Lehigh County Commissioner Dean Browning has a statewide PAC called Lehigh County Victory PAC, formed several years ago to assist Republicans seeking County office. His latest report, due yesterday, reveals he's got $13,004.11, although only $300 of that came this year.Dean's report is available online and you can follow the money.
The Gang of Four, running against Dean, have a statewide PAC, too. It's called My Lehigh County and promises "to advance the cause of accountability, transparency and reform in Lehigh County government."
Although the Committee appears on the state website, there is no online report enabling the unwashed masses to see who is funding them.
The Morning Call's Jenna Portnoy claims the report is posted there, and notes contributions from candidates David Najarain and Lisa Scheller. I plugged in those names and see no contributions. I tried searching "My Lehigh County", "My Lehigh County PAC", "mylehighcounty", and "mylehighcounty pac". Nothing.
What the Gang of Four did was post the report on their campaign webpage, and a link is buried at the bottom. Portnoy's claim that it is on the state website is inaccurate. It took several emails to find it.
When I did, I learned that Scheller gave the PAC $5,000 on February 15, nearly a month before a March 8 affidavit stating she intended to spend no more than $250. Najarian gave his PAC $1000 on March 7, the day before this lawyer filed an affidavit stating he had no intention of spending more than $250 to advance his cause.
So much for accountability, transparency and reform.
Do you want to replace one accountable and transparent Commissioner with four who are not?
14 comments:
None of this matters..browning will not lose..no way,no how
If I knew how to find him, id donate..very courageous vote on the budget
Balancing without a tax increase takes a lot more courage. Don't let the screen door hit you where the good Lord split you, Dean. Try running as a Democrat. They love you.
Will you replace the false headline with something like, "Blogger Fails Reading Comprehension But Passes Asshole Test With Flying Colors?"
the "no intention" disclaimer is just that, no intent but if it happens just report it, case closed.
Me thinks reports from PAC's supporting only local candidates are not due for filing until May 6.
Respectfully,
Eckville Press
Attention Lehigh County Residents.
Did your 2011 Lehigh County tax bill increase 16% with the Creighton/Browning Plan, not to raid county reserves or increase taxes.
Paid for by the Lehigh County Victory PAC.
Respectfully,
Eckville Press
Bernie-Thanks for keeping us informed. How much Browning must be spending on this slick color flyers. They're coming almost daily right now in the mail. It does not result in the effect he wants.
Anon 8:00 -
Browning is relying heavily that the uninformed will carry him to re-election. That takes a lot of money, a lot of mailers, and a lot of hope that there are enough people out there that can be fooled.
Browning's mailers have all touted him as a "fiscal conservative", which is necessarily vague. I notice none of Browning's mailers mention his "courageous" vote to raise our taxes.
Anon 8:00 AM,
To my knowledge, Browning has sent out two flyers. Are there more? Would you suggest he do nothing to get the word out and rely on Bobby Gunther Walsh to trot in 4 people calling for Dean to be retired?
Bernie O'Hare said...
"To my knowledge, Browning has sent out two flyers. Are there more?"
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Do our 2011 county tax bills - with Browning's 16% tax hike - count as one of Dean's flyers?
It seems that Scott Odd & Co. may be shady, at least when it comes to being upfront about their finances.
Anonymous 10:28 said...
"It seems that Scott Odd & Co. may be shady, at least when it comes to being upfront about their finances."
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For posting their PAC's finance report on their campaign website?
No, for filing paperwork stating they had no intention of spending more than $250, AFTER they already had their PAC set up taking more than $250.
Bernie - you are making a stink where there may be none. Because you either can't find or don't know yet who is funding the Gang of 4 doesn't necessarily mean there's story here. You fail Logic 101.
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