Dougherty, Creighton Break Pledge to Taxpayer For $1,500

In 2006, Lehigh County Commissioners gave themselves a payraise. Their salaries increased from $5,500 per year to $7,000 per year, starting in 2008 and 2010. Dean Browning refused it. When he became Chair, he also turned down the extra $500 that goes along with that gig, too.  He remained true to his word during his term as Commissioner. Percy Dougherty and Tom Creighton, both seeking re-election, broke their word.

During their 2009 campaign for district seats, both Dougherty and Creighton pledged, in a "Contract With County Taxpayer," that they would forego that $1,500 increase if elected. They kept their word, but only for two years. Starting in 2012, they took the dough. They broke their word behind closed doors, too, via memo exchanges with then Chair Brad Osborne.

Dougherty now denies he took the pledge, but I was at the news conference in which he announced it. For a measly $1,500, both Dougherty and Creighton broke their contract with the County taxpayer.

Dougherty is opposed this November by Attorney Susan Wild. Creighton is opposed by Bill Leiner, a nurse and former Commissioner.

LVPoliblog: Percy Dougherty Being Primaried

I'm not sure "primaried" is actually a word. But I see it used all the time to describe an incumbent who faces a primary challenger. He's being primaried, they say. Well, veteran Lehigh Commissioner Percy Dougherty is being primaried for the third time in twelve years. He's just too damn moderate for the "reform" (extremist) team. Blogger Chris Casey has crawled out of his bunker and provided the details.

Hansell Vetoes $5 Million Jobs Cut in Lehigh County

LC Exec Bill Hansell

Despite the lack of power, Lehigh County Executive Bill Hansell convened a news conference on November 1 to announce his veto of a budget amendment approved by a divided, 5-4, Board of Commissioners late last month. Their amendment slashed $5 million from the budget by reducing compensation to the County's workforce. Hansell blasted this jobs cut as "an unnecessary threat made against a work force that is already well under the number of employees that Lehigh County had twenty years ago." He added this cut "serves only to demoralize our staff with threats of furloughs, layoffs and terminations."

In addition to the veto, Hansell reduced non-personnel expenses by $3.5 million from what was contained in his original budget, which he called a compromise to a budget amendment that proposed $5 million.

Supporting Hansell at this news conference were Lehigh County Commissioners Percy Dougherty, David Jones, Dan McCarthy and Brad Osborne. With this support, it appears unlikely that Commissioners will be able to muster the six votes needed to override Hansell.

Also joining Hansell were numerous County officials, from Republican DA Jim Martin to Democratic Sheriff Ron Rossi.

Commissioner Lisa Scheller, part of the five-member coalition who supported a $5 million reduction in employee compensation, filmed part of the news conference and walked out, shaking her head.

District Attorney Jim Martin noted that last month's budget amendment instilled fear of layoffs or pay cuts in the approximately 45 employees under his supervision. "I can tell you that none of them deserve that," he remarked. "They work very diligently and hard on behalf of all of the citizens. He called the $5 million jobs cut, which translates to 100 employees, as unnecessary. "It was not a thoughtful approach," he argued. "If we can't prosecute cases, we can't fulfill our obligations." He commended the "political courage" of the four Commissioners who stood with Hansell

One of these, Dr. Percy Dougherty, a Republican, stated he is now a "marked man," referring to next year's election. A geologist by education, Dr. Dougherty described the budget process in lyrical terms. "The dark clouds that we saw on the horizon weren't the hurricane coming. It was budget season, and it hit us with a flurry, probably more so than the hurricane," he waxed.

Daugherty explained that he supported Hansell's veto because it includes $3.5 million in cuts to non-personnel expenditures. This will still guarantee a $44 reduction to each taxpayer, as was contained in the budget amendment approved by five Commissioners as well as the original budget proposed by Hansell.

Fellow Republican Brad Osborne, who chairs the Board, agreed that the $3.5 million in non-personnel cuts "begins the process of closing the structural imbalance between revenue and expenses in a sustainable way."

Democrat Dan McCarthy, like Dr. Dougherty, also referred to the recent storm. "When you have catastrophes like this, people want government," he stated. "It does have a valid role to play in our society." He complained that the $5 million jobs cut would rob Lehigh County residents of the very people needed to react to crises like Hurricane Sandy. Fellow Democrat David Jones called the indiscriminate jobs cut too much of a "blunt approach."

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on overriding the veto at their November 14 meeting.

The Commissioners who support the $5 million jobs cut are Vic Mazziotti, Scott Ott, Michael Schware, Tom Creighton and Lisa Scheller. Executive Hansell claimed that only Creighton honored his multiple requests for a meeting, although this was disputed by other Commissioners who complained they were not invited to the news conference.

Browning Proposes LC Withdrawal From Bi-County Health Dept

On Thursday night, Northampton County Council narrowly adopted a resolution that gives false hope to a continued Bi-County Health Department. By a 5-4 vote, they agreed to support its "continuing activity," so long as no money is required from the County. On Friday, Lehigh County Comm'rs Chair Dean "Van Helsing" Browning proposed that Lehigh County withdraw.

Trying to drive a stake through the heart of a Bi-County Health Department that just won't go away, is proving to be very difficult. I was sure it was dead in July, when six Northampton County Council members refused to authorize funding, a budget or establishment of a health board. Since that time, County finances have gone from bad to worse. Lehigh will see a 16% tax hike next year, and Northampton County has barely escaped a similar fate by putting Gracedale, the County nursing home, on the auction block.

But they forgot to cut off its head, and the LV Health Board is b-a-a-a-a-ck.

Glen "Commissioner No" Eckhart and Tom Creighton have already signed on to Browning's legislation. And Andy Roman is expected to conduct a news conference today, in which he'll announce some kind of "post 911 alternative," whatever that is, to a bi-county health department. That arguably gives Browning four Republican supporters. All four Democratic Commissioners can be expected to continue their support.

So it all boils down to Percy Dougherty, scourge of affordable housing and proponent of zero-tax-increase budgets.

He's all for a bi-county health department. In fact, according to him, so is Northampton County Council. "[T]here are enough votes to move forward with approval of the Health Department pending some last minute financial concerns," he claims. He adds that Browning's proposal is "politically motivated because the sponsors know they do not have enough votes but they are playing to the media."

But Browning, who knows very well that Northampton County has no real intention of establishing a Health Department, is concerned about the financial consequences to Lehigh when it is left holding the colostomy bag. According to Browning, Lehigh County's go-it-alone "starting price will be in excess of $500,000 and will increase dramatically from there. Since the July meeting of the LVHC, we have had an intervening event, namely the 2011 budget, that should give pause to some. The budget for 2011 calls for a 16% increase just to allow the County to continue to fulfill the basic responsibilities that are currently assigned to it by the Commonwealth and by the Home Rule Charter. And even with that increase, we still have a gap between expenses and revenue that will need to be filled if we are to continue to provide those required services without another tax increase in 2012."

I support a public health department myself, but when county governments are fighting for their financial lives, it's time to back off. Now is simply not the time, and it is unfair to allow the good people on that board continue to spin their wheels until both counties are on a firm financial footing.

If Browning's argument is "politically motivated," we could use a few more politicians.

The combined legislatures of Lehigh and Northampton Counties will meet on January 10, and that's when we'll learn the true fate of the Bi-County Department of Health.

Say It Isn't So, Percy!

Percy Dougherty is the chair of Lehigh County's highly regarded Board of Commissioners, arguably the best legislative body in the Lehigh Valley. A big reason for that is him. His affable style of bipartisan leadership makes Lehigh County as efficient as Northampton County Council is dysfunctional.

I had assumed that, with a Republican majority ensured and the admiration of Democratic colleagues, Dr. Dougherty would soldier on for another year. But I've received inside word late yesterday that Percy is tired of all the duties entailed, and may pass the baton on to someone else. I hope this is untrue or that he changes his mind. Nobody serving can equal him as facilitator. Percy recently emailed fellow commissioners with a job description, adding "I can tell you from experience that this is a time consuming position."

1. Chair the County Commissioners meetings twice a month in a fair and impartial manner.

2. Attend all committee meetings-the Chair is a member of all committees.

3. Serve on the Lehigh County Pension Board.
(a) Ordinance requires the Chair and one other Commissioner serve on the Board.
(b) Quarterly meetings (2/11, 5/13, 8/12 and 10/10), 8-11 AM.
(c) Periodic meetings to interview companies for inclusion in portfolio.

4. Perform staff evaluations.

5. Assign Commissioners to committees.

6. Assign Commissioners to non-profit boards.

7. Attend leadership meetings with the Administration twice monthly, or as required.

8. Chair the Bi-county Health Commission for 2010 (alternates between the two counties)
(a) Organizational meeting on second Monday of January.
(b) Meetings and interviews of candidates for Treasurer.
(c) Organizational meetings with Northampton County in summer.

9. Serve on the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
(a) Can only be the Chairperson and no alternate.
(b) Monthly Executive Committee Meetings, 7:30-10:00 AM on second Thursday of month.
(c) Serve on the Board and attend quarterly meetings
(d) Attend spring and fall Legislative Meetings.
(e) Other optional meetings, including Nomination Committee.

10. Serve on the Board of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation.
(a) Meets monthly on the third Thursday.
(b) Special meetings with the Mayor and site visits.

11. Serve on the Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
(a) Monthly meeting with the President Judge and officials of the judiciary
(b) Commissioner Raber represents the Chair this year.

12. Member, Lehigh County Affordable Housing Committee, Ordinance stipulates the Chair and one other Commissioner serve.

13. Member, Quality of Life Committee, Ordinance stipulates the Chair and two commissioners serve.

14. Be the point of contact between the Commissioners Office and:
(a) Municipal, State, and Federal governments,
(b) Administration, Judiciary and Row offices,
(c) County vendors
(d) The Public.

15. Be the point of contact between Lehigh County and other agencies through phone calls, emails, and correspondence, e.g.:
(a) County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
(b) National Association of Counties.
(c) Grant agencies.
(d) Federal and State agency review of programs.

16. Be available as the official representative of the County at public events.

17. Be available to answer questions from the press.

18. Prepare the annual Commissioners Office budget in consultation with the Clerk.

19. Review and complete paper work for expenditures, travel, training and special services in the Commissioners Office.

State Budget Impasse: Should We Throw the Bums Out?

Only two states are operating without a budget - Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Here in the Keystone state, our school districts are owed $1.3 billion statewide. In addition, non-profits providing human services are waiting for $114 million. It has even chased the Devil to Canada. (M. Night Shyamalan's latest film, Devil, has moved from Pennsylvania to Canada.)

So do we throw the bums out? It's it time for another clean sweep of state legislators. That's a questions I asked LC Comm'r candidates Bob Smith, Percy Dougherty and Mike Welsh on Tuesday. You can see their answers here.

Three candidates had three different answers. If there's no budget by Election Day, Smith would support removing everyone in Harrisburg. Welsh would prefer to judge each legislator on his or her own merits. Dougherty believes caucus leaders in both parties should be dumped.

Why the State Budget Impasse Matters to Counties

I was very late for yesterday's news conference featuring Lehigh County Commissioner candidates Percy Dougherty, Bob Smith and Mike Welsh. But I arrived in time to learn what's bothering them - the state's failure to adopt a budget. They blame both parties.

"The politicians in Harrisburg from both political parties are putting partisan politics and special interests before the interests of the people they are supposed to represent," said District 4 Commissioner candidate Mike Welsh. "It needs to stop and it needs to stop now."

District 3 Commissioner candidate Bob Smith, who also serves on the Allentown School Board, added that "what may have started out as a legitimate battle of ideas on how to move our Commonwealth forward has turned into a sad sideshow that underscores why people don't like and don't trust politicians."

Why does this matter in county government?

Percy Dougherty, who chairs the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners, answers that question.
"The bottom line is that Lehigh County's budget of $400 million has less than $100 million raised by property taxes. The rest is State pass through money, which is now frozen. Many of the services that people expect, especially human services, are not paid for by the County but are only administered by the County. We have not been reimbursed for anything since the new budget year on July 1st.

"It is only a matter of time before services to children and youth, mental health and mental retardation, area agency on aging, drug and alcohol, and other critical programs cease to be funded because the County does not have the cash to fund these programs on its own. Some of those programs are mandated and the County has to pay for them even though we do not have the money. A total of $190 million is passed through the Sate to fund our human services budget, only $7 million is provided by the County."

Dougherty points out that even before the budget impasse, the State has been short-changing county government.

"We are tired of the State treating us as second class citizens. The County is already being shorted by the State even before the budget crisis. The State Supreme Court has ordered the legislature to take over court funding, it has not happened. The State gave the DAs a pay increase, but is not reimbursing us. The State is also shorting the funding of the Conservation District, and it has made a mess of the Children and Youth reimbursements under Title IV, which is resulting in counties being stuck with a large bill. Now they are asking us to pay their bills while they argue over the budget."

I have a video excerpt of some of their comments, which you can view here.

LC Comm'r Chair Dougherty Blasts State Budget Impasse

Gloria Hamm has oxygen tubes running up her nose, and Sterling Raber's arm is in a sling after breaking his collarbone last week. They both had pretty good excuses to take a summer's night off, but they were still present at last night's fifty-minute meeting of Lehigh County Commissioners. After listening to a spirited address by Chairman Percy Dougherty, they may be preparing for war against ineffectual legislators in the land of midnight payraises.

One of the items considered was a proposed grant of about $100 thousand to an alphabet soup of nonprofits for participation in Lehigh County's "MORE for Children" program. As explained by sponsor Dan McCarthy, this is a program administered through the school districts, for field trips to places like Lehigh Valley Zoo and Allentown Art Museum. Hotel tax, and not real estate revenue, is used to fund this grant.

Although Dougherty supports this "very important" initiative, he notes that "[i]t doesn't appear like there's going to be speedy conclusion" to Harrisburg's state budget gridlock. He claimed everyone, from Governor Rendell to legislators from both parties, are at fault.

"This is probably the largest pending disaster that I have seen for the County since I have been a County Commissioner." Having just returned from a CCAP conference, he then explained how other counties are preparing.

"Some of the counties are already putting into effect programs where they're cutting back on staffing, where they're starting to cut programs, and for want of a better term, they're putting into effect triage types of systems. So by a certain date, if we do not have a budget, they are going to start to cut programs, and these are programs that most of us consider absolutely necessary. ... We are going to have to look at this very carefully if there's not a budget solution soon."

Commissioners throughout the counties are even thinking "that if the legislators don't come up with a solution, that county commissioners from every county declare that they're going to run against the elected officials in Harrisburg so that we can get something done. It's getting nasty out there."

You can see Dougherty's video here. Careful! It's hot!

Meanwhile, over in the People's Republic of Northampton County, where County Exec John Stoffa runs around flipping off light switches, Finance Chair Lamont McClure has no worries. He's conducted just four budget meetings this year, half the usual number for previous years.

Severson Running Prinzinger's Sleaze Campaign Against Dougherty

Over the weekend, I told you that judicial candidate Jim Narlesky, magisterial candidate Jackie Taschner and Bethlehem City Council candidate Joe Leeson are using campaign maven Tom "Scissorhands" Severson. You can now add Lehigh County Comm'r candidate Mark Prinzinger to this hall of shame. Late last week, he circulated a vicious mailer that likens Dougherty to Arlen Specter, who is not too popular among Republicans these days. It then goes on the recite "Fact" after "Fact" to show that Dr. Dougherty is some liberal lunatic like me. Prinzinger's mailer, a Scissorhands production, can be examined by clicking on the picture above.

There's one teensy problem with this neagative mailer. It's basically untrue. An upset Percy Dougherty makes that clear in an email to his supporters.

"Please contact your friends and tell them the latest mailing from the Prinzinger camp is untrue - it is a collection of flagrant lies fabricated by paid political consultant Tom Serverson. Yes, the same guy convicted of threatening Ron Angle's life at a funeral and the same guy under indictment for running dummy companies to cover up questionable deals.

A copy of the flyer is attached in case you did not see it. Note that none of the "facts" are documented by sources, they are all made up. The worst parts are:

1. It alleges I voted for a 70% property tax increase. NO WAY, I HAVE NEVER VOTED FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, ESPECIALLY A 70% INCREASE! In fact, I voted for $8 million in reductions during the past year, nearly a 1 mil tax reduction..

2. It alleges I voted for the union at Cedarbrook Nursing Home--LUDICROUS! THERE WAS NEVER A VOTE BECAUSE DON CUNNINGHAM APPROVED THE UNION BY A CARD COUNT! In fact, I worked with workers at the facility to try to appeal the decision to the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.

3. It attacks my Balanced Budget Resolution by saying it is not necessary because a balanced budget is required by State law-THAT IS CORRECT, BUT MY RESOLUTION AIMS AT NOT USING FUND BALANCES, RAINY DAY FUNDS, TO BALANCE THE BUDGET!

This is unbelievable for it is coming from a person who is trying to convince the voters that he is a fiscal conservative. The record and my East Penn School District tax bill show that he is not. He has voted for increases in the EPSD budget that have resulted in large tax increases.

Email or call your friends and neighbors who may have received this malicious mailer and set the record straight, and encourage them to show up and vote for me tomorrow."

Prinzinger's Gorr & Severson Connection

In August '06, Upper Macungie Township Supervisor Tom Gorr sent shockwaves through the Lehigh Valley blogosphere when he suddenly resigned under a cloud of suspicion. It was rumored he was abusing township credit cards. A few months later, the state ethics commission ruled that, in addition to this playing with township plastic, Gorr failed to file the appropriate ethics statements. He was fined $4,000. Without authorization, he even charged the township for the cost of two laptops as well as some college classes.

He's b-a-a-a-c-k.

Behind the scenes, he's attempting to steer Lehigh County in the wrong direction. Who knows? Maybe he could use a few county credit cards.

His Lehigh County protege, at least for a time, was Commissioner candidate Mark Prinzinger. Yeah, Mark is the dude who hates the nonpartisan stance that incumbent Percy Dougherty takes on most county issues. He'd like him to be more partisan and divisive, just like Northampton County Council.

Whoopee!

And now he has just the outfit he needs to run a sleaze campaign directed at Percy. Who might that be, pray tell? Why it's none other than Precision Marketing, which just happens to be owned by Scissorhands Severson, King of Sleazeball Politics. Amazing! Mark and his campaign manager are quite indignant about Julian Stolz' sloppy campaign finance reports. But they have absolutely no problem using a political consultant whose campaign antics are under a very real investigation by the state AG.

Gorr & Severson. Yeah, Prinzinger must really be interested in good government.

Don't believe me? Here's an excerpt from an email that Prinzinger himself sent to potential donor Bob Guzzardi on January 27.

"Lastly I have been in talks with Tom Gorr. He was Jim Lansceks campaign manager for the last primary race that Percy Dougherty was in 4 years ago. Tom has run a number of campaigns and has agreed to come on board with the Prinzinger camp. With that being said Tom has spoken highly of Precision Marketing out of Easton. They are the firm that help Jim Lanscek with his race and they produced some very high quality mailers as well as walking lit. I have set up a meeting with them next Tuesday at 10:30 am. I was wondering 2 things, 1 if you would be interested in coming to the meeting to see what they have to say about a plan and 2 how you feel about going down the road with a consulting firm instead of the original game plan we discussed at your office. I would also like you to meet Tom Gorr sometime. He seems to have a vast knowledge of campaigning as well as the make-up of the district."

The Prinzinger camp may deny any Gorr connection. But their decision to use Precision Marketing indicates they are listening to him, no matter what they say.

Sometimes irony has a way of being pretty damn ironic, eh?

Update: The Morning Call now has an account of the Passion of the Stolz.

Lehigh County Comm'r Percy Dougherty to Announce Reelection Bid Tonight

Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners is the best municipal government I've seen. It certainly has its share of 5-4 votes, but its nine members take the time to listen to each other as well as the public. Whenever possible, they look for areas of agreement instead of division.

Rather than adopting a ridiculous and meaningless Code of Civility, these legislators genuinely admire each other. Hard core Dem Bill Leiner always treats hard core Republican Dean Browning to a cup of coffee at committee hearings. True, he may spike the drink from time to time, but it's the thought that counts.

This collegial atmosphere is the result of Chairman Percy Dougherty, whose affable style of bipartisan leadership makes Lehigh County as efficient as East Penn School Board appears to be raucous. Interestingly, Dougherty's primary opponent, Mark Prinzinger, is a member of that troublesome body.

Dougherty will formally announce his reelection bid at 5:30 PM tonight at the Community Room, Clock Building, 322 Main Street, Emmaus, PA 18049. He intends to "run a positive campaign based on my proven record of experience and leadership, economic development, planning, smart growth, environmental protection, human services, and quality of life issues."

He's invited everyone to come out tonight "so you can have a voice in the future of Lehigh County." If you'd like to talk to Percy, you can reach him at VoteForDougherty@aol.com.

Lehigh County & Allentown Conduct Peace Talks

It all started when Lehigh County Commissioners dragged their feet last year on a community policing proposal that would help fund one or two more Allentown police officers. Mayor Edwin Pawlowski appeared before county officials with his hand out, but incredibly began bragging about the city's supposed cash surplus, among other things. That left county legislators scratching their heads, wondering why they need to fund cops in a town supposedly so rich.

Commissioner Glenn Eckhart, when he dared question Pawlowski's figures, was promptly shut down by Hizzoner, who diplomatically told him, "You have no idea what you're talking about." Naturally, commissioners rejected the community policing proposal. King Edwin marched up to the dais and arrogantly told them, "It's a sad day for county government ... ."

City Council Prez Mike D'Amore, upset at being jilted, drafted some resolution that went something like this, "Whereas, Lehigh County Commissioners could not pour water out of a boot if the instructions were on the heel." Really ticked off, Eckhart pledged to boycott Allentown, and may have challenged D'Amore to a duel.

You'll be pleased to know that city and county leaders are actually conducting peace talks. Lehigh's two top commissioners - Chair Percy Dougherty and Vice Chair Dean Browning - sat down for breakfast on Friday with Allentown's city council leadership, Prez Mike D'Amore and V.P. Michael Donovan.

They had scrapple.

In fact, Chairman Percy Dougherty told me that he has been meeting for some time with D'Amore to discuss the mutual problems facing both Allentown and Lehigh County. Here's how he explains it.

"As you know, I am a firm believer in intergrovernmental cooperation and I believe that most problems facing government are of a regional nature. Allentown is the largest city in the region and what happens in the City of Allentown has a great impact on the health of the whole Lehigh Valley. A healthy Allentown means a healthy Lehigh Valley, but a bankrupt Allentown means that all of us will have to pay the bills. To that end, it is important to have the leaders of City Council and the County Commissioners communicate with each other on a regular basis.

"We need to identify areas in which we are duplicating services or where we can team uo to improve efficiency. We need to have a common vision on planning, economic development, the importance of the arts in Downtown Allentown, workforce housing development, and a solution to the crime problem that is placing an unfair burden on the county prison and the court system. This is just scratching the surface."

When I caught up with Mike D'Amore, he echoed Percy Dougherty, adding the importance to those "in elective office try to keep lines of communication open to as many people as possible."

Dougherty and Browning are Republicans, while D'Amore and Donovan are Democrats. Yet they manage to put these partisan differences aside to try and identify areas where they might be able to work together. The people benefit as a result. Their willingness to work together speaks very well of all four of them as well as the bodies they represent.

It's called good government.

Republican Comm'rs Vulnerable in Lehigh County

Lehigh County's nine-member Board of Commissioners is its legislative branch, empowered by Lehigh County's Home Rule Charter to enact the county equivalent of laws. They also hold the purse strings. With a five to four Republican edge, a swing of just one seat could change the balance of power. Four legislators are elected "at large," i.e. countywide. The rest, elected from a specific geographic area, are called "District Commissioners." This year, voters in each district will decide whether to keep or dump its five district representatives.

Sterling H. Raber (R, District 1). - This is the only real open seat. Lehigh County's quiet man, Raber is one of the most well-respected government officials in the Lehigh Valley. But after twenty-seven years, this New Tripoli pig farmer is packing it in. Another dignified former commissioner, Marc Grammes, is reportedly interested. I am unaware of any Democratic interest in this seat, which would be an uphill battle.

Percy H. Dougherty (R, District 2). - Dr. Dougherty has ably chaired Lehigh County's Board at least six times and is a very large part of the reason why the Commissioners work so well together. His bipartisan approach to government and quirky sense of humor are a refreshing change of pace. I'm used to having Northampton County Council members like Dertinger scream at me during or after meetings, so it's very unusual for me to attend a meeting in which elected officials actually try to get along and in which the chair is very interested in public input.

Incredibly, Dr. Dougherty may be facing a primary challenge from a Republican who thinks Daugherty is just too damn accommodating. Youthful East Penn School Director Mark Prinzinger, incensed that Commissioners actually adopted a budget, has hopefully come to his senses.

David S. Jones Sr. (D, appt.; District 3). - When Kurt Derr suddenly resigned last year, Rev. Jones was appointed in March to replace him. He is the Lehigh Valley's first county-level legislator. Lehigh County's Republican-dominated commissioners selected a strong Democrat who will be hard to beat, and that was their intention. Republican Robert E. Smith, Jr., President of Allentown's school board, is supposedly interested in playing the role of Don Quixote.

Daniel K. McCarthy (D, District 4). - Solicitor to Allentown Parking Authority and regular Pawlowski contributor, McCarthy is finishing his second term in a heavily Democratic district. Mike Welsch is reportedly interested in going after this "pay to play" pol. Last Fall, Welsch embarrassed state rep. Jenn Mann in a televised debate over Allentown's crime problem. He also bluntly but accurately told The Morning Call there was no point in meeting its editorial board for an endorsement. Voters did not hear his message. I doubt they'll hear it now.

Glenn Eckhart (R, District 5). - When Lehigh County Commissioners threw up a temporary roadblock to Don Cunningham's community policing proposal, the normally affable exec was steamed, not over the defeat, but because he felt that Eckhart had gone back on his word. Then Eckhart petulantly mixed it up with Allentown City Council Prez Mike D'Amore, resulting in an Eckhart pledge to boycott all Allentown businesses.

Eckhart, whose district now has a 9% Democratic edge, is in trouble. His seat is vulnerable, and with it the balance of power in Lehigh County.

Lehigh County Plans to Expand Work Release Facility, With or Without Norco

Last week, I told you all about Abe Atiyeh, protector of homeless, prisoners, politicians and his pocket book. He throws money at pols like lottery tickets, but with a lot more success. His latest scheme is to con Northampton County into leasing its new work release facility from him. His first venture, in West Easton, went nowhere. But now he's selling the county - and he is one of the best pitchmen out there - on a tract in Bethlehem Township in the middle of an industrial park.

Problem solved, right? Wrong.

I searched through all the records of Northampton County yesterday, and neither Atiyeh nor any of his corporate shells own anything in that vicinity. He may have an option agreement, but it's unrecorded. Basically, he's scouring the area, hoping to find a site that he can then lease to the county for profit. Assuming Atiyeh buys and builds a work release facility, will he pay a living wage to his contractors, as the county is legally required when it builds something itself? I don't know, but let's not kid ourselves. His primary allegiance is to himself.

This site - located near Fritch Drive and Brodhead Road - has access to public water, but a local realtor informs me no public sewer is available. Bethlehem Township has no sewer capacity with Bethlehem.

So where are three hundred guys supposed to take a dump?

In the meantime, Bethlehem Township small business owners near this site are genuinely afraid. One of them, a young lady, informs me she is already afraid to walk to her car alone at night. When I offered to escort her, she got even more scared. She and many others plan on voicing their concerns at next Monday's Bethlehem Township's Supervisors' meeting.

While Northampton County stumbles along and runs after Atiyeh, alienating community after community, Lehigh County has quietly forged ahead with plans to expand its own work release facility, located near Route 378 in Salisbury Township. This center is so close to Northampton County, it can only be accessed by physically driving through Northampton County.

Established in 1989, Lehigh County's work release facility was never really built. That's too dignified a word. They just hauled in tractor trailers, stacked a few trailers next to each other, and threw in a few bunk beds and showers.

It was supposed to be a temporary solution.

Eighteen years later, they're finally getting around to a permanent structure. At last night's Lehigh County Commissioners' meeting, Dean Browning - who chairs the Planning Committee - introduced legislation (Bill 2008-09) for the design of a permanent work release facility, capable of housing five hundred inmates. In doing so, Browning noted that Lehigh County's work release population is currently 205. "If Northampton County chooses to join us, this would be an ideal time to do so."

Chairman Percy Dougherty was quick to agree. "I think it's a shame that Northampton County did not come on board with us. ... Maybe it's not too late."

Unlike Northampton, Lehigh has a facility. It has already introduced legislation to design a five hundred inmate recidivism center. It is very close to the homes and workplaces of most Northampton County work release inmates.

Now is the time to catch that train.

Blogger's Note: The difference between Northampton County Council and Lehigh County's Commissioners is like night and day. I will be posting a blog about that in the next few days.

Derr Stuns Lehigh County Comm'rs With Surprise Resignation

In a stunning announcement at the conclusion of this evening's meeting of Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners, a tearful Kurt Derr announced he is resigning his position as District Three's representative. Voice cracking, Derr called his service to Lehigh County one of the "greatest honors of my life." Derr explained he is moving out of his district.

"Do we have to accept this?" asked an exasperated Percy Dougherty, who chairs Lehigh County's board. He termed Derr's departure a "great loss. I'm really going to miss you." Under Lehigh County's Home Rule Charter, commissioners will have forty-five days to appoint another Democrat to Derr's seat.