In the closing days of the Easton races, a negative mailer was directed at Easton city council candidate Jeff Warren by Easton Republicans. This mailer is so low it even includes a reference to me, who called Warren "Easton's Magnet for Special Interests."
That bulk mailing permit for that campaign piece, Permit No. 132, goes right back to Tom Severson, King of Sleazeball Politics. This Severson slam against Warren is odd for two reasons.
First, Severson is Senator Lisa Boscola's campaign consultant, and Jeff Warren works for her. Lisa Boscola paid that Severson $43,659.65 for her state senate race last year. I guess that was then.
Second, Severson was also Democrat Sal Panto's campaign consultant. Panto's latest report reveals that Severson's Political Strategies, Inc. was paid $11,088 on November 30 for mailers, postage and calls.
Can you say conflict of interest?
29 comments:
Does this surprise anyone?
BO: did u send ur data to the AG and US attorney??
It will go out this week.
I like how the election night cake was from Weis.
Easton backing is a GREAT bakery and oh yes unlike Weis locally owned!
BAD move for a Mayoral campaign.
Is this the only mailer Severson was paid for at the time????
J. Spike, while I applaud your efforts to shine light on fact the Easton candidate went outside for his cake, you should realize that Easton Baking is not open on Mondays or Tuesdays. If Easton Baking was open, I would bet the candidate would have purchased cake there, but again, it would not have shown up on expense report, except as a reimbursement to whomever purchased the cake...as they do not take checks.
So, don't be so quick to criticize the candidate that beat your guy in the primary.
Boy, that shut him up quickly didn't it.
What's the deal with that last expense for Little Italy in P-burg?
It's a little silly to complain about a frickin' cake.
I posted that page of Sal's expenditures to show the payment to Political Strategies, i.e. Severson.
Little Italy is a great restaurant that catered some of the food at the VICTORY party. Get over it people, only one candidate talked about the issues, introduced new programs and RECRUITED an army of people to work on the campaign. The victory party was great and I have confidence that Sal will be an even better Mayor than he was before,,,,,,and those of us who remember Easton then know what a good mayor he was for our city.
As for Severenson, Sal isn't a dummy at all, he used the best in the Valley but was smart enough to have his committee members develop the mailers and the script for the calls.
J. Spike -- get over it, you backed two losers. Stop whining and work for the good of the city. And I have seen Sal in that bakery more than you, as a matter of fact I do believe that he sold their items in his store every Sunday and gets their rolls and pastries for Riverview CC.
Anon 2:36,
I agree with most of what you say, but don't agree about Severson. No matter how smart his committee people may be, Severson's reputation precedes him. Any pol who uses Severson is tking a risk. Did Sal know that Severson was behind the mailer attacking a city council candidate from his own party? I doubt that very much.
Anon 2:36 who was the second loser I backed????
Last time I checked I backed no one for mayor.
And um no one from that campaign could stick a cake in a fridge for a day and a half?
and if you pay for something in cash to a buss. You list the bussiness.
Its also interesting since he told dems to stick together then paid someone who did a hatchet number on a dem.
And yes I worked for that Stiff Fleck. But he never paid what he promised. So he got what he had coming losing.
Annon 2:36
Be careful with the ends justifies the means argument. The can take you down any road.
I know he's liked around this blog, but the Sal who slops with Severson is the Sal I know.
Be afraid. Where he buys some stupid cake should be the least of your concerns.
Anon 9:09,
I do like Sal. More importantly, I respect him. I don't agree with him on every issue, including Riverwalk or his wife's appointment as a council member. And I'd never use Severson.
But I like Sal's vision for Easton, his accessibility and enthusiasm. Most of all, it';s that enthusiasm and "can do" attitude we seem to have lost. I've known Sal a number of years and consider him a man of integrity.
And he's been around. He knows the deal. If he steps over the line, he'll be nailed. If he starts playing games behind closed doors, is fiscally reckless, or screws people, I'll be pointing it out. But I won't be the first. Easton has a large number of watchdogs for such a small city. It has Easton Undressed and two papers duking it out. Deegan alone is cause for concern. In fact, Allentown could use a few of Easton's pitbulls. Maybe Krill or J Spike should go west for a few months and have a field day.
If Sal were the monster you make him out to be, one of us would have stumbled over it by now. He can't even fart without one of us noticing.
J.Spike....The Panto campaign bought more cakes from Easton Baking then you and I could eat in a week....and from the photo that Bernie posted it looks like you can pound down some cake! There were several cakes at the Victory Party and yes the anniversary cake was from Easton Baking and it was stuck in the frig for a few days. But the cool whip icing just wasn't the same.
Now, Sal is a man of Integrity and Bernie I think you are missing the boat with your assumptions. First, the appointment. Pam is an independent woman. I don't think anyone should give either of them any crap until she is appointed. Every Resident has the right to apply. I suggest you all sit back and relax until council makes their decision. It's just not fair to either of them. And if she is appointed the only reason you have to complain would be if Sal were to vote for her and I'm sure he won't. Plus you have to look at the names council recieved. She is the most qualified and I suggest that you back your complaint up with some reasons why she is not qualified. The whole two votes under one roof is bullshit. It's no different than having two very good friends on council. Look at the Easton School Board. Pat Vulcano and his cousin Millie serve together. No one is saying a damn thing. There is no difference. That's like saying Spike should not get appointed because he worships El Warner and they are good friends. It's no different. It's just plain old bullshit.
Second, the Severson issue. Severson is a slim ball. Everyone knows that but he is good at what he does. And if you are a former Mayor looking to seek office again the first thing you should is get this guy on your side.
And no the Panto campaign had no idea that Severson was going to do a negative mailer against Warren. And if they would have know that they were working for the Easton Republican party they would have fired Severson for sure. I wonder if Gary Bertsch used Severson????????????
And WTF with Riverwalk. The only issue is the $$$$$ and Sal has always been against that. Every other complaint about it being in a flood plain is BS.
Spike....don't even say that your friendship with El is any different. You are more likely to side with El than Pam is to side with Sal. And you know it.
Anon 12:32,
Let's not even talk about the cake. That's bullshit.
Let's also both agree that Panto is a man of integrity. Had I lived in Easton, I certainly would have voted for him.
But just so we're perfectly straight, I don't break out pom poms for anybody. I probably support Stoffa and Angle more than anyone else, but disagree with him on numerous issues, including his vote against the health department. I just posted a blog criticizing Stoffa's decison to reappoint Rosenthal to the elections commission.
And I sure as hell won't be a bobblehead for Panto, either. He will be a great mayor for Easton, but rarely find myself in complete agreement with another person on all issues. That doesn't mean I'm right and he's wrong.
1) Panto appointment. - Now as far as the appointment of Panto is concerned, you're completely full of shit. You point to Vulcano, bit omit one important detail- those cousins were elected, not selected. If Ms. Panto wanted to sit on council for another term, she should have sought the office and let the people decide whether they want a husband-wife team on council. Remember, she refused to seek re-election, and I think it's a bit cynical to now step in and fill a vacancy she knew was liekly to exist.
Under Easton's new charter, Panto will have incredible power as both mayor and president of council. With his wife sitting on council, the separation of powers will dilute even more. They're not just pals. They are husband and wife.
In an interview the day after his election, Panto claimed he would not allow this to become an issue. It has become an issue.
You claim she's the "most qualified." How the hell do you know that? Do they take a test?
Nothing you've written is persuasive to me. Appointing her to council will lead many to believe the decision was made behind closed doors. It creates an appearance of impropriety, and panto does not need to start his term as mayor with whispers of back room deals.
2) The more I read about Riverwalk, the less I like it. bit Panto has nothing to do with this issue. I just point that out as an area of disagreement. So what?
3) I'm certain no one in the Panto camp had a clue that Severson would do a last-minute hit job for the local Rs. And that's why it's a mistake for Panto to have used him in the first place. What he could have done is neutralize him by hiring him to do one mailer or soemthing like that. I know some pols who do that. But it looks like Severson was the main man. That's a mistake.
I admire, respect and support Panto. But the last thing he needs are bobbleheads.
Hmm personal attacks on my weight following a refrence to a stiff. Hmmm, just like when the primaries ended.
Hmmm I wonder who it could be not posting with a name.
Keep your nose clean boy. Keep your nose clean.
sniff sniff
Kinda funny a fast comment made about a cake got a few fanatics rilled up. Maybe as to distract us from Tom "The Beast" Severson.
And well I was never the one who told all dems to stick together (like how the GOP does) and then bankroll a hatchet man for the gop.
I just speak for what I feel is the best interest of my community NOT the best interest of a crummy political party. And I am the bad guy for that.
And thats all I have to say on the subject if any one does not like it....... tough.
People before politics!
u did send ur data to the AG and US attorney, didn't u? how will you defend our side if u can't practice law anymore? u know they're going to open open up ur records as an atty. how will u deal with that?
Free speech,
I'm not going to be defending our side. That's not my job. It's up to the AG to enforce our elections laws. I will simply provide the facts I have discovered and ask him to look into it. I believe he's already doing so.
won't ur credibility come into question because of ur situation as a suspended atty? i'm really concerned for u.
I make no secret of my past. It is brought up here at least once every few days. That's no shocker to me.
I am careful to back up everything I say. Even here, you will see links to factual assertions or a detailed explanation of my reasoning. When I make a mistake, I quickly admit it.
I've moved on. There will be those who may wish to bring uo a 21 year-old history of a suspension, which I truly deserved. But the facts are the facts.
Wow, Spike get a life. The issues here are big -- finances, crime, gangs, etc. You place your name in for an appointment to City Council and you worry about a cake. Oh my. I work in downtown and I live in Easton. I see both Sal and Pam everywhere, shopping and spending their money and time in Easton. I see them in the WW, SS and CH. And when they come in they are genuine. And they have been shopping in the city before they were in public office, after they were in office and I am sure once they leave office again.
Here are two people that can move anywhere they like and choose to live on the city they grew up in.
More importantly, you miss the whole big picture. We in Easton do not live on an island. The Easton Area is as important to me as the city I live in. I know Sal and Pam are good customers at Easton Baking and I know they shop a lot in Easton but its nice to know that our Mayor understands the area as well.
Blogmeister, I am the free speech (the original on here or at least the 1st).
I encourage u to send it to the AG and was the one who suggested u send to US attorney.
Whomever is impersonating me seeking to intimidate you is a loser. miscreant. nefarious thug.
Stand tall BO and do not let the severson trogladytes intimidate u!!!
Free Speech, I was wondering ... I thought it was a little squirrely.
Bernie,
What the hell did you get suspended for?
I'm a drunk who ignored my clients when I drank. No lucre or malice. Sorry to disappoint.
Oh brother, for the last time - Severson had nothing to do with the Warren mailer. I am one of about four people who know that.
Gary Bertsch didn't use Severson either. Look at the expense reports. Sal used PMI (as did Sandy Vulcano), not Gary and definitely NOT the Easton Republicans. Conspiracy theories abound!
Roger Blease emphatically denied using Severson in an earlier comment concerning that Warren mailer I believe that mailer is negative, but don't oippose negative campaigning. I oppose sleaze campaigning. I think the mailer against Warren was very accurate.
I'll tell you why I claim Severson is behind that. His frickin' mailing permit was used to distribute the mailer. That makes me think it was him. If you can explain the use of Severson's mailing permit, then that will answer the question whether Severson was dancing on both sides of the street.
Post a Comment