This week, we learned that Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, a Democrat, is indirectly funding two county races. He's come under attack for trying to stack the Commission with rubber stamps. We also learned that Lehigh County Commissioner Dean Browning has done pretty much the same thing, forming his very own "Victory" PAC in an evil plan to consolidate Republican control, filling the board with naysayers. While Cunningham and Browning were sending dueling news releases, a third group has been silently plotting their own, insidious Lehigh County coup.Mennonites.
This became clear during a televised debate between Cunningham and challenger Scott Ott (R) yesterday, which was taped before a live audience at the la-de-da Brookside Country Club. Believe it or not, it cost $25 a pop just to get in the joint.
That fee was obviously designed to keep the riff raff away, and it worked, too. I missed it. But never fear, it will air on Monday night, 8 PM, on Channel 69 WFMZ-TV's Business Matters, hosted by Tony Iannelli.
I'm getting this second and third hand, but understand that Ott made his usual claim that Cunningham is a "career politician." Cunningham responded by asking Ott whether he'd hire someone with no plumbing experience to fix his bathroom.
I can see that politician-plumber comparison. They both deal with shit.
While they were on the subject of jobs, Cunningham began to wonder how Ott pays the bills. Sure, he has a twice-weekly column at The Washington Examiner and publishes Scrappleface. But what about that job as Executive Director at Zionsville's Victory Valley Camp for kids? Ott mysteriously resigned right around the time he decided to run for Exec. But guess what? He's apparently still living rent free at one of their homes. And guess who owns that home?
Mennonites.
That's right, folks. While Cunningham and Browning were busy sending out mailers and forming PACs, those Mennonites are secretly funding Scrappleface's run for County Exec, intent.
Cunningham campaign manager Dan Kelly immediately fired off this letter.
"Today in the Chamber of Commerce candidate’s forum, Mr. Scott Ott stated that his compensation from the Victory Valley Camp included free rent at a property you own.
"Mr. Ott went on to say that he no longer works for the organization, starting around the time that he chose to run for office. Since Mr. Ott continues to live at this residence, thus receiving compensation in the form of housing, it is clear your organization is providing him support for his political activities.
"I am writing to ask a few questions about your involvement in Scott Ott’s political campaign.
1) Does your organization’s tax status enable your organization to engage in political work?
2) Does your organization’s tax exempt status enable you to provide candidate Ott with free housing as an in-kind donation, and have you communicated with Mr. Ott on when this will be reported?
3) What other political activity is your organization involved with on Mr. Ott’s behalf?
"Voters have a right to know this information in a timely manner, as it affects Tuesday’s election. We would like a response by the close of business on Friday."
Late last night, someone in a horse and buggy threw a rock at Dan Kelly's window, shattering the glass. As the driver rode off laughing maniacally at about 3 mph, Kelly saw this attached note. "Hey Hoof Tee, Stop Being So Shussly. You write so fancy ferhecht like we can't make you out." Dean Browning has also been getting threatening calls. Apparently, they plan on replacing his air charter business with one of their own, which you can see pictured on the left.
41 comments:
Just to be clear: it is the Mennonites. Not the Maronites. God only knows that we have never given anything away for free. Ha!
Peace, ~~Alex
Finally, the truth is out. The Mennonite Mafia controls all of Lehigh Valley politics. You thought no politicos in either County want to be filmed was because they might be exposed as incompetent and thus ridiculed? NO! The Mennonites won't let them be filmed because their souls will fly away....
It's all becoming clear now.
I definitely agree, Phillies in six!
By the way, who the hell is Angry Priest?
Peace, ~~Alex
Mennonites are liberal Amish!
ah, thanks for the satire... or was it?
Bernie,
A few points, it was never the intent of the founders to create a ruling class of professional politicians. Rather citizens would take time from their own industry and work for a greater good by using their talents in public service. Their neighbors would be their constituents and they would live by the same rules, regulations and taxation they created as elected officials. Because their was only a minimum stipend and few perks few viewed politics as a career and those who did were suspect.
Things have changed, our local politician Don Cunningham now asks us to be suspect of someone who has spent his lifetime in the private sector. I think people are starting to see the folly of this twisted logic.
As for Scott’s place of residence I heard him explain the situation in the spring in a radio interview. This run for public office involves sacrifice for Scott and his family but they don’t “whine” about it.
One more thing that I believe has relevance to character which is important when considering whom to vote for, Scott may live in a rented home but it is one he shares with his family. Clearly he has earned their trust.
Scott Armstrong
I think Scott Armstrong is missing the point. Cunningham is not questioning the fact that Ott lives in a rented home. Cunninghamm is questioning the fact that he lives in a rented home that for which he pays no rent, and is not part of his compensation for work. Because he pays no rent, which allows him not to work and go out and campaign and presumably knock on doors all day, the value of the free rent should be included as an in kind campaign contribution.
Tempest in a teapot. What is Cunningham gong to do- rat the Mennonites out to the IRA? If he does I hope they buggy whip him!
You don't mess w/ the Mennonites. This time next year, everyone in LC will be eating scrapple.
Hey----that reminds me of an old joke----what does it take to satisfy an amish woman.....
2 menn-o-nite!
Excellent photography
Is that Amish dude flashing some kind of gang signal to his homies or what?
They are the most notorious of the gangs, putting the Crips, Bloods and Latin Kings to shame. They even have their own language. I don't know how Cunningham and Browning missed it, but it's pretty clear they're planning a takeover, using Scrappleface as their patsy. Get ready for shoefly pie day and night.
The guy in the pix is Amish, at least pretending to be.
Wierd Al ... as the Amish Guy..I think he could give Pip the Mouse a run for the write-in in district one! Time to lighten up a bit. Nice post Bernie.
Yeah, but all the sweat that dripped from Cunningham was dumped in the Little Lehigh to make up the withdrawal caused by Donny's economeic development.
Some of us are still waiting for you answer on the fact that your water plants are draining the aquifer supplying the Little Lehigh. But Donny I guess you are just waiting to dump the effluent from the planned sewage plant into the Jordan creek.
Wow what a planner.
Bob
"This time next year, everyone in LC will be eating scrapple."
Wow, Bernie. That's the most compelling reason yet to vote for Cunningham! (Tried scrapple once--didn't care for it.)
A Mennonite lost his job and went to the unemployment office to sign up. When questioned about his occupation as a "diesel fitter," he explained that he worked at a ladies underwear factory in quality control. He'd simply hold up the finished product with both hands, visualize his wife and determine,"dese 'll fit 'er," or not.
A homeless black man gets a free bed at the Allentown Rescue Mission, he gets fed by a local church's soup kitchen. He has been living this way for three years.
He get's tired of living this way but he can't find a job because he has no skills but he refuses to sell himself to the underworld.
Sometimes the Mission compensates him for helping out with the janitorial work, which he uses to buy a decent meal once in a while.
The man knows how to speak, once in a while he goes to the Allentown Public library and blogs about his views. This at least gives him something to do and a way to interact with people.
He decides that he wants to use his experiences to help improve the lives of other people so he decides to run for County Executive as a Democrat.
Should the Allentown Rescue Mission, the church that runs a soup kitchen, and the Allentown Public Library be penalized for his independent political activities?
Does he have the right to do that under the Constitution?
Note to the organizations mentioned above: This is a hypothetical arguement.
Oh and I thought those guys in black were Constables fending their turf. May bad.
That's from Wierd Al's "Amish Paradise" video. Check it out on youtube.
All good liberals know it's best for society to deny a homeless man a sandwich if it means he may be exposed to a sermon. It really is better this way. Really.
I do not see how Dan Kelly's letter is attacking any church. He is asking ligitimate questions regarding Scott Ott's free housing now that he is no longer an employee. If it is as Mr Ott says and part of a severance, then that is ligitimate. However, it is a question that was worth asking and something the voters should know.
If the situation was reversed, you had better believe Mr. Ott would have questioned it. Of that I have no doubt.
As a person of faith, I do not take offense to this inquiry, in fact, as a person of faith I would want to know if my church contributions were going to house a Political Candidate.
Dan Kelly did the right thing by asking for an explaination. Furthermore, as a person of Faith I find it offensive that Mr. Ott would not move out of free church housing as quickly as possible and not continue to live rent free while running for office, especially with so many people struggling to pay their rent/mortgage. It sets a very poor example.
How does Scott Ott know what it's like to try to keep a roof over your family's head when he is provided one for free?
A man like that will never have my vote, and shouldn't have yours.
Bernie,
What you failed to mention is who was copied on this letter.
C: Local Lehigh County Media
Lehigh County Campaign Finance Office
Internal Revenue Service - Non Profit Tax Compliance
Scott Ott, Candidate for Lehigh County Executive
Victory Valley Camp
The Cunningham campaign is sending a complaint to “Internal Revenue Service - Non Profit Tax Compliance”. WOW! Rather thuggish don’t you think?
Don is following the now typical Democrat/progressive model of amassing huge war chests and destroying any resistance to their political goals.
Question for fair minded Democrats; how do you really feel about this?
Scott Armstrong
Scott, LOOK at the letter, they were merely cc'd. The Cunningham Campaign did not submit a complaint to the IRS. That being said, if there is nothing going on improper, what is the problem? If there is something improper, shouldn't it be addressed?
Wow! Is there any action you Democrat apologists won’t defend? Turning a church into the IRS for this fig leaf of a reason is inexcusable. They were only copied ? What difference does that make? How is that somehow better than sending a complaint directly to the IRS?
To be worthy of respect one must maintain commonly accepted standards of decency. Don Cunningham, his campaign and all those who defend his IRS action are proving themselves as unworthy.
Scott Armstrong
Scott,
Why can't YOU admit the truth, that if the situation was reversed you would have no issue with Scott Ott making ligitimate inquiries? Addtionally,if the church group did nothing wrong, who give a crap if the IRS knows about it? Seems to me the only reason to be upset if the IRS knew something, is if there is something to hide.
Once again, IF a group with non-profit status was providing in-kind housing to a political figure, that is wrong and in fairness to other groups who play by the rules, it should be looked into. This is not a Dem-Rep issue. It's a right and wrong issue, and there was nothing wrong with Cunningham's Campaign Manager looking into this.
If I were a member there, I would also want to know how my hard earned contributions were being spent as well.
Why are you so incapable of seeing the real point here?
How low and how far the Democrat apologists will go is aptly demonstrated by the anonymous 5:59 post. Cunningham’s actions are unprecedented politically here in the valley. It is a new low.
Scott Armstrong
Speaking about fairness is "Low"? Odd thing to say Scott, but then again I guess you have proven my point. You and your kind do not care about facts or fairness, and with regard to fairness, I am not speaking of political I am referencing my post that gave you ligitimate points to ponder, but I guess you have shown you care nothing for ligitimate points, you prefer to name call anyone with an opposing view.
You are nothing more than a Republican/Scott Ott Scyophant.
I have actually agreed with your point of view in the past because I, unlike you can look at all sides of an issue. I will never pay you a bit of mind again, now that you have shown me who you really are.. Think whatever you like. Luckily the voters of Lehigh County are smarter.
Personal insult, what a surprise. Modus operandi for Democrat
apologists.
Scott Armstrong
6:52 AM
This so ridiculous I don't know why I am even writing this. Incumbents campaign all the time and we pay their salaries while they are.
I must be losing it because of the idiocy of people. God forgive
Bob
You attacked me with personal insults first Scott. What's the matter, can't take what you dish? that being said, I stand by it, as once again you take no notice of ligitimate points.
ANON 8:54,
you mean "legitimate"
So you stand by turning churchs into the IRS for reasons of political expediancy. Nice.
Scott Armstrong
No Scott, I stand by my post and legitimate points mentioned in them. Trying reading and digesting all the prior posts before commenting. I will end this with, IF the church did nothing wrong, then what's the issue with the IRS knowing anything? You enjoy stating that he "turned them in" Well, that implies guilt. Do you know something more on this issue?
IF the Church did something wrong, then shouldn't they be turned in if they are breaking the law? Please answer that question with a simple Yes or No.
No one outside of Don’s campaign office thinks this is a legitimate issue. No one outside if the campaign office or an apologist would attempt to defend this action. It is no small thing to turn a church into the IRS. It is no small thing to turn anyone or anything into the IRS. Therefore one must first make sure the facts support the action. Are you claiming that was done here? Go ahead, walk farther out on the branch and write that they were, then sigh your name to the post. In this case another anonymous post is just more words, mere bluster and unworthy of any credibility or a response.
Scott Armstrong
Armstrong's right - this is a new low.
I actually still had some respect for Cunningham until I read this.
Thank you Bernie, for bringing it to our attention.
There is nothing illeagal going on Scott Ott worked for Victory Valley Camp for several years and a part of his payment was free housing untill the end of December because his employment was Terminated because he ran for a Public Office. That is not a Campaign Contribution it is giving him a chance to find a house. It is unexcuseable of the Cunningham Campaign to threaten the Camp and Churches Tax Exemp statis because of that.
When Ott loses, will the Church Camp rehire him so he will not have to move on January 1st? If so, then perhaps this was a subterfuge to get around the church/political activity taboo.
I think if he loses he will start to work for Victory Valley Camp again. Don't quote me on that because I am not 100% shore.
You can email Scott and ask him at scottott@scottott.org
He does respond to emails.
I think if he loses he will start to work for Victory Valley Camp again. Don't quote me on that because I am not 100% shore.
You can email Scott and ask him at scottott@scottott.org
He does respond to emails.
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