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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, January 05, 2016

Breslin Installed as President of Bethlehem Tp Board

Kim Jenkins sworn in by Judge Jennifer Sletvold
Two Commissioners who were absent when the 2016 Budget was adopted by a bare quorum last month, have been elected President and Vice President of the Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners.

Pat Breslin, who missed five of 22 meetings in 2015, was elected President over Tom Nolan in a 3-2 vote at the reorganization meeting conducted on January 4. Breslin was nominated by Michael Hudak, and newcomer Kim Jenkins voted to support him. Malissa Davis, the other new member, supported Nolan.

Two of the three Democrats on Bethlehem Township's Board, Jenkins and Hudak, voted to install a tea party member as President.  

Hudak, who missed three meetings and walked out of a fourth, was elected Vice President by Breslin and Jenkins. Davis supported Tom Nolan.

Judge Sletvold administers oath to Tom Nolan. 
Hudak then suggested appointing former Commissioner Paul Weiss to a vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board over Tom Nolan's objection that the Board was failing to follow its normal procedure of seeking interested parties. Nolan also complained that Weiss' attendance on the Recreation Board, where he is an appointed member, has been "somewhat lacking."  Weiss was appointed by a 3-2 vote with the support of Hudak, Breslin and Jenkins.

Solicitor Jim Broughal cautioned that Weiss is required by law to resign from the Recreation Board, and Weiss agreed to do so.

"Make sure you put your thick skin on," Hudak advised Jenkins and Davis of the year ahead.

Davis, Jenkins and Nolan were administered the oath at the beginning of the meeting by Judge Jennifer Sletvold, a Bethlehem Township resident herself who at one time was a member of the Zoning hearing Board. At that time, in what I admit was a cheap shot, I made fun of her designer glasses, which she apparently bought at a Dollar Store. She reminded me of that transgression last night, but I told her that was my evil twin, not me.

I took no damn oath.

With her son behind her, Malissa Davis is sworn into office by Judge Jennifer Sletvold

Though I'm biting my tongue at this vote, I've resolved to take no shots at the newcomers for their first few meetings.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Talk about a void in leadership. Guy missed 22 meetings and a no show on the budget installed as President. Oh but he has time to go on Bobby Gunther and run the township down.

Anonymous said...

Has he proposed any ideas as commissioner in the last two years. No! His involvement in the board had been minimal at most. Now add in two newbies that are clueless about "real issues". Oh they will be ok with the meetings and voting on the same old same old agenda items. But Bethlehem township has many issues that are deeply rooted and some major gardening is in order. Now with the group that's in there ---sad sad day. I worry for it's future.
It was comical listening to Breslin fumble through the agenda last night. He reads a resolution, Broughal comments on it first and Patty doesn't even ask for a vote and starts reading the next resolution. Oh and then there is Miscounting votes. Hey pat - there is only five commissioners, it shouldn't be that hard to count. 1-2-3-4-5!
Can wait for pat to miss his next meeting and have Hudak run a meeting. That should be really interesting. The odds are between now and the end of March for the amount of meetings missed---- the latest line on that is 2.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'd rather the newbies run the show than Breslin. What a joke BT has become.

Anonymous said...

anonymous 7:38
knucklehead, he missed 5 of 22 meetings not missed 22. so you just comment to bitch is that it? pretty simple math, roughly 20% not 100%
looks like you completley missed that call bernie based on your earlier prediction. keep your day job, you suck at trying to be a political analyst. Talked with mike after the meeting and he said things went just as he had planned and couldn't be happier, the people of the township are all that matters not who the president is. hopefully breslins attendance will improve now that he has the position.

Anonymous said...

@10:39
I wouldn't count on Breslin's attendance improving, and I'm sure that's what Hudak is counting on as well. There's just not enough time to berate and vilify those he disagrees with, and govern. Or, maybe he can't seem to find his way from his reported "residence" just down the street, to the municipal building.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I deleted a disgusting comment aimed at Judge Sletvold. As an elected and public official, I am going to allow people to post all kinds of hate. But I am not going to allow misogyny or baseless attacks on a person's moral character.

Anonymous said...

I am surprised Hudak buddies up with a hard and fast Abe supporter. The tangled webs we weave.

Anonymous said...

@12:41,
He can't buddy up with Nolan, they're like oil and water. Davis is a Green Pond supporter, so there's no chance she's going to believe there are waterfowl on Hudak's roof (bats in his belfry...maybe). Jenkins is a Bulldogs person, and we all know how much Mike loves the Bulldogs. When you're faced with those choices, you pick the path of least resistance.

Anonymous said...


It will be an interesting year in the Township. The President supposedly lives in Buck County. I wonder what rent he pays to Abe for his"residence" in the yellow house. I wonder what he uses for his address on his driver's license and tax returns. Maybe he will show up at meetings.
It will be interesting to see how Kim votes when the Bulldogs are before the Board. She should recuse herself for anything that discusses funding from the Township.
Melissa will be okay. At least she has been attending meetings before beng elected. I think you will find she votes against TOA when it comes up again.
Mike and Tom are still at each other's throats. What a shame for the Township

Anonymous said...

The public was only given two weeks' notice of the ZHB vacancy before a submittal deadline for letters of interest. Seems a little short to me. Especially since most people don't look at the Township every week, let alone two weeks before Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Inside shenanigans again orchestrated by Hudak. Melissa Davis seconded the motion, but then Nolan interjected his thoughts about his disapproval of Paul and when it came time to vote Melissa Davis voted no. It's refreshing to see that you took the time to understand the issues and Just didn't rubberstamp something.
Township citizens keep a close watch because it's only going to get worse

Anonymous said...

@6:07,
According to property records, Abe doesn't own Mr. Breslin's "residence" (4501 Easton Ave., according to his candidacy filing).

Anonymous said...

@ Anonymous 6:07
Just curious, why should Kim recuse herself from Bulldogs discussions?

Anonymous said...

@9:38,
I believe she's an officer of the organization, making a conflict of interest when voting on issues concerning the Bulldogs.

Bernie O'Hare said...

If she is on their board, she is required by law to recuse herself from any matter involving this nonprofit.

Anonymous said...

Pretty sure she resigned last month

Anonymous said...

Great, now Hudak will never resign.

Anonymous said...

The two newbies will figure out real quick what an asshole Hudak is. Hearing him is one thing. Dealing with him is another. They will have to deal with him, I just hope they can maintain their sanity. Look how fast he got Weiss in there. He would give mayor Ed a run for his money in back door politics.