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.
Don't sugar coat it Bernie...tell us how you really feel.
ReplyDeleteNo heart, no soul, no common sense, no conscience and these are his good attributes.
ReplyDeleteWe are about to see the intelligence lever of the button pushers
ReplyDeleteBernie resents Josh because he is totally jacked, and his sister gives him a raging woody this confused Bernie da boomer
ReplyDeleteWhoever votes for this guy is a left-wing lunatic. Lehigh county is a stronghold of democrats, but this guy does not represent a real democrat he is a left-wing moron.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican party in Lehigh county is a mess. They are disorganized and have no true leadership. They cannot even get together and defeat somebody like that left-wing democrats Siegel.
ReplyDeleteJosh is a staunch ally of the BIPOC Community despite his fair skin his deep empathy allows him to feel the generational trauma inflicted upon his swarthy constituents by the oppressor class. Bernie is so out of touch he would like to see everyone stay in their lane but Josh is a wave maker
ReplyDelete7:50 - Perhaps the BIPOC community should field their own candidate instead of relying on yet another "fair skin" to represent and advocate for them.
DeleteJosh Siegel is very high on my ‘YUCK’ scale. As a once famous radio personality liked to say, a ‘fake, phony, and fraud.’
ReplyDeleteBob Grant
Deleteagree 1000%! he's as fake as Zrinski
DeleteJosh knows the LGBTQIA+ community intimately his father is an out gay man, he has a trans sister. Do not let the bounder Bernie spread fake news hatchet jobs on our best allies, fuck off Boonie!
ReplyDeleteI am a Democrat, but have despised him since he first ran for office. I hope everyone can see what a ridiculous person he is and think of the damage he’d do.
ReplyDeleteI agree- he's absolutely despicable!
DeleteI agree! He's the worst possible candidate!
Deletecreepy and dangerous!
DeleteHe's the worst possible candidate- a disgraceful POS! In NC, we have Bullhorn Zrinski- another activist who shouldn't even be elected dog catcher- what terrible choices!
ReplyDeleteThis guy would go to El Salvador if he could.
ReplyDeleteIt’s almost as if the chief aim of the Josh defenders here so far is to troll the usual Bernie commenters.
ReplyDeleteJosh Siegel is unequivocally a hunk his participation in the BLM protests is testament to his social justice Bona Fides, "Fu*k the Police" is totally appropriate in that instance are you telling me they needed to place the knee on neck of severely intoxicated man?: he was similar to a wet noodle more pliant than Bernie's perpetually flaccid gherkin, this was a disgraceful abuse of force no same person argued otherwise
DeleteCrud is always creeping. The Allentownization of Lehigh County is going to be great.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a piece of trash this clown is! They need to get their shit together over there in Lehigh County and stop this guy.
ReplyDeleteBV is active posting here again.
ReplyDeleteHi little 3%, I took a dump on the banks of the parkway to fertilize the riparian buffer this Am!
DeleteAllentown voters have shit for brains. Republicans so disorganized and Democrats keep amazing me with their nuttiness!
ReplyDeleteJosh "fuck the police" Siegel is another incompetent activist masquerading as a politician just like Northampton County's own Tara "Bullhorn" Zrinski. 2 of the worst possible candidates- please wake up!
ReplyDeleteThis is the exception that proves the rule in the new Democratic Party where antisemitism seems to be a key platform plank.
ReplyDeleteJosh is a great choice for County Exec. He has my vote. He is an ally and a friend. He was clearly on to something with the APD. They are a bad bunch with an incompetent leader who promotes thieves and rapists.
ReplyDeleteWell said. The current chief wouldn't even have investigated the officers kneeling on the guy. He would have just covered it up. He's a bum, that's why he can't get a job anywhere. Incompetent block head.
Deleteyou're delusional Josh- you're the worst!
DeleteBernie, I'm the grandson of a Phila police inspector, and an advocate of law enforcement. You're belaboring Siegel for a couple of hotheaded incidents from 2020, which he expressed regret for, and ignoring his moderate policies, vision for the county, and endorsement by the current Lehigh Co. DA. I think Siegel will be a superior County Exec. Neither of the GOP candidates is bad, true, but they're involved with a MAGA-saturated Party that's rotting & damaging US society from DC on down.
ReplyDeleteTo the anonymous grandson of a Philly police inspector: It's more than one hotheaded incident. 1) In a MC Op-Ed he penned with fellow lunatic Ce-Ce Gerlach, he advocated defunding police and attempted to justify not hiring more officers: 2) He told a police officer that the term "fuck the police" is a cultural reference 3) In April 2021, he appeared in a satirical video that joked about dedicating a mural to police brutality; 4) He has called for the "divestment from the police" 5) He stated, "we can make that investment in our youth by taking money out of the police budget and investing it in kids when they're young." 6) He proposed both an income tax and an increased sales tax on LC residents; 7) On Allentown City Council, he voted No to 11 new officers: 8) At a 2021 news conference, he called for defunding police, claiming they do not keep us safe.
DeleteThis is a disgraceful candidate who is an extremist and an opportunist.
To the grandson of a Philly Police inspector: who cares! you're as fucked up as Siegel- the worst possible human!
DeleteThe current DA is terrible, just like Siegel!
DeleteThis race is ripe for a write-in candidate.
ReplyDeleteI agree- Nat Hyman for the win!
DeleteWhat has happened to the Lehigh Valley democrats? They are pushing two 0f the most unqualified and nutty leftists to run both counties. 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.
ReplyDeleteIs there any sanity left in the Party.
They're all crazy!
DeleteNo, they're on the wrong side of every 80/20 issue!
DeleteLeigh county voters put in this guy they are crazy Taxes and spending will go through the Roof.
ReplyDeleteNat Hyman run- we can't chance Siegel as Exec- he's nuts!
ReplyDeleteThe only sane Dem in the Valley is Sal Panto
ReplyDeleteAu contraire, mein Freund. It's Kelly Keegan. Oh wait, you said "sane Dem", not "drunk TikToker Dem".
DeleteHe makes the wing nut democrats running for mayor in Bethlehem seem like normal. But, I did vote for Kelly and encouraged others to do so. Sadly, I too have lost my mind.
ReplyDelete