Dertinger Better Fire His Pollster

Charles "Don't call me Charlie" Dertinger was bragging that his private poll showed him a 10-point winner. With all precincts in, he's ahead by a scant 6 votes out of 3,838 ballots cast in his state house race against popular Frank Scagliotta.

ET Sportswriter Blouse Can't Endorse Scagliotta

Express Times Managing Editor Jim Deegan has tried to muzzle sportswriter Michael Blouse from endorsing Frank Scagliotta in his state house race against Charles "don't call me Charlie" Dertinger. Deegan is obviously acting under orders from the Big Cheese himself, Joe Owens.

Owens, who started life as a sportswriter, and in Philly of all God-awful places, should have known better than to mess with Blouse, who deftly handles the situation like this:

"I'm not allowed to endorse political candidates for Tuesday's primary election, so says svelte slimmed-down Managing Editor Jim Deegan. So, folks, I will NOT blog today about the honorable Frank J. Scagliotta's run (the "J" stands for "J"ustice) for state representative of the 137th District. The superb Scagliotta, the HofF football coach at BAHS and formerly regarded as one of the nation's elite college basketball officials, is destined to defeat overmatched opponent Charles "Chuck" Dertinger, a professional political [?] who is a porous one-for-five at the polls. (Guess I ain't allowed to wish Frank "good luck" either?) Check out this outstanding Q&A between the fabulous Frank J. Scagliotta and blogger extraordinare Bernie O'Hare. I love politics."

Goal! Ggoal! Ggggggoooooaaaaalllllllllll!

Coach Scagliotta now has a campaign web page.

Following the Money in the 137th

Yesterday, I told you about the campaign warchests of Charles Dertinger and Frank Scagliotta, the two Democrats seeking the seat held by retiring state rep. Rich Grucela. Dertinger raised $15,965 to Scagliotta's $3103. Nearly all of Dertinger's money comes from nonlocal unions.

What about the Republicans?

Don Albanese has raised a grand total of $2,175. Joe Emrick's warchest was four times larger. He raised $5,577 in addition to the $3,395.33 that was already in his kitty.

Neither Republican received any PAC money. They relied on mostly small, $100, contributions from family and friends. Republican Kingmakers L. Anderson Daub and Elmer Gates did kick in $1,800 to Emrick.

Both candidates bought two small ads and paid for a small mailer.

Dertinger raised more money than the other three candidates combined. Dertinger is the only candidate who accepted such huge sums of special interest money, raising questions about his independence.

All of these reports are available on the Department of State web page.

Dertinger Will Represent Unions, Not You

Charles Dertinger is seeking the Democratic nod for the state house seat currently held by State Rep. Rich Grucela. His campaign finance report makes one thing very clear- he'll definitely be looking for that union label. He's running to represent them, not you.

An alphabet soup of unions is funding his campaign.

IBEW has kicked in the lion's share with a whopping $8,650. Other unions, from AFL-CIO to the Steamfitters, have kicked in another $6,000. Nearly all of the $15,965 he raised comes directly from non-local unions.

In sharp contrast, Dertinger's Democratic opponent, Frank Scagliotta, has raised $3,103.25, mostly in the form of small contributions from friends and family.

Frank Scagliotta: Commitment, Integrity & Responsibility

Teacher for 35 years. Head football coach at Bangor High. Member of Pa. Coaches Hall of Fame. NCAA basketball referee. Former Bangor Council member. Master's Degree.

That's Frank Scagliotta in a nutshell. I met him at his Bangor home yesterday to discuss his candidacy for the Democratic nomination to the 137th state house seat. State Rep. Rich Grucela is retiring at the end of this year.

When I arrived at Frank's home, he and Bangor's former varsity baseball coach were watching TV. Was it the Phillies? IronPigs? ESPN? Nah, they were watching Bonanza.

Q) Two state legislative leaders have been convicted of using their office for political or personal gain while others are under indictment. Will we ever change the way business gets done in Harrisburg?

A) Well, I think not only on a state legislative level, but nationally, too, politicians have developed a corrupt look to the people. If you're asking me, how can we change that, I think we have to get more people who are ethical, who have the integrity to do the job out there. I think as voters, the rank and file people, when we see incidents such as this, it's our job to remove those people.

Q) Does this have something to do with your decision to run?

Partly. Not solely that, Bernie, but partly. I've always felt as a football coach ... I preach to my players about commitment, integrity, the right way to play the game. That's a lesson that goes beyond football. I try to teach them that about life.

And this is a big part of what's going on out there. We're not seeing the commitment, the integrity and the responsibility that we thought these people would have when we voted them in office. Like it or not, it has to come back on us as voters.

Q) According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania has the largest full-time and second most expensive legislative branch in the nation. Is it time to cut back?

A) If we're spending money for something good, and results of what we're spending the money for are positive, then I don't think that money is going the wrong way. But we do have a very large budget of spending money out there right now for legislators, and obviously, they're not doing the job.

How do we go about cutting the expense of big government? Where you have to start on this is with the budget itself. They don't do this anymore. When they take the state budget, Bern, they don't start at zero and say, this is what we need for this year. They look at what they did last year, and then add to it. So what's happening is it's ballooning larger, larger and larger, and thus we get what you're talking about, bigger and bigger government.

At home, if I can make the analogy to home, when I see that I'm struggling financially, I need to sit down and look, item by item, to see where I'm spending my money and is it worthwhile.

Q) How can you prevent a devastating budget impasse like the one we suffered last year?

A) Well, the first thing is getting people to work together so you don't get to that point of a budget impasse. Teamwork. Using my coaching background ...

Q) You were a Republican until not long before you decided to run?

A) Well, originally, I was a Democrat. I switched to the Republican party to help some of my friends who were running on the Republican ticket. My family, my mom, my dad, everyone was registered Democrat. My wife's side of the family was very strong in he Republican party, so we switched. But I felt that now that I'm running for an office such as this, I should go back to my grass roots, to where it all started for me, and that is with the Democratic party.

Q) So do you feel you can work with Republicans?

A) Absolutely. I think that's part of the problem - locally, statewide and nationally. We can't get Republicans to work with Democrats, Democrats to work with Republicans. I thought we were supposed to be working for the people. I realize the political system is intact and we're not going to wipe that out, but we're here to represent the people. That's our job. And what we want to do is the best job we can for the people, whether we are Republican or Democrat. In all honesty, when I voted in elections, when I was registered as a Republican last year, I voted for some Democrats. I've always tried to vote for who I think is the best person for the job. The partisan politics doesn't fly anymore, and people are sick and tired of it.

Q) The biggest concern people have is taxes, especially property taxes. Despite the promise that gambling revenue would reduce or eliminate property taxes, they go up nearly every year. How will you help people, especially seniors on fixed incomes?

A) No question that's a concern I have, too. In District 137, we do have a lot of senor citizens. They're on fixed incomes, and with property taxes going up, we need to do something to help them, even if it's some kind of plan where, when they reach a certain age, their taxes are reduced a certain percentage. But there has to be some plan to help these people.

The simple fix would be if we could attract more industry to come to our area in District 137 so that we could have a bigger corporate tax base, less property tax base. We need to do a better job in trying to get businesses to come here. I realize some people are going to complain about corporate taxes, saying that they don't pay their fair share now, but you have to do something to entice them to come. I don't think we're doing that very well.

We need to get more industry in this area. I'm going to take Bangor Area School District, and ask, what industry is there? We had Majestic, which was one of our largest employers. They moved out. What do we have? We've got to market that. Our school superintendent, John Reinhart, worked very actively on a committee to try to attract business. We need to do that. The money to run our schools, our County, the local municipalities, it's gotta' come from somewhere. Right now it's coming from property taxes.

Q) There are those who will look at you and say, not another teacher! How do you respond to these people?

A) When I hear people say another teacher, I think a teaching background is an advantage to this in that I've been working with people. Obviously, I've been working mostly with young people, preparing them to become citizens. I've been teaching American Government and Consumer Economics for a number of yeas, which has kept me in touch with the community. Being a teacher, I've been constantly involved in supporting our community in one way or another. Being a teacher and a coach, and I'd like to add that part, it gives me another distinct advantage. I've been in the arena, I've been competing, I've had the pressures and stress of involvement that way, learning how to handle adversity and come back to work towards victory.

When people say anther teacher, I'm more than just a teacher. I'm a coach. I'm a referee. Ask how many of you can go in front of 50,000 people and make a decision when 25,000 of them want to hang you. You learn to do what's right.

I'm more than just a teacher. I'm a coach, a referee, a parent ... there's a millon roles I have to play that I think are advantageous.

Q) I have to say it's very motivational talking to a coach. I feel like I should go out and run a few laps right now.

A) [laughing] Well, if you have any eligibility left, maybe we can use you.

Q) Is there anything else you'd like LVRamblings readers to know about what's going on at the state house?

A) What I'd like them to know, Bernie, is that I'm a man who, once I make a commitment, I am with that commitment 24 hours a day. If the people of District 137 vote me in to this office, they can rest assured that I will do everything possible to support them, to listen to them, and do what's right for District 137 in Harrisburg.

Scagliotta's Democratic opponent is Charles Dertinger. There are also two Republicans running for this seat, Don Alabanese and Joe Emrick.

I'll be talking to Albanese today. Dertinger and Emrick have both declined an interview request.

Grucela's Successor? Meet State Rep Candidate Don Albanese

Slate Belt resident Don Alabanese, a Republican, is running for the Pennsylvania state house seat being vacated by Rich Grucela. Alabanese is a Slate belt native who actually spent some years in the New Jersey Assembly. Rich tells me Don coached his kids in Little League baseball. When Don decided to run, Rich invited him to Harrisburg and gave him a tour.

Don has no web page, but his introductory video is located here. He proposes (1) a Constitutional amendment to limit state legislators to 8 years; (2) zero-based budgeting, "where each expenditure has to be justified"; and (3) an end to unfunded mandates, where the state imposes obligations on local government, but fails to provide the funding.

I will be interviewing Don in the next few days. I hope I can get you a picture Don's Republican opponent in the Primary, Joe Emrick, has unsurprisingly declined my request for an interview. Too bad. I have lots of questions for him.

Democrat Frank Scagliotta, a Bangor football coach, has also agreed to sit down with me. His Democratic opponent, Charles Dertinger, will do no such thing. He's ingored my request for an interview, but that's OK. I have lots of videos and audios.

Grucela Refuses to Anoint His Successor in 137th

State Rep. Rich Grucela has decided to take a break from public life at the end of this year. He's been at it since 1974, serving as a Lower Mount Bethel Township supervisor and chairman, as a Northampton County Council member and President and, most recently, as a member of the state house.

Over the last four years, he's been the subject of 83 posts on this blog. When I guest-hosted Ron Angle's talk radio show on WGPA 1100 AM, he was a regular guest. Rich voted against the midnight legislative payraise, refused to take it, and was rewarded for his troubles by losing his role on several key committees. That may have lost him the confidence of the House leadership in Harrisburg, but he won the hearts of the Lehigh Valley. He was unopposed in 2006 and 2008, when many others had stiff competition.

In 2007, he was rated by readers of this blog as one of the LV's top ten elected leaders. He's a real Democrat. For one thing, he opposes party endorsements in contested primaries. As my state rep., he never refused to duck a call or answer an email. I'll miss him.

Rich's 137th legislative district includes Forks, Lower Mount Bethel, Palmer, Upper Mount Bethel, Upper Nazareth, Washington, Bangor, East Bangor, Nazareth, Portland, Roseto, Stockertown and Tatamy. Unlike most seats, this one could go either Republican or Democrat.

Four candidates - Democrats Frank Scagliotta and Charles Dertinger, and Republicans Donald Albanese and Joe Emrick - are after Rich's seat. Ironically, most of the attacks so far have been inexplicably directed at the person who is stepping down, Rich Grucela.

Grucela has been attacked, anonymously, for his supposed ties to and endorsement of Frank Scagliotta, who is lovingly referred to elsewhere as "Skank." Grucela was apparently spotted in a Scagliotta classroom. "They sat in the back of the room with their heads together."

Today I received an email from Rich that is "for the record." He told me he received calls from 5 of 6 potential candidates for his job and spoke to them all. In fact, Republican Donald Albanese "and his wife came to Harrisburg and visited my office …… I had them introduced from the house gallery and told them where the Republican caucus met … I also introduced him to some very good R friends of mine who got a big kick out of it ….. They said they always knew I was 'nuts'……Don’s son coached our son in little league baseball."

Rich has also tried to be helpful to both Dertinger and Scagliotta. "I have given both Frank and Charles advice and told them events they should attend ….. I also have given them names of people who I believe would support their views."

Did he meet with Scagliotta at Bangor High School? Yes. "For the record I did visit BAHS and Frank’s class …. He called me with a question about how to fill out his ethics form b/c of his referee’s income …. It was a bad weather day…. The students came to school but b/c of the weather (a late storm brewing that day) there was to be an early dismissal…. Frank’s class had very low attendance and he chose to show a video already in progress when I arrived."

Who has Rich endorsed? "I have only endorsed Jack Wagner for Governor and no other candidates."

Grucela has avoided endorsing anyone and has tried to be helpful to everyone. He realizes the voters make this call, not him.

Dumb & Dumber: NorCo Dems Endorse Dertinger, But Not Callahan

In one of my favorite movies, Dumb & Dumber, Lloyd trades Harry's van in for a moped. They're in the middle of a road trip across the country, and still have to go up the Rockies and into Denver. In the Winter. When Harry finds out what has happened, he has this reaction. "Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this ... and totally redeem yourself!" Well, move over, Harry & Lloyd. After reading Rich Wilkins' report concerning the most recent back room dealings of Northampton County Dems, I can only conclude that they're auditioning for the lead in Dumb & Dumber III. Let me tell you the story.

In his eight long years at the helm of the local Dems, Joe "Bossman" Long has alienated Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, Northampton County Executive John Stoffa and state party boss T. J. Rooney. His penchant for preselection of candidates in smoke-filled bars has resulted in disaster after disaster at the polls. These include Charles Dertinger (Congress); Sam Bennett (Congress); Glenn Reibman (County Exec); and Ann McHale (County Exec). Our fearless leader's most recent trick was to manage somehow to lose all five at-large seats in November's County Council race, giving Republicans a first-ever 7-2 edge. Even Northampton County's bench is now Republican. As if that were not enough, Long has made at least three appearances before a statewide grand jury investigating deceptive campaign practices.

So on Saturday, when Northampton County Dems met in a smoke-filled Nazareth bar again, it should come as no surprise that only 24 committee people bothered showing up. Of course, it's likely that only a few were even notified. County Exec John Stoffa, who happens to be the highest ranking Democrat in Northampton County, was snubbed. I live just a block away, and considered crashing the party myself. But these local apparatchiks have a history of ejecting contrarians, even their own committeemen. I stayed away.

Obviously, it was mostly a gaggle of Joe Long sycophants, not Democrats. But even among this crowd, a dim light had gone off. Maybe they should think twice about telling the rest of us how we're supposed to vote. So Ladd Siftar, a former County Council member who sits on the state committee, moved that the local party should refuse to endorse anyone, even in the uncontested primaries. It passed, 13 to 11.

Huh?

That's right, bippy. Congressional candidate John Callahan, derisively referred to as the "boy Mayor" by state house candidate Charles Dertinger just a few months ago, made the trip up Nazareth Pike for nothing. He got piked after giving a speech to a few barflies. Does this mean that Dems support Charlie Dent?

The same thing happened to State Rep. Bob Freeman. He came up from Easton, gave a speech that went on even longer than Callahan's, has no primary opponent, and left Nazareth with nothing. Does this mean Dems support wingnut Ron Shegda?

It gets better. After refusing to endorse anyone, even candidates with no primary opponents, Bill Wallace made a pitch for the local party to endorse Charles Dertinger in the only local primary that actually is contested. That motion passed nearly unanimously.

Huh?

That's right, bippy. Frank Scagliotta, a popular slate belt coach and NCAA basketball official making his political debut, has been rejected in favor of a divisive candidate who is batting just one out of five at the polls.

I spoke to a wise Democratic veteran today, who laughed and told me, "Bernie, we don't make Democrats take intelligence tests."

And this is the proof. Fortunately, Long's machine has shot itself so many times that it has pretty much made itself irrelevant.

Grucela Seat Update

Popular State Rep. Rich Grucela has decided, after ten years, that he's had enough of the land of midnight payraises. He'll be stepping down at the end of the year. His 137th legislative district includes Forks, Lower Mount Bethel, Palmer, Upper Mount Bethel, Upper Nazareth, Washington, Bangor, East Bangor, Nazareth, Portland, Roseto, Stockertown and Tatamy. Unlike most seats, this one could go either Republican or Democrat.

Of the four candidates I know about, Democrat Frank Scagliotta and Republican Donald Albanese seem to be the class acts. Democrat Charles (Don't call me Charlie!) Dertinger and Republican Joe (I hate Peg Ferraro) Emrick? Not so much.

I learned Friday night that Albanese, a former Jersey assemblyman, has enough signatures to get on the Republican ballot. He's originally a slater who defected to the garden state, only later to return to his roots. Emrick, who recently stormed out of a local Republican committee meeting for refusing to go along with his hand-picked nominee for another state house seat, made sure to insult Peg Ferraro a few times on his way out. He thinks his own nomination is in the bag, but I'm told committee members are turned off by his arrogance and pushy style.

Scagliotta, a Bangor High School football coach and NCAA basketball referee, has been teaching for 34 years, and was finally persuaded to get involved, some say by Rich Grucela himself. Of course, Charles Dertinger is already smearing Scags in a whisper campaign for recently switching parties. Just as arrogant and pushy as Emrick, Dertinger recently suffered a humiliating loss in his bid for re-election to Northampton County Council.

This is my district. People here prefer the nonpartisan approach. That's why hardliners like Dertinger and Emrick will have a short shelf life.