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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Sunday, February 21, 2010

A Few Words From Mrs. Callahan

I'm a sucker for stories like this.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

villiani and his gang continues to break laws, viloate codes and do anything he wants and the second floor looks the other way.

the bills are not being paid, there is no surplus, no balanced budgets but all is well - if you don't believe it just ask johnny - he'll tell you whatever you want to hear

Anonymous said...

It was a beautiful speech from a wonderful lady. You can tell when someone speaks from the heart, and it's refreshing. Unlike the first post here, it was not the politics as usual rhetoric for a change.

Anonymous said...

As they said in a NY based police story, there are a lot of stories like that. I want to analyze Charles Dent in regard to what good or bad he does in carryin out hes job. Not how easy and patrian his life was. That's putting the class struggle in the mix. An coming from a non-immigrant family I don't want to be told how regal my family may be when it wasn't. Or good mt family had it. The fact my family was not extremely rich nor was it poor. But we had issues of living too. And nobody gave me any breaks. I got by and that made some people angry.

Anonymous said...

Charlie Dent should immediately renounce the mother and father who raised him with care and love.

To do otherwise would mark him as a member of the patrician class.

Are you fucking serious?

Anonymous said...

As a member of the patrician class, I resent that.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Alrighty.

I noted this story, posted by Donald, bc they mean a lot to me. I like to know what a pol is like more than his position on this or that bill. Understanding the person is important, perhaps more so, than the issue.

I know Charlie Dent is a decent and honorable man. Some of you may have differences with him on some issues, but that doesn't change who he is, and that means a lot to me.

Mrs. C seems like a good and decent woman who obviously loves her husband very much, and I was touched by what she had to say, thru Donald.

Anonymous said...

Waw!!! I had a tough life. WAW!!!! vote for me.

How many folks have had it rough and came through it. What a pile of hooey!

Lets put it this way neither of these families had it all that bad. Oh And the Villanins have had their hand in Bethlehem money for a long long time.

Anonymous said...

People showing ignorance. The speech demonstrated where the candidate came from and how he developed his work ethic. You can keep trying to pull others down, but it's sad, and does nothing to solve the problems that we are facing. Typical republican strategy, muddy up the competition, scare people into voting for you, then consolidate your power and make as much money for the upper class as you can. No wonder why everyone hates Washington and politicians.

Anonymous said...

whether the story is bs or heartwarming the books are still cooked in bethlehem,lies flow of the second floor of city hall every day and no one, including the weak kneed dent staff, the MC or the ET have the balls to pursue the truth

Anonymous said...

"The speech demonstrated where the candidate came from and how he developed his work ethic. You can keep trying to pull others down, but it's sad, and does nothing to solve the problems that we are facing."

Wasn't it the blogger who posted that Dent's family background makes him a "patrician" the one trying to pull someone down?

To me, if he leaves that two cents of his out of his post - I've got no quarrel with it.

What's Charlie supposed to say -- sorry my Dad and Mom were decent folks?

IMHO.

-Ms Stoneknocker said...

Anon 9:58

Since you have information the rest of us appear to lack, why don't YOU step up and set up a blog and expose to full story about what you hinting at?

What is preventing you from doing your civic duty? Are vague, unverifiable allusions the best you have to provide?

Seriously, politics is too important to leave to the uninformed. We all suffer when we are deceived - supporters and detractors alike.

So, please, write a blog - or write articles - well-researched and accurate (as I am sure they will be) - and send them to Bernie - or whomever you like - but please get the word out in terms everyone can understand.

If they won't publish your articles, ask Bernie to find a way to forward a note to me and I will build a blog site for you.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I agree w/ Mrs. Stoneknocker. I published blogs about Callahan's tax increases, his unauthorized spending and borrowing and the city's $298MM debt. If there is more, and it can be verified, I'll be happy to publish it.

Anonymous said...

As a fellow mick, immigrant stories are a dime a dozen in the Lehigh Valley. So Callahan is shanty Irish. I don't care if he was eating grass and walking up steps on his hands and knees, what's his position on healthcare?

Anonymous said...

They had money this is bullshit!

Mafalda Villani Callahan said...

First of all, thank you Bernie and Donald for commenting on my speech ... my goal was just to give a little information on our background, so that people do get to know John and I a little better, beyond polictics.

Secondly, I cannot stand to sit back and read false "anonymous" comments criticizing my family. For the record, every part of my speech was true. It was about my childhood and John's childhood and my parents were poor when I was growing up ... but I was very blessed with a loving family and they worked hard for every penny they have today. Every cent they have, they earned ... NO ONE GAVE THEM A BREAK, it wasn't "Bethlehem Money," whatever that is, and they are among the most honest people I know.

So why don't you go into Bianca's Pizza Restaurant at night and ask to speak to the 65 year old lady cooking in the kitchen (my mom); or the 65 year old guy doing the dishes (my dad) & see for yourself how simply ridiculous it is to think that these two are part of a "gang" that breaks laws.

Look, everyone has their own story, many are similar to ours, some are very different. However, every story deserves to be told and celebrated ... no one, and I mean no one's story should be characterized as a "dime a dozen."

Finally, my story is not about putting "class struggle" in the mix. Its about how class does not limit people in our Country. How awesome is it that you can come to the U.S. penniless and become a multi-millionaire; that your father can be a construction worker, and you can graduate from law school; that your father can be a truck driver, and you can be a Congressman; how with dreams and determination, there are no limits, the next generation can go one step farther!

That's all I wanted to say ... have a great day everyone!

Donald said...

I don't know that patrician is really a put down. George HW Bush, Nelson Rockefeller, FDR and many more find public servents were / are patrician. I know for a fact that Dent had really terrific parents who clearly did a great job. I think Charlie is a very decent man he just has a patrician bearing and pedigree. Nothing wrong with that it is what it is. His family is well connected - good for them.

I am a little suprised at the interest this has generated. I was quite moved by her remarks and it gave me a better understanding of who John is and from whence he came. I always thought he was a golden boy but now I know a little more.
Thanks Bernie as always for the support.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Mrs. Callahan,

I'll admit I practically fell on the floor when I saw your comment here. You must know I support Charlie Dent, yet you had the courage to venture into enemy country and explain your story in more detail. I wish I had heard you speak in person, and also thank Donald for sharing your story. It was refreshingly honest and uplifting.

Please don't do it again.

Anonymous said...

Donald writes: "His [Dent's] family is well connected - good for them."

Wow. I know Margie Dent and I knew Pete Dent, Charlie's dad, before he passed. Charlie grew up on Berks Street in Allentown. I didn't know that was where the "well-connected" live.

But you want to talk "well connected," how about we discuss Mrs. Callahan's relative Dave Brong? He's related through marriage to Callahan and the Villani's.

He also happens to be Director of Water and Sewer Resources for Bethlehem. Brong gets paid well to administer his "Waterworld." Taxpayers pay him $88,540 a year.

Well you pay for quality, right?

Er --

According to the Morning Call story from May 1, 2004 a Democrat Bethlehem City Councilwoman objected to the appointment because Dave had no experience with Water or Sewer systems.

None. Not a drop.

This can be a problem when you are hired to manage a City's Water and Sewer Resources.

The article mentions that ". . . Callahan paged through more than 30 resumes . . ." before deciding to hire his wife's uncle.

Instead of paging through them, maybe Mayor Callahan should have actually read those resumes. Then he would have found out that the guy he was hiring didn't know an outhouse from a steakhouse.

Or, possibly, Mayor Callahan did look through all those resumes and concluded afterwards that none of the other applicants were his wife's uncle?

Who knows?

In any event, what's the worse that we're talking about here -- a little nepotism?

Not really, no. You see, less than four months later, the City had to pump out $50,000 to a "water consultant" to help devise a strategic plan for the Water Authority. In other words, a consultant had to be hired to do the job Brong was hired to do that he wasn't qualified for. This is from the Morning Call, Sept. 24, 2004.

(Great side note: The guy Callahan threw $50,000 at was a fellow named Peter Wernsdorfer. Wernsdorfer is a Democrat political operative when he's not dowsing for water. Pete went out to get a cushy job as Director of Public Works for Ed Pawlowski. It really is a small world.)

Now, when Dave Brong was first hired it was for a paltry $72,000 a year. As noted earlier, taxpayers are now paying this Villani family member over $88,000 a year.

Not to throw a cloud in front of Mrs. Callahan's sunshine, but for her to say that her family hasn't received any breaks from the people of Bethlehem bothers me and I think bothers a lot of other people who know the score.

Anonymous said...

Many of us who don't always agree with you Bernie still take the time to read what you have to say. You recognizing Mrs Callahans speech was a fine example of your true character. I of course knew the negative nancies would say this and that about it, but it was a nice gesture.

And everone throwing out salary numbers for Brong take a look at the performance of his department since he took over, it's stellar. Even the hardest on council raves about how Dave runs that place. The salary is much less than his education and experiance would get in the open market. When you try to pull people down at least get your fact...

Seamous

Anonymous said...

"The salary is much less than his education and experiance would get in the open market. . ."

Well, by all means. Let's not hold him back. Mayor Callahan should fire him so he can go get those big high-paying jobs out there.

Headline: Faulty meter blamed for Bethlehem's missing-water woes ** The city has been unable to account for millions of gallons daily.

Morning Call, 11/23/2004

Headline: City seeks PUC nod to up water fees ** 15 percent increase would cost typical residential customer almost $40 more a year.

Quote: "The city has amassed so much debt over the years that it soaked up more than half of this year's water budget, which also shows a $2 million operating deficit. City officials say the water fund is unable to build up cash because the revenue has remained stable."

Morning Call 6/30/2005

Headline: Sewer plant worker sues Bethlehem over demotion ** Woman claims she was suspended after pointing out problems.

Morning Call 8/20/2005

Headline: Memo details discord at plant ** Bethlehem officials debate personnel clash at treatment facility.

Morning Call 2/8/2006

Headline: Alternate plan approved for water system ** Bethlehem council goes against advice of mayor, authority director.

NOTE: The Bethlehem City Council thinks so highly of Dave Brong they rejected a plan that Callahan's Administration was pushing for.

Morning Call 12/20/2006

Headline: Bethlehem mayor says department needed "new direction' ** He testifies he tried to "coach' former water, sewer chief before deciding not to reappoint her.

NOTE: The woman Callahan fired so that his wife's uncle could get get a job he wasn't qualified for sued the city. Approximately 4 years after the woman filed, the Human Relations Commission ruled in the City's favor.

Morning Call 3/15/2008

Headline: City seeks money for sewage plant **$72 million upgrade would provide capacity for 25 years.

NOTE: There's no way Callahan will ever be able to cut property taxes with this big bill coming due to fix the sewer plant.

Morning Call 2/4/2009

Anonymous said...

Hey Ohare, i see you still keep the kiss ass remarks but delete the remarks that show you for the hypocrite you are. That is the true measure of your character. Not a post from some guy who should throw you off the government Center roof.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Better men than you have tried.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who knows politics has heard that bullshit story of,"He could make so much more in the private sector". Really, why is he not doing it then? Oh that's right, public service.

Please the civilians may still buy that cup of warm crap but it is still just crap.

The guy lost a job and needed a new job. He had connections and got a job. Simple.

Actually, i have no problem with that. I have a problem with arseholes who still try to sell the old, "he could make more in the private sector", bullshit.

Anonymous said...

Well now we are name calling, nice. The point was he is not overpaid, and despite your cherry picked press quotes. The water department is being run excelent. As has been stated by independant parties and council.

Anonymous said...

Man, those press quotes and headings look like they were well-researched. I wonder if they came from camp Dent opposition research. It goes to figure that camp Dent would trash Callahan's wife and uncle. Charlie Dent's supporters are shameless.

Thank you to Mrs. Callahan for stopping by to say a few words. You are correct: the American Dream is amazing!

Anonymous said...

"Man, those press quotes and headings look like they were well-researched."

They sure did a good job showing that things aren't all peaches and cream at Water & Sewer.

Yeah, thanks for stopping by Mrs. Callahan. May I have a job too?

Anonymous said...

"Yeah, thanks for stopping by Mrs. Callahan. May I have a job too?"


wouldn't that conflict with your day job in the dent campaign?

Anonymous said...

"wouldn't that conflict with your day job in the dent campaign?"

Where do you find the time to write stuff like that? Shouldn't you be out helping bend city ordinances for Callahan donors?

Anonymous said...

"The water department is being run excelent. As has been stated by independant parties and council."

Jean Belinski constantly rings the Brong Gong when he has to answer to Council.

Schweder can't doesn't seem to think too much of him either.