Ortiz Claims She Resigned from Allentown Redevelopment Authority Because of Mismanagement, Conflict of Interest

On Wednesday, I told you that Allentown Redevelopment Authority (ARA) is being sued by Allentown-based developer Nat Hyman.  In January, on the motion of then board member Jessica Ortiz, ARA voted to seek proposals (called RFPs) to redevelop the old Allentown Toy Factory, located at 725 10th Street, with an emphasis on affordable or workplace housing. But Ortiz has since resigned from the ARA, claiming she "resigned months ago because I felt there was conflict of interest ( not with me) , miss management [sic] and [s]o much more."  At a hearing, Ortiz can be asked to elaborate on this conflict of interest, mismanagement "and so much more." 

Hyman proposed buying the property for $10,000 more than it cost the ARA, proposed 20 apartments with all on-site parking and without any financial contingencies. 

But after a back-room meeting in which at least two board members participated, ARA went with developer Warren Lim. Under his proposal, ARA would lose between $50,000 -$100,000 over what it cost to acquire the Toy Factory. He proposed either 6 apartments and a daycare, or 12 apartments. His deal is also contingent on his ability to get a $1.39 million loan. There would be no on-site parking.  

Why Does Kraft Pressure Zrinski To Deliver Quick Reports?

When Lamont McClure was NorCo Exec, he often delivered lengthy addresses, although his focus was usually two or perhaps three matters. I heard no complaints from Council member Ken Kraft. 

Executive Tara Zrinski has provided lengthy reports as well. But unlike McClure, she goes into detail about what is going on in numerous county departments. They are very informative. But last night, as he has done several times before, Kraft pushed Zrinski to be as quick as possible. In an effort to comply, she began speaking fast. When she was done, Kraft revealed he actually timed her. 

I have to wonder why Kraft never complained to McClure during his sometimes-lengthy reports. Could it be because McClure, unlike Zrinski, is a member of the penis club? 

Zrinski is the county executive and should be free to take the time she needs to update Council and the public about what is going on in the county. If this is too much for Kraft, he should resign.

After Zrinski was finished, Council member Theresa Fadem thanked her for these informative reports. I like that. It was one woman sticking up for another in what certainly seemed to me like a perfect example of discrimination against Zrinski because she is just a woman.  

NorCo Council Opposes Hercules Cement's Desire to Release More Nitrogen Oxide and Volatile Organic Compounds Into Our Air

Elected officials will dispute this, but they tend to be a lot more responsive to developers and vendors who give them huge chunks of money, than they are to the unwashed masses. But there are rare occasions when one person can make a difference.

Two weeks ago, Upper Nazareth resident Becky Bartlett asked the county to oppose a proposal by Hercules Cement (these days it's called Buzzi Unicem) that will allow what is now an Italian conglomerate to spew more nitrogen oxide and other volatile organic compounds into the air we breathe. Last night, NorCo Council listened. By a 7-0 vote (Council members Lori Vargo Heffner and Jason Boulette were absent), they adopted a resolution to urge the Pa. DEP "to deny Buzzi Unicem's request and require the facility to retain strong NOx and VOE emission controls."

You can see the resolution yourself here. A similar resolution has already been adopted in Upper Nazareth Township. 

Interestingly, there is no data on NO releases by Hercules' Stockertown plant. But its TRI release for 2024 indicates that it does release a helluva' lot of volatile (and toxic) organic compounds. It spewed 6,000 pounds, with ammonia being the biggest amount. Ammonia is both corrosive and highly irritating to human tissue. It also releases mercury and lead compounds. 

Currently, PennDOT is hard(ly) at work, fixing a Rte 33 bridge near Hercules for the third time. There is little doubt in anyone's mind that work at the quarry causes sinkholes everywhere.  

NorCo Jail on Track for $4.5 Million in OT in 2026

DeeAnn Lawrence, Northampton County's Corrections Director, told County Council in April that there were just 161 corrections officers (COs) in a jail even though there should be 212. Things are going from bad to worse. 

Brandon Dunstane, the county's budget administrator, reviewed the county's finances over the first half of this year. We all recognize that the vacancies at the jail create a stressful environment for staffers who can be and are mandated to pull 16-hour shifts.  But this also places huge financial burden on the county. 

Dunstane told Council Prez Ken Kraft that corrections officers are now down to 135 from what was reported in April. As a result, it has already burned through its $2 million overtime budget for 2026.  Dunstane believes the county is on track to spend $4.5 million in OT, more than twice the budget. 

The county's second largest financial concern is Gracedale, the county-owned nursing home. Dunstane noted that the county adopted a budget amendment early in 2026 to make a $6.8 million county contribution to the nursing home because it ended 2025 with a $6.8 million deficit. 

After this contribution, however, it soon became apparent that Gracedale was not as badly off as originally thought. Some of its Medicaid applications (Gracedale usually has about 100 Medicaid applications outstanding at any given moment), were approved during the first three months of 2026, and this reduced the $6.8 million deficit to just $3.6 million.  As a result, Gracedale has a fund balance of $3.2 million which might be large enough to cover this year's deficit. 

Dunstance stated that Gracedale's deficit at the end of June was $1.1 million with an average census of 475. This is below the 520 census needed to break even, and it continues to drop and is currently in the 460s. Dunstane predicts the census at year's end may be more than $2.2 million. But if I understand him correctly, a county contribution for 2026 might be unnecessary because of its $3.2 million fund balance. 

He also mentioned a few other items of interest.

Dunstane indicated that the cost of the daycare at Gracedale comes out of the Human Resources budget. I believe this more appropriately belongs with Gracedale budget since this perk exists for Gracedale employees. 

Durstane indicated that two county sheriff cars were totaled and had to be replaced. 

He finally indicated that Executive Tara Zrinski, who can be seen just about everywhere, is blowing through her travel budget for 2026. He will be seeking a small increase for her to continue to attend conferences and lobby for the county. 

Allentown's Redevelopment Authority Playing Games With Toy Factory

Back in January, Allentown's Redevelopment Authority (ARA) voted to issue what is known as a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the old toy factory located at 725 10th Street. Amazingly, two then members of this five-person board (Jessica Ortiz and Christopher Raad), just happen to be realtors. No conflict there. 

Unlike a sealed bid, a request for proposals gives the selectors a lot of wiggle room. They can actually award a project based on factors other than price, though I'd hope that a governmental entity would at least try to be frugal. 

Surprise, surprise! That's not what happened with the Toy Factory. There were two proposals, and the ARA is going with the one that makes the least sense, at least for now. A lawsuit recently filed by Nat Hyman, whose proposal was rejected, has thrown a monkey wrench into things.

Though he actually lives in Allentown and is one of the very few developers who actually has a track record of successful projects inside the Queen City. But he's no ass-kisser and generally refuses to bend the knee to those local governmental officials who can be both supercilious and officious.  

Hyman proposed buying the Toy Factory for $410,000, about $10,000 more than it cost the ARA. The stated purpose of the RFP was to create workforce and affordable housing. Hyman proposed 20 affordable apartments and would be able to provide parking on the site with no need for off-street parking. 

Hyman has a history of 41 projects creating 1,480 apartments. None of these has ever required any taxpayer assistance, no matter how blighted the property may have been.

What about the other proposal? That came from Warren Lim, another realtor who has done 4 projects with 26 apartments. Unlike Hyman, his deal is contingent upon his ability to obtain financing for $1.39 million. Lim had two alternatives. On both of his options the ARA would lose between $50,000 and $100,000 over what it spent to acquire the toy factory. Option A would provide just 6 apartments, a daycare and no off-street parking. The other would create just 12 apartments with no on-site parking. 

It gets better. After both proposals were submitted, Lim was called in for a back room meeting with three of the five authority members, which certainly appears to be a Sunshine Act No No, along with staffers like Vicky Kistler, who reputedly smeared Hyman for daring to insist in an unrelated matter that a homeless encampment was a public safety nuisance. 

After that back-room meeting, the ARA decided that Lim, and not Hyman, was the best choice. That's right. They went with the project under which taxpayers will actually lose money. They are backing a project that is contingent on financing. They are backing a project that will result in less affordable housing.

Along the way, Alan Jennings, who participated in that private meeting along with a quorum of the authority, condescended from his self-adulation to instruct Hyman to apologize for telling the authority that they are full of shit. (figuratively, of course). 

Hyan sued instead. 

By the by, the authority also awarded realtor Lim the project at 540 W Hamilton. 

Governing Notes Allentown Mayor's Push For SNAP

Governing, one of my favorite online sources for local government, published a story yesterday about Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. He is one of about 200 mayors asking the Senate to roll back or delay SNAP benefits.

According to Tuerk, about 6,000 people in the Pa. 7th are among the 4 million people who have lost benefits so far. And this is just the beginning. 

Under Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, states will have to assume more of the administrative costs and implement work requirements. If Arizona is any indication, people are in for a rude awakening. In that state, which implemented changes ahead of schedule, half of its food stamp beneficiaries are now off the rolls. This is not the result of fraud elimination but is instead the result of staff shortages and paperwork errors.

 

Tuerk referred to these during his interview: 

"I talked to a woman outside a bodega last week who was on a two-mile walk back from the county assistance office. She had just filed her SNAP benefits renewal paperwork. She's going to have to keep doing that, and at some point, she’s not going to fill out the right form, or something's not going to happen the right way. She’ll lose her benefits."

Tuerk, who grew up using an orange card so he could eat lunch, said his family relied on food stamps to get by. He explains how the loss of this benefit would affect Allentown: 

"When people are facing food insecurity, it changes everything. If they were counting on SNAP benefits to offset the cost of food, and now they can't count on that, it exacerbates rent challenges and can contribute to homelessness. People who are food insecure face health challenges that show up for our emergency responders.

"When our chief of police looks at an environment in which people don't have ready access to food stamps, his concern is that there'll be greater instances of retail theft as people do what they have to do to put food on the table."

I've seen those who always have an angle and know how to milk the system. They will sell their food stamps for cash or cigarettes. But I see many more who simply do not get enough. 

Jim Martin Made a Difference in Lehigh County

div>Crimefighters are often called bulldogs. I would not use that term to describe former Lehigh County DA Jim Martin, that county's top prosecutor for 26 years. He was not the flashy matador, but the raging bull. I've seen him angry at Lehigh County Comm'r meetings during budget hearings, with steam billowing from his nose and ears as he looked ready to ram headfirst into the dais that protects Commissioners from the running of the bulls. His life, like all our lives, has ended the same way that every life does. He unfortunately passed away on Saturday. But the way he lived his life sets him apart. He left the world, and Lehigh County, a little bit better than it was before he got here. 

A Measles Outbreak in Pa.

In 2024, Pennsylvania reported six cases of measles. In 2025, there were 16. This year, there have been 216 cases through August 10, according to the CDC. (The state places the number at 258). Of these cases, 145 are in Lancaster County. So far, there are 2 cases in Lehigh and 0 in Northampton County. 

This outbreak has prompted Governor Josh Shapiro to launch a measles dashboard, which contains data about the ages of those infected and where it has hit hardest. 

Surprisingly, those between 18 and 49 have been targeted the most. 

People born before 1957 are presumptively immune.

MAHA Warrior RFK,Jr., who has spent most of his adult career disparaging vaccines (including the measles vaccine), is now telling people to have their children vaccinated, noting it is 97% effective (in two doses). In Lancaster County, where Pa.'s outbreak is most severe, RFK, Jr. told 1,500 people at an annual farming fair, warned the Amish about agencies encouraging people to get vaccinated. "[T]hey cannot stand the fact that you're healthy," he said. 

Now they're not. 

A Guided Tour of Portland

Last night, I was provided a guided tour of Portland and Delaware Water Gap by none other than His Eminence, the Right Rev. Ron Angle. We went pass the Indian head mountain, which I think really does look like an Indian head. We passed stone walls constructing along Route 611 during the depression, and although some have crumbled, large stretches are still in good repair. We drove through the now shuttered businesses of what was once a busy little borough. Many of the older Victorian homes are breathtaking., We also shot through the Delaware Water Gap, where Ron p[rovidided vivid descriptions of each of the businesses, including a Japanese Ramen shop that offers pies and, from time to time, lobster rolls. We finished off the tour at Pho Saigon II in Bartonsville, which has the best pho in a 50-mile radius next to Bethlehem's Pho Bowl. 

If you'd like a guided tour, complete with stories of gangsters that used to frequent the foothills of these mountains and other entertaining stories, I'm sure Ron could be persuaded to give a guided tour for the modest fee of $1,000 per person (cash only, nonrefundable). Let me know. 

Concerned Dems Want Brooks to Step Aside

Monday was the last day for party nominees to withdraw their candidacies. Now a court order is required. Some of you were apparently hoping that Bob Brooks, the Dem nominee for Pa. 7's Congressional District, would pull the plug on his race. I think that's highly unlikely. 

As you can see above, a group calling itself "Concerned Democrats Against Bob Brooks" formally requested the state committee to request Brooks to withdraw from the campaign., based on (1) pending fraud litigation (which a court recently determined to have merit); 2) His public denigration of volunteer firefighters (who also serve as firefighters in communities with paid fire departments); 3) His alleged violation of a state labor law requiring him to carry workers' comp insurance; and 4) racially charged social media posts that Brooks has since deleted.

These concerned Democrats, whose identities I do not know, claim that Brooks presents "an unacceptable risk of handing this seat and potentially the House Majority to Ryan Mackenzie."

I personally have no intention for voting for any of the three candidates. Blogger Michale Molovinsky succinctly observes that the choice between Mackenzie and Brooks is a "Wizard of Oz choice ... one candidate needs a brain, the other a spine." As for Tupone, whom I suspect will survive the ballot challenges if he hires a lawyer instead of thinking he can represent himself, he's an ethical oil slick.  

Pa. 07 Voter Registration Data Shows a Very Purple District

As of August 10, the Department of State reports the following registration statistics for the Pa. 7 Congressional District: Democrats - 224,184; Republicans - 205,146; Libertarians - 3,137; Greens - 782; Unaffiliated - 92,619; Other - 15,325.

The total number of registered voters is 541,193. 

Democrats have a 19,038-voter advantage over Republicans, but the rising number of third party and independent voters makes it difficult to predict anything other than a growing disenchantment with the major parties. 

According to PoliticsPa, Democrats have added and Republicans have lost voters since their last check in April. But 46,000 voters throughout the state have abandoned the major parties to become independents. 

The Congressional race in Pa. 7 will likely be decided by approximately 96,000 voters who belong to neither of the main parties. 

UPDATED: Two Challenges Filed Against Pa. 7 "Green Party" Candidate Andrew Tupone

Two challenges have been filed against the nomination petition filed by Andrew Tupone as the Green Party candidate in the Pa. 07th Congressional district. Tupone claims to be the choice of 10,000 voters. 

The first set of objections comes from the Green party itself. The second comes from Joyce Moore, Louise Dillensnyder and Susan Baranek. I know that Joyce Moore is a fairly active Democrat, but do not know the others. 

Tupone has called the challenge an attempt by Democrats to silence his voice, but the Green party has filed objections. 

If these challenges succeed, that's very good news for Democratic nominee Bob Brooks. 

UPDATED 1:00 PM: The Green Party's objections can be located here. According to the challenge, Tupone was a Republican who switched to Democrat in February and to Green in April. It claims he is not an "authentic" Green party candidate.

The Greens contend that Tupone misled voters into believing he was a Green, even though he has never received that party's endorsement. 

UPDATED 4:15 PM:  The Commonwealth Court has scheduled a hearing on both challenges, to be heard August 20 at 11 AM in Harrisburg. At this hearing, Objectors will have an opportunity to prove that voters who signed nomination petitions were actually misled. They Green party will also be required to offer legal argument that Tupone's nomination petition is a violation of the free and equal protection clause of the state constitution based on allegations that signatures were obtained as a result of fraud. 

Should Allentown Subsidize State Police Coverage in Upper Mount Bethel ... or Lower Macungie ... or Bath?

Visit Bath ... or Upper Mount Bethel ... or Williams or Lower Macungie ... or any of a number of municipalities in the Lehigh Valley. Some, like Upper Mount Bethel, are very large. Others, like Bath, are small. But they have one thing in common. No local police. They rely on the Pennsylvania State Police to perform the function that would otherwise be performed by local police officers. Pa state law requires every municipality to have a fire department, but no such requirement exists for police. What this means is that taxpayers in economically challenged urban centers like Allentown or Philly are being for cops in the burbs. It also means that people who live in large municipalities like Upper Mount Bethel, second largest in the state, can wait 40 minutes for state police to respond to an emergency call. 

According to Spotlight.Pa, there are 4,200 troopers, with a cap of 4,410. The Shapiro administration proposes the elimination of this cap, but that will just make it easier for local municipalities to shed the unpleasant cost of actually protecting their own citizens. 

What makes more sense, in my view, is to enact legislation that essentially imposes a death penalty on any municipality that is unable to afford the cost of protecting its own citizens. Regional policing of contiguous local governments, which would provide faster response times and actually provide for the public safety, would be permitted. State police protection would be permitted only with an annual assessment based on the estimated work required.

The Lehigh Valley has been balkanized since its inception with far too many municipalities that lead to very weak local governments that fail to provide basic services. Just last week, I say how one rainstorm turned Messinger Street into a river in Bangor. It apparently happens all the time. 

If a local government is unable to serve its own community, it should no longer exist.

Hercules Cement Wants to Hurl More Nitrous Oxide in Our Air

Becky Bartlett worked during Lamont McClure's administration in NorCo as a Deputy Administrator. I think I knew her before then because she volunteered in several state house races here in the Nazareth area. She handled his news releases. I sometimes see her and her husband, walking their dogs, and scared them half to death when I rode by them very early in the morning on a hot summer day. 

Becky also is the publisher of Upper Nazareth Meetings hyperlocal blog, where she keeps a very close eye on what is going on there, and with far fewer opinions than I inject into my stories. But she certainly has them and was at Northampton County Council last week to share her concern that Hercules Cement wants to unleash mor nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Here's what she had to say:

On August 1, 2026, the Hercules Cement Company (Buzzi Unicem), posted a Public Notice in The Morning Call in regard to lowering the control of its emissions of “nitrogen oxides and/or volatile organic compounds” at their plant in Stockertown./p>

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes nitrogen oxides (NO x) as a cause of respiratory irritation, worsened asthma and decreased lung function. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, loss of coordination and damage to the liver. Some VOCs are also classified as suspected carcinogens.

The Lehigh Valley is ranked as having one of the highest concentrations of asthma cases. We are 6th in the nation for asthma-related ER visits. The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America’s “2025 Asthma Capitals Report” ranks Allentown as the 3rd worst location for people with asthma. The American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report ranks our area as 50th for particle pollution with Northampton County as the worst county in the region for ground level ozone and short-term particle pollution.

I am requesting that, in the interest of protecting the health of our residents, County Council files a formal objection to Buzzi Unicem’s request to decrease the control of their emissions of nitrogen oxides and/or volatile organic compounds within the 30-day comment period. Written comments may be submitted to Mark Weikszner, Program Manager, Air Quality Program at 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-1915 or meikszner@pa.gov.

Later in the meeting, Exec Tara Zrinski, a committed environmentalist long before she was ever a politician, made clear that she would file formal objections. This is something we all can do. 

My friends on the right will complain that government regulations can be burdensome and just add red tape. And in many cases, they are right. But there's a difference between that and what really are protections desgned to protect the health and safety of our loved ones.   

Allentown Waterfront Owner Claims Developers John Palumbo and Anthony Maneri Diverted $21 Million

In 2023, developer John Palumbo was in front of Allentown's City Council, smugly playing hardball over zoning changes he was seeking for two parking lots alomg the massive Allentown Waterfront project on Front Street. But Palumbo, along with fellow developer Anthony Maneri, are now themselves on the wrong end of a massive lawsuit, filed in Lehigh County's Orphans Court, alleging that they both diverted millions for their own benefit.

A good chunk of the Allentown Waterfront, including the former Neuweiler Brewery and American Atelier Building, is owned by Urban Residential Properties. The American Atelier, by the way, recently went up in flames. 

Urban Residential Properties is itself mostly owned (89%) by the Irrevocable Ruth Rachel Green Trust established for the benefit of Alex Wright. Green also owns 10% in an individual capacity, with the remaining 1% owned by Wright. 

Palumbo was a Trustee but was removed in March. Maneri was brought in Palumbo, ostensibly to help fund the project. 

According to a very lengthy Accounting Action filed by the Trust, both Palumbo and Maneri are accused of diverting at least $21 million from an open-ended mortgage for other projects. This includes over $12.5 million from the Neuweiler Lofts, $4.5 million in transfers to some outfit called Wonder Q and $5.4 million in unauthorized loans to Maneri. 

In the meantime, the Neuweiler Lofts project was behind schedule, over budget, with shoddy work and stalled construction. 

This action has been brought by Kevin T Fogerty, Esq. It certainly has all the earmarks of fraud.  
 

Zrinski Apologizes Over Cancellation of Elections Comm'n Meeting

On Wednesday, I told you that the NorCo Elections Comm'n was forced to postpone a meeting that was scheduled to take place that day because no agenda had been posted on the county webpage 24 hours in advance, which violates the Sunshine Act. 

At last night's meeting of NorCo Council, Executive Tara Zrinski acknowledged and apologized for this oversight. "[Elections Registrar] Chris Commini neglected to post the agenda as per the Sunshine Law prior to going to his conference. He neither delegated nor completed the task, but has taken full responsibility for the need to postpone the meeting. The administration apologizes for not seeing this error in enough time to remedy it."

Zrinski: Gracedale on Track to Have Regular License Restored in January 2027

At last night's meeting of Northampton County Council, Executive Tara Zrinski reported that Gracedale is on track to have its regular license restored by January 2027. She indicated that the state Department of Health visited the facility on July 30, her birthday, and found no deficiencies.

She specifically recognized the staff at T7 I also want to recognize the staff of T7 "for the difference they're making in residents' daily lives."

Referring to a laudatory email from a resident's family, she said that the home was complimented forthe attention given to personal grooming as well as staff encouragement to get out of bed and socialize. "People are noticing," she added.

She also speciafically recognized a Gracedale staffer who recently has been certified a professional by the American Association of Post Acute Care Nursing.

Parking Garage Project Delayed Because Successful Bidder Fails to Comply with Responsible Contractor Ordinance

On May 21, Northampton County Council approved an $11,525,000 contract with the Mohawk Group to serve as the General Contractor for the replacement of the parking deck at the courthouse complex. Work should have been underway by now, but nothing was happening. Why not?

At last night's meeting of NorCo Council, Executive Tara Zrinski explained that Mohawk failed to provide the necessary documentation to prove that it was complying with the county's responsible contractor ordinance. As a result, the county was forced to reject the bid and go with the second highest bidder, Wilmer R Schultz, Inc. . 

County Council was forced to amend its agenda to approve a contract with Wilmer R Schultz. Unfortunately, the amount of this contract was unstated. Council Solicitor Matt Deschler advised that amended agenda must be posted online within one business day, so the amount should be available sometime today. 

Zrinski assured County Council that Schultz has the necessary responsible contractor certifications. 

Artsquest Seeks "Main Street Matters" Grant

Main Street Matters is a state program "designed to support our downtown cores and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, vibrant, and welcoming communities. Funding is available to support revitalization efforts in planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and the increase of safety and security."

ArtsQuest would like some of that dough. It will be making a presentation today before County Council's Economic Development Committee, and a few hours later, Council will be asked to approve a resolution to seek the grant on behalf of the biggest non-profit group in the Lehigh Valley, which hosts innumerable free events every year. This seems like a no-brainer.

Last year, Governor Josph Shapiro's DCED approved a $1 million grant for the "Gateway on Fourth," a 120-unit apartment complex that will actually provide affordable housing. But three members of NorCo Council would rather give tax breaks for luxury apartments. 

NorCo Elections Comm'n Cancels Meeting After Failing to Post Agenda

A meeting of NorCo's Elections Comm'n that was supposed to take place at 3:30 pm had to be canceled because the Zrinski administration, which really runs our elections system, failed to post the agenda on the county's website as required by the Sunshine Act.

This error was brought to the attention of an Elections Comm'r by Matthew Flower, a NorCo GOP committee area chair. 

It was canceled just four hours before it was scheduled to start. 

On his Facebook page, he rhetorically asks, "If our county administration cannot competently schedule a public meeting, why should we believe they can take on the complexity of additional pop up voting, satellite election offices and expanded drop box use?"

He also set up the nifty little flyer you can see as part of this blog.

And that's the problem. The administration runs elections when that role should fall to the elections commission under both our Home Rule Charter and state law. 

Despite the clear language of both state statute and our county constitution, all the elections commission really does is act as a rubber stamp for decisions made by the administration. They do serve one useful purpose. These unelected volunteers are usually the whipping boys (and girls) whom voters can yell at when the count administration screws up an election, which is now becoming something of a routine. 

In the county commissioner form of government, the elections board consists of the county commissioners, and this makes sense. It is the county commissioners who both administer the county and pay the bills for election expenses.  

It is time to amend the Charter so that the Elections Comm'n actually does the job it is required to do. Its members should consist of Council members who are not seeking election or re-election and the Executive, with one spot reserved for a member of the minority party. If it is an election year for the Exec, her spot should be replaced by a person appointed by the Courts or Council.  

Then and only then will the elections commission actually be able to fulfill its statutory role. 

And yes, I thin k Council members should weigh in on pop-up elections, which strike me as something far too easy to manipulate by conducting them in areas where you know your preferred party is going to vote. Moreover, given that the county has managed to send out the wrong mail-in ballots in two consecutive elections, it should master that first before branching off into something else. And yes, that decision should come from the Exec AND council, which is, after all, the governing body. 

Fraud Case Against Pa. 07 Congressional Candidate Bob Brooks To Move Forward, Sez Judge

Bob Brooks is the Democratic nominee 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 call him shady. 

A lawsuit filed in Northampton County on February 17 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. An attempt to dismiss this lawsuit has been dismissed by Judge Jennifer Sletvold in an 11-page Opinion filed July 27. She has ordered Brooks and his current wife to file an Answer within 20 days. (You can read her Opinion and Order below). 

Let me give you some background. In 2008, Brooks' 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 and did enable Wife #2 to 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"

Instead of just paying the judgment and getting rid of something that paints him in a negative light right before an election. Brooks instead had the hubris to file preliminary objections based on a supposedly expired statute of limitations and the argument that the Complaint against him is legally insufficient. Judge Sletvold has ruled that he's wrong on both counts.

She observed that Brooks' Statute of Limitations argument, which alleges that it's too late to execute on a judgment entered in 2022, to totally misses the point. The suit has been filed as a result of a fraudulent conveyance, not the actual judgment. 

More importantly, Judge Sletvold dismissed Brooks' argument that the Complaint, on its face, is legally insufficient. Not so, according to Judge Sletvold. She observes that Brooks' mother-in law has alleged facts that show fraud was afoot. 

Plaintiff alleges particular facts to claim how Defendants actually intended to defraud Plaintiff, the judgment creditor. The Complaint alleges that the judgement in the 2018 lawsuit was entered on January 10, 2022, and the quitclaim deed, transferring ownership of the Property from Mr. Brooks and Second Wife to solely Second Wife, occurred in close proximity, approximately two months. The quitclaim deed was a transfer to an insider, Second Wife. The debtor, Mr. Brooks, still resides in the Property and uses it as his primary residence. The transfer of the property was for $10.00 when the value of the property was $413,200.00 at the time of transfer. Second Wife immediately encumbered the property with a $330,000 mortgage, and the loan proceeds were not used to pay the debt owed to Plaintiff by Mr. Brooks. See Compl. ¶¶ 21-31. We find these allegations to be pled with particularity and are legally sufficient to sustain causes of action under 12 Pa. C.S.A. § 5104. Accordingly, this preliminary objection is overruled.

Brooks is 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.

Brooks' mother-in-law is represented by David Dunn, Esq., who said he's looking forward to moving ahead with the case. Brooks is represented by GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP, a nationally known law firm with offices in Pjiladelphia.

Judge Rules That Fraud Case Against Pa. 07 Congressional Candidate Can Move Forward by BernieOHare

Trump and TR

In 1901, just two weeks before the assassination of President William McKinley, Vice President Theodore R Roosevelt delivered an hour-long speech at the Minnesota State Fair. The rough-rider and pugilist who was also an intellectual who read one book a day and had a photographic memory, had this to say about foreign policy: 

A good many of you are probably acquainted with the old proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick – you will go far." If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble, and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power. In private life there are few beings more obnoxious than the man who is always loudly boasting, and if the boaster is not prepared to back up his words, his position becomes absolutely contemptible. So it is with the nation. It is both foolish and undignified to indulge in undue self-glorification, and, above all, in loose-tongued denunciation of other peoples. Whenever on any point we come in contact with a foreign power, I hope that we shall always strive to speak courteously and respectfully of that foreign power.

President Donald Trump is the very kind of "obnoxious man" that Roosevelt described 125 years ago. He is always "loudly boasting," engages repeatedly in "undue self-gratification" and the "loose-tongued denunciation of other peoples."  But he always backs away and his position has become "absolutely contemptible." 

Unlike most of my readers and the country as a whole, I completely supported the attack on Iran. But not a half-assed attack that has put us in a worse position than we were in before we did anything.   

On Friday, Trump brayed, "“The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.” But as he has done too many times now, he has backed away, claiming that the perimeters of a "deal" exist."

This is news to Iran, which is now claiming that he has backed away from hollow threats "and presented his retreat to the world as a favor."

He has made himself and this country a joke. 

"Green Party" Candidate Andrew Tupone Files Nomination Petition in Pa. 07 Congressional Race

Move over, Ryan Mackezie! You, too, Bob Brooks! A third candidate is entering the campaign for Pa. 07's Congressional District. Andrew Tupone, a certified EMT from Bethlehem Township, has filed a nomination petition to run for the Pa. 07 Congressional District as a member of the Green Party.  His petition has been accepted by the Department of State, but it is subject to challenge. (The nomination petition was not available online as of last night, but Tupone has claimed on Facebook that he has more than double the number of signatures needed). 

Before I make a few of my own observations, let me share his campaign announcement, which I received yesterday

Tupone's Campaign Announcement: Today, Andrew Tupone announced that he has filed more than double the required number ct of signatures to qualify for the November ballot as the Green Party candidate for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. He received an outpouring of community support, especially from progressive Democrats who are looking for real change.

Tupone said he decided to enter the race because he believes both parties have failed to truly speak for the people of PA-7 and that voters deserve a true progressive alternative.

"Congressman Mackenzie has been in lock step with Trump and he must be stopped. The national Democratic Party failed to nominate a candidate who speaks to the progressive voters," Tupone said. "After the Democratic National Party put their thumbs on the scale in the primary for Bob Brooks as the nominee, I believe local grassroots voters deserve another choice and that's why so many are backing my candidacy”. That's why I'm running—to offer an independent progressive voice focused on the issues that matter most to the people of Pennsylvania's 7th District - affordability and ending corruption, but also stopping the fascist in the White House, fighting climate change, ending the genocide in Gaza and elsewhere.

Tupone concluded, "There was a major outpouring of support from Democrat voters who are tired of the National Democratic party telling us how to vote, so they put on a flawed candidate in Bob Brooks, who has refused to pay back his own family, and violated state law and did not give his employees workers comp and has made racist statements online and stood against minorities as Hecktown Bar Manager. We need someone who will be more focused on standing up against Donald Trump than running from personal baggage. The stakes in this election are incredibly high" Tupone concluded.

Tupone’s background:

Andrew Tupone grew up in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County. He brings experience across local government - in Northampton County under Lamont McClure - state and federal government, as well as the private sector, where he has worked for small and large businesses.

Andrew’s education includes Freedom High School, Northampton Community College, where he earned an associate degree in Business Administration and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, and Pennsylvania State University, where he studied Business Management.

He is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Pennsylvania and has volunteered his time serving the local community. Andrew has also held membership in several labor unions, including SEIU and the Teamsters.

His stated values include grassroots democracy, community-based economics, decentralization, non-violence, respect for diversity, and personal and global responsibility. A focus on stopping corruption and ending the genocide in Gaza.

Socials:

AndrewforPA.com

Facebook.com/AndrewforPA

instagram.com/andrewforpa

x.com/electandrew

My observations: 

1) If Tupone is able to stay on the ballot, this is going to hurt Brooks and help Mackenzie. Some Democrats are unhappy at the way that Washington and Governor Josh Shapiro inserted themselves into a local race, putting their fingers on the scale. Brooks a won a plurality, but not a majority of Democratic votes.  Although there is less enthusiasm for Brooks than there would be for a candidate who really was selected by a majority of Democrats, I figured Brooks would win anyway. in what should be a November blue wave. A third-party candidate, and one who leans to the left, changes that prediction. Tupone will draw votes from the left end of the spectrum, and it could be enough to defeat Brooks in a purple district. 

2) Is Tupone a put-up? - I have yet to check elections records, but Topne was a Republican. When he ran for Magisterial District Judge in 2015, he was promoted by the Bethlehem Tp GOP Committee.  He lost to Pat Broscius, who swept both sides of the ticket. He managed to win the Republican nomination in 2021, but fell short to Sandra McClure in the general election. According to The Keystone, Tupone was a Republican as recently as 2025  

3) He claims to have worked for Lamont McClure in Northampton County. Actually, before he ever worked in NorCo, Tupone was part of the Panto Parking Police. At the county, he bounced around from 911 dispatcher to elections clerk to an assessor. He tried to get himself appointed as Controller. His employment was terminated in 2021, although the county may have brought him back.

4) Many of Tupone's claims about Brooks have been documented here, by Rich Wilkins and various news outlets. I was aware that he was a bar manager at the Hecktown Fire Company in the early 2000s. That's a private social club. I never heard that he "stood against minorities" while he processed memberships. I would like to know more about this claim, which I find disturbing. 

5) This is an election that cries out for a third candidate. But not Tupone. 

Now We Need Ukraine's Help

Not long ago, President Donald Trump, joined by VP JD Vance, bullied Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy during a White House sit-down in which the latter was being bullied into caving on Russian demands. "You don't have the cards," roared Trump while a Trump-allied reporter made fun of Zelenskyy's military attire. 

It turns out that Trump was wrong. Zelenskyy does have the cards and has been playing them with great effectiveness. His drones have wreaked havoc on maritime shipping in the Caspian Sea and at Russian Wildberries outlets, which is their Amazon equivalent. This hurts both Russia's military and its economy. 

That's only part of the story. In addition to ramping up its offensive use of drones, Ukraine has been manufacturing cheap and very effective drone interceptors at costs of between $2,000-10,000 per unit, depending on whether the drone being intercepted is powered by a jet engine. 

Gulf states are quickly turning to Ukraine to acquire both interceptors and drone defense technology. This makes sense. Drones can be intercepted by SAMs or our own drones, but at a much higher cost than the drones themselves. I would hope that we are seeking some help from Ukraine as well. 

I know that one or two Navy warships are equipped with lasers than could take down a drone at a cost of about a nickel. But we've been far too slow in adjusting to a changing battlefield landscape. 

What's Next For Lamont McClure?

After falling short in his bid for the Democratic nomination to the Pa. 07 Congressional District, what has NorCo's former Exec been doing? He likes to take pictures of flowers and rocks and that kind of goofy stuff, but what does he want to do? He might want to run for DA next year, but I doubt he'd primary Steve Baratta. He might want to run for judge but will have to wait a bit if he does. He still has money in his state account, so he's obviously keeping his options open.

Here's what he says on Facebook, next to a picture of a flower: Many Friends have been asking me what I’m doing next. I think some people just might be tired of me posting pictures of flowers all the time. 😂 Over the last 30 years, I’ve had two very intense, successful careers that sometimes ran on parallel tracks. Like LeBron this is likely to be my last “Decision”, and therefore, I’m taking my time. 😀 I’m trusting the process too. 😂"

I personally think he's planning to open a flower shop.

Blue Wave in November? Don't Be So Sure

That's what CNN Data Chief Harry Enten tells PennLive, insisting that Democrats have a number of red flags. 

1) The GOP has more cash on hand because Democrats suffer from lackluster enthusiasm.

2) As bad as the GOP may be, the Democrats have a -24 net favorability. 

3) Democratic socialists have a new platform calling for noncitizen voting, a unicameral legislature, limits on Supreme Court judicial review and an end to deportations. This is completely out of touch with what most voters believe, including Democrats. But that does not matter because that is how all Democrats will be portrayed. 

UMBT Conducts "Special" Meeting To Discuss Those Evil Data Centers

About a year ago, warehouses were the bogeymen. Politicians loved to rail against them, and we all lapped it up as we continued ordering toilet paper through Amazon. But there's now an evil more evil monster lurking around every corner - the Data Center. Never mind that they've been with us for decades. Never mind that they are a critical national infrastructure to support both our economy and yes, our national security. They're bad, I tell you. 1,000,000 Facebook groups can't be wrong. 

On Friday night, I could have stayed home to watch President Donald Trump and our betters in the Washingtom press corps insult each other. I opted instead to travel to Angle country, where Upper Mount Bethel Tp was hosting a hastily called "special" meeting in an effort to put the brakes on yet another potential and very evil data center located on Pektor property by both the river and a power plant. 

I arrived a little late, so I missed the remarks made by His Eminence, the Right Reverend Ron Angle. But that's ok. Though Supervisors have limited Angle to three minutes, he manages to inject himself after nearly every speaker anyway, So I got the drift. He thinks a lot of the kneejerk opposition to data centers is misguided. But he's wrong. They're evil, I tell you, the stuff of nightmares and science fiction movies where the noise they emit are really some sort of radio frequenct that turns us into pods. 

I pulled into the parking lot of what is actually the public works garage because the second largest municipality in the goddamn state of Pennsylvania is unable to afford a frickin' municipal building. And that's pretty much because the people who live there - at least the ones with money - don't want anything that could actually help people who are working two or three jobs to make ends meet. The ruling class has decided that data centers are bad, and they know best. A year ago, they thought they were great, much preferable to an evil warehouse, but that was then. 

Before I walked into the garage, I looked over the packed parking lot. It was full of big-ass SUVs and those massive trucks with V-8 engines. Not an ebike in sight. These folks are very environmentally conscious, except when it comes to themselves. 

The reason for the rushed meeting was because the evil data center was just far too willing to work with the township. Supervisor David Friedman, who has previously botched up several negotiating sessions with Tam Pektor, was again spearheading the back-room meetings with Talen Energy. Talen Energy had offered a community benefits agreement of $25 million. Friedman reportedly said, "Make it $50 million and we have a deal," thinking this would be enough to send Talen away with its tail between its legs. Instead, after telephone calls with several Tallen execs, their ambassador came back and agreed.

What little is left of Friedman's head must have exploded. He was sure he had scared them off, but instead, they agreed. now, Friedman would have to break his word again, which obviously doesn't mean much to him as he also once promised to resign and then refused to keep his word. Friedman huddled with John "Voice of (some of) the People" Bermingham and came up with a plan that would scare away that evil data center for good. They decided to propose an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would impose all kinds of conditions on when and where they could be placed.

Good idea, but bad timing. Very bad timing. The evil data center, which I've told you is very bad, filed what is known as a "validity objection." In layman's terms, that is a giant FU to the township. It means that Talen can build a data center wherever the hell it wants and there's not a damn thing the township can do about it. It means that instead of a $50 million community benefits agreement, the township gets zero.

Great job, guys. 

But there was nevertheless a procession of NIMBY speakers who basically are unreservedly opposed to data centers no matter what the benefits might be.  They're bad, I tell you.

One heavy fellow wearing a "Jesus is King" T-shirt and who may have been thinking that Jesus is Burger King, claimed they are "out of control" and "poisoning the water supply." I've got news for Burger King. The people who live in Upper Mount Bethel are already poisoning our water supply with their own shit. Water tests done along the creeks on 611 show unusually high amounts of chemicals that come from residents' refusal to actually build a proper sewer. 

These are the same people who incidentally complain about sludge. 

Now I don't want to leave you with the impression that everyone in Upper Mount Bethel hates data centers. There were a few who said we should at least have an open mind and take a tour or two. 

But when I hear these phonies raise environmental concerns, I have to laugh. Though they are the new bogeyman, consider these facts: You could give up a lifetime of reliance on data centers and AI, and the amount of energy saved would be negligible compared to canceling just one trans-Atlantic flight or switching to a hybrid car; A request to ChatGPT consumes as much energy as one second of a clothes dryer; our 14,000 golf courses consume 550 billion gallons of water a year; we use 3 trillion gallons of water a year just to water our lawns.

But don't let facts get in the way. Data centers are very bad, 

NorCo Leases New DUI Center After Eviction by Bethlehem Tp

At their July 2 meeting, Northampton County Council approved a 10-year lease for a new DUI Center in Bethlehem Tp, next to the Skateaway at 4552 Easton Avenue. The monthly payment is $2,500 to Ridge Ventures, one of many companies owned by Abe Atiyeh. 

This seems like no big deal, except that NorCo was leasing the Coolidge House in Bethlehem Tp as a DUI Center. That is also home to a Bethlehem Area Public Library branch.

It could be that the DUI Center was getting to be a bit much for Bethlehem Tp, which actually filed an eviction proceeding against the county on July 1 for the recovery of the property. A hearing had been scheduled for July 27, but that has been postponed until August 18. 

Washington's Journalists Think They Are Hollywood Stars

On Friday night, I sallied forth from the foothills of Nazareth to the Slate Belt highlands to hear all kinds of people driving big-ass SUVs and trucks complain that a possible data center proposed in Upper Bethel Tp will ruin the environment. I'll have more about that later but wanted to write about something else first. Before leaving, I watched the beginning moments of the White House Correspondents' Dinner and saw numerous people who I had supposed were journalists posing for photos in tuxedos and fancy gowns on some makeshift red carpet as though they were Hollywood stars. Women's Wear Daily actually had photos of people who certainly seem to be a more than a bit out of touch with the real world. 

Since that time, I've seen numerous stories poking President Trump because he insulted the press, which presidents are expected to do when they attend these fancy galas. I've seen others claiming that his jokes fell flat during his rambling and lengthy exhortation. I don't know how they could stay awake. 

The whole thing disgusts me. It's a given that I find Trump is a boor, and that's putting it gently. But what really offends me is that the reporters who supposedly exist to speak truth to power instead cozy up to and are in an incestuous relationship with it. 

You want to have a dinner to pat yourselves on the back? Knock yourselves out. But drop the tuxes and gowns. Stop acting like celebrities with agents who negotiate your contracts and start acting like reporters. Instead of braying about Epstein every five seconds, start covering the very obvious corruption going on inside the Beltway cesspool. 

I think Trump's disastrous presidency is a big story. But the incompetence of the Washington press establishment appears to be a bigger story. Instead of covering the actual stories, they are too busy playing tit for tat with Trump. 

Freedom of the press? What press? 

Staff Intervenes to Prevent Possible Suicide at Gracedale

 According to CrimeRadar, EMS was dispatched to Gracedale yesterday afternoon for a potential suicide. 

The audio transcript is as follow: "Be advised, we have EMS going to Gracedale. It's going to be room Bravo [redacted]. A 70-year-old female attempted to hang herself. She put a stocking around her neck. She's currently awake and breathing."

NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski was informed by Gracedale administrators that there was actually no attempted suicide because staff intervened after the resident tied stockings around her neck. The resident was taken to the hospital. 

It's very disturbing to hear of a potential suicide at a nursing home or the jail. But this is actually a positive report about Gracedale. Staff intervened before this woman could hurt herself.  It is actually a credit to the people who work there.

At the jail, there have been two suicides where corrections officers were less successful. But I know from speaking to them that they have stopped far more suicides. We only hear about it when there is a rare failure. 

Obviosly, this Gracedale incident will have to be investigated by the state Department of Health, and I'm unable to rule out potential violations. But to me, the important thing is that they prevented a death.

A Gracedale Resident Wanders - Is it an Elopement or a "Near Miss"?

When I hear the word "elope", I usually think that star-crossed lovers have run off against their parents' wishes. Butin nursing home jargon, elopement is a situation in which a resident leaves a care facility without staff knowledge or supervision, potentially placing himself in danger. It's been a problem at Gracedale. Since Michelle Morton became administrator in March 2025, the home has been cited by the state Department of Health four times for elopement. (9/19/25, 9/23/25, 10/2/25 and 5/14/26). Despite NorCo Executive Tara Zrinski's assurances to county council that all kinds of preventive measures have been put in place to prevent cognitively impaired residents from wondering off, it may have happened again over the weekend. 

I was first alerted to this based on an anonymous comment posted to this blog.* claiming there had been an elopement over the weekend. I nosed around, and this I am told that a confused resident attended a life enrichment activity with an activity aide. She apparently left and the activity aide assumed she got on an elevator with another activity aide. She instead went outside but returned with the family of another resident after telling them she was lost. She wasn't gone long, but she was gone. She apparently was still on the Gracedale campus. 

Zrinski denied that any elopements occurred over the weekend, adding no one was off campus. "There was a resident who left an activity with life enrichment and went outside to the smoking area and then around to the front of the building for a few minutes. It counts as a near miss and is not reportable."  She denied that the resident was brought back by the family of another resident, calling it a rumor. "She went out the side door and walked back to the front door, back inside.

According to state regulations, a nursing home must report the unexplained absence of any resident from a secured dementia care unit. Given that Gracedale is trying to upgrade its license, I could see why there'd be some reluctance to report this matter. But better safe than sorry. If it is a "near miss," as Zrinski said, let the state DOH make that determination. On the other hand, if there's a complaint and the DOH determines that it should have been notified, Gracedale is going to have a bigger problem.

____

* Many of you complain about the anonymous comments, which can be pretty mean. But I've actually seen much more hateful comments on other social media platforms in which the poster is identified. I allow anonymous comments because it sometimes clues me in to a story about which I would otherwise know nothing. 

Gracedale Improves Daily Nursing Care

Though Gracedale still has a Provisional II license, it is improving. According to the state's nursing home facility locator, the number of nursing hours per resident per day (PPD) has climbed to 3.76. That is higher than Lehigh County's Cedarbrook (3.61) or Berks County's Berkheim (3.68). It now ranks 5th among 14 county-owned nursing homes throughout the state. 

County-wide, this level is second only to Moravian Square (4.51). 

The Walk-Run

So after getting up and drinking at least one cup of coffee, I head out for my walk-run every other day as a complement to cycling. I have a great 3-mile course laid out across the street doing loops around a Moravian cemetery, where the tombstones lay flat instead of upright for some reason. Some are decorated with American flags while others have the occasional flower. Squirrels dance between the graves, and if I'm early enough, I'll see a fox or two. If I'm lucky, sometimes I see a pretty lady that I can pretend I'm not looking at, even though I am.

I usually don't even begin to run until I have the first mile under my belt.  Yesterday, as I completed my first lap, I could see one of my neighbors, an old drunk who sells his SNAP benefits to a barkeep every month. He glared at me as he waited for a ride and was shouting, "Come across the street, mother fucker, and I'll break your nose!" 

Where the Hell did that come from? I decided to ignore the guy and began my second lap, going uphill and trying to steady myself on uneven surfaces, littered with branches from the previous night's rain. There are usually two dogs at the crest who bark wildly every time they see me. "Come across the yard, mother fucker, and I'll break your nose!", they are saying. I usually say Hi to them, but they were sleeping in so there was no greeting. Just dancing squirrels.

As I finished my second lap, the old drunk was still waiting for his ride, still glaring, but smoking a cigarette. But I pretended not to notice him again and started my third lap and hill. This is when the sweat starts, and this is when I start running in small spurts. 

I have pretty bad hip arthritis, which is why I mostly cycle. But I still love running and miss the days when I felt I could go on forever. This was not one of those days. Almost immediately, my left hip was in pain, but I pushed ahead because sometimes tit goes away after the joint is lubed up. This was not one of those days. I was still making good time and continued, as the sweat began to pour out of me. 

As I finished the third lap, the old drunk's ride had just arrived. It was an old beat-up truck taking him somewhere to a job where he worked off the books. As he got in, I could see him waving his arms and pointing at someone, but it wasn't me. 

Lap 4 begins again. After I reach the top of this mini-mountain, I begin to run again, thinking about different stories I could write, wondering why the tombstones at this cemetery are all flat and listening to crows yell at me for invading their turf. I'm running a bit faster now. 

On my fifth lap, I am running a bit faster and am now drenched in sweat and am starting to feel pretty good except for the arthritis. 

After the sixth lap, I keep running and head to a nearby Catholic church, where I can hear the kids scream and well as they play. My left leg nearly gives out twice. I am slowing down, but feel good. 

Eventually, after 3 miles, I stop. Finished. Drenched with sweat. Endorphins have kicked in, but so has the arthritis.

I see a neighbor and ask, "Was the old drunk yelling at me?"

"No, he was yelling at me for calling him a SNAP scammer, and I have it on video."

"Good for you. Good for you." I say and walk inside. 

I apply ice and check my VO2Max. 

I feel good, but the graveyard still awaits. In the meantime, today is a good day to ride. 

Who's On the Gracedale Oversight Committee?

At their July 2 meeting, Northampton County Council voted to establish a Gracedale Oversight Committee proposed by Council member Dave Holland. As of today, Council President Ken Kraft has yet to appoint any members. Kraft, who opposed this committee, appears to be dragging his feet. 

Under the Home Rule Charter, a council president has the authority to preside at meetings. As a matter of tradition, not law, he makes the committee assignments.  Should he persist in refusal to appoint committee members to provide oversight at a nursing home with a Provisional II license, County Council has the authority to do it themselves. 

Gracedale certainly needs oversight. According to McKinght's Long-Term Care News, occupancy at freestanding nursing homes is 86.7%, a 10-year high. (The Northeast, which includes Pa. and Gracedale, is at 89.5%). But the occupancy rate at Gracedale is an anemic 75%, as reported to County Council's July 2 Human Services meeting. 

NorCo Council Discusses Executive's Limitations on Political Hires

Last week's meeting of NorCo Council's "Governnace" Committee was basically an autopsy of its decision to hire a well-qualified fiscal director, but with a lower starting salary than the Executive wanted. Under county law, the Executive lacks this authority when making a political hire. She's required to go to County Council first. Because the salary was too low for the nominated director, she turned the job down. 

Council member Jason Boulette had proposed giving Executive Tara Zrinski the authority to negotiate a higher wage, but she rejected this olive branch, insisting incorrectly that she has this authority. 

Under county law (Home Rule Charter, Administrative Code and Career Service Regs), the Executive has the power to hire a career service employee at a higher starting rate but lacks this authority for "exempt" (political) positions.  Several years ago, former Executive John Brown was chastised when he exceeded his authority to grant raises to political appointments. 

Council member Jeff Warren, who previously said he has a "significant" problem with the word "oversight", objected to "constraining" the Executive, even thought that should be an important part of his role. He instead said that "we have seen, unfortunately, members of this body over the years use this dais as a way to constrain the executive."

That's exactly why County Council exists. It's why there are three branches of government. But I guess Warren subscribes to the Donald Trump unitary executive theory.

Council member Kelly Keegan was even more absurd. She started off by suggesting they all should just "take a step back and say, 'You know what, the County Executive is trying to do a good job.'" She called County Council's insistence on following county law "an intentional, vindictive asserting of authority because we can." 

Neither Warren nor Keegan have been on Council very long. If they were, they would have seen how then County Exec John Brown flouted the law to give a big raise to a political hire, which would have gone unnoticed but for then Controller Steve Barron. 

And that's the point. These constraints exist to prevent the Executive from playing favorites or rewarding political appointees. 

Council member Jason Boulette has suggested an ordinance that will give the Exec the authority to make a political hire at a higher rate, but Administrator Mark Aurand said the county wants some time to review it. 

Carson Confirmed as "Continuum of Care" Director in NorCo

By an 8-1 vote, Northampton County Council confirmed Thomas Carson as the Director of the newly created "Continuum of Care" department in NorCo. He will start in mid-August with a total compensation package of nearly $150,000, including benefits. 

He is currently the Executive Director of Victory House, a 35-bed facility in Bethlehem that primarily assists veterans. 

The sole Council member to vote No was Tom Giovanni, whose skepticism is understandable. Carson is arguably unqualified based on the job description approved by County Council, which I mentioned yesterday. He has zero experience managing a large program or facility. But he impressed Council member Dave Holland, who knows Gracedale, has a nursing background and is himself a former nursing home administrator. Holland appears to know Carson professionally and spoke highly of his passion for the underserved.

Carson himself was able to endure some tough and well-prepared questions from Council member Nadeem Qayyum. Though unable to answer them all, Carson was polite, well-spoken and never got defensive. He also expressed, not just a willingness, but a desire to reach out to members of County Council. 

Two weeks ago, Council President Ken Kraft predicted that County Council would shoot down this nomination, even though we had no name at the time. He was insinuating that the current County Council would be obstructionist. He was wrong, but don't be fooled by the 8-1 vote. This was really a very close call, but County Council deferred to the Executive.

Hopefully, she'll remember that. 

NorCo Gets a "Clean" Audit for 2025

Under NorCo's Home Rule Charter, an independent certified public accountant appointed by County Council must audit the county's financial records every year and report back. County Council received that report on Wednesday from Jennifer Cruverkibi of MaherDuessel. She issued an unmodified (clean) audit opinion for 2025, which is the highest level of assurance available.

She reports that the county's overall financial equity declined by approximately $9.9 million, ending 2025 at $164 million. Long-term debt increased by $15.4 million, ending the year at $93.7 million. This increase is the result of a new bond issue that was used to refinance existing debt and fund capital improvements that include a new parking deck at the courthouse complex. The county has only used 5.67% iof its legally auythorized borrowing capacity.

Government revenues increased approximately 6%. Only 26.1% of county revenue comes from taxes. Most revenue is in the form of federal and sate grants.

Where does the money go? About 85% goes to Human Services, the courts and corrections.

The county ended 2025 with a fund balance of $20.8 million. This includes an $8.5 million rainy-day fund. This does exceed two months of operating expenses, which is recommended by the Government Officers Finance Association.

This report is available online

Victory House's Exec Director Nominated to Lead NorCo's Newly Created Continuum of Care

Thomas J Carson, currently the Executive Director at Victory House, has been nominated by Executive Tara Zrinski to lead Northampton County's newly created Continuum of Care Director at the newly created Continuum of Care Department. The position, which was just approved by County Council on June 18, has a starting salary of $109,632. With benefits, it amounts to $148,249. The position is "exempt," meaning that Carson will be serving at the pleasure of whomever is Executive. 

Victory House, which Carson has led for a little over four years, is considered a safe haven for homeless men, especially veterans. According to the 990 filed by that nonprofit for 2024, Carson's combined salary and benefits there was $102,442. So he's looking at a very nice pay raise if confirmed.

This nonprofit operates on an annual budget of about $1.8 million, with its financials posted on the website in a reassuring sign of transparency. The lion's share of its revenue coming in the form of payment for program services. which include transitional housing, Those run the gamut from transitional housing to recovery, mental health and employment assistance.

Carson has been employed there about 10 years. He has a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation. 

In response to tough questioning from Council member Nadeem Qayyum, Carson conceded he has no experience or education in nursing, labor relations or as an Administrator. He said he would provide an open line of communication with front-line workers and "building a culture in which people can express their opinions ... ." He said he views a continuum of care as a big umbrella that can provide help to those who most need it. 

According to the job description approved by County Council, the Continuum of Care Director provides executive leadership for the development and integration of a comprehensive continuum that includes skilled nursing care, personal care services, behavioral health services, affordable housing, supportive housing, tiny home communities, and other innovative housing and service models. The Director will lead long-term planning, project development, intergovernmental coordination, and funding strategies to support sustainable growth and high-quality services for residents across the continuum." He must have a bachelor's degree in public administration, healthcare administration or a related field. He must have 7-10 years of senior or administrative experience in those areas and be experienced in managing large programs or facilities.

Council member Dave Holland told Carson that he was unperturbed by Carson's inexperience in nursing or nursing home administration, adding that is why there is a separate administrator. He said Carson does have experience "in everything that we want this continuum of care to be. "Most of it looks like veteran-related,  ... but that comes along with the other components we're looking at - the mental health, substance use developmental disabilities ... ."

Holland concluded with the observation that Carson has a passion for serving the underserved.

Carson agreed, saying that he works with the homeless, the mentally ill, the addicted, those with PTSD or just those who've fallen on hard times.

Carson told Council that he would like to work with them to make the continuum of care a success.

Council member Jason Boulette advised Carson that he will be able to do that with the newly created Gracedale Oversight Committee.

Northampton County Council will vote on Carson's appointment tonight. Unless a candidate has character issues or is unqualified, Council historically has deferred to the Executive on cabinet appointments. 

NorCo Council Member Jeff Warren Has a Problem With the Word "Oversight"

Northampton County Council member Jeff Warren would like to be the next State Rep. for the Nazareth area and is running against incumbent Republican Joe Emrick. Given the public disenchantment with everything that President Trump has done (and failed to do), he just might win. It's gonna' be a tough year for Republicans. But if Warren's brief stint on County Council is any indication, he will be a disappointment. 

At last week's Council meeting, Warren was among those who voted to establish an oversight committee for Gracedale, but only after a motion to table failed. He explained, "I have a problem with the word 'oversight.'" 

Excuse me? Why does he think Council Committees exist? Is he aware that the Home Rule Charter provides that Council, and not the Executive, is the "governing body"? Does he realize that Council retains all "residual" powers not expressly granted? 

Warren has viewed his role as nothing more than a rubber stamp for the executive branch. 

What oversight will he provide as a State Rep? He doesn't evven like the word. 

So Much For Freedom of Navigation

Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz was just another in a long line of complete disregard of international law. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who might be the only sane member of Trump's cabinet, made very clear that the United States is opposed to charging tolls to use an international waterway. "That’s the law. It’s an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway ... . That’s existing international law. That’s the way it is in international waterways all over the world and that’s the way we’ll expect it’ll be here.”

Infortunately, President Donald Trump, who has little regard for any law, national or international, is now imposing his own toll. "The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.”

Actions like this make us no better that Iran.

UPDATED 2:12 PM - In the story you see above, I point out that Trump is violating international law with a proposal to impose a 20% toll on oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. This would also increase our gas prices even more than they've already risen since he attacked Iran, stopped, attacked, stopped, attacked, etc.  I am assured by the Trump cult that "Trump is playing 4-D chess while peasants like Boonie lose to chickens playing tic tac toe at the county ... ." Trump has now reversed himself, something you don't do in chess or even tic tac toe.

Enacted State Budget Shortchanges Counties

The County Comm'rs' Ass'n of Pa, known as CCAP, has issued this statement in response to the enacted state budget for 2026-27

Counties recognize that this year’s budget required difficult decisions, and we appreciate the efforts of those legislators who continue to champion critical county services. While the budget includes important investments such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, crisis stabilization centers, and transportation infrastructure—it fails to address the counties’ two most pressing priorities: increased county mental health funding and sustainable 911 funding.

“Counties are on the front lines of delivering state-mandated services” said Dr. Kyle Kopko, CCAP Executive Director. “We administer elections, operate 911 systems, and provide a wide range of human services. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth continues to expect counties to do more without providing the funding necessary to keep pace with rising costs. This places the financial burden on property taxpayers across Pennsylvania.”

Counties also recognize the importance of responsible spending and continue to face the challenge of doing more with less every year. However, by not adequately investing in the services counties are mandated to provide on behalf of the Commonwealth, this budget will likely force county leaders to make increasingly difficult decisions in the months ahead.

The absence of additional mental health base funding for a second consecutive year is concerning. While counties appreciate the investments made by Governor Shapiro and the General Assembly to date, the need for additional base funding has only intensified. Demand for services continues to rise, provider costs are increasing, and counties are being called upon to expand crisis response and behavioral health services—all without the sustainable, long-term investment necessary to support the community-based system. This gap places continued strain on counties and the residents who rely on these critical services.

The same challenge is true for 911 services. Counties remain focused on investing responsibly in Next Generation 911 technology, cybersecurity, staffing, and system upgrades, but the current surcharge has not kept pace with the true cost of operating these systems. “Every Pennsylvanian expects 911 to work when they call, and counties continue to grapple with the recruitment and retention of this specialized workforce and appropriate technology to meet the needs of our residents” Kopko said.

The budget’s late passage continues a troubling pattern that complicates planning for counties and all levels of government. “These fiscal challenges are not the Commonwealth’s alone—they are shared by counties, local government entities, and the 13 million Pennsylvanians we serve,” said Kopko. “We must work together to ensure that Pennsylvania does not continue to miss budget deadlines and jeopardize critical services for all Pennsylvanians.”

Governor Shapiro Signs $50.8 Billion State Budget For 2026-27

Better late than never. Governor Josh Shapiro on Sunday signed a budget deal that will find state government for the next fiscal year. Like last year, it fails to provide additional funding for mass transit. It fails to increase the minimum wage, which would create additional revenue. But the rainy-day fund has gone untouched. 

This budget includes $920 million more for education, and get this, $125 million in economic development grants. 

It will be very helpful to wealthy developers. For the rest of us, not so much. 

House Majority PAC Poll Has Brooks Ahead of Mackenzie in Pa. 07 Congressional Race

Bob Brooks certainly is a flawed candidate but a House Majority PAC poll, conducted between June 29 and July 2, has the Democratic nominee ahead of incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie in the Pa. 07 Congressional race, 47-43%. The same poll gives President Donald Trump a favorability rating of 44% and an unfavourability rating of 51%. 

Dem House Nominee Bob Brooks Ran Lawn Care Business With No Workers's Comp Insurance

The Washington Free Beacon, a right-wing online news source, appears to have Pa. 07's Democratic Congressional nominee Bob Brooks in their gunsights. Last month, it reported that Brooks, a former union firefighter, considers professional firefighters who act as volunteers in their community, are "scabs" and "shitbags." Well, I'm sure Easton appreciated all the volunteer firefighters who responded to a recent fire in Easton. So do Northampton and Lehigh County, which offers small rebates to volunteer firefighters on their property taxes. Now it has a new story, this time about Brooks and his lawn care business. 

Brooks has touted his lawn care business in his Congressional race in an attempt to portray himself as an ordinary guy. But according to the Beacon, he cancelled his worker's comp insurance in 2017 and had no insurance for workers who might get injured for four years. Moreover, during that period, his own son was working for him and managing six-man crews. 

Pa. law requires worker's comp insurance for all employees, part-time or full-time, family or not. 

This is the latest shoe to drop from a flawed candidate who was picked by the national party, not regular voters. 

Brooks' opponent in November is incumbent Ryan Mackenzie.

I will be voting for neither.