Her name, Nimita, means "immediate cause." And the immediate cause of Nimita Atiyeh's decision to run for Bethlehem Township Commissioner has to be dissatisfaction with the way the Township's Zoning Hearing Board handled husband Abe's controversial work release and treatment center along Fritch Drive. Atiyeh has been critical of other Bethlehem Township decisions, too. In 2008, he contributed $5,000 to the homeless after Bethlehem Township officials stopped making annual contributions. It is unclear whether Nimita Atiyeh is running for the at-large seat held by Arthur Murphy or the 1st ward seat occupied by Thomas Nolan, both of whom seek reelection. But she's filed a statement of financial interests with Bethlehem Township on March 7, declaring her candidacy for Commissioner.
In the first ward, incumbent Thomas Nolan is unsure whether he's up against Ms. Atiyeh. But he knows he'll be facing a stiff challenge from Robert Furst, a Bethlehem architect and the sole member of the Township ZHB to support Atiyeh's controversial treatment center. Nolan, a Project Engineer at Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation, has served Bethlehem Township in some capacity over the past thirty years.
In the second ward, which is being vacated by Jerry Batcha, Planning Commission member Harold Powell will square off against Felix Barnard, a fixture in local footraces.
President Arthur Murphy, the Twonship's only at-large Commissioner up for re-election, already faces a challenge from developer Martin Zawarski.
According to informed sources, Atiyeh is sponsoring a number of candidates in this year's municipal races, but he could not be reached.
16 comments:
If you can't beat them buy them. Right John?
Welcome back 1980's in Bethlehem Township. While not perfect for the past 20 years, the potential for payola had to return at some point.
It is good that Bernie is covering this beat. It's going to get good.
but will she be able to handle the responsibility without the nanny?
The Atiyeh's own Whitehall Manor and Saucon Valley Manor. I have been told through many reliable sources and former /current employees, that those two assisted living homes are having a really hard time staying afloat. Their occupancy rates are down, and they cut costs by firing staff every three months, and decrease wage levels to $8/hr. They pay no benefits and assign one CNA to 20 residents. Their list of Dept. of Health violations is about 10 pages long.
No wonder they want to be in the jail business. What they dont understand is that the elderly people put up with less than livable conditions, but prisoners dont.
Good luck Nimita!
This should be a good one get ready for a ton of bullshit!!
Heard there is also a "relationship" between Marty Zawarski and Atiyeh. It would make sense for her to run against Nolan and Zawarski to run against Murphy. I can't see how she would EVER win, at least honestly. The people of the Township don't want the prison by any name they call it. Could you imagine if both got voted in. Chicago-style in Bethlehem Twp.!
The Atiyeh's are systematically trying to buy up power in the township. They feel as though rules should not apply to them. Looking forward to the hard fall from grace.
Zawarski and Atiyeh....
ovem lupo commitere
Told you the Township is rolling out their "Dare to Vote" campaign.
If Atiyeh gets even ten votes, she should consider it a success and never run again.
Trust me! You don't want the extended Atiyeh Family hanging arround the polling place on election day.Do you get my drift!!!!
Yes, I agree with the above comment. I work at Saucon Valley manor. The living conditions are disgusting and the work load is slave labor. If they could hire people from China and pay $1/hr they would. The place should be shut down.
Mrs. Atiyeh should be embarassed to show her face anywhere.
"ovem lupo commitere"
There is a bit of that going on.
So terrific that she is running; we need more women in politics!
I will say that I've heard she is a lovely person, although I've never met her. We could use more female faces in government. But I think it's next to impossible for her to avoid all kinds of conflicts.
I think they are trying to buy their way in to get what they want. They trow $30,000.00 birthday party's for their kids, use company labor, and invite city officials to be able to write it off. This is true.
Both Abe and Nemo and nice to your face, but will stab you in the back.
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