Three Candidates Raise $23k in Hellertown Lower Saucon Magisterial Race

Three candidates have raised over $23k in the race for Magisterial District Judge in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Townships.

The incumbent, Judge David Tidd, leads the pack with $11,225.00. Most of this money - $7,360.16 - has come out of his own pocket. He has accepted an in-kind contribution from entrepreneur Abe Atiyeh , who has also given him $1,000 in cash. Tidd's campaign consultant is Tim Butler's Communications Concepts.

In an interview with Saucon Source, judge Tidd discloses that heroin addition is a growing problem in his district, and is sometimes less expensive than marijuana. He has paid close attention to heroin-related offenses, and attempts to craft sentences in such a way as to reduce use and combat addiction.

Amanda Kurecian reported raising $7,062.88, most of it from family and herself. She has paid Campaign Pilots, a new Republican consulting firm, about $2,800. Kurecian has told The Saucon Source she'd like to establish a night court, several nights every month, for Defendants unable to leave work.

David Repyneck has raised $5,045, with his largest donor being his mother. He has spent $4,6767.59 for signs, a post card and ads in Saucon Source and Village Voice. Repyneck has told The Saucon Source that he'll bring "honor, respect and integrity back to Magisterial District 03-2-04. I believe there is a lack of professionalism that exists with the current magistrate."

LWV Schedules Candidates' Night For Hellertown Mini-Judge Candidates

David Tidd

They used to be called Justices of the Peace, and many of them did a great job preserving that peace over the years. In his 36 years on the front lines of our justice system, John Gombosi used common sense and good humor to keep South Bethlehem from breaking out into riots. I call them mini judges, but our regular judges will be the first to tell you how important they are.

Last week, I told you about a disputed magisterial contest in Bethlehem Township, in which five people are in contention for a job that pays $88,000 a year.

There's another magisterial race in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Tp. Magisterial District Judge David Tidd has two opponents. One is Attorney Amanda Kurecian, a divorce attorney with her own practice in Allentown. The other is David Repyneck, a former probation officer who served in the National Guard.

He is unrelated to former Magisterial District Judge Diane Repyneck. From what I hear at the courthouse, Repyneck is running a fairly negative campaign, but strangely will be a no-show at a candidates' night to be hosted by the League of Women Voters on Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 at 7pm, at the Hellertown Area Library, located at 409 Constitution Ave., Hellertown, PA 18055.

I will find out more about each candidate and report to you.

Magisterial District Judge Tidd Seeking Re-Election

Magisterial District Judge David W Tidd, whose district includes Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township,has already told The Express Times that he's seeking re-election. I bumped into him at last night's Sam Murray for Judge announcement. I promised to leave him alone if he would send me his announcement. True to his word, he did. But I lied.  I will probably bug him down the road. It's what I do. His announcement is below.

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for re-election as Magisterial District Judge for District 03-2-04 covering Hellertown and Lower Saucon. For the past 5 years since my election in 2009, it has been my honor and privilege to faithfully and expertly serve the citizens of our community.

The choice of Magisterial District Judge is an important one with significant impact on all of us. Not only is the District Court where traffic and landlord-tenant cases are heard, but where bail is set and preliminary hearings held in serious criminal matters such as theft and homicide.

As current Magisterial District Judge and licensed attorney in practice for 15 years, my extensive legal experience in civil and criminal matters, integrity and desire to ensure fair and impartial resolutions make me uniquely qualified to continue as your Magisterial District Judge. These same qualifications make the difference between criminals being punished and being released back into our community.

I desire to continue as District Judge to maintain the reputation of my Court for decisions grounded in sound legal reasoning and for providing outstanding service outside the courtroom through knowledgeable, well-trained staff. The Court is also known for bringing a balance to the just aims of law enforcement and the individual rights of defendants as required by our State and Federal Constitutions. Additionally, I have, with the help of of my staff and officials of Northampton County Court Administration, brought my Court in compliance with standards set by the State of Pennsylvania. In its most recent audit, the State recognized my Court's fiscal accuracy and adherence to proper procedure; I desire to see this compliance continue long into the future.

These past 5 years have seen great change for my wife Vera and I with the birth of our two children, Caroline, now 4, and John William, 23 months. One thing that will not change is my dedication to the people of the Saucon Valley through my service to them as their Magisterial District Judge.​

Should We Use Open Space Money To Bail Out Golf Course Developer?

I'll give you open space

Do you think it's a good idea to spend $300,000 in Northampton County's open space fund to help complete the purchase of a failed golf course? Northampton County does. Altogether, government officials plan to pay developer Alex Patullo $1,775,000 to purchase the now defunct Woodland Hills Golf Course, located in Lower Saucon Township. That's $11,486 an acre. "To me, it's a no-brainer," exclaimed Open Space Chair Scott Parsons. "This is exactly what our open space is about." That's what bothers me. The public's money is being used to provide a soft landing for a developer whose business plans went awry. People who pay their real estate taxes on time will bail out a golf course developer who himself has been delinquent on his own tax bill. This purchase will just make his remaining lands, which include a clubhouse, all that more valuable.

Bryan Cope warned Northampton County Council's Open Space Committee yesterday that, unless it is purchased and preserved, Patullo plans to build a 50-lot subdivision at the site. He claimed plans have already been submitted. So basically, he is holding a gun to the county's head. But just how successful would he be?

One thing Cope neglected to point out is that the land is zoned RA, or rural agricultural. Now I have no idea how he was ever permitted to build a golf course there, but I do know that a 50-lot residential development is no agricultural use. He would need a use variance. The Commonwealth Court denied his attempt to get a use variance for the clubhouse in 2011. Neighbors, one of whom includes prominent Attorney Steve Goudsouzian, stopped Patullo from turning the clubhouse into some sort of tavern.

But other points made by Cope made more sense. He noted that the high water quality of the Saucon Creek was damaged by pollutants when the property was used as a golf course. Even more important, township officials are concerned that further development in this area will make the chronic flooding along Easton and Lower Saucon Roads even worse during storms.

Before this was a golf course, this was farmland. Good farmland. I know because my best friend from grade school grew up across the street, on another farm.

Spending $300,000 to help some tax delinquent developer make his banquet hall all that more exclusive is a waste of public money. The highest and best use of this property is as farmland, not some goofy bird-watching sanctuary. I have written before about our disappearing farmland, which has resulted in a disappearing farmer. Establishing a farm is one way to reverse that trend. The zoning is in place to keep greedy developers from exploiting the land.

So this request should be denied.

It's a no-brainer.

I called Ron Angle, the Northampton County Bulldog, last night to explain what was being planned. He was highly critically of most "environmentally sensitive land" projects during his years on Council. After laughing, he told me, "You can't breed two hound dogs and expect to get a collie."

I have no idea what that means, but it sounds good.

He also said, "The people got what they wanted."

I know what that means.