I Could Have Made $148 at Peg Ferraro's Fundraiser

Peg flirting with Scott Parsons

Peg Ferraro, easily the most popular member of Northampton County Council, hosted a fundraiser last night at Holy Family Club in Nazareth. Like Superior Court nominee Emil Giordano, Peg strives to be bipartisan, so I and several other Democrats were there. Council candidates were snubbed by GOP party boss General Lee Snover at her event at the Hotel Bethlehem. But Ferraro made sure that every GOP Council candidate who attended (Seth Vaughn was absent) had an opportunity to speak.

Unfortunately, Ron Angle has been unable to mount much of a campaign this election cycle. But he was in vintage form, and gave the best speech of bout 10,000 candidates who were there. Angle railed against the pervasive corruption that existed in a Democratic administration when he was first elected, in which pay-to-play sent one person to jail. He then pointed to the federal investigation into political corruption in Allentown, and argued that the only way to prevent it from coming here is to vote Republican. He also generously gave Executive John Brown an A- as Exec, but said he'd give him a D- as a politician.

Phillips gave a decent speech as well, noting both his independence and his work ethic.

Peg was Peg. Though she will be attacked here anonymously by partisan Democrats, those of us who know better know that though she is definitely a Republican, she has always adopted a bipartisan attitude when it comes to governing.

And she can send messages without saying a word. Earlier this month, she and other GOP Council candidates were snubbed at General Lee Snover's dinner because she is fixated on Donald Trump and is already promoting candidates like Justin Simmons to succeed Congressman Charlie Dent. She has been vicious to Dent, the most popular Republican in the Lehigh Valley

Peg responded last night by recognizing Ryan MacKenzie's mother. Mackenzie is one of several Congressional candidates, including Marty Nothstein, who has risen up against opportunistic Simmons and his ugly campaign tactics.

Judge Emil Giordano, who is usually jovial and relaxed, sounded very tired. He's a great guy, but a statewide race is obviously taking a physical toll. 

The other candidates were pretty bad. Brown rambled on and on about the jail, the last thing he should be talking about in a room full of Republicans. Then he sat down to nurse a glass of red wine. Glenn Geissinger just comes off as a condescending person. One woman went on for about 15 minutes about a race next year, and spent a great deal of time patting herself on the back.

I'm unpopular in any room full of partisans, Democrat or Republican. But lately, the Republicans are really mad at me. So there were a few groans when Peg mentioned me. General Lee is really angry with me.. Especially since I mixed her up with another Lee Snover last week. She does not scare me, but her mom does. Anyway, Angle offered me $100 to walk up to Lee and plant one on her.

Another person - I won't mention his name - offered me $48 to go up and shove the Fake Rev, another one of my many fans. He was there to support Peg. 

So I could have made $148, but I would have lost it all in doctor bills.

So I passed. 

Like Hayden Phillips, Peg gets my vote.

(Blogger's Note: - I feel uncomfortable taking photographs at most fundraisers. Also, the lighting in there is terrible. So I will spare you my photography.) 

Former Wilson Borough Mayor Ken Dunn Visits NorCo Council

Peg Ferraro and former Mayor Ken Dunn

Former Wilson Borough Mayor Kenn Dunn, now a resident at Gracedale, paid a visit to Northampton County Council last night. Peg Ferraro picked him up at the nursing home and ferried him to the courthouse. "Gracedale saved my life!" he told me when I met him in the parking lot. He was there to let Council know what Gracedale had done for him.

He was in good spirits, as you can see in the photo above, and had no problem walking into the building  I had a pleasant conversation with him, as he told me stories about long-time public servants like Gerry Gross, who may be in his last term as Mayor in neighboring West Easton.

"I really respected Gerry," this Republican told me about a Democrat.

Unfortunately, when Dunn was invited to speak, he had some sort of episode. I called 811, which is actually the 911 center, and an ambulance was dispatched. In addition, three well-trained Deputy Sheriffs rendered assistance. I was concerned he might be experiencing a stroke.

Fortunately, after a few minutes, Dunn was fine. Paramedics from Easton Emergency Squad thoroughly examined Mayor Dunn and recommended that he go to the hospital because both his blood pressure and blood sugar were elevated. But as much as Hizzoner loves Gracedale, he hates hospitals. He declined, although he did allow Deputies to take him out in a wheelchair.

After that, Peg Ferraro took him back to Gracedale. I gave her an excused absence from last night's meeting, but I'm pretty sure her driving is what got to Mayor Dunn.

There's only three Republicans left in Wilson Borough, and she nearly killed one of them.

All kidding aside, Peg's decision to bring Mayor Dunn down for a meeting was quite thoughtful. She genuinely cares about people.

Peg Ferraro Takes Swing at DA's Drug Mailer

NorCo Council President Peg Ferraro thought there was nothing wrong with Executive John Brown's use of about $76,500 in precious county tax dollars to fund his very own public relations firm to advise him on attending St. Patrick's Day parades and prepare grammatically garbled news releases. But yesterday, Republican Ferraro took a swipe at Democratic DA John Morganelli for a newsletter he sends out about once every two years. It is paid for by the bad guys. Morganelli uses about $10,000 in drug forfeiture money, once every two years, for an informational mailer.

The subject came up during the review of a Controller Steve Barron's audit of the drug forfeiture program.

Ferraro: "There's a rather extensive newsletter, brochure, colorful, that comes out. Is that paid for out of drug money?"

Barron: "It is, Yes. ... . It's a lot like the ones the state representatives send out, state senators send out, giving their constituents updates, paid for with taxpayer money. This comes from the drug forfeiture account."

Ferraro: "I don't approve of our state representatives sending things out either. That's our money they're using for their own promotion."

I could understand being philosophically opposed to the use of tax dollars for informational mailers, which do tend to be self-promotion pieces. I even understand the objection to the use of forfeiture funds for the DA's newsletter. The late Joe DeRaymond, a local activist, used to pen LTEs complaining about them. But if Ferraro were so opposed to using drug money to explain how it's being spent, I would have expected her to be firmly opposed to Brown's public relations consultant.

Morganelli told me last night that his newsletter results in requests for speakers at schools, women's groups, churches, PTAs and senior centers. Considering that one of every three families have a member who is struggling with drugs or alcohol, these mailers are beneficial. Today, he will be speaking to a group from Bangor that contacted him in response to his newsletter

Ironically, after Ferraro took her jab, the next person up to the podium was Judge Craig Dally. Not that long ago, he was Peg Ferraro's State Representative.

"I was a little nervous when Madame President was talking about newsletters. When I was State representative, you were on my mailing list," he joked.

Bill White: Sletvold Nomination A Bad Idea

Morning Call columnist Bill White has joined The Express Times and this blog in concluding that Bob Sletvold's nomination as Public Defender is a bad idea. I know what you're thinking. Since all three of us agree, we must be wrong. But even supporters if this goofy move are beginning to get exasperated.

Here's how Bill describes Peg Ferraro's supporting arguments:

County Council President Peg Ferraro, who told me Monday she's a yes vote, is decidedly unenthusiastic about it, both because of the court complications and because she feels fellow Republican Brown doesn't need a controversy this early in his administration.

She said, "Bob Sletvold is smart. He has personality. He can deal with situations. I can't say anything bad about Bob Sletvold. I just wish it had been any other department at all but the courts."

If this is the way Peg feels, then why the hell is she still supporting Sletvold? My party, right or wrong? Her reasoning is contrary to what she herself said when she was elected President. "Now the Republicans and Democrats must evaporate," were her words, just a few short days ago.

Ferraro, Geissinger to Lead Northampton County Council

Peg Ferraro and Glenn Geissinger will lead NorCo Council in 2014

A veteran and rookie will lead Northampton County Council over the next year. In 5-4 votes that went strictly along party lines, Council chose Ferraro, a Republican, over Democrat Scott Parsons as their President during their reorganization meeting on January 6. They also elected Republican Glenn Geissinger as Vice President over Democrat Ken Kraft.

No other business was conducted.

Ferraro has served on County Council between 1990-1997, and again from 2001 until now. In November's election, she was the top vote-getter and even had the support of Democrat Ken Kraft. In contrast, Geissinger never ran for office before last year.

After her election as president, Ferraro addressed her Democratic colleagues. "I get it," she smiled. "Now the Republicans and Democrats must evaporate."

Ferraro, who has had her sights set on a Council presidency for several years, admitted that it was a "big occasion for me." She then thanked numerous of the people who helped her along the way, including her parents, her deceased husband, a neighbor,and deceased GOP Chair Charlie Roberts.

"He was my mentor," she conceded.

Unfortunately, all of the people Ferraro thanked were Republicans. This infuriated Democrat Ken Kraft, who posted this complaint at social media site Facebook.

"It's amazing to me how people forget that an at large seat is only won when BOTH parties vote for you. Shame on you and your lopsided speech. You owe half the voters in Northampton County an apology...

"Welcome to partisan politics, NorCo."

A retired teacher, Ferraro resides in Bushkill Township. Geissinger, who owns Alliance Media Group, lives in Plainfield Township.

Ferraro Sole No Vote On Retiree COLAs

For those of you who think Peg Ferraro is a bleeding heart, or that she is unable to vote alone on an issue, think again.

Before the election, Northampton County Council member Peg Ferraro was one of the few Republicans at a luncheon for NorCo government retirees. But last week, at a retirement board meeting, she was the sole No vote on a cost of living adjustment for county retirees. There was no press coverage, so few people would know this until now.

Her rationale was that nobody else is getting a COLA.

The County's pension fund, which has doubled since 2008, is why they are getting a COLA. It is one of the top performing funds in the state.

Ferraro also lobbied to have the pension fund manager replaced with someone more to her own liking, even though he refuses to execute a County contract. That bothers me more than her No vote. You'll recall she also refused to give up the transportation contract with Nazareth Ambulance at Gracedale

Ferraro is in line to be Northampton County Council's next President.

Correction: Peg wants to replace the investment manager for the Hugh Moore Trust, not the Retirement Fund

Peg Ferraro on Northampton County Issues

The only real question about Peg Ferraro, one of ten candidates seeking five seats on Northampton County Council, is whether she will finish first or second. She is like by both parties and even has the endorsement of the LV Labor Council, as well as the trade unions.

A retired teacher, Peg spent 15 years in Upper Nazareth Township government before deciding to seek County office. She served on Northampton County Council from 1990-1997, and again from 2001 until now. Some say she is too wishy-washy, but that's not true. In fact, she has staked out positions that have cost her elections. Late last year, she stood up to bullies within her own party.

She and her late husband Dom were very close to my parents, and when they were ill, would bring meals over. Regardless what you think of her politics, she is a decent person during a time when decent people seem to be disappearing.

Below are her answers to my questionnaire. I know this has been an effort for the candidates who responded, and want to thank Peg (and the others) for taking the time to respond. Because some people have been hostile to candidates with anonymous comments, no commentary will be allowed.

By way of full disclosure, I have already decided tentatively that I am supporting Jerry Seyfried, Ron Heckman, Deb Hunter and Peg Ferraro.

1. Lehigh County Commissioners and Bethlehem City council have both toyed with the idea of rejecting pass through grants based on objections to the federal deficit, money owed to China and antipathy to charter schools. Would you reject pass through grants?

ANSWER - Pass through grants are just that “pass through”. Even though we might object to them on a philosophical basis, we can’t deprive our citizenry of this funding and benefit.



2. Most of Council's work is done at its busy Personnel and Finance Committees, at which every member of Council is encouraged to attend. How do you feel about participation at Council Committee meetings? Will you attend?

ANSWER - Absolutely. I will attend whenever possible. It is at these committee meetings that details of an issue are discussed. A strong committee structure makes for a stronger legislative body. It is not always possible to attend all meeting, but through video and minutes all council members are informed.



3. One candidate has rejected the concept of regionalism as one big mess that is harder to manage than a group of smaller messes. Do you support or oppose regionalism, and what regional projects would you endorse on Council?

ANSWER - Regionalism is a philosophy that I have supported throughout my political career. We hear objections at times to LVEDC, for example, but it does work for both counties. Potential developers have a place to go to look at not only sites available, but also for help with every aspect of relocation to the Lehigh Valley. The Governor’s Action Team has an office at LVEDC which makes for centralized help.



4. During the Executive primary, one candidate made a no-tax hike pledge. Do you think it is responsible to make no tax-hike pledges? If so, are you willing to make one?

ANSWER - In my years on Council, I think I have voted for only one tax increase. “No tax increase “is political rhetoric. It is time for government to look at continuous improvement practices and efficiencies that can be brought to government much as it is done in the business world rather than raise taxes.



5. In a 2011 plebiscite, voters told Council not to sell Gracedale for 5 years. The annual County contribution is currently in the $5-7 million range, so voters effectively voted for that contribution. But what if it grows? Is there a red line at which you would agree it is necessary to sell Gracedale?

ANSWER - Gracedale management along with union cooperation is proving that the right decision was made to keep this facility in County hands. Our employees at Gracedale make this home a “real home” for our most senior citizens.



6. In 2007, County Council voted to set aside 1/2 mill of real estate tax (about $3.5 million) for a pay-as-you go open space plan for preserving farmland, environmentally sensitive land and municipal parks. On Council, will you vote to continue funding open space? Do you consider this a core county function?

ANSWER - In the strictest sense open space funding is not a core county function but it is a quality of life issue. The voters overwhelmingly approved a tax increase for open space. At a recent meeting a revised plan shows that the County is looking ahead to future projects and some projects that are “tweeners”!


7. There are 11 unions county-wide. What efforts would you make, as a member of council, to encourage unions to consolidate and reduce the amount of time administrators and unions must spend in contract negotiations?

ANSWER - If a conversation were started by the County Executive in an effort to combine Unions, I would support the conversation as long as the expectations were reasonable and fair.



8. What is your position on laying off County workers? Would you support layoffs to balance the budget, or vote to increase taxes to provide the same level of services?

ANSWER - Once again we must look at efficiencies. Adams County is the first County in Pennsylvania to examine the way it manages its day-to-day operations. A visit to Adams County to see what changes were made would be of interest to me.



9. Northampton County, like Lehigh, has privatized the management of Gracedale. But there are those who would like to return administration to the County. Where do you stand on this issue?

ANSWER - Outside management is the only answer for the immediate future.



10. Some Council members would like to amend the Home Rule Charter to return to elected row officers. How do you feel about this proposal?

ANSWER - Absolutely not. This would be taking County government back to the political fiefdoms of the past.


11. Would you support a ban on guns by people using any County facilities, even off the courthouse campus, like at the new centralized Human Services Building?

ANSWER - Yes, there should be security at every building. There have been incidents over the years like the Ross Township tragedy. Unfortunately, these incidents are occurring more and more often in public places.

12. Will you support or reject a County Property Tax Reassessment?

ANSWER - Reassessment would be a major expenditure and it isn’t in the budget at this time. When a reassessment hasn’t been done on a regular basis, a reassessment hits the senior population or those who have been in their homes the longest time The hardest. From what I understand, tax income is neutral in a reassessment. One-third of homes pay more, one-third stay the same and one-third go down.

13. Would you support the proposition that the Prothonotary, Clerk of Criminal Court, Clerk of Orphans Court and Register of Wills should be transferred under the Administration of the Courts instead of the County Executive (through the Director of Court Services) much like the higher courts currently administer its own clerks?

ANSWER - This discussion is worthwhile and at face value seems like a good management strategy. However, the employees must suffer no reductions in benefits or rights if they become State employees.

BRADEN AIRPARK

Braden Airpark has become a topic of major interest to Northampton County since these questions were formulated. In my opinion, we must work to reach a consensus as to how this asset can be maintained as both an economic development tool and a parks and recreation benefit. It must not be turned into another field of warehouses.

NorCo Rs Eat One of Their Own

If Northampton County Democrats manage to sweep all five at-large Council seats on Tuesday, I hope they remember to send a Thank You note and flowers to Bob Kilbanks. He may be former Chair of the Northampton County Republican Committee, but he's just pulled the most idiotic move I've seen this election cycle.

Now I'm sure most of you have bumped into hardcore right to lifers at some point in your life. The most extreme are those who think nothing of exposing children to gory billboards of aborted fetuses, picket abortion clinics and sometimes kill the people who work there. All in the name of Almighty God, of course. There are also those who feel very passionately, but express themselves at the ballot box.

Now, abortion and stem cell research have nothing to do with County government, and Kilbanks must know that. But over the years, he's collected a list of about 2,500 hard-core right-to-lifers, and likes to sell it to unwitting candidates. All in the name of the Almighty Dollar, of course.

He's managed to con four of the five Republicans seeking a Council seat to give him money for a post card to the Deliverance crowd, assuming they can read, portraying them as avid anti-abortion advocates. But he's omitted candidate Peg Ferraro from this list because her views are just a little too ambivalent.

What Kilbanks just did is marginalize Republican candidates in the eyes of Democrats like me, who might otherwise be inclined to vote for some of them. What's really pathetic is that he's done it on a very divisive issue that's totally unrelated to County government. Worst of all, his actions have hurt a very popular person who very likely will still be the lead vote getter.

"We need to look out for ourselves," is how one of the candidates explained their stupidity. Really? The best way for them to have done that would be by attaching themselves to Peg Ferraro's coat tails and hanging on. Instead, they have needlessly attached themselves to a divisive issue while Kilbanks lines his pockets.

Peg Ferraro Salutes Group That Dumped Her

Peg Ferraro has always been a voice of decency in Northampton County government. But over the years, she's lost some crucial elections because of her stands on controversial issues like 911. Last week, she saluted the very people who voted against her.

"I must say my life has really had parallels. On one hand, I'm a wife, a mother, three grandchildren, eight grandchildren and always have done the community service. On the other hand, my career of 29 years in the public school system.

"I strongly consider public service and politics to be public service. I came through the ranks of planning commission, zoning hearing board chairman and township supervisor, and this is actually my number 2o year anniversary of running for the first time for Northampton County Council.

"Now I've won a few and I've lost a few and you remember well in 1997 how the Pen Argyl Concerned Citizens did a terrific job, which is what democracy is all about, and I got booted out of office.

"We had a major difference of opinion, and that's what democracy is all about, and I appreciate this group for staying together, holding together the way you do, and fighting for what you believe."

Republican Candidates for Northampton County Council

Jeff Stoffa is a whirlwind of energy and is the person who shot the video clips I posted for Democratic Northampton County Council candidates. But even Jeff is unable to be in two places at once. So I apologize for the lack of video clips, but know enough about these candidates to rate them.

1) Peg Ferraro - everybody's mom - is far and away the best of this crop of candidates. As a matter of full disclosure, I must tell you that she and her late husband, Dominic, were close friends with my mom and dad. When they became ill, Peg often came down to Hellertown from Nazareth with all kinds of food.

Peg, whose personal style is nonconfrontational, has nevertheless become a forceful voice. When Council voted to ask its Human Resources Director to resign, Peg refused to participate in the attempted assassination. "This is not in our purview and I feel this is inappropriate. I've been around here since 1989 and I think there have been more problems with Directors of Human Resources than any other job here. It's not an easy job and it's not easy to please everyone. I just feel this is inappropriate." Although she called a proposed $75,000 passenger rail study "visionary," she urged fellow Council members to wait. "I don't feel the timing is right. . . . We should hold off on this for a few months until we see that the economic stimulus package comes into being, if the financial markets get a little better, where our pension fund is. I just feel that we should hold off on this for three, four, five months." She urged council to hold off on trying to appoint a solicitor with only eight members, and was proved right.

Peg provides very candid responses to questions posed in The Express Times Voter's Guide. She supports the bi-county health department and believes that more drug and alcohol counseling will actually reduce county costs in the long run. As far as partisan bickering goes, she has always maintained that "[o]nce the election is over, all parties must forget labels and work together. In my years on County Council there have been years where differences of opinion were just that and not personal attacks."

2) John Cusick, County Council's workhorse. In his three years on council, Cusick has dedicated himself to county business. He attends more committee meetings than any other council member. He has used vacation days to attend County Commissioners Association of Pa (CCAP) meetings and even attends classes at the Academy for Excellence in County Government. The result has been a very informed council member.

You can see this in the specific answers he provides to The Express Times Voter's Guide. He'd like to consolidate the Department of Human Services into one office building, preferably located in the City of Easton. He lobbies the state for adequate funding of mandated programs. He advocates using state contracts for purchases.

You can read more about Cusick, a 42 year-old schoolteacher from Williams Township, at his web page. Bi-partisan, he halted an executive campaign when he heard Stoffa was running.

3) Jane Mellert, the meek. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land." Last week, I made the mistake of telling Mellert she is too meek for the hardball politics of Northampton County Council. She glared at me and told me to look up the definition. I did and there's actually two. Meek is defined as "easily imposed on; submissive." But it's also defined as "showing patience and humility; gentle." I have a feeling that a fist of iron is inside her velvet glove.

Mellert began attending county council meetings several months ago and even attends committee meetings. She obviously does her homework. She also maintains a detailed campaign blog detailing her twenty years of experience as both elected official and municipal employee in Plainfield Township.

Raised on a dairy farm, she should have no trouble dealing with the bullshit coming from Council.

Mellert has spent money for campaign signs.

4) Barb Thiery, the dark horse. Not much is known about Bushkill Township Planning Commissioner Barb Thiery. She's trying to change that with campaign signs. But in Bushkill Township, she owned and managed commercial and rental properties, supervising 38 employees. Here's what she tells The Express Times Voter's Guide:

"Very young in life I learned the value of earning and stretching a dollar. As a young married couple with 2 children there was just enough, and that was with multiple jobs between us. We simply did not buy what we could not pay for. It was a cash only time, and a no frills way of life, but I would not change a thing. Some years later we were able to purchase the first of many properties with our own money, a $15,000.00 retirement fund. It was a commercial building, purchased for me to operate my business. Within a few months my husband opened our second business. Through proper planning and common sense spending, I learned to make a budget work for me. Within a few years, between growing the business to 38 employees and making smart and timely purchases we ended up with a total of 9 commercials rentals, 11 apartments and 2 large warehouses. After 20 years we were debt free and retired. I have the skills needed to work through a budget. I would be a fresh addition to Council."

I agree.

5) Bruce Gilbert, the MBA. Bruce is a former player on a Wayne Grube championship football team and successful banking executive. He would be Northampton County's first ever black council member. But the only times I've ever seen him are the two times he applied for appointments to council vacancies.

Ive been told that Gilbert is possibly the most qualified of all the candidates, Democrat or Republican. But he sure is a lousy politician. He's made no effort to tell the community about himself. He also failed to participate in The Express Times Voter's Guide. He does provide some details to the LWV.

6) Tom Dietrich, the Hellertonian who unsuccessfully challenged Ann "Nice Guys Finish Last" McHale last year, is in the fray again. He has a web page, but I haven't seen him at a council meeting for some time. He tells the LWV he'd like to eradicate the "unprofessional conduct" in county government with better customer service and professional responsibility. Like Gilbert, he failed to participate in The Express Times Voter's Guide. Unlike Gilbert, he has no MBA.

Ferraro: Do We Really Need Another Authority?

That was the question considered by Peg Ferraro's Northampton County Intergovernmental Committee yesterday. The meeting was attended by Council members Charles Dertinger, Diane Neiper and John Cusick. They listened to an informative presentation by Bethlehem resident Bob Pfenning, who has served for the past two years on a gambling impact committee. He told council that gambling revenue must be distributed to five surrounding municipalities by some kind of authority.

Under state gambling law, the five municipalities surrounding the Sands Casino in Bethlehem are each entitled to a piece of the pie, and council member Lamont McClure has proposed a brand, spankin' new layer of government bureaucracy to dole out the dough, currently projected at $2.8 million per year. He calls it the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Development Authority.

The problem with McClure's proposal, as noted by Peg Ferraro yesterday, is that the state gambling law makes no provision for funding it. She thinks the county should instead use the existing General Purpose Authority (GPA), which is independently funded by other revenue streams. "We don't need another layer of bureaucracy."

Council member Charles Dertinger noted that the GPA currently includes no members from the affected municipalities, but Ferraro quickly suggested that the GPA be expanded. "We're going to have two economic development groups competing against each other."

"You're creating a gambling authority, which is against the law."

Neiper, Dertinger and Cusick support McClure's proposal. Council Prez McHale, in remarks to The Morning Call, appears to like the idea, too.

Instead of doling out equal shares on a per capita or per municipality basis, McClure wants a grants process, which will invite political considerations. Council is struggling to find the most expensive and political way to distribute uncertain gambling revenue.

Update: In a comment to this post, Council member Lamont McClure makes a brief, yet admittedly persuasive, argument in support of a new gaming authority.

Peg Ferraro To Take Office Next Week

Most elected officials must wait until January. But Peg Ferraro will take office as an at-large member of Northampton County Council sometime next week, as soon as election results are official. You see, Peg was actually running for a vacant seat. Although Tony Branco was appointed by fellow council members, he lacked the voters' stamp of approval. Voters trump council. Democracy.

Photographic Evidence of Nonexistent Sleaze Campaign Against Angle

Although he has snarked Ron Angle before Northampton County Council and at town halls in Pen Argyl and Nazareth, John Maher still disingenuously claims he's running a positive campaign. "I am running a very positive campaign. Someone else in the district has taken up the banner. It's not part of my campaign."

Well, the above picture speaks 1,000 words to the contrary. It is an entire pallet full of sleaze mailers, from the "Maher" camp, directed at Angle. It is being funded by McClure, Dertinger and Perin. Their little artist? Why, none other than Tom Severson, the Darth Vader of Sleaze. Both Maher and Tony Branco admit, at least to me, that they are using him.

Peg Ferraro: A Voice of Decency on Norco Council:

At-large Council members: Five of Northampton County council's nine members are at-large, elected by residents throughout the entire county.

Express Times: "The at-large race for a two-year seat pits Democratic incumbent Tony Branco against Republican Peg Ferraro. Ferraro's experience in local government, including 12 years on council, and her nonconfrontational approach to problem solving make her the choice. She supports a bi-county health department and a new prison for nonviolent offenders."

Morning Call: "Return Republican Peg Ferraro to get rid of Democrat Tony Branco. Her experience gives her the advantage, and we don't know what positive thing Mr. Branco has done since party cronies placed him on council -- after the voters wanted no part of him."

Both newspapers are right.

I tried hard to like Tony Branco, but he's just a lousy council member. In addition to going dark against Ferraro, he has one of council's worst attendance records. His county council gig takes second place to his day job. Liaison reports for the gambling impact study committee must be provided by a member of the public because Branco, who is council's liaison, attends no meetings. He collects campaign money from "pay to play" developers, who just happen to be pressuring the county to buy one of their sites for the prisoner treatment program. And Branco is part of a council cabal that incredibly tried to force a bloated IT contract down taxpayer throats, nearly costing them $1.8 million. He has so little regard for the voter he failed to complete the questionnaire for the Voters' Guide prepared by the Lehigh Valley Valley LWV.

Over the years, Peg Ferraro has driven me nutz. I've disagreed, and very intensely, with some of her prior votes on council. But like other prior council members like Joe Brennan or Ron Heckman, I respected her decisions because they were her own.

And in the interest of full disclosure, I better make something clear. I've known Peg for many years. She and her late husband, Dominic, were very close to my mom and dad. My father used to torture her poor husband on sailing trips. He'd post poor Dominic at the bow as a lookout for shallow water. When we'd run aground, we'd know because Dominic would catapult into the drink. Fortunately, alcohol kept him afloat until we'd fish him out.

My dad: "You know what I like about you?"

Dominic: "What?"

My dad: "Nothing."

And so on.

When my dad, and later my mom, became ill and passed away, Peg was there for both of them. She'd even bring us covered dishes. During times like that, you learn who really does care. Peg is just a good person. That's why her voice belongs on county council. We could always use a few decent people.

DA Morganelli Should Take His Own Advice Concerning Campaign Finance Laws, and Enforce Them in Northampton County

Maureen Lally-Green is a Republican superior court judge seeking one of two open seats on the state supreme court. She's getting a little outside help from Virgina-based Center for Individual Freedom (CFI). That group recently launched what it calls a "public education effort" that thanks Maureen for being tough on violent criminals and adhering to established law and precedent. Lally-Green's camp views these ads as a "gift." An expensive one, too! Estimates about the cost of this advertising are at $750,000.

In an agreement with Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett, CFI may run ads except for those that "expressly advocate" the election or defeat of candidates.

Enter Attorney General hopeful John Morganelli.

In a news release issued this afternoon, he demands immediate action. "[W]e need the attorney general to immediately seek an injunction against the Center to stop this blatant violation of the law that can only do irreparable harm in the closing days before the election. It is clear that the only remedy that will stop this in the future and obligate political committees who want to influence Pennsylvania elections to comply with our law is a remedy that will stop this end run around the law in its tracks."

I'd like John Morganelli, AG hopeful, to meet John Morganelli, Northampton County District Attorney.

For weeks, Ron Angle and Peg Ferraro, candidates for county council, have been besieged by slimy and anonymous robo calls and negative mailers. Their opponents, John Maher and Tony Branco, have both acknowledged this is the work of political consultant Tom Severson. And yesterday, Maher amended his campaign finance report to reflect a $4,888.35 in-kind contribution from the Northampton County Democratic Committee for "design mailing" and robo calls. Yet this is reflected nowhere in the party's latest finance report.

Obviously, the slime campaign against Angle and Ferraro is flying under the radar.

In his news release, Morganelli notes that (1) CFI is a politcal committee; (2) is attempting to influence the election; (3) is subject to campaign finance reporting laws; and (4) should be required to list its contributors and expenditures.

Well, The Northampton County Democratic Committee is a political committee, too. It's trying to influence the election just as much as CFI, and must list its contributors and expenditures.

Like CFI, the local Dem party is violating election laws. There has been no accounting for the money raised or spent in the smear campaign being orchestrated against Angle and Ferraro. So I urge John to take his own advice and seek an immediate injunction against the Northampton County Democratic Committee. "[W]e need the [district attorney] to immediately seek an injunction against the [Norco Democratic Committee] to stop this blatant violation of the law that can only do irreparable harm in the closing days before the election. It is clear that the only remedy that will stop this in the future and obligate political committees who want to influence Pennsylvania elections to comply with our law is a remedy that will stop this end run around the law in its tracks."

Update: In fairness to John, he may have a conflict of interest investigating the local Democratic committee, and is a friend of political consultant Tom Severson. But for years now, there has been no oversight of political shenanigans, and this should be referred to the state AG with the same urgency as John's concerns about CIF.

Norco Dem Party Funding Maher's Sleaze Campaign

As recently as Monday night, John Maher was insisting he had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the smear campaign being directed at his opponent for Northampton County Council, Ron Angle. "I am running a very positive campaign. Someone else in the district has taken up the banner. It's not part of my campaign." So far, nine separate sleaze mailers have been directed at Angle, accusing him of everything, from stealing kids' Halloween candy to devil worship. I've lost count of the number of anonymous robo calls.

Well, guess what? Maher has just amended his campaign finance report to report a $4,888.35 in-kind contribution from the Northampton County Democratic Committee, made on October 20. This in-kind contribution consists of design mailing and introductory phone calls.

Since the reporting cycle ended October 22, the mailers and phone calls that have followed are not included in that report. But reporting laws require contributions of $500 or more must be reported within twenty-four hours after they are made. Angle tells me that, since October 22, three mailers have gone out, blasting him. In addition to that, there have been six evenings of anonymous robo calls. The cost for each of these items is over $500. Yet, no twenty-four hour report has been filed.

Wait, it gets better. Angle tells me Maher has suddenly just remembered that he gave Bossman Long a check for $8,000 so that the local party could run its mailers and anonymous robocalls. What's more, Maher seems to remember that some other Dems kicked in for this, too! Yet for some odd reason, nothing I'm telling you appears on the latest finance report filed by the local Democratic party. That report reveals no expenditures on behalf of anyone. It fails to list Maher's contribution, or those from some other Dems. Maybe Joe Long forgot, too.

We now know what's going on. The local party is running the smear campaign so that machine pols like Maher and his pal, Tony Branco, can claim innocence, pretending they are running "positive" campaigns.

Busted!

Slime From Branco's Camp Continues

When I spoke with Northampton County Council candidate Tony Branco on Friday night, he refused to end his association with the sleazy political consultant he's hired to bash his opponent with robo calls. And last night, the negative phone calls continued. Voters were told, "Peggy Ferraro has repeatedly ran and ran and ran for public office... ."

Negative campaigning is bad enough. But now we've got negative campaigning with poor grammar, too.

Tony Branco Doth Protest Too Much

This morning, I told you about dirty campaigning in the at-large race for Northampton County council. Anonymous robo calls, made mostly at dinnertime, sent Peg Ferraro right into kitchen garbage disposal units. A sample of one of these recordings is here.

Early this evening, I spoke with an upset Tony Branco. He admits he's using Tom Severson, the Darth Vader of Sleaze, to run his campaign. He even admits that he has prepared robo calls.

Just not that one.

"I don't believe in dirty politics. That's not what I'm about. I'm upset. In fact, I'm mad."

I'd like to believe Tony. But I'm having trouble, and here's why. First, when I told Branco he could listen to the robo call on my blog or at NewsOverCoffee, he told me he's not into blogs. That's pretty odd, because Tony has set one up for himself. In it, he asks voters to "re-elect" him, even though he was never elected to council. He was selected, not elected. Second, after telling me he does not read blogs, he called tonight to ask why I pointed out he was MIA during yesterday's budget hearing. He actually thinks his day job has priority over his obligation to the people he supposedly serves. Third, he refuses to rid himself of Severson, the sleazy consultant who engineered those robo calls.

I used to think Tony was a good guy who was just listening to the wrong people. I now think he may have been one of those wrong people all along.

Norco Dems Resort to Sleazeball Politics in County Council Races

Sleazeball politics has reared its ugly head, as usual, in the race for Northampton County Council.

BethlehemDem reports that, even though he and his wife have lived in Lehigh County for the past two years, they still got an anonymous robo call over the dinner hour telling them NOT to vote for Peg Ferraro. In fact, Peg got a call herself, and was surprised to learn she voted to increase taxes a gazillion per cent. One of Peg's close friends, who has never even voted, has already called Peg to yell at her.

In Ron Angle country, things are even worse. So far, he's been nailed with at least eight robo calls, all coming from the same number, 484-548-6400, being used against Peg. He's been accused of everything, from being a serial shoplifter to human sacrifices. In addition to the robocalls, he's being slammed with slime mailers. Some are being paid for by his opponent, while others come from Joe Long's Democratic machine. Angle tells me the negative campaign against him is the "worst piece of garbage and filth I've seen yet." He estimates at least $60,000 has been spent to unseat him.

Ferraro and Angle's opponents are both using the same political consultant - Tom Severson, the Darth Vader of Politics. Severson is noted for this type of stupid anonymous smear. He just used that tactic last May to smear magisterial candidate Brian Monahan. That one blew up in Vader's face. “The Force is strong with this one.”

Dirty politics usually backfires. I saw that first-hand last week, during the Debate at the State. Bertsch was holding his own until he started to smear Panto. You could hear the audience groan in disgust the moment Bertsch went to the dark side.

Smear tactics also hurt people. Peg, a class act, recently suffered the sudden loss of her husband. She doesn't need to be kicked right now. And although Ron won't admit it, he hates to see how this bothers his wife and sons. But we're the real losers. This type of campaigning is precisely why many good people won't run. And it's why many other good people don't even bother to vote. It's bad for democracy.

Next week, I'm doing have to fill you in on those county council races. Does anyone know where Tony Branco is? He was MIA during yesterday's budget hearing, a hell of a way to serve the county. How's that Democratic machine working out for John ("I come from the corporate culture") Maher? Stay tuned.

Update: Nazareth blog NewsOverCoffee has posted a recording of one of the anonymous smears against Ferraro. You can listen here.

Barron, Angle & Ferraro Shine in Debate at the Slate

Nearly fifty people braved cold and wet weather last night for what is fast becoming the Lehigh Valley's most widely informative and entertaining debate for political hopefuls. You see, no one watches TV in the slate belt. They instead spend their evenings shooting at each other, going to meetings and talking politics. So the Pen Argyl Area Concerned Citizens decided a few years ago to just invite the candidates up for a night of give and take. And the result has been a smashing success, not just for the candidates, but for the rest of us as well.

The format is terrific. Each candidate makes a brief opening statement. After that, a three member panel poses tough questions, followed by even tougher inquiries from the public. After we all have our say, candidates cross-examine each other.

Several luminaries attended the festivities, including fellow bloggers Chris Casey, WindGapper & RadRalph. And although he started his day with a 7:30 AM speech, Northampton County Exec John Stoffa was there, too, giving me dirty looks. Maybe his wife is mad at him and he was afraid to go home.

Let me give you the play by play.

County Controller candidates: Steve Barron (D) v. John Schimmel (R). - Barron Pulls an Upset.

When I first told you about last night's debate, I told you the main event would be Ron Angle, who even wore a suit. But the biggest surprise is relative newcomer Steve Barron, who did so well against twelve year controller John Schimmel. I didn't see that one coming. I don't think Steve did either. I shook hands with him before the debate, and he was very nervous. He needn't have been.

Bethlehemite Barron was in Schimmel country last night. Schimmel has lived in the slate belt for thirty-eight years, and noted this almost as soon as he started speaking. But by the time the dust had settled, Barron had won the crowd.

Although not a public accountant like Schimmel, Barron is certainly qualified. He currently manages 28-32 employees and a $100 million budget. And while attending law school, he performed audits for the state of Delaware. But what impressed most was Barron's insistence that the controller job be full-time. "You cannot manage a $340 million budget if you do it part-time." Asked how he could survive on a $39,000 salary, Barron claimed that would actually be a payraise for him. Schimmel smirked, and people noticed. At first, Schimmel claimed his office was only 0.8 miles from the courthouse, but by the end of the evening, he said he'd commit himself full-time if the county charter is changed.

Schimmel was very defensive about the embezzlement that Northampton County suffered last year, mentioning it several times, even though Barron himself did not make it an issue. Schimmel even tried blaming county council audit requests. "It tied us up quite a bit," and then started questioning Barron's auditing experience before he was permitted to question him.

One thing bothers me about Barron, and that's his close ties to many of the Democrats on council. Would he let them use him as a political tool? Amazingly, someone asked Barron about that, and he responded very convincingly. He claimed his best friend is actually a Republican, but would stop being his best friend if he stole from the county. He also made clear that he has no role to play in county policy. "This office cannot be political."

Barron's final point pretty much says it all. "Look at what experience has gotten you. It's got offices that have gone unaudited for decades."

Plainfield Township Supervisor candidates: Randy Heard (D) v. Glenn Borger (R). Heard Wins Because He's a Dentist.

These guys should flip a coin or something. Pretty much all I heard was "I agree with Randy" and "I agree with Glenn." There were no discernible differences. But Heard is a dentist and they scare the shit out of me, so I'll call him the winner. Actually, Heard has a keen interest in local government and has been attending meetings for years. They were both likable and both would benefit Plainfield Township.

County Council at large candidates: Peg Ferraro (R) v. Tony Branco (D). Ferraro Wins.

Peg has thirty years of government service, and twelve of them have been on Northampton County Council. She's won some races and has lost a few, too. That prompted a question about why she would want to do it again, especially since she'll have to run again in two years.

"It's a genetic defect," she answered. After we stopped laughing, she explained that she grew up with it and enjoys it.

Her biggest concern is our out of control prison population. And last night, she embraced Stoffa's proposal that we start adopting programs for inmates that combat recidivism. She also spoke favorably about the very controversial bicounty health bureau, giving it some cautious support.

That's not the Peg I know. In years past, she has always been reluctant to take positions until absolutely necessary. But she's become very relaxed and really opened up last night. I liked what I saw.

Like Peg, Tony Branco is very personable and charming. And he sounded more like a councilman last night than he has on council. But Tony is also one of the council members who strangely rejected a routine Stoffa request to rebid a county contract. He was concerned that doing so would penalize a bidder who did everything right. But he forgets his allegiance is to taxpayers, not county vendors. Stoffa ultimately ignored council and rebid the contract, saving taxpayers $1.8 million over the amount that was originally bid by that same vendor. Branco had no explanation for his actions last night, or for his refusal to listen to the advice given by council's own lawyer.

County Council District 4 candidates: Ron Angle (R) v. John Maher (D)

Let me tell you the difference between these two guys. Ron Angle started things off by noting, "I see a few ringers in the crowd." And there were, too! He stood up, brash as ever, and flatly told the crowd, "This race isn't about me. It isn't about the guy next to me. It's about good government. We have an exec who believes in good government, so I'll support him. It doesn't matter if he's in my party." By contrast, Maher read from a script in which he at one point called Angle an "antagonistic life long politician." At this, Angle smiled and shrugged.

After slamming Angle, Maher proceeded to claim that he's from the "corporate culture" and is one of those "consensus builders" who believes that the majority should decide and that government must be conducted openly.

I asked Maher to reconcile that claim with his participation in the local party machine. Twenty Democratic committeemen, mostly from Bethlehem, chose him as the slate belt endorsed candidate in some dark Nazareth bar. All he could say was that he went to the party. At another point, he claimed he's "come up through the ranks of the party system." He even said the party should "close ranks." He's clearly a machine pol.

Maher, relying on his experience in the "corporate culture," even tried to defend council's goofy decision to try and award a bid to a high bidder. I believe Maher should continue his experience in the corporate world and leave governing to officials who will look out for the taxpayers.

Angle, by contrast, claimed it is time for the county to get back to the basics - courts and prisons, row offices and human services. He pointed out that, when he was first elected to county council eight years ago, Northampton County was a corrupt government. Two people ended up in jail. He admitted he can be divisive, but also pointed out, "I know the difference between right and wrong. Four people want to go back to the wrong, and he [Maher] wants to join them."

(Photos courtesy of Wind Gapper)

Update: The Morning Call has a well-written report of last night's debate.