Boorish Behavior By Elected Officials Becoming the New Normal

On Friday, I posted the video of Lower Saucon Tp Council's November 20 meeting, which lasted well over six hours. The meeting was constantly disrupted by Council members Jason Banonis and Thomas Carocci, as Council President Priscilla de Leon struggled to keep control. I've covered meetings since 2006. I've seen some devolve into brief shouting matches. I saw one meeting that had to adjourn without conducting business. I've never seen the disruptive behavior exhibited by Banonis and Carocci, even though both are practicing attorneys who know exactly what they are doing. Their boorish behavior is unfortunately becoming the new normal. Ten years ago, an elected official who acted that way would be rightly called to task. But then came Donald Trump. And while he won the most recent Presidential race, most people (except for his most loyal cultists) would disagree when I call him a boor. His conduct has normalized this behavior. Both really should be charged with disrupting a public meeting. 

Under Pennsylvania law, "A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if, with intent to prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting, procession or gathering, he disturbs or interrupts it."

Carocci, a 1995 grad of Duquesne's Law School, is assistant general counsel at FINRA and testifies in security fraud cases. Banonis, a 1999 grad of Widener Law School, practices civil defense at Marshall Dennehy, representing insurance companies. Both presumably know the law. 

Their actions have been called out at Saucon Shenanigans:"They call fellow Council members 'Vladimir, dumb asses, morons, stupid, clowns,' telling them to shut their big fat ignorant mouths and get their heads out of their ass. They constantly disrupt when other members are speaking. They berate taxpayers who speak at meetings. They told a taxpayer who spoke up at a meeting that she was speaking out of her ass. We deserve better than this. What kind of a role model are they to our junior council members? "

I'll confess I was unable to watch the entire November 20 meeting. A few minutes was all I could take and was all I needed. 

It's true that there's no way these Council members can be removed from office. But they can be charged with disrupting public meetings, which is their clear goal. I'd suggest that one or all of the other Council members should file a private criminal complaint against Carocci and Banonis. That matter would have to be approved by the District Attorney but there is little doubt in my mind that this boorish behavior is criminal. 

NorCo's Former EMS Director Seeks Hellertown Judgeship

Robert Mateff

When he was in Northampton County, he may very well have been the county's MVP. Aside from Council Clerk Frank Flisser and Budget Administrator Doran Hammon, no one understood the county better. As Director of the county's Emergency Management, he completely revolutionized the department and made it an effective tool that planned for every emergency, from hurricane to chemical spill. Now Bob, a lifelong Hellertown resident who started his career as a dispatcher in their police department, would like to be the Magiserial District Judge for Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.

He's a Summa Cum Laude graduate of DeSales University with a degree in Criminal Justice. His start as a Hellertown Borough Police Department led toaquarter century career in public safety.

He got his start in NorCo as a Deputy Sheriff, where he participated on the Emergency Response Team, was a Firearms and Chemical Aerosol Spray Instructor and took part in executing civil judgments and criminal arrests. He then helped to establish the first 911 center in Northampton County, overseeing the consolidation of multiple independent answering points and the conversion from a private to public center. He was ultimatelynamed the EMS Director. Former Exec John Stoffa wanted Bob to serve as Administrator as well..

In 2015, Mateff was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to oversee Pennsylvania’s transition to Next Generation 911. He is currently working as a public safety consultant.

“I have spent my career ensuring the public has equal access to emergency services and providing for the safety of the residents of this community,” said Mateff. “I see service as a District Judge as a continuation of ensuring the public’s safety.”

Mateff has served as Chairman of the Northeast Pennsylvania Counterterrorism Taskforce and President of the Keystone Emergency Management Association. He is a Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers, is an Emergency Number Professional through the National Emergency Number Association, and holds a certification in Preparedness Leadership through the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health.

Mateff has served the community in various roles, including President of the Hellertown Lower Saucon Little League, and was a youth baseball and basketball coach. He is active with his local church and service groups, including the Boy Scouts, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Hellertown Civil Service Commission. He was a volunteer with the Leithsville Fire Company, and was a Captain of the Dewey Fire Company Ambulance Squad.

“I would like the opportunity to restore dignity to this position in Hellertown and Lower Saucon and look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the public as a district judge,” said Mateff.

Mateff is the father of two boys, Robert, Jr. and Kevin.

Two other candidates have also announced for this seat. One is James Hill, a local attorney and borough council member. The other is David Repyneck, who was defeated when he ran against David Tidd four years ago.

Of the three, Repyneck is a bad candidate who would be a terrible magisterial district judge. I will explain why soon.

Asteak Wants to Make Louder Quieter

On behalf of Lower Saucon Township Council VP Tom Maxfield, Attorney Gary Asteak has petitioned to remove Donna Louder as a Council candidate. It appears that, like Raymond Russin in Bethlehem Township, Louder has failed to file the required "Statement of Financial Interests" at Township offices.

Lower Saucon Tp to State: Our EIT is For Open Space

Lower Saucon Township Manager Jack Cahalan has sent a letter to Governer Tom Corbett, State Senators Lisa Boscola and Pat Browne, and State Reps. Bob Freeman and Justin Simmons, complaining about Allentown's EIT tax grab.  This diversion from outside municipalities was authorized to help finance construction of a hockey arena and other improvements in the Queen City's downtown.

Concerned about a revenue shortfall, Township Supervisors are also upset that the will of the people, expressed in a recent referendum on open space, has been abrogated. 

You can read the letter here.