ET's Owens Decries "Double Dip Assault on Open Government"

That's the print copy headline to Joe Owens' Sunday column, and that pretty much says it all. Having been caught red-handed in a clear Right-to-Know Law violation over a note that Council member Tom Dietrich passed to Ann McHale during a public meeting, Council followed that up on Thursday night with a Sunshine Act breach. It directed Solicitor Phil Lauer, behind closed doors, to appeal the matter.

When they spoke to Owens, both Lamont McClure and John Cusick insist there was no formal vote behind closed doors. It's still "official action" and violates the open meetings law. "Official action," as defined by the Sunshine Act, can also include the establishment of policy, recommendations, or decisions on agency business. So a "consensus" directing Lauer to appeal is precisely the kind of action that should take place in public.

This was, as Owens pointed out, a double dip assault on open government. When forced by Ron Angle to vote on what they had already decided to do behind closed doors, the consensus fell apart.

People are willing to do all kinds of things when they don't have to take responsibility. That's what Dietrich thought when he passed a note to Ann McHale in the middle of a meeting accusing Angle and Charles Chrin of bribery. McHale can be seen and heard agreeing with him, too, on the county's video.

Dietrich has had numerous opportunities to share his accusations with the public. In fact, seconds after he passed the note to McHale, they both declined to share it when Angle asked about it. Dietrich hid behind McHale's skirt that night, pretty much like a coward. Since that time, he's refused to man up, and is now hiding behind a lawyer..

Interestingly, I am condemned in all the comments that accompany Joe's column. Of course, they come from people who, like Dietrich, refuse to accept responsibility for what they write. One of them, "lovestokickpigs," is an identity created just today, obviously for the express purpose of bashing me.

What I do know is that I will soon be getting that note, and it will reveal that Dietrich accused both Angle and Charles Chrin of participating in some sort of bribery scheme, and that Ann McHale agreed with him. I'd like to know more about this serious accusation and, of course, the basis for making it.

ET Catches Me Two-Timing Angle

Yes, Joe Owens caught me being nice to Scott Parsons. But that's only because Ron Angle is giving me lessons in civility. Poor Scott should realize his wallet is missing soon.

ET Editor-in-Chief Bullies Poor Little Blogger

I'm currently consulting with several disbarred lawyers to see what legal recourse I have against Express Times Editor-in-Chief and all-around-meanie Joe Owens, who is using his considerable corporate resources to lash out against a poor little blogger.

Me.

Joe, don't you think I have feelings? If you cut me, do I not bleed? I'm just a wreck over a scurrilous blog he's posted about me after our joint appearance on WFMZ-TV 69's Business Matters. I cried in my little pillow all night.

Don't you just hate those attack bloggers?

First, Owens demeans me by posting my picture upside down. Would I ever do something like that to somebody? Have you ever known me to .... never mind.

Second, he insinuates I'm a know-it-all, calling me a "self-appointed expert in all matters media. And Northampton County. And city of Allentown. And Ron Angle's grooming habits. And many more topics." Hey, can I help that? It's a curse. I wish I were a little dumber, I really do.

Third, he claims he got the best of me on Business Matters, which I like to call BM. Not true. I schooled him until we got out into the parking lot.

Finally, he calls me a "menace." Not when I'm on my meds, Joe. Don't judge me, dude.

This is one BM you're gonna' have to see and judge for yourself. I'll post this BM when it airs. If it airs.

Joe Owens For Northampton County Council?

That's Ron Angle's first choice. He thinks Express Times editor Joe Owens, who constantly promotes open and accountable government, would be a perfect fit. When I told Ron most news dudes run from political office like Michael Jackson with his hair on fire, he was unmoved.

"Draft him!" he snarled.

Former county executives Jerry Seyfried and Bill Brackbill are the Bulldog's backups to finish Grube's term. He thinks those two should flip a coin. But Angle told me council would never support them. Brackbill is a Republican. Seyfried, a Democrat, is too damn independent.

In a well-written open letter to Northampton County Council, Forks Township blogger Dave Billings says it best. "This is your chance to appoint a person that is not tied to any political party dogma. Choose a person with an independent spirit who is willing to represent the people of Northampton County - period."

Jim Hickey Talks About Flaming Monkeys Again

"When Flaming Monkeys Fly Out My Ass!"

That's when former Northampton County Director of Administration will run for public office. He also claims Don Cunningham will be the next Guv' and Barack Obama will be the next prez. Finally, he admits the county's 2001 bond was a horrible mistake. "I should have listened to O'Hare and Angle. Those assholes really know what they're talking about. Especially O'Hare"

Doubt me? You can hear the original Miserable Bastard yourself, thanks to Express Times editor Joe Owens and his "Five Questions" segment at Lehigh Valley Live.

I Don't Do School Boards

If nothing else, I've made lots of enemies in two years of blogging. It's a pretty long list and includes Northampton County Council members who exalt partisanship over good government, isolated county judges who think they're frickin' architects, party bosses who think the Lehigh Valley is Tammany Hall, Nazareth residents who hate skateboarders, Allentown mayor Ed "Pay to Play" Pawlowski, LANTA, the state's biggest political consultant (Severson Scissorhands), blue bloods in the Lehigh Valley Partnership, local elections officials and Senator Lisa Boscola.

To borrow a line from another post, "They are unanimous in their hate for me and I welcome their hatred."

I have little to worry about. You see, I have super powers. I recently turned another blogger into a dolphin.

But I'd rather have acid poured down my throat than write about a school board. When people ask me why, I give all kinds of phony baloney reasons. I don't own a home, for one thing. I never went to a public school. I know very little about the goofy laws that apply to them, either.

True, ignorance has never stopped me from covering other topics. But I don't do school boards. Those educational bodies and circus clowns are the two things that scare the hell out of me.

On Tuesday, Express Times editor Joe Owens just wrote a suicide note. His blog completely trashes a ten percent tax hike for Nazareth schools.

"Public education in Pennsylvania is the closest thing to legalized theft in this fair commonwealth. Nepotism is institutional. Entitlement is the anthem. Watching out for self-interest is the mission statement.

"Apathy is the fuel."

Steamin' Joe sounds steamed. But he's right. All attempts to reduce that hike were brushed aside.

Who knows? Maybe the board can use that extra money to pay the legal fees for the assault charges against their newly-hired football coach. When he's done intimidating witnesses, perhaps coach will pay Joe a visit.

What's happening in Nazareth is unfortunately no different than what is happening everywhere. Professionals on boards like the one in Bethlehem regularly make fools of themselves. A $12 million pool in Easton is chump change. Joe's answer is that we need to pay attention. Rightyo, Joe.

But here's the problem. Citizens who pay attention to school boards are treated like wing nuts, even more so than gadflies like me.

Take Nina Malsch, for example. She's a citizen activist who is very involved in the Northampton Area School Board. Years ago, she challenged the campaign finances of school board candidates who used an IU20 school to prepare campaign posters. Because the violations found were only technical, she was ordered to pay most of the cost of an audit in a draconian decision designed to discourage citizens from taking an interest in government.

Undaunted, Malsch challenged bond proceedings when Northampton School District attempted to finance a $59 million school project. Like most citizen activists, she went down in flames again.

She persisted, and eventually, the school board members who wanted to tax and spend were ousted.

I have no opinion whether Malsch is actually right about anything. That's irrelevant to me. She's a citizen who takes her role seriously and has been willing to go toe to toe with people who think they are her betters.

Joe Owens would like Nina. He'd beg her to move to Nazareth. Bill White, however, trashed her yesterday and made this nonpolitican a member of his Hall of Fame. Bill obviously disagrees with most of her views, but she's never brought bolt-cutters to a school board meeting, or engaged in any of the histrionics I see from elected officials in Northampton County on a regular basis.

I usually agree with Bill, but can't help but feel that award was designed to let Nina know she had better learn her place. Government is far too important to let citizens have any meaningful say. Only newspaper columnists are entitled to opinions.

This condescending attitude is completely contrary to Bill's stances on most other issues. Why the inconsistency? Because it's a damn school board. They make us all a little nutz, and I'm already crazy enough.

I don't do school boards.

Hey Tony, Why'd You Give That Money to Mayor Pawlowski?

You gotta' feel sorry for Tony Iannelli. After being nice enough to invite me to appear on his television show, Business Matters, I thanked him by grilling him on his campaign contributions to Allentown Mayor Ed "Pay to Play" Pawlowski.

I don't even think it was that much money. What's more, I actually like Tony and have been a fan of his show for several years. But I am a miserable bastard, and put Tony on the hot seat to give him a taste of what really goes on here in the blogosphere, where there are no sacred cows.

The show will air tonight on Channel 69 at 7:30 PM.

Tony had plenty of people there to put me in my place. Express Times Editor Joe Owens was there, and he describes me with charitable terms like "shameful blogger" and "Northampton County extremist." That's when he's in a good mood.

Unfortunately, Owens was in a bad mood.

Also in the house was Morning Call's state house reporter, John Micek, possibly Pennsylvania's best poliblogger. Micek, incidentally, is pretty much convinced I'm nutz, and spent most of his time there staring at me with his mouth open. But he was still nice to me. Before the show, he even made me a cup of coffee. Former blogger Chris Casey was also a panelist.

We met a cast of colorful characters because several shows were being taped at the same time. Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham dropped by, and had something nice to say to each one of us. But PPL's CEO, James Miller, who was also there, looked like he'd be more comfortable inside a bubble. He clearly disliked being surrounded by such insignificant people, and would not even glance at anyone. He even had a handler (Smithers?) who looked down his nose at us so Miller wouldn't have to do it.

If you have a chance, tune in tonight. Dem bossman Joe Long will love it.

Grube Steps Aside, McHale Steps Up & Angle Steps Out!

"You're late!"

Those were the first words ET Editor Joe Owens growled as I stumbled into Northampton County brand new council chambers for its reorganization Monday night. I came in at the tail end of the Pledge of Allegiance, which everyone was mindlessly mumbling. I quickly slapped my hand over my heart as I looked for a chair, hoping no one would shoot me for being irreverent to the flag.

It was Owens' fault that I was late in the first place. I had just learned he's running for president and that I'm on his election committee. Actually, he's not running for anything. It's his blog. If it wins, I get to be an intern or something. Owens was at the meeting to hustle a few votes before today's New Hampshire primary.

Wrong state, Joe. And he calls me a crazie??

Before last night's meeting, someone posted this comment on my blog. "McHale, the Republicans' favorite Dem next to Stoffa, will be the new Council Prez. Grube will be VP. The Republicans cut the deal with her majesty in case Stoffa doesn't run for re-election. They want her as the Dem. candidate. This boosts her Name and cements her support against the new Council Dems."

That's how it went, too. "With extreme disappointment," Grube acknowledged that physically, he can no longer keep up with with the job. "No one outside realizes how much time a president puts in."

At that point, Grube nominated Ann McHale to take his place as council president. Her nomination was seconded by Lamont McClure, and Peg Ferraro seconded the second to be on the safe side. McHale was unanimously elected as Northampton County's first female council president. No discussion. McHale smiled, and said, "I accept this with pride." That's a far cry from last year, when she was ignominiously shoved aside as council VP for rookie Diane Neiper.

After her election, McHale nominated Wayne Grube to serve as council VP. That nomination was seconded by Charles Dertinger, and once again, Peg Ferraro seconded the second to give things a little bipartisan flavor. Like McHale, Grube was unanimously elected. Again, not a peep in the way of discussion. Ferraro did quietly tell Wayne, "It's been an honor working with you."

Unless that anonymous commenter is the Amazing Kreskin, this was a done deal. Northampton County Council started off the New Year like they do every year - by ignoring the Sunshine Act. It's a tradition. Maybe they should call it the Sunshine Suggestion.

From what I've been able to piece together, Team Dertinger (Dertinger, McClure & Neiper) wanted Neiper to ascend to the throne. But they've been weakened by the loss of Tony Branco, and have alienated both McHale and Grube over the past year.

Republicans control four votes. They could have blocked any Democratic president unless Dems agreed to select a Republican VP. To their credit, they did not play partisan politics, or stopped once Grube indicated he'd be willing to serve as VP.

Good government triumphs over partisan politics! You don't see that every day.

With her election as council president, McHale now assumes formally the role she's already been serving, at least during meetings, for the past two years. Even though she was deposed as VP last year, Grube still relied heavily on McHale, not Neiper, to make sure meetings ran smoothly. And McHale, unlike any other member of council, can control Angle. He simply adores her. Even as she sticks a knife in him and twists it all around, he just smiles.

But last night, Ron was a bad boy. Grube had stepped aside. McHale had stepped up. But Ron actually stepped out! Incensed by the $642 thousand cost for renovations to council chambers, Angle stepped off the dais and instead fumed in the press box, plopping down right between reporters Sarah Cassi and Joe Nixon.

And during the courtesy of the floor, guess who spoke? Bingo!

After establishing that McHale was off on the cost of renovations by a mere $240 thousand, Angle started blowing oil. "I believe in living in the real world. It's the same damn room. The seats are of lesser quality. This $642 thousand, one of the main reasons was the girls needed more room. Now they have less room. I was measuring with my tape today. ... I intend to sit out here in the real world. Pitiful. Pitiful. Pitiful."

About every five minutes, Ron would stand up and blow yet another gasket. "You see those lights? You could get better lights at Home Depot. You could get a nice house and fill it with furniture for $642 thousand."

According to The Express Times' Sarah Cassi, Angle plans to relocate permanently to the press box. "No word yet on what will happen to his nameplate."

In 2001, after a contentious five hour bond hearing, someone actually chucked Angle's nameplate down the hopper. I'm not making this stuff up. The felon was never apprehended, but every county administrator failed several lie detector tests. Fortunately for Ron, Grube dove in and rescued it at the Easton sewage treatment facility.

Update: For more objective accounts of last night's meeting from reporters who actually got to sit right next to Ron, both The Morning Call and Express Times oblige.

Bertsch Bombs, Panto Soars, in Debate at the State

Easton's brightly lit historic State Theatre was the setting for last night's mayoral "Debate at the State," pitting Democrat Sal Panto against Republican Gary Bertsch. The marquee proudly announced the evening's entertainment, and there was the same commotion on the sidewalk outside that you'd see before any of the State's usual shows. But instead of the usual 6' 5" door greeters, I was met by Northampton County Controller candidates Steve Barron and John Schimmel. I hope they weren't expecting a tip.

Once inside this elegant and classy theatre, I was shocked by the number of people. There must have been two hundred. And they were all dressed very nicely. Except for me. I wore a stained polo shirt, smelly sneakers and faded jeans. I spied Express Times reporter Sarah Cassi, and before she could bolt, sat right next to her.

"Hi, Sarah."

Sarah: "Hey."

"Some night, huh?"

Sarah: "Yep."

"Do you come here often?"

Sarah: "Shut up, Bernie."

I forgot to tell you this was an Express Times production. The panel consisted of a reporter and three editors, including Joe Owens. I tried waving at him, but he kept pretending he didn't see me. And, of course, the facilitator was none other than State Theatre executive director Shelley Brown. I'm trying to talk her into replacing those controversial Freddys with the Bloggy Awards.

The first person Shelly introduced? Publisher Martin Till. Holy cannoli! That dude looks just like Daddy Warbucks! Everyone held their breath when he came out, but he didn't fire anyone. He instead threw a few dollar bills into the audience and introduced the candidates, who came from backstage to take separate podiums.

In this show biz setting, you'd think everyone would be on their best behavior, right? Maybe Bertsch could tell a few blue jokes. Maybe Panto could wear a turban and do a few magic tricks. But whatever happened, I didn't expect to see Bertsch go dark. Panto retained his calm, demonstrating what I've known from the moment he announced - he will be Easton's next mayor.

Player Stats

Sal Panto, born and raised in Easton, is clearly the heavy hitter in this mayoral fight. A former Easton teacher, Sal served a solid two terms as mayor about sixteen years ago. In the private sector, he's been the top administrator at Charles Chrin Companies, Coordinated Health Systems and Strausser Enterprises. Proud of his Italian heritage, he even hosted Festa d'Italia on local radio for a number of years, during which he would both play some great music and give a few Roman history lessons.

Let me tell you how I first met Panto. Right after I sued Northampton County over its megabond, we had a little rally at Northampton Community College. There were nearly a hundred of us at that forum, and we were all giving speeches and slapping each other on the back. But there was this guy, in the back of the room, who decided to challenge us all over the funding for the state theatre. He noted all the good that comes out of that nonprofit, like last night's debate.

That was Panto.

One man against one hundred. Maybe he's part Spartan. It was an incredibly gutsy thing to do. He had no press entourage. He wasn't looking for ink. He was just interested in seeing the right thing done, and had enough respect for his fellow citizens to come and talk to them, instead of at them. I felt really bad after we strung him up. Ever since that night, Sal Panto has had my deepest respect.

Although Gary Bertsch has never had the misfortune of meeting me, he has impressive credentials, too. Like Sal, he's a former teacher. But instead of teaching in Easton, he was in Annandale, NJ. He has worked on Wall Street as a corporate recruiter for Ross Perot, and claims to have had a business in the healthcare industry for fifteen years, although he does not name it. He currently manages Easton's West Ward Neighborhood Partnership, something he mentioned at least a gazillion times last night.

I was prepared to like Bertsch, but he blew it when he went dark towards the end of the debate. If he had any shot at winning, he can kiss that goodbye now. "What an asshole!," was one of the comments I heard from this artsy crowd as I fled the building. "Hey Bernie, when you write this up, be sure and say he's an asshole!" Well, I can't do that. I have standards, damn it!

The First Few Innings

Things started quietly enough. Panto and Bertsch politely addressed a few city issues. Panto likes the proposed home rule charter, while Bertsch likes things as they are. "I don't want to experiment. I like the present system."

Asked how they'd increase revenue without simultaneously increasing taxes, Panto said he'd decrease management by 20 per cent in ninety days, would raise the EIT while lowering property taxes that hurt fixed income residents and would support three major downtown developments expected to yield $700 million. In contrast, Bertsch said there will be no downtown development. "I don't see anything going on." He proposed to raise revenue with direct deposit and by cutting the salary and benefits for five council members.

Huh?

With respect to both police and fire departments, Panto insisted both forces must be brought up to full strength. He believes Easton needs at least seventy police officers and would fill the vacancies on the fire department. Bertsch never really answered questions addressed to appropriate staffing.

Panto was at his best when he fielded a question from Joe Owens about Delaware Terrace on Easton's south side. He defended renting to people who can't afford to buy homes. "It's not a gift. It's an opportunity to break off the cycle of poverty." And then he pointed out, with a little pride, "That's where I grew up." Bertsch agreed with Panto.

The Mudslinging Question

Editor Jim Flagg asked the candidates directly about mudslinging. "There has been no mudslinging in this race. Does this mean you are both decent people, or is it that you just don't have enough money to send negative mailers?"

Panto made clear he is running for mayor, and not against Bertsch. "You will not see one negative piece of mail from my campaign." For his part, Bertsch pledged he "will not go negative. That has been a problem in Easton."

Bertsch Goes Negative Immediately After His Pledge

In what has to be a new world record for breaking campaign promises, Bertsch went to the dark side almost immediately.

In his first opportunity to question Panto, Bertsch accused him of strong-arming local merchants to put Panto campaign signs in their shops. A perplexed Panto noted he had a "sign policy" to prevent that possibility.

Steeerike One!

Bertsch then demanded that Panto explain how he could "run for office with a clear conscience," knowing he had destroyed six hundred acres of "pristine farmland" in Forks while working for Strausser Enterprises. Bertsch also suggested that Panto was just running to beef up his pension.

At this point, I started to hear groans. It was the audience or my stomach. Panto calmly answered Bertsch. He pointed out that the six hundred acres had been slotted for 3,200 homes, but that only six hundred homes were built on three hundred acres and that the remaining land was devoted to farming. Panto also explained that he took his pension when he left city hall so he had no pension to beef up.

Strike Two!

Bertsch then swung his third time. In a rambling statement, he told Panto that "Easton's decline began in your administration, blah blah, West Side, blah , blah, West Side."

Panto: "Is that a question?"

"Are you hoping that long-term resident have forgotten your record as mayor and that newer residents won't be aware of what you've done?"

Panto, keeping his cool, answered the question. "I'll stand by my record as mayor. It must have been pretty good because you moved in as an absentee landlord during my administration."

Steeerike Three! You're outa' here, Bertsch.

After these three shots, Panto finally decided to get in a dig of his own. "I wasn't going to ask this question," and then Panto started. He wanted to know these west ward projects that Bertsch brags about could provide grant money for $400,000 homes while people on fixed incomes got nothing, and he wanted to know why Bertsch's group met privately to decide on disbursing state money.

Bertsch denied it was happening.

Panto: "14th & Liberty."

"It's not part of the program."

Panto: "It's on your list."

Bertsch never did answer the question about meeting privately to decide on disbursing state funds. In his closing remarks, a visibly rattled Bertsch told a groaning crowd it's "obvious" he will be the next mayor, and wasted much of his time hurling direct accusations against an unflappable Panto. Bertsch looked like a petty little man. Panto looked like a mayor.

To close the evening, Martin Till popped in after his 'Lil Orphan Annie audition and said, "I'm just glad it didn't get negative."

You can read Sarah Cassi's shorter, and far more objective, report here.

I think Bertsch is still talking at the State.

Update: A raw video feed of this debate, filmed by Channel 69, is located here.

Joe Owens: Good Editor, Lousy Gadfly

Ordinarily, Joseph P. Owens is the hotshot editor in chief of The Express Times, where he routinely converts my very intelligent letters to the editor into paper airplanes.

But guess what?

When Owens returns home from a hard day at work and notices no street lights in his neighborhood, he turns into an amateur gad fly. This summer, he attempted to grill Upper Nazareth Township supervisors, but they left him in the dark. Having no gadfly training, Joe blew it. He forgot a bullhorn and interrupted no one, even though he knows those cat calls really throw elected officials off. He never even tried to get himself forcibly ejected. He circulated no petitions, and failed to form a grass roots group like UNSAFE (Upper Nazareth streetlights are for everyone). He never bothered to wail that supervisors are conducting secret meetings with Nazareth Borough Council or something.

Billy Givens, of course, is the holy terror of local government. He's been thrown out of more public meetings than most of you will ever attend. Even when he sits meekly, you know he's just waiting for the right moment to erupt. Before the Iraq war, during a candlelight vigil, this snarling septuagenarian stepped out into the middle of traffic in downtown Easton with his bullhorn, ready to roll around in the gutter with some musclebound guy who looked very much like a professional wrestler. I was able to talk the guy out of taking a swing, but it cost me. I had to date him. On the bright side, I now get my wrestling tickets free.

Sadly, Joe Owens never really took the time to study Billy's guerrilla politics. So as a gadfly, Joe stinks. To make matters worse, he had to publish a letter to the editor from UNaz Super Joe Emrick, chiding him for his sorry performance.

But Joe is not taking this lying down. No sirree.

Last week, when I told you about Upper Nazareth's first ever web site, he tried to pop on this blog with some pithy shot. But because he's such a lousy gadfly, he couldn't even remember the password.

Here's what he tried to say.

Bernie,
Now that this Web project is over, do you think the citizens in my darkened neighborhood may now get repairs done in the streetlights that have been out for nearly two years?
Nah ... didn't think so.
JPO

Joe, I'm sending Billy to see you, and he won't take No for an answer. Prepare to be enlightened!

Express Times Editor Owens Defends Judge Baratta

On Tuesday, I told you Express Times editor Joe Owens has been in a foul mood ever since his baseball team's failed, for a second year straight, to beat some brownies in Jersey. Well, now he's found someone to pummel.

Me.

Northampton County extremist? A crazie?

He must have heard about my bathroom antics, too.

You can read Joe's strident defense of poor Judge Baratta here.

Thanks ... For Nothing!!

Yesterday's harmless little post about possible county exec candidates resulted in some nasty shots directed at Express Times editor Joe Owens.

"A slave to Joe Owens is worse than the lowest bowels of hell ... not even Stoffa deserves such a fate."

"I really hope you do not schmooze with the likes of an ignorant, pompous, self-important load like owens ... you deserve a better slave master."

I'm already in enough trouble with that guy, thank you very much. Not a good thing with a dude who buys his ink by the barrell.

Honest John Stoffa, who was talking to Owens today, just had to dime me out. Now Owens is demanding a full investigation, the Spanish Inquisition is pounding at my door, and Wayne Grube is slicing my tires again.

"Some might says it's more sex-charged ranting. It's an outrage. Or how would they say it in cyber space ... IT'S AN OUTRAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

I'll make it up to him. I'll do his lawn and snow-shoveling next year, and this time I won't even ask for Italian ice. I just hope he doesn't discover the nasty comments being posted about Deegan.

Nazareth Beware: The Eye of Mordor is Watching!

January 3: Second worst Lehigh Valley local government in 2006? Nazareth Borough council.

January 20: Nazareth school board is tagged for a Sunshine Act violation after an executive session.

January 22:Four different versions of that Nazareth school board exec session, are ridiculed

February 3: Nazareth Borough Municipal Authority Chair Tom Itterly is excoriated because he lives in Allentown instead of Nazareth, as required by the Municipal Authority Act. Solicitor Al Pierce, who also represents Nazareth borough council, presents this brilliant defense. ''Citizen means citizen. Resident doesn't mean citizen. The answer always goes to the dictionary. Look at my hands! How many fingers do you see? Pick a card. Any card."

February 26: Mark Franczak, erstwhile Nazareth District judge candidate, is taunted when it's learned he actually rented a room at the local Y to be considered a resident.

Beginning to see a pattern here? That's right, bippy. The Eye of Mordor , which is what Bill White calls himself these days, has fixed its fiery glare on little Nazareth. Frightening, huh? Officials are headed to the Macungies in droves. I suggested that nickname to Joe Owens, but he claims it's not scary enough. Right now, he's leaning towards Jedi Joe.

Express Times Editor Joe Owens: Don't Peg Me, You Bloghead!

I admit it. I have trouble getting through to most government officials and newspaper reporters. They just don't appreciate my sense of humor. Phone calls are never returned. Emails are jammed by spam filters. But there are a few exceptions like Bill White and John Stoffa. Maybe they feel sorry for me. Another is Joe Owens, the editor at The Express Times.

Like many successful people, Owens has remained incredibly accessible. It's still a little surprising, because the dude is really busy. In addition to his duties as chief editor, he writes an entertaining Sunday column, and has a periodic gig as a talk radio host. Just a few days ago, his "in your face" writing style invaded the blogosphere with daily commentary.

On Wednesday, he got in my face. He nailed me for listing him in my sidebar under mainstream media.

"He should know that I hate labels, and I especially don’t like that one."

Oopsie! Joe, I responded to your complaint immediately. Please don't cancel your subscription.

Express Times Calls Bloggers Rump Scratchers While Morning Call Offers Some Salve

Hold on, folks. It's about to get a bit more bumpy here in the blogosphere.

Express Times editor Joe Owens has a blog. No "how do you do?" from him. He gets right into it, blasting high school kids who drink and drive. I love his "in your face" writing style, which he mixes with large doses of self-deprecating humor. We're all in for a treat.

After reading his Sunday column, I know he must have read some of the millions of posts I've sent his way. He notes many of the blogs he's seen are "rather poor, nothing more than one person verbally scratching his rump with the hope that the rest of the world would find it interesting." Yep, that would be me.

Meanwhile, over at The Morning Call, a kinder and gentler Bill White provides well-deserved praise to Ross Nunamaker and his NewsOverCoffee blog. Ross covers the Nazareth area in more detail than area newspapers. They must appeal to a larger and more diverse audience. Ross fills that gap nicely with lots of straightforward information. Just the facts, ma'am.

I don't know anyone who relies on blogs as gospel. The Express Times and Morning Call, with their excellent reporters, do a fine job of covering news. That cannot be replaced by blogs or local TV news. But I think both Joe and Bill agree than blogs can and do complement mainstream media.

It's a treat to read their blogs. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go scratch my ass.