But guess what?
Browne himself is listed as a sponsor on POM's web page. He's a "Foundation Partner," i.e., someone who's kicked in $10,000 or more.
Maybe he should write a letter to himself, too.
In the meantime, The Morning Call is being attacked by Allentown business owner Bill Thompson as a collection of "Woodward and Bernstein wannabes [who] look under every bed in the hopes of finding an 'anything-gate.' " And Sue Souerwine claims, in a sour whine, that we're just picking on girls. "[T]here are still those who think it is appropriate for women to work for less than their talents demand."
Yeah, and there are also those who irrationally scream sexism at every turn. And those who sneer at a reporter who does a bit of investigative reporting.
33 comments:
Bennett was wrong to do what she did, no matter what her cheerleaders write to the Morning Call. Bet she never told Browne when he gave her the money that she intended to keep most of it for herself and also run for Congress. Browne is right to call for a halt to state tax dollars going to this scam.
Maybe if Browne is successful in getting the state money pulled from Properties of Merit Sammy B will have to get a real job -- like running for Congress full time.
Anon 8:06,
Oh, she already has that job. And it's being funded by taxpayers.
Wait a minute. Didn't the editorial in today's paper say she needed the salary because the program she is running is going statewide and she will need to work so much harder to make it a success? Doesn't that sort of beg the question as to why she is also running for Congress at the same time? How can she do both? And it looks like she will have to spend even more time defending her pay grab. I know her lock step supporters will say that she is Wonder Woman and can move mountains but isn't running for Congress by itself considered a full time job? Nobody is that energetic, not even Sam Bennett.
Hey Bernie, Looks like Rendell wasn't the only one "seduced" by Bennett.
Bennett and Boscola have proven to be as shady and politically tone deaf as any male politicians; all done in the absence of "The Equal Rights Amendment." Well done, Ladies. Suffrage! Suffrage!
Has anyone stopped "over on Cedar Crest" to see if Rick is willing to be the go-to guy again?
Better lucky than good, huh Charlie Dent?
Just out of curiousity, anybody remember that Pat Browne and Charles Dent Shared campaign headquarters on Hamilton Boulevard just west of Krocks road?
So like, there's no chance Pat's not helping his buddy Charlie, "clear the field?"
Clear the field? Clear the field!!!!. Look this type of activity is why taxes keep going up. The job of executive director of BS is becoming a popular position in the realm of Shadow Government. So is the position of Consultant. Bennett seems to hold both titles. Does anyone out there paying taxes believe that Properties of Merit is a legitimate expenditure for tax money? It is pure fluff, like many other Shadow government made up jobs. At least old school politicians did their political patronage up front and gave their friends jobs in City Hall, now the made up jobs are out of the sunshine and the chain of accountability to the people.
Badapple EU
Anon 12:58!
I doubt very much this is coming from the Rs. It's in their interest to keep Bennett on board. Some sat Rs like to hit early and hit hard, and that is true. But I know for a fact that some Dems have known about this problem for a long time. And let's not forget, these reporters don't need to be led around by the nose. They're quite capable of finding things out on their own.
Maybe the Spotlight of Scrutiny will substitute for the lack of Sunshine.
Badapple EU
Badapple!
You hit this on the head. There is too much "shadow" government and too little accountablility from all these groups and consultants receiving WAM from pols.
Browne now is complaining about Bennett's $110k. Does he even remember the $10k he threw at her? In truth, there is too little accountablity, and we see the Sam Bennetts and others at the helms of all these groups that take money from the public.
Bennett has been exposed as a fraud with this incident. How can any Democrat in their right mind even consider her as a viable candidate for Congress when she goes out of her way to give the Republicans ammunition to use against her? Oh, and to her screeching and whining supporters? Shut up! Your horse just pulled up lame. Deal with it and stop blaming others for her mistakes.
When did Browne donate the money? If he's squawking about it now, then it's likely he just came to the realization that the setup is nothing more than a sham.
What the hell is wrong with the local Democratic party? Can't they get better candidates? Sam Bennett is an embarrassment.
LVHW,
Browne is listed for 2007, so it is relatively recent.
The over ambitious and the power hungry. They keep Badapple and me very busy.
I wouldn't condemn Browne for association. If he didn't step-up we'd be yelling at him to disassociate his office from Bennet/POM. If he has fault or shame let it rear its own ugly head.
The glimmer of association is no replacement for the spotlight of scrutiny.
Somebody should tell her the truth. She is going to be destroyed if she runs for Congress. Better she should be running for her life. And as far away from the LV as possible.
Anon 4:38:
This is anything but an incident. She knows what she is doing when she steals the money.
If the Democrats are willing to give the Republicans all this ammunition, they deserve to lose.
Anon 7:24:
I like the way you think.
Okay, you're being unfair to Pat Browne.
Let's pretend that he gave the money to the local charity x. Then he finds out that they're using the money to give the higher-ups trips to Vegas.Are you going to blame him for them using the money to go to Vegas?
anon. 8:13, yes 'Properties of Merit' is expanding, regardless of whether she runs for Congress or not. Whether she'll do the job she's getting paid for is another question.
Alexis, great minds thinks alike. I made the same point in yesterday's post to "Perspectives",
http://blogs.mcall.com/varkony/.
The recent Boscola/Bennett fiascoes just go to show that the political landscape is filled with equal opportunity land mines; doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman...if you don't watch your step, you'll get blown to bits.
You know the old saying, "If you can't serve as a shining example, you'll have to be a terrible warning".
I would much rather be writing about two women who had been shining examples. To say I'm disappointed in the way Boscola and Bennett have conducted themselves would be a gross understatement.
Anon 9:42,
Unfair to Pat Browne? I'm merely saying that he should be asking the same questions himself that he poses to others. He has demanded an investigation or something into the $100k grant. While he's at it, he might as well add his own. Or did he forget?
By the way, doesn't Browne have a responsibilty to check into how that WAM is used. Most of the time, it is just a headline grabber with very little follow up. State sen/state rep don't do much follow up or make sure that the money is used properly. I'm told by someone in th biz that Pat Browne is amongst the worst in that category, CPA or not.
Once the budget is adopted, I want to have some fun. I'm going to ask all of the local state senators for a list of their Community Revitalization Grants (they don't call it WAM) from the last 4 years.
I think I've been fair to Browne. Before he starts demanding this qand that, he needs to look in his own locker.
Does anybody know if the POM employees are also San's campaign staff? I'd really like to know the truth, and my usual source is busy.
Sammy girl has her own "drinking buddy" on her campaign staff, just like Lisa. Don't know his name but I have heard about some of his "exploits". Not pretty and fodder for more screw ups by Sammy girl for sure. Stay tuned. She has more coming.
Annon 10:52
GO ONNNNN?
What? Sam Bennett drinks too much? Where is your proof? Oh, a video of a drunken concession speech rant against Roy Afflerbach? Oh, that? Why that is soooo old! Anything newer?
im a registered republican and a donor who has givin to both reps and dems including bennetts run for mayor.i find it interesting that over a month ago i told the dent people i would not donate to his race next year.three weeks ago got a call again stating i should give to both dent and bennett impying a rep for bennett was a bad signal to the national reps.am furious about the accusations against bennett but if this is just a smear,me and the pac i belong to will go strickly dem. dennett the nominee or not. wasnt giving donation till jan anyway
makes sense. charlie doesnt care about sam bennett the candidate,he cares about sam the fundraiser among some of her GOP movers and shakers. charlie will have a hard time buckin the trend to the democrats next year. the lv will be a magnet for visits by the political stars. the democrats are positioned well and the lv will be a must win for the state.
What are you guys smoking? Of course the Lehi Valley will be a magnet for political stars and will no doubt also be a targeted race for national Dems ... but ... Sam Bennett will probably be the candidate and that means the Dems will lose. Want to know why? BECAUSE SHE IS A LOUSY CANDIDATE WHO WORKS HARD TO SHOW HER WEAKNESSES AND FLAWS.
Anon 1:52, a PAC man???
Oooh, I'd love to know how you operate and whether you excpect something for your dough.
Anon 4:31, You're right. That's why party bosses should never "clear the field" for their favorites. They may find their favorite is a terrible candidate after discouraging everyone else.
anon. 1:52 a PAC man? Obviously without the use of an opposable thumb and a dictionary.
He was a PhD., but began reading my blog about a year ago. It happens.
Anonn 1:52 and 3:05 Other then running a PAC from bizarro world or the church of illiteracy, whats the deal. If you are two different people do you really believe Dent is worried that Sam will drain his fundrasing. Dent will pray Hillary comes for Sam. Hate to break it to you but Bennet will be lucky to get a third teir congressman here. Unless Rendell helps and that remains to be seen. Her dust up with State funds may have him cut bait.
Bernie, my apologies for posting something I also placed on the Morning Call Forum, but here it is again.
Curious how your readers believe this thing will eventually play out. They (your readers) seem to be "higher-level" thinkers.
Keep up the good work!
"I would describe Sam Bennett as a very hard worker with good ideas, a nice track record of community participation, an intelligent(yet sometimes lacking in specifics) speaker, a woman who is not shy or intimidated in the presence of anyone. Is this someone who would make a good congressperson?
Perhaps, but ..
The recent discovery of the structure/decisionmaking of POM, is a SERIOUS blunder. It projects an image of someone who would have no problem abusing the system, taking bribes, etc. This is exactly what citizens have been working hard to ELIMINATE from our government.
I honestly don't see how she can ever win an election on this level carrying such negative baggage.
The Demacratic leadership would be wise to substitute another candidate who has yet to be injured at their own hand.
Further funding of this campaign would be throwing good money after bad. Bad investment."
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