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Great piece in the paper about the Mayor, [Nazareth Mayor Carl Strye].
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Admired your presence at the Naz mtg but felt the MC took some unnecessary shots at you in their Sat article.
Blogger's Reply: I was fine with it.
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Well at least you get email back to you from Mr. Keen. But I can not get a n answer from him leave a message no call back and his secretary doesn't answer the phone either. And left messages and no call back either, And messages sent to the new human resource director does not call you back, and also have called and only get voice , and still no call back and this information is very important to our lives and employee at the prison , and these are the people we are suppose to deal with and we get nothing.
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Northampton County children and youth as may be doing their job for the true children that have been abused, but some workers make their own rules and really push the boundaries and there is no real help for families be discriminated against for what ever a worker wants . They also to not follow the children"s right that are supposed to be follow , they want to do what ever and get away with it and forget asking for upper support or a change to a case worker because it does not happen, They use counselors from reading what we do not have enough here. They are hurting children and they do not care about there emotional , or mental state and I have seen this first hand , and I am still seeing it. Who's paying who off because when does an attorney can't do part of a case he was assigned to because they do not pay him enough, and he wants money from the family that he is suppose to be helping the family with, and the children lawyers is suppose to talk to the father involved in the case and he has not and will not speak to him or us, But he talks to the other side in the case.This is a money game and playing with families and hurts everyone but some case workers do not care they have there mind set and it's her way or the highway and it keeps going that way. No matter how hard you work and comply with there demands then they take visits from you and your children and add on more demands .And the case worker does not work with the family come to see them nothing just demands. And hurts kids and families instead of the goal of really helping and wasting county money on top of it. Sad all the way around.
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I attended an interesting public hearing last Monday. The Allentown ZHB heard an appeal for Special Exception approval to permit a halfway house to remain inside the Masonic Temple opposite West Park. The applicant CHOR was permitted by the property owner, Masonic Temple, to move into the vacated Buckno & Lisicy offices nearly two years ago without any Zoning or Building Permits.
The halfway house proposed to operate from 2:30 pm - 9:30 pm Monday to Friday with up to 30 residents and multiple staff members. Up to 20 objectors associated with West Park Civic Association (WPCA) petitioned the ZHB to provide a separate hearing (as provided for in the PA MPC) for the objectors to hire an attorney to present their objections. The ZHB ruled against providing the objectors an additional hearing to present their case, noting that the objectors could appeal the outcome of the hearing the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. The ZHB approved the Special Exception since the applicant was able to easily meet the test for relief as a Special Exception is a form of a permitted use. However, objectors raised for the record that the halfway house definition in the ZHB is somewhat vague and that it could be argued that a variance would be required if the number of residents exceeded 15. The ZHB chair seemed to make a determination that since the facility is not over-night that it was not a residential halfway house, subject to the limitation of 15 residents. Given the earlier decision by the ZHB to deny the objectors a separate hearing to prepare objections with an attorney, this point was never debated. The ZHB seemed pre-disposed to approve this appeal as quickly as possible and seemed impatient with the objectors statements. The ZHB was not in the least bit concerned that the applicants and property owners had violated the City's Zoning Ordinance and had made alterations to the building without Building Permits. In fact one member thought the halfway house will be good for West Park since another one could not be established now, Another ZHB member thought the halfway house was a good one since it was there almost 2 years before being discovered by the City. Of particular interest is that the City staff never opted to initiate enforcement against CHOR and the Masonic Temple for the establishment of a new use without a Zoning Permit and it appears that was no enforcement action taken against either party regarding the illegal alterations and occupancy of the tenant space in the Masonic Temple. I'll provide an update if the WPCA is able to find an attorney to evaluate an appeal to the decision.
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Blogger's Note: The comments below are in reaction to The Express Times story, "Blogger Demands Resignations over Nazareth Mayor's Theft Charges." The story drew 347 comments, many of which were anonymous personal attacks.
Well, on Sunday night before dinner I was reading an article by John Best , Lehigh Valley Live. About 6 pm the article had logged close to 300 comments. This is quite an achievement in itself. First, the controversial subject was well read and the people were concerned enough to comment and post their opinions which is their right under U.S. C. 42 1983 , and second the community became engaged both inter Nazareth and intra Nazareth. Finally, someone lit the fire , and said something about government corruption thanks Bernie this may be the shift we all have been waiting for - have fun tonight.
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it's noon and at 299 just thought you would like to know FYI
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I am really disappointed with the so called parents who are also coaches of youth - parents - and graduates of the program and high school on their inability to see the bigger picture. These men are supposed to be mentors for the youth and all they care about are their personal agendas and wins/losses. They should be thanking men like Steve Shiffert and his staff, especially since these coaches put in long hours and receive little pay and much grief. They complain about an antiquated coaching system, when they should be thankful for the men with excellent character that get produced. If am no fan of Steve Shiffert as a football coach and even played under him when he was a position coach, but a person can learn for a good and a bad coach. Steve Shiffert is a good coach that produces and prepares young boys into men for the greater good of society. His detractors should only hope that their children will get to experience a coach - teacher - mentor - parent like him. Where are the leaders of today, with whiners and finger pointers in today's society? Few and far between. That is why I hope the school district renames a field/stadium after him when he decides on his own to retire.
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. . . and so it seems, barring another dramatic announcement, Donald Trump will be an option to be our new American President.
Trump will be a formidable opponent for anyone. Why?
He will NOT back down as did McCain and Romney. Should Trump not be elected President, he deserves our admiration for forcing open the eyes of the American public. A bold, decisive leader who energized millions to help rebuild their home.
Trump ANSWERED that 3AM call!
Fred Windish
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Should Steve Shiffert stay or go? Under his own accord or be ousted? Go Liners!!!
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Bernie,
I just want to thank you for all of your efforts in seeking justice in Nazareth. All of your ambition and commendable coverage on the behind the scenes actions of Carl Strye Jr. and Nazareth Council should not go unappreciated. Those who condemn you for speaking the truth has something to hide. It wasn't long ago where President Larry Stoudt of the American Legion Home Association had to deal with a steward and the treasurer (the steward's daughter) who both decided to pay dad each week without taking out any taxes. This continued for a few years until they were found out. The Board took this into their own hands and had to repay the back taxes. They banned both active members from ever entering into the club. These clubs are no good. Larry Stoudt knows the Mayor did wrong but he is too stubborn to ever admit it. You have done a wonderful service to the readers of your blog by uncovering the corruption and speaking out against it. I hope your pleas to council don't fall on deaf ears and somehow they do the right thing. Keep it up Bernie, you are a really great writer.
Blogger's Reply: Thank you, but I am just exercising the rights I have thanks to a Bill of Rights. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton probably serve the thanks.
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I will never support the Greater Lehigh Valley Mobile Food Alliance projects or the food trucks that belong to them. If their lack of an ability to communicate and be transparent is as such, we discriminating against membership, imagine how their health code regulations and accountability on their profit and loss statements must be. They seem to be a legalized mafia.
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can you please talk about the new phone system in the noco court house. it is causing problems for every department and its rumored that brown is recording every word that is said.
Blogger's Reply: I will ask around,. let me tell you, thoughh, that recording conversations would be completely criminal.
45 comments:
The sticker goons are reprehensible pieces of shat. Since they have nothing of value to give society they must sue hardworking taxpayers to pay for their cigarettes. Thank God President Trump will put an end to their freeloading.
Trump equals responsibility!
"Should Trump not be elected President, he deserves our admiration for forcing open the eyes of the American public."
Interesting line from watching "House of Cards" tonight: "The moment bigotry becomes a form of patriotism, America is no longer America."
Related, but unrelated, Trump's taco tweet- "I love Hispanics" (instead of specifically "Mexican" for May 5th) .... imagine if he were eating a piece of watermelon, and tweeted, "I love African-Americans". Can he be anymore stereotypical? But, hey, he "loves" everyone, right?
F: "Create chaos"
C: "more than chaos"
F: "war?"
C: "fear"
F: "Fear. Brutal. Total."
C: "I'm done trying to win over people's hearts"
F: "Let's attack their hearts"
C: "We can work with fear"
F: "Yes we can"
Sometimes, "fantasy" is so close to "reality", or at least a reality show.
but a matter of perspective I suppose as to who's "reality show" it is, Trump's or Clinton's??? But, the reality of who will hopefully do the least amount of harm to our great country? I hate holding my nose to vote.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Trump definitely has opened the eyes of the entire world as to the depth of paranoia, ignorance, hatred and intolerance the GOP and their PR wing, FOX 'news' have created. The failings of our education system continue to reach new lows, as evidenced by the dialogue taking place both from Trump and his minions, the vast majority of whom have gotten tired of waiting for the American Dream to be hand delivered to them while they sit on their couches, stuffing their faces and watching pundits explain their 'thoughts' to them.
These people are the laziest bunch of no personal responsibility individuals I've ever seen encountered. Watching Trump supporters is like I would imagine being trapped in Walmart for all eternity might be like. The fat and toothless, decked out in Chinese manufactured clothing, gorging on pig skins and pining for Murrica.
We would be best served by deporting every single one of them and taking in a hard working immigrant family. At least they speak fluent English, I've yet to see a Trumper who can do that.
""The moment bigotry becomes a form of patriotism, America is no longer America." "
Interesting, and pleasant, but revisionist. Bigotry has been a form of patriotism since we ethnic-cleansed our way across the continent, counted certain people as 3/5's human, allowed the Irish in only to fight our wars, and interred the Japanese.
Ovem -
If you must hold your nose when voting, just be practical and choose the ONLY chance for relief.
Many KNOW there's an odor of failure about Hillary Clinton. They SUSPECT Trump will give the same negative aroma in time, but can't possibly be sure. No one can.
Vote to put out the trash you KNOW to be foul, open a window, and start anew.
Fred Windish
I find it appalling that a man like Donald Trump could rise to any station in life that doesn't involve punching a clock, and even more appalling that he has actually found Americans who are willing to climb on board this charlatans traveling medicine show. But,this is certainly a free country, and ignorance is not illegal.
However, as a vet, I can not wrap my head around this mans support from my fellow veterans.
This man, who now presents himself as a bastion of patriotism and has threatened to send our troops to fight in every corner of the world, couldn't cough up a pair to serve when he was called upon. Of course, this is not uncommon, the rich and privileged rarely serve, but Trump wasn't content to be a no-show. He made a mockery of his cowardice, laughing and joking about how he 'doesn't remember' what was wrong with him that kept him from fulfilling his obligation. It was an insult to all of us who did answer the call.
But, he wasn't done yet, he took it up a notch, dismissing John McCain as an incompetent coward, who got himself captured, something no real man would ever do, apparently.
Such commentary and behaviors would be the death knell for most candidates, particularly among veterans, but for Trump, this has not been the case. I am ashamed of my fellow vets who have decided to back a cowardly man who clearly hates us and feels capable of judging our performance in service of our country.
Republicans have just nominated the Democratic Party equivalent of George McGovern in 1972. Hillary will win in an electoral landslide. God help us.
Funny how everyone is on "the take." Literally funny.
New poll has Trump up by one point in Georgia, a state Rs should win by 20. There's a cold wind coming for Trumpsters. This is just going to get worse.
The goons have inherited the earth. This is the result of run away socialism. How much do homeowners have to pay these sticker goons for being what they are?
The irony of this entire campaign season is "BOTH" conservative and liberal websites are now talking about a Hillary nomination and her chances of being elected.
WE SHOULD be talking about a Hillary indictment and the length of her prison sentence.
The sticker goons are reprehensible pieces of shat
By "sticker goons," are you referring to Barney Fife and company who poorly handled the investigation and the people they arrested?
The Hillary supporters claim there is no evidence of malice by her with Clinton having classified information on her private computer.
Of course anyone who ever handled classified material knows malice is not necessary.
Everyone high and low who handles classified stacks signs a bit of paper saying that certain actions are criminal regardless of intent. This is what caught up Petreaus and almost directly by Hillary's hand.
I believe Trump chances are good for winning. The American voters are angry over a number of issues, Republican and Democrat.
I suspect the Democrats primary turnout was down because the irate Democratic voter refused to support their party. The company that I work for services various businesses across the United States. I have had life long union members that have always voted Democrat, say they will vote for Trump.
The Transgenders in the bathrooms was poor timing for the Left in an election year. Men have told me they don't care what two homosexuals do in their home. They have said they are not comfortable with homosexual marriage, but allowing the opposite sex in the bathrooms is more than a person can stand. They perceive danger to their wives, daughters or granddaughters, imaginary are not, why take the chance. This issue along with others have a number of voters ticked.
I don't think most of them are particularly enamored about Trump, they are wanting to send the political elites a message. As far as what the elites think, they want to send Washington a Rhett Butler message, "Frankly my Dear, I don't give a damn."
To the person who wrote about the halfway house (and who has a good understanding of the PA MPC), did the zoning hearing board grant the WPCA standing as an objector? If so, they have to allow the WPCA to put on a defense case. Making you file an appeal to the county, and pay for the attorney to do so, it NUTZ.
On the other hand, did time run out? If you were asking for another hearing date out of convenience to prepare a defense, that is a different matter.
STEAL FROM A VETERAN'S group --should be LINED UP BY FIRING SQUAD and shot,if guilty. I said it PETER J.COCHRAN.
I find it amusing that the would be king makers are still claiming that Trump doesn't stand a chance. I seem to recall that Carter was also going to trounce the B actor Ronald Regan. As usual, those with an emotional vestment refuse to see the obvious.
The only thing that concerns me is that Hillary WON'T be the nominee because she is finally called to account for her crimes. Trump is going to destroy her in the general election. He's beat EVERY SINGLE PREDICTION against him to date and now SEVENTEEN governors and senators, all excellent candidate, are now out of the campaign.
I think the burden is the opposite of the wannabe rulers prognostications. Prove to me how Hillary Clinton is going to be the one who finally stops Trump.
Sorry, it just isn't going to happen.
I firmly believe "What goes around comes around."
Just as Trump has given voice to the loved ones of those killed by illegal aliens so, too, will he give voice to the many women Bill Clinton assaulted and Hillary Clinton tormented.
It took a long time to come around; however, I am pleased to read that Kathleen Wiley, Paula Jones and others will finally have a voice via Trump.
The fact is that Hillary has been handled gently by Bernie, only question was on the Wall Street speeches. Trump will likely roll out the women, who over the years were threatened and or ruined by Screech. Paula Jones, Juanita Broderick, Monica Lewinski, and all the others to tell how Hillary REALLY treats women. Then he can bring some of the former staffers Hillary, from both State and the Clinton Crime Foundation to tell of her paying them 38% less on average than their male counterparts.
By then the FBI should be getting close to finished interviewing so we'll see who wants to talk about her server, which segues smoothly into Bengazi discussions, which the families of the victims would relish the chance to air their experiences after she lied to them about a you tube video, the day after she e-mailed her daughter that it was "an AL Qaeda type group". Knowing Trump he will have Ambassador Stevens mother sit with Melania at one of the debates.
Then before the second debate he can start on the Wall Street speeches. With his connections to the NYC banks, you got to believe he has a video ( cellphone at the least) of her promising them that she will cover them when she is elected. That video will make a great intro at 1000 theaters this fall that the RNC could rent for free showings of the new film, straight from the Cannes Film Festival, Clinton Cash.
Trump's takedown of Hillary will be magnificent
Bernie,
This weeks opinions are mostly weak as the comments too?
There is one opinion that I find very interesting in this weeks though? That would be the one about CPS in Northampton county? There has to be an understanding that under PA state law children are a insurable peril with a number tag??? Just like most political parasites that collude in three areas, this cps shitstew is just that, a bubbling boiling pot similar to Allentown's soon to be defunct criminal organization??????
Republican redd
6:01,
West park was an objector and had 25 people there. The board made it clear they would not accommodate all as speakers and after two or three had spoken, Daniel McCarthy demanded that any additional speakers "have something new to say" if they wanted to be heard. It was a pathetic performance by the zoning board who could not even pretend to be interested in the concerns of the residents. Is it not legitimate to be alarmed that an icon of the neighborhood was requesting an exception to become a halfway house?
The zoning board could have appeased the WPCA by asking the zoning officer to remove the designation "halfway house" and replace it with something along the lines of "outpatient services". All agreed the request was poorly worded and that the zoning regulations needed to be "updated" to accommodate what the Masonic Temple had already allowed to happen for two years without permits.
All this was brushed aside and the exception was granted. Even the WPCA's true believers were offended. Of course I was not surprised and warned several people that this was exactly what would happen. I have in the past been labeled a cynic for such beliefs. It is my guess there are twenty five new cynics in West Park.
Why didn't you include my piece in Saucon Valley School District Budget?
I am sorry, but don't seem to have it. If I did, I would publish it gladly. That is precisely the kind of comment I like. Local. Covers an issue I do not. Is probably of great interest to many people. Please try again, and I will get it in there next week. My apologies.
"Trump's takedown of Hillary will be magnificent."
How in God's name is Hillary within the margin of error in Georgia? He's going to get crushed.
Bernie,
I must have not put to print the exact nature of the Cps tool? The children dealt with by this subsect of a whole criminal organization? To them the children are faceless, soulless, and are not even considered human? The are just a paycheck to the parasites in charge paid for by faked factual statistics put to print and inVOICEd to the FED?
Voice of the VOICEless????
Republican redd
As my brother and me greet each other on this day, happy motherf#(Ker's day?
Hasn't Hillary already convinced you to vote for ANYBODY BUT HER?
Where are the sanctuary cities for shoplifters?
Happy mother's day, Caitlyn Jenner
I'm glad President Obama told graduates at Howard University yesterday to be "Comfortable in your Blackness".
Does this mean its perfectly fine to be "Comfortable in your Whiteness" or "Comfortable in your Hispanicness", or Comfortable in whatever pigmentation of your skin you happen to be ?
It seems that Obama wants to drive a stake between us, rather than unite us.
Martin Luther King is Rollie over in his grave with regards to the race-baiting President the Democrats have given us. #AllLivesMatter.
That's ridiculous. Everyone should be comfortable in whatever they are. Obama is absolutely right. That by no means divides us and actually brings us together. I can think of lots of reasons to be critical of Obama. This is not one of them.
I wish all moms out thee a Happy Mother's Day !!!
We went up to Allentown this morning and took my mom and dad to the Trivet on West Tilghman Street. Mom and I had a wonderful breakfast. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you are enjoying this wonderful May morning and PLEASE tell your mother that you appreciate her :)
"It seems that Obama wants to drive a stake between us, rather than unite us."
Relax. Soon your focused Black President hate can be replaced
by Hillary hate for the next four years. I bet your hate for her will be even better than you hate for Pres. Obama.
Feel the Hate!
Happy Mother's day to a new mother, my heart my soul, my boo. We had a spark from the word "go" and although this blog is largely responsible for tearing us apart it also led you to motherhood and me to a closer relationship with the savior Jehovah.
Harvey, You are as dear as a mother to many. lol.
Jim Gregory spent nearly three years in state prison precisely bc of comments like Harvey 4:25. He is banned from all contact, direct or indirect, whether as Harvey or under any other name. Stay off this blog! If you use this blog to leave messages for your ex, I will turn you in and you can deal with it in court. Again.
I think readers can feel the hate from anonymous poster 4:20.
Bernie @ 12:18
Obama to Howard University Grads: ‘Beyoncé Runs the World’. Instead of stressing the importance of education, and the lives of intellectuals such as Alain Locke, W.E.B.Dubois, Toni Morrison, etc., Obama celebrates a talentless and vulgar celebrity of dubious talent. What a shallow and condescending address. "Comfortable in your Blackness" is NOT something Dr Martin Luther King would be telling the graduates. Something more like Elridge Cleaver or H. Rap Brown would tell them.
And no 4:20 PM, it's not "hate" like all Democrats believe. We don't hate Obama, we're just disgusted with him and his race-baiting. The first thing Democrats say when one criticizes Obama is that it's racist hating. That shows just how much of an asshole you are and how moronic you must think we are. Sorry, go play your krap on someone else.
But it really does seem that Obama wants to drive a stake between us, rather than unite us
I really believe that it is time to end Affirmative Action if blacks are doing so well.
Dave, you'd want to end it regardless. You've made that pretty clear.
Trump will unite us all. he has made it clear. he loves the blacks, he loves the Latinos, he loves the women, he loves the Asians. He is filled with the love and they all the love him.
Vote Trump, feel the love!
Is there a reason why a Northampton County Sheriff's vehicle is parked in front of a private residence in Catasauqua at 8:30 on a Sunday evening? I drive by this house fairly often and it has been parked there numerous times day and night. What is an official Norco vehicle doing in Lehigh County? Stoffa ended the practice of Deputy Sheriff's taking county cars home years ago. It made sense then as it does now. Is this another case of Brown giving away privileges to his crony friends at the county's expense? This looks suspicious and should be investigated by the county Controller.
"Happy Mother's day to a new mother, my heart my soul, my boo"
What the Hell is all of that? It makes no sense. My boo?? What is a boo. Sounds like a ghost.???
Sounds like a Gregory post. "Boo" as in "Boo Hoo", nasty Bernie is the reason why I was incarcerated.
God, Gregory, you are stupid. You are the reason you were incarcerated, and it's going to happen again if you use this blog improperly.
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