Magisterial Candidate Felton Removes Partisan Yard Signs

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I belly-ached about 13 campaign signs decorating the yard of magisterial candidate Walter Felton. They endorse Allentown's Democratic mayoral and city council hopefuls. They also violate a rule prohibiting partisan political activity by mini-judge wannabes.

Sometime Wednesday, Felton took down these political signs. I compliment him for recognizing a possible error, and doing the right thing.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

What's wrong with this picture?

What see all the Democratic candidates for Allentown City Council. You also see the Democratic candidate for mayor. So far, so good. But who is that tall, smiling dude in the rear? That's Walter Felton,Democratic candidate for District Judge.

Judges, magistrates and candidates for those offices are governed by different rules than apply to ordinary mortals like you and me. That's why they get to wear black dresses.

The Judicial Conduct Board of Pa has standards governing their behavior. One of these rules bans them from participating in partisan political activity.

Sure, during the year in which they run for office, they are allowed to attend political gatherings to speak about themselves. They can even contribute to their party, but that's pretty much it. No contributions to other candidates. No endorsements.

Yesterday, I told you that magisterial candidate Walter Felton, a very nice guy, has 13 campaign signs in his yard, not counting his own, endorsing partisan candidates for office. His personal Facebook page continues this theme of partisan political activity. Its public portion lists Walter as a "fan" of Northampton County Controller Steve Barron and Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan.

Now, the above picture is included in an email blast that went out from the Pawlowski campaign yesterday, entitled "Two weeks to Go." Mayor Edwin states "Walter Felton is running for District Judge and he needs your vote."

There's nothing improper about Pawlowski asking his supporters to support a judicial candidate. But there's plenty wrong with Felton's decision to pose with other candidates, which he had to know would be used for partisan political purposes. It is effectively an endorsement, and that's out of line because it compromises Felton's impartiality.

Magisterial Candidate Walter Felton's Improper Political Activity

Magisterial candidates, like other judicial hopefuls, are bound by ethical standards that prohibit partisan political activity. In fact, the Judicial Conduct Board of Pa has a rule spelling it out.

"Magisterial district judges or a candidate for such office shall not ... engage in partisan political activity, deliver political speeches, make or solicit political contributions (including purchasing tickets for political party dinners or other functions) or attend political or party conventions or gatherings ... ."

Magisterial candidate Walter Felton is violating that rule. Not counting his own signs, he has 13 campaign signs for Cunningham, Pawlowski, Guridy and Schlossberg decorating his yard. These are all, as you know, Democratic candidates. The photograph above was taken at Walter's residential address, listed by voter registration here. Real estate assessment records reveal he is the sole owner of that property.

In addition to these yard signs, Walter's personal Facebook page continues this theme of partisan political activity. The portion of his Facebook page open to the public lists him as a "fan" of Northampton County Controller Steve Barron and Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan.

This involvement in partisan political activity affects Felton's ability to be impartial. If elected, he's already demonstrated a predisposition to favor Pawlowski and other city officials in any disputes involving Allentown.

I like Walter very much, but he should know better.

Future Judge Felton Sews Up the Ballers

He may be called "Junior," but he's about 8' tall. I'm talking about affable Walter Felton, Jr. , who's running for magistrate in downtown Allentown (wards 3, 13, 17 & 18).

A product of the projects, he graduated in '75 from Salisbury High School, he had plenty of experience in court - the basketball court. From there, he went on to serve as an Allentown police officer for 21 years.

I've known Junior as a Deputy Sheriff and have seen first hand how his smile and demeanor puts nervous courthouse visitors at ease. He has real empathy for people, not a bad quality in a judge.

Now he's sewed up the baller vote, sponsoring a Wall2Wall tournament team. While youth sports are struggling elsewhere in Allentown, Wall2Wall Urban Youth is a wonderful group cultivating the Queen City's most important asset - its children.

Walter, who was a youth officer, gets it. He is already certified by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

Allentown Needs Judge Junior

He may be eight feet tall, but most of the courthouse crew call this gentle giant "Juni" or "Junior." The real name of this Northampton County Deputy Sheriff is Walter Felton, Jr. I snapped his picture in the courthouse lobby today just so you can see his trademark smile. If they're smart, downtown Allentown voters (wards 3, 13, 17 & 18) will elect him as their next magistrate. QCD reports that Felton has been quietly meeting with neighborhood groups since September.

Here's a list of some of the other names that have surfaced for this $78,722 position.

1. Gail Hoover. She's the double-parking junket lover tagged by the state ethics commission for ethical improprieties as a member of Allentown City Council.

2. Ron Manescu. - An Assistant Police Chief, he's eyeing the other side of the bench.

3. Nancy Wilt, employed by state Senator Lisa Boscola last year tried, and failed, to wrangle an appointment to a vacancy on Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners. "My three small children are my biggest inspiration and my reason for being here." Her kids must be political consultants because now she's considering yet another elected office.

4. Cindy Mest. All I know about her is that she is active in the Jackson Park area of Allentown.

5. "Apples the Clown," aka "Allentown community leader"Everett Bickford, who also refers to himself as "Erika" for some reason. Bickford already has experience as a non-denominational independent wedding minister. (His "Sapphire" package is just $100).

Junior is clearly the best of this unusual field. A product of the projects, he graduated in '75 from Salisbury High School, summa cum laude in basketball. From there, he went on to serve as an Allentown police officer for 21 years. Along the way, he was a sergeant, a detective and the youth officer. Every Christmas, he dug into his own pockets to make sure that the kids in the juvenile home had presents.

When Felton retired from the Allentown Police Department in 2005, he played no pension games. A Morning Call analysis shows that, unlike other officers, Felton made no effort to drive up his earnings during his last thirty days on the job.

In the years I've known Felton, I've watched his magic at work. Many of the people who come to the courthouse are already upset, but Juni's smile and demeanor put them at ease. He has an empathy for the people who speak to him and looks for areas of agreement. He tells me he would like to end his career helping people resolve their disputes. That's certainly his approach as a deputy. He would be a calming influence in a real troublespot.

Felton is already certified by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.