Panto's Remarks About Illegal Immigrants Taken Out of Context

At their February 12 meeting, Easton City Council took up a proposed welcoming city ordinance that was recently adopted in Allentown but rejected in Bethlehem. While the proposed ordinance still requires the city to comply with state and federal law, it bans the use of local personnel to assist in federal immigration enforcement. It does require a certifying city to shell out $12,000 to a nonprofit. Frankly, it strikes me as just the latest, and rather tone-deaf attempt at virtue signaling during a time in which voters have just elected a President who has vowed to deport undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. 

Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo warned against this proposal. While he said he was empathetic to the cause of helping people who have come to this country in search of a better life. His worry is that with these law-abiding immigrants, "there are also individuals who come here without that good intent." He suggested some would be here to commit crimes and hurt others, including citizens and law enforcement. He worries that "welcoming city" legislation would be used by criminal aliens who "fly under the radar." "Legislation like that can be a beacon for those individuals to come here."  He also observed that his officers could face legal consequences if the ordinance were unintentionally violated. 

Chief Scalzo went on to say that Easton has a long history of supporting immigrants and that Mayor Sal Panto himself just spoke last year in support of DREAMERs. Panto also promoted a city resolution calling on the state to provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. 

In response to questions from Council member Taiba Sultana, who said that a welcoming city just embraces diversity, he maintained that there are individuals who "will see that and ... They're going to go to those places where they feel like they can fly under the radar and then our officers are the ones left dealing with those individuals." Chief Scalzo conceded that most immigrants are law-abiding, but "we are seeing in our communities ... the Tren de Aragua gang and those types of elements get mixed into all of this. For sure that they do and they're looking for places where they can fly under that radar."

That was all Mayor Panto, who has used the mantra "clean and safe" since he was first elected to office, needed to hear. "I can't stand that we're here trying to do an ordinance to protect illegals. These people commit crimes. We don't want crime in our city. If you vote for this ordinance you are voting to have crime in your city."

That was that. 

Except it wasn't. Sultana used Panto's remarks to complain, in a letter to The Morning Call, that Panto's remarks about immigrants were hurtful and xenophobic. Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen, a Wilson Borough activist, said Panto's reaction was "blatantly racist" in a Morning Call op-ed. 

While I'll agree that Panto was inartful in the way he expressed himself (he was angry), he was taken out of context by both Sultana and Moritz-Chapelliquen. When he said he was opposed to illegals, it was in response to Chief Scalzo's warning about illegals who commit crimes. He has a good record of supporting immigrants who may have come here illegally but are otherwise productive members of society. 

Local government should focus on local government, not the flavor of the day. 

Tim Reilly's Wite-in Bid Fails in Easton Mayoral Contest

Easton firefighter Tim Reilly waged a last-minute write-in contest to capture the 100 votes needed to secure the Republican nomination in the Easton Mayoral primary. He fell short. 

Reilly only attracted 21 of the 149 write-in votes cast by Republicans. In fact, the leading write-in candidate on the Republican side of the ballot was Mayor Sal Panto, who pulled in 59 Republican votes. Peter Melan, another Democrat, bested Reilly with 22 write-ins. The remaining 47 votes are "not assigned." 

Panto secured the Democratic nomination last week by beating Peter Melan, 1,629 to 704. 

While these results are all unofficial, it appears that Panto is on his way to an unprecedented 7th term as Easton's Mayor. 

Panto has focused his efforts as Mayor on keeping Easton "clean and safe." Meanwhile, Allentown is a pigsty and is being forced to consider a city initiative that would keep police officers sidelined for 9-1-1 calls. 

Panto Beats Melan in Easton, But Could Face a Republican in November

Should six-term Easton Mayor Sal Panto serve for a seventh? Democratic voters think so, and by a 2-1 margin. Panto received 1,629 votes, while Melan attracted 704. Panto picked up 70% of the vote. Four years ago, when he faced Taiba Sultana, Panto raked in 75%. Melan was a stronger candidate than Sultana, but this was still a landslide for Easton's longtime top public servant.  

Despite his overwhelming victory, Panto might be facing a Republican challenge. Tim Reilly mounted a last-minute write-in push. Canvassers will be sorting through 149 write-in votes to see if Reilly or anyone else has secured enough votes to claim the Republican nod. 

Source: Northamptonvotes.com

A Tale of Three Mayors and Their Campaign Finances

If you want to see what someone's really like, you need to follow the money. Daily newspapers have abdicated their roles as government watchdogs, but many of these reports are now available online. I have looked at the year-end campaign finance reports filed by the three Mayors. Here's what I learned. First, and this is no surprise, Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski actively tries to keep the public and the feds in the dark. Second, Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez remains all too willing to allow special interests to fund his campaigns. Third, and this was a surprise to me, I actually saw flashes of integrity in the campaign finance report filed by Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski $75,000 Transfer Is Illegal. - Fed Ed's year-end report demonstrates an utter disregard for the people he supposedly represents. He's diverted money he received to run for the US Senate and Governor to pay off lawyers representing him and possibly his wife in a federal political corruption investigation. He has also formed a new campaign committee to avoid disclosing contributions until election eve.

At the end of 2015, Fed Ed had about $100,000 in federal campaign funds as well as $83,000 in his state campaign treasury. At that time, he had already paid $80,000 to lawyers representing him in the criminal probe. This year, he spent another $170,425.45 for his criminal defense. To do this, he had to transfer $75,000 from his federal fund to his state fund. He also had to borrow $35,000.

Fed Ed has already spent $250,000 for criminal lawyers, and this is before he's even been indicted.

He clearly used the $75k transfer to his mayoral campaign to pay legal fees. This transfer was made on January 20, 2016. Four days before that, he wrote a massive check out (on January 16, 2016, which, coincidentally, is a Saturday) to Jack McMahon. And, the day before (Jan. 19th) and the day of (Jan 20th) the transfer, he writes checks for tens of thousands of dollars more.

He transferred this money from his federal to his state treasury because it is likely that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) would have prohibited the use of these funds to pay criminal lawyers.

Federal law prohibits the use of federal campaign funds for "personal use." This includes payment to criminal lawyers, although the FEC is willing to review a transfer on a case-by-case basis.

Rather than undergoing this review, Fed Ed  transferred the money to his state account, where he can pretty much do what he wants. In doing so, he appears to have violated federal law.

If he's unable to use federal funds for personal expenses,and then transfers these funds to a state account so he can pay off personal expenses, he is breaking the law. Upon complaint, the FEC could impose an administrative fine that doubles his illegal $75,000 transfer.

Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez.-  Bob started off 2016 with $120,000, more than enough money to wage a Mayoral campaign against several challengers. Yet he still raised $39,000 in an off-election year. More than half of this money came from people who are already beneficiaries of the City's largesse, or are making money through the CRIZ or various other programs.

I know Bob is a man of integrity. I watched him dip his hands into his own pockets to feed a meter at events where he could easily have maintained he was on official business. He initiated a gift ban among city employees. He could set an example  for others to follow by refusing to raise money in an off-election year,or declining money from people who obviously want something, like Majestic developer Ed Roski. This was a missed opportunity.

John Stoffa, when he ran for re-election, refused to take money from anyone. Jim Hemstreet, when he ran for re-election, capped contributions at $35.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto.- I've been critical of Panto and tagged him for using sock puppets to discuss a host of issues on LehighValleyLive. In fact, one family has sued him for defaming them. But I was impressed by his year-end campaign finance report. Though he is an incumbent mayor with a procession of fawning sycophants and could easily have raised lots of money like his counterpart in Bethlehem, he resisted the temptation. He started off 2016 with $14,000 and raised no money. And what he spent mostly went to worthwhile causes like Notre Dame Green Pond. When he attended the National League of Cities, he would have been justified in charging the city for his attendance. But he instead used his campaign funds for what really was a governmental function.

Panto's campaign finance report does set an example for others to follow.Unfortunately, our dailies no longer follow the money until someone is under investigation. If they did a better job of scrutinizing campaignf finance, as they once did, there just might be fewer investigations.

Panto's Pseudonyms May Cost Easton

Back in March, I told you that Easton Mayor Sal Panto was using two pseudonyms - Tom18017 and Roverfan73 - to participate in online discussions at Lehigh Valley Live. This is in addition to comments he would post under his own name, often in connection with the same story in which he was using his pseudonyms.

How do I know he was using these pseudonyms? Because like most liars, he's also stupid. Abraham Lincoln once said, "No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.” Panto is proof.

When someone teased him about his moonlighting at Riverview, he started to blow oil about his 80-hour weeks and invited this critic to visit his office. But instead of writing as "Sal Panto," he got mixed up and posted as "roverfan73." In another story about Easton'sparking garage, Panto took it upon himself, as Panto, to correct several errors in the story. Then, when someone complained to him about the construction, he told this person to call his office for an appointment, providing his telephone number as Mayor. But once again, he got confused. Instead of "Sal Panto," this one came out as "tom18017."

Panto used both of these pseudonyms (some believe there were more) to bully people and make all kinds of vicious remarks about others, while simultaneously patting himself on the back as Easton mayor. When posting as panto, he often took others to task for failing to say who they really were. But he was doing it himself!

Panto used LehighValleyLive to create the false impression that others think like him, and to vilify perceived opponents.

After I outed Panto, both here and at Laini Abraham's popular Easton Pa Facebook page, tom18017 and roverfan73 suddenly went Internet-silent. He ignored my request for an explanation and even snubbed activist Dennis Lieb, who raised the topic at a City Council meeting.

He eventually came up with an answer. At a meeting of Easton Democrats, he claimed he had been hacked. Nobody believed him. That explanation itself is an admission of dishonest behavior (setting up false identities) to respond to accusations of ... dishonest behavior.

When I outed Panto, I did so because I was disgusted by his dishonesty. But I dropped the matter, thinking it could never come back to bite him. Well, it just did. All of Panto's Easton cheerleaders will be held accountable for his lies. He has been sued, both individually and in his capacity as Mayor, over the wrongful death of Richard Scheuermann. Whether Easton police acted appropriately or not when they fired at Scheuermann is a question for another day and another venue. But part of the claim relates to Panto's use of the pseudonym tom18017 and roverfan73 to defame Scheuermann's family.

Guess who will be paying for that?

Panto was asked about the use of these pseudonyms by LehighValleyLive, and declined to answer. He can thumb his nose at yours truly, Dennis Lieb and LehighValleyLive, but will eventually have to answer the federal lawsuit.

As Roverfan73 and tom18017, here is what Panto has had to say about several different topics.

Himself: "The man works tirelessly for he city say and night and if he didn't respond you would criticize him for that as well." ... "Wow. the mayor is doing a great job and the naysayers all over him for doing his job. Call it as you want there are laws on the books and he swore an oath to enforce them,,,,,and I say thank you. Downtown looks better and better everyday." ... "We have a very good mayor ..." ... "I believe this mayor is tough on crime." ... "Can the mayor and council run the country??????" ... "We need Mayor Panto for life! Case closed." ... " I guess good government doesn't warrant news coverage."(He also falsely claims to live in the West Ward, and talks about taking his sons to the parks). 

Easton Public Market: "It has been postponed so many times it is ridiculous and I looked in the windows just today and they are no where ready to open." ... "Seems more like a Reading Terminal than a grocery store. So I can buy my meat and seafood there but not the flour and butter to cook them or the bread crumbs or the dish detergent to clean the pots, pans, and dishes. And how does the city get paid back the million dollars they gave to support the project? I hear in addition to that amount there is another million or so on top of that."

Street Crime: "use a gun and it should be a minimum sentence of 30 w/o parole." ... "The courts need to be more aggressive in their setting of bail amounts, especially when guns are found." ... "Blame our liberal courts these dirtbags are arrested by the police and out before the paperwork is done."

Magisterial District Judge Antonia Grifo: "Good thing this guy is going to Corpora because if he was going to Grifo she would have him back out on the streets in no time."

DA John Morganelli: "Finally Morganelli wants to get tough on crime. HMMMM any reason other than it is happening in his beloved Bethlehem. He has been tough on crime to some extent in Easton but rumor has it that Magistrate "easy on crime" Grifo let the ARMED actors that held up the Dollar Store and led police on a massive manhunt -- is it true she let them off the hook and dismissed the case. How dare she do that!!! We need the President Judge and the DA to pull her in and set her straight. I am sure if it was Bethlehem John would do it. Let's get tough on crime in Northampton County."

Judge Sam Murray: "I hope he makes better decisions on the bench than the choice for tip staff. He is a good person but his choices were more political than anything. There were so many good people that helped him. It is a shame he didn't choose one of them. But I hear he had a great reception and rumor is it was all donated by the owner of Riverview Country Club. I wonder if that is true, hope not Seems like more of the same at the county."

Easton Peace Candle: "IT'S SIMPLE THE CANDLE SHOULD BE LIT ON FRIDAY NIGHT --- PERIOD ----- " ... "I also vote for candle lighting on Friday. Does GEDP run this city or the Mayor and City Council?"

Public Education: "I am a former public school teacher and loved the profession. I was never paid what teacher's are paid today." ... " C'mon man if you want a full-time President then pay for it. Teachers should know their history just look at Bethlehem Steel and IR where many of the union bosses were paid to do union business. How did it work out for them?" ... " I rarely see any teachers anymore at extra curricular events unless they are being paid. Many don't even don't live in the area. The union saw to that when they got rid of residency requirements."

Suburban kids: "So you think all suburban kids are angels. Think again. Some of the most disrespectful brats come from the wealthier families who let their kids run wild with little oversight."

Easton Snow Plowing: "I traveled many roads in the townships that were worse than the city's streets. Ask some of the residents who live in developments that weren't even plowed." ... "I have to commend the city if Easton. I had to travel I too other areas today including the suburbs and Bethlehem and Easton's roads were far superior."

NorCo(Central Booking): "Northampton County finally coming into the twenty first century. Several years after LEhigh County but it is appreciated." (Emergency Shelter): "Thank you Mayor "Panto and City Council for doing what the county should be paying for. They are supposed to be the human services division of government but they haven't come into the 21st century. Nothing there has changed in the last 50 years."

Glenn Steckman: "Insiders have told me there was tension between the mayor and Steckman but it was always over Steckman's handling of personnel and the public. No one likes to see a person terminated or resign but the fact is this person should have been let go a long time ago. The only reason he lasted as long as he did is because employees have told me often times that Panto is too loyal and always gave Steckman another chance." ... " I had several dealings with this guy and he was rude and nasty." ... "He needs some humility like the mayor."

Allentown Pay-to-Play: "Ah yes Mr. Stathern, he was good friends of you know who --- Mike Fleck. Why not check their involvement together and what Strathern "treated" Fleck to when Fleck was on Easton Council the first time." ... "No doubt the guilty one is the fleckster. I am sure he promised a lot the mayor didn't know because everything he got in contributions he got more money." ... "This guy was friends with Mike Fleck when he was on easton city council and did some unethical things then.. When he was out of work Fleck got him the job in Allemtown. The Fleckster was the main ingredient in all of this and should be in jail." (I am sure the feds would love to know the details here, Sal. Why not give them call? Maybe they'll call you!)

Bethlehem Street crime: "Gee I thought all of the gangs were in Allentown and Easton. Seems like there is more and more crime in Bethlehem."

Bethlehem taxes:  "Maybe Bob [Donchez] should take some lessons from Sal in Easton. I left Bethlehem and moved to Easton abour 7 years ago and we haven't had a property tax increase nor any loss of sevices. A a matter of fact there has been an increase. esecially in the polioce department, and I live in the West Ward. Bethlehem should be financially sound with all of the development and the casino"

Jeanette Eichenwald: "Does Eichenwald know any other words. All she talks about is the cloud hanging over city hall. Get a life and start working on making Allentown a better place to live instead of pushing the cloud over the Chief of Police. She wants everything tied to the investigation and pay to play and yet no one has been charged or indicted. She has done nothing on council that is positive in any way, shape or form. And just recently she put down Easton. What the heck? And oh, I don't live in Allentown and I don't know the mayor and I don't have any contracts with the city."

Addendum: I mentioned Laini Abraham and just want to take this opportunity to congratulate her on her new role as a Mom.

Luis Campos, Administrator or Panto's New Fall Guy?

Luis Campos

When Luis Campos was confirmed as Northampton County's Director of Administration in July 2014, his salary was set at $87,838. Now, just two years later, he'll be making $108,000, about 23% more. He abruptly "resigned" on June 8 amid numerous rumors that it was either that or be fired. Though the reasons for his sudden departure appear murky, Allentown was after him to take over as Managing Director. And now, after a special meeting of Easton City Council yesterday afternoon, The Express Times reports that Campos has been unanimously confirmed as Easton's new city administrator.

He follows the footsteps of Glenn Steckman, who also abruptly resigned in January.

Steckman's resignation was the result of friction with Mayor Sal Panto. That point is driven home by comments posted at by Panto in a kooky conversation with himself at The Express Times comment board, posing under pseudonyms tom18017 and roverfan73.

Panto disguised as Tom18017: "He needs some humility like the mayor and thank everyone and share the credit. No one person turned this city around and as k remember it the mayor worked for over a year without him and many many good things happened in the first year of this administration that kept us out of bankruptcy. The first budget of this new administration that hel taxes was without him. He wasn't even in Easton. Also insiders have told me that it is. Very possible that the resignation of The finance director was due to this guy as well. Too bad heagle left although he did get a better paying position."

Panto disguised as roverfan73: "Yes this is good for Easton. I had several dealings with this guy and he was rude and nasty."

Panto disguised as Tom18017: "I know a lot of the city employees and I am sure they are celebrating tonight. My few dealings with him didn't give me s good feeling about the city or The adminstration. Given the fact that it was a unanimous decision I'd say my feelings were correct. In the article he takes a lot of credit and doesn't seem to share any of the success."

Panto disguised as roverfan73: "The Mayor doesn't get paid anything extra and the still will do both jobs like he did for all of 20018 before Steckman was hired. And I am sure he will do the Administrator's job better."

Panto disguised as roverfan73: "I found out today that one of the things he and the mayor constantly argued about was the parking meters and tickets. Seems the guy was the one that kept lacking up the price and the number of parking officers against the mayor's wishes. I'll try to get more of the reasons and what they disagreed on."

Panto disguised as roverfan73: "Now I learned that the Mayor extended an offer to all city employees to meet yesterday. Two meetings were held and my source said that the meeting was very good and the mayor was very open and honest about the situation. I learned that another bit of difference they had was that Steckman wanted to close both the South Side and College Hill fire stations and that the mayor was vehemently opposed and it was the mayor that wen to the Lafayette president to make the ask for a fire pumper. The college has committed to paying $550,000 for a new pumper. Other things were said but he would not elaborate. He said the mayor also map out goals for 2016 and priorities for the next four years. The employee said it was the best employee meeting he ever attended."

In Northampton County, Campos was the victim of a Deputy Administrator who wanted his job. In Easton, he'll have to deal with a surprisingly thin-skinned and egotistical Mayor who is just not that smart. He would later get mixed up and start posting comments as himself, even though he was still using fake names.

Oopsie!

I question whether Campos is being brought on board as Administrator or fall guy.

But Easton is a great city and Panto has done good things when he's not patting himself on the back. The 27,000-person metropolis is mired in poverty, with 22.6% at or below the poverty line. But though the per capita income is just $19,100, it is working poor. Fifty-nine per cent of the City works. The main problem and reason for crime is not those evil immigrants, but people coming to Easton and other parts of the Lehigh Valley from New York City.

Northampton County, incidentally, now has no Directors for DCED, Emergency Management  or Administration. Executive John Brown is working on his second Solicitor, third Human Resources Director and second Public Works Director.

The important EMS position has been vacant for over a year, and Brown is playing a very dangerous game in failing to fill it. The Administrator position is even more critical.

Panto's Weiner Defense: "I Was Hacked!"

Last week, I outed Easton Mayor Sal Panto for using two sock puppets - roverfan73 and tom18017 - to post comments online at LehighValleyLive. This is in addition to comments he was already posting under his own name. In fact, that's what caused the problem. He'd start a conversation using his own name, and then would finish using one of his alter egos, but thinking that he was still posting as the Mayor. This happened with each of the phony names he was using. He now has an explanation for what happened. He was hacked. Apparently, some evil person - possibly me - broke into both of his accounts and impersonated him. This is the same defense Anthony Weiner had when he was first caught sending pictures of his peeper to a woman. Then another woman came forward. His explanation compounds dishonest behavior with more of the same.

Before I published my story, I gave Panto a chance to tell me about it, but he never responded. Later that week, Dennis Lieb asked Mayor Panto to explain himself during a City Council meeting. Panto refused.

But on Sunday, Panto was among his frenemies at a meeting of Democrats that was strangely held at the very exclusive and very Republican Pomfret Club While there, he told his audience that he had been hacked and that it wasn't really him saying all those nasty things about his supposed friends.He advised everyone to make sure they have really good passwords or it could happen to them, too.

Of course, nobody actually believed him. Panto's explanation is actually an admission that he set up these false accounts. Essentially, he admitted to dishonest behavior.

It gets better. Someone who is more technologically savvy than he - and that would apparently include everyone in the room - eventually pointed out that Panto had just admitted to dishonest behavior.

Don't worry. He had an explanation for that, too. He claimed the accounts were only set up in anticipation of last year's election. So it's OK to be dishonest as long as you are doing it for political reasons.

But guess what? That explanation is bullshit, too. Comments under the name tom18017 extend as far back as July 2014, six months before the election year started. Also, given Panto's fascination with every comment on LehighValleyLive, he surely would have seen the comments under his two pseudonyms. If someone really had hacked two different false names that he set up, Panto had ample opportunity to notice and do something about it.

Also, if these accounts were hacked and not really him, wouldn't the comments continue? There have been no comments under either of his false names since I outed him.

Mark Twain once said, "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." Panto was caught posting under two pseudonyms.Rather than just fess up, he has compounded that simple lie with more lies.

If he wants to give advice to other Democrats, he might offer a word or two on the importance of honesty. But he seems to be inexperienced in that field, as are most politicians.

Panto Dodges Bullet

Sal Panto

On Monday, I told you that Easton Mayor Sal Panto is using at least two sock puppets - "roverfan73" and "tom18017" - to participate in online discussions on LehighValleyLive. This is in addition to comments he posts under his own name. Not only does this violate the posting standards at LehighValleyLive, it's inherently dishonest behavior. Citizens have the right to expect the highest ethical standards from their elected officials, and Panto let them all down. He was actually using these false names to participate in discussions on Easton issues and bully those who disagree with him.

Panto's comments indicate that he has knowledge of misbehavior by former Easton City Council member Michael Fleck and Garret Strathearn, both of whom have been implicated in Allentown's federal pay-to-play investigation. Had he disclosed that knowledge to the proper authorities, it is possible that things could have been stopped sooner. Instead, he kept his mouth shut, depriving the citizenry of their right to honest services. But when the shit hit the fan, he chortled with glee - under a fake name.

I am disgusted by this kind of dishonesty in a man who has just started his fifth term as Easton's Mayor. Unfortunately, this kind of behavior is becoming the norm on a national level, but that's no reason to tolerate it here. So I visited Easton City Council last night, fully intending to blast Panto, who has yet to apologize for his dishonesty.

But I didn't.

I said nothing, and when the meeting was over, I left without a word.

When I arrived, I was getting the hairy eyeball from a woman seated just behind me. My zipper was up and I had just taken a shower about three days before, so I was wondering, "What's her problem?"

Well, there was a young man seated next to her, and it became apparent as the meeting went on that this boy is Panto's grandson. The woman glaring at me must have been his mother. The young boy obviously adores his grandfather.

Panto needed to be taken to task. Reporters were sitting there, and I am sure that my comments would have resulted in a story, since The Express Times in particular already has the details and has been nosing around.  But what message would I send by embarrassing Panto in front of his grandson? He knows he's wrong, and was already somewhat sheepish at last night's meeting.

So I let it go.

I'm no saint. I am a lawyer whose license was suspended for dishonest behavior brought on by alcoholism. I know what it is like to lose integrity. I'll let Panto keep his and will drop this. But I better see no more phony comments from him.

Easton Mayor Using Sock Puppets at LVL Online

Roverfan73 (Panto) with African King

Online comment forums, both here and in the newspapers, provide an opportunity for what I call participatory journalism. Members of the public often have insights or knowledge that the story's author lacks. Though these discussions often degenerate quickly, they often add to the story. This is especially so when an elected official participates, even though he subjects himself to the slings and arrows of anonymous attacks. But when an elected official assumes one or more false identities to steer the conversation, it is no longer journalism. It crosses the line into propaganda. That is what is happening at The Express Times with Easton Mayor Sal Panto. He is dishonestly using at least two false identities to pursue his agenda. Let me fill you in.

It takes courage for an elected official to contribute to online discussions. The rare few who do so demonstrate transparency and accountability. Lower Macungie Comm'r Ron Beitler and West Easton Council member Matt Dees actually maintain their own blogs, which I consider a form of public service in an era of dying journalism. This is also something I always admired about Easton Mayor Sal Panto. Over the years, he's participated in numerous online discussions, although he stopped participating here and at Easton Neighbors when he didn't like the way things were going.

He still comments as Sal Panto at LehighValleyLive, the online forum for The Express Times. He will argue his positions forcefully, and is correct to slam people who criticize him or his policies without identifying themselves.

But he does the same thing.

In addition to posting comments under his own name, Panto also uses the sock puppet "roverfan73" and "tom18017" to participate in discussions.

Panto disguised as "roverfan73"

How do I know that he is posting as roverfan73?  It's because of 87 comments posted to a story about Easton's distressed pension fund, back in January. Panto was in the thick of it, mixing it up with a number of people. Then he said he was off to a meeting.

Someone wisecracked, "At Riverview?"

Panto apparently tends bar there part time.

That brought him back.

"[I]f you have a problem with the 80+ hours a week I give the city then come and talk to me about it. I have no problem with you walking with me and let's see if you can keep up."

"[L]et's talk about your solutions. I am always available to discuss city issues. My office is close to you home so it would be easy to set up a time to meet. You see, this issue like many, is very difficult to put in a few words. My door is always open."

That's classic Panto. But he made a mistake. Instead of posting under his name, he got mixed up and posted as "roverfan73."

Under LehighValleyLive's comments policy, a person can use a sock puppet, but is barred from creating multiple accounts. Panto has at least three - himself, roverfan73 and tom18017.

Panto disguised as "tom18017"

He made the same mistake in a story about Easton's parking garage, published last September, that generated 14 comments. First, he took it upon himself to correct several errors that he thought were made by the reporter. He did that as himself - Sal Panto. When someone responded with a complaint, he made this offer. "A am more than happy to justify the construction to you or the reason for the new city hall. Call my office and set up a time we can meet. 610.250.6610 I can also take you though the Alpha Building at that time and show you the capital needs that were needed in this grand ole dame."

That's very nice of him, but he slipped up and posted this comment as tom18017 instead of as Sal Panto.

Nobody named Tom works in the Mayor's office.

At the very least, Panto's use of two sock puppets in addition to his own name is deceptive behavior. When Panto pretends to be several different people, he creates the false impression that several people think like he does. The comments forum then becomes a vehicle for propaganda, not the truth.

The real Sal Panto

As Roverfan73 and tom18017, here is what Panto has had to say about several different topics.

Himself: "The man works tirelessly for he city say and night and if he didn't respond you would criticize him for that as well." ... "Wow. the mayor is doing a great job and the naysayers all over him for doing his job. Call it as you want there are laws on the books and he swore an oath to enforce them,,,,,and I say thank you. Downtown looks better and better everyday." ... "We have a very good mayor ..." ... "I believe this mayor is tough on crime." ... "Can the mayor and council run the country??????" ... "We need Mayor Panto for life! Case closed." ... " I guess good government doesn't warrant news coverage."(He also falsely claims to live in the West Ward, and talks about taking his sons to the parks). 

Easton Public Market: "It has been postponed so many times it is ridiculous and I looked in the windows just today and they are no where ready to open." ... "Seems more like a Reading Terminal than a grocery store. So I can buy my meat and seafood there but not the flour and butter to cook them or the bread crumbs or the dish detergent to clean the pots, pans, and dishes. And how does the city get paid back the million dollars they gave to support the project? I hear in addition to that amount there is another million or so on top of that."

Street Crime: "use a gun and it should be a minimum sentence of 30 w/o parole." ... "The courts need to be more aggressive in their setting of bail amounts, especially when guns are found." ... "Blame our liberal courts these dirtbags are arrested by the police and out before the paperwork is done."

Magisterial District Judge Antonia Grifo: "Good thing this guy is going to Corpora because if he was going to Grifo she would have him back out on the streets in no time."

DA John Morganelli: "Finally Morganelli wants to get tough on crime. HMMMM any reason other than it is happening in his beloved Bethlehem. He has been tough on crime to some extent in Easton but rumor has it that Magistrate "easy on crime" Grifo let the ARMED actors that held up the Dollar Store and led police on a massive manhunt -- is it true she let them off the hook and dismissed the case. How dare she do that!!! We need the President Judge and the DA to pull her in and set her straight. I am sure if it was Bethlehem John would do it. Let's get tough on crime in Northampton County."

Judge Sam Murray: "I hope he makes better decisions on the bench than the choice for tip staff. He is a good person but his choices were more political than anything. There were so many good people that helped him. It is a shame he didn't choose one of them. But I hear he had a great reception and rumor is it was all donated by the owner of Riverview Country Club. I wonder if that is true, hope not Seems like more of the same at the county."

Easton Peace Candle: "IT'S SIMPLE THE CANDLE SHOULD BE LIT ON FRIDAY NIGHT --- PERIOD ----- " ... "I also vote for candle lighting on Friday. Does GEDP run this city or the Mayor and City Council?"

Public Education: "I am a former public school teacher and loved the profession. I was never paid what teacher's are paid today." ... " C'mon man if you want a full-time President then pay for it. Teachers should know their history just look at Bethlehem Steel and IR where many of the union bosses were paid to do union business. How did it work out for them?" ... " I rarely see any teachers anymore at extra curricular events unless they are being paid. Many don't even don't live in the area. The union saw to that when they got rid of residency requirements."

Suburban kids: "So you think all suburban kids are angels. Think again. Some of the most disrespectful brats come from the wealthier families who let their kids run wild with little oversight."

Easton Snow Plowing: "I traveled many roads in the townships that were worse than the city's streets. Ask some of the residents who live in developments that weren't even plowed." ... "I have to commend the city if Easton. I had to travel I too other areas today including the suburbs and Bethlehem and Easton's roads were far superior."

NorCo(Central Booking): "Northampton County finally coming into the twenty first century. Several years after LEhigh County but it is appreciated." (Emergency Shelter): "Thank you Mayor "Panto and City Council for doing what the county should be paying for. They are supposed to be the human services division of government but they haven't come into the 21st century. Nothing there has changed in the last 50 years."

Glenn Steckman: "Insiders have told me there was tension between the mayor and Steckman but it was always over Steckman's handling of personnel and the public. No one likes to see a person terminated or resign but the fact is this person should have been let go a long time ago. The only reason he lasted as long as he did is because employees have told me often times that Panto is too loyal and always gave Steckman another chance." ... " I had several dealings with this guy and he was rude and nasty." ... "He needs some humility like the mayor."

Allentown Pay-to-Play: "Ah yes Mr. Stathern, he was good friends of you know who --- Mike Fleck. Why not check their involvement together and what Strathern "treated" Fleck to when Fleck was on Easton Council the first time." ... "No doubt the guilty one is the fleckster. I am sure he promised a lot the mayor didn't know because everything he got in contributions he got more money." ... "This guy was friends with Mike Fleck when he was on easton city council and did some unethical things then.. When he was out of work Fleck got him the job in Allemtown. The Fleckster was the main ingredient in all of this and should be in jail." (I am sure the feds would love to know the details here, Sal. Why not give them call? Maybe they'll call you!)

I have asked Panto to explain his use of sock puppets, and if I get an answer, I'll publish it.

Lieb - Panto's Peace Phallus

Dennis Lieb is a former Easton Planning Commissioner and critic of Easton Mayor Sal Panto. It's a City plagued by pension woes gang violence in the West Ward. Yet Hizzoner is embroiled in a completely silly discussion over whether the gigantic phallic symbol (which glows in the dark!) known as the Easton Peace Candle should be lit up on the Friday after Thanksgiving (Panto) or on Small Business Saturday (local businesses). Lieb weighs in.

Panto spent extensive time at council Wednesday night - including a special presentation by Main Street and the pleadings of a dozen local merchants - discussing whether we should light the Peace Candle on Black Friday (his preference) or Saturday night.

He claims that he needs a reason "to go against 26,000 taxpayers" who want it on Black Friday. The idea that 26,000 people are supporting him is pure bullshit. I've lived here over fifty years and haven't heard a single person complain about the Saturday lighting last year. The fact is that Panto is doing what he always does: using anything controversial as a platform to espouse his opinions and putative expertise in front of a microphone; interjecting himself into a process he has no business in or probably any real knowledge of; and using his own, well-crafted techniques to bully council and the public around to his way of thinking until they give up and capitulate.

I have never been a fan of the Peace Candle for many reasons but that's irrelevant.

If we are going to have it here and it does generate a certain amount of tourist activity, foot traffic and retail expenditure (even if for just one night) then shouldn't we be maximizing its effect? If Saturday isn't causing some emotional meltdown of the total population AND it improves the prospects of a struggling downtown merchant class (as Manager Kim Kmetz can assuredly prove with her Main Street stats), then doesn't it make sense that we just accept it as a non-issue and move on?

This town has too many legitimate problems to name that are not being addressed while Panto pontificates over minutiae. Many of these problems are in the West Ward, but I won't get on a soapbox about them. What's the point with a tone-deaf government?

President Panto?

Though he and other presidents before him have done it in the wake of mass killings, President Barack Obama has so far failed to order United States flags to be flown at half mast in memory of five Marines senselessly slaughtered in Chattanooga. His lack of leadership on this matter is no surprise. But is that a reason for Easton Mayor Sal Panto to assume federal jurisdiction himself?

Panto seems to have done it for the public attention. "It's 95 percent pro, 5 percent against," he told The Morning Call, paying close attention to his fawning Facebook fans and a looming interview on Fox.

But Panto is wrong. He has no more authority over the American flag than Obama does over Easton's.

I get very leery of local officials who decide which federal mandates they are going to follow and which they will ignore.The only real difference between Panto's defiance of federal authority and that demonstrated by Governor George Wallace is one of degree. In both cases, they are wrong.

Updated 2:20 pm: Obama finally orders flags lowered until July 25.

Are Panto's Parking Police Playing Favorites?

As you know, Easton's parking ticket enforcement is illegal. District Attorney John Morganelli first raised concerns about this last month, when he went under cover and got a ticket himself. In his opinion, the seizure or immobilization of someone's car without notice or an opportunity to be heard, is a blatant violation of due process. Easton Mayor Sal Panto would later explain that the city has decided to enforce tickets as a civil procedure. But he was unable to state what authority he has to proceed civilly. He had none. Easton is currently revising its ticket ordinance so that it can proceed civilly, but it has yet to implement the review process demanded by the due process clauses of our state and federal constitution. My concern is that this review, in which police officers act as judges,might be an invitation to corruption in which tickets are voided based on who you know,as opposed to the circumstances. A response to a recent Right-to-Know request appears, ast least superficially, to justify that concern.  

Easton voided 3,534 parking tickets last year, but has no record of the appeals that were denied. I filed a Right-to-Know with Easton, seeking the identity of the persons who won their appeals. If I see one person has 10 or 15 tickets voided, that would tell me we have a problem. Unfortunately, the City responded to tell me it has no record of these voided tickets by name.

But the City does have records by license plate, and I got them yesterday.All 89 pages, which you can read yourself here if your suffer from insomnia .

It's too early for me to tell for sure if certain people are getting special favors, but it's beginning to look that way in these cases.

• A person driving a Toyota with plate number GPG2729  had 13 tickets voided in 2014. 
• A dude driving an Accura with MA plate number KRATEST had 11 tickets forgiven. 
• Another person driving a Chevy with NJ plate X6113C was able to poof 8 tickets. 

In order to determine how many tickets were voided for a given plate number, I am going to go through the pdf file supplied. If any of you know of any program that will allow me to search words like  GPG2729 within a pdf file, let me know. I am aware of the search feature in the Adobe reader, but it does not work.

Easton Violating State Law in Parking Ticket Enforcement

Yesterday, I told you about Panto's Parking Police violations of the due process rights of unsuspecting citizens who are ticketed, booted and towed while visiting Easton's downtown. I was following up on and supplementing a story first reported by The Express Times' Tom Shortell. Research reveals that in addition to violating due process, Easton is exacting penalties on tickets with no determination of guilt. This completely ignores a mandate from the Pa. Supreme Court. Finally, it is enforcing these tickets after the statute of limitations has expired, without any authority.

The reason for this is greed. Easton Mayor Sal Panto betrayed that motive to Shortell: "We are now collecting our own tickets because the city that generates the tickets should be getting those revenues, not the courts."  His own words reveal that, to him, it's all about the money. Courts are willing to work with defendants of limited means, recognizing we no longer have debtors' prisons. But not Panto.

He's doubling down. From his perch at Easton City Hall last night, he announced that he knows better than the District Attorney of Northampton County. He'd prefer the advice he gets from a collection agency.

"The process we are using now is legal," this ex-teacher and self-appointed legal expert insists.

He's wrong.

When Panto's Parking Police send dunning letters like the ones they sent to DA Morganelli, they have already lost any right to seek a penalty.  That's because Pennsylvania state law, which applies even in the People's Republic of Easton, places a thirty (30) day statute of limitations on a parking fine. If a citation is not filed in that time period, Easton loses the right to exact any fine at all. By the time those dunning letters are sent, the statute of limitations has expired,and it no longer has any right to boot or tow a car, or even to ask for money.

That's not all.

No less an authority than the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in its commentary to the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, insists that no fine can be assessed to anyone, based on a parking ticket alone.

"Many political subdivisions use parking tickets and, therefore, many parking cases are disposed of without instituting a criminal proceeding under the procedures of these rules. A parking ticket is a device of convenience to the local government and the defendant. It is not a citation and does not constitute the instituting of a summary proceeding; no enforcement of penalty can be based upon a ticket alone."

The boots and towing are based upon a ticket alone,without a citation that determines guilt ot innocence. The practice is therefore contrary to state law. The City, when it immobilizes or tows away a car or collects moeny to which it has no right, is the real lawbreaker.

All the money it has collected to date should be refunded to the people it has hurt. The shakedowns need to stop now..

DohBiden is a regular LVL commentator. As his moniker suggests, he tends to be critical of all things Democrat while defending all things Republican. But his assessment of what Panto is doing is, unfortunately, right on the money.

If you visit Easton and fall victim to its aggressive parking enforcement, the mayor has stated on these boards that you're a law breaker and should shut up and pay up. If you visit Easton to work each day, the mayor has called you a burden and told you to shut up and pay his commuter tax. He's as welcoming as a stomach virus. Parking enforcement is necessary and understandable. Panto's and Easton's version of KGB parking enforcement is over the top, however. The solution is to simply avoid downtown Easton. It's actually quite easy and very rewarding in a number of ways. There's a whole world west of 15th Street and north of Knox Avenue that has many fine, independent restaurants featuring outstanding and award-winning chefs, ample, free parking and safe passage to and from their doors. Here's hoping Morganelli will give Eastonians, visitors, and commuters a fairer shake than the guy who purports to run the city.

Panto, incidentally, intends to announce his bid for a third term on February 19, somewhere on Shakedown Street. I think the meter on him has expired.

"What am I gonna' tell my boys?" he's saying right now. He might consider saying he's sorry to the people he has hurt. He should not look at parking tickets as a revenue source.

In other Easton news, El Werner and Ken Brown are reportedly seeking re-election to City Council. David O'Connell, Community Manager at Morgan Hill Country Classics, is expected to announce as well. All are Democrats.

Anthony Marraccini, an artist who owns Connexions Art Gallery, may run as an independent.

I am unaware of any Republicans who are running.

Easton Commuter Tax Challenge On Horizon

Panto and a political advisor

Last week, Easton City Council did what everyone knew they would do - increase the commuter tax. They know commuters can't vote them out of office. In fact, Mayor Sal Panto has betrayed more than a bit of disdain for anyone who lives in the 'burbs.

"If you want to live in the lily white beautiful suburban community, you have to do something to pay for that," he has said to nonresidents when this tax was first imposed, implying they are racists. "The county can continue to threaten to leave and I say 'Go ahead,'" he has taunted.

Panto must be a Cowboys' fan. His kind of arrogance begs for a law suit.

He's getting one. Actually, I think there will be at least two separate lawsuits filed. One may very well be filed today.

Instead of imposing commuter taxes on the people least able to pay it, Panto should be asking the County for a payment in lieu of taxes. Has the man who claims he hates commuter taxes tried? I happen to know funds are available, where they are, and that they could be awarded to Easton without costing County taxpayers a dime.

In spite of Panto, Easton is the County seat and does provide services. It is unable to tax the County's real estate. I think a deal can be reached. Several Council members are aware of this solution and seem supportive.

Panto Defends Conflict of Interest

According to its City-hosted website, the Easton Redevelopment Authority (RDA) "oversees the redevelopment of the Simon Silk Mill and seeks to facilitate the rehabilitation of other blighted or vacant structures within the City limits." Developer Mark Mulligan, who is the paid construction manager at the Silk Mill redevelopment and is involved in other properties, is clearly their biggest customer. In "Mark and Mike's Excellent Adventure," Parts One and Two, I told you about the disconcerting relationship between Mulligan and RDA employee Michael Brett. There's an undeniable conflict of interest. But rather than condemning it, Easton Mayor Sal Panto has embraced it, and is dismissing all criticism.

For a Mayor who prides himself on transparency and accountability, and who has largely conducted himself this way, this is an alarming flaw. It's what happens when a City puts all its eggs in one basket, as Easton has done with Mulligan.

In Part One, I told you that Brett, who also happens to sit on the Easton Zoning Hearing Board, has a realtor license parked with Mulligan's VM Realty.

Panto asked, "Where's the beef?"

In Part Two, I revealed that Mulligan formed both a LP and LLC - 356-358 Wilkes-Barre L.P. and 356-358 Wilkes-Barre 1A, LLC - to purchase and rehab a set of row homes that had incurred fire damage. Records reveal that the LP's General partner is the LLC. Records provide no name for the owners or shareholders of the LLC.

These entities were formed to prevent the public from learning who is involved in this fire restoration project. But the addresses gave Mulligan away. They tied back to his Flemington and Easton offices.

I questioned whether Brett was the other partner, especially since his phone number is listed on the work permits, and it turns out he is. Yesterday, Easton Director of Administration Glenn Steckman acknowledged the connection.

Mike Brett is a part-owner of the Wilkes Barre property. The properties as I understand it where [sic] purchased $5,000 each plus the cost of the escrow amounts. The properties were burned and the outside secured to an acceptable condition. Deals like that are available throughout the city. VM [Mulligan} as [sic] since partnered with VM and created a limited liablity [sic] partnership. A number of landlords and other property owners do this through out the city. And I agree he should get some direction from the state ethics commission which he falls under.

Were you aware that deals like this are available throughout the City? Only insiders have this special knowledge.

Brett used his insider knowledge as a public employee to get a South Side Special. Even worse, he did it with a developer whose work at the Silk Mill is overseen by the RDA.

This is a blatant conflict of interest. Brett and Mulligan know this, which is why they formed both a LLC and LP to keep everyone from finding out.

If this were Bethlehem, Brett would already be on the outside looking in. I would expect Mayor Sal Panto to condemn this, too. Instead, he condemned me.

I am working fior [sic] the betterment of our city and have stated before that I will never again participate in this blog. Mr. O'Hare is nothing more than an agitator who stirs the pot with half-truths and inuendos [sic] from individuals that feed him what he thinks is factual.

So much for transparency. ... And spelling.

When I first raised this matter, Panto promised to give it his "personal attention". He promised to ensure that "every decision is transparent and ethically acceptable." There is nothing transparent or ethically acceptable about a public employee and a developer hitching their wagons on a sweetheart deal they actively tried to hide from the public. 

Panto's Campaign Finance Report Misses Important Details

Sal Panto at Ismael Arcelay Announcement

Easton Mayor Sal "I want a NIZ, too" Panto is more accountable and transparent than most elected officials. But his sloppy 2012 campaign finance report looks like it could have been prepared by Edwin Pawlowski. For many of the contributions, Panto fails to list important and required details, like addresses and occupations of the donors, and the dates on which these contributions were made.

This is not just nitpicking, either. The report as filed is in violation of Pennsylvania's campaign finance disclosure laws.

Speaking of Pawlowski, he gave Sal $1,000 last year. So did a lot of Pawlowski's own crop of donors. NIZ developer J.B. Reilly, a conservative Republican, found it in his heart to give Sal $1,000. Robert Bennett of Bennett Toyota, located in Allentown, gave Panto $1,500. Alan Kessler, who is with the Duane Morris law firm, kicked in $2,500.

There are several other large contributors, and absolutely no explanation about any of them. Not even an address or employer.

In a nonelection year, Panto raised $15,200.06 and spent $10,556.04. He has $9,916.27 left in his treasury.

His campaign manager, Randy Galiotto, told me Panto will file an amended report. He added that Reilly has given to Panto in the past. But not Bennett or a host of other names I usually see associated with King Edwin.

Panto Rules Out NorCo Exec Race

In a news release today, Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Jr., has ruled out next year's Northampton County Exec race. "While I appreciate the encouragement and support I have received over the last few months, I never considered political office for any other reason other than to assist in the revitalization of the city of Easton,” stated Hizzoner.

Panto added, “I do appreciate the support I received from individuals, former office holders and labor unions and their confidence that I have the skill set to bring about the changes needed to move our county forward.“

I happen to be one of the people who encouraged him to run, but respect and actually admire him for his first love - Easton.

Community service, historic preservation and a desire to make Easton a better place is why he shied away from becoming a Superintendent of a public school district.

“Because of my love of education, a Superintendent’s position would be the only position that could entice me to leave my position in the city.” Panto holds a Master's Degree from Lehigh University in Educational Administration. He is a frequet guest in classrooms, especially with the younger children.

But Panto stated that “our city is on a path of growth and continuous improvement. To divert my attention away from the city at this time would be a disservice to the people who placed their confidence in me during the last election."

Why Pols Should Have No Role in Funding the Press

As daily newspapers continue their decline, rocket scientists like Ezra Klein have actually argued that government should directly fund the news. What's good for the banking and automotive industry is good for the press. But seriously, would you really want some politician deciding how you get your news?  Unfortunately, it's already happening, as Noel Jones points out in her Easton Neighbors blog.

Noel's maintains a terrific hyper local blog that concentrates mostly on Easton's West Ward.  But her story is not about her own publication. It's about the West Word. That's published only three times a year. It's funded by the CACLV's West Ward Partnership Program, which in turn gets its money from both public and nonpublic sources.

It was up for a $9,750 renewal last week, and two elected Easton officials dropped by to complain about West Word. One of them is Mayor Sal Panto himself, who groused that, instead of reading about West Ward shootings, he wants to see more stories about girl scouts selling cookies.

Say what?

Panto still supported the funding.

The other Easton official? Mike Fleck. He's a City Council member, NIZ cheerleader, and political consultant to Democratic candidates and trade unions.

According to Noel, Fleck stated, "The primary objective of the paper is not to get the people thinking and discussing.”

In his case, I can see why.

Although The West Word was ultimately funded, I expect to see a lot more girl scout stories.

Panto: Barron Budget "Criminal"

On Wednesday night, when Easton City Council passed yet another budget with no tax increase, they also adopted policies to prevent playing games with the fund balance. According to The Morning Call, Easton Mayor Sal Panto contrasted his own budget with the one adopted by Northampton County Council, after mindlessly listening to a Controller that they themselves censured last year.

"Panto casually contrasted his budget with Northampton County's, which is balanced on the back of its own reserves, a move he called criminal."

Barron assured Council, before its vote, that it could just dip into its fund balance and everything would be right as rain. That's exactly what former Exec. Glenn Reibman did, and the end result was double digit tax increases in 2003 and 2004, layoffs, destroyed morale and 11 unions. Why they listened to a political opportunist with no accounting or executive experience, and who they themselves have censured, is mind-boggling.

Monday Update (12:30 AM) - Mayor Sal Panto has chimed in, explaining his remarks in the comments.

ET: Vote For Sal in Easton

He has reinvigorated Easton, making it cleaner and safer, just as he promised. And the icing on the cake is that Easton is the only Lehigh Valley city with a cash surplus. It's no surprise that he's been endorsed by The Express Times. The only question now is whether he's willing to work his magic in Northampton County as its next Executive.