Mancini Celebrates Win at Detzi's - Leaves No Tip

Jill Mancini was just awarded $94,000 in lost wages on Friday. According to a federal jury, her civil rights were violated when incoming Northampton County Solicitor Vic Scomillio fired her as an Assistant just two days before Christmas. Rather than letting her know in person, he did it over the phone, from his car. I thought that was tacky, especially from a judicial candidate. But Mancini is pretty tacky herself. She proved that last night.

She and Karl Longenbach (her boyfriend and former boss) dropped in at Detzi's Tavern in Wind Gap to celebrate. Naturally, they bumped into Scott Parsons, a Detzi's regular. The three of them ponied up to the bar.

While they dined, Mancini ripped into Brown and Scomillio. She's become bitter.

When their $67 bill came, they paid it. Then they left. Though Mancini was just awarded $94,000, neither she nor Longenbach could be bothered to tip the person who served them.

Maybe they forgot.

12:45 pm Explanation From Barfly: I have received a telephone call from someone who claims he was at the Tavern last night and knows what happened. I'll call him Barfly. He claims that the tab was picked up by a third party, sitting at one of the tables. Longenbach and Mancini left no tip, but the Good Samaritan left money for a tip and paid for their meal and drinks as well.

Karl Longenbach to Resign as NorCo Solicitor

Karl Longenbach Resigns as NorCo Solicitor

Longenbach In the Garden of Beasts

In Northampton County, the County Solicitor serves at the pleasure of the County Executive. Attorney Karl Longenbach was named by Executive John Stoffa as the County's lawyer six years ago, and has been at Stoffa's side ever since.

When Karl decided to run for Judge and was crushed in the Primary, Stoffa still kept him at his side. When Karl supported Scott Parsons for County Council, Stoffa said nothing, even though he had publicly endorsed Angle. After all, Parsons and Longenbach have been friends and golfing buddies for many years. That probably trumps politics. Stoffa even remained silent when Parsons lobbed a few broadsides his way.

But it's hard to ignore Longenbach's decision to attend a Scott Parsons' Election Night victory party. Part of that celebration was video-taped by the Wicked Witch of West Easton, presumably to show everyone a landmark victory. What I saw instead is a return to Reibman-era politics, the very thing that Stoffa has stood against.

On Election Day, Pennsylvania law requires that a County Solicitor be in the elections office between 7 AM and 10 PM, to handle the thorny legal issues that might arise during the day. Northampton County's regularly assigned lawyer was ill that day, so the duty fell on his boss, Karl, who claims he was "thrown in the breach."

My first problem is to wonder how a lawyer who is supposed to be in the elections office until 10 PM, can make it to Detzi's Tavern, a good 45-minutes away from the courthouse. But that's really minor compared to the others revealed in that video.

Celebrants at that party include people like Jack D'Allesandro, Mary Ann Schmoyer, John Mammana and Mario Martinez, who have at times called for Stoffa's recall as County Executive. Every one of them brought a surcharge action against Stoffa, attempting to wax him personally for funds the County spent on the law firm handling Gracedale's sale. A petition for attorney fees is still pending in Commonwealth Court.

Another party animal is none other than the Otter himself, who represents the people seeking surcharges and attorney fees. This cousin of the weasel, festooned in a "Gracedale Goon" pin, has vowed to go after Stoffa again, as soon as the County's 2011 budget has been audited. He has publicly suggested that Stoffa belongs in jail. He could be seen whispering sweet nothings to Assistant Solicitor Jill Mancini.

Mancini, an enthusiastic Parsons' supporter, was so delighted she was giving high fives to Justus James. He just happens to be the AFSCME business agent for a Gracedale bargaining unit, as well as other AFSCME units with County contracts. Mancini is apparently on one of the union negotiation teams.

No conflict of interest there.

In addition to James, Gracedale's AFSCME union prez, Ellen Weiss, was in the house. So was the tattooed dude who serves as a union officer.

Enjoying every moment, clapping his hands in approval, was none other than County Solicitor Karl Longenbach.  Not only was he delighted to see a Stoffa critic elected, but was sharing the moment with a group that has both sued Stoffa and threatened his recall, along with their lawyer. He was also whooping it up with very union that funded the Gracedale referendum campaign.

The one that Karl supposedly opposed in Court.

A County Executive should be able to trust his own lawyer, but how can he when Karl and one of his assistants are yukking it up with the very people who are out to destroy Stoffa?

My concern is that this group, emboldened by this victory, will now become even more arrogant.

History provides an example. When Ambassador Dodd was sent to Germany in the early '30s, he saw the country transform into a Garden of Beasts, especially after a successful referendum on Germany's decision to leave the then League of Nations. There were certainly legitimate problems with Germany's reparations agreement, which was starving the country. But Hitler disingenuously asked Germans to "Vote Yes for Peace." They bought it. Sounded simple. What followed instead were beatings, Himmler, Gestapo, Stormtroopers, Goring, Goebbels, WWII, and the senseless massacre of millions of Jews.

I have no intention or desire to compare the horrors of Nazi Germany with what is slowly happening here, on a local level. But there are some chilling similarities. People of good will can have differing views about Gracedale. But telling people to vote Yes to "Save Gracedale" is just as disingenuous as Hitler's "Vote Yes for Peace."  Just as a group of thugs took over in Nazi Germany, a small group that claims to be "We, the People" has an increasingly long enemies' list. John Stoffa, Barb Thierry, Mike Dowd, Ross Marcus, The Express Times, Wind Gap debate sponsors, Sarah Cassi, Bill White and Bruce Gilbert are all on it, to name a a few.

John Stoffa, a man of integrity, is now regularly called a liar and corrupt. Ron Angle has been literally called Satan. Several times. I have been vilified with some horrible and baseless accusations I decline to repeat here because I'll be dealing with them in another forum. Anybody who even partially agrees with any one of us is immediately castigated.

I am astonished and saddened that Karl Longenbach, one of the finest people I know, would embrace these seriously misguided people and abandon the County Executive. And I am fearful that Northampton County Government is slowly devolving into a Garden of Beasts.

Updated 12:16 PM: I agree that the analogy to The Garden of Beasts is a bit over the top, but am nevertheless deeply disappointed by Karl's behavior. He chose to remain in the company of people who have (1) actively called for Stoffa's ouster; (2) have repeatedly called him a liar and corrupt; and (3) commenced a surcharge action against Stoffa in his personal capacity. In attendance was a lawyer who has publicly stated that Stoffa belongs in jail. Longenbach's assistant was also actively cavorting with the union rep negotiating several county contracts.

While Longenbach may exercise his rights to do what he wants, he knows better than must that actions have consequences. He serves at the pleasure of the Executive, who can exercise his rights, too.

Follow the Money: Northampton County Judicial Race

Unlike other candidates for local office, judicial candidates file their campaign finance reports with the Department of State in Harrisburg. And the apparatchiks who work there post them online so that the public can follow the money.

Eventually.

The whole purpose of these disclosure laws is so we can learn who is supports a candidate before casting a vote. But in the land of midnight payraises, the public's right to know gets little priority. The 2d Friday Pre-Primary campaign finance reports timely filed by Craig Dally, Candy Barr Heimbach, Barb Hollenbach and Jim Narlesky are still unavailable. If time permits, I will get copies and post them here over the weekend so you can follow the money for yourself.

But reports are available for four out of eight contestants. Let me tell you about them.

Koury has accepted no contributions from attorneys.

Michael Koury has told Express Times reporter Sarah Cassi he would decline any contributions from local attorneys. His 2d Friday Pre-Primary Campaign Finance Reports, available online, reveal that he has kept his word.

I was concerned he might funnel money from lawyers into his campaign through some sort of PAC, but his individual and committee reports reveal he is largely self-funded. He has accepted contributions from family and friends. He's also accepted $1,000 from Abe Atiyeh and another $1,000 from Atiyeh's business partner, Ramzi Haddad.

Karl Longenbach Likes El Torero

Karl Longenbach actually has four separate campaign finance reports online, which reveal that he's raised around $21,000 and spent most of it, too. He has dug into his own pocket for at least half of his expenses. Friends, fellow attorneys and co-workers have also made mostly small donations.

If you've driven along Route 22 on the way to Easton from Bethlehem, you've seen a big billboard featuring Karl. I practically drove into a ditch the first time I saw that.

That has cost Karl $6,000.

He's also spent another $1,000 for advertising at El Torero, a Spanish language newspaper very popular in Allentown. But Karl's not running in Allentown.

Sam Murray Getting Grass Roots Support

If campaign finance reports are any indication, Sam Murray is getting lots of grass roots support. His disclosure, available online, reveals that $2,000 of his warchest comes from people making modest contributions under $50. Another $17,775 comes from people contributing less than $250. Sam has also kicked $15,000 of his own money. He's raised nearly $44,000 so far.

Frontrunners Flock to Zito

My grandson is a frontrunner. He likes whatever team happens to be winning. Lenny Zito is the frontrunner. Everyone, including fellow candidates, knows that Lenny Zito will be elected on both ballots to one of the three judicial vacancies on May 19. So it's no great shock to learn that Lenny has been able to raise $80,290. Frontrunner Chrin, who usually waits until after someone is elected before donating, has already kicked in $500. But Lenny's biggest donors are the Perins - Lords of the Slate Belt - who contributed $13,300.

Northampton County Solicitor Joining Judicial Race, Too

Northampton County Solicitor Karl Longenbach, who shunned the Long Democrats this weekend, has reportedly decided to seek a judgeship, too. He wants nothing to do with me. You see, I pretty much lost his judicial quest last time he ran.

You see, I supported him. Here's the sad story, which I've told once before.

Have you ever met Karl? He's about 9 feet tall and weighs about 100 lb. Physically, he's an Abe Lincoln minus the facial hair. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting him, you'll walk away impressed. Right now, he's Northampton County's Solicitor under Exec John Stoffa, who's 10 feet tall and weighs about 90 lb. Another Lincoln.

Me? I'm about 4 feet tall and weigh about 700 lb. unless I can ride my bike and run. In 2005, I had a good thing going. I was able to commute by bike almost daily. Now I could give you all kinds of noble reasons for this -- peak oil, environment, fitness, blah, blah, blah. The simple truth is I love it.

When Karl Longenbach asked me to work in his campaign, I envisaged late-night strategy sessions, speechwriting, and a few dirty tricks here and there. I immediately agreed. Finally, someone had recognized my abundant talents!

Then one day the call came. I rushed over to meet Karl, and was handed about 3,000 signs to plant. Having absolutely no mechanical ability, this presented a problem. First, I had to figure how to put flimsy plastic sleeves over wire hangars. I ruined about 1,000 signs doing that. Then I had to hammer them into the ground. There goes another 1,000 signs. Then I had to hammer them into the ground again whenever winds blew over 3 mph. I ruined nearly every sign he gave me when all was said and done.

But I kept one sign for my bike. I took some clothes hangars and managed to strap the sign to my back as I pedaled to work. On election day, I rode the main roads so that voters could see that Karl was both environmentally friendly and had nothing against fat guys on bikes. I tooled along, waving at the many admirers who blasted their horns. You may say they resented a cyclist clogging up the Lehigh Valley's arteries, but they were obviously signaling support.

Well, I made it to the courthouse, sweating from head to foot, and immediately changed in the men's room, which drives environmentally conscious Long Democrats batty. I hung my wet clothing discretely on my bike, right by the courthouse entrance, and placed this "Longenbach for Judge" sign in plain view on the side of my bike. Every person walking in or out of the courthouse would see it.

The courthouse was busy that day. There must have been a sale on dog licenses or something. But I was happy because I knew a lot of people would see Karl's sign. I was making a difference, baby.

But throughout the day, I noticed people would snicker or give strange looks as I walked past. I had no idea why -- my zipper was up and I wasn't trailing toilet paper. Finally, at the end of the day, a female attorney asked me if I was wearing underwear. Huh?

I went outside and there was the underwear from my bike trip right next to Karl's sign. Apparently, I was less discrete than I had thought. People would walk by, look at my underwear, then Karl's sign, and start laughing. The underwear campaign sign decoration later become the subject of a bar association luncheon, or so I'm told. Contrary to what people now tell me, there were no skid marks!

Election night, Karl lost by a handful of votes. Karl did forgive me, but I had to promise to work for his opponent if he ever runs again. So don't vote for Karl.

Why Karl Longenbach Is Not a Northampton County Judge

He trusted me. It was his sole mistake. But it cost Karl Longenbach a Northampton County judgeship.

Have you ever met Karl? He's about 9 feet tall and weighs about 100 lb. Physically, he's an Abe Lincoln minus the facial hair. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting him, you'll walk away impressed. Right now, he's Northampton County's Solicitor under Exec John Stoffa, who's 10 feet tall and weighs about 90 lb. Another Lincoln.

Me? I'm about 4 feet tall and weigh about 700 lb. unless I can ride my bike and run. Last year, I had a good thing going. I was able to commute by bike almost daily. Now I could give you all kinds of noble reasons for this -- peak oil, environment, fitness, blah, blah, blah. The simple truth is I love it. More about that later.

When Karl Longenbach asked me to work in his campaign, I envisaged late-night strategy sessions, speechwriting, and a few dirty tricks here and there. I immediately agreed. Finally, someone had recognized my abundant talents!

Then one day the call came. I rushed over to meet Karl, and was handed about 3,000 signs to plant. Having absolutely no mechanical ability, this presented a problem. First, I had to figure how to put flimsy plastic sleeves over wire hangars. I ruined about 1,000 signs doing that. Then I had to hammer them into the ground. There goes another 1,000 signs. Then I had to hammer them into the ground again whenever winds blew over 3 mph. I ruined nearly every sign he gave me when all was said and done.

But I kept one sign for my bike. I took some clothes hangars and managed to strap the sign to my back as I pedaled to work. On election day, I rode the main roads so that voters could see that Karl was both environmentally friendly and had nothing against fat guys on bikes. I tooled along, waving at the many admirers who blasted their horns. You may say they resented a cyclist clogging up the Lehigh Valley's arteries, but they were obviously signaling support.

Well, I made it to the courthouse, sweating from head to foot, and immediately changed. I hung my wet clothing discretely on my bike, right by the courthouse entrance, and placed this "Longenbach for Judge" sign in plain view on the side of my bike. Every person walking in or out of the courthouse would see it.

The courthouse was busy that day. There must have been a sale on dog licenses or something. But I was happy because I knew a lot of people must have seen Karl's sign. I was making a difference.

But throughout the day, I noticed people would snicker or give strange looks as I walked past. I had no idea why -- my zipper was up and I wasn't trailing toilet paper. Finally, at the end of the day, a female attorney asked me if I was wearing underwear. Huh?

I went outside and there was the underwear from my bike trip right next to Karl's sign. Apparently, I was not so discrete as I had thought. People would walk by, look at my underwear, then Karl's sign, and start laughing. The underwear campaign sign decoration later become the subject of a bar association luncheon, or so I'm told.

That night, Karl lost the election by a handful of votes. Karl did forgive me, but I had to promise to work for his opponent if he ever runs again.