tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post5134739391912992027..comments2024-03-29T00:30:47.101-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Despite Hints at Litigation, Allentown City Council Adopts Budget Bernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-3986078357898010262016-12-11T21:42:48.083-05:002016-12-11T21:42:48.083-05:00Maybe you should call and tell them. Of course ano...Maybe you should call and tell them. Of course anonymous cowards like you don't do that sort of thing. You instead troll on blogs 8 days after they were published. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-29564666179410531132016-12-11T17:31:31.150-05:002016-12-11T17:31:31.150-05:00Hopefully the federal authorities will be calling ...Hopefully the federal authorities will be calling you on for questioning since you claim to have so much "inside" information. People may be jeopardizing the investigation and you may be helping. Time for the authorities to step in and check all these "rumors" out.<br /><br />Justice now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21548833018348526052016-12-09T10:54:27.495-05:002016-12-09T10:54:27.495-05:00Of course not! But By now, you should know I have ...Of course not! But By now, you should know I have numerous sources. For example, the recent disclosures about Cedar Beach were first reported here. So I know that, in addition to being a partisan, you are full of shit.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68439668988466581292016-12-09T10:39:23.453-05:002016-12-09T10:39:23.453-05:00Bernie. Are you part of the investigation process ...Bernie. Are you part of the investigation process to know publicly undisclosed information?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-66805495760704295992016-12-09T09:21:14.419-05:002016-12-09T09:21:14.419-05:00One party rule is a bad idea, which we see on a st...One party rule is a bad idea, which we see on a state level and are about to see on a national level, where the GOP is in full control. You won't mention that bc yiou are a partisan. <br /> <br />And you have no idea how federal investigators operate. My guess is an indictment is coming very soon. Since you are anonymous, you won't be publicly proven wrong, buy you are wrong. The investigation is still going full steam as the feds cross their t's and dot their i's.There are subpoenas you know nothing about and that I'm unable to disclose. The grand jury is still calling in witnesses, as I mentioned recently. You are part of an "instant gratification" society that wants what you want when you want it. Criminal justice fortunately does not work that way. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58761917926878862972016-12-09T08:50:08.333-05:002016-12-09T08:50:08.333-05:00Democrats elected Ed and look what you got. He'...Democrats elected Ed and look what you got. He's been negatively impacting Allentown since the day he took office in 2007. His philosophy of governing is my way or no way, and all of the lemmings on City Council have been in his pocket for years.<br /><br />Now he's not going to leave and the lemmings on City Council can't do a damn thing about it. Ed likes the power he has. Lisa is Allentown's Marie Antoinette. They aren't about to leave. If he hasn't been indicted by now, I doubt if he will be. Why not cut his salary to $1 a year as well? Money talks more than meaningless "no confidence" resolutions. <br /><br />Perhaps it's time for the Democratic stranglehold on Allentown to end?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24211964538767167072016-12-09T08:20:58.588-05:002016-12-09T08:20:58.588-05:00"However, unless Ed is indicted by the U.S. A...<em>"However, unless Ed is indicted by the U.S. Attorney on criminal charges, this is a coup d' tat by City Council."</em><br /><br />You apparently think the mayor is a dictator. You are dead wrong. <br /><br />First, Council has complete authority under the HRC to reject a cabinet nominee. Fed Ed defied Council and the HRC by making Walker an effective head of DCED despite Council's vote. That's the imposition of tyranny. <br /><br />Second, under the HRC, Council has complete authority over the public purse. It is they,and not he, who decides what is spent, and what it is spent on. In complete accordance with the HRC, Council considered and acted upon six amendments to the budget that imposed their own will on city spending. Contrary to Fed Ed's claims, they ended no program.They merely reduced funding to $1 until the Mayor starts complying with the HRC himself. This is completely legal and has been upheld when it has come up in other jurisdictions. There is no HRC violation by Council, and Fed Ed will discover he has no legal options. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-88214158055913854802016-12-09T08:02:23.062-05:002016-12-09T08:02:23.062-05:00"It is worth noting that the Mayor has not be...<em>"It is worth noting that the Mayor has not been charged with any crime."</em><br /><br />It is also worth noting that the very public investigation into political corruption in Allentown, in which he has been featured prominently as "Public Official No. 3," has completely paralyzed the city. Nothing is getting done. I believe it has negatively impacted the NIZ, and know it has negatively impacted everything else in Allentown. If Fed Ed really cared about Allentown, as he claims, he would step aside and let someone pick up the pieces. This has nothing to do with the presumption of innocence, to which he is entitled in the criminal arna. This has everything to do with public perception, in which he and Allentown have become a laughing stock. But Fed Ed does not really care about anyone but himself. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-71310553237779958952016-12-09T07:16:03.178-05:002016-12-09T07:16:03.178-05:00Two things Mr Fegley, and also, I enjoy going into...Two things Mr Fegley, and also, I enjoy going into your restaurant. I understand your view quite well, as I've been a Republican my entire life and despise Ed and believe that under his leadership, Allentown has become a worse place to live and would hope we have someone like Donald Trump to turn the city's fortune's around with the next election.<br /><br />The other thing is that the incinerator deal was bad. I never agreed with it either. It goes back to Ed's manner of governing. He wanted it and that was the way it was going to be. Just like putting the Ice Hockey arena into the middle of downtown. Ed wanted it there, and that's the way it was going to be. However, there was, on the surface anyway, nothing criminal about the deal. Maybe there was something backhanded about the deal, maybe there were payoffs made, which I personally think there were, but where was City Council to make those accusations at the time? Crickets is what we got. One Democrat does not criticize another. <br /><br />That's Ed's manner of governing. It's his way or no way. And it seems that City Council was just fine with that, most of the time. The Delta Thermo Energy Contract was one of City Council's few bright points since Ed became mayor in 2007. <br /><br />Also historically, there is a reason that Ed is one of only three or so mayors to have had a third term as Mayor. It's called wearing out your welcome. And Ed has indeed worn out his. However, unless Ed is indicted by the U.S. Attorney on criminal charges, this is a coup d' tat by City Council. On one hand, I find this enormously pleasing, because City Council members are all Democrats and I didn't vote for any of them. But, using the birds of a feather argument as someone did above, even Ed's cronies on the City Council, who acted as a rubber stamp for Ed for years, want to get rid of him. That's all well and good. I wish we could get rid of that entire bunch in City Hall, lock, stock ad barrel. But we aren't because Allentown is a city ruled by Democrats and the welfare state. People vote to receive checks from the government and as long as those checks come in the mail, the people will vote for those who are giving them that free money... <br /><br />But a palace coup to force a resignation is a very dangerous process. Be careful what you wish for Democrats, you might just get it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-44551382880744047372016-12-09T07:10:51.187-05:002016-12-09T07:10:51.187-05:00Funny? When In any other entity an underling does ...Funny? When In any other entity an underling does something criminal or wrong under the head's tenure, whether the head is guilty or not, the head resigns. People demand this. If anything it is a dereliction of his duty. He should have been more careful watching. But not one plead guilty, many arpund him and under him plead guilty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26324485858881793672016-12-09T00:15:55.235-05:002016-12-09T00:15:55.235-05:00Anonymous @6:03 PM said "6. Was there any evi...Anonymous @6:03 PM said "6. Was there any evidence that Ed acted contrary to the best interests of the City? No, it was just suspicion."<br /><br />Delta Thermo Energy deal is enough evidence for me. I presented this very clearly to Council. The Mayor and Council would have us paying over $100 per ton to have our trash removed. Easton pays just over $40 per ton.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16689614615334224597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-36915980448647973702016-12-08T23:35:56.473-05:002016-12-08T23:35:56.473-05:00It is worth noting that the Mayor has not been cha...It is worth noting that the Mayor has not been charged with any crime. Even though some have gone on about it for years. He is innocent and not even a charge. At the end of the day this may be some peoples dream but he may not be involved. Will this place offer an apology then?<br /><br />Of course not. There are criminals around but at this point he is not one of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-90978695196258807012016-12-08T22:34:28.009-05:002016-12-08T22:34:28.009-05:00It's just a matter of time before he is seen s...It's just a matter of time before he is seen sleeping on a park bench and handling shopping carts and bags. You can tell in his eyes from the videos posted by the Morning Call, that he is just coming in touch with reality, that his bullying isn't going to work anymore, and that he really has no one (especially since he has no more money and can't convince the people who hold the purse strings) in his corner. His final downward spiral will be uneventful and just a news blip. So sad that greed and arrogance has taken him down. I feel bad for Lady MacBeth. That cannot be a happy conversation of morning coffee each day?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91480621500057466082016-12-08T22:16:56.421-05:002016-12-08T22:16:56.421-05:00Actually, this has nothing to do with the shroud o...Actually, this has nothing to do with the shroud of innocence cloaking Fed Ed. No one disputes that he is presumed innocent. The fact is that the investigation and charges have paralyzed city government. That will continue for so long as he is in office. He needs to go. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-38634200105211204802016-12-08T22:13:25.421-05:002016-12-08T22:13:25.421-05:006:03 pm:
A public office is a public trust. A publ...6:03 pm:<br />A public office is a public trust. A public officer, who gets paid good taxpayer money to serve the people, must be held to a higher standard. There's a difference between a finding of guilt and a finding that someone is unfit for public duty because six people have pled guilty and pointed to him as guilty of racketeering and theft of honest services. And council has the right to amend the mayor's budget. Both these issues are independent of the issue of guilt or innocence. You've merely created a straw man.<br /><br />I have no doubt that Fed Ed will be indicted and convicted. But he still has to go now.Robert Trotnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09125814026822005564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26090920655576792912016-12-08T18:37:27.883-05:002016-12-08T18:37:27.883-05:006:15 so the "birds of a feather" accusat...6:15 so the "birds of a feather" accusation works if nothing else ? I don't believe that the City Charter allows City Council to charge anyone with any crime either. That's why they can't "impeach Ed and get rid of him.<br /><br />The only way they're going to get rid of Ed is if he loses in the Democratic primary next year. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13639790457296039062016-12-08T18:15:55.021-05:002016-12-08T18:15:55.021-05:00Even if no indictment is brought against the mayor...Even if no indictment is brought against the mayor ... The fact that six people have pleaded guilty and s few of these were part of Ed's team means that the mayor could be charged by council with malfeasance of duty if they were allowed to do so.<br />Dennis Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006233890393238268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-25761616324521783732016-12-08T18:03:46.781-05:002016-12-08T18:03:46.781-05:00We have a tradition of having to prove one guilty....We have a tradition of having to prove one guilty. Not having the accused prove their innocence.<br /><br />1. Is Ed under suspicion of committing criminal acts ? Yes<br /><br />2. What crimes is he accused of committing ? Well, no one really knows, but the FBI is investigating.<br /><br />3. Is Ed part of that investigation? It is believed so, but again, no one has any details of what he may be being investigated for.<br /><br />4. Did City Council vote a resolution of "no confidence" against Ed ? Yes<br /><br />5. Why did they vote for that resolution? Because of 1 and 2 above, also probably because of personal feelings about the mayor due to his manner of governing.<br /><br />6. Was there any evidence that Ed acted contrary to the best interests of the City? No, it was just suspicion.<br /><br />7. So basically, despite our tradition of innocent until proven guilty, and with no charges files against Ed, he's essentially being ramrodded out of the Mayor's office by City Council. Yes, that seems to be the case.<br /><br />8. Is this a dangerous precedent ? You betcha.<br /><br />10. Is this a palace coup by City Council? It has the appearance of such.<br /><br />11. Is this a huge mess? Again, you betcha.<br /><br />12. What if there are no indictments issued by the U. S. Attorney against Ed? There will be a lot of coucil members with egg on their faces.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18685800286314601362016-12-08T17:08:32.475-05:002016-12-08T17:08:32.475-05:00You too are cognaZantly complicate, get it straigh...You too are cognaZantly complicate, get it straight if you wish to emulate! It is modern social illZ in sourced by none other than the originators of the REcreation of the all nue nue nue and improved Z Zone and itZ implementation thereof! They too have left the mayorZ bully siZed meals provided as an expense account juggling actZ!<br /><br />REpublican redd<br />humanist by designAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2113418620629510462016-12-08T15:39:58.615-05:002016-12-08T15:39:58.615-05:00DANGER! DANGER! Will Robinson, that is the communi...DANGER! DANGER! Will Robinson, that is the community consensus by the robot running around?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-36127403955121121612016-12-08T14:10:48.144-05:002016-12-08T14:10:48.144-05:00The mayor is a vindictive bully.
He will continue ...The mayor is a vindictive bully.<br />He will continue to intimidate and abuse people until the day he leaves office.<br />His supporters, however few, enable his behavior.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-19033254165367861582016-12-08T13:05:03.211-05:002016-12-08T13:05:03.211-05:00Then comment about it there. I will be deleting al...Then comment about it there. I will be deleting all OT comments. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-63151954710642723362016-12-08T13:02:46.518-05:002016-12-08T13:02:46.518-05:00Alan Jennings is mentioned in your piece and even ...Alan Jennings is mentioned in your piece and even more prominently in MM's blog regarding last nights council session.<br />That would suggest he is in fact part of this ongoing issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-67446776050630485662016-12-08T12:52:42.205-05:002016-12-08T12:52:42.205-05:00Sorry Bernie couldn't help myself -- just co...Sorry Bernie couldn't help myself -- just connecting the dots JoAnnKennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10753439315655273268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-27101535639059479002016-12-08T12:51:16.019-05:002016-12-08T12:51:16.019-05:00I'm just wondering now if the sudden shift in ...I'm just wondering now if the sudden shift in Fed Ed's fortunes is in some ambiguous way somehow connected to the expected completion of the grand jury's work soon ?Robert Trotnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09125814026822005564noreply@blogger.com