Dr. Bob Romancheck, Chick Magnet

Now listen folks, I've got lots of ground to cover, and think I'm looking at an all-nighter. Yes, Cunningham's budget passed as expected Yes, many people died. But before I do anything else, I have to tell you about that bastard, Doctor Bob Romancheck. In July, during of all things an Allentown City Council meeting, some beautiful babe with long dark hair came out of nowhere and sat right next to him.

"Hi, my name is Terry," she purred.

Allentown watchdog Lou Hershman, who was sitting with me behind the good doctor, began sweating and popping all kinds of vitamins.

So maybe she had poor eyesight or something, right?

Well, guess what? It happened again at last night's Lehigh County Board of Commissioners' meeting, but this time, it was a hot blond. Dr. Romancheck said something about his airplane during courtesy of the floor, and she flew right at him when he was done.

"Ohhh, you're so impressive, Doctor."

What is it with this guy?

By the way, I'm a doctor, too, and I'm going to the Courthouse today in my rocketship.

While LC Dems Picnic, Romancheck Resigns as A-twon GOP Chair

Lehigh County Democrats had a picnic last night. Allentown City Council Prez Mike D'Amore set up a phone bank, and they all started prank-calling T-Mobile. I understand Steve Barron, dressed in his kilt, conducted a seminar on threatening non-union companies.

Good times.

I was going to surprise them all with a visit, but decided against it. You see, I'd like to die peacefully in my sleep, like my Grandfather. Not screaming in agony like the passengers in his car.

Lehigh County Republicans met last night, too, at some underground lair. They started things off cheerfully enough, burning a few Quarans with the $900 they saved by blowing off the Great Allentown Fair. But there is internal division.

Allentown GOP Chair Bob Romancheck has resigned. He had come under fire when he called for an ethics investigation of Mayor Edwin Pawlowsk. Apparently, he forgot to clear it with the chain of command and they all had a hissy fit. They now have Captains, you know.

Apparently, I have to clear my stories with them, too. Last Saturday, when I visited the Great Allentown Fair to see Tom Corbett, Scott Ott cornered me right by the lion cage. He apparently didn't care for my story reporting the amount of money ($13,545 between 1/15/10 and 5/28/10) being paid to him by the local party, which couldn't scratch two nickels together for a booth at the Fair. If I were a good reporter, I'd get his side of the story first.

Hmm. Who the hell ever said I was a good reporter? I'm a bottom-feeding blogger, damn it, and allow comments precisely do that people like Scott Ott can tell me his side of the story instead of throwing me to the ligers like I'm a Muslim. By the way, Scott, is the campaign finance report wrong? Is there really another side to that story?

I'll get Dr. Romancheck's side of the story when he returns from a vacation. I'll try to get Scott's, too.

Permitgate: A-town GOP Chair Calls For Ethics Investigation

I've told you before that Dr. Bob Romancheck is a stud muffin. He's also Allentown's GOP chair, and in a news conference yesterday morning, called on Allentown's Ethics Board to investigate Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski over Permitgate. Here's what he said:

"As a result of information first noted on Lisa Pawlowski's Facebook page, it became clear that as long ago as last December, Mayor Edwin Pawlowski was undertaking major renovations to his home. She even posted photographs of some of the work in progress. Earlier this summer, she again began to discuss a 'mancave' and new basement for her husband. This was another major project, as she noted, required at least three trips by contractors.

"Mayor Pawlowski failed to obtain permits for any of this work. Moreover, the work in question was done by a local construction firm that benefits from city contracts and contributes significant amounts of money to Pawlowski's campaign fund.

"When one of these renovations was reported in local blog, 'Lehigh Valley Ramblings', Mayor Pawlowski immediately secured a permit that very day. A few days later, Lehigh Valley Ramblings reported more work being done by Pawlowski, who then secured a permit that same day.

"Today, I am asking Allentown's Ethics Board to conduct an investigation into Mayor Edwin Pawlowski's failure to obtain permits for work he's had done at his home and for which permits are required. Also, because the permits that were obtained are based on questionable low estimates (such as $500) I am asking the Ethics Board to inquire into the actual cost of these renovations and what was actually paid.

"This information was made known to Allentown City Council. Unfortunately, they have refused to take any steps to look into this matter. They should investigate further, if for no other reason than to have Mayor Pawlowski clear the air.

"These questions have instead lingered, seemingly as an unfortunate by-product of one-party rule in Allentown. While the Mayor seems to think otherwise, he should be held to the same standard as the people he serves. The Mayor is not above the law."

King Edwin told The Morning Call's Jarrett Renshaw that Romancheck's complaint is "political nonsense." There goes Dr. Bob's invitation to the "mancave."

Here's the Permitgate trail, with Lisa Pawlowski starring (inadverdently) as Deep Throat:

7/23: Pawlowski Builds "Mancave" With No Permit

7/26: Embarrassed Pawlowski Gets Permit For Mancave

7/30: Pawlowski & Permits: It's Good to Be King

8/2: Allentown Stonewalls Request to See Pawlowski Permits

8/4: Permitgate: Pawlowski Gets Two More Permits

Updated Sunday 3 PM: Here's a link to the actual news conference.

Dr. Bob Romancheck, Stud Muffin

I was at last night's Allentown City Council meeting. I'd like to tell you what happened, but most of us were very distracted by another person in the room. Long dark hair. Tight, but not too tight, jeans. Sexy white pumps. And unfortunately, a wedding ring. Now you'd think a beautiful woman like that would work up the courage to sit next to me, obviously the most handsome person there. But instead, she parked right by Dr. Bob Romancheck.

"Hi, my name is Terry," I heard her whisper to him. Then she gave him her frickin' card.

Even Lou Hershman, The Allentown Watchdog, stopped thinking about solid waste funds for a minute as he watched this attractive woman warm up to Dr. Bob. His mouth dropped and he started sweating and taking pills as I was wondering why women always look so much more sexy in high heels. I have no idea what was going on in City Council at this point.

Council Prez Mike D'Amore, taking it all in, chirped out, "Careful, Mr. Hershman."

Why was this woman so drawn to Romancheck? It certainly isn't his looks. It had to be his damn Jeep.

Earlier that night, he complained to Council that he opened his door to see some kids running down the street laughing while they were carrying two jeep doors that had just been removed from a Jeep Wrangler parked on the street. His Jeep.

"If somebody stole $2,000 out of a store, it would be all over the newspapers. I lost $2,000 off my car, and nobody cares."

Well, she did, and that's probably worth $2,000 right there.

By the way, Terry, somebody just stole my doors, tires, radio and steering wheel. I feel terrible.

A-town GOP Chair Defends Democratic City Council VP on Ethics Charge

Is blogging unethical? That's the basic assertion made by the Queen City Lunatic, who filed a complaint with the Queen City's Ethics Board over City Council VP Michael Donovan's blog.

This frivolous complaint was dismissed without a hearing, but not before the City's GOP chair, Dr. Bob Romancheck, rose to speak on behalf of embattled Michael Donovan. "We've had our disagreements and we've had discussions about those disagreements. But never once have I seen where he has been unethical in anything or in any of the dealings that he and I have had with each other."

I will have more about this, and the lame attempt by Villa's mouthpiece to muzzle comments to the Board, in a post tomorrow.

Update: (6:30 PM) Villa Muzzles Donovan During Ethics Board Meeting

During today's Ethics Board, Villa was frantically running from reporter to reporter, trying to ensure that his, and only his, message came through. He cried his best crocodile tears for the report run by Channel 69.

If you'd like to see the real Bill Villa, get a load of this excerpt from his perfomrance in front of the Ethics Board, where he refuses to allow Allentown City Council VP Michael Doovan to rebut him.

Update: (7:00 PM) Villa Told to Sit Down After Offering to Go One on One Against Donovan


Villa Snaps Pictures of Those Attending Hearing