Michael Schware: Why Did Kevin Easterling Really Resign?

I supported Allentown Recreation Director Kevin Easterling when he applied for a vacancy on Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners. It appears that he's resigned his Allentown position, on the very day he paid the City a small sum of money. Nobody's talking, but it certainly looks like Kevin got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Allentown resident Michael Schware, himself a CPA, believes City Council should be a bit more curious about this personnel matter because it involves a possible embezzlement of City funds.

Members of City Council –

I read in today’s (9/24) Morning Call ... about the Allentown Recreation Director’s abrupt resignation. The article also mentions that on the same day that the former Director resigned, a bill for $1,326 was issued by the city and paid by the former director.

I am writing because it is evident from the quotes from City Council members, that Council members have not been given adequate details about the incident. Alarmingly, there is apparently little interest among Council members to investigate the matter further.

I understand that the reason for the Recreation Director’s resignation is a personnel matter and is not disclosed. However, I believe the circumstances stated in today’s article would lead any reasonable person to wonder why the resignation was so abrupt, why there was a payment made to the city, and if there was any misappropriation of city funds.

Those questions are certainly within the jurisdiction and duty of city council. This overrides any personnel concerns. I hope that city council will quickly take up the matter, conduct an open investigation, and make sure those findings are available to the public.

Taxpayers deserve to know that the city is adequately safeguarding their funds. Taxpayers also deserve to know that if wrongdoing is committed by members of city government, that such incidents are properly reported to the appropriate authorities. Again, it is City Council’s duty to find the answers to those questions and to report those findings to the public.

Updated 12:15 PM: Right after hitting the PUBLISH POST button, I saw tat Jarrett Renshaw has this story covered at Valley 610.

Will Kevin Easterling Be Lehigh County's First Black Commissioner?

When Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners met late last month, a tearful Kurt Derr shocked all present when he announced his resignation as District Three's representative, which includes Allentown's East Side. Derr is moving out of the area. Every one of Derr's colleagues, Democrat and Republican alike, expressed sorrow at his sudden departure. Chairman Percy Dougherty called it a "great loss. I'm really going to miss you."

Commissioners have just forty-five days to appoint Derr's Democratic successor. According to The Morning Call, the deadline for applicants is Monday. One of them will be Lehigh Valley native Kevin Easterling, who currently serves as Allentown's Superintendent of Recreation.

In the last municipal election, Easterling finished seventh out of eight in a race for four at-large commissioner seats. But in District Three (Allentown 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th 19th wards, Catasaqua and Hanover), the only candidate with more votes than Easterling was Gloria L. Hamm. Here's the actual breakdown: Gloria L Hamm - 3358 votes; Kevin Easterling - 2988 votes; Bill Leiner, Jr. - 2932 votes; Rich Gawlick - 2870 votes; Andy Roman - 2194 votes; Dean N Browning - 2193 votes; Roger C. Reiss - 1780 votes; and Brent Labenberg - 1718 votes. Easterling's vote total in his own district is higher than three of the four commissioners who were eventually elected.

Undaunted by defeat, Kevin in February entered the blogosphere with the Lehigh Valley Black News Network, which contains information and events related specifically to the Lehigh Valley's black culture. Kevin is himself a victim of Allentown's not so distant discriminatory past.

I could fill you in on how the City's red lining laws prohibited Blacks from purchasing property beyond that point in the City. At that time, you had 90% of the Blacks who lived in Allentown living in that area. That was the Black neighborhood by design. You think the LANTA thing was an issue, it was nothing compared to some of the practices that this City used to do in those days. When I first moved here to Allentown (from Bethlehem's South Side) they still had ‘Racial BUSING’. Do you know what that is? I lived on 5th & Union streets in Allentown (moved here in early 70’s) while in 3rd grade. It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to school because I had to attend Lehigh Parkway Elementary school to make a school quota of minorities. We only had one bus in the entire ASD that gave rides to ALL minority students, so we picked up every Latino and Black student on one Bus and took all of them to various schools in the District. We were not allowed to ride on any other school bus.

If appointed, Kevin will the the first African American ever to have served as a Lehigh County commissioner. In addition to his work with the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, Kevin is a founder of the Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley, which has promoted youth basketball in Allentown since 1994.

As the second highest vote getter in District Three, Kevin deserves this appointment. As of late Friday, there were no other applicants. Things are looking good for the former third grader who used to spend two and a half hours on the bus every day.

Kevin Easterling: a Heart for Lehigh County Commissioners

Lehigh County voters will select four at-large county commissioners on November 6. As explained on the county web page, "The Board of Commissioners is the legislative branch of County government and has all the legislative powers that may be exercised by the County under the Constitution, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Lehigh County Home Rule Charter. Some of the Board's powers are: to enact, amend or repeal ordinances, resolutions, and motions; to make appropriations; to incur indebtedness; to adopt the budget; to levy taxes, assessments and service charges; and to adopt the Administrative Code and the Personnel Code."

I've already told you I like Dean Browning, whose financial prowess will be a real asset to Lehigh County Exec Cunningham. He brings the brains. But who brings the heart? That's where I think Allentown-born Kevin Easterling can make a difference. In addition to his work with the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, he is the founder of the Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley, which has promoted youth basketball in Allentown since 1994. Today, I received one of his emails, and thought I'd share it with you.

As you may have heard, or maybe even seen a sign or two, I have chosen to seek a seat as your Lehigh County Commissioner. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and what I believe to be important issues to Lehigh County.

My involvement in various aspects of business, non-profit Human Services and Philanthropy over the last 19 years has been very rewarding. The idea of me embarking on a campaign to be elected Lehigh County Commissioner at Large however has not been a life-long dream of mine. To be real honest, I'm still not quite sure what inspired me to seek this election, other than the fact that I feel I have much to offer in regards to governing our county. I can say the experience and knowledge I have gained in seeking this public seat over the last 9 months has been remarkable. Compounded by the many wonderful people I have met and or gotten reacquainted with has been a refreshing period for me in my life. I've been introduced to a whole new community of people who give of their time, money and skills. To all of you I say thank you!!!

My quest to be your Lehigh County Commissioner has broadened my awareness of why we need to treasure our inalienable voting right as US citizens. We must participate in our political process and give of ourselves, our time and attention to elect those who have the people's best interest in mind. Lehigh County taxpayers and residents need a commissioner with the knowledge and understanding of governing with a broad mind and a clear understanding of the issues. Over the next two weeks, I'd like you to give me the opportunity to tell you why I am that person.