Norberto Dominguez: Why I Withdrew in State House Race

From Norberto Dominguez: I am a man of my word. I was raised that way by my father—a steelworker and union man at Allentown’s Gulf Western for 38 years, who worked hard to provide for his family—and my mother a seamstress. Immigrants from the Dominican Republic, I was blessed to learn from them the key lessons of love, honor and compassion rooted in the idea that everyone deserves respect, and that leadership requires fairness, wisdom and humility.

For over 25 years, I’ve dedicated myself to working hard for my community and the 22nd district, instilling that same standard in the hearts and minds of every person I’ve engaged, during my time as the director of HALA (Hispanic American League of Artists) and as a Jordan Heights Neighborhood Manager for CACLV.

I’ve had the honor of working with great community leaders from Jesus Ramos (who recently passed) to teens ready to change their community for the better. There are great people in the 22nd, many that remind me of my parents. The people of the 22nd district that I’ve come to know over time are not power hungry. They are not privileged. They work hard to make their lives and their children’s lives better.

Believing that Peter Schweyer was a principled man, a man of good will, a man committed to democracy and the will of the people, a man like my father, I made a promise to him early on that if I decided to run for his seat, I would tell him face to face. And I did. Before shaking his hand that day, I relayed to him that I hoped we would run this race with honor and with respect and Schweyer concurred.

Little did I know, that all bets would be off once petition season ended. On February 24th, the day after the deadline to file a challenge, I received an email from the law office of Adam C. Bonin notifying me that Peter Schweyer had challenged my petitions. Three days later, I was served by Schweyer’s law firm. March 1st, I received a letter from the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania compelling me to face Schweyer in court on the 14th. Given the fact that I had to resign my position from CACLV in order to run, due to the Hatch Act, I was in no position to hire my own lawyer and fight this challenge.

On March 2nd, I officially withdrew my name from the ballot. Before I arrived home, it was already listed on the state website. Three days later, I received another letter (postmarked March 3) from the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania notifying me that Peter Schweyer had withdrawn his petition challenge. I can only hazard a guess that the blowback he’d received on the Lehigh Valley Ramblings blog sent him running for cover and that he hoped that by withdrawing no one would notice how he had chosen to undercut the democratic process itself. I gather having a Latino opponent in a predominantly Latino district was not his preference. Yet he was all too happy to use a Latino to sign his challenge.

Clearly Peter Schweyer was more interested in this election being decided prior to the people of the 22nd district ever having an opportunity to cast a single ballot. He was supported in doing his dirty work by Nestor Tatis, Representative to the Executive Board of the Allentown City Democratic Committee, a fellow Dominican.

I am a wiser man today than I was that day I shook Peter Schweyer’s hand and committed to running a respectful race for the support of the people of the 22nd district. This district was created to represent the large Latino population living within its borders. Yet, Schweyer, a member of the disgraced mayor’s inner circle, and the Democratic Committee, has done very little for the Latino residents here.

It is with deep sadness that I note that, both at a city and a county level, the Democratic Party in this town seems mired in maintaining the same folks at the top that have always been at the top. They are no different than the Republican Party. Their actions, in this case, speak louder than their talking points.

You’d think they’d have learned something in the past seven months about subverting democracy from watching the long shadow cast across City Hall by the ongoing FBI investigation on corruption.

On March 2nd, I officially withdrew from this race. Today, I’ve resigned my position as a committeeperson of the Allentown City Democratic Committee. I cannot stand with a party committed to taking away the ability of the people of this district to weigh in on who represents their best interests in Harrisburg.

I remain a man of my word. I continue to believe in my father’s lessons, that fairness, wisdom and humility, are a requirement, of good leadership. Unfortunately, it seems Peter Schweyer does not.

Schweyer Challenges Dominguez Petition

too brown for Allentown?

State Rep. Pete Schweyer has a pretty good gig goin' as the Gringo representing a new District in Allentown that was supposedly established for its Latino population. But Norberto Dominguez, who actually is a Democrat and an honest-to-goodness Latino, has dared to challenge the natural order by running himself. So Schweyer has challenged Dominguez's nomination petition, hoping to have this election decided by a judge and not the voters.

Schweyer is using the same Philly lawyer - Adam Bonin - who challenged Terri Powell's signatures.

According to Tonya Trotter, who is volunteering for Dominguez' campaign, Schweyer "doesn't want the Latinos (that he represents) in the 22nd district to decide. What he wants is for Mr. Dominguez, who is Dominican, founded HALA (Hispanic American League of Artists), has beautified ugly parts of this city with full scale murals, and turned a dirty lot into a park, to be kicked off the ballot. He filed his lawsuit late on Tues, the 23rd, the deadline for objections."

"How serious is Mr. Schweyer's commitment to the Latino people of the 22nd district if he wants to kick their Latino candidate off the ballot?

"That should speak volumes to the voters of the 22nd district about his character and true motives for being in that seat. He's okay representing them in a seat of power, but he is too afraid to face a true contender in an election?"

Tonya, I don't believe Pete represents the voters. He represents the crony capitalist party headed by J.B. Reilly. From time to time, he hands out food to the poor, kinda' like the aristocracy used to throw coins at the unwashed masses in France.

Schweyer and his Bobbsey Twin, Mike "Darth Voter" Schlossberg, are far more comfortable among the Lee Butz' of this world, something their campaign finance reports make very clear.

I don't know his challenge claims. Maybe it was signed by people who aren't really registered. Maybe Norberto did not know about filing his Statement of Financial Interests with the Ethics Commission. But Schweyer's real argument is that Norberto is too brown for Allentown.

Allentown's Shame: Gentrification at Expense of Minority-Owned Business

In a report published yesterday by The Morning Call's fearless road warrior, Dan Hartzell, LANTA makes clear it has no intention of restoring eliminated bus stops along Hamilton Street. Board member Steve Schmitt insensitively scoffs at merchants who have lost business. "They wanted something to complain about, basically." Board member-Jenn Mann employee-city council wannabe Pete Schweyer disingenuously claims that business has picked up at the 100 block of Seventh. Finally, Mayor Ed Pawlowski keeps repeating the same "It's not a city issue" mantra his administration has been chanting at me and Lázaro Fuentes.

All three statements are demonstrably false. Merchants have suffered. There is no business increase at the 100 block of Seventh Street. And the removal of these stops is very much a city issue - it's part of a discriminatory gentrification aimed at keeping the riff raff away from the coveted Butz Corporate Center, PPL Building and Plaza and Allentown Brew Works. All three buildings just happen to be located between Seventh and Tenth Streets, exactly where the buses no longer run.

It is a city issue.

The concept of a new transportation hub in downtown Allentown extends back to 2001, and went into design phase in early 2005. In October 2005, when Governor Rendell forked over $1.25 million for the intermodal project, it was "to help revitalize the downtown, making it more attractive to private businesses investment and boosting the quality of life for residents." In October 2006, as this new center was being built, Mayor Pawlowski bragged that it was an "important link in efforts to revitalize the Allentown downtown area."

From Pawlowski himself, we know this is a city issue. These changes were made to help renew Allentown. And according to an anonymous comment by a person who claims to be a Butz Corporate Center tenant, a leasing agent told him in October 2006 that all the "riff raff" will be off Hamilton. "Indeed, it is part of the deal to capitulate to the big biz folks being lobbied to move into the downtown. No taxes for years. Christmas lights in front of their building, exclusively."

Further evidence that Allentown is currying favor with the business bigwigs can be found in this year's "Dancing in the Streets Octoberfest," a Friday afternoon block party along the 800 block of Hamilton Street, at the front door stop of downtown Allentown's corporate giants. People will eat German food and dance under the noses of thirty-eight suffering Malaysian, Korean, Indian, Arab and Guyanese merchants.

They may as well be dancing on their graves.

But business has picked up elsewhere, hasn't it?

One of LANTA's board members, Peter Schweyer, wears a number of other hats. He's also a legislative aide to state rep. Jenn Mann. Remember her? She's the sweetheart who miraculously secured a $10,000 grant for Parkland's ice hockey program, a real worthy cause. And guess what? Peter is running for Allentown city council. He must be very busy, too, because he just hates waiting in the "intense volume of traffic on Hamilton Street." Naturally, he loves the elimination of bus stops on and near Hamilton Street. If that results in "loss of business suffered by a few companies located between 7th and 8th Streets," that's fine with him. Besides, according to Schweyer, business has really picked up on the 100 block of Seventh Street.

That's my point. The intention is to steer the smaller, and minority-owned businesses, away from the aristocrats on Hamilton. Moreover, you don't justify the destruction of existing minority-owned businesses, by claiming that some business somewhere else will profit. Finally, Schweyer's claim is simply unbelievable. According to Michael Molovinsky, "There is only 1 store in that block, one half block away and on the other side, on the far corner of Turner st. That block is the worst in Allentown, 95% vacant."

In an email late last night, Schweyer tells me, "Your argument that LANTA and the City of Allentown are somehow advocating the destruction of minority owned businesses is not only spurious, but laughable and frankly quite bizarre."

I'm not laughing. Regardless of intent, that's certainly what has happened. I don't see how any other conclusion is possible. And it may very well be intentional. Elimination of these stops will certainly remove the "riff raff" near the Butz Corporate Center, PPL Building and Plaza and Allentown Brew Works.

Minority-owned businesses just like to complain.

The prize for most insensitive statement concerning this discriminatory gentrification, clearly goes to LANTA board member Steve Schmitt. He claims people like Jenny Lim are just looking for a reason to complain.

He should talk to her. I did. She speaks in a soft, unassuming and accented voice. But don't let that fool you. She is also coldly logical, knows she's been wronged and is trying desperately to save her business.

Jenny Chen Lim, manager of the House of Chen restaurant at 732 W. Hamilton, is the driving force behind the thirty-eight merchants who have petitioned Allentown and LANTA to reconsider their removal of bus stops between 7th and 10th Streets. A second, and similar, petition, has been signed by 1,800 bus passengers. She tells me her business is down about 30%. Could be worse. The Dollar Store next to her has lost 75% of its customers. It can't last much longer.

In addition to these businesses, Lim stressed that many elderly and low-income passengers have been hurt by this change. "An elderly woman just can't carry bags that far."

When I spoke to Jenny yesterday. I wanted to know how Allentown and LANTA have reacted to her petitions, which were presented on September 27. No one has contacted her. She called LANTA's operations manager, but he's ignored her. So has the city. In fact, the city has told Bibi Hazra, who operates the Loco Dollar Store to quit calling. They don't want to hear it, and keep telling her it's a transportation issue.

A Ray of Hope on Friday

Lim, despite her courage and determination, is no activist. She's just a restaurant manager, trying to make an honest living. Fortunately, Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA) has offered to help. There will be a meeting on Friday, 6 PM, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 36 South Eighth Street, Allentown, PA. I intend to be there. These folks have many ways to get the attention of LANTA and the city. City council candidates like Schweyer, who spout off without even meeting these people, should pay the price in November. In fact, all council candidates should be polled for their position on this issue.

LC Elections Board Refers State's First Transsexual Elections Judge For Criminal Investigation

Erika Bickford, wearing skirt, blue blouse with Roman collar,
baseball cap decorated with flowers and lipstick

It's too late to contest the election results in which incumbent State Rep. Peter Schweyer barely beat back newcomer Enid Santiago's attempt to unseat him in the June 2 primary. He won by a scant 55 votes amidst loud complaints of rampant election fraud and voter suppression. Unfortunately for Santiago, she failed to complain where it mattered most  - in court. Absent a challenge, election results were officially certified on June 22. Gringo Peter Schweyer will continue to represent a state house district created specifically for Latinos, at least until November. Santiago can claim a victory of sorts as well. On Wednesday, Lehigh County's Election Board referred her complaints about election judge Erika Bickford to both Lehigh County DA Jim Martin and State AG Josh Shapiro. I'd agree there's a villain in this story, but it's not Bickford. It's a pandemic under which Voting Registrar Tim Benyo lost 40 polling places and half his pollworkers. In the midst of a shutdown, he was forced to hope replacements would watch training videos. Many, including Bickford, missed them. Given what Lehigh County faced, it's actually a miracle that the presidential primary went as well as it did. 

LC Voting Registrar Tim Benyo
is an avid cyclist. His team is
called "The Jim Thorpers."  

The Election Board heard more than five hours of testimony, starting at the unholy hour of 8 am. Whomever decided on that as a starting time should be taken out and shot. Seriously. It's a three person panel made up of Executive Phil Armstrong, Doris Glaesmann and Jane Irwin. They were advised by Attorney Emil Giordano, who pretty much ran the show.

And what a show it was! A parade of 13 witnesses was called by Philadelphia-area Attorney Steve Masters, who represented Santiago. His lawfirm is named JustLaws, "an innovative social impact law firm in Philadelphia combining traditional legal services with strategic consulting around political and community engagement." When speaking about Latinos, he made sure to use the word "Latinx." He was very politically correct and is certainly woke. But as a lawyer, he could have been better. You don't call Spanish witnesses without having arranged in advance for an independent interpreter. I've seen lawyers get beheaded for that kind of mistake. Fortunately for him, Armstrong was able to wrangle one. Masters also called witnesses like the GOP Vice Chair, who was just there to express opinions about how stupid Democrats are. We already knew that. I'm a Democrat myself.

Enid Santiago: "This is not over." 

Rather than summing up each witness, let me point out the problems noted:

* Bickford was Judge of Elections (JOE) at the government center. She has been an elections judge for nine years and testified she is the state's first ever transsexual elections judge. Registrar Tim Benyo noted she's "not the best election judge that we have and not the worst." Bickford readily conceded that she darkened some of the markings on ballots, and fed a few ballots into the scanners for seniors. She admitted there were Peter Schweyer pens at her polling place, but they were brought in by voters, not her. She acknowledged telling Santiago outside the immediate polling area that she supports Schweyer and considers him extended family. "His kids call me Aunt Erika." She made these statements as other voters walked by. "I altered no ballots," she insisted. "Had I altered ballots, [Enid] would not have won [my precinct] two to one. Benyo believes Bickford. "Her work isn't that great, but I never found her to be malicious," said the county's chief election clerk. "I don't think she thought she was doing anything wrong."

* The Fearless Fire polling place opened about 45 minutes late. JOE Sharon Smith said she was completely unaware of the training videos until the day prior to the election. Because of this lack of training, she experienced technical issues when trying to open the polls. Jose Rosado, who was volunteering there, said voters streamed out complaining "They don't know what they're doing; they're not ready; we weren't able to vote."

* Anthony Kyzer, JOE at LANTA Bus, said his precinct received the wrong provisional ballots. This was not noticed until around 5 pm. He said he received a total of nine provisional ballots, seven of them from Democrats. Once it was known he had the wrong provisional ballots, voters were told to use the write-in option. During the canvass, Benyo indicated those write-ins were counted.

* Several witnesses, including Santiago, testified that most Latinx have two surnames. This makes it difficult for pollworkers to find them in the epollbooks. Attorney Masters was quick to brand this a form of voter suppression aimed at Latinx voters. I disagree. Since this problem affects everyone with a hyphenated surname, regardless of ethnic persuasion, I believe it's a question of data entry. I have experienced this issue both as a JOE and as a title searcher. We get confused by hyphenated or double surnames.

* Tim Benyo, Lehigh County's Voting Registrar, said that as a result of the pandemic, the county lost 40 polling places. This resulted in some confusion among voters. In addition to losing polling places, about half of the election workers opted to sit out this election. This forced the county to scramble for new pollworkers. Since the county was in the red zone and county offices were closed, it was impossible to train them. Training videos were emailed, but many pollworkers never saw them.

* Benyo insisted there was no fraud evident in Bickford's district because the number of voters who signed in corresponded with the ballots cast.

* Benyo added that JOEs and other election officials are often elected, and not appointed. Even if an elected official is incompetent, he has no authority to replace that person.

After the hearing, Santiago claimed from home that the state AG had someone viewing the entire proceedings in a separate room.  "We are making history," she contended. "This is not over."

Of course not. She will now wage a write-in campaign and Allentown voters will face another three months of histrionics.

One example is her complete turnaround on Benyo. On election day, he was her "angel in disguise." Now, he's a devil. She is quoted in The Morning Call as saying "he failed the voters, he failed me, he failed the city and he failed the county."

Updated 8 am: Blogger Michael Molovinsky has weighed in as well. He warns that the Election Board's political decision to appease Santiago by throwing Bickford under the buss will backfire. "If Chief Election Clerk Tim Benyo thought he had a problem getting people to work the polls for the primary, wait until November."

Pete Schweyer's Race Ends Before It Can Start

Yesterday's per curiam Order of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which invalidates the state's legislative reapportionment plan for State House and State Senate districts, may very well have been the right call. Still, it has thrown a monkey wrenches into this year's races. Some who chose not to run in certain House districts are now being forced to  re-evaluate their chances, with practically no time to make a decision. Others have seen their races end before they could even be launched.

In the Slate Belt, for example, Joe "Cap" Capozzolo, a former Bangor Mayor and member of Northampton County Council, was seriously considering a run for the State Senate. His hopes are dashed by yesterday's ruling.

But the person I feel sorriest for is Allentown's Peter Schweyer, a member of Allentown City Council who was going to run in a newly created "Hispanic district." He works as State Rep. Jenn Mann's Chief of Staff, but would be required by law to resign once he announced his campaign.

My understanding is that he may have already resigned, and was working for Croslis and Brennan, even though he's no lawyer. That firm serves more as some sort of brokerage house for local Dems than as an actual law firm.

He should be able to get his job back, although I did pretty well in an interview earlier this week. Jenn Mann loves me.

One final point.

Yesterday's ruling has nothing to do with the Congressional redistricting of Charlie Dent's seat. I have spoken to several people who mistakenly believe that Tim Holden will no longer be representing Easton and other municipalities. That's another matter.

Updated 8:00 AM:  In a comment, Allentown's Dennis Pearson notes that the High Court decision also ends Tatiana Tooley's campaign against Mike Schlossberg. He adds that Schweyer can still run ... against Justin Simmons. Easton teacher Kevin Deely has already announced his candidacy as a Democrat in that race, but would be crushed by either Simmons or Schweder.

King Allentown Makes Surprise Bid for State House

I was hoping to interview King Allentown at this year's Sportsfest, but he was pretty busy. Between playing hockey and signing autographs, he had little time for the pseudo press, as I am sometimes called. He did wave at me once, so I have that going for me. But I wish I had that interview now because the King has just announced he's taking on Peter Schweyer (he calls him Schwoyer) in the State House (the Kingster thinks it's the State Senate) race this November.

The former porn star, legend, icon, musician, food bank regular and athlete, made his announcement from a home that appears to be posted with eviction notices. He makes this compelling argument:

"My opponent, Peter Schwoyer, I never heard of you. If I haven't heard of you, you know what that means. What's your resume? What qualifications do you have, Peter Schmoyer?

"I've slept with 100 women, so I know the female demographic very intimately. I haven't lost a fight in five years of beer league hockey. ... I'm also undefeated on Judge Judy.

"How do you plan to protect Allentown? Do you even have guns, dude? Do you have guns like this, Peter Schmoyer [referring to the King's massive biceps]? I don't think so, Jack.

"I got one more question for ya', Pete Schmoyer. What you gonna' do on November 8, Pete Schmoyer, when King Allentown and all the Kingamaniacs run wild on you, Dude?"

King Allentown's announcement comes after it is too late for Schweyer, aka Schwoyer, aka Schmoyer, to withdraw. But I understand Schweyer has already conceded and plans to vote King Allentown.

Nix the NIZ Board

Heather Browne

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, State Senator Pat Browne and State Rep. Jennifer Mann - according to The Morning Call - have nominated nine people for their brand-spankin' new NIZ Board. They're all scheduled for confirmation on Wednesday night by Allentown's really, really independent City Council.

It's all or none, too. According to the news account, Council must accept all or reject all. I've scoured City Council ordinances adopted between 2009 and 2011, and am unable to find any that establishes a Board for the NIZ. Some kind of action was taken on December 14, according to The Express Times, but neither the minutes nor any Ordinance is available online. But the City's codified Ordinance on Authorities and Boards says this: "No appointee ... shall hold any other elected office or any compensated position for the City."

Wouldn't that rule out Mann?

The Codified Ordinance also states, "At the discretion of Council, persons not resident of the City, but who have a significant property or Business interest in the City may be selected to serve."

Most of these nominees live outside the City Without Limits.

They are all tainted. Senator Pat Browne had a hand in selecting them even though his wife, a registered lobbyist, has a direct financial interest in and represents two of the biggest participants - J.B. Reilly & Joe Topper - in this NIZ. He has been using the authority of his office for the private pecuniary benefit of his wife and her lobbying firm, which appears to be a violation of the state ethics act.

Who are these people? I thought I'd give you some details about each of them.

Gregory N. Dudkin - Senior VP of PPL operations since '09. He was a PECO executive, but found himself on the wrong side of a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2002. After that, he soon became a Comcast mcuckety muck.

Did I say Comcast?  The very outfit that will be managing the arena? I know, I know. That's just a coincidence.

So far as I can tell, Dudkin still lives in a swanky, Society Hill, condo that he bought in 2007 for $1.5 million.

I'm sure he cares a lot about Allentown.

PPL, incidentally, was Senator Pat Browne's 4th largest contributor in his 2010 campaign.

Alan Jennings

Alan Jennings - Now we know the real reason why Alan was so vocal in his support of a "suburban" Rite Aid development on 7th Street, even to the point of ignoring against his own Main Street Manager. Of course, Jennings will deny this, but all too often, he is the water boy for the bluebloods at the Lehigh Valley Partnership. Now and then, they throw him a few cookies for his CACLV. He will be the token "I really care about the poor guy." He'll do as he's told.

Pedro Torres - This hot shot is a mortgage banker for Premier Mortgage, located on Hamilton Boulevard in South Whitehall Township. Gee, I wonder where he'll be moving his offices any time soon? Is The Morning Call, which is attempting to lease some of its office building inside the NIZ, holding its breath? I don't know if he lives in the City.

Grube, Browne & Haydt

Bill Grube - The Morning Call account lists Grube as a trustee of the Allentown Art Museum, and that's certainly true. He also just happens to be the money behind the Cosmopolitan Restaurant and the inventor of night vision goggles, where he made his fortune. He lives in an obscenely large house in Salisbury Township, much larger than my Nazareth estate. Grube was among Senator Pat Browne's top contributors in his 2010  state senate race.

Seymour Traub - the former Chair of AEDC and retired General Counsel for St. Luke's Hospital. Sy lives in South Whitehall Township, although he originally hails from Brooklyn. From everything I've been able to find, he's a genuinely nice guy, but is playing with the wrong kids.

Donald W. Snyder -A former financial manager at Air Products, Snyder served twenty years in the State House, both as Majority and Minority Whip for the Republicans. Now, he's president at LCCC. Many years before that, he was President of South Whitehall Township's Board of Commissioners, and should know what  it feels like to see EIT diverted. According to Michael Donovan, Snyder's presence will ensure that NIZ funds are used for technology education. I would not hold my breath.

Schweyer and Mann

Jennifer Mann - Yep, she recommended herself. And guess what? Once of the persons who is supposed to vote on her nomination, Peter Schweyer, was her Chief of Staff as recently as two weeks ago. He may be working for her again, now that his own electoral plans have been spoiled by the state's Supreme Court. In addition to Schweyer, City Council member Mike Schlossberg worked for her, too. How the hell can either one of them vote at all?

Diane Scott - as Allentown's School Superintendent, Scott caught some flak after a junket to Puerto Rico - in the middle of Winter - to recruit Spanish-speaking teachers for the city's bilingual-education programs.

¡Hola!

Mayor William Heydt called the visit, which garnered no teachers, "frivolous." These days, she's a respected former educator and consultant to Symphony Hall's El Sistema Lehigh Valley. She believes in using music as a tool to help impoverished children.

Nelson Diaz -  This Lower Macungie resident is so connected he even has a Google profile. A PPL project manager between 1985 and 2003, Diaz now owns Mi Casa Properties (in Emmaus) and Exit Realty Advantage. A contributor to Allentown Art Museum's annual fund, he's a board member at Sacred Heart Hospital and the Hispanic American Organization.

Enid Santiago Now Wants Election She Lost Decertified

State House candidate Enid Santiago lost her bid to unseat incumbent Pete Schweyer in the June 2 primary by a mere 55 votes. On election day, she was quite upset when she discovered an election judge who was darkening ballots so they could be read by a scanner. In another precinct, the election judge got off to a late start because of unfamiliarity with the equipment. At yet a third polling place, pollworkers mistakenly used the wrong provisional ballot. She ranted on Facebook and held press conferences, but failed to complain where it mattered most - she never requested a recount or recanvass. Results were officially certified on June 22. The Elections Board did agree, on July 29, to refer her complaints about an election judge to the District Attorney and Attorney General. Though the election is final, she's now claiming the results must be decertified.

Good luck with that.

This "formal request" comes from JustLaws (no office address) Steve Masters. He contends that the number of voters reported in Lehigh County's canvass (4339) is less than the number of voters reported by the Department of State (4440). He goes on to note that, in two precincts, there were actually 29 more voters than the state reported. Because of this discrepancy, he immediately claims there is fraud and demands the results be decertified.

His argument has several flaws.

The biggest of these is that he has no direct evidence of fraud. None

In addition, he is relying on Vote Builder, a Democratic tool, and not the Department of State.

Third, he asserts that the Elections Board has already found fraud. That's untrue. It has instead referred the matter to prosecutors, and it is up to them to make that determination, and only with respect to one election judge.

Fourth, he cites a 29 vote difference. In one precinct with two extras voters, they are likely voters who cast no vote in that specific race. This is common and is called an undervote. In the precinct with a 27 vote differential, those are Republicans.

Stevens' four-page demand is frivolous. His letter copies his client but there's no indication he bothered to notify Schweyer, the candidate who actually won. Talk about fairness.

Updated 8:10 am: Blogger Chris Casey has also weighed in with more detail. .

Emil Giordano To Advise LC Election Board Today in Santiago Dispute

Many criminal defense lawyers believe that, if you have a good legal argument, you're best shot is with a Democratic judge. Of course, if you lose the motion, your client is toast. When you have nothing going for you at all, it's best to plead guilty in front of a Republican jurist. There are notable exceptions to this rule, but they tend to have more empathy for criminals. They tend to be fair-minded and level-headed. One of my favorites was Judge Emil Giordano. He could sentence someone to 1,000 years in the electric chair, and as deputies dragged the poor bastard away, he'd be thanking Giordano. Unfortunately, Judge Giordano left the bench to return to private practice. This is a great loss to Northampton County, especially to bottom-feeding bloggers like me. I'm running out of Republicans with whom I can seek sanctuary after pissing everyone off. But our loss is Lehigh County's gain. Today, at 8 am, Giordano will be acting as Solicitor to Lehigh County's Election Board when it hears state house candidate Enid Santiago's complaint concerning irregularities in her race against incumbent Peter Schweyer. 

As I told you yesterday, she's upset that an election judge at Lehigh County Gov't Center was darkening ballots. She has claimed both fraud and voter suppression. 

From what I've been able to gather, there was voter suppression. But it was coming from Enid Santiago. Inside the polling place, she was telling voters not to vote for Schweyer.  She was making such a scene inside that Lehigh County deputies asked her twice to leave the precinct, and she refused twice.  

She is going against a strong public interest in the finality of an election. A hearing on July 29 concerning an election on June 2 is ridiculous.

Updated 8:25 am: Santiago's hearing is being broadcast on her Facebook page. 

Will Mike Hortom Withdraw For Pete Schweyer?

Incumbents rarely lose an election unless plagued by some sort of scandal, so nobody expected State Rep. Karen Beyer to lose a primary against political newcomer Justin Simmons. But she did. That's why we have elections and horse races.

Democrats, who have fielded another political newcomer, Michael Horton, are surprised, too. Horton, unlike Simmons, had no primary opposition and has been conspicuously absent from summer events like this Summer's Latin Extravaganza, held in Jordan Park. An Allentown Democratic committeeman has asked me, "Where is he?"

What I've heard is that Horton is being pressured by the state party to withdraw in favor of a more formidable candidate. Allentown City Council member and Jennifer Mann legislative aide Pete Schweyer is the Golden Child, but has not committed.

If Horton intends to withdraw, he must do so by August 9.

Being State Rep Is a Nice Gig

Steve Samuelson, Diaper Man

If you can put up with the dreary drive along Route 78 during the few days they are actually in session, being a state rep is actually a pretty sweet gig.

There's certainly enough of them. Pennsylvania's House of Representatives comes with a whopping 203 seats. Yep, it's the largest full-time legislature in the country. Democrats have more registered voters than Republicans, but strangely, the GOP has a majority. Locally, nine state house seats are up for grabs in November.

Pennsylvania's state house is not just the largest, but third-highest paid, too.  The salary this year is $90,300. In a stroke of genius, legislators conveniently tied their salaries to the CPI so that it automatically increases every year without attracting much grumbling from the unwashed masses. In addition, our public "servants" can claim a $191 per diem, enjoy a fully paid Cadillac health insurance as well as pensions that vest in ten years. On top of all this, they can pretty much spend the donations they receive from special interests on anything they want.

Once every year or so, there'll be some scandalous article about the excessive amount of money lining their pockets, their abuse of per diems (daily allowance) and the excessive spending done by both party caucuses. A firestorm will erupt and all kinds of promises to reform will follow. But in a day or two, the public will move on to something else as shrinking newspapers no longer have the manpower for any sort of in depth investigatory journalism.

And so the abuse - I call it corruption - continues. A part-time local elected official gets more scrutiny than the guys and gals from the land of midnight payraises.    

It's easy to see why so many want to stay there forever. It beats working for a  living. 

In the meantime, the state minimum wage has been frozen at $7.35 per hour since 2009. 

Here are the eight state house seats up for grabs.   

District 22: - This is center city Allentown. Pete Schweyer has held the seat since 2015. He faces a write-in challenge by fellow Democrat Enid Santiago, who he defeated in the primary by a scant 55 votes.  She completed a candidate questionnaire. He did not. Schweyer's funding comes mostly from unions. Hers is grass roots. 

District 131: - You could call this the Saucon Valley district, and it is split up among three counties. Incumbent Justin Simmons is stepping down. Democrat Kevin Branco, a personal trainer, is pitted against Republican  Milou MacKenzie, mother of State Rep. Ryan MacKenzie. Branco completed a candidate questionnaire. MacKenzie did not. She had no problem raising $58,000 in a contested primary, with much of her warchest coming from her own family. 

District 132: This district is Allentown's west end, with just a touch of S Whitehall Tp. It has been represented by Michael Schlossberg since 2013. Though unopposed in the primary, he still managed to spend $48,000 of the $67,000 he raised, including $3,000 for blow-outs at McGrath's Pub and Vault 634. Frustrated by Governor Tom Wolf's shutdown of most of the state's economy, LV Grand Prix business owner Michael McCreary launched a last-minute campaign for the GOP nod, and succeeded.  How well he does in a heavily Democratic district will be answered on November 3. Schlossberg has failed to respond to a candidate questionnaire. McCreary has yet to even be listed as a candidate by Ballotpedia, and thus has no questionnaire to which to respond. 

District 133: This is the pierogi and halupki district. It extends from West Bethlehem and Fountain Hill and makes its way north through Catty and Whitehall to Coplay, where the church ladies made pierogis until Covid came. It has been held by Jeannie McNeill since 2018. She was elected after her husband, union powerhouse Danny McNeill unexpectedly passed away. McNeill has no problem raising money from trade unions, where her late iron worker husband was widely respected and admired. She raised $47,000 in the primary and spent $22,000 even though she had no opponent. She has one now. David Molony is a perennial candidate for that seat. Though affable, it's no longer possible to take his quixotic quests very seriously. He himself has raised only $250. Neither candidate responded to a candidate questionnaire.

District 135: This district includes the Northampton County portion of Bethlehem as well as a slice of Bethlehem Tp. It has been represented by Democrat Steve Samuelson since 1999. His biggest accomplishment in office has been his annual diaper drive, after which he personally delivers these poopie pants to the Salvation Army. Notoriously frugal, he has raised just $3,600 in his re-election bid. Republican Scott Hough is running on a message of "personal responsibility and less government involvement." For some reason, I think that message will play poorly in a Democratic City so concerned about global warming that it's ready to regulate how often you can fart. It will be hard to beat Diaper Man. Hough did  fill out a candidate questionnaire. Samuelson did not. 

District 137:  This bizarre district starts in Palmer Tp an winds its way through Nazareth and all the way to Upper Mount Bethel. Republican Joe Emrick has held this seat since 2011. He's financed by blue bloods like L Annderson Daub and Olav Sandnes. Transparency has never been his strong suit, and he hates scrutiny of any kind. He ran a dirty campaign against Amy Cozze two years ago, accusing her of sending "foreign material" to the Nazareth police. It was glitter. Cozze and a business colleague using glitter while making decorations for some event in Nazareth. Glitter tends to stick to everything, and it got stuck to a few paid parking tickets. Democrat Kate Brennan, a former probation officer and tipstaff, is waging an uphill battle, but is known to be tough. 

District 138: This district starts in Bethlehem Tp and makes its way north through Hanover Tp and into the northern tier. Incumbent Marcia Hahn is retiring, leaving an open seat coveted by both Democrat  Tara Zrinski and Republican Ann Flood. This is probably the most conservative district, yet Democrats' most liberal candidate is the nominee. Unlike most candidates, Zrinski actually did fill out a questionnaire but perhaps should not have, She points to U2's "One", which she claims is about tragic breakups and the feeling of aloneness, as the song that most recently got stuck in her head. She then goes on to recite the lyrics.

Is it getting better 

Or do you feel the same? 

Will it make it easier on you now? 

Etc.

In contrast to Zrinski, Flood is sane. I do not know her favorite song. 

District 183 This is a boomerang-shaped district that includes the northwestern portion of Northampton County and northeastern portion of Lehigh County. It has been represented by Republican Zach Mako since 2016. Having seen Mako in two debates, I can say without hesitation that he's as dumb as a box of rocks. He misses a lot of votes, too, with his other job in the service. Democrat Jason Ruff, who was beaten by this box of rocks two years ago, should ask for a few debates. 

District 187: This district extends from Kutztown to North Whitehall. It has been represented by Republican Gary Day since 2009, and he easily raised $33,000 in the primary. His $500 contribution to Dean Browning's failed Congressional race should tell you he is a conservative Republican. Michael Blichar Jr is the Democratic nominee. He was crushed two years ago, and unless Day is caught in bed with an altar boy, I do not expect that to change. 

LV State House Race Lowdown

Though an anti-incumbent sentiment is definitely on the rise, the following Lehigh Valley state house representatives are running unopposed: Steve Samuelson (135th); Bob Freeman (136th); Joe Emrick (137th); Marcia Hahn (138th); and Ryan MacKenzie.

Contested races are more fun.

Julie Harhart's seat in the 183rd is up for grabs. The Republican nomination is sought by Marc Grammes, Cynthia Miller and Zachary Mako. Democrat Phillips Armstrong, Jr.and Terri Powell are seeking their party's nod. There's blood in the water.

Justin Simmons is being challenged by fellow Republican Bill Coyle in the 131st. No Democrat has announced. Bill Coyle, who thinks he's more Republican than Simmons, can start by explaining why he only votes now and then, and never in primaries..

Gary Day is facing Democrat George Stephen Nicholas in the 187th. There are about three Democrats in that district, including Nicholas.

Peter Schweyer, who represents Allentown's new District for Latinos, the 22d, is facing an honest-to-goodness Latino. His name is Norberto Dominguez, Jr., and he's even a Democrat. And a community organizer! Schweyer better bone up on his Spanish lessons and start calling Schlossberg his esé.

Mike "Darth Voter" Schlossberg will square off against Republican Ben Long in the 132d.

Dan McNeill will face Republican Dave Molony in the 133rd. Dave has run about 7,000 times for this seat. I think he looks on it as a form of free advertising for his successful accupressure business.

Following the Money: Who is Backing the NorCo Exec Candidates?

The pre-primary campaign finance reports for all three NorCo Exec candidates are in. Tom Giovanni and Tara Zrinski filed timely reports, which shows they are trying to be transparent. Cozze's report was late and is marked as late. She will be fined. Who is financially supporting these candidates? Let's go over each report.

Tom Giovanni, Republican. (report here) - He's running unopposed and hence has no need to raise money now. But he's managed to raise $7,450, which enables him to purchase campaign signs and increase his name recognition. 

Nearly half of his money ($3.054.67) comes in the form of small contributions ($250 or less) from local Republicans who live in the slate belt, evincing his grass roots support in the northern tier.

He received another $1,750 from political action committees. These include $1500 from Council member John Goffredo's campaign, $250 from former Council candidate Annamarie Robertone and $500 from the McNees PAC. That is a law firm that supports mostly Republican candidates. 

His larger contributions are from Nat Hyman ($500) and Lou Pektor ($1,000). Ironically, Hyman opposes government handouts for commercial development like Dixie while Pektor supports them for a project in Upper Mount Bethel Tp. 

Amy Cozze, Democrat. (report here) - Between the beginning of the year and May 4, Cozze reports having received $59,766 and spending $48,245.97, leaving her with $11,520.03 to spend before the election. She actually has $1,000 more, thanks to a last-minute contribution from Murat Guzel. 

About a quarter of her treasury ($15,810) is in the form of 103 small contributions under $250. But only 30 of them are actually from the county. The rest are from all over, from California to Colorado to D.C. to Myrtle Beach.  I suspect most of these nonlocal donors would not know Cozze if they tripped over her.   

She reports $9,000 in PAC money, the largest being a $5,000 contribution from the Sheetmetal Workers.

She also raked in $33,525 in donations over $250. 

Her biggest contributor is herself. She sunk $7,000 of her own money into the campaign. The biggest donor, outside of herself, is Murat Guzel. He's a Turkish businessman who imports products like figs and sells them here. If you include his $1,000 last-minute contribution, he has donated $5,000 to her. This is no doubt the result of influence from former US Congress member Susan Wild, who has brought him to several SOTU addresses. The Wild influence is also manifested in contributions from State Reps. Mike Schlossberg and Pete Schweyer, each of whom gave $500. 

The most disturbing donations are those from the Pektor empire. Lou Pektor has contributed $3,000 and daughter Lisa followed that up with another $1,000. That's a small price to pay for warehouses in Upper Mount Bethel Tp. She also accepted $1,000 from Plaune Ayazov, CEO of Monocacy Builders. His outfit builds luxury apartments, not exactly affordable housing. 

Given her affinity for these developers, it should come as no surprise that Cozze stated in her debate with Tara Zrinski that "conserving open space as a way to combat warehouse development is just lazy policy."  

It's safe to conclude that her commitment to open space, which has been very important in Northampton County, is very suspect. 

Tara Zrinski, Democrat (report here) - From the beginning of the year through May 4, Zrinski raised $68,088.29. Of this sum, $13.075, or about 19% of her total, is in the form of 76 donations of $250 or less. But unlike Cozze and like Tom Giovanni, these donations are mostly from within the county and from people who know her. Sixty-four of her small donors live here. Many are long-time environmentalists like Zrinski.

She reports far more in PAC money - $32,300.29 - than either Giovanni or Cozze. Most of them are from trade unions. IBEW Local #375 gave her $10,000, and she also received contributions from Laborers Local ($1,000), Plumbers ($2,500), IUPAT ($1,000), Operating Engineers ($5,000) and IBEW Voluntary Fund ($500). 

In Cozze's report, Murat Guzal's contributions, combined with those coming from the Bobbsey twins known as Mike Schlossberg and Pete Schweyer, betray the influence of former Congress member Susan Wild. 

In Zrinski's case, the massive trade union donations reveal the influence of Executive Lamont McClure, a Congressional hopeful, in what appears to be something of a proxy war between these two. 

McClure donated himself as well. He contributed $5,000 from his own warchest to Zrinski. So did two other former county executives. Glenn Reibman kicked in $1,000 and Gerald E "Jerry" Seyfried added $600 from his own pocket. They did more than endorse. They also parted with their own money. 

Zrinski also received a number of donations from county employees. most of them cabinet members. While they have a first amendment right to do so, I get concerned when I see these donations because it looks like these employees are buying their job or might even be victims of macing. So, in that respect, I dislike her report. 

Blogger's Note: I invite you to check out these finance reports yourselves because you may see things I've missed or might have a different interpretation. I consider the review of finance reports an exercise in participatory journalism. Tomorrow, I will get to the Bethlehem Mayoral and NorCo Council races. 

Favoritism in Allentown Golf Course Restaurant Deal?

On Tuesday, I told you about Allentown's recent decision to dump Robert Stanley, the ten-year proprietor of the Sand Tap Grille at the municipal golf course. He is being replaced by the Allentown Brew Works (ABW), operated by the Fegleys. They happen to be Pawlowski cronies.

King Pay to Play Pawlowski claims "there have been no 'special favors' granted to the Brew Works or any other individual or business in the City of Allentown. I will work and do work with all individuals and businesses that bring such positive attitudes and attributes to our efforts."

Well, he sure as hell has refused to work with Robert Stanley. In fact, it is becoming increasingly obvious that King Edwin worked against Robert Stanley and for ABW. Last night, someone who calls himself "Disgusted" made these observations.

"This story goes a lot deeper than even the videos showed. The Director of Golf told the former owner [Robert Stanley] that he had been awarded the bid on December 6th. He also told other course workers that the Sand Trap was returning. Prior to the bid, he contacted both PPL and Lehigh Valley Propane in an effort to get the Sand Traps expenses for the year. Obviously, [this was] an attempt to answer questions from the ABW that might affect their bid. These facts are eminently verifiable.

"The real shame is that this guy was on the selection committee!!!

"I am trying to get the score sheets that these people used to quantify their results. According to Stanley, not one person wrote anything down. They already knew the result.

"This Councilman (Schweyer?) said that at least four tournaments refused to come to Allentown because of the facilities. The largest tournament possible is 144 golfers, which can and have been handled by the former vendor. I can name at least four tournaments that WON'T be returning because of exorbitant prices being charged by ABW, as verified by the bid submitted.

"Weddings? This is the biggest farce of all. Not a chance there will ever be a wedding at Allentown Muni. Wait, maybe Mayor Ed has some kids that may be getting married.

"Bottom line, a guy did a great job for over ten years, never had a problem, NEVER had a complaint from either tournament sponsors or restaurant patrons. By the way, the Mayor was effusive in his compliments for their handling of the Annual Mayors Tournament.

"Thanks for the efforts Mr Stanley, by the way, you have eight days to sell all your equipment and vacate the premises."

If this can be established, and Disgusted claims it is "eminently verifiable," people within the Pawlowski administration were clearly funnelling confidential information to give Pawlowski pal ABW an unfair advantage. I don't know about you, but I'd call that a special favor. King P2P also claims there are "committees and objective review criteria for major contracts as to not have even a hint of impropriety." But it appears that a member of the committee may have been supplying information to one of just two bidders. How about that? Doesn't it seem just a tad peculiar that there were only two businesses interested in this project, and that one of them just happened to be ABW? What kind of "objective review" occurs when selection committee members don't even note answers to questions? Council member Peter Schweyer's comments are another screaming siren. Why would he, who was not even a member of the five-person selection committee, claim to have spoken to four different tournaments? It is very clear that the King and His Men wanted to rid Allentown of Stanley. There is much more than a hint of impropriety.

Perhaps the ABW should serve up bullshit burgers at their new golf course restaurant. They can call them King Edwins.

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!

State Senator Browne, County & City Leaders Support Suffering Hamilton Street Merchants

"I came here interested, but leave here passionate."

That's how Jeanette Eichenwald, Allentown City Council candidate, reacted after hearing how merchants and bus passengers have suffered from LANTA's recent elimination of bus service along portions of Hamilton Street. She had good reason.

Last night, local leaders listened as twenty-two bus riders and small business owners, the "have nots," told their story at Allentown's Faith Baptist Church. James Blawn, a bus rider in his seventies: "I walk 5 1/2 blocks, one way, to catch a bus." Jenny Lim Chen, whose family owns and operates the House of Chen, sadly and quietly reports they've dropped their health insurance. Bibi Hazra, from the Loco Dollar Store, burst into tears as she told about being assaulted yesterday by one of her suppliers. She owes him $200, but only had $20 in her cash drawer. He started to choke her until people began calling for police. Jim, a wheelchair bound bus passenger, saw it happen. And he was at the church last night, too. "I won't knock progress until it stops someone else's progress." Barbadel Campbell, the eloquent septuagenarian whose letter to the editor was recently published in The Morning Call, asked, "How could this happen?" She noted there was no prior discussion with passengers or merchants, and that even most bus drivers knew nothing before the changes imposed by LANTA's top heavy management. This twenty-five year center city resident can no longer shop along Hamilton Street "because carrying the shopping bags on foot is a pain." She wonders whether this is a plot to rid the city of its low-income, and mostly minority, businesses, in favor of upscale ventures for the beautiful people, like $40 Halloween dinner bargains.

Barbadel has reason to wonder. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, through his information minister, refuses to help. "It's a transportation issue. Nothing was done to affect the businesses. We're trying to improve transportation." Pawlowski even thumbed his nose at Lázaro Fuentes, who chairs the Lehigh Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

LANTA is just as bad. BiBi and Jenny called several times in early October. Nothing. I tried contacting executive director Armando Greco on October 9, as well as all members its board. Nothing. Channel 69 reporters tried to contact LANTA yesterday. Nothing.

So what's LANTA doing? Rather than respond to this suffering, its bureaucrats are incredibly combing through an eighteen hundred signature petition submitted a month ago, looking for duplicate signatures.

But as of last night, Hamilton Street merchants and bus passengers have reason for hope. Lehigh Valley leaders have responded! And so has the media.

Allentown City Candidates Respond

Four out of five Allentown city council candidates are firmly on Jenny and Bibi's side. Jeanette Eichenwald, along with her husband, were obviously moved when BiBi broke into tears. Former Lehigh County exec Dave Bausch will push to have one stop restored. Mike Donovan, in a written statement to Mike Molovinsky, believes LANTA failed to involve enough people before eliminating these stops. "When the appropriate parties are not involved, we have disappointment, lack of trust, and a loss of community." Finally, a statement from Robert E Smith demands that stops be restored. "We need leadership that represents all the people, not just politicians and wealthy elitists who want to keep those people off Hamilton street."

Controller candidate Michael Schware noted that what has happened sends a "dangerous signal" to business. "We may want you here today, but not tomorrow."

The only city council candidate who failed to appear or present a statement? Peter Schweyer, who just happens to sit on the LANTA board. Some of Hamilton Street's minority-owned merchants feel they are being discriminated against, but he told me in an October 3 email that these concerns are "laughable and frankly quite bizarre." I hope these merchants remember Schweyer when they vote.

Current Allentown city councilman Tony Phillips also stopped by, and told the crowd, "These things don't happen without the administration being involved. The only ones who were not involved in this decision were you."

Other Local Leaders Lend Their Support

In addition to city leaders, Lehigh County Commissioner candidates Dean Browning and Roger Reis added their support. Browning, bean counter extraordinaire, told merchants that LANTA relies heavily on public funds, and that merchants should make their concerns known at those funding sources. Reis echoed Browning, adding that commissioners could write letters.

Last night's biggest surprise was Ellen Millard-Kern, who just happens to be State Senator Pat Browne's chief of staff. His Allentown office, incidentally, is located smack dab in the middle of this Hamilton Street mess. He is inundated with complaints from passengers and merchants. So Pat Browne has already sent his own letter to LANTA. That's going to be a little harder to ignore. Here's part of it.

I am writing on behalf of three separate and distinct constituencies who do not like the recent change in the bus schedules. Specifically, I have received petitions with hundreds of signatures from LANTA riders requesting a restoration of bus service to Hamilton Street. In addition, I have been contacted by Hamilton Street merchants who are experiencing "precipitous" declines in business. Finally, the disabled community has expressed concerns that their ability to access stores, other Hamilton Street amenities and educational opportunities has been greatly reduced if not altogether curtailed.

. . . I sincerely request that you consider developing an alternate route plan to address these concerns and make considered reasonable accommodations as warranted.

Media Support

A show of support from Lehigh Valley leaders is great, but the media has also cast a public spotlight on the plight of Hamilton Street's minority merchants and senior bus riders. It was Channel 69's top story on last night's 10 o'clock news. El Torero, a Spanish-language Allentown weekly, this morning published a full-page story, complete with a photograph of an empty Hamilton Street, as buses whiz by without stopping.

Next Step

LANTA'S next board meeting is November 13. If Allentown's mayor and LANTA's management continue to snub the "have nots," they will soon have an opportunity to meet them face to face.

As wheelchair-bound Jim told me late last night, "There are more of us, and we aren't going away."

Organized Labor's Influence on A-town City Council Prez Michael D'Amore

Michael D'Amore may already be President of Allentown City Council, but he's only been an elected official since 2005, He's faced the voters just twice. Yet for just two City Council races, he's picked up $13,851 in union contributions.

This might explain why he was holding hands with Norco Controller Steve Barron at T-Mobile last month. Or why he wanted Allentown's TC Salon built at prevailing, i.e. union, wage. Or why he pushed a union-backed proposal to "license" HVAC technicians, i.e. make them join a union. Or why just a few months ago, he sponsored a resolution calling on local colleges and hospitals to sever ties with non-union cafeteria service Sodexo.

It's safe to say he looks for that union label. I have no problem with his desire to organize workers. But what troubles me is that while he plays the role of union boss, Allentown's very real problems get worse. I've seen him try very hard to dismiss people who have complaints about Allentown parks or the systematic home inspection of low-income residents. But ordinary folks don't contribute to D'Amore. Unions do, and according to Lehigh County's records, they are by far his biggest contributor.

Other Council members are hopping on that gravy train, too. In his 2007 race for City Council, Peter Schweyer gobbled up $5,450 from labor unions. Time prevented me from looking over the reports filed by other Council members, but I'll be looking at the remainder soon. Hopefully, a Donovan proposal to post City Council finance reports online, will soon become law.

In the meantime, here's an itemized list of the union contributions made to D'Amore.
Labor Local, 10/23/09, $250
Sheetmetal Workers, 11/9/09, $250
William Newhard (union mogul), 10/23/09, $200
Local 32 BJ, 10/30/09, $2,000
Plumbers Local, 10/14/09, $200
Boilermakers, 4/22/09, $250
Steamfitters, 1/23/09, $500
Internat'l Union Painters, 2/9/09, $2,000
Sheetmetal Workers, 2/12/09, $500
Teamsters, 2/20/09, $500
LABORERS lOCAL 1174, 2/23/09, $1,500
Carpeters, 3/4/09, $500
Roofers, 3/31/09, $500
IBEW, 4/30/09, $500
Bricklayers, 4/30/09, $500
IBEW, 12/26/09, 12.26.07, $1,000
Plumbers, 11/1/05, $250
Roofers Local, 11/4/05, $250
SEIU, 11/4/05, $51.38
Carpenters, 11/7/05, $250
Steamfitters, 10/28/05, $400
Sheetmetal, 10/28/05, $500
Bricklayers, 5/20/05, $250
LABORERS Local, 6/2/05, $200
Bricklayers, 9/20/05, $100
UAW, 8/1/05, $100
Painters, 10/17/05, $250
LV Labor Council, 10/19/05, $100

Updated 9:56 AM: Allentown's campaign finance reform proposal, calling for online disclosure, has been introduced by Peter Schweyer, not Donovan.