This is Anna's second campaign for Emrick's seat. In 2022, she came within 750 votes of unseating him, with virtually no money and no support. That's because Emrick is particularly unlikable. His far-right agenda is one thing, but it's his personality that irks most people. He refuses to return calls, respond to emails and has been entirely closed off unless you're a fellow Republican. He can even get prickly with them.
In contrast, Thomas makes clear on her campaign webpage that who you are matters more than your party. "Good ideas come from both Republicans and Democrats, and Anna will serve the people of Pennsylvania, not the agenda of any political party or special interest group."
Thomas is a graduate of Freedom High School and Wellesley College, where she majored in chemistry. She also has a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Pa. More importantly, she has ideas.
Today, I'd like to share her plan to stop warehouse proliferation.
She notes that there are actually two kinds of warehouses, agricultural and e-commerce (often called "fulfillment centers").
She notes that agricultural warehouses are permitted by right on all farmland in Pennsylvania. "This makes sense because farmers need to be able to have places to put their crops and equipment," she observes. But e-commerce warehouses are different. They bring thousands of truck traffic trips a day, ruin local roads as well as what is left of the natural beauty of the Lehigh Valley. But as Thomas notes, they often get de facto approval because our zoning laws fail to distinguish between the two different kinds of warehouses.
What would she do? She'd work to update a zoning code first written in 1965 to distinguish agricultural from other warehouses. She'd also allow municipalities in a radius around a warehouse to be able to benefit from impact fees for road damages and other costs. As an example, she cites the warehouses built by Chrin in Palmer Tp near a Route 33 interchange. Those "fulfillment centers" primarily impact Tatamy, who has experienced a major surge in truck traffic and road damage. But that borough gets no impact fee money.
What about Emrick? In February, he introduced legislation to give local voters the final say in whether a warehouse is approved. But that bill has only eight sponsors and is dying a slow death in some committee. And that's probably what he wants because he's been a warehouse supporter for years.
In 2007, Emrick voted to change Upper Nazareth zoning to allow massive warehouse development. After that, he took in $19,300 from warehouse developer Charles Chrin between 2010 and 2017. Basically, he's been a warehouse enabler.
45 comments:
It's high time for the 137th to have real representation in Harrisburg. No Show Joe does little for this area. I'm looking forward to voting for Anna Thomas.
So what does she do for a living? Has she had a realjob?
Campaign promises are for weak minded suckers. BO fits the bill.
Judging by the number of ads the dems are running in support of Thomas, it's a sure bet she would spend her entire term of office paying back the debts incurred to the big money donors with sweet deals and inside sgreements.
If it weren't for warehouses, Northampton County would be just a bunch of abandoned waterfilled limestone quarries, a casino, and grandious hospitals.
What are her qualifications? You didn't list any. Is part of your post missing? Please advise. Thanks.
8:29, What "qualifications" do you think should exist to be a state rep? Under Pa law, a state rep must be a US citizen, must be at least 21, must have lived in the state for four years and must have lived in the district for at least a year. Anna meets these requirements. She is an American who has lived in Beth Tp her entire life. She has worked as a consultant. She is certainly qualified for office.
..."she has ideas." Has she ever worked at a paying job? Why don't voters know what she has ever done for a living? This is an important piece of the puzzle before voters award her with a part-time six-figure salary, don't you think?
What type of consultant? It might not matter to someone in a cult, but it does to others that would like to know a little more about her other than that she’s an American over 21 who has lived in Bethlehem Township her entire life.
This is so true, it's why even the most ethical, honest and well intentioned people turn bad when they win a campaign. She should do herself a favor and stay out of it.
Emrick has the worst personality I've ever come across- he's no Rich Grucela!
We definitely need term limits; Emrick is another back-bencher like the rest of our local reps- including Ann Flood and Bob Freeman.
6:17- oh, be quiet and sit down. I honestly don't know anything about Thomas as she doesn't represent my district, as I live in Lower Saucon. Republican Justin Simmons was my representative for 5 terms after just graduating college.
He ran on the platform of only serving two terms, then resign. Therefore, this independent voted for him. He didn't keep his promise(s) (there were many more) he and kept running for reelection.
He then tried to run for Congress, when reports came out that he barely shows up to do his job and he was suffering from personal issues and he dropped out of the race.
During this time, I ran for Lower Saucon Council. When I would canvass neighborhoods for support, the number one question I got from Republicans was, "Are you a Democrat or Republican? I'd answer, "I am Independent, but registered as a Democrat ". Oh, I can't vote for you".
When I spoke with Democrats, they mostly asked my stance on The Landfill, open space, taxes, environmental issues and such..
For the record, there were 8 candidates running for 3 open seats. I came in 4th.
I learned to stay out of politics after that until several years later when Republican Thomas Caffrey was running for Lehigh County Judge. I knew him previously as a Juvenile Court Master and thought he was fair and honest. I had no skin in the game, as I reside in Northampton County, but I emailed him and volunteered to worked on his campaign and helped him get elected.
Stop your partisan politics.
Two years ago, I didn’t hesitate voting for Thomas because she was working hard for votes. She was visible, accessible, and had a team of volunteers who devoted a lot of time to her campaign. Fast forward two years and she has fallen into the lazy politician mode. I don’t see many signs and she hasn’t been a presence in my neighborhood.
Worked as a consultant. Okay, that gives her experience. I don’t think it is too much to ask that a candidate have some legitimate work experience, but as we continue to lower the bar with our expectations, we will continue to have mediocre representation.
There’s only one Rich Grucela - the guy is a legend for a reason.
and a gajillion acres of farmland. u forgot about that.
Politicians are becoming like the bills they pass. You don't find out anything about them until after they're already elected or have passed. These days you are ridiculed when one asks any questions like "what type of qualifications does she have to be elected to the seat she seeks?" She's literally asking for us to elect her to a position that will give her the responsibility to vote on legislation with hundreds of millions of dollars (if not billions) and you're making the people asking questions about her qualifications the villains here? Bernie, you're over 21, are a U.S. Citizen, have lived in state for more than 4 years and the district for more than 1 year. No one reading this blog, including yourself, would agree that you're qualified to run for the position or should be given responsibility any responsibility over hundreds of millions of dollars.
Agricultural warehouse? You mean a barn?
Is there a single warehouse project in Northampton County that has been "de-facto approved" because of this claimed overlap or lack of differentiation between agricultural warehouses and e-commerce warehouses? I am not saying the zoning law should not be more clear, but is there a single instance in which the lack of clarity has resulted in a single warehouse project being approved when it would have been denied otherwise? Let's take Lower Nazareth for example, a "warehouse" used to store crop, supplies or equipment would be permitted by right as part of an Agricultural Operation, which has a very specific definition and could never be conflated with non-agricultural e-commerce.
@9:26 I'm pretty sure you do not understand what a Back benching means. Flood & Freeman are far from back benchers. They both work hard in their districts and are very well liked. Additionally, Freeman is a Chairman and Flood is in her second term.
Freeman is one of the best. And wayyyyy better than Emrick or Flood. With that said, it’s time for Freeman to walk away as well
She is a very intelligent person. Also very nice. I’m not sure how I feel about her never having a job or still living with her parents. But give her a chance
I hope she wins; Emrick is a terrible rep. with the personality of cat shit!
Please, Freeman's been there for decades, and Flood doesn't want to get her hands dirty.
Joe Emrick is terrible- arrogant, ignorant, selfish. His 14 yr. Pa. House record speaks for itself. You only hear/see him around election time. He only gets excited talking about his football career- he walks around like he was a star athlete at Div. 1 powerhouses Alabama or Georgia, rather than Div. 3 Lycoming. We definitely need term limits!
I agree, an incredible man
What people say is true, you base your opinions ion who you hate, and you hate Emrick. She sounds fine, like your typical new age politician. Good education but any real job? Also, you cite his contributions where is her money coming from? You won't check that. Is it family, union other special interests. Is the money local?
A lot of TV so there is a sizable amount being spent.
It is a shame that so many of these educated but jobless people go to Harrisonburg, retire and stay there forever.
Also, much like th promises of ending school; property taxes for seniors, her warehouse pledge is the latest slogan for slick politicians. Like th others she will do nothing and is twenty-years too late. However, it makes great pablum for the idol worshipers.
Need more than a picture with the Gov.
Joe Emrick, the pompous self centered ass, that isn't qualified to be a spokesperson an anal cleanse commercial. His ego by far exceeds Trump himself. I am one Republican that will vote for the Democrat to rid our political scene of this piece of this human, self centered mouthy human that is all about himself. Bye Bye Joe! Don't let the door hit ya where the Good LORD split ya. Go.bavk.yl.the do nothing job ya had at the school
956am: what’s your beef with Simmons?
Flood doesn't want to get her hands dirty- stays in safe mode like her predecessor Hahn.
That bill to give citizens final say on warehouses will never become law. You can't target one use out of thousands. It would turn the Municipalities Plannnig Code on its ear.
That was my thought, what the hell is an agricultural warehouse? Well meaning politicos will be the downfall of agriculture. What agriculture actually is compared to the romanticized ideal most have in their head are not compatible.
How do you know what the issues are when the only issue you have to face is, "what's for dinner, mom?"
Not a beef whatsoever. I voted for him twice, but believe he's a bit hypocritical. I hope he's doing well in his new endeavors.
anon 12:34, best post ever!! She is another clueless new leftist democrat. Just read the script given you. Clueless leading the clueless.
Little "Joe" big ego and that's about it according to sources..... what a douche he is politically and GOOD RIDDENCE is a coming!
I saw a tv ad for her! Who’s giving her the money?
I agree, Emrick is by far the worst politician in a group of feckkess pols in our area. And for the life of me, I don't get Boscola's popularity either.
Recently, we were in a local restaurant, and Emrick and his family walked in- he didn't say hello to anyone, and both he and his entire family buried their heads in their phones the entire time! A real class act! Rich Grucela would've worked the room.
Anna Thomas stopped by my house today (I’m in Nazareth). She wanted to hear about my thoughts and what issues were important to me. She listened intently and took notes. Not once did she give me a “vote for me” pitch. I respect that. I will be researching more about her positions and wish her well on her campaign.
I've voted for him in the past, but He's terrible, and as a Republican, I hope we've seen the last of him!
This Republican is tired of Joe Emrick, and can't support him anymore.
Finance reports are public documents. The "Friends of Anna Thomas" committee has raised well into the six-figures so far this year. I don't know if they paid for the ads but TV ads are expensive.
904- if I have a "beef" with someone, you'd know it.
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