LVR Gets Press Credentials For Obama Visit

What the hell is this county coming to? You legitimize Bernie O'Hare as press, at a meeting that is important to all citizens of this county. This meeting had to do with the serious issue of voting and you evidently think it is a humorous side show, by inviting a blogger who has no credibility in this county. (Check his record). I have attached a copy of his blog and comments, that had been emailed to me. I ask you to cease and desist from treating O'Hare as legitimate press. Thank you.

Joe Long, Chair
Northeast Caucus, PA Democratic Party
Northampton County Democratic Party

Joe Long sent that little missive after I was allowed to attend a news conference conducted by Northampton County Executive John Stoffa two years ago. Don't tell Joe, but I've just received word that I've been given press credentials for Barack Obama's Lehigh Valley visit tomorrow. I've asked a few other bloggers to apply, too.

How Joe Long Stacked the Deck

Northampton County Democratic bossman Joe "Bossman" Long is affectionately referred to by lame duck Charles Dertinger as "chairman for life." But if truth be told, he's been an unmitigated disaster. I want to tell you how it happened.

In eight years at the helm, Long has alienated Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, Northampton County Executive John Stoffa and state party boss T. J. Rooney. The Bossman's 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.

How the hell could this happen? The answer is simple. Throughout his eight years as party boss, Long has stacked the deck with sycophants who would tell him what he wants to hear instead of what is best for the party.

How did Long stack the deck?

First, he appears to have been elected illegally. Committee members were last democratically elected in 2006. (Results are posted here.) This is the group that would elect Long, but he was miraculously elected before the results had even been certified. In fact, he was elected five days before certificates of election could even be sent to committeemen.

Second, once those results were certified, it quickly became apparent that 105 seats were still vacant. Most of those elected simply voted for themselves. Some of them - Arthur Piatt, Colin Burke, Paul Devlin - seem awfully confused about their sex, getting elected as both male and female committee members. This enabled Long to make all kinds of appointments.

According to the Party webpage, Jim Edinger is Long's lieutenant in Easton, Glendon, West Easton, Williams, and Wilson Boro. Chris Amato is little bossman in Allen, Lehigh, Northampton, N. Catasauqua, and Walnutport. Todd Pasini is Chief of Chapman, Bushkill & Moore Twsps. John F. Maher rules in Pen Argyl, Plainfield Twsp. & Wind Gap, and also acts as the Treasurer. Maria Dertinger is Long's Queen. None of these are themselves democratically elected. All appear to be Long appointees. In fact, the "chairman for life" himself was never elected to the committee.

The only way to prevent history from repeating itself is if this Spring's newly elected committee members insist on a Democratic election of party chair. The days of a closed club must end.

In recent months, a Facebook page has been established for the Northampton County Democratic Committee, allowing anyone to join. Ironically, I see none of the party hierarchy subscribed to a group designed to help elect Democrats.

Below is a list of the Democratic committee members who were actually elected. That should have been the pool for area chairs and party boss.

Allen Tp: Robert John Bates - 2 votes; Louise Bugbee - 1 vote.

Bangor: Kenneth Haldaman, Jr. - 2 votes.

Bath: Gail Vozari - 3 votes

Bethlehem: Donato Finelli - 1 vote; John W. Reynolds - 2 votes; Mary Pongracz - 2 votes; Richard Canning - 2 votes; Joseph Oravec - 71 votes; Patricia A Oravec - 71 votes; Rolf Treisner - 1 vote; Delia Diaz - 1 vote; Robert Schweder - 4 votes; Sonja Walker - 1 vote; Ladd E Siftar - 87 votes; Iris N Linares - 85 votes; George H. Treisner, Jr. - 45 votes; Darlene Treisner - 47 votes; Andrew T Jasso - 102 votes; Robin Beaty - 1 vote; Thomas B Lloyd - 111 votes; Helen Soloi - 117 votes; Harold Seyfried - 1 vote; Dana Grubb - 1 vote; Holly Kennedy - 1 vote; Kenneth Kraft - 3 votes; Anna A Stofko - 143 votes; Ismael Arcelay - 92 votes; Anant G Sabnis - 85 votes; Jyoti A Sabnis - 91 votes; Stephen J Barron, Jr. - 113 votes; Louise Kelchner - 3 votes; Jack Burke - 112 votes; Pat Burke - 111 votes; Robert Cohen - 1 vote; Karen Hampton - 1 vote; Stephen P Walters - 72 votes; Joseph Salgado, Jr - 1 vote; Juan Cruz, Jr. - 3 votes; Evelyn Rodriguez - 1 vote.

Bethlehem Township: Walter Garvin - 6 votes; Radha Ganapathy - 5 votes; Paul Colahan - 2 votes; Eileen Colahan - 2 votes; Louis A Gallucci - 1 vote; Sheree Szumlyo - 1 vote; Kevin McCabe - 1 vote; Stephane Rau - 1 vote; Richard A Harold - 47 votes; Suzanne M Harold - 48 votes; Robert J Hawke - 77 votes; Lamont McClure - 2 votes; Sandra McClure - 2 votes; Hugh Close, Jr - 1 vote; Art Psitos - 1 vote; Roger Reibman - 1 vote.

Bushkill Township: Larry Fenstermaker - 1 vote; Kathleen B Reese - 1 vote; Bruce Beltz - 1 vote.

Chapman: Glendora McGinnis - 1 vote; Michael McGinnis - 1 vote.

East Allen Township: Arthur Piatt - 1 vote; Arthur Piatt - 1 vote (as a female); Judith Landofi - 1 vote (as a male); Sarah Wills - 3 votes.

East Bangor: Joann Monath - 1 vote.

Easton: Robert Gerheart - 24 votes; Christina McFadden - 1 vote; David Hogenboom - 112 votes; Mary Elizabeth Colley - 106 votes; Jeffrey Warren - 1 vote; Arthur Richter Traldi - 56 votes; Kelly Prentice - 54 votes; Phyllis Altieri - 1 vote (as a male); Phyllis Altieri - 1 vote (as a female); Michael Fleck - 1 vote; Mildred Collins - 33 votes; John D Markley - 34 votes; Christopher Finan, Sr. - 1 vote; Lois Fleck - 1 vote; Merol Ulucakli - 50 votes; Betty Mauro - 1 vote; Pat Vulcano, Jr - 40 votes; Sandra P Vulcano - 43 votes; Florence M Hixon - 66 votes;
Frank P Kutch - 29 votes; Winifred Worley - 43 votes.

Forks Township: Jeri Brewer - 1 vote; Ronald Asteak - 2 votes; Lilly Gioia - 68 votes; Lois Hefferle - 1 vote; John Colatch - 1 vote; Sharon Davis -2 votes.

Freemansburg: Will Power - 53 votes; Rachel Ann Power - 67 votes.

Hanover Township: John Lemos - 1 vote; Sophia White - 2 votes; Frank T Colon - 128 votes; Lorraine M Pasquali - 132 votes; Frank Kozero - 1 vote; Linda Kozero - 2 votes; Stephen Luisser - 1 vote; Jonathan Soden - 1 vote; Lisa Magyarics - 1 vote.

Hellertown: Ricard Larish - 1 vote; Joseph J Chunko - 2 votes; Daniel P Stohl - 110 votes; Jennifer H McKenna - 102 votes.

Lehigh Township: George G Bowen - 1 vote; Mary Bowen - 1 vote; Russ Shade - 2 votes; Adele Meyers - 1 vote; Richard A Gilbert - 1 vote; Ervin Raber - 1 vote; David Schulman - 1 vote; Carl Sharpe - 1 vote; Regina Sharpe - 1 vote.

Lower Mount Bethel Township: Richard Grucela - 1 vote; Salomea Grucela - 1 vote; John Gercbino - 1 vote.

Lower Nazareth Township: Marlyn H Butz, Jr. - 114 votes; Patricia L Butz - 105 votes.

Lower Saucon Township: Margaret Leister - 1 vote; David Willard - 1 vote; Monica Willard - 1 vote; Michael Stern - 1 vote; Emerson Heffner - 1 vote; Lori Ann Heffner - 1 vote.

Moore Townhsip: Paul Devlin - 1 vote; Paul Devlin - 1 vote as a female; Brian Baylor - 1 vote; Christine Baylor - 1 vote.

Nazareth: Otto Dreydoppecl - 1 vote; Susan Dreydoppel - 1 vote; Rodney W Applegate - 73 votes; Constance Huth - 1 vote; Bryan Miller - 1 vote; Jacqueline Jennings - 1 vote.

Northampton: Joseph Lenzi - 1 vote; Joseph Lenzi - 1 vote as a female; Thomas R Neiper - 115 votes; Diane Neiper - 108 votes; Edward Pany - 1 vote; Michael Sayuk - 1 vote; Sandra Sayuk - 1 vote.

North Catasauqua: Jason Schlosser - 1 vote; Mary Molchany - 3 votes.

Palmer Township: Ralph Marinetti -1 vote; Susan Kuper - 1 vote; Richard Wilkins - 5 votes; Susan Wilkins - 2 votes; Christopher Berger - 1 vote; Marguerite Belyea - 1 vote; Alois Himsl, Jr - 1 vote; Frank Ferraina - 1 vote; Colin Burke - 1 vote; Colin Burke - 1 vote as a female; Margaret Terleski - 1 vote.

Pen Argyl: Thomas Williams - 1 vote; Judith Piper - 1 vote.

Plainfield Township: Randy Lieberman - 2 votes; Doris Uhler - 1 vote; Carol Smith - 1 vote.

Portland: Ruth Ribble - 1 vote.

Roseto: Jonathan Caponigro - 1 vote; Lucille Guida - 1 vote.

Stockertown: Timothy Craigin - 1 vote; Karen Snyder - 1 vote.

Tatamy: Nobody.

Upper Mount Bethel Township: Steven Ott - 1 vote; Jason Capone - 2 votes; Ruth Bisher - 4 votes; Jan Miller - 1 vote; Gary Davies - 1 vote; Patricia Davies - 1 vote; Edward Nelson - 2 votes.

Upper Nazareth Township: Eugene Hunter - 8 votes; Joanne S Messenlehner - 108 votes.

Walnutport: Arthur Bachert - 4 votes; Joyce Bachert - 1 vote.

Washington Township: Charles Dertinger - 110 votes; Shirley B. Ascani - 125 votes.

West Easton: Dan DePaul - 28 votes; Kelly A Gross - 32 votes.

Williams Township: William E Wallace - 58 votes; Diane Wallace - 1 vote; George Coffin - 1 vote; Walter J Russell - 41 votes; Lorraine Mineo - 1 vote.

Wilson: James McGowan - 49 votes; Patricia Hartley - 1 vote; Mark Price - 2 votes; Anne Thomson - 1 vote.

Wind Gap: Mitchell Mogilski - 6 votes.

Dem Party Boss Joe Long Makes Third Statewide Grand Jury Appearance

For over a year, a statewide grand jury has been probing the deceptive campaign tactics of political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson, who was hired by local Democrats in 2007 for a smear campaign against Northampton County Council members Peg Ferraro and Ron Angle. Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo, has already charged Severson himself with 55 counts of what The Express Times calls "fraud and deception," as a result of his attempts to hide his identity in filed campaign finance reports. But during a preliminary hearing in this matter, it became apparent that Costanzo is suspicious about Long Dems who helped Severson in what amounts to a conspiracy to keep the public in the dark.

Council members Charles Dertinger and Lamont McClure have already been summoned twice to appear before this grand jury, with the most recent trip having occurred in October. At a debate in Wind Gap, Dertinger refused to say what he was doing there.

I've since learned that Dem Boss Joe Long made his third appearance before that grand jury on Monday. Apparently, Long has given differing explanations about just what was going on, and some of his accounts have been rebutted by other witnesses.

Well over a year ago, County Exec John Stoffa's requested that Long step down, condemning the party boss' "ill-advised use of a political consultant now under investigation by the state Attorney General's office."

Perhaps other prominent Democrats should ask Long to leave too, while there's still a Democratic party left in Northampton County.

Silence of the Lambs

Boy, those LongDems sure are quiet this week. By Friday, I've expect to have read that I'm a drunken disbarred lawyer at least seven hundred times. This week, it's only been about fifty or sixty times, and those are mostly ex-clients.

It's amazing how a little thing like a statewide grand jury can shut them up.

Ever Dance With the Devil in the Pale Moonlight?

Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?

That's what the Joker would ask his prey before finishing them off. I wonder whether Senior Deputy AG E. Marc Costanzo poses similar questions to witnesses appearing in his grand jury investigation of Northampton County deceptive campaign practices. That grand jury, incidentally, is meeting somewhere today.

Ever dance with Severson in the pale moonlight?

During Monday's preliminary hearing at Dauphin County prison, Costanzo laid out a prosecution theory that hones in on a web of deceit - a conspiracy to keep the public in the dark about Severson's involvement in various political campaigns. Severson had told his staff that Democrats asked him to disguise his involvement in their campaigns, but the candidates called so far vociferously deny that. "Absolutely not," is how Bethlehem City Council Prez Bob Donchez responded to a question asking whether he had asked Severson to prepare bogus invoices. Costanzo calls them "unwitting" co-conspirators who unknowingly and innocently deceived the public. But what about those candidates who knew all about Severson's scheme to keep the public in the dark?

Ever dance with Severson in the pale moonlight?

Let's go back to 2003, when Paula Roscioli desperately wanted to trade in her Assistant DA's badge for a judge's black robe. Local Republicans got wind she was using Scissorhands Severson as her campaign consultant. In fact, her boss - DA John Morganelli - had just paid Severson $9,600 in dirty drug money for 20,000 newsletters. Naturally, those included portrait of Roscioli quadruple the size of other pictures.

When Express Times reporter Joe Carlson asked whether she was using Severson, Roscioli gave two answers. First, it would be a "poor strategic decision" to identify a consultant before being required to file campaign finance reports. Second, "I'm running my own campaign." Morganelli backed her up, denying that Severson's Precision Marketing was involved. "They're not allowed to do Democratic candidates. They can only do Republicans."

Were Roscioli and Morganelli dancing with Severson in the pale moonlight?

It sure looks that way. According to available campaign finance reports, Roscioli made seventeen payments to MJR Services, totalling $105,252.06. This is one of the shells Severson used to deceive the public concerning his involvement in political campaigns. Roscioli and Morganelli were obviously well aware that Severson's involvement in Democratic campaigns was quite controversial. Morganelli himself went along with paying his own MJR bills the previous year. They went along with a Severson scheme to hide his involvement from local Republicans. In the process, they deceived the public.

Fast forward from 2003 to 2007. LongDems desperately wanted to rid Northampton County Council of Ron Angle, once and for all.

Did LongDems start dancing with Severson in the pale moonlight, too?

In July, Severson began his dirty work with a push poll. Telephone calls from 484-548-6413 asked whether voters would be less likely to vote against Angle if they knew certain negative things about him, which were listed, one by one. Although this poll has been estimated to cost $3,000, its cost is listed nowhere in any campaign finance reports. But that telephone exchange has been used by Severson to conduct political polling and robo calls.

The next month, Charles Dertinger bought a postal permit for the Northampton County Democratic party, which was subsequently used by Severson for vicious smear mailers against Ron Angle and Peg Ferraro. They were also besieged by anonymous robocalls like this one from 484-548-6400 and 484-548-6413, the same number that had been used for the July push poll. It also is the same exchange Lamont McClure used for his robo calls. His consultant? Tom Severson.

In October, Lamont McClure handed Steve Barron, who was then Northampton County Democratic Party Treasurer, a $12,000 bill from Political Strategies, another shell Severson used to deceive the public concerning his involvement in political campaigns. McClure provided detailed instructions about how that bill was to be paid and how in-kind contributions were to be noted. But when Barron asked McClure to identify Political Strategies, all Lamont would say was that it is a consulting company. Barron later reviewed bank statements, and learned that checks to Political Strategies were being deposited by Severson's Precision Marketing.

Bossman Joe Long was similarly secretive about Political Strategies and the smear campaign being engineered against Angle and Ferraro. In fact, when The Morning Call condemned the anonymous robocalls, Long quickly responded with his typical threats in a letter to the editor. "This borders on libel and slander," he huffed. "[T]o my knowledge, the Northampton County Democratic Party has not made any so-called negative robocalls."

Long was clearly trying to hide Severson's involvement in the failed smear campaign against Angle and Ferraro. Long, McClure and Dertinger were clearly dancing with Severson in the pale moonlight, conspiring to keep the public in the dark.

Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? It sure looks like Deputy AG Costanzo will be posing that question to Roscioli, Morganelli, Long, McClure and Dertinger.

Who Are the Joe Long Dems?

If you see any of these folks at the polls tomorrow, handing out cards, try to be nice. Be sure to give them a wide bearth. They're going to have a long day and even longer night.

Severson Prosecution an Indictment of Joe Long Dems

In the 2007 Nothampton County Council races, campaign maven Tom "Scissorhands" Severson was a pitbull for the Joe Long Dems. After proving his worth with his vicious, anonymous smear campaign against Attorney Brian Monahan, he was unleashed to go after Ron Angle and Peg Ferraro. He bombarded voters with a steady stream of smear mailers and sleazy anonymous robo calls. But when it was all over, Angle and Ferraro were victorious and the Joe Long Dems owed Severson about $9,000. They still owe him $6,586.45.

Severson may be the Defendant, but yesterday's charges are really an indictment of Northampton County Democratic chair Joe Long and the cronies who surround him. This is what happens when all decisions are made in some smoke-filled back room. Instead of embracing a county executive who wants to restore integrity to local government, Long allies himself with someone who skirts election laws.

Is this the change Obama talked about?

In Northampton County Exec John Stoffa's request that Long step down, he specifically condemned

"* your silence in the face of such activities as negative and misleading robocalling as well as anonymous mailings which violate Pennsylvania Campaign Law; something good Democrats never support and former leaders such as Marty Bechtel and Gene Hartzell would never have condoned;"

* your ill-advised use of a political consultant now under investigation by the state Attorney General's office."

Instead of stepping down, Long and his cronies endorsed Ann McHale, Stoffa's opponent for county executive. He wants to replace integrity with someone who winks at election hijinks, as McHale did when goons stole and blocked over 600 Stoffa campaign signs.

Is this change we can believe in?

For those of you unfamiliar with Severson or his connection to Long, let me clue you in.

Who is Tom Severson?

Severson, a Pen Argyl resident, uses at least three different corporations for political campaigns. He usually operates under the corporate umbrella of Precision Marketing, Inc., where he is listed as company prez. Between 2000 and 2007, that company has collected $9.9 million from candidates seeking state offices.

But when Severson wants to stay under the radar, or is working for Dems, he's used MJR Services, Inc., a New Jersey corporation whose Pa. address just happens to be where Precision Marketing is located. MJR collected $281,000 from state office hopefuls between 2000 and 2007. DA John Morganelli and Judge Roscioli are part of this gaggle.

Severson also uses Political Strategies, Inc., a California corporation. Although it's not even registered in Pennsylvania, state senator Lisa Boscola paid that outfit $43,659.65 in 2006. Finance reports filed by local candidates indicate this California corporation just happens to have the same address as Precision Marketing! Since 2000, the total amount paid to this business, in state races, is $170,522.

This total figure - $10.35 million over 7 years - does not include payments to other companies I know nothing about, or payments made in federal and local races. And it only reflects payments that are on the radar screen.

Severson's History

The phrase, "King of Sleazeball Politics," is used often to describe Severson. It first appeared in a 1991 Morning Call story. Severson got that title the old-fashioned way - he earned it. Let's review some of his campaigns.

In 1989, county exec hopeful Jerry Seyfried saw his lead dwindle as anonymous telephone calls, made in the waning days of the campaign, warned voters that Seyfried had accepted money from the owner of a local landfill. DA Don Corriere, challenged by Morganelli, complained they actually used callers who disguised themselves as state ethics commission investigators. Seyfried won. Barely. Corriere went down.

Severson also plays on prejudice. When Len Gruppo was running for the state senate in 1998, Severson distributed an anti-welfare campaign mailer containing a photo of mostly black applicants, standing in line, creating the false impression that most welfare recipients are black.

In 2003, Severson's Precision Marketing was paid $9,600 in public money by DA John Morganelli's Drug Task Force to distribute 20,000 "informational" mailers. They included a large photograph of Paula Roscioli, four times the size of other staffers. She just happened to be running for judge at the time. DA Morganelli assured the Express Times (4/9/03) that Precision Marketing was not doing Roscioli's campaign. While technically correct, Severson was still running the show. He just used another company. And the idea of using taxpayer funds to promote candidates was pushed again by Severson in Spring '08. Bucks County commissioners paid him $67,000 in taxpayer money for a thinly disguised campaign ad.

When Joe Brennan was in a four-way dogfight to capture the Democratic nomination for a state rep seat, he was assailed by three mailers, some of which falsely portrayed him behind bars. After turning over a few rocks, Tom Severson ran out. Brennan's opponent falsely claimed that, since he was never charged for Severson's services, he had no obligation to report this in-kind contribution. To this day, the in-kind contribution appears nowhere on any campaign finance report.

These are just a few examples of Severson's modus operand! - anonymous and misleading calls, appeals to prejudice, drug task force money to promote a candidate, misleading mailers and flying below the radar of our disclosure laws. As disgusting as these tactics sound, Severson has become rich using them.

Severson's Reputation Among Local Leaders

Former Norco GOP chair Charlie Roberts (1994): "He's working both sides of the fence. ... I don't trust him. ... He's done more to hurt this party than anyone. ... "How can he work for Seyfried and Ferraro in the same election? How is working for Seyfried going to do anything but hurt Ferraro's chances? Tom Severson works for his pocketbook. I work for the Republican Party."

Former Norco GOP Chair Larry Kisslinger (1991): "He did not handle his affairs with me in an honest way 99-1/2 percent of the time. ... I hope he makes $1 million. I hope he's comforted with the money surrounding him."

Former Norco Councilman Jim Hemstreet (1991): "If telephone calls are being made ... you have a right to know who you're talking to, what they're paid. ... That is really deceptive campaigning. It's like turning your campaign over to a hired gun."

Norco Judge Emil Giordano (1994): "I never heard anything good about the guy. ... It's sleazeball politics, and he's the leader of the pack."

Morning Call columnist Don Russo (1994, then a member of the GOP): "Severson basically goes to the candidate with the money."

District Attorney John Morganelli (1994): "I went to him because I heard he was the best. I wanted to hire the best person to do the job. I didn't care what party he was. The party thing didn't bother me, and I don't think it bothered Mr. Severson. He's staying with me."

The Anti-Monahan Sleaze

Here's some of what former Northampton County Republican Chair Bob Kilbanks has said.

"This all began during the primary cycle when some very ugfy flyers were sent out against a local District Justice candidate. They had no disclaimer, which is required by Pennsylvania's state election laws on every campaign piece to inform the public about the source of any political information that they receive. There were accusations flying all over Northampton County as to who had sent the three mailers. The mailing permit was traced to a person [Pat Vulcanol who said he had no knowledge of its use. An examination of the paperwork at the Post Office yielded nothing because the signature was unreadable. At that time, local blogger Bernie O'Hare presented the situation to District Attorney Morganelli. Mr. Morganelli told Mr. O'Hare that the matter, as he saw it, did not rise to a prosecutable level. He felt that there was case precedent from Ohio [Mclntyre v. Ohio Ejections Comm'nl that made this allowable under the First Amendment. A few days later, and under question of lawful filing date, an independent financial report was filed at the Voter Registration office under the name of 'John Doe.'

"The report arrived complete with the Ohio decision attached to it and a notarization for a 'John Doe.' The Notary works in the offices of a local politically-connected attorney. [This attorney just happens to be Morganelli's campaign treasurer, Jay Leeson]."

Severson's "John Doe" report, of course, is a sham. He clearly paid more than $500 to send these mailers about a week before the election, but failed to report this expenditure within 24 hours as required by our campaign finance laws. Three mass mailings cost much more than the $861 claimed, and those payments had to be made before the primary, because that's when they were mailed.

How could Leeson's notary, a secretary in his office, acknowledge an anonymous signature? Because he tells her to do so. But a notary exists to identify the person appearing before her, not obscure that person. She must have personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence in the form of a driver's license or other form of identification.

Severson Admits Anonymous Campaign Against Monahan

Not long after the mailings went out, I talked to District Attorney John Morganelli. I told him he could send a detective with Pat Vulcano, the bulk mail permit holder, and get all the records for the bulk mail permit. That way we'd know how much was paid for these three mailings and who sent them.

"I'm not going to do that."

"Why not?"

"I already know who sent those mailers. It's Severson."

The Dirty Politics Continue - July '07

In July 2007, Severson started a push poll against Angle. Telephone calls from 484-548-6413 asked whether voters would be less likely to vote against Angle if they knew certain negative things about him, which were listed, one by one. Although this poll has been estimated to cost $3,000, its cost is listed nowhere in any of the campaign finance reports listed by Angle's opponent, John Maher, or the Northampton County Democratic party. That telephone exchange has been used by Severson to conduct political polling and robo calls.

The General Election Against Angle and Ferraro.

According to Kilbanks, "Our fears were realized in this past election cycle as unattributed, and very nasty, smear phone calls, whether or not they are considered 'legal,' invaded homes across Northampton County. All of the calls traced back to one phone number [actually, it's two phone numbers - 484-548-6400 and 484-548-64131 that [were] listed as 'not working,' but ownership was traced to a data management corporation in King of Prussia that does robo-calls."

Amazingly, these are the same phone numbers used to do the push polling against Angle in July. The number 484-548-6413 shows up as MCS Industries on Caller ID, and is also the number Lamont McClure used for his robocalls. His campaign consultant? Tom Severson.

Mailings with content identical to these anonymous robocalls were posted with the Northampton County Democratic Committee's bulk mail permit. Lamont McClure, Tony Branco, John Maher and the local Democratic party were obviously using Severson. Against Angle alone, there were twelve negative mailers (estimated cost - $36,000) and twenty-one anonymous robocalls (estimated cost - $21,000). Against Peg Ferraro, there are at least four negative mailers (countywide cost - $20,000) and ten anonymous robocalls ($10,000). The total amount of money estimates to be spent, just on the negative campaign, is $87,000.00.

Campaign finance reports filed by the opponents to Angle and Ferarro, as well as the local Democratic party, reveal much smaller sums. They only report spending and indebting themselves in the total amount of $54,000.00. These reports are shams and do not reflect the total amount of money being spent.

In addition to an obvious funding disparity, there are the following facts: First, a former Severson employee acknowledges that he has witnessed Severson making large cash deposits at banks other than those where his businesses are located; Second, checks that supposedly were being paid to Political Strategies, a California corporation, were in fact being deposited with Precision Marketing; and Third, there is a transcript claiming Severson forged names to campaign materials on behalf of MJR.

Other Campaign Violations in Other Counties

Severson's name has also been associated with anonymous mailers in a campaign over a referendum in Lower Macungie Township and in various Bucks County races for the GOP.

Severson's Erratic Behavior.

Severson's erratic behavior has already been demonstrated in an unemployment compensation case, where there was testimony about him making switchblade knives, threatening to kill and stab people, and threatening one of his own employees. In addition, he recently disrupted a funeral service simply because he saw Ron Angle in the crowd. He was convicted of criminal harassment in that funeral fracas.

Sources:

Precision Marketing Corporate records:

$9.9 MM paid to Precision marketing since 2000 by candidates seeking state office:

MJR Services, Inc. corporate records:

Money paid to MJR by state candidates:

Political Strategies, Inc. corp. records:

Money paid to Political Strategies by state candidates:

Elections Code:

Anonymous mailers directed against magisterial candidate Brian Monahan

O'Hare email to DA Morganelli

John Doe Independent Expenditure report

Severson admits he is behind Monahan smear

The Monahan mudslinging

Notes about 1-484-548-6413

Notes about 1-484-548-6400

Campaign finance reports filed by Northampton County candidates in 2007 election

robocall recording

Anti-Angle mailers

Severson disrupts funeral services

Negative campaign against state rep. Joe Brennan engineered by Severson

Tom Severson's profitable world of sleaze politics

Unemployment compensation case against Severson - claimant transcript

Unemployment compensation case against Severson - findings of fact

Sparks Fly Among Bethlehem City Democrats

I have hinted here and there, in the comments on this blog, that a group of New Democrats is rising here in the Lehigh Valley. Tired of Bossman Joe Long's heavy handed machine style of politics, they want to take the local party out of smoke-filled back rooms and bring it back to the people.

I thought they would wait until after the election, but frustrated Christmas City Democrats made their first move last night. Here's an account from someone who was there.

"The Stoffa/McHale primary has led to action among Democrats in Bethlehem who want the county committee and state committee to STAY OUT OF LOCAL POLITICS. Sparks flew at tonight's Bethlehem City Dems meeting. Joe Long was directly challenged by a member of the group for being a leader of the Party Machine, instead of encouraging Dems to decide for themselves whom they should support in primaries. This same Dem suggested Joe should resign!

"The state Dem committee decision to financially support City Councilwoman Jean Belinski and Northampton County Judge candidate Barbara Hollenbach were openly criticized, and the committee (which normally allows itself to be lulled into the long-winded empty rhetoric of "Boss" Long) voted "Everyone to Two" to renounce the practice of favoritism toward secretly selected candidates in primaries. Plans are being made to take back control of Dem politics from the Bosses and other backroom dealmakers.

"Jeepers! It made me believe in the party again!"

Just as Stoffa is experiencing completely unsolicited support from people who get his message of good government, it appears that local Democrats are now beginning to embrace his July recommendation that Joe Long resign for the good of the party. Stoffa told Long Democrats are witnessing the following:

"* a steady decline in the quality of candidates

"* a failure to maintain party unity as seen in crumbling local committees, reduced emphasis on consensus-building activities, declining attendance at the annual County Party picnic, and a lack of significant fundraising events

"* a lack of a working volunteer recruitment/development program

"* primarily inactive local committees

"* decreasing effectiveness in recruiting, grooming, and training potential candidates ... suggesting a lack of vision and commitment

"* failure to maintain an up-dated website

"* your policy of holding party elections before new committee people are officially elected

"* lack of a effective, productive Executive Committee

"* a lack of support for your leadership among the many locally-elected Democratic officeholders I have consulted

"* your silence in the face of such activities as negative and misleading robocalling as well as anonymous mailings which violate Pennsylvania Campaign Law; something good Democrats never support and former leaders such as Marty Bechtel and Gene Hartzell would never have condoned

"* your ill-advised use of a political consultant now under investigation by the state Attorney General's office

"Northampton County Democrats deserve better leadership -- especially in this most critical election cycle. While I do not dispute your loyalty to Democratic Principles, I am no longer convinced that you are the right person to lead the Northampton County Democratic Party."

Bossman Long's True Identity Revealed

He didn't look very well at Thursday night's fundraiser for judicial candidate Karl Longenbach. Instead of working the room, he just stood in a corner, looking very lonely. And now I know why. He misses home. As this photo reveals, Bossman Joe Long - leader of the Northampton County Dems - is on his way back to planet Nebula.

Before he left, he touched my heart and said, "I'll be right here."

Thanks, Joe.

Mister Rogers, aka Will Power, Visits Joe Long's Neighborhood

Not long ago, the Joe Long Democrats decided, in some Nazareth bar, to endorse Ann (64% taxhike) McHale over incumbent Northampton County Executive John Stoffa. As Bossman Joe Long complains in an epistle to his apostles, Stoffa has demonstrated a "lack of leadership within the Democratic Party."

Northampton County voters elected John Stoffa to be County Executive, not Democratic party leader. But if truth be told, Stoffa actually has demonstrated leadership within the local Democratic party. Last July, he publicly requested Long to step down as party chair in a scathing letter excoriating Long's machine-style approach to politics.

The Stoffa camp is collecting all kinds of signatures in its petition drive. It might interest Bossman Long to know that Will Power decided to visit Long's neighborhood. Wearing a cardigan and singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood," he collected over 70 signatures for Stoffa.

They love him, Joe.

Bossman Long Thankfully Repudiates Democratic County Exec John Stoffa

I managed to get my hands on a news release trumpeting Joe Long's picks for county council and exec. Gee, thanks, Joe!

Bossman Long admits they were actually made at a "petition signing meeting," but what the hell. No need to actually notify anyone. Just how many Democratic committeemen were actually there? Three? Six? Long sure as hell sent no invitation to incumbent John Stoffa, who just happens to be a Democrat.

The Bossman characterizes his action as "a bold statement protesting County Executive John Stoffa’s decisions and lack of leadership within the Democratic Party." What Long fails to understand is that the county executive is elected to lead ALL the people, not just Democrats.

Long also brays, "The County Executive supports Republican candidates for election and has turned his back on his own Party."

Horrors! A county executive who thinks both sides might have good ideas! One who condemns the sleaze campaign run last year by Scissorhands Severson. How terrible!

Thank God for Ann McHale. She and her country club pals are great Democrats and the cash drawer will be wide open for insurance contracts and whatever else they may want.

Party time.

Northampton County Exec Stoffa to Dem Party Boss Long: Step Down

When I checked the usual bills and creditor demands in my mail today, I was stunned to see an hand-written envelope from John Stoffa. He just happens to be Northampton County Executive, our highest ranking Democrat. But this letter was not written on county stationary. It was a plain envelope adorned by one of those home address labels you can get by giving a few bucks to some worthy cause. Stoffa also fixed a stamp on the back of the letter, some gigantic deer drinking water.

Do I owe him money, too? Was he hitting me up for an open space contribution or something?

I carefully inspected and opened the letter, making sure it contains no white powder. I was still stunned by its contents. It's a request from Northampton County's highest ranking Democrat, asking Dem boss Joe Long to step down. Here it is.

Dear Joe;

The time has come for you to resign your post as Chairman of the Northampton County Democratic Party.

Democrats of Northampton County are witnessing:

* a steady decline in the quality of candidates

* a failure to maintain party unity as seen in crumbling local committees, reduced emphasis on consensus-building activities, declining attendance at the annual County Party picnic, and a lack of significant fundraising events

* a lack of a working volunteer recruitment/development program

* primarily inactive local committees

* decreasing effectiveness in recruiting, grooming, and training potential candidates ... suggesting a lack of vision and commitment

* failure to maintain an up-dated website

* your policy of endorsing candidates in the primary election cycle

* your policy of holding party elections before new committee people are officially elected

* lack of a effective, productive Executive Committee

* a lack of support for your leadership among the many locally-elected Democratic officeholders I have consulted

* your silence in the face of such activities as negative and misleading robocalling as well as anonymous mailings which violate Pennsylvania Campaign Law; something good Democrats never support and former leaders such as Marty Bechtel and Gene Hartzell would never have condoned

* your ill-advised use of a political consultant now under investigation by the state Attorney General's office

Northampton County Democrats deserve better leadership -- especially in this most critical election cycle. While I do not dispute your loyalty to Democratic Principles, I am no longer convinced that you are the right person to lead the Northampton County Democratic Party.

Joe, please consider my request that you immediately resign your position as Northampton County Democratic Party Chairperson.

Lots of Empty Seats at Joe Long's Meet and Greet

Northampton Dem Bossman Joe Long hosted a "meet and greet" last night with Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato. Long's entire committee - what's left of them - was ordered to pay homage to a Pittsburgh Dem whose eyes covet the governor's seat. It's no secret that the Lehigh Valley's favorite son, Don Cunningham, is casting his eyes in the same direction. So why would a local party boss oppose a popular homer?

Long has reached across the state to settle some old and mostly imagined scores against Cunningham. Perhaps Cunningham forgot to genuflect last time he saw Long. Only Joe's moustache waxier knows for sure why Long is so annoyed. Don has tried to be nice, and even got Joe some choice tickets to see Bill Clinton last week. I guess they weren't close enough.

Long's decision to work against Cunningham should be a real blow. Let's look at that last election, shall we? Thanks to Long's brilliant campaign strategy of sleaze mailers and anonymous robocalls, two Northampton County Council candidates went down in flames and a third won by only a handful of votes. He indebted the local party $9,000 to a sleazy campaign consultant who has just been charged with terroristic threats, among other things. The one candidate Long failed to help, Steve Barron, won in an upset. Oh yeah, Cunningham aide Levi Price helped Steve in that race.

At tonight's "meet and greet," Northampton County Exec John Stoffa played hooky. Newly elected controller Steve Barron and Attorney General hopeful John Morganelli were also MIA. I was able to reach two local area chairs, and they were unable to make it. One highly placed official confesses, "I honestly forgot about it." Another prominent Dem tells me, "I was out of town."

Clinton campaign coordinator Rob Hopkins was one of about fifteen people who did show up for this event, and he had to be there for those with questions about Hillary. Not counting all the different campaign people, about nine people were there to listen.

As Rob explains this disappointing attendance, it was "certainly not worth a drive across the state."

Such is the mighty power of Bossman Joe Long.

Gubernatorial Hopeful Onorato Booed on Home Turf

Bossman Joe Long, he really knows how to pick 'em, doesn't he?

On Friday, I told you he's actually going to host a "meet and greet" with Gubernatorial Hopeful Dan Onorato late March in Hellertown. Long and Onorato are likely to be the only ones there.

This is a slap across the face of the Lehigh valley's favorite son, Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham, who is seriously considering a run. He's made a difficult job look easy. Onorato, on the other hand, has to run to the eastern part of the state to find someone who won't boo him. Check out this little ditty from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"Steelers fans left no doubt as to how they felt about Mr. Onorato and the new 10 percent alcohol tax he helped put into effect last month. They booed him lustily before he even had a chance to speak, and Mr. Onorato quickly turned over the microphone to B94 radio disc jockey Bubba.

"Mr. Onorato has been taking it on the chin from bar owners and drinkers over the tax, which he implemented along with a $2-a-day car rental tax to generate the county's $30 million subsidy to the Port Authority for mass transit. "

Just when I thought Joe Long had already reached the height of idiocy with his disastrous Northampton County Council races, he surpasses himself yet again.

Wow, Joe, what's your next trick? Can you disappear?

Bossman Long Gets Petty With Cunningham

Back in August, Governor Ed Rendell was telling Tony Iannelli's Business Matters that Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham would make a "fine" governor. He all but endorsed him. And why not? As a mayor, cabinet official and county exec, Cunningham has made things look easy. And his most likely Democratic opponent, Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato, is having trouble managing his own county.

Onorato's controversial ten per cent drink tax is ruining local business. He squabbles with his council over finances, advocates privatization with something as basic as a county park, and unbelievably fired his air quality program manager for being too "slow" in granting permits to some of the largest air polluters in the country. His reassessment scheme has been judicially labeled “arbitrary, unjust, and unreasonably discriminatory". It has driven many residents to relocate to Ohio.

This guy is a Dem?

Yeah, he's a Joe "Bossman Long" Democrat, the kind of guy who buys elections with $1.9 million warchests in simple county exec races.

Amazingly, Bossman Long is actually going to host a "meet and greet" with Ornery Onorato late March in Hellertown. Long has ordered his entire committee - what's left of them - to pay homage to this right wing air polluter. Those who refuse to attend will be dragged out of their beds late at night and shot.

This is Long's way of showing Cunningham who's really boss. Cunningham takes a fairly nonpartisan approach to most issues and is equally comfortable with Dems and Rs. He even sends news releases to bloggers in defiance of a Long order to ignore all bloggers. That drives the Bossman nutz.

So Joe's going to show Don who's boss.

This April, we'll all have a chance to show Joe who's boss.

Angle Kicked Off Radio Show Before it Even Airs

We all have our dreams.

I'd like to be a male exotic dancer. Joe Long would like to be a party boss. And Ron Angle would love to be a shock jock.

If Angle had to choose between his millions and a low-paid radio talk show, he'd be on the air in a heartbeat. He'd even kiss council goodbye for a good radio gig. Occasionally, Angle does get a program, but it never lasts.

Ron was scheduled as a guest on Bruce Davis' local radio talk show today for thirty minutes. Hey, it's not much, but it's something, right? But get this. When Bossman Long found out, he raised holy hell, citing FCC, CIA, and FBI regs. Davis was forced to withdraw his invitation.

Now we all know Angle has been kicked off every AM radio station in a fifty mile radius. But this is a first. Ron was bounced before he even got started.

Ron shouldn't feel bad. Long was so worried about Angle being on WGPA, which has about seven listeners, that he completely missed Angle earlier this week as a guest on Business Matters.

And that's television, baby!

Oopsie! Maybe I can do a pole dance there in a few weeks.

Northampton County Democrats' Finance Report a Sham

Bossman Long has spoken!

In a letter published by the Morning Call today, the Chair of Northampton County's Democratic Committee and Northeast Pennsylvania Caucus takes the editorial board to task for daring to point out dirty electioneering, from his party, directed at His Eminence, Ron Angle.

"This borders on libel and slander," he huffs. "[T]o my knowledge, the Northampton County Democratic Party has not made any so-called negative robocalls."

The Bossman probably penned that little epitstle without knowledge that his protege, John Maher, is now running scared. Yesterday, Maher amended his campaign finance report, and it shows a $4,888.35 in-kind contribution from the local Democratic party for the anonymous, and negative, robo call campaign against Angle.

Instead of bullying the Morning Call, Bossman Long needs to correct the fraudulent campaign finance report his party filed last week. You can check it yourself here. This report shows $1,125 in contributions, all of them under $50, and no expenditures. And that's a sham. Maher's amended campaign finance report, by itself, demonstrates that.

In addition to that in-kind contribution, Maher's finance report, which you can see here, also reveals a $250 contribution to the local Democratic party on October 10. This was sent to 2117 Montgomery Street, which just happens to be Bossman Long's home address. Yet that contribution appears nowhere in the party's report.

Oopsie!

PSEA's finance reports reveal two contributions to Northampton County Dems, totalling $500, made September 11. Those contributions are also missing from the local Dems' filed finance report.

Oopsie!

Branco's finance report reveals a $1,000 expenditure to the local Dems on July 11 for palm cards. Guess what? You got it. That appears nowhere on the local party's filed reports.

By now, it is clear to most of us that a concerted effort is being made to keep the smear campaign against Angle and Ferraro under the radar and off the books. But it's not working. The local party needs to amend its finance report to reflect accurately all the money coming in and going out. Time to fess up.

Norco Dem Party Funding Maher's Sleaze Campaign

As recently as Monday night, John Maher was insisting he had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the smear campaign being directed at his opponent for Northampton County Council, Ron Angle. "I am running a very positive campaign. Someone else in the district has taken up the banner. It's not part of my campaign." So far, nine separate sleaze mailers have been directed at Angle, accusing him of everything, from stealing kids' Halloween candy to devil worship. I've lost count of the number of anonymous robo calls.

Well, guess what? Maher has just amended his campaign finance report to report a $4,888.35 in-kind contribution from the Northampton County Democratic Committee, made on October 20. This in-kind contribution consists of design mailing and introductory phone calls.

Since the reporting cycle ended October 22, the mailers and phone calls that have followed are not included in that report. But reporting laws require contributions of $500 or more must be reported within twenty-four hours after they are made. Angle tells me that, since October 22, three mailers have gone out, blasting him. In addition to that, there have been six evenings of anonymous robo calls. The cost for each of these items is over $500. Yet, no twenty-four hour report has been filed.

Wait, it gets better. Angle tells me Maher has suddenly just remembered that he gave Bossman Long a check for $8,000 so that the local party could run its mailers and anonymous robocalls. What's more, Maher seems to remember that some other Dems kicked in for this, too! Yet for some odd reason, nothing I'm telling you appears on the latest finance report filed by the local Democratic party. That report reveals no expenditures on behalf of anyone. It fails to list Maher's contribution, or those from some other Dems. Maybe Joe Long forgot, too.

We now know what's going on. The local party is running the smear campaign so that machine pols like Maher and his pal, Tony Branco, can claim innocence, pretending they are running "positive" campaigns.

Busted!

Norco Dems Are Having a Picnic!

Northampton County Dems are having a picnic on Sunday, September 23, at the Tri-Boro Sportsman Club (RTE. 329) 21st & Canal Streets in Northampton between noon and 5 PM. Tickets are just $5. All local Democratic candidates will be there.

I've just sent Joe Long an email asking for press credentials. As a member of the press, I should be able to get in for free. Once I get past the bouncer, I'd like to get my hands on some of those raffle tickets.

A bronzed clodhopper with remnants of a gunshot hole ... will mysteriously appear on the doorprize table. Yes, Sam Bennett will be raffled off as part of The Joe Long Shoot Yerself In The Foot Award.

The grand prize? A framed copy of the original "We don't want no steenkin bloggers at a press conference" letter. Imagine - for the price of a raffle ticket, you can own an authentic email typed by the legendary Joe Long!

Maybe Joe will grant me an interview.

Express Times Defends Blogger's Appearance at Norco News Conference

Last week, I attended a John Stoffa news conference. I posted a brief, and factually accurate, story, almost immediately after he announced that the next election will be conducted with lever machines. But I decided to post a second report, the very next day, to explain how I ended up in the county exec's office in the first place. It was pretty much an accident.

This second blog, charitably called "irreverent" by both Blue Coyote and LVPoliblog, is an attempt, good or bad, at gonzo journalism. It is a highly subjective first person account, although my claims about that TV reporter are right on the money, bippy. She's warm for my form.

Can you blame her?

I thought my story might annoy her husband. It didn't, but I still managed to piss someone off - Joe Long. He thinks he's very important. He signs letters like this:

Joe Long, Chair
Northeast Caucus, PA Democratic Party
Northampton County Democratic Party

Impressive, huh? On Saturday, Express Times Editor Joe Owens blogged that Bossman Long "has a target" on my back.

Uh oh.

Well, Long's mostly angry at Stoffa, not me, for "inviting" a "blogger who has no credibility in this county. (Check his record)." Stoffa must "cease and desist."

Is it me? I always thought Democratic party chairs exist to ensure that Democrats seek and retain public office. Does he outrank our Democratic county exec? Where does he get the authority to issue stop orders? Can he impose his union thug notion of government, which consists mostly of threats and decisions made in smoke-filled back rooms, upon democratically elected officials?

Bloggers and Express Times Editor Joe Owens have some answers.

Blue Coyote: "You have no right to demand the public to "cease and desist" asking questions regarding their government. My Northampton County Democratic Party is not the same as your Northampton County Democratic Party! You better stop demanding and start listening to the voters."

LVPoliblog: "The people's business needs to be done in public. We can't exclude people from press conferences, or government meetings for that matter, just because we think we aren't going to like their perspective on it. Whether you agree with those in government or not, you can't issue a proclamation that any dissenting opinions, or in the case of this particular blog post by O'Hare, an irreverent one, be stifled by the subtle but dangerous shadow of government censorship. Trying to control who can come to government gatherings breaks that threshold."

Express Times Editor Joe Owens: "No matter how self-important we news-gatherers may like to be, we're really just information providers. O'Hare is in a similar category, whether Long likes it or not. Unless it's an invitation-only event, O'Hare is free to show up and write whatever he likes, crazy ramblings or not."

Owens does doubt my claim that the TV reporter was eyeing me with bedroom eyes. "The author's mug shot on O'Hare's Web site should settle that argument." That's why he's an editor and I'm a blogger.

I'm very impressed that the MSM would defend a form of alternative media at a news conference, especially when that alternative is me.

Later this week, I'll have a few things to say about Bossman Long and his pals in the local Democratic party. For now, I just want to thank him for increasing public awareness about the blogosphere. Thanks, Bossman!