Pintabone Proposal to Decriminalize Marijuana in Easton Goes Up in Smoke

During what can only be described as a bizarre meeting, Easton City Council voted 4-3 last night to end Council member Frank Pintabone's proposal to decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana. Voting No were Mayor Sal Panto and Council members Taiba Sultana (she actually abstaine, effectively a No), Roger Riggles and Kenny Brown. Voting Yes were Pintabone, joined by Council members Crystal Rose and Jim Edinger. 

At the onset, Lehigh Valley Justice Institute Executive Director Joe Welsh, who happens to be a resident of Easton's west ward, told Council that one of six cases filed in court involve marijuana charges, clogging the courts and diverting resources from real crime. More troubling a person is 6.4 times more likely to be charged with a marijuana offense if he happens to be black. He was echoed by Julie Zando-Dennis and Susan Hartranft Bittenger, both of whom are running for city council. A local downtown business owner joined the chorus of support. 

No one from the public spoke against the proposal. 

During a committee hearing just a few weeks before, Sultana said, "This is something that should have been done years ago." She went on to claim marijuana "is not a drug" and went on to say there should be no fine at all. Mayor Panto spoke in support of the ordinance but said the fine should be high to deter people from smoking in public. 

That was then. 

Last night, both of them suddenly switched. 

Sultana kicked things off with a "heavy heart," saying that the ordinance needed to be tabled because she had heard "allegations" against an unnamed "official" and needed to investigate them first. Hmmm. While going door to door seeking signatures for her latest nomination petition, Sultana actually accused one unnamed (and elected) official of being a drug dealer. This unnamed and elected official knows about this libel because the very people that Sultana solicited immediately called this person.

Despite this baseless smear, Sal Panto seconded the motion to table. The very ordinance he supported on February 25 was now suddenly objectionable because he now feels that decriminalize should come from the state, even though 17 municipalities have already decriminalized marijuana. 

Once a motion to table is made and seconded, Robert's Rules clearly provide that discussion ends and the matter is supposed to be voted on immediately. But the discussion continued, and even Solicitor Joel Scheer joined in the discussion instead of instructing them that they need to vote.

After several unnecessary minutes of discussion, a vote on the motion to table was taken and failed in a 4-3 vote. Panto, Ruggles and Sultana voted Yes while Edinger, Brown, Pintabone and Rose voted No.

On the merits, Ruggles said that this was a matter for the state, not Easton. He said that anyone who supported decriminalization would be violating an oath to uphold state law. He added that police officers take the same oath and would face a dilemma whether to enforce state or city law.

This argument is illogical. City Council members and even police officers take no oath that requires them to enforce every statute on the books. City Council members legislate and play no role in enforcement. And police officers who do enforce laws have what is known as prosecutorial discretion. If they charged every violation, things could get out of hand very quickly because we have same pretty strange laws, including a law that requires a child's bedroom to be within 200' of a bathroom. Under Ruggles' interpretation, every driver who goes 26 mph in a 25 mph zone should be ticketed. That's absurd. 

Pintabone countered that the state has never argued that its laws concerning marijuana pre-empt the decriminalization in 17 municipalities that have voted to do so. 

In fact, the state has actually encouraged civil instead of criminal remedies for some vehicle violations. I personally think that a driver who passes a school bus with flashing lights should pay the heaviest fine possible and be assessed points. But guess what? Under the AlertBus school safety program, which operates in Easton, it's a mere civil fine. Money trumps the safety of children, I guess. 

Once again, Solicitor Joel Scheer piped up and injected his personal views instead of advising on the law. 

In fairness, Ruggles has consistently held the view that decriminalization of marijuana is the province of the state legislature. So has Ken Brown. But Panto and Sultana did about-faces. Sultana is just trying to smear someone. Panto has always had a tendency to say one thing and do another. 

Economic Times reports

Sultana Kicks Off Re-Election Campaign By Giving Neighbor the Finger

Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana is currently suing a political action committee that posted signs calling her "CRAZY, CHAOTIC, CRIMINAL." Based on this photo of her, taken today or yesterday, I'd agree with the campaign rhetoric. After all, truth is a defense. 

Sultana has a brood with a penchant for getting into trouble. We all know that three of them were nabbed by state police in the act of defacing anti-Sultana campaign signs. But some of these little darlings have long been accused of destroying mailboxes at the Easton development where Sultana resides,

One neighbor whose mailbox has been destroyed by little urchins thinks it's them and recently called police to complain. I don't know whether she has photographic or video evidence, but police followed up. 

Sultana's response? She went to the home of this elderly lady, rang the doorbell and gave her the finger. 

This is the second time she has done so. (The picture you see is from the first time). 

What a wonderful way for her to start her quixotic quest for a second term! 

Who's Running in NorCo? Elections Office Has "Unofficial" List

Yesterday, all nomination petitions for elected office were due in our elections office. If someone is still knocking on your door today, you might want to tell him he's too late. 

In NorCo, the Elections office has posted an unofficial list of primary candidates. You can see it yourself here. It's unofficial because there could be challenges to these petitions. 

Below are the most relevant races:

NorCo Judge - Bob Eyer and Jeremy Clark have cross-filed with the Department of State. James Fuller is only seeking the Republican nomination. 

NorCo Exec. - Democrats Amy Cozze or Tara Zrinski will face Republican Tom Giovanni. A news release from the Zrinski campaign claims she obtained 1,453 signatures, well beyond the required 259 needed. Cozze has reported the endorsement of former US Senator Bob Casey, her former boss. Tom Giovanni reports having 800 signatures. 

NorCo Council - Five at-large seats up for grabs. Running on the Republican side are John Brown (inc.), John Goffredo (inc.), Juan E. Martinez, Sam Elias and Daniel Campo. Running on the Democrat side are Lori Vargo Heffner (inc.), Jason Boulette, Nadeen Qayyum, David Holland, Theresa Fadem, and Patti Bruno. Bruno, who still uses a photo that looks nothing like her, claims to have obtained 577 signatures. 

Magisterial District Judge (Wind Gap area) - Democrat Ellen Kingsley and Republicans Robert Kemmerer and Matt Flower have cross-filed. 

Bethlehem Mayor - Willie Reynolds (inc.) faces a primary challenge from Grace Crampsie Smith. No Republican is running. 

Bethlehem City Council (four seats) - Democrats Rachel Leon (inc.), Justin Amann, Tina Cantelmi, Hillary Kwiatek (inc.), Celeste Dee and Jo Daniels seek their party's nod. Only one Republican, Joseph Poplawski, is running. 

Easton City Council (College Hill) - Democrat Roger Ruggles (inc.) faces a primary challenge from Frank Graziano III. No Republican has filed. 

Easton City Council (south side) - Democrat Taiba Sultana (inc.) is being primaried by Susan Hartranft Bittenger. No Republican has filed. Although Sultana has alienated just about everyone on the south side, she claims 350 signatures. My guess is that she plans to run for Congress after she gets crushed. 

Easton City Council (west ward) - Democrats Lance Wheeler and Julie Zando-Dennis are running against each other. Republican Sharbel Koorie will face the winner of that race in November. 

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley Hosts Political Rally Disguised as Educational Town Hall

Lehigh County Controller Mrk Pinsley has never failed to use his office for political purposes. He did it when he waded into Lehigh County's jail system with misleading information about the money charged for phone calls. He did it again when he and Exec wannabe Josh Siegel suggested a sales and county income tax double whammy to fund the "creative economy," whatever that is. And yet again when, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, he marched parents into both counties to claim they are victims of wrongful child abuse claims.  He's learned nothing from his misjudgment. Yesterday, he hosted what was supposed to be a town hall at Lehigh County's meeting room to discuss the possible impacts of federal spending cuts, even though no one knows what the hell they are. What was billed as an educational town hall was actually a political rally. That's according to my brother Mike O'Hare, an evil Republican, who happened to attend. I dislike Trump and his policies just about as much as Pinsley, but believe government resources should be used for government, not politics. 

Here's my brother's report: 

Lehigh County controller Mark Pinsley held a "Town Hall" yesterday to discuss the effects of Federal Government budget negotiations on Medicaid-at the County level.

After 45 minutes of Trump/Mackenzie bashing, he publicly admitted that he had no real or concrete information about any budget cuts. 

Mr Pinsley did have some good and interesting information about county operations, but his presentation was more of a campaign rally than a town hall. It was clearly partisan. 

Even worse was the clearly biased presentation by Mr. Dwayne J Heisler from Penn Policy. He spent time talking about the 2017 "tax scam" and handing out flyers about "Trump's giveaway to corporations and the ultra-rich". 

There would certainly be no problem with this event if it was held in a non government location, but this was held on a workday in the public hearing room of the Lehigh County Government Center. Wrong!

There were handouts, room setup/ teardown, and A/V support all provided at county expense. Very Wrong!  Maybe the controller should investigate himself. 

Does the County executive know what's going on in the government center? Seems like he's AWOL. 

Mr. Pinsley, controller, promised more "town halls". If so, he should stop all the partisan rhetoric or move them to a non government location. 

Anti-Americanism is On The Rise

Donald Trump has been President for less than two months, but is making major impacts, and not in a good way. He has curbed illegal immigration, but that's about it. His on-again, off-again tariffs, along with worries about a looming recession, have sent the stock market into a nosedive. Unemployment is rising. So is inflation. But what bothers me most is that he has turned our foreign policy on its head, from his bellicose threats to Canada, Greenland and Panama to his embrace of Vladimir Putin, a murderous dictator. 

The Economic Times reports that "Canadians have taken to booing the American national anthem and Panamanians to burning US flags. The British tabloids have tarred and feathered Vice President JD Vance for insulting British troops. A carnival float in Dusseldorf, Germany, displayed giant puppets of Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, shaking hands while squeezing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy between them into a bloodied pulp. A sign on the float read “Hitler-Stalin Pact 2.0.” Back at home, the Washington Post has published a guide on how to navigate hostility abroad (“dress neutrally, not patriotically”)."

Even more worrying are the taunts, with Trump referring to Canada's former Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as "Governor." 

Most disgusting is the decision to blind Ukraine from intelligence and leave it exposed to Russian attacks. 

It is increasingly unlikely that our allies will be there when we need them. 

Easton's South Side Civic Ass'n to Host Candidates' Forum on March 18

Easton's South Side Civic Ass'n will host a candidates' forum for both Republican and Democratic candidates on Tuesday, March 18, 6:30 pm at the Enrichment Center, 548 W Canal Street, Easton Pa.

I believe the forum is open to all candidates for office in Easton or Northampton County. Unfortunately, I have a previously scheduled engagement at that time and am unable to attend. If there is a Facebook Live, I'll link to it. 

I attended this forum two years ago, and it was quite interesting

Frank Pintabone Proposes Decriminalization of Small Amount of Marijuana Possession in Easton

During a committee meeting on February 25, Easton City Council member proposed a new policy in Easton that would decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana. He started by saying that neither he nor anyone in his family uses this controlled substance. He himself hates the smell. But his proposal is based on equality. He made the following points:

1) A person who is charged with and pleads to possession of a small amount of marijuana is usually just fined $25, but it will still be listed as a drug conviction on his or her criminal record.

2) Throughout the state, 17 municipalities have reduced the offense from misdemeanor to summary offense, the equivalent of a parking ticket. This includes Allentown and Bethlehem. It's still on your record but won't hinder you if you try to get a job, a rental or a license. 

3) National statistics show there is just a two percent difference in marijuana usage between white persons and persons of color. But people of color are four times more likely to be charged with marijuana-related infractions.

4) Governor Josh Shapiro has proposed legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes, arguing that there would be legal sales of $530 million per year.  

5) In a recent poll, 63% of those surveyed support legalization in Pa. (85% Democrats, 62% Independents, 53% Republicans). 

6) Easton's median income is $10,000 below the state average, meaning it is largely a lower middle-class population. Easton's population is 43% black or Hispanic. They are thus more likely to face prosecution for simple possession of a small amount if marijuana. 

7) Easton borders New Jersey, where marijuana has been legalized both medicinally and recreationally since 2021. Half of NJ's sales are to Pa. residents. 

8) There has been speculation that decriminalization would turn festivals like Baconfest into weed fest. But Bethlehem City Council member Rachel Leon has seen adverse effect on Bethlehem's festivals. 

Under Pintabone's proposal, possession of a small amount would be a summary offense with the following fines: $90 for first offense; $180 for second offense: and $270 for third offense. 

Chief Carl Scalzo voiced some concerns, including administration of the law. He'd prefer to see it done on a state level. He is also fearful that this could offer a beacon to those who might think Easton is a "weed friendly" city that bear a relation to violent crime often associated with drugs. 

Council member Crystal Rose agrees that giving someone a criminal record for possession of a joint is "antiquated." But she thinks the fines should be reduced. 

Council member Roger Ruggles suggested that this could be pre-empted by state law, but Solicitor Jeremy Clark opined that is unlikely. 

Mayor Sal Panto had no problem with a $90 fine. "You pay that for a carton of cigarettes," he observed. He argued that fines need to be stiff to prevent people from smoking in public. 

Administrator Luis Campos suggested that this could lead to a proliferation of people smoking downtown in public. 

What do you think of this proposal?

NorCo Council Approves New Term Sheet For AFSCME Union at Gracedale

At last night's very brief meeting (24 minutes), Northampton County Council voted 8-0 to approve a three-year term sheet for the AFSCME union employees at Gracedale. They will receive COLAs (cost of living adjustments over the next three years in the amounts of 4%, 3.5% and 3%. 

While these increases appear small, they follow and agreement between the county and AFSCME last year. They addressed the two most important issues raised in a County Council-ordered operational assessment of Gracedale by Affinity Health Services - the need to pay more money as well as an ability to hire experienced nursing staff at levels commensurate with their time on the job. 

The changes made last year are as follows: 

CNAs. - The previous starting rate for a CNA was $14.28 an hour. (Pay grade 4, step 3). The new starting rate is $16.61 an hour. That's a base pay of $34,538 a year. CNAs working the second shift already get an extra $1.50 an hour, and those who work third shift get an extra $1.00 an hour. On top of that, CNAs get an extra $0.75 an hour just for showing up on weekdays, and $3.00 an hour just for showing up on weekends. So, a new CNA who works second shift on a weekend will actually be getting $21.11 an hour. 

It gets better. The bottom three steps have been eliminated so that all new hires will start at $16.61. Moreover, three new steps have been added to the top of the scale. 

A CNA who has 5-10 years of experience in that role at another facility will start at $17.80 an hour. One with 10+ years on the job can be hired at $25.38. 

LPNs. -  The previous starting rate for a LPN was $21.35 an hour. (Pay grade 9, step 3). The new starting rate is $23.69 an hour. That's a base pay of $49.269 a year. LPNs who work the second shift already get an extra $2.50 an hour, and those who work third shift get an extra $2.00 an hour. On top of that, LPNs get an extra $3 an hour just for showing up on weekdays, and $4 an hour on weekends. So, a new LPN who works second shift on a weekend will actually be getting $27.85 an hour. 

As with the CNAs, the bottom three steps have been eliminated so that all new hires will start at $23.69. Moreover, three new steps have been added to the top of the scale. 

A LPN who has 5-10 years of experience in that role at another facility will start at $25.38 an hour. One with 10+ years on the job can be hired at $27.17. 

The new term sheet for Gracedale workers was approved 8-0. Council member Ron Heckman was absent. 

The meeting did start off bizarrely enough, with Beverly Hernandez attempting to deliver a diatribe during courtesy of the floor. She was shocked to learn that she gets only five minutes and is barred from using other speakers to waive their time in favor of her. Last time she was in front of County Council, she threatened them with the curses of Leviticus and the wrath of an Old Testament God.

This time, she suggested the county does nothing about the homeless and that she went out herself and gave a blanket to one of them. "First they came for the Catholics," she said, and then asked if anyone has read the Constitution." She also complained about the price of eggs. She also claimed she speaks for the people and complained about a lack of interpreters or someone who could use sign language. She then said she wanted to talk about Gracedale but her time was up. 

I knew Beverly Hernandez when she was a nice Republican person. She is now officially off the hook. 

When she was done, she was admonished by Republican John Goffredo. "When you come up here and attack us as if we're automatically the enemy, it makes us automatically not want to listen. It's the same thing I say to people on the other side of the aisle. ... If we're fighting each other, we're never gonna; fix anything."

Later that evening, Executive Lamont McClure addressed Council about both Lehigh and Northampton County spend millions every year to address the issue of homelessness. "If money was the only answer, we wouldn't have a homelessness problem."

Hernandez was not there. 

She left right after her rambling lecture.

Every right has a corollary duty. The right to speak includes a duty to listen. 

Trump's SOTU: The Moment Congressional Democrats Disgraced Themselves

One of the nicest gestures during President Trump's SOTU on Tuesday night was when he honored a 13-year-old boy who survived a battle with brain cancer. He always wanted to be in law enforcement and got his wish when he was made an honorary Secret Service agent, complete with credentials. Even I smiled when I watched this, and I also liked when Trump announced that another young man, a high school athlete who lost his deputy sheriff father when he was just a boy, had been accepted at West Point. 

Yesterday, I received a large number of comments from readers who were angry that Democrats sat on their hands when the 13-year-old was appointed to the Secret Service as an honorary agent. I did not notice this at the time and went back to check the video. 

Unfortunately, the accusation is true, at least of a large number of Democrats. One Congressman refused to stand because "Trump [is] ripping cancer research to shreds in order to give billionaire tax cuts, firing doctors and nurses who are caring for kids with cancer right now in order for them to take their salaries and put them in their own pockets.”

Let's assume this is true. The young man is in no way responsible for any of these mistakes. 

What happened actually makes Trump look good. 

And that's pretty hard to do. 

Daryl Hendricks To Seek Re-Election to Allentown City Council

Daryl Hendricks is one of a very few normal people left on an Allentown City Council filled with no-shows like Natalie Santos and Mayoral wannabes like Ce-Ce Gerlach (she ran last time) and Ed Zucal (it's his turn now). Gerlach, who was placed on ARD after she dropped an underage boy off at a homeless camp, has done her best to minimize a police presence. Zucal has been out to get Mayor Tuerk since he took office and will use anything, even ridiculous claims of racism at City Hall, to go after him. In the meantime, the Queen City is slowly burning. Its government is caught up in far too many nonsense issues to accomplish anything. 

Hendricks is one of the increasingly few voices trying to right a sinking ship. Below is his re-eelction announcemnt:

I am announcing my candidacy for re-election to Allentown City Council.

Now, more than ever, Allentown needs leaders with vision and experience.

Leaders who are committed to Allentown and care deeply about its future.

I will continue to govern with an open mind and a strong effort toward fiscal stability and transparency, and a keen eye toward economic development throughout the City to include the expansion on the Waterfront area, as well as the ongoing and future development of the former State Hospital site on the East side of the City.

I have and always will strongly support our emergency services to include Police, Fire and Allentown EMS Services.

I am a native and life-long resident of the City of Allentown, who attended Allentown Schools, raised my family in Allentown and have served the citizens of Allentown continuously for the past 47 years. My career for 36 years was with the Allentown Police Department retiring as a Captain. I hold a degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Lehigh Carbon Community College and have completed numerous degree courses from Muhlenberg College’s Wescoe School. Currently I serve as 1st Vice President of “Dream Come True”, a local organization that grants dreams for seriously, chronically and terminally ill children in the Lehigh Valley. It has been my privelege to be a founding member of the Lehigh County Child Advocacy Center. I was elected into the Union Terrace Hall of Fame as a former youth baseball/basketball coach, where I served for over ten years. I was elected to Allentown City Council in 2012 and have served continuously since that time.

President Trump's State of the Union Reveals a House Divided

President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union address of his second term last night. He laid out an ambitious agenda in a lengthy speech and touted his achievements since taking office, claiming to have accomplished more in 43 days than Democrats did in the last four years. What's more, "we are just getting started."

That worries me. A lot. In just 43 days, he has embraced our enemies and has savaged our closest allies with the help of his Vice President. He has gleefully imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada. He has allowed an unelected oligarch to run rampant over our social security and other sensitive records. He has threatened to annex the Panama Canal, Gaza, Greenland and even Canada. I will say that he is an effective communicator, managing to speak in a plain and unvarnished style as he touts what he calls his "common sense" revolution. It lacks polish, but I think his supporters like his bluntness. even when it is used to embellish or stretch things. His big problem, and one that was evident during his speech is that, contrary to what he said, he really has no mandate.  

Trump did win the popular vote. He won the swing states. He has a majority in the House, Senate and even the Supreme Court. But it's a slim majority. He lacks the mandate of the people that Ronald Reagan or FDR had. I saw no Democrats greet Trump on his entrance, and he pretty much ignored them. There's mutual disdain. Whatever does get passed will be by the slimmest of margins. 

His reversal on foreign policy is what bothers me most. He has embraced thugs like Putin, who murders his political opponents. At the same time, he castigates Zelensky, who stood up to the thug when everyone was sure that Ukraine would be wiped off the face of earth in a matter of three days. Except for his steadfast commitment to Israel, he is actually making the United States less secure now than it ever has been. His gold dome proposal is probably a good idea because at the rate he's going, we're going to need it. It is no help when JD Vance taunts Britain and France (without specifically naming them) as random countries that have not fought in a war for 30 years. Will they have our back if we need them? 

His presidency is still in its infancy, so it's unfair to blame him for rising prices on consumer products and groceries. But his recent imposition of tariffs, and his intention to impose more of them on April 2, is going to eventually be a tax on those of us who can least afford to pay for them.

His desire to cut government waste with the creation of a new agency headed by the world's richest man is actually a good one. I think we all could get on board with that. But the problem is that Elon Musk has been using a buzzsaw instead of a scalpel and has hurt our national security by firing nuclear workers and then scrambling to unfire them. 

The pendulum did swing in Trump's favor in 2024. But that's the thing about the pendulum. It's always swinging. 

10:15 Update: A transcript of the SOTU speech is here. 

Online Payment of Property Tax Bill Finally Comes to NorCo

From Northampton County: Beginning Tuesday, March 4, Northampton County is pleased to announce the launch of online payment options for all current tax bills. This new system aims to provide residents with a convenient and efficient way to manage their tax payments from the comfort of their homes. 

Residents can choose to pay their taxes via credit card, which incurs a 3.5% fee charged by the payment vendor. Please note that this fee is not collected by the county and goes directly to the vendor. Additionally, an e-check option is available, with a flat fee of $4.00 for payments under $29,999.00. For amounts exceeding $30,000, a fee of $15.00 will apply for e-check payments.

 

We encourage residents to take advantage of the discounted tax rate available through March 31, 2025. To benefit from this discount, please ensure your payments are submitted before this date.

 

For more information on how to make an online payment, please visit https://www.norcopa.gov or contact the Northampton County Revenue Office at 610-829-6186.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve service delivery for our residents.

Blogger's Note: I find it simply astonishing that NorCo property owners had no online payment option until now, especially since the county will get it more quickly this way. Most medium-sized municipalities have offered this for decades. 

Blogger's Note #2: I received this message from Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron: "Bernie we did have online payments until the 2023 tax year base period ended for current year taxes. We did not have online payment in 2024 for taxes due to our current system end of life and the system from Tyler being completed. We now will be able to take online payments on taxes up until a property is subject to sale. We are only doing current taxes right now to assure that all fees, penalties and interest are applied online consistent with PA law. Once that is done we will allow online payments for past due taxes as well. "

I do recall having a conversation with sSteve about this last year, but was under the mistaken impression that online payments had never been possible.

NorCo's Communications Should Be About the County, Not McClure

When he was first elected county executive in 2017, Lamont McClure decided to use one of his assistant administrators to act as a communications director. Some of you thought this was just an opportunity for the Exec to publicize himself, and I'll agree it's good politics. But it's also good government. The public is kept apprised of what is happening at a county level. It's transparent and informative at a time when the dailies no longer have the staff to cover local government. But I received a news release yesterday that crosses the line from good government to pure politics. 

The release is below:

[Northampton County, PA] – Northampton County is proud to announce that County Executive Lamont G. McClure has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Parade of Shamrocks. This festive event, organized by the Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA), will take place in the streets of Historic Downtown Bethlehem on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

 

County Executive McClure, a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, has dedicated much of his career to making a positive impact in his community. He takes great pride in his Irish heritage and has consistently supported the mission of the CCA. In regard to this honor, he stated, “I am truly honored to have been chosen as the Grand Marshal of the Parade of Shamrocks. I can’t wait to celebrate with all of you.”

 

The Parade of Shamrocks is a significant cultural event that highlights the rich traditions of the Celtic community.

Join us in celebrating this vibrant event and honoring County Executive Lamont G. McClure as the Grand Marshal. We look forward to seeing everyone in Downtown Bethlehem for a day of fun, culture, and community spirit!

 

For all media inquiries related to this announcement, please contact Jessica Berger, Deputy Director of Administration at 610-829-6250 or JBerger@norcopa.gov.

Amazingly, this "news" release asks us to join in "honoring County Executive Lamont G. McClure as the Grand Marshal." A county news release should never be used to fawn over a county exec who has incidentally just announced he's running for Congress. This was a misuse of county resources. 

The Trump-Vance-Zelensky Shouting Match - My Take

I prefer sticking to local topics but occasionally will ramble into other areas. Friday's shouting match involving Donald Trump, JD Vance and Volodymyr Zelenskyy is something I've thought about all weekend. I actually watched the entire blow-up in its entirety three times. I thought I'd give you my own analysis. for what it's worth. 

1) The meeting started pleasantly, with Trump saying he worked well with Zelenskyy and has known him a long time and that it was "an honor.". He said the minerals deal, which will allow American companies to harvest Ukraine's rare earths, is a "big commitment" by the US. - I'd disagree because the US has frozen Russian assets and could use those to recoup the money spent to finance Ukraine. The minerals deal smacks as colonialism and, quite frankly, would take many years before any profit was realized. Nevertheless, Zelenskyy went along with it. 

2) "If I were President, this war would never have happened." Trump made this statement during the get-together and made it many times on the campaign trail as well. He may be right. When Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014 and seized both Crimea and portions of the country, former President Obama did very little. Moreover, Biden botched a withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. This undoubtedly emboldened Putin. Trump failed to mention that he is the one who negotiated that deal with the Taliban. He failed to bring in the Afghan government, just as he has failed to bring in Ukraine or Europe in talks with Russians. 

3) Trump complimented Ukraine's military as "unbelievably brave." He complimented Zelenskyy as well for his stiff resistance to Russia's invasion. 

4) When Trump invited Zelenskyy to speak, the very first thing he did was thank him. He made clear at the onset that he viewed the minerals deal as the first real step to security agreements for Ukraine. (We'll come back to that). Zelensky said they are fighting to "save our country, our values. our freedom, our democracy and, of course, no compromises with a killer about our territories. ... ." He added that Russians have kidnapped 20,000 children, changed their names and even changed their families. He also showed photos of what Russians have done to Ukrainian POWS and clerics, which Trump acknowledged is "tough stuff." He even had photos of children. "We want to get that ended," said Trump. 

6) Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine has the best drone production in the world and is willing to share its licenses with the US but needs air defense, at which the US excels.

7) The assembled press bothered me. Trump, who has become increasingly authoritarian in his first few weeks as President, banned both Reuters and AP, which are highly respected media outlets. He replaced them with fawning correspondents like Marjorie Taylor Greene's boyfriend, who wondered whether Trump will go down in history as the Peacemaker. He also dismissively asked Zelenskyy why he does not wear a suit and whether he can afford one (Zelensky dresses as his soldiers dress) Another reporter fawned about whether Trump should be compared to famous historical figures. After joking about it, Trump to his credit said he doesn't compare himself to anyone and is just "here to do a job." A third reporter asked Trump what gave him his "moral courage and conviction."

8) Trump said the US would continue to provide military support. "Hopefully, I won't have to send very much." Zelenskyy said the US has been on Ukraine's side from the beginning. Trump would later say he is on nobody's side and just wants to solve the problem. In response to a question, he said he remains committed to Poland and to NATO.

9) Trump said that any peace arrangement will require compromise.

10) The mineral agreement provides for Liquid Gas terminals for Ukraine, which Zelenskyy said would enable Ukraine to provide heat to Europe.

11) About halfway into the news conference, the topic of security agreements was brought up again. Zelenskyy claimed they are essential because Putin has a history of ignoring agreements. He broke ceasefire agreements 25 times. As they were speaking at the White House about peace, Zelenskyy noted that Putin was firing ballistic missiles into Ukraine. He said that without security agreements, "Putin will never stop." Trump said security agreements are only about 2% of the overall deal.

12) Zelenskyy insisted that Ukraine would have to be involved in any peace talks. "This is not a war between Russia and the United States This is a war of Russia against Ukraine and Ukrainian people." 

13) Zelenskyy corrected Trump when he said much of Ukraine has been destroyed. "You have to come and to look," said Zelenskyy. He said most cities are very much alive with people working and children going to school. "Ukraine is fighting and Ukraine lives."

14) A reporter suggested Europe is arresting Americans for exercising free speech and thought crimes. 

15) After 40 minutes, VP JD Vance decided to blow things up. He asserted that diplomacy would solve this dispute. Zelensky countered that he signed a ceasefire agreement with Putin in 2019. He broke the ceasefire and refused to exchange prisoners despite promising to do so. "What kind of diplomacy are you talking about, JD, what do you mean?" Vance responded that diplomacy would end the destruction of Ukraine and then accused Zelensky of being disrespectful. He added that Ukraine is using conscripts. Zelensky asked if Vance has ever been to Ukraine, and Vance responded that he has watched what is happening. 

16) Vance then accused Zelensky of attacking the administration that is trying to help his country. This is absurd. There was no attack by Zelensky. The conversation up to this point was frank, bbut polite and respectful. 

From this point on, we all know what followed. 

My view is that until Vance's attack, Trump was actually enjoying the exchange. I also think he ws sincerely interested in negotiating an end to the war, but Vance has a bug up his ass about Ukraine and Europe and would prefer to just let them all rot away.