Does money buy elections? Stay tuned. IESI, the corporation that controls the Bethlehem Landfill, wants zoning changes that will permit it to expand in Lower Saucon Township. That needs approval by Township Council, which has dragged its feet. So the landfill corporation has poured $125,200 in an effort to remove landfill opponents with a more compliant council. It used "high-stakes public strategy" firm Mercury, LLC to oppose a bi-partisan anti-landfill slate consisting of Priscilla deLeon, Dave Willard and Donna Louder.
They were running for three seats on the board against Sandra Yerger, Tom Maxfield and Gary Gorman.
This strategy may have both failed and succeeded. The landfill'e most vocal opponent, Louder, was the top vote getter in last week's election, with 1,244 votes. But Sandra Yerger, who has claimed that the loss of landfill income "would create a significant tax increase for township residents," also won a seat, with 1,176 votes.
The third seat went to incumbent Pricilla deLeon with 1,157 votes, but this unofficial tally only gives her three votes more than pro-landfill incumbent Tom Maxfield. It could easily change.
"I'm hanging on by my fingernails," said deLeon. "I should have waited for a manicure."
Northampton County's election office began what it calls its canvassing of the vote on Friday. This is the official count, and it starts with the cities. The process takes several days. As of press time, it is still unclear whether deLeon or Maxfield has won the third seat on Lower Saucon Township Council.
9 comments:
Praise be!!
Folks need to attend even one of these council meetings to hear what's happened to this Steel city neighborhood. It's horrible.
Maxfield lost by only 7 votes. Do you think there will be a recount?
There is an automatic "recount" because the votes will now be officially tallied. After that and the is final, any candidate can seek a recount, but has to pay for it.
It will be interesting to see how these changes play out. Yerger has made it clear that she does not support any expansion of the landfill. What do you think the landfill's next move will be. We know that to date they spent $125,000 (can't wait to see the final number is when the reports are filed on 11/09), they don't have Yerger in their back pocket, Maxfield is gone from both Council and Planning on December 31st; their only supporters are Kern and Horizsny, what will they do next. They could have spent the money on complying with DEP regulations for the proposed expansion instead of asking for waivers. This isn't over yet! Stay tuned!
I do not believe the landfill spent $15k for someone who opposes the landfill. And only three votes separate Maxfield and deLeon. I am sure they will try hard to kill four votes.
I guess that small group of "mudslingers" wasn't so small after all. It is amazing in a place like Lower Saucon Township you can litter the township with $150,000 dollars worth of landfill propaganda, and the residents still saw through the garbage.
Thanks Bernie for the coverage
Gary W. Gorman writes to those who are keeping tabs:
And what's MaryEsther doing these days...
Gary W. Gorman posts:
yeah, as this park and rec man is concerned, we are taking Jack C. out at to eat and drink on our last meeting, (all are welcome!!!!) my question to him will be...what are your thoughts on the election.
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