LV Tea Party Hosts Debate in Contested State and U.S. House Races.

Tom Carroll acted as moderator

Though every State and U.S. House seat is up this election cycle, only three of them are being contested in the Lehigh Valley in the primary. They are the 131st Pa. Legislative District, currently represented by Justin Simmons; the 183rd Legislative District, being vacated by Julie Harhart; and the 17th Pa. Congressional District, which is served by Matt Cartwright. Last night, the Lehigh Valley Tea Party hosted a debate for the candidates at the Se-Wy-Co Banquet Hall in Lower Saucon Township before a packed and very attentive audience of over 100 people. I've often been critical of the LV Tea Party over the years, but they provided an important public service with this candidates' night, which was moderated by Bethlehem Attorney Tom Carroll.

Over the years, I've attended numerous debates. Usually, the audience consists of the candidates and their campaign volunteers. Very few people come just because they are interested. But the opposite is true with these tea party functions. Though largely conservative or libertarian, most of them are there because they take democracy seriously.

I got there a little early so I had a chance to listen to people talk as patriotic videos were streamed by Tom Campione.

"I'm all about America and Donald Trump is the best bet," I heard one fellow say.

"The question is not whether he's a real Republican but a real conservative," said another.

Though I am regarded as something of a pariah in nearly every political circle, a few people do come up and speak to me. Arlene Klocek talked to me of a friend going through a rough time, and how much she and her group of friends are praying for her

And she is.

She likes Cruz.

So does Dean Browning, who is running for Delegate in the GOP convention.

When the show finally started, Tom Carroll himself noted the energy in the room. "We're a little but angry, but we're engaged," he said.

I'd agree.

In the next few posts, I will give you a blow-by-blow account of the debate, starting with the 131st Simmons Smackdown and ending with the Congressional Clash.

As much as I slam them, the LV Tea party deserves some recognition for hosting these events. More Democrats need to attend their candidates' nights in the Fall.

Republicans To Host Candidates' Night at NCC

Northampton County Republicans will host a Candidates’ Forum and Debate on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020. The meeting room will be at the Gates/Alumni Center (across from the main campus) in room 130. Doors will open at 6:30 and the forum will begin at 7pm.

Though only Republican candidates will be heard, everyone is welcome to attend. This is in stark contrast from similar Democrat candidate nights, in which even the audience is limited to committee members.

One reason for this refreshing transparency is the number of races in Bethlehem Township. In the words of GOP Vice Chair Lee Snover,

"Election excitement is in the air especially in Bethlehem Township. With an unprecedented 8 Republicans running for 3 commissioner positions in the township, this forum will help the voters chose those who truly represent their own views. The forum will include the Bethlehem Township Commissioner races and Northampton County Council Districts 3 and 4.

"The Bethlehem Township candidates for commissioner will have a question and answer session followed by a question and answer session for the contested county council candidates in District 3 and District 4."

"We will also have the Republican Candidate for the Court of Common Pleas, Victor Scomillo, there to address the voters. Please remember this event is limited to candidates who are registered Republicans as this is a primary election event. This is not the forum for cross-filed candidates who are not registered Republicans.

"The mission of the NCRC is to consistently work toward good government for all by promoting the principles of the Republican Party, encouraging open communication with the voters, and encouraging, training, and helping Republican candidates get elected."

As I observed in a post earlier this month, Bethlehem Township is tea party central. Already a Republican stronghold, there is a concentration of tea party members in the first ward. For the most part, these are very decent and likable people. But a small segment, who call themselves RATs (Republican Action Team), are more intent on accumulating power for themselves than in espousing Republican values. They will support Democrats over Republicans who fail their strange loyalty tests.

Some of these RATs hate judicial candidate Vic Scomilio. This is not because of his ties to an ineffectual County Exec like John Brown, which is what troubles most Democrats. They detest Vic because he worked hard to get Jennifer Sletvold, another Republican, elected judge. You see, she was opposed in her primary by RAT Tom Carroll. So Carroll and fellow RATs like Ronnie del Wacko and Tony Simao jumped on the Abe Kassis bandwagon and Carroll even circulated for Abe. This has nothing to do with principle. It has everything to do with power and vindictiveness.

1st Ward

Tom Nolan, an engineer at Lehigh Heavy Forge, has two Republican opponents. One of them is former Commissioner Art Murphy, who works for Selvaggio and Son. The other, Wayne Buller, is definitely a tea party and RAT favorite. Regulars like Ben Hedrick, Andy Azan and Melissa Miller (significant other of NorCo Council member Seth Vaughn) are behind this campaign. Buller works in waste water treatment, so he knows all about shit. Nolan is well known and respected in his ward, but I worry that Art Murphy will siphon off votes that would otherwise go to Nolan, leaving the door wide open for Buller. Is Buller tea party or RAT? I don't know.

3rd Ward

Phil Barnard, Manager at Bay Insulation, has been a moderating influence on the Board. Well-spoken and thoughtful, he really listens to residents and tries very hard to be transparent. He's precisely the kind of guy who Republicans should be embracing and grooming for higher office. I could see him as County Executive or in the State Senate.

Phil two opponents, Republican Fran Blatz and Democrat Kim Jenkins. Blatz, whom I believe to be the tea-party candidate, is listed as the Pro-life leader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Jenkins is the Secretary of the Bethlehem Township Athletic Association, which Barnard has steadfastly supported during his four years as a Commissioner. .

At Large

This morning, someone anonymously taunted incumbent Commish Marty Zawarski, whio's seeking re-election. "Rumor has it that Commish Z is looking down every possible alley for votes. He must be worried." He is, and has every reason to be worried. He is facing challenge by two Republicans, both former Commissioners. They include Paul Weiss and the tea party sponsored candidate, Bob Birk.

To his credit, Zawarski is running hard. That, or unopposed, is the only way to go. Birk, whose ethics statement lists his occupation as "unemployed," obviously has lots of time on his hands to knock on doors. So Zawarski is knocking on doors, too, and has sent out a flier.

As with Nolan, my concern is that paul Weiss is going to take away just enough votes from Zawarski to ensure that Birk wins.

What happens if the RAT coup succeeds?

Several things. You can look to an end to any financial contributions to the Township's athletic organizations. They would look for ways to limit any contribution to the volunteer firefighters. I would expect them to flush the idea of Bulldog bathrooms. Though two union contracts are locked up until 2017, I would expect them to oppose any further wage hikes, especially for nonunion employees. They would likely seek to replace the Solicitor, Manager and Engineer.

There's a RAT or tea party dude running in one of the County Council races, too.

Matt Dietz, a Hayden Phillips protege, is a RAT favorite who just ran for Congress. He is is squaring off against Glenn Geissinger protege Lorin Bradley in the northern tier and slate belt.

There's a contested County Council race in Bethlehem Township, too. John Cusick is attempting a comeback, but Mickey Thompson wants that job.

It would be an ideal night for me. But I'll be covering County Council. There is a lot going on there, too.

Bethlehem Tp is NorCo's Tea Party Central

When Paul Weiss was defeated in Bethlehem Township by Pat Breslin, most of us attributed the loss to developer Abe Atiyeh. It was payback, we thought, for the way the Zoning Hearing Board mishandled his proposed treatment center. But as time has gone by, it has become increasingly apparent that Abe had little or nothing to do with it at all. The reason Breslin won, and the reason why all three incumbent Commissioners are in trouble, comes down to two words. Tea party. Though the Township is already a Republican stronghold, and these incumbents are all Republicans, the local tea party wants to replace them all with people who are more in agreement with their limited government philosophies.

Do I think this is a bad thing? No. It's good to have choices and to have people who take an interest in their government before their government takes an interest in them. What effect this is going to have on this year's elections is anyone's guess.

At Large

Marty Zaworski, the current President of the Board despite being in his first term, is facing a stiff challenge from two former Commissioners. One of these is Paul Weiss, who is being backed by establishment Republicans like Lee Snover. Despite his loss at the hands of Breslin, Weiss has continued to attend meetings and was recently appointed to serve as the Commissioners' eyes and ears at Housenick Park. You might see him hiding behind a tree. The other challenger is Robert Birk, According to his ethics form, he has worked as a security officer. But he lists his occupation as "unemployed."  Birk has from time to time sought an appointment to NorCo Council. I'm not sure whether he has backing from the tea party, but had a slew of signatures.

1st Ward

Tom Nolan, an engineer at Lehigh Heavy Forge, has two Republican opponents as well. One of them is former Commissioner Art Murphy, who works for Selvaggio and Son. The other, Wayne Buller, is definitely a tea party favorite. Regulars like Ben Hedrick, Andy Azan and Melissa Miller (significant other of NorCo Council member Seth Vaughn) are behind this campaign. Buller works in waste water treatment, so he knows all about shit.

3rd Ward

You'd be hard-pressed to find a more likable guy than Phil Barnard, a Manager at Bay Insulation. He listens, too, and has been a moderating influence on the Board. He's got two opponents, Republican Fran Blatz and Democrat Kim Jenkins. Blatz, whom I believe to be the tea-party candidate, is listed as the Pro-life leader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Jenkins is the Secretary of the Bethlehem Township Athletic Association, which Barnard has steadfastly supported during his four years as a Commissioner. .

Another Kidspeace Protest?

Lat Sunday, the Ronnie DelBacco whackos converged at KidsPeace's doorstep in Salisbury Township and made a bunch of already abused children, most of them incidentally American, feel worse about themselves. Are they planning a repeat?

That's what the Lehigh Valley Industrial Workers of the World claims. "Once again, the racist Tea Party and the PA "State Militia" are going to protest again outside of Kidspeace Bethlehem campus (1650 Broadway Bethlehem, PA) this Sunday, July 27th. This Starts at 11am."

The main page of the LV Tea Party web page does contain a message advising of a rally on Sunday, but I think that's from last week. There has been no chatter about any rally this Sunday.