Nazareth Follows Bethlehem With Dog Park: Is Allentown Next?

Bethlehem may be the only LV municipality with its very own dog park, but that's about to change. During a brief meeting last night, Nazareth Borough Council decided to go to the dogs, too, unanimously approving $5,385 to erect a fence for a dog park in the borough park. It did so without discussion. It even approved another $19,000 for a "mini pipe," whatever that is, at the skate park.

The funds for both dog and skate parks come from impact fees assessed to developers, not taxes. This must be spent on recreation or returned to the developer. None of it may be spent to maintain existing recreation, even a sports league.

At last night's soiree, only council member Bill Matz was absent. Fourteen residents were in the peanut gallery, a larger attendance than at many county council meetings. Express Times veteran reporter Tony Nauroth chronicled the event, but The Morning Call sent no one to cover the meeting, providing proof of its continuing decline.

I sat in the back with the babes.

Allentown is considering a "bark park" too, but residents are foaming at the mouth at the notion. The ever so gentle MC reader forum includes sensitive comments like this: "Provide for your own dog AND provide for your own poor children. The taxpayer has run out of money."

Just about every municipality in the entire world already has cat houses, so what's wrong with a dog park? Is it decadent? Can't we just walk our damn dogs with this invention called the "leash?" That's what I used to think until I visited Bethlehem's dog park. It was a great experience for me, my grandson and a little dog.

A park socializes dogs. In fact, it socializes the people who accompany those dogs. It's a meeting place, something any town can use. It's also a great learning experience for kids. My grandson was actually afraid of dogs. But now, he's met greyhounds and whippets, and sees firsthand why they are rated the fastest dogs in the world. He's watched lumbering English mastiffs, the world's largest dogs, and chihuahuas, the world's smallest. He can tell you about an intelligent German Shepherd named Max, who can leap the fence at will. He's watched a gigantic Bernese Mountain Dog playing gently with a three pound jack-a-poo pup. The real police dogs? Basset hounds , who perpetually patrol and bark at dogs who step out of line.

Nazareth people are cheap and would never agree to use tax money to fund a dog park. I have no idea whether Allentown has identified a funding source, but that seems to be the most important question.

Nazareth's dog park will be operational by Fall.

Who Let the Dogs Out? Bethlehem's Dog Park

Bethlehem proudly proclaims its 72,000 residents have a "rich colonial and industrial history." George Washington actually did sleep there. The Christmas City is home to the oldest Bach choir in America. Its August Musikfest draws a million visitors every year. And Bethlehem's Liberty Hurricanes are district football champs for two years straight. But what really sets Bethlehem apart, at least in my view, is that it is the only municipality in the Lehigh Valley with its very own dog park. I spent several days there during the Thanksgiving holiday. It's a real treat for both canines and their human companions.

I'll be honest. The very notion of a dog park initially struck me as decadent - just another sign that we're going to the dogs. Why can't people just walk their frickin' dogs? What's next? A cat park? Hamster playground? Well, as is the case with so many other things, I was completely wrong. I pretty much spent the weekend there. It was both more fun and a lot cheaper than a day trip to Philly or NYC, although I am scratching myself a lot.

What you do is walk inside the damn enclosure, pretend you're from Bethlehem by doing a chicken dance or something, take your dog off the leash, and watch her romp. She's a completely different animal than the one who yanks at your leash. Most dogs are completely social. They run, jump, play bite, growl, dump, growl again, run around some more, dump again, and generally have a good time. I swear they're smiling. In addition to the dog, I also let a seven year old boy off his leash, but he had to clean up his own dumps. I had as much trouble extracting him from the park as I did with the dog.

Over the past three days, he met greyhounds and whippets, and saw firsthand why they are rated the fastest dogs in the world. Man, do they fly! He saw everything from lumbering English mastiffs, the world's largest dogs, to chihuahuas, the world's smallest. He can tell you about an intelligent German Shepherd who stole his sandwich as he was walking towards the park, a gigantic Bernese Mountain Dog who played gently with a three pound jack-a-poo pup, and basset hounds , who perpetually patrolled to bark at dogs stepping out of line.

What also amazes is just how damn nice people can be. I've wasted years running bike paths throughout the Lehigh Valley, especially along Sand Island and in Palmer Township. Most people just don't want to say hi when they're out for a walk or run, even with their dogs. But at the dog park, people actually spoke to me, even though I now have ridiculous gashes on my forehead and nose. Maybe they thought I was one of the dogs. I did get a milkbone.

A few people came with no dogs at all. They liked being around those rolling fur balls.

Obviously, a little puppy or sick dog would not do well in a dog park, and you have to keep an eye on your pet at all times. It's basic common sense. One fellow decided to test whether the Doberman he picked up at a shelter three days earlier was social by bringing him to the dog park. Guess what? He wasn't. I would suggest checking out the park for a few minutes to make sure there are no problems and to leave if a dog or its owner starts acting strangely. Must be why I ended up alone.

There are only 29 dog parks in Pennsylvania, but the Lehigh Valley may soon have its second canine playground. Nazareth approved the concept back in July.

At Least Allentown's Dogs Get $2,500

Allentown residents are seeing their annual water bill soar by 107%, thanks to the City's misguided decision to lease its water and sewer systems. Now property owners are facing a 27% tax hike in 2019 as well. But there's good news if you're a dog. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has donated $2,500 for the Dixon Street Dog Park.

Of course, if you want to use the dog park, your human must register in person at the Parks and Recreation Office at 3000 Parkway Blvd Allentown PA 18104 Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Proof of residency via photo ID, proof of valid dog licenses and vaccinations and completed application are required in order to receive a dog park key fob.

Construction on the dog park, which cost $125,000, was paid for by grants from the Friends of the Allentown Parks and the Pet Safe's Bark for Your Park program, as well as about $90,000 from Allentown.

A dog park in Nazareth cost $0. Another in Easton cost $12,000,of which $5,000 was donated.

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan Goes to the Dogs

I've heard the ladies are always throwing themselves at Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. And now I know it's true. I saw it myself on Saturday. He was just standing there, yet all these females were still jumping on him, licking him and even smelling his butt.

Mayor John was at Bethlehem's busy dog park, which was packed in spite of the cold weather. My grandson's maniac dog, Suki, forced us to take her there. She's a Jack Russell-poodle mix, and is one of the tramps who threw herself, literally, at Callahan. She's officially called a Jackapoo, but is really just a mutt.

Don't tell her that. Her personality is 110% Jack Russell. She's only ten pounds, but seems to think she's a Bull Mastiff or Great Dane, and loves chasing big dogs or stealing their balls and then running off, even though any one of them could swallow her whole. At Lehigh, she once broke off my leash, dashed into the middle of a lacrosse game, and stole the ball. She leaped across a small stream as players and refs yelled and chased after her. At Jacobsburg, this ten pound furball has gone after three deer, and nearly caught them, too! Last summer, it took me two hours to get her out of a ground hog's hole. She's no foo-foo dog. She's the Captain Danger of designer dogs, and Saturday was no exception.

I was a little surprised to see Bethlehem's mayor go to the dogs. No trumpets announced his presence, dogs can't vote, and for at least forty minutes, no one seemed to know him. I think he enjoyed being just another dog owner.

Until Saturday, I'd only seen him in formal settings. In the dog park, he was quiet and unassuming, yet very congenial to those who spoke with him. He was even nice to me. He seems to know quite a few dogs, including Suki, by name. I listened as he described a few nearby swimming holes to one lady with a black lab. He commiserated with others who were complaining about the cold. And Suki, slut that she is, would have left with him.

He must be a regular. He knows all about Max, a German Shepherd who always enters the dog park by leaping over its six foot fence. As much as the ladies like Callahan, they like Max a little more.

When he found out I was actually a trespasser from Nazareth, he had some good questions about our skatepark. I won't quote him because he had no idea he was talking to that crazy blogger and I wasn't taking notes. But skating enthusiasts would like what he said. He told me Bethlehem is working on one, too. I told him we're working on a dogpark, too.

Eventually, someone blew the mayor's cover. It was kind of sad, really. I think he enjoyed being able to be himself for a few minutes. Those dogs don't know he's the mayor, and they like him anyway.

Should Dogs Be Allowed in Township Parks?

Jim Cieslak displays one of his empty poop bags

Should dogs be allowed in municipal parks? According to The American Humane Association, there are 70-78 million dogs in the United States. Fifty-six per cent of them are obese. But Bethlehem Township Commissioners are unwilling to relax their ban. In April, Karen Berry argued without success that dogs should be allowed at Housenick Park. At the Board's May 5 meeting, Jim Cieslak failed, too. He asked for some leeway on walking dogs through the community park.

"How can I walk my dog from Pheasant Court to the industrial park without going through the Township park?" he asked, noting that he walks along the treeline and away from athletic fields. He's received several warnings from police officers over the years, although he's never been cited.

"We can't tell police not to stop you," responded President Martin Zawarski. Commissioner Michael Hudak suggested that Cieslak walk his dog at St. Luke's Hospital, which is where he sometimes walks his.

"I'm a responsible dog owner," stated Cieslak, producing one of the blue poop bags he carries with him at all times for his pit bull mix Jaxson. "He's the most friendly dog you'd ever want to meet," Cieslak assured everyone.

Though Commissioners were unsympathetic, Cieslak pledged to continue.

"I'm going to walk my dog," he insisted, in an act of both civil and canine disobedience.

Police Chief Dan Pancoast, who also attended the meeting, said later that the last thing any officer wants to do is to cite a dog owner. Cieslak himself conceded that the same officer has given him a warning twice instead of citing him.

Commissioners are just getting used to the idea of people in parks, so I think they need more time. When these issues arise, I think back to my childhood. We used to spend our Summers at the Jersey shore. We had a big German Shepherd named Duke. My father, bastard that he was, used to walk the dog along the beach every morning in clear violation of numerous signs banning them from the beach. The Bishop had a gigantic house at he beach, too, right next to the beach, and early one morning, spotted my Dad breaking the law.

"Sir, sir, you're not allowed to walk your dog on the beach," he called out.

"Ahhh, go tend your flock!" my father replied.

Return of the Anti-Soccer Moms

Paul Weiss discusses park use

In October, it was eleven year-old girls, and they were bad enough. Now, it's something far more sinister and dangerous - ten year-old boys.

Residents of Bethlehem Estates, one of Bethlehem Township's swankier neighborhoods, resent the use of a 6.59-acre park nestled at the end of Anthony Court for kids's soccer. In October, it was the girls, playing games every Saturday with Lehigh Valley Magic. Commissioner Tom Nolan agreed at the time that the weekly traffic "does saturate that little area."

Township Manager Howard Kutzler said the girls would only be there for one season.

Now, the FC Falcons' 10 year-old boys use this pocket park for soccer practice. Many of them are Township residents. To eliminate traffic and  noise concerns. no scrimmages or games are permitted. But this is still too much for residents like Douglas Drive's Ronald Meldrum.

At their April 2 meeting, Meldrum told Commissioners that practices are "noisy" and make it difficult for him to take a nap. What bothers him most is that the people using the field "are not from my neighborhood."

Anthony Drive resident John Murphy reminded Commissioners that his is a wealthier neighborhood. "Do you guys have any idea how much taxes we pay in that community there?" he asked. "I guarantee that, with five houses, we're talking $60,000 a year."

Murphy called the park an "aggravation" that will lower property values.

"That park was there when you bought the property, wasn't it?" asked Commissioner Michael Hudak.

"You should not have a park in a residential community," sidestepped Murphy.

Kathy Vaught's home burglarized

Kathy Vaught, whose home is located close to the park, was before Commissioners last October, too, about the girls. At that time, she said she never would have invested $700,000 for a home next to a soccer field. "I'm not anti-Soccer mom," she assured everyone, but claimed Commissioners promised her in 2005 that the park would never be leased and would be for her community.

"Are you that big of an idiot that I didn't think what it would be? I came here," she told the Board.

After the October meeting, when Vaught first went public with her concerns, her home was egged. Then it was burglarized and there are now car break-ins as well. None of this ever happened before soccer was being played at the park, Vaught declared. She urged Commissioners to restrict park use to her community, make it a kiddie park with swings and playground equipment, or at least give her the option of leasing it herself to prevent its use by other communities.

She also complained her dog barks the entire two hours of every practice.

"That's not just for your community. That's for the entire Township to use," Hudak told Vaught. "All parks are open to every taxpayer in the Township. ... You're welcome at any park in the Township. No one can kick you out."

But Vaught attempted to kick some older teens out of the park herself, she told Commissioners. She called them "punks" from another community, there to deal drugs or exchange alcohol.

"Did you call the police? asked President Paul Weiss.

"Sir, I'm not the park police," answered Vaught, getting angry.

"I think we're done with this conversation," stated Weiss. "I don't think we're done with the conversation," replied Vaught, as she returned to her seat.

Barry Roth: lawnmowers louder than the kids

Manager Howard Kutzler and President Paul Weiss both stated that they asked Township police to review statistics, and no crime data demonstrate any increase in crime with the use of the park by a youth club soccer team. Kutzler also mentioned that Commissioners had received a petition supporting the soccer program, but George Vaught claimed nobody had "validated" the signatures.

Barry Roth, who chairs the Township's Parks and recreation Board, told Commissioners he's been to a few practices, and the lawnmowers are louder than the boys. "Organized sports do not draw kids that are gonna' come back to rob anybody," Roth stated. "These kids are more worried about keeping their school grades up, learning what they need to learn, and making something out of themselves."

After the meeting was over, Kutzler stated, "We will not have a litmus test as to who can use our parks." Commissioner Martin Zawarski agreed, stating the parks should be open to every Township resident.

NorCo Council Approves $6 MM Food Service Contract at Jail

Corrections Director Dan Keen

In a unanimous vote during their May 18 meeting, Northampton County Council approved a new, $6 million food service contract at the jail with GD Correctional Services. The contract is for a period of three years, with two one-year extensions. GD, the food service at nine other penal institutions, was selected as the low bidder among four firms submitting proposals.

Though $6 million is a lot of money, Corrections Director Dan Keen told Council that it comes down to $1.30 per meal per inmate. That's less money than the $1.42 per meal currently being paid and is less than the $1.40 proposed by the next highest proposal. It's also a 2,900-calorie diet, an increase over the current 2,500.

Keen said GD has a "good meal selection," and added it is "very important to have a good meal for the inmates."  He told me after the meeting that nutritionists will prepare diets for people like me, who have food allergies.

"How are the deserts?" wondered Fiscal Affairs Director Jim Hunter. Keen offered to take both of us on a tour, but I turned him down,knowing it was just a trick to get me down there so they could throw me in the hole and force feed me food loaf.

Keen admitted that there is food loaf, but it is only given to inmates who are disciplinary problems.

In other business, Council unanimously approved seven open space grants for projects at municipal parks Matt Dietz and his open space committee reviewed each request and recommended approval.      

Bushkill Tp - $45,256 for a stone trail around a fishing pond at Heintzelman Park, located along West Beil Avenue and High Street. The grant also includes a parking facility, landscaping, signage and other park amenities.

Roseto - $14,435.89 for the rehabilitation of Roseto Park. This includes the relacement of park benches and a concrete walkway.

Tatamy - $20,202.53 for the construction and extension of Tatamy Trail, including a pavilion,picnic tables, benches and landscaping.

Bangor - $21,884.54 for the opening of a road access to Market Street from Eisenhart Blvd at Memorial Park.

Washington Tp - $58,221.09 for improvements at Washington Tp Recreation Complex that include a dog park and a disc golf course.

Bethlehem Tp - $86,779.50 to replace the playground at Comer Park, including safety surfacing around the playground.

Palmer Tp.- $347,473.42 for natural sod athletic field at the Chrin Community Center, together with parking sidewalks and a new western entrance.

Bethlehem Tp Approves $10 Million Line of Credit For Big Ticket Needs

At their April 7 meeting, Bethlehem Township Commissioners unanimously approved a 5-year line of credit for big ticket items in the upcoming years. These include a $1.2 million aerial fire truck, other fire vehicles and roadway improvements. Finance Director Andrew Freda told Commissioners that the credit line would only be drawn on as needed over the next five years, with a very favorable 2.6% fixed interest rate.

Approximately half of the funding for the new firetruck - $550,000 - is included in a grant application to the Northampton County Gaming Board.

"It's a $10 million line of credit, not a $10 million loan," cautioned Comm'r Michael Hudak. President Tom Nolan agreed, noting that the certification for the fire truck is set to expire. "These are issues that we can't ignore for too long before we get in trouble."

There was no objection or questions from members of the public.

In other business, Commissioners decided against requesting the Parks and Recreation Board to consider relaxing rules to permit dogs at Housenick Park, as well a wine and cheese party that a local State Representative wanted to host.

A big part of the problem, at least in the mind of Comm'r Phil Barnard, is whether they've ever really decided how this park, part of the Archibald Johnston estate, should be used. "I don't know if we truly defined what we're going to do there," he wondered.

Hudak noted that alcohol is permitted by permit in part of the community park, but it's in the open, under supervision and near rest facilities. Housenick, he noted, is a more secluded area.

Comm'r Marty Zawarski thinks the idea is premature. "I'm not in favor of going down that road and allowing alcohol," he reasoned, noting he might change his thinking as the park is developed.

The request to allow dogs into Housenick Park came from Karen Berry, who told Commissioners that many people stay away because they are unable to bring their dogs. She, herself, owns no dog. "I don't have a dog in this race she laughed."

Noting he had been down this road many times before, Hudak gave a detailed explanation why he opposes dogs in Township parks, based on what he sees during walks along the Lehigh River towpath. "There's constantly dog feces there," he complained. "It's not just the solid waste of the dog. It's the liquid waste that's just as destructive," he argued, noting most parents would be disgusted to see their children rolling around on grass where had just urinated.

So for now, dogs, are completely banned at Housenick. State Representatives are OK, but must leave the wine and cheese in Harrisburg.

Is a Dog Park Possible in Bethlehem Township?

In response to yesterday's post about Nazareth's dog park, someone had this remark: "I'd love to see Bethlehem Township do this. Is it possible they have no funds from impact fees available? Otherwise they wouldn't want to raise taxes to pay for new soccer field, I guess."

Bethlehem Township Manager Jon Hammer told me "nothing is off the table." The township does receive a $1,500 impact fee for every residence built, although in some cases, developers donate green space. "We're pretty built out," he conceded, acknowledging there won't be much in the way of impact fees. But Hammer noted hopefully that the township has recently received a fifty-seven acre tract of land, devised by the Housenick estate. How that land is used is up to Bethlehem Township residents.

Located off Christian Spring Road, the Housenick parcel includes the mansion of Archibald Johnson, Bethlehem's first mayor. In 1919, as Bethlehem Steel prepared for a strike, Johnson armed mounted police with nightsticks and barred assembly by more than three persons.

Ahhh, the good 'ol days. Instead of dog parks, Johnson seemed more intent on creating pens for people.

Nazareth Park "Abduction" Shows Community Policing Weakness

On Sunday night, at least six local police departments, along with the Pennsylvania State Police and FBI, participated in the frantic search for a missing 7 year-old girl. Nazareth was in virtual lockdown as helicopters circled overhead and cruisers raced through town, looking for a mysterious Subaru that seemed to be everywhere and nowhere. The search was eventually called off because, as time ticked away, it appears there never was a missing girl. The supposed abductors may have engaged in an elaborate and cruel hoax. More likely, someone just misunderstood what he or she saw. Police really had no choice but to do what they did. But this tremendous expenditure of manpower shows a serious weakness in the Nazareth Police Department. Under Chief Thomas Trachta, all attempts at community policing have ceased. Had they been in place, this may never have happened.

Yesterday, I told you that there's supposed to be a special police detail at the Borough Park on weekends, from 4 pm until sunset. This detail lasts until the bathrooms are closed for the winter. But Chief Trachta, in a September 1 memo, ended the detail early, though it was part of the approved budget. Had an officer been at the park, it is certainly possible that what was perceived to be an abduction would still have occurred. But it would have been far more unlikely.

Before Trachta became Chief, Nazareth had established a fairly effective community policing program. Trachta ended it. Jack Herbst, a former member of Borough Council Police Committee Chair, explains. "The first decision he made when appointed Chief was to eliminate the community policing policies that Chief Sinclair put in place - crime watch meetings, park officers and bank and business checks."

This is simply insane. According to The National Institute of Justice, in police departments that have tried community policing for just one year, "99 percent reported improved cooperation between citizens and police, 80 percent reported reduced citizens’ fear of crime, and 62 percent reported fewer crimes against persons."

Those business checks were appreciated, as owners sometimes forgot to lock up when they leave for the day. The banks loved it.

Officer Fred Lahovski, who with former Chief Michael Sinclair was a community policing advocate, was ordered to send a notice to local businesses, announcing this termination. "Some time ago, 2008-2009, the police attempted a specific community policing service. It included walking patrol in the business district as well as a month community police meeting. However, due to a variety of circumstances, the program has ceased as a viable entity."

Lahovski attempted to establish an email database for local businesses and residents. For something as simple as a found dog, Officer Lahovski could send a blanket email with pictures and a note like this: "This little guy was found in the unit block of Belvidere St. We got along well after he straightened me and let me know who was boss. We held him for awhile unfortunately had to turn him over to the SPCA. If you know this dog or his owner, please help. FREDDY"

If this could work for a lost dog, it would certainly be something to use when a potential child abduction occurs.

Chief Trachta refused to use the email database. So on Sunday night, when there could have been a real missing child, the public was kept in the dark.

"We can't just blindly give out a description when things are still unfolding," Mayor Carl Strye, a carwash salesman, told The Morning Call. Why the hell not? I'd think that would be the first thing police would do, and would be one way in which the public could assist. Instead, people who were just walking the street at night were accosted and asked what they were doing.

Instead of reaching out to the public, Trachta treats them with disdain.

According to Herbst, "He is the first Chief not to go out on patrol, show his presence at Borough events and refuses to give an extra second of his time to the community. After meeting nights, he'll show up to the office later the next day based on how long the meeting went the night before. Wonder why Bushkill Twp. got to the park before him! I'm surprised that he even showed up at all, but I guess when the big boys got involved, he had no choice."

Numerous police departments responded on Sunday night for a search that really had to occur. But did Trachta call in his officers? No. Instead of calling on all the manpower he had, he let other departments do the work.

They know it, too. One fellow I know was stopped by a fed last night, and asked if he saw anything unusual. This federal officer told a citizen that if he saw anything odd or suspicious, to please call 911. Then as he left, he said, "I got to go see what Cupcake is doing."

Nazareth needs to re-institute community policing. There should be a block watch, business checks, foot patrols. Most importantly, there really needs to be an officer on beat at the park, especially on weekends.

Nazareth Goes to the Dogs

Nazareth's bark park, located in the borough park, is now officially open for business.

I missed all the speeches at Saturday's rainy grand opening, but would like to know just where that black dog has his nose. Bad doggie!

Funds for Nazareth's dog park come from impact fees assessed to developers, not taxes. This must be spent on recreation or returned to the developer. None of it may be spent to maintain existing recreation, even a sports league.

Without Borough Councilman Jack Herbst, who also sponsored the skate park, this would never have happened.

Bethlehem Township To Pay Workers on Active Military Duty

In the lobby outside the meeting room at Bethlehem Township's municipal building, there's all kinds of historical arrowheads and tools once used by native Americans. They're all under glass, but on the coffee table, there are numerous copies of something else. Comic books. "The New Avengers," with Marvel characters like Captain America, Thor and Iron Man, saluting the "real heroes, the men and women of the US military."

"Take one" offered Manager Howard Kutzler, explaining that a township employee who does double duty as a Reservist, brings in things like that for the kids.

At their February 21 meeting, Commissioners said thanks to this Reservist by unanimously adopting a resolution, sponsored by Jerry Batcha, to compensate Township employees activated by the military. Commissioners will pay the difference between a worker's military pay and what he or she would have received from the Township, for twelve months.

A similar resolution was in place for eight years for the now ended "Operation Iraqi Freedom," but Batch noted "we still have several Township employees who are in the military, and at any given time, can be activated."

After the motion passed, everyone resisted the temptation to shout, "Avengers assemble!"

In other business, Manager Kutzler reported that, with a recent $8,729.42 expenditure for road salt, Bethlehem Township has now exhausted its budget on that line item for the year. He will use liquid fuel tax proceeds for additional purchases if bad weather continues.

Commissioners ended their meeting with a discussion of a 55-acre property, west of Route 191, devised by the late Janet Johnston Housenick to Bethlehem Township for use as a public park in 2005. A mansion on this property was built by her grandfather, Archibald Johnston, a president of Bethlehem Iron Works and Bethlehem's first Mayor.

Although the park is unlikely to open officially until later this year or perhaps even next, Commissioner Michael Hudak reported that many people are already using it to walk their dogs and even build campfires. "It's turning into a dog park," he complained, asking for signs to be placed at the entrance.

Right next to this park is another 36-acre tract that Housenick donated to Northampton County as a park in 1986. Township officials have asked Solicitor James Broughal to continue his efforts to acquire that tract. "I have not received any indication they will not consider this," he reported, but cautioned that a property transfer would have to be approved by County Council.

Suki the Devil Dog

Right now, I should be telling you about Hanover Township's meeting last night, but I'm dog tired. The reason I'm dog tired is because I'm watching one. My grandson is on vacation for a few days and I was asked to keep Suki. I think I'm her favorite person, next to Dat and his Mom.

He's had her for seven years, since she was a pup.

She's a Jack-a-Poo, called the Captain Danger of Designer Dogs. She's half toy poodle, which gives her the sweetest disposition you'll ever see. But she's also half Jack Russell Terrier, which makes her insane. When people see her, they fall in love at how cute and cuddly she is, but she is a devil dog. With a smile.

She doesn't think she's small,by the way. In a dog park, she's not happy unless she's with the pit bulls and Rottweilers.

For the past four weeks, I've been walking and even running every day, trying to get into shape for S-Day. I was up to 3 miles last week, and feeling pretty good. It was not enough time.

When Suki is with Dat, she becomes the great athlete. Dat is always playing ball. If he's playing baseball, she thinks nothing of running into the outfield to get a fly ball and run it in to home. Sometimes. Other times, she just keeps going.

When Dat is playing football, she becomes a linebacker. Dat shouts "Down" and she starts growling. Then when the ball is snapped to him and he starts running, she tackles him mercilessly. He's pretty elusive on a football field, but not with her. She jumps and starts nipping his ass until he falls down laughing. But it does not stop there. She then tries, and sometimes succeeds, in taking his pants off and running off.

Dat has become a basketball player by default because that's one ball too big for her mouth.

When she's with me, it's a hunting trip. She loses all interest in football and baseball and becomes the Great Hunter. The last thing she wants to do is actually catch something, but she loves to corner it and bark away. She's been nailed by a skunk three times over the last seven years.

Always with me.

On Saturday, her first day with me, she managed to go swimming twice in various creeks and walked four miles. On Sunday, it was six miles, during which she went after three ground hogs. On Monday, she managed to figure a way under the fence at Essroc and went right into the quarry. I could hear all kinds of racket going back and forth, but she eventually emerged, very pleased with herself. Yesterday, I couldn't get up I was so damn tired. She eventually got me up by sitting on my face. She went easy on me. Four and a half miles.

Every night, when I go to bed, she has to jump in there with me. Then she takes the covers. Also, she drops these deadly farts that should be bottled and sold to the Defense Department.

Tomorrow, when I walk her, all kinds of little kids will stop and pet her. And because she is sweet, she will give each one of them a kiss. She does it to the senior ladies who sit on Mauch Chunk Street in Nazareth, too. She basks as they tell her how cute she is. Last night, the ladies yelled at me for not feeding her enough, which she must have loved hearing.

Suki has been eating chicken, steak, hamburger, hot dog, Vienna sausages and spam. She refuses to eat dig food when with me.

Don't be fooled by her small body and little smile. She's a Devil Dog. It is 11 pm, and she's ready for another walk.

Buddy Christ: Election Day. Wow!

Feel free to post your own endorsements today. I'm going to be a little busy. I plan on voting in every precinct, I'm even pulling the lever a few times for Browning in Lehigh County. Hey, that's what we Dems do. But not to worry! Buddy Christ is in the house! He's promised a few of his infallible election picks.

Hey, mammas and pappas! Got Christ? Who's your Buddy? That's right, bippy, it's Me. I've got your back! I just transported O'Hare into Joe Long's living room. That should be a hoot! And since everyone is calling Angle a bulldog, he's going to find himself on all fours in the Bethlehem dog park around noon. An English mastiff named Lamont will be giving him bedroom eyes.

Now let's get to down to business.

Easton's mayor: Bertsch goes bust! Seriously, does that dude even know he's in Easton? He sounds more like he's running for King of West Side. Vote Panto. He can't convert seven loaves of bread into enough dough to solve Easton's financial problems, but not everyone can be Buddy Christ!

Easton's city council: Jeff Warren? Two words. Special interests. A bottle of my finest Holy Water goes to Roger Ruggles, Elinor Warner & Ken Brown.

Easton's mini-judge: I'm letting my main man, Peter, decide that one. He's on the throne right now and will get back to us.

Nazareth's mini-judge: Falcone must think she's running for student of the year, not judge. Vote for Cap before she gives us all a pop quiz!

Northampton County Controller: John Schimmel is a nice guy using the wrong consultant. Barron is a nicer guy using the right consultant. Vote Steve!

Northampton County Council, at large: Let's see. Tony Branco is part of the Axis of Weasel behind the smear campaign against Peg Ferraro, who reminds me a lot of my own mother. We all know how that will work out. Bye, Bye, Tony. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Northampton County Council, Nazareth District: Lamont, Lamont! Dude! Sunshine Act violations, lousy attendance record, special interest dough, mudslinging in the primary about your opponent's paraplegic brother. And now you send campaign mailers of all these dudes in uniform saluting each other when you haven't spent a second in military service? You're a pharisee, dude, and you know what happens to them. Vote Mark Schwartz.

Northampton County Council, Slate Belt District: John Maher, you sold your soul to Bossman Long in return for a lousy party endorsement. Now you've pissed off half the planet with nasty robo calls and slimy mailers. Not only will you lose, but when you go to purgatory, you're going to be forced to listen to 1,000 robo calls from Ron Angle every day. Now go. The Evil One, Ron Angle, awaits you.

Northampton County Council, Easton District: Sorry folks, but Dowd is an automatic in. He's a frickin' minister and We take care of our own. Don't worry, I'll send Bill Wallace a train set.

Northampton County Council, Bethlehem District: So Ann McHale thinks "nice guys finish last?" Not in my world, sister. Vote for Tom Dietrich. In purgatory, Ann is going to be dating a lot of nerds.

Bethlehem Controller: Does anyone understand either of these people? Since Meg Holland has the most initials behind her name, she gets my Holy Wink.

Lehigh County Judge (retention): Bob Steinberg got almost as many votes as Saddam Hussein. Need I say more?

Northampton County Judge: O'Hare has been complaining all year about Baratta. But Bernie's also been stealing my altar wine. Even without the booze, you all know he's nutz. Retain Baratta. Who knows? In another ten years, he may get it right!

Lehigh County Commissioner: Browning has the brains. Easterling has the heart. Now all I need is someone with courage.

Allentown City Council: Pete Schweyer, with his la de da pals, has ignored minority merchants on Hamilton Street. That's a No No. Remember that "least of my brethren" stuff I laid on you a few thousand years ago. I wasn't kidding. Anybody but Schweyer!

Supreme Court: Who doesn't like Seamus McCaffrey? I like Todd, too!

Appellate Court Retentions: Two of these bastards think they're Me - Saylor and Melvin. Toss them.

That's it, folks! Now if you don't go out and vote, you may find yourself in that dog park, too!

NorCo Easter Egg Hunt a Major Success

Saturday, Northampton County's Deputy Sheriffs held their annual Easter egg hunt at Louise Moore Park. The entire park was crammed with vehicles, and I estimate that about 1,500 to 2,000 people were there.

I wanted to cover this event, and brought my grandson's dog with me. I was dog-sitting while Dat and his mom were off to Baltimore for an AAU tournament.

Unfortunately, pets are forbidden at Louise Moore. It's probably a bad idea to thumb my nose at a county ordinance at an event being hosted  by deputy sheriffs. I was about to turn around and leave when Administrator Cathy Allen spotted me and volunteered to watch the dog (Suki) for me in the parking lot while I worked.

That was very nice of her and I want to express my appreciation. I was able to photograph part of the event, and then reported Allen for having a dog in the park in violation of county ordinance.

You'd be surprised at how many times they had to zap her with a stun gun before she finally went over.

After the hunt was over, deputies served hot dogs. What would have been really nice is popcorn, but I doubt they have access to an $800 popcorn machine.

As is usually the case, the crowd burst into applause when it saw me. Some might say it was the Easter Bunny, but I'm pretty sure it was for me.

Nazareth's War on the Townies

The StickerGang's Trevor Gehret is a townie 

Last week, when Nazareth Police Chief Thomas Trachta finally got to fire crossing guard Karen Herbst, in what one of my readers calls the "political equivalent of hitting little girls", I'm sure he was very pleased with himself. After all, this is the wife of the guy whose picture he had hanging in the police station with a knife in the back. Mayor Carl Strye was undoubtedly delighted, too. Jack Herbst, Karen's husband  and former council member, was Hizzoner's opponent in last year's Mayoral race. But it was more than revenge. It's just the latest volley in Nazareth's war against the poor, whom are disparagingly called Townies.

Jack's a Townie. It is Herbst who stood up to ESSROC, as a citizen, and demanded they do something about the cement dust that settles everywhere, helping make the Lehigh Valley one of the air pollution capitals of the United States. The result was an underground tunnel to transport material from one plant to another. Herbst also successfully fought efforts to ruin the Memorial Square Park on Green Street, where kids play baseball day and night. A secretive Council wanted to turn it into a new borough government center and police station. As a Council member, he persuaded colleagues to finally start following the Sunshine Act. He even raised the money for a skate park and dog park, defeating all kinds of opposition.

And ac Chair of the Police Committee, he held them accountable.

He actually represented the people and tried to make their lives better. So naturally, the rest of council hated him. Not one would vote to support his appointment to a vacancy on Council, after he lost his Mayoral election.

In a way, they may have done him a favor. His health has never been good. He's had several close calls in recent years with his heart. It's always been too big for the town in which he lives.

Herbst had no fear of Trachta, despite the files the Chief kept on everyone or the intimidation of Jack's wife by always parking near her while she was on duty. Jack ignored the Chief's petty behavior, and tried to make the community better for everyone. Though he himself was a masterful baseball coach, he embraced the skaters, recognizing before many others that these are athletes every bit as much as someone who can dunk.

In stark contrast to Herbst, we have current Borough Council member Carl Fischl. He told me the one and only time I ever talked to him that he would have voted to destroy the park on Green Street. Now this guy is waging war on the townies.

In addition to practically salivating over the prospect of doubling the fines for parking tickets as a way of taking aim at those unable to afford homes with their own driveways and garages, Fischl persuaded the rest of Council to adopt a rental inspection ordinance so that they can keep track of those dirty renters.

Fischl has also publicly complained that, unlike him, nobody in the downtown has kept their properties as well maintained as he. I see. That may be because, unlike him, most downtown residents have not spent a lifetime sucking on the public teat as a teacher and football coach. They may not have the benefits and pension he was lucky enough to grab.

The difference between a guy like Fischl and a guy like Herbst is night and day. Herbst tried to make government more inclusive, while Fischl believes you must be a member of the landed gentry, like him, to have a say.

Fischl now heads up the Police Committee and apparently had the final call in firing Herbst.

He told her that her job is seasonal and she could be let go at will.

He's full of shit.

The fact is that Karen Herbst has been employed for eight years, having started under Chief Ruch. She only filled out an application once. Were she seasonal, she'd have to do it every year. She actually had a legitimate property interest in that job. And she was fired because, like her husband, she exercises her First Amendment rights. She's a Townie.

So is the Sticker Gang, who have stood up to Trachta.

So am I.

Freshpet Opens Innovation Center in Hanover Tp

Dennis Bobita had no idea a building was being named after him.

While walking down the pet aisle during your weekly grocery trip, many of you may have probably noticed Freshpet selections for your cat and dog. But what many of you don't know is that Freshpet is manufactured right here in the Lehigh Valley, in Hanover Township.

Freshpet first moved into 176 N. Commerce Way at Lehigh Valley Industrial Park in 2013, expanding an existing 60,000 sq ft building to over 90,000 sq ft with a $25 million investment. In addition to feeding your pets, this company provides jobs for 100 people.

Freshpet President Richard Thompson (left) with
retiring Dennis J Bobita, after whom research facility is named

President Richard Thompson is the originator of Meow Mix, which he calls "McDonald's for cats." He sold that brand to invest in better, healthier products that use no preservatives and must be refrigerated. His company also supplies free food to the Colonial Regional Police Department's K-9 unit, contributed $6,500 to its upkeep and paid for most of Hanover Township's recently established dog park. It has done all of this without any taxpayer subsidies.

Freshpet has now opened a new, 50,000 square-foot, research and development facility at 146 N. Commerce Way. It's located next to its company headquarters. It's named the Dennis Bobita Innovation Center in honor of the company's VP of Research and Development, Dennis J. Bobita.

“When I first started here, our research would involve four people gathered around in a small office and that’s it, so to see what it has become today is really amazing,” said Bobita, who had a 35-year career in the pet food industry. He will still work as a consultant for FreshPet.

Taking over for Bobita will be the company's new VP for research and development, Lynn Lie, who said she looks forward to "overseeing the development of new and exciting recipes for Freshpet that will make pets happy, keep them healthy and provide ease and convenience to owners when it comes to feeding their loved ones.”

Business Matters' Tony Iannelli and LVEDC CEO
Don Cunningham on hand for grand opening. 

She owns Phoenix & Orion, 5 and 12 year-old cats.

Called an "Innovation Center,"the building will be used to develop new products, enhance existing products, and make packaging more efficient.

“When you grow a business like Freshpet, with the uniqueness and the quality of our business, it’s really important to have innovation,” said Richard Thompson, CEO of Freshpet, Inc. “So to have this center where we can actually do this without being in a cramped office building someplace on a desktop will be a huge thing for us.”

The research and development center is expected to create new jobs, but exact figures were not yet available. But the 32,000 square-foot expansion of the main manufacturing facility will create up to 60 new jobs. The project remains on schedule, and FreshPet is currently training new employees for the plant.

Freshpet dog and cat food can be found in more than 14,000 retail stores across the U.S. and Canada.

Lehigh Valley Economic Development CEO Don Cunningham, who was on hand for the opening of the Innovation Center, along with Hanover Township Manager Jay Finnigan and Supervisor John Nagle, said this is precisely the kind of new manufacturing he sees taking place all over the Lehigh Valley.

The Lehigh Valley's Real Main Street - Its Blogosphere

A business coalition has hired two political consultants to tell you why you need a wider Route 22. They call it the Lehigh Valley's Main Street. Some Main Street. Unless you barrel along near the speed of light, someone will run you off the road.

There's another Main Street in the Lehigh Valley, a place where people can say Hi as they tool by, exchanging both ideas and insults. It's the Lehigh Valley blogosphere. And since my last report, it has grown. Time to fill you in, from the politically oriented to one containing some pretty good poetry.

The new local political blogs

Green Dog Dem: What the hell is a green dog Democrat? A green-dog Democrat is a cross between a yellow-dog Democrat and a blue-dog Democrat -- a moderately progressive, thinking Democrat who is liberal on some issues, moderate on some, a little conservative on some, ambivalent on some. What the hell does that mean? Beats me. I heard the Lehigh Valley Greens are suing for copyright infringement. The only thing I know for sure about this Green Dog Dem is he turns red whenever he sees anything that ends with cc, whether it's DCCC or HDCC. This dog should focus his anger on the SPCA and get a distemper shot. He knows a lot about the state house and its Machiavellian ways.

True Democrats of the Lehigh Valley: Right after losing a race for a state house seat against a well-financed Doug Reichley, Chris "Blue Collar" Casey took no time off to lick his wounds. Instead, he started a new blog. It was originally called True Democrats of Lehigh County, but there aren't any. So he renamed the blog, and invited a core of eight bloggers to participate. He even invited me, although I change parties more often undies. In a matter of days, there have already been twelve posts from very different people. This blog has potential and Casey would probably add you to his team of bloggers if you'd like to do an occasional post without having to go through the hassle of setting up a blog and preparing regular posts.

Lehigh Valley Crack Addict: But he's not addicted to crack. He craves blogs, and has passionately blogged topics ranging from the U.S. Congressional races to The Morning Call, which he's convinced is being run by pod people. His latest entry, Allentown Love Feast, is his best effort to date. He's proposing that Mayor Ed "Ironpig" Powlowski and Allentown city councilman Lou "I only sprechen zie English" Hershman duke it out in a charity boxing match to reduce city debt. Although I doubt this would bring in a dime, we all like to see pols beat each other up.

Naked Lehigh County Blogger: This isn't really a new blog but it gives me an excuse to say naked. Actually, Lehigh County Redneck is downsizing, and has decided she will only blog as Naked Lehigh County Blogger. In the interest of citizen journalism, we need someone who can find out if she really blogs au naturel. I want pictures!

J. Spike Rogan at Large: Sixteen posts on election day. In addition, this Easton blogger was broadcasting on internet radio and posting comments on all the locals. Need I say more? I wonder if he sleeps.

Some Local Blogs that Don't Give a Rat's Ass About Politics

Retro Riot: Were you looking for vintage Halloween gear? Stuck in the 60's? Vanessa Williams has answers.

Fab Finds: This is yet another Vanessa Williams production - a virtual guide to local antiques in this area.

Zen Dinosaurs: Anyone who can devote a post to a discussion of Spongebob Squarepants is OK in my book.

breathe.
evolve.
laugh.

He says things like that a lot.

What's Better than This?: This is an uplifting and iconoclastic photo blog.

Revelation Park: Poetry with a hint of zen.

My father sat up in his hospital bed surprised
and dropped dead light as a feather.

Already in his youth before his head
hit the pillow.

Update: I missed a political blog. It's Lehigh Valley Common Sense, a collection of timely posts by a semi-normal white guy who likes to work out and go to the beach. He may be a Democratic committeeman but welcomes conservative voices. His blog is oriented mostly to national issues. His latest, however, deals with our new Democratic leaders. Like the rest of us, he just loves Bill DeWeese.

My Computer Consultant Claims Nazareth a Mess

You all know how hard it is to kill a weed. I'm baaaack.

On Saturday, I gave you the bad news that my PC had finally died of old age. I ordered a brand new PC from Dell for a gazillion dollars and was told I could expect to wait two weeks to get it. I put my old PC in a casket, and hobbled down the street to John's Computer Consulting, Inc. That's in downtown Nazareth, only a few blocks from my estate atop the Army Navy store. I figured John would know how to recycle it or something.

"Are you sure it's dead?"

"Well, the damn light won't go on."

In fifteen minutes, John (that's his real name, too) had the computer up and running. He stuck his hand into my computer's guts and started disemboweling it. I nearly fainted. But he had her sewed up in no time, and his $59 bill was pretty damn cheap. It was just the power supply, probably smothered by all the cement dust we get in Nazareth.

John knows his stuff, and I'd recommend anyone with computer problems to give him a call.

But he works with his cell phone plugged into an ear, so half the time I didn't know whether he was talking to me, someone else or himself. It soon became apparent that this is one opinionated dude.

"I've heard of you. How is it I know you?"

- "Maybe you've read my blog, Lehigh Valley Ramblings?"

"Never heard of it!"

- "Maybe you remember my lawsuit that finally opened Nazareth's eyes about following the Sunshine Act?"

"Doesn't ring a bell. Hey, are you that guy who used to ride a bike with Karl Longenbach for Judge signs pasted all over your ass? Do you realize how many drivers you pissed off? Put on a few tons, haven't you?

- "Listen, I've written a lot about Nazareth. I wrote all about its skate park. Did you know Bethlehem is -"

"I hate the damn skate park. It will bring Nazareth down, mark my words. Didn't you see the graffiti near the pool? It's been there at least a week. Why don't you take a picture of that and post that, blogger boy? You can thank the damn skateboarders for that!"

- "I don't think you could draw that conclusion just because -"

"Well, then it's somebody from out of town. They let anyone in there, blogger boy."

- "How about the new dog park?"

"I hate that idea, too."

- "Well, you must be happy about the new police chief. He's ordered new uniforms."

"That guy? He's nothing but a pencil pusher who hired a corporal from New York. That corporal outranks everyone and isn't even certified as a police officer in Pennsylvania. Did you know that four officers are now leaving the Nazareth police force?"

- "No."

"That's right, you didn't know, did you, because everything is so hush hush around here. There's no gangs here. There's no drugs at the high school. Right, blogger boy?"

- "Well, I guess you can't publicly express your opinions because you're a businessman and ...

"I don't care one bit. You can quote me all you want. When I turned in a guy who had kiddy porn on his computer, I was warned that might be bad for business, too. I did it anyway. Hey, what's that picture..."

- "She's 18, I swear it. And I never saw it before in my life. Must be a virus or something. You must like kids. Good for you! Well, then, you must be thrilled that borough council decided against moving its new muni center to that baseball field."

"I'd have been OK with that. You know, I should run for mayor. What's your blog address again?"

- "It's called NewsOverCoffee."

As I left, I noticed pictures of Ron Paul on the wall and could hear a police scanner in the background.

We're all a little nutz in Nazareth. No shortage of opinions here.

It's all that cement dust.

Update: Computer geeks apparently can't spell. The picture of my blogging work station should use the word "you're," not "your."

John Callahan Sure Likes to Spend Your Money

Congressman John Callahan.

Do you like the way that sounds? But what does it mean? Callahan has so far ducked taking a position on health care, our most pressing national issue. I have no idea where he stands on Speaker Pelosi's cap-and-trade energy bill, which will cost about 60,000 jobs here in Pennsylvania. What's his position on important foreign policy questions, like the recent proposal to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan?

Beats me.

Callahan plays it safe, hiding in his throne room with his finger in the air, trying to tell which way the wind is blowing. In contrast, LV Congressman Charlie Dent has reached out to his community. This year alone, he's conducted 17 town halls all over the Lehigh Valley. This is in addition to numerous Q&A sessions with senior center residents.

Dent leads from the front while Callahan is still in the rear, stocking up on supplies that include $1,000 contributions from developers like Nolan Perin, who is still looking for public money to fund his Wind Gap road to nowhere.

So tell what type of Congressman John Callahan would be, we need to look at his record as Bethlehem Mayor. That record shows he likes to spend taxpayers' money. Local news media has reported an audit showing a $2.7 million deficit in Bethlehem’s 2008 Budget. Even the Democrat Chairman of Bethlehem City Council’s Finance Committee said that Callahan’s overspending the budget was “unacceptable.” Maybe Callahan should think twice about running for two offices at the same time.

Did Mayor Callahan consider for a moment that this nearly $3 million deficit was the result of overspending? No. His Administration instead blamed the deficit on their inability to continue his longstanding practice of raiding other city funds (like the Water Authority) to cover holes in the City’s General Fund Budget. In other words, Callahan uses non-recurring revenue to pay for recurring expenditures.

Mayor Callahan wants voters to believe that things are looking better for Bethlehem’s finances in the coming year. In fact, Bethlehem will receive millions, just for hosting a casino. So can city residents expect the tax relief they were promised in exchange for opening their community to gambling? No.

“Mayor Callahan has built up such a mountain of debt that it is highly unlikely he’ll be able to offer property tax relief at a time when people could certainly use it,” said Shawn Millan, Dent’s campaign manager.

Instead of property tax relief, Callahan has a better idea - a $1.5 million skateboarding park. As a councilman, he opposed that idea, bit I think what sold him is the idea of putting a few slots there and in the dog park.

“These are the same misguided priorities and out-of-control spending that Mayor Callahan supported by saying he backed the failed Stimulus Bill. We’re in the middle of tough economic times, but you would never know it from the way the Mayor spends taxpayers’ money,” Congressman Charlie Dent said.

As Mayor of Bethlehem John Callahan has raised property taxes, imposed a $52 municipal services tax for people working in Bethlehem, fought to increase the sales tax, ran up a $2.7 million budget deficit, sank the City’s Water Authority with debt and thinks that $1.5 million of taxpayer money for a skate park is prudent spending as opposed to giving the people of Bethlehem tax relief.

Congressman Dent has a different view. “This is the record that Washington Democrats think qualifies John Callahan to serve in Congress. If you want to know what kind of Congressman Callahan would be, here’s your answer: he’ll be the sort of Congressman that Speaker Nancy Pelosi just gave $4,000 to elect.”

Blogger's Note: Ken Petrini has the text of the Dent campaign's news release here.