tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post8653538044804863155..comments2024-03-28T02:08:47.403-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: A Few Words From John StoffaBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-9153564158807847352009-03-24T22:34:00.000-04:002009-03-24T22:34:00.000-04:00It clearly is related to P2P. A county vendor/camp...It clearly is related to P2P. A county vendor/campaign contributor was being soaked. Don't know how much more clear it can get, whether it is mail fraud or bribery.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13349579661056286312009-03-24T22:25:00.000-04:002009-03-24T22:25:00.000-04:00Thanks anonn6:56. The facts never slow doen an O'...Thanks anonn6:56. The facts never slow doen an O'Hater rant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-39553667107128879242009-03-24T06:56:00.000-04:002009-03-24T06:56:00.000-04:00"And it was not just income tax evasion. It was il..."And it was not just income tax evasion. It was illegal P2P"<BR/><BR/>actually, it was mail/wire fraud related to "theft of honest services." completely unrelated to P2P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-45339883241361445262009-03-24T00:40:00.000-04:002009-03-24T00:40:00.000-04:00I have to disagree with all of you. This race is ...I have to disagree with all of you. This race is all about Joe Long and his ability to run the party. I'm sure he's the one who had Charles Dertinger and Lamont McClure convince Ann to run. <BR/><BR/>It will be interesting to watch. From my vantage point (far away from Northampton County)there is only one issue worth debating; whoever winds up as Exec is going to have 4 years of hell - falling home values = significantly lower tax revenue. High unemployment = rapidly increasing and uncontrollable Human Services costs. Inflationary pressure will come to bear in the form of higher wage demands from unions. It is not going to be pretty when the tax increases come - and they WILL come.<BR/><BR/>Stoffa said he wants to finish what he started. That's fair. Ann will propose a new direction for the county - even though almost 60% of supervoters think the county is already moving in the right direction. Tough row to hoe.<BR/><BR/>I suggest you ask the candidates to be realistic and tell you how they plan to handle the train wreck the County is facing. That will tell you far more about who the new CE should be than anything else.<BR/><BR/>If Stoffa wins, Joe Long is finished - he will not be re-elected party chair in 2010.I'll say - watch for what Long puts out close to election day - especially if the polls are running the way I think they will. Joe Long's desperation, if it comes to that, will produce absolute slime during this cycle.<BR/><BR/>Or not. Maybe Joe is willing to step back and view this primary as a referendum on his leadership. If Ann is victorious, so be it. Joe will be party chair for life - and Northampton will head back to the dark ages.<BR/><BR/>If Stoffa wins, there will be a reorganization and revitalization of the county party. Maybe then you can toss out the ineffective incumbents, support the effective leaders for state and other local races - and fix your way out of the 30 years of bumpy road that started back with the Gipper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-35392587904902898572009-03-23T22:46:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:46:00.000-04:00No. It was so good I asked him to do it again and ...No. It was so good I asked him to do it again and agin. I'll delete the duplicates. Sorry.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26545509283808264732009-03-23T18:28:00.000-04:002009-03-23T18:28:00.000-04:00DemoThug posted three exact duplicate posts. Isn'...DemoThug posted three exact duplicate posts. Isn't that officially spam.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-71376436871756906152009-03-23T17:09:00.000-04:002009-03-23T17:09:00.000-04:00He also walks on water just ask BoonieHe also walks on water just ask BoonieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-22367930457798829442009-03-23T11:47:00.000-04:002009-03-23T11:47:00.000-04:00according to this analasis we don't need to to vot...according to this analasis we don't need to to vote, the fix is in stoffa already won.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91163770242610668132009-03-23T08:10:00.000-04:002009-03-23T08:10:00.000-04:00WRONG WRONG WRONG !!!!!! ANN MCHALE HAS ALREADY AS...WRONG WRONG WRONG !!!!!! ANN MCHALE HAS ALREADY ASKED FOR VOTES. WONDERFUL, GENIUNE, PERSON THERE. VERY BRIGHT, VERY WILING TO LISTEN,VERY EXICTED ABOUT HER CAMPAIGN AND DOING A GOOD JOB. I BELIEVE SHE WILL WIN.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-293716771601755852009-03-23T07:56:00.000-04:002009-03-23T07:56:00.000-04:00I iknow exactly why Solomon went to prison and so ...I iknow exactly why Solomon went to prison and so do you. He was soaking county vendors. <BR/><BR/>McHale's race to lose? If she acts cold and imperious she could lose? How the hell do you think she'll act? Do you think she'll be floating around the county in an umbrella like Mary Poppins? No, McHale is too damn regal to even ask people to vote for her. Of all the candidates, the Long Dems have picked a real doozy. They picked someone more comfortable sipping martinis at the country club than actually talking to ... ugh ... people. And if there's any dount, Stoffa just has to mention that McHale voted to raise county taxes 64% over 2 years. <BR/><BR/>Do you think the taxpayers give a shit that the HR Director is a big ol' meanie? They could care less about that. <BR/><BR/>They will know Stoffa. They won't know McHale. They will know Stoffa has not raised taxes except for thew one tax - open space - he promised when he ran for exec the first time. They will know there have been no scandals under Stoffa. They will know that Stoffa is a decent man. This race is over.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-69054908700716996882009-03-23T02:59:00.000-04:002009-03-23T02:59:00.000-04:00The latest poll does not show Stoffa with a comman...The latest poll does not show Stoffa with a commanding lead or any lead at all. They are fairly even Countywide with a slight advatage to McHale. In the Bethlehem area where 0ver 30% of the super Dem's live her numbers are far ahead of Stoffa.<BR/>It is her race to lose. Last time Stoffa won with the help of employee fear and anger. His actions and that of his HR Director lost him that edge. If McHale is slimed, runs a crap campaign, stays cold and imperious or lets the old Bethlehem crowd run her campaign she could lose. Frankly, I think Heckman would have given him a better run for his money but he decided not to run.<BR/><BR/>It is her race to lose. But Stoffa like the night walker he is, will return as the Republican candidate. The deal is already done.<BR/>By the way O'Hater, check the facts on why Mr. S went to prison, once again you are wrong. Nothing new there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28437730576165039972009-03-23T02:17:00.000-04:002009-03-23T02:17:00.000-04:00How about another scenario for you poli-detectives...How about another scenario for you poli-detectives...<BR/><BR/>What if McHale's poll shows Stoffa with a commanding lead? For the sake of argument, let's say 10 points. Then what?<BR/><BR/>In order to win, Ann would have to do a massive publicity job - robocalls, 2 mailers a week, a phone bank, television and radio advertising.<BR/><BR/>That would run her roughly 150-200K - those consultant's fees really add up - especially when one goes to air and screen.<BR/><BR/>Since there are no size limits on contributions for county races, Ann will be looking for angels - folks ready to plop down 10K or more for her campaign.<BR/><BR/>Or she could second-mortgage her home.<BR/><BR/>I think Ann knows that too many angels appearing on her campaign report will set off an attack from the Stoffa camp - reminding voters of whom she is truly "allegient" to. My point is, it will be almost impossible for Ann to raise that kind of money in the slightly less than 8 weeks remaining before the May 19th primary.<BR/><BR/>$150 an hour for 24 hours a day - 7 days a week - $3600 a day - everyday.<BR/><BR/>In this economic climate, I doubt she'd second-mortgage her home. It's not like this job pays $100K a year (although it should).<BR/><BR/>In the confines of such a scenario, how do you think Ms McHale should run her campaign?DemoThughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02304457148454129852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-56124514808339075262009-03-23T00:36:00.000-04:002009-03-23T00:36:00.000-04:00No one claimed he was a county employee at the tim...No one claimed he was a county employee at the time he was charged, although he did briefly work for the county. And it was not just income tax evasion. It was illegal P2P. But if you want to minimize this crime, be my guest. I prefer a government with reforms that prevent this from recurring. That's why Stoffa's message is a breath of fresh air to those of us interested in good government.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-81093396299682335692009-03-23T00:32:00.000-04:002009-03-23T00:32:00.000-04:00Hey O'Hater that political consultant worked for R...Hey O'Hater that political consultant worked for Reibman, Dertinger, Cunningham, Brennan, Rooney, Callahan, Boscola etc.<BR/><BR/>I donot believe he was working for the County when charged with the crime of income tax evasion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-81537556852003974202009-03-23T00:09:00.000-04:002009-03-23T00:09:00.000-04:00Two people involved in Northampton County contract...Two people involved in Northampton County contracting went to jail under Reibman. One of them is a political consultant who worked for Reibman and Dertinger. The other was an insurance agent. <BR/><BR/>We are in a culture of corruption that is so prevalaent it is not even noticed.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5552508783403115872009-03-22T14:41:00.000-04:002009-03-22T14:41:00.000-04:00Name one elected Northampton County official who w...Name one elected Northampton County official who went to prison. Name one cabinet member from Northampton County that went to prison.<BR/>Your mancrush bias for Stoffa is admirable, sick, but admirable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-19991392461698910472009-03-22T13:26:00.000-04:002009-03-22T13:26:00.000-04:00Lighthouse, I do not let one issue dictate my deci...Lighthouse, I do not let one issue dictate my decisions about whom I support. But I feel strongly that P2P is the root cause of many of the problems in government. Even if I support a candidate, I oppose P2P. I believe our whole system is crying out for reform and I do tend to view this as more black and white than most other issues. But your persepective is, as always, appreciated.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-83590241347265833922009-03-22T13:17:00.000-04:002009-03-22T13:17:00.000-04:00Looking at the campaign expense reports posted on ...Looking at the campaign expense reports posted on this site, I see that even Ron "the Bulldog" Angle has accepted campaign contributions, even though I assume that at least some of the carried over monies were self-funded (but clearly not all, since there was a $500 refund to Lou Pektor). You clearly hold him in high regard, based on this blog's past. I can not imagine you think Angle is P2P, let alone the others mentioned by Anon 10:26 like Freeman, Dally, Panella, and Samuelson. Do you?<BR/><BR/>Its a sunny day, so I am off to enjoy God's earth, but it goes back to my earlier comment. There is black and white, but many shades of gray in between.Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47784877022535934832009-03-22T12:25:00.000-04:002009-03-22T12:25:00.000-04:00I think Anon. 10:26 put it well. While I apprecia...I think Anon. 10:26 put it well. While I appreciate the passionate principle of your stance, Bernie, I think you are too Black and White on this issue....in your eyes candidates seem to be either all dirty P2P, or are purely self-funded candidates. Self-funded does not make one inherently more moral in governance. Neither does accepting contributions make one inherently a corrupt P2P. Think about the real world ramifications of this view. Basically you are saying only those who are rich (or go into self-debt) are "honorable" and "pure" enough to run. That leaves out an aweful lot of competent people who could (and DO) bring integrity to our government.Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-73190036085238212822009-03-22T11:54:00.000-04:002009-03-22T11:54:00.000-04:00Let me clear up things. i am opposed to ALL P2P, n...Let me clear up things. i am opposed to ALL P2P, no matter where it goes. Candidates should not have to waste their time fundraising, espectially from the people who will work or do business with them. It is an invitation to corruption. <BR/><BR/>Look at waht happened to Fuo. Look at the Veon indictment and the likely DeWeese indictment. Look at 2 Luzerne County judges behind bars and a prothonotary who will be joining them. In Northampton County, look at two operatives who went to Club Fed. In Philly, look at all the corruption indictments and jail sentences. <BR/><BR/>It is so frequent we no longer notice it. Someting HAS to be done about how we collect our money.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-40719441115348724372009-03-22T10:26:00.000-04:002009-03-22T10:26:00.000-04:00I am a bit insulted by your logic. Let us accept t...I am a bit insulted by your logic. Let us accept that your candidate Stoffa is an honest man for this discussion. You have cast a light of doubt on every other elected official in the region in an attempt to build respect for Stoffa. Are we to now believe that Freeman and Samuelson are P2P reps because they have accepted contributions from donors and the HDCC. How about Dally who has the largest war chest of any regional state Rep is he a P2P? How about Dent the most prolific fundraiser in the Lehigh Valley is he a Joe Long P2P?<BR/>Moreover this logic casts a dim light on someone like Panella who has collected serious money, will he be a P2P???<BR/>The truth is accepting campaign contributions is a part of the system until we have public campaign financing this will continue. <BR/>The officials mentioned above are no less moral, ethical or honest than Stoffa. <BR/>This seems to be a silly measure of honesty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-46857293144834368252009-03-22T00:36:00.000-04:002009-03-22T00:36:00.000-04:00Bingo! The Long Dems don't understand just how fed...Bingo! The Long Dems don't understand just how fed up people are with the usual politics, which consists of P2P and those anonymous smears. They will learn a hard lesson ... again. And in the meantime, Stoffa will concentrate on representing taxpayers, not aspecial interest groups. He won't be perfect. I won't agree with him on every issue. But he'll be honest, fair, open and accountable. The rest is bullshit.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-12166388530738326402009-03-21T23:52:00.000-04:002009-03-21T23:52:00.000-04:00It is already in the bag. Why do you think he is ...It is already in the bag. Why do you think he is so casual about this primary election election. Either way he will be there in the Fall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24525697474214873042009-03-21T21:19:00.000-04:002009-03-21T21:19:00.000-04:00sounds like you have crystal ball. time will tell....sounds like you have crystal ball. time will tell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-46812074669632322442009-03-21T21:04:00.000-04:002009-03-21T21:04:00.000-04:00"Mr. Stoffa will become the Republican nominee for..."Mr. Stoffa will become the Republican nominee for County Executive. Win or lose in the Spring he will be on the ballot in the fall. It is the word on the street and it is a pretty sound word stated by some reliable sources."<BR/><BR/>Dream on, wingnut,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com