I told you yesterday that the President and CEO of Valley Youth House, Tom Harrington, had a compensation package of $335,036 in 2019. Harrington's wife Kathy is effectively the Queen of Lehigh Valley for All Some. She's also Vice Chair of Lehigh County's Democratic Party. Their son, David, is a Lehigh County Commissioner. Mayoral candidate Ce-Ce Gerlach is an emplyee at Valley Youth House who dumped a 16 yo boy off at a tent city. She is still on the payroll and has been endorsed by Lehigh Valley for All Some. According to an independent audit of this nonprofit's finances, 76-79% of its support comes from government contracts. So it must be nice to have son David in Lehigh County government and would even be nicer to have Ce-Ce Gerlach at the helm in Allentown.
In addition to his role at Valley Youth House, Tom Harrington is Chair of Allentown's latest commission to end homelessness. During a meeting yesterday, DCED Director Leonard Lightner reported that Allentown is looking at a few unnamed properties for a new homeless shelter.
Guess who volunteered to run it? Bingo! Harrington used his position on this homeless commission to snag yet another government contract. Lightner was reportedly noncommittal.
Things will get easier for Harrington if Gerlach is elected. Maybe she'll even drive a few 16 yo boys there.
Maybe rather than building more homeless shelters, they should consider policies to not have homeless people. Of course, self sufficient people are not very profitable for the welfare business.
ReplyDeleteWelfare business? Wtf are you even talking about?
DeletePerpetual job security. Did the federal agency even glance at VYH employee salaries before awarding multiple grants?
ReplyDeleteYesterday, someone mentioned VYH has 17 board members. If this is accurate wouldn't one of them be willing to drive a 16-year-old in need of emergency shelter to an appropriate facility rather than the woods where harm was waiting?
ReplyDeleteCan we say shameless to them all??
ReplyDeleteYou know what is shameless, running a blog from your parents basement so you can go after the few people who are trying to make the world a better place. You have no idea how many times CeCe paid for hotel rooms for people out of her own pocket, just to get them off the street a few days. If anyone got dropped off somewhere like tent city it'd be because that's where they said they wanted to go, at a time when shelters we're covid restricted. You basically have no idea what you're talking about, and I recommend you volunteer for a day bringing food and supplies to the homeless, because our government and churches and private sector have all failed to address this growing problem. You'd learn who was really shameless real quick.
DeleteThe Harrington's are the Clinton's of the Lehigh County Democratic Party...corrupt.
ReplyDeleteYou are the gremlin ass internet troll bitches of the Lehigh Valley.
DeleteHarringtons are the new poster children for abusing a government program. Over $340,000 in compensation for a non profit is basically theft. The Auditor General for the State needs to look into this ASAP.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Bernie!
ReplyDeleteBigger picture is that there is no way in hell that Allentown should purchase or run a homeless shelter. That applies whether the city is going to keep it, or give it to a non-profit to run.
Allentown has thrown money at this problem for decades, and the problem has only gotten worse. You get more of what you subsidize, and Allentown can't afford any more mistakes.
But I guess it's a great idea if your looking to subsidize fat-cat democrat donors with taxpayer money.
"The Auditor General for the State needs to look into this ASAP." May 13, 2021 at 8:40 AM
ReplyDeletePA Auditor General Hot Line: 1.800.922.8477
Isn’t this director a PhD .in child psychology? Maybe that’s why he’s compensated so well.
ReplyDeleteNope a BS in Criminal Justice
DeleteBernie
ReplyDeletePlease delete Channel 39 debate info. just sent. Think it's wrong. Sorry.
"Isn’t this director a PhD .in child psychology? Maybe that’s why he’s compensated so well."
ReplyDeleteAccording to his LinkedIn page, Harrington's education is quite limited. He has a BA in PolySci from Miami University. Nothing else.
Get a real job instead of trying to attack people for trying to address youth homelessness. You're such a little bitch-ass with no life experience and no actual capital to make something of yourself. So you attack other people on the internet like a coward.
DeleteCome out to tent city, let's walk a mile in some people's shoes.
DeleteTalk about an overachiever! This guy's salary is a disgrace. No one should ever donate a penny to VYH when they pay an unqualified person that kind of money.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone checked the 990 of his organization? It will tell alot. I do not have access or I would have poste it.
ReplyDeleteHarrington has BS. worked their as a VP. He his about Tom. Quit due to him after 25 years.
ReplyDeleteWell Tom with a BS is pretty inept/not qualified.
ReplyDeleteThe Place went downhill when David Gigoff and Bob Robertson left/got removed.
Tom just kept yes men and women. He is not a very good person.
Well did it for 30 rears. Relax.
ReplyDeleteWell Toms son.I was perhaps overboard. I did find you dad somewhat difficult to work for. I apologize for being personal. Tom and I just rise did not match. I suppose all person inanities did not line up. Anyway. I was wrong to be difficult so my apologies.
ReplyDeleteWe just had very different styles. They likely could have complimented each other but we were polar opposites and could never work it out.
ReplyDeleteWell that made no sense.
18 To 1.
18 to 1. Well done..Funny. Well you pretty much did nothing.
ReplyDelete