Sal Panto, Easton Mayoral Hopeful, Refuses Special Interest Money in Primary Race

Campaign finance reports have been filed by all three candidates seeking the Democratic and Republican nominations as Easton's next mayor. Only one of them relies heavily on special interests - Democrat Mike Fleck.

Republican Gary Bertsch, who's running unopposed, has the smallest warchest. Between February 13 and April 30, he collected $3,000, and spent only $38. His biggest contribution was $2,000 from New York TV reporter Chauncey Howell, who has deep Easton roots.

Sal Panto and Mike Fleck, duking it out for the Dem nod, have raised and spent much more money in this pre-primary reporting period of about three months. Panto has raised $7,365, and has spent $3,063. Fleck has raised slightly more money, $8,424, and has spent $7,300.

Much of Panto's money comes from twenty-two small contributions between $100 and $250. Some local Easton area businessmen have given him larger sums.

Here's the kicker - Panto claims no PAC contributions or large sums from lawyers or financial consultants eager to lay their hands on city coffers! I was so surprised I called Panto. He told me flat out he doesn't want any money from people who expect to get city business, at least not in the primary. And he was more proud of those small contributions than the larger contributions from local business owners. "I want to open the doors and get everybody involved."

Fleck's report is another story. Forget all that crap about moving Easton forward, and follow the money. Unlike Panto, Fleck lists just 11 small contributors, and many of these are just different members of the Melhem family. Fleck also has no qualms about taking money from outfits who might benefit from their little investment. He lists $2,750 in PAC money, and two big contributions from outfits definitely looking for something.

Michael Setley at Concord Public Finance kicked in $1,500 for Fleck. Setley has been involved in some very questionable swaption proposals, both in Bethlehem and Northampton County. One Concord swaption deal has just made Pennsylvania's third poorest city a lot poorer. Reading taxpayers lost $230,000 in a Concord swaption in January. Setley never returned a reporter's calls about that mess, but he must have taken Fleck's call.

Fox Rothschild LLP, a Philly law firm, sweetened Fleck's pot with another $1,000. The actual names of the attorneys making these contributions should have been listed, but let's be honest. Why do you think a Philadelphia law firm and financial consultant are making contributions to an Easton candidate? Could they be looking for something? A few bond deals? A swaption?

Interestingly, Fleck also paid himself $2,400 with all these contributions for miscellaneous expenses.

Between two Dems, one candidate refuses contributions from anyone who wants to do business with the city. Another takes dough from a swaption king with a very bad track record, as well as a Philly law firm that obviously wants something in return. If I knew nothing else about Fleck, I'd have to recommend Panto on that basis alone. But with what I've learned in recent days, a vote for him translates to a vote for special interests that will drive the nails into Easton's coffin and send it floating down the Delaware river.

Update: The Morning Call has a detailed and far more objective account of the spending reports.

Jeff Warren, Easton's Magnet for Special Interests

On Friday, I told you about expense reports filed by Easton's three mayoral hopefuls - Republican Gary Bertsch and Democrats Sal Panto and Mike Fleck. But there's a candidate in Easton who makes them look like pikers. He's Jeff Warren, and he's running for Easton city council.

Jeff, who currently serves as State Senator Lisa Boscola's chief legislative assistant, has been very responsive whenever I've had a question. When I first heard he was running for city council, I thought he'd be a shot in the arm. And his initiative to eliminate health care and pension benefits for city council members is long overdue for a financially distressed city.

But when I spoke to a long-time Easton observer about Jeff, she picked him to finish either last or second last of the Dem candidates. After paging through Warren's expense reports and finally listening to his interview at Easton Undressed, I hope she's right.

Warren's interview reveals he likes to use the words "plethora" and "proactive," but has the same answers for all of Easton's problems. Community police is one answer. The other is cutting healthcare and pension benefits for city council. He's unfamiliar with Act 47, the Municipal Financial Recovery Act, and was unable to name three blighted properties. But he wants to do all he can to help businesses relocate to Easton. After reading his campaign finance report, I know why.

Jeff raised $12,385 between the beginning of the year and the end of April. That's a lot more than mayoral candidates Fleck($8,424) or Panto($7,365). He picked up $3,300 from representatives of Ashley Development, and another $2,000 from other developers. He reports $4,450 in donations between $50 and $250, but only $300 of this sum actually comes from Easton residents. Outsiders and developers just don't give this kind of money unless they're looking for something.

Other Easton city council candidates have been much more grass roots oriented. Incumbent Ken Brown only raised $75. Peter Melan has raised $5,760, but $3,225 of that amount comes from small contributions of $50 or less.

I'm sorry, but a vote for Jeff is nothing more than a vote for the Pennsylvania Builders Association. His candidacy is a magnet for special interests.

Update: The Express Times has a thorough account of Warren's campaign warchest. Warren calls his report a testament to the support friends, family and colleagues have shown for him and his platform. Yep, Friends like Ashley Development must be very nice. But not so many Easton friends.