I've known Charlie Roberts since I was a kid. He lived across the street from our brood in Hellertown's Mountainview. My Dad was a diehard Democrat, and Charlie was just as devoted to the GOP banner. They were both heavily involved in local politics. You might think this would make them mortal enemies. But they had alcohol in common, so naturally, they became fast friends.
Back in those days, his little daughter Kathy and my sister Ellen looked alike - both dizzy blondes, and around the same age. According to one story, a pickled Charlie once drove my sister home from school before realizing he had the wrong daughter. In another version of this story, my Dad is the villian.
I may have known Charlie Roberts, but never really got to know him until I protested Northampton County's $111 million megabond in 2000. By that time, he was living the healthy life. He even quit smoking.
Despite our deep ideological differences, he always encouraged me to fight for my beliefs, and he was always a happy warrior for his own beliefs. He had come to believe in transparent and accountable government, even if it meant supporting a Democrat like John Stoffa. No silk stocking Republican, he was most comfortable with guys like Angle. He was one of the first to speak publicly against the mudslinging tactics being used by Scissorhands Severson.
His obituary lists some of his achievements: Lehigh grad, B-29 pilot, State department, Toll Bridge Commission and GOP party chair. But I'm sure Charlie himself would agree that his two masterpieces are his daughters, Kathy and Nancy. Kathy has an encyclopedic knowledge of local politics, more detailed than any person I know. Her sister Nancy is a mom and has a career of her own, but is enough like her old man that she was one of my co-plaintiffs in the bond litigation.
Last Winter, daughters Kathy and Nancy invited me to Charlie's home for a good dinner. Decorating the walls of his home were all kinds of pictures of Charlie with prominent national and state leaders. Nobody looking for votes came to Northampton County without seeing Charlie Roberts.
Photo: Legacy.com
Back in those days, his little daughter Kathy and my sister Ellen looked alike - both dizzy blondes, and around the same age. According to one story, a pickled Charlie once drove my sister home from school before realizing he had the wrong daughter. In another version of this story, my Dad is the villian.
I may have known Charlie Roberts, but never really got to know him until I protested Northampton County's $111 million megabond in 2000. By that time, he was living the healthy life. He even quit smoking.
Despite our deep ideological differences, he always encouraged me to fight for my beliefs, and he was always a happy warrior for his own beliefs. He had come to believe in transparent and accountable government, even if it meant supporting a Democrat like John Stoffa. No silk stocking Republican, he was most comfortable with guys like Angle. He was one of the first to speak publicly against the mudslinging tactics being used by Scissorhands Severson.
His obituary lists some of his achievements: Lehigh grad, B-29 pilot, State department, Toll Bridge Commission and GOP party chair. But I'm sure Charlie himself would agree that his two masterpieces are his daughters, Kathy and Nancy. Kathy has an encyclopedic knowledge of local politics, more detailed than any person I know. Her sister Nancy is a mom and has a career of her own, but is enough like her old man that she was one of my co-plaintiffs in the bond litigation.
Last Winter, daughters Kathy and Nancy invited me to Charlie's home for a good dinner. Decorating the walls of his home were all kinds of pictures of Charlie with prominent national and state leaders. Nobody looking for votes came to Northampton County without seeing Charlie Roberts.
Photo: Legacy.com
