tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post7603880447930057214..comments2024-03-29T04:47:16.071-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Northampton County Saves World From Kids Splashing in FountainBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20534581228546219702008-08-06T21:24:00.000-04:002008-08-06T21:24:00.000-04:00Anon 8:01, As it gets closer to election time, the...Anon 8:01, <BR/><BR/>As it gets closer to election time, the anonymous personal attacks have been increasing.<BR/><BR/>Stoffa certainly has the authority to order that kids be allowed to play at the fountain, but can't issue such an order until he knows they are being stopped. Moreover, he would not act unilaterally. He would certainly consult with the judges, who themselves may be unaware what happened, and come up with a decision that is best for everyone. <BR/><BR/>Marc,<BR/><BR/>Nice to hear from you. Chris Miller and Don Miles both hgave some great ideas, and so do you. They are very much appreciated.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-36216036481370365492008-08-06T20:22:00.000-04:002008-08-06T20:22:00.000-04:00Anon 7:01You are such a waste of air.Anon 7:01<BR/><BR/>You are such a waste of air.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-73869546421105840412008-08-06T20:07:00.000-04:002008-08-06T20:07:00.000-04:00Bernie,Lehigh County utilized some of its its gree...Bernie,<BR/>Lehigh County utilized some of its its green future fund money to work with the City of Allentown for spray parks at Bucky Boyle Park and I believe another one was to be built in either Keck Park and or Cedar Beach. I know that $500,000 went to improvements at Bucky Boyle Park back in 2004, part of which was the spray park. Ideally Norco could work with Sal Panto and the City of Easton to build a suitable spray park or parks for the kids in Easton. So many kids aren't swimmers. The Delaware or the quarries in the Slate belt aren't the place for kids to cool off. Especially little kids who use these fountains. I understand the world of liabilites these days. But given the heat, maybe a they could open the fountains up a couple of hours a day after some safety inspections. They have such a grand courthouse over there. Our Lehigh County judges told us in testimony before we trimmed our courthouse project down that it was to be the people's building. So be it. Set some guidelines. Post some "risk" signs. Maybe someone from the local bar association could work through the legal morass to ease the liability concern pro bono. But have a place for kids to go for God's sake. As I heard Paul Sorvino say today, We only go through life once, there is no dress rehearsal. Try to do good. Every day. Find a way. Maybe Easton could could spare a lifeguard from one of the local pools or the Y. I like Chris's idea for pool passes from businesses, the chamber, and charitable organizations. Sounds like a real good idea. Mr. Miles idea is also good, and even provides some contacts. Sadly, only another few weeks of summer for the kids, but maybe something could be done in time for next year. Let's hope so.<BR/>MarcAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-78925234646006670762008-08-06T19:01:00.000-04:002008-08-06T19:01:00.000-04:00The Great O'Hare has deemed it racist. Give it a ...The Great O'Hare has deemed it racist. Give it a rest. If Stoffa is such a great leader he can order the kids be allowed to play there. His word overrules the 'white Court Administrators'. You know that only a Couirt Order could stop him and that ain't gonna happen.<BR/>So ask the County Executive to reach out his Lincoln like arms and free the people to get wet at the Courthouse.<BR/>Unless he is still up Angles backside. Now there is a 'white' guy with lots of stories not even subtle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-65050013871927092732008-08-06T18:15:00.000-04:002008-08-06T18:15:00.000-04:00Anon 5:06, I brought it up because it was in the p...Anon 5:06, I brought it up because it was in the post and I think it played a role. You're correct, it didn't center on it, but it was there nonetheless. And I know subtle racism is in the picture at PPL, I've heard it with my own ears.<BR/><BR/>Subtle racism is the worst of all....<BR/><BR/>Bottom line - let the kids play.<BR/><BR/>The BankerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-37365665320132472132008-08-06T17:35:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:35:00.000-04:00The title searcher who made the snarky remarks, of...The title searcher who made the snarky remarks, of course, is white. I included that language bc that's what happened. <BR/><BR/>There's not a helluva lot of color at the courthouse, unless you want to count criminal defendants. We're doing much better in the row offices and the DA's office. We're doing great in the sheriff's office. But the "court administrators" are still pretty much white. <BR/><BR/>I don't believe this is overt racism. The deputies seemed to be very nice to the kids. They were following what they considered lawful orders, and did it in a nice way. But would they have been asked to go out there had those kids been white? <BR/><BR/>I do know some white kids were in it a few weeks ago and nothing was said. Perhaps no one noticed. <BR/><BR/>There most certainly is a racist component to what happened, but it's subtle. I'm sure none of these people consider themselves racist in any way. There were no blatantly racist remarks that I heard. It's under the surface, pretty much the way I presented it.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-90076487321523488232008-08-06T17:06:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:06:00.000-04:00I'm completely on the side of kids who want to coo...I'm completely on the side of kids who want to cool off in my tax paid water. I also understand that Chris Miller is correct. I'm puzzled by the racial accusation toward those who either directed the kids to be shooed, or those who did the shooing. I get the feeling that if race could be solidly identified as the culprit, the story would be blown much larger. And rightfully so. I hate to see such a serious allegation simply tossed out in the middle of a post that didn't seem to center on it, but just had to throw it in there anyway. <BR/><BR/>If there is a racist component to this, I want a full investigation of what bigots should be fired. The guards and their supervisor have names. Let's name the names of these alleged racists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-25823077935581011082008-08-06T16:00:00.000-04:002008-08-06T16:00:00.000-04:00I agree, especially so given the comments you hear...I agree, especially so given the comments you heard / reported in the posting:<BR/><BR/>"I knew this would happen!," was the clarion cry of one loud female title searcher late yesterday afternoon. "Look at that! They even brought towels!"<BR/><BR/>Let me also ask the obvious - kids were mostly of color. What color were the people who made these comments?<BR/><BR/>Ordinarily I'm the last person to raise racism, but comments like these sure makes this smell funny...<BR/><BR/>The BankerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86497368324908042952008-08-06T15:51:00.000-04:002008-08-06T15:51:00.000-04:00Someone just doesn't like the look of these kids h...<EM>Someone just doesn't like the look of these kids having fun.</EM><BR/><BR/>I can't halp but reach that conclusion, too, especially as I hear more and more about this.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2043284594806706612008-08-06T14:39:00.000-04:002008-08-06T14:39:00.000-04:00What makes the fountains any more of a liability t...What makes the fountains any more of a liability than the local pool or spray park. <BR/><BR/>The lawsuit argument is silly. Someone just doesn't like the look of these kids having fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-66049636098587923232008-08-06T10:23:00.000-04:002008-08-06T10:23:00.000-04:00Lawyers and their lawsuit-happy clients looking fo...Lawyers and their lawsuit-happy clients looking for a big payday are ruining the very fabric of America...kids can't play in a fountain because of the "risk" and armed deputies to sent to remove them??? <BR/><BR/>In my opinion, society is sue-happy because the one of the key bases of our country - self-reliance - has eroded almost entirely. Why work hard when you can score an easy payday?<BR/><BR/>I'm lucky I was a kid a few decades ago(although my wife says I never grew up anyway). I can't stomache stuff like this.<BR/><BR/>The BankerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-74412201244718767952008-08-06T09:30:00.000-04:002008-08-06T09:30:00.000-04:00Don,Perhaps the county can do that. Good suggestio...Don,<BR/><BR/>Perhaps the county can do that. Good suggestion. That fountain does, after all, belong to the people of Northampton County, not the judges.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-64363745017904320792008-08-06T09:29:00.000-04:002008-08-06T09:29:00.000-04:00When you go to large neighborhoods, such as those ...When you go to large neighborhoods, such as those in Brooklyn and Philly, splash fountains are a common thing. They are no big deal. Parents bring their little ones to them all the time and converse while their children play in the water. <BR/><BR/>The last time I was at the Promonade (spelling?) I saw a bunch of kids playing in the water. Again, no big deal. <BR/><BR/>The day that <I>beach tags</I> are required for splash fountains is the day the fun dies all together.Blah Societyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13140454713775283491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-3542810519821686812008-08-06T09:22:00.000-04:002008-08-06T09:22:00.000-04:00Bernie,Bethlehem, with some corporate and non-prof...Bernie,<BR/><BR/>Bethlehem, with some corporate and non-profit support, just opened a great splash park in Yosko Park on the Southside, in a neighborhood similar to the one around the courthouse. It was an immediate success with the kids. Whoever the heck actually is in charge of the courthouse splash fountain should contact Bethlehem's fine Recreation Director, Jane Persa, for some advice about how to use the courthouse splash fountain as a real benefit to the neighborhood, instead of just expensive eye candy.donmileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02262231700912730143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-77368011704644714142008-08-06T09:21:00.000-04:002008-08-06T09:21:00.000-04:00One reason why this soiciety is so sue happy is bc...One reason why this soiciety is so sue happy is bc government is nutz. They build a fountain that invites kids to jump in and then sends armed deputies after kids who use it. If it bothers the county so much that it might get sued, then turn the damn thing off instead of taunting the kids. <BR/><BR/>The diusplay yesterday was very bad for community relations.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-7206277537291597562008-08-06T09:14:00.000-04:002008-08-06T09:14:00.000-04:00AnonymousAnd I always considered myself to be the ...Anonymous<BR/>And I always considered myself to be the world's biggest cynic. Unfortunatly you are probably correctChris Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02141116246755465629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52654886065709841372008-08-06T09:05:00.000-04:002008-08-06T09:05:00.000-04:00Great thought, Mr. Miller. But here's what is mor...Great thought, Mr. Miller. But here's what is more likely. The government will steal your idea and then levy a new tax to provide those passes on a "needs" basis. They'll have to make sure everyone pays their "Fair Share" for the passes. Rich people will pay more, of course They'll set up a Department of Pool Passes, hire a Director and staff. Next thing you know, they'll need more room at the Courthouse...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-7336071016580257342008-08-06T08:40:00.000-04:002008-08-06T08:40:00.000-04:00BernieYou and I both know that there certainly is ...Bernie<BR/>You and I both know that there certainly is the risk of a law suit. I agree with you that the fountain should not even be there if that is the concern. It is a shame that we live in a sue happy society. If a child were serioulsy hurt there would be a tremendous out cry on the facts that someone did not stop it and that now we faced a lawsuit. <BR/>Let me offer a suggestion. Maybe some of the churches, charitable organizations and neighbors could get together and buy pool passes for the kids. Maybe I am all wet on this idea (pun intended) but something like that might bring the city and its communities together.Chris Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02141116246755465629noreply@blogger.com