Northampton County Plans $1.76 Million in CDBG Grants

Last year, Lehigh County's so-called reform Commissioners were reluctant to take $1.4 million in federal CDBG funding at because we owe China money and have a federal deficit. Rather than dirty his hands, Scott Ott abstained from voting on the matter because it's not "morally acceptable" to borrow money from out grandchildren to feed old people. If Ott wants to make that argument, he should run for Congress.

Northampton County Council, in stark contrast to Lehigh County, has no moral qualms at all about feeding the poor. During Tuesday's CDBG presentation, Bob Werner's only wish was that more money could be directed at people instead of roads.

As explained by Community Development Administrator Lori Sywensky, who is among the best public servants you'll ever see, funding for FY 2013 is set at $1,760,000.00. This is for all Northampton County communities except Easton and Bethlehem, which have their own programs.

Where does this money go?

"Lester," who lives in Wind Gap, is one example. He's an 85 year-old vet with an 84 year-old wife whose multiple illnesses prevent her from eating solid food. Lester would go without food to pay for his wife's medicine. After never missing a rent or utility payment at his home, he fell behind so his wife could continue receiving treatment. Thanks to CDBG funding and Northampton County human services, he's now caught up with his monthly bills and is able to stay in his own home.

Sywensky is one of the people who make that happen. Quietly. You will not see her name in the paper too often, but I have personally witnessed her go the extra mile to secure housing for an alcoholic vet just released from jail with no place to stay. It would never have happened without her efforts and without CDBG funding. That vet is graduating from college this year.

This year, Sywensky proposes three funding priorities:

(1) "area benefit" resources to Bangor, Roseto, East bangor, Wind Gap, Walnutport, Northampton, Bath, Wilson, West Easton and Hellertown Boroughs. Each of these nione boroughs his a high prevalence of poverty and taxes there are already above the national median.

(2) Promote affordable housing opportunities.

(3) Improve services to residents by innovation and elimination of duplication.

Norco's Karner, Sywensky, to Lead CACLV Board

Whether Republican or Democrat, every member of Northampton County Council gives high grades to Lori G. Sywensky and Alicia Karner, who represent the Ying and Yang and Community and Economic Development. Lori's specialty is Community Development, knows the ins and outs of state grants, and speaks fluent Bureaucratese. Alicia has even drawn praise from the Northampton County Bulldog for her work in attracting business. They are two of Northampton County's best and brightest.

So it's no surprise to learn that the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley’s Board of Directors has elected Karner as their new President and Sywensky as Treasurer. At their November 17 meeting, they also named Crayola's Stephen Weiss as their VP. Attorney Chris Reid will serve as Secretary.

Three new board members were also installed. Nereida Villanueva, Human Resources Manager at Cintas Corporation, represents Holy Infancy School in south Bethlehem. Seth Moglen, Ph.D., who teaches English at Lehigh University, represents the residents of south Bethlehem. Finally, Holly Krahwinkel represents Easton’s Weed and Seed Program.

Beginning on January 1, the new officers will hold their positions for the 2011 calendar year, and the newly appointed members will each serve a three-year term ending in December 2013.

The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit anti-poverty agency that serves low- to moderate-income people and their communities in the Lehigh Valley. It offers a wide range of programming with the mission of improving the quality of life by building a community in which all people have access to economic opportunity, the ability to pursue that opportunity, and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. CACLV’s programs and subsidiaries include the Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, Sixth Street Shelter, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, Safe Harbor Easton, West Ward Neighborhood Partnership, Energy Partnership, Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown, Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem, Work Ready, and Community Action Financial Services.

I don't have pictures of Lori or Alicia to post. They must be camera shy. So I'll be capturing them both on film in the days to come, even if it costs me my life. Let me tell you, they are too (two) hot tamales and have great judgment, too. They've both rejected me numerous times, even when I tried to pretend I was rich.

Now I see why.

Did I mention that I'm homeless?