Bertsch Bombs, Panto Soars, in Debate at the State

Easton's brightly lit historic State Theatre was the setting for last night's mayoral "Debate at the State," pitting Democrat Sal Panto against Republican Gary Bertsch. The marquee proudly announced the evening's entertainment, and there was the same commotion on the sidewalk outside that you'd see before any of the State's usual shows. But instead of the usual 6' 5" door greeters, I was met by Northampton County Controller candidates Steve Barron and John Schimmel. I hope they weren't expecting a tip.

Once inside this elegant and classy theatre, I was shocked by the number of people. There must have been two hundred. And they were all dressed very nicely. Except for me. I wore a stained polo shirt, smelly sneakers and faded jeans. I spied Express Times reporter Sarah Cassi, and before she could bolt, sat right next to her.

"Hi, Sarah."

Sarah: "Hey."

"Some night, huh?"

Sarah: "Yep."

"Do you come here often?"

Sarah: "Shut up, Bernie."

I forgot to tell you this was an Express Times production. The panel consisted of a reporter and three editors, including Joe Owens. I tried waving at him, but he kept pretending he didn't see me. And, of course, the facilitator was none other than State Theatre executive director Shelley Brown. I'm trying to talk her into replacing those controversial Freddys with the Bloggy Awards.

The first person Shelly introduced? Publisher Martin Till. Holy cannoli! That dude looks just like Daddy Warbucks! Everyone held their breath when he came out, but he didn't fire anyone. He instead threw a few dollar bills into the audience and introduced the candidates, who came from backstage to take separate podiums.

In this show biz setting, you'd think everyone would be on their best behavior, right? Maybe Bertsch could tell a few blue jokes. Maybe Panto could wear a turban and do a few magic tricks. But whatever happened, I didn't expect to see Bertsch go dark. Panto retained his calm, demonstrating what I've known from the moment he announced - he will be Easton's next mayor.

Player Stats

Sal Panto, born and raised in Easton, is clearly the heavy hitter in this mayoral fight. A former Easton teacher, Sal served a solid two terms as mayor about sixteen years ago. In the private sector, he's been the top administrator at Charles Chrin Companies, Coordinated Health Systems and Strausser Enterprises. Proud of his Italian heritage, he even hosted Festa d'Italia on local radio for a number of years, during which he would both play some great music and give a few Roman history lessons.

Let me tell you how I first met Panto. Right after I sued Northampton County over its megabond, we had a little rally at Northampton Community College. There were nearly a hundred of us at that forum, and we were all giving speeches and slapping each other on the back. But there was this guy, in the back of the room, who decided to challenge us all over the funding for the state theatre. He noted all the good that comes out of that nonprofit, like last night's debate.

That was Panto.

One man against one hundred. Maybe he's part Spartan. It was an incredibly gutsy thing to do. He had no press entourage. He wasn't looking for ink. He was just interested in seeing the right thing done, and had enough respect for his fellow citizens to come and talk to them, instead of at them. I felt really bad after we strung him up. Ever since that night, Sal Panto has had my deepest respect.

Although Gary Bertsch has never had the misfortune of meeting me, he has impressive credentials, too. Like Sal, he's a former teacher. But instead of teaching in Easton, he was in Annandale, NJ. He has worked on Wall Street as a corporate recruiter for Ross Perot, and claims to have had a business in the healthcare industry for fifteen years, although he does not name it. He currently manages Easton's West Ward Neighborhood Partnership, something he mentioned at least a gazillion times last night.

I was prepared to like Bertsch, but he blew it when he went dark towards the end of the debate. If he had any shot at winning, he can kiss that goodbye now. "What an asshole!," was one of the comments I heard from this artsy crowd as I fled the building. "Hey Bernie, when you write this up, be sure and say he's an asshole!" Well, I can't do that. I have standards, damn it!

The First Few Innings

Things started quietly enough. Panto and Bertsch politely addressed a few city issues. Panto likes the proposed home rule charter, while Bertsch likes things as they are. "I don't want to experiment. I like the present system."

Asked how they'd increase revenue without simultaneously increasing taxes, Panto said he'd decrease management by 20 per cent in ninety days, would raise the EIT while lowering property taxes that hurt fixed income residents and would support three major downtown developments expected to yield $700 million. In contrast, Bertsch said there will be no downtown development. "I don't see anything going on." He proposed to raise revenue with direct deposit and by cutting the salary and benefits for five council members.

Huh?

With respect to both police and fire departments, Panto insisted both forces must be brought up to full strength. He believes Easton needs at least seventy police officers and would fill the vacancies on the fire department. Bertsch never really answered questions addressed to appropriate staffing.

Panto was at his best when he fielded a question from Joe Owens about Delaware Terrace on Easton's south side. He defended renting to people who can't afford to buy homes. "It's not a gift. It's an opportunity to break off the cycle of poverty." And then he pointed out, with a little pride, "That's where I grew up." Bertsch agreed with Panto.

The Mudslinging Question

Editor Jim Flagg asked the candidates directly about mudslinging. "There has been no mudslinging in this race. Does this mean you are both decent people, or is it that you just don't have enough money to send negative mailers?"

Panto made clear he is running for mayor, and not against Bertsch. "You will not see one negative piece of mail from my campaign." For his part, Bertsch pledged he "will not go negative. That has been a problem in Easton."

Bertsch Goes Negative Immediately After His Pledge

In what has to be a new world record for breaking campaign promises, Bertsch went to the dark side almost immediately.

In his first opportunity to question Panto, Bertsch accused him of strong-arming local merchants to put Panto campaign signs in their shops. A perplexed Panto noted he had a "sign policy" to prevent that possibility.

Steeerike One!

Bertsch then demanded that Panto explain how he could "run for office with a clear conscience," knowing he had destroyed six hundred acres of "pristine farmland" in Forks while working for Strausser Enterprises. Bertsch also suggested that Panto was just running to beef up his pension.

At this point, I started to hear groans. It was the audience or my stomach. Panto calmly answered Bertsch. He pointed out that the six hundred acres had been slotted for 3,200 homes, but that only six hundred homes were built on three hundred acres and that the remaining land was devoted to farming. Panto also explained that he took his pension when he left city hall so he had no pension to beef up.

Strike Two!

Bertsch then swung his third time. In a rambling statement, he told Panto that "Easton's decline began in your administration, blah blah, West Side, blah , blah, West Side."

Panto: "Is that a question?"

"Are you hoping that long-term resident have forgotten your record as mayor and that newer residents won't be aware of what you've done?"

Panto, keeping his cool, answered the question. "I'll stand by my record as mayor. It must have been pretty good because you moved in as an absentee landlord during my administration."

Steeerike Three! You're outa' here, Bertsch.

After these three shots, Panto finally decided to get in a dig of his own. "I wasn't going to ask this question," and then Panto started. He wanted to know these west ward projects that Bertsch brags about could provide grant money for $400,000 homes while people on fixed incomes got nothing, and he wanted to know why Bertsch's group met privately to decide on disbursing state money.

Bertsch denied it was happening.

Panto: "14th & Liberty."

"It's not part of the program."

Panto: "It's on your list."

Bertsch never did answer the question about meeting privately to decide on disbursing state funds. In his closing remarks, a visibly rattled Bertsch told a groaning crowd it's "obvious" he will be the next mayor, and wasted much of his time hurling direct accusations against an unflappable Panto. Bertsch looked like a petty little man. Panto looked like a mayor.

To close the evening, Martin Till popped in after his 'Lil Orphan Annie audition and said, "I'm just glad it didn't get negative."

You can read Sarah Cassi's shorter, and far more objective, report here.

I think Bertsch is still talking at the State.

Update: A raw video feed of this debate, filmed by Channel 69, is located here.

Morganelli Goes Under Cover to Expose Panto Parking Police Abuse.

In an attempt to bring in every nickel he can, Easton's Sal Panto does more than impose a commuter tax. He also has parking enforcement officers scouring the streets day and night, checking those damn meters. You can shoot up the West Ward with impunity, but God help you if you park without paying for the privilege.

You'll get the boot.

Panto's Parking Police also check inspection stickers and registrations. They even enforce on Sunday. And get this. Panto has set up his own judicial system that completely removes judges and due process from the equation.

Judges? He don't need no steenkin' judges.

Instead of contesting your ticket before a District Judge, you can argue with a tow truck, a boot or some cop on the Panto payroll.

Under an Easton ordinance, Panto's Parking Police can boot or tow any car that is late in paying off a ticket. If some unlucky bastard accumulates five tickets, the zombies must immobilize his car.

After hearing horror stories from several people victimized by Panto's Parking Police, District Attorney John Morganelli decided to test what is going on himself.

On December 11, Morganelli was in downtown Easton. He tried putting change in the meter to no effect. When he returned to his car, he had a ticket. It specifically warned him that failure to pay the penalty by a date certain "will result in a citation being issued against you in accordance with the Pa. Rules of Criminal Procedure."

So far, so good.

That's due process.

"I thought they were leaves, Your Honor!"

But that's not what happened. Fast forward a few weeks later. Morganelli receives a notice telling him that, unless he pays the $30 ticket, his car could be booted or towed. He is also told it will cost $150 to remove the boot and a minimum $50 to pay the towing bill. This notice contains absolutely no information telling him how to contest a ticket that was improperly issued.

That's not due process.

It gets worse. A few weeks later, Morganelli received a FINAL NOTICE, increasing the fine to $45, and warning him again that his car could be booted or towed. Once again, he was provided with no information telling him how to contest the ticket.

Morganelli called Magisterial District Judge Daniel Corpora and learned that Easton no longer bothers to issue parking citations. Instead, the Panto Parking Police are judge, jury and executioner. Pay Panto or they boot or tow the car. This violates the Rules of Criminal Procedure, which require that a citation must be issued to a person who ignores a ticket. It is mandatory, and for good reason. It gives the person who is accused an opportunity to plead Not Guilty.

It's called due process of law.

In a letter to Easton officials, Morganelli lays out his concern:

"The City of Easton's present procedure is woefully inadequate and violative of due process rights. The notice sent to citizens essentially warns them that their car will be towed or immobilized unless they pay the fine. There is absolutely no opportunity to be heard nor is any notice given to the violator that he has a right to be heard. If a car is towed or immobilized, that is a violation of due process in that it is taking of private property by the government without due process of law."

Morganelli asked Easton to tell him what steps they are taking to start following the Constitution and Rules of Criminal Procedure.  Mayor Sal Panto, who apparently thinks Easton is part of the Kingdom of Ga, smugly tells The Express Times that he unilaterally decided to stop sending cases through the court system because the City is being shortchanged.

This is absolutely outrageous. A City government does not exist to engage in shakedowns, especially against its poorest citizens. The whole point of due process is to ensure that every person, black or white, man or woman, Easton resident and commuter, has both notice and an opportunity to be heard before an independent judicial officer, not some Panto flunkie, before his property is taken away. The citizen must be informed of this right for it to mean anything. Using cops to act as hearing officers is total nonsense.

That's just nutz.

Under Panto's reasoning, he might as well start hearing murder cases, wearing the robes of the Kingdom of Ga.

You can read Morganelli's letter and supporting documents here. They demonstrate that the City misrepresents to drivers that it will issue a citation. Then Panto's Parking Police, instead of following the citation route provided for in the Rules, threatens to boot or tow cars without informing drivers they have a right to contest the matter.

This booting practice has led to civil rights lawsuits in other cities. Then the city gets the boot. In this case, due process and the rules of criminal procedure were ignored because, as Panto made clear, he got tired of sharing revenue with the courts.

"Temporary seizure or immobilization of one's vehicle for violation of parking ordinances interferes with a property interest, thus entitling one to the protections of due process," says one federal court. There must also be a fair and impartial process before depriving someone of important property rights.

For Panto, it's all about the money. While giving sweetheart deals to developer Mark Mulligan and permitting a Redevelopment employee to go into business with him, Panto sticks it to people who could easily lose their car because of the financial hardship involved

But in this country, we have a Constitution.

Updated 9:40 am: I have filed a Right-to-Know request with Easton, seeking the following records:

1. Record of all income received in 2014 from the practice of immobilizing cars for parking violations.
2. Record of all income received in 2014 from the practice of towing cars for parking violations.
3. Record of all income received in 2014 from the sale of immobilized or towed cars.
4. Record of the number of hearings conducted in 2014 for parking violations.
5. Identify all hearing officers who hear parking violation complaints and their title in the City.
6. Identify the number of successful appeals and the number of unsuccessful appeals.
7. How many vehicles were immobilized in 2014?
8. How many cars were towed in 2014?

Easton Mayor Using Sock Puppets at LVL Online

Roverfan73 (Panto) with African King

Online comment forums, both here and in the newspapers, provide an opportunity for what I call participatory journalism. Members of the public often have insights or knowledge that the story's author lacks. Though these discussions often degenerate quickly, they often add to the story. This is especially so when an elected official participates, even though he subjects himself to the slings and arrows of anonymous attacks. But when an elected official assumes one or more false identities to steer the conversation, it is no longer journalism. It crosses the line into propaganda. That is what is happening at The Express Times with Easton Mayor Sal Panto. He is dishonestly using at least two false identities to pursue his agenda. Let me fill you in.

It takes courage for an elected official to contribute to online discussions. The rare few who do so demonstrate transparency and accountability. Lower Macungie Comm'r Ron Beitler and West Easton Council member Matt Dees actually maintain their own blogs, which I consider a form of public service in an era of dying journalism. This is also something I always admired about Easton Mayor Sal Panto. Over the years, he's participated in numerous online discussions, although he stopped participating here and at Easton Neighbors when he didn't like the way things were going.

He still comments as Sal Panto at LehighValleyLive, the online forum for The Express Times. He will argue his positions forcefully, and is correct to slam people who criticize him or his policies without identifying themselves.

But he does the same thing.

In addition to posting comments under his own name, Panto also uses the sock puppet "roverfan73" and "tom18017" to participate in discussions.

Panto disguised as "roverfan73"

How do I know that he is posting as roverfan73?  It's because of 87 comments posted to a story about Easton's distressed pension fund, back in January. Panto was in the thick of it, mixing it up with a number of people. Then he said he was off to a meeting.

Someone wisecracked, "At Riverview?"

Panto apparently tends bar there part time.

That brought him back.

"[I]f you have a problem with the 80+ hours a week I give the city then come and talk to me about it. I have no problem with you walking with me and let's see if you can keep up."

"[L]et's talk about your solutions. I am always available to discuss city issues. My office is close to you home so it would be easy to set up a time to meet. You see, this issue like many, is very difficult to put in a few words. My door is always open."

That's classic Panto. But he made a mistake. Instead of posting under his name, he got mixed up and posted as "roverfan73."

Under LehighValleyLive's comments policy, a person can use a sock puppet, but is barred from creating multiple accounts. Panto has at least three - himself, roverfan73 and tom18017.

Panto disguised as "tom18017"

He made the same mistake in a story about Easton's parking garage, published last September, that generated 14 comments. First, he took it upon himself to correct several errors that he thought were made by the reporter. He did that as himself - Sal Panto. When someone responded with a complaint, he made this offer. "A am more than happy to justify the construction to you or the reason for the new city hall. Call my office and set up a time we can meet. 610.250.6610 I can also take you though the Alpha Building at that time and show you the capital needs that were needed in this grand ole dame."

That's very nice of him, but he slipped up and posted this comment as tom18017 instead of as Sal Panto.

Nobody named Tom works in the Mayor's office.

At the very least, Panto's use of two sock puppets in addition to his own name is deceptive behavior. When Panto pretends to be several different people, he creates the false impression that several people think like he does. The comments forum then becomes a vehicle for propaganda, not the truth.

The real Sal Panto

As Roverfan73 and tom18017, here is what Panto has had to say about several different topics.

Himself: "The man works tirelessly for he city say and night and if he didn't respond you would criticize him for that as well." ... "Wow. the mayor is doing a great job and the naysayers all over him for doing his job. Call it as you want there are laws on the books and he swore an oath to enforce them,,,,,and I say thank you. Downtown looks better and better everyday." ... "We have a very good mayor ..." ... "I believe this mayor is tough on crime." ... "Can the mayor and council run the country??????" ... "We need Mayor Panto for life! Case closed." ... " I guess good government doesn't warrant news coverage."(He also falsely claims to live in the West Ward, and talks about taking his sons to the parks). 

Easton Public Market: "It has been postponed so many times it is ridiculous and I looked in the windows just today and they are no where ready to open." ... "Seems more like a Reading Terminal than a grocery store. So I can buy my meat and seafood there but not the flour and butter to cook them or the bread crumbs or the dish detergent to clean the pots, pans, and dishes. And how does the city get paid back the million dollars they gave to support the project? I hear in addition to that amount there is another million or so on top of that."

Street Crime: "use a gun and it should be a minimum sentence of 30 w/o parole." ... "The courts need to be more aggressive in their setting of bail amounts, especially when guns are found." ... "Blame our liberal courts these dirtbags are arrested by the police and out before the paperwork is done."

Magisterial District Judge Antonia Grifo: "Good thing this guy is going to Corpora because if he was going to Grifo she would have him back out on the streets in no time."

DA John Morganelli: "Finally Morganelli wants to get tough on crime. HMMMM any reason other than it is happening in his beloved Bethlehem. He has been tough on crime to some extent in Easton but rumor has it that Magistrate "easy on crime" Grifo let the ARMED actors that held up the Dollar Store and led police on a massive manhunt -- is it true she let them off the hook and dismissed the case. How dare she do that!!! We need the President Judge and the DA to pull her in and set her straight. I am sure if it was Bethlehem John would do it. Let's get tough on crime in Northampton County."

Judge Sam Murray: "I hope he makes better decisions on the bench than the choice for tip staff. He is a good person but his choices were more political than anything. There were so many good people that helped him. It is a shame he didn't choose one of them. But I hear he had a great reception and rumor is it was all donated by the owner of Riverview Country Club. I wonder if that is true, hope not Seems like more of the same at the county."

Easton Peace Candle: "IT'S SIMPLE THE CANDLE SHOULD BE LIT ON FRIDAY NIGHT --- PERIOD ----- " ... "I also vote for candle lighting on Friday. Does GEDP run this city or the Mayor and City Council?"

Public Education: "I am a former public school teacher and loved the profession. I was never paid what teacher's are paid today." ... " C'mon man if you want a full-time President then pay for it. Teachers should know their history just look at Bethlehem Steel and IR where many of the union bosses were paid to do union business. How did it work out for them?" ... " I rarely see any teachers anymore at extra curricular events unless they are being paid. Many don't even don't live in the area. The union saw to that when they got rid of residency requirements."

Suburban kids: "So you think all suburban kids are angels. Think again. Some of the most disrespectful brats come from the wealthier families who let their kids run wild with little oversight."

Easton Snow Plowing: "I traveled many roads in the townships that were worse than the city's streets. Ask some of the residents who live in developments that weren't even plowed." ... "I have to commend the city if Easton. I had to travel I too other areas today including the suburbs and Bethlehem and Easton's roads were far superior."

NorCo(Central Booking): "Northampton County finally coming into the twenty first century. Several years after LEhigh County but it is appreciated." (Emergency Shelter): "Thank you Mayor "Panto and City Council for doing what the county should be paying for. They are supposed to be the human services division of government but they haven't come into the 21st century. Nothing there has changed in the last 50 years."

Glenn Steckman: "Insiders have told me there was tension between the mayor and Steckman but it was always over Steckman's handling of personnel and the public. No one likes to see a person terminated or resign but the fact is this person should have been let go a long time ago. The only reason he lasted as long as he did is because employees have told me often times that Panto is too loyal and always gave Steckman another chance." ... " I had several dealings with this guy and he was rude and nasty." ... "He needs some humility like the mayor."

Allentown Pay-to-Play: "Ah yes Mr. Stathern, he was good friends of you know who --- Mike Fleck. Why not check their involvement together and what Strathern "treated" Fleck to when Fleck was on Easton Council the first time." ... "No doubt the guilty one is the fleckster. I am sure he promised a lot the mayor didn't know because everything he got in contributions he got more money." ... "This guy was friends with Mike Fleck when he was on easton city council and did some unethical things then.. When he was out of work Fleck got him the job in Allemtown. The Fleckster was the main ingredient in all of this and should be in jail." (I am sure the feds would love to know the details here, Sal. Why not give them call? Maybe they'll call you!)

I have asked Panto to explain his use of sock puppets, and if I get an answer, I'll publish it.

Panto's Pseudonyms May Cost Easton

Back in March, I told you that Easton Mayor Sal Panto was using two pseudonyms - Tom18017 and Roverfan73 - to participate in online discussions at Lehigh Valley Live. This is in addition to comments he would post under his own name, often in connection with the same story in which he was using his pseudonyms.

How do I know he was using these pseudonyms? Because like most liars, he's also stupid. Abraham Lincoln once said, "No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.” Panto is proof.

When someone teased him about his moonlighting at Riverview, he started to blow oil about his 80-hour weeks and invited this critic to visit his office. But instead of writing as "Sal Panto," he got mixed up and posted as "roverfan73." In another story about Easton'sparking garage, Panto took it upon himself, as Panto, to correct several errors in the story. Then, when someone complained to him about the construction, he told this person to call his office for an appointment, providing his telephone number as Mayor. But once again, he got confused. Instead of "Sal Panto," this one came out as "tom18017."

Panto used both of these pseudonyms (some believe there were more) to bully people and make all kinds of vicious remarks about others, while simultaneously patting himself on the back as Easton mayor. When posting as panto, he often took others to task for failing to say who they really were. But he was doing it himself!

Panto used LehighValleyLive to create the false impression that others think like him, and to vilify perceived opponents.

After I outed Panto, both here and at Laini Abraham's popular Easton Pa Facebook page, tom18017 and roverfan73 suddenly went Internet-silent. He ignored my request for an explanation and even snubbed activist Dennis Lieb, who raised the topic at a City Council meeting.

He eventually came up with an answer. At a meeting of Easton Democrats, he claimed he had been hacked. Nobody believed him. That explanation itself is an admission of dishonest behavior (setting up false identities) to respond to accusations of ... dishonest behavior.

When I outed Panto, I did so because I was disgusted by his dishonesty. But I dropped the matter, thinking it could never come back to bite him. Well, it just did. All of Panto's Easton cheerleaders will be held accountable for his lies. He has been sued, both individually and in his capacity as Mayor, over the wrongful death of Richard Scheuermann. Whether Easton police acted appropriately or not when they fired at Scheuermann is a question for another day and another venue. But part of the claim relates to Panto's use of the pseudonym tom18017 and roverfan73 to defame Scheuermann's family.

Guess who will be paying for that?

Panto was asked about the use of these pseudonyms by LehighValleyLive, and declined to answer. He can thumb his nose at yours truly, Dennis Lieb and LehighValleyLive, but will eventually have to answer the federal lawsuit.

As Roverfan73 and tom18017, here is what Panto has had to say about several different topics.

Himself: "The man works tirelessly for he city say and night and if he didn't respond you would criticize him for that as well." ... "Wow. the mayor is doing a great job and the naysayers all over him for doing his job. Call it as you want there are laws on the books and he swore an oath to enforce them,,,,,and I say thank you. Downtown looks better and better everyday." ... "We have a very good mayor ..." ... "I believe this mayor is tough on crime." ... "Can the mayor and council run the country??????" ... "We need Mayor Panto for life! Case closed." ... " I guess good government doesn't warrant news coverage."(He also falsely claims to live in the West Ward, and talks about taking his sons to the parks). 

Easton Public Market: "It has been postponed so many times it is ridiculous and I looked in the windows just today and they are no where ready to open." ... "Seems more like a Reading Terminal than a grocery store. So I can buy my meat and seafood there but not the flour and butter to cook them or the bread crumbs or the dish detergent to clean the pots, pans, and dishes. And how does the city get paid back the million dollars they gave to support the project? I hear in addition to that amount there is another million or so on top of that."

Street Crime: "use a gun and it should be a minimum sentence of 30 w/o parole." ... "The courts need to be more aggressive in their setting of bail amounts, especially when guns are found." ... "Blame our liberal courts these dirtbags are arrested by the police and out before the paperwork is done."

Magisterial District Judge Antonia Grifo: "Good thing this guy is going to Corpora because if he was going to Grifo she would have him back out on the streets in no time."

DA John Morganelli: "Finally Morganelli wants to get tough on crime. HMMMM any reason other than it is happening in his beloved Bethlehem. He has been tough on crime to some extent in Easton but rumor has it that Magistrate "easy on crime" Grifo let the ARMED actors that held up the Dollar Store and led police on a massive manhunt -- is it true she let them off the hook and dismissed the case. How dare she do that!!! We need the President Judge and the DA to pull her in and set her straight. I am sure if it was Bethlehem John would do it. Let's get tough on crime in Northampton County."

Judge Sam Murray: "I hope he makes better decisions on the bench than the choice for tip staff. He is a good person but his choices were more political than anything. There were so many good people that helped him. It is a shame he didn't choose one of them. But I hear he had a great reception and rumor is it was all donated by the owner of Riverview Country Club. I wonder if that is true, hope not Seems like more of the same at the county."

Easton Peace Candle: "IT'S SIMPLE THE CANDLE SHOULD BE LIT ON FRIDAY NIGHT --- PERIOD ----- " ... "I also vote for candle lighting on Friday. Does GEDP run this city or the Mayor and City Council?"

Public Education: "I am a former public school teacher and loved the profession. I was never paid what teacher's are paid today." ... " C'mon man if you want a full-time President then pay for it. Teachers should know their history just look at Bethlehem Steel and IR where many of the union bosses were paid to do union business. How did it work out for them?" ... " I rarely see any teachers anymore at extra curricular events unless they are being paid. Many don't even don't live in the area. The union saw to that when they got rid of residency requirements."

Suburban kids: "So you think all suburban kids are angels. Think again. Some of the most disrespectful brats come from the wealthier families who let their kids run wild with little oversight."

Easton Snow Plowing: "I traveled many roads in the townships that were worse than the city's streets. Ask some of the residents who live in developments that weren't even plowed." ... "I have to commend the city if Easton. I had to travel I too other areas today including the suburbs and Bethlehem and Easton's roads were far superior."

NorCo(Central Booking): "Northampton County finally coming into the twenty first century. Several years after LEhigh County but it is appreciated." (Emergency Shelter): "Thank you Mayor "Panto and City Council for doing what the county should be paying for. They are supposed to be the human services division of government but they haven't come into the 21st century. Nothing there has changed in the last 50 years."

Glenn Steckman: "Insiders have told me there was tension between the mayor and Steckman but it was always over Steckman's handling of personnel and the public. No one likes to see a person terminated or resign but the fact is this person should have been let go a long time ago. The only reason he lasted as long as he did is because employees have told me often times that Panto is too loyal and always gave Steckman another chance." ... " I had several dealings with this guy and he was rude and nasty." ... "He needs some humility like the mayor."

Allentown Pay-to-Play: "Ah yes Mr. Stathern, he was good friends of you know who --- Mike Fleck. Why not check their involvement together and what Strathern "treated" Fleck to when Fleck was on Easton Council the first time." ... "No doubt the guilty one is the fleckster. I am sure he promised a lot the mayor didn't know because everything he got in contributions he got more money." ... "This guy was friends with Mike Fleck when he was on easton city council and did some unethical things then.. When he was out of work Fleck got him the job in Allemtown. The Fleckster was the main ingredient in all of this and should be in jail." (I am sure the feds would love to know the details here, Sal. Why not give them call? Maybe they'll call you!)

Bethlehem Street crime: "Gee I thought all of the gangs were in Allentown and Easton. Seems like there is more and more crime in Bethlehem."

Bethlehem taxes:  "Maybe Bob [Donchez] should take some lessons from Sal in Easton. I left Bethlehem and moved to Easton abour 7 years ago and we haven't had a property tax increase nor any loss of sevices. A a matter of fact there has been an increase. esecially in the polioce department, and I live in the West Ward. Bethlehem should be financially sound with all of the development and the casino"

Jeanette Eichenwald: "Does Eichenwald know any other words. All she talks about is the cloud hanging over city hall. Get a life and start working on making Allentown a better place to live instead of pushing the cloud over the Chief of Police. She wants everything tied to the investigation and pay to play and yet no one has been charged or indicted. She has done nothing on council that is positive in any way, shape or form. And just recently she put down Easton. What the heck? And oh, I don't live in Allentown and I don't know the mayor and I don't have any contracts with the city."

Addendum: I mentioned Laini Abraham and just want to take this opportunity to congratulate her on her new role as a Mom.

Panto's Weiner Defense: "I Was Hacked!"

Last week, I outed Easton Mayor Sal Panto for using two sock puppets - roverfan73 and tom18017 - to post comments online at LehighValleyLive. This is in addition to comments he was already posting under his own name. In fact, that's what caused the problem. He'd start a conversation using his own name, and then would finish using one of his alter egos, but thinking that he was still posting as the Mayor. This happened with each of the phony names he was using. He now has an explanation for what happened. He was hacked. Apparently, some evil person - possibly me - broke into both of his accounts and impersonated him. This is the same defense Anthony Weiner had when he was first caught sending pictures of his peeper to a woman. Then another woman came forward. His explanation compounds dishonest behavior with more of the same.

Before I published my story, I gave Panto a chance to tell me about it, but he never responded. Later that week, Dennis Lieb asked Mayor Panto to explain himself during a City Council meeting. Panto refused.

But on Sunday, Panto was among his frenemies at a meeting of Democrats that was strangely held at the very exclusive and very Republican Pomfret Club While there, he told his audience that he had been hacked and that it wasn't really him saying all those nasty things about his supposed friends.He advised everyone to make sure they have really good passwords or it could happen to them, too.

Of course, nobody actually believed him. Panto's explanation is actually an admission that he set up these false accounts. Essentially, he admitted to dishonest behavior.

It gets better. Someone who is more technologically savvy than he - and that would apparently include everyone in the room - eventually pointed out that Panto had just admitted to dishonest behavior.

Don't worry. He had an explanation for that, too. He claimed the accounts were only set up in anticipation of last year's election. So it's OK to be dishonest as long as you are doing it for political reasons.

But guess what? That explanation is bullshit, too. Comments under the name tom18017 extend as far back as July 2014, six months before the election year started. Also, given Panto's fascination with every comment on LehighValleyLive, he surely would have seen the comments under his two pseudonyms. If someone really had hacked two different false names that he set up, Panto had ample opportunity to notice and do something about it.

Also, if these accounts were hacked and not really him, wouldn't the comments continue? There have been no comments under either of his false names since I outed him.

Mark Twain once said, "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." Panto was caught posting under two pseudonyms.Rather than just fess up, he has compounded that simple lie with more lies.

If he wants to give advice to other Democrats, he might offer a word or two on the importance of honesty. But he seems to be inexperienced in that field, as are most politicians.

Panto's Attempt to Muzzle LVR Backfires

As my teachers used to tell me, I'm special. Some people can fly. Others can climb walls, Me, I have an uncanny ability to really piss people off. It's my superpower. Most recently, I got to Easton Mayor Sal Panto. He's running unopposed, but is blowin' oil so badly that someone should throw him up on a lift and fix the leaks. He spent his Friday night penning a ten-paragraph screed excoriating me on Facebook.  Accusing me of "vicious lies and half-truths, he claims no one should really pay much attention to me because I'm disbarred. He forgot to mention that I'm an alkie, too. His post generated 447 likes at last count, along with 191 comments. Part of the reason for that is because he's the Mayor and has a lot of cronies and sycophants. Of course, another part of the reason is that I really am an asshole. Not only do my Super Powers give me an ungodly ability to piss people off, but I'm completely unfazed by what others think about me. I'm not running for anything. My role as a bottom-feeding blogger is to tell the truth as I see it. And the truth, as I see it, is that Easton is infested by favoritism and cronyism.

The Nowroski hire

What really rankled Panto was my Friday post about incoming Codes Director Stephen Nowroski. The City refused to identify him, but had Council rubber-stamp a significant pay hike for the position to a starting salary of $87,000, with absolutely no disclosure of who was getting the job. When I blew the whistle and identified Nowroski as someone who had been investigated twice -  once for using code as a retaliatory measure and once for issuing permits without inspections -  Panto went beserk.

These are the unvarnished facts. They are not pretty, and the City should have been up front and transparent about what it wanted to do. Panto attempted to muzzle me, but now The Express Times has published the story as well, and in a way that reflects poorly on the new hire that Panto wanted so badly to keep under wraps. Now he can explain what he's doing to people who are outside his circle of cronies and sycophants. This pretty much blew up in his face.

It could very well be that Nowroski will prove to be a great addition to Easton. But he starts with a strike against him, not because of me, but because Panto refused to be transparent.

Easton has always played favorites. 

To some extent, there's cronyism and favoritism everywhere. But it's embedded in Easton. You need look no further than people like the Vulcanos. On the school board and city council, they both have abused their positions  One even used his influence to get his daughter a teaching job for which she was unqualified.

City Council members are paid an ungodly $9,371 salary, plus health benefits. That's about 50% more than in Allentown.

Don't forget, this is a City where the The Holy Cross Society deposed some poor high school junior as the Queen of some goofy Summer festival and gave her crown to a Panto niece.

Favoritism in business

The favoritism extends into businesses, too.  In 2013, Easton rushed an assessment reduction for developer Mark Mulligan at the Wolf Building, even though the building was subsequently granted KOZ status and is essentially exempt from all but federal income taxes. Permit fees for a trendy Cheeburger Cheeburger restaurant at one of Mulligan's properties were reduced. This developer and an Easton Redevelopment employee who also acts as a realtor for Mulligan nearly got away with the escrow money for two burned properties. They were stopped only because I blew the whistle.

While playing favorites for some, others are treated like second class citizens. Developer Abe Atiyeh, for example, was denied an assessment appeal on the same day that Easton pitched one for Mulligan. He also has claimed, and in a federal lawsuit, that he was targeted by Easton code enforcement officials.

So what does Panto do? Hire someone who was investigated for using code enforcement to retaliate against people outside his inner circle. Brilliant.

Favoritism in Parking Tickets

This favoritism even extends into Panto's extrajudicial parking enforcement. People outside his inner circle are being denied due process by a greedy Mayor who counts on those tickets as an extra source of revenue. Even on Sundays. He might as well send one of his goons around with the collection basket. I know people who won't go downtown at night any more, not for fear of the criminals, but the Panto Parking Police. This situation is made worse by the "who you know" culture of favoritism that exists. As a result of several Right-to-Know requests, I was able to establish, pretty conclusively, that many had large numbers of tickets avoided.

Despite the plain evidence of Easton's own data, which show that a privileged few are getting parking ticket breaks, he attacks me because I have failed to provide "one example of a ticket that I fixed or voided."

That's pretty hard to do when Easton has destroyed all records of the names of the those whose tickets were expunged..

He then goes on to say that criticisms of  "city employees are off limits." He adds that his new codes director underwent an intensive background check in which it was discovered that another employee was the culprit playing favorites.

Of course, that's bullshit. Sal is just repeating what this guy said in his interview, No municipality, with the possible exception of Easton, would be so stupid as to release an intenal investigation.

Who are Sal's Sycophants? 

Many rallied to Sal's war cry on Friday night. Without question, some are true believers who believe Easton is a better place now than it was when Panto took office. And it is. But there are just as many who want me silenced because my Super Powers piss them off.

Here's a few.

Melissa Miller, who writes, "He is a bully and everyone knows it," is one of the most extreme members of the Republican Action Team, aka Tea Party, and is NorCo Council member Seth Vaughn's significant other. I have been critical of her vulgarities and her husband on Council.

Lisa Pawlowski, Allentown's very own Lady MacBeth, tells Facebook readers I get "paid every time someone opens his blog. So every click is a win for him. Controversy means more money for him. So folks, if you support your mayor, don't ever read Bernie's blog. Make a statement by cutting into his income." Lisa must think I'm as money hungry as she and her husband. I don't make a dime blogging.

Jon Geeting is a failed Lehigh Valley blogger who claims that reading my blog "always makes me feel like being in a dirty gas station bathroom" He is jealous, and needs to grow up.

Billy Kounoupis of Billy's Downtown Diner fame calls me an ass, which is a step up from what I'm usually called. He waves the pom poms, but doesn't bother telling anyone that he's working on a deal right now for a third Billy's Downtown Diner in Easton, at the new LANTA terminal. When this guy was appointed to the Bethlehem Parking Authority, the first thing he did was attempt to have a ticket fixed. He'll be right at home in Panto Paradise.

Joseph H Capozzolo, Bangor's Mayor after winning by one vote, writes, "Consider the source." That source exposed him as an opportunist when he ran for the state senate seat, taking just enough votes away from Scott Parsons to guarantee a Scavello victory. I also criticized Joe for defacing someone's campaign signs, which is a pretty low thing to do.

Thomas Lutes came out in support of Hizzoner. He should because he had five parking tickets voided in 2014.

Heidi Stecker Markow  refers to me as an "evil blogger" and chastised me for using a sentence containing the word Jesus. As a victim rights advocate, she went overboard and was calling news conferences to complain about the DA and judges, and I took her to task as a nut job.

I stand by every word I've written about Panto and his Posse. They better head over to The Express Times comment board because the people commenting there are less understanding.

My Concern

Panto was unsuccessful in muzzling me because The Express Times covered my story. But what happens in a few years when there are no dailies. I criticize them incessantly, but without them, our democracy dies. It will be too easy for someone in power to marginalize and muzzle contrary voices.

Easton Mayoral Primary Debate: Panto Vows This Will Be His Last Term

Six-term Mayor Sal Panto and challenger Peter Melan traded blows last night during a Mayoral debate hosted by the Meyner Center at Lafayette's Colton Chapel before an audience of about 100 people, with Dr. John Kincaid serving as moderator. You can see the debate for yourself above. Panto painted himself as a "leader" whom you can trust. "I promised a cleaner and safer city," and reminded everyone that he kept that promise.  Melan agreed that Panto deserves a "world of credit" for what has happened in Easton, but the city needs a "better listener" who will "use data" to arrive at strategic responses to city problems. Candidates answered questions concerning climate change, parking, economic development, neighborhoods, affordable housing, taxes, diversity and inclusion, back yard chickens and pickleball. Panto also announced that, if elected, "This will be my last term." 

Panto, who has spent a lifetime speaking to groups, was clearly the better speaker. Melan was a bit more guarded, but was definitely a much better orator than he was a few weeks ago at the Southside Civic Ass'n. 

I expect Panto will easily be re-elected despite having been Mayor since the city was laid out by William Parsons in 1752. As Mayor, he's done everything he can to equate his persona with the city itself. At last night's debate, when asked what makes him most proud. The Notre Dame Green Pond grad said it was a picture of the Red Rover football team coming out of the field house with the Easton flag. "Kids are proud to say they're from Easton again and that's the key to turning around the city. I can honestly say that my legacy is that people are more proud to say they live in Easton today, and say they live in Easton, than they were before I was in office. That's my legacy. "

I walked out last night with a nice lady who told me she now lives in Salisbury Township, but came to the debate because she grew up in Easton and was proud to say she was from Easton. 

I suspect Panto's message resonated with her more than what either candidate had to say about any of the topics discussed.  

Panto has been a good Mayor and the City has improved under his watch. You could say it's because of him or in spite of him, but nobody can reasonably argue that the city is the cesspool it was when he took office. 

The real question is whether six terms is enough.  Melan says yes. He believes the Mayor needs to be separated from City Council (the Mayor is currently also a Council member) and that there should be term limits. He wants to focus more on the south side, west ward and college hill with more "creative ideas." 

Panto countered that the people already have the power to limit someone's term in the voting booth. "i'm publicly making this known now that, there will be a change of guard. If I win this election, which I fully expect to do, this will be my last term. ... I will tell you that this is my last term." What about four years ago? Didn't he say that was his last term? " No, what I said was this will probably be my last term. Then guess what?  That was January when I took office, and in March, we hit COVID."

Panto Dodges Bullet

Sal Panto

On Monday, I told you that Easton Mayor Sal Panto is using at least two sock puppets - "roverfan73" and "tom18017" - to participate in online discussions on LehighValleyLive. This is in addition to comments he posts under his own name. Not only does this violate the posting standards at LehighValleyLive, it's inherently dishonest behavior. Citizens have the right to expect the highest ethical standards from their elected officials, and Panto let them all down. He was actually using these false names to participate in discussions on Easton issues and bully those who disagree with him.

Panto's comments indicate that he has knowledge of misbehavior by former Easton City Council member Michael Fleck and Garret Strathearn, both of whom have been implicated in Allentown's federal pay-to-play investigation. Had he disclosed that knowledge to the proper authorities, it is possible that things could have been stopped sooner. Instead, he kept his mouth shut, depriving the citizenry of their right to honest services. But when the shit hit the fan, he chortled with glee - under a fake name.

I am disgusted by this kind of dishonesty in a man who has just started his fifth term as Easton's Mayor. Unfortunately, this kind of behavior is becoming the norm on a national level, but that's no reason to tolerate it here. So I visited Easton City Council last night, fully intending to blast Panto, who has yet to apologize for his dishonesty.

But I didn't.

I said nothing, and when the meeting was over, I left without a word.

When I arrived, I was getting the hairy eyeball from a woman seated just behind me. My zipper was up and I had just taken a shower about three days before, so I was wondering, "What's her problem?"

Well, there was a young man seated next to her, and it became apparent as the meeting went on that this boy is Panto's grandson. The woman glaring at me must have been his mother. The young boy obviously adores his grandfather.

Panto needed to be taken to task. Reporters were sitting there, and I am sure that my comments would have resulted in a story, since The Express Times in particular already has the details and has been nosing around.  But what message would I send by embarrassing Panto in front of his grandson? He knows he's wrong, and was already somewhat sheepish at last night's meeting.

So I let it go.

I'm no saint. I am a lawyer whose license was suspended for dishonest behavior brought on by alcoholism. I know what it is like to lose integrity. I'll let Panto keep his and will drop this. But I better see no more phony comments from him.

Luis Campos, Administrator or Panto's New Fall Guy?

Luis Campos

When Luis Campos was confirmed as Northampton County's Director of Administration in July 2014, his salary was set at $87,838. Now, just two years later, he'll be making $108,000, about 23% more. He abruptly "resigned" on June 8 amid numerous rumors that it was either that or be fired. Though the reasons for his sudden departure appear murky, Allentown was after him to take over as Managing Director. And now, after a special meeting of Easton City Council yesterday afternoon, The Express Times reports that Campos has been unanimously confirmed as Easton's new city administrator.

He follows the footsteps of Glenn Steckman, who also abruptly resigned in January.

Steckman's resignation was the result of friction with Mayor Sal Panto. That point is driven home by comments posted at by Panto in a kooky conversation with himself at The Express Times comment board, posing under pseudonyms tom18017 and roverfan73.

Panto disguised as Tom18017: "He needs some humility like the mayor and thank everyone and share the credit. No one person turned this city around and as k remember it the mayor worked for over a year without him and many many good things happened in the first year of this administration that kept us out of bankruptcy. The first budget of this new administration that hel taxes was without him. He wasn't even in Easton. Also insiders have told me that it is. Very possible that the resignation of The finance director was due to this guy as well. Too bad heagle left although he did get a better paying position."

Panto disguised as roverfan73: "Yes this is good for Easton. I had several dealings with this guy and he was rude and nasty."

Panto disguised as Tom18017: "I know a lot of the city employees and I am sure they are celebrating tonight. My few dealings with him didn't give me s good feeling about the city or The adminstration. Given the fact that it was a unanimous decision I'd say my feelings were correct. In the article he takes a lot of credit and doesn't seem to share any of the success."

Panto disguised as roverfan73: "The Mayor doesn't get paid anything extra and the still will do both jobs like he did for all of 20018 before Steckman was hired. And I am sure he will do the Administrator's job better."

Panto disguised as roverfan73: "I found out today that one of the things he and the mayor constantly argued about was the parking meters and tickets. Seems the guy was the one that kept lacking up the price and the number of parking officers against the mayor's wishes. I'll try to get more of the reasons and what they disagreed on."

Panto disguised as roverfan73: "Now I learned that the Mayor extended an offer to all city employees to meet yesterday. Two meetings were held and my source said that the meeting was very good and the mayor was very open and honest about the situation. I learned that another bit of difference they had was that Steckman wanted to close both the South Side and College Hill fire stations and that the mayor was vehemently opposed and it was the mayor that wen to the Lafayette president to make the ask for a fire pumper. The college has committed to paying $550,000 for a new pumper. Other things were said but he would not elaborate. He said the mayor also map out goals for 2016 and priorities for the next four years. The employee said it was the best employee meeting he ever attended."

In Northampton County, Campos was the victim of a Deputy Administrator who wanted his job. In Easton, he'll have to deal with a surprisingly thin-skinned and egotistical Mayor who is just not that smart. He would later get mixed up and start posting comments as himself, even though he was still using fake names.

Oopsie!

I question whether Campos is being brought on board as Administrator or fall guy.

But Easton is a great city and Panto has done good things when he's not patting himself on the back. The 27,000-person metropolis is mired in poverty, with 22.6% at or below the poverty line. But though the per capita income is just $19,100, it is working poor. Fifty-nine per cent of the City works. The main problem and reason for crime is not those evil immigrants, but people coming to Easton and other parts of the Lehigh Valley from New York City.

Northampton County, incidentally, now has no Directors for DCED, Emergency Management  or Administration. Executive John Brown is working on his second Solicitor, third Human Resources Director and second Public Works Director.

The important EMS position has been vacant for over a year, and Brown is playing a very dangerous game in failing to fill it. The Administrator position is even more critical.

Panto's "Civil" Enforcement of Parking Tickets Is Problematic

Easton City Solicitor Bill Murphy

In the face of growing scrutiny of his bizarre parking ticket methods, Easton Mayor Sal Panto called a news conference this afternoon to explain the process. Though I received no invitation, I crashed the party anyway. Fortunately, no one shooed me away. In addition to Hizzoner, Team Panto consisted of Solicitor Bill Murphy, Administrator Glenn Steckman and three high-ranking police officers, Over the course of an hour, they all took turns explaining that the violation notices issued in Easton are now civil, and not criminal, matters. Hence, the City has no obligation to comply with the Pennsylvania's Supreme Court's admonition that no penalty may be imposed for a parking violation that is based solely on a ticket. But they all had a difficult time explaining how they can unilaterally decide to penalize someone financially or with a boot when there's been no prior determination of responsibility.

Sal Panto

The civil system presumes you are guilty. - Lt. Matthew Lohenitz stated that "the onus is on the driver or vehicle owner to contact us and ask us" if he wants a review. So the presumption of innocence that pertains in criminal matters is stood on its head in this supposed civil process that is administered by cops. You are presumed guilty, and it is up to you to complain if you want a second look. It is unclear to me that city officials can penalize someone, even civillym, based solely on a ticket

The notice is inadequate. -  All City officials agree that the notice on parking tickets, which  inaccurately advise drivers or owners that they are subject to citation for failure to respond, needs a bit of work. Solicitor Bill Murphy conceded that the word "appeal" appears nowhere. They all stated that the notice is being revised, and will ask District Attorney John Morganelli for his assistance. "That means a lot to me," said Chief Carl Scalzo.

"We are law enforcement officers," stated Chief Carls Scalzo."We are not legislators."

They're also not judges but are playing that role.    

The cops play judge. - The review process is flawed. City officials bragged that there's a 5-step appeal process, but every person in that appeal process in a cop or parking enforcement officer. That's no independent or neutral review. A cop decides if another cop got it right. In fact, the first step in the appeal process is to the officer who wrote the ticket.

City officials pointed out that roughly ten percent of the tickets written last year were forgiven, and that is the pattern being seen this year as well. They cited this as proof that people know they can call and complain about their tickets and get a fair review. I believe these officers. But the potential for mischief is there.

Potential for political favoritism exists. - Though he did so inadvertently, Panto explained precisely how this appeals process can be corrupted so that it caters to political favorites. He stated he is approached frequently about tickets and went into detail about one woman going through a divorce who had her car booted in an effort to show how compassionate city officials are with people who have financial hardships. He stated he sent her to Lt. Lohenitz, but then quickly added he has no idea what happened in her case.

I believe that when the Lt. Lohenitz gets a referral from the Mayor, there's an unspoken message to go easy. This 5-step appeal process in which cops judge other cops and Mayors make referrals, could easily be perverted  into a system in which the ten per cent of tickets that are dismissed are for the politically connected.

I will say that, based on prior interactions with Lt. Lohenitz and Chief Carl Scalzo, I believe they would rather be fired than play that game. And though Panto has pretty much bungled this entire parking fiasco, even I don't believe he would try to fix a ticket. But he won't be Mayor forever. And good police officers like Scalzo or Lohenitz are like comets streaking across the sky. They're gone before you know they were there.

Panto stated that the Easton Parking Authority might also be tasked to handle ticket appeals. That would remove the police, but not the politics.

Is Panto's Motive to Help Citizens or Is it Greed? - Panto and Lt Lohenitz explained that decriminalizing parking tickets is a benefit to the citizen. Lohentiz explained that no one should be embarrassed at work by a constable with a warrant for a parking ticket. Panto correctly noted that the fines are much lower than they would be in the criminal arena.

But it is Panto who told The Express Times, "We are now collecting our own tickets because the city that generates the tickets should be getting those revenues, not the courts." 

According to City Administrator Glenn Steckman, Easton "collected" (he insisted on using that word) about $650,000 from parking tickets last year. Thirty-nine cars were booted. Eight were eventually towed away.Lt. Lohenitz initially stated that no car was sold, but later admitted that he does not know what happened and that's between the owner and Easton Auto Body. He did indicate that he believes most of the cars towed had been abandoned.

What's next? - District Attorney John Morganelli is reviewing this matter. I believe the argument can be made that this is an unlawful criminal proceeding dressed as a civil matter.

One problem Easton has is that it is still assessing penalties without any basis other than the ticket itself. Officials call this a civil matter, but there is no underlying civil proceeding. Another problem is that, once a ticket is ignored, officials notify the owners in writing that they owe money. To do that, they must get the registration information for the ticketed vehicle. I believe (I may be mistaken) that police officers have no right to access that information unless they are conducting a criminal investigation.

Given that people can have their cars booted and towed away, it's hard to escsape the conclusion that this is a criminal matter disguised as a civil matter so that Easton does not have to play by the rules.

Panto Flip Flops on Easton Peace Phallus

In recent weeks, there's been a major argument between Easton Mayor Sal Panto and local merchants over whether the gigantic phallus known as the Easton Peace Candle should be lit up on Black Friday (Panto) or Small Business Saturday (everyone else). Using pseudonyms "roverfan73" and "tom18017," Panto used the comment forum at LehighValleyLive to lobby for Friday.

"IT'S SIMPLE THE CANDLE SHOULD BE LIT ON FRIDAY NIGHT --- PERIOD ----- " ... "I also vote for candle lighting on Friday. Does GEDP run this city or the Mayor and City Council?" ... I like the fact that she and the city aren't closely connected to GEDP anymore. Aren't they the ones that moves the Peace Candle lighting? ... My vote is Friday. The mayor is right. Taxpayers pay the expense of the candle. And I am a loyal downtown shopper. This is a community event. I shopped a lot in town for this holiday season but not on candle lighting night."

Despite what the voices in his head were telling him, Panto reversed course last night and went with Saturday, the date preferred by the merchants.

This about face came after he was exposed by this blog for using LehighValleyLive to manipulate public opinion.

This about face came after Easton activist Dennis Lieb, a former Planning Commissioner, took Panto to task in a meeting attended by about 20 people.

"How are we to believe that tonight's decision is to be handled in an unbiased, fact-based manner when the mayor - who was quoted in Tuesday's Express-Times as not yet having made up his mind which way to vote - has at the same time been commenting anonymously under two online screen names (roverfan73 and tom18017) that "IT'S SIMPLE THE CANDLE SHOULD BE LIT ON FRIDAY NIGHT --- PERIOD ----- " in all caps? Can you address this issue for the public?

"I will sit down while you answer that but before I do I'd also like to say...

"As a 50 year resident of the West Ward it is an insult to me to have the city's mayor hiding behind screen names and using social media to pretend to be a West Ward resident; to prop up his administration; and to propagandize the state of my neighborhood. You are not now nor have you ever been a West Ward citizen and you never will be."

Panto never explained his dishonest behavior, but then went on to claim that he had been persuaded earlier in the day by Easton's Main Street Manager, Kim Kmetz. He then regurgitated arguments that had already been made by merchants.

Sandra Vulcano, who prepared the resolution setting Friday night as the lighting night, had to change it to Saturday, and the rubber stamps on City Council quickly bobbed their heads. She said it made little difference to her whether the lighting was Friday or Saturday, and about 30 seconds later, contradicted herself and claimed, "This is an important issue."

She came to the meeting despite sneezing and hacking all over Panto and then added, "I took a wonderful pill."

After the vote, Easton resident Curt Ehly congratulated Panto and Council, claiming, "This is the way it is supposed to work."

I sure hope not.

We have a Mayor who flip flopped only because he got caught trying to manipulate public opinion, a Council that didn't even blink at changing the resolution completely and clearly were there to do what they were told, and a Council member like Vulcano who is clearly off her rocker, and who went on for several minutes, saying absolutely nothing.

I'd say it was the pill but I've seen her in action before. Rarely have I heard someone use so many words to say so little.

In fact, Vulcano is Exhibit "A" to anyone who wants to abolish democracy. Her husband is Exhibit "B."  But the people of Easton continually re-elect them because there are vowels at the end of their name.

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.

Panto's Remarks About Illegal Immigrants Taken Out of Context

At their February 12 meeting, Easton City Council took up a proposed welcoming city ordinance that was recently adopted in Allentown but rejected in Bethlehem. While the proposed ordinance still requires the city to comply with state and federal law, it bans the use of local personnel to assist in federal immigration enforcement. It does require a certifying city to shell out $12,000 to a nonprofit. Frankly, it strikes me as just the latest, and rather tone-deaf attempt at virtue signaling during a time in which voters have just elected a President who has vowed to deport undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. 

Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo warned against this proposal. While he said he was empathetic to the cause of helping people who have come to this country in search of a better life. His worry is that with these law-abiding immigrants, "there are also individuals who come here without that good intent." He suggested some would be here to commit crimes and hurt others, including citizens and law enforcement. He worries that "welcoming city" legislation would be used by criminal aliens who "fly under the radar." "Legislation like that can be a beacon for those individuals to come here."  He also observed that his officers could face legal consequences if the ordinance were unintentionally violated. 

Chief Scalzo went on to say that Easton has a long history of supporting immigrants and that Mayor Sal Panto himself just spoke last year in support of DREAMERs. Panto also promoted a city resolution calling on the state to provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. 

In response to questions from Council member Taiba Sultana, who said that a welcoming city just embraces diversity, he maintained that there are individuals who "will see that and ... They're going to go to those places where they feel like they can fly under the radar and then our officers are the ones left dealing with those individuals." Chief Scalzo conceded that most immigrants are law-abiding, but "we are seeing in our communities ... the Tren de Aragua gang and those types of elements get mixed into all of this. For sure that they do and they're looking for places where they can fly under that radar."

That was all Mayor Panto, who has used the mantra "clean and safe" since he was first elected to office, needed to hear. "I can't stand that we're here trying to do an ordinance to protect illegals. These people commit crimes. We don't want crime in our city. If you vote for this ordinance you are voting to have crime in your city."

That was that. 

Except it wasn't. Sultana used Panto's remarks to complain, in a letter to The Morning Call, that Panto's remarks about immigrants were hurtful and xenophobic. Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen, a Wilson Borough activist, said Panto's reaction was "blatantly racist" in a Morning Call op-ed. 

While I'll agree that Panto was inartful in the way he expressed himself (he was angry), he was taken out of context by both Sultana and Moritz-Chapelliquen. When he said he was opposed to illegals, it was in response to Chief Scalzo's warning about illegals who commit crimes. He has a good record of supporting immigrants who may have come here illegally but are otherwise productive members of society. 

Local government should focus on local government, not the flavor of the day. 

Panto's Campaign Finance Report Misses Important Details

Sal Panto at Ismael Arcelay Announcement

Easton Mayor Sal "I want a NIZ, too" Panto is more accountable and transparent than most elected officials. But his sloppy 2012 campaign finance report looks like it could have been prepared by Edwin Pawlowski. For many of the contributions, Panto fails to list important and required details, like addresses and occupations of the donors, and the dates on which these contributions were made.

This is not just nitpicking, either. The report as filed is in violation of Pennsylvania's campaign finance disclosure laws.

Speaking of Pawlowski, he gave Sal $1,000 last year. So did a lot of Pawlowski's own crop of donors. NIZ developer J.B. Reilly, a conservative Republican, found it in his heart to give Sal $1,000. Robert Bennett of Bennett Toyota, located in Allentown, gave Panto $1,500. Alan Kessler, who is with the Duane Morris law firm, kicked in $2,500.

There are several other large contributors, and absolutely no explanation about any of them. Not even an address or employer.

In a nonelection year, Panto raised $15,200.06 and spent $10,556.04. He has $9,916.27 left in his treasury.

His campaign manager, Randy Galiotto, told me Panto will file an amended report. He added that Reilly has given to Panto in the past. But not Bennett or a host of other names I usually see associated with King Edwin.

NorCo Safety Committee Wanted Crosswalk Enhanced, Not Removed

Two weekends ago, NorCo workers painted over a crosswalk from the courthouse to parking lots located on the other side of the street. This was there to provide some measure of safety to employees and the public.Executive John Brown admitted during a council meeting that he gave the order, but told Ken Kraft he was merely following a recommendation of the Safety Committee. I now have some of the email exchanges and know that the Safety Committee is blameless, and made no such recommendation.  The crosswalk removal is a direct result of a recommendation of the Panto Parking Police, despite Mayor Sal Panto's protests to the contrary. Rather than spend a dime on public and employee safety, Brown has taken steps that will ironically ensure the County is exposed to even more liability if someone is unfortunate enough to be struck by a vehicle in that crosswalk

"We had a recommendation from the Safety Committee" were the exact works used by Brown. "They reviewed the information for several weeks and concluded that, in order to minimize liability for the County and our employees, eliminating that crosswalk would be the most prudent action."

The Safety Committee, incidentally, is a collection of county workers from various departments.It is steered by outside cost control consultant Chris Rothwell of the infamous C3 Group that guarantees to "boost your bottom line."

Though Brown tried to pin this on the Safety Committee, Director of Administration Luis Campos previously had told me this decision was prompted by an email from the Easton Police Department. I asked him for a copy of the email, which he never produced. I asked Easton Mayor Sal Panto for a copy when he came on this blog to cast stones. He never produced it, either.

I spoke with a member of this Safety Committee on Tuesday. Agent 99 and I grilled him until he cracked. He provided me with a copy of the email that Campos and Panto refused to provide. He also told me that the Safety Committee made no recommendation to remove the crosswalk. It does not even take votes. It was actually seeking ways to make the crosswalk safer.

Kinda' like what I'd expect from a Safety Committee.

This all started with an email from Roger Pulcini, a member of the Safety Committee to Lt. Matt Lohenitz of the Panto Parking Police. He is one of the judge, jury and executioner combinations in Easton's "civil" money-grabbing parking ticket scheme that had to be revised after concerns raised by DA John Morganelli. .

Pulcini explained that it is a "very dangerous crosswalk" in which one county worker was struck by a car. She is permanently disabled. "Just last week three employees almost got hit by a fast moving car in this area even with signs up of crosswalk ahead they fly right through the area." Pulcini suggested flashing lights. "I am most concerned of the older residents who visit the Court House for business and cannot jump out of the way quickly."

He was asking for help.

Lt. Lohenitz, who apparently is a traffic engineer and a judge in addition to being a member of the Panto Parking Police, waxed on about the "challenges and requirements of a mid block crosswalk." He then recommended that pedestrians be directed to use the crosswalks at the intersections of 7th and Washington and Union and Washington, with absolutely no regard for the safety of pedestrians that would be forced to cross where Wolf St dumps out onto Washington at a dangerous angle.

The Panto Parking Police advised against continued use of the crosswalk,which he claims is legally unenforceable. He warned that the County would need to comply with ADA requirements and do a traffic study, although in another part of his missive, he states that such a study was done. Then he throws in this kicker. "I would not recommend using that crosswalk sign [in] that area. By placing that sign there, the county, in my opinion then assumes liability for what may happen there since it is not a legal crosswalk."

Lohenitz fails to state when he got his P.E. license or who elected him judge.

But all Brown had to see was some cop's assertion that the County is assuming liability for what happens inside a crosswalk. That was enough to persuade him.

"I have to look at the liability,." he told Lamont McClure, although he was unable to say whether there is any legal representation on the Safety Committee (There is not). Then he complained about cost, stating it would be "quite expensive" to create a compliant crosswalk.

Had Brown bothered to present any of this to a lawyer before he had acted, he would have learned that removing the pedestrian sign and painting over a crosswalk that he knows is being used is negligence per se. Whether the County assumed liability before is a matter of debate, but there is no question now that the County will be held responsible for any injuries that occur in that crosswalk.

Brown has also opened up the door to punitive damages. He made clear at the meeting that his is concerned about cost, not safety. In fact, his so-called Safety Committee is being run by a cost cutting bean counter.

He is being penny wise and pound foolish, a trait that has marked most of his administration. Unfortunately, County Council has no authority to compel Brown to do the right thing. The only place where this kind of incompetence can be remedied is at the polls.