As Northampton County Dem Bossman, Walt Gravin has continued the dictatorial style set by his predecessor, Joe Long. When Vice Chair Kiki Schock resigned in June, she decried "the secrecy, the lack of transparency, the lack of respect for rules and proper order, the lack of respect for rights, the disregard to democracy, and the bully tactics that are used to repress." A month later, he refused to allow me to vote on Kiki's replacement, even though I am - believe it or not - a committee person. Apparently, his control tactics extend to another group, the Lehigh Valley Blues Network, where he is President. He's been accused of attempting to intimidate some members.
Hard to believe that!
In addition, he is accused of taking money for newsletter ads from groups hosting events, and then failing to run the event until after the event has taken place.
Unhappy members have been hounding him for a general membership meeting, which traditionally occurs on Sunday afternoons in Emmaus. But he's set one up for this Monday, 6:30 PM, at the Tally Ho in Bethlehem. This will present conflicts for half of the members, which apparently is what he wants. Complaints about his arbitrary style are being deleted from LVBN's Facebook page as fast as they are posted.
How ironic that a person who complains about Charlie Dent's lack of transparency is himself a person who tries to stifle differing opinionions, even to the point of altering LVBN minutes.
This is the message that Mary Pierce and Les Houck are trying to circulate:
Your Voice Should be Heard!!
Walt Garvin has called a general membership meeting for the Lehigh Valley Blues Network on Monday October 3rd in response to the overwhelming demands voiced by disappointed members on the LVBN facebook. Despite the fact that he publicly posted (then later deleted) that the meeting would take place later in October after the IBC competition was over.
It was suddenly announced, late Monday night on Facebook that a meeting would be held in 6 days.
Unlike past LVBN meetings, Jams and other functions that typically are held on Sunday afternoons in a private setting this meeting is being held on a Monday evening in a public place, no doubt by design.
The meeting should be rescheduled to accommodate the membership not the current leadership agenda.
We urge you to make every effort to be at this meeting so that the voices of the ACTIVE paid members will be heard. If for some reason you are unable to attend we further urge you to publicly state your concerns, opinions and suggestions on the LVBN facebook page.
