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Thursday, October 08, 2015

Willie Reynolds Doth Protest Too Much

Willie Reynolds
Willie Reynolds is the Bethlehem City Council President who chaired a supposedly public hearing on Tuesday night concerning the City's proposed rezoning of the 53-acre Martin Tower tract. At a night that was supposed to be for the public, Reynolds allowed Planning Director Darlene Heller to expound on the virtues of a proposed Mixed Use (more like Mixed Up) Ordinance for 2 hours and fifteen minutes. It was nearly three hours before the public, which in this case consisted of many Christmas City shopkeepers, were allowed to speak. For five minutes. He became very indignant when Hotel Bethlehem managing partner Bruce Haines suggested that he and Mike Recchiuti should recuse themselves in this matter because of the money they both received from Martin Towers developers Lew Ronca and Norton Herrick. He threatened to cut anyone off who dared raise the issue again, and attempted to minimized his own role in this matter. I have researched this matter and, if anything, Haines was too kind to Willie. While only he knows if there is any quid pro quo, there's enough of a stench from all the money that he and Recchiuti received to raise eyebrows. To avoid the appearance of impropriety, both should step down.

Just a little over a year ago, Council member Karen Dolan (she now calls herself K Dierdre Dolan) was forced to resign over conflicts of interest that were so blatant that they really were crimes. Before that happened, Bethlehem watchdog Steve Antalics peppered Council members at meeting after meeting with the latest revelations about her abuse of office. Council always responded with stony silence.

But Reynolds dropped that act on Tuesday night when his own ethics were called into question. He eventually cut Haines off, refused to let him respond and launched a bizarre diatribe that included an attack on Mayor Bob Donchez, coupled with a demand that Donchez defend him. He threatened that he would stop any additional speaker who dares to question his integrity "because we all love Bethlehem." He also tried to minimize his own role, noting that the City, and not he, proposed a new zoning ordinance.

Reynolds is full of shit. Campaign contributions from developers Ronca and Herrick came on February 13, February 26 and May 18. They did not magically appear out of thin air. Norton Herrick did not give him $2,000 to ride one of his thoroughbreds. A review of Reynolds' campaign finance makes very clear that 24% of the money he raised came from the Martin Tower developers or the unions who will be doing the work at the site because a CRIZ project requires prevailing wage. In Michael Recchiuti's case, it's even more, at 29% of his total funding.

For those of you wondering why the sole supporter of this Mixed Up ordinance is a Bethlehem Democratic official, now you know.

As for Reynolds's claim that he had little to do with this ordinance, the July 9 minutes of the Planning Commission tell a different story. He was there to promote the developers, earning the legal bribe he was paid. He slammed planners for being "nit-picky" about little things like a third downtown, and said the City needs to find ways to say "Yes." He slammed Mayor Donchez and DCED Director Alicia Karner for not being at the meeting to push for the zoning changes, even though Planning Director Darlene Heller told him she had never seen a Mayor or DCED Director interfere with the Planning Commission, as Reynolds was doing.

Now there's no proof that Reynolds accept $7,500 in exchange for his support of the Martin Tower project. If that kind of proof existed, he'd be in jail. But it was a legal bribe. Though he can't be compelled to recuse himself, he and Mike Recchiuti really should step aside and others untainted by special interests make this call.

On Tuesday night, economist Bill Sheier suggested that this ordinance really should be voted on by the Council coming into power in January, with three new members. Two of the current members of Council are appointees and were not the choice of the people.

Of the three new Council members, Shawn Martell received 13% of his total contributions from Martin Tower developers. He should recuse himself as well. Michael Colon and Olga Negron accepted no donations from these special interests, and would at least make a decision that is their decision, and not the command of some billionaire.

Below is my research. Unlike many of my readers, I generally like Willie and do think he means well and usually handles himself very well. But not on Tuesday.

Willie Reynolds
Pre-Primary 
$1,000 from Lewis Ronca on 2/26/15
$2,000 from Norton Herrick on 2/13
$500 Laborers Local 1174 on 2/4
$1,000 Internat'l Union Operating Engineers on 2/4
$1,000 from IUPAT District 21 on 2/9
$1,000 from IBEW Local 375 on 2/12
$1,000 from Carpenters PAC on 4/26
Total Raised - $33,650
Post-Primary
$1,000 from Lewis Ronca on 5/18/15
Total Raised - $2,270
Total Raised Pre and Post Primary - 35,920
Percentage of donations from Martin Tower Beneficiaries =  24%

Michael Recchiuti
Pre-Primary
$1,000 from Lewis Ronca on 2/26/15
$2,000 from Norton Herrick on 2/26
$500 from IUPAT District 21 on 2/11
$500 from  Internat'l Union Operating Engineers on 4/27
$500 from Carpenters PAC on 4/30
Total Raised - $16,995
Post-Primary
$1,000 from Lewis Ronca on 5/18/15
Total Raised - $2,275
Total Raised Pre and Post Primary - $19,270
Percentage of donations from Martin Tower Beneficiaries - 29% 

Shawn Martell
Pre-Primary 
$500 from Lewis Ronca on 4/20
$1,500 from Norton Herrick on 4/24
Total Raised - $14,883.35
Post-Primary
Total Raised - $700
Total Raised Pre and Post Primary - $15,583.35
Percentage of donations from Martin Tower Beneficiaries - 13%

Michael Colon
Pre-Primary
Total Raised - $5,390
Post-Primary 
Total Raised - $0
Percentage of donations from Martin Tower beneficiaries - 0%

Olga Negron
Pre-Primary
Total Raised - $6,770
Post-Primary
Total Raised - $825
Percentage of donations from Martin Tower beneficiaries - 0%

44 comments:

Doc Rock said...

At least Willie is playing a Martin!

Bernie O'Hare said...

There is that!

Anonymous said...

Willie plays as well as he governs. He and Reccutti are just remnants of the Callahan klan approved and supported city council. The rubber stamps that were put into place.

You know full well Bernie they are the "young blood" that Bethlehem wants. Wasn't it this body who stated that they didn't want any old white guys on city council.

Anonymous said...

He needs the money. How else can he keep that hot girlfriend he bragged about sleeping next to?

Anonymous said...

Willie loves Bethlehem.
We all love Bethlehem.

Anonymous said...

This just proves you can do anything you want to with statistics.

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
Are the unions completely clean with the allentown fiasco? I ask because I see them donating to Palowski and now are all over these 2 reports..

Anonymous said...

prevailing wage does not equal union. let's unions compete, but plenty of nonunion firms do PW work.

Anonymous said...

Willie doesn't have that hot girlfriend anymore as he now fly's a colorful flag and will come out in due time.

Anonymous said...

What a dirty lying little crook. It's time to investigate this piece of snake shit.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
prevailing wage does not equal union. let's unions compete, but plenty of nonunion firms do PW work.

Unless there is a PLA in place.

Anonymous said...

Well written Bernie. HOWEVER, INVESTIGATE WHAT BRUCE HAINES DID FOR OLGA NEGRON AND MICHAEL COLON. HOSTED AND PAID FOR A CELEBRATION EVENT THE NIGHT OF THE ELECTION.
Everyone has their hand out, just in different ways.

Maggie Mae Mason said...

Did donchez get any money from anyone who might do business with the city during his council time or his last election? Does his 19 years on council count towards his pension? What medical care did he use during those 19 years and what is he currently using?

Anonymous said...

The real estate influence is like a cancer here. I think the line has been crossed for so long that many don't see the problem.

It's spread to everywhere where there is an advantage to be obtained. Allentown is the first to be exposed with the NIZ and Ed but Bethlehem and Easton are no better. I don't know if Reynolds is a bright guy or not but the only way he could have outed himself as bought and paid for to a more obvious extent was to wear a sign that said it. Easton is the home of goodies for Mulligan.

I attended the planning awards hosted by the county planning commission last week. This event was paid for by sponsors that showed up on the FBI list in Allentown and you have sponsors who won awards and had projects reviewed by the same planning commission. I sat there and felt like the whole event was an incredible conflict of interest.

You start to get the sense that all of government is bought and paid for around here and it's just hiding right out in the open.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Did donchez get any money from anyone who might do business with the city during his council time or his last election? Does his 19 years on council count towards his pension? What medical care did he use during those 19 years and what is he currently using?"

Bob took in plenty of money from vendors, contractors and lawyers over the years. They all do. My problem with Willie is that so much of his campaign fund was filled by the special interests who will benefit from a Martin Tower rezoning. I did not see that with the Mayor. Once you are approaching even 10% of your total from specific group, I don't think you can be fair. Reynolds proved that by the way he inserted himself at the Planning Commission, the way he ran the meeting on Tuesday and with his feigned outrage. He needs to recuse himself, and if he refuses, voters should be reminded next time he runs for anything. I like Willie and am not his enemy, but this is a matter of good government. He should try to limit the influence of special interests as Jeanette did in Allentown. Perhaps one of the newcomers will do so as he seems not to be very reform-minded.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"prevailing wage does not equal union. let's unions compete, but plenty of nonunion firms do PW work."

In the LV, prevailing wage means union. And I have no problem with that. i think these workers are entitled to a fair wage and work hard.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Well written Bernie. HOWEVER, INVESTIGATE WHAT BRUCE HAINES DID FOR OLGA NEGRON AND MICHAEL COLON. HOSTED AND PAID FOR A CELEBRATION EVENT THE NIGHT OF THE ELECTION.
Everyone has their hand out, just in different ways."


I will. The sword cuts both ways.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Are the unions completely clean with the allentown fiasco? I ask because I see them donating to Palowski and now are all over these 2 reports.. "

The unions were screwed over by Fleck, to be sure. But yes, they have a big interest in getting construction jobs inside the NIZ or at Martin Tower.

Anonymous said...

I see Colon took money from Bruce Haines. I guess we know where he stands. But the report led to the question does Bruce Haines live in Florida? He acts like he is Mr. Bethlehem. I wonder why he lives in Florida. No income tax?? Where does he vote?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yesterday, tge Willie haters were slamming Schweder. Today, it is Bruce Haines and Colon.

Anonymous said...

Olga Negron. There's Cracker-Jack statesman on the rise.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't say hating on Bruce Haines and Colon, just trying to point out that no one is unbiased here, as 8:07 was trying to point out. There have been exchanges of value between council members and future council members and the parties involved in this debate, so to say Colon and Negron can vote on this zoning change without influence is false.

Anonymous said...

"In the LV, prevailing wage means union. And I have no problem with that. i think these workers are entitled to a fair wage and work hard."

What a load of shit. They're receiving a competitive advantage that an overwhelming majority of workers who do not belong to unions, don't. Non-union workers work hard as well for a wage that's fairly determined by the market; not by paid off politicians like slimy little Willie and cellmate Pawlowski and their dirty money contributors. It leads to exactly the kind of pay-to-play that you've been railing against. Your feigned pay-to-play ire has its limits, apparently.

Anonymous said...

I think it's safe to say Donchez and members of Council (Past, Current and Future Newly Elected) all have financial ties to many of the developers and the people who are fighting the development. Unfortunately with the Supreme Courts Decision on Citizens United it is all legal. Developers, big and small business owners are allowed to give financial contributions to people running for office. It's the system we have. And it's perfectly legal. All of the business owners who are fighting this new zoning have all participated in the same financial contribution system in many of the past City Elections and have never questioned "the process or legality of it" because they have ALL BENEFITTED from it in the past. The past mayors and city councils have all been pushed and "financially persuaded thru political donations to spend millions on Main St....literally literally millions (including a million dollar Moravian Star in the middle of the road) to make it more attractive for the business owners down there. I was just down there for lunch today and to my amazement the Main St. was just newly paved. Our roads on the West side are cracked, pot holes all over the place and haven't been paved in thirty years (NOT KIDDING)
Now something is finally happening for the West Side and the pompous Main St. owners are crying again. It's not always about Historic Bethlehem. Great place to visit and have dinner but there are other areas and other taxpayers in the City of Bethlehem.
Develop Martin Tower and let our side of town improve also. Our tax dollars are just as valuable to us as to the Historic area.
We DO NOT want more homes and residential development. For once, the Mayor and City Council should help our home values increase. Rip the eye sore down and put in some nice shops.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"HOWEVER, INVESTIGATE WHAT BRUCE HAINES DID FOR OLGA NEGRON AND MICHAEL COLON. HOSTED AND PAID FOR A CELEBRATION EVENT THE NIGHT OF THE ELECTION"

Your statement appears to be untruer. I have carefully reviewd the finance reports of both candidates and see no expenditures to or contriibutions from Hotel Bethlehem for an election night party. Indeed, the reports seem to indicate that Olgas Negron had an election night party at the PR club. Looks like she bought ballooons and everyone paid their own way.

It is true that Bruce Haines gave Colon $100. That amounts to 1.8% of his total and thus is statistically much different than 24% or 29%.

I have no problem with modest contributions in spoort of a candidate. Shit, I contribute myself. But I do have a problem with crony capitalism. When a candidate lets someone who wants something give him 24% or 29% of his fundraising total, it's hard for me to conclude that it's all about good government.

Bethlehem could use fundraisng limits.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Unfortunately with the Supreme Courts Decision on Citizens United it is all legal.">

It would also be legal and completely consistent with Citizens United to impose fundraising limits. It would also be consistent with good government.

Bernie O'Hare said...

2:18, I believe people deserve an honest day's pay and a living wage, not slave labor. This post is about the Martin Tower proposal, not your disdain for unions or me.

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
You are right, this post is about the Martin Tower site. Let the residents of Bethlehem decide what they want. Not the people who live outside of it. It's our City. Sitting back and letting Allentown steal business from Bethlehem and Easton isn't good business. We have to adapt to today and so do the businesses on Main St. To bad we can't put it up for a referendum. I think the large majority of Bethlehem residents and taxpayers would overwhelming vote to rip it down and put in a nice life style center.

Bernie O'Hare said...

2:55, Do you support allowing the Citry to pick winners and losers bc that is what will happen if large scale retail goes in there. The businesses on Main Street and on the south side all said they welcome competition, but not publicly subsidized competition. People in Bethlehem talk to each other better than in most communities, so I suspect you willo work it out.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Olga Negron. There's Cracker-Jack statesman on the rise."

That's what happens in a democratic form of government. The people decide, and not the boys in the back room.

Anonymous said...

11:26 AM - love your comment about why he lives in Florida .

one reason is bc of no income tax? what's wrong with that. if a person has the means to move ,and can pick a state any where in the county, why move to a state with high income tax. DUH a state with no income tax , great weather and beaches. may I be so bold to ask , what is wrong with that?

Next time you pay your taxes, throw a couple grand more on the bill for the state.

my guess is you and 99.9 % of the people in this state never ever gave more than they had to .

that's the best you have in terms of attacking this guy? That is it and 100 dollar donation to Negron .according to BOH, she used the cash to buy balloons and everyone paid their way into the party.

lol- nice reach my friend. Remember the can of worms ...

Anonymous said...

There was a time when people had a stronger emotional connection to the Martin Tower. However, the public mourning period for The Steel is now past, and demolition should be an option. However, I am very concerned that the current owners will just develop the open land and the land with buildings that are cheap to demolish, subdivide off the tower into a different corporate owner, and let the tower rot for years, and then walk away.

In return for a zoning change, the developers should have to do something with the tower soon - either start to rehab it or put some money into at least the interior demolition process.

Anonymous said...

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2011/12/state_grant_money_approved_for.html

There is a $8 million state grant for the Martin Tower redevelopment that was approved in 2011. I don't know when it expires. I believe the Governor has discretion, and can cancel one of these grants if the project hasn't moved forward or if the developer proposes to use it for a purpose for which it was not intended.

Hopefully, this money will only be available if Martin Tower is reused, and not to subsidize the construction of retailers that would compete with the Downtown. I believe the only practical use of the vast bulk of the Martin Tower would be residential.

Anonymous said...

Just for the record, Bruce Haines did not contribute anything to Olga Negron nor did she celebrate her victory at the hotel. Michael and his family celebrated their victory in the Tap Room watching TV just like every other customer that night. Mr Haines made a modest $100 donation to his campaign way back in February. They met each other as regular attendees at City Council Meetings watching the fiasco that takes place twice a month.

Anonymous said...

Incidently, Bruce Haines isn't asking the City for a zoning change that would more than double or triple the value of his property----nor is Michael Colon voting on the issue!! Hard to believe people can't see the difference of a huge donation ($4000 vs $100) to the 2 top leaders of City Council from a developer that wants his property rezoned vs a modest donation to a longshot future city councilman from a citizen asking for nothing?? Wonderful how he beat Rechuitti with significantly less campaign funding. 88% of Rechuitti campaign funds came from people donating more than the new $250 limit of Allentown and most were developers or union--many of the same names on the Reynolds list who had 64% from over $250 donors!!

I doubt if Michael Colon had anyone contribute over $250 except maybe his family--good governance perhaps lies ahead with Colon beating Rechuitti and Negron also untainted.

Incidently, do Mr.Reynolds and Mr. Donchez think the public just dropped off the back of a turnip truck in going out of their way to try to convince us that the developer wasn't pushing for this zoning change?? So the Developer who is going to double or triple the value of his property by virtue of this zoning change had nothing to do with trying to influence Donchez to make it happen--really!!! Do you really think Darlene Heller came up with this great idea when she doesn't even know how much retail is allowed with current zoning--claiming 425,000SF when it is only 50,000SF??

Anonymous said...

All this attention on Martin Tower is diverting the real news out of Bethlehem where a 67 year old woman was arrested on Daly Ave for shaking a city parks tree and collecting the fallen fruit.

Or, a female was arrested for DUI after arriving for work at the Sands Casino while intoxicated.
Time was 1:48am. God I miss those all nighters!

Anonymous said...

@9:43PM Try posting something on topic. Nobody cares about your rants or all nighters.

This article is about the Martin Tower. If you're bored, go elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

Develop the property and tear down the tower. Main St. is Main St. $9-12 drinks and expensive shops. The Westgate Mall is a mess and no amount of money to upgrade it will help. It's lay out is from the 1960's. Build something nice with alot of options at the Tower site that offers middle class family's on the West Side a better option than a trip over the mountain to the Promenade, a death defying trip into Allentown or settling for the Westgate Strip Mall.

Anonymous said...

Olga Negron......Bethlehem's Cynthia Mota.
Leadership for the future.

Bernie O'Hare said...

What a mean-spirited remark bu someone who is obviously bigoted!

I did not care for Olga before the election, said so and sign my name to my posts. I do not care for the way she handled herself on the planning commission. But she decided against taking money from developers (although she let pawlowski give to her). She ended up winning very big.

In addition to being a bigot, you also sound jealous.

Anonymous said...

Let all just watch Ms. Negron's performance and see what she brings to the table.
That should be interesting.

Anonymous said...

Willie is a great man and a pioneer.����❤️

Anonymous said...

None of this would have happened if Jim Gregory would have been around. Jim was known as the Godfather of Bethlehem politics. He ran the city government for years. he was instrumental in who got elected and who did not. His Unity-Pac would have made all the difference not only in the city but the county.

Hopefully upon his return he can clean up the current mess and restore order to the Christmas City.

Anonymous said...

No question the Mediterranean manslab is missed. The bronzed god of Bethlehem politics had his hand on the pulse of the city. He and his Unity-Pac picked the winners and losers.

God only knows what the human tripod could have accomplished if he was still here. Soon he will finish his state gig and be back. He has been honing his physique into bronzed steel and his mind is sharper than ever. Hopefully it is not to late for him to work his smoky charm and Mensa shrewdness into a winning formula for Bethlehem.