Commonwealth Ct: No Daycare Atop Abandoned Upper Saucon Zinc Mine

In the never-ending quest for the Almighty Dollar, Saucon Creek Road, LP wanted to erect a daycare and a bank (these kids must be rich!) right smack dab on top of an abandoned zinc mine.

After three nights of hearings in 2010, Upper Saucon Township's Zoning Hearing Board Board of Supervisors said No. So did Lehigh County Judge J. Brian Johnson.

On Friday, the Commonwealth Court added its voice to the NO chorus.

Lower Milford: Could Budget Cuts Threaten Security?

We're all used to hearing about the budget woes of our financially strapped cities. Are they beginning to spread to our more affluent townships, too?

In Lower Milford Township, the big question is whether to cut one full-time or two part-time police officers. A former police chief is concerned this could threaten security at the schools, but is told not to worry. It appears that even some townships have reached the point in which core services are being reduced.

You won't read about this in The Morning Call, which unfortunately lacks the resources to tell people what is going on within their own governments. You will be able to read about this and other Lower Milford stories at Upper Saucon Patch, the sixth and latest hyper-local news site to invade the Lehigh Valley. It hit Internet news stands yesterday, and focuses on Upper Saucon, Lower Milford and Coopersburg.

Above the Law? Upper Saucon's Uncivil Servants

When I was first married, my wife and I lived in a small apartment on Linden Street in Bethlehem, located across the street from a magistrate's office. As you might imagine, police parked their cars and motorcycles all over the place, legally and illegally, wherever the hell they wanted. That never bothered me. I figured they were there for a reason.

That changed the day my wife was ticketed for double-parking. She was unloading groceries. It took about two minutes. The very next day, I went to one of the many illegally parked police cruisers, and stuck a note on a windshield, telling the officer to give himself a ticket. Because I signed the note, it was only a matter of a few minutes before a cop was at my door, threatening to arrest me for defacing government property. I told him to take me in, but he backed off.

Ever since that day, I'm bothered when cops or other government employees flaunt the very rules they enforce on others. I've confronted Palmer cops who park in fire lanes while ordering bagels at the 25th Street shopping center. I've even complained to deputy sheriffs who put "official business" signs in their personal vehicles so they can park just a little closer to the courthouse. This type of behavior undermines confidence in our government, leading us to believe there are different rules for different groups.

I'm by no means the only person disturbed by government officials think they are above the law. In New York City, an entire web page is devoted to exposing city workers who park illegally. In Oregon, a lawyer recently used some arcane law to ticket a cop who parked illegally while getting his lunch. In Philly, Mayor Nutter has clamped down on all the illegal parking by government officials who are near the courthouse.

"Citizen's arrest! Citizen's arrest!"

Locally, East Penn School Board member Mark Prinzinger has no ticket book. But he does have a camera. On Sunday, when he visited Red Robin, two EMTs driving an Upper Saucon ambulance parked next to a fire hydrant and strolled inside to dine. They had a leisurely meal, remaining inside for over an hour and a half. Prinzinger complained to the hostess and was told, "Oh they come in here all the time. They just park there because there is no other spaces close by."

I called Upper Saucon ambulance yesterday morning, but the call was never returned.

Upper Saucon Family Fun Day This Saturday!

You're not supposed to have fun with your families, damn it! Upper Saucon Township is going to have a Family Fun Day anyway this Saturday between 10 AM and 5 PM at Upper Saucon Township Community Park on Preston Lane. Local personality Ken Matthews will be there, sitting on top a firetruck, although I'd prefer to see him perched atop a dunk tank. I think he's also going to give a bungee jumping demonstration.

For those of you hoping to get me on top of a dunk tank, you'll have to wait. I'll be in the middle of a baseball game, but this sounds like a great time for the kids.

Live Entertainment:
10:30 a.m. Glenn Miller "Big One Man Band"
12:15 p.m. Zydeco-A-Go-Go
3:00 p.m. The Cacklirf Hens and Roosters Too

Noah's World Amusements from 1 to 5:
Rock Climbing Wall, Joust and Thomas the Train Moon Bounce.
NEW! Vertical Reality Bunge
Trackless Train, Basketball Shootout and Speed Pitch with Radar!

Wait, there's more!
* Kite Flying and Kite Making with the Lehigh Valley Kite Society
* Tricycle Races, Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest, and Patches the Clown
* 'The Bicycle Man' Bob Swaim (from 10-11) and Other Special Events at the Southern Lehigh Public Library
* Balloons and other cool giveaways
* Upper Saucon Township Police featuring K-9 Officer Vito and Free Child Identification Kits
* Upper Saucon Volunteer Fire Department and Upper Saucon AmbulanceCorps
* First State Greyhound Rescue and The Gift of Sunshine service dogs (and
friends!)
• Cotton Candy & Snow Cones
• Lots of great food!

Correction: Trent Sear, Upper Saucon's code dude, informs me that families will only have fun between 11 AM and 3 PM. More details are on the township web page.