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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, November 28, 2014

Easton Commuter Tax Challenge On Horizon

Panto and a political advisor
Last week, Easton City Council did what everyone knew they would do - increase the commuter tax. They know commuters can't vote them out of office. In fact, Mayor Sal Panto has betrayed more than a bit of disdain for anyone who lives in the 'burbs.

"If you want to live in the lily white beautiful suburban community, you have to do something to pay for that," he has said to nonresidents when this tax was first imposed, implying they are racists. "The county can continue to threaten to leave and I say 'Go ahead,'" he has taunted.

Panto must be a Cowboys' fan. His kind of arrogance begs for a law suit.

He's getting one. Actually, I think there will be at least two separate lawsuits filed. One may very well be filed today.

Instead of imposing commuter taxes on the people least able to pay it, Panto should be asking the County for a payment in lieu of taxes. Has the man who claims he hates commuter taxes tried? I happen to know funds are available, where they are, and that they could be awarded to Easton without costing County taxpayers a dime.

In spite of Panto, Easton is the County seat and does provide services. It is unable to tax the County's real estate. I think a deal can be reached. Several Council members are aware of this solution and seem supportive.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I guess his racist comment could be taken to mean that you have to pay for the police services needed to respond to all the drug dealers and gang members shooting each other in Easton, if you want to come to Easton and work there.

Better double up on coverage where all the immigrants park there cars and work.

Anonymous said...

Beware. The County is only a major zoning violator. It is only a few hundred parking spaces shy of city zoning requirements. Not to worry. Building a new parking deck will only cost millions. That's it - sue the city.

Anonymous said...

This should be an interesting case. I look forward to the legal arguments regarding the law. BTW, the county should have built a new parking deck. Trying to fix the old one turned into a fiasco.

Anonymous said...

We already knew he was a lying punk. Now, his racism comes out. What a hateful, disgraceful human being.

Anonymous said...

What an offensive comment from Sal. His back must certainly be to the wall on this issue for him to come out swinging like that. What is sad is that he presumes every person coming to Easton to work comes from a a "lily white suburb". I bet many people come from Wilson, West Easton, Freemansburg, Bethlehem, Stockertown and so on. Stay classy Sal, you are too good for this and the City needs you to be a bit better.

Anonymous said...

Is that John Clown, county executive next to him?

Anonymous said...

What happened to taxation without representation?

Anonymous said...

I wonder what his next move will be when he spends tens of thousands defending this tax, loses, and then has to pay the bill to the lawyer(s).

Not to worry, Sal. You have your parking meters. Double the rate and make parking payable 24/7.

Anonymous said...

keep socking it to the middle class Sal! Thank you Easton city council! Don't worry- the people that are being robbed will get their money back...

Anonymous said...

new city hall, new parking garage and now talk of a new police station but hit the commuters- your a winner Sal!

Anonymous said...

Sal puts more employees on pension thru a buyout but then says it's not his fault! It's the state!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"The County is only a major zoning violator. It is only a few hundred parking spaces shy of city zoning requirements. Not to worry. Building a new parking deck will only cost millions. That's it - sue the city."

Note the thuggish threat from the Panto faction. Panto is not the zoning hearing board. There is little doubt in my mind that you would fall flat on your face if you tried anything, and it would be obvious that you would be abusing planning and zoning laws because you didn't get your way. I had heard that Panto was vindictive to those who disagreed with him and now we have this statement. Hmm. My guess is that Easton, if it tried anything, would lose. I am also disturbed about the abuse of process being threatened here. There are laws against this sort of thing.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"What happened to taxation without representation? "

Although that is the argument that appeals to me, the courts have repeatedly rejected it, saying we get to elect someone, even if it is not the bastards sticking it to us. The argument that does appeal to courts is screwing commuters over the residents. You are supposed to screw them both.

Anonymous said...

Sal know she can't pull vote one outside of Easton so what does he care.

Oh, I forgot. he is the next County Execute. haha!!
You thought John Brown was a prick.

Anonymous said...

The employees will never allow Panto to become county exec. They won't forget this and it will motivate them and their families to get out the vote.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Panto's decision to impose a commuter tax in a distressed city is one thing. His threat to be vindictive, posted here anonymously by one of his supporters, is something I have heard from other critics who suddenly find their water is shut off. His remark about the lily white suburbs is racially divisive. I didn't hear him complain when he was getting paid by Strausser and Chrin to develop those suburbs he now derides.

Anonymous said...

He's hated in the lily white suburb of Forks. He couldn't get elected to pick up dog shit here.

Bill Coker said...

I was always under the impression Mayor was a full time job, hence the pay, benefits and pension. That being the case, how did he get away with working for Strausser and Chrin?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Bill, before Sal was elected Mayor, he worked for Chrin and then for Strausser. He did the development, recorded the plans, pitched the projects. He was quite good at it, too. But all along, it appears he had a dim view of the people who bought the lots he developed.

Anonymous said...

The majority of crimes committed in my municipality are by non-residents. Using Sal’s argument, should we be assessing a “Committers Tax” on non-resident , guilty of a crime to pay for protection and enforcement? We can classify it a “user fee”. At least the cost of a fine should cover the cost of enforcement and prosecution.

Anonymous said...

I am a Cowboys fan Bernie, I take offense to that. LOL

Bernie O'Hare said...

Heh heh