Unlike most peace officers, constables are elected to six-year terms. Once they complete their 80 hours of training and file proof they have liability insurance, their jurisdiction is statewide. A constable elected in Nazareth, for example, can spend his time serving warrants in Milford if he's pals with the magistrate there.
Micaael Assise is opposing long-time Constable Doug Fulmer in Palmer Township I've met Fulmer while working the polls in Palmer and paying off a ticket at Magisterial District Judge Jackie Taschner's office. He towers over most people, and my guess is that most respect his authotah, even Cartman. But his chief weapon is his disarming smile.
Yet Fulmer is being challenged by Michael Assise, who has signs throughout Palmer touting his seven years of experience in law enforcement. What he fails to mention is that he was let go as a police officer in four different municipalities Wilson Borough, Palmer Township, Nazareth and Hellertown.
Assise, you may recall, is the tavern operator accused and acquitted of buying stolen lobster tails for The Brickhouse Tavern. He claimed at the time he had no idea they were stolen.
As a Wilson police officer, he was fired for his own admitted use of excessive force against an individual charged with disorderly conduct. Assise also acknowledged, in his third interview with Chief Steven Parkansky about the incident, that his original account of the matter had been deceptive. Chief Parkansky withdrew the disorderly conduct charges filed against an innocent person.
I called him about his race and he had no idea that winning does not guarantee him any work. That decision is made by a Magisterial District Judge who could just as easily decide to giver the work to someone else. So why is he running?
He told me that someone "higher up" encouraged him to run. He declined to name that person, but it's no secret that he and judicial candidate Abe Kassis share many of the same Lebanese supporters.
And now the attacks on the Lebanese community come. Why not point out the connection of Italian candidates in the county or in Easton? Why does it have to be about the Lebanese?
ReplyDeleteAssise is a former bad cop who should never hold office. As for the Lebanese community, Sam is half Lebanese. Vic Scomilllio's wife is part lebanese. A bad candidate does not get a pass simply bc he belongs to a oerful voting block.
ReplyDeleteGood point, their signs are linked together. Kassis and Assisi sitting in a tree K I S S I N G .......first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes....
ReplyDeleteI really don't think Abe is buddying up with Assise. Most people try to stay away from Assise. As you said he was a bad cop and along with that comes a slime no one wants on them. Whatever you may believe about Abe he doesn't want that stench attached to him, Lebanese or not.
ReplyDeleteYou need to STOP!!! People can vote however they choose, you are actually helping them cast for the opposite of who you support. Yeah for Vic and Abe!!!
ReplyDeleteSo would you being disbarred as an attorney blemish your character and integrity? Anything regarding Assisie are accusations. Many part time police officers work and leave several departments. You can be let go for any reason when your part time. Let the voters decide.
ReplyDeleteIf I were ever to seek elective office, there is no doubt that my 1986 legal suspension would be used against me, as it should. It is part of my story. It is used against me here, almost daily, to attack my credibility. That is a part of my past and something for which I must take responsibility. Assise is running for constable and is toutnmg his law enforcement experience, making that an issue. I believe voters should know that he was let go at each of the four municipalities he served. That is part of his story and past, for which he has to accept responsibility. The accusation of receiving stolen lobster tails, which resulted in a criminal prosecution but an acquittal, is another part of his story. The fact that someone "higher up" encouraged him to run, and the fact that he and Kassis share the same supporters, also begs ther question whether Kassis encouraged a bad cop to run for constable. Remember, by Assise' own admission, he used excessive force in Wilson Boro.
ReplyDeleteWell something is wrong if you get let go from 4 DIFFERENT POLICE DEPARTMENTS something is wrong!!
ReplyDeleteCan you do an article on Constable race in Freemansburg? Lots of juicy juice there.
ReplyDeleteGet it right, Sam is Lebanese when it is convenient for him.
ReplyDeleteHey Bernie, I once ate at a Lebanese restaurant, please don't attack me.
ReplyDeletePat McGrroin
I can't say I always agree with Bernie. I am voting for Abe Kassis but I have to agree that your story is who and what you are. Enter the political ring and the mud will fly. Either come in clean of fess up to your story. His campaign is misleading with his "7 years of police" experience. And lest we "Remember, by Assise' own admission, he used excessive force in Wilson Boro". Read the transcript he beat the victim because he attempted to talk to Assise. This is cold hard truth. People wake up don't push the BS that all the stories are just allegations. We are talking about court filings. His OWN admission.
ReplyDeletePat McFroun, you're attempt to turn an attack at Assis into an attack on the Lebanese is laughable. Since Assise touts his law enforcement experience, it is completely fair to note exactly what that experience had been. And thigh acquitted, there was enough evidence linking him to stolen lobsters at his restaurant to warrant charges. I'd hesitate before voting for a person like this, regardless of ethnic persuasion. This is not like attacking a Lebanese priestnonbtge daybof his ordination, as you did.
ReplyDelete1:36, I've run out of time and covered as many races as I could.
ReplyDeleteDeflection does not work anymore O'Hare. You have offended the Lebanese community with your treatment of favorite son Abe Kassis. They hate your guts.
ReplyDeleteYawn.
ReplyDeleteKassis a true Gentlemen . Assise a true Time Bomb.
ReplyDeleteWho encouraged Assise to run? Think about that.
ReplyDeleteJudge Koury wants Assise to run.
ReplyDeleteI voted and i predict Michael Assise will go down faster than lobster tails down a dirtballs pants.
ReplyDeleteScomillio wants Assise to run. Who represented Dirty Cop Assise in his battle with Palmer PD? Yep Scomillio.
ReplyDeleteAssisi tried to sue Palmer township, and now he's trying to be constable. What a pathetic township it would be to elect him.
ReplyDeleteApparently Palmer Township wants him as he just beat the incumbent constable easily.
ReplyDeletejust goes to show if you have enough family / friends to vote for you can win whatever you want. Lets see the magistrate does now.
ReplyDeleteHow does that crow taste?
ReplyDeleteSince almost all the candidates I supported won, it's really hard for you to make that claim. It's on its face untrue. Not that lies ever stopped you.
ReplyDeleteThis guy sounds like another member of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Constables. He will be running around with red & blue lights, and patches that say "Pennsylvania State Constable Police". (Which are patches that the Wind Gap Police made Patriot Uniform to stop selling them).
ReplyDelete