Att'y Jeff Dimmich: North Whitehall Should Provide Copies of Wal-Mart Plan

Chris Casey has posted a link to a video of Attorney Jeff Dimmich's complaints to North Whitehall Township Supervisors concerning the Wal-Mart proposal and their supervisors' refusal to allow citizens to inspect and copy the proposed Wal-Mart plan. I've embedded the video.

Bossman Long Gets Petty With Cunningham

Back in August, Governor Ed Rendell was telling Tony Iannelli's Business Matters that Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham would make a "fine" governor. He all but endorsed him. And why not? As a mayor, cabinet official and county exec, Cunningham has made things look easy. And his most likely Democratic opponent, Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato, is having trouble managing his own county.

Onorato's controversial ten per cent drink tax is ruining local business. He squabbles with his council over finances, advocates privatization with something as basic as a county park, and unbelievably fired his air quality program manager for being too "slow" in granting permits to some of the largest air polluters in the country. His reassessment scheme has been judicially labeled “arbitrary, unjust, and unreasonably discriminatory". It has driven many residents to relocate to Ohio.

This guy is a Dem?

Yeah, he's a Joe "Bossman Long" Democrat, the kind of guy who buys elections with $1.9 million warchests in simple county exec races.

Amazingly, Bossman Long is actually going to host a "meet and greet" with Ornery Onorato late March in Hellertown. Long has ordered his entire committee - what's left of them - to pay homage to this right wing air polluter. Those who refuse to attend will be dragged out of their beds late at night and shot.

This is Long's way of showing Cunningham who's really boss. Cunningham takes a fairly nonpartisan approach to most issues and is equally comfortable with Dems and Rs. He even sends news releases to bloggers in defiance of a Long order to ignore all bloggers. That drives the Bossman nutz.

So Joe's going to show Don who's boss.

This April, we'll all have a chance to show Joe who's boss.

Lehigh County Plans to Expand Work Release Facility, With or Without Norco

Last week, I told you all about Abe Atiyeh, protector of homeless, prisoners, politicians and his pocket book. He throws money at pols like lottery tickets, but with a lot more success. His latest scheme is to con Northampton County into leasing its new work release facility from him. His first venture, in West Easton, went nowhere. But now he's selling the county - and he is one of the best pitchmen out there - on a tract in Bethlehem Township in the middle of an industrial park.

Problem solved, right? Wrong.

I searched through all the records of Northampton County yesterday, and neither Atiyeh nor any of his corporate shells own anything in that vicinity. He may have an option agreement, but it's unrecorded. Basically, he's scouring the area, hoping to find a site that he can then lease to the county for profit. Assuming Atiyeh buys and builds a work release facility, will he pay a living wage to his contractors, as the county is legally required when it builds something itself? I don't know, but let's not kid ourselves. His primary allegiance is to himself.

This site - located near Fritch Drive and Brodhead Road - has access to public water, but a local realtor informs me no public sewer is available. Bethlehem Township has no sewer capacity with Bethlehem.

So where are three hundred guys supposed to take a dump?

In the meantime, Bethlehem Township small business owners near this site are genuinely afraid. One of them, a young lady, informs me she is already afraid to walk to her car alone at night. When I offered to escort her, she got even more scared. She and many others plan on voicing their concerns at next Monday's Bethlehem Township's Supervisors' meeting.

While Northampton County stumbles along and runs after Atiyeh, alienating community after community, Lehigh County has quietly forged ahead with plans to expand its own work release facility, located near Route 378 in Salisbury Township. This center is so close to Northampton County, it can only be accessed by physically driving through Northampton County.

Established in 1989, Lehigh County's work release facility was never really built. That's too dignified a word. They just hauled in tractor trailers, stacked a few trailers next to each other, and threw in a few bunk beds and showers.

It was supposed to be a temporary solution.

Eighteen years later, they're finally getting around to a permanent structure. At last night's Lehigh County Commissioners' meeting, Dean Browning - who chairs the Planning Committee - introduced legislation (Bill 2008-09) for the design of a permanent work release facility, capable of housing five hundred inmates. In doing so, Browning noted that Lehigh County's work release population is currently 205. "If Northampton County chooses to join us, this would be an ideal time to do so."

Chairman Percy Dougherty was quick to agree. "I think it's a shame that Northampton County did not come on board with us. ... Maybe it's not too late."

Unlike Northampton, Lehigh has a facility. It has already introduced legislation to design a five hundred inmate recidivism center. It is very close to the homes and workplaces of most Northampton County work release inmates.

Now is the time to catch that train.

Blogger's Note: The difference between Northampton County Council and Lehigh County's Commissioners is like night and day. I will be posting a blog about that in the next few days.

Lehigh County Tidbit About Farmland Preservation

Lehigh County Commissioner Sterling Raber, who chairs the General Services Committee, is a man of few words. But at the conclusion of last night's commissioners' meeting, he made this brief statement. "We have $4 million to preserve farmland this year. We've preserved 18,000 acres so far."

Bethlehem's Mayor Focuses on Governing, Not Fundraising

Yesterday, I told you about the whopping $108,588 that Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has raised over the past two years. Most of this money comes from people who obviously are looking for something - city workers, developers, contractors, consultants and lawyers who do business with the city. While he's raising all this money, how can Pawlowski be governing?

Oh, they all do it, you may say. And most of them do, but not to Pawlowski's extent. Consider Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. Over the same two years, he raised only $16,000, considerably less than Pawlowski. Looks like Callahan thinks fundraising is only a small part of his job.

Callahan's donors are listed below. His list is a lot smaller.

ABRAHAM ATIYEH
BETHLEHEM, PA 18020 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: SELF-EMPLOYED
Employer: WHITEHALL MANOR
BETHLEHEM, PA 18020

ANTHONY BOYLE
ALLENTOWN, PA 18104 11/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

BRICKLAYERS & ALLIED CRAFTSMAN UNION LOCAL 5 PAC
HARRISBURG, PA 17104 7/25/2006 $500.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

CARMELO HUERTAS
BETHLEHEM, PA 18015 11/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

CHRISTIAN PERRUCCI
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: ATTORNEY
Employer: FLORIO & PERRUCCI
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

DANNY & CAROLYN THIBAULT
CAMBRIDGE 02140 8/30/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

ELLIOT SUSSMAN, MD
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: CEO
Employer: LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

FRANK BANKO
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: RETIRED
Employer: RDC - RETAIL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

FRANK BURNETTE III
PITTSBURGH, PA 152161205 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: CONSULTANT
Employer: MORRIS & ASSOCIATES
PITTSBURGH, PA 152161205

GARY AND DONNA PERIN
BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 11/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

J.B. REILLY
BETHLEHEM, PA 18015 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: DEVELOPER
Employer: LANDMARK COMMUNITIES
BETHLEHEM, PA 18015

JAMES BROUGHAL, ESQ.
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018 11/28/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: ATTORNEY
Employer: BROUGHAL & DEVITO LLP
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

JAMES R. FIORENTINO
BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: ATTORNEY
Employer: SELF-EMPLOYED
BETHLEHEM, PA 18017

JEFF AND SUSAN PARKS
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: PRESIDENT
Employer: ARTS QUEST
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

JIM & JAN CREEDON
BETHLEHEM, PA 18015 11/28/2006 $250.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

JOE & ROSE ANNE DUSCHL
LEBANON, PA 17042 7/15/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

JOHN E. FREUND, III
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: ATTORNEY
Employer: KING, SPRY, HERMAN, FREUND & FAUL, L
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

JOSEPH C. POSH
BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: SELF-EMPLOYED
Employer: POSH CONSTRUCTION
BETHLEHEM, PA 18017

KOSTAS KALAGEROPOULOUS
LEHIGH VALLEY, PA 18002 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: PRESIDENT
Employer: HOLIDAY INN
LEHIGH VALLEY, PA 18002

Contributor Date Amount
LANCASTER COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMM
LANCASTER, PA 17602 10/17/2006 $800.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

MANHEIM TWP. DEMOCRATIC CLUB
LANCASTER, PA 17601 7/10/2006 $400.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

MICHAEL CARUSO
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: SELF-EMPLOYED
Employer: M.J. CARUSO & ASSOCIATES
BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

MIKE CROFTON
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: PRESIDENT
Employer: PHILADELPHIA TRUST COMPANY
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

MIKE GAUSLING
BETHLEHEM, PA 18015 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: RETIRED
Employer: BETHLEHEM, PA 18015

MIKE KLEIN
HARRISBURG, PA 171082105 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: ATTORNEY
Employer: LEBOEUF, LAMB, GREEN & MACRAE
HARRISBURG, PA 171082105

PABAR-PAC (PA BAR ASSOCIATION)
HARRISBURG, PA 17108 10/11/2006 $500.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

RANJEET PAWAR
BETHLEHEM, PA 18015 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: OWNER
Employer: MONSOON
BETHLEHEM, PA 18015

RICK BRACALANTE
BATH, PA 18014 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: PRESIDENT
Employer: BRANCALENTE CONSTRUCTION
BATH, PA 18014

SCOTT ALLINSON, ESQ.
ALLENTOWN, PA 18104 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: ATTORNEY
Employer: TALLMAN HUDDERS & SORRENTINO
ALLENTOWN, PA 18104

SEAN BOYLE
LEHIGH VALLEY, PA 18002 12/6/2006 $250.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -

TARAS ZAWARSKI
EASTON, PA 18045 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: SELF-EMPLOYED
Employer: ZAWARSKI & SONS
EASTON, PA 18045

TIMOTHY & BRENDA KAUFFMAN
LANCASTER, PA 17601 10/23/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: -
Description: Monetary Contribution-
Recipient: CALLAHAN, TIMOTHY COM TO ELECT

TOM BEACH
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428 11/28/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: ENGINEER
Employer: REMINGTON & VERNICK ENGINEERS
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428

TONY GANGUZZA
NAZARETH, PA 18064 11/28/2006 $500.00
Occupation: ENGINEER
Employer: RETTEW
NAZARETH, PA 18064

Derr Stuns Lehigh County Comm'rs With Surprise Resignation

In a stunning announcement at the conclusion of this evening's meeting of Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners, a tearful Kurt Derr announced he is resigning his position as District Three's representative. Voice cracking, Derr called his service to Lehigh County one of the "greatest honors of my life." Derr explained he is moving out of his district.

"Do we have to accept this?" asked an exasperated Percy Dougherty, who chairs Lehigh County's board. He termed Derr's departure a "great loss. I'm really going to miss you." Under Lehigh County's Home Rule Charter, commissioners will have forty-five days to appoint another Democrat to Derr's seat.

Pawlowski Raises $108k Over Last Two Years From City Vendors and Contractors

In 2006 and 2007, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski raised a whopping $108,588, mostly from city workers, developers, contractors, consultants and lawyers who do business with the city. Most of them are obviously looking for something. The biggest of these contributors are employees and family members involved in Nic Zawarski & Sons. They've kicked in $11,700 over the past two years.

As Pam Varknoy so astutely points out, Zawarski is beneficiary of a favorable KOZ classification, enabling it to offer $220,000 townhouses with an added incentive - the buyer pays no local, real estate or state taxes.

Zawarski's investment in Pawlowski is paying off.

Whoopee!

What amazes me is that, for someone who raised so much money during off election years, Pawlowski has little to show for it. His latest filed report shows only $1,100 in his campaign account.

Where did all the money go? That will be the subject of another post. For now, I've listed all contributors over that two year period alphabetically. If you have time, look them over.

Ackerman, Rudy S. and Rosemarie
Allentown, PA 181043839 1/16/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Adams, Michael J.
Allentown, PA 18102 4/26/2007 $120.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Adams, Michael J.
Allentown, PA 18102 3/30/2007 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Anderson, Richard A.
Bethlehem, PA 180155713 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA
Description: Monetary Contribution-

Anewalt, Thomas
Allentown, PA 18104 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Angello, Karen & Antonio
Allentown, PA 18104 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Allentown School District
Allentown, PA 18102

Arcelay, Ismael & Suzette
Bethlehem, PA 18017 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Arcelay, Ismael and Suzette
Bethlehem, PA 181072702 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Armfield, Jan S.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 9/13/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Ashley, John W. & Anne P.
Allentown, PA 181042049 1/4/2006 $175.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Atiyeh, Abraham
Bethlehem, PA 18020 8/17/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Developer
Employer: Self
Whitehall, PA 18052

Atiyeh, Abraham
Bethlehem, PA 18020 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: Developer
Employer: Self
Whitehall, PA 18052

Atiyeh, Abraham R.
Bethlehem, PA 18020 1/5/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Developer
Employer: Brookside Construction
Whitehall, PA 18052

Balog, Ibolya
Allentown, PA 18102 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: CPA
Employer: Parente Randolph L.L.C.
Center Valley, PA 18034

Balog, Ibolya
Allentown, PA 18102 1/4/2006 $175.00
Occupation: C.P.A.
Employer: Parente Randolph L.L.C.
Allentown, PA 18102

Balog, Ibolya
Allentown, PA 18102 8/23/2006 $100.00
Occupation: C.P.A.
Employer: Parente Randolph L.L.C.
Allentown, PA 18102

Banko, Frank
Bethlehem, PA 18018 1/5/2007 $100.00
Occupation: CEO
Employer: Banko Real Estate
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Banko, Frank
Bethlehem, PA 18018 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: DBA
Employer: Frank Banko
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Banko, Frank
Bethlehem, PA 18018 1/4/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: Banko Real Estate Corp. PA

Barber, Jeffery & Gina
Slatington, PA 18080 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Barnette, Curtis
Bethlehem, PA 18018 8/23/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Barnette, Curtis H.
Bethlehem, PA 18018 4/26/2007 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Barnette, Curtis H.
Bethlehem, PA 18018 12/22/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Barone, Ralph
Allentown, PA 18103 9/13/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Belletieri, Louis
Allentown, PA 18102 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Belletieri, Louis T.
Allentown, PA 18102 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Belletieri, Louis T.
Allentown, PA 18102 1/12/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Bennett, Siobhan & Estrada, Martin
Allentown, PA 18102 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Properties of Merit
Allentown, PA 18102

Berger, William
Allentown, PA 18101 9/14/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Better Allentown Committee
Allentown, PA 18105 5/2/2006 $413.15
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Boroch, Keith L. & Carolyn M.
Doylestown, PA 18901 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Bower, Patrick J. & Diane
Clinton, NJ 88092601 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Boyle Ventures
Lehigh Valley, PA 1800221 4/23/2007 $500.00
Occupation: ?
Employer: Boyle Ventures
Lehigh Valley, PA 1800221

Boyle, Anthony
Allentown, PA 18104 8/30/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Boyle, Anthony J. and Gail J.
Allentown, PA 181046243 1/12/2007 $333.33
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Boyle Ventures
Bethlehem, PA 1800221

Boyle, Sean & Jacqueline
Emmaus, PA 18049 1/4/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Boyle Construction
Bethlehem, PA 18049

Boyle, Sean A. and Jacqueline R.
Emmaus, PA 18049 1/12/2007 $333.33
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Boyle Ventures
Bethlehem, PA 1800221

Bradt, L. Jack
Bethlehem, PA 18018 1/4/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Retired
Employer: PA

Bradt, L. Jack and Patricia T.
Bethlehem, PA 180186356 1/29/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Retired
Employer: PA

Braun, Russell K. and April L.
Allentown, PA 18103 1/5/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Insurance Sales & Musican
Employer: Braun & Turko Insurance
Allentown, PA 18103

Brennan for State Representative
Bethlehem, PA 18015 1/22/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Brier, Patrick J. and Kathleen C.
Clarks Green, PA 18411 1/22/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Stevens & Lee
Scranton, PA 18503

Brill, Edward T. and Diana S.
Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002 1/22/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Chairman, CEO
Employer: BVI Precision Materials
Allentown, PA 18103

Brill, Edward T. & Diane S.
Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002 1/6/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: BVI
Allentown, PA

Butz, Greg
Allentown, PA 18106 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Butz, Greg & Body, Wendy
Allentown, PA 18106 8/15/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Alvin H. Butz, Inc.
Allentown, PA 18102

Butz, Greg & Body, Wendy
Allentown, PA 18106 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Alvin H. Butz, Inc.
Allentown, PA 18102

Butz, Greg L.
Orefield, PA 18069 1/12/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Campos, Luis
Bethlehem, PA 18017 8/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA
Description: Monetary Contribution-

Campos, Luis E.
Bethlehem, PA 18017 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Realtor
Employer: Nic Zawarski & Sons
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Campos, Luis E.
Bethlehem, PA 18017 1/22/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Realtor
Employer: Nic Zawarski and Sons Realty
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Carbonell, Ramiro M.
Collegeville, PA 19426 4/26/2007 $500.00
Occupation: ?
Employer: Financial S&Lutions LLC
PA

Cohen, Martin
Easton, PA 180441127 1/4/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Colandra, Sharon E.
Bethlehem, PA 18018 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Coleman, Ronald H. and Virginia E.
Allentown, PA 181036645 1/12/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: Progressive Realty? PA

Concannon, Frank & Rita
Allentown, PA 18102 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Controller
Employer: City of Allentown
Allentown, PA 18101

Concannon, Frank J. and Rita G.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Concannon, Frank J. and Rita G.
Allentown, PA 18102 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Coppinger, Daniel
Allentown, PA 18104 8/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Croslis, Todd
Whitehall, PA 18052 8/28/2006 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Croslis, Matthew
Center Valley, PA 18034 1/13/2006 $175.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Crothers, Samuel & Anne K.
Allentown, PA 18102 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Daday, Robert P.
Bethlehem, PA 180155219 2/6/2007 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PPL (?)PA

Daday, Robert P.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 8/23/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Dambly, Mark
Media, PA 19063 8/28/2006 $250.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Daugherty, Richard
Orefield, PA 18069 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Daugherty, Richard D. and April
Orefield, PA 180693106 1/5/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Davis, Sydney
Allentown, PA 18104 8/30/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Davis, Sydney S.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Davison, Maxwell E.
Allentown, PA 18104-667 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Davison & McCarthy PC
Allentown, PA 18104

Davison, Maxwell E.
Allentown, PA 18104-667 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Davison & McCarthy PC
Allentown, PA 18104

Davison, Maxwell E.
Allentown, PA 181046672 1/5/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Davison & McCarthy PC
Allentown, PA 18104

Davison, Maxwell E.
Allentown, PA 18104 8/17/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Dean, Alfred
Philadelphia, PA 191312402 1/6/2006 $175.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Dean, Alfred W.
Philadelphia, PA 19131-240 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Democracy Fund
Harrisburg, PA 17108 10/29/2007 $2,500.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

DeRose, Nicholas and Lynn M.
Furlong, PA 189251150 1/16/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Dodge, Robert
Gilbertsville, PA 19525 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: PA

Donovan, W. Michael
Emmaus, PA 18049 1/22/2007 $105.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Dougherty, Francis X.
Allentown, PA 18101 1/22/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Director/DCED/Managing Di
Employer: City of Allentown
Allentown, PA 18101

Dougherty, Joyce
Bethlehem, PA 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Duerholz, Kenneth R. and Karen C.
Allentown, PA 181043868 1/12/2007 $333.34
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Boyle Ventures
Bethlehem, PA 1800221

Dunn, Ryan S. & Ellen S.
Bethlehem, PA 18018 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Dunn, Ryan S. and Ellen S.
Bethlehem, PA 18018 1/12/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Real Estate
Employer: Dunn Twiggar Company, LLC
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Eichenwald, Eduardo and Jeanette
Allentown, PA 18104 1/12/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Eichenwald, Eduardo & Jeanette
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

El-Chaar, Joseph J. and Karen M.
Allentown, PA 18103 1/22/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Co. Executive/Dir.of Glob
Employer: El-Chaar Group
Allentown, PA 18102

Englesson, John G.
Center Valley, PA 18034 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: Business Strategist
Employer: Dynamatrics
Allentown, PA 18102

Center Valley, PA 18034 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: Business Strategist
Employer: Dynamatrics
Allentown, PA 18102

Ensslin, Mary
Pen Argyl, PA 18072 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Epstein, Jeff A.
Allentown, PA 181011187 9/7/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Erdman, William
Orefield, PA 18069 8/18/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Erdman, William A. and Mary C.
Orefield, PA 18069 1/5/2007 $250.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Ervin, Eugene D. and Jane R.
Emmaus, PA 18049 4/26/2007 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Ervin, Eugene D. and Jane R.
Emmaus, PA 18049 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Estrada, Martin U. and Bennett, Siobhan
Allentown, PA 18102 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Estrada, Martin U. and Bennett, Siobhan "Sam"
Allentown, PA 18102 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Fallon, Timothy S. & Lesley Holland
Center Valley, PA 18034 4/26/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Farrel, Daniel
Emmaus, PA 18049 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Farrell, Daniel
Emmaus, PA 18049 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Farrell, Daniel R.
Emmaus, PA 18049 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Fedoriw, Dr. I.N.
Allentown, PA 18102 1/9/2006 $175.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Fegley, Richard & Marguerite
Coopersburg, PA 18036 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Executives
Employer: Bethlehem Brew Works
Bethlehem, PA

Fegley, Richard & Marguerite
Coopersburg, PA 18036 8/30/2006 $100.00
Occupation: Executives
Employer: Bethlehem Brew Works
Bethlehem, PA

Fegley, Richard F. & Marguerite K.
Coopersburg, PA 18036 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Fegley, Richard F. and Marguerite K.
Coopersburg, PA 18036 1/16/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Executives
Employer: Bethlehem Brew Works
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Feldman, Samuel F. & Lynn E.
Allentown, PA 18104-202 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA
Description: Monetary Contribution-

Fitzpatrick, Joseph A.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Foucek, Oldrich & Andrea
Allentown, PA 181045313 1/4/2006 $250.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino
Allentown, PA

Foucek, Oldrich & Andrea
Allentown, PA 181045313 8/23/2006 $100.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino
Allentown, PA

Foucek, Oldrich and Andrea D.
Allentown, PA 18104-531 4/23/2007 $300.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino
Allentown, PA 18104-225

Fowler, Marlene O. & W. Beall
Bethlehem, PA 180186017 1/13/2006 $2,000.00
Occupation: Self Employed/Retired
Employer: PA

Fowler, Marlene O. & W. Beall
Bethlehem, PA 180186017 8/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Self Employed/Retired
Employer: PA

Fox Rothschild LLP
Warrington, PA 18976-362 4/26/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Fox Rothschild LLP
Warrington, PA 18976-362

Frank, Jerome B.
Emmaus, PA 180491278 1/16/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul LLC
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Frank, Jerry
Emmaus, PA 18049 8/23/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Frey, Raymond
Whitehall, PA 18052 1/6/2006 $350.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: PA

Friends of Dan McNeill
Whitehall, PA 18052 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Friends of Dan McNeill Political Fund
Whitehall, PA 18052 1/22/2007 $300.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Friends of Ismael Arcelay
Bethlehem, PA 18107-270 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Gammon, Sara J.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Garrera, Joseph
Allentown, PA 18102 3/30/2007 $250.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Garrera, Joseph
Allentown, PA 18102 8/24/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Garrett, William D. and Sheila R.
Breinigsville, PA 18031 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Goldfarb, Dr. Harold J. & Sandra Geist
Allentown, PA 18104-473 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Gonzalez, Jamie G. and Annabelle Vallejo
Lower Macungie, PA 18062 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Groen, Marcel L.
Jenkintown, PA 19047 1/29/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Fox Rothschild LLP
Philadelphia, PA 191033291

Gross, John & Stahl, Sandra M.
Coopersburg, PA 18036 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Gross, John F. & Stahl, Sandra M.
Allentown, PA 18104-473 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Gross, John F. and Stahl, Sandra M.
Coopersburg, PA 18036 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Gross, Malcolm J. and Janet L.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/23/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Gross, McGinley, LaBarre & Eaton, LLP
Allentown, PA 18105-406

Gross, Malcolm J. and Janet L.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $200.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Gross, McGinley, LaBarre & Eaton, LLP
Allentown, PA 18105-406

Gross, Malcolm J. and Janet L.
Coopersburg, PA 180369354 1/5/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Gross, McGinley, LaBarre & Easton, LLP
Allentown, PA 181054060

Gross, Malcolm J. and Janet L.
Coopersburg, PA 180369354 12/13/2006 $500.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Gross, McGinley, LaBarre & Easton, LLP
Allentown, PA 181054060

Guzel, Murat
Bethlehem, PA 18018 1/22/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Nimeks, Inc.
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Haddad, Ramzi
Whitehall, PA 18052 8/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Harding, Martha
Philadelphia, PA 19143-391 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Harding, Martha
Philadelphia, PA 19143 1/6/2006 $175.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Harper, Gregory
Allentown, PA 18104 8/23/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Harper, Gregory R. and Lorraine P.
Allentown, PA 181046106 1/5/2007 $100.00
Occupation: Physican
Employer: Lehigh Valley Hospital
Allentown, PA 18103

Haver, Robert and Jill
Frenchtown, NJ 8825 1/16/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Investor
Employer: Frenchtown, PA 8825

Herman, Kent & Margaret
Allentown, PA 18103 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: King,Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul LLc
Bethlehem, PA

Hertzog, David D.
PA 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Hillard, Lawrence F. and Hazel A.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/5/2007 $350.00
Occupation: Finance
Employer: City of Allentown
Allentown, PA 18101

Hilliard, Lawrence and Hazel
Macungie, PA 18052 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Finance Director
Employer: City of Allentown
Allentown, PA 18101

Hilliard, Lawrence and Hazel A.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/23/2007 $50.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Hilliard, Lawrence and Hazel A.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Holland, Thelma A.
Macungie, PA 18062-888 4/23/2007 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

House, Robert S. & Elizabeth H.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Hughes, Asa and Peggy
Fogelsville, PA 18051 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Iannelli, T. Anthony
Macungie, PA 18062 4/26/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Iannelli, T. Anthony
Macungie, PA 18062 9/13/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Ickowicz, Gary & Kramer, Sharon
Teaneck, NJ 7666 10/10/2006 $500.00
Occupation: Real Estate
Employer: Larard
New York, NY 10018

Jarrouj, Ayoub F. and Lila J.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Jarrouj, Radwan F. and Diane E.
Orefield, PA 18069 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Kapoor, Gopal & Preeta
Bethlehem, PA 18017 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Kapoor, Surinder K. and Denise
Bethlehem, PA 180173669 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Karoly, Mark S.
Fogelsville, PA 18051 2/6/2007 $1,050.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: PA

Kazickas, Wendy & Al
New Hope, PA 18938 1/9/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Vice President
Employer: HNTB
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Kearns, Bob & Smith, Ron
Scranton, PA 18509 4/26/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: consultant
Employer: unknown PA

Kerschner, Louis H.
Allentown, PA 18102 8/24/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Khan, Yasin & Elizabeth
Allentown, PA 18104 1/9/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Doctor
Employer: PA

Khubchandani, Indru
Allentown, PA 18103 8/15/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Kleinman, Thomas J.
Philadelphia, PA 19103 2/8/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Kleinman, Thomas J.
Philadelphia, PA 19103 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: General Manager/Owner
Employer: Philadelphia Force
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Kleinman, Thomas J.
Philadelphia, PA 19103 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: General Manager/Owner
Employer: Philadelphia Force
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Kline, Nathan
Macungie, PA 180628863 1/5/2007 $150.00
Occupation: USAF - Retired
Employer: PA

Kline, Nathan
Macungie, PA 18062-886 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Kline, Nathan
Macungie, PA 180628863 1/4/2006 $175.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Klutzaritz, Matthew J.
Walnutport, PA 18088 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Knopf, Eugene F. & Carol L.
Allentown, PA 181042149 8/23/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Kostecky, James
Bethlehem, PA 18015 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Krisko, Linda
Allentown, PA 18102 1/5/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Insurance, R.E.Investing
Employer: Linda Krisko Insurance Agency
Allentown, PA 18102

LaBarre, Donald
Allentown, PA 18103 1/12/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Gross, McGinley, LaBarre & Eaton
Allentown, PA 181054060

Lambert, Cynthia A.
Macungie, PA 18062 1/5/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Landis, Randall
Emmaus, PA 18049 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Larish, Richard M.
Hellertown, PA 18055 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Leahy, Michael & Carole
Westbury, NY 11590 1/9/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Metropolis Management
Allentown, PA

Leahy, Michael J. and Carol A.
Westbury, NY 11590 1/29/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Leahy, Michael J. and Carol A.
Westbury, NY 11590 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Metropolis Management LLC
Garden City, NJ 11530

Leahy, Michael J. and Carol A.
Westbury, NY 11590 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Metropolis Management LLC
Garden City, NJ 11530

Lehigh Cement Company PAC
Allentown, PA 181951040 2/6/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Levin, Jonathan S. and Elizabeth M.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Lindenmuth, Scott J.and Bobbi-Jo
Allentown, PA 181021056 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Loch, Bruce
Allentown, PA 18103 1/4/2006 $500.00
Occupation: Developer & CPA
Employer: Loch Eisenbaumer Newton & Co,
Allentown, PA 181049133

Loch, Bruce
Allentown, PA 18103 8/15/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Developer & CPA
Employer: Loch Eisenbaumer Newton & Co,
Allentown, PA 181049133

Contributor Date Amount
Loch, Bruce
Allentown, PA 18103 1/4/2006 $500.00
Occupation: Developer & CPA
Employer: Loch Eisenbaumer Newton & Co,
Allentown, PA 181049133

Loch, Bruce C.
Allentown, PA 18103 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Loch, Bruce C. and Pam
Allentown, PA 18103 1/5/2007 $150.00
Occupation: CPA, Cr. FA
Employer: Loch, Eisenbaumer, Newton & Co.
Allentown, PA 181049133

Lonardo, Audrey
Allentown, PA 18103 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Long, D. Craig & Nancy E.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/13/2006 $400.00
Occupation: Retired
Employer: PA

Lopez, Guillermo & Isabel M.
Bethlehem, PA 18018 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Lyons, Henry & Suzanne T.
Allentown, PA 181045379 8/7/2006 $500.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: PA

Lyons, Henry T. and Suzanne T.
Allentown, PA 18104-537 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

MacLean, Roger J. & Mary K.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

MacLean, Roger J. and Mary K.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Marcon, Charles & Ruth
Allentown, PA 181044313 8/17/2006 $500.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Duggan & Marcon
Bath, PA 18017

McAuley, Kathryn E.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 1/22/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

McCafferty, Eugene J.
Allentown, PA 18103 9/13/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

McCarthy, Daniel K. and Christine Dalton
Allentown, PA 18104 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

McCarthy, Dennis M. and O'Donnell, Sheila E.
Allentown, PA 18103 1/12/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

McDermott, Clifford G.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: King George Inn
Allentown, PA 18104

McGinley, Paul A.
Orefield, PA 18069 1/12/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Gross, McGinley, LaBarre & Easton, LLP
Allentown, PA 181054060

McGinley, Paul A.
Orefield, PA 18069 4/26/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

McGuire, David
Allentown, PA 18104 1/22/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

McMahon, Joseph
Allentown, PA 18104 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Mensch, Susan E.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/5/2007 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: Lehigh Cement Company(?)
Allentown, PA 181951040

Mensch, Susan E.
Allentown, PA 18104 9/7/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Merkle, Claudia J.
Emmaus, PA 18049 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Millenbruch, Gary & Maryann L. Frankl
Bethlehem, PA 180155051 8/9/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Miller, Clair
Allentown, PA 18104 8/16/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Miller, Clair D.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Miller, Clair D.
Allentown, PA 181069652 12/22/2006 $150.00
Occupation: Consultant
Employer: Self-Employed
Allentown, PA 181069652

Miller, Derek and Kathleen D.
Emmaus, PA 18049 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Miller, Michael and Linda
Allentown, PA 18104 8/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Minger, Evan J. and Linda J.
Allentown, PA 18103 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Minger, Linda and Evan
Allentown, PA 18103 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Integrated Information Technology, L.L.C.
PA

Minger, Linda and Evan
Allentown, PA 18103 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Integrated Information Technology, L.L.C.
PA

Mirro, John
Bath, PA 180149458 8/16/2006 $50.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Mirro, John
Bath, PA 180149458 1/4/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Mirro, John & Mary Ellen
Bath, PA 180149458 12/22/2006 $25.00
Occupation: Owner
Employer: Self - Employed
Allentown, PA 18101

Mohr, Kenneth G. & Dorothy B.
Coopersburg, PA 18036-191 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Mohr, Kenneth G. and Dorothy B.
Coopersburg, PA 18036 1/5/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Director Corporate Busine
Employer: Barry Isett & Associates
Trexlertown, PA 18087147

Mohr, Kenneth Jr. & Dorothy
Coopersburg, PA 18036 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Director of Marketing
Employer: Barry Isett & Associates
Trexlertown, PA 18081

Montero, Ricardo
Allentown, PA 18102 8/28/2006 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Montero, Ricardo H.
Allentown, PA 18102 1/12/2007 $350.00
Occupation: President and Publisher
Employer: El Torero Newspaper
Allentown, PA 18102

Morrison, Jennifer D.
Coopersburg, PA 18036 1/12/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Morrison, Jennifer D.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: Physican Assistant
Employer: Lehigh Valley Hospital
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Morrison, Jennifer D.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $250.00
Occupation: Physican Assistant
Employer: Lehigh Valley Hospital
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Munger, Hiram
Allentown, PA 18102 8/15/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Musselman, Dwight A.
Allentown, PA 18103 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Newberg, Jeremey and Francesca
Philadelphia, PA 19106 9/13/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

O'Hara, James M.
Allentown, PA 181032951 12/22/2006 $500.00
Occupation: Insurance Broker
Employer: UST
Allentown, PA 18104

O'Hara, James M.
Allentown, PA 18103-295 4/23/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Insurance Broker
Employer: UST
Allentown, PA 18104

O'Hara, James M.
Allentown, PA 18103 2/8/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Boyle Construction
Lehigh Valley, PA

O'Neill, Sandra P.
Allentown, PA 181044190 1/12/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Business Owner,CFP
Employer: M+O Roofing
Allentown, PA 18104

Oneill, Danny and Sandra
Allentown, PA 181044109 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: M & O ROOFING & SHEET METAL
Allentown, PA 18104

PA Realtors PAC
Harrisburg, PA 17111 1/9/2006 $2,000.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Patrick & Kathleen Brier
Clarks Green, PA 18411 10/24/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Stevens & Lee P.C.
Scranton, PA 18503

Pawlowski, Edwin & Lisa
Allentown, PA 18104 10/17/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Mayor of Allentown
Employer: City of Allentown
Allentown, PA 18101

Perkin, Henry & Phyllis
Allentown, PA 181012322 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: City of Allentown
Allentown, PA 18101

Perkin, Henry & Phyllis
Allentown, PA 181012322 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: City of Allentown
Allentown, PA 18101

Perkin, Henry S. and Phyllis K.
Allentown, PA 181012322 1/12/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Pivinski, Elaine D.
Bangor, PA 18013 1/9/2006 $175.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Plavner, Scott M.
Penn Valley, PA 19072 1/9/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Plavner, Scott M.
Penn Valley, PA 19072 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Plinke, Richard & Terry
Allentown, PA 181042236 1/9/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Outdoor Advertising
Employer: Keystone Media, Inc.
Allentown, PA 18104

Poland, Craig A. and Barbara J.
Allentown, PA 18104 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

POLPAC
Fort Washington, PA 19034 9/13/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Portnoff, Michelle & Schley, Scott
Narbeth, PA 190721131 1/6/2006 $500.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: PA

Potter, Greg
Allentown, PA 18104 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Race Street PAC
Kingston, PA 18704 1/6/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Race Street PAC
Kingston, PA 18704 1/29/2007 $500.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Race Street PAC
Kingston, PA 18704 4/26/2007 $500.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Race Street PAC
Kingston, PA 18704 4/26/2007 $500.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Ralston, Andrew
Allentown, PA 18104 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Ramos, Pedro and Lucy
Bethlehem, PA 18015 1/22/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Ramos, Sr., Jesus
Allentown, PA 18102-300 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

RCN Corporation PA PAC
Dallas, PA 186121097 1/9/2006 $500.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Reibman, Joseph M.
Allentown, PA 18103 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Reid, Michelle & Kevin C.
Macungie, PA 18062 1/6/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC
Bethlehem, PA 180185716

Reilly, Patrick J.
Slatington, PA 18080 4/26/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Robert S. Taylor, Esq.
Solebury, PA 18963 10/24/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Consultant
Employer: The Cameron Companies
Solebury, PA 18963

Rosenfeld, Linda
Allentown, PA 18104 8/16/2006 $100.00
Occupation: Administrative Services
Employer: Self Employed PA

Rosenfeld, Linda
Allentown, PA 18104 1/7/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Administrative Services
Employer: Self Employed PA

Roth, Judd
Allentown, PA 18101 8/17/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Russo, John A. and Ingrid H.
Macungie, PA 18062 1/16/2007 $150.00
Occupation: General Manager
Employer: Computer Aid, Inc.
Allentown, PA 18104

Rutt, Susan
Allentown, PA 18103 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Salvaggio, Anthony
Allentwon, PA 18104 8/17/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Sam, George E. & Rebecca Dreas
Allentown, PA 18109 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Saunders, Charles D. & Sheila L.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Scarcia, Anthony D.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 1/6/2006 $525.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Allied Building Corporation
Center Valley, PA

Schadler, Terry
Gilbertsville, PA 19525 2/8/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Schadler, Terry
Gilbertsville, PA 19525 12/22/2006 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: East Coast Tournament Basketball PA

Schadler, Terry
Gilbertsville, PA 19525 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Schiavone, Greg R.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA
Description: Monetary Contribution-

Schiavone, Greg R.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Schock, Erich
Allentown, PA 18104 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Seitzinger, James M. and Mary Ann
Orefield, PA 18069 1/5/2007 $350.00
Occupation: C.E.O.
Employer: X.O.D.E.
Macungie, PA

SEIU Local 473/395A
Allentown, PA 18101 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

SEIU Local 473/395A
Allentown, PA 18101 1/12/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Senderowitz, Donald
Allentown, PA 18104 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Senderowitz, Donald H.
Allentown, PA 18104-536 4/23/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Serivs, John P.
Allentown, PA 18104 12/22/2006 $100.00
Occupation: Lawyer
Employer: Gross, McGinley, LaBarre & Eaton, LLP
Allentown, PA 181054060

Servis, John P. & Harris, Judith
Allentown, PA 18104 1/9/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Gross, McGinley , Labarre and Eaton, LLP
Allentown, PA 18104

Servis, John P. & Harris, Judith
Allentown, PA 18104 8/23/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Gross, McGinley , Labarre and Eaton, LLP
Allentown, PA 18104

Shamp, D. Gregory
Allentown, PA 18102 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Skrapits, Joseph
Allentown, PA 18102 1/9/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Artist
Employer: Self Employed PA

Slifer, Sally
Emmaus, PA 18049 8/23/2006 $400.00
Occupation: National Court Reporting
Employer: Slifer Voice & Shade
Allentown, PA 18104

Slifer, Sally
Emmaus, PA 18049 1/4/2006 $350.00
Occupation: National Court Reporting
Employer: Slifer Voice & Shade
Allentown, PA 18104

Snyder, Christopher A.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Snyder, Diane E.
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $500.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: unknown PA

Snyder, Kim W. and Linda
Coopersburg, PA 18036 1/5/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Manager
Employer: Eastern Industries
Center Valley, PA 18056

Sorrentino, Nick & Karen
Allentown, PA 18103-973 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Sovereign Bancorp. Inc. PAC
Wyomissing, PA 19610 8/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Spang, James T.
Allentown, PA 18102 1/6/2006 $175.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: Lehigh Valley Law Enforcement Officers Assoc.
Allentown, PA 18012

Spang, James T.
Allentown, PA 18102 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: unknown
Employer: Lehigh Valley Law Enforcement Officers Assoc.
Allentown, PA 18012

Sparandero, Frank and Valerie
Neshanic Station, NJ 8853 1/16/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Stellar, Anthony
Schnecksville, PA 18078 8/23/2006 $2,000.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Stellar Construction Co., Inc.
Schnecksville, PA 18078

Stellar, Anthony G. and Deborah E.
Schnecksville, PA 18078 12/22/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Construction Management
Employer: Stellar Construction Co.
Schnecksville, PA 18078

Stephens, Gary B. and Sonya C.
Allentown, PA 181048612 1/22/2007 $100.00
Occupation: V.P., Admin.
Employer: INFONXX, Inc.
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Stiers, Thomas L. and Brenda J.
Macungie, PA 18062 2/6/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Strack, James J. & Mona A.
Bethlehem, PA 18017-154 4/26/2007 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Stribula, John
Allentown, PA 18104 8/24/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Sussman, Elliot
Bethlehem, PA 18018 8/1/2006 $500.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Lehigh Valley Hospital Center
Allentown, PA 18103

Svirzovsky, Candida
Allentown, PA 18102 4/26/2007 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Svirzovsky, Candida
Allentown, PA 18102 1/6/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Owner
Employer: Candida's
Allentown, PA 18102

Svirzovsky, Candida
Allentown, PA 18102 8/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Owner
Employer: Candida's
Allentown, PA 18102

Tallman, Robert G. & Barbara F.
Allentown, PA 18103-372 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Toolan, Kevin & Jacqueline
Englishtown, NJ 77263666 1/9/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: T & M Associates
Middletown, NJ 7748

Traub, Seymour
Allentown, PA 181043349 1/9/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: St. Luke's Hospital
Bethlehem, PA

Traub, Seymour
Allentown, PA 181043349 8/28/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: St. Luke's Hospital
Bethlehem, PA

Traub, Seymour and Susan
Allentown, PA 181043349 1/22/2007 $150.00
Occupation: Vice President and Genera
Employer: St Luke's Hospital and Health Network
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Twiggar, Andrew J.
Bethlehem, PA 180175252 1/29/2007 $150.00
Occupation: R.E. Developer
Employer: Dunn Twiggar Co.
Bethlehem, PA 18017

U.B. of C. and J. of A. Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters
Philadelphia, PA 19130 8/2/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Vind, David A. & Barbara L.
Sinking Spring, PA 19608 9/7/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Vind, David A. and Barbara L.
Sinking Springs, PA 19608-860 4/26/2007 $500.00
Occupation: ?
Employer: Financial S&Lutions LLC PA

Vind, Michael D. & Ellen Marie
Sinking Spring , PA 19608 9/7/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Vind, Michael D. and Ellen Marie
Sinking Springs, PA 19608 4/25/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Vice President
Employer: Financial S&Lutions LLC PA

Wachovia PA Employees Good Gov't Fund
Allentown, PA 18101 1/13/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Wachovia Pennsylvania Employees Good Government Fund
Charlotte, NC 28288 6/7/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Waste Management PAC
Washington, DC 20004 1/22/2007 $500.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Wax, Robert L.and Laura P.
Allentown, PA 18103 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Wenck, Jeff
Allentown, PA 18104 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Wieand, Donald E. and Megan F.
Fogelsville, PA 18051 1/5/2007 $500.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Stevens & Lee
Lehigh Valley, PA 18002830

Wieand, Megan & Donald E. Jr.
Fogelsville, PA 18051 1/6/2006 $350.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Stevens & Lee
Bethlehem, PA 18002830

Wiener, Joel B. & Lori R.
Allentown, PA 18104 12/22/2006 $500.00
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Wiener & Wiener Attorneys
Allentown, PA 18104

Wild, Susan Ellis
Allentown, PA 18104 12/22/2006 $100.00
Occupation: Lawyer
Employer: Gross, MiGinley, LaBarre & Eaton, LLP
Allentown, PA 181054060

Wild, Susan Ellis
Allentown, PA 18104 4/26/2007 $200.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Williams, Thomas
Allentown, PA 18101 1/9/2006 $5,000.00
Occupation: Proprietor
Employer: City Line Fire and Water Restoration
Allentown, PA 18101

Williams, Thomas P.
Allentown, PA 18101 12/22/2006 $1,000.00
Occupation: Const. Management
Employer: City Line Construction
Allentown, PA 18101

Williams, Thomas P.
Allentown, PA 18101 4/23/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: R.E. Developer
Employer: City Line Construction
Allentown, PA

Wittman, Robert
Allentown, PA 18102 8/28/2006 $100.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Wolf, Raymond J.
Allentown, PA 18102 4/26/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Wood, Robert C. and Ilene
Allentown, PA 18104 1/22/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: SODEXO
Allentown, PA 181063501

Wood, Robert C. & Steinberg, Sarah
Allentown, PA 18104 2/8/2006 $1,225.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: SODEXHO
Allentown, PA

Zaiter, Marwan F. and Nayfeh
Allentown, PA 18103 1/22/2007 $75.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Zawarski, John Robert
Easton, PA 18045-612 4/26/2007 $150.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA

Zawarski, John Robert
Easton, PA 180456123 1/16/2007 $1,000.00
Occupation: Builder
Employer: Nic Zawarski & Sons
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Zawarski, John Robert
Bethlehem, PA 18018 8/16/2006 $200.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Nic Zawarski & Sons
Bethlehem, PA 18104

Zawarski, John Robert
Bethlehem, PA 18018 3/8/2006 $10,000.00
Occupation: Executive
Employer: Nic Zawarski & Sons
Bethlehem, PA 18104

MSM v. Bloggers on Business Matters Today!

Don't ask me how the hell this happened. Today, I'll actually be taping a blogging clinic on Business Matters. It is supposed to air some Monday night on Channel 69, but don't hold your breath. I doubt we'll get past the FCC.

On the bright side, we might get picked up on Pay Per View.

My blogging tag team partner? None other than Mighty Chris Casey, and he's bringin' his wooden bat. I've got about 8 folding chairs, and will be hiding them around the studio before taping begins. Together, we outweight the MSM at least three to one.

Representing the MSM will be Express Times Editor Joe Owens, who describes me with charitable terms like "shameful blogger" and "Northampton County extremist." And that's when he likes me. Owens will be joined by the Morning Call's state house reporter, John Micek. Pennsylvania's best poliblogger has to drive through snow and ice all the way from Harrisburg, while host Tony Iannelli sends a limo to my estate atop Nazareth's Army Navy store. That's OK. Gosh, I hope he doesn't get stuck for seven or twenty hours in some goody ice jamboree on Route 78.

I'm looking forward to the show. I'd say our chief strength in Blogistan is we can focus on one subject and completely beat it to death. That also happens to be our chief weakness. We can complement, but will never replace, the mainstream.

Morning Call "Welcome Mat" Should Extend to Drunk Driving Victim

Imagine this.

Imagine, for a moment, that you're the father of a precious little girl. Imagine watching her as she grows up, saying her first words, playing with dolls and complaining about bed time. Every now and then she'll crack you up with something goofy. My daughter once actually shaped dirty underwear like a tiara, put it on her head and marched around the house, claiming she was the pope!

"You can't send me to bed. I'm the pope!"

Imagine that one day, this little girl becomes a woman. A dance instructor who touches the lives of others, but who still remains close to her dad until her 25th birthday. Suddenly, her life is snuffed out, killed by a drunk driver.

Imagine learning, long after your daughter's death, that she herself had just become pregnant with a grandchild you'll never know.

Imagine that the drunk driver, the spoiled son of a prominent attorney, refuses the decency of an apology. Worse still, imagine him actually give you the finger as you drive by him on the way home. Imagine him taking a vacation, in Europe, while awaiting sentencing.

This is some of the tragedy that has touched Bill Villa.

Before his daughter's death, Bill and his wife, Angie, had a rather popular band called The Villas, whose music was performed on Dawson's Creek. In fact, his band was actually signed by Blue Buddha Entertainment with this endorsement. “This husband and wife power pop team gets everything right: the hooks are rich, the musicianship sharp, and the lyrics are literate but never pretentious." Sadly, that music is now silent.

Like many parents of children killed by drunk drivers, Bill is angry and bitter. He feels a need to do something and has paid close attention to other drunk driving deaths in Lehigh County. I'll be the first to agree that, at times, Bill lashes out at newspaper people and prosecutors.

Can you really blame him?

Since last fall, he has sent The Morning Call forty requests for a brief meeting with its managing editor. I know. I received copies of every one of them. A similar request to the Express Times was answered immediately, and Villa was granted a ninety minute meeting with its managing editor. But still no answer from Allentown. Why not?

Is he bitter? Yes. He's also a fatrher grieving over his daughter. The Morning Call's managing editor should meet Villa, at least once, unless its editorial policy has changed with its ownership.

"[T]he board intends to be as open with readers as possible. It meets regularly -- a few times every week -- with people and groups about topics of public interest. The Lehigh Valley area is blessed to have public-spirited citizens who recognize that the newspaper is a corporate citizen that strives to be engaged in the debate on such issues, and that tries to offer leadership. The welcome mat always is out for those who want to be heard."

Where's Villa's welcome mat?

Clarification: In fairness to The Morning Call, I need to point out that Mr. Villa did meet with the comments editor for about 45 minutes on July 18, 2007. It isn’t accurate to say “The Morning Call” refused to meet with him. Mr. Villa has been seeking an audience with the managing editor, and I'm told that the principles that apply to the editorial board may be inapplicable to the managing editor.

What's in Allentown's Flouridated Water?

The Allentown police pension's "most unusual feature is that it allows retiring officers to calculate pensions on their best 30 days of work, including overtime."

Unusual? Absurd or unconscionable are the words I would use. Pensions should be based on years, not days, of service.

Allentown police officers should stop robbing the public they are supposed to serve. Mayor Afflerbach negotiated this? Mayor Pawlowski sues and then settles on pensions with provisions like this?

Pawlowski Teaches Civics to Third Graders

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski visited McKinley Elementary School on Monday, ostensibly to teach social studies to third graders. That's according to one of the two or three links that actually work on Allentown's web page.

“Some of my favorite moments as mayor of this city involve interaction with our students,” said Pawlowski. “I look forward to my talk with the children and the opportunity to answer their questions,” the mayor added.

But an insider - a cub blogger - gave me the inside scoop on what really happened. Once Pawlowski got the teacher to step outside, he bolted the door shut and told these eight year olds to empty their pockets.

"It's 'pay to play' time, kids! That's how government works. You give me your lunch money, and I tell teach you were great. Those of you who give me the most will see that on your next report card. And if any of you little brats stiff me, you'll be in third grade a long time."

"Praise be Jeebus!"

After collecting $17.81, Pawlowski moved on to his next social studies lesson.

"Ok, kids, now it's gentrification time .... "

- "What's that, Mayor Ed?," asked Julio.

"Call me Mayor Pastor Ed, please. Julio, you see Pedro over there? I want you two to hold hands. Praise the Lord! See Maragarita? Join hands with her, too. See that white boy in the back with his fly open? Yes, the one picking his nose. Take him, too. You can use his other hand. Now I want you all to step inside the cloak room."

"Michael, I want you and little Lee to make a sign that says "Bus Station" and tape it on top of the cloak room."

"Now, look at who's left! Just us pretty people!"

-"But Mayor, is that really fair to Pedro and his friends?" asked Scotty.

Some of the kids looked scared, but Mayor Pastor Pawlowski just laughed.

"Don't worry, kids. This is America, where people have the right to question their leaders. Scotty, did I tell you you have a French Poodle face and your voice sounds like a squirrel. Where are you from, the boonies?"

-"Good one!" laughed the rest of the kids.

-"Scottie's a squirrel from the boonies. Scottie's a squirrel from the boonies." The kids kept singing that until Scotty ran into the cloak room with the others.

"That's great, kids! You're one of my best classes ever. Always be sure to make fun of whoever criticizes you. Now let's get down on our knees and pray to Jeebus and thank Him for saving us. Don't any of you little monsters go to the Life Church? That's Allentown's official religion."

Someone said something from the cloak room, but no one could hear.

Update: Holy shit! The Morning Call actually published a big story about Mayor Ed's visit to McKinley. Isn't that nice? There's a picture and everything.

Norco Workers: The Facts About Hay, They'll Raise Your Pay

The Hay Group, an organization hired to conduct a comparative pay study in Northampton County, is simply the best in the business, representing over 7,000 clients with 88 offices in 47 countries. Of course, the county could simply rely on information from CCAP about what is paid for similar jobs in similar counties, but who is to say they are similar? So the county is spending $115 thousand for a salary study of its 2,000 person workforce. It is widely agreed that, once this is done, nearly everyone who works for the county will be making more money.

As a first step, a questionnaire was mailed to every county employee with a due date of December 28. Although I am no county employee, I remember this very clearly because I heard people from many different offices talk about it.

Last week, I told you that a new deadline of February 28 has been set because many county workers simply had no time to complete these forms. At the time, I mildly made this observation to county workers. "Are you out of your frickin' minds??? Fill out the damn forms and get them in. Forge if necessary. Ask me to fill them out. But if you like a living wage, get them in."

Like a dripping faucet, the complaints began to pour in.

1) The questionnaire is totally unnecessary.

2) The Hay pay study is bogus.

3) Department heads are not letting employees complete these questionnaires on county time.

4) They are only late because HR did not even send them to some departments until February.

5) John Conklin, Director of Administration, failed to submit his own report by December 28. It's all his fault.

The Facts

As I mentioned at the time, neither the pay study nor the questionnaire is bogus. Hay is very real, and the first thing it asked for was something that would describe what each worker does and how long it takes for her to do it. I also mentioned, and the Human Resources Department confirmed, that these periodic reviews are required. Monday I actually sat down with Director Connie Falk-Sutton and Personnel Analyst Linda Markwarth. As Connie explained to me, "We're trying to do it right and completely ... to make sure we're competitive."

Instead of whispers and rumors, here are the facts.

On November 15, a memo and questionnaire was sent to every county worker. It was up to each department head to decide how many employees should fill out the report. If five or six people in one department do the exact same thing, it would only be necessary to get a representative sampling. At the time the memo was sent, a return date of December 28 was established. The Hay group would begin its work once it started receiving the paperwork.

On December 28, roughly one-third of the questionnaires were returned. They were immediately forwarded to Hay.

On January 4, Linda Markwarth contacted each department that had not returned its questionnaire and stressed its importance. She believes there was and remains a "lot of anxiety." In the meantime, her own office has undergone training for this evaluation. As questionnaires have been turned in, they've been forwarded to Hay.

As of yesterday, questionnaires have been completed for only 232 out of 286 different job classifications.

Supervisors have been instructed that these questionnaires are to be completed on county time. If an employee is unable to do so because of work demands, OT must be offered. Sutton-Falk tells me in one instance, she did get a phone call from a union rep who reported a supervisor demanding that employees fill out these forms on their own time. "It took me all of three minutes to resolve that issue," she said.

Director of Administration John Conklin did fail to fill out his own report in a timely fashion. "I blew it," he admitted. "I made sure everyone under me had theirs in, but I didn't think mine was that important."

As it turns out, he's right. Sutton-Falk explained that the Hay study really has no application to cabinet level officials, whose roles are set by the executive and who serve at his pleasure.

Conklin turned his report in a few days ago, and apparently likes gladiator movies. Stoffa shot him.

Yesterday was the first time I sat down and really talked to Sutton-Falk. She's got a rep as a person who can be acerbic, and maybe that's why we hit it off so well. She's very sharp and answered every question.

I liked her.

She and one of her top deputies met me with just one day's notice. Halfway through the meeting, I learned that Linda's son was in the emergency room with a medical emergency, and it sounded serious. She was obviously upset, but wanted people to know the truth.

When she finally did leave, I turned to Sutton-Falk and asked, "She stayed for this?"

Falk shrugged and said, "I could not keep her away. She cares too much."

Finally alone, I asked Connie, "So, what's your sign?" She threw me off the courthouse roof.

With people like them in human resources, Northampton County employees are in good hands. That's my assessment as an outsider. As far as those questionnaires go, git 'er done. You'll only be hurting yourself by letting things go.

AG Corbett Ignores LV College Students Scammed by College Lenders

In 2005, the Morning Call reported that Lehigh Valley College - a for profit educational institution - was practicing deceptive loan practices that resulted in unemployed graduates unable to pay off high interest loans.

Incumbent Attorney General Tom Corbett settled a 2 1/2 year investigation by letting the college buy its way out of trouble. Price tag? $200 grand. Chump change for LV College owner Career Education, whose annual revenue is $1.7 billion. Incidentally, not a dime of that money goes to the students who were actually defrauded. In its editorial headline, The Morning Call concludes this "settlement" seems unfair.

District Attorney John Morganelli, Corbett's likely opponent in the next AG race, agrees. John tells me "leaving the victims completely out of the financial settlement is a shocking and a self-serving result."

He's asking AG Corbett to re-open the case, a permissible practice when further proceedings are in the public interest. Even if Corbett refuses, Morganelli wants all settlement proceeds immediately redirected to the actual victims in a pro rata distribution. Here's some of what John has been saying.

The law under which the Attorney General acted is called “The Consumer Protection Law.” The key words here are “Consumer Protection.” What part of the words, “consumer protection, ” did Mr. Corbett miss when he settled this matter, completely ignoring the “consumers” who were the victims of these entities. This settlement left the victims completely out in the cold with not one cent of restitution. The Morning Call investigation of this matter uncovered unscrupulous business practices, which saddled students and their families with loans carrying 15% interest, a rate associated with credit cards, not student loans. There are real victims out there with substantial debt. The Attorney General made the state treasury and his office the top priority while leaving students and their families with huge debts. It is quite frankly shocking that Attorney General Corbett put the state treasury, which received $50,000, and his own office, which received $100,000, ahead of the victims who were gouged with overly expensive tuition and high-interest loans. The first priority should have been recovering money for the consumer/victims, not the office of Attorney General.

Moreover, the amount and terms of this settlement shows a lack of interest in aggressively pursuing the matter and is inadequate for several reasons. First, the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance accepted by the AG is not even considered an admission by the company that it violated the law. Secondly, the amount of the settlement is almost laughable in light of the fact that Career Education Corp. is reportedly a company that generates revenue of $1.7 billion a year with about 80 for profit schools nationwide including a few in Pennsylvania. Third, the voluntary compliance applies only to LV College and not to other operations of Career Education Corp. leaving the company free reign to engage in similar practices elsewhere. After a 2 ½ year investigation, this is an embarrassing and totally inadequate result.

So Corbett ignores the actual victims of deceptive trade practices, but his own office gets $100 large. Is it because he's heavily involved in a major mob prosecution, like the DeNaples case? Nah, he's letting the Dauphin County DA handle that one. And he still has reached no decision on whether to prosecute political consultant Tom Severson's meltdown during a funeral mass, a matter that any cop could figure in about three seconds.

Update: The Morning Call and Express Times have both published Morganelli's recent criticism of AG Corbett's bizarre settlement, in which none of the victims are compensated. Corbett claims Morganelii does not know the facts. Does Corbett? He should have made an honest effort to collect the money owed to students. That's why he was elected.

Instead of Honest Abe, Why Not Deal With Don Cunningham?

On Friday, I told you about Honest Abe Atiyeh, protector of homeless, politician and his own pocketbook. Now, he wants to warehouse prisoners at county expense.

For Atiyeh, this makes perfect sense. The local real estate market is in the tank. In fact, it's actually going in reverse. Poor ol' Abe has had to put the brake on condos in land polluted by arsenic ("Arsenic Acres") and townhouses in a flood plain (he's offering free rafts to the first ten lot buyers).

That housing industry may be slow, but the prison biz is booming, baby! Lock 'em all up! In Northampton County alone, our new prison was over capacity less than a year after being built. In 2006, the US was housing a whopping 2.2 million people in jails. The land of the free has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

This is where Honest Abe comes in. As he explains things to Express Times ace reporter Sarah Cassi, "What if your family member got a DUI or wrote a bad check? Would you want them in a treatment center or sitting in Northampton County Prison? I feel this is going to be one of the most productive projects in Northampton County I think this is going to be a good thing we can all be proud of."

Especially Abe. He'll be collecting at least $10 million in rent checks on this deal for the next ten years. Imagine how many campaign coffers he can fill with that kind of dough!

For some reason, Bethlehem Township residents are unhappy over this possible deal. One of them tells me he's already fired off a letter to township supervisors, although they themselves have not been officially involved. Go figure!

"I am very involved with several schools and am starting a parent drive against the idea. I agree that something is needed. I am not taking the stand of not in my back yard. I am approaching it as the zoning in the area is considered a 'Dirty Zone'. It needs board approval at a zone hearing which is a public hearing. It is my contention that the township is not able to handle a facility that large. It is strained already for the police force. As a member of the Nancy Run Fire Company, I know it will stretch our manpower. We will have to use mutual aid forces to handle such a building. After all, even the new Courtyard Marriott is only a 132 bed hotel. You are talking 200-300 beds. I am starting the parent drive and any suggestions is welcomed. I have been over to the area and have spoken to a few business members who are already in the process of meetings in order to take some legal action to stop it. Wish us luck."

He's going to need it. He can't count on much help from his own county councilman, Lamont McClure, who accepted $1,000 from Honest Abe on 11/16/06. Atiyeh's business partner, Ramzi Haddad sweetened that pot with another $1,000 on 9/27/07. DA John Morganelli, godfather to one of McClure's children and employer of Mrs. McClure, raked in $51,000. Call me crazy, but I think McClure will just love the idea of a new prison center in Bethlehem Township.

What I don't understand is why Northampton County is spinning its wheels, looking at prison sites that nobody wants, when it can partner with Lehigh County. Let's face it, Don Cunningham makes everything look easy. Currently, Lehigh County is considering a a planned expansion of its work release facility located near Bethlehem. This is an ideal time and opportunity for Northampton to join forces with Lehigh for a joint work release facility and recidivism center.

Let Don Cunningham deal with any thorny political issues. That's his bag, baby. Stoffa and Cunningham, both regionalism advocates, might be able to solve this problem together. Stoffa's enemies will attack him day and night.

They'll think twice before taking a swing at Cunningham.

Lehigh County Commissioner Dean Browning, who chairs Lehigh County's planning committee, will be discussing the work release expansion on Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Perhaps someone from Northampton should drop by and say hi.

Jack Frost Says "Hi" From Nazareth

My Right Brain is bragging about her recent "business trip" to sunny Florida. Sounds like monkey bunsiness to me. Well, she missed the nicest-looking snowmen I've ever seen. Brian and son, who live on the north side of Nazareth's Main Street, above the circle, built it. We all stopped to take pictures before his youngster decided to make a few anatomical additions.

Susan, the blogger at My Right Brain, confesses she "got a little sunburn lying by the pool, if it makes you feel any better!"

It does. I'm a miserable bastard.

Honest Abe Atiyeh: Protector of Homeless, Politicians, Prisoners (and His Pocket)

Abraham Atiyeh, referred to by Bill White as Allentown's Rajah of Rezoning, is one busy dude. Aside from his gig at Brookside Construction and Easton Ventures, he's worked hard on nursing homes, developments, Easton's Cinema Paradiso and a failed scheme to redevelop Nazareth's racetrack. He even persuaded Bethlehem planners to let him subdivide a cemetery for yet another assisted living facility! Residents there can select a burial plot from their window.

But there's a soft and tender side to Abe. For one thing, he just loves politicians, especially incumbents. I think he even keeps a few of them as pets.

Amount of money that developer Abe Atiyeh has given to candidates seeking state office since 2000: $260,000.

Amount of money to federal candidates, according to FEC records: $20,000.

Amount of money for local candidates: God only knows. Those records are unavailable online.

His nice list: Lisa Boscola ($8,250), Jenn Mann ($7,200) and Doug Reichley ($6,500).

His very nice list: John Morganelli, recipient of a whopping $51,000. Morganelli protege, Paula Roscioli, received another $16,300.

The other day, he dropped $5,000 on a homeless shelter, making a big production out of it. With big cardboard checks and wearing a wooden hat, too! To put things in perspective, Abe's 5 large is like a nickel from me. It's breadcrumbs to him.

Both The Morning Call and Express Times were all over his philanthropy like ham on rye. According to what he must have told The Express Times, he had no development projects pending in Bethlehem Township.

That must been have been one of those little white lies. According to today's Express Times, Honest Abe is preparing sketch plans for a 300 inmate prison rehab in Bethlehem Township along Fritch Drive. He loves the idea of treating nonviolent offenders instead of punishing them. And he'll really love those monthly checks from the county.

Am I attacking Atiyeh for giving money to the homeless? That's right bippy. He could easily afford to foot Bethlehem Township's entire bill. Then he'd be setting an example to other developers. This was just a PR stunt by a developer who thinks nothing of trying to litter MLK Boulevard with billboards, right next to a creek and parkway. Do you honestly think he really gives a damn about nonviolent offenders?

No, what he's doing is making Bethlehem Township supervisors feel guilty about their own refusal to fund the homeless so that he can get what he wants.