Callahan Critic Named Bethlehem Council VP

Before last night's Bethlehem City Council meeting, I saw Solicitor Chris Spadoni. He told me I was an embarrassment as a guest on WFMZ-TV 69's Business Matters the other day. I retorted that he's an embarrassment as a lawyer. The genteel crowd who usually attends these meetings gasped at this frank exchange. One tough-looking dude, Eddie Rodriquez, was ready to burst into tears until I explained that's pretty much the way Chris and I roll. That's how we say Hi to each other. Eddie cried anyway.

I forgot that meetings in Bethlehem and Northampton County are completely different. What would certainly be regarded as nothing more than polite disagreement in Northampton County and most other places, is considered "disgraceful" behavior in Bethlehem.

My own behavior is totally irresponsible, but the Bethlehem crowd still smiles at me and shakes my hand. It's that damn Moravian influence, I think. And sugarcake.

But Karen Dolan, a six-year veteran of Council, is another story. She was loudly condemned last night, at least by the standards of Bethlehemites, for the way she handled an election for the open position of Vice President.

Gordie Mowrer, who is having problems lasting more than an hour during City Council meetings, resigned as Vice President on March 21. I knew that was coming. At a recent meeting, after stepping out briefly, he came back and sat in his chair. Unfortunately, it rolled right into Old Glory, knocking her over. Willie Reynolds made a spectacular diving catch before the flag hit the ground.

As this retired Moravian pastor explains in his letter of resignation, "I just have problems that cannot be helped, and I would not be able to do the job I would like to do." He also revealed he suffers from Parkinson's disease.

Dolan is under the impression that it's her turn. But other Council members prefer the financial prowess of newcomer Dave DiGiacinto, especially with City finances in the tank.

Clearly unhappy that she is being passed over, she got entangled in a twenty-minute disagreement with Chris Spadoni over an interpretation of Robert's Rules of Order concerning the election. "Point of order" was the phrase she used most frequently. While insisting she had no desire to be "persnickety" or a "pain," that's exactly what she was.

What really bothers her, and she has a fair point, is that these offices are "always decided ahead of time." But her remedy for that is the Sunshine Act, not Robert's Rules of Order. And Spadoni was unwilling to bend to her will.

Willie Reynolds nominated Dolan, while Jean Belinski nominated DiGiacinto. Reynolds argued that Council members should appoint Dolan because of her experience and because she is a woman. His final argument is that a VP is pretty much window dressing, so it might as well be Dolan. To drive that point home, Reynolds said of Mowrer, "I thank him for his service, whatever that may have been."

Not the smartest thing to say about a Council member who served as Mayor in the '70s and again in '87.

Eric Evans explained that he'd be supporting Dave DiGiacinto. "The number one reason is finance," he said. "Our number one priority, our number one focus, our number one concern, our number one stress, right now, is finances, getting the City up to where we want it to be."

Although DiGiacinto remained silent, Dolan decided to make a pitch for herself, stressing her experience, the fact that she is a woman, and her attendance record.

Gortie Mowrer was so put out by the squabbling over his position that he announced he would not be supporting either candidate.

When Dolan's nomination was put forward, the only Council member willing to vote for her was Willie Reynolds. Defeated, Karen then did vote for DiGiacinto. But not Willie.

At the end of the meeting, Council regular Mary Pongracz called Dolan's performance "disgraceful," especially because she had disagreed with Spadoni. And activist Steve Antalics suggested that Spadoni be awarded a Purple Heart or Distinguished Service medal.

I'd give Spadoni the finger.

Gimme a break. Sure, Dolan was persnickety and a pain, as she herself would put it. Yes, she did question her lawyer. But geez, she never called anyone "gutless" or used any of the colorful language that is par for the course in the People's Republic of Northampton County. Just a few short months ago, the Northampton County Elections Commission thumbed its nose at the very same Solicitor being fawned over last night. And two years ago, Lamont McClure unilaterally tried to fire a Solicitor, with absolutely no authority.

Everybody was condemning Karen, while she was explaining herself to reporters. I had to ask, "Are you people nuts?"

What's really interesting is to see Willie Reynolds, a known Callahan acolyte, supporting Dolan. It's even more interesting to see him vote against DiGiacinto after his candidate had already lost. DiGiacinto is Mayor John Callahan's biggest critic on Council, and their selection of him as their VP is an indication that they mean business.

And Karen should never argue for election to some position because she is a woman. It's important to have diversity, but diversity for diversity's sake leads to incompetence.

Mayor Callahan was absent from last night's meeting. He's apparently in Israel, soliciting campaign contributions for his next Congressional run.

Blogger's Note: In the picture above, Karen Dolan catches Steve Barron wearing one of her dresses.