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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Joan Rosenthal Bowing Out of Local Government Service

Joan Rosenthal has "done it all." 
When it comes to local government, Joan Rosenthal has done it all. She's been a Northampton County Elections Commissioner off and on over the years. In Hanover Township, she's been a Supervisor, Planning Commissioner and Zoning Hearing Board member. Over the past few years, she's been trying to step aside so that others can serve. "You name it, I was on it," she has said. But not anymore. On August 28, she informed Township that she's stepping down from the Neighborhood Block Watch, another organization she managed for many years.

She told Supervisors, "We don't get a big following. ... Most people in Hanover say, 'Where's the crime?,' but they forget to lock their garage doors or their cars."

She praised the "wonderful cooperation" she's received over the years from Colonial Regional police.

As she made her way to her car after leaving the meeting, Rosenthal expressed her appreciation to Hanover Supervisors. "You know, they once gave me a day. Joan Rosenthal Appreciation Day," she said with a faint smile. "I don't know what I'll do with myself now."

I think she knows.

Rosenthal is a Republican and a steadfast member of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party. She loves to listen to their guest speakers, and defies the stereotype often painted of conservative Republicans. She's smart, informed and an eloquent speaker.

Her departure is a big loss to good government advocates, whether on the left or the right.

When Supervisors got down to business, they voted 4-0 to grant a conditional waiver to JG Petrucci, who is developing LV Flex Center at 3900 Burgess Place. Though his plan includes an infiltration system for stormwater, it is located within 50' of bedrock. He will be required t o comply with the Township Engineer's directions, and note them on his plan.

Petrucci has deposited $250,000 with the Township for any problems that result from the infiltration system. The township will hold that sum for the next 15 years.

In other business, Supervisors approved grant applications to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a field house at First Responder Park. Public Works Director Vince Milite reported that a sinkhole opened up at the park, and it took 13 truckloads of flowable fill to close it.

Supervisors also authorized a $204,000 payment to Excellance, Inc. for a new ambulance. Manager Jay Finnigan reporter that $232,000 has been budgeted.

Road resurfacing is under way. Southland and Macada Drive have both been resurfaced. Supervisors authorized a $149,000 payment to Schlough, Inc. for the repaving work at Southland Drive.

Supervisor Susan Lawless was unavailable.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Does the tea party still exist? Now that Obama is gone and republicans control the entire federal government, why would they be together? Seriously, it was just created by corporate guys to use the dog whistles of bigotry and intolerance disguised as good government to get regulation hating republicans elected. It worked. Profits are way up, corporate pay is way up. Wages are stagnant but that was never the point.

Anonymous said...

The Lehigh Valley Tea Party was once a truly important organization that generate issues-based discussion arguing for smaller (constitutionally limited) government, free markets and fiscal restraint.

Today, it's a cult of personality where identity politics reigns supreme. It's a group that refuses hold The President accountable when he enacts free-market disrupting tariffs opening the door for the Government choosing winners and losers (typically a liberal policy) and who signed an Omnibus bill that will add another Trillion to our already 21 Trillion dollar national debt. These are all things that if Barack Obama had initiated they would have vehemently opposed.

I hope someday the Tea Party gets back to issues based advocacy and education. There are still great people involved in the LVTP. But in this strage age where populism, identity politics, and authoritarianism dwarfs conservativism in those circles I'm not gonna hold my breath. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I am sorry to read your report. I disagree on most (not all) issues with the local tea party, but even I attended a few of their Friday night lectures. I notice they now meet on Thursdays, when many municipalities meet. That prevents members in some communities from participating in their government. The group is more political, but never really grasped the concept of getting involved in local government. I see that next week's "lecture" is from Tony Simao and called "The Looney [sic] Left, Q, and You”.

Anonymous said...

Joan was and is a true public servant. There is nothing phony about her. She was always the voice of reason among those who disagreed. I doubt if she is replaceable. John Stoffa

Anonymous said...

Has she always been living of taxpayer's money or has she ever worked for a living ?

Bernie O'Hare said...

You may not realize this, but Joan served as a volunteer on the planning commission, zoning hearing board and as an elections commissioner. She received a pittance as a Supervisor. Your mean-spirited comment is a reflection of your own ignorance and disdain for those who serve. Thanks to people like you, there are fewer people willing to do it.

Anonymous said...

I won't bother responding to 2:13 pm's idiotic statement.

Rather, I choose to salute Joan who has contributed more to her community by accident than 2:13 has likely done in his life.

Anonymous said...

Well said Mr. Stoffa. Too bad we don't have more people like you and her in public service. Good luck and thanks Joan.

Anonymous said...

B.O. Here's a good one, a City of Easton story, on August 23 Kurt Bresswein wrote a story in the paper called " storm water fee" The online story read that the property owners of Easton will have to pay a $75-$80 fee for MS4 stormwater runoff. It pointed out that on top of the $75-$80 fee the city of Easton property owners pay the highest property taxes in Northampton County, that was in the morning, by early afternoon that paragraph mysteriously disappear. I guess someone who is for open Government and transparency May have called the reporter. By early afternoon that paragraph mysteriously disappear, The person is always telling everyone they have not raised taxes for 10 years, why can't they you ask (because the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania won't allow the city to raise the taxes above 25 mills).