NorCo Republicans Unveil Full Slate For Executive, County Council and Judge

Yesterday afternoon, in the cacophonous Northampton County Courthouse rotunda, a formidable slate of Republicans announced their candidacies for the county offices to be decided by voters this November. Their point man is Tom "The Quiet Man" Giovanni, a second term Council member who has decided to take the next step and run for Executive.

Standing with him are County Council candidates John Brown and John Goffredo, both of whom are seeking re-election to a second term. Also present was political newcomer Juan Martinez, who owns the popular Don Juan restaurant chain. Two other newcomers, Bethlehem police officer Sam Elias and commercial air cargo pilot and Venezuelan immigrant, are also seeking two of the five at-large Council seats up for election this year. They were both working and unable to attend. Finally, James Fuller, who is running for Northampton County judge, introduced himself.

 

Giovanni, whom I have referred to as "the Quiet Man" on NorCo Council, explained he's never been interested in making headlines or playing politics, but feels "it's time to get louder" because of what he calls the dysfunction, irresponsibility and mismanagement by the county administration. 

I first met Giovanni long before he ran for office. I mistook his IT business for a computer repair shop. While he was unable to help me, he referred me to a few people who could fix my ailing blog machine. In the private sector, he also served as a board member of the Greater Valley Y, including 9m years as its chair. He currently is the board chair of Nazareth Mutual Insurance. 

He pledged fiscal responsibility and a rejection of tax hikes. He noted he has always voted for tax cuts and would oppose any tax increases, adding it would be unfair to burden people struggling with high prices. 

He promised to end "the failed policies that have hurt Gracedale." He claimed that the Lamont McClure administration failed to maintain the quality of care at the county-owned nursing home. 

Giovanni also pledged to expand farmland preservation should he prevail. "We need to work to protect family farms and keep them going from generation to generation. Also, our farmers have to have a voice in county government. Farmers are the people that put food on the table, and we need to cover theor backs." 

Giovanni asserted that the McClure administration has been neither transparent nor honest over the past seven years and botched elections in 2019 and 2023. 

"When you are elected, you must represent everyone, no matter if they voted for you or not. Unfortunately, what we are seeing in the county government is political weaponizing the office instead of working jointly for bipartisan results to work for the progress of the morale of the county employees. And I did vote for a pay study."

"I will continue to wake up every day to fight for the county that I love so much." 

John Brown, a former county executive and Bangor Mayor, is finishing hie first term. He graduated from Bangor High School and the University of Notre Dame.

He stated that, when he was Executive, he worked to make sure that Gracedale, a 688-bed facility (current census is 546), had a 97% occupancy rate. He said his reforms eliminated multi-million-dollar losses and returned the facility to profitability while earning a four-star rating. 

He complained that the McClure administration is responsible for two failed elections in 2019 and 2023. He added that McClure has also undone most of the improvements he made as Executive. "They have spent down most of the county's reserves," he charged, asserting that the county drained its rainy-day fund just to be able to balance the budget. He also slammed the county for failing to replace failing infrastructure like the parking deck on the courthouse campus, and then "plunge the county into debt to do so."

His final and most egregious indictment is that the administration has allowed Gracedale "to fall into financial and operational ruin with a 425-bed census with only 30% of the nursing staff [as] county employees.

John Goffredo, a slate belt businessman seeking a second term, has lived in NorCo his entire life. A coach and volunteer firefighter, he said "a lack of leadership in general" is what has prompted him to run again. "We have too many people who are followers or opportunists or activists seeking these positions and not people that are here to do the will of the citizenry and to do what's right, even when it's politically inconvenient." Though he is a Republican in a 6-3 Democratic Council, he was elected VP in January. He said that as a member of the minority, he has mostly played defense, "trying to stop things I thought were bad ideas, things that were pushed over every year, every time they got the opportunity to bring up the same issue. We have to sit there and argue for months as to why we thought it was a bad idea. He argued that with a Republican majority on county council, they would be able to "get back to the things that matter."

Thise include the county core functions, like elections. He noted botched elections in 2019 and 2023, with machine malfunctions and vote-flipping. He also pointed to 6-hour long lines in the 2024 Presidential. "All of those things are unacceptable. We don't have that many responsibilities as a county government. We have the courts, we have the jails, we have elections with human services.  If we can't get elections right, we're failing the most important task this government has."

Goffredo stated that a Republican majority County Council would introduce a new "culture of excellency."

Juan Martinez Announces Bid For NorCo Council

Unfortunately, and as a direct result of the incompetence of my videographer (me), I could only upload this announcement as a YouTube short video. 

Martinez, said he worked hard to build something from the ground, creating jobs and opportunities while contributing to the local economy. But he said that, along the way, he's encountered a government that imposes roadblocks instead of finding solutions. 

He said he would bring common sense and accountability as well as a leadership that listens and works hard. He would work to support small business, lower taxes, responsible budgets, safer communities and better infrastructure. Most importantly, he pledged to bring a county government that works for the people. 

He introduced his wife and two sons, who joined him for his announcement. When finished, he invited everyone to his restaurant on Third Street (he has five of them) for tacos and margaritas.

That was a generous gesture, but I am a highly conditioned, well-trained athlete, so I demurred. 

James Fuller Announces Candidacy For NorCo Judge

Fuller stated that he's been a resident of Northampton County since he was a child. He went through the Easton school system and graduated from Penn State. He at first worked for KidsPeace, where he met his wife of 15 years. They have two boys who attend Northampton schools and he coaches baseball, soccer and basketball. His soccer team went undefeated, but his basketball team is 2-7. 

He has practiced criminal law in  Monroe County for nearly 10 years, 7 as a public defender and two as a prosecutor. "My message to everyone is that I'm in court every day." He has tried 13 jury trials, 10 of which are felony trials. He feels that running for judge is the best way to give back to a community that has given him so much. 

Following The Money: NorCo Exec Race (UPDATED)

Campaign finance reports for 2024 are in. Here's what they tell us about the Northampton County Exec candidates Tara Zrinski (D), Amy Cozze (D) and Tom Giovanni (R). 

Cozze had no active committee prior to announcing her campaign for Executive. Thus, she has no obligation to disclose her finances until May 9, when her pre-primary report is due.  

Zrinski's report (you can see it here) reveals that she is starting 2025 with roughly $5,000. She raised $6700 in 2024, with her largest contributors being former Executive Glenn Reibman ($1,000) and her Solicitor, Steve Goudsouzian ($1,000). She did receive a total of $1,000 form IUOE Local 542 but refunded $500. 

Starting in December, she used campaign finances to pay a small sum for HULU streaming service. It is unclear to me what connection that has to her campaign activities. She explained that this was an error because her paypal account was linked to her campaign account. She has since disconnected this link so that there will be no additional errors. 

Tom Giovanni (you can see his report here) started 2025 with the same $535 he reported in 2024. He neither raised nor spent any money.

UPDATED 11:31 AM

Zrinski Makes It Official - She Will Run For NorCo Exec

During a loud and crowded rally at Bethlehem's Steelworkers' Hall, NorCo Controller Tara Zrinski made it official last night. She's running for NorCo Exec. Though I arrived early, I was barely able to find a parking spot. The hall was packed with nearly 100 supporters that included a potpourri of Democrats, from people who fought with her against sludge and a landfill expansion, to elected and former elected officials. 

Zrinski was introduced by Lamont McClure, NorCo's current Executive. He said she supported the county on what he considers the three most important issues: (1) keeping taxes low, and even voting to cut them during one year of his administration; (2) voting for measures that would preserve farmland, acquire open space for three county parks and supporting environmentally sensitive land purchases: and (3) helping the "moral obligation" to keep Gracedale, the state's largest public nursing home, county-owned. He closed by giving his "enthusiastic" endorsement. 

For her part, Zrinski delivered a rousing speech to the Democratic party faithful. Her goals as County Exec, which were also included in a statement released earlier that day, are the following:

• Fiscally Responsible Policies: Ensuring taxpayer dollars are allocated effectively to meet the needs of all residents.

• Good Government: Promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in County operations.

• Quality of Life for Working Families: Supporting initiatives that strengthen the economic and social well-being of working families.

• Maintaining Essential Services: Preserving and enhancing the quality of services provided to residents, including the protection of Gracedale Nursing Home.

• Transparency in Government: Upholding open communication and accessibility in all facets of government.

 As Executive, she pledged to address employee retention and to provide fair compensation, affordable healthcare and safe working conditions. 

“I am ready to make history as the first woman elected to the office of County Executive—not because of my gender, but because I am a prepared, skilled, and compassionate public servant who has proven herself time and time again.”

She also surrendered her spot behind the podium to other persons who are seeking office. Unfortunately, I had to leave before asking her any questions or listening to other candidates because I was saying goodbye to a good friend.

Before doing so, however, I asked her to pose with three Executives: Lamont McClure, Gerald E "Jerry" Seyfried and Glenn Reibman. She was in pretty good company.

There are two other announced candidates. Former Elections Registrar Amy Cozze, who left the county to work for US Senator Bob Casey, is also running for the Democratic nomination. NorCo Council member Tom Giovanni, who is in his second term and has been a dedicated public servant, seeks the Republican nod.

The people have a choice.

Controller Tara Zrinski To Run For NorCo Exec, But May Have Primary Opponent in Former Elections Registrar Amy Cozze

Tara Zrinski

NorCo Controller Tara Zrinski will be announcing her candidacy for County Executive on Thursday at United Steelworkers Hall in Bethlehem (You can see her announcement below). But in the latest twist in this race, she may have a primary opponent. Several sources tell me that Amy Cozze, a former elections registrar, will make her announcement as soon as today. 

Cozze, who resigned as Voting registrar nearly two years ago to take a job with then US Senator Bob Casey. Now that he's out of a job, so is she. 

In 2018, Cozze mounted an unsuccessful campaign for the state house against incumbent Joe Emrick. After that loss, she complained she was without health insurance. Executive Lamont McClure offered her a job with the county administration. 

Amy Cozze

In 2020, she took over the Elections Office as Registrar. In addition to successfully lobbying for e-pollbooks, she began a thorough training job for elections judges and pollworkers. She prepared an extensive handbook for pollworkers at the precincts, answering most questions that could arise at the polls. Under her leadership, the office also expanded in size. But she also gained a reputation at the courthouse who used people and then discarded them when they no longer could help her get ahead. She rarely even greeted her own staff. 

Cozze has been at odds with the Exec Lamont McClure administration over a two-step increase (10%) she insists was promised to her. When she learned that it was denied, she sent a letter resigning her post just 10 days before the election. She rescinded her resignation only after Council member Lori Vargo Heffner stepped in and promised she would get Cozze that raise. 

McClure would actually go on to veto that raise, which was subsequently overridden by Council.  

Needless to say, Cozze was unhappy. 

McClur praised the work Cozze did but added that the county has been running elections for hundreds of years without Cozze and will continue to do so without her.  

In November 2023, I caught her posting a comment critical of the McClure administration that she sent from her US Senate IP. 

Amy Cozze is primarily interested in herself, not what's best for the county. 

From Tara Zrinski Campaign: Northampton County Controller Tara Zrinski to Announce Candidacy at United Steelworkers Hall

What:
Northampton County Controller Tara Zrinski, a dedicated public servant and former Northampton County Council At-Large member, will make a significant announcement alongside other Democratic candidates.

During the event, Zrinski will present her shared vision for the future of Northampton County, highlighting her commitment to building coalitions, fostering innovative solutions, and advancing the county’s legacy of sustainability and prosperity.

When:
Thursday, January 30^th, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Where:
United Steelworkers Hall
53 E Lehigh St
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Who:
Tara Zrinski, Northampton County Controller
Additional Democratic Candidates TBA

Democratic Supporters and Community Organizations

Why:
As the current Controller of Northampton County, Zrinski has championed transparency, efficiency, and progressive solutions. Her experience as a former Northampton County Council At-Large member further showcases her dedication to the community. This announcement marks a pivotal moment in her career and the future of Northampton County leadership.

Media Opportunities:

• On-site interviews with Tara Zrinski and other candidates
• Photo and video opportunities

RSVP & Inquiries:
For more information or to RSVP, please contact tara.zrinski@gmail.com

---

About Tara Zrinski

Tara Zrinski currently serves as Northampton County Controller, where she has implemented forward-thinking initiatives to improve county operations. She is currently on the Board of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and is the Academic Relations Chair. She is a member of the IIA and Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) as well as the Pennsylvania State Association of County Controllers.

As a former Northampton County Council At-Large member, she had a proven track record of leadership and advocacy for sustainable development, public health, and social equity. As a commissioner, she was the Chair of the Energy, Environment and Land Use Committee and the Economic Development Committee. She spear-headed the creation of an ad hoc Committee to promote the production, manufacturing and processing of industrial hemp as well as the Karst Geology Advisory Council to address concerns for the Bushkill Creek.

She was member of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and the Energy, Environment and Land Use Committee where she participated in the Solar Task Force. She previously held positions on the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, Lehigh Planning Commission, Lehigh Economic Development Corporation, Conservation Districts Board and the Wildland’s Conservancy Boards.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and English with Specialized Honors from Drew University, and two Master’s Degrees, one in Theological Studies and the other in Pastoral Counseling, both from Moravian Theological Seminary, now Moravian University. She has taught Philosophy as an adjunct Professor at Northampton County Community College, Lehigh County Community College, Lehigh and DeSales. She worked as a labor organizer for Service Employee Industry Union, Healthcare in 2021. She is a mother of three boys, who was raised in Bethlehem Township, and currently lives in the City of Bethlehem.

McClure: Human Services Vacancies Endanger Children, Elderly

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it still make a sound? If a politician calls a newxs conference and only a blogger appears, is it still a news conference? Bethlehem Attorney Lamont McClure might be able to weigh in on these philosophical questions. He's the Democratic nominee for Northampton County Executive, and called a presser yesterday to lament Human Services vacancies, particularly in the agencies that are supposed to protect our elderly and children. None of the daily news outlets appeared. After the election, they will piously condemn voter apathy and wonder why no one votes.

I get the idea of a news blackout right before an election, when politicians become desperate and will make outrageous claims about the other side. But in August? McClure's news conference, which went on without them, was intended to inform the voters that there are vacancies in several Human Services departments.

Human Services Director Allison Frantz discussed these vacancies at a committee meeting in July. I was the sole member of the press, if you can call me that, who was there. At that time, she disclosed staff shortages at Area Agency on Aging (17%), Children Youth and Families (CYF) (13 caseworkers) and Information and Referral Emergency Services (IRES) (3 PT caseworkers). McClure's fear, and a warranted one is that Executive John Brown is dragging his feet to fill these vacancies, something he did with corrections officers at the jail and row office workers.

"We're going full tilt and we don't have any down time," CYF Director Kevin Dolan told NorCo Council in June. "'Something bad is gonna' happen,' a fellow CYF Director recently told him. Referrals of possible child abuse have risen in his office from 3,514 in 2014 to an estimated 7,500 this year. Most of these new referrals are a result of what are commonly called the Sandusky laws, which now require more reporting.

The Area Agency on Aging is dealing with a surge in baby boomers while IRES is responding to the opioid epidemic.

So the problem goes beyond a need to fill vacancies. There actually is a need for more staff.

Will Brown fill this need? "We need to get those filled now," said McClure.

This was the point of McClure's news conference. An excerpt is posted above.

Brown and his Buds

When he was running for state auditor general last year, NorCo Exec John Brown got to know Trump spin Jedi Kellyane Conway.

He also shared a tender moment with Chris Christie, who could share advice about staying on beaches on the public dime while excluding everyone else.

These are things you should know when you vote for Executive in November.

NorCo Exec Race: Brown and McClure Have Both Filed

In the Executive race, incumbent John Brown filed a nomination petition yesterday afternoon with 498 signatures.Challenger Lamont McClure filed his nomination petition last week,and intends to supplement it tomorrow. He expects to have about 1,100 signatures.

Updated: McClure Comes Out Swinging in NorCo Exec Race

Lamont McClure at his announcement, flanked by
Controller Steve Barron

Blogger's Note: This story originally was published yesterday at 4:26 pm, and has been updated with a few pictures.

Bethlehem Attorney Lamont McClure, a former NorCo Council member for 10 years, declared his candidacy for Northampton County Executive this afternoon. He announced from the people's building, the Northampton County Courthouse, accompanied by his wife Sandra and a bevy of supporters that included Controller Steve Barron, Council member Ken Kraft, Easton City Council member Pete Melan, Democratic activist Joanne Messenlehner, and NorCo Dem Chair Matt Munsey. DA John Morganelli, a friend of McClure's, was also present.

Making clear that he's only ever been interested in county government, he said that in his final two years on Council, "I stood as a bulwark against the corruption, the cronyism and the callousness of the Brown administration." He said he regretted leaving government at that time. What he failed to say is that his father, with whom he was very close, had unexpectedly passed away.

But he's back and as is his style, he pulled no punches in a withering critique of the John Brown administration.

"We're talking about how it used public resources to attempt to advance its political agenda," he said, an obvious reference to Brown's use of public funds to hire Sahl Communications to act as a propaganda machine for him.

McCluremakes a point, as Joanne Messenlehner,
Ken Kraft and wife Sandra listen.

"When we're talking about cronyism, we're talking about installing multiple, multiple employees throughout the county system that do not have the requisite qualifications to serve in the positions they're serving in." This is an obvious reference to Administrator Cathy Allen, who Brown appointed as his right hand despite having no education beyond high school and no experience in management of any kind. She is also a tax deainally was pubishedon 1/19/17 at 4:26pm,andhasbeen updated toincludepictures. dbeat at the wrong end of six tax liens and her home is in foreclosure.

"When we're talking about the callousness of the Brown administration, we're talking about the Brown administration and Council raising your taxes 10% while they were charging the taxpayer for meals and mileage reimbursements that they were not entitled to. That's what they thought of you. That's what they thought of the public. Ten percent tax increases for you, lunch and their mileage reimbursements to drive to work, not even between jobs." This is a reference to an attempt by Brown and Cathy Allen to force taxpayers to pay $1,500 for their meals and mileage, which was flagged by Controller Steve Barron.

Some of McClure's supporters

As another more recent example of what he called the callousness of the Brown administration, McClure cited the stonewalling that has gone on since the tragic death of 15 year-old Grace Packer. Her adopting mother, Sara Packer, was charged in a scheme that involved the rape, murder and dismemberment of this child. She had been a NorCo adoption supervisor. She was discharged in 2010, right before her then husband was charged with sexually abusing this child when she was only nine years old.

NorCo officials ignored multiple media requests for information, even after WFMZ-TV69 and NBC10 reported on the NorCo connection in late December. There was no attempt to reassure the public or defend employees in Children and Youth.

"The county administration has been very slow to explain how this alleged person involved in this horrible death was in charge of adoptions in this county. This Executive has yet to fully explain and put the people of Northampton County at ease with respect to what her role was, what she did, what cases she handled, and the people of Northampton County are entitled to an answer."

After pointing to what he called corruption, cronyism and callousness, McClure went on to say how he'd do things differently.

"We must protect our folks, we must preserve, and we must prosper."

Protection. - "Fundamentally, we're talking about our senior citizens," said McClure. He noted that seniors on fixed incomes must still pay property taxes as a result of the uniformity clause in the state constitution. Until that changes, McClure said that no one's property taxes will go up in the next four years. He also pledged that Gracedale would remain county-owned, and that the administration would be returned to the county. He will also create a task force to tackle the heroin and opioid crisis "and all the unnecessary deaths" this has caused.

Preservation. - McClure claimed that the Brown administration has "abandoned" the farmland preservation program. "Let me be clear, they have abandoned it," he said. "We will preserve farmland once again, and at the rate at which it has been previously preserved. He stressed that he also supports preservation of environmentally sensitive lands and other open space.

Prosper. - "No one knows what is going on in the Northampton County Office of Community and Economic Development," he said. "We don't see any jobs being created that are family sustaining."

He noted that the population is growing, but so is the average age. The result is a brain and labor drain.

"We must encourage our young people to stay home."

He will focus on high tech jobs and insist that 80% of all work be done by local labor.

This news conference was attended by all local media outlets except the Express Times. A reporter strolled by, but the announcement apparently interfered with lunch.

The 40 Democratic Officials Who Endorse Callahan

FROM THE CALLAHAN CAMP – Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan has been endorsed for County Executive by over 40 Democratic officials, past and present throughout Northampton County – and beyond in the case of Congressman Matt Cartwright and Former Governor Ed Rendell. From treasurers, to school board members, to four mayors, Callahan has received an impressive level of support.

“We are running a grassroots campaign and I couldn’t be prouder to be endorsed by over 40 fellow public officials from every corner of Northampton County,” said Callahan. “Having worked closely with many of the people who have endorsed me, I am honored to receive such enthusiastic support.”

Callahan continued, “When this campaign started, I made it a point to collect petition signatures from all 38 municipalities in Northampton County, and I believe these endorsements reflect my commitment to the entire County.”

“My friend, John Callahan, has done a tremendous job as Mayor of Bethlehem,” said Easton Mayor Sal Panto. “Because of his record on job creation and fiscal responsibility, the entire region has benefited greatly from his leadership, and I look forward to working with John as our next County Executive.”

“John Callahan is committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe for families, making schools strong for our children, and protecting seniors by keeping Gracedale County-owned,” said Palmer Township Supervisor, Anne Marie Panella. “That is the kind of leadership we can expect from John’s administration.”

“When I’m elected County Executive, I will work with officials like Sal Panto and Anne Marie Panella to make sure we keep moving Northampton County forward,” Callahan concluded.

This announcement comes on the heels of Callahan posting a significant fundraising advantage over his opponents, having raised over $400,000 since he first decided to run for County Executive, including over $210,000 raised from 342 individual donors just this year alone. On May 3, Callahan was also endorsed by The Express-Times.

Democratic officials for John Callahan:

1. Ed Rendell, Former Governor of Pennsylvania
2. Matt Cartwright, United States Congressman (PA-17)
3. Sal Panto Jr., Mayor of Easton
4. Jerry Seyfried, Former Northampton County Executive
5. Steve Samuelson, Pennsylvania State Representative 135
6. Rich Grucela, Former Pennsylvania State Representative 137
7. T.J. Rooney, Former Pennsylvania State Representative 133
8. Bob Werner, Northampton County Council
9. David Perusso, Mayor of Wilson Borough
10. Richard Fluck, Mayor of Hellertown Borough
11. William Molchany, Mayor of North Catasauqua
12. Tony Bassil, Easton City Controller
13. Elinor Warner, Easton City Council
14. Roger Ruggles, Easton City Council
15. Jeff Warren, Easton City Council
16. Frank Pintabone, Easton Area School Board
17. Baron Vanderburg, Easton Area School Board
18. Jim Smith, Freemansburg Borough Council
19. Justin Labar, Freemansburg Borough Council
20. Michael Romano, Roseto Borough Council President
21. David DePalma , Pen Argyl Borough Council
22. Jack Herbst, Nazareth Borough Council
23. John Yanek, North Catasuaqua Borough Council
24. David Stankovic, Walnuport Borough Council
25. James McGowan, Wilson Borough Council
26. Janis Krieger, Wilson Area School Board
27. William Holmes, Allen Township Supervisor
28. David Willard, Lower Saucon Township Supervisor
29. Ann Marie Panella, Palmer Township Supervisor
30. Michael Mitchell, Palmer Township Supervisor
31. Michael Recchiuti, Bethlehem City Council/Chair of the Bethlehem City Democratic Committee
32. Eric Evans, Bethlehem City Council President
33. Karen Dolan, Bethlehem City Council
34. Jack Burke, Former Chair of the Bethlehem City Democratic Committee
35. Joe Long, Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party Northeast Caucus
36. Aurea Ortiz, Bethlehem Area School Board
37. Shannon Patrick, Bethlehem Area School Board
38. Basilio Bonilla, Bethlehem Area School Board
39. Sudantha Vidanage, Bethlehem Area School Board
40. Michael Faccinetto, Bethlehem Area School Board
41. Kaija Farber, Bethlehem City Treasurer

Bangor Mayor John Brown Running For NorCo Exec

This is according to a Borough Council member, who has received an email containing the announcement. I do not have it, nor have I spoken to Brown.

I know very little about Mayor Brown, who is in his first term. He is a Republican.

Cold-Weather Callahan To Keep Gracedale

Callahan with his wife and children

In bitterly cold weather just outside of Gracedale, the county-owned nursing home, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan announced his candidacy for Northampton County Executive on February 6. He chose that venue to signal his commitment to keeping Gracedale, which he called the "jewel of the County," in County hands.

It's a good thing it was at Gracedale. I thought his first term as Exec might be over before he was done with his speech. About twenty people nearly died of exposure, including the Evil Jim Hickey, but they are recuperating in the nursing home.

Doctors have been unable to locate Hickey's heart. Or my brain.

Why the Hell isn't he frozen?

Callahan was completely unphased by the weather. Everyone was bundled up, but not him.

There was some question whether it was appropriate for a politician to make his announcement at Gracedale, but administrators there were ecstatic. "Are you kidding? We now have enough hot air to keep the building heated for the rest of the Winter," said one, who asked not to be identified. "If we could only get Angle, we could heat the entire County."

In 2011, Northampton County voters decided overwhelmingly, in a hotly disputed referendum, to keep Gracedale. Callahan, who signed the referendum petition in 2011, made clear at his announcement that he considers the nursing home a "core function" of County government. "Outsourcing it would be the equivalent of Bethlehem outsourcing our police department, I just don't agree with it," he said.

I don't know how much clearer he could be, unless he actually moved into the place. But his commitment was still challenged by several referendum proponents who appeared at yesterday's announcement, led by Forks Township resident and Fake Reverend Mario Martinez. Calling him "Callahoffa" on their blog, they wanted the Bethlehem Mayor to sign some kind of Loyalty Oath to keep Gracedale in County hands. He did it on the spot, but they now think it's some kind of trick.

Cuckoo.

Contrary to the claims of many critics, and I was once one of them, Callahan stated that he has been a good fiscal steward in Bethlehem.

"During a time when many cities are bankrupt or near bankruptcy, Bethlehem is in its strongest position in decades, with a bright future. We have eliminated the deficit, and we have $90 million less debt today than when I started. We have tackled some of the toughest of the legacy costs and we ran back to back surpluses, a million dollars this year. Not many municipalities can say that."

His priorities as County Executive?

"My priorities are straightforward, deliver cost effective County services, most especially these services right here at Gracedale, preserve our farmland and promote redevelopment of our brownfields, create the opportunities for the private sector to grow our tax base and create jobs, so that our neighborhoods stay safe and our schools stay strong."

The Bethlehem Mayor would also like to bring a little-publicized program to Northampton County called "Continuous Improvement (CI)," in which employees are encouraged to find ways to deliver services more efficiently. In Bethlehem, a 42-day business permit process has been shortened to 14, thanks to innovations from the people who actually work inside the halls of government. In addition, it saves money and has saved $13 million in Bethlehem, according to Callahan.

Callahan plans no major infrastructure bonds. His rival, former Executive Glenn Reibman, floated a $111 bond in 2001 for numerous projects throughout "the four corners of the County." Callahan called it a re-election gimmick. "That's not the right motivation for taxpayer dollars," said Callahan. "I think the taxpayers of the County deserved better and deserve better in the future." He later added, "It wasn't about jobs and infrastructure. It was about getting Glenn Reibman re-elected."

Callahan was joined at his announcement by his wife, Mafalda, and his three children. He apologized to them in advance for his time on the campaign trail.

After it was all over, though freezing, I went over to introduce myself to Mafalda. One touch and I was warm. Magic. Now I know why Hizzoner needs no overcoat.

Callahan to Make It Official Today

Callahan makes LU Women's Basketball Team

OK. I'm kidding about that. His crossover just isn't good enough.

But Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan will finally reveal the worst kept secret in the Lehigh Valley. Today. At 3:30 PM, he'll announce his candidacy for County Exec. In a move to reassure the pro-Gracedale crowd, he'll be making his announcement from the County nursing home.

Here's part of his announcement:

"Mayor Callahan was elected mayor in November of 2003 and took office in January 2004. He is currently in his tenth year in office. He entered public office in 1998, being elected to City Council, and becoming the youngest elected official in the history of the City. He has led the City in the dynamic transformation of the 1800 acres of the former Bethlehem Steel site – the largest brownfield site in the country - into a business, cultural, and retail destination, anchored by the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and Steel Stacks. In his time as mayor he has ushered in more than $2 billion in economic development, which has created or retained more than 5500 jobs. Bethlehem currently has another $1.8 billion of economic development ongoing in the city that will result in as many as an additional 5500 new jobs.

"Bethlehem is in the strongest financial condition in decades. Under Mayor Callahan’s leadership Bethlehem has become one of the safest, most prosperous, and fastest growing cities in Pennsylvania."

Unlike many of you, I don't live in the Christmas City. But every time I visit, it looks just a little nicer than the time before. I'm sure Callahan would agree that the credit for this is due to the people who live there And that's true. But he had something to do with it, too.

Rumor Mill: Callahan Nixes Congress For County Exec

Earlier this week, I told you that that Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan had filed a 24-hour report listing a $2,000 contribution from Abe Atiyeh. Obviously, old Abe is buying Hizzoner's good will in that crusade for an apartment complex at the corner of Center and Dewberry. But that's only part of the story.

For the past two years, Callahan has been depleting his local campaign treasury, which he's unable to use to any significant degree in any federal race. Callahan was actually returning checks to contributors, who then gave to his Congressional race.

The Atiyeh contribution, which is to Callahan's local fund, signals a sudden reversal. Here's what I've been told. John Callahan has scratched that whole Congressional thing. Two other names are being shopped around: LC Dem Party Chair Rick Daugherty and PSEA Union Boss Michael Crossey.

Rick will run, but only if nobody else steps up. He is the default candidate, as he was two years ago. Crossey wants to run in an effort to drive up union excitement for 2012.

So what about Callahan?

He plans to finish out his term and then run for Norco Executive. Barron wants to run, but is continually shooting himself in the foot and looks more and more like a joke candidate. Sure, unions will back him big time, pointing to Callahan's municipal layoffs this past year. But unions don't have enough money to make a go of it.

In the picture above, you can see Callahan stomping all over a Barron portrait, as shocked children look on.