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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, January 03, 2019

Tom Carroll: GOP Gift to NorCo Dems

From the 2014 Kidspeace protest
Several top tier lawyers may decide to run for District Attorney this year. These include Terry Houck, John's top prosecutor; Chief Public Defender Nuria DiLuzio; war crimes prosecutor Arthur Traldi; and Senior Judge Leonard Zito. Each would be a formidable candidate and excellent District Attorney.  Then there's Tom Carroll. He announced his candidacy yesterday, but excluded me from his distribution list. He's a terrible candidate who will hurt other Republicans seeking countywide office. He'll be announcing officially from somewhere in Allentown today. Yep. He'll be announcing his candidacy for Northampton County DA in another county. 

If Senior Judge Zito decides to run, Carroll should be eliminated rather quickly in a primary contest. But if not, Carroll has a very good chance of becoming the Republican nominee.

Why is Carroll so toxic? He's divisive. He was part of a cabal that attempted to mount a coup within the county GOP. When that failed, he took his marbles and went away. He is currently chair of both the Lehigh Valley Tea Party and Republican Action Team, and has a following among the alt-right. A Trump supporter all the way, he was among those who protested against undocumented children at Kidspeace in 2014. Among their concerns? They might be infected with leprosy or scabies. 

Carroll graduated in 1988 from Catholic University's Columbus Law School, and landed a job in Montgomery County as a prosecutor. John Morganelli hired him in 2005, but he only lasted there for two years. Why? Rumors abound.

With the Disciplinary Board and online, Carroll reports an "office" at 248 E Union Boulevard in Bethlehem That property, which he owns with long-time companion and fellow Tea Partier Tony Simao, is zoned residential. So he really (a) has no practice in Northampton County or (b) is in violation of Bethlehem's zoning laws, which require approval for a home office.

Carroll also apparently does some work for the Montgomery County PD's office. Previously, he's run for Bethlehem City Council ... and lost after embarrassing revelations about his running mate. He also ran for judge against Jennifer Sletvold... and lost despite an ugly whisper campaign against her. 

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh boy Bernie, You are in trouble now. You have attacked one of the main darlings of the LVTP. They are ultra paranoid as it is and now they will feel even more persecuted. There was a member once who said people don't know what it is like to be part of a persecute group like the Tea Party.

The alt-right will not be happy!

Anonymous said...

Announcing a candidacy for a Northampton County office in Allentown, lunacy.

Anonymous said...

A gay man who votes against other gay men should just go back in The closet and keep his mouth shut

Anonymous said...

We need someone like Roseanne Joseph to serve the people of Northampton County as D.A. A little bit of encouragement could go a long way here. She is qualified and has no baggage. If you truly want a D.A. who would be fair, Roseanne is the person for the job. Three cheers for Roseanne. Hip Hip Hurray, Roseanne will show the way. She has my vote. A great person for the job. We love you RO JO.

Anonymous said...

Funny. I'd never known I'd an ugly whisper campaign if you weren't whispering. I don't like the guy either. But you're really no better than he in the ugly whispering department, right?

Anonymous said...

"A Trump supporter all the way". Why bring this point up if you are trying to bash the guy? It may be the one positive attribute that sways voters his way if there are no other candidates that support the president and his policies.

Anonymous said...

This clown is nothing but a Montgomery County Carpet Bagger. His announcement ad in Allentown and uses this as a campaign poster? This tool is set to disaster. What a nut job and to think he is employed by the county? Sent his "Terrible Tommy" back to ethics and fashion class. Zito will bring some class back to an office that has been showboating and grandstanding for way to many years. I see that pic and want to vomit to think that kind of mentality would be our District Attorney? Does Bozo the clown have a law license too?

Anonymous said...

Leonard Zito has proven himself over a lifetime of good judgement and class. His integrity and record speak volumes. He is the right man for the job. Please Leonard Zito RUN!

Anonymous said...

It would appear that a minor home occupation of self-employed attorney is permitted in this residence in the RT-Residential zoned district. See Zoning Ordinance for the City of Bethlehem:
https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/ordinance/Zoning%20Ordinance.pdf

pp. 11-12. City of Bethlehem Zoning Ordinance from Article 1302

1302.55 Home Occupation. An accessory business that is conducted entirely within a dwelling or
one accessory building, or administered from a dwelling, and which is conducted solely
by residents of the dwelling and up to one non-resident employee, and which is clearly
incidental and accessory to the dwelling. No display of products shall be visible from the
exterior. On-site retail sales shall not be allowed [….].
(a) Major Home Occupation. A Home Occupation that does not meet the additional standards
for a Minor Home Occupation in Article 1322.
(b) Minor Home Occupation. A Home Occupation that meets the additional standards for a
Minor Home Occupation as provided in Article 1322. A Minor Home Occupation also
includes, but is not limited to, activity that meets all of the requirements for a “No Impact
Home-Based Business” as provided in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(Note - In most cases a Minor Home Occupation is permitted by right under Section 1304.01,
while in most cases a Major Home Occupation requires Zoning Hearing Board approval as a
special exception.)
1. No Impact Home-Based Business - A type of Minor Home Occupation that meets the
following definition as provided in the PA Municipalities Planning Code, as may be
amended: A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an
accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and
which involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian,
pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises, in excess of those
normally associated with residential use. The business or commercial activity must
satisfy the following requirements:
a) The business activity shall be compatible with the residential use of the property
and surrounding residential uses.
b) The business shall employ no employees other than family members residing in
the dwelling.
c) There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling or inventory
of a substantial nature.
d) There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including, but not
limited to, parking, signs or lights.
e) The business activity may not use any equipment or process […..], which is detectable in
the neighborhood.
f) The business activity may not generate any solid waste [….], which is not normally associated with residential use in the
neighborhood.
g) The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not
occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
h) The business may not involve any illegal activity.

Further more, from the chart on page 29 of the City of Bethlehem Zoning Ordinance you can find
___________________________________________________________________________________
USES ZONING DISTRICTS
(See definitions in Section 1302) RR** RS RG RT RRC
___________________________________________________________________________________
Home Occupation, Minor (S. 1322) P P P P P

At the bottom of page 29 with the chart the codes are explained:
“P = Permitted by right use (zoning decision by Zoning Officer)”

Continuing on pp. 178-180 under section 1322.03 (z), the Zoning Ordinance clearly states

“(19) In addition to the requirements listed above, the following additional requirements
shall apply to a "Minor Home Occupation:"
(i) The use shall not routinely involve routine daily visits to the home occupation
by customers.
(ii) The use shall only involve the following activities:
(a) work routinely conducted within an office,...”

Mr. Carroll is following the laws of Bethlehem while operating his sole legal practice from him residence in the city.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I thought you were all in for diversity,seems only if its a democrat.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Nonsense. I already said that Judge Zito, a Republican, would make an excellent DA. Carroll would not. He has already made clear, in numerous of his Republican Action Team posts, that he wants no Democratic support. Also, if he is meeting clients at his home office, he needs approval. If not, then his home "office" is a sham. Also, does Carroll even have a business privilege license? Is he following the laws he wishes to enforce?

Anonymous said...

Do you have a business privilege license to operate a blog from your home?.

Anonymous said...

He doesn't need one as he does not monetize his blog for profit or anything for that matter

try again

Anonymous said...

This article is similar to those CNN news reports. Filled with "rumors have it" and "ugly whisper campaign". You only missed "reliable sources". They both appear to be well qualified. However, Judge Zito is 70 plus years old and DA Morganelli is in his mid 60's.
Age is a factor against both. Will Judge Zito have the stamina to do the job and will DA Morganelli be allowed to continue as judge when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 with 3 more years to complete his term as Judge.

Anonymous said...

Mandatory retirement age for judges was raised to 75. Thanks for playing, try again.

Anonymous said...

The same folks talking about age support Trump - who will be 74 when he seeks reelection and folks like Bernie and Biden who will be 78. Not too old to be President?? Not too old to be DA or judge.

Bernie O'Hare said...

10:26, the fact is that Carroll really has no NorCo practice and his “office” is a sham. The fact is that Carroll only lasted in the DA’s office for two years. If he loves prosecuting illegals so much, why didn’t he stay? Perhaps he can answer that question.

Anonymous said...

Two comments:

1) I doubt many Republicans take this blog seriously as far as it having any real concerns about electing Republicans to office.

2) Why do we have to continuously bash candidates on a personal level? Let whoever wants to run do so and make their best case to the voters, on the issues. Then let the voters make their best decision, on the issues.


We constantly say we want candidates to take the high road but fail to do so ourselves. Then we lament when quality, "regular" citizens don't run for office. This is why.

It's a new year. I'd like to think we could make it more than three days before personally attacking someone.

Anonymous said...

This guy has all the qualifications for a constable.

Anonymous said...

Personal bashing is the new new. Bernie didn't used to trade in it. Those days are long gone. Trump has rewritten everyone's rules of engagement, including Bernie's. This is where we are.

Anonymous said...

I heard that Caroll and Simao are no longer a couple. Is that true? Also agree with anon 3:12. Your Prez Trump has defined the new rules of engagement. How hypocritical for alt-right Trumpies to complain about personal attacks. It is the mantra of your exalted leader.

Anonymous said...


Bernie? Are you HOMOPHOBIC?

Anonymous said...

Bernie, which is it? Is this man gay living with his lover or a Trump supporter.. you cannot have both.

Bernie O'Hare said...

There is no personal bashing here. I recited this guy’s history and raised legitimate questions that deserve an answer

Anonymous said...

If you want to eliminate all this nonsense about age etc. etc. simply elect Roseanne Joseph to the office. She is a sweetheart of a person and a highly intelligent attorney. She will bring a load of experience to the office.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Bernie? Are you HOMOPHOBIC?"

I certainly was raised in a homophobic society. I admit I do not like to see men kiss. But I don't like to see men and women kiss in public either. I have grown more tolerant and understanding as I have aged. I have no problem with persons whose sexual orientations may differ from mine. The only reason Carroll's lifestyle is in any way relevant is because it is connected to the office ownership. It is a residence for Carroll and his current or former partner.

Anonymous said...

Bigotry against the white culture. As a 60 year old white male progressive I fear for my life every day I step out the door. Got pulled over by a cop last week for speeding and I was certain the end was near. Wait, I forgot, the officer gave me a warning and told me to have a nice day. Whew, dodged a "bullet" there! I think a need one of those masks to keep me from puking on my shoes.

Anonymous said...

The tolerance of the trumpee tea party is only directed at themselves. Sadly, they have no tolerance for anyone else.

Anonymous said...

Roseanne Joseph should change parties and run as a republican

Anonymous said...

The tea party used to be an important voice in our national dialogue. They held the mantle for important notions like fiscal restraint, small government an aversion to debt, balanced budgets and Freedom. Politically they were a powerhouse, with 2010 as a banner year. Today, it's devolved into an identity politics organization. Long gone is the focus on fiscal restraint. In its place politics of division. A more narrow focus on wedge issues. The tea party was at it's strongest when it focused on broken government. Those days are gone. The appeal for Independent minded fiscal conservatives and even libertarians is all but gone.

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

Untrue Mr. Molovinsky. Relevant because it was he and his partner that posted their naked photos online when they ran together for Allentown or Bethlehem Council . The same one he shares the address with. We want character in a DA, not hung juries.

Anonymous said...

An ITSY BITSY umm candidate for sure... no "hung" jury can be produced from this fruit fly.....

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

I wonder if he'll "stiff" Fearless Fire Company like Glenn Geisinger did to Northampton County Club:

https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.ashx?docketNumber=MJ-03203-CV-0000001-2019&dnh=fr5FuRmfIBOSWh5YPNWerw%3d%3d

Bernie O'Hare said...

I have deleted two of Molovinsky’s usual criticisms. He can bray away on his own blog, and then post links all over Facebook in his attempt to draw attention to himself