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.
