Meet Walter and Clara

Walter and Clara on Thursday night

I've told you before about security measures at Ron Angle's farm. Sure he has barbed wire and vicious dogs on constant patrol. Yes, his property is surrounded by a moat infested by man-eating sharks with laser beams attached to their heads. If you make it past them, there's sludge pellets scattered everywhere like landmines. Step on one and you get bubonic plague. But his most effective deterrent were his guard geese.

I narrowly escaped with my life during several visits. They were mean, ugly, loud, foul-tempered and fat. Just like me. They'd even go after Ron. They hated everyone. But for some reason, Ron adored them.

About a year or so ago, they both died. The first was accidentally run over by one of Ron's helpers. Ron thought it was intentional until he accidentally ran over the second about a week later.

Walter and Clara on Sunday night, double the size
of Thursday and on their third box. 

Quite upset at being a goose killer, he called me. "I don't know what I'm going to tell Max," he said.  Max is one of Ron's two sons. The goose Ron killed, named Gertrude, was raised by Max. He had found the egg and used a heat lamp to bring this killer goose to life.

Over the past year, I've been looking for replacements. It's really hard, you know. They don't sell goslings anywhere near here. Then, on election day, a poll worker told me I might be able to find them at The Mill in Germansville. I was in luck.

Last week, I delivered two embden goslings to Ron and his wife Sharon.

They loved them. Sharon was hugging them like little babies. Even Ron held them. They are keeping them on a porch until they get a little bigger, which will happen very fast. A male embden is 40 pounds and mean as hell.

I had provisionally named them "Little Ron"and "Little Sharon." But when we went to dinner that night, we ran into two little kids named Walter and Clara who were climbing the walls at the restaurant. We all agreed this was a sign from above, and these vicious killers are now Walter and Clara.

"We'll invite you up when we cook 'em," were Ron's parting words to me.

Easton School Board Kills Angle Nomination as NCC Trustee

Northampton Community College is governed by a Board of Trustees that currently includes 14 members. There should be 15. Bangor's former School Board President, Pam Colton, was a trustee, but her term expired in June. Unanimously, the Bangor Area School Board selected Ron Angle to succeed her. But his nomination was killed. All school boards contributing to the college have a say. All but two had no problem with Angle. Bethlehem and Easton did. Because they kick in more money than other school districts, their No votes outweighed everyone else.

As you might imagine, Bangor's School Board resented having their choice rejected. Though Angle is an ornery bastard, he's their bastard.. That's who they want to sit on the Board of Trustees. So unanimously, the sent his name in again. Once again, this choice was fine with all but two school districts. Bethlehem said No, and at Easton's School Board meeting last night, the motion to nominate Angle died for a lack of a second.

Robert Fehnel, an Easton School Director, is the Chairman of Northampton Community College's Board of Trustees. The trustees, who enjoy their lobster dinners and filet mignons, are concerned that someone like Angle might spotlight what's really going on.

what's really going in is that Northampton Community College is sitting on a ton of money. Yet all the school districts it serves have to kick in every year. Bangor is paying close to $500,000. Other school districts pay more. This money was certainly needed when the college was first formed in 1967, but is it needed now. Angle has questioned this funding formula, along with former school director Bob Cartwright. Given the importance of education, this funding may still be needed. But you need people who will ask the tough questions.

A last night's school board meeting, there was no discussion of agenda matters. Items were lumped together and voted on together. This is because they were discussed in the back room or possibly at a committee hearing. When Angle's nomination came up, there also was no debate. Though one member did nominate him, it's pretty clear to me that Fehnel blackballed him in private discussions.

Ron was there, dressed in suit and tie. He spoke in support of his nomination, saying he would bring his knowledge of finance to the community college. One board member actually laughed at him.

Under state law, "The composition of the board of trustees shall be representative of the geographical area to be served by the college and shall include members of the professions, business, industry and other organizations or lay persons." Thanks to the weighted votes of Bethlehem and Easton, the slate belt is being denied representation. The board is also short of entrepreneurs. It's also short of true fiscal conservatives. The college hypocritically brags that it promotes "diversity and inclusion," but that pious platitude has no application to conservative viewpoints.

The Other Ron Angle

Max "Rocky" Angle and Ron Angle, Jr.

This is a story about Ron Angle. Not that Ron Angle. The other one. He's Ron Angle, Jr. and is completely unlike his father. Want proof? Yesterday, Junior saved someone's life, and without going through his pockets first.

Junior was working on a home on Roseto Avenue in Roseto, when a kid going down the street keeled over right in front of him. Junior ran up to the kid, noticed he had stopped breathing, and called 911. First responders were tied up, and it took them what seemed like 15 minutes to arrive, though they were probably faster. Junior began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, which kept the young man alive until police and medical personnel arrived.

Junior's mom Sharon, who was assisting him, arrived to see police cruisers and ambulances. She was worried that something had happened to her son. She ran up just in time to hear a police officer tell Junior that he probably saved this kid's life.

The cop also told him that he could have done chest resuscitation, but I think Junior likes mouth-to-mouth and gets lots of practice, though it's usually with women.

How did His Eminence react on hearing what his son did? Ron Senior has already sent the poor kid a bill for a month's rent at $1,000 since he collapsed right outside his property.

Ron's other son, Maximilian "Rocky" Angle, is a personal trainer and a natural bodybuilder who recently took second place in Open Middleweight Men’s Bodybuilding at World Gym Philly.

A first responder weighs in. -

“Great story on Mr. Angle Jr.! A few key points are a little skewed. First arriving officer was on scene within 5 minutes  of dispatch followed by a second Bangor officer. Jr. was doing chest compressions at the time and great ones at that! The Male who collapsed did have a faint pulse but was overdosing on heroin. The roseto officer administered two doses of narcan and began assisting with ventilations utilizing a bag valve mask. Roseto fire department personnel arrived 8 minutes after dispatch following suburban EMS. Total time on location 15 minutes.  

“Jr. Did a great job no doubt by calling 911! Don't forget everyone else involved.

“Have a wonderful day sir!”

Congrats to all involved!

Angle's Property Being Condemned?

One of the items on last night's agenda was a condemnation ordinance. for the bridge project. One of the 33 bridges being restored to pristine condition abuts property owned by His Eminence, Ron Angle. The County needs a tiny sliver.

"Are we taking Angle's land?" asked John Cusick. "We might have nine sponsors!"

Angle has already loaded this bridge with tannerite that he picked up cheap from a state trooper. He has also constructed a moat around this tract, filled with spiky blowfish.

Angle Named Trustee to Northampton Community College

Over the past two years, Bangor School Board has reached out twice to appoint Ron Angle, Emperor of the Slate Belt, to vacant positions. The voters were always 5-4. Magisterial District Judge Sherwood Grigg  actually subjected Ron to a 45-minute oath the first time he was appointed. 

The directors who voted against Ron must have been pleasantly surprised by what they saw. Though Ron has spent decades of his life building up a reputation as a flamethrower, he has over time mellowed.They learned that he actually is a consensus builder whose financial acumen has saved the school district money.

On Monday night, the school board voted to appoint him as their trustee to Northampton Community College over the next six years. Usually, that role is assigned to a school director. What's most amazing to me is that the vote was unanimous. Directors who voted against him initially now recognize that he really does care about schools.

I spoke to Ron afterward, and though he'll never admit it, I think he was really touched by this honor. It was also very smart move by the school board.

I'll leave you with a point of etiquette. An Upper Mount Bethel reader who saw Ron at the recent meeting concerning Tannerite genuflected as he walked past her. Ron tells me that a slight bow is sufficient.             

Eat Chicken!

Eat chicken! Ron Angle now has four calves on his farm. The one above is getting a little kiss from his mother.

These twins are constantly at their mother. Despite her plea for help in cow language, I had no sympathy. That's what she gets for failing to take precautions.

.
And then there's Blizzard, a bull born during a January snowstorm.

Some people golf. Ron Angle likes to watch his cows and go to meetings.

Angle's Chrin Deal Has Generated $204,000 For Farmland Preservation Since 2012

In October 2011, Charles Chrin sought a TIF from Northampton County for a 689-acre business park he was proposing at the northern end of Palmer Township. A TIF is a special arrangement which allows a developer to use the increase in real estate taxes to fund more infrastructure. It requires the approval of the municipality, school board and county.

Chrin had a good argument. For one thing, he was willing to pay for the cost of an Interchange along Route 33 near Tatamy. Even more importantly, it was expected to produce 3,500 jobs. But it gobbles up 689 acre of farmland.

The TIF had already been approved by Palmer Township and the Easton School District. But the County had to sign off as well.

Angle negotiated a commitment from Chrin to set aside 1.5 per cent of the gross sales price of each lot as sold for farmland preservation, capped at $2 million. According to then Executive Stoffa, this money would be used to get matching grants from the state, and thus enable the County to preserve 650 acres of farmland.

"Nobody else could have done it," Stoffa told the Farmland Preservation Board the following year.

"It's not easy dealing with Charlie Chrin," said Board member Bob Doerr.

"It's much harder dealing with me," wisecracked Angle.

It is now 2017. How much money has been generated as a result of this deal?

 Ken Kraft asked that question nearly two months ago. He finally got an answer of sorts at Thursday night's economic development committee meeting.

According to Department of Community and Economic Development Director Tim Herrlinger, the county has received $204,000 since 2012 from the sale of five lots. Of course, there are many more lots to be sold so I suspect that $2 million figure will be reached.

Herrlinger said his figure is "subject to audit." Translated, that means he's unsure.

Sure or not, there's $204,000 that belongs in farmland preservation instead of anywhere else. John Brown failed to include that sum in his budget for farmland preservation and needs to do so.

Ron Angle Appointed to Bangor School Board

Lock up your women and whiskey! Last night, Bangor's School Board voted 5-3 to appoint the NorCo Bulldog, Ron Angle, to a vacancy on the nine-member board. Angle will only serve until December, when a newly elected school director is installed.

With the looming resignation of Superintendent Frank DeFelice, there's a leadership vacuum. There is no assistant Superintendent, and the Business Manager just went on extensive medical leave for an illness. His assistant is about to embark on a 12-day vacation.

DeFelice apparently intends to clone himself.

I have told you before that something is wrong - seriously wrong - with anyone who wants to be a school director. The job pays nothing, and no matter what you do, you make enemies among teachers, parents, staff or all of them.

Bob Cartwright tells me what makes the experience worth it to him is going to a graduation or school event and seeing the fruit of your labor. .

Angle was a school board director for 12 years. He was its President. He also has served as an interim school director. Now you know why he is insane.

But he started a great tradition there many years ago. Coffee, cookies and doughnuts are made available before every meeting. "If you want people to come, give them a cup of coffee and a doughnut and they'll feel more comfortable," Ron explained.

Before anyone could change their mind, Angle was sworn in by Magisterial District Judge Alicia Zito. The oath she administered was much shorter than the 20-minute loyalty oath demanded by Sherwood Grigg when Angle was named an interim director a few years ago.

The NorCo Bulldog: "I Have Returned!"

When NorCo Council last met two weeks ago, Ken Kraft asked when Charlie Chrin was going to start kicking in money for farmland preservation.That was a promise made to Ron Angle when Council agreed to go along with a TIF that was supposed to produce at least 5,000 jobs at the Route 33-Tatamy Interchange. Whenever he sold a big box, he was supposed to kick in part of the profit until the county had $2 million to preserve working farms. Nobody seemed to know whether Chrin had kicked in anything. "Where's Ron Angle when we need him?" complained Kraft. He got his wish last night. After an absence of several years, the Northampton County Bulldog has returned, as full of fire and fury as ever.

"People of Northampton County, I have returned," said Angle, with a cigar in one hand and an old copy of Lehigh Valley Business in the other. An amateur historian, Angle was quoting the words that Douglas MacArthur uttered on his return to the Phillipines. The only difference is that, instead of the trademark corncob pipe fancied by the Gaijin Shogun, the Bulldog prefers a stogie and suspenders.

Angle came bearing gifts. He brought a few small bags of Class A sludge pellets, which he handed out before the meeting as Valentine's Day presents. Unfortunately, a Deputy Sheriff thought they were candy, and began eating them.

Her memorial service is on Tuesday.

As deadly as Angle could be in his three terms on Council, he is much more dangerous in the audience. Ask Upper Mount Bethel Township.Or Lower Mount Bethel Township. Or Bangor School Board. When they saw him, NorCo council members hoping for the usual twenty-minute meeting suddenly became quite uneasy. Administrator Cathy Allen scowled. Executive John Brown looked as though he had indigestion, and turned green when Angle plopped his yellow farm hat right next to this wannabe blue blood and former Notre Dame cheerleader, nattily attired like Mr Corporate America.

What made Ron leave his cows?

It was the story he read in Lehigh Valley Business about how John Brown and Council are addressing their crumbling infrastructure with a so-called public-private partnership.Under this program, called P3, 33 of the County's 119 bridges have been conveyed to the General Purpose Authority (GPA) for repairs at 20-30% less than would be paid if the County were to do the work itself. In addition to being cheaper, Executive John Brown has said that the work will be done more quickly. This sailed through Council 7 to 1, with Ken Kraft being the sole No vote, and I thought he was nuts st the time. What's not to like?

The Bulldog doesn't like it, either.

"The story started out saying this was 'innovative,' and ends up by saying they've been doing this for 17 years in California,"  Ron started. "I don't know how 'innovative' it could be if they've been doing it in California for 17 years" He added that he'd hate to see California's finances copied in NorCo. .

He then ticked off the following, more, specific criticisms.

• If there are utility easements on a bridge, as is often the case, the County is going to have to pay extra. 
• The project is already $1.5 million over budget and a year behind schedule, without a spade hitting the ground.
• Kriger Construction, the low bidder on this deal, was well below the others. "The first thing you ought to ask yourself is why?"
• Though Kriger has some PennDOT bridge qualifications, it's for minor repairs and to mow grass around bridges.
• Kriger has zero P3 experience. "They've never done a P3, which is an RFP requirement. So again, you ignored that, and they had no experience. They actually have never, ever performed a fixed price contract. And I think all of you would agree this is a major project." 
• Kriger had to get three lines of credit from three different banks (one of them owned by Louis DeNaples)to come up with the money. It is at best a $4-5 million company. 
• Most of the work will be done by people from the coal regions. "Why did you not have in your requirement that a percentage - at least 50% - would come from Northampton County?"
• Love him or hate him, Donald Trump has pledged to provide stimulus money for infrastructure projects, so it would make sense to wait and see what he plans to do.

"You people have gave this contract to someone with literally no money, with three banks on the hook, with no experience doing this kind of stuff, they never met the requirements of your RFP, the only thing they did do is give you the low bid. Well, I think you would learned in history that the low bid is not necessarily the best bid."

"When I hear the term 'public private partnership,' I cringe. In my lifetime of being around the world of public office, I've always understood what that meant. The public will be on the hook for the bill. The private sector will make the money.  It's like the NIZ in Allentown. What has the NIZ done for the citizens of Allentown? Nothing, but there's a couple of individuals who have made hundreds of millions and pretty well will make billions 'till it's over."

When Angle was done, he got 12 yard stares in a two-yard room.

Ron Angle is a husband, father, farmer, entrepreneur, antiques aficionado, cigar lover and is the greatest storyteller I have ever heard. Though he claims his heritage is Dutch and German, he is in reality Irish, a Slate Belt seanchaí, a valued keeper of the oral tradition. As a Druid, I know these things

He's also my best friend.

His appearance at Council tonight tells me he might run for one of the five at-large seats on Council, especially now that incumbent Mat Benol has decided to take a break. But Ron also enjoys private life and communing with the cows at his farm. He is a cow whisperer, and even understands the language. Don't reach any conclusions.

He's also the Republican that Democrats love to hate. They will come out in droves just to vote against him. Come to think of it, a lot of Republicans hate him, too. Especially the bluebloods. But Ron has enough supporters to win a county-wide race for one of five seats.

He makes government better. People have told me they took extra time to prepare if they knew they would be facing the Bulldog. If Lamont McClure wins the Exec race, which looks more likely as he raises money and chips away at Brown, Angle will hold him accountable. Lamont knows this. If John Brown prevails, Angle will be just as critical. He proved that last night.

Tales of the Slate Belt - Ron Angle and The Bank Robber

Bob Cartwright used to brag that Portland is the Cancun of the Lehigh Valley. He'd tell me its water tastes like Perrier, and caution the rest of us are all downstream. I hear lots of stories about Portland and the Slate Belt from that region's seanchaí, Ron Angle. He's a master storyteller, which leads me to believe there must be at least some Irish in him, despite his claims to the contrary. Cartwright claims Ron inherited this gift from his father Fred.

Not long ago, having survived Ron's guard geese, I visited with both Ron and his wife Sharon for dinner. Another fellow showed up and Ron began to spin his yarns. Some may even be true! I love the written word, but there's nothing like listening to a seanchaí. Angle has loads of stories, featuring numerous topics. But he always returns to Portland, where he grew up, and the Slate Belt.

In all the years I've known Ron, I only recently heard this one. Angle was once involved in a bank robbery, and wasn't the robber! In fact, he nearly foiled it.

Ron at one time worked for the Second Nat'l Bank of Pen Argyl. He started out as a teller, but became a repo man who excelled at collecting bad debts. His methods were often unconventional, and probably illegal, but they worked. They include a trip to Philly's deepest and darkest ghetto, where he once found himself surrounded by a group of angry blacks when they caught him trying to repossess a Caddy. The owner had removed the battery, and Angle was caught when he put in a new one.

He carried a gun, and I suppose he could have used it, but he would have died. That is probably the day he discovered that he has a much more powerful weapon - his tongue. He not only talked his way out of this jam, but left this gang on good terms.

The only person I know who was as good at getting into a pickle, and then talking his way out of it, was my Dad.

I'll tell you his repo man stories some other day.

Bank officials were quick to promote Angle because he delivered, and he eventually found himself with a hot Mustang and in charge of security. This was in the early '70s, before cell phones, but Angle wanted a car phone. The bank refused to spend the money, a decision it would soon regret.

There had been a rash of bank robberies in the area, so Angle was visiting all the branches each day to see if all was well. This included what is now the PNC Bank in Plainfield Township, right beyond the fork separating Rte 191 and Sullivan Trail. Angle pulled in and could see people standing inside with their hands up in the air.

He pulled into the parking lot, and saw one car, a beat-up old junker, that looked out of place. He pulled into the other side of the parking lot, and waited for the robber to make his exit. His plan was to run the guy over and then shoot him.

But when the robber exited the branch, he was not alone. He had the branch manager with him as a hostage. And instead of going to the beat-up old car (which turned out to belong to a neighbor), the robber had the manager get in his own car.

As they left, Angle followed along Route 191, going right by state police cruisers with their emergency lights headed in the opposite direction, responding to the robbery. Eventually, the bank robber realized he was being followed, and picked up the speed, but Angle was in a Mustang. The guy eventually pulled into a parking lot and spun the car around and fingered to Angle to come over. Angle shook his head No, but the robber pointed a gun at the manager's head. So Angle pulled alongside, and the robber told him not to follow or the bank manager would be dead. He said he'd release the manager once he was sure he was free, and then took off.

Angle waited a few minutes and then took off, but this time was looking for the bank manager. He found him near the Belfast exit off Route 33. The robber had parked his car there and had now made his getaway.

Angle and the manager returned to the bank and explained what had happened to the police, whom Angle said were moving in slow motion. Instead of hopping onto Route 33, troopers were more interested in his date of birth and his addresses for the last 17 years.

The bank robber was long gone before the staties started looking for him.

But he continued to rob banks. On his 11th robbery, he screwed up. He had walked into the bank and they closed the door behind him. It was quitting time, but he thought they were onto him and freaked out and ran. Police caught up to him walking along Route 191, but they still did not have enough.

The FBI was able to piece it all together and eventually arrested the guy.

They actually made their arrest while he was coaching a baseball game in New Jersey.

The guy had a gambling problem and owed a lot of money to mob loan sharks. In exchange for his cooperation, he got a five year sentence for 11 robberies.

There is an old link to the robber's arrest in The Daily Intelligencer from July 9, 1971, but I am unable to reproduce it here because it is copyrighted.

By the way, the day after the robbery, the bank got Angle a car phone.

Spotted in the Slate Belt!

His Eminence was at the 5-Points Gas Station in Upper Mount Bethel last night, drag racing against teenagers in this beauty.

NorCo's Open Space Chair Faces Conflict Allegations

Ron Angle unswayed by Judy Henckel

Judith Henckel is a well-known environmental activist who currently serves as the Chair of Northampton County's Open Space Advisory Board. Before that, she led a "save or pave" drive supporting a 2007 referendum in which Upper mt Bethel taxpayers agreed to a 0.25 tax hike dedicated to preserving open space. That year, she also won a six-year seat on the Board of Supervisors, where she pursued an environmental agenda that included the 2008 purchase of  a 300-acre quarry owned by Eastern Industries, financed with a $2 million bond. That purchase was criticized by Ron Angle, who charged that the Township was buying "barren land" that could never be developed. But Henckel countered that the move was essential to protect the "Mount Bethel Fens."

And bog turtles.

But is it really about the fens and bog turtles? Or is the green pursued by open space activists the kind they can take to the bank?

Based on a tip from Ron Angle, Upper Mount Bethel Supervisors have spent the past month looking at records of payments made to Urban Research and Development, a well-respected Bethlehem-based firm that employs prominent landscape architect Leonard Policelli. Supervisor Anthony DeFranco revealed at last night's meeting that Urban Research has been paid $360,000 in that time period for different projects, including the development of a community park spearheaded by Policelli.

According to the Pennsylvania Ethics Act, a conflict or conflict of interest exists when a public official uses the authority of her office or any confidential information received through that office for the private pecuniary benefit of herself, a member of her immediate family or a business with which she or a member of her immediate family is associated.

"If in fact her son was getting a pecuniary benefit, there could be a conflict," said Solicitor Ron Karasek. "In all due respect, I was not aware that Mr. Policelli was Judy's son."

This relationship was also a surprise to Angle until last month. "Nobody in this audience has attended more meetings than me over the past ten years," he said. "Never once was this ever brought up by her or by him [her son] that 'By the way, there could be a potential conflict and we just wanted to let you know.' They just kept doing the same-o same-o."

Angle told Supervisors that Henckel should be barred from participating in any boards that decide on grants for her projects. He added that, when she was a Supervisor, she steered the Board away from farmland preservation, in which conservation easements are purchased. "Now I figured out why she never wanted farmland preservation," said Angle. "There's no money to be paid to the guy who does the farmland preservation. You just write a check."

Chairman John Bermingham, himself an open space advocate who was elected with Henckel's help, attempted to minimize the problem. "We live in a small town," he said. "It's gonna' happen here and there." He did agree that there "could" be a conflict, but that he and DeFranco have only been on the Board since January.

"She lobbied for these things," countered Angle, "knowing that a close relative would benefit."

For her part, Henckel denied that she opposed farmland preservation, and noted that three Upper Mount Bethel farms are in the process of being preserved now. She also denied that the community park, in which her son and his firm were involved, is open space. She called it a "municipal facility" given to the Township by Reliant Energy, and before she was a Supervisor.

At that time, though, Henckel was nevertheless a public official because she served on the Township's Environmental Advisory Council. She stated that she disclosed the relationship. "A lot of people knew," she explained, though she conceded she "did not advertise it." She indicated her son had just been successful that day in getting a $20,000 grant for trees at the park.

Henckel also questioned the $360,000 figure, indicating that Urban Research had done other work for the Township aside from the community park.

In a conversation during the meeting, Henckel told me may have voted a few times for projects that would benefit her son'e company, but just never thought about it. She also indicated that she spends untold hours working for the benefit of the Township, not expecting anything.

Where things go from here is unclear. Angle believes the District Attorney or Ethics Commission should investigate, but Supervisors took no action at this point.

The open space movement appears to have created its own industry in which "land preservation boards' or "environmental advisory councils" are formed in which members vote to preserve each other's properties at taxpayer expense.

Much more oversight is needed than currently exists. That's why watchdogs like Ron Angle in Upper Mount Bethel and Vince Foglia in Williams Township are essential.

Bill White's "What Is It?" Offers Major Prize

Morning Call columnist Bill White's latest "What Is It?" feature is offering a major prize - lunch with His Eminence Ron Angle, as well as yours truly, to the lucky person who guesses correctly just what is in this wooden kit. Guessing it here does not count.

I was at Angle's home for dinner with Ron and his lovely wife Sharon on Sunday night. He's at DEFCON 2 these days, and it now takes about three hours to get through the gates, strobe lights and various searches. He collects all kinds of weird stuff.

Ron Angle Appointed to School Board despite Judge's Hissy Fit

Angle amused at Grigg's histrionics

He may have dropped his bid to be Controller, but Ron Angle is back in public office. He was appointed to Bangor's School Board last night from a field of five well-qualified candidates. He was elected on the first ballot, too, after all five candidates had been nominated. Angle received votes from President Michael Goffredo, Ken Brewer, Bruce Cameron, Toni Lynch and Bob Cartwright. He will only be in office for the next three months, finishing the term of Pam Colton. He was elected on the first ballot despite inappropriate meddling from Magisterial District Judge Sherwood Grigg, a die-hard Democrat who lobbied against Angle. He was elected on the first ballot despite the slinking presence of Northampton County Democratic Chair Matt Munsey, who apparently has given up on the actual partisan races for judge, controller and county council. Angle was appointed because he could hit the ground running. Unlike the other candidates, who quickly disappeared after the vote, Angle has been a regular at school board meetings and understands the issues. He proved it last night, proposing an approach to financing debt that could save the school district as much as $70,000.

Magisterial District Judge Sherwood Grigg Meddles in Angle Appointment

Grigg not a happy camper

Sherwood Grigg is a senior Magisterial District Judge. By now, he should know that it's inappropriate for a jurist to be involved in political activity, as prescribed by Canon 4 of the Rules Governing the Standards of Conduct for Magisterial District Judges. He should also know he has an obligation to be impartial, which is spelled out in Canon 2. But Grigg threw judicial ethics to the four winds in an attempt to sabotage Angle's appointment.

Angle is the Republican that democrats love to hate.

Earlier in the day, Grigg was promising people that there was no way Ron would be appointed,. Grigg would make sure of that himself by calling school directors and urging them to vote against the Northampton County Bulldog. .

Before the school board meeting started, he explained to the person seated next to him that he had come to swear in the new appointment, but refused to bring his robe. Then he added, "If a certain person is nominated and elected, I'm out of here because I don't get paid to do this."

Grigg also spoke publicly in support of Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who earlier that day had been ordered to stand trial on perjury and other charges. "She was set up," he pontificated, and then noted how easy it is to set someone up.

When Angle saw Grigg, he sat next to him. Like the hypocrite he is, Grigg smiled and made small talk with Angle.

After Angle was nominated and elected with five votes, Grigg got up to complain that the board needs to go through all the other candidates. But Angle had already been elected, a point made by both Solicitor Don Spry and President Goffredo..

Despite his earlier threat to leave, Grigg remained to administer the oath. But it was a special oath> One I never heard before. It  went on about three times longer than most oaths of office, and included pledges like "I will not take kickbacks."

A bemused Angle went along for the ride.

Obviously, Grigg failed to act fairly and impartially. .

Angle Did Hit the Ground Running

Angle and Bob Cartwright. Those two could set fire to the Lincoln tunnel. 

Once sworn in, Angle actually did hit the ground running. In fact, he may have saved the school board as much as $70,000 in his first meeting.

The school board was considering refinancing some debt with an $8 million bond issue. This would save the district about $230,000, even with administrative costs. Bond counsel Kevin Reid estimated those to be about $110,000.

Angle suggested that, instead of floating a bind, the school district could save a huge chunk of the underwriting money by approaching several banks and getting a loan at a lower rate. Reid called Angle's suggestion reasonable, and Business Manager Mark Shiavone acknowledged he had seen that approach when he was in the banking industry himself.

Legal fees will remain the same, but the elimination of other underwriting costs could save around $70,000. So instead of just voting to float a bond, the Board unanimously directed the Business Manager to first explore the option of obtaining a loan

From there, the school board went into other matters, like how much to pay substitute teachers and whether it is paying too much for bottled water. I could only take so much and left after three hours. As I've written before, I think anyone who serves on a school board is nutz. It's a thankless job.

The Angle and Slate Belt People Don't Know

The slate belt is often derided as the armpit of the Lehigh Valley. I know this because I am one of its chief tormentors. But I'll let you in on a little secret. I love it up there. The air is just a little cleaner. The people are nutz, but are just a little happier. Its terrible economy, which results mainly from a lack of infrastructure, might just be a blessing in disguise. Instead of 500,000 and 600,000 sq ft warehouses, the area is dotted with beautiful farms and magnificent views.

Before last night's meeting, I brought Dat's grandmother up to see Ron and his wife Sharon. This person is Vietnamese and has been in this country since 1985. When she first arrived, in the dead of Winter, they were hosted by a family that could only afford to give them one meal a day. Her family scoured the fields outside of Bath, looking for corn. She knows little of the Lehigh Valley, outside of its three cities. She went nuts on Angle's farm, picking apples and pears. The Angle no one knows actually helped her. His wife Sharon offered a jar of homemade plum butter.

She then asked Angle for a chicken. Ron has no chickens, only geese. But he told her she was welcome to take a cow home. Unfortunately, she could not fit it into my car.

It's a Toyota.

He made her day, and all she could talk about on the ride back to her home is how nice Ron and Sharon are.

And they are.

The school board made a good call.

Ron Angle Withdraws From NorCo Controller Race

Former Northampton County Council member Ron Angle has filed papers to withdraw as the Republican nominee for Controller. In a phone interview, Angle told me his reasons were "personal."  If it were just him, I think he'd stay in the race. But I believe he pulled out to shield his family from the inevitable attacks that always seem to be directed at him.

At the moment, incumbent and Democratic nominee Steve Barron has no opponent. The county party hierarchy does have the authority to name a replacement. I am unaware if that has happened.

On a personal level, I am glad Ron has pulled out. I consider him a very close friend. I adore Ron's wife Sharon, who is as far from politics as you can get. And I really like his sons Max, a natural body builder who may soon be the first Angle to graduate from college, and Ron, Jr., who is battling an illness.

Contrary to Ron's popular image, he is one of the finest and most compassionate persons I've ever met. It always bothered me to see him attacked.

Colton Resigns as President of "Divisive," "Unprofessional" Bangor School Board

Pam Colton has stepped down as President of the Bangor Area School Board. Her resignation was announced at last night's meeting, which she declined to attend. She also resigned from the Board. Though Directors were mum, she delivered a scathing letter that was highly critical of them.

And she once served with Ron Angle! She's been a Director for 16 years, and served for the last three as President.

Steve Bussenger, who is VP of the Board, though his election as President was automatic. And he was. ... For about four minutes. The Board instead installed Mike Goffredo.

Colton had been rumored to be a Controller's candidate against  incumbent Steve Barron, but she never circulated a petition.

Her resignation is below:

I have thought long and hard about this and although part of me believes I should stay on as board president until the December 7, 2015 reorganization meeting, I have decided to resign from the board effective immediately. My decision is based on the fact that after 16 years of working very hard for this district, I no longer want to be connected to the unprofessional approach that some board members have adopted when dealing with our staff, nor am I able to support the lack of accountability I am witnessing every day.

Throughout my 16 years I have never served in such a divisive environment, and I have served with some very opinionated school board directors. Now board members task administrators with their own agenda items rather than making sure it is the will of the majority. Board members dig for information on staff members rather than letting supervisors handle situations. Board members railroad meetings with their own personal agenda. Nothing I have done to advise otherwise has changed the behavior. The staff is now operating from a position of weakness, not strength.

I have given 100 percent of my help and support to this administrative team when asked. I have always been available to answer questions, attend meetings, or just talk through a situation. I hope whoever is chosen to replace me by the remaining eight board members treats you as well. I wish you the best going forward.

Sincerely,
Pam Colton

Who will Directors appoint to succeed her? My guess would be Ron Angle. His heart has always been in the Bangor School Board, and I think the votes are there. But he would only be serving until the end of the year. That's when Pam's term on the Board expires. She never sought re-election.

A Ron Angle Controller Race Would Help Elect Sam Murray

Although the official tally is not expected until later this week, WFMZ-TV69 has gone out on a limb and reported that Ron Angle has attracted enough write-in votes to get on the Republican ballot in the Controller's race against Steve Barron. I'll go out a little farther and report that Angle has over 550 write-ins, well in excess of the 250 votes required. A few votes went to RAT candidate Anthony Catino, who wanted to twerk his way into office. There was even a write-in vote for the "Mediterranean Manslab" in Bethlehem's eighth ward. But Angle, who spent no money and did no campaigning, really kicked ass. Nobody will be more grateful than Sam Murray, if Ron really runs. And that is a Big If.  

If the judicial race between Democrat Sam Murray and Republican Vic Scomillio were held today, Sam would lose. He would go down even though there are more Democrats than Republicans.The reason for this is that Republicans vote in municipal races while Democrats watch John Stewart. This is why John Brown, who was widely unknown, was able to beat John Callahan in 2013.

Republicans are pretty smart in these races. Look at Bethlehem and Easton. You'll see there are no Republicans on the ballot. Even in the County Council races, Republicans offered no challenger in Bethlehem or Easton. As a result, Democrats stay home in the urban centers. They think they have no real reason to vote. And the Republicans crush everywhere else, especially in county races. So despite having the Brown anchor around his neck, I believe Scomillio is currently the odds on favorite for judge and that Sam is going to have to do everything he can to bring out the vote if he expects to win.

In the old days when there were real party bosses like Justin Jirolanio, Democrats were a real machine on election day. They spent immense amounts of money to drive voters to the polls and make sure as many Democrats as possible voted (and some would add as many times as possible).

Over the years, as unions and party structures have weakened, that real get out the vote effort has been replaced by political consultants who send mailers to the wrong addresses or conduct bogus polls. Candidates with no money get stuck with zealots like Gloria McVeigh, who scare normal Democrats away.

Republicans need no one to drive them to the polls. They will come in on walkers and wheelchairs. You have to respect them for their willingness to be engaged. I wish more Democrats were like that, but they only get fired up in presidential races.

If Ron runs for Controller, things change. Sam's chances of getting elected as Northampton County next judge improve considerably. Ron will bring out the Democrats. In fact, he'll probably bring out more Republicans than might otherwise vote. He is a master at drawing attention to himself, and has already done it in this race. The Express Times was unwilling to do a profile on the judicial race before the primary becauseit  might interfere with their prom coverage. But the paper published a story about Angle's write-in campaign, even though he was not even a candidate. He sells papers.

Now WFMZ is reporting on the barbs being exchanged between Steve Barron and Ron, in what sounds more like the trash talk before a professional wrestling bout than anything else.

Good stuff.

As most of you know, I think Barron is a much better Controller now than he was before John Brown took office. He has matured, and Brown has also managed to make him look pretty good. But as most of you also know, I consider Ron Angle one of my closest friends. In my mind, no one would be a better fiscal watchdog than the man I dubbed the Northampton County Bulldog.

But is Ron really serious?

I think he was running solely to prevent Barron from waging his own write-in campaign, or even worse, seeing the nomination going to a wingnut  like Catino. I doubt he really wants the job. He is simply too busy to be tied down to an office every day. If Ron Angle turns down the nomination, party bosses can select someone else to take his place. That's what I expect to see happen.

But not right away.

He's having too much fun.

UNOFFICIAL: Ron Angle Has Enough Write-Ins to Run For Controller

According to the unofficial tally, Ron Angle will be on the ballot this Fall as the Republican candidate for Controller. That's bad news for incumbent Steve Barron, who has been effective in recent years. It's worse news for John Brown, who has been a disaster as Executive and is sitting on a slush fund of casino table games revenue.

Angle Plants 50 Mickey Thompson Signs in Williams Township

Ron Angle is waging no campaign for Controller until and unless 250 Republicans give him a write-in vote. But on Monday, he did do some campaigning for Mickey Thompson, who is running for Northampton County Council's Republican nod against John Cusick in District Three. That District is a hodge podge that starts in Williams Township and ends up somewhere in Alaska. Angle planted about 50 signs in Williams Township, mostly because that's where Cusick lives. He even put one right by John's house.

A Cusick neighbor spotted Angle while he was doing his dirty work, and accosted him.

"You're Ron Angle, aren't you?"

"How the hell would you know that?"

"Because you're like horseshit. You're everywhere."

"So what do you think of your neighbor, Cusick?"

"I call him the vampire."

"Why?"

"He only comes out at night. Nobody has ever seen him in daylight."

Bobby Gunther Walsh Plays Defamation Game Again.

WAEB's Bobby Gunther Walsh is currently facing a defamation lawsuit as a result of a series of libelous radio shows in which he attempted to tarnish the good name and reputation of Lehigh County DA Jim Martin. Walsh was pursuing a personal vendetta against Martin, whose office once prosecuted him for assaulting his daughter. The charges were ultimately dropped, but Walsh became bitter.

In the face of such a lawsuit, you might think that Walsh would be more careful with his accusations. Instead, on his April 21 show, he lashed out at a new target, Ron Angle. Walsh appears to have a hot nut for Angle, too.

Angle is the Northampton County Republican Party's write-in candidate for Controller. But he's been somewhat reluctant, and won't mount a campaign unless 250 Republicans want him to run. There are several Republicans who don't, like tea party chair Ronnie del Bacco. They're known as the RATs. These folks are near and dear to Gunther's heart, and are his usual guests.

The moment that Republicans decided that Angle was their man, the RATs went to Anthony Catino, and duped him into running. Gunther hosted Catino as his guest, and in his very first question, made this defamatory defamatory statements, innuendo and implication about Angle.

"This is an interesting question - I have no idea what this means - do you have any civil judgments or have you been arrested for theft like the other Northampton County Republican write-in candidate has? I have no idea who he means or who he's talking about there."

Gunther knows exactly what the question means. He knows exactly who is being discussed. This is a smear on Angle, against whom there are no judgments and who has never been arrested or convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.

The deceit and dishonesty come from Walsh and his fellow RATs. I plan to alert Angle about this defamation, and hope he sues. Part of that suit should require Walsh to divulge the identity of the question that Walsh posed, knowing it would damage Angle.