Yesterday, my grandson Dat and I were sitting at Yocco's after seeing deliciously dark Coraline in 3D at The Carmike. I wolfed down two dogs, no onions, while Dat put away 6 pierogies.
Lehigh Valley health food.
While we sat and discussed whether Coraline is better than Pink Panther 2, I spied Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham putting his tray away, on his way out.
"Hey Don! It's me, Bernie!"
"Bernie? Do I know you?"
"Oh, you big kidder. Of course you know me."
"Are you that fellow everybody in Northampton County hates?"
"No, that's Spike Rogan. Everybody loves me."
Don's son, Brendan, was with him, dressed in a Little Hurricanes basketball uniform. On their way to play Parkland, they must have stopped for health food, too. Now Dat's Lil' Canaries had gone down in flames to Parkland earlier this season, so I asked Brendan for revenge. Brendan smiled and promised to try. Mighty Parkland fell last night.
This is a county executive running for reelection. It's no secret he soon intends to run for governor. He could be doing a million things last weekend to advance either campaign. Instead, he spent it with his son. He claims his "story is just a Pennsylvania story." I wish all Pennsylvania stories were like that.
31 comments:
Want more Rendell? Vote Cunningham for governor.
one of donny's campaign issues was the linden street bridge. 3.5 years after the election, he got around to it, it was a classic stone arch bridge about 100 years old. someone, way up in the project, said the bridge could have been repaired for about a million less than we're spending to build a new one. now that's a "pennsylvania story"
Donny is a good guy. The Linden St. bridge is sort of like the windows at Gracedale that Stoffa hasn't been able to get replaced in three years. There is a caveat though. Donny has to get at least two and possibly three different levels of bureaucracy to approve his plan. Donny is a competent manager. Stoffa is incompetent.
I just read and watched the video you posted. This is where my knowledge of local politics pisses me off. I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a lot about these things. Yet, this guy seems like a decent person. However, I don't know how much of Bethlehem's revitalization was his doing. Did the city, like many, rebound on its own and he's taking credit? Or did he actually lead the city to where it is today. God, it is impossible to know these things unless one keeps a close eye on all things local.
Nonetheless, I do know that Yocco's is awesome and I need to get Yocco'd very soon.
A great project for this blog or the MSM would be to comprare and contrast these two county executives.
Donny is a good guy. The Linden St. bridge is sort of like the gambling and property tax rebate scheme that Rendell hasn't been able to get through in six years. There is a caveat though. Donny can't get different levels of bureaucracy he so loves to approve his plan. Donny is an incompetent manager. Rendell is equally incompetent.
Want more Rendell? Vote Cunningham.
"A great project for this blog or the MSM would be to comprare and contrast these two county executives."
I like them both. They have different styles. I've written a little about their differences, but like the idea of as "compare and contrast" post. Thanks for that suggestion.
Michael,
Isn't it true you have a signed 8 x 10 glossy of Cunningham on your living room wall?
Bryan,
If something goes right, always take the credit. If something goes wrong, you'll certainly get the blame.
It is not easy to administer a county or a city like Bethlehem. Cunningham makes it look easy. He's also lucky, a good quality to have in politics.
I'm starting to think that you are stalking these guys...
No, I gave up stalking for Lent.
Don running his kid around on his weekend is a given. Forcing the poor kid to eat Yacco's is just low at best, and borderline poor parenting.
Thank you for your comment, Mr. Potts.
Your establishment is closed on Sunday.
anon 8:59
I guarantee that kid was not forced to eat yocco's As I child I devoured it with pleasure. In fact I think that sentence contradicts something in the fabric of time. Looking at it makes my head hurt.
Bryan, you beat me to the punch! I'm now going to Yocco's for lunch.
The Banker
Bernie & MM -
We also could have had an eight story addition to the courthouse for the same price he's spending on the 5 story addition.
As to him being "lucky", Bernie is correct. He inherited the revenues from an unpopular (70%) tax increase. He campaigned (rightfully) against the tax hike, yet has failed to return it back to county taxpayers. Instead, he has the county spending at a deficit while living off the surplus from that tax increase.
He also plans to run for re-election as County Executive in 2009, while simultaneously planning a run for Governor in 2010 that will surely take much time away from his duties as County Executive.
I would say that both those issues make him phony - not lucky. The next administration - Democrat or Republican - will be left holding Don's bag.
"We also could have had an eight story addition to the courthouse for the same price he's spending on the 5 story addition."
bullshit. interesting talking point, no doubt created in the bowels of some republican think tank, but consumate bullshit. cunningham took over a project that provided a taxpayer-be-damned taj mahal for the judges, and value engineered the cost DOWN from one the Irvin administration had planned.
Anon 9:06,
It's no secret Cunningham, would like to be governor. But whether he actually runs depends on a few things that have to fall his way.
If you think Cunningham will so focused on the gubernatorial campaign that he will be unable to govern effectively, don't vote for him. That's a valid concern. But as I noted earlier, Cunningham makes difficult jobs look effortless. He is also very fortunate to have a bipartisan board of commissioners that tries very hard to look for areas of agreement.
Your criticism concerning deficit spending is valid. It happened in this year's budget. Dean Browning and other commissioners like Roman made an effort to reduce the budget but were voted down by their colleagues. Even Pip the Mouse survived the budgetary chopping block. There are all kinds of concerns about reduced human services as a result of state cutbacks. But that's why you keep a rainy day fund, if you can. Cunningham is lucky to have fiscal experts like Browning reviewing the finances. They disagree about some things, but Dean is providing plenty of responsible oversight.
You complain about that money in reserve. Fiscal conservative Ron Angle believes in keeping two months of total expenses in reserve, which is much more substantial than anything in Lehigh County.
The infamous hot dog debate continues...
We have Yocco's, Potts (my favorite), Pete's, Richards, Toby's, St. James on the Delaware.
Don running his kid around on his weekend is a given. Forcing the poor kid to eat Yacco's is just low at best, and borderline poor parenting.
"his weekend" I just got it.
Don't forget Jimmy's!
Didn't Don speak up for the casino project to go to Allentown and not Bethlehem, now he is taking credit for it in Bethlehem?
Bernie thanks for the refrence!
And you forgot Dad's Hot Dogs (Bethlehem) best Chicago Dogs in town. And maybe ONLY Chicago dogs in town.
Now that will come up on a employment google. lmao!
And there is always the Wawa quater pound dog with bacon and cheese on a hoagie roll.
For those who don't want a violent sucide, they can just get a instant heart attack from that!
Where is Dads?
I'd like to know that, too.
Operating deficits are irresponsible.
I have been disappointed by Dean Browning's support of a budget with a $12 million deficit. I had hoped that after campaigning as a fiscal conservative that he would govern that way.
Instead of using his talents to justify such decisions, he should be explaining that such actions by any governmental unit are irresponsible.
I hope he sees the light soon.
Because that is not a Republican principle.
Dad's is
2362 Catasauqua Rd
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610) 691-8220
(Just around the corner Yocos by the airport.)
Last time I was there at Dad's, they have a signature dog; I think they call it The Dad's Dog. I highly recommend it. If I remember correctly, it had ketchup, mustard, onions, and potatoes in it. They even have tables to sit at. When I am in that area, I prefer their dogs over Yocco's or Pott's. But when in Jersey, nobodt beats Toby's or the "Mealies" at Alpha Pool Hall.
Peace be with you, ~~Alex J.
Southern Dog at Dad's is great. Cole Slaw on a Dog.
There is also a dog (or was, it has been a little while since I went to Dad's) with Bacon , chedder, and smokey BBQ sauce.
And they were the first place I ever had Mac&Cheese wedges from.
Cool sports theme on the walls.
A very Lehigh Valley spot. It was one of several I e-mailed to Food Networks "Dinners, Drive Ins & dives" to check out.
Also Colonial Pizza, Yuccos,Jimmys on the Deleware in Pburg, and Geakers Drive In.
When I lived on North second Street I spent many a afternoons walking over the free bridge for lunch or dinner from Jimmy's. I only like NJ when I can still see PA from where I stand.
Spike, you son of a bitch! Knock it off! You're making me hungry.
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