NorCo Honors Its Outstanding Seniors

Twelve seniors and one community group were honored yesterday by NorCo's Area Agency on Aging. I nominated myself several times, as I did last year, but was snubbed again. Now nothing less than the Presidential Medal of Freedom will do. Anyway, here are this year's outstanding seniors: 

• Barbara Abel (Nazareth) – Intergenerational Outstanding Senior Award recipient, for sharing her musical talents with Morningstar Living residents and inspiring youth through music.
• Marvin Boyer (Palmer Township) – For his enduring leadership in civil rights, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.
• Mary Detrick (Pen Argyl) – For her exceptional volunteer work addressing food insecurity, elder support, and shelter needs.
• Curt Ehly (Easton) – For his tireless contributions to community revitalization, especially as emcee of the Easton Farmers Market.
• James & Eileen Glancy (Upper Nazareth Township) – For their compassionate and consistent service with Meals on Wheels and personal outreach to those in need.
• Happy Hookers, Knit Wits, and Sew ‘n’ Sews Group (Forks Township) – Outstanding Community Group recipient, for crafting essential items that support local seniors, children with special needs, the homeless, and animal shelters.
• Charles Mallon (Nazareth Borough) – For his 21 years of service at the Nazareth Senior Center and dedication to Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity.
• James Marsh (Palmer Township) – For decades of leadership at Bethel Memorial Baptist Church and involvement with the VA and community nonprofits.
• Gerald E. Seyfried (Lower Nazareth) – For a lifetime of public service, from County Executive to founder of the Parks 2000 initiative.
• Maryann Umble (Bethlehem) – For her steadfast support of faith-based outreach, emergency shelter services, and community coordination.
• Charles Wacik (Easton) – For his extensive record of volunteerism in local government, youth sports, church activities, and public safety.
• Linda Weiss (Bethlehem) – For her lifelong dedication to children’s education and her ongoing volunteer work with Cops ‘n Kids, Meals on Wheels, and more.

I think all they got was a plaque and a free lunch that most of them are unable to eat. I'd want $1 million dollars.

Bethlehem Mayoral Primary Debate Between Willie Reynolds and Grace Crampsie Smith

I watched this debate, hosted by PBS last night, but want to watch it again. I thought both Willie and Grace were very well informed. She describes herself as fiscally conservative but socially progressive." That certainly is true of most of us. "The party's got to be the people that help [sic] people, "said Willie. He added, "I am an honest Democrat. ... People get way too invested in left, right, in the middle and so on and so forth. People want to know what your plan is to be able to help people out."

I liked that answer, which reminded me of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's blend of pragmatism and ideology. He talked about "getting out there and finding ways to make people believe." But that should also include listening. 

I really have to watch this again because I liked both candidates. What's your opinion? 

NorCo's County Council Primary

Northampton County Council, established in the county's 1978 Home Rule Charter, is arguably its most powerful branch of government. In addition to "exercising the legislative power of the county," it sets the salaries of all employees, levies taxes, adopts the budget and confirms executive appointments. It also exercises the county's "residual powers." It consists of nine part-time members who are paid an annual salary of $12,500, with the President getting an extra $500. They serve for four-year terms and may serve no more than three consecutive terms. Four members are elected from districts consisting of the Bethlehem, Easton, Nazareth and Slate Belt areas. The remaining five member are elected at large, meaning they are elected by the entire county. The five at-large seats are up for election this year. 

Republicans have five candidates for five seats, meaning that the GOP nominations of John Brown (inc), John Goffredo (inc.), Juan Martinez, Sam Elias and Daniel Campo. They are running together as a united front. 

Democrats also only have five candidates on the ballot, but they are far from united. They are Lori Vargo Heffner (inc), Theresa Fadem, David Holland, Jason Boulette and Nadeem Qayyum. In addition to the five on the ballot, Patti Bruno is waging a write-in campaign after her nomination petition was rejected for the fatal error of failing to file her financials with the county council clerk. 

As one of my readers observes in a comment wondering whether Democrats have learned a damn thing after being beaten by Donald Trump. "In Northampton County they have a full slate for council, but the democrats are icing out an incumbent who is on the ballot for a person who was unable to get on the ballot."  This is a reference to Lori Vargo Heffner. The reason they want her out is because she has committed the mortal sin of governing in a bipartisan fashion and has been an independent voice. They would prefer a blue MAGA like Kelly Keegan, who is just as blindly loyal to Executive Lamont McClure as MAGAs are to Trump. 

Lori Vargo Heffner should be the top vote getter in the Dem primary. David Holland, a psychiatric nurse who also served as an Administrator at Gracedale, could very well be the voice the county needs to arrive at some long-term plans. Jason Boulette comes from a conservative district but appears to understand the importance of working with and listening to Republicans. The others, not so much. 

Temple U Ride to Ambler Campus Was Cold, Windy, Hilly and Wonderful

I stand with Canada

I'm going to spare you from my usual drivel about local politics and government to write about a topic about which I know even less - cycling. Yesterday, at the crack of dawn, my grandson and I rolled down the Northeast Extension and Surekill Expressway into the heart of Philly for a cycling adventure with over 300 trail nuts from Temple's main to Ambler campuses. It's only a 21.4-mile trip, so our plan was to ride up, grab some water and head right back using our GPS app. We've ridden in and around Philly several times in the past. It's mostly flat and the greenway along the Schuylkill River is awesome. Plus, the weather was supposed to be great, with no winds and temperatures nearing 70 degrees. What could possibly go wrong? 

Lots. 

Last week, as Sunday approached, I kept an eye on my fancy  weatherbug app. About midweek, forecasters predicted that Sunday was actually going to be a bit windy. No problem. We've been riding in windy weather since November. Just as long as it doesn't get cold. 

It did. On Saturday afternoon, the weather mavens decided it was going to be both very windy and cold on Sunday morning. And it was. 

I stand with Canada, too

My grandson Dat was going to wear his very neat Canada cycling jersey. I planned on wearing a Ukraine jersey myself, but it was shot down by an Iranian shahed. We had to cover up with cold weather gear. 

The wind was brutal. When we started on Diamond Street, headed east to Fairmount Park, we were going right into a strong wind. "They'll be behind us once we hit the park," said one cyclist. Once he said that, I knew we were screwed. All along Kelly Drive, we were still riding into the wind. One little girl on her bike actually blew away along with numerous plastic bottles. I ignored the little brat. "Every man for himself," I say. 

Along Kelly Drive, lots of people are out early Sunday morning for some God-awful reason. Some ride while others walk or run. On the river, a few idiots were actually rowing. The path here is very narrow, so really you should be cautious when passing others. But riders were not. A few of them, probably the same morons who ignored red lights, insisted on playing speed demon. As the ride continued into the hills, however, they began to fade away.

Did I say hills? Yes, eventually we left the narrow but paved surface to ride along a trail aptly named Forbidden Drive. It's littered with stones that are more like boulders than typical gravel. The speed demons had now dismounted and were walking their bikes. As soon as we'd make it over one hill, there'd be another. And as if the boulders weren't bad enough, there were potholes all over the place. 

And the winds? They were still either in our face or going right across us. "They'll be behind us once we hit Northwestern Ave," said the same cyclist who had already made one erroneous prediction before. 

Wrong again. Though we were back on a paved surface, it's a pretty busy road with churches all over the place, and some people actually still go regularly. It was also, of course, a hill. I was forced to stop at two lights going up, and that's when my grandson made his move. 

"Every man for himself," he said as he sailed away and I struggled to keep up. 

When we hit Bethlehem Pike and a sharp turn to the left, I heard the same ominous winds prediction for a third time. "They'll be behind us now, I'm sure of it," said our cycling meteorologist. Like most weathermen, he was wrong again. This time, the wind blew him away. 

But at least we were on paved surfaces. 

Wrong again. We soon ended up on the Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail, which is as bad or worse than Forbidden Drive, and much hillier. I missed dropping gears on one hill and am ashamed to say I had to get off. "This is the advantage of a light bike," said one cyclist as he carried his three-ounce titanium or platinum or whatever up the hill. I masked my humiliation by saying, "I meant to do that." Then I did a few shoulder presses with my bike. 

After what seemed like an eternity of cold winds and hills, I heard a faint noise in the distance. It grew louder as I continued. They were Temple U cheerleaders at the finish line. 

We did it. At the finish line, we got two free water bottles, a Temple T-shirt, all the water I could handle, bananas, more trail nuts, Philly soft pretzels and pizza.  There was free beer for the cyclists, but I don't partake. What I did find, however, was a coffee machine inside one of the buildings, conveniently located next to a bathroom. 

We had planned to ride back the way we came. It would have been downhill and I'm pretty sure the wind really would be at our backs this time.  But Temple had a nice big bus and truck to take cyclists and their bikes back the main campus.  I lied to my grandson and told him I feared we could get lost. 

As it turns out, we probably would have. I used an app - Ride with GPS - that drained the battery on my phone. It was dead soon after we arrived at Ambler's campus. 

We took the bus and made it back to Philly in time for Vietnamese food. 

I have to say that, as challenging as this ride was, I loved it. Temple did a great job marking the course and had sag wagons for people who got into trouble (Nobody actually blew away that I know of).  The ride was well organized, and the bus trip back started on time and was a lot quicker than the actual ride. Oh, yeah, I probably should have looked at the map. 

Josh Siegel - Lehigh County's Disgraceful Yet Unopposed Democratic Candidate for Executive

It's no surprise that Josh Siegel, who has referred to himself as both "visionary" and a "life coach," would want to be Lehigh County's next Executive. What is surprising, however, is that he faces no opposition from within his own party. And unless Republicans get their shit together, he'll be elected hands down in an increasingly blue county. 

Here's a reminder of how he behaved as a member of Allentown City Council:

On July 11, 2020 an incident involving Edward Borrero, Jr. and members of the Allentown Police took place outside St.Luke's Hospital Sacred Heart Campus. As a result of a 23 second video surrounding the incident taken by a passerby, a mob protested that very night. It included Councilperson Joshua Siegel, who made baseless allegations of police brutality aimed at Allentown Police and demanded defunding of the police. 

Councilperson Siegel not only participated in the protests, but also engaged in blocking streets on July 11-12, causing motorists to make illegal U-turns, causing drivers to drive the wrong direction on roadways; placing them at risk of striking other vehicles and innocent pedestrians.

During mob protests that occurred on July 11-12, Councilperson Joshua Siegel provided the Mayor’s personal cell phone number to an already angry mob. As a result, Mayor Ray O'Connell was deluged with numerous calls over a period of several days. Moreover, Mayor O'Connell was exposed to potential violence. One unidentified person told Mayor O'Connell, “I know where you live and I like flames.” 

Councilperson Joshua Siegel's willingness to dox the Mayor, combined with his demand for the names of the officers involved in the July 11 incident, results in a greater likelihood of ambush-style attacks on Allentown police.

During the mob protests that occurred July 11-12, Councilperson Joshua Siegel was heard by several people shouting “F--- the police;” although he denies this accusation. 

In an effort to be transparent, Allentown Police Chief Glenn Granitz conducted an internal review of the July 11 interaction and also requested District Attorney Jim Martin to conduct his own independent investigation; and

On July13, Chief Glenn Granitz publicly released a nine-minute video of the July 11 incident involving Edward Borrero, Jr. and members of the Allentown Police that took place outside St.Luke's Hospital Sacred Heart Campus. It showed Borrero vomiting multiple times, dropping his cellphone and staggering on the street, presenting a danger to himself and others. It shows two police officers at the hospital on an unrelated matter placing a spit mask on Borrero for the safety of medical personnel.

On July 15, 2020 a Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting was held virtually, inside Allentown City Council Chambers. During the meeting, protesters gathered in a courtyard located between the Allentown Police Department and City Hall. During the entire meeting, protesters banged on windows and used a megaphone in an attempt to disrupt the meeting. After the meeting, Councilperson Joshua Siegel joined the group in the courtyard and participated in a bow to Edward Borrero, Jr. who was arrested by the Allentown Police on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Disorderly Conduct – Engaging Fighting and Public Drunkenness, Councilperson Siegel publicly apologized to Mr. Borerro, undermining the Allentown Police Department.

On July 17, after investigation, both District Attorney Jim Martin and Chief Granitz concluded separately that there was no basis for believing that criminal action or disciplinary measures were warranted against the officers involved with Borrero.

At a July 29 meeting of Allentown City Council, Councilperson Joshua Siegeal admitted to publicly releasing Mayor O'Connell's private contact information to an angry mob. “I f---ed up,” he vulgarly acknowledged.

At that very meeting, Councilperson Joshua Siegel told his colleagues, "I am not a hypocrite. ... I respect you as my colleagues. I respect you as professionals who I will work with. ... I want to be your friend." 

Just three days later, in an online meeting on August 1 with “allies” of the Black Lives Matter movement, Councilperson Joshua Siegel publicly disparaged other members of City Council by stating they “clearly don't either have a conscience or frankly don't care and they're fine with continuing to have police officers put their knees on the necks of Allentown citizens. They're fine with continuing to maintain an institution of policing that at its very core is designed to oppress people of poverty and people of color and keep them silenced and on the streets and keep them from speaking their minds.“ 

If Lehigh County voters have any sense at all, and they increasingly prove they don't, they will hold their noses and vote for the GOP nominee in November. 

NorCo Seeks Pollworkers

From Northampton County Elections Office:  Northampton County Elections Office reminds registered voters who live in Northampton County that they are seeking workers for poll worker positions for the upcoming Municipal Primary Election on Tuesday, May 20th, and Municipal General Election on Tuesday, November 4th.

 Every year, elections in Northampton County are made possible by citizens who serve as poll workers. These people do the important work of checking in voters at polling places and setting them up with a ballot. At the end of the night, poll workers deliver the returns to county election officials. The County depends on these workers to ensure fair, accurate, and legal elections.

 

Poll workers must attend mandatory training prior to the Primary Election and are also paid for their training time and work on Election Day. Northampton County poll workers may earn between $175 and $200 for serving all of Election Day, depending on the poll worker’s assignments and training. Typical Election Day hours are from 6:30 a.m. until after the polls close at 8 p.m. Individuals who bring supplies back to the Government Center receive additional compensation and mileage.

 

Registered voters interested in becoming poll workers in your community, email the Northampton County Elections Office at election@norcopa.gov or call 610-829-6260.

 

Our democracy increases in strength the more we all participate.

Who Is Your Pick For NorCo Exec?

Zrinski

Two Democrats - Amy Cozze and Tara Zrinski - seek the Democratic nomination for Northampton County Executive, which Lamont McClure is leaving at the end of this year. The winner of that race will go on to face Republican Tom Giovanni, who is running unopposed for the GOP nod. 

The position of County Executive was established in NorCo's Home Rule Charter and essentially gives him or her control over administrative functions and proposing a budget. The Executive is elected once every four years but is unable to serve more than two consecutive terms. The salary is currently set at $125,000.

I'm a Democrat and hence am unable to vote for Tom Giovanni. My choice is between Zrinski and Cozze. Each candidate has sent one mailer. Neither has been negative, although Cozze's campaign manager has lashed out at Zrinski for not being gay enough. That's odd because Cozze actually thanked Zrinski for stands Tara as a Council member had taken on LGBTQ issues. 

Amy Cozze

Although she has poor people skills, Cozze did do a good job as Elections Registrar. But she also threatened to resign just 12 days before an election unless her salary demands were met. That's blackmail. She put her own personal interests ahead of what is best for the county, and I could never support her for anything. 

Another thing that troubles me is that, in a Democratic primary, she has studiously avoided mention of her own gayness. Why? Her campaign manager took Zrinski to task over LGBTQ matters, but Cozze herself has said nothing about her own sexual orientation. Does she think Democrats are intolerant?

I was highly critical of Zrinski when she was on County Council but have been pleasantly surprised by the good job she has done as Controller. She has a good relationship with and is fiercely protective of her staff. She has avoided the temptation to promote unrelated topics that have nothing to do with county government, which is what her counterpart in Lehigh County regularly does. She also has a better understanding of county government than Cozze after serving as a Council member and as Controller. 

Mail-in ballots are out, so now would be a good time to make your case for either Democrat. 

Who Is Your Pick For NorCo Judge?

Bob Eyer

Three lawyers - Jeremy Clark, Bob Eyer and James Fuller - are running for the judicial seat that Judge Anthony Beltrami is leaving at the end of the year. It's known as Common Pleas Court, a court of original jurisdiction, established under Pa.'s Constitution. These judges handle it all, from slip-and-falls to first degree murder. Unlike most elected public offices. judges serve for 10 years because their first obligation is to the constitution and the law as opposed to mob rule. If they want to stay another 10, they can simply seek retention. Once elected, a judge in most instances will be on the bench until he goes tets up or turns 75. There is no overhead, and the salary in NorCo is $229,393 this year. It's tied to the cost of living, and goes up automatically every year. Judges get excellent benefits, including health care and a defined benefit pension that vests in just 10 years. 

Of the three candidates in this hunt, Clark and Eyer have cross-filed. Fuller is seeking only the Republican nomination.

As a registered Democrat, I can only vote for Bob Eyer or Jeremy Clark. Both are excellent and well-respected lawyers. 

In advance of receiving my mail-in ballot, I've received three mailers from Eyer and two from Clark. I also received a text message from his campaign. There has been no negative campaigning. 

Jeremy Clark

I am reluctant to give him the kiss of death, as I am often correctly accused of doing, but I'm going with Eyer. Over the past 33 years, he's been an assistant DA, served under former GOP Exec John Brown as Chief Public Defender, and currently is the First Assistant DA. He also has been in private practice, and once successfully represented one of my customers after I blew a title search. He was and might still be a runner, and I sometimes ran in raced with him. I'll never forget how he'd stop periodically to light up a cigarette. 

Don't get me wrong. I like Clark, too. He's a combat veteran who served in the 82d Airborne, which happens to be the unit in which my daughter served. I've seen him at Easton City meeting and have also watched him represent clients seeking plan approvals and zoning relief. So, I respect a vote for him as well.  

I'm unable to vote for James Fuller unless he gets the GOP nod. Although he is personable and has plenty of experience as a criminal defense attorney and as a prosecutor, it's in Monroe County. I would prefer a judge who has experience in this county, not somewhere else. 

McClure: Brown's Concerns About NorCo's Fiscal Health Irresponsible, But Gracedale Finance Discussions Worthwhile

At a Finance Committee meeting last week, Northampton County Council member John Brown initiated a review of county finances by going through the unaudited quarterly financial statement. Much of it was focused on Gracedale, the county-run nursing home. Even Executive Lamont McClure agreed that the discussion about Gracedale was worthwhile. But he took Brown, a former county executive, to task for suggesting at the beginning of the discussion that the county was basically broke and had only about $3,000 in cash on hand.

McClure told Council at Thursday night's meeting that "unaudited financial statements are not worth the paper they are written on because they change so dramatically." He said if the county only had $3,000 cash on hand at the end of 2024, "how are we keeping the lights on?" He checked, and the county paid a $34,000 light bill in March. He went on to discuss the numerous other bills incurred and paid by the county as well as numerous accounts that hold millions. "As of today, we're liquid, if we really needed to be, to the tune of about $140 million."

He said he wanted to respond to Brown For two reasons. First, "it is completely irresponsible to let people believe we only have $3,000 in the bank. That's just completely irresponsible to create that impression, using unaudited numbers that aren't worth the paper they're written on." Second, "We're about to go out and borrow money in the bond market, which has been volatile lately. Rhetoric like using unaudited financial statements to say we have $3,000 ... and that they county is not being properly fiscally managed, could cost us more money despite the fact that we have nearly the highest bond rating that you can have."

"Any questions?" 

Brown, sitting behind the dais, had nothing. 

Council member John Goffredo, however, said he had "lots."

"Mr. McClure, I'm going to ask one question about Gracedale because that's what we were talking about [at the Finance Committee]. Are we funding Gracedale with money outside of Gracedale to the tune of $15-20 million to keep it going?"

"No."   

"So Gracedale is self-supporting?"

"Well, yes. Over the past several years, Gracedale has received millions in American Rescue funds both from us, from our general fund if you will, our allocation of American Rescue funds, and from funds that were directly sent to Gracedale for Gracedale's own purposes ... . To get us through the pandemic, American Rescue funds were absolutely used.  

What McClure was saying, somewhat unartfully for him, is that no county tax dollars were used to balance the books. 

Goffredo pointed to the 2023 Comprehensive Financial Report, which is audited, and which notes the following: "Gracedale Nursing Home fund balance decreased $12.9 million in addition to requiring a $15 million Transfer In from the General Fund. This demanding use of funds is primarily due to the use of agency nursing services to cover for major staffing shortages, lower resident census and timing of IGT payments."

McClure appeared to be a bit confused, suggesting that "we can have that fill discussion" once the numbers are audited." He apparently was unaware that Goffredo was discussing the audited report from 2023. But Goffredo seems to be confused as well. The transfers made from the General Fund into Gracedale were the American Rescue Act funds, not any tax revenue. 

Council member Ron Heckman then suggested, over the objection of Council member Ken Kraft, that it's time for Council to take a long-range view of the nursing home. All members of Council are committed to keeping it, even Goffredo and Brown. But is it a money pit? If it is, how can that be changed? 

I think counties fail to do enough long-range planning. In 50 or 100 years, will nursing homes become a thing of the past as baby boomers die off and the federal government is focused on having people remain in their own homes and age in place? Can the county afford to keep paying agency nurses now that we've been rescued by American Rescue Funds and Cares Act? 

Before You Vote, It Might Help to Watch Some Debates

Lehigh Valley News has already hosted a debate between Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and his Democratic rival, City Council member Ed Zucal.  Tuerk was obviously the more polished of the two, and I suspect that Zucal has already conceded his loss in the primary and is hoping to get enough write-in votes on the GOP side so he can take the race into November. While that might be a good strategy in some of the more purple municipalities, Allentown is by far the most Democratic-heavy jurisdiction in the Lehigh Valley. Zucal has already lost this race. 

Fortunately, there will be more debates in the coming days:

April 28: Bethlehem Mayoral primary debate between incumbent Mayor Willie Reynolds and City Council member Grace Crampsie Smith. 

April 30: NorCo Executive primary debate between Controller Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze. The winner of this race will face Republican Tom Giovanni in November. 

May 7: Lehigh County Exec primary debate between Mike Welsh and Roger MacLean. The winner of that race will square off against Democrat Josh Siegel in November.  

If the past is any indication, what is going on nationally is going to have a huge impact on the general election. 

The debates will be posted at Lehigh Valley News' Facebook page as well as PBS39 Youtube channel. 

An Easter Story: The Christian and the Jew

On Easter Sunday, I received two text messages wishing me a Happy Easter. One came from a Buddhist. The second was from a Jew. I received no Easter wishes from my Christain fiends except for a Trek salesman. Nor did I offer any. For those of us who pretend to be Christians, this holiday is just another excuse to eat and drink ourselves into a coma. Some people do like to dress nice and peacock each other at church. It's the busy season at most Christan churches, the only day of the year for most to pretend they're religious. But most of us who call ourselves Christians really are far from it. I include myself. So, who are Christians?  I'd say that the most Christian people I know are Jews. Let me tell you a story that corroborates this opinion. 

I have a good friend who happens to be Jewish. He is the real deal, too. Not some secular or self-loathing Jew. He attended Jewish Day School and learned Hebrew while I in a Catholic school was sipping the altar wine and pretending to know Latin. He goes to the synagogue while my church is a bike path. 

Very early on Saturday morning, somewhere around 6 or 7 am, someone repeatedly began to ring the doorbell at my Jewish friend's home. For those of us who pretend we are Christians, this would be a great excuse to pull out the Mauser or a shotgun and blow the intruder away. Castle doctrine and all that, you know. He could be an illegal. Better safe than sorry. 

Instead of grabbing a firearm, my friend grabbed the doorknob and opened. Standing there was a young boy, completely bare ass naked and a bit worse for the wear. My friend took him in, clothed him, fed him and called the police. Turns out the young man has developmental issues, and I believe police reunited the lad with his family. 

I have no doorbell, but on Easter Sunday, I was awakened by a rap-rap-rap at what seemed like my door. It was only 6 am, so I thought it must be me dreaming. But it continued. After about 15 minutes, I realized that someone actually was banging on my door. I swung the door open and there was my neighbor in stupid pajamas, telling me that his zippered socks were stuck and asking me for help to unzipper them.

"No!" I shouted. Before slamming the door shut, I told this idiot not to bother me before 9 am unless he's dying or dead. I don't have a shotgun, but I don't need one because I'm pretty scary at 6 am, especially if I have no caffeine. 

Now if I were a real Christian, I would have helped this guy and maybe I even would have washed his feet. But I'm not.

So as I have long maintained, the most Christian people I know are Jews. 

Want more proof? Here's the Easter message that President Donald Trump, a "Christian," spewed on Truth Social: 

"Happy Easter to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting and scheming so hard to bring Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, the Mentally Insane, and well known MS-13 Gang Members and Wife Beaters, back into our Country. Happy Easter also to the WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Judges and Law Enforcement Officials who are allowing this sinister attack on our Nation to continue, an attack so violent that it will never be forgotten! Sleepy Joe Biden purposefully allowed Millions of CRIMINALS to enter our Country, totally unvetted and unchecked, through an Open Borders Policy that will go down in history as the single most calamitous act ever perpetrated upon America. He was, by far, our WORST and most Incompetent President, a man who had absolutely no idea what he was doing — But to him, and to the person that ran and manipulated the Auto Pen (perhaps our REAL President!), and to all of the people who CHEATED in the 2020 Presidential Election in order to get this highly destructive Moron Elected, I wish you, with great love, sincerity, and affection, a very Happy Easter!!!"

Let's contrast his screed with the poetic message delivered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who happens to be Jewish:

"Today is a very special day, one we always eagerly await, celebrated by millions of people. Easter. A day that is a beam of light – especially bright and strong during times when dark clouds try to cover our sky. A day that gives us all hope and reminds us: evil has its hour, but God has His day. This is one of the meanings embedded in the history of Christ. About His earthly suffering and death, and about His resurrection, about how, sooner or later, but inevitably, evil will retreat, and life will triumph."

Do you remember when the world had leaders that appealed to our better angels instead of hatred and fear? Right now, the field appears to be limited to one person, who was a comic before he went into politics. 

In-Person Voting and Drop Box Locations For May's Election in NorCo

From Northampton County: The Northampton County Elections Office announces that Ballot-on-Demand voting for the Tuesday, May 20^th Municipal Primary Election will be available starting Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Northampton County Elections Office (Government Center, 669 Washington Street, Lower Level, Easton, PA 18042).

 

Registered Democratic and Republican Party voters in Northampton County can vote in person on the following dates:

 

•  Monday, April 21st – Friday, April 25th (8:30 am – 6:00 pm)
•  Saturday, April 26th (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
•  Monday, April 28th – Friday, May 2nd (8:30 am - 6:00 pm)
•  Saturday, May 3rd (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
•  Monday, May 5th – Friday, May 9th (8:30 am – 6:00 pm)
•  Saturday, May 10th (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
•  Monday, May 12th (8:30 – 6:00 pm)
• The LAST day for Ballot-on-Demand will be Tuesday, May 13th (8:30 am - 5:00 pm)

 

During this time, Northampton County residents who are eligible to vote can come to the Elections Office, register if they still need to, fill out a ballot application, which will be processed immediately, and be handed a ballot over the counter. Voters may fill out the ballot in the office and return it the same day, OR they may take it home and mail it back via USPS (postage prepaid) or utilize one of the seven secure Ballot Drop Boxes throughout the County.

 

You must bring a valid ID with you to the Elections Office to receive a ballot. The County’s seven secure ballot drop-off boxes will be installed April 21, 2025.

 

Registered voters who have already applied for a mail-in ballot ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for Ballot-on-Demand and must wait to receive their ballot in the mail.

 

To ensure that your mail-in ballot is accepted:

•  Your ballot MUST BE enclosed in the YELLOW secrecy envelope and sealed;
• Do NOT write anywhere on the YELLOW envelope. There can be NO identifying marks or symbols;
• The  PURPLE return envelope must be signed and dated on the back in the appropriate YELLOW boxes;
•  The ballot must be returned to the Election’s Office NO LATER THAN 8:00 pm on Election night, Tuesday, May 20^th. USPS postmarks do NOT count if received after this deadline.

Drop Box Locations and times

·        Washington Township Municipal Building (Interior Hallway):

1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor, PA 18013

Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00am-4:00pm; Friday 7:00am-3:00pm

Election Day: 7:00am-4:00pm

 

·        East Allen Township Municipal Building (Main Lobby):

5344 Nor Bath Blvd., Northampton, PA 18067

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-3:30pm

Election Day: 8:30am-3:30pm

 

·        NCC Fowler Family Southside Center (Main Lobby):

511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, PA 18015

Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00am-9:00pm, Friday 7:00am-8:30pm, Saturday 7:00am-2:00pm

Election Day: 7:00am-8:00pm

 

·        Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda):

669  Washington St., Easton, PA 18042

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-6:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm

Election Day: 8:30am-8:00pm

 

·        Northampton County Human Services Building (Main Entrance Vestibule):

2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-7:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-2:00pm

Election Day: 8:30am-7:00pm

 

·        Northampton County 911 Center (Main Entrance Vestibule):

100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064

Hours: 24 Hours/7 Days a week

Election Day: Until 8:00pm

 

·        Bethlehem City Hall (Main Lobby):

10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

Election Day: 7:00am-8:00pm

 

Accessing drop-off boxes does not require going through security at any location. Applications for mail-in and civilian absentee ballots are available in the Election’s Office or at this link: www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/OnlineAbsenteeApplication/#/OnlineAbsenteeBegin

 

The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, May 13th. All seven drop boxes will be available for Northampton County voters.

NorCo Council Member John Goffredo and Caesar's Wife

At the conclusion of Norco Council's Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, Council member John Goffredo noted that a selection committee of which he is a member has made its recommendations concerning the construction manager and architects for the new parking deck at the courthouse campus. Goffredo noted that high bidders Skanska and THA have been chosen as the construction manager and architect, respectively. There were three proposals considered. 

Goffredo said that all bidders were good, but he preferred to go with Boyle and ONS because their bids were lower and would save the county $250,000. He added that public works director Mike Emili agreed with him. 

Executive Lamont McClure, however, has asked that the contracts be pulled from Thursday night's agenda. He said the selection committee had made a decision by points, but noted that Skanska and Boyle were actually tied. He believes the committee needs to "go back to the drawing board" and come up with a consensus. If not, he will reject the bids and start over. 

McClure said he was also bothered by Goffredo's disclosure, in an email to McClure, that Goffredo's company has had prior dealings with Boyle.

"I have business relationships with everybody on this sheet," said Goffredo.

"Then maybe you shouldn't be evaluating them. Maybe you --

"Why would that disqualify me? 

"Then maybe you should recuse yourself from that?

"I would disagree. I would say I'm going to recuse myself from bidding on the project because that would be in bad taste, but my information is perfectly valid."

"I'm not questioning your expertise for purposes of ---

"What are you questioning, my integrity? 

"But if you have business relationships with people you are advocating that we hire, you might want to recuse yourself from that discussion."

"I want to save the county money. Do you have a financial interest in this, Mr. McClure?"

 "No, I do not. I, unlike you, didn't do business with companies you're reviewing. You should have disclosed that and recused yourself." 

In understand that Goffredo has insight into construction that is missing from others on Council. He provides expertise. But he should recuse himself. His participation on the selection is a quasi-judicial function. While he has no personal interest in the outcome, the Pa Supreme Court has ruled that the decision-maker must avoid even the slightest appearance of bias. 

Optics matter. Or as Caesar put it, "Caesar's wife must be above reproach." 

NorCo Council Prez Lori Vargo Heffner Snags Governor's Award For Local Gov't Excellence

Northampton County Council President Lori Vargo Heffner is one of nine local government officials honored this year with Governor Josh Shapiro's award for local government excellent. In announcing the awards, Governor Shapiro said, "The individuals, municipalities, counties, and organizations that we are honoring today work passionately to 'get stuff done' by improving public services and making their communities better, said Governor Josh Shapiro. Their collective work has made a difference in the health, safety and quality of life of families and individuals across Pennsylvania. They are committed to making our Commonwealth a place where everyone can live, work, and thrive, and we are proud to recognize them for their dedication and excellence.”

Vargo Heffner was nominated by the County Comm'rs Ass'n of Pa.(CCAP), where she is an active member of the Board and 2020 graduate of CCAP's Center for Excellence. 

She is employed as a psychotherapist, which has given her a strong foundation to advocate for human services and mental health funding.  

Mack Trucks To Lay Off 250-350 LV Workers

Peter Hall, who now works for Pennsylvania Capital Star, is reports that Mack Trucks intends to lay off 250-350 workers at its Lehigh Valley Operations Center over the next three months. Reason? "'Heavy-duty truck orders continue to be negatively affected by market uncertainty about freight rates and demand, possible regulatory changes, and the impact of tariffs,' spokesperson Kimberly Pupillo said."

Thanks President Trump. Make America Broke Again. 

Brown Questions Fiscal Health of NorCo and Gracedale - Claims County Only Had $3,000 to Spend at End of 2024.

If you listen to NorCo Exec Lamont McClure or Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron, the answer is Yes. But of you ask Council member John Brown, the answer is No. Who's right? We'll find out when the Independent Audit is published in May.

A little bit of knowledge is dangerous. At yesterday's Finance Committee, Brown started with a review of the county's unaudited 4th quarter 2024 financial statement. (This information was supplied to Council, but I have seen no quarterly financial statements posted on the county website for some time. A reader has made this observation as well.)

Is the County Broke? - According to Brown, though the fund balance is about $32.21 million, the county is only free to spend about $3,000. "I have to believe that's a challenging number, to say the least," he remarked, adding that the county is basically broke.  

Even I have more money than that. 

On its face, Brown's assertion is simply unbelievable, If a claim like that were even close to the mark, Barron and McClure would both have committed seppuku.

Instead of approaching Council with a samurai death poem, Barron basically told Council that the number when the books closed in 2024 is simply an unaudited snapshot before audited adjustments are made. He added that when he was Controller, he say financial statements move as much as $15 million once it is audited. "It is very difficult to draw any conclusions from those numbers," he said. 

Gracedale and the Unaudited Quarterly - Brown noted that revenues were down by about $5 million and that operating expenses are down by nearly $25 million and asked for an explanation.  "You really can't rely on Gracedale's numbers in this quarterly report, and here's why," responded Barron. "There are lots of receivables that are gotten at the end of the year from the federal government." He went on to say that the county looks at Gracedale over a rolling 18-month period to determine what accounts are receivable and when payment can be expected. "To be clear, Gracedale has the money, we pay all of our bills."

Brown then switched from the unaudited Quarterly to the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. That report contains the following language: "Gracedale Nursing Home fund balance decreased $12.9 million in addition to requiring a $15 million Transfer In from the General Fund. This demanding use of funds is primarily due to the use of agency nursing services to cover for major staffing shortages, lower resident census and timing of IGT payments."

Barron explained that the money that went into Gracedale from the general fund was American Rescue Act funding and the allocation was approved by County Council and moved over in phases. The reason for this is because once money is moved to Gracedale, it must stay there as per a Council ordinance. He added that revenues were lower but only because the county was waiting for IGT grant funding.

Brown then switched back to the unaudited quarterly and called it "misleading or inaccurate." He noted that it shows a county transfer into Gracedale of $8.5 Million. Barron responded, "It's not misleading or inaccurate, it's unaudited. ... It's not a real number. ... It is the reason I don't put it on the website anymore because the numbers change so wildly between when that is made and the audit that takes place."

Barron said that Gracedale's biggest challenge is the Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements, which often lag behind the services performed. He said that if the county needed to transfer money into Gracedale, it would come to County Council. He indicated Gracedale should have a "healthy fund balance" at the end of 2025. 

Brown made these observations at the end of this discussion. First, he wonders whether the ARP funds approved by Council for Gracedale actually went there. Second, the census at Gracedale is well below the licensed 688 beds. Third, there could be an $8.5 million operating loss at the end of 2024, although he conceded that the audited numbers might paint a different picture. Fourth, he questions how the county will be able to operate Gracedale without an infusion of ARP funds. "We still have to find a way to fund it."  Finally, he argues that the Controller should be more involved in auditing Gracedale, especially since the facility accounts for 20% of the county's annual budget. "You would think there would be more focus on it from the Controller's office going forward."

Whatever Brown's motives might be, and they could be political or sincere, these are precisely the kinds of very boring but very important questions a County Council should be asking since it controls the purse strings. I thought Barron gave good and informative answers. 

NorCo Council Members Complain About Gift Ordinance They Passed

Like most municipalities, Northampton County has a gift ban. In 2023, after a great deal of foot-dragging, Council adopted a gift ban ordinance proposed by Executive Lamont McClure to close some loopholes in the Administrative Code. Except for items of de minimis value, like a pen or a coffee cup, the basic rule is that no elected official should accept a gift from anyone who wants something from the county. That includes entities like ArtsQuest and the Iron Pigs, who always want hotel tax revenue. 

At Council's April 3 meeting, Council members Kelly Keegan and Ron Heckman both complained about the ban. 

According to Keegan, "Businesses want us there [at events] as county commissioners, but we have this ordinance that we pay for, that we can't accept gifts. But they want us to be present and they're inviting us but we can't go to everything because it's too expensive to go to everything and not accept a gift."

Heckman bemoaned the ban on free tickets to Iron Pigs games. "You're not being invited to the Plaza Hotel for a Trump announcement with lobster and hors d'oeurves. You're invited to the AAA ball park and let's say they have sodas there, and let's say they have hamburgers, day-old hot dogs, I think it's crazy to say 'Oh somehow, you're doing something and getting something that the general public ... I mean if you go down that rabbit hole far enough, you're gonna' come out ... by saying that some of this stuff had something to do with the JFK assassination."

Heckman and Keegan are both painfully unaware of the question of optics presented when a member of the general public sees an elected official living it up in a VIP tent at Musikfest or the Iron Pigs box. 

Common Cause's Jay Keck has noted, "The real problem in my mind is one of perception. ... Public officials get preferential treatment by being offered these tickets ahead of the rest of the public. ... It creates real cynicism on the part of a lot of citizens about public officials and, frankly, I think public officials, to their detriment, accept things like this and don't think twice about the effect it's going to have on public morale."

If this means you're unable to attend an event because it's too expensive, welcome to the real world. 

Amy Cozze Attempts to Justify Blackmailing the County She Wants to Lead

Last week, I told you that Amy Cozze blackmailed the county she now wants to lead. As NorCo Elections Registrar, she submitted her resignation and made it effective just 12 days before the November 2, 2021 municipal election. I included her own resignation letter, obtained through a Right-to-Know request, in which she also complains about stress and her mental and physical health. She put her own interests ahead of the county's core obligation in assuring the citizenry that its votes would be counted. Her blackmail worked. After she got the money she wanted, she rescinded her resignation.

I believe that once you've dug yourself into a hole, it's time to stop. But Cozze has taken her shovel and is digging a bit deeper. On her campaign Facebook page, she attempts to justify her blackmail. I'll post her 7-paragraph explanation, followed by my response. 

Over the course of this primary, my opponent and her supporters have lied about my departure from county government. I’ve chosen not to respond because I believe this campaign should be focused on our visions for Northampton County not divisive distractions. However, information from my private personnel file was shared to build a misleading narrative and I feel I need to address it.

In late 2019, following a disastrous election, I was offered the position of Chief Registrar at a salary far below what Election Administrators in similar counties were making, with the understanding—handshake agreement included—that my starting salary would be adjusted the following year based on performance.

In 2020, while battling my second round of breast cancer, I led a team that transformed Northampton County’s elections from national embarrassment to a state model during historic and unprecedented times. We implemented mail-in voting from scratch, rebuilt voter trust, trained 800+ poll workers, and delivered results faster than any other county in the Commonwealth. We did this all while receiving regular threats of violence and constant harassment by extremists. As a result, I was recognized by the Governor and appointed by the PA Senate to the Election Law Advisory Board, and the County Executive’s reputation had been restored. I did not receive an increase in pay.

In the fall of 2021, after nearly two years of flawless elections, I was finally told I would be receiving the raise I was promised in 2019. However, less than an hour later, I was told there had been an “accounting error,” so I would not receive the raise. My many attempts to have the issue corrected before the budget was finalized were met with silence. So, with the full support of my deputy and staff, I made the extremely difficult decision to resign.

Once Council heard what happened, they took it upon themselves to work to keep me at the county and approve a step increase for myself and my Deputy Registrar. That raise was then vetoed by the County Executive, the veto was overturned by Council, with only my opponent dissenting.

Let me be clear: I resigned because, like too many county employees, I felt I was being taken advantage of, and saw no end in sight. I stood up for myself and my staff—just as I’ve always stood with workers throughout my career. It’s one of the reasons I’m running for County Executive - not only have I seen the struggles county employees face, I’ve faced them myself.

Northampton County needs leadership that values workers, honors commitments, and puts competence over politics. As County Executive, I’ll fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, and accountable government. If, like me, you're tired of toxic politics and broken promises—then I hope I can earn your support.

My response:

1) I am unaware whether Tara Zrinski has made Cozze's blackmail an issue. I also should point out that I am far from a Tara Zrinski supporter. Though I think she has done a good job as Controller, I was highly critical of her as a Council member. 

2) Cozze's resignation letter is public information. I researched the Pa. Office of Open Records before making this request and found numerous cases supporting the public's right to know. Anyone who runs for public office should expect scrutiny. I never requested her "private personnel file".

3) She claims to have chosen against explaining her blackmail but now devotes seven paragraphs to doing just that. 

4) I am unaware whether McClure promised her more $ when he hired her as Registrar. But he did give her a raise, just not the raise she wanted. What I also know is that after losing an election to Joe Emrick, she was crying about having no healthcare. McClure offered her a job in his administration. No good deed goes unpunished. County Council buckled under the blackmail, but McClure vetoed the raise and Zrinski supported that veto. They oppose blackmail.  

5) I have already conceded that she made numerous changes in the elections office that improved our elections. That's why she was appointed. Unfortunately, her people skills are terrible. 

6) She admits that she offered her resignation to take effect just 12 days before an election and solely because she thought she deserved more money. That's unconscionable. 

7) She made no effort to secure better compensation packages for the rank-and-file elections workers that she ignored as Registrar.  

8) Speaking of toxic politics, she claimed falsely that NorCo left all kinds of federal grant money on the table, while the truth is that the US Senator who employed her gave NorCo a big fat 0 despite numerous requests. I'm just pointing out that she exalted her own financial well-being over the county's core obligation to conduct an election. If that is who you want, vote for her. 

PA CITIZENS PAC Seeks Dismissal of Sultana Defamation Action on Basis of 2024 Law

When she was running for Pa. State Rep. against Bob Freeman, Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana was confronted by a campaign from PA CITIZENS PAC designed to ensure her loss. The PAC bought and posted campaign signs calling her "Crazy. Chaotic. Criminal." Most were torn down or defaced within hours. In fact, her kids were nabbed by Pennsylvania State Police in the act of vandalizing them.  She has yet to understand that "politics is a whore's game, and pimps plat it," as my friend, the late Bob Rudas, liked to say. I would prefer to call it core political speech. But whatever you call it, she decided to intimidate the PAC, which was run by immigration lawyer Ray Lahoud, with a defamation lawsuit. This could end up costing her money. 

The PAC, represented by Goudsouzian & Associates, has filed a motion to dismiss based on a 2024 law called the Protected Public Expression Act. This is a response to a trend in which the "civil litigation system was increasingly being used in an illegitimate way: not to seek redress or relief for harm or to vindicate one’s legal rights, but rather to silence or intimidate citizens by subjecting them to costly and lengthy litigation. These kinds of abusive lawsuits are particularly troublesome when defendants find themselves targeted for exercising their constitutional rights to publish and speak freely, petition the government, and associate with others. Commentators dubbed these kinds of civil actions “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation,” or SLAPPs."

Protected Public Expression is defined to include the "exercise, on a matter of public concern, of the rights of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assemble or petition or the right of association, [guaranteed by the federal and state constitution." It can be filed within 60 days after the complaint is served. Moreover, if the moving party is successful, he can seek attorney fees. Thise are ordinarily unavailable in most civil litigation. 

Below is the motion to dismiss what certainly appear like a frivolous complaint. Argument is scheduled in May.  

Brief to Dismiss Sultana Defamation Lawsuit by BernieOHare on Scribd