Will Mann Now Work Full Time for Vitetta?

What has happened to former State Rep. Karen Beyer, who was upset last year by Justin Simmons?

She's become a lobbyist, effective 2/20/11, with T.J. Rooney's Tri State Strategies, and is likely making more money and working less hours than she did as a State Rep.

I mention this because I wonder whether State Rep. Jenn Mann, who has announced her own retirement from politics, is thinking about something along those lines.

"I've never been known as a person who dodges a question, and never will be," Mann told me over a year ago. But when I asked her to tell us how much money she gets as a consultant for Vitetta, that's exactly what she did. She refused to answer, telling me she has no legal obligation to disclose exact amounts.

Vitetta is no mom-and-pop shop. It's a heavy hitter, both with the state and locally. It has offices in seven different states, and its own webpage reveals involvement in construction projects like the Pennsylvania Judicial Center, Pennsylvania Judicial Center Parking Garage, Pennsylvania Capitol, PennDOT Materials Testing Laboratory and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission-Service Plaza Reconstruction.

Many of these jobs are awarded by the state's Department of General Services. Until sometime last year, that office was run by Lehigh Valley native and friend James Creedon. He also served with Mann on the Stimulus Oversight Commission. There, they both get a head's up on where the state intends to spend federal stimulus dollars.

In addition to her Creedon ties, Mann actually dated Sean Pressman. He was Chief of Staff in General Services between 2/1/06 and 6/19/09.

Did Vitetta benefit as a result? I'm certain it's one of the reasons they wanted her.

Annual statements of financial interest for the past four years (2010, 2009, 2008 , 2007) reveal that Vitetta has been paying Mann, although the amounts are unstated.

In her defense, Mann did get clearance from the state ethics commission. She was warned against using her official position to solicit business. My concern is that no matter what she says, her elected office in and of itself is a form of pressure.

Mann tells me that precisely because of that "very fair concern," she stays away from all the local governments. "It's just not worth it," she said. She concedes that she may "have reached out to some regional school boards," although she does not make the initial contact.

Gee, how would you like to be an Easton or Bangor school supervisor who gets a call from Vitetta telling you that State Rep. Jennifer Mann would like to talk to you about the engineering firm you hire for your next middle school?

Let's face it. The not-so-subtle pressure of her powerful public office, in and of itself, should rule out this kind of moonlighting job.

Will Mann be working full time for Vitetta now?

Updated 11/30/11, 10:35 AM: Although the state lists Karen Beyer as a lobbyist for T.J. Rooney, she is actually working for SEIU.

Jennifer Mann is a Fox ... in the Henhouse

Earlier this week, I told you that State Rep. Jennifer Mann has one relationship that really bothers me. It's her consulting work for Vitetta, a heavy-hitting architectural and engineering firm involved in numerous state Department of General Services projects. This Goliath also builds schools, courthouses and jails. She told me she alerts Vitetta to business opportunities. My problem is that she only knows about these because of her public office.

To be fair, she did clear this gig in advance with the state ethics commission. She told them she would "identify business opportunities" and "provide consulting services" concerning contracts with "local government entities" with an unnamed company. Although the Ethics Commission gave her a green light, it was based on assurances that she would make no contacts with any state agency or local government entity, would not solicit business or use confidential information obtained from her public position to pinpoint a possible Vitetta deal.

Mann did tell me that she "may have reached out to some regional schools," although she did not make the initial contact. Doesn't that, in and of itself, put undue pressure on school administrators? Does it really matter whether the initial call comes from her?

I believe she has a conflict of interest, and has gone beyond what was authorized by the Pa. Ethics Comm'n.

But what really exacerbates an already dicey question is her position as a member of the Stimulus Oversight Commission. At the time of its opinion, the state ethics commission had no idea that there was going to be a gigantic stimulus package, to say nothing of some state oversight board. It was formed two years after the state ethics opinion, and"reviews, monitors and advises Pennsylvania on its plans for stimulus spending."

One of the outfits she is monitoring just happens to be Vitetta. According to the Pa. Treasury Department, Vitetta is involved in eight Pennsylvania stimulus projects involving the Department of General Services (DGS 575-3 PH 3 WO 1, DGS 575-3 PH 4 Amendment, DGS 575-3 Amendment 31, DGS 948-68 PH 2 WcO 32), Pa. State System of Higher Education (PASSHE-PROF-2005-43R2) and the Turnpike Commission (4400001072, 4400000696 - Supp 1, 4400000697 - Supp 1). This is over $79,000,000 in stimulus contracts.

As a Vitetta consultant, she is providing about as much oversight as a fox in a hen house. And she never cleared this arrangement.

She needs to step down.

Sea of Blue Rally in Allentown on Sunday

The Mike Welsh for State Rep. campaign will hold a "Sea of Blue" rally in Allentown on Sunday afternoon. It will focus on Allentown's need to add significantly more police officers. Mike Welsh supports legislation to add more cops as the best way to combat the Queen City's crime problem. In contrast, incumbent Jennifer Mann's public safety solution is . . . a hockey rink.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

When: Sunday, November 2nd from 12 PM to 3 PM

Where: Allentown Rose Garden Pavilion

Questions: 484-347-1833

State Rep. Candidate Mike Welsh Refuses to Meet the Press

Between January 1, 2008 and today, state rep. Jennifer Mann has been mentioned in seventy-five stories by The Morning Call. Over that same time frame, her opponent in the race for the state house, Mike Welsh, has been featured just once. As a member of the state house, Jennifer Mann would naturally be a part of some important stories. But this also gives her an unfair advantage.

Recently, Welsh debated Mann at Tempo Public Square, which you can see yourself right here. Mann clearly took Welsh too lightly. When he began to score points by stressing the need more police in Allentown, instead of a damn hockey rink, she actually started interrupting the moderators, refusing to abide by the rules.

In a fair fight, she loses. But that won't happen, and Welsh knows it. That's why you gotta' love his decision to tell The Morning Call gods, very politely, to stick it. They recently descended from the mountain to glance in his direction. Here's his amazing response.

Mr. Glenn Kranzley
Editor of the Opinion Pages
The Morning Call
101 N Sixth St
Allentown, Pa. 18105

Dear Mr. Kranzley,

Thank you for your invitation to meet with members of the Morning Call Editorial Board to discuss my candidacy as well as your possible recommendation in this election. Unfortunately, I must decline your invitation. I am declining because the lack of coverage of my campaign over the last seven months leads me to believe the endorsement of my opponent is a foregone conclusion.

During my campaign I have focused on critical issues that are facing our community, including the growing crime and gang problem which I believe is the root of Allentown's troubles. Despite issuing numerous press releases and inviting the Morning Call to press conferences where I have outlined solutions to these problems, there has not been one line written about my campaign in your newspaper. For example:

• You chose not to cover my opening press conference in April of this year.
• Despite the presence of a Morning Call reporter at my August press conference nothing appeared in your newspaper. Follow up phone calls pertaining to this issue to Ardith Hilliard and Peter Leffler proved fruitless, as I was told the omission of the press conference was a “glitch in the system”. I was asked to re-submit this information again. I then personally hand delivered this information – again I was ignored.
• My request for an article on the Editorial page pertaining to HB 1189 (Commonwealth Officers Act) aimed at increasing the number of police officers in Allentown and surrounding Lehigh Valley communities was rejected.
• My latest news release in September was also ignored.

I have enclosed copies of each of these communications for your perusal.

There are only two conclusions I can reach from this experience: either the Morning Call has made a conscious decision to ignore my campaign, or your newspaper has pre-determined who they will endorse and support. Since I recently read a glowing article about my opponent's mis-directed efforts to bring a hockey arena to Allentown, I think your bias has been made perfectly clear.

I sincerely hope that I am proven wrong and that the Morning Call will begin providing fair coverage of my campaign. Until that happens, I will continue to take my campaign to the residents of Allentown. It is ultimately their endorsement that matters most in this campaign.

Sincerely,

Mike Welsh

Mike Welsh: Answer to Allentown Crime is More Cops, Not Ice Hockey

Republican Mike Welsh is Jennifer Mann's official challenger for her state house seat. Mann's legislative district is located almost entirely in troubled and crime-ridden Allentown. Instead of dealing with the Queen City's serious crime problem, caused mostly by a 50% spike in center city poverty during her time in office, she's used her seat as a springboard to something - anything - else. She's already run for the state senate, state auditor and state treasurer. In her most recent attempt to flee Allentown, she ran for the state house and state treasurer, two incompatible offices, simulataneuosly.

Her solution to the center city's poverty and high crime? Ice hockey.

Yeah, that should do it.

Mann gets a free pass because she's in a heavily democratic district and is, as she likes to brag, "union made." Her dad was a union organizer. That might give her some understanding of labor issues, but she's hopelessly out of her element when it comes to Allentown's working poor - her real constituency. A Republican like Welsh seems more in tune with their problems than Mann.

On Friday, Welsh conducted a news conference designed to draw attention to Allentown's poverty and crime. I was at work, but here's the text of Mike's statement.

Good afternoon and thank you for coming. I chose this location to spotlight the need for greater policing in Allentown and to address Jennifer Mann’s failed leadership in improving the situation.

The Nineteenth St Card & Gift Shop was for many years one of the delightful small businesses in Allentown’s West End. It provided members of the community the opportunity to purchase a card or small gift for someone special and as a post office annex it served many of the postal needs of the community. Upon arrival you could expect to see a neighbor or engage in a friendly conversation with the owners. Unfortunately, this has all changed.

This shop was burglarized on two occasions in 2007. After the first burglary in April 2007, despite sustaining a significant loss the owners were able to remain open. After an additional burglary in August, things changed dramatically. The burglars not only stole merchandise but were capable of removing the postal safe and dragging it over 4 blocks unimpeded in the 19th St corridor one of the premier business districts in the city. This forced the owners to limit their hours of availability, sustain great financial loss and has made them all too fearful as no suspect or suspects are in custody. This has become all too common in Allentown. In fact, according to Pennsylvania State Police, Allentown’s solved crimes, commonly known as “clearance rates,” have dropped from 76% in 2000 to an appalling 33% in 2007.

As a long time resident of Allentown and now Republican candidate for State Representative in the 132nd district, I believe that incidents like this are occurring with greater frequency. I have attended many neighborhood watch meetings and have heard numerous complaints of incidents of graffiti, theft and vandalism. Many of these complaints reference frustration that the police do not adequately respond or are not called due to a perception that the police are overworked, over stretched and compelled to handle more serious crime in downtown Allentown.

I must ask the question though; did it have to be this way? Many, if not most of you, are now familiar with the Allentown police pension agreement realized during the Afflerbach administration. While we could argue extensively about the settlement, I believe we would be better served to examine what we could have done differently following the event and how best to move forward. Let’s examine a recent use of state monies in the Lehigh Valley. In 2004, Jennifer Mann, along with local leaders, worked together to bring baseball to our area. In October 2004, Governor Rendell requested an effort on their part to match an initial state grant of $12,000,000. Working together they achieved that goal, but I believe that Representative Mann should have moved to abruptly halt the initiative in 2005 and instead request emergency funding to replace the 53 officers who retired under generous pension terms. As a representative whose district encompasses nearly all of West Allentown and downtown Allentown, I believe this would have been appropriate and demonstrated her leadership in ensuring a safe Allentown but also an Allentown with a sustainable economic future based upon the assured safety of our residents. Even half of this $12,000,000 grant would have been significant in addressing the emergency need of our community.

Now Jennifer Mann is active in pursuing another sports venue, a hockey arena in the Lehigh Valley rather than searching for ways to increase the police presence in Allentown. I was surprised to learn that, as of this date, she is not a co-sponsor of HB1189. That's a legislative initiative to bring nearly $6 million to Lehigh County for additional policing. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of officers Allentown would receive, it offers an opportunity for this district to pursue state resources to address its policing concerns and I believe that this should be the priority rather than the pursuit of another sports venue.

Perhaps the reason Jennifer Mann has not adequately addressed our district’s policing need rests in three failed efforts to achieve higher political office. An unsuccessful bid for Auditor General in 2004, an unsuccessful bid for State Senator in 2005 and this year an unsuccessful bid for State Treasurer. It is clear Jennifer Mann no longer desires to serve as our State Representative.

As the next State Representative for the 132nd district, I will work to make sure Allentown’s police department reaches 300 officers. This would represent a 30% increase. It would also more accurately reflect the number of officer’s 2006 FBI statistics show that communities our size should possess in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic United States.

I will work with local and county leaders to make the achievement of this goal a priority. I will not place economic development initiatives ahead of personal safety. I believe that increased crime is not a perception in Allentown but a reality. I believe that many crimes go unreported and I believe that there can be no significant economic development in Allentown without first addressing this goal.

Thank you.

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Breakfast With Mike Welsh

Who the hell is Mike Welsh? It's unlikely many of you have heard his name. He's only mentioned in the Morning Call once this year, and that's in an article boasting about all the choices available to voters.

Mike Welsh is running for the state house in Allentown's heavily Democratic 132nd district. His opponent, incumbent Jennifer Mann, is mentioned in at least forty Morning Call reports over the same period. Until voters set her straight, this ambitious politician was running for both state house and state treasurer simultaneously. That certainly accounts for some of the coverage.

But not all.

Morning Call columnist Bill White acknowledges the power of the incumbent. "They have much more money for TV advertising and mailers. They tend to turn up on TV or in the papers in the course of handing out giant checks or other official activities." Challengers like Mike, on the other hand, get scant coverage. "[I]t has to be frustrating to keep trying and trying to get your message out -- in the back rooms of diners, in quiet hotel meeting rooms, on busy street corners -- knowing that in many cases, almost no one will show up, and no one will hear about it."

It wouldn't be so frustrating if, now and then, the MSM would cover a frickin' news conference. Forty to one is an appalling comparison.

And so there was Mike Welsh at The Bethlehem Diner on Saturday morning, looking a little flustered, hoping I'd show up. I had already stiffed him once. I was originally supposed to meet him on Friday, but overslept. I'm lousy, too.

Mike has learned the MSM will just ignore him. When he called a news conference over Mann's penchant for using her state rep seat to launch campaigns for every other office on the planet, nobody bothered to show up. I guess that's not news.

I really had only one question for Mike. Are you out of your mind?? What on earth makes you think you have a snowball's chance in a heavily Democratic district against a seemingly popular Democratic incumbent, especially at a time when voter registration offices report that this area is becoming increasingly blue?

Welsh's answer was simple and to the point - Allentown is in big trouble. Its police force is too small. FBI records indicate that, even at full strength, its force will still be inadequate. Welsh notes a legislative measure to add 10,000 police officers, and asks why Mann is not listed as one of the sponsors. This has been hailed as a "landmark" proposal that would signal a new approach to public safety. Does Mann care? Does it bother her that one Allentown mother won't let her three toddlers play outside, even in broad daylight, out of fear they might be killed?

I'll be meeting Mike again for a full blown interview. I'd also really like to know what the hell Jenn Mann is doing for Allentown's poor. I know she excels at raising money, got that $10,000 grant for Parkland ice hockey and wants to bring an ice hockey rink downtown, but how does that help Allentown's mostly minority communities? Imagine what Allen High School's band could do with that money.

Seriously. Ice hockey? That sounds about as brilliant as Allentown's boxing program for 5 year olds.

If you have any questions for Mike, please leave them in the comments.

Jenn Mann Using Severson Scissorhands in State Treasurer Bid

In her never-ending quest for higher office, state rep. Jenn Mann (D-132) has decided to run for two at the same time. Not only is she seeking re-election as a state rep, she's also running for state treasurer.

Whoopee!

When she ran against state senator Pat Browne in 2003, she wanted to win so badly that she started a smear campaign. Of course, she lost. This time, she's promised Capitol Ideas' John Micek she'll be really, really, really, really good. "Those personal attacks only backfire." She claims she has ethics now and won't be bought, but her $107,000 warchest tells a much different story. It's a veritable who's who of special interests.

Maybe her fingers were crossed when she spoke to Micek.

And guess who's running her campaign? That's right, bippy, she's hired political guru Severson Scissorhands, the King of Sleazeball Politics. Her campaign has dished out $45,172. 00 so far to Political Strategies, Inc, a California corporation that's not even registered in Pennsylvania. That's the company Severson uses to hide his work for Democrats.

Rich Grucela, Joe Brennan and Craig Dally - are three LV legislators who've co-sponsored legislation that flatly bans political robocalls. But Jenn Mann is paying Severson to make them.

I understand he's also agreed to disrupt a few funerals and give her a few lessons in knife fighting. Hey, she lives in Allentown!

At the same time that he's working for Mann - a Democrat - Severson's Precision Marketing, Inc., has been paid nearly $41,500 by Republicans seeking state office. Between 2000 and 2007, that company has collected $9.9 million from Republican candidates seeking state offices.

That's no conflict to a consultant who sells out to the highest bidder.

Severson and Mann were made for each other.

Is Jenn Mann's Dual Bid for State House and Treasurer Improper?

Mike Welsh is a moderate Republican running against incumbent state rep. Jenn Mann in Allentown's heavily Democratic 132nd district. Mann just happens to be running for state treasurer, too.

I know very little about Mike, and hope that changes over time. His campaign blog notes that Mann has been so busy running for higher state offices that she's spent little time noticing the gang infiltration and violence that has run rampant through Allentown.

She did help secure a $10,000 state DCED grant for The Parkland Trojan Ice Hockey Club, a program for students who need little state assistance. Other groups, like Allentown's Wall2Wall urban youth organizers, could really use the help. Over two years, this grass roots group has mentored over five hundred children in the area with the Lehigh Valley's highest poverty level.

Is her persistent quest for higher office making it hard for her to serve her constituents? Is it improper for a politician from either party to seek two offices simultaneously, knowing that she can't serve in both? Mike thinks so, and I believe it does encourage career politicians. Here's what he says.

I believe it is important to make voters aware of a unique situation. Jennifer Mann, our current State Representative, is seeking nomination for reelection as State Representative in the 132nd district and is concurrently seeking nomination for Pennsylvania State Treasurer. This marks Jennifer’s third attempt in the last 4 years to gain higher political office – specifically State Auditor in 2004, State Senator in 2005 and now State Treasurer.

As a long time resident of Allentown and now candidate for the PA House of Representatives, I find this business of “hedging your bets” highly objectionable. Representative Mann seeks higher office but wants to use her current job as something to fall back on should she lose her race for nomination as State Treasurer.

Far too often career politicians put their personal career aspirations above the needs of the community and district they represent.

I believe the voters of Allentown need a full time State Representative whose only focus is to help improve the lives of our residents. Representative Mann owes the people of our community a clear decision. If you are not interested in being our State Representative, as your actions clearly indicate, remove your name as a candidate for State Representative and seek only the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer. Our district and community must demand no less.

Few would argue that our district’s crime issues and gang infiltration require a clear commitment from someone who will put the needs of Allentown first! I would like the opportunity to serve this district, where my wife and I have lived and worked to raise our children. I believe that if we focus on this ever increasing criminal and gang element, we can all share in a resurgence of Allentown that will offer all the benefits that come from an increased tax base including economic development and lower property taxes.

Together we must demand more from our public officials and we must require their complete dedication to our community. Failure on our part will mean the failure of our community to live up to its full potential.

Keystone Politics: Mann Running For State Treasurer

According to Cindy Snyder at Keystone Politics, "State Representative Jennifer Mann (D-132) is gearing up campaign apparatus and gathering endorsements in preparation to launch a campaign to run for Pennsylvania Treasurer. This move might shake some life into an otherwise sleepy statewide campaign."

You can read the full story here. Guess she's not running for Congress.

$10,000 DCED Grant Funds Ice Hockey For Parkland Elitists

Last week, I told you about Allentown's Wall2Wall urban youth organizers, a group that dedicates itself to the Queen City's greatest asset - its kids. Over two years, this grass roots group has mentored over five hundred children in the area with the Lehigh Valley's highest poverty level.

It has done so with very little help and without forming a fancy 501(c)(3) nonprofit corportation. It's only getting around to that now. Kids always come first.

Today's story is about another Lehigh Valley youth sports group. This one's in the burbs, and is located in one of the Lehigh Valley's more affluent areas - the Parkland School District. It has already formed a fancy nonprofit - The Parkland Trojan Ice Hockey Club.

I called Parkland today to learn a little about this club. Before learning I was a blogger, school officials told me there is a JV and varsity program, and the hockey program is available for all grades. The school district pays insurance, advertises games, gives the kids some recognition and even provides transportation. But it's still not cheap. I was told I'd need at least $850, just for the ice time. Skates and helmets cost another $400. A varsity skater can expect to spend around $2,000 every year.

Let's face it. You don't see many poor kids at an ice hockey rink. It's not for the peasants.

Well-to-do Parkland parents got that way because they know how to get money. Amazingly, Parkland applied for and got a $10,000 state DCED grant, with a little help from state rep. Jenn Mann, before the club even bothered to form its nonprofit. Why Jenn Mann took it upon herself to get this $10,000 grant for an ice hockey club completely outside her own very impoverished Allentown district is beyond me, but that's what happened. The school district passed this dough right to the club.

I saw the grant application, which claims the money would give the "club the ability to include more students from lower economic backgrounds, and help subsidize the program for the benefit of all the students." That's a great idea, but unfortunately, that's not what happened.

In fact, nothing happened at all, according to former club prez Richard A. Plinke. After he was no longer involved in the ice hockey program, he received a nasty letter from the DCED Office of Audits and Compliance, asking to explain what had happened to the money. Plinke advised that "[t]he grant was not used because the on-ice staff did not develop a plan for using the money to fulfill the grant's objectives."

In a nice way, Plinke makes clear that no effort had been made to include poorer students. Why should they? It might ruin their exclusive little club. But once the state started nosing around, how was that money used?

That's the $10,000 question. According to one anonymous source, the grant funded a party at the end of the 2006 season, in which coaches entertained players by drinking several pitchers of beer in front of them. It also funded ice time for an independent team made up of players from all over the area, including New Jersey. In effect, a Pennsylvania DCED grant funded Jersey hockey players. Finally, the state grant was used to form the nonprofit.

Include poorer kids? Forget it. The state told me it has now received all necessary reports and considers the matter closed. The last thing it wants to do is admit it's an open cash faucet for the right people.

School district officials were very nice to me, but tell me I have to make an appointment to come and see them in person and present my questions, preferably in writing. No one from the school would agree to being quoted, and they pretty much dismissed my concerns as the sour grapes of disgruntled parents.

I don't think so. An affluent group obviously used its influence with the state to get $10,000 for more toys based on the canard that it was looking out for the little guy. And a wealthy school district helps finance this group of elitists. An Allentown resident who did something like that would be prosecuted for welfare fraud, but Parkland last March celebrated a championship.

Whoopee! Those kids are learning real valuable lessons.

Clarification: Contrary to the impression left by the Parkland School District web page,my astute readers inform me that a small portion of Allentown is, in fact, located in the Parkland School District. I verified this through Lehigh County assessment records.

Five Lehigh Valley Legislators Demand Civil Discourse in Harrisburg

On Wednesday, June 27, I emailed thirteen members of the LV delegation to the state house and senate with one simple request. I asked them to condemn sexist and misogynistic comments made on this blog by state senator Lisa Boscola's chief of staff, Bernie Kieklak. Email went to senators Pat Browne, Jim Rhoades, Rob Wonderling, and representatives Karen Beyer, Jenn Mann, Joe Brennan, Doug Reichley, Steve Samuelson, Bob Freeman, Rich Grucela, Craig Dally, Julie Harhart and Carl Mantz. I was careful to send a copy of each email to Boscola. The text of my message is here.

This is budget season, which undoubtedly explains the severe weather and other strange occurrences as state legislators vainly try to solve our annual fiscal dilemma before darkness envelops us all. It's probably the worst time of the year to ask our Harrisburg team about anything else.

But amazingly, five of our state legislators have come through. They've found time to share their displeasure with Kieklak's comments. They also disagree strongly with Express Times Editor Joe Owens' assertion that Kieklak's brayings are typical of "what is said at every Harrisburg, Trenton and D.C. saloon within walking distance of bureaucratic fatcats." I thank them for being leaders and having the courage to speak out.

1) State representative Doug Reichley:

Thanks for your e-mail. As you probably saw, I was quoted in the Morning Call as stating the purported dismissal of Kieklak was warranted and "good riddance." However, I am unaware of what this Joe Owens person wrote or what he was trying to imply about how the legislators in Harrisburg talk amongst ourselves. I can tell you if he is trying to compare to what Kieklak wrote to how we speak, he is dead wrong.

I will talk to other Republican House members about a public response, but I did note last week in speaking with Charlie Dent that if Kieklak's comments were anti-African American or anti-Semitic, I don't think Sen. Boscola could have weathered the storm this easily. For some reason, there seems to be a double standard in place.

2) State representative Karen Beyer

Thank you for emailing me. I wanted you to know that I believe the comments made by Sen. Boscola's Chief of Staff were outrageous and disgusting. Additionally, you should know that I believe those kinds of comments should never be tolerated under any circumstances.

3) State representative Jenn Mann:

I am surprised that you would even think anyone would find those comments appropriate or acceptable, regardless of their profession. I don’t see this particular occurrence having anything to do with the rest of our delegation, but if your confidence in elected officials is confirmed by me saying so, I don’t, nor would members of my staff be comfortable or find those comments acceptable or appropriate.

Feel free to call me next time.

4) State representative Joe Brennan:

Needless to say, I have been extremely busy with our budget process and negotiations. I wanted to take a moment to reply to your correspondence about the unfortunate and repugnant comments made by Bernie Kieklak. While I don’t agree with you that what he said reflects poorly on the Lehigh Valley Delegation, I want to be clear that I do not agree with, nor would I condone vicious verbal attacks by my staff. Each of us fortunate to be entrusted by our respective electorate to represent their interest in Harrisburg is responsible for their own votes as well as their staffing decisions. Many times I’ve seen elected officials take credit for situations that they had little or nothing to do with. Likewise, I’ve seen many shoulder the blame for situations that are out of their control.

I also do not agree with Joe Owens that it is the norm for those kinds of statements to be common occurrences in and around Harrisburg, Trenton or DC. I would challenge Joe or anyone else who covers government to cite specific examples. The discussions that I have been involved in Harrisburg, 11 years as a staffer and 6 months as a Representative, have been very civil and policy oriented.

5) State representative Craig Dally: Craig responded to my email with a telephone call last night. As far as Bernie Kieklak's remarks are concerned, Craig tells me, "I couldn't even dream up comments like that." He also claims Joe Owens assertion about state legislators is "absolutely as far from the truth as you can get." And he gives me a good reason. The Lehigh Valley's ten house members consist of five Dems and five Republicans. They have to work together because that's what the people expect and because otherwise, the Lehigh Valley will be shortchanged in Harrisburg. For that reasons, members are civil with each other even when there are honest disagreements.

Buddy Christ Plans To Challenge Dent for Congress

A few weeks ago, LVDem stirred a hornet's nest with his "odd email" post. He claims Northampton County Dem boss Joe Long is "clearing the field" in the Lehigh Valley's next congressional district race for Allentown's Sam Bennett. Since that time, party bosses have threatened blogger Richard Wilkins for talking about it. And Boss Long himself threatened me, but it backfired. You see, I'm into that sort of thing.

"Ooh, hit me, Joe. Harder. I've been very bad."

He's gonna' need a heavy duty weed whacker. A nasty strain of Lisa Boscola just won't go away. And now a Jennifer Mann bud has just popped up.

But I've got the scoop on all of you. Fellow Nazareth resident Buddy Christ is scheduling a press conference on Easter Sunday outside Sam Bennett's house to announce he's really, really thinking hard about taking on formidable Congressman Charlie Dent.

I tried talking to Buddy, but he ignored me. He's a little miffed at me over his inceremonious removal from District Judge Stocklas' office. "Talk to the hand, 'cos the face don't wanna hear it no more." So instead, I had to listen to him speak to a group of suits at the Pomfert Club, where Buddy knocked over a few tables until he learned it isn't a church. "This ain't a church? You could have fooled me. You dudes look like a convention of undertakers!I'm your brotha' from anotha' motha.' I'm your sista' from anotha' mista.' Who's down with that?"

Christ's campaign manager, Judas "Takes No Prisoners" Iscariot, agreed to an interview after I gave him thirty pieces of silver.

Me: "Do you really think a political unknown can beat Charlie Dent?"

Judas: "The dude's a miracle worker, man."

Me: "What about money?"

Judas: "Did you see what he did with a few lousy loaves of bread? Money's the least of our troubles. It's his Father who bothers me. He always pops up when we least need it. Just the other day, Buddy was putting the moves on some hot babe. She was putty in his hands. Suddenly the sky gets dark, and we hear a giant baritone 'This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.' It's embarrassing. What if that happens in a debate? That bastard Shawn Millan will tape it, call Buddy a papa's boy, and that's all we'll be hearing on the radio for six weeks. Who needs that?"

As I left the group, Buddy was doing a karaoke rendition of the Rolling Stones, singing, "I'm a burning bush."