Lehigh County Comm'r Refuses to Stand For Pledge, Encourages People "To Stand in Front and Block Ice"

Jon Irons was elected as one of Lehigh County's nine members of its Board of Commissioners in 2023. He refers to himself on his Facebook page as a "Police Abolitionist, Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Racist, Lehigh County Commissioner."  He and several other Comm'rs participated in the July 9 meeting via Zoom, but when he has been physically present, he has refused to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance that usually kicks off public meetings. He also recently encouraged people in a NBC televised broadcast "to stand in front and block ICE from taking neighbors whenever possible."

This was pointed out by my evil Republican brother, Mike O'Hare, at that meeting. My brother acknowledged that this pledge is voluntary. We are, after all, a free country. I could understand someone who is upset about the direction in which this nation is heading. But the pledge itself is an expression of our unity around the noble principles upon which this country was founded, as the Constitution expresses, "to form a more perfect union."

Attorney Ettore "Ed" Angelo, who also spoke at that meeting, defended Irons. "It's called freedom," he said, and it is. And I think the people who voted to put Irons in office should no he has so little regard for this country that he refuses to participate in the pledge. Even I do that. 

I also think it's dangerous to instruct constituents to physically obstruct law enforcement from doing its job. That is actually criminal. There are legal ways to take law enforcement to task when they act like cowboys. Obstruction is about the most foolish thing an elected official should say to anyone. 

As my brother observes, "An elected official should never encourage anyone to knowingly and willingly put themselves in a position where they may face arrest or violate any law. Such statements are reckless and irresponsible. They carry additional authority when made by an elected official and may put people and the County in needless jeopardy."

Could "Community Villages" Help Our Elderly Population Better Than a Nursing Home?

Unlike most of the rest of the state, both Lehigh and NorCo both maintain nursing homes to care for the elderly. At least in NorCo's case, most would have a difficult time getting into a privately-run facility. Executive Lamont McClure has consistently maintained, both as a member of County Council and now as top dog, that it is our "moral obligation." Without doubt, it serves a meaningful humanitarian mission. But dark clouds loom on the horizon, and we should start studying alternatives that might actually do a better job of serving our elderly than packing them four to a room.

During COVID, we experienced the Great Resignation in which many employees left their jobs. This became a major problem at Gracedale, which at one point enlisted the national guard to provide nursing service. According to Skilled Nursing News, this problem remains. Turnover among CNAs alone is 44%, despite increases in compensation and other perks. Gracedale, like 60% of all nursing homes, is forced to rely on agency nurses and to decrease census, which in turn makes them unsustainable in the long run. The county could make a pitch for foreign workers, but given the current immigration climate, that seems to be a no-starter.

On top of the staffing crisis, there's reason to be concerned about the intergovernmental transfer, a creative financial mechanism under which counties pool their money to get a larger federal grant each year. Without that, Gracedale would have a far more difficult time breaking even. But it could be on the chopping block. Conservative think-tanks like Paragon Health Institute describe it as "money laundering." Even former President Joe Biden called it a "scam".

It's unclear to me whether the recently enacted Medicaid cuts will impact nursing homes. I refuse to engage in the histrionics of Hakeem Jeffries. But no one can dispute that the federal government is becoming less willing to fund our social safety net. 

With all of this in mind, let me introduce you to the "Villages of Baltimore County," which recently provided $50,000 to six nonprofits specifically to help our older population to age in place. There are 285 such villages nationwide. 

This is more than a plan for paying for home health care aides. Volunteers can help the elderly make it o doctor visits or grocery shopping. Scouting groups have planted community gardens with real and healthy food.

I believe something like this would be far less costly to the county and would give our older population a little more dignity than packing them into a room. 

What do you think?

Lehigh Valley Planning Comm'n: Industrial and Warehouse Development Declining

Lehigh Valley Planning Comm'n Exec Director Becky Bradley provided Northampton County Council with an annual update at Council's July 3 meeting. 

It reviewed nearly 1,000 plans throughout the Lehigh Valley. It also examines grant applications, proposed municipal ordinances and plans, sewage and solid waste plan reviews, stormwater projects, traffic impact statements and permit reviews.

Bradley noted a surge of 3,519 residential units proposed last year, of which 2,323 are apartments. This year, 375 housing units have been proposed through April, of which 97 are apartments and 211 are townhouses. 

In 2024, 6 million sq ft of commercial development was proposed in 2024, of which 4.7 million is industrial and 4.1 million is warehouse. Nearly 1 million sq. ft in commercial development has been proposed this year through April, of which nearly 0.5 million is industrial and 317,000 is for warehouses.

Bradely said that the market for industrial development is changing as companies consolidate and the amount of available space declines. She expects this decline to continue, especially as municipalities have adopted more stringent zoning practices. 

She also touted three multi-municipal plans - the Northern Lehigh Plan (which includes municipalities in both Lehigh and NorCo); the River Central Plan; and the Slate Belt Plan (to coordinate zoning)

Attorney Who Forgot His Cocaine in Juvenile Court Scheduled For Court Today

As I told you back in February, Stan Margle, age 67, a prominent Easton area attorney, has been charged with possession of both controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.  He was charged with these drug offenses after he left juvenile court but forgot his bag.  In an attempt to determine the owner, Sheriff Deputies opened the bag and discovered that it belonged to Margle. They also discovered what was later determined to be cocaine, along with the paraphernalia facilitating its use. There was also video surveillance showing Margle bringing a satchel into Juvenile Court and then leaving without it. He later returned for the bag, only to discover it had been turned over to county detectives.   

He waived his preliminary hearing and is scheduled for criminal court today. He appears to be representing himself.

As a first offender, Margle is likely eligible for ARD. 

Margle was a $1,000 campaign contributor to DA Steve Baratta. 

There are no actions against him by the Pa. Disciplinary Board.

UPDATED 7/10/25, 12:00 AM (originally posted 7/8/25, 12:00 am)

Margle's criminal case has been rescheduled until August 28. At a hearing before Judge Michael V. Koury yesterday, Margle was directed to post $5,000 bail in bail, unsecured. This is essentially a promise to pay $5,000 if he fails to appear. 

I Met Bambi Last Night

This time of year, I like to cycle a lot. Yesterday afternoon, I got a few miles in on the Ironton Rail Trail before the rain started. The rain felt good, but I stopped once I heard thunder and met my grandson for dinner. By then the rain had stopped and we both decided to hit the trail. It was still light enough to ride and much cooler than it had been just a few hours before. It was actually quite refreshing, not just to us, but to several deer in the area.

This fawn actually was standing on the side of the bike path like a fan from the Tour de France. I stopped by bike and talked to her, and she had absolutely no fear.  I actually could have touched her. I pulled out my phone and snapped this picture as she began to move away. 

A few miles later, I saw a skunk standing right by the bike path as well. He told me he's starting a blog. 

Rally in Bethlehem on Thursday To Stop LANTA Cuts and Fund Mass Transit

Lehigh Valley Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (LVCAT) and Transit For All PA are hosting a rally on Thursday, 10:30 am, at Bethlehem's Payrow Plaza to seek more state funding for LANTA as well as other mass transit systems in the Lehigh Valley. They promise "remarks from local and regional elected officials, labor leaders, transit riders, and more." The persons I'd really like to hear from are the transit riders, many of whom are already suffering as some of these cuts have already started. While some routes probably attract too few riders to be viable, I know of several lines that always are quite busy. 

Unfortunately, this rally is scheduled during business hours, when many of you are working. But Transit For All Pa is urging you to contact your state legislators.

Did Warren Invite Nazareth Food Bank For Presentation To Advance His Own Political Ambitions?

Nancy Madara, President of the Nazareth Food Bank, was joined by Secretary Terry Herbster to explain how the food bank operates in the Nazareth area during a presentation to NorCo's Economic Development Committee last week. It serves approximately 230 families who live within the Nazareth Area School District. Nonresidents will be proved food once and will be referred to other food banks where they live. It is supported by donations from individuals, businesses, churches, charities. It is an old railroad station and is located "across from Pizza Joe's" on Main St in Nazareth. The food bank also maintains a garden for fresh produce. 

Madara said she spends "a lot of tie crying" when she is at the food bank "because the generosity of the community is unbelievable."

Food is distributed only a month and is closed over the winter. It collects about six tons of food every year.

Interestingly, no other food banks were invited to make presentations. Could this be because Jeff Warren who chairs the Economic Development Committee, happens to be running for State Rep. in an area that is mostly covered by the Nazareth Food Bank?  Ironically, it is Warren who suggests that other Council members have political motives for their actions.