Ron Beitler, A Thinking Conservative, Self-Limits Campaign Contributions to $75

Some of you may think that the term "thinking conservative" is an oxymoron, but the Lehigh Valley has a large number of these. Ron Beitler is certainly at their forefront. He's running for re-election a Lower Macungie Commissioner. I disgaree with his Township's refusal to pay for its own police coverage, but find he is one of those rare public servants who is transparent and accountable. His informative blog belies a passion for his community and is itself a public service. At the risk of giving him the kiss of death, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat if I could.

Local campaign finance reform is currently in vogue. Beitler has decided to enact it on himself:    

"I decided to limit donations to 75 dollars or less per person, PAC or entity. I knew this would make raising the 1750-2000 needed to run an informative campaign in our large township more difficult - but, it's the right thing to do. Money in politics and even the perception of money in politics is one of the major problems we have at all levels of government. By self capping the amount of donations we eliminate that perception.

***
"As soon as I raise the amount I need to fund this campaign - I stop. Note: I don't believe elected officials should carry large campaign balances, you should raise the money for the election in front of you and that's it. If you get elected then you focus on the position you have. Not endless fundraising for another position."

On my blog, he recently posted this interesting comment about Trumpism.

"I'm really glad the theme of actually being or significantly influenced by conservative VALUES/PRINCIPLES vs. being a "click bait anti liberal" is catching on in the conservative press. (As in the actual conservative press not the click bait propaganda machine)

"This is an important distinction as it defines the trump era. Many conservatives disdain trump but held nose and supported him because of SCOTUS or some "lesser of two evils" argument. (Which to his credit trump delivered a shockingly excellent SCOTUS choice in Judge Gorsuch - Now, more so a credit to the conservative judicial watchdog groups that drafted the original lists and Trump sticking to those lists than trumps actual judgment.)

"Folks did this because they stand for something they believe is important. They often are but are not always 'movement conservatives.'

"The 'alt right - click bait - anti left' in contrast really isn't anchored by discernible principles or values at all. It's the trumpian populist movement that trump masterfully cultivated. These folks are mostly driven by a team sports or mob mentality where anything "anti left/anti liberal" be it real or too often completely made up is inherently good. They do what they do (obsessively) out being against something not often enough ever being FOR something.

"The team sports analogy is perfect. So I'm an Eagles fan of the bleed green variety. We pride ourselves in rooting for the team thick or thin. Perfectly appropriate attitude for a sports team. But not for politics. The "click bait anti left" is far too willing to blindly ignore Trumps many many severe flaws. And Trump masterfully gives them fodder to ignore the problems with his "fake news" fantasy. I contend that trump populism actually hurts movement conservatism. Conservatives should be winning hearts and minds with our ideas. Not by engaging in the very same kind of identity politics that the alt left does.

"These are, and will remain.... interesting times. Trump is a bull in a China shop".

Examples of this team sports or mob mentality are now abundant in the comments section of the Molovinsly Tabernacle Choir  People like Scott Armstrong, who I one time thought of as at least a thinker, is a perfect example of Beitler's team sports analogy.

If you'd like to contribute to Ron, checks can be made out and mailed to:
Elect Ron Beiter (must be made out to this specifically)
5540 Lower Macungie Rd.
Macungie, PA
18062

Beitler Explains Lower Mac's Low Taxes

In an informative post, Lower Macungie Commissioner explains how real estate taxes work in Lower Macungie. Basically, if your home is assessed at or below $111,300, you pay nothing. By his estimation, this means that about 1,000 households are tax free. The millage rate for homes that are valued higher is just 0.50, which is the fifth lowest municipal millage rate.

Although this is a remarkable achievement, my criticism (Yes, I complain about everything!) is that taxpayers throughout the rest of the state, including Allentown, are subsidizing the Township's police coverage. The Township depends on Pennsylvania State Police. But Ron has an answer for that, too, based on a 2013 police study. "The 'bottom line' is largely unchanged from previous police services studies. Lower Macungie Township has a low crime rate and a relatively low demand for police service, in spite of significant population growth and proximity to Pennsylvania’s third largest city."

Eichenwald Joins Mazziotti's Pay-to-Play Push Back

Jeanette Eichenwald and Vic Mazziotti

Earlier this week, I told you that Commissioner Vic Mazziotti is introducing a pay-to-play ban in Lehigh County. He introduced his legislation on Wednesday night, and is "confident" that it will pass. With some luck, it might even spread. Jeanette Eichenwald, an Allentown City Council member whom I like to call the Iron Lady because of her firm resolve, read over Mazziotti's outline, liked what she saw and intends to introduce it in Allentown. She was in Lehigh County's audience on Wednesday when Mazziotti made his pitch. And Vic will be sitting with the unwashed masses when Eichenwald presents this ban to Pawlowski's Puppets next week.

Democrat Eichenwald and Republican Mazziotti stood together yesterday outside the Lehigh County government center, to discuss their proposal. From a few floors above, I was sure Executive Tom Muller might drop a few water balloons, especially since I was there. But he spared us. For all I know, he might even agree with this proposal.

Mazziotti stated that, in reaction to what appears to be an intensive federal pay-to-play practices, he has been approached by many members of the public who are "sick," "amazed" and "distraught." He explained that they "look for elected officials to respond. They're tired of hearing crickets." Hence his legislation.

For her part, Eichenwald stated she is "honored" to be part of a solution "that transcends party affiliation." Se called it a Win, Win, Win. Vendors would win because they no longer will fell obligated to make contributions as a cost of doing business. Citizens will win because they will see better goods and services. Elected officials will win because they can concentrate on good government.

Of course, this law can be avoided by funneling money to a few PACs and letting them make the contributions. Mazziotti agreed, but added, "There's a way around just about every law out there."

Both Eichenwald and Mazziotti would like to see a statewide solution, but Mazziotti stated that people want action now. Eichenwald stressed that the ban being proposed survived a court challenge in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court  They both argued that doing nothing is no longer an option.

Mazziotti, a sometimes fire-breathing conservative, quoted from John F. Kennedy. "The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality." Kennedy was referring to Dante's Inferno, in which Dante passes by a group of dead souls meandering outside the gates of Hell. They are barred from entering either heaven or Hell because they never chose sides, making them distasteful to both God and Satan.

Mike Schware, a Lehigh County Commissioner like Mazziotti, appears to have taken a side.

Ron Beitler, a Lower Macungie Commissioner who I finally had the privilege to meet, was also at the news conference. He is considering similar legislation in his Township.

This legislation has also made its east of Route 33 and is being considered by several members of NorCo Council. There are even some members of the business community who are considering a pledge to curtail the amounts of money currently being poured into political coffers.

But some refuse to take sides. Despite an invitation from Eichenwald, no other member of Allentown City Council attended the news conference. Are they the lost souls mentioned by Virgil?

And he to me: "This miserable way
is taken by the sorry souls of those
who lived without disgrace and without praise.
They now commingle with the coward angels,
the company of those who were not rebels
nor faithful to their God, but stood apart.
The heavens, that their beauty not be lessened,
have cast them out, nor will deep Hell receive them -
even the wicked cannot glory in them."

Updated 10 am: Hozza also takes aim at pay to play, as reported in The Whitehall-Coplay Press. The Morning Call reports what could only be called tepid support from Pawlowski's Puppets. One member, Daryl Hendricks, ridiculously suggests it could interfere with the federal investigation.

Lower Mac Supervisor Explains Facebook Page Objection

Yesterday, I told you that Lower Macungie's Environmental Advisory Council, a group of volunteers has been asked to take down its Facebook page. This appears to be overkill, but Lower Macungie Commissioner Brian Higgins contacted me with his point of view. He has kindly agreed to allow me to publish his thoughts.

I read your post about the EAC [Environmental Advisory Council] Facebook page and I did want to give you some more information about this issue. I am the chair of the Gen Ad Committee and this subject was discussed as part of our agenda last Thursday. It was brought to our attention that the EAC had created a Facebook page without notifying the township or asking for permission to do so. That brought up the discussion about a need for a policy on communication by advisory committees and their use of social media. The Gen Ad Committee recommended to the full [Board of Commissioners] BOC that they authorize the Township Manager to instruct the EAC Chair to stop using this page until a policy could be adopted and someone from staff was assigned to oversee any social media page from any Advisory Committee. The full Board agreed with the recommendation and acted on it.

The oversight is not in what they say but on how it is communicated to the general public. When you have a Board that is appointed by the BOC their information and opinions can be misconstrued as being the official stance of the government. I know Scott [the EAC Chair] and I am confident that the information he has shared is not harmful to anyone. I rely on him and the EAC for information that help me make decisions that take environmental matters into account. That does not mean that the next chair will have the same trustworthiness.

Generally it is hard to imagine a problem with what the EAC posts, however, greater issues could occur with other Advisory Committees, such as the Public Safety Committee. What if they had a Facebook Page an expressed opinions about seat belt safety? It could be misconstrued as being the official stance of LMT and therefore put the township in a legal conundrum.

Transparency is a major issue in all government. I am certain that once the policy is enacted, (which should happen at the April 16 Meeting), the EAC will be back helping us spruce up our gardens for the rest of Spring.

Thank you for your time and I enjoy reading your ramblings.

Brian Higgins
Vice President
Lower Macungie Board Of Commissioners

Lower MAC EAC Ordered to Take Down Facebook Page

Lower Macungie has ordered its Environmental Advisory Council, a group of volunteers, to take down their Facebook Page. About the most offensive thing I see there are a few pictures of carrots. I hate carrots. Here's what happened, according to EAC Chair Scott Alderfer.

On March 19, 2015, the LMT Board of Commissioners' General Administration Committee had their monthly meeting immediately prior to the BOC's bimonthly meeting. One of the Gen Ad Committee's agenda topics was a township social media policy. However, the discussion apparently focused on this particular FB page. I was not present for the discussion. All I know for certain is that the township manager was instructed to call me to ask me to take down the page. Bruce Fosselman, the township manager, is a good guy and a true professional. Out of my respect for him, I have agreed to cease posting on this page until the next Gen Ad Committee meeting when a social media policy will be on the agenda. Obviously, the BOC must be concerned about rogue members of township organizations making politically charged posts or personal attacks on a FB page that appears to originate from the township administration.

On the About tab on this page, it said that, "This page is maintained by the members of the Lower Macungie Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)." I have added wording to make it more clear that this page was a personal effort by some EAC members and was not a township-managed or a township-sanctioned FB page. I have also changed the category of our page from Government Organization to Community Organization.
In the past five weeks since this page was created, I think we have shared a lot of information that has increased our readers' awareness of environmental matters in and around Lower Macungie. And I am proud that we have not had a negative comment on any of our posts from any our our visitors. I'm also grateful for the 280 likes that we have received over the past five weeks. It seems as though people are interested in our content.

Until the April 16 General Administration Committee meeting, if there is any environmental related information that we feel it is important to share with the local FB community, we will try to share it on either the official Lower Macungie Township FB page and/or on the Friends for the Protection of Lower Macungie FB page to ensure that the info is distributed to those who might be interested. I will post again following the April 16 meeting to let our followers know of the outcome of that meeting and what may come next for this FB page.

This attempted muzzling and lack of transparency is precisely why people are unwilling to participate in government. I get having a social media polocy, but ordering this group to shut down is an unconstitutional deprivation of free speech.

Judge Varricchio Nixes Jaindl Zoning Ordinance in Lower Macungie

As reported in today's Morning Call, Lehigh County Judge Michele Varricchio has invalidated a Lower Macungie Township zoning ordinance change that would have allowed mega-gazillionaire (and turkey farmer) Dave Jaindl to develop 600 acres of farmland with warehouses and homes.

Before adopting this ordinance, the Township had entered into a written agreement with Jaindl, agreeing to change their zoning just for him, leading attorney Don Miles to charge that this was unlawful "contract zoning." In addition, he argued that the Township failed to amend its comprehensive plan at the time it adopted the ordinance, which is another No No.

But Judge Varricchio did not have to consider those questions because the way the ordinance was advertised made it unlawful. She concluded the advertisement was "misleading" because, among other things, the location of the lands being re-zoned was omitted. She did acknowledge that a "good faith effort" was made by Township officials, but it fell short.

You can read the opinion below.
LowerMacungieTwpCourtOpinion

Lower Macungie Supervisor May Have Stolen $2.5 Million, But There's No Evidence She Was a Large GOP Contributor

Margaret Szulborski, a 72 year old grandmother and former Lower Macungie Supervisor, was charged last week with pocketing $2.5 million in sewer fees since 1999. Apparently, her luxurious lifestyle extended beyond her $59,000 salary.

Some suggest that, in addition to buying properties and cars, Szulborski was a frequent and large contributor to Republicans seeking office. I've checked contributions to candidates for state and federal offices, but am been unable to check municipal positions online.

Since 2002, Szulborski has contributed $1500 to the following candidates: $100 each to Jim Anthony and Jerry Snyder (unsuccessful judicial candidates); $100 to Ken DeAngelis (unsuccessful state rep. candidate); $700 to Adam Marles (unsuccessful state rep. candidate); and $500 to Charlie Dent, U.S. Congressman.

There's certainly no evidence any of these folks had the slightest idea that anything was amiss. And I've been unable to uncover any evidence that Szulborski made any large contributions.