State House Candidate Leslie Altieri Four Years Behind On Home Mortgage

Credit: Leslie Altieri Facebook page.
Marcia is on the left and Leslie is on the right

Leslie Altieri is the Democratic nominee for the state house seat currently held by Republican Marcia Hahn. She ran two years ago, too.  She has failed to make a mortgage payment in four years, something I discovered when she was in court just yesterday to battle a foreclosure action filed by her bank. Is this because she's unable to manage her own finances? Or is she just another victim of the Great Recession?

I can tell you she spent a lot of money for her Bethlehem Township Toll Brothers McMansion. She paid $552,758 for this home in 2004, just two years after graduating from college.  Why a bank lent that kind of money to someone who works as a juvenile officer and a home jewelry salesperson is beyond me.

In 2011, she took out a $300,000 mortgage, but fell behind almost immediately. She and her husband, who is blind, did send three hardship letters to the bank. Last year, Judge Leonard Zito ruled that the bank has an equitable lien against both her and her husband, who did not sign the mortgage.

"Our family is going through a difficult personal financial situation," explains Altieri in a statement she emailed to me last night. "This is an issue that far too many in Pennsylvania face everyday because of the downturn in the economy and the inability of our leaders in Harrisburg to lead us out of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. This is one of the reasons I am running for State Representative and I will bring real leadership back to Harrisburg if I receive the honor of representing the 138th District."

Right after that, I got another email. It was from political consultant Mike Fleck to Leslie, and he copied me accidentally.

Oopsie.

He advises Leslie, "Looksgood wait and seewhat he says. Good night and good luck."

Hmmmm.

If her financial difficulties were one of the reasons for her race, I'd expect to see that prominently featured on her campaign literature. It's not. Not too many people campaign on a slogan like "Vote for me, I'm behind on my mortgage!"

I'm not so sure voters will buy the Mike Fleck-inspired argument that our leaders in Harrisburg are responsible for her failure to make her monthly payments. On the other hand, I think there's something to be said for a representative who knows what it is like to go through a financial crisis.

I'm sorry for your financial problems, Leslie, and even more sorry that I feel compelled to report it. But I think voters have a right to know.

Marcia Hahn To Host Vet Expo on Friday

In view of what is going on with our veterans, I thought I'd share this with you. I realize Hahn is running for re-election, and is using taxpayer resources, but I think we need more of these. I suspect her opponent, Leslie Altieri, would want this held.

NorCo Dem Boss Walt Garvin Makes Republicans Emrick, Hahn, Look Good

Incumbents Marcia Hahn and Joe Emrick

The undercard for the big Presidential debate last night was a state house debate for the 137th and 138th legislative district seats currently held by Republicans Joe Emrick and Marcia Hahn, hosted by the Northampton - Monroe County Farm Bureau. I thought Emrick and Hahn were running against Joe Capozzolo and Leslie Altieri. Somebody should tell Northampton County Boss Man Walt Garvin. He was among the 25 or so people there, and posed a rambling and argumentative question, supposedly about partisanship, that made Emrick and Hahn look pretty good, while Garvin looked petty. In the process of doing so, he hurt the real challengers, who were doing just fine without his "help."

You can see the video here.

I gotta' tell you that I was about 15 minutes late. I always get lost on the roads around St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Plainfield Township. But I arrived just in time for the Walt Gravin show. His ranted about partisanship, fracking, voter ID and education cuts for over two minutes, refusing to allow any of the actual candidates to respond to his tirade.

"Is this the Walt Garvin show or is this a state house candidate debate?" I finally asked. The moderator then shut Garvin down. But the damage had been done. Garvin had just opened up a door that both Emrick and Hahn could drive through with a Mack truck.

Hahn was able to defend her own record.

"I was called to task with one of the newspapers even though I voted against the Congressional redistricting plan and went with the Democrats. I was still chided for it because they said, 'Oh, well, they gave me a bye.' Well, if you were there, and you would know how it worked, we didn't get a bye.

Emrick got in the best shots.

Challengers Leslie Altieri & Joe Capozzolo

"Thank you for demonstrating partisanship," he told Garvin. He could have ended it right there. But he instead corrected the party boss on his education claims.

"The reason that Republicans swept the state, to a large degree, is because they got sick and tired of the people in office, especially Ed Rendell, who increased spending 40% over 8 years, $8 billion, didn't out a dime in the transportation funding, we still face a $3.5 billion transportation shortfall. Mr. Rendell also took $4 billion in federal stimulus money, which is where that budget gap came from that we had to close. While he was taking a two year revenue stream of federal stimulus money that was supposed to be for shovel ready job creation, he was gutting the state's contribution to K-12 basic education, backfilling it with federal stiulus money that they knew was going to disappear in two years, the day he left office. So we come into office with a billion dollar gap in basic K-12 education finding.

"We had to back fill as much of that money as we could, knowing that we're in the heart of a brutal recession. ...

"How irresponsible was that? How do you spend $8 billion and not address the transportation needs of the state? So you want to know why the Democrats were swept out of office?"

Garvin: "No. That was not my question. That was not my question."

Emrick: "You don't have a question."

Joe Cap tried to deflect the damage Garvin had done.

"I don't really know what your question was, Walt," he said, as everyone started laughing. Cap pointed out that he has a history of bipartisanship. "I don't think either party is always right or the other arty is always wrong, he said, noting that his own family is split between the two major parties.

But after the debate, Cap was a little worried that Democratic photographer Michael Laws would snap a picture of him talking to me.

Leslie Altieri pledged she would be bipartisan, but unlike Cap, has no record of it one way or the other. She did agree that her opponent, Marcia Hahn, voted about redistricting,. But Leslie also pointed out that Hahn agreed to send the measure to the House floor.

Garvin? He took off. After his failed attempt to monopolize the dialogue, he lacked the courtesy to stick around and actually listen to what was being said.

Maybe he was giving Obama advice.

Then Joe Cap and Joe Emrick demonstrated their bipartisanship with this little exchange about Voter ID ... in Klingon.

Alrighty then.

Then they all agreed they love farmland preservation and oppose Sunday hunting.

Emrick and Hahan both support reforming prevailing wage laws, with Emricjk adding it would result in lower bids. Altieri is opposed to this, while Cap said he needs to study the issue.

Updated Wednesday, Midnight: Removed the videos and replaced them with links because they awere causing problems for some readers.

Leslie Altieri Attacks Marcia Hahn Over Sandusky Investigation

Marcia Hahn

The Sandusy investigation?

That's right. In a news release, State House candidate Leslie Altieri has essentially called her opponent, incumbent State Rep Marcia Hahn, a pedophile enabler. Them's fightin' words. Here's her news release.

On Wednesday, October 3, 2012, Marcia Hahn and fellow House Republicans walked out while the house was still in session when House Resolution 520, which requests the US Attorney General to investigate whether or not there were Federal Violations associated with the Jerry Sandusky case
.
This week, representatives twice tried to bring the Resolution for a roll call vote, and twice Marcia Hahn wouldn’t stand up and let a full investigation be held. Then, in a bold move, Marcia Hahn voted to cut this legislative session short by 2 days in a procedural loophole that prohibits the discharge of resolutions within 6 days of the end of a legislative session, ending the possibility of a federal investigation into the Jerry Sandusky case.

Marcia Hahn this year has cut funding to Veteran’s services, cut $900 Million from education in 2011 then made further cuts in 2012 which has continually raised our property taxes and eliminated programs like cash assistance for our most vulnerable citizens and HEMAP for people to stay in their homes. These are programs that assist families in our community that need the most help. Hahn also voted for salary increases both years she was in session. Now, Marcia Hahn is cutting justice for the victims of the Sandusky case.

Leslie Altieri, a resident of Bethlehem Township, is challenging Hahn for the 138th House District because the education of our children and their safety must be our number one priority. When representing our district, Hahn’s partisan politics and corporate interests are ultimately hurting our veterans, fixed income seniors and working families. Property taxes have increased, our children’s education is suffering due to gutting of our public schools, and now one of the highest-profile child abuse cases won’t get an independent federal investigation.

“I was willing to give Marcia Hahn the benefit of the doubt because people believe she is a nice person - however how nice is it to the constituents of our district when she votes against our best interests “.

Apparently, House Republicans did scatter when State Rep. Anthony DeLuca called for a vote on the appointment of a lawyer to determine whether the Sandusky saga might have included violations of federal law.

That could be because we already have federal lawyers to do that sort of thing. They're called United States Attorneys. They need no House Resolution to investigate possible federal violations.

Right before an election, this seems politically contrived.

But instead of running, Republicans should explain why they did what they did. I have forwarded this news release to Rep. Hahn, and will publish any reply I receive.

State Reps Joe Emrick and Marcia Hahn Schedule a Debate

The Northampton-Monroe County Farm Bureau invites you to attend a "candidates' night for the 137th and 138th Legislative Districts on Monday, October 22, 2012, at 7:30 pm.

It will take place at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1422 Church Road, Pen Argyl, Pa. 18072. (if using a GPS use 1422 Delabole Road for the address).

This will feature 137th Legislative District candidates Joe Emrick (incumbent) and Joseph Capozzolo; and 138th Legislative District candidates Marcia Hahn (incumbent)and Leslie Altieri.

There was supposed to be a debate in Wind Gap last week, but only Joe Cap and Leslie Altieri showed. Emrick and Hahn told The Express Times they had given several weeks' notice of their unavailability, but Joe Cap nevertheless called Emrick a chicken.

They can argue whether the chicken or the egg should come first, or they might explain why Executive John Stoffa claims the legislature has done NOTHING to help county-owned nursing homes like Gracedale.

NIZ Becomes Issue in Hahn-Altieri Race

Hahn with Judge Smith on Armed Forces Day (nonpolitical)

State Rep. Marcia Hahn, whose District includes Hanover Township, is one of the Lehigh Valley legislators who wants the NIZ law changed. Its most controversial provision allows Allentown to divert the EIT of workers inside the NIZ to help fund a hockey arena and other projects. Hahn, along with her fellow LV Republicans, wants that provision eliminated.

Hahn's opponent in this Fall's election is Leslie Altieri.

In contrast to Hahn, Altieri appears to support a diversion of Township EIT to pay for development in Allentown. Like Hahn, she opposes payday loans.

Altieri at state budget forum

Q. Do you support Township efforts to stop the EIT diversion and, if elected, would you attempt to repeal the EIT tax grab? Also, are you really willing to support a NIZ that will attempt to poach businesses right out of your district and into Allentown? Wouldn't it make more sense to require that business moving into the NIZ be outside a predetermined radius of 25-30 miles from A-town?

A. I am reluctant to comment on the NIZ, since it is currently under legal action. However, I will say that I generally support taxpayers financing development to boost Allentown, and therefore the entire Lehigh Valley. The City of Bethlehem has used a lot of taxpayer financing to recover from the loss of Bethlehem Steel.

Q. How do you stand on the legislation concerning payday lending, which seems to
have the support of NIZ cheerleaders Pat Browne and Jenn Mann?

A. Payday lenders prey upon those who are struggling the most. Interest rates can be so high that they’d make a loan shark blush. Instead of passing regulations so weak as to barely exist, we should be creating good jobs across the Commonwealth so that these payday loans are not needed.

Altieri Flip Flops on NIZ

Leslie Altieri is seeking the Democratic nomination to oppose Marcia hahn for State Representative. When I spoke to her at Friday's forum on the state budget, she was critical of Hahan's 2011 vote for the NIZ. "Altieri was also critical of the NIZ legislation, which Hahn supported in a 2011 vote.

"We don't need to make those investments if it's taking away from other people who directly need our help now," Altieri said at the time. In fact, I recorded her to make sure I would not misquote her.

Now, according to what is apparently a public statement on her Facebook Page, Altieri claims she supports the NIZ.

"I would like to take this opportunity to state that I am in full support of the development of the Neighborhood Improvement Zone in Allentown which will include the new Phantom’s hockey arena. I believe that this will promote job and business growth in the Lehigh Valley – starting from the construction which will employ many skilled and outstanding union workers, to bringing in many new businesses which will hire local employees and create significant positive financial impacts.

"The NIZ is a permanent investment in the future of both the Lehigh Valley and for Allentown. Since the time when I first moved to Bethlehem back in 1998 to attend Moravian College, I have seen a lot of positive changes and know this is an area that is continuing to expand for the better. I knew that this was a place where I would want to stay, have a home to raise a family in, work and become part of my community; which is what I am proud to be doing now!"

So a vote for Altieri is a vote for the NIZ, a vote to support the appropriation of EIT revenue from her own district to prop up the sinking ship known as Allentown.

Then again, a vote for Hahn is also a vote for the NIZ.

In Altieri's case, she seems to like those union construction jobs, even though limited state tax revenue is being dverted from the programs she claimed to support on Friday. In Hahn's case, it appears to be an unwillingness to oppose State Senator Pat Browne, the Majority Whip. In both cases, it's a lack of leadership.

Updated Noon: Altieri's NIZ answer is posted on Youtube. I taped her on my flipcam to be accurate. I should have spoken to her in more detail, but she said what she said.

Altieri Criticizes Hahn's Absence, NIZ Vote

Leslie Altieri

State Reps. Marcia Hahn and Julie Harhart were unable to attend Friday's state budget forum. That's unfortunate, because they missed an opportunity to hear from the very real people directly impacted by Governer Corbett's proposed 20% cut to county human service programs. But two people who would like their jobs were there.

Leslie Altieri, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to oppose Hahn, said, "It's important to come out and hear the concerns of your constituents and their stories so you can actively represent them when you go back to Harrisburg. Her [Hahn's] decision not to attend today just shows that she's supporting the Republican Corbett budget, and will vote to cut all these essential social service programs."

Altieri was also critical of the NIZ legislation, which Hahn supported in a 2011 vote. "We don't need to make those investments if it's taking away from other people who directly need our help now."

Hahn stated she was unable to attend Friday's forum because she had other appointments that day. "I am always willing to meet with constituents and discuss their concerns," she said. She offered no explanation for failing to send a staffer.

Hahn has previously said she supported the NIZ legislation, under which EIT from other municipalities can be used to finance improvements in Allentown, because it can only go on for thirty years.