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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, June 17, 2019

Bethlehem City Council Takes Aim at First Amendment

Bethlehem City Council does its best to muzzle people who dare petition their government for the redress of grievances, a right specifically granted by the First Amendment. It's little wonder that it is now poised to adopt a law that will in effect make it illegal for five or more people to get together to protest Trump, praise Trump or even sing Christmas carols. Unless they have papers. This is absolute nonsense. I'm speaking about a new ordinance (Art. 961) being considered on Tuesday that will require a "special event activity" permit whenever any group of five or more desire to use city property to do pretty much anything. Clearly, it is aimed at suppressing free speech, under the guise of public safety.

Bethlehem City Council only  wants to hear themselves. In case you doubt me, watch the video (1:43:00) of their June 4 meeting. They refused the common courtesy of allowing Bethlehem resident Steve Antalics to respond to a 12-minute diatribe from Council member Bryan Callahan. While Callahan was catching his breath, Council Prez Adam Waldron stopped Antalics. No member of Council would even make a motion to be fair and allow him to respond. This is because they are afraid of what he might say. 

You see, Ed Gallagher may call himself The Bethlehem Gadfly, and has a great blog, but the real bastard is Antalics. He bites. Gallagher is very gentile and talks about things like the meaning of the word "implore." Antalics, on the other hand, is the reason why ethically conflicted City Council  member Karen Dolan is former City Council member Karen Dolan.

She even changed her name to K. Dierdre Dolan after he was done with her.

So when a member of Council uses his unlimited time to take pot shots at someone, basic fairness dictates that the sullied resident should have a corresponding right to respond.

Instead, City Council is considering a new law that essentially prohibits the right of assembly and free speech, unless you're getting drunk or high at Musikfest.

32 comments:

Doc Rock said...

This is an abomination!

Suppose, for example, Person A or Group B receives a permit for - you name it - a political rally, protest, anything controversial. Suppose the assembly starts out peaceful, but agitators arrive and a scuffle ensues. Suppose it is not clear who started the scuffle, or, even suppose it is clear an agitator or agitators started the scuffle. Could the city then deny a subsequent permit request from Person A or Group B on the basis that it is likely to result in a similar scuffle?

Does the City want to face litigation over such a denial?

As a taxpayer in Bethlehem, I am very troubled by our "betters" deciding whom may be deemed "worthy" of receiving a permit.

Anonymous said...

Banana Republic

Anonymous said...

Good, let them enforce such actions , then hit them with many lawsuits that will cost the city lots of money and them their jobs. Let them go for it.

Anonymous said...

But Bernie don't we all feel "safer" and just a little self-righteous when only "politically correct" views are espoused? Baa, baa, baa.

Anonymous said...

This is why one party towns look pretty on the outside, but are a rotting banana republic on the inside. Bethlehem is a shithole with a pretty paint job.

Anonymous said...

This is disgusting. When did citizens allow government officials to dictate five people and more. So if a Hollywood movie star comes to town and stays at a particular historic hotel and five fans or more wish to gather to express their pleasure, they'll need a permit?

Anonymous said...

F¥€k these pinheads.

Anonymous said...

It started when citizens allow councils to dictate "public comment." How many Valley governments forbid taxpayers to speak more than three minutes? Is that what Founding Fathers had in mind?

Anonymous said...

Gotta laugh. Clean House.

Bernie O'Hare said...

DA John Morganelli is about as close as a prosecutor gets to being a First Amendment purist. I doubt any prosecution brought under this ordinance would get past him. This needs work.

Anonymous said...

Just in time for Drag Queen Reading Hour

Anonymous said...

You must mean the gay pornographic acts committed in libraries across the world playing out upon and in front of the world's innocent minds. This being many actors have been charged with sex crimes and sex crime against children?

WHAT THE HELL are officials thinking allowing this sick shit to go on!

Anonymous said...

A dog (husky) on a leash being held by its owner, attacked and bit a man yesterday on main Street yesterday in downtown Bethlehem. It was a horrific site to see with a lot of blood but not a mention on any local news media?

Bernie O'Hare said...

What the hell does you “dog bite man” story have to do with this? And by the way, a dog bites man is not a story. A man bites dog is.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is the only local news source and you actually listen and have an audience. Dogs are out of control on main Street Bethlehem!

Anonymous said...

There's never controversy in a Bethlehem election. The scoreboard indicates voters are quite pleased with their home team. You're attempting to complain to the folks who put your betters in their positions. There's nothing to see here, and this post seems silly. The people have spoken through their apparently very popular leaders.

Anonymous said...

ArtsQuest/Musikfest is the real push behind this. They have been trying to suppress free speech for years. They hid behind some phony baloney deed restriction on Steel Stacks for years, then the City told them it was unenforceable. Now they hired Florio Perrucci and the Arts Quest CEO's girlfriend to write this Ordinance. I hope Council votes this thing down.

Anonymous said...

I for one support the husky's right to free expression.

Anonymous said...

Perrrucci's own John Callahan and Bryan Callahan supports this. Karner was part of the Callahan clan when he ran for executive. They supported Wi8lkie over Bib but life goes on. They got Boscola to push Donchez for her job. Be fair. They have a plan. The betters have always ruled Bethlehem like the plantation town it is.

By the way Karner was always a mean and arrogant person. How she got support from some of these folks is amazing as others have always done the heavy lifting. She has some powerful and intersetign friends including a soon to be ex-con.

Anonymous said...

"A soon to be ex-con"
Ooooooo.
Sounds ominous

Anonymous said...

I for one support the right of the dog AND the "soon to be excon" to free expression

Anonymous said...

Well, I for one support the dog and karner and their rights to free expression but only as stipulated under the new Bethlehem proposal. But not the ex-con's. The Exxon can slag off

Anonymous said...

Clearly anon 506 is an annoying wee gobshite who has no appreciation of the first amendment

Anonymous said...

This is why we cannot have nice things-

Anonymous said...

And ants....this is why we get ants. Dogs and cons. I blame the Pope

Bernie O'Hare said...

3:40,this story has nothing to do with Karner or ugly ex-cons. I also blame the Pope.

Anonymous said...

Can we take a moment to discuss the Pope's right to free expression in Bethlehem?

Anonymous said...

A key question regarding this ordinance must be asked. Who authored it and what event or events make it necessary ? It is well beyond a normal municipal ordinance for a demonstration or public assembly permit. The appeal process reads like something out of Joseph Heller's Catch 22. Nothing surprises me anymore where the City of Bethlehem is involved. A few months ago the wife of the City Business Administrator ( the chief appointed official of the City ) was hired as the head of the Parks Department. In some states you ( the chief appointed official) go to jail for that open act of Nepotism. The "nice guy" mayor issued a press release stating that it was not "Nepotism" "she was the best qualified applicant"....... Corruption followed by bullshit is the more likely scenario . Where is the FBI or at least the PA Attorney General. I think Bethlehem is worse than the City of Allentown. Bethlehem residents are either intrinsic idiots or just don't care about their city anymore and take this crap as the norm for a one party city. I was born and raised here and I am pissed that this fascist behavior is occurring . I am going to convince 4 other pissed of residents to demonstrate outside City Hall...... Wonder if my permit for assembly will be approved ?

Anonymous said...

Is physical turdance still a crime in Bethlehem?

Anonymous said...

So another government money grab? And the permit is a zillion dollars?

Anonymous said...

"So another government money grab? And the permit is a zillion dollars?"

Can you read? There is no fee! This is just a muzzle ordinance, not a money grab.

Anonymous said...

Bethlehem Council domination by the Reynolds mafia needs to be challenged in each & every election cycle. This last election showed that people are starting to get it as Van Wirt outpolled Reynolds. Van Wort asks the tough questions & the good old boys including Callahan, Waldron & Martell don’t like that challenge. Negron frustrates them as well as she doesn’t roll over easily. Colon is a fence sitter but typically will side with residents for support of neighborhood preservation.

Absent the Tea Party challenge this ordinance with Donchez endorsement would have likely slid through 5-2 through in the typical voting pattern in Bethlehem.

Change is needed & the Donchez/Reynolds pact made before the last election needs exposed before the next election cycle. Reynolds must be defeated & Grubb is the best alternative to break the good old boy stranglehold in City Hall.