Cycling Season Cometh

As the days get a bit longer and a bit warmer, you may have noticed those double-wheeled contraptions on the road known as bicycles. Not ebikes, Not motorcycles. I am referring to the machines that move only through leg power. I hope those of you operating cars and trucks can be as forgiving as you have been through the years. While it's hard to feel pity for a bottom-feeding blogger, motorists have almost always been exceptionally courteous to me. 

At this time of the year, I usually stay off roads because of the school buses. They tend to make people impatient and a little angry, so I try to stick to the trails as much as possible except for midmorning or weekend rides. But I actually prefer the roads and the hills. 

Of course, the real cycling season started months ago in Europe, where there are cycling and cyclo-cross races starting on January 20 and ending only in October. Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, three-time winner of the Tour-de-France, is indisputably the best cyclist in the world right now. 

Come July, Pogacar will square off against my favorite cyclist, two-time Tour-de-France winner Jonas Vingegaard in this year's Tour. Before becoming a professional cyclist, Jonas earned his living by cutting up cod in a fish factory. Over the course of 21 racing days, Tadej and Jonas will race for 3,333 km (2,071 miles) with a total elevation gain of 54,450 meters (178,642 feet). They get two rest days. 

In contrast, my first big cycling event this year is the annual 22-mile ride from Temple's main campus in downtown Philly to its Ambler venue, with a total elevation of about 1,000 feet. But hey, we have to ride thru downtown Philly. 

Tadej Pogacar is a thoroughly likable guy and seems to really have fun during his races. But the reason Vingegaard is my favorite is because of what happened three years ago, when he and Tadej were battling for the lead (maillot jeune) in the TDF. On a descent, they were both roaring down a mountain at top speed when suddenly, Pogacar went into a slide and wiped out, giving Jonas an easy win. But Jonas actually stood up on his bike and waited for Tadej to catch up to him. That's pure class.

It happened again last week in Spain's seven-stage Volta Catalunya race. Jonas was going head to head with the Belgian Bullet, Remco Evenepoel. Those two were way ahead of the peleton (the main group of riders) and poised for a stage win. Remco was pissed because Jonas was right behind and drafting off him instead of going in front to give the Belgian a break. He was waving his arm at Jonas, who just stayed glued to Remco. With 400 meters to go, in a sharp turn before the finish line, Remco hit a pothole and did a header over his handlebars. Instead of taking advantage of this mishap to a rider that was already upset with him, Jonas held up again and actually let the peleton catch up and pass him. "I didn't want to win that way," said the Dane, and added that he hoped Remco was alright. That's pure class again.  

By the way, all these guys speak English. The annual salaries for top riders is below the NFL minimum. But they can teach a lot about good sporstmanship.  

Is JD Vance Worse Than Trump? Governor Beshear (and I) Think So

Although I agree with Trump's decision to attack Iran, I've always been bothered by his chaotic approach to everything he touches, from the way he bashes our democratic allies to how he embraces our autocratic frenemies. On a domestic level, he has actually made pocketbook issues worse. But I think I finally understand him. He doesn't really take himself seriously, so neither should we. He knows that at least half of what he brays is utter bullshit, and I can almost see him laughing as he says it. Believe it or not, the one person who scares me more than Trump is his VP,  JD Vance. 

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a popular Democrat is a red state, has this to say about Vance: " JD Vance looks down on rural America. He did it in his book where he called the people of my state lazy, blamed them for poverty, even blamed them for the opioid epidemic that has taken so many lives in Kentucky. His administration’s policies also look down on rural America. The big ugly bill threatens to close 35 rural hospitals in my state; lay off 20,000 healthcare workers; kick 200,000 Kentuckians off their coverage. And when the largest payroll in a community shuts down, which is that hospital, the coffee shop closes, the restaurant closes, the bank closes, the insurance company closes. Look at their tariff policy and what it’s done to soybean farmers in my state and others. This is a guy that thinks he is better than everyone else, but his policies are certainly the worst we’ve seen."

I've always thought that Vance, who though Trump was despicable but now gushes all over him, is a complete hypocrite. So does Beshear. "This is a guy who’s changed his name multiple times and talks about his childhood as his origin story. JD Vance has reinvented himself multiple times in the pursuit of wealth and of power."

Trump's train-wreck presidency has assured Democrats a huge victory in the midterms. But that will primarily be a referendum on Trump, not an endorsement of Democrats. 

Here's the Beshear formula. First, Democrats need to spend most of their time on issues that matter most to voters, like putting food on the table and paying for their kids' medical bills. Second, talk like a normal human being. "The Democratic Party at different times has talked at and not to people. It’s even talked down to people, which is wrong. Our words have to have meaning." Third, intead of taking about what you plan to do, explain why you plan to do it, why it's the right thing.

Commonwealth Court Schedules Hearing on Objections to Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition For State Senate

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court scheduled a March 25 hearing on objections to the nomination petition filed by Taiba Sultana for the state senate. She hopes to face incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola in this year's primary. 

Representing objectors Patti Hitzel, Pam Panto, Patti Bruno and Cleste Dee is Allentown Attorney Ray Lahoud, who grew up on Easton's south side. In addition to is challenges to specific signatures, Lahoud has raised the novel argument that Sultana has deceptively claimed to be "self-employed" without explaining precisely what she does as a self-employed person.

The Pa Supreme Court has in the past stricken a nomination petition filed by a law school graduate who held himself out as a lawyer while awaiting bar exam results. So I could see a court ruling against Sultana on this basis alone. 

Lawyer Who Allegedly Left Cocaine at Courthouse ... Twice ... Is Temporarily Suspended

Easton-area Attorney Stan Margle, who is well known as both a family and municipal lawyer, has been temporarily suspended by the Pa. Supreme Court. 

A per curiam (unsigned but unanimous) order dated March 26 imposes a temporary suspension based on a pending criminal proceeding. It was granted pursuant to a joint petition, indicating that Margle himself was a party to the request. 

Margle faces two sets of criminal charges as a result of cocaine and drug paraphernalia he amazingly brought to the courthouse inside his satchel. Unfortunately for him, he left his bag behind when he left on both occasions. 

Most recently, Margle was receiving in-patient treatment for what certainly appears to be an addiction. 

My hope is that he is getting the help he needs. 

UPDATED: The Hubris of Zach Cole-Borghi

When Lehigh County Comm'r Zachary Cole Borghi was charged last year with participation in a still mysterious interstate marijuana ring, he loudly protested his innocence from his perch in Lehigh County's meeting room "I am an innocent family man. I am a leader in the community, and I am a dutiful public servant who has been damaged by the mishandling of this investigation,” he asserted, adding that "I intend to identify and bring suit against anyone who maliciously conspired to destroy my reputation.” Not only did he retain his position as Chair of the Courts and Corrections Committee, but he cruised to re-election with 69% of the vote.  Yesterday, his hubris ran headlong into reality. In four separate and detailed criminal complaints (you can read them below), Cole-Borghi has been charged with more than 100 criminal charges related to the sale and purchase of cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms over a period of roughly two years. He was still able to participate in last night's meeting of Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners but did so from the county jail. His bond is set at $500,000.

Cole-Borghi is accused of 89 counts of criminal use of his cellphone to arrange drug deals, 14 counts of delivery of cocaine and 1 count of delivery of psilocybin mushrooms. Incredibly, the text messages show that he arranged drug deals from his cell phone during Commissioner meetings, from his job at Bethlehem City Hall (where he complained that he was running late because Mayor Willie Reynolds talks too much) and even during a "Peace and Justice Symposium" conducted by the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute and attended by Lehigh County DA Gavin Holihan. 

Cole-Borghi's arrogance in the way he allegedly conducted drug deals and his reaction to the marijuana charges is simply stunning. When he was first charged, Comm'rs John Irons and April Riddick quickly played the race card, noting that black men like him are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement. 

While that may be true in some instances, Cole -Borghi's fatal flaw - hubris - has nothing to do with his race. "Whom the gods would destroy, they first make proud." He may have felt he was above the law because he is an elected official but is learning the hard way that he must face the consequences of his own actions. 

I suspect the circumstances concerning this prosecution is fertile ground for defense motions, but if this case goes to a jury, I doubt Cole-Borghi gets any sympathy. His refusal to resign his position as a Comm'r could enhance his sentence, as it did to disgraced former Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski. If he were smart, he'd resign now. But as of now, he just looks like someone who thinks he's smarter than everyone. 

Oh yeah, he is presumed innocent. 

UPDATED: 11:40 - Cole-Borghi was absent at last night's meeting of LC Comm'rs. My evil Republican brother told me he was there but was joking with me. He called me to inform me of my error and then laughed maniacally.

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 1 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 2 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 3 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 4 by BernieOHare

Susan Wild v. Fetterman?

According to Semafor, former Lehigh Valley Congress member Susan Wild is being urged to take on US Senator John Fetterman in 2028, assuming that he seeks re-election. Fetterman angered some Democrats when he refused to support a government shutdown. During that shutdown, as Fetterman himself observed, many Pennsylvanians saw their SNAP benefits delayed. He gets blasted when he refuses to wear a suit, the uniform currently in fashion by our ruling class.  He's now being blasted for his vote to confirm another Senator, Markwayne Mullin, as the new DHS Secretary. It makes no difference that Fetterman was among those who called on Kristi Noem to resign or be fired.

In my view, Fetterman is precisely the kind of person that Democrats (and the country as whole) need.

But Susan Wild has a different take. She recently slammed him as a "disappointment." The former Congress member who pretended to reach across the aisles is apparently angry that Fetterman is insufficiently partisan. 

And we wonder why nothing gets done,

These days, Congress is little more than a glorified call center, where members are required to spend their days raising money instead of legislating. 

I'd prefer a guy in a hoodie to someone who parks in handicapped spots. 

Jill Mancini Still Awaits Her Payday

I've written several times about the Jill Mancini case. She was a full-time assistant NorCo solicitor who was summarily fired in a Christmas phone call by the Brown administration. A federal jury concluded that her due process rights were, in fact, violated, and she was awarded $94,000. Her attorney was awarded $186,000. That finding was upheld on appeal to the Third Circuit as well. Her claim for reinstatement and back pay were unresolved.

After years of going back and forth between the Personnel Appeals Board, Common Pleas Court and Commonwealth Court, President Judge Craig Dally ruled in 2024 that Mancini be reinstated, that she be awarded back pay and all fringe benefits between 2014, the date of her termination, and 2018, when she found alternative employment. He scheduled a hearing for damages. But Judge Dally has decided to remand her claim to the Personnel Appeals Board to conduct an evidentiary hearing on the issue of damages and report back. You can see his Order below.

Judge Dally has determined that the Personnel Appeals Board has failed to determine Mancini's damages and fringe benefits and her administrative remedies must first be exhausted at that level. 

This case has now been litigated through three different county executives. 

Mancini Remand by BernieOHare

Zoning Reforms That Can Make Housing More Affordable to the Workforce

Northampton County Council is poised to grant a special tax break known as a TIF for the developer of a luxury apartment building and a high-end hotel, complete with butlers, in what was once Wilson Boro's Dixie Cup factory and LA Fitness Center. I'll have more to say about this next week and how it actually exacerbates our housing crisis. In truth, there's little county government can do to assuage our housing crisis. It has no say in zoning, the construction market or financing. Local governments at the city, township and borough levels are another story. Here are some zoning changes I's like to see:

Amend zoning ordinances to be more friendly to tiny homes.

Reduce minimum lot sizes and setbacks.

Accessory dwelling units should be allowed by right in most areas. 

Mixed use development should be encouraged. 

Loyola U Student Allegedly Murdered by Venezuelan Immigrant Who Illegally Entered US

I've criticized the brutal way that the Trump administration has enforced our immigration laws. Instead of targeted enforcement, even US citizens have been stopped simply because they look different. Moreover, until Kristi Noem was removed from DHS, even US citizens were killed and shot. Having said that, I acknowledge that we have had a problem with immigrants who have entered the country unlawfully and then committed crimes. 

Most recently, an 18 yo Loyola U student was allegedly shot and killed by a Venezuelan, who entered this country illegally and who was apprehended and released by Border Patrol. He later was arrested for shoplifting and released again. 

I have received criticism for failing to acknowledge these incidents and agree I should have drawn attention to illegals who engage in criminal activity, especially those who entered illegally.

Can NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski Talk and Chew Gum at the Same Time?

Despite some mind groans from NorCo Council President Ken Kraft, Executive Tara Zrinski continued her practice of providing thorough reports during County Council meetings. "It's called a county council meeting," snarked Kraft, but Zrinski responded, "Listen, you want me to be thorough and transparent, that's what I'm doing." I actually appreciate these informative updates and hope they continue, and I'd much rather listen to news about the county than another state house campaign pitch by Council member Jeff Warren. So far, the biggest complaint about her detailed accounts is that she chews gum. If that's the best ammo her critics have, So long as she's not blowing bubbles and popping them, who cares?  with that out of the way, let's discuss her actual report.

DCED: has applied with Congressman Ryan Mackenzie and both of Pa.'s US Senators for P-25 radio systems that can be used by first responders in both analog and digital modes. The department is also planning for this year's May 16 County festival at Louise Moore Park.

CORRECTIONS: Director DeeAnn Lawrence convened a "facility operations" meeting on March 18 to discuss the importance of morale, ethics and leadership, and responsibility in creating a safe and healthy environment. The meeting included captains, sergeants and wardens. Interviews were conducted to fill a vacant captain slot. The correctional academy was graduating six people on Friday and the next class begins today.

ADMINISTRATION: Is trying to improve labor management relations. It is also reviewing a mail-in ballot stuffing machine that could reduce human error like that which occurred in the last municipal election. It is funded by grants.

GRACEDALE: A recent storm caused damage to one of Gracedale's roofs. An insurance claim has been filed and repairs are under way. She warned that changes are coming to the nursing home, both "fiscally and administratively." She said the state Department of Health has visited the facility a few times recently but found no deficient practices. She added that Gracedale's chef provides a monthly cooking demonstration and did so in March for St. Patrick's Day. 

As an Irishman, I can assure you that nearly all British cuisine was invented on a dare.  The only decent seven-course Irish meal is a six-pack and a potato. 

EMS: Interviews are ongoing to fill the vacancy created by Todd Weaver's retirement.

HOUSING: Zrinski attended a "Housing for All meeting of the Third Street Alliance, which focused on a continuum of care for seniors, a housing first model to address homelessness and a plan to develop workforce housing. 

SHERIFF: Three candidates are being sent to the Sheriff's academy, and a fourth is already in training. The Sheriff's office warns residents to be wary of scam calls that seem to be coming from their office, but are actually coming from scammers. 

PROCUREMENT: met with Manager Jeffrey O'Brien to discuss ways to save money by consolidating purchases countywide. 

HUMAN SERVICES: has brought in 12 new employees.

HUMAN RESOURCES: has conducted testing for deputy sheriffs and 911 dispatchers. 

VACANT FISCAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR: "We're working on it. You're trying to drag somebody away from a lot of money to not so much. But this is public service, and we're doing it for a greater purpose."

PUBLIC WORKS: has been addressing damage to county buildings from a recent storm that affected several properties. The new parking deck plans have been finalized, and contracts are going out to bid this week. 

PARKS: is hiring for summer positions. 

NorCo Council Unanimously Approves Human Relations Commission

Last night, all nine members of Northampton County Council voted to establish a Human Relations Commission (you can see the original version here) to resolve claims of discrimination in a timely manner pursuant to the county's police powers. 

The purpose of the ordinance, as stated in the bill itself, is to "declare [the county's intent] to promote the rights and opportunities of all persons to participate in the social, cultural, recreational, and economic life of the County and to assure equal opportunity for all persons concerning employment, housing, education, health care, and use of public accommodations without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical marital status, familial status, GED rather than high school diploma, or mental disability, relationship or association with a disabled person, source of income, age, height, weight, veteran status, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids, or domestic or sexual violence victim status."

The Commission envisaged by this ordinance consists of seven members appointed by the Executive, which County Council can confirm or reject. Members will reflect the diversity of protected classes. If the commission finds that a complaint of discrimination is substantiated, it can fine the offender up to $600.

Among the many members of the public who spoke in support of this ordinance was Liz Bradberry, who chairs Lehigh County's Human Relations Commission and is herself the CEO of Keystone Equality. She stated that Lehigh County's Human Relations Comm'n can resolve complaints in two days, much faster than the two-year average with the state. 

I was a bit concerned about cost, given that county finances are tight. But Bradberry explained that in Lehigh, their Commission has spent only $136 over the past two years. 

Bradberry also informed Council that 76 municipalities have established human relations commissions statewide, including 6 counties. She also reviewed case law supporting human relations commissions. 

In addition to Bradberry's factually based oration, Council members themselves made some impassioned arguments in favor of the ordinance. 

Nadeem Qayyum, the County's first Muslim and Asian American elected in the county, said that the Human Relations Ordinance is more than a legal text. "I see a promise," he said. 

Theresa Fadem said her family (great grandmother) was brought here as a slave from West Africa and that she herself "has suffered a lot of discrimination in my lifetime." She was proud of the members of the public who advocated the ordinance. 

Dave Holland, who announced that he has a husband, stated that "when people are treated differently, they struggle at another level than people who aren't treated differently. ... If we're treated differently just because of who we are, it takes a toll on the individual, not only the individual, but the whole family. ... When somebody has to deny who they are, it crushes your soul."

Lori Vargo Heffner gave no impassioned speech, but instead acted as a scrivener to tighten the language of the ordinance with a series of friendly amendments, all of which passed. 

This ordinance also was supported by Executive Tara Zrinski. "Our strength as a county comes from the diversity of our residents," she said.

I only wish that bloggers were a protected class.  

NorCo Public Defender Seeks Full-Time First Assistant

Nuria DiLuzio, Northampton County's Chief Public Defender, asked County Council last night to create a new position in her office for a full-time first assistant. That position currently exists but it is part-time. She assured Council that she has money in her budget to pay for that position this year. She added that if Council creates this position, she will return and ask to eliminate the part-time position. 

Her office currently consists of 13 part-time public defenders, 4 full-time public defenders, a support staff of 3 and a client advocate. Her office handles 75% of the criminal cases filed in the county. 

She said that her office is very strong and winning a record number of criminal cases. 

Amazingly, up until now, clients who sought a public defender were unable to do so online. She finally persuaded the county's outside IT department to make that option available, and it "really has streamlined our service" with the public and defendants awaiting trial. 

She also answered questions about the county's problem-solving courts, where her office assigns a defender. 

County Council will vote on her request tonight.  

She's doing much better than most Public Defenders throughout the state. According to Pittsburgh Courier, Pennsylvania faces a shortage of about 30% of the public defenders it needs. This results in criminal defendants sitting in jail longer than necessary and clogs dockets

Lehigh County's DCED Director Tapped as Allentown's Managing Director

Frank Kane, who has been Director of Lehigh County's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), has been tapped by Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk as that city's new managing director. 

Kane, a graduate of Moravian College, has spent 20 years with Lehigh County and has been DCED Director since 2013. Prior to that, he spent three years as the press secretary for Pennsylvania's General Services Administration when Don Cunningham was the Director of that department. 

Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for State Senate is Among 41 Challenges Across the State

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court has received 41 separate challenges to nomination petitions filed by statewide and congressional candidates. Locally, objections have been filed to Taiba Sultana's nomination petition for the State Senate seat held by Lisa Boscola. She is required to have the signature support of 500 registered voters who live in her district, but according to papers filed by Allentown lawyer Ray Lahoud, she only has 484 valid signatures among the 901 people who endorsed her candidacy. 

Lahoud, you may recall, paid for campaign signs calling Sultana "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" when she ran unsuccessfully for State Rep. two short years ago. Sultana responded with a defamation suit, which she lost. There's no love lost between these two. 

The actual petitioners are interesting, too. They include Patti Hitzel, a South Side Easton activist who can be seen at every City Council meeting and who was the victim of some ugly attacks by Sultana. They include Easton First Lady Pam Panto, whose husband Sal was rather routinely and unfairly called a bigot and sexist by Sultana. 

In addition to the signature challenge, Lahoud contends that Sultana's required Statement of Financial Interests, which must be filed with the nomination petition, is also invalid. 

Under the State Ethics Act, a candidate must report all direct and indirect sources of income in excess of $1,300. She must also report her "occupation or profession."  She reports that she is "self-employed", but that denies the public the right to know exactly what she is doing. The public is this deprived of knowing the sources of her income. 

Although no court has ruled on this question, the Pa Supreme Court threw out a nomination petition filed by a law school graduate who was not yet a practicing attorney. The court concluded that this misled the public. So if someone lists her occupation as self-employed, but fails to state how this person is self-employed, does this mislead the public, too? That's what the Commonwealth Court is being asked to decide. 

Lahoud also raised some questions about the circulator affidavits 

Tiburcio Nomination Petition for Pa. State Rep Under Siege

Locally, two nomination petitions for state senate and the state house have been challenged. The objections to Taiba Sultana's quest for the Pa State Senate are discussed above. This post is about the challenge to Ana Tiburcio's attempt to make the ballot as a Democratic candidate for the 22d legislative district in Allentown. Tiburcio was required to obtain 300 signatures from Democrats who live and vote in her district. Her petition contains 578 signatures, but papers filed by Attorney Elliott Love contends that 317 of them are invalid. 

Love's suit was filed on behalf of Jessica Lee Ortiz and Paulette Hunter, who are obviously doing Ce-Ce Gerlach's dirty work for her. 

In addition to challenging the validity of signatures, Attorney Love contends that several of the circulator affidavits are defective. 

Among those who circulated Tiburcio's petition are State Reps. Michael Schlossberg, Steve Samuelson and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. 

Lawsuit Accuses Congressional Candidate Bob Brooks of Fraudulently Ripping Off Mother-in-Law

Bob Brooks is one of four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the upcoming Pa. 7th Congressional District race against incumbent Ryan Mackenzie. Brooks portrays himself as an Everyman. In a way, he probably is. He presents himself as a woke liberal to the Bernie Sanders and Jamie Raskins of the Democratic left, while simultaneously positioning himself as conservative Democrat to Josh Shapiro and his herd. He tries to be all things to all people. I'd call him shady. 

A lawsuit filed in Northampton County on February 17 (you can see it below) alleges that he and his current wife (who has pretty much the same name as Wife#1), have engaged in what amounts to a fraudulent conveyance to avoid a judgment he owes his former mother-in-law. 

Let me give you some background. In 2008, his in-laws transferred a residential property to Brooks and his Wife #1. They even fronted the cost of subdividing the property to the tune of $55,000. Everyman Brooks promised to pay the money back but never did. Eventually, he and Wife #1 signed a promissory note for the money, but he never paid a cent. He was sued, and a $130,000 award was entered against him in 2020. In an effort to string things along, he appealed. He lost in a unanimous Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling. In 2022, judgment was entered against him for $130,000. 

That judgment remains open of record. 

After screwing over his in-laws, he and his wife eventually parted ways, with a divorce being granted in 2018. Then, in the midst of two mortgage foreclosures and lawsuits by two credit card companies, Brooks quitclaimed his interest in the property to a person who I thought was Wife #1 in 2022. But according to the lawsuit filed against Brooks, he actually quitclaimed his interest to Wife #2 in a Quitclaim Deed that both he and Wife #2 executed. 

I've told you that Wives  #1 and #2 have virtually identical names. Wife #1 is Jennifer Lynne Brooks. Wife #2 is Jennifer Lynn Brooks. There is no "e" in "Lynne" in Wife #2's name. The lawsuit avers that the Quitclaim was a fraudulent attempt to obscure the real identity of Wife #2 in order to avoid paying a $130,000 judgment. As a bonus for Brooks, this alleged subterfuge would have enabled Wife #2 tro obtain a $330,000 mortgage. 

According to the lawsuit, the signature in the Quitclaim is different than the Note signed by Wife #1 and Brooks for the cost of subdividing their property.  

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the mother-in-law, now seeks $160,000 from Brooks and from Wife #2. In addition, punitive damages are sought for "outrageous" and "malicious" subterfuge that "shock the conscience"

He's no working-class hero. He's shady. While there might be an innocent explanation to these allegations of forgery, there's no denying that Brooks has adamantly refused to pay a family loan, not just a bank loan, for the home in which he lives.  

He's no everyman. He's shady. He was actually soliciting campaign contributions for fellow Democrat Lamont McClure. Before stabbing McClure in the back, Brooks called McClure a "strong Democrat with a proven track record of putting out fires and a long history of standing up to corruption." 

He's no Bernie Sanders or Josh Shapiro. He's shady.

In 2019, he posted the Clint Eastwood meme you see above, which stand for some well-known Republican ideals. I could understand a Democrat might endorse second amendment rights. He might think we need stronger discipline. He might want us all to tougher on crime. He might even think prayer in schools is a good idea. But if he supports all of these, it's time for him to change his party registration. What bothers me most is the skull with a Roman numeral III. This signifies the three percenters, "a decentralized, far-right, anti-government movement in the United States." 

He's deceptive. In his financial disclosure for Congress, he reports assets and unearned income of at least $963,000. This includes a residential rental property valued at between $250,000 and $500,000 and stocks in multiple mutual funds.  He reports salaries of $20,000 from Bethlehem, $50,000 from the Pa Professional Firefighter's Ass'n, as well as business income of $15,000 from his lawn care business. 

He reports debt of between $380,000 and $850,000 based on a residential mortgage, an investment property mortgage, and outstanding debt to Darrell and Linda Crook. He fails to list a $130,000 judgment owed to Carol Wiley, his former mother-in-law, since 2022. 

A title search of Northampton County records reveal that Brooks owns no real estate under his own name, nor is there any recorded mortgage in which he is listed. 

Something is very fishy about Brooks' disclosure. And hypocritical. SpotlightPa called him out for complaining about his investments in the very industries he complains about.

Of the four candidates seeking the Dem nomination, Brooks is clearly the most likely to be torn apart by Mackenzie in the general election. That's because he's no everyman. Just an opportunist. 

Lawsuit Claims Congressional Candidate Engaged in Fraud To Avoid Paying Judgment by BernieOHare

What Happened to Gracedale Former Administrator Jennifer Stewart?

Jennifer Stewart was Gracedale's Administrator between for nearly six years between 2019 and 2024, She had been employed at the nursing home in various capacities since 2005. In late 2024, former NorCo Exec Lamont McClure removed her from her position as Administrator to Admissions Coordinator. He told County Council that he did this "because there hasn't been a county contribution [to the nursing home] from the general fund for many years. ... One of the things that we think is necessary in order to continue to be viable as a county-owned and operated institution is to continue not to have county contributions coming from the general fund..... Jennifer Stewart is an expert at getting the census up."

What he failed to tell County Council at that time was that there was a simmering crisis in which monies that had been set aside for retention bonuses were spent instead on other Gracedale expenditures. What he also failed to tell Council was that Gracedale actually did get a county contribution of $9.9 million in 2024, a point highlighted by the annual independent audit. 

It appears that Jennifer Stewart, an unusual and special kind of person who actually cares about the residents, was scapegoated and sent to Admissions. 

She only remained at Gracedale a year, and currently is Administrator at Bethlehem North Nursing and Rehab Center, a four-star facility. 

NorCo Still Has No Fiscal Affairs Director

At March 5's Northampton County Council meeting, Executive Tara Zrinski revealed that she's still unable to find a Fiscal Affairs Director. She told Council member Lori Vargo Heffner that it's difficult to "drag someone away from a high-earning fiscal job to a not-so-high-paying job that will probably give them a headache every time they come up here. ... It's gonna' take a special person."

Lehigh Valley Planning Comm'n Presents Annual Report

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's  (LVPC) Annual Report, published on February 28, was presented to Northampton County Council last week. According to the study, the Lehigh Valley faces a 9,000-unit housing shortage, a strained transportation and utility infrastructure, and a rapidly changing development landscape with new industrial uses (can you say data center?). Population is increasing, but job growth is even greater.

Job growth is predicted to increase by 25% by 2040, which Healthcare and Social Assistance jobs leading the pack. 

Although there is an affordable housing crisis, plans for nearly 6,000 residential units were reviewed in 2025, of which more than half - 3,450 - were for apartments. 

In addition to housing units, LVPC also reviewed plans to develop 1.3 million sq ft of nonresidential use, of which 7.2 million sq ft is for industrial use. 

Council member Jason Boulette asked Executive Director Becky Bradley about Plan Slate Belt multi-municipal plan, where three townships dropped out. She explained that a "really divisive" development planned in Upper Mount Bethel (Lou Pektor's subdivision) "created some issues of trust in the communities up there." She added that one of the developments that pulled out (Lower Mount Bethel?) is currently writing legislation to support a data center. 

Council member Jeff Warren said he'd be inviting Bradley back to discuss her views on data centers. She's already discussed them in a piece for the Morning Call in which she cautions that Pa. is a right-to-develop state, meaning every community must plan for every lawful use. She added that the Lehigh Valley already has several small data centers, which a large one planned in Upper Macungie. Rather than painting them as villains, she noted that many of them "are looking to develop geothermal, closed loop and onsite energy generation systems to not only reduce their costs of operation but, reduce impacts. The industry itself is rapidly evolving too. So before anyone declares the downfall of mankind or stirs up any more gossip bordering on hysteria, take a deep breath and proceed with logic."

The Jill Mancini Case

When Lamont McClure ran against John Brown for NorCo Executive, one of his many complaints was the way Brown stepped all over the due process rights of one particular county employee when Brown first took office. He made that point in several campaign addresses and even hosted that staffer at one of his fundraisers. That employee, Jill Mancini, was a full-time assistant county solicitor. She was summarily fired in a Christmas phone call by the Brown administration. No Loudermill hearing. No due process of any sort. Mancinci sued the county and a federal jury concluded that her due process rights were, in fact, violated.  She was awarded $94,000. Her attorney was awarded $186,000. That finding was upheld on appeal to the Third Circuit as well. 

After McClure defeated Brown and took over as county executive, you'd think he'd work out an award with Mancini that would be to everyone's satisfaction. Instead, her claim for reinstatement and back pay has dragged on throughout his eight years as Executive. After years of going back and forth between the Personnel Appeals Board, Common Pleas Court and Commonwealth Court, President Judge Craig Dally ruled in 2024 that Mancini be reinstated, that she be awarded back pay and all fringe benefits between 2014, the date of her termination, and 2018, when she found alternative employment. He scheduled a hearing for damages.

Instead of resolving the matter, McClure appealed to the Commonwealth Court. His appeal was quashed as a tad premature. 

So once again, there will be a hearing this month in which Judge Dally will decide precisely how much the county owes Mancini.

No matter how you slice this, it's going to cost the county money. Instead of wasting time and money on appeals, this matter needs to be concluded. 

It is yet another financial dagger in the heart of Executive Tara Zrinski. 

Pa. 07 Congressional Race - Only Four Democrats File Nomination Petitions

Although six Democrats had announced their candidacy as their party's nominee in the Pa. 7th Congressional District, only four have filed nomination petitions. Robert Brooks, Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure and Carol Obando-Derstine filed nomination petitions in Harrisburg yesterday. Candidates Lew Shupe and Aiden Gonzales failed to file and hence are ineligible as Democrats. 

Why NorCo Area Agency on Aging is Losing a $373,464 Revenue Stream

When Governor Josh Shapiro signed the 2025-6 state budget in November, his office announced that it was investing $10 million more in services for older adults. So when NorCo Executive Tara Zrinski announced last week that the county's Area Agency on Aging is actually facing a $400,000 budget cut, I was a bit confused. After making inquiries with Zrinski and others, I can tell you what is happening and why.

What is Being Cut? The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) currently conducts something known as a "desk review" to determine if someone is eligible for long-term care services, be it a nursing home or in-These are performed under something known as the Aging Well contract.  This review is done without meeting the applicant in person. Instead, medical records and other paperwork are reviewed and an assessment is made. 

AAA conducted 1,440 desk reviews in 2025 at $259.35 a pop, which resulted in $373,464 in revenue in 2025. 

This program is being eliminated.  After April 1, AAA can no longer perform or bill for them. So that revenue stream after March. It's not quite $400,000 but is substantial. 

Why Are Desk Reviews Being Cut? This is the decision of Pennsylvania's Office of Long-Term Living, which oversees long-term care services, which can be a nursing home or in-home care. 

The state believes that direct interaction with an applicant and the use of standardized tools are more reliable measures for determining what king of long-term care is needed.

Desk reviews were expanded as a result of COVID and backlogs in eligibility determinations. Now that the pandemic is over, administrative shortcuts are being removed.

The goal is to make eligibility determinations based on direct clinical assessments, which align more closely with federal Medicaid.

Elimination of a funding stream for the AAA and county is an unintended consequence of this change, but it will improve the health and safety of applicants. 

Unfortunately, the permanent loss of a revenue stream that probably would come close to $400,000 in 2026 and will be nonexistent in 2027, is yet another blow to county finances. Just a few weeks ago, the county contributed $7 million to Gracedale so it could balance its books in 2025. Its reliance on agency nursing is increasing because it must in order to meet the state minimum standards for nursing care, and that will cost the county more money. It's safe to say we are looking at a tax hike next year. 

Zrinski Discusses County Response to Hampton Hotel Fire and a $400,000 Budget Cut to Area Agency on Aging

On February 20, around 30 people were displaced by a fire at Hotel Hampton in downtown Easton. This was the permanent home of many of those who were victimized by the conflagration. A Wilson Borough firefighter was injured and had to be hospitalized. Northampton County Executive discussed what actions the county took to help during her presentation to county council last week. 

Zrinski stated that officials were able to identify those who lost their homes and provide emergency shelter and services. She added that she was also able to get help from the state but has had difficulty obtaining a long-term housing solution. She thanked Easton City Council member Frank Pintabone for persuading Easton's Methodist Church to provide 30 days of temporary shelter. Some of those displaced lost everything, including birth certificates and social security cards. Human services agencies have worked on getting duplicates. 

She also noted a pop-up block party where local businesses and residents provided food, clothing and emotional support. "It's really nice to see everybody coming together to help and support our community," she said. "We realize we have great neighbors. And if you live in Easton, you know your neighbors are pretty awesome."

Nobody lost their life in the blaze except for one cat, whose nine lives expired. 

Zrinski also addressed several other topics.

Area Agency on Aging. - "We also received noticed that the area agency on aging budget will be cut by almost $400,000, requiring us to figure out how to remediate the shortfall. We're good now through June 30th, and we're making progress on a strategy that will continue to provide senior centers and meals for our seniors, but we might have some challenges ahead."

Digitalization. -  The county is continuing the task of digitalizing records to obviate the need for paper. Zrinski is trying to free up as much space as she can to see if it's possible to avoid an additional building. 

Corrections. - Recruitment and professional development remain high priorities. Potential corrections officers are being interviewed, and new recruits are currently shadowing veteran officers to gain hands on experience. The department is proposing a new written exam for corrections, recruitment, that will cover comprehension, language skills, math, and report writing with the goal of selecting candidates who are well prepared for the demands of the jail.

Corrections is also planning a reentry fair to support short-term inmates, those with sentences of approximately 30 to 60 days by connecting them with community resources to ease their transition back into the community, with a date in April still to be finalized. 

In February 2026, Corrections placed 16 inmates directly into inpatient treatment facilities. This resulted in 209 bed days saved at the jail.The estimated daily savings of these 16 inmates is $39,613.86 daily. Zrinski observed that inpatient tratment better addresses the needs of those individuals.

So that also allows them to better address the needs of those individuals as well.

ICE DETAINERS. - Director DeeAnn Lawrence personally reviewed and attended a 7 a.m. ICE arrival to take into custody 3 released inmates with detainers in order to observe the current process and ensure it is handled appropriately and transparently.

Sheriffs. - recently conducted a physical agility test at Lafayette University. The Sheriff is currently reviewing the weapons screening process. Boomer, a black lab trained to detect explosive devices, will be retiring soon. 

Public Works. - designing a parking plan for county visitors and employees to minimize inconvenience once construction of a new parking deck begins. 

UPDATED: Gracedale's Medicare Fines Climb From $80,550 to $154,330

Medicare may fine a nursing home when there's a serious health or safety violation that remains uncorrected. Gracedale was hit with two such penalties, totaling $80,550, on September 19, 2025. This appears to be related to residents who were just wandering off the premises and then being retrieved by local police. Unfortunately, and for reasons that elude me, that total has increased. 

According to Medicare, those penalties now total $154,330, nearly twice what it had been before. It is unclear to me why they have increased. They appear to be based on the same two transgressions for which Gracedale was fined on September 19, 2025. There was no public discussion of this sudden increase or what prompted it at Thursday night's County Council meeting. 

According to the Department of Health nursing home facility locator, Gracedale had a provisional license on Sunday, but that has since been upgraded to regular status.

During her Executive Report, Tara Zrinski told Council last Thursday that she had visited Gracedale that very day and is grateful for everyone's dedication. "Their team is invaluable as they care for some of the most vulnerable people in that our residents there are just in some of the most challenging conditions," she said.

Zrinski did draw attention to one of the residents, Rodney Schaffer, an accredited firefighter with 23 years at The Bethlehem Steel. "They're not just residents, they had lives before they came to Gracedale, and we want to honor them as well," she observed.

UPDATED 3/9/26, 8:46 AM

and 3:24 PM

Lehigh Tp Police Praise NorCo 911 - "Your Voice Saves Lives"

On February 19, Lehigh Township police responded to a domestic disturbance involving an armed man who had pointed a gun at his wife and threatened to kill her. The situation was resolved without any violence. The suspect was unarmed, the victim was safe and police were unharmed. Police were quick to praise the NorCo 911 dispatcher who handled that call. The dispatcher, who was placed on speakerphone, spoke to the armed male and persuaded him to disarm and step outside with his hands in the air. 

On Facebook, the Lehigh Tp Police Department said this: "This outcome is due in no small part to the professionalism, composure, and life-saving communication of the 911 dispatcher. 911 dispatchers are often the invisible lifeline of emergency response—they gather critical information, guide victims, support officers, and in cases like this, directly prevent violence. Their work happens behind the scenes, but their impact is felt on every call. ... Thank you to our dispatch partners—your voice saves lives."

Executive Tara Zrinski reported to NorCo Council last week that she had visited 911 and gave all dispatchers involved a certificate of appreciation. "I don't think we recognize how important and how difficult the 911 operator's job is," she commented. "They definitely deserve more than a certificate, but they do deserve appreciation."

She also indicated that the county intends to do a "media blitz" to attract more dispatchers. "They do such hard work and we need more of them," she said.

I will have more from Zrinski's detailed report tomorrow concerning the county response to the Hampton Hotel fire in Easton

NorCo Council Introduces Civil Rights Comm'n Ordinance

At their meeting last night, Northampton County Council members Jason Boulette and Jeff Warren agreed to introduce an ordinance (you can see it here) that establishes a county civil rights commission. Typically, Council members wait to discuss the merits of proposed ordinances until there is a public hearing. That will occur on March 19.  

The purpose of the ordinance, as stated in the bill itself, is to "declare [the county's intent] to promote the rights and opportunities of all persons to participate in the social, cultural, recreational, and economic life of the County and to assure equal opportunity for all persons concerning employment, housing, education, health care, and use of public accommodations without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical marital status, familial status, GED rather than high school diploma, or mental disability, relationship or association with a disabled person, source of income, age, height, weight, veteran status, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids, or domestic or sexual violence victim status."

The Commission envisaged by this ordinance consists of seven members appointed by the Executive, which County Council can confirm or reject. Members will reflect the diversity of protected classes. If the commission finds that a complaint of discrimination is substantiated, it can fine the offender up to $600.

Although Council members themselves will make their arguments two weeks from now, the proposed ordinance had support from several members of the public, including Lehigh Valley Justice Initiative's Joe Welsh. In a previous life, Joe Welsh litigated numerous civil rights discrimination lawsuits. He encouraged the creation of a human relations commission, noting that federal and state agencies that oversee discrimination complaints are completely overwhelmed and can take over a year to investigate and resolve complaints. 

Welsh stated that earlier that evening, "I stood here ... and saw every single member of council, put your hand over your heart, and pledge allegiance to the principle of liberty and justice for all. And that is a fundamental goal and cherished aspiration of the United States of America. And this piece of legislation, you can consider the enabling legislation for that lofty goal."

In other business, Northampton County Council voted 5-3, with one abstention, to support a resolution opposing ICE warehouses in Northampton County. The measure was supported by Council members Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan, Jeff Warren, Nadeem Qayyum and Jason Boulette. It was opposed by Council members Lori Vargo Heffner, Tom Giovanni and Dave Holland, with Theresa Fadem abstaining.

Warren, who is running for State Representative, said that he and Boulette worked on this resolution for several weeks. He noted that Bucks County recently approved a similar resolution and took umbrage with a claim by Upper Mount Bethel's Charles Baltic that the resolution is unconstitutional.

Council Solicitor Matt Deschler assured County Council that the resolution passes constitutional muster.  

Baltic made that claim during courtesy of the floor and wondered why County Council is getting involved in a federal matter when they should be paying closer attention to county finances. 

Why did Fadem abstain? She is a code enforcement officer in Hellertown. "My role in code enforcement requires that I apply ordinances and applicable state and federal laws fairly, consistently. And without bias. Property owners have established rights under the law. And if a proposed use is permitted under zoning ordinance, and the applicant follows all the required procedures, meets all the safety in building and land development standards, and satisfies all their legal requirements. We don't have the authority to oppose that use based on our personal or our political viewpoints. To do so would be inconsistent with the rule of law and the oath that, at least, I have taken."

Vargo Heffner's problem with the resolution was a passage echoing Executive Tara Zrinski's call "for industry and real estate leaders to decline to sell or lease industrial warehouse facilities to the federal government for the purposes of mass detention." Vargo Heffner added, "We don't have the right to say what people can or cannot sell." Holland shared Vargo Heffner's concern and suggested removing that portion of the resolution, but no one made such a motion. 

Kraft supported the resolution because an ICE purchase of a warehouse would remove the property from the tax rolls. In addition, he complained that most warehouses are "tilt ups" set up in a way that may be large, but has little actual living space in terms of restrooms, showers, etc. 

Giovanni opposed the resolution. "We're trying to be a zoning body and we're not," he said succinctly. 

During this meeting, Executive Tara Zrinski provided yet again an exhaustive report of what is going on in the county, department-by-department. I'll share what she had to say on Monday. 

Government by Litigation in NorCo is Never a Good Idea - Part Two

Yesterday, I told you about a squabble between the Northampton County Council and Executive that spilled over into the courts. Was it about the Executive's failure to follow a county council resolution that provided for retention bonuses at Gracedale? Nah. Did it involve a novel interpretation of the Home Rule Charter or Administrative Code? No. It was instead a petty dispute over audio-visual upgrades to Council's meeting room. They both look silly. Today, I have yet another example of government by litigation. This is a second lawsuit, this time by District Attorney Steve Baratta, concerns the Executive's refusal to allow him to fill a vacant "Senior Deputy" position at a smaller salary than its previous occupant.  The Executive advised that only County Council could approve this hire at a smaller salary than the one originally approved. Why Baratta just didn't go to County Council is a mystery to me. Why the Exec insisted on getting Council approval for a position they already established at a higher wage is another puzzler. Instead, they've been more than willing to govern by litigation.

The procedural history of this simple disagreement makes it sound like the case of the century. Baratta starts with a complaint in Mandamus and a Motion for peremptory judgment. The County responded with a Motion to Strike the Motion for peremptory judgment, and Baratta hit back with preliminary objections, to which the county responded with its own set of preliminary objections. 

Who's on first?

After shoveling his way through all the legal manure, sustaining this and overruling that, President Judge Craig Dally (who got stuck with this case as well as the County Council spat) does conclude that there's a "reasonable expectation that the County Executive will continue to attempt to manage the District Attorney's Career Exempt Employees [nonunion] in clear violation of the Northampton County Home Rule Charter, unless a resolution is promulgated by this Court."

Judge Dally not only dismissed the Executive's attempt to strike the DA's motion for peremptory judgment but has actually scheduled a hearing on that matter for March 18 in a separate order from what you see below. 

The office of District Attorney is a constitutional office and is an independently elected office. In numerous cases filed by former District Attorney (now Judge) John Morganelli, the courts have long recognized that the DA, like the courts, has the right to hire, fire, promote and demote as he sees fit. His only real limitation is the budget approved by County Council. The Executive should never have injected himself into another independently elected office. 

DA v. McClure Decision on Preliminary Objections by BernieOHare

NorCo Council to Consider Establishment of a Human Relations Commission

At tonight's meeting of Northampton County Council, an ordinance establishing a Human Relations Commission will be introduced.  The text will be available tomorrow, at which time two sponsors will be identified. Bethlehem, Allentown and Lehigh County have all established Human Relations Commissions. Most human relations commissions were inspired by the Civil Rights movement in the '60s. 

In other business, Council will consider an "ICE warehouse resolution."

Government by Litigation in NorCo is Never a Good Idea - Part One

Government by litigation is always a bad idea. But late last year, a frustrated Northampton County Council sued former Executive Lamont McClure over unfinished or defective audio and visual upgrades to County Council's meeting room. 

After several requests went unfulfilled, Northampton County Council actually adopted an Ordinance for these upgrades in late 2023. According to the terms of this Ordinance, the upgrades were to be completed by June 2024. Under the Home Rule Charter, the Executive has a duty to enforce and fulfill County Council ordinances. 

Then Exec McClure vetoed the Ordinance, but the only Council member who voted to sustain that veto was then Council member (and now Executive) Tara Zrinski. At that point, the Executive had a duty to enforce and fulfill County Council ordinances. That's what the Home Rule Charter requires. 

Ron Heckman, a former Council member, was participating in meetings remotely and routinely complained that he was unable to hear or see what was happening. When he would speak at meetings, his voice would often cut off, and no one could hear him. It was suggested that he might be responsible himself for his technical difficulties, but he insisted that this was a systemic problem that the Executive branch chose to ignore.

I myself have noticed that the sound quality of meetings has deteriorated, although there are still tooo many Council members who forget to use their mikes. 

Northampton County Council actually adopted an Ordinance for these upgrades in late 2023. According to the terms of this Ordinance, the upgrades were to be completed by June 2024. Then Exec McClure vetoed the Ordinance, but the only Council member who voted to sustain that veto was then Council member (and now Executive) Tara Zrinski.

After Tara Zrinski was sworn in as Exec, I thought County Council and the Exec would reach some sort of agreement over this matter, especially since she campaigned with two of the new faces.  This should have been resolved. Nobody wins when one branch of government sues another. It is a waste of time both for the lawyers involved as well as the courts. 

Unfortunately, for reasons that elude me, the case continued  The County Exec argued that a complaint for Declaratory Judgment is an improper form of action. I personally thought that a Mandamus action is probably more appropriate but am unsure whether the court wished to exalt procedure over substance.

It did.

In a decision filed Monday, which you can read yourself below, President Judge Craig Dally dismissed the lawsuit brought by County Council against the Executive. Because Council was requesting the Executive to do his job, and not just determine rights and obligations, the proper form of action is Mandamus. 

McClure also contended that the County and/or the County Administration should have been named as Defendants. Judge Dally disagreed, noting that the Home Rule Charter specifically provides that it is the Executive's responsibility to enforce County Council ordinances. 

To sum it up, County Council's lawsuit is still alive. It can amend its complaint and seek relief in mandamus and without joining any parties aside from the Executive. I would hope that County Council and the Exec can now resolve this matter without wasting everyone's time. 

Unfortunately, there is another case between the DA's office and the Exec that is even more wacky than this one. I am still trying to figure out all the goofy pleadings filed. There's even a third action that has been in the appellate courts and back a few times over a former improperly fired employee seeking back pay. I'll tell you about them tomorrow. 

Northampton County Council v McClure by BernieOHare

How Do Congressional Candidates Feel About Strike on Iran

Incumbent Congressman Ryan Mackenzie -". The world will become a safer place in the long run because of President Trump’s actions."

Robert Brooks -"The Iranian people deserve freedom. Our kids deserve a country that learns from its mistakes. And our troops deserve better than another war in the Middle East. Especially without Congress signing off."

Ryan Croswell - "No one doubts the Iranian regime is dangerous and repressive, but starting a war without a clear objective, without a defined end state, and without Congressional authorization, puts our troops at risk and weakens the very rule of law they swear to protect and defend."

Aiden Alexander Gonzales - nothing on Facebook. 

Lamont McClure - refers to it in passing as an "undeclared, unauthorized war in Iran."

Carol Obando-Derstine - "Regarding the strikes in Iran today - the American people re-elected Trump in hopes of seeing lower gas prices, lower utility bills, and less inflation. But, what we're seeing is unilateral and unchecked decisions to deploy illegal tariffs, launch foreign wars, and experiment with regime change. We deserve better."

Lewis Shupe - nothing on Facebook.

The Attack On Iran Was Overdue

Regular readers of this blog know I detest President Donald Trump. But I agree completely with his decision to authorize a joint US-Israeli attack aimed at Iran. It's about time. 

We've been at war with Iran since 1979, when that country's militants attacked our embassy in Tehran and took 66 hostages. That war has continued with the murder of American troops in Beirut and with the IED devices it supplied to kill hundreds of Americans in Iraq. It has been a state sponsor of terror, arming Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Houthis and Shia militias. While denying nuclear ambition, it had enriched uranium nearly to the point in which it could build a nuclear bomb. This is the country that has referred to the US as "the Great Satan." It has called Israel a "cancerous tumor," using language that would make Hitler proud.

It brutally represses dissent. It has killed thousands just over the past few months. There is no gender equality. Women are inferior and can be beaten or fined if caught without a hijab. If you're gay and caught in a relationship, the punishment is death. Prostitute? Death. Blasphemy? Death.  

So yes, this attack is overdue.

Is it legal? Many experts say No and that Trump needs Congressional authoriztion. They are forgetting his Article II powers, which are provided for in the Constituion. I believe it imbues the President with broad authority to use military force as he sees fit. This is also what past Presidents have done.

The Gracedale Resident Who Called Wolf ... 275 Times

In Aesop's Fables, the little boy who cried "Wolf, Wolf!" only succeeded in fooling villagers twice before they stopped believing him. At Gracedale, resident Tanya Hatch has cried "Wolf!" at least 275 times over an 18-month period. Her incessant 911 calls, which now have come close to 300, has landed her in hot water with Upper Nazareth Tp police. She's been charged with an assortment of misdemeanors and felonies over her penchant for calling 911 to complain of nonexistent medical emergencies as well as an attempt to falsely incriminate a nursing aide. 

Hatch is just 29 years old. This strikes me as an unusually young age for someone living in a nursing home. At one time, that may have been true. These days, around 20% of nursing home residents are under age 65.  

She's been charged in two separate complaints, filed February 18 and February 21, which you can review yourself below. 

In the Complaint filed February 18 by Officer Cory Fluck, Hatch is charged with false alarms to public safety agencies (a first-degree misdemeanor) and misuse of 911 (a second-degree misdemeanor). She had placed 275 calls to the 911 emergency number for nonexistent medical emergencies between July 23, 2024 and January 6, 2026. After being told to stop crying "Wolf!", she placed 22 more calls to 911. 

In addition, she's been charged with making a false report with the intention of implicating another (a second-degree misdemeanor). According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Officer Fluck, a nursing assistant watched her lay on the floor and prop her head up on a tub to make it look as though she had fallen and hit her head. When confronted, Hatch accused the nursing assistant of recording her in her private room.  

A second Complaint filed February 21 by Officer Zach Dugan charged her with a third-degree felony for two more false alarms within a 20-minute span despite previous warnings and criminal charges. 

First degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. Second-degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of two years in jail. A third-degree felony is punishable by up to seven years in jail. 

Can a nursing home resident who engages in criminal behavior be evicted? If it's a Medicare and Medicaid nursing home like Gracedale, the answer is generally No. A resident can be evicted "if their welfare, or that of other residents, is endangered by their continued presence, such as when behavior poses a threat to safety or health. Discharge is also permissible if the resident’s needs cannot be met by the facility, meaning the required care exceeds what the nursing home provides. Finally, a nursing home can discharge residents if the facility ceases to operate."

Hatch Criminal Complaint by BernieOHare