Ron Angle, Cigar Thief

I allow anonymous comments here. It allows people like The Banker and others to share their perspectives, without worrying whether it might damage their business. It also allows some government officials to participate in discussions without fear that what they write will haunt them down the road.

But there's a disadvantage, too. It also allows people to launch vicious personal attacks without accepting responsibility for their words. It enables them to spread disinformation.

Northampton County Executive John Stoffa's nonpartisan approach to government, his emphasis on doing the right thing over what is politically expedient, has rankled some, especially within his own party. So his biggest opponents on County Council have been its Democratic representatives. He's been attacked here since I started blogging.

When he ran for re-election, those attacks intensified, both on and off the blog. Seven hundred of his campaign signs were stolen over the course of a single weekend. His primary opponent, Ann McHale, placed her signs within inches of his, effectively preventing the public from seeing them.

In the end, it made no difference. Stoffa easily defeated McHale, even in her own Bethlehem district. She's been bitter ever since.

Doubt me? Take a look at her petty behavior during Council meetings, which you can now see for yourself.

So it should be no surprise to see Stoffa viciously attacked here for just about everything, even on blogs that have nothing to do with him. But yesterday, when I noted that former Exec Jerry Seyfried agreed that Stoffa was right to keep the courthouse open during our snownami last week, I never expected to see him attacked, too.

I was wrong.

Anonymously, the 3 AM troll went after Jerry, claiming that he had only served on Council so that he could get a $20,000 check to write a "history" of the County. "Nice of the taxpayers to give away $20,000 in taxpayer money to Jerry. Just how much debate was held?" In addition, and completely out of the blue, Council Prez Ron Angle is also attacked.

"While at the opening for Cigars International, he stole three cigaRS THAT WERE CLEARLY MARKED FOR DISPLAY ONLY. HE WAS OBSERVED BY MANAGEMENT TAKING THE THREE CIGARS, WHO DECIDED NOT TO MAKE A SCENE, BECAUSE HE IS A PUBLIC FIGURE. Go figure, Angle gets away with shoplifting (STEALING AGAIN)AND HIDES BEHIND HIS OFFICE AS PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL."

A few minutes later, someone - probably the same person who posted the first comment - adds this.

"Can you validate that story...if so let me know so we can go public."

In answer, this anonymous comment appears.

"call Cigars International ask for the manager."

Now, I have no idea what Jerry's history of Northampton County has to do with Stoffa's decision to keep the courthouse open. And the serious accusation directed at Angle has no bearing at all on my original story.

This is what I mean by disinformation. These two anonymous personal attacks have nothing to do with my original story, and were posted just to muddy up Seyfried and Angle.

This is the kind of vicious crap I ordinarily delete, but I thought I would check out both of these claims.

1) Jerry Seyfried enriching himself with $20,000 in taxpayer money.

Jerry was deeply involved in preparing a history of the County's first 200 years, but think it's important that we chronicle the most recent fifty years, while those who were present during the decline and fall of Bethlehem Steel and other industry can still remember it.

In his last act as a member of County Council, he introduced a resolution authorizing $20,000 for that history. (Resolution Number 111-2009). It passed unanimously, and contains language providing that any sum not spent on this history must be returned. I have asked for and obtained a copy of the check, dated December 16, 2009, in the amount of $20,000.

The payee is the Northampton County Historical Society, not Jerry.

I know, I know. There must be some secret deal between Jerry and the Historical Society, which we all know is a front for international jewel thieves.

I never called Jerry. All I can say is that it is very sad when someone besmirches his integrity in a twisted attempt to hurt Stoffa.

2) Ron Angle, Cigar Thief

A few weeks ago, cigar afficiando Ron Angle and WFMZ-TV 69 were both present when Cigars International opened its new headquarters in downtown Bethlehem. "I thought I might get a free cigar and I did. And a good one!" is what Angle told reporter Stephanie Esposito.

The film clip does not show Angle stashing three cigars in his pocket, but we all know how tricky he can be. I decided to call the manager as directed.

When I asked him about Ron, he answered, "If that's the case, then everybody stole cigars. I should be charged as well because I lit one up myself, and I gave Ron a cigar." He later added, "I can confirm no cigars were stolen because they were out there for public consumption."

I also called an employee, who told me he had heard no such rumor, either.

I decided to confront Angle, who told me that he lit up a cigar the second he walked into the place, and someone gave him a cigar on his way out. He told me Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan offered him a box, but he accepts no bribes from Democrats.

"Ron, would you steal a cigar?"

"It would have to be a Cuban," he told me.

Now, it's impossible to prove a negative, but I learned enough to know that the 3 AM troll hates John Stoffa so much he's willing to lie about anyone who might be the least bit friendly to our Exec.

I also know that the $20,000 resolution never appeared in a newspaper, so the 3 AM troll learned about this from someone who was physically present on December 10th, when Council authorized this history. This is most likely a member of Council.

Ann McHale, I know you're still bitter about losing to Stoffa, but it's time to call off your goons. You know who they are because you told me they call you.