Synagro Plans to Bake Shit Cakes at Plainfield Landfill

Just what the Slate Belt needs, a shit bakery.

Synagro is planning to bake shit cakes at the Waste Management Landfill in Plainfield Township, but needs a few variances. Use variances. That's supposed to be the most difficult kind to obtain, requiring proof of a hardship that is not self-created. Last night was the first of two informational meetings concerning the proposal. But though the meeting was held at the spacious Plainfield Township fire hall, there was no room when I arrived.

Ron Angle, who has used Synagro to fertilize some of his farmland, was there. He has questions about the site and the involvement of the Green Knights Economic Development Corporation (GKEDC). They went unanswered. The meeting was a dog-and-pony show, not a question-and-answer session.

Green Knights is an organization that grew out of a once troublesome group called Pen Argyl Area Concerned Citizens. That outfit was asking too many questions. The state DEP and Waste Management bought them off with the promise of a methane to energy plant, something that Waste Management is prohibited from doing directly.

Methane has been good to the Green Knights. It has cleared $600,000-$800,000 in each of the last three years, according to its nonprofit tax returns. It's sitting on a mountain of cash that could be as high as $4 million. That's great news to the slate belt, especially since GKEDC exists to "provide economic relief for poor and distressed local citizens."

But the grants have pretty much dried up. They are down from about $120,000 per year to about $20,000 per year over the past three years. At the same time,the Charter has been changed to accommodate members of an insular Board.

The Synagro proposal, which essentially uses waste heat to bake sludge cakes would mean more revenue for the Green knights, would produce about 16 jobs. It will mean revenue for Synagro and Waste Management as well. But whether this can be done without destroying the environment is another question. I'd like to see those questions addressed. Shit is shit.  It has its good points (feels better than sex on the way out) and its bad points (an odor that has killed innocent people when I eat garlic).  .

If you'd like to read more on this topic, visit Don Moore's informative blog.

John Bryant to Run For Plainfield Tp Supervisor

John Bryant has done a little bit of everything in his interesting life. He's worked at Acme and Food Lane, has been a sport photographer and has even worked for a private investigator. But most of his career, from 1973 until 2000, when he retired, has been with PennDOT. He used to be a regular caller on Ron Angle's radio show. and has always had all sorts of ideas. He may get to try some of them out. He's just filed his nomination petition for Plainfield Township Supervisor.

Bryant is a Republican. I think a Democrat lives in Plainfield about thirty years ago, but he died in captivity.

Bryant would like to see the Township be more transparent. He points out that you can't really tell what happens during a meeting until the following month, when the minutes are approved. He believes that all business, including resolutions and motions being considered, should be accessible on site.

Plainfield Township is a five-person board. The seats held by Glenn Borger and Bill Schmauder are up this year. Bill Schmauder has told several people, including Bryant, that he's not running. But he may have changed his mind. I left a message with Schmauder asking him his intentions. Borger is one of the area's most ardent environmentalists, but I do not know his intentions.

Executive Secretary Joyce Lambert is reportedly running as well. She plans to retire her position, but obviously is still interested in the Township.

Updated: Plainfield Police Chief Reinstated by Arbitrator, But Fired Again

Plainfield Township, a participant in the planned Slate Belt Regional Police Department, has had numerous problems with its own police force, especially Chief Dean Ceraul. At a meeting on  December 11, 2013, Supervisors in Plainfield Township voted 5-0 to fire him for "neglect and violation of his legal duties."

Chief Ceraul sought an arbitration. I learned this morning that an arbitrator reinstated Chief Ceraul late last year. Executive Sec'y Joyce Lambert directed me to the township's labor lawyer, and he has condirmed exzactly what has happened.

Attorney Neil Morris of the Offit Kurman law firm confirmed today that late last year, an arbitrator did order Chief Ceraul reinstated on the basis that Township Supervisors had no just cause to fire him. He was awarded back pay, minus whatever he was able to earn from his private business.

Ceraul and the Township have a contract under which he could be fired without just cause, though the Township then would have to pay him one year's salary as liquidated damages. The Township had urged the arbitrator to affirm the firing and just award one year's worth of liquidated damages, but he declined, noting that he was mediating a "for cause" termination.

As a result of the decision, Supervisors voted at their January 14 meeting to fire Ceraul again, except this time it is on nondisciplinary grounds. Thus, the Township owes Chief Ceral one year's worh of salary and all back pay, minus whatever he earned.

Updated 2:35 pm 

Plainfield Rescinds Memo Banning School Patrols

A good night for Kristin Harvey

At a rancorous and crowded meeting of about one hundred people last night, Plainfield Township Supervisors unanimously backtracked on a controversial "internal" memo that banned any police presence at Wind Gap Middle School. This March 28 memo, which was adopted and signed behind closed doors, allowed police at the school only during bus times, "and only if an officer is available," or "if County 911 calls them and it is an emergency." Any police officer who failed to comply could be suspended or dismissed. After getting an earful from angry parents, Supervisors unanimously reversed course and rescinded the memo, blaming the whole thing on miscommunication. But it's also clear that this Board, in addition to micromanaging the police, have very little understanding of the Sunshine Act.

Although scheduled for the Municipal Building, the meeting had to be moved to the Plainfield Township volunteer Fire Company as the crowd poured into the building.

A good night for Superintendent  Bill Haberl, too

Attorney and Wind Gap Middle School mother Kristin Harvey Kunsman took responsibility for leaking the memo to the press, claiming that Supervisors "deliberately decided to take this action and hide it from our eyes".

Supervisors were initially resentful that this memo had been leaked to the public. "We didn't want to do our dirty laundry in public," complained Chairman Randy Heard, who called the controversial directive a personnel matter.

Heard is incorrect. It is actually a policy decision to ban police patrols at Wind Gap Middle School, not a personnel matter. Under the Sunshine Act, Supervisors may meet in secrecy to discuss a specific employee, but this memo was no discussion of a specific staffer. Even if this was a personnel matter, any official action would have to be in an open meeting. Supervisors took official action by signing that memo in secret instead of during an open meeting. Their actions violated the Sunshine Act.

To make matters worse, a Township staffer took it upon herself to remove two months of meetings in which a police presence at the school was discussed. "That can be resolved," promised Supervisor Jane Mellert.

A bad night for Chairman Randy Heard 

Supervisors then tried to explain that routine patrols and walk throughs at the school were still permitted, drawing loud protests from numerous members of the audience who had copies of the memo.

"I wrote it, so don't tell me about it, lady! OK?" shouted Supervisor Glenn Borger to an unidentified person in the audience.

At another point, Supervisors contended that police officers are under a directive to stay away from certain areas within the Township. But they refused to say where.

"That's none of your business!" snapped Supervisor Borger.

Steve Hurni seeks divine guidance?

Supervisors use GPS devices on police cruisers to keep track of police movements, and Borger complained that cruisers have spent one to two hours at the school on 54 separate occasions.

Pen Argyl Area School District Superintendent William Haberl explained why. On one occasion, a teacher had a heart attack. On another, a student attempted suicide. He added that sometimes, officers eat lunch with students or do paperwork. Chief Dean Ceraul pointed out that a lockdown can take 1 1/2 hours.

"Just let the police do their job," stated an unidentified man seated next to Chief Ceraul. "I think you know you made a mistake. You just have to admit you made a mistake."

Exasperated, a frustrated Glenn Borger moved to rescind the memo that he himself had penned, and his motion was quickly seconded by Supervisor William Schmauder. But while that motion lay on the table, Supervisor Jane Mellert wanted to go into executive session (behind closed doors), and Chairman Heard agreed.

In addition to violating Robert's Rules of Order, Mellert's Motion violated the Snshine Act because she failed to state why she wanted an executive session/. So I entered an objection, which is permitted by the Act by anyone for a perceived violation. Mellert first stated it was to discuss litigation, but was unable to state any identifiable complaint. She then stated it was a personnel matter, but was unable to identify any specific person to be discussed.

Solicitor David Backenstoe resolved the objection by alone meeting with Mellert while the rest of the Board waited.

Once she returned, the Board voted unanimously to rescind a memo that itself was a violation of the Sunshine Act.

Plainfield Police Banned From School Patrols

This is as nutty as it gets. In the wake of the December 14 Newtown tragedy, in which a mentally unstable gunman senselessly slaughtered twenty innocent children and six adult educators, you'd think that authorities would be sensitive to the importance of a police presence at our local schools. Yet Plainfield Township Supervisors, in a March 28 memo to police officers, have banned them from any sort of patrols at the Wind Gap Middle School. They are only allowed there during bus times, "and only if an officer is available," or "if County 911 calls them and it is an emergency." Any police officer who fails to comply will be suspended or dismissed.

If anyone should be dismissed, it would certainly seem that it should be the Supervisors for issuing such an idiotic directive, which must be signed by all officers. I do not see this matter listed as a discussion on the March 28 agenda.. It certainly appears that the public was deprived of an opportunity to be heard. And since when do Supervisors decide where police should patrol? Shouldn't that decision be left to the professionals?

"Parents Take a Stand" has been formed in response to this memo, which is incredibly signed by all five Supervisors. At least 43 people have indicated they plan to attend tonight's 7 PM meeting of Supervisors at 6292 Sullivan Trail, and demand an explanation. According to the agenda, people who wish to speak must sign in and are limited to five minutes.

Attorney Kristin M. Harvey (Kunsman), one of the organizers of this effort, is the mother of a 5th grade student at the middle school. She observes,

"This directive is beyond rational explanation. The mandate ignores the fact that the School is located within the jurisdiction of the police department. It also ignores the multitude of reasons that a police officer might be required to be present at a facility within his jurisdiction. Finally, and most importantly, it ignores and threatens the safety of the 800 or so people, including children, in that building on a daily basis – the largest concentration of individuals in the township at any given time."

I'll be there, and let you know what happened.

Millions Up in Smoke!

From Newlins Mill Road, in Palmer Township, you can see a plume of black smoke billowing from the Nicos Polymer fire, seven miles away. This shot was taken at 3 PM, ten hours after the fire was first reported.

At that distance, the smell of burnt plastic could also be detected.

The silver lining to this dark cloud is that nobody was hurt.

J Spike Rogan: Easton Strongman?

If you read this blog often enough, you're bound to read some of the Budweiser-inspired philosophy of J. Spike Rogan, former candidate for appointment to Easton City Council. Who the hell names their kid Spike? Seriously. That name, combined with his commentary, makes me wonder whether he's had his rabies and distemper shots. In his blogging days, he once posted posted Saddam's execution in "full clear," whatever that means. Basically, he's my kind of guy, if only because he makes me look normal.

Spike, not surprisingly, is a strongman. He recently finished second in the tractor pull at Plainfield Farmers' Fair. He just sent me the video.

Spike has a lot of experience pulling dead weight. Last year, he pulled Easton mayoral candidate Mike Fleck all over the place. Fleck finished second, too.

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.