Conrad Bowers, Nazareth's One Man Wrecking Crew, Tries to Close Skate Park

Appointed Nazareth Borough Councilman Conrad Bowers is doing all he can, in his waning days on borough council, to prove voters are right about him. This is the story of how one unelected councilman took it upon himself to alienate skateboarders and cause even more divisiveness in Nazareth over an emotional topic.

Who is Conrad Bowers?

Nazareth Borough Council first disappointed Bowers last December when it decided to follow the Sunshine Act, even when it only involves borough committees. Bowers adamantly opposes opening the doors to the public. Giving people a say in their own government might make it "too unwieldy."

After being forced to open his "transition" committee to the public, Bowers still refused to allow them to participate. For that little trick, Bowers lost his chairmanship .

Bowers was finally forced to listen to people at the one place where it truly matters - the ballot box. He finished dead last among four candidates seeking two positions. He ended up with 55 votes. Perhaps we thought he might make council "too unwieldy."

Now a lame duck, Bowers has become a divisive one-man wrecking crew, intent on creating unnecessary rifts throughout Nazareth. And he's doing it with the skatepark.

Nazareth's Skatepark a hot topic

Skateboarding, at least in Nazareth, is controversial. When the skatepark opened this Saturday, many people responded enthusiastically. Over two hundred people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. Among them was Congressman Charlie Dent. He was not there for votes, but because his sons insisted. Parents brought lawn chairs to watch their kids in action. Curt's Cyclery joined other sponsors mentioned in my original post. Businesses and families kicked in another $200 on opening day.

But there's a dark undercurrent in Nazareth that seems to detest the very idea that kids might enjoy themselves. "All I want from you is silence, and damn little of that." Here's what some folks anonymously say about the skatepark, skateboarders and me. They're only right about me.

Whoopdee damn doo.

Hey the world needs ditch-diggers, too. And, I guess, skateboarders.

Mr. Herbst almost did a good job with the skate park the only thing he forgot to do was..... THINK it through.

Your [sic] an asshole. Glad i moved out of that town before you moved in. Get a life. Vermen [sic] like you deserve everything they get.

I just read your crap about the poor skateboarders. You really have no idea what the community of Nazareth puts up with when it comes to these monsters. They have no manners and are not taught any respect.

Well, these folks now have a champion. His name is Conrad Bowers. And he's out to kick some skateboarder butt.

Conrad Bowers, Skatepark Inspector

Early yesterday morning, he took it upon himself to inspect the skatepark in his official capacity as chair of the public property committee. He didn't like what he saw - litter. Apparently, he filled half a garbage bag with trash that skateboarders had failed to dispose of on their own. But then, for whatever reason, he became a "committee of one" and decided unilaterally to shut the park down.

Conrad Bowers, Skatepark Supercop

When skateboarders and their parents arrived to find the park closed, they began to complain. Police officers arrived, including Officer Gabriel and acting chief Alan Koch. Amazingly, they decided to open the park. But that didn't last long. Conrad Bowers returned, and locked the place up again, claiming there were "safety" issues. Acting Chief Koch pleaded for the kids, but Bowers outranks him. He's the skatepark supercop, and he doesn't have to answer any questions.

Believe it or not, cops sided with the kids. They like that park open. It keeps kids off the streets, away from traffic. That makes it safe enough to them. Helmeted or not, kids in skateparks are a lot safer than kids boarding down a street or around a business. And lest we forget, an insurance company inspected the park and agreed to cover any claim. But it's still not safe enough for Bowers, who refused to say what particular safety issue he had noticed.

Conrad Bowers, Minister of Secret Safety

Mother: "What safety issues?"

Bowers: "As a mother, you should know ..."

Mother: "I don't know. The park was safe on Saturday and now it's unsafe. Why?"

Bowers: "I'm not at liberty to say. You'll find out tomorrow."

Top Secret! He could tell her but then he'd have to kill her.

After all this had happened, some miserable old bastard appeared on scene. And no, it wasn't me! Hard as this may be to believe, Nazareth actually has a few miserable old bastards. This dude directed the thirty or so kids to start calling everywhere, and they did. There were calls to The Express Times, Morning Call and Channel 69. Borough council members, Mayor Keller, police, borough secretaries, and even Congressman Dent, were peppered with calls.

Conrad Bowers Takes a Powder

By late afternoon, Bowers was at the park again, refusing to answer questions. Jack Herbst, the councilman who promoted the skatepark, was also on hand. Unlike Bowers, Herbst does not consider himself a "committee of one." Channel 69 was also there, interviewing everyone. Finally, council prez Chiavaroli ordered the skatepark opened, and the kids cheered. A cameraman approached Bowers, asking to speak to him.

Bowers: "No!"

Cameramen: "Can you explain the safety issues that prompted you to close the skatepark?"

Bowers (now running to his car): "No!"

Gee, Conrad, the voters have already said "No" to you. I saw a news video of the controversy on Channel 69 last night. It really should have included Bowers running to his car, if only for comic relief. This evening, I visited the skatepark around 7 PM, and counted 32 kids in there, happily going up and down ramps.

Go figure.

These kids are off the streets, disturb no businesses and are engaged in a sport. That's where police want them. That's where kids want to be. Why is this so hard to understand? And why this constant negative undercurrent?

Bowers may think he's the skatepark inspector, supercop and minister of secret safety. He's actually a lameduck councilman who's proving to be a one-man wrecking crew in Nazareth. Maybe he should blog.

Update: Both The Morning Call and Express Times have entertaining accounts of yesterday's festivities. Only in Nazareth.

Nazareth's New Skatepark: Will it Dispel or Reinforce the Stereotype?

The skateboarding mystique.

Let's be honest. With their bizarre language, dress and style, skateboarders are anti-establishment. They like it that way.

Yesterday was a perfect example of their mystique, at least to me. On one of the hottest days this summer, I saw a herd of them at Nazareth's new skatepark, which officially opens next Saturday. I spoke with a skater wearing a black cap (sideways), bulky trousers and a piercing in his face. He was oblivious to the blood, mixed with sweat, streaming down his right arm.

Despite this unsettling appearance, it's a relatively safe activity. Every year, 26 thousand skateboarders, mostly kids under 15, are treated in hospital emergency rooms. That may seem high, but it's a lot less than the number of kids treated for cycling injuries - 373,000! At least 100 of those kids pay the ultimate price.

In addition to being relatively safe, it's clearly a sport, too. A group of Nazareth kids made and posted a video (love the music) that demonstrates their athletic ability.

Negative Public Attitude Towards Skateboarding.

As athletic as they may be, skateboarders are foreign to most of us. We grew up with baseball, football and basketball. Few of us understand that kids who like to skateboard are no different than kids who play any of the more established sports.

Ross at NewsOverCoffee states the common attitude. "[M]any people are not happy with the general lack of respect displayed by many of the skateboarders in town. The lack of respect is for both property and individuals. Kids have used personal, private property for their own amusement, have been rude and disrespectful to individuals who have asked them to move along, have had a disregard for public safety by skating in intersections off curbs during daytime and evening hours and down the middle of the road despite holding up vehicle traffic."

My own experience is much different. Once you get past the goofy tee shirts, those kids are pretty much the same as the ones playing baseball and football. Most of them are being condemned simply because they are different. Only a very few are disrespectful.

It should come as no surprise that this general public resentment is shared by many police officers. That's expressed pretty clearly on the YouTube video at the beginning of this post. A Hot Springs, Arkansas cop lays the smack down on "Go Skateboarding Day." He chokes a 13 year-old boy, puts a neck lock on a teen-aged boy and girl simultaneously, and throws the boy to the ground like a rag doll. Conan? 'Roid rage? Amazingly, this officer has already been cleared and is back on the job, keeping the world safe from skateboarders.

Sadly, what happened in Hot Springs occurs pretty much everywhere else, too. A Philly skater was harassed by two cops at LOVE park, of all places. In addition to screaming that he was a druggie and "some kind of retard," cops broke this guy's glasses in the course of throwing him to the ground.

Now I realize they haven't broken out the hoses, but since when is it appropriate to respond to a petty summary offense with neck locks and throwing children to the ground? By that nitwit logic, we should all be bodyslammed every time we get an overtime parking ticket.

Nazareth's new skatepark already a focal point of public resentment.

Nazareth will be opening a public skatepark this coming Saturday. It's located right inside Nazareth park. It will be one of only seventeen skateparks in Pennsylvania. Much of the credit for this goes to councilman Jack Herbst, who has devoted six years to making this project a reality.

This park can dispel many of the common myths about skateboarding. But that won't happen if Nazareth police are unwilling to give it a chance. Let me tell you what has already happened.

As you enter Nazareth park, the very first thing you see is a large sign telling you dogs and booze are both verboten. Gambling, too, bippy. And ATVs. Once you pass this sign, the skatepark is on your left and two nice basketball courts are on your right. If you go a little farther into the park, close to the pool, a sign warns you that bikes and skateboards are prohibited beyond that point.

Now a logical person would conclude, based on that sign, that skateboards and bicycles are permitted before you get to that point. But this is the People's Republic of Nazareth, so you can throw logic right out the window.

Although the skatepark won't officially open until Saturday, it's already getting heavy use. And Nazareth police have already arrested at least one kid who dared skateboard on an unused basketball court located right next to the damn skatepark! He was fined $157, and his board was confiscated as "evidence" for over a week. He had no idea that he was doing anything illegal because no signs are posted that prohibit skateboards in that area of the park, and the basketball court is right next to the frickin' skatepark.

This is pure harassment. In addition to the lack of notice, this skater was bothering no one. He even asked basketball players on the other court for permission before he began grinding. Police were told he had their permission, but that didn't matter.

I suspect what really upset police is that this boy ignored them when they originally shouted at him. "You will respect My Authority." They assumed he was being disrespectful because that is, after all, the common misperception. In truth, the poor kid never even heard them. He skates with an ipod implanted in his skull, a common occurrence among teens these days.

"I was making gnar on my shredsled and never saw the bacon."

Translation: "I was so preoccupied I never heard the police officers."

What about dem dogs?

One sign that is plastered throughout the park is a prohibition against dogs, even those without skateboards. But as I saw myself yesterday, plenty of dogs are walked right through that park. Funny thing. There were no arrests Saturday night, when I attended an entertaining outdoor presentation of Oedipus Rex at Nazareth Park. Many Nazareth dogs must be classical scholars because at least ten of them were there for the play.(Maybe they know Rex!).

I sat in the cheap seats (on the grass), but I'm sure those dogs are so cultured they wouldn't think of relieving themselves on the public green.

Besides, dogs are man's best friend, while skateboarders are slackers who deserve what they get. Might as well be illegal aliens. Right?

A more enlightened view.

Not all cops are this insensitive. A few weeks ago, a detachment of Wilkes-Barre's finest was dispatched to quell seventy skateboarders demonstrating for their own skatepark in Luzerne County. Many of them took off when they saw the cops. Those that remained had a pleasant surprise. Three officers signed their petition, and with flashing lights, gave these kids an escort.

The skatepark is an important recognition, but means nothing if cops and the general public retain such a negative attitude. That's where Nazareth police are wrong.

The charges against that young boy should be dismissed. They are going to be dismissed anyway, but police could open up a line of communication if they dismissed the charges themselves. It's a thought.

Nazareth, like Wilkes-Barre, is an old town. Our kids leave the second they can get out of here. Part of it is jobs. But another big part is a community with an intolerant attitude. That's the worst way to attract or retain young professionals.

Controversial Skateboarding Charge Dismissed in Nazareth

Back in July, I told you about Nazareth's bad attitude towards skateboarders. Naturally this extended to local police. They cited at least one young man who dared skateboard on an unused basketball court located right next to the damn skatepark!

He was fined $157, and his board was confiscated as "evidence" for over a week. He had no idea that he was doing anything illegal because no signs are posted that prohibit skateboards in that area of the park, and the basketball court is right next to the frickin' skatepark.

This is pure harassment. In addition to the lack of notice, this skater was bothering no one. He even asked basketball players on the other court for permission before he began grinding. Police were told he had their permission, but that didn't matter.

At the time, I told you those charges should be taken from a basketball court to a real court because they would never stand up to scrutiny. Nazareth's finest, if they had any sense, would have dismissed the charges on their own motion.

But they refused, and when local attorney Gary Asteak heard the facts, he agreed to represent this young man.

At today's hearing, the case was quickly dismissed. Nazareth police had publicly argued we all have an affirmative obligation to familiarize ourselves with local park rules and regulations whenever we step foot inside a park. But attitudes change over time. And today, police "forgot" to produce a certified copy of the ordinance.

Asteak seized on this technicality, and the case was quickly blown out.

When I originally wrote about this incident, I was deeply concerned that police harassment would continue. But I was wrong. The skatepark has really changed skating patterns in the borough. And when goofy councilman Conrad Bowers arbitrarily decided to close the skatepark for a few hours this summer, it was actually police who spoke up for the kids. Acting police chief Alan Koch went toe to toe with Bowers, whose misguided decision to close the skatepark was quickly reversed.

I hope today's dismissal signals the end of Nazareth's bad skateboarding attitude. The young skateboarder who was cited won't be charged again anytime soon. He broke his ankle skateboarding.

At the skatepark.

Nazareth Skateboarding Harassment Continues

Two boys using Nazareth's new skatepark were rudely interrupted yesterday afternoon by a summer thunderstorm. They decided to seek refuge in the park's bathroom, located about 100 yards from the skatepark, while waiting for their mom.

Naturally, these boys brought their shredsleds with them. Those things cost money. But as quickly as they stepped into the bathroom, an overzealous parks employee evicted them.

No boards allowed.

So two young teens, one of whom is afraid of lightning, were forced to sit outside, in the middle of a thunderstorm, until their mother could come and get them. I wonder whether this parks employee had a few chuckles as he forced children to endure a violent thunderstorm outdoors.

It takes a village ... Except in Nazareth ... Too many village idiots.

Nazareth's Bad Skateboarding Attitude

Yesterday's Express Times slams Nazareth Borough Councilman and Skatepark Inspector Conrad Bowers. He's the village idiot who nearly caused a riot on Monday at Nazareth park when he padlocked kids out of the skatepark ... twice. Amazingly, he has no regrets and actually thinks he has the unilateral authority to do these goofy things.

It must come from God because it sure as hell doesn't come from the Borough Code.

Here's what's really going on. Like many others in the Nazareth community, Bowers knows skateboarders are snotty, disrespectful punks. I've seen plenty of that attitude here and at Ross' blog over the past week. "The world needs ditchdiggers, too."

Frankly, it's disgusting. For the most part, these are our children.

Many Nazareth adults are delighted when our kids are out on a football field, bashing heads, or on some baseball diamond, where the pitcher's dad always happens to be the coach. Skateboarders just can't cut it. Here's what one local woman condescendingly tells me about boarders. "Many of them either weren't talented enough (not their fault) or didn't enjoy or want to work hard enough to play the stick and ball sports."

Really?

She elaborates. "[T]hese are kids who flamed out in other sports for whatever reason. It's not that they weren't encouraged and in many cases, coached, by their parents. They just weren't good enough to continue in those stick and ball sports."

I can see why most of us Nazareth residents are considered snobs. We really think we're something, as long as we're not skateboarders.

Most kids (70-75%) lose interest in organized sports by the time they are in middle school. Slackers? Maybe they're just tired of the goofy parents, coaches and pressures associated with most structured sports. Let's look at two organized sports a moment. In baseball, we have steroids galore. In football, role models like Michael Vick promote a gang mentality, even to the point of hanging and electrocuting dogs that refuse to fight aggressively enough to suit their National Felony League tastes.

And what do we do? We flock to watch them, swilling beer and burping. Hell, why don't we just slap some armor and a pitchfork on our kids and throw them in the arena?

Are 'ya ready for some football?

We just love it!

Kill! Kill!

It's enough to make me want to buy my grandson a skateboard. But he still thinks he's a football, baseball and basketball star. And when he grows up, he wants to be just like ... Michael Vick? Kobe Bryant?

Boys will be boys. And girls? On the sidelines, dude, with the skatebaorders.

I'd like to see a few more skateboarders, not less.

Invasion of the Anti-Soccer Moms

They complained to police to no avail. So on October 3, a group of Bethlehem Township residents marched into the Municipal Building and demanded Commissioners to do something. Kathy Vaught even presented a petition signed by 45 people who live in Bethlehem Estates, one of the Township's swankier neighborhoods. As she spoke, several of her supporters shouted out from the peanut gallery.

What has them all up in a lather?

Eleven year-old girls.

These young ladies, and some of them are even younger, play soccer with Lehigh Valley Magic every Saturday at a 6.59-acre park nestled at the end of Anthony Court in Bethlehem Estates. There's a small parking lot at the park, and those unable to fit in there are forced to park up and down the street.

It's a situation you see every weekend in many Lehigh Valley neighborhoods, especially the landlocked older boroughs. And guess what? The people who live there love it! It's what makes a neighborhood a neighborhood.

Vaught told Commissioners that before spending over $700,000 to buy her home, she was concerned about the small park located next to it. She was assured it was for open space. "If I had known that 150 people are going to be there every weekend, I never would have bought," she complained, adding that "the noise is absolutely ridiculous on weekends."

Games start at the ungodly hour of 1:30 PM.

Perhaps Vought would prefer the open space brought by a heavily-manured cornfield, especially when the wind is blowing her way. How about a skatepark frequented by kids with purple hair, piercings and tattoos? I doubt Vaught and her $700,000 neighbors would have to worry about all those bothersome parents.

Vaught is particularly troubled by a portable toilet located in the the small parking lot. Apparently, little girls who play soccer occasionally use a toilet.

As a result of her own investigation, Vaught learned that the Township only charges $20 per week to rent the field. She told Commissioners that was a ridiculously low rental. "If the Bulldogs [a youth football program] get a hold of something like this, I don't know what will happen."

They might use two port-a-potties. Or worse, none.

Township Manager Howard Kutzler explained that an arrangement was made with LV Magic for one team of 11-and-under girls to play at that pocket park for one season because they were too late for the main soccer fields on Farmersville Road.

"It does saturate that little area," remarked Commissioner Tom Nolan, referring to the parking situation and not the use of port-a-potties.

Maybe the rules are different for people who live in $700,000 homes and wealthy neighborhoods, but isn't a park intended for the public? Is the laughter and screams of 11-year old girls, and the cheers from their parents, all that annoying? One afternoon a week? Shouldn't we encourage our children to engage in this kind of healthy activity, even if it is next to a $700,000 home?

Let the kids play. It's good for them, and Vought might learn that the sense of community could make her $700,000 house seem more like a home.

Nazareth Graffiti Artist Fingered

His tag is "Coach." If you live in or near Nazareth, you've seen his dastardly work.

He's the bastard who spray-painted nine cars outside Wal-Mart last week. He lit up the old Ranch House in Upper Nazareth Township. He's even spray-painted my jeep several times.

Nazareth Mayor Earl Keller is convinced the culprit must be a blogger. Police, of course, suspect skateboarders. Nazareth Borough Councilman Conrad Bowers has already appointed himself lead investigator. He plans to convert the skatepark into an internment camp for 'boarders while he gets interrogation tips from the CIA.

Keller, cops and Bowers are on the wrong track. I saw the real culprit last weekend from my window. He laughed hysterically as he spray-painted "Coach" all over my jeep ... again. I dashed outside with a golf club, but the old fart was too fast for me. He hopped on a skateboard, went about twenty feet to a nearby Caddy, and sped off in a shower of sparks. He even threw a firecracker at me as he roared off.

I called 911 and gave a detailed description, but was immediately committed. I think those little turds are in on it with the "coach." But they could only keep me 48 hours. I snapped a picture of this miscreant with my cellphone and have sent it to the FBI.

I can't wait to see the look on Northampton County Council Prez Grube's face when the feds ask him to pop his hood.

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan Goes to the Dogs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LVRamblings: 2007's Top Stories Complement MSM

I'm a pain in the ass. That's how one friend describes me, and he doesn't even read my blog! It's also a fairly accurate, if unflattering, description of my blogging style. I prefer the term "miserable bastard."

True, what you read here and on other local blogs is raw and unfiltered - we have no editors and sometimes get it wrong. Blogging could never replace your local newspaper. But we do provide a perspective that actually complements the MSM. We can go where newspapers fear to tread - from reporting rumors to filling information gaps.

Are blogs worth the trouble? Eleven stories over the past year prove that, despite our many imperfections, we're on the right track. Judge for yourself.

11) Appellate judge profiles for each of seven appellate jurists seeking retention last November. Although these jurists are the ultimate arbiters of government power, voters know next to nothing about them. That's no surprise. Not one MSM outlet bothered to tell you a thing about these unnecessarily mysterious judges. But those who read this blog were able to make an informed decision.

10) Nazareth's Skateboarding Experience. Although skateboarding is an athletic activity just like baseball or football, Nazareth kids who like it were routinely slammed last summer. "The world needs ditchdiggers, too." "Many of them either weren't talented enough (not their fault) or didn't enjoy or want to work hard enough to play the stick and ball sports." They were pretty much blamed for every crime committed, too. It actually took village idiot Conrad Bowers to make people aware just how silly they had become. He tried to close Nazareth's skatepark just two days after it opened, and that gave kids a very unlikely ally - the police.

9) Elections Office Task Force. Looking for the final report from the citizens' advisory panel that studied Northampton County's election office woes? How about the official minutes of its seven different meetings? My own reports? You'll find it all here, and you won't find it anywhere else. That elections task force had serious reservations about voting machine supplier AVS back in February.

8) Bennett's Boo Boos. From the King Midas story to garden rakes for elitists, Sam Bennett's congressional race has been a comedy of errors. National Dems, who were goofy enough to recruit her in the first place, are desperately looking for someone - anyone - to take on Dent. Good luck with that. Unfortunately, the name that has most recently emerged is a first class wing nut who seems to think fluoridated water is a hot button issue.

7) Hate Speech at Morning Call's Reader Forum. In its latest effort to be hip and create ad revenue, the Morning Call is now allowing hate speech, which extends from typical homophobic rants ("Anyone really care what eight queers claim?") to outright solicitations to commit murder ("Save the taxpayers' money and kill all involved. Case closed!!"). Comments like these will remain for days after being flagged as inappropriate. I am hopeful that Morning Call management changes its reader forum policies very soon. This is about to be a top story in 2008.

6) Berniegate. It's one thing when the local KKK decides to post a few rants on a reader forum. But when the poster is Bernie Kieklak, and he just happens to be COS to state senator Lisa Boscola, it can become a big story pretty fast. Wait a tic! Why the hell am I condemning The Morning Call Reader Forum when I allow some pretty slimy remarks here? I have two very simple answers. First, I'm a hypocrite. Second, we bloggers are interactive and will engage readers who go too far.

5) Upside Down Flag Story. A local dude who chose to fly his flag upside down was charged with insulting the American flag. Easton lawyer Gary Asteak asks,"How the hell do you insult the American flag? What do you do, walk up to it and start cursing?" This blog was picked up by both local papers, and soon became a national story.

4) Local Election Coverage. In May, October and November, there was extensive coverage of municipal races, with details the MSM simply had no space to cover. What a Fleckin' rush! This includes uploads of county council campaign finance reports, something you'll see nowhere else. A lot of people got very interested in following that money trail and the negative campaigning once it was there for them to see.

3) The Battle Against LANTA, a series of articles that, combined with Channel 69 coverage and the tireless advocacy of both Mike Molovinsky and state senator Pat Browne, finally forced LANTA and Allentown city officials to pay attention to financially distressed Hamilton Street merchants.

2) Severson Scissorhands! King of Sleazeball Politics, political consultant Tom Severson first attracted attention last May with anonymous mailers that defamed a magisterial candidate. In October, he switched over to anonymous robocalls, this time directed at county council candidates. He's a real cut up, according to at least one former employee. And just before Christmas, he disrupted a funeral service. What a guy!

1) Vonnegut, my dad and WWII, including old letters from the writer, Kurt Vonnegut, and a diary my father briefly kept after his release from a POW camp. I did little of the writing, so it's clearly my best work.

Nazareth Police Ripping Off Taxpayers

Police harassment of Nazareth skateboarders, which I told you about yesterday, is actually a recent phenomenon. But it's symptomatic of a much bigger problem - an out of control police force ripping off taxpayers left and right. Let me fill you in how they "serve and protect" us.

Before Chief Ruch became seriously ill, Nazareth police had a more enlightened approach about a lot of things, from skateboarders to police overtime. He made out fair schedules and instructed officers to show some understanding to skateboarders, who had no place of their own.

Most skateboarders would meet and practice at Schaeffer Elementary School. In fact, that's where a portion of the video I mentioned yesterday, was filmed. Although boards are technically prohibited, no one seemed to mind. Police officers and kids would simply wave at each other as cops went by on patrol.

All that changed over the Easter holiday. Chief Ruch, in a losing battle with pancreatic cancer, was no longer able to function. And as he surrendered the reins, a much darker and malevolent police department began to assert itself.

Warning Sign

Skateboarders felt it before anyone else. On Easter weekend, they were outside Schaeffer school. Some were playing ball while others played around with their shredsleds. When two part-time cops drove by, no one paid much attention. But suddenly, the rules had changed. Cops exploded from their cruiser, including a belligerent Officer Shawn Hummer. He screamed that he's "fuckin' tired" of kids skateboarding at Schaeffer, and proceeded to collect 18 skateboards, chipping away at them and laughing in the process. "Oops. Looks like I just chipped another board," Hummer laughed as he tossed boards in the cruiser. He also seized a bicycle and a very dangerous ball.

Shawn Hummer, incidentally, is the dude who miraculously escaped being charged with DUI in the slate belt this May under very mysterious circumstances. Here's my question about Hummer, a part-time cop who is pretty much an at-will employee. Why the hell is he still here? Do we really need guys like that in the Nazareth police department?

What happened to those kids on Easter weekend was a warning sign. Things were seriously amiss in the Nazareth police department. But few of us noticed. I know I didn't.

Chief Ruch's Funeral

The next sign of trouble came after the funeral for chief Ruch, who passed away on May 11. All police officers were given the day off, with pay, so they could attend Chief Ruch's funeral. Incredibly, they had actually decided to claim overtime for the time spent attending Chief Ruch's funeral. That is a disgraceful insult, both to the memory of their fallen chief and to taxpayers, who were already paying them to attend the funeral.

A former Nazareth police officer, now employed in the slate belt, told them, "You ought to be ashamed of yourselves." That's the only thing that saved taxpayers from a disgusting and tacky claim for overtime.

Missing Office Supplies

Did you know that at least two full-time Nazareth police officers have their own landscaping businesses? Now, there's nothing wrong with that, but people start getting suspicious when binders, paper and other office supplies begin to disappear. Things have become so bad that borough secretaries have been forced to lock up everything, even the color copier, which costs the borough 10 cents per page. It appears Nazareth police officers, supposedly here to "serve and protect us," can no longer be trusted.

Nazareth Cops Stick Taxpayers with $1300 Bill for Unauthorized Equipment

Not long after Chief Ruch surrendered control of the police department, cops proudly presented borough council with a $1,300 bill. With the exception of two batons valued at about $200, none of these items were authorized police equipment under their current contract with the borough. The same cops who insist that some poor kid should know that skateboarding on a basketball court is a crime, themselves plead ignorance over unauthorized items. In their case, it's OK. How's that for irony? Borough council quietly swallowed the $1,100 difference. Why not? You'll pay for it.

Police Wages Out of Control, and Include a 1,289% increase in Overtime for Part-Time Officers

A study of police wages between the months of February and May, shows an alarming 67.6% increase over the past five years. This study just happened to fall into my hands last night. In 2002, the four-month total was $73,918. This year, it's a whopping $123,937. In 2006, only $391 was paid in overtime to part-time officers. This year, it's $5,431. That's a 1,289% increase.

Why?

As I mentioned, two full-timers have businesses on the side, and this is their busy time. They are actually making their own schedules, and are allowing part-timers to soak the borough so they can pull in more dough themselves. For some reason, they're still able to pick up pretty much overtime themselves. Last year, it was $13,737 over that four month period. This year, it's still $10,321.

Everybody's happy, except for the taxpayer. It's nice to know that we're paying a 1,289% increase in overtime to part-timers so that some full-timers can get their landscaping business off the ground.

Where the hell is Mayor Earl Keller? He tells everyone he is the administrative chief of police, so why doesn't he step up to the plate and act like one? If he can't do that, he should resign. His responsibility is to taxpayers, not cops who are using taxpayers to help fund their landscaping businesses. He should be making these schedules himself, and should insist on disciplinary action against cops who abuse the public trust.

Police Serving The Landed Gentry

Ray Orwig is Nazareth's biggest commercial and residential landlord. I don't know the dude, but understand he has no love for local cops. He'd probably laugh if someone told him they think they work for him.

Start laughing, Ray.

About a week or so ago, Nazareth police were bullying a bunch of skateboarders at the still unopened skatepark in their own friendly way. Here's what Officer Papsy said to several of them, "You skateboarders are going to ruin it for everybody. Mr. Ray Orwig is a powerful man and has lots of money and will shut your park down."

What a wonderful lesson in government from the local constabulary!

Suffice it to say, Nazareth police have devolved from a force that protects and serves to one that punishes and enslaves.

Blogger's Note: I did call Nazareth police yesterday, and was told the acting chief was unavailable until tomorrow. I've decided to go ahead and post this blog anyway with my one-sided version. Blogs are interactive so they can post denials if they wish. I've already been told they deny cursing at kids. I believe the kids.