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Why would Thompson file a week late?
Atiyeh is fully funding the Thompson campaign. Mickey reports $4,987.17, with every penny coming from the developer who wants to rule in Bethlehem Township. There's no grass roots support from anyone else. Thompson's opponent, incumbent Michael Hudak, is no Prince Charming. But even he is preferable to one-man rule.
In addition to working for Atiyeh, Thompson also happens to be an attorney. He knows the law. Moreover, he follows politics closely. He claims he forgot to report publicly that his entire campaign is being funded by one person. Thompson has always been honest with me, but I'm having a tough time with that one.
His report was filed too late for the weekend papers. I suspect it's too late for an election day story, too. The lack of media scrutiny would be worth the $100 fine that was imposed on Thompson.
I only know about this because I happened to be in the elections office at the time, looking at 24-hour reports.
When a developer with a reputation like Atiyeh’s – one quoted most recently in the paper (MCall 10-28-13) saying “you are being blackmailed into doing a deal. I do it all the time” – has been so blatantly trying to take over the Board of Commissioners the past two election cycles, one can only hope the public has woken up in time.
ReplyDeleteIn the corrupt Township days of the 1980s, “Prosecutors maintain(ed) that the township’s unanticipated prosperity fostered complacency among residents, at the precise time that a questioning citizenry was most needed. The one check-and-balance that might have squelched corruption was happily inattentive…” (MCall 3-13-88).
Sadly, it is a rare occasion when the Express or Call cover local government anymore outside of the “cities”. It wasn’t that long ago that a reporter for each, as well as the B. Press, attended Township meetings. The public won’t know what is not being reported. And if people’s taxes are not going up, as they haven’t been, and nobody besides the 5 to 10 regulars show up… If the cats away, the mice will play…. unfortunately, we may be getting a rat problem.
A lot of people have woken up to what is going on. Hopefully it’s not too little, too late. If Atiyeh’s slate wins, and Zawarski (who isn’t “controlled”, but a kindred spirit) is unopposed next time around, then the citizens deserve the government they get. That’s why voting is a civic RESPONSIBILITY !!
4:20, I feel your anger, but your language is offensive, and doesn't attract the voters you seek to wake up. You should edit or delete.
ReplyDeleteThe wooden cowboy hat should be included in all Atiyeh stories.
ReplyDeleteEveryone wants to hate on Abe but don't forget that Abe stepped up to the plate to fight the shenanigans in Allentown. Does anyone think it is right that the Mayor can over-ride the Zoning Ordinance? Shouldn't the Zoning Ordinance apply to everyone the same? Abe is not afraid to take on King Edwin and for that I must applaud him
ReplyDeleteAbe has hos good points, and i have pointed them out from time to time. But this business in BT is petty and mean-spirited.
ReplyDeleteThe Township Fire Marshal and the Township Emergency Management Coordinator turned in their resignations on Friday. What is going on over there? First the Manager and now these two.
ReplyDelete7:18 "Shouldn't the Zoning Ordinance apply to everyone the same?"
ReplyDeleteInteresting you should say that. From Township Minutes, from which this was copied from on-line:
"DAVE HARTE
1177 6TH ST.
WHITEHALL, PA
Dave Harte, Vice President of PA Venture Capital, stated he was present this evening to see if the Board of Commissioners had any interest in re-zoning a property on Route 191 in order for PA Venture Capital to do a convenience store with gas pumps. The property is adjacent to the
Neighborhood Commercial zoning district and across the street from the General Commercial zoning district. Mr. Hudak stated he would rather see the project move through the planning process before he comments. Mr. Weiss noted that the project would be located on the crest of Route 191 and asked if they would be looking at full right and left turns. Mr. Harte stated that they have talked to the adjacent property owners
regarding acquiring their properties and he is aware that there are engineering
and grading issues. Mr. Kutzler noted that this is the former Hess property adjacent to Kmart and access is an issue. Mr. Murphy inquired whether Mr. Harte has considered access through the shopping center. Mr. Nolan stated that if access is allowed through the shopping center then there would be no need to buy the adjacent properties, but the crest of the hill is a problem. Mr. Nolan
added that in his opinion nothing has changed to justify rezoning. Mr. Batcha commented that there are single family residents currently there, the project
would require rezoning and a gas station will increase traffic. Mr. Batcha stated that it was interesting that the developer is pursing a project that would produce more traffic on Route 191 while his wife, who is running for Township Commissioner stated in response to a newspaper reporter’s question that she would not tolerate out of control development and traffic congestion. Mr. Batcha found it interesting that one hand is saying one thing while the other is
saying something else.
Pa. Venture Capital is one of Abe's many corporations.
ReplyDeleteIsn't interestng, that Mr. Atiyeh ran his proxy wife against Mr. Nolan, but failed after trying to "develop" along Brodhead Road. Mr. Batcha retired of his own free-will, which opened the door for Mr. Barnard. ... and Mr. Atiyeh has tried to eliminate everyone else who stood in his way: Mr. Kutzler resigned. Atityeh proxies Breslin and Russin ("I don't want any more development in my backyard"... unless its Abe's) to challenge Mr. Weiss, and his own COO Thompson to challenge Mr. Hudak.
ReplyDeleteYou get the government you deserve folks. "Atiyehtown" is quite appropiate.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteReading through this post, and your previous one on the Township election, this morning I came across this passage, and found an odd application to the township political scene:
ReplyDelete"More than anything else, beware of these Pharisees and the way they pretend to be good when they are not. But such hypocrisy cannot be hidden forever. It will become as evident as yeast in dough. Whatever they have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be broadcast from the housetops for all to hear!" (Luke 12:1-3)
anon. 7,28 your question is valid but unrelated to Abe's politics. Bernie , see know would know otherwise if no LVR blog.
ReplyDeleteIS Breslin an Atiyeh lackey too? What's his story?
ReplyDeleteYes Breslin is an Atiyeh puppet! Don't you people read the papers. Get your head out of the sand !!!
ReplyDeleteAnd while we're on it Thompson is as big a scumbag and liar as his boss. I wonder how much longer he'll LIVE in Bethlehem Township now that he's lost to Hudak. If we are to believe he is not a liar I expect to see him buying the house Abe rented him any day now. Unless he wants to validate his deception and move back into his Abe owned condo in the city. Can't believe he actually handed me a flier with his two kids on it, what a piece of s--t. what kind of example is he setting for them ?? God help us all.