have seen many in this chamber work tirelessly for the better part of this year to offer thoughtful ideas about how to achieve reform. Of the five committees asked to develop bills, four have completed their work, and the Senate Finance Committee announced today that it will move forward next week. That has never happened before. Our overall efforts have been supported by an unprecedented coalition of doctors and nurses; hospitals, seniors’ groups and even drug companies – many of whom opposed reform in the past. And there is agreement in this chamber on about eighty percent of what needs to be done, putting us closer to the goal of reform than we have ever been.

But what we have also seen in these last months is the same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have toward their own government. Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics. Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise. Too many have used this as an opportunity to score short-term political points, even if it robs the country of our opportunity to solve a long-term challenge. And out of this blizzard of charges and counter-charges, confusion has reigned.

Well the time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action. Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together, and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliver on health care.

The plan I’m announcing tonight would meet three basic goals:

It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance to those who don’t. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government. It’s a plan that asks everyone to take responsibility for meeting this challenge – not just government and insurance companies, but employers and individuals. And it’s a plan that incorporates ideas from Senators and Congressmen; from Democrats and Republicans – and yes, from some of my opponents in both the primary and general election.

***

Here are the details that every American needs to know about this plan:

First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have. Let me repeat this: nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.

What this plan will do is to make the insurance you have work better for you. Under this plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition. As soon as I sign this bill, it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick or water it down when you need it most. They will no longer be able to place some arbitrary cap on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or a lifetime. We will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they get sick. And insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies – because there’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse. That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.

That’s what Americans who have health insurance can expect from this plan – more security and stability.

Now, if you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who don’t currently have health insurance, the second part of this plan will finally offer you quality, affordable choices. If you lose your job or change your job, you will be able to get coverage. If you strike out on your own and start a small business, you will be able to get coverage. We will do this by creating a new insurance exchange – a marketplace where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices. Insurance companies will have an incentive to participate in this exchange because it lets them compete for millions of new customers. As one big group, these customers will have greater leverage to bargain with the insurance companies for better prices and quality coverage. This is how large companies and government employees get affordable insurance. It’s how everyone in this Congress gets affordable insurance. And it’s time to give every American the same opportunity that we’ve given ourselves.

***

This is the plan I’m proposing. It’s a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight – Democrats and Republicans. And I will continue to seek common ground in the weeks ahead. If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open.

But know this: I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it. I will not stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out. And I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now.

Everyone in this room knows what will happen if we do nothing. Our deficit will grow. More families will go bankrupt. More businesses will close. More Americans will lose their coverage when they are sick and need it most. And more will die as a result. We know these things to be true.

That is why we cannot fail. Because there are too many Americans counting on us to succeed – the ones who suffer silently, and the ones who shared their stories with us at town hall meetings, in emails, and in letters.

Tony Phillips: Lookin' For Love in All the Wrong Places

A few weeks ago, during a Northampton County Council meeting, John Stoffa wisely said that a little knowledge is dangerous. This weekend, I was downright lethal. Let me tell you why.

On Friday, I got word that Ken Matthews, who was managing Tony Phillips' Allentown mayoral campaign, had suddenly called it a day. I tried contacting him, but all I had was one of his rather cryptic emails. He's not talking, at least not yet. While wondering about that, I received news that Tony had been caught, red-handed, trolling the Internet on his Facebook page, seeking sexual favors from women.

Ah ha!

Suddenly, the pieces game together. Tony Phillips is a sex maniac, and Ken Matthews must have left in righteous indignation. I immediately visited Tony's Facebook page, but the site has been scrubbed. All I could see were innocuous exchanges, which even included props for joining some group called Keep Sex Offenders Off Of Facebook.

Today, I digged for the dirt like the bottom feeder you all know and love. Sure, I'm no King Edwin fan, but I sure as hell don't want to see Allentown ruled by some pimp daddy who uses the city web page to solicit his victims.

Last night, after scouring the Internet, I finally got the goods. Sure, it's been deleted, but with a cache search, it popped up. What I found is exactly one Facebook conversation between Tony, a single guy, and some unhappily married woman from North Carolina. Someone with access to Tony's Facebook page plastered it on Get Satisfaction, a community powered customer service group, where it was just as promptly removed as inappropriate.

What a disappointment!

Instead of all kinds of salacious talk, this conversation reveals a rather lonely single guy who has spent a lot of time on the campaign trail without female companionship. Yes, the woman says "mmmmmmmmm" an awful lot. Yes, it ends with a rather strange discussion of scuba gear and tossed salad, but hey, it could have been worse. It could have been gerbils, which always enter into my private conversations. This was no sex-crazed maniac, just some guy who expresses concerns about even speaking to a married woman and who is initially so prudish he's called a virgin.

Most importantly, he thought his conversation was private.

9:22pmCouncilman Tony
didn't you say this was visible to others

9:22pmDelores
only if u write on the wall

y

9:22pmCouncilman Tony
wanted to b clear

9:22pmDelores

u got something to hide

9:23pmCouncilman Tony
no

So if this private conversation is so innocent, why link to it and invade his privacy? Because I'm a miserable bastard. Until I saw it, I had assumed the worst. I was expecting inflatable dolls, cheerleader outfits and leather boots. But it's a real let down, especially from someone rumored to be such a womanizer. Even I could do better. But if I left this conversation to your imagination, many of you might think the worst, too.

Some of you are probably shocked, just shocked, that Tony Phillips would dare speak to a woman. He's running for Mayor, not Pope. You might also argue that, regardless of Tony's innocuous behavior, a mayoral candidate should know better than to engage in a conversation like that online. He's running for Mayor, not IT Director.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have an online date.

Update: In today's Morning Call account, a portion of Tony's exchange is excerpted. I do that, too. To provide some context, I decided to include the entire conversation, from beginning to end. Now remember, this conversation was placed on the Internet by someone who claims to be the female participant. She asks this question: "is this the kind o man we want to mayor for Allentown? 1st he had a woman at the park n now he is tryin to pick women uo on facebook. Shame on Tony Phillips." That seems a little odd.

wazup

9:20pmDelores
hey

9:21pmCouncilman Tony
just checking to see if you were on

9:21pmDelores
hey sexy

9:22pmCouncilman Tony
didn't you say this was visible to others

9:22pmDelores
only if u write on the wall

y

9:22pmCouncilman Tony
wanted to b clear

9:22pmDelores

u got something to hide

9:23pmCouncilman Tony
no

9:23pmDelores
r u married?

9:23pmCouncilman Tony
no

9:23pmDelores
mmmmmmmmmmm

9:23pmCouncilman Tony
u noticed that immediately

9:24pmDelores
sure did

9:24pmCouncilman Tony
sharp eye

9:24pmDelores
read up on u but nothing about family

9:24pmCouncilman Tony
never to sure about net

9:25pmDelores
what do u mean

9:25pmCouncilman Tony
there is more to the story

9:25pmDelores
talk to me

9:26pmCouncilman Tony
not sure what is accessible

i like a direct medium of communication

9:27pmDelores
well since u r runnin 4 mayor i figure u would be married w a family n so on

9:27pmCouncilman Tony
well not sure what to say

9:28pmDelores
the truth

9:28pmCouncilman Tony
what truth

9:28pmDelores
tell me about urself

r u single?

9:29pmCouncilman Tony
i think i start with the truth with no to ur question

9:29pmDelores
o

omg

so u play

9:29pmCouncilman Tony
can

9:30pmDelores
u can

would u travel to play

9:30pmCouncilman Tony
yes, where?

to talk......

9:31pmDelores
nc

9:31pmCouncilman Tony
i have family there, where?

9:32pmDelores
willin

9:32pmCouncilman Tony
provide another medium of communication if u can

9:33pmDelores
excuz me

9:33pmCouncilman Tony
where is willin exactly in nc

9:34pmDelores
willington

9:34pmCouncilman Tony
a more direct form of communication if u can or like

about an hour south of Kinston

9:34pmDelores
i married too

yes

9:34pmCouncilman Tony
u r married?

9:35pmDelores
yes

9:35pmCouncilman Tony
y r u playing

9:35pmDelores
y r u playin

9:35pmCouncilman Tony
single

dangerous game

9:36pmDelores
thought u said yes that u r married

really

9:36pmCouncilman Tony
no

when asked I said NO

9:36pmDelores
u mean when i asked

9:36pmCouncilman Tony
yes

9:36pmDelores
lol

9:37pmCouncilman Tony
what

9:37pmDelores
hav u ever been married?

9:37pmCouncilman Tony
yes

9:37pmDelores
hav u ever cheated?

9:38pmCouncilman Tony
is that where u r, about cheating

9:39pmDelores
u did not answer my quest.?

9:39pmCouncilman Tony
?????

9:39pmDelores
do u do that alot?

9:39pmCouncilman Tony
no

to ur question

what do i do alot

9:40pmDelores
all men cheat

9:41pmCouncilman Tony
i guess all the men u know

9:41pmDelores
hav u ever dated a latin woman before?

9:41pmCouncilman Tony
all this is flattering but u r not available

yes i have dated several and they r etched i my memory

9:42pmDelores
i could make myself avail. in a quickness

really

u couldn't handle this one.lol

u scared

hello

9:44pmCouncilman Tony
how so AVAILABLE in a qiuckness explain

9:45pmDelores
well, this ahole doesn't deserve me

need to move on

9:47pmDelores
r u there

9:47pmCouncilman Tony
ok what this mean

9:48pmDelores
well, u know that u had no clue who i was wheen i rquested u

u liked mine pic n me u

9:49pmCouncilman Tony
what does that mean

9:49pmDelores
u came back online to chat

9:49pmCouncilman Tony
thanks for requesting me i never left the chat

9:50pmDelores
what did u8 want to chat about?

politics

9:50pmCouncilman Tony
that was a nice pic of u workout much

9:50pmDelores
yes

i compete

2nd place twice

9:51pmCouncilman Tony
compete awesome

9:52pmDelores
how fit r u?

i read that u teach

my husband does too

9:53pmCouncilman Tony
former athlete wrestler, body weight appropriate to height

9:53pmDelores
mmmmmmmmmmmmm

9:53pmCouncilman Tony
still maintain tone

9:54pmDelores
i bet

9:54pmCouncilman Tony
what's with ur relationship

9:54pmDelores
he is verbally abusive

calls me all kinds of names

when does a wman say enough

9:55pmCouncilman Tony
sounds like u r comfortable and he provides but sounds like he adventures out

9:55pmDelores
u think

9:55pmCouncilman Tony
sorry he is abusive

just reading into ur cheating comments

9:56pmDelores
k

poeple cheat for a reason

9:56pmCouncilman Tony
hey if you have a cell can u call me

do u think he is cheating or that where u want to go

no response

9:58pmDelores
i hav no clue w him. i used to love him

now i am wonderin how to get out

9:58pmCouncilman Tony
so what kind of ans to the second part of the question

just make up ur mind and do it.

do u work

9:59pmDelores
wish it was that easy

no

only me to do is compete when he ssays so

r u there

10:00pmCouncilman Tony
he's controling

10:00pmDelores
right now he is sleepin

u could say that

10:01pmCouncilman Tony
what r u looking for

10:01pmDelores
lookin for?

10:02pmCouncilman Tony
yeah looking for

10:02pmDelores
in a relationship?

10:03pmCouncilman Tony
ok then r u looking for a sounding board

10:04pmDelores
i do not understand

bigmike is ur friend

comedian

10:04pmCouncilman Tony
no on this conversation and chat session

what don't u understand

yes

yes

10:05pmDelores
he wants to be my friend

is my pic on ur wall?

10:05pmCouncilman Tony
hey r u seeking something other than conversation

yes ur pic is on my wall

10:06pmDelores
a friend

plz take off

10:06pmCouncilman Tony
cool

10:06pmDelores
all ur friends wants to be my friend

10:06pmCouncilman Tony
if u want me to do so

10:06pmDelores
plz

10:07pmCouncilman Tony
do u think it is because of how u look

10:07pmDelores
i hav no clue

10:07pmCouncilman Tony
don't friend them if they r men for the apparent reason

10:07pmDelores
what do u think?

10:08pmCouncilman Tony
as i said before it is awesome

10:08pmDelores
k

ty

10:08pmCouncilman Tony
ty????

10:08pmDelores
thank u 4 the complement

10:08pmCouncilman Tony
what was that ty

10:09pmDelores
thank you

u must not chat much

virgen

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

i like

10:09pmCouncilman Tony
hey friend i am flatter but u must be clear as to ur intentions

u got me

10:10pmDelores
to be ur friend

10:10pmCouncilman Tony
r u still chatting with me

10:10pmDelores
yes

10:11pmCouncilman Tony
k

10:11pmDelores
so u want to be my friend?

10:11pmCouncilman Tony
u r a pleasure to chat with

that a good start

10:11pmDelores
ty

u too

10:12pmCouncilman Tony
u were very forward and now u r in reserve mode

that's ok

i will remove u from my wall now

10:13pmDelores
i told u about my relationship. u haven't told me about u

ever been married?

10:14pmCouncilman Tony
can i save it there is not much to tell. it went south and two adults went their seperate ways

I told u i had been married but u missed it

10:14pmDelores
what happen

10:15pmCouncilman Tony
no blame history book closed

10:15pmDelores
wow

10:15pmCouncilman Tony
some people cut their losses and move on

10:15pmDelores
i feel like a fool

losses

10:16pmCouncilman Tony
u got do what have too

10:16pmDelores
so u r datin

10:16pmCouncilman Tony
no campaigning

10:16pmDelores
no play

10:16pmCouncilman Tony
none

10:16pmDelores
u too ine

fine

come on

10:17pmCouncilman Tony
NONE at all

10:17pmDelores
what a waste

10:17pmCouncilman Tony
don't think about play

where r u going with this

10:18pmDelores
u must be a strong man

10:18pmCouncilman Tony
i do my best

10:18pmDelores
just small talk

10:18pmCouncilman Tony
i hear u

i need focus

u playing

be honest

10:19pmDelores
playin w wht

what

a man

10:19pmCouncilman Tony
yes

10:20pmDelores
this is the 1st time i ever chatted w a man online.

hav not yet played.

10:20pmCouncilman Tony
seeking a playmate

10:20pmDelores
nah

i do fine w myself

lol

i dj alote

10:21pmCouncilman Tony
dj as in music

10:21pmDelores
lol

no

on myself

hello

10:22pmCouncilman Tony
i got it

10:22pmDelores
lol

10:22pmCouncilman Tony
u go girl

haha

10:22pmDelores
lol

u like

10:23pmCouncilman Tony
yesssss

10:23pmDelores
mmmmmmmmmmmmm

me too

10:24pmCouncilman Tony
just got a visual

omg

10:24pmDelores
i guess u could call me a freak

here too

10:25pmCouncilman Tony
long or short moments

u freak

10:25pmDelores
o baby, long n hard

10:25pmCouncilman Tony
now

10:26pmDelores
o yes

10:26pmCouncilman Tony
too much for me

omg

wtf

10:26pmDelores
come on i know u can hang

wtf

10:27pmCouncilman Tony
moisture pasture

10:27pmDelores
yes

we hav been chattin for awhile

10:27pmCouncilman Tony
can only wish i was a digit

10:27pmDelores
do u like salad

10:28pmCouncilman Tony
u r correct

10:28pmDelores
ur salad toss

10:28pmCouncilman Tony
yes like a rabbit

very much so

10:28pmDelores
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

10:29pmCouncilman Tony
u would have to dig me out of the rabbit hole by my ears

scuba gear required

Trexler Trust Shrinks $26 Million in One Year

I was walking down the street, minding by own business, when the 2009 Trexler Trust annual financial report suddenly fell out of the sky and hit me on the head. If decided to upload it on the Internet and share it with everyone. You can review it here.

The report reveals that, in just a year, this residuary fund has shrunk from $117 million to $81 million. Yet the five trustees award themselves the same compensation, approximately $146 thousand. And professional services also remain constant at another $49 thousand.

Lisa Boscola, Champion of Ghost Voting

Capitol Ideas calls it a "long-standing Senate practice." I have another name - unethical. I'm referring to "ghost voting," an unhealthy tradition in which some lawmakers will vote for others who are far too important to be in chambers, doing what they're paid to do. It's been criticized, here and elsewhere, as unethical, fraught with the potential for abuse.

Just a few years ago, ghost voting was the norm in both houses of the Pennsylvania legislature. Tim Potts, who then headed reform organization DemocracyRisingPa, derided a system that permitted lawmakers to do their job from the local country club. "They're on golf courses, they're in restaurants, they're playing poker in the basements of lobbyists offices. It's a fraud on the people they represent, and it's a fraud on all the taxpayers in Pennsylvania who are paying for them."

In 2006, this practice was finally eliminated in the state house, but thrives in the senate, where Lisa Boscola was trying to beat an incoming thunderstorm and was on her way out of the land of midnight payraises. She had directed a senate Democratic leader to cast her vote with the Republicans on some budget vote, but he must have forgotten about it or something.

That's when Tropical Storm Lisa hit the senate floor, angrily confronting Democratic leaders who had refused to allow her to ghost vote with the Republicans, damn it! She apparently made a passionate appeal over her right to abuse the system and vote in absentia just like numerous other Senators who were AWOL, too. But any legislator unable to vote for herself, especially on a budget stalemate, is unworthy of her office. The public has a right to expect a state senator who casts her own votes. Instead of screaming about senate leaders trying to pull a fast one on her, the entire senate should be condemned for pulling a fast one on the public.

Tony Phillips Campaign Manager Resigns

In a message both short and sweet, Ken Matthews tells me he's resigned as campaign manager to Allentown mayoral candidate Tony Phillips. "I am no longer Tony Phillips campaign manager or associated with his campaign."

There is much more to this story, and you'll get it by the end of the week.

Mothers! Hide Your Daughters and Sons From Barack Obama!

Most parochial and public schools are off to an early start this year, and these first few weeks are always a very scary time for most children (and parents). Kids worry about getting lost in a big building around people they don't know. Will others laugh at how they're dressed? Will teachers be miserable? Will there be violence and bullying? Will my Johnny fall in with the wrong crowd and start doing drugs? Will there be gangs? But there's a deeper, darker fear preying on most minds this school year - Barack Obama.

Some parents are scared to death that the President's desire to speak to schoolchildren is some goofy plot designed to brainwash them. What's next, Obama youth? It makes no difference that Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush did pretty much the same thing.

The Lehigh Valley's seventeen different school districts - kingdoms unto themselves - have about seventeen different reactions to this firestorm of protest. You can see that in the approach the three city-based, school districts.

Allentown School District - "Technical difficulties" will prevent schools from showing the speech to all students. But parents who think Obama is trying to brainwash their kids can send a note.

Bethlehem Area School District - In a letter written by someone who desperately needs a few English lessons, we're told this is a class-by-class decision. Even if a class decides it wants to see the Prez, those opposed will be afforded the opportunity to engage in an "alternative activity."

Easton School District - Before exposing schoolchildren to the President, administrators will pre-screen the video. If considered appropriate, the experts will then decide on a procedure for future use.

I have an advance copy of Obama's speech, and let me tell you, it's very dangerous. He actually asks our children to take responsibility and work hard. He even offers them bribes.

"Maybe you could be a good writer – maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper – but you might not know it until you write a paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor – maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine – but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team."

He orders them around, too!

"I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you’ll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don’t feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter."

Finally, he mocks rap, basketball and reality TV.

"I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you’re not going to be any of those things."

Who the hell does he think he is, President? Oh, that's right, he is. And it's a sad commentary on us that this nation has become so divided that we're unable to recognize that this might actually mean something to our kids.

It will mean something to my grandson. Like Obama, he is half black and has no father. When Obama was elected President, he asked his mom if he could have a sign from one of the streets to put in his yard. It's still there. This nine-year old actually went to D.C. in freezing weather to watch the Inauguration, and had to give his class a report when he returned home. If Obama can keep my grandson and other children interested in school instead of drugs or gangs, why not listen?

Steve Barron: Counties Should Withhold Funds From State Until There is a Budget

Every Friday, Butler County has a bake sale to offset the money the state has failed to send for vital human services. Northampton County Controller Steve Barron has a better idea - hold all unclaimed funds instead of sending that money to the state. He's worried about the impact to the citizens who rely on services from the county, and may become more vulnerable if program funding is cut back or stopped even for a short period of time. “We are one county, but what if all 67 took a stand and said enough is enough that would send a powerful message.”

Here's a copy of the email he just sent to county officials.

I am asking for your consideration of a movement that has been happening throughout the state, and I believe it is time for Northampton County to take action. Yearly, the counties of Pennsylvania transmit millions of dollars to the state in unclaimed money. This money sits for long periods of time with the state and is often not collected at all.

I would like to recommend that starting today, and until the state passes a budget, we no longer transmit these funds to the state. Instead, we should divert the money to our general fund and special revenue funds to partially offset the money the state is no longer sending. We are the only state left in the country to not pass a budget and unless Harrisburg is motivated in some way to compromise there is no end to this impasse in sight.

I would recommend that the Director of Finance and his staff keep good records of this money, and when the state funding begins to flow after a budget passes we will transmit the money to the state as required.

Several counties have set up programs to save money. Other counties soon will be forced to borrow at the tax payers expense to meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens. Butler County has a weekly bake sale every Friday from 9 am until 1 pm with the money going to help keep services at current levels.

While I am not in a policy making position to stop these funds, but I do believe it is important to make suggestions that may help save us from emptying budgetary reserves or borrowing to meet expenses. Especially, when the state refuses to compromise on a budget, and sticks us in the Lehigh Valley with the tab for a special election that could be held in November with no additional cost.

Thank you for your consideration on this important matter.

Seyfried's Gotta' Go

You think I like writing about Allentown?

Listen, I live in Nazareth, and it takes me at least an hour to get to Hamilton Street. I have to feed my aging Jeep oil every two miles. But the way things are going in Northampton County, I may soon have to relocate there. Yes, I may soon be blogging from one of King Edwin's KOZ condos in Peanutville. Maybe I'll join the Life Church and apply for one of those Queen City grants, too. I'll ride LANTA and go to art shows. Reason? Northampton County Council. Commonly recognized as the most dysfunctional legislative body in the Lehigh Valley, they are really letting me down. Yeah, I'm a big advocate of good government, but I never expected to see it here. It's really boring. For the third meeting in a row, Northampton County Council is far too damn civil.

It's all Jerry Seyfried's fault.

Every time they get ready to start blowing oil, Jerry Seyfried pulls his tie tight around his neck, kinda' like Rodney Dangerfield, and then starts making sense. He even pulls out his tattered copy of the Home Rule Charter and starts reading the damn law.

Isn't that cheating?

Let me give you an example. Two weeks ago, council members were all set to appoint members to one of the county's many board for terms of a gazillion years. But Jerry ruined everything. He quietly pulled out his worn Charter and told them it prohibits appointments that exceed two years. Instead of ignoring him or just telling him to go &^%$ himself, like they usually do, they actually modified the terms of appointment.

It happened again last night. Council member John Cusick wants to see a new Sheriff soon, and they all started talking about the goofy procedure for appointing a new Sheriff. Apparently the Exec submits three names to the President Judge, the President Judge can add another two, and Council has the last word. Or maybe Council submits seven names and the judges have the final say. No one is sure.

But that bastard Jerry Seyfried cheated and brought up our County Constitution again, declaring that only the Exec has sole power to appoint the next Sheriff, subject to confirmation by County Council. As he explained things, a previous County Council thumbed its nose at the Charter and adopted an ordinance giving the President Judge some say in the selection of a member of Stoffa's cabinet.

According to Jerry, that's wrong. "When that happened, I was one of the first guys who said, 'Are you nutz? Do you think the courts are going to come to you and ask you to approve the Court Administrator?' If this Sheriff messes up, and he gets in trouble, do you think the President Judge is going to answer for that? Of course not. I think you ought to repeal that ordinance. If he[Stoffa] is responsible for him, he ought to have the right to appoint him."

So now, Angle and Stoffa will introduce a new ordinance that removes the bench from the Sheriff selection process. It appears to have nearly unanimous support, too. Lamont McClure, believe it or not, thinks this is a good idea. Cusick would prefer to stick to the old process for the current replacement, but agrees that the ordinance must be repealed.

Rancor, name-calling and petty squabbles have been replaced by ... bipartisanship. It's very sad.

After the meeting was over, Seyfried approached Angle in the parking lot and thanked him for his input, telling him Council can get a lot more done when it works together. Ron loves it. Personally, I think Jerry is slipping ludes in Ron's "spring water." They do sit next to each other. Whatever the explanation, it's killing me. Who the hell wants to read about a government that is actually working?

At this rate, I'll be in Allentown before they have a new Sheriff. I hope I can find those pics of Jerry in bed with three underage nuns, but for now, all I have is this picture of a harmless giraffe that Jerry senselessly murdered. I'll be forewarding it to PETA.

As everyone left the meeting room, the weirdness continued. Charles Dertinger walked up to me. I assumed my tae kwon do stance, but he actually smiled. "I hear you've been saying nice things about me," he said, referring to a post praising Dertinger's integrity for refusing to allow a disgruntled bidder to sway him over the casino assessment contract. I denied writing it.

"Please stop saying nice things about me. It hurts my fundraising efforts."

Then he actually patted me on the back.

It can't last.

Sheriff Hawbecker to Turn in His Badge

Northampton County has plenty of problems, to be sure. Our sheriff is not one of them. Northampton County is the only County in Pennsylvania that appoints, instead of electing, its Sheriffs. That seems like a good policy. After all, we don't elect our police chiefs. But we will be making another appointment soon. Jeff Hawbecker, Northampton County's sheriff, has decided to call it a day. He's resigning, effective October 30. Chief Deputy Thomas Marchetti, who worked with Jeff in the Pennsylvania State Police, will be leaving with him.

Amiable and quietly effective, I once saw him in the parking lot farthest from the courthouse, parking his car at the very end, ensuring a lengthy uphill walk to the government center. He could insist on a spot right by the nearest entrance, and would be justified. But as he walked uphill, umbrella in hand, he told me he's trying to set an example for his deputies, who have often parked wherever the hell they feel like parking.

Another high-ranking county official sets and example, too. His name is John Stoffa. I often see him trudging up the steep hill outside the courthouse, briefcase in hand.

Me? I follow the example set by deputies. If unable to squeeze into a handicapped spot, I'll park in one of the judges' reserved spots.

Over the years, Hawbecker has professionalized and diversified his department, and is working on a certification. He'll be a tough act to follow.

I've heard several names, including Bill Hillanbrand, as a possible replacement.

Tony Phillips Comes Out Swinging

And they're off!

Allentown City Council member Tony Phillips is running for Mayor Edwin Pawlowski's job this Fall. For months, people all over Allentown have been asking the same question. "Where's Tony? He'll never win if he doesn't campaign." Late last week, I learned that Tony has actually been going door to door for months, matching Pawlowski's pay to play money with shoe leather. I caught up with campaign manager Ken Matthews, who told me to expect to see Phillips yard signs sprouting with the chrysanthemums and sunflowers, as Summer fades into Autumn.

Yesterday, his campaign blog also fired an opening salvo with these questions:

Are you safer than you were four years ago?

Are there more jobs in the city of Allentown than there were four years ago?

Has the Riverfront project even started yet (the one Mayor Pawlowski held 3 press conferences about) ?

Why are so many businesses leaving the city ? ... and what's the total so far?

Why does Ed Pawlowski keep saying serious crime is down ?

Why does the Mayor Pawlowski say he created a surplus ?

Do Ed Pawlowski's Campaign donors get special treatment or has Ed's Chicago Political model just become the new Allentown model?

Let the games begin!

Show Your King Edwin Pride

I told you I thought it was a bit tacky for Allentown to schedule a goofy bike race on the ninth anniversary of 9/11/, the very day that nearly three thousand people were murdered only ninety miles away. Some of you disagree, arguing that, unless we have this bike race, the terrorists win. We can still commemorate what happened by going to church before or after the race. You may be right, but I think it's too soon.

When it comes to being tacky, it's hard to beat King Edwin. The latest from his camp is a "Show your Ed Pride!" drive. Pride Package I, which costs just $10, includes a Nail File, Pen and Gripper! High rollers can buy Pride Package II, which costs a trifling $25, and includes T-Shirt, Magnet, Nail File, Pen and Gripper! In the email blast hawking these wares, you're warned to "Hurry! Supplies are limited!"

King Edwin has plenty of other packages, too, although they appear to be missing from his email blast.

Pride Package III: T-Shirt, Magnet, Nail File, Pen, Gripper and a high-paying "Development Specialist" city job to the person who delivers the most Hispanic votes. (Call Ed's campaign and ask for Erlinda).

Pride Package IV: T-Shirt, Magnet, Nail File, Pen, Gripper, annual $87,000 paycheck and prestigious cabinet-level position, all in exchange for a one-time payment of just $1,150. (Call Ed's campaign and ask for Joyce).

Pride Package V: T-Shirt, Magnet, Nail File, Pen, Gripper and lucrative fire restoration contracts, together with all the liquor licenses you can harvest, for a paltry $12,000. (Call Ed's campaign and ask for Tom Williams).

Pride Package VI: T-Shirt, Magnet, Nail File, Pen, Gripper, the sale of "excess" parking lots for residential development and favorable KOZ treatment for just $13,350. (Call Ed's campaign and ask for Nic Zawarski).

Pride Package VII: T-Shirt, Magnet, Nail File, Pen, Gripper and $138,000 over two years i "legal fees" for just $5,600. (Call Ed's campaign and ask for Malcolm Gross).

Pride Package VIII: T-Shirt, Magnet, Nail File, Pen, Gripper and $4.5 million in public grants and loans to remediate an old battery plant for just $2,500, a car and two minivans as needed. (Call Ed's campaign and ask for Bennett Toyota).

Do you feel proud? I feel like I need a shower.

LV State Reps: We Can't Adopt Budget, But We Can Talk About Bears

Things look pretty gloomy over at Capitol Ideas, authored by intrepid statehouse reporter Johnny Micek. Yesterday alone, he reported that Pennsylvania's lawmakers are now the only ones in the nation still unable to arrive at a budget. To make matters worse, the Treasury Department has laid off sixty workers? Aren't they the ones who are supposed to collect the money?

Amidst all this goofiness, three of our local state reps - Rich Grucela, Craig Dally and Bob Freeman - have decided that now might be a good time to talk about bears. They really, really exist. Now Morning Call blogger Bill White disputes that, or at least claims he's never seen one. But they're real. You just don't see too many of them hanging around at Musikfest. They prefer biker bars, farm shows and bingo. There's more of them every day, too. Black bear numbers have grown from around 4,000 in the 1970s, to around 14,000 today.

This gives us lots more opportunities to kill them.

You can pick up little tidbits like that if you go to either of two presentations prepared by Gaming Comm'n Exec Director Carl Roe. The first will take place on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Hellertown Sportsmen's Association, located at 1793 Meadows Road in Hellertown. The other presentation will take place on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club, located at 204 Lefevre Road in Stockertown. They'll both take place at 7 PM. If you'd like more information, contact Rich Grucela’s Nazareth office at 610-614-1312 or 1-888-222-2143.

Once these black bear presentations are over, inside word has it that another three local legislators - Joe Brennan, Steve Samuelson & Doug Reichley - will be producing a hand puppet show.

Dent Camp: Where's John Callahan on Healthcare Reform

One person you won't see at tonight's Muhlenberg town hall concerning health care reform is Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. His nifty web page for his upcoming Congressional race against LV Congressman Charlie Dent contains instructions on how to contribute or volunteer for his campaign, but fails to list his position on any issues, to say nothing of health care reform. Kinda' makes you wonder, why is he running?

While Arlen Specter and Charlie Dent have both had the courage to be accountable to voters in real town halls, where has John Callahan been? Musikfest is over. The Charlie Dent campaign issued this release yesterday afternoon, basically asking, "Where's Waldo?"

All over America people of every political stripe have been weighing in with their views on the debate over health care.

Congressman Charlie Dent has held dozens of meetings with individuals and groups to seek their input and guidance. In August alone he held five public, widely attended Town Hall-style meetings in Lehigh, Northampton and Berks counties.

Charlie has made clear his opposition to Nancy Pelosi’s 1,000 plus page plan for a government takeover of health care contained in H.R. 3200. Charlie has also offered his ideas on how to improve access, cut costs and advance wellness for all families across America.

Meanwhile, John Callahan has been A.W.O.L. on the subject. He was asked by the media where he stood on the issue and took the political coward’s way out with a “no comment.”

That’s interesting – one would think that John Callahan would be vocal on the health care debate considering:

1. He’s an announced candidate for Congress and health care is THE issue facing Congress and the American People today. In fact, while Callahan hides, other Congressional candidates in Pennsylvania have held their own town hall meetings on the subject.

2. In the biography that is posted on the City of Bethlehem’s website, Callahan claims that he was recently a “Senior Institutional Healthcare Consultant for Pfizer, Inc., a ‘Fortune 20’ company.” That sounds impressive – it sounds like somebody who should have an opinion on the complete overhaul of America’s health care system.

3. As Mayor of Bethlehem he should have a position on H.R. 3200 since it will likely disrupt or jeopardize the benefits of hundreds of city employees. The bill has a provision specific to self-insured entities like the City of Bethlehem.

“John Callahan says he wants to go to Congress to represent you. If that’s the case, he doesn’t have the right to hide from the difficult, pressing issues we’re facing,” said Shawn Millan, Charlie Dent for Congress Campaign Manager.

“John Callahan is afraid,” said Millan. “If he says that he supports the bill, he will lose the votes of tens of thousands of voters in the 15th District. However, if he opposes the bill he risks losing the fat wallets of the Far Left in Washington, DC and California that he needs to finance his campaign.”

“Charlie Dent is a leader. He makes the tough calls. John Callahan is just a follower. If he continues to hide behind ‘no comment’ the voters have the right to assume he’ll be nothing more than a rubberstamp for Nancy Pelosi on this issue and others,” Millan added.

Toomey & Sestak: Two Hares Chasing a Tortoise at Muhlenberg

Ultraconservative Pat Toomey and Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-7) are hardly what I'd call regular guys. Toomey made a fortune dealing in derivatives, while haughty Sestak goes through staff the way I go through a bag of Cheezits. You're more likely to find these guys on a swanky golf course than at an Iron Pigs game.

That's why I have to laugh about their supposed health care "town" hall, scheduled at Muhlenberg College tonight. It's no town hall in any real sense. Of the approximately 400 tickets made available by the college, half go to the respective campaigns and another 100 will be handed out to students. That leaves just around 100 for real people and the tea-baggers.

Still, they are trying to prove they're cool. They've confirmed their rendezvous on Twitter and have even agreed - Obama style - to share a beer when all is said and done. I suspect both will ask for straws.

"This is pure good governance," Sestak solemnly pronounces.

Really?

This is no exercise in democracy. It has nothing to do with health care reform, either. It has everything to do with bashing Senator Arlen Specter. While Sestak has been launching little toy boats in his bath tub, Specter has been tangling with numerous angry crowds in town halls throughout the state. They've practically assaulted this nearly 80 year-old Senator, apparently forgetting that Snarlin' Arlen comes from the tough streets of Philly, where he learned Scottish law. Rocky country.

"Yo, Adrianne!"

While Specter is out there talking about actual issues, Toomey and Sestak are moving pieces on a political chessboard. Toomey is propping Sestak up with this Muhlenberg "town" hall so he can knock him down later. He knows he just might beat Sestak. He has no chance at all against Specter. For his part, Sestak is looking for a statewide launching pad from which he can challenge Specter's admittedly weak Democratic credentials. And the last place Joe the Admiral wants to do that in is in his own district. He's already fired everyone there. So these senatorial wannabes think they have a win-win, and it's why the incumbent was given no invitation. He'll just muddy the waters.

"With Arlen Specter, you never know who's going to show up," snarks Toomey. Well, whoever that person may be, he's already beaten you once, Pat, and that was among Republicans. Sestak claims Specter is "following my leadership." I see. What leadership is that, Admiral Joe? The kind that caused thirteen of your staffers to jump overboard during your first term? The kind that led the Navy to force you to walk the plank for disrupting morale there?

Both of these hares are ready to make deposits on apartments in Washington, but my money is on the tortoise.

Born to Be Wild: Lt. Gov'r Candidate Nick DiFrancesco

"Get your motor running.
Head out on the highway.
Looking for adventure.
In whatever comes our way."

I don't know if he was born to be wild, but Dauphin County Comm'r Nick DiFrancesco is certainly having lots of fun toolin' through Pennsylvania's 67 counties on a Harley Davidson. He came through Northampton County yesterday. I met him on the street outside the courthouse, where I was busily hawking knock-off Rolex watches to unsuspecting lawyers and judges.

Nick's road trip started on Memorial Day, and he has just ten counties left. He's had some adventures. He talked about riding through severe thunderstorm in the coal regions. He talked about the smell of verdant pines wafting along Pennsylvania's blue mountains. But his most harrowing experience was Sunday night - camping in the slate belt. You see, he accidentally set up camp on property owned by the Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle.

Angle: "I'm gonna make you squeal like a pig. Weeeeeeee!"

Nick: "Hey, I'm a Dauphin County Commiss ..."

Angle: "Looks like we got us a sow here instead of a boar."

Nick threw a twenty, and when Angle dove on it, made his escape. "Man, that was like Deliverance."

Aside from Ron, what Nick likes most is talking to us. We apparently enjoy talking to dudes on Harleys.

Why the road trip? Nick, a Republican, may run in a crowded Lieutenant Governor's race next year, and he thought this would be a good way to learn what people are thinking. His campaign web page is here. His theme is pretty simple - honest government.

When he's not out riding his Harley, Nick has served as one of Dauphin County's three commissioners since 2003. He and fellow commissioners there have held the line on taxes for four years straight by shrinking the government workforce and imposing a hiring freeze. Dauphin County has also opened up, posting verbatim transcripts of official meetings online.

Before he roared off to the Allentown Fair, Nick reached into his bag and tossed me a black Harley T-shirt. That was nice. I'm pretty sure it's unethical for me, a broadcast journalist, to accept that token. But what do you expect from a disbarred lawyer? He'll discover his missing credit cards later.

LC Comm'rs Get Cunningham's Tax-Hike-Free Budget

On Monday, LC Exec Don Cunningham made it official. The no-tax-increase budget he highlighted last Thursday, was formally presented to Lehigh County Commissioners, headed by Percy Dougherty. For the fourth year in a row, Cunningham has kept taxes steady. The tax rate will remain at 10.25 mills, meaning that the owner of a home assessed $50,000, will continue to pay $512 a year in property taxes.

Three pieces of bad luck have made this year's budget a challenge. First, there's an extra pay period, which happens only once every eleven years. That will cost $4.3 million. Second, a poorly-performing stock market will force a $12 million pension fund contribution as well as a $3 million loss in investment earnings. Third, real estate tax revenues remain stagnant. The slowdown in the real estate market has cost $4 million in increased tax revenues and recording fees.

So how has Cunningham avoided a tax hike? Is it just because his predecessor established a tax relief fund, something that he contributed to himself when times were good? Is he just a lucky man, as Morning Call columnist Bill White suggests? No.

First, he's kept the average growth in spending at under two percent, well below the rate of inflation. Cunningham himself observes, "One would be hard pressed to find another county that has a four year average spending growth of less than two percent.”

Second, his proposed budget has the smallest employee complement the county has had in 20 years. Name any local government that can match that reduction, accomplished without layoffs or hiring freezes.

Third, taking a hint from his Republican friends on the Board of Commissioners, Cunningham is freezing salary steps, proposing smaller wage increases (1.5 - 2.5 %) and requiring a larger contribution for health benefits.

Fourth, he will freeze or cut many entities and programs supported by the county, including LANTA, the Planning Commission and the Conservation District. (LC Comm'rs may want to think twice about riding on LANTA this year).

Fifth, he will use the Tax Relief Fund, created solely to relieve the county from raising taxes during challenging times, to help avoid a tax hike. Cunningham compares this to using "our office supply fund to buy office supplies.”

Cunningham is hoping that the state finally complies with a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision to fund $26 million in the cost of court services to Lehigh County, but that would require him to be ... lucky.

Where does the money go? Seventy cents of every dollar pays for the back end of crime - the Courts, District Attorney, Coroner, jails and juvenile detention centers and anti-crime and anti-recidivism efforts.

By shaving more than $20 million from the cost of the courthouse renovation and expansion, Cunningham also hopes to pay for bridge maintenance and repair operations at an additional ten bridges. These include the Reading Road Bridge over Cedar Creek, the Basin Street Bridge, the Walnut Street Bridge in Slatington, Rex’s Covered Bridge over Cedar Creek, the Pine Street Bridge over the Lehigh River and Geiger’s Covered Bridge.

Lehigh County Commissioners have until December 1 to adopt or change Cunningham's budget. If they reject it, it's adopted. If they change it and he vetoes those changes, his budget will be adopted unless six commissioners vote to override him. To make any changes that will stick, six of them must agree.

Blogger's Note: Ken Petrini's analysis of Cunningham's budget is located here.