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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Bethlehem City Council, Snakes and Jim Gregory

I dropped in on an what was supposed to be an uneventful meeting of Bethlehem City Council last night. I was there because Jim Gregory, fresh out of the state can, pledged he'd be making his triumphant return. He showed up, too, fashionably late. Instead of sharing his pearls of wisdom, he just sat there.

Before the meeting started, at a Committee hearing, DCED Director Alicia Karner and  Planning Director Darlene Heller stated that they've received no plans for the Martin Tower development, although there have been discussions. This is likely the result of a procedural challenge to the new mixed use zoning ordinance at the site, which remains undecided at this point.

The meeting started with an invocation by Planning Commissioner and former Council member Lou Stellato. I hate when public officials try to impress everyone with their holiness and refused to participate in the hypocrisy. If they can't arrange to get a preacher, then forget the whole thing.

I'm used to seeing 100 or more at a meeting, but last night, there were only 14 people in attendance, aside from City employees,

One citizen complained that he had filed a Right-to-Know request seeking records of all City employees who live elsewhere. He was angry that his request had been denied on the basis that there is no such record. Under our Right-to-Know law,  a municipality has no obligation to create records that are responsive to a request. What this fellow should have done is request the home addresses of every City employee. But it might not do him any good. Home addresses of pubic safety personnel are exempt. Other employees must be notified of a request and provided an opportunity to make their own objection.

This guy can lead City Council in prayer next time.
The topic that dominated this meeting is snakes. No, not politicians. Real snakes

Joe Pearl and William Eaton have bought George's Light Lunch, which used to operate on the West side.They plan to reopen it at 129 E Third Street on the South Side. They sunk $1.5 million into the project so far, but just weeks before opening, they began to notice that something really stinks.

They followed their noses and it led them to 125 E Third Street, which is owned by Dr. Gary Hunsberger. He apparently raises snakes and mice in his basement.

Snakes stink. According to pearl, the odor is "atrocious." As near as I can tell, it's a defense mechanism in their asses.

Pearl got the City involved, and Hunsberger has been given 60-90 days to get rid of the snakes.

Pearl wants them gone now. "Every dime I put into the South Side is going to be useless," he complained. The City wants to show some compassion to the animals, but pearl wants some compassion for "living and breathing human beings."

Council Prez Willie Reynolds repeatedly told Pearl to take it up with DCED Director Alicia Karner, who had only learned about the snake problem earlier that day.

Willie and Council, however, would do nothing that might endanger the snakes.

Professional courtesy.

Former Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan was at this meeting, too. It's a good thing Callahan was there because Mayor Bob Donchez was at home, battling the flu. Callahan offered to take over a few times, but Dave Brong replied, "I got this."

It was Callahan's first time back at Council since his term as Mayor ended, and the only seat the poor bastard could get was next to me. He told me I stink, too. I must admit I do have a defensive mechanism in my ass, just like snakes. I have been told the smell is nauseating, although I enjoy it myself. Periodically, I shared some of that odor with Callahan, who bolted from the meeting.

As the meeting went on, Gregory couldn't stop staring at me. I'm pretty sure the odor from my ass attracted him. After being in stir so long, I understand his desires. But I'm not that kind of snake.

After the meeting, he cornered Chief Mark DiLuzio and I slipped away.

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Poor Jimmy. He doesn't have a home and no place to go. So he had to sit in on a council meeting instead of sleeping under a bridge. Got to feel kind of bad for his situation, even if his mental illness and hard head caused his problems. At least he is smiling in the photo you snapped?

Anonymous said...

Hard to tell from your photo, but Gregory looks catatonic. Probably from staring at the walls in his 8x8 cell for the past three years. Looks like it would not take much to send him over the edge. Next stop may be the Looney bin.

Anonymous said...

From the picture, it looks like poor Jimbo was looking for nothing other than a warm seat on a cool late winter evening. He looks rather pathetic - like he is thinking of the past but stuck in the present.

Oops. Looks like 12:16 beat me to the same thoughts. Honest - I didn't read that before I wrote mine.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure the odor from my ass attracted him

lol - once you go to the dark side, you don't come back.

Anonymous said...

Why would Reynolds tell a citizen that the snakes and mice are a DCED problem? Why wouldn't this be a health code violation or a violation of code enforcement? Sounds like Willie is trying to pass the buck?

Anonymous said...

Great to see Jim Gregory out and about again. He is not going to be intimidated by the political class. Like Donald Trump, he will be the watchdog of the people over the establishment politicians.

He looks damn good. Better than you Bernie. His dark hair and smokey good looks are intact. The haters painted terrible pictures of him but he looks as good as ever, with a tight body and beautiful bone structure.
Hate him all you want people but he will be living with a hot young babe within the month. Will you???

The Mediterranean manslab is back and better than ever.

God Bless you Jim. God loves a man of Faith!

Anonymous said...

There was no buck-passing, 12:36 AM. The snake issue centered on a health code violation. The Health Bureau is part of the Department of Community and Economic Development. With no one from the Health Bureau present, it was logical to ask the DCED director (who was present) to look into the matter.

Anonymous said...

No surprise about the snakes. The city was there 10+ years ago when they got loose/had a complaint. It was common knowledge. As for Gregory being out-Facebook just got a lot more interesting.

Anonymous said...

He's had those snakes and rodents for decades. Now it's suddenly a problem?

Anonymous said...

Ditto,Ditto,Ditto!!!

Good to see Jim Gregory back. The Valley was not the same without him. He is the man. Hope he stays involved. Bernie, you should ask him for an exclusive interview. He has a lot to share about life, prison, politics and love. A fascinating story from a fascinating man. He looks great considering all he has been through.

Anonymous said...

Did he bring back the Unity PAC money to distribute?? Thief!

Anonymous said...

Blog is disgusting..Same old, same old lies

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
To me these were the sights and sounds of Hieney's pet shop on 7th from back before the nue nue nue stratousphere building infected that particular plot of land¿ There was allways a rotting carcus in one of the many cages filled with the exotics that were not to be sold in America¿ Butt back than infections were not as much of a worry as now with chemical warfare that has become a fact on American soil and our own institutions are helpping, not hindering this battle¿
I really like the way those with the same unaddressed issues hidden in there closet of many bones cast stones¿ Seek help cause the closets are being inspected by those that are pulling the strings of there pupets by design¿
redd for registered independent Republican
patent pending

Anonymous said...

The health bureau comes under the dced

Anonymous said...

Bernie, You are totally wrong with Mr. Stellato. That man attends church EVERY DAY and I mean EVERYDAY. He helps run Notre Dame Church on a daily basis and is one of the nicest human beings you will ever ever meet. Council usually has a religious leader say the opening prayer but they asked Mr. Stellato because they know his real, sincere devotion to Christ! Shame on you!

Anonymous said...

"Why would Reynolds tell a citizen that the snakes and mice are a DCED problem? Why wouldn't this be a health code violation or a violation of code enforcement? Sounds like Willie is trying to pass the buck?"

Because the Health Department is part of DCED, and Karner is presumably the head of that department.

Also, council is essentially powerless in a situation like this. It is a strong mayor form of government, and council cannot direct daily operations in the city. Council wields its power through the budget and through the powers given to it under the 3rd class city code.

UNT said...

Bernie, this is as usual a very entertaining post, and at the same time informative. Just say no to the snakes.

Anonymous said...

The question I have is, how can you be incredibly disgusting and live with yourself

Anonymous said...

Attendees seemed oblivious to the trouser snake in their midst.

Anonymous said...

You spend all that time in JAIL, you'd think you'd keep a low profile for a while. What a douche.

- Wilhelm Klink

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Bernie, You are totally wrong with Mr. Stellato. That man attends church EVERY DAY and I mean EVERYDAY. He helps run Notre Dame Church on a daily basis and is one of the nicest human beings you will ever ever meet. Council usually has a religious leader say the opening prayer but they asked Mr. Stellato because they know his real, sincere devotion to Christ! Shame on you!"

I don't care if he is the Pope. He is a public official and should in no way be involved in the invocations. It creates the false impression that God is on his side, and he should be more worried about being on God's side. If City Council wants to invite the Pastor at Notre Dame, that's fine. But none of them should lead in prayer, or should any of their myrmidons on various agencies and boards. It completely violates the Separation Clause.

Anonymous said...

Wait, I thought Gregory was banging Mezzacreepo but now has a "hot young babe"? Does that mean one of his cellmates is getting out in a month?

- Wilhelm Klink

Anonymous said...

myrmidons - nice. :)

Anonymous said...

Martin Tower development. Their circling the wagons to figure how to get what the want. Let them choke on the first plan they submitted.

Anonymous said...

No one cares about Martin Tower except the few vendors on Main St selling trinkets to old ladies.

Anonymous said...

Jim Gregory is waiting like Chuck Norris and will get back into the political scene like a fighting scene in Walker: Texas Ranger. Be ready to get ready for the political take over. #ShockTheValley2016

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Why would he stare at you? You are fat, ugly, vile, and disgusting"

Tricia Mezzacappa, If he keeps his distance from you, he improves his odds at staying out of jail. You encouraged his irrational behavior and made matters worse by insulting judges and other public officials. While he was in the can, you posted letters from him that could be construed as threatening, and poured gasoline on the fire. Fifty per cent of his problem was you.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"That would be coral snakes, kraits, death adders, tiger snakes, mambas, king cobra and cobras, right here in lovely Bethlehem."

Terry, I saw that piece last night when writing my story. This morning I rec'd an email from a former City employee who visited the premises in 2004. At that time, there were no venomous snakes and no odor.

Alfonso said...

THis was hilarious! LOL!

Alfonso Todd

Bernie O'Hare said...

"He's had those snakes and rodents for decades. Now it's suddenly a problem? "

No. There is a news account someone sent me from 2001, indicating it was a problem then. In recent years, the bldgs around the snake den have been vacant, so no one would really notice.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I'll add that picture. Funny!

Jeffrey Anthony said...

@9:38

I don't mean to pick a bone with you on this in any way, Bernie, but just for the sake of discussion, I don't know that you're right about it violating the separation clause.

After reading "The Federalist Papers" a few times, it seems to me that The Framers' intent was freedom *of* religion not freedom *from* religion as it is often construed today. Specifically, they were reacting to the fact that The Church of England could in essence levy taxes on British citizens and the colonists by virtue of being *the* state established religion, and it was that, not religion in public life, to which they wanted to put a stop.

Moreover, in the first years after the ratification of the Constitution, both legislative bodies began each session with a prayer. Given that many of the framers went on to sit in the legislature, if they believed that payer violated the Constitution, they certainly would have said something about it.

Anonymous said...

The biggest snake in the room was the oversized Mamba in Jim Gregory's pants.

Tommy Twinkle

Anonymous said...

Jim Gregory is a loser, always was and always will be...

Anonymous said...

Be careful what you ask for. The group wanting to tear down the tower probably had that in their plan from the beginning and will use the state money to tear out the asbestos with their own people using OUR MONEY. THEY WILL PROFIT FROM THE REMOVAL. Then come back for more concessions, guess who will pay for them, not them but YOU. Like I said previously let them use the original plan and what them try to sell to get out from under

Anonymous said...

I understood the request was for how many city employees live out side the city limits. Which they clamtheyhave no record. So where does the earned income tax go?

Bernie O'Hare said...

You can ask for that in a RTK. Be careful how you word it. Remember, the municipality does not have to create ea record just to answer your question, but may do so if it realizes that otherwise, it is going to be supplying reams of information.

Anonymous said...

The biggest snake in the room was the oversized Mamba in Jim Gregory's pants.

As usual, your head is in the gutter. It apparently never leaves there. The picture tells the story - Gregory is a shriveled senior citizen. If you truly believe he is a stud, you're out of your mind in addition to being immature.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Jim Gregory doesn't have a mamba in his pants, it is an Amazonian anaconda. His nickname is the human tripod.

He probably talked to the Chief of Police to get back his private sex tapes. Is it possible for people to file a RTK request to see those tapes? Word on the street is that many in law enforcement have seen the tapes and may be able to confirm the sexual prowess of the manslab.

Who has the tapes?

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Is it possible for people to file a RTK request to see those tapes"

As someone is about to discover, criminal investigatory files are not discoverable.

Unknown said...

Key phrases: "manslab", "human tripod", "word on the street"...

Mezzacappa mania strikes again!

Anonymous said...

"Manslab" and "human tripod" are well known and earned nicknames that range far beyond West Easton!

Trump 2016!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Gregory, we don't have enough assholes.

Unknown said...

Don't feed the clearly delusional and rapid cycling mania troll.

Anonymous said...

This blog is so disgusting and vile, it's beyond belief. Bernie, everyone knows its all fake, it's all you. Get a life. Stop talking to yourself!

You are not funny. You are disgusting!