Emil Giordano for Pa Superior Court

Whether you are a liberal Democrat or a conservative Republican, Judge Emil Giordano deserves your vote on Tuesday. Like Judge Jack Panella, this is a man who cares deeply about everyone. He follows the law, but is so nice about it that people actually thank him as they are carted off to be executed. I have no idea why someone would actually want to be on the state's busiest bench, and endure the travel as the bench travels throughout the state, but Judge Giordano is the best suited of the candidates running. 

Judge Emil Needs Your Help

Judge Giordano in Naturalization Court

This past summer, I had numerous opportunities to chat with Emil Giordano as he watched his son Caden put in an excellent summer of basketball at Allentown's Cedar Beach. Unfortunately, it was so good that Caden's team, Bethlehem Catholic, managed to defeat my grandson's Allentown Central Catholic in the 'ship. Now he should have been criss-crossing the state and putting 200,000 miles on his car, hunting for a vote here and there in his race to become a Superior Court Judge. But he put his son first. If only for that reason, he should be elected.

Judge Giordano has been on the bench in Northampton County for 13 years. He could have sentenced anyone at Cedar Beach to death, especially a few of the refs. But no one there knew he was a judge. He was Emil. Down to earth. Plain spoken. Complaining like everyone else about the heat. Taking pictures of my bald spot and texting them to me.

It's rare to see a judge who remembers that he still wears underwear, but Emil Giordano is that kind of person.

It could be because of the way he was raised. His parents were both Italian immigrants who met while learning to speak English. Like so many of these gifts from abroad, they worked hard and established a chain of pizza restaurants. Emil made hoagies and learned what it was like to talk to people.

As a lawyer and then as a judge, Emil has been selfless, just like his son is on the basketball court.

He's running for a seat on the Pennsylvania Superior Court, an appellate court that hears most of the criminal appeals and wiretap requests.

He's one of eight candidates for four seats.

He is easily the most popular judge in the Lehigh Valley and has widespread bipartisan support.  Though he's a Republican, he has the endorsement of numerous unions, including trade unions.

But what hurts him is that he's from the Lehigh Valley. It is very difficult for someone from the Lehigh Valley to be elected to statewide office  Making matters worse is a federal investigation into political corruption, which has had a chilling effect on donors.

He's not allowed to seek donations, but needs money to have a fighting chance. So if you can see your way to giving his campaign some financial help, this is a link to his donations page.

Judge Giordano Picking Up Big Union Endorsements

Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano took a lot of heat earlier this year when he invited Democrats to a pizza party he hosted in Northampton. He made no apologies because, as both a person and judge, Emil Giordano transcends party labels. He may wear the black robe, but at Allentown's Cedar Beach, he's a basketball parent watching his 23' tall son Caden develop into an outstanding player. Other parents call him Emil, not Judge. They probably have no idea that's what he does. And he doesn't tell them.

He's a regular guy. So it's no surprise to me that he's picking up a lot of big union endorsements in his quest for one of four seats on Pennsylvania Superior Court.

According to PoliticsPA, Judge Giordano has just picked up an endorsement from the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council. He also has the backing of the Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania, the International Union of Operating Engineers and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Council #57 of Western Pennsylvania.

But will he be endorsed by the International District Council of the Western Eastern Pa Bloggers #9?

You betcha'.

Best Campaign Ad This Election Cycle

Judge Emil Giordano, A Regular Guy, Throws Pizza Party

Judge Emil Giordano

Lehigh Valley favorite son Emil Giordano, a highly regarded Northampton County judge for the past 13 years, is running for Superior Court this year.  He is seeking one of four vacant seats. Giordano is "highly recommended" by the state bar association, its top rating. But Giordano never mentioned that last night at a pizza party he threw for about 300 bi-partisan supporters at Northampton Memorial Banquet Center. There was no need. He's perhaps the most popular Lehigh Valley jurist to emerge since Jack Panella. Attorney Mark Altemose, who introduced Giordano last night, explained why. In the eyes of most people, he's a "regular guy."

I've seen this for years. He's never been known as Judge Giordano at baseball games or on the basketball court. It's always been Emil. No one would know he was a judge. They instead know him as a coach, a dad, a fan. A regular guy.

Pizza galore!

Altemose said he was honored that Giordano would ask a "lowly Democrat," and one who is also a Plaintiff's attorney, to introduce him. But he learned that the reason is because Giordano ran out of Republicans at so many other events. He had to turn to Democrats, starting with the letter "A".

Giordano fell a little short in his last bid for a seat in the Superior Court, but decided to try again. He told his wife than when they first met, he was a small town lawyer in a strip mall in Egypt. "Did you ever imagine, in your wildest dreams, that I would be running for the Superior Court of Pennsylvania?  he asked her.

"Honey, you're not in my wildest dreams," his wife answered.

What was amazing about this event, aside from Judge Giordano's self-deprecating humor, are the number of loyal friends who appear with him. High school classmates. Fraternity brothers. Former students from Moravian College. Former clients.

Mayors Ed Hozza (Whitehall) and Fiorella Mirabito (Bath)
were classmates

Executive John Brown was apparently too important to attend. His opponent, Lamont McClure, had what Giordano would consider an acceptable excuse. Baseball. Peg Ferraro,unfortunately, was unable to attend because she was burying her brother John. . Seth Vaughn, who is seeking re-election, were nowhere to be found. Nor were any of the Democratic Council candidates.

Fortunately, numerous local government officials were there.Controller Steve Barron and NorCo Council members Hayden Phillips and Glenn Geissinger came. Council candidate Ron Angle was there. Northampton Borough officials. The entire Bushkill Township Board of Supervisors. The entire Bath Borough Council and Mayor Fiorella Mirabito. Hanover Township's Jay Finnigan and John Diacogiannis. Dave Colver from Palmer Township.Whitehall Mayor Ed Hozza. I know I missed some of you.

Hanover Tp's Jay Finnigan and John Diacogiannis

Tony Pristash, a Northampton Council member, did the photography.

In a show of bi-partisan support, Democratic State Senator Lisa Boscola and Republican State Senator Mario Scavello both spoke on behalf of Giordano.

Senator Mario Scavello said it was tough to follow Lisa Boscola and Mark Altemose

Giordano asked his son Caden, a basketball standout and scholar at Bethlehem Catholic, to stand up. Then he asked three MDJ candidates running in his district  to take a good look at him."If he gets in trouble, do not give him bail," he joked.

Caden is now taller than his father. "I can still beat him,"lied Giordano

Giordano came up hard.His parents came to this country from Italy and met in night school, where they were learning English. He worked in their pizza shop after school. Though he claims to have hated it, he said that job taught him about service.

Why is he running for Superior Court judge? Because "they don't have to all come from the big cities. Appellate courts are full of judges from Philadelphia and Allegheny County. It's my humble, self-serving opinion that we need judges from smaller counties who have small town values and that's why I'm running."

Controller Steve Barron and his lovely family. Fortunately,
his daughters look like their mother.

The ying and the yang of Northampton County. Flamboyant barrister Gary Asteak
and Northampton County bulldog Ron Angle. 

Hayden "the Colonel" Phillips ordered me to clean the bathrooms 

Magisterial District Judge candidate Vivian Zumas, with Asteak and Finnigan

Updated 8:50pm: Unfortunately, Peg Ferraro was unable to attend as a result of the death of her brother John.

Give LV's Favorite Son, Emil Giordano, a Vote in Superior Court Race

The Express Times recently conducted an online poll on which boys' basketball player you'd want to see on the court in the 4th quarter. So naturally, I voted for my grandson and Jay Vaughan, who play together at Allentown Central Catholic. It was actually kind of funny because the top vote getters ended up being kids from schools that receive little attention instead of the powerhouses. The poll was just for fun.

Well, there's another poll going on right now that's just for fun. But this one is a PoliticsPA poll asking you which candidate will be the top vote getter in the GOP race for Superior Court. One of those candidates is the Lehigh Valley's very own Judge Emil Giordano. Because I'm a Democrat, I already voted for him 100 times. Our appellate courts need to include more people who are from outside Pittsburgh and Philly. I have nothing against those jurists, but would prefer to see different areas of the state better represented.

Emil's Loss is NorCo's Win

Though Emil Giordano is going to come up short in his quest for the Superior Court, that;'s good news for Northampton County because he will remain on the bench here, making a difference in people's lives. I know few people with more class or personal dignity who are still so down-to-earth.

Judge Giordano Needs Your Vote

I never have seen a larger crowd for a campaign kickoff than when Judge Emil Giordano announced in February that he was running for for the Pennsylvania Superior Court. He did so at the cavernous Northampton Memorial Community Center amid dozens of empty pizza boxes. Those boxes were empty because it seemed as though the entire Lehigh Valley had cascaded into Northampton, despite the single digit temperatures and mounds of snow everywhere. Some say there were about 600 people there, although it could easily have been 700. It was a bipartisan crowd, too. Democrats and Republicans. Lawyers and friends. Urbanistas and country folk. It was the Lehigh Valley. Northampton Mayor Thomas Reenock put it best when he called the gathering "our favorite son's debut."

Since that time, Judge Giordano's message has only grown stronger as he has criss crossed the state, in search of votes. But to win, he is going to need the same bi-partisan support he has had all along here in the Lehigh Valley. Democrats and Republicans are both going to have to come out and let their voices be heard. Send a message to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the land of midnight payraises.

The Lehigh Valley's favorite son also happens to be the son of two Italian immigrants who met while learning how to speak English in night school. They came here to raise a family and made pizzas. Lots of them. When Emil was old enough, he made pizzas, too. Lots of them. They got him through Bethlehem Catholic High School, Moravian College and Villanova Law School. Giordano learned about hard work. He learned to respect and admire his parents and grandparents, and to admire the many people who appear before him to become naturalized citizens. Most importantly, he learned how to listen.

"The time spent behind counters, waiting on people, served me very well," Giordano has said. In time, there was a law office adjacent to Pizza Village. And after 18 years of practicing law, he became a judge. And for the past 12 years, he has handled that role with humility and a genuine concern for everyone who comes before him,lawyers and non-lawyers alike.

At the same time, he has taught at Becahi and Moravian College. But where he has excelled is as a coach to young athletes, bringing out the best in them. I've seen him take groups of kids and win basketball championships despite claiming to know nothing about the sport. He knows how to motivate.

After 12 years as a judge, Emil Giordano is the same person he was before he put on a robe. Few other judges can make that claim.

Why is he running for the Pennsylvania Superior Court? That's the state's busiest court. It's an appellate court that reviews the decisions of common pleas judges in all 67 counties. Just to keep up, the 15 judges on that bench must each hand down one or two opinions daily.

Giordano already knows about hard work, He added that he would be a "common sense judge who follows the law." He also believes that the best person to evaluate the work of other judges is a person who once sat where they are sitting.

Why do people like him? Giordano, when he was still practicing law, once challenged Morganelli in a DA's race. That night, as the numbers came in, it was clear that Morganelli would be the victor. Instead of calling Morganelli to concede, Giordano actually walked into the Democratic stronghold and congratulated him in person.

That's class.

That's Giordano.

We could use some of that on our appellate courts.

If you want another Philadelphia judge, stay home. If you want someone who actually listens and does not consider himself better than you simply because he dons a black robe, you need to come out and vote. He needs Democrats and Republicans alike.

LV Dems Endorse Giordano for Superior Court

Judge Emil Giordano, flanked by his sister and brother

If you have insomnia and need help falling asleep, go to Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano's Facebook page. It's by no means boring, but you can't help but get tired after seeing all the places he has visited in his quest for one of the 15 seats on Pennsylvania's Superior Court. He's everywhere. By now, he must have met every registered voter at least seven times. In fact, looking at that page makes me realize that Pennsylvania really is a beautiful state.

Come November, I believe Lehigh Valley voters will be sending a third judge to a higher court.

Judge Giordano has qualities that every judge should possess. He is patient, courteous and willing to listen to both sides before he makes a ruling. Another quality is that he's an everyman. He carries no airs and you would never know he was a juge if you saw him off the bench.

It's rare to see prominent members of one party endorsea candidate in the other party, but it's happening for Judge Giordano. He's just picked up endorsements from former Democrat Superior Court Judge Robert Freedberg, former Democratic Court of Common Pleas Judge William Moran, Democratic Mayor of Easton Salvatore Panto Jr, Democratic Mayor of Whitehall Ed Hozza, Democratic Mayor of Northampton Tom Reenock, Mayor of the North Catasauqua Bill Molchany, Jr, and Democratic Bethlehem City Councilmen Eric Evans and Mike Recchiuti.

“I am honored to have the support of these strong and committed local elected officials and that they recognize that I am the best candidate to serve all Pennsylvanians on the Superior Court,” said Judge Giordano. “I have great respect for their work and I truly appreciate their support as I seek to serve all citizens of the Commonwealth as a judge on the Pennsylvania Superior Court.”

Judge Giordano has also been endorsed by the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Pennsylvanians for Effective Government, Le-Hampton Lodge 35 FOP, Allegheny County FOP, Queen City Lodge FOP, Scranton FOP, Pennsylvania Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), ABC Eastern Pa. Chapter and has earned the “recommendation” of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Firearms Owners Against Crime and LIFEPAC.

Judge Giordano has been on the bench in Northampton County since since 2003. Prior to being elected, Judge Giordano served as an assistant district attorney, assistant public defender, civil litigator and as lead counsel in his private law practice. Judge Giordano resides in Bethlehem with his wife Tina and his two sons, Joseph and Caden.

He does not mention this, but let me tell you he is also one of the best youth sports coaches I've ever seen.

Judge Giordano's opponent in November is yet another Philadelphia judge. Nice lady, but I think we also have several of those.

Emil Giordano Poised to Win Seat in Superior Court

I'm used to seeing Emil Giordano on baseball fields and basketball courts during the hot days of summer, but he's MIA. He's instead been all over the state picking up the support he'll need to win a seat as one of the state's fifteen Superior Court judges. In fact, if you haven't done so, I'd recommend that you look at his Facebook page just to see all the great places and people in what really is a magnificent state.

This pic says it all. Who but Judge Giordano would not only let someone photobomb a campaign pic, but would also then load it onto his page?

A man with a sense of humor. A man who, despite working hard, is still willing to laugh at himself. That is Giordano. He is one Republican who will get my vote this election cycle. I suspect he will win big in Northampton County and throughout the state. He will lose Philly. That is where his opponent, Alice Dubow, is based. But he will win everywhere else and should win the race.

Giordano Wins State FOP Endorsement

A pizza shop - where Judge Giordano's journey began 

Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano, who is running for a seat on the Pennsylvania Superior Court, has received an important endorsement. The Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police will stand behind him in November. Judge Giordano can add this to three other law enforcement endorsements he has already received from the State Troopers' Association, the Bethlehem FOP and Le-hampton Lodge FOP.

The Pennsylvania Superior Court is one of two intermediate appellate courts between the county courts and the state supreme court. The Commonwealth handles disputes involving municipalities and government agencies. The 15-judge Superior Court has the rest, including the criminal caseload. Last year, that busy court decided 8.165 cases, including 5,063 criminal appeals.

Even with the help of senior judges, each judge decides more than one matter every day. They also meet at three different locations in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Annual salary is $175,923.

Judge Giordano's opponent is Philadelphia Judge Alice Beck Dubow, who has served as a common pleas judge since 2007. Giordano has been a judge since 2001. But that's not what sets him apart. What does is that he has somehow managed to remain the same person he was when he got elected. Despite the robe, he refuses to assume airs.

Giordano: The Lehigh Valley Comes Out For "Our Favorite Son"

Just last month, when Sam Murray announced his intentions to run for Northampton County Judge, the 170 people who crowded into Riverview Country Club created a bipartisan aura of inevitability. But I have never seen a larger crowd for a campaign kickoff than last night, when Judge Emil Giordano kicked off his campaign for the Pennsylvania Superior Court. He made his announcement at the cavernous Northampton Memorial Community Center amid dozens of empty pizza boxes. Those boxes were empty because it seemed as though the entire Lehigh Valley had cascaded into Northampton, despite the single digit temperatures and mounds of snow everywhere. The Express Times' Tom Shortell placed the number at about 600, although it could easily have been 700, It was a bipartisan crowd, too. Democrats and Republicans. Lawyers and friends. Urbanistas and country folk. It was the Lehigh Valley. Northampton Mayor Thomas Reenock put it best when he called the gathering "our favorite son's debut."

That favorite son also happens to be the sons of two Italian immigrants who met while learning how to speak English in night school. They came here to raise a family and made pizzas. Lots of them. When Emil was old enough, he made pizzas, too. Lots of them. They got him through Bethlehem Catholic High School, Moravian College and Villanova Law School. Giordano learned about hard work. He learned to respect and admire his parents and grandparents, and to admire the many people wo appear before him to become naturalized citizens. Most importantly, he learned how to listen.

"The time spent behind counters, waiting on people, served me very well," remarked Giordano last night. In time, there was a law office adjacent to Pizza Village. And after 18 years of practicing law, he became a judge. And for the past 12 years, he has handled that role with humility and a genuine concern for everyone who comes before him,lawyers and non-lawyers alike.

At the same time, he has taught at Becahi and Moravian College. But where he has excelled is as a coach to young athletes, bringing out the best in them. I've seen him take groups of kids and win basketball championships despite claiming to know nothing about the sport. He knows how to motivate.

After 12 years as a judge, Emil Giordano is the same person he was before he put on a robe. Few other judges can make that claim.

Why is he running for the Pennsylvania Superior Court?  That;s the state's busiest court. It's an appellate court that reviews the decisions of common pleas judges in all 67 counties. Just to keep up, the 15 judges on that bench must each hand down one or two opinions daily.

Giordano already knows about hard work, He added that he would be a "common sense judge who follows the law." He also believes that the best person to evaluate the work of other judges is a person who once sat where they are sitting.

Business Matters' Tony Iannelli served as Master of Ceremonies and shared a story he had heard that very day from DA John Morganelli. Giordano, when he was still practicing law, once challenged Morganelli in a DA's race. That night, as the numbers came in, it was clear that Morganelli would be the victor. Instead of calling Morganelli to concede, Giordano actually walked into the Democratic stronghold and congratulated him in person.

That's class.

That's Giordano.

Aside from Iannelli, Giordano invited Judges Anthony Beltrami and Paula Roscioli to his reception. Because they are seeking well-deserved retentions this year, they are permitted to attend political gatherings. But Giordano and Iannelli decided against calling them up onto the stage. "Four Italians on the stage at one time might be a RICO violation," explained Judge Giordano.

Giordano also introduced Michael George, the President Judge of Adams County, who is also seeking a seat on the Superior Court.

(This is just part of huge crowd of at least 600 people at Judge Emil Giordano's campaign kickoff for the Superior Court. Judge Giordano asked each of them to give him ten. Not $10,000, but ten votes.)

(Attorney Vivian Zumas shares a few words with Judge Giodano after his speech. At the far right, you can see Al Recker, the great Bethlehem Globe Times reporter who used to cover the courthouse).

(Judge Beltrami with his lovely wife, Gina. Judge Beltrami and Judge Paula Roscioli are seeking retention this year. I trapped Judge Beltrami for a picture, but Judge Roscioli was too fast for me.)

(Abe Kassis, who is running for Judge, offers his best wishes to Judge Giordano. Kassis' opponents, Sam Murray and Vic Scomilio, were there, too, but they slipped out with Judge Roscioli. Abe is Lebanese, Sam is half Lebanese and Vic's wife is half Lebanese.So that's two Lebanese running for judge, right?)

(Though he's only in the 8th Grade, Caden Giordano is already 23' tall, and is just what Becahi's basketball program needs. He's a great athlete, but more importantly, is a great young man. He must be smarter than his father because he tells me he's staying away from the law.)

(Bethlehem City Council Member Eric Evans and his gorgeous wife Jodi, with Judge Giordano. It was amazing to see so many Democrats flock to Giordano's banner.)

(South Whitehall Township Manager Howard Kutzler told me tonight that he is not running for Township Comm'r in Bethlehem Tp because of the time it would take away from his day job. He's also the Treasurer of the Northampton County GOP, and kept charging me admission.)

(My favorite tea party person, Arlene Klocek, and I exchange our usual pleasantries. Not only do we disagree about everything, but she is part of the Ronnie del Wacko wing of the NorCo GOP. But for some reason, I really like her. "I pray for you, Bernie," she always tells me. So I got that going for me.)

(Well-spoken and cerebral, Joan Rosenthal is a member of the NorCo Elections Commission and is on Hanover Township's ZHB. I think she prays for me, too.)

(Bethlehem City Council member Mike Recchiuti, along with a gentleman I'll call Mr. Donchez. The rise between these two thorns is Gross McGinley lawyer Loren Speziale, who no doubt will be suing me one day.)

(Bethlehem City worker Mike McGraw, with Judge Giordano. Mike, a former baseball standout, is the man at Northwest Little League. As baseball season approaches, he is required by baseball law to insert a little chew in his mouth from time to time. It's a rule. But he's quit smoking. Incidentally, he knows EVERYTHING about Bethlehem).  .

GOP State Committee Endorses Giordano For Superior Court

The Republican State Committee has endorsed Northampton County's very own Emil Giordano for a seat on the state Superior Court.  So far as I know, no one will challenge that choice at the polls, and Judge Giordano is virtually assured the Republican nomination. Lehigh County Judge Doug Reichley, a former state representative, considered making a run of it, but withdrew.

Two LV Judges Ponder State Superior Court Races

Two Lehigh Valley jurists are currently pondering a run at the State Superior Court. They are Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano, who is serving his second ten-year term; and Lehigh County Judge Doug Reichley, first elected in 2011. Both are Republicans.

Between the two of them, Judge Giordano is by far the more experienced on the bench, while Reichley's ten terms as a State Rep. might give him better connections with State Committee members.

I know and like them both. But to me, this is a no-brainer. Judge Giordano, both of whose parents came here from Italy with little more than the shirts on their backs, is very much unlike your typical judge. Most of them tend to think they've become gods, but Judge Giordano has never assumed any of the airs you sometimes see in others. He has the courage to say he does not know the answer to everything. At the same time, as is the tradition in Northampton County, he shows great respect to all people who come before him, This is a trait he no doubt learned from his parents.

He shows this same respect out of the courtroom as well. His has been a life of service. He particularly excels at coaching. One of his players was my grandson, who adores him.

I have no desire to slam Reichley, whom I consider a man of conviction and courage. Either would be excellent. But I prefer the judge with a heart.

We already have Judge Jack Panella sitting on the Superior Court, but I'd like Lehigh Valley judges occupy all fifteen seats.

A Judge With a Heart

Judge Giordano,with sister Margaret and brother Joseph

Though a snow storm was quickly approaching from the West, nearly 200 people attended Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano's retention ceremony on January 2. Nine judges, from recently elected Jennifer Sletvold to Senior Judge Leonard Zito, were also present. None of them could issue a Court Order banning snow that day, but they were able to wish Judge Giordano success over his next ten years no the bench. President Judge Stephen Baratta administered the oath.

Instead of politicians, Giordano's audience included high school friends, Moravian College fraternity brothers and family. Lots of family.

Judge Giordano with his mother Maria

A Hanover Township resident, Judge Giordano began practicing law in 1987. A triathlete at the time, Giordano taught aerobics to a class that included Congressman Charlie Dent, Judge Lenny Zito and Senator Lisa Boscola.  He credited Judge Zito with advising against running a negative race for DA against John Morganelli. Giordano lost that race, but went on to become a judge. John Morganelli was among those congratulating him at the retention ceremony.

Giordano said that, on the bench, his decisions will inevitably make one side unhappy. But he said his job is to hear everyone out. "One should only be deprived of liberty or property after being heard," he remarked.

Attorney Jay Leeson called Giordano a rare jurist who is "not afraid to admit he does not have all the answers."  But Leeson claims that Giordano's finest quality is that he "has a heart and he uses it."

Another attorney, Victor Scomilio, stated that Giordano's family "instilled a work ethic in him."

That family included Giordano's father, Joseph, an Italian immigrant who established the Pizza Village franchise in the Lehigh Valley. Though he passed away in 2010, Judge Giordano remembered and thanked his father yesterday for recommending the law over pizza.

Giordano is active as a coach and spectator in youth sports, from baseball to basketball.

Giordano For Retention: Humility and Class

Judge Emil Giordano, with his sister Margaret and brother Joseph. 

Over three hundred people, Democrats and Republicans alike, braved the downpours to cram into Northampton Memorial Community Center last night. From Superior Court Judge Jack Panella to State Senator Lisa Boscola to Northampton County Bulldog Ron Angle, they were all there to wish Emil Giordano the best in his retention campaign for Northampton County Judge.

Some were there because they graduated from Becahi with him. Others belonged to his frat at Moravian College. Some got to know and respect him from his days as a lawyer. Many more are baseball and basketball players he's coached over the last twenty years.

Ed Pany with Judge Giordano

He remembered them all. He thanked his sister Margaret and Hanover Township Manager Jay Finnigan, whom he credits for his election victory ten years ago against a very distinguished field of candidates. He held up a family portrait with his wife Tina and sons Caden and Joseph, and claimed that's why he won ten years ago. He spoke of the now departed Dominic Ferraro and Charlie Roberts, and said he owed his victory to them. But he failed to credit the one person that the rest of us were thinking about - himself.

That humility and class, along with a little humor, is Judge Giordano's style.

Giordano called his work as a judge challenging."Just like at home, everyone wants to appeal my decisions."
Although there was a host of big shots on hand who could have introduced him, Judge Giordano asked Ed Pany, the Will Rogers of the Lehigh Valley, to do the honors. Pany did not disappoint.

Atty Jay Leeson speaks for Judge Giordano

Pany joked about the online petition contending that the "Konkrete Kids" nickname for Northampton High School is actually a reference to the KKK.  Pany, who attended Northampton High School about 110 years ago, stated that, though he's an old Konkrete Kid, he still needed a special court order from Judge Giordano just to get into the building.

Pany also complained that a poor grade in school held him back. "Please, Emil Giordano, strike the "C" from my transcript," he joked, referring to a recent case in which Judge Giordano was asked to review a college student's grade. He declined.

Noting that Judge Panella is up for retention, too, Judge Giordano asked the crowd to support Judge Panella, too.

He said you won't see any campaign signs asking you to retain him, explaining that is the tradition among judges up for retention. But he asked each person there to speak to ten people on his behalf.

Let me tell you a story about Judge Giordano, who my grandson loved as a coach some years ago, when a basketball was bigger than him. I could tell you about how good he is with the kids, but let me tell you instead how good he is with political opponents.

Some years ago, Giordano ran against the John Morganelli buzzsaw for DA. It was a tough race.

While waiting for the returns at some club, Morganelli was shocked when his opponent, Emil Giordano, walked into a Democratic stronghold to congratulate him in person. That was class. That was humility. Tonight he showed those qualities again. That's why he was elected judge ten years ago. That's why he'll be retained now.

Brother, Can You Spare a ... Bat?

Before I ever saw Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano in a courtroom, I saw him at numerous baseball diamonds. He loves sports, and was a triathlete himself in his younger years. I always thought he would have been an excellent professional coach. He loves the kids and they love him. Almost all of the boys he coached in first and second grade are now excelling in baseball and basketball.

Me, I'm just a fan. But Judge Giordano has always assured me I'm a great athletic supporter.

His son Joseph and niece Victoria started an organization last year called The Tenth Inning. They collect gently used baseball/softball gloves, bats, batting helmets and catching gear so that they can be redistributed to children in need in local communities. Believe me, there are many kids out there, especially in Allentown, who would treasure a hard ball or a half decent glove. I've seen that firsthand.

This program was a big success last year. According to the Judge, "The generosity we witnessed last year with all the donations collected was amazing!"

So if your kids (or you) have outgrown that old baseball or softball equipment or you have sporting goods in your garage that haven't been used in a while, fill out this form and wait for a call from Joseph or Victoria.

I'll be checking, too, but first I have to make sure I have no outstanding warrants.

Judicial Stalking Charges Against Democratic Activist Dismissed

As a kid, I'd often hear my dad on the phone at home, talking to clients. Criminal defendants rarely call a lawyer at home. They already know they're guilty. But people undergoing a divorce or having disputes with neighbors will call day and night.

"You've got only two choices when you have a bad neighbor - move or shoot him."

That was my dad's standard answer. It's a pretty good one, too.

Jon Soden, of the Lehigh/Northampton Progressive Alliance, and Emil Giordano, a Northmapton County judge, are neighbors who just don't like each other. Yeah, I know Judge Goirdano has a big R on his T-shirts and Soden sleeps with an Obama doll. But politics has nothing to do with this. These are two basically good guys who just hate each other.

It happens to me all the time.

Soden was arrested for stalking Judge Giordano a few months ago. Before that occurred, Soden was visited and threatened by overreaching deputy sheriffs so often that I really have to wonder who was stalking whom.

The DA must be wondering too. Charges were dismissed today. No hearing. Poof!

My dad was right. Instead of flipping birds at each other, these guys should flip a coin. Loser moves. If they can't do that, they can fight a duel. Since they're both triatheletes, I'm giving no odds.