This news release comes from Charlie Dent's Congressional campaign:This weekend, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem celebrates its first year in business. Millions of Pennsylvania dollars have poured into the casino. Meanwhile, the taxpayers of Bethlehem are still waiting for the payout promised them by John Callahan.
In 2005, Mayor John Callahan said in defense of the pending casino at BethWorks that it “would be an enormous economic boost to the city . . . I would immediately be able to lower taxes and not have to raise them for a time."1
However when it came time to deliver, Callahan reneged. He opposed a Council vote that would have directly returned a portion of the Sands’ host fees to the taxpayers in the form of property tax relief. He called this effort “irresponsible” – proving yet again his firm belief that HE knows how to spend people’s money better than they do.
Instead, Callahan spent the $7 million host fee – even though that represented more than 10 percent of the city’s 2009 budget. Callahan managed to increase spending by a record 12 percent for 2010. He even had to take $300,000 in un-budgeted casino money in 2009 (without Council approval, against city ordinance) to cover basic city expenses during the year. Callahan now says it will be five years before property tax cuts are possible – one year after his mayoral term expires. In other words, keeping Callahan’s promises will be the problem of the next Administration.
“John Callahan says he’d represent us in Washington the same way he’s managed Bethlehem,” said Shawn Millan, campaign manager of Charlie Dent for Congress. “Apparently that means breaking his promises and spending the people’s money before he even gets it.”
While taxpayers wait for their property tax cut, John Callahan has already reaped a windfall in the form of thousands of dollars in contributions from casino gambling interests — including $5,000 from Sands Corporation’s PAC just one week before it became illegal for Callahan to accept it.
1. “Callahan says $10 million slots levy will allow him to lower taxes,” The Morning Call, Apr 21, 2005
I did not know that Charlie Dent was running for Mayor of Bethlehem. With so many important national issues to discuss, we can rely on the normal incumbent negative attacks on character. Is this how Charlie Dent wants to run his campaign? The little dog chasing the big dog picking and biting at the heels of the big dog. I would be so proud of this Charlie that I would flush my head down a toilet. This is a national election-not a poll on Bethlehem politics.
ReplyDeleteIt's an election between two politicians with records that must be evaluated.
ReplyDeleteShould Callahan's record in Bethlehem be ignored? Callahan certainly wants to talk about what he sees as achievements. His failures are fair game.
He promised tax relief from Sands and we all read his lips.
He lied.
We don't need more liars in Washington.
Normally you would be right. but, these are two very different governmental jobs. Calahan will have to be evaluated on how he will perform as a legislator because that is the job that he seeks. I am not interested in his accomplishments or lack of accomplishments as Mayor. We have to know where he stands on a variety of legislative matters and how he will vote. That will be the determination of the outcome of this race.
ReplyDelete4:15,
ReplyDeleteusing your logic, when George Bush ran, no one should have looked at his tenure as Governor. Using your logic, when Charlie Dent first ran for Congress, no one should have looked at his tenure in the General Assembly.
If you hold one elected office, and run for another, what better gauge is there than your actions in elected office....or do you only trust what a candidate says when he is running for a given office and nothing before then is fair game??
Specter made the fatal error.
ReplyDeleteThe race should have been about Sestak's legislative record. It was easy to hit Sestak on some of his votes.
Specter tried to make the campaign about Sestak's naval career.
Same outcome here. You start attacking Calahan on his record in Bethlehem, you will find how cohesive Bethlehemites are about their city and the people who seek elective office.
Big mistake for Dent
lighthouse, I don't think anyone who voted for George Bush can tell you one thing that he did or did not do for Texas. Bush was part of the Bush family. Gore was part of the Clinton family. That's how that election was determined. Tell me what do you know about Gore's legislative record in the Senate.
ReplyDelete"With so many important national issues to discuss..."
ReplyDeleteRemember, Callahan doesnt want to talk about those either. At least until after the votes occur.
BTW, his own website makes an issue of his record as Mayor of Bethlehem. It is laughable to think that he shouldnt be judged on what he has done as Mayor.
or "on what he hasnt done" in this case.
ReplyDeleteIf Callahan does not want to talk about national issues, then, he loses. And, he loses big.
ReplyDeleteIf he thinks his record as mayor will get him elected, forget it.
Same for Dent. Talk about legislative issues. A negative campaign will get you no where.
Callahan delivered a huge lie about providing citizens tax relief. That's not a point to be disputed. And it's refreshing that nobody's attempting to do so. Nonetheless, lying is a character trait that is THE most important when determining if a person is deserving of public trust.
ReplyDeleteThere will be time to discuss all issues, hopefully. But which, if any, of Callahan's statements on any issue are to be believed given his proclivity to lie about such important issues.
We don't need more liars in DC. We read Callahan's lips. He lied.
there is nothing going on inside the city - everything is on hold because johnny is running for congress and doesn't want any waves made. the city suffers so he can gain what he wants personally. bills are not being paid, the entire budget is a lie. the only movement forward is those things that make him look good (the pothole hotline) what a joke - just like him
ReplyDeletehas anyone seen the mayor in city hall lately - nothing but a empty parking slot - nothing but empty promises and the usual lies nothing but slowdown of services
mark my words - if he doesn't get to congress he will abandon bethlehem for his own good and benifit just like cunningham did - they are both from the same cloth - liars and run awayers
So, this blog is not really about the congressional race. It's about a few, and only a few, who have a personal problem with one candidate.
ReplyDeleteSo, Callahan should not run for re election for mayor, because he is a liar and cannot be trusted. He's going to be defeated for congress and the word is out, he's not to be trusted.
Please, no more blogs. You're wasting my time and your own. I won't vote for a liar. You have all the proof. We cannot trust any level of our government to a candidate or elected official who does not tell the truth.
As my US Representative, I want Charlie Dent to publicly denounce the re-writing of history for by the Texas Board of Education.
ReplyDeleteAnon 7:51,
ReplyDeleteI support Charlie Dent, and if his campaign sends me a news release, I attempt to post it or write an original piece referring to it. I would be willing to do the same thing for Callahan, but am being denied access. His call.
I have no idea whether he has become an absentee mayor. I've heard that from some people, but not enough to be sure one way or another. At Wednesday night's council meeting, Callahan was there. Pawlowski skipped his for the Iron Pigs, where he was booed. Callahan did hisjob.
I also do not consider Callahan a liar. I do know that he has had to reverse himself on a promise to reduce taxes. His admin. did spend casino funds without getting an OK from council, which does violate a city ordinance.
Kind of interesting that the Callahan supporter(s) do not actually try to defend him on the substance of the post (he promised tax relief, and instead spent the money), but try to deflect about how we shouldn't look at his record as mayor, and how "cohesive Bethlehemites are". But, I will give you that COB residents do not care about not receiving tax relief as no one ran against him. However, the rest of the 15th district might care about it.
ReplyDelete4:40, actually I do recall Bush campaigning about his tenure of working with the Texas state legislature, etc, and you conveniently ignored my comment about how it was fair game to judge Dent on his earlier record in the General Assembly when he first ran for Congress. Same as how Clinton's Governorship was fair game, etc, etc, and Gore was judged on his immediate previous role in the Clinton Admin. I almost think you must be joking that we shouldn't at least look at a candidate's past record, as well as his promises for the future.
I am not aware of Bethlehem’s budget details, however if folks have been paying any attention, you would know we experienced the greatest recession since the Great Depression. It is COMPLETELY understandable how any community would struggle to maintain a budget when sources of revenue have evaporated. Tackle on the contract raises and you might start understand municipality budgets. Maybe this is where some of the gaming revenue went.
ReplyDeleteIf you have visited Southside lately, you will notice transformational changes throughout. If this is where the balance of the money has gone, it is probably a good investment. The rebirth of the southside will result in greater return on investment for Bethlehem residents than one or two year cash out on gaming revenues.
If I were a Bethlehem resident, I would rather see them pay down any debts before giving small tax reduction.
I remember the quotes of Cheney suggesting deficit spending is good. Just imagine how much better off the Country would be during this recession if Bush’s tax breaks were paid for.
I would hope our Candidates have an understanding of the challenges all municpalities face across the Commonwealth.
I love how this blog has become a Dent campaign site. Right, Ohare I am sure you would love to have a crack at a Callahan article. We all know how "fair and balanced"you are.
ReplyDeleteDid Stoffa ever bother to claim you as an in-kind service on his campaign expense report.
You are funny as hell!
Doc
"I also do not consider Callahan a liar. I do know that he has had to reverse himself on a promise to reduce taxes."
ReplyDeleteNice, Bernie. There you go flashing your brilliant legal mind. It wasn't a lie. It was a reversal.
I always thought that was a wrestling move.
We read Callahan's lips. He lied. Errr...He reversed!
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteI'm no Callahan shill, in fact I may be voting for the 3rd party candidate in this race. Something happened in the period from 2008-2010 called the worse financial crisis since the Great Depression.
Can you detail what John spent the money on. If it was keeping programs going that Bethlehem Residents wanted but would have to be cut due to declining tax revenues caused by the 2nd Great Financial Crisis of the past 100 years I think that is relevant information.
Promising Tax relief in 2005 when the economy was booming is great. When part of your tax base erodes in 2008-2010 it is reasonable for an elected official to ask the voters to postpone a promise.
Now the lie is a "postponement" of the promise.
ReplyDeleteIt gets funnier every second. If this is the best Callahan's gang can do, he was never really in this race.
Remember, in politics, when you're explaining, you're losing. He'll be explaining his "reversal" or "postponement" until November.
Sam Bennett would pose a stronger challenge at this point.
Got rakes?
As a candidate, Charlie Dent said he would represent the 15th Congressional District. I am calling on him to publicy denounce, on the House floor, the re-writing of history by the Texas Board of Education.
ReplyDeleteHats off to Texas. The only thing they've rewritten is the already rewritten bullshit that some were calling history curriculum for the past 20 years.
ReplyDeleteThat said, how is Texas germane to either candidates record in public office?
Callahan's goofs are already resorting to incongruous "gotchas."
The only thing the "got" is a far worse chance than Sam Bennett had.
I call upon Callahan to immediately begin distributing silly rakes.
Jacob 742.
ReplyDeleteNice to see someone else has an understanding of the crisis facing municipalities.
How many familes deferred that big vacation, limited Christmas gifts, or "Postponed" that big purchase because of the "Great Recession?"
Still no mention here of 1,000 American souls killed in Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteThat's because this is now Charlie's war. His support of its intensification and expansion into Pakistan has been unequivocal.
Does this blog support the mounting death toll?
Oh yeah, and what will victory in Afghanistan look like?
I can't stand phony Callahan, but Dent is a disaster too. Has he attended any of the services for the souls lost in the 15th Congressional district? Does he care?
This whole race is disgusting. I can't remember a more repulsive choice.
8:56/10:06
ReplyDeletewhile the Texas school board may make for interesting conversation, Congress doesn't have any say in that, so how would a stance one way or the other "represent" you?
10:28
without getting into my own opinions about US foreign policy, calling President Obama's escalation in Afghanistan "Charlie's war" is interesting...does this mean that Callahan is going to run against the Democratic president's policies? If not, then a non-issue if both candidates support it.
wait a second, you get to pick and choose what you think is important.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't anyone else?
You feel Callahan's record as Mayor is important for your vote.
Someone else wants to know the candidates' stand on Texas book purchases.
Guess what? When I get in that booth I vote for what I think is important.
Unfortunately neither candidate has said anything or done anything that has earned my vote. Are there any third party candidates?
Thank god this is for only two years. WE get another shot at this in 2012.
So Dent voted against an earlier version of Wall Street reform bill and has voted twice against proposals that would limit Exec bonuses for firms that received TARP money. In the Mcall, Dent suggested he wanted to hear from constituents. This constituent feels you are on the wrong side of both issues.
ReplyDeletelighthouse,
ReplyDeleteIt is Charlie's war now. And, yes, it's also Barack's - and by extension it will be Callahan's during this campaign unless he grows a set of balls and stands up to the president and party that will fund his run.
This is why it's an abominable choice between two guys with despicable plans to vote for bills and funding that will snuff still more American souls. And for what? What will victory in Afghanistan look like?
And Bernie supports this. Perhaps he's trying to get his own blood killed. I just don't get it.
Would Charlie of John attend that funeral?
Someone please tell me when we've "won."
Go ahead and call this a vicious attack as you viciously defend a war that has no end game.
And don't give me Obama's withdrawal shit. If that's the case, every life since his timetable announcement has been a political prop to make a withdrawal look good before the '12 elections. That's just plain evil.
The major problem I have is not with Dent. As a candidate he must go for the throat. Use what ever you can against your opponent. All is fair in love, war and politics.
ReplyDeleteO'Hare is the problem, since he is a major league hypocrite. He attacks Callahan's handling of city finances. He continually states that Callahan has spent the Casino money instead of giving it back. People have rightfully brought up the Great Recession and its effects on government but in O'Hare land that is ignored.
What is also ignored is how much money one of his heroes, John Stoffa is overspending in Northampton County. Stoffa has pumped millions of dollars over and above the required local match into Human Services. O'Hare defends that saying that people will suffer if good old Stoffa doesn't, "spend baby spend".
So one office holder is callous and incompetent yet another(Stoffa) is caring and loving as he spends the County into unnecessary bankruptcy.
The Great Hypocrite has spoken.
Dent hasn't voted to overspend on anything except the continued extermination of our troops in a undeclared war where no one has been able to remotely define winning.
ReplyDeleteCallahan supports the Obama dead-troops-as-a-prop plan to pile up bodies ahead of what will be a much ballyhooed withdrawal prior to the '12 election.
It's difficult to understand how anybody supports these accessories to murder.
Here's hoping whoever wins has the guts to shows up at Dover when your kin are brought home, feet first, from the Afghanistan "conflict."
So why has Rep Dent voted against Wall Street reform and sided with Execs and their big fat bonuses.
ReplyDeleteIn the real world you do not get reworded for poor performance or questional management. An overwhelming majority of Valley residents supports Wall Street Reform. I like to know why Dent opposes it. Is he waiting for a perfect bill or is he just being a RepubliCan't and is following his marching orders to oppose the Obama Administration. Please give me something to understand his logic.
Hey whatever happened to the new ice hockey arena being built in Allentown? Rumor in Glen Falls NY where the Phantoms play now that they are not leaving and will make that their permanent home due to Allentown being unable to build an arena.
ReplyDeleteThat's been the assumption in Glen Falls from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteAnd Callahan asks Dent, where do you stand on the Wall Street Reform Act?...silence
ReplyDeleteAnd when Ron Angle raises Norco taxes, he will be a liar, and I expect Bernie to hammer him in this blog the same as he is doing to a Dem...
ReplyDeleteAngle has never made a promise to cut taxes, as Callahan did. Angle has voted against every tax hike ever proposed in NC. I could see him voting for a hike if he felt all other options were exhausted and the county still came up short. So the attempted comparison is wanting. In fact, it makes no sense.
ReplyDelete"And Callahan asks Dent, where do you stand on the Wall Street Reform Act?...silence"
ReplyDeleteYiu;re going to have to try harder. Dent voted for the bailout, something supported by Obama, McCain & Bush. He voted against a House bill earlier this year. He has spoken out on this issue many times and I'm sure he'll have a position on the Senate bill well in advance of his vote, as he always does, assuming Pelosi lets House members read it.
"Dent voted for the bailout, something supported by Obama, McCain & Bush."
ReplyDeleteAs stated earlier on this post, we have a disgusting choice between two despicable candidates in November. Lehigh Valley voters have already lost.
Not that simple, 2:09 - If you feel the choices are disgusting, what are you doing to change that? Are you running? Are you working to inspire someone else to run?
ReplyDeleteSo Dent opposes Wall St reform? Wow. Is he really that out of touch? Or just aloof?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAs stated earlier on this post, we have a disgusting choice between two despicable candidates in November. Lehigh Valley voters have already lost.
You have a third choice. He wants to eliminate social security and Medicare. Sounds right up your alley.
Guess I'll have to write in "mickey mouse" and start looking for a better candidate for 2012. Thank god these terms are only two years. You start the new campaign 60 days after the current one ends.
ReplyDelete