Bob Donchez Makes Two Excellent Picks

I was unable to attend yesterday's Bob Donchez news conference, in which he announced two important appointments to his sanctum sanctorum - Northampton County's Alicia Karner as DCED Director, and Bethlehem Attorney Bill Leeson as City Solicitor. These are excellent picks, a sign of good judgment from the Bethlehem Mayor elect.

Alicia Karner

I know Alicia Karner best so let me start with her. As most of you know, I'm more than willing to mix it up with anyone, from Edwin Pawlowski to, most recently, Lehigh County Comm'r Vic Mazziotti. But Alicia scares the shit out of me. I admit it. She's always acted professionally, but knows exactly what is going on. She also happens to be a jock. She earned eleven varsity letters at Bangor High School and went on to play Division I field hockey before graduating from the UNC at Wilmington with a degree in Political Science.

Karner won election to Bangor Borough Council, served as its President, and then ended up working for State Senator Lisa Boscola. Along the way, she developed an interest in both community and economic development, As a member of the County's most impoverished community outside of the cities, she started serving on the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley board, eventually becoming its President. She also was selected by Executive John Stoffa to administer his economic development program in Northampton County. 

Alicia has been deeply involved in both downtown revitalization projects as well as other job creation projects. She helped usher in Charlie Chrin's Route 33 TIF, which is expected to eventually bring 5,500 jobs to this area. Presentations that she orchestrated even persuaded Ron Angle, a foe of economic development handouts, to support the project.  She even got me on Charlie Chrin's side, something I never thought would happen.

While doing all this, Karner also administered the County's Gaming Authority.

Her biggest achievement, though, and one of which she should be very proud, are her three children. On election night, the Karner family had its own annual election for Karner House President. There was even some dirty campaigning.

Alicia is a very good pick for Bethlehem as DCED Director. But her loss will be felt at Northampton County.

What Happens to Joe Kelly?

Bethlehem's current DCED Director, Joe Kelly, is out. Donchez has the right and really, the obligation, to put his own stamp on City government. As good a person as Joe is, Bob can't do that with incumbent Mayor John Callahan's right hand man. There would always be a question of loyalty.

As an attorney with an impressive resume, I believe Joe should have no problem landing on his feet.

One rumor floating around is that Willie Reynolds will try to install Joe on City Council as Donchez' replacement. This seems like an effort to undermine Donchez, not good government. Nor is it particularly good for Joe Kelly down the road. Reynolds has the votes to do this, I'm sure. But isn't it time to stop playing politics and start governing?

Bill Leeson

They say you can't fight City Hall, but I have fought several battles with the County. I did so when I challenged Northampton County's $111 million megabond under former Executive Glenn Reibman. I won the first battle, thanks in large part to the efforts of Easton Attorneys Charlie Smith and Brian Monahan. Along the way, we made law. We got a Commonwealth Court ruling in our favor on the Sunshine Act, with a ruling that a judge had improperly made arguments not advanced by the county. We also got an important Supreme Court ruling that bond proposals must be real, and be accompanied by realistic cost estimates.

We lost the second round, in which the fight was that public money was being used to fund private projects. I think we might have had a shot with the Supreme Court, but we just ran out of money.

Our opponent in this legal war was Bill Leeson.

He impressed the hell out of me. He would write an excellent and terse brief, but had an uncanny knack in oral argument of putting things in a slightly different way that would completely throw us off our game.

Throughout this battle, which became quite heated at times, Leeson always remained a gentleman. He always kept his word, except for that one time when he told me the Supreme Court had moved to Phillipsburg and I should just wait there for oral argument.

He knows municipal law inside out, and like his brother and father, will be an excellent City Solicitor. 

Class all the way.

What happens to Jack Spirk?

Like Joe Kelly, Jack has to go. He was a trusted confidante to Bethlehem mayor John Callahan, and knows that Donchez needs his own consigliere. Jack was an excellent Assistant DA, and I know this better than most because he kicked my ass several times. He loves teaching, and can continue that profession and can walk through numerous other doors. 

As is the case with Joe Kelly, a rumor floating around that Spirk will be installed as the next City Council Solicitor, replacing long time Solicitor Chris Spadoni. I don't understand why Council would replace a neutral and effective Solicitor with someone who is known as Callahan's right arm. I thought Callahan was term-limited.

Who Can Replace John Conklin in Northampton County?

Conklin & Stoffa

The Express Times broke the story that Northampton County's Director of Admin., John Conklin, is leaving for a homeland security job in the private sector, effective October 31. The Morning Call has told you that two people are in the running to replace John Stoffa's right hand man. I'll tell you who they are, but before I do that, I want to say a thing or two about Conklin.

He's originally from the Johnstown area, but became known in this area when he worked in Lehigh County's emergency management. He left Lehigh County for Florida in 2003, but continued working in emergency management until he got the call from Stoffa.

Unlike most Directors of Administration, he's completely apolitical. He just did his job, and did it well. His weakness was his unwillingness to play the political game with an erratic Council, but that was also his strength. He played no games. He just executed flawlessly.

First, he applied his managerial skills to rescue an election office that was out of control. Second, he took the lead in establishing many of the innovations in Northampton County's emergency management, from reverse 911 to coordinating with other groups in Lehigh County. He could also be counted on to execute plans flawlessly.

Over the years, I became friendly with John and will miss him. Whoever is getting him is very lucky.

Now who's under consideration as Conklin's replacement? One of them is Bob Mateff, the current Director of Emergency Management. His office is among the most efficient and successful in Northampton County. It's hard to decipher where Conklin's expertise ends and Mateff's begins, but there's no question that Mateff has played a big role. From chemical spills on Route 33 to a swine flu scare to the recent handling of Hurricane Irene, Mateff has been there.

But like Conklin, Mateff is also apolitical. He may be an expert at dealing with tornadoes and hurricanes, but those are nothing compared to the snakepit known as Northampton County Council. Many people have gone into their star chamber, never to return.

The second contender is right at home in the political world. Alicia Karner, the County's Economic Development Analyst, knows how to deal with the politicos. After all, she was State Senator Lisa Boscola's District Chief of Staff. Karner serves as the Administration's eyes on the gaming authority, general purpose authority, industrial development authority and a host of other projects. She is the person who recently made an excellent presentation concerning the proposed Rte 33 TIF in Palmer Township. That will probably pass unanimously, thanks in large part to her fine work.

She even persuaded me!

Another difference between Karner and Mateff s that when you call her, she gets back to you. That's not a strong suit with Mateff. Sooner or later, that will get him in trouble with the politicos.

I believe Karner would look better to the administration that follows Stoffa, too.

Either one of these people would be an excellent choice. I would prefer Karner, but the County Executive makes his own decisions.

Norco's Karner, Sywensky, to Lead CACLV Board

Whether Republican or Democrat, every member of Northampton County Council gives high grades to Lori G. Sywensky and Alicia Karner, who represent the Ying and Yang and Community and Economic Development. Lori's specialty is Community Development, knows the ins and outs of state grants, and speaks fluent Bureaucratese. Alicia has even drawn praise from the Northampton County Bulldog for her work in attracting business. They are two of Northampton County's best and brightest.

So it's no surprise to learn that the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley’s Board of Directors has elected Karner as their new President and Sywensky as Treasurer. At their November 17 meeting, they also named Crayola's Stephen Weiss as their VP. Attorney Chris Reid will serve as Secretary.

Three new board members were also installed. Nereida Villanueva, Human Resources Manager at Cintas Corporation, represents Holy Infancy School in south Bethlehem. Seth Moglen, Ph.D., who teaches English at Lehigh University, represents the residents of south Bethlehem. Finally, Holly Krahwinkel represents Easton’s Weed and Seed Program.

Beginning on January 1, the new officers will hold their positions for the 2011 calendar year, and the newly appointed members will each serve a three-year term ending in December 2013.

The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit anti-poverty agency that serves low- to moderate-income people and their communities in the Lehigh Valley. It offers a wide range of programming with the mission of improving the quality of life by building a community in which all people have access to economic opportunity, the ability to pursue that opportunity, and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. CACLV’s programs and subsidiaries include the Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, Sixth Street Shelter, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, Safe Harbor Easton, West Ward Neighborhood Partnership, Energy Partnership, Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown, Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem, Work Ready, and Community Action Financial Services.

I don't have pictures of Lori or Alicia to post. They must be camera shy. So I'll be capturing them both on film in the days to come, even if it costs me my life. Let me tell you, they are too (two) hot tamales and have great judgment, too. They've both rejected me numerous times, even when I tried to pretend I was rich.

Now I see why.

Did I mention that I'm homeless?