Wayne Grube Remembered

"A good friend is hard to find, tough to lose and impossible to forget."

Those are the words of State Rep. Rich Grucela. Former Northampton County Council President Wayne Grube was Rich's colleague and friend for over forty years. When Wayne passed on unexpectedly on November 11, 2008, it hit Rich very hard. Some say that had a lot to do with his decision to step down from the state house.

In February 2009, the state legislature unanimously honored Wayne with a citation that Rich proudly hung on his office wall. But now that he is retiring, he thought it should go to Northampton County Council.

Rich, accompanied by his wife Gina, presented the citation and portrait on December 2. One of the receiving Council members, Bruce Gilbert, was a captain of one of Grube's undefeated football squads from Easton High School

For a moment, Council members forgot about party differences and laughed as they told Wayne Grube stories, remembering a fallen friend.

After leaving Council, Rich was kind enough to say a few words to all of you.

Wayne Grube Memorial Park Forgotten by Norco Council

In times past, a public construction project was always accompanied by at least one or two human sacrifices, just for good luck. Today, all the grand poobahs still assemble near the construction site, but they've stopped killing people, unless they start giving speeches. Now it's just some back-slapping and a dip of some ceremonial shovel into some clump of ceremonial dirt. It's called groundbreaking and there's usually a news account to show where our tax dollars are going.

Construction at Wayne A. Grube Memorial Park, located in Weaversville, began this Spring. But the poobahs forgot all about the official groundbreaking until Wednesday. Actually, Northampton County Exec wanted to do that in May, but all the other poobahs complained they were unable to make it and he was doing it too close to an election and blah, blah, blah.

So Stoffa waited. The election's over. Nobody can accuse him of playing politics if he conducts a groundbreaking now. Amazingly, most of the little poobahs never came. Tuesday's ceremonial groundbreaking included Patti Grube, widow of the man who fought for that park over 14 years. In addition to Stoffa, Council members Ron Angle, Peg Ferraro and Joe Joe Capozzolo were on hand.

Six council members never showed. Some undoubtedly had valid reasons. Maybe the rest were afraid of becoming human sacrifices, but their absence was an insult to Patti Grube and the memory of her husband.

Phot Credit: WFMZ.

State House Unanimously Honors Grube

The state house unanimously adopted a resolution earlier this month to honor former Northampton County Council member Wayne Grube. He was friend and legislative aide to Rep. Rich Grucela, who introduced the state house document.

Grube passed away on Nov. 11, 2008.

"I am privileged to honor a man today who is widely respected in Northampton County for his dedication to community service and hard work," Grucela said. "Wayne Grube was the first employee hired to work in my district office after I was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998. He spent the last 10 years working as my legislative aide and was a trusted friend, co-worker and confidant for 40 years. I am proud to honor his life with this House resolution."

Grucela added, "A good friend is hard to find, tough to lose and impossible to forget."
Grube was well known for his years as the former football coach at Easton Area and Wilson Area high schools, and for the 19 years he served on Northampton County Council. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Wayne Grube's Name to Adorn Weaversville Park, Gracedale Lobby

Northampton County Council, perhaps the most dysfunctional local government on the planet, briefly demonstrated some bipartisanship at last night's quick meeting, its third in as many days for most council members.

Council member Charles Dertinger, noting Grube's passionate support for the Weaversville Park, proposed it be named the Weaversville Wayne A. Grube Memorial Park. McClure seconded the motion and Neiper quickly added a third. It passed unanimously.

Council member Ron Angle, noting Grube's passionate support for the county nursing home, proposed that its lobby be named the Wayne A. Grube lobby, complete with photo and plaque. Angle's motion also passed unanimously, a rarity for him.

While supporting both measures, Peg Ferraro cautioned council members they should be sure "we are doing what we need to do."

Asked what he would like when he was gone, Ron Angle mentioned a older slate belt farmer who was angry with him. On Ron's death, he threatened to stick a hambone up Ron's butt and laugh as the dogs pulled his carcass all over.

"So moved," said Charles Dertinger.

A Moment of Silence for Wayne Grube

This afternoon's Northampton County Council budget hearing was a bit hard to follow because most of the bureaucrats there only speak Governmentese. Amazingly, that language is spoken most frequently in Human Services, where you'd think things would be a little more clear. I had my trusty tape recorder and was prepared to translate what I heard. Like an idiot, I forgot to turn it on. But before everyone started speaking in tongues, something happened that even I understood. Council Prez Ann McHale offered a few words about her colleague, Wayne Grube.

The usually imperious Queen of Hearts, voice quivering, read a statement. It was a moving, yet brief, speech, followed by a moment of silence. I wish I could reproduce it. Summarizing it is an injustice. Peg Ferraro's head was buried in her hands. Ron Angle, believe it or not, wiped tears from his eyes.

Grube's nameplate stood proudly at the front of his vacant seat, draped in black ribbon. Someone will eventually be seated there, but that seat is forever empty.

Norco Council VP Wayne Grube Has Passed Away

Northampton County's Dutch Uncle is gone.

Council Vice President Wayne A. Grube, one of the few people I've ever met who could ever admit his own mistakes, passed away this morning. In his nineteen years on council, six of them as President, Grube was an independent voice who never failed to speak his mind. He will be missed, especially by the county workers he constantly teased.

An Easton boy, Wayne became a teacher and was Easton High School's head football coach between 1968 and 1979, leading his team to undefeated seasons in 1968 and 1978.

In recent years, Wayne worked as a legislative aide to state rep. Rich Grucela in Nazareth. His gruff exterior masked a tender heart, something he would not like to read here.

He will be sorely missed. Northampton County flags will be lowered for thirty days in his honor.

Update: Sarah Cassi has a touching tribute to Wayne at The Express Times.

Wayne Grube Sticks it to the Man

Twelve years after the fact, The Morning Call now explains how PPL managed to slip in a bill deregulating the entire electric industry. State senator Lisa Boscola piously condemns it. But as Bethlehem Dem reports, Boscola is actually one of the many legislators who voted for it. Between 2001 and 2007, Boscola raked in $4,600 from PPL's PAC. What's even more mind boggling, at least to me, is her bizarre claim that her chief of staff may be leaving so he can work in the "energy industry."

Bethlehem Dem concludes Boscola is an "opportunistic hypocrite who takes opposing sides of the same issue when it is convenient for her." Hopefully, this little ditty will cheer him up.

At last Thursday's county council meeting, a routine easement to PPL was on the agenda. The county was being asked to grant this soon-to-be-deregulated company an easement over county land. Council was assured this easement imposed no burden on the county and that the land itself is worthless.

But council refused to grant the easement, insisting that there be two appraisals first, and that PPL pay for them. When an engineer got up to complain, former council prez Wayne Grube had a very quick answer. "I don't know how in the world we can feel sorry for that utility. Those people have the funds to pay for an appraisal." Even Angle was persuaded.

After the meeting was over, I saw Wayne and told him, "You really stuck it to the man!" He barked, "Yeah, and now when I go home, all my lights will be off."

Norco Work Release Facility Discussion is Premature

At last night's meeting of Northampton County Council, it was nice to see council VP Wayne Grube, who has been battling his way through some physical problems. He must be getting better because he wasted no time blasting county exec John Stoffa.

According to Grube, Stoffa should talk to Bethlehem Township commissioners about relocating a work release facility in Bethlehem Township before coming to council. "How do you think they felt, reading about it in the newspaper?" Stoffa countered he'd have to be crazy to go there before taking county council members through the facility. "We could have kept you in the dark. One of you blew the whistle on us. If I don't have five or six people interested, why would I go to [Bethlehem Township]? My protocol was to tell you first."

This proposal was tipped to the press before all council members or Bethlehem Township commissioners even knew what was going on. Since that time, there have been discussions here about a possible partnership with Lehigh County, the privatization of this facility and a petition drive by Bethlehem Township residents.

But the truth is, I don't really know what the hell is going on. I know this because, after last night's meeting, Stoffa looked at me, smiled, and said, "You're going in the wrong direction."

- "Well, point me in the right direction," I pleaded.

"I can't do that. You're going to have to figure this out yourself." And then Poof! He disappeared. County execs have superpowers.

I can certainly understand and respect Stoffa's reluctance to share information on so sensitive a subject with a blogger, especially after having been burned once by a member of his own council. But I think Stoffa is trying to hint that this situation is still very fluid and nothing is etched in stone.

When this new treatment center is announced, it may bear very little resemblance to what is being discussed now.

Update: In an editorial published today, The Morning Call raises the same concerns about privatization and the failure to go regional, that have been expressed here. In addition, the paper notes that the upfront cost for going regional with Lehigh is actually far cheaper than the Bethlehem Township proposal. "If there are other concerns regarding politics or 'turf,' let's hear about them in public." After already being burned once, that's unlikely. But based on last night's conversation, I suspect we don't have all the details.

Grube Steps Aside, McHale Steps Up & Angle Steps Out!

"You're late!"

Those were the first words ET Editor Joe Owens growled as I stumbled into Northampton County brand new council chambers for its reorganization Monday night. I came in at the tail end of the Pledge of Allegiance, which everyone was mindlessly mumbling. I quickly slapped my hand over my heart as I looked for a chair, hoping no one would shoot me for being irreverent to the flag.

It was Owens' fault that I was late in the first place. I had just learned he's running for president and that I'm on his election committee. Actually, he's not running for anything. It's his blog. If it wins, I get to be an intern or something. Owens was at the meeting to hustle a few votes before today's New Hampshire primary.

Wrong state, Joe. And he calls me a crazie??

Before last night's meeting, someone posted this comment on my blog. "McHale, the Republicans' favorite Dem next to Stoffa, will be the new Council Prez. Grube will be VP. The Republicans cut the deal with her majesty in case Stoffa doesn't run for re-election. They want her as the Dem. candidate. This boosts her Name and cements her support against the new Council Dems."

That's how it went, too. "With extreme disappointment," Grube acknowledged that physically, he can no longer keep up with with the job. "No one outside realizes how much time a president puts in."

At that point, Grube nominated Ann McHale to take his place as council president. Her nomination was seconded by Lamont McClure, and Peg Ferraro seconded the second to be on the safe side. McHale was unanimously elected as Northampton County's first female council president. No discussion. McHale smiled, and said, "I accept this with pride." That's a far cry from last year, when she was ignominiously shoved aside as council VP for rookie Diane Neiper.

After her election, McHale nominated Wayne Grube to serve as council VP. That nomination was seconded by Charles Dertinger, and once again, Peg Ferraro seconded the second to give things a little bipartisan flavor. Like McHale, Grube was unanimously elected. Again, not a peep in the way of discussion. Ferraro did quietly tell Wayne, "It's been an honor working with you."

Unless that anonymous commenter is the Amazing Kreskin, this was a done deal. Northampton County Council started off the New Year like they do every year - by ignoring the Sunshine Act. It's a tradition. Maybe they should call it the Sunshine Suggestion.

From what I've been able to piece together, Team Dertinger (Dertinger, McClure & Neiper) wanted Neiper to ascend to the throne. But they've been weakened by the loss of Tony Branco, and have alienated both McHale and Grube over the past year.

Republicans control four votes. They could have blocked any Democratic president unless Dems agreed to select a Republican VP. To their credit, they did not play partisan politics, or stopped once Grube indicated he'd be willing to serve as VP.

Good government triumphs over partisan politics! You don't see that every day.

With her election as council president, McHale now assumes formally the role she's already been serving, at least during meetings, for the past two years. Even though she was deposed as VP last year, Grube still relied heavily on McHale, not Neiper, to make sure meetings ran smoothly. And McHale, unlike any other member of council, can control Angle. He simply adores her. Even as she sticks a knife in him and twists it all around, he just smiles.

But last night, Ron was a bad boy. Grube had stepped aside. McHale had stepped up. But Ron actually stepped out! Incensed by the $642 thousand cost for renovations to council chambers, Angle stepped off the dais and instead fumed in the press box, plopping down right between reporters Sarah Cassi and Joe Nixon.

And during the courtesy of the floor, guess who spoke? Bingo!

After establishing that McHale was off on the cost of renovations by a mere $240 thousand, Angle started blowing oil. "I believe in living in the real world. It's the same damn room. The seats are of lesser quality. This $642 thousand, one of the main reasons was the girls needed more room. Now they have less room. I was measuring with my tape today. ... I intend to sit out here in the real world. Pitiful. Pitiful. Pitiful."

About every five minutes, Ron would stand up and blow yet another gasket. "You see those lights? You could get better lights at Home Depot. You could get a nice house and fill it with furniture for $642 thousand."

According to The Express Times' Sarah Cassi, Angle plans to relocate permanently to the press box. "No word yet on what will happen to his nameplate."

In 2001, after a contentious five hour bond hearing, someone actually chucked Angle's nameplate down the hopper. I'm not making this stuff up. The felon was never apprehended, but every county administrator failed several lie detector tests. Fortunately for Ron, Grube dove in and rescued it at the Easton sewage treatment facility.

Update: For more objective accounts of last night's meeting from reporters who actually got to sit right next to Ron, both The Morning Call and Express Times oblige.

Will Grube Continue to Lead Norco Council?

When Northampton County Council met in December to approve this year's budget, one important member was MIA - Council Prez Wayne Grube. That absence continued as recently as Friday, when DA John Morganelli was sworn in for an unprecedented fifth term. He hasn't been seen at the courthouse.

Anyone who knows Grube knows this reliable war horse hates to miss a meeting. Part-time council member or not, he is usually a courthouse fixture.

Next to Ron Angle, Wayne Grube is also council's most vocal member. He's the council member who dared call Charles Dertinger's American Heroes Ordinance a "half baked deal." He was the thorn in side of a council that attempted to force county exec Stoffa to accept an IT contract that was $1.8 million higher than the contract ultimately negotiated. And unlike most pols or people, for that matter, he's actually willing to admit mistakes.

He and I have had a love-hate relationship over the years. I love him, and he hates me. He really has plastered notes on my jeep, calling it an eyesore. He really has tried to have it towed away. For my part, I really did once have him served with a completely bogus subpoena. I thought it was hilarious. He didn't.

Last January, I thought he should step down as council president. But over the past year, he proved me wrong, keeping a tight grip on meetings while ensuring that everyone is heard. In the middle of a meeting, he would occasionally look at me and start shaking his head. Sometimes, he'd step out and whisper to county employees who had items on the agenda, putting them at ease with his gruff, "Dutch uncle," approach. 2007 was actually his finest year as council president.

Today, Northampton County Council reorganizes. Will Wayne be there? Four of council's nine members have less than a term under their belt, and his leadership is sorely needed. I have no guesses or predictions for you. I've avoided discussing this sensitive topic among council members or county workers.

Northampton County Council: 2007's Workers & Slackers

If you want to see who works and who doesn't on Northampton County Council, look no further than their committees. That's where the grunt work gets done. Although Council has eight standing committees, the most active by far are the personnel and finance committees, chaired by Ann McHale and Ron Angle.

Council's standing committees conducted twenty-seven meetings last year. Every member of council is encouraged to participate in every committee. So it's a pretty accurate gauge of the time and effort each councilperson devotes to government service. The committees that meet are also a good indication of what council members think are important.

Council's busy Finance (Angle) and Personnel (McHale) committees, usually combined, met ten times, twice as often as the others. Humans Sevices (Neiper) met five times, and the result is an important baby step towards a bi-county health department. Dertinger's Open Space Committee conducted four meetings, and that means more farmland preservation.

The Intergovernmental (Branco), Judicial (McClure) and Economic Development Committees met just twice. Branco squandered an opportunity to promote regionalism with local municipalities. McClure used his committee as a political tool to bash Controller Schimmel and scream about the importance of a child exploitation unit. Dowd failed to deal with the financially troubled Bachman Publik House, leaving the entire council to deal with it twice during full meetings.

One committee failed to meet at all. Rev. Mike Dowd's Operations and Administration committee might have been helpful in addressing some of the overruns associated with the courthouse expansion, or the windows at Gracedale.

The workers?

Council member John Cusick attended 20 committee meetings last year, making him the hardest working and most dedicated council member in 2007. Nipping at his heels, with 19 meetings to her credit, is VP Diane Neiper. Both Cusick and Neiper are finishing their second year on council, and their attendance record reflects dedication. They are far ahead of their colleagues.

Must be steroids.

Five other council members - Wayne Grube, Ron Angle, Ann McHale, Tony Branco & Charles Dertinger - all have solid committee attendance records this year, ranging between a low of 9 for Dertinger and a high of 12 for McHale.

The slackers?

Rev. J. Michael Dowd attended just six meetings in 2007, very disappointing from a former council president. At the bottom of the heap is Lamont McClure, who was so busy taping robo calls he only attended five committee meetings. His inattention to detail might explain why a candidate who spent no money very nearly beat him. In last year's survey, McClure was dead last, too.

Stoffa Veto Stands: Council Prez Grube Calls Veterans' Rebate a "Half Baked Deal"

Two weeks ago, Northampton County Council was in no mood to listen. It defied its own solicitor, former judge Leonard Zito, when he told them their tax break for Iraqi veterans needed a little work.

Rather than listen to their own consigliere and do the work suggested, Team Dertinger decided to shove this premature legislation down our throats. Charles Dertinger argued that council could simply amend the language later. "We can do that after the fact," he mistakenly assured everyone. If an ordinance is legally flawed, a legal challenge will kill it. It makes no difference how much tweaking is done once the cows have left the barn.

After a motion to table narrowly failed, Council unanimously adopted the American Heroes Grant - a property tax rebate for veterans deployed this or next year.

End of story, right?

Wrong.

That's because county executive John Stoffa, in perhaps his most courageous move yet as the top elected Northampton County official, vetoed this politically popular, if meaningless, ordinance. For any normal pol, this is tantamount to political suicide. But Stoffa pays no attention to the political winds.

"When I ran for county executive, I promised voters I'd raise their taxes, and they elected me anyway."

And he did, with a comprehensive "pay as you go" open space plan. Who gets elected by promising a tax increase? John Stoffa.

In his veto message to council on August 28th, Stoffa actually praised their intentions.

While I applaud the attempt on the part of Council to recognize those who have participated in the military, I nonetheless intend to veto the Ordinance at this time. I have consulted at length with the County Solicitor and have reviewed the opinion of the Council's own Solicitor. It is my belief that the Ordinance as currently drafted will invite litigation and that the better course would be to introduce a new ordinance consistent in intent that addresses the stated legal concerns. Frankly, I see no difference among someone who served in Iwo Jima, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan or Iraq: all are deserving.

Council members Dertinger and McClure both told Morning Call reporter Joe Nixon they had intended to introduce an amendment at the very next council meeting to address legal pitfalls.

That meeting occurred last night. And neither Dertinger nor McClure made any attempt to introduce a new ordinance that addressed their own lawyer's concerns. Instead, they played power politics and tried to override Stoffa's veto.

For his part, Dertinger scoffed at the notion of listening to county lawyers. "If you have four lawyers in a room, you can have five different opinions." He also complained that Stoffa failed to warn him he intended to veto the grant. At least three times, he bemoaned the "lack of communication" with the administration. "Rather than talking to anyone involved, it was simply vetoed. It's just another example of the lack of communication." After being prodded by Ron Angle, Dertinger conceded that he himself never communicated his intention to introduce the ordinance. "I had a hard time, sitting back [and] waiting."

After finishing his speech, Dertinger introduced a Bethlehemite who had come to complain about the veto. Vanessa Santiago, accompanied by her two adorable children, told council that her husband is on his second tour in Iraq, and that an absent husband means she must hire someone to cut her grass. More importantly, there is also a loss in income.

After she made her plea, Lamont McClure chimed in to say that the ordinance may not be perfect, but it is good. "People who oppose it oppose it on other grounds, but won't say so. Let's vote with the Santiagos tonight."

Whether McClure knows it or not, and he probably doesn't, Santiago actually proved that the ordinance is a bad law. Here's why. She owns title jointly with her husband. But the way the ordinance is drafted, her husband gets a rebate only if he owns that property individually.

So if Stoffa had done the popular thing and signed that ordinance, Santiago would get diddly. But McClure would still be able to give election speeches about our "brave warriors" overseas and take credit for meaningless legislation.

Only four members of council - Charles Dertinger, Lamont McClure, Diane Neiper and Tony Branco - voted to override the veto. The magic number is six. So the attempt to override Stoffa's veto failed.

And that's good news for Ms. Santiago. Now, Council can draft an ordinance that defines ownership to include jointly held property.

Council Prez Wayne Grube, himself a vet, said it best. "I want something more solid, more concrete. We have no idea how many deserving veterans would qualify. Nobody's ever talked about that. This is something that can't be done on short notice. I don't want a half-baked deal ... ."

So is council willing to sit down and do the hard work of drafting a comprehensive ordinance that really helps families like the Santiago family? Or was it just political grandstanding after all? Grube and Angle both expressed a willingness to sit down and work out the details. It would be nice to see Dertinger and McClure overcome their bitter partisan feelings and work for the good of the county.

But I'm not holding my breath.

For an excellent and objective account of last night's meeting, Joe Nixon's Morning Call report is here. In Lamont McClure's strange little world, county council and county lawyers have conspired with Stoffa to do a "favor" for Ron Angle. What McClure still is unable to figure out is that some foks, especially Stoffa, are more interested in doing the right thing than in partisan politics. He should try it sometime.

Nazareth Graffiti Artist Fingered

His tag is "Coach." If you live in or near Nazareth, you've seen his dastardly work.

He's the bastard who spray-painted nine cars outside Wal-Mart last week. He lit up the old Ranch House in Upper Nazareth Township. He's even spray-painted my jeep several times.

Nazareth Mayor Earl Keller is convinced the culprit must be a blogger. Police, of course, suspect skateboarders. Nazareth Borough Councilman Conrad Bowers has already appointed himself lead investigator. He plans to convert the skatepark into an internment camp for 'boarders while he gets interrogation tips from the CIA.

Keller, cops and Bowers are on the wrong track. I saw the real culprit last weekend from my window. He laughed hysterically as he spray-painted "Coach" all over my jeep ... again. I dashed outside with a golf club, but the old fart was too fast for me. He hopped on a skateboard, went about twenty feet to a nearby Caddy, and sped off in a shower of sparks. He even threw a firecracker at me as he roared off.

I called 911 and gave a detailed description, but was immediately committed. I think those little turds are in on it with the "coach." But they could only keep me 48 hours. I snapped a picture of this miscreant with my cellphone and have sent it to the FBI.

I can't wait to see the look on Northampton County Council Prez Grube's face when the feds ask him to pop his hood.

Norco Council Too Busy With Election Year Smears to Worry About Overcrowded Prison

Last night, an unholy triumvirate of Northampton County Council were convinced they had finally caught their nemesis, the evil Ron Angle, in a conflict of interest. Lamont McClure, Charles Dertinger and Diane Neiper ganged up on Ron.

Uh oh.

Prosecutor Charles Dertinger had the goods. He took off his glasses, which he always does when he means business, and launched his attack. "I have information that Angle owns six properties in Portland ... " that will be served by a county-financed sewer project.

"Actually, I own seven," Angle corrected.

Dertinger's conclusion, shared by Neiper and McClure, is that these sewer hook-ups will increase Angle's property values. McClure immediately moved that Angle be barred from any votes concerning that project. He even quoted the Home Rule Charter. Dertinger solemnly seconded the motion. Schoolmarm Neiper sanctimoniously told Angle he should have recused himself from voting about shit in Portland when he had the chance.

None of these three stooges produced anyone to declare Angle's property values actually would increase. Dertinger did claim he spoke with people in the revenue office, but never named them. Angle, a real estate maven, pointed out that each of the seven homes he owns in Portland already has a functioning sewer system. A sewer project is irrelevant to his property values, and could actually end up costing him money with sewer hook up fees.

That wasn't good enough for DA Dertinger, who really just wanted to embarrass Angle in an election year. McClure reluctantly withdrew his motion only when Solicitor Lenny Zito promised to investigate Dertinger's claim.

When Lenny Zito reports back, council will be told that Dertinger, like the Portland sewer project, is full of shit. Under our ethics laws, a public official does not have a "pecuniary interest" when he votes on something that affects the general public or some segment of the general public in which he is merely a part. In this case, the sewer project has an impact, beneficial or detrimental, on all Portland residents. Angle is just part of that group. If it were a conflict of interest for him to vote on this sewer project, he should be barred from voting on tax increases, too. Last night's maneuver was no attempt at good government, but was instead a thinly veiled election smear. Had it succeeded, it would have disenfranchised the voters in Angle's council district. That's who would have been hurt.

As McClure insisted there was a terrible conflict, Angle asked Lamont to justify his votes concerning the DA's office. After all, McClure's wife works there. McClure piously replied, "I abstain from votes involving the DA's office." That's baloney. Last year, McClure actually voted to increase the DA's budget.

Council Prez Wayne Grube considered the whole ordeal "embarrassing," and accused the Unholy Three of having an "agenda." "This is nothing more than vindictive stuff." What's really sad is that, while three inexperienced council members waste time playing political games, everyone is distracted from the real problems facing our county. These include a prison expansion that is over capacity less than a year after it was completed.

Update: The Express Times has a well-written account of last night's meeting. Reprter Sarah Cassi has a few of the good quotations, including Neiper's sanctimonious tripe.

"Madness? This is Northampton County!"

Before last night's meeting of Northampton County council, I bumped into Express Times reporter extraordinaire Sarah Cassi. I blocked her way into council chambers, regaling her with tales from my blog.

"Did you know my blog is worth $10,518?"

After she escaped, I latched onto county exec John Stoffa. I always dazzle him with my intellectual superiority. Lsat night, it was the details from 300. I saw that five times last weekend with groups of teenage boys who share my love for classic Greek history.

"Those Persian arrows will blot out the sun tonight, John."

"Huh?"

"Don't worry, John. We'll fight them in the shade."

"Bernie, what the hell are you talking about? It's night and it's raining."

Stoffa would probably have talked with me all night, but the meeting was starting and deputies were coaxing me away. I found my usual seat in the peanut gallery, and furiously began taking notes of the entire meeting. Citizen journalism! How many members of the public were there? 23. Impressive, huh? I've got loads of stuff like that.

I scribbled six full sheets of paper, covering every detail. I've got Council Prez Grube'e groans about council's decision to transfer Veterans Affairs to Human Services. "At the rate we're going, in another two years we'll be a replica of Lehigh County." And they all moaned over a simple resolution to study the possibility of a bi-county health department. "At the rate we're going, in another two years we'll be a replica of Lehigh County."

Council also approved four union contracts for the judges' slaves. After that, Councilman Lamont McClure wanted to go into secret session to consult the oracle about the residual unit. Solicitor Lenny Zito cautioned against going to the back room. "At the rate you're going, in another two years you'll be a replica of Lehigh County."

Council finally agreed to spend $1.5 million to buy Gus Milides' vacant law office, across the street from the courthouse, for our new archives. Councilman Ron Angle was vehemently opposed. He thinks land is cheaper in upstate New York. "At the rate we're going, in another two years we'll be a replica of Lehigh County."

After council had adjourned, I sat in the back with Al Jordan, our computer geek. I was impressing him with my knowledge of voting machine software when county lawyer Chris Spadoni rudely interrupted.

Spadoni squealed that HRH DePaul's dad, toupee and all, had just ripped into Ron Angle. I had missed the whole frickin' thing! Apparently, King DePaul had to be led away by an 18 foot tall deputy sheriff who would make a great Xerxes in 300 II. I have six pages of frickin' notes, and missed the biggest story of the evening!

I tried to find out what really happened by talking to Angle. That's like asking Dick Cheney to explain why we really invaded Iraq. According to Ron, the Debbie Dad approached the dais and started threatening Angle for giving his daughter a rough time. That much I believe. He apparently also told Angle he was going to kick his ass and would be waiting outside. When Angle started talking about High Noon again, I tuned him out. One thing is certain. Angle was taking no chances. He put on his Persian outfit and left the building with an escort of Immortals, all on their way to Tic Toc Diner.

Geez! Angle only attended one of the six task force meetings. I've been to all of them. And I've been much nastier. Uh oh. Time to go.

Outside, on the way to my jeep, it happened. Some old fart with a lousy looking toupee walked up to me and snarled, "Are you Bernie O'Hare?"

"No, he left. I'm Bernie Long, Joe's good-looking kid brother."

The geezer turned to leave, but then he saw an old Angle bumper sticker on my jeep. Busted! I had tried to rip that off years ago, but it's embedded like a tattoo. Damn! I better get the hell out. I turned the ignition and ... nothing. My battery needs a charge. The dude was moving towards me like one of the Immortals, but wasn't quick enough. I let the clutch out, rolled down the hill and jump-started my jeep. He ran down the hill after me, screaming, "This is madness."

As I rolled away, I shouted to the old dude, "Madness? This is Northampton County!"

NorCo Council Prez Calls Wind Gap Road a $400 Thousand Mistake

1100 high quality jobs. That was the promise six years ago. The county would kick in $3 million for a road from its $111 million megabond. Developer Nolan Perin would do the rest. Heavy industrial hitters would soon be in the slate belt.

Today, there's still no road. Not even a sewage permit. No highway occupancy permit. The best Perin could do, was a temporary driveway permit, and that didn't happen until December.

Instead of those well paid industrial positions, Perin lured yet another Wal-Mart and Lowes to the Lehigh Valley. Industrial development suddenly morphed into mostly commercial development with low-paying jobs. Slate Belt residents erupted. County council nevertheless remained committed to its $3 million investment. It was happy to destroy environmentally sensitive lands in the 'burbs for jobs that pay less than a courthouse worker's shrinking salary.

This became an issue in the last county council campaign. Lamont McClure demanded that council show "leadership to preserve the quality of life in the Slate Belt and take back this bond money now." He was joined by Charles Dertinger and Diane Neiper, but they all mysteriously changed their minds once they were in office. The resisted repeated attempts to transfer that money to other capital projects with major cost overruns.

While county council nixed any attempt to kill this project, over $440,000 in bond money was wasted on engineering studies.

Last week, Wal-Mart nixed the project itself. It's not coming. Nothing is. The only business in six years at this site is a scrap metal business owned by developer Perin. It employs less than thirty workers. Perin remains convinced he can make a go of things.

Council chambers were packed last night with seventy people demanding that this insanity stop. And Council may finally see the light at the end of this road to nowhere. They appear ready to yank the remaining money. Council member Tony Branco reported that he took a little tour of the site last weekend, and noticed that nothing has happened since July.

But Council Prez Wayne Grube, previously a stubborn supporter of this project, has finally thrown in the towel. His own words.

"This was a mistake. We've had it with that project. We've heard it four or five times. Let's go do what has to be done to try and recoup our money. I've had it. I openly admit that I made a mistake, and that'll be on our boy's blog tomorrow."

Gee, thanks, Wayne! I didn't know you cared.

Grube openly admits making an error that cost taxpayers $440,000. And his backroom maneuver to replace Ann McHale as VP has alienated me and many others. But even I would agree he's being a little tough on himself. He honestly believed something good would come from this investment. He's been sold a bill of goods, and is now courageous enough to admit it. Who can't admire and respect that? Grube is the only member of any council I've watched who can admit when he screws up. And he screws up a lot. But it's still refreshingly honest. Having said that, I hope he makes every effort to get the remaining $2.6 million back in county coffers. We'd all agree that a $440,000 mistake is infinitely preferable to one that costs us $3 million.

Speaking of mistakes, Councilman Lamont McClure is hot on the trail over that $100,000 theft from the criminal division. Of course, someone has been charged and is being prosecuted. But that won't stop Lamont. Last night he was tongue-lashing Controller Paul Schimmel. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the elections this year. Just good government. More about his bullying next week.

How to Get Hold of a Local Pol

I don't know about you, but most of the people I call aren't working these days. This is what usually happens.

"Good morning. Mr. McClure's office. May I help you?"

"Why sure, I'd like to speak to Lamont." (I always use the given name to imply I'm a bud).

"May I ask who's calling?"

"Why sure, it's Brrrnee Mfhair." (When I muffle the name I improve my odds).

"Who?"

"Bernie O'Hare. Like the airport. They named that after me, you know." (A little humor to gain the trust of the hired help).

"Hold please."

After about an hour, I have to hang up and try again. There must be something wrong with my phone because this happens with everyone I call except bill collectors, and they call me.

"Good afternoon. Mr. McClure's office. May I help you?"

"Mr. McClure, please." (After the buddy approach fails, I next try to sound like a busy professional).

"May I ask who's calling?"

"Mister McNair." (Try to be curt and sound a bit pompous here).

"Oh, hold on Mr. O'Hare, I'll see if he's here."

After about an hour, I have to hang up and try again.

"Good afternoon. Mr. McClure's office. May I help you?"

"Put that bastard on the phone." (At this point, try to sound as mean as cat shit).

"May I ask who's calling?"

"Yeah, it's Wayne Grube. Get him now. I haven't got all day. I'm the president of county council." (If all else fails, impersonate).

"Hold on, Mr. O'Hare. I'll see if he's here." (I always forget about caller ID).

After another hour, I have to hang up and try again. Give up? Never!!

"You have reached the law offices of Lamont McClure. Please leave a message. Your call is very important to us. And if this is Bernie O'Hare, Mr. McClure will return on February 30."

And so the battle rages.

Murder in Norco Council Chambers: Why McHale Was Eliminated as VP

Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am!

It was an ugly and sad scene.

Ann McHale, a hard-working Democrat well into her second term on county council, was unceremoniously dumped as VP on Tuesday. Her replacement, Diane Neiper, is a newcomer who just two weeks before conceded she doesn't know what the hell she's doing.

So why did council get rid of McHale? What was really going on behind those closed doors? I can't be sure because council deliberated privately in violation of the Sunshine Act. But I have a theory.

Ann McHale intends to run for exec unless Stoffa decides to seek re-election. She won't oppose an incumbent Democrat. Ann's pals on council know this. And they're not happy about it.

Here's why. She's not the only Democrat with her eyes on that office. State representative Rich Grucela is tired of banging his head against the wall in Harrisburg. He is considering a run at county exec as well. Truth be told, he's always felt most comfortable in county government. Obviously, he'd like to avoid an expensive and possibly divisive primary against McHale, who is very popular in Bethlehem. And just as Henry II asked his courtiers, perhaps Grucela asked, "Who will rid me of this meddlesome [councilwoman]?"

And guess who works for Rich Grucela?

None other than council prez Wayne Grube. If I know Grucela is considering a stab at county exec, you can be damn sure that Grube knows it, too. And just as Henry II's knights murdered Archbishop Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral, Grube and his council cronies eliminated Ann McHale inside council chambers. It was a disservice both to McHale and Grucela, who will ultimately be tarnished by these dirty politics.

Just three years after Becket's murder, he was canonized. And three years from Monday, the next county executive will be sworn in.

Update:Rich Grucela has contacted me. Like Henry II, he denies being involved in McHale's removal in any way. He's always beeen honest with me and I believe him. This dark work is not in Grucela's nature, anyway. When he does run, he tends to run for an office and never against anyone. I can't say the same for Grube and his council cronies. They are obvoiusly shoving McHale out of the way for someone.

Why I Think Wayne Grube Should Step Down as Council Prez

It's not going to happen. We're stuck with him. And it certainly is partially my fault.

I've voted for Wayne Grube as long as I can remember. When I addressed council yesterday, I complimented his service to the county. He is council's hardest-working member.

But anyone who attends Northampton County Council meetings, even sporadically, knows why Grube should step down as county council prez. It has nothing to do with his age or hearing. It has everything to do with his total inability to conduct an orderly meeting. It has everything to do with his willingness to allow himself to be controlled behind the scenes by other council members.

When I addressed council yesterday, I actually stole and read remarks made by one of the contributors to this blog. "Wayne Grube has been a powerful force in Northampton County politics for decades. His legacy is secure - perhaps no other politician has had a stronger and broader influence than he." But this contributor also had this to say. "Step down, please. Let our memories of you and your service be good ones. Nobody will think less of you; in fact, we will respect you even more."

I told Grube his time is over. His council meetings are an embarrassment. I stated publicly what nearly everyone will concede privately.

Lehigh County's Unofficial Motto? "We're not Northampton County." One of LVDem's most recent posts? "Those Crazy Kids in Norco."

In yesterday's brief council meeting, two sets of minutes from earlier meetings needed approval. Grube was at a total loss on how that should be accomplished. When it became apparent that there were objections to one set of minutes, Grube had to be reminded constantly how he should conduct the votes. The person reminding him? Council VP Ann McHale. Her reward? Dismissal.
He doesn't take criticism well, even when it is tactful.

During a typical meeting, Grube is thin-skinned, intolerant, gets involved in regular shouting matches and is rude to the public. He skips over portions of the agenda, and has to be reminded that he missed an item. He will call for votes on ordinances that have just been introduced.

But what really disturbs me is that he is now letting himself be used to subvert both the Sunshine Act and Home Rule Charter. Wayne Grube, for all his flaws, at one time believed in good government. He stood against Michael Solomon, something that is not widely known. His action on council ended the bribery in Northampton County.

But that Wayne Grube is now letting himself be used to decide the public's business behind closed doors. He has been at the heart of Sunshine Act and Home Rule Charter violations. He has worked against the Democratic county executive's agenda, even when it involves open space. He no longer stands for good government. Instead, he is deciding the county's business in the dark, with the help of new council members who don't know a damn thing about the Home Rule Charter. That's why they were all embarrassed a few weeks ago. If they deliberated publicly, they might have learned their plan to invade the cash reserve was contrary to the Home Rule Charter.

And that's why Grube needs to go.

Anyone who thinks otherwise should do himself a favor and sit in on a council meeting.

Who can replace him? Actually, there's not a large field. The only qualified Democrat is the no-nonsense Ann McHale. The only qualified Republican is Rev. J. Michael Dowd, who actually appointed a citizen to his open space committee when he was council prez.

Northampton County Council Kicks Off New Year With Sunshine Act & Charter Violations

It didn't work.

Rev. J. Michael Dowd implored the Heavenly Father to give Northampton County Council "new agendas" and "new priorities." He asked God to give council insight and courage to help do what is right.

But when the dust had settled, council was still mired in back room shenanigans. This time, in addition to a blatant Sunshine Act violation, council thumbed its nose at the Home Rule Charter.

The fix was in, bippy. Yesterday afternoon, they were just going through the motions.

As I told you before the meeting ever started, council had already decided to reelect an increasingly unstable Wayne Grube as council president. No surprise there. But the real shocker was its predecision to replace veteran Ann McHale with newcomer Diane Neiper.

The meeting was actually rescheduled to midafternoon just so Tony Branco could attend. You see, his vote was needed to make sure Neiper was elected.

Before the vote occurred, I approached council to tell them I'm an idiot. You see, I recently withdrew Sunshine Act litigation over its preselection of Lamont McClure and Tony Branco as council members. I actually believed council was seriously interested in open government, and that they were reading a manual prepared by Solicitor Zito concerning the Sunshine Act. Silly me.

I also told council neither Grube nor Neiper should be elected. Grube has been a powerful force in Northampton County and certainly works hard. But he's never been able to control a council meeting. Neiper simply has no experience.

During the short meeting, Council Prez Grube actually admitted the deal. He defiantly told a complaining Ron Angle that what they were doing was "no different than the deal you made with the county executive over open space."

Excuse me?

There's a big difference between a commitment from an individual councilman to a county executive and a closed door arrangement by a quorum of legislators. The latter is governed by the Sunshine Act.

Branco, when confronted with the reality that the cat was out of the bag, could only say he's "sick and tired of Angle talking out of his rear end." He then seconded Dertinger's nomination of Diane Neiper, stating sarcastically he may as well do that because the decision has already been made.

So for yet another year, Wayne Grube is council prez. He explained that 2006 was a fiasco and he wants to get rid of all the divisiveness and return to the days when council got things done. In other words, he likes fifteen minute meetings. He then proceeded to excoriate his critics and bumbled his way through the meeting.

Diane Neiper is now VP, and will get Grube's salary if he is forced to step down. In fact, Neiper laughingly voted for herself, violating the conflict of interest provisions of the county's Home Rule Charter in the process. No council member may consider or approve any matter in which she has a direct or indirect financial interest. Neiper really should read that Home Rule Charter. Unlike Neiper, McHale at least had the class to abstain.

Although McHale has shielded Grube from egregious errors as prez, Neiper says it's her turn now. She claims her 34 years in the classroom and her union work qualify her.

Huh?

At council's budget meeting on December 14, I heard a far different Neiper. That one acknowledged her unfamiliarity with the county's Home Rule Charter, saying she was new and this was her first budget. Boy, she sure has learned a lot in two weeks! Too bad she didn't get to the Home Rule Charter's section on conflicts of interest.

One county employee who witnessed this travesty told me he's "embarrassed" to be part of the county.

"Democracy dies behind closed doors." What a way to start off the year!

Update:Both The Morning Call and Express Times have well-written and objective accounts of yesterday's little sideshow.