Bangor Hit-and-Run Caught on Security Camera

Right after midnight, a woman driving a late model SUV (likely a Jeep) stuck and damaged three parked cars on Broadway in Bangor and then just left the scene. Slate Belt Watch actually has a video, in flagrante delicto, thanks to a homeowner's security camera.

Bangor's Bad News Bears

Bangor High School is supposed to be the home of the Slaters, but in reality, it might be the home of the bears. A reader at Slate Belt Watch, an informative Facebook page, reported seeing what looks like a fairly large bruin lumbering near Wah Shing.

He apparently likes Chinese.

There have been several other reports in the Bangor area.

Slate Belt Regional Police have posted this advice:

Tis that time of year.....Slate Belt Regional Police Department has been receiving numerous calls recently regarding black bear sightings in the area. Our perceptions of bears are a product of their mostly shy, mysterious nature and powerful presence, not to mention the timeless stories that have been told about them over the years. Unfortunately there's as much misinformation about bears in circulation as there is fact. That's too bad because bears needn't be feared nor should they be dismissed as harmless. They simply need to be respected. Here is a great article regarding living with bears. The goal is to avoid creating a "nuisance bear" and to allow them to pass through the area respectfully. Unless the bear becomes a nuisance, Officers will generally have the same response as you, cautiously and respectfully watching as the bears make their journey away from civilization.

Bangor School District To Form Diversity Committee

In the wake of a pretty serious act of discrimination at Bangor High School on Friday, Superintendent Frank DeFelice and Easton NAACP President Lance Wheeler met yesterday. While school officials are unable to get into specifics, I understand that disciplinary action has been taken against the students involved in that incident. In addition, the school district has agreed to form a diversity committee that will include parents , administrators and teacher. The goal will be to level the playing field.

A diversity committee was formed once before in Bangor, after a federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination was settled.

It met only once.

This one needs to be more active.    

Lance Wheeler will make sure.

It appears that pockets of racism are still prevalent in the Bangor area. Not the subtle kind, either.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with yet another mother of three biracial children. Her oldest graduated last year, but she still has two boys going through the system. None of her three children ever presented a disciplinary problem. Their experience at what really is a good school is mostly positive. But not completely.

One of her sons, when in the 9th grade, was involved in a debate class and was arguing his points. The student opposed to him eventually blurted out that no one cares what he thinks because he is a "n-gg-r." School officials admonished the boy, but when they called his parents, they were told that is the way they all feel.

Her daughter, who was a senior last year, also experienced a racist encounter with a star baseball player. She had been trying to park her car in her numbered spot when another girl jumped in ahead of her. The two began to argue, and the star baseball player intervened.

He yelled at the biracial girl, "Get in your car. You need to leave. You and your brother are n-gg-rs here,and we don't want your kind."

This incident was witnessed by several students,and an Assistant Principal who conducted an investigation brought them all into his office and told the star baseball player, whose dad happens to be a coach, That statements like that are not permitted on campus. That was it. No apology. No discipline. Everyone was just sent back to class.

Bangor at the time was undefeated in baseball. It finished 23-1.It was around this time when that incident happened.  

Bangor Area School Super Resigns!

Dr. Frank DeFelice, Superintendent of the Bangor Area School District, has resigned. He is leaving his current post to become the assistant Executive Director at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20.

As Superintendent in Bangor, DeFelice garnered a reputation as a likable and earnest administrator motivated by what he thought was best for the students.

In Bangor, DeFelice had control over 477 employees.At IU20, there are about 1,500.

Cathy Allen Resigning From Bangor Borough Council

It's no longer just a rumor. Northampton County Executive John Brown confirmed at this evening's County Council meeting that Cathy Allen, his Assistant or Deputy Director of Administration, is resigning from Bangor Borough Council on Monday. Brown indicated she is resigning "to commit herself to the County 100%."

Brown made the announcement in response to concerns raised by Council member Lamont McClure. He noted that her "dual roles" bother him, and added her recent Bangor Pool interview, concerning the near drowning of a child, "did not inspire our confidence."

Rumormill: Cathy Allen to Resign as Bangor Council Prez

Northampton County Assistant Director of Administration Cathy Allen is also Bangor Borough Council President. She last week told WFMZ that "there's nothing to see here" with respect to a near drowning at Bangor pool. Informed sources tell me she will resign her position as Borough Council President on Monday evening.
 

Is Bangor's Pool Properly Supervised?

This story comes from a reader, who asks me to protect his/her anonymity.

I do not wish to be identified for a variety of reasons, but this needs to be addressed. 

This is another mess coming from the Borough of Bangor which appears to have been and continues to be grossly mismanaged by the former mayor, John Brown, who proves his inexperience and incompetence on a regular basis and the equally inexperienced and incompetent Borough Council President, Cathy Allen who works for John Brown at the county.

I do not wish to read a future story of a child who drowned because the Borough of Bangor failed to provide qualified and responsible lifeguards. WFMZ should interview eyewitnesses who contradict the storyline reported by the television station.

Here is the online article:

Here are four comments from people who know:

4 Comments

Jacqui Cooper
I have never been so angry or disgusted reading a story in my life!!! Not a single life guard was in their stand when this happened and while my 10 year old daughter was swimming down towards her another lady (not a lifeguard) jumped in!!! They didn't come running to the deep end until the little girl was pulled out of the water!!! This story is soo far from the truth it isn't even funny!!! Maybe the mother should have been more careful yes but don't make those lifeguards the hero's not a single one was doing their job!!! All should be let go if you ask me!!! I've been going to this pool for years and this is by far the worst group of lifeguards they have EVER had and I said that since opening day! I can tell you that even if my daughter EVER wanted to go back it would not be until all life guards have been replaced!!!

Meghan Elizabeth Dougherty
The news will lie to make the borough look better since Bangor is going down the drain. They should have real lifeguards at the pool or they should just shut the pool down.

Kristine Frosten Stauffer
I just don't know how they can try and twist the story when there were so many of us there watching. I was there with my 2 1/2 year old in the pool and it is just like you said. Just glad to hear that the little girl is okay!!!

Jacqui Cooper
This is actually the second child in 3 days that has been pulled out of the water by someone NOT working there...

Bangor Boro Manager Suffers Massive Heart Attack

Before Christmas, Bangor Borough Manager John Kasten suffered a massive heart attack and is in critical condition at LV Hospital. He is approximately 62 years old and has been at Bangor since 208. Prior to that, he was Slatington's Borough Manager for seven years.

Updated 5 pm: Kasten passed away this afternoon.

Accused Pius X Coach is Bangor Borough Council Member

Both The Express Times and Morning Call are reporting that Stephanie Merlo, a volunteer assistant coach at Roseto's Pius X High School, is accused of having sexual relations with a 17 year old female student. Merlo is also accused of purchasing marijuana for this minor.

Let me supplement those reports by telling you that she is also a member of Bangor Borough Council.  She was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Marino Saveri resigned on September 9.

She filed her Council application just one day after she registered to vote. She was selected over the fire chief, the chair of the Zoning Hearing Board and a civil service board member.

Obviously, the fix was in.

The vote was 2-2-1, with Merlo and the fire chief each getting two votes.

Mayor John Brown, our soon-to-be County Executive, broke the tie in what certainly appears to be a vote for the least qualified person.

My guess is they'll be filling another vacancy soon.

Her Facebook page indicates she is employed at the Sands Casino.

The question in my mind is whether other apples will soon fall from that tree. Based on what I've seen, she may have been at that school for several years.

Capozzolo Up By One in Bangor

Joe Capozzolo was reported to be down one vote last night in his quest for another term as Bangor Mayor, an office in which he has served before. But according to the elections office unofficial results, he's now one vote ahead, leading Republican Robert Rhodes 216-215. There are also 151 write-in votes to be tabulated.

Brown Takes $7,650 to Be Better Mayor, Then Runs For Exec

Bonnie Labar opposed giving Mayor 7 X his annual salary

In March, I first told you about the $7,000 that Bangor Borough Council spent for its departing Mayor, John Brown, to attend a leadership course at Notre Dame University.  His annual salary is $1,000. Brown is the Republican nominee for Northampton County Executive.

Pursuant to a Right-to-Know Request, I obtained the details. At Bangor Borough Council's regular meeting on July 9, 2012, he asked for $6,950 to attend the "Executive Integral Leadership" training program hosted by Notre Dame that Fall. That fee included instruction, a 90-minute executive coaching session, a 60-minute health and wellness coaching session, leadership assessments, educational materials, lodging and meals. He also asked for an additional $700 travel expenses, making his total request $7,650.

According to the Minutes, "Brown stated the program will allow him to learn and refine additional skills relating to leadership and receive feedback and coaching on improving leadership capabilities in the areas of negotiation, collaboration, and communication allowing him to continue to provide pro-active leadership as Mayor."

Council member Bonnie Labar filed a motion to deny the request, but it died for lack of a second. But Council decided to table the matter for its July 23 Workshop Meeting to give them more time to review the matter.

The Workshop met on July 23, with no members of the public present for a meeting on a hot Summer day.

The $7,650 was authorized by a 5-3 vote of Bangor Borough Council, with Bonnie Labar, Mark Brown (no relation to John Brown) and Marino Saveri dissenting. Labar and Mark Brown asked Council to have the Ethics Commission review this matter, but their motion failed by a voice vote.

So there you have it. Bangor Borough Council paid $7,650 to Mayor John Brown, over 7 times his $1,000 annual salary, to he could attend a leadership and become a better Mayor.

But instead of being a better Mayor, as promised, Brown has decided he'd rather be Northampton County Executive. Given his own statements to Bangor Borough Council, Brown should return the money.

Saveri Out at Bangor Borough Council

Bangor Borough Council member Marino Saveri stepped down from Borough Council tonight, in a letter read onto the record during their regular meeting. His term was set to expire at the end of 2015, but he reportedly is moving. His resignation from Council will automatically remove him from Bangor Borough Authority as well.

Corrected and Updated 12:30 PM: In an earlier version, I told you Saveri's term is up this year. That is incorrect. His term is up at the end of 2015. My thanks to a reader who pointed out my error.

Bangor Looking at Half Mil Tax Cut

It won't be official until December 27, but little Bangor Borough on Monday night tentatively tentatively adopted a budget for 2013 that will include a half mil tax cut.

Council member Dave Houser credits the "great work" done by boro manager John Kasten.

Why Your Kids Should Brush Their Teeth

John Morganelli announces no criminal charges in LSD case

Two young men from Bangor, aged 7 and 10, were a little late getting ready for school one fine morning this September. As their mom reminded them to brush their teeth, the boys decided on a short cut. Instead of the toothbrush, they grabbed a bottle of breath mint, and took a few drops each. Problem solved, right?

Wrong, their problem was just beginning. It was one that would send both of these boys to the hospital. It would involve police and Children and Youth. Their parents would themselves have to undergo drug screening for five weeks.

You see, instead of breath mints, these boys had just ingested LSD, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

At a November 28 news conference, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli explained how it happened.

Just a few days before, these boys found the breath mint bottle on the porch outside their apartment building. They brought it in and put it in the medicine cabinet. Mom thought Dad bought it. Dad thought Mon bought it.

Running late for school, these boys finally had the excuse they needed to squeeze a few drops. After an overnight stay at Lehigh Valley Hospital, they'll probably think twice before drinking from something they find outside.

Their parents came under suspicion, too. In addition to several interviews with local police, they were subjected to a five-week investigation by Children and Youth. This included a review of the boys' medical histories and home visits, both announced and unannounced. These parents even had to undergo weekly drug and alcohol screening.

According to Morganelli, two residents in that apartment building were known drug users. But they are gone. Attempts to locate them were unsuccessful, and police were unable to lift prints from the bottle.

The good news is that both boys are fine. "Luckily, it appears there will be no long term effects," announced Morganelli. In fact, neither of them remembers what happened after taking the drops.

But their parents will remember for the rest of their lives.
DA Morganelli: No Charges in Kids' Poisoning

Bangor Mayor John Brown For NorCo Exec?

The John Brown with whom I'm most familiar was the violent abolitionist who led a raid on Harper's Ferry. His first victim, naturally, was a free black man. Brown eventually found himself at the wrong end of a hangman's noose.

But there's another John Brown. Not so colorful, but his neck is intact so far.

Bangor Mayor John Brown, who commands an annual $1,000 salary, is reportedly considering a run for Northampton County Exec next year, when his term as Mayor is set to expire. I have asked Mayor Brown to confirm or disavow hos interest, and will let you know.

The only other Republican name I've heard so far is Council President John Cusick.

On the Democratic side of the aisle, it is increasingly likely that there will be just one candidate - Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan.

True, County Council member Lamont McClure has publicly expressed interest. But he has a difficult enough time keeping his own seat against candidates with no money or name recognition. It is likely that McClure threw his name out there because he wants something.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto, who would have been a formidable candidate, really does like being Mayor of Easton. His constituents have repeatedly asked him to stay where he is.

Ron Heckman, a former Council member and Human Services Director, is another name being touted. He is being urged by Callahan supporters to run for Council instead.

Bangor Loses Zoning Officer, World Gains Blogger

Rick Fisher

Bangor zoning officer Rick Fisher was one of the 50-plus people at last night's Borough Council meeting. But it was his last. He's leaving his zoning job in Bangor, Portland and Upper Mount Bethel to head to the coffee mecca of the world - Seattle.

"I thought all the people were here to say goodbye to me," noted Fisher. "I forgot. I'm a zoning officer."

He's right. Zoning officers are very unpopular, almost as much as bloggers. But guess what? Fisher already is a bottom-feeding blogger, just like moi. In fact, he's created a blog called Diffle County, about some mysterious place in Eastern Pennsylvania.

When he gets to Seattle, he'll take it to the next level, and start attending City Council meetings.

Why is quitting his job? "Once you have seven different flavors of vodka in your fridge, you know it's time to give up zoning," he told Council.

In reality, Fisher's wife has a new job in Seattle, and has been there since March.

He's also working on two novels. One is about Diffle County, home of Executive Spangle (with the angle). The other, a collaboration with his daughter, involves a cat, a otter and a crow.

Bangor Boro Votes Unanimously to Join NIZ Litigation

Catherine Allen

You can add Bangor Borough to the growing list of municipalities challenging Allentown's EIT tax grab. Last night, they voted unanimously to join the legal challenge to the Queen City's 130-acre Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ).

Ironically, their decision is a direct reaction to a letter sent by Allentown Mayor Pawlowski, asking them for their support. It appears to have had the opposite effect.

Several Council members seemed a little disturbed that the letter was sent to their homes.

Council President Catherine Allen argued, "I really don't think it's anything that any of the boroughs - especially us - want to say, 'Yes, this is OK,' and we'll lose all of our money."

Council member Bonnie LaBar pointed out that Allentown is basing its calculations on the first quarter of the year when the least amount of EIT revenue is realized. "You won't actually be getting all the money back," she observed.

It will cost Bangor $5,000 to join the litigation, based on its population of 5,273 people.

Bangor is the 17th municipal government to challenge the NIZ. Whitehall-Coplay School District and the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors have also voted to intervene.

Developer Abe Atiyeh has filed a separate suit that mirrors the litigation filed by the townships.

Are Bangor's Three Fire Companies Under Scrutiny?

TV reception must really be bad in the Slate Belt. Over fifty people poured into the Beehive Community Center, where Bangor Borough conducts its monthly meetings. I was sure these must be trade union dudes, sent by Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski's union "consultant" Mike Fleck, to support the Queen City's s Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ). But I was wrong.

They were volunteer firefighters.

Bangor's got 90 of them, divided among three different companies. Representatives of this trinity - Second Ward, Rescue and Liberty - gave impassioned pleas to Borough Council, imploring them to consider no action against the Chief (Bob Owens) and Assistant Chief (Ron LaBar). They even brought in Mike Goffredo, Roseto's fire chief, to say, "We stand together as a brotherhood."

This confused the hell out of Council member Harry Wyant. "Not one time at any meeting I've been to has anyone talked of replacing the fire chief," he said.

But another Council member, Bonnie LaBar, assured everyone that some kind of action is being considered by someone.  She stood up and led everyone in a round of applause after the firemen were finished speaking.

Incidentally, Bonnie just happens to be the wife of the Assistant Chief Ron LaBar.

No conflict there.

Council President Catherine Allen, clearly uncomfortable, quietly stated they would discuss the matter later

In March, a fire at Century House led to the death of a 72 year-old man, and all kinds of rumors are circulating about the way it was handled. Some say the firefighters were at their best, rushing into the burning building. But there are other stories. A police officer was commended for rescuing some elderly residents, but no firefighters.

Where there's smoke is there fire? Is this idle gossip, or is something going on?

Volunteer Fire Company Ordered to Fork Over Records

Last week, I told you that the Second Ward Fire Company, a volunteer fire company in Bangor, was refusing to produce records requested by Bangor Borough Council member Dave Houser. In a bizarre letter to the State Office of Open Records, Fire Co. Prez Bill Schrack claimed the Right to Know Law has no application to volunteer fire companies. In addition, he argued that it was somehow a "conflict of interest" for a Borough Council member to examine the finances of an organization that the Borough helps fund.

As if the letter was not strange enough, 92 comments were posted calling Houser every name in the book, including a few that have not been invented yet.

Obviously, it's a sensitive subject.

Today, the State Office of Open Records granted Houser's request. It holds, as a matter of law, that volunteer fire companies are subject to the Right-to-Know Law. They perform governmental functions.

Volunteer Fire Co. Refuses Records Request From Boro Councilman

Earlier this week, I told you that Bethlehem Township's Volunteer Fire Company is willing to open their financial records to anyone. But that's is stark contrast to another volunteer volunteer fire company in Bangor. It's refusing to comply with a request from Borough Council member Dave Houser, even though the borough helps fund it.

In a letter to Pennsylvania's Open Records office, Fire Co. President Bill Schrack makes some incredible arguments:

This letter is in response to the above mentioned docket originated by Mr. David Houser's request for information from our fire company. As the newly appointed president of this organization I have been tasked with handling this matter. There are several reasons why our organization chose not to disclose the requested infromation to Mr. Houser which resulted in the current appeal and they are listed below.

1- We are a non-profit volunteer organization whose sole purpose is to provide fire protection to our community along with two other fire companies comprising our department for greater than 100 years. We feel, with the definitions provided under the Right To Know Law (RTKL) section 102, that we are not considered an agency required to provide such information to the general public.

2- Being that we are a volunteer organization the time frame imposed by a legal formal request such as presented created an undue hardship on the members of our organization. We do not have the personnel or resources available at times to handle these types of requests, nor was there an offer of a reasonable time frame to process this request. As stated earlier, our sole purpose is to provide fire protection to our community.

3- Noting again that we are a volunteer organization with limited available manhours and funds, there was also no offer of any reimbursement of costs associated with processing this request by Mr. Houser.

4- We also strongly believe that there is a conflict of interest in Mr. Houser's request, as we believe he is requesting this information as a Borough Council member and not as a general citizen. We believe that the information requested would be detrimental to our survivability as an organization.

5- Lastly, the information that Mr. Houser requested does not exist in the forms that he is requesting. We have seperate logs for the financial secretary and the treasurer. No official fiscal year reports are generated. Monthly reports are made, vouchers drawn, and the results are spread among the minutes recorded by the secretary. Also there has never been an audit performed by an "independent" agency as there has been no need for such. Once yearly, a committee is formed of current members by the President to perform this task ensuring the books are in order.

With the aforementioned reasons we request that this docket be closed in favor of Second Ward Fire Company. If this matter is not closed we request ample time to seek legal council of our own in review of this case. I am sorry for the delay in this response, but as I stated we are a volunteer organization and are not always readily available for coorespondance via mail. I had been fortunate to receive this letter within the time frame alloted a response. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail for a faster response for any further information that I may provide to assist in your decision in this matter.