NorCo Council Tables Ordinance That Would Ban Leafletting Windshields on County Property

I'm sure we've all experienced leaflets on our windshields while shopping or attending some event. Most are innocuous advertisements for some new business. I live close to a Catholic church, and at one time, I used to get anti-abortion leaflets as well. Do people have a first amendment right to leaflet your windshield if you're parked on county property?  That was a question before NorCo Council at last night's meeting.

They chose to duck it, probably wisely. 

At the request of Council member Ken Kraft, NorCo Council voted 6-1 night to table an ordinance that would make it illegal to "[p]lace, discard or abandon leaflets, or paper materials of any kind, upon any vehicle parked on County Real Estate." Kraft was joined by Council members Kelly Keegan, Jeff Warren, Jeff Corpora, Lori Vargo Heffner and Tom Giovanni. Council member John Brown voted against tabling. Council members John Goffredo and Ron Heckman were absent.

Kraft was concerned that this ban on leafleting windshields on county property runs afoul of the first amendment. He said his experience as a union representative who picketed public and even private property made him concerned. Addressing Ass't Solicitor Dave Ceraul, Kraft said, " So you're trying to restrict people's first amendment rights to leaflet whether [they] like it or not - Don't shake your head, that's what you're doing - and it's on public property. 

County Council Solicitor had no advice because he said he was just made aware of Kraft's concern. 

He and Assistant Solicitor Ceraul will meet and discuss the ordinance and report back.  

In other business, County Council voted 6-1 to purchase 43.36 acres in Stockertown for $1.43 million. This is based on fair market value. This property is known as part of the Bushkill Creek Greenway and is vital to any eventual connection of the Tatamy and Plainfield Tp trails. If that connection is ever made, it will be possible to cycle from Pen Argyl to the D&L trail which leads to Bristol, Trenton, Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, Northampton, Lehighton, Jim Thorpe and White Haven.

It will also be used as a nature preserve and environmentally sensitive area into the County's real estate holdings in the County parks and conservation area system. It will provide agriculture, conservation, passive recreation, trails, afloodplain and will be a site for ecological restoration and environmental education.

The only No vote, and without explanation, came from John Brown. 

NorCo Council Wants to Know Who Dared Leak Sacrosanct Council Email

Earlier this week, I exposed a blatant attempt to pull a fast one by NorCo Council member Bob Werner and Rev. Mike Dowd, a former NorCo Council President. Last year, NorCo Council shelved a proposed $20,000 grant to restore the church steeple at Easton's UCC, where Dowd is Pastor. Though the award was never funded, the money still sits on county coffers. So Dowd came up with a new way to get his hands on this dough. He proposed awarding that grant to the Greater Easton Development Corp. (GEDC) and removing the church's name. This way, GEDP could find $20,000 for the steeple. Now you might think most members of Council would be outraged at this attempted money laundering. You'd be wrong. Instead, they wanted to know who dared leak that email to me.

Council's $100k per year Clerk, Linda Zembo, gave this report:

"There was on Bernie's blog an email I sent to ... certain people that somehow was leaked from his blog. In my email, it does say at the bottom that any transmissions was prohibited because it contained confidential information. I received an email from Mike Dowd. I forwarded it to some people.Then somehow it got on Bernie's blog. I did not release it. ..."

Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni admitted he read the blog, adding it "says something about my lifestyle."

"By the way, we're talking about Lehigh Valley Ramblings," said an amused Council President Ron Heckman.

"Do we really have to talk about this and give it any more steam than it needed?" asked Council member Tara Zrinski.

A few points.

First, and contrary to what $100k per year Council Clerk Linda Zembo asserted, I only published the email that Dowd had sent. Last time I checked, he's not on Council.

Second, any email or communication concerning the disposition of county funds is public information. Especially if it involves possible money laundering. You can mark it "confidential" all you want and I will still publish it.

Third, Council's $100k per year Clerk is a little nutty when it comes to marking things confidential. Even Council meeting agendas,which are about as public as you get, are marked "confidential" in emails.

Finally, I never reveal sources, but just this once, I will.

God gave it to me.

He appeared to me in the Recorder of Deeds

"My Temple will be called a house of prayer, but Rev. Dowd has turned it into a den of thieves,” he boomed.

Does Rev. Dowd Have Bats in His Belfry?

Last year, Northampton County very nearly awarded a $20,000 grant intended for the restoration of the church steeple at First United Church of Christ in Easton. Now I suppose you could argue that a 187' high church steeple, which are peculiar to Christian faiths, serves some secular purpose. But the church itself described it as a "beacon of hope and faith." That's clearly religious. Fortunately, Council member John Cusick succeeded in persuading Council to pull the award, although the money still sits in county coffers, waiting to be spent. This is where Rev. Mike Dowd, pastor of the church and a former president of Northampton County Council, enters the fray.

I told you last year this religious donation to the UCC is blatantly unconstitutional. What also bothered me is Rev. Dowd using his connections to tend to his flock. Though he was unsuccessful last year, he is still trying to grab that dough. This time, a church leader is using a sneaky end run to have the money laundered to him through a third party.

On August 22, he sent this email to Linda Zembo, County Council's Clerk:

"Linda - I've had conversation with a several council members and a number seem amenable to transfer the grant that was originally awarded to our church for preservation to The Greater Easton Development Corporation (GEDP). It was for $20,000; Bob [Werner] is willing to sponsor a resolution and he asked me to contact you and to ask you to put it in the correct language and to leave the name of the church out of it.
"I think it could come up at a September meeting."

Is dishonesty a tenet of the UCC? Clearly, that's what's going on.

Rev. Dowd wants the money to go to the GEDP, which will then find $20,000 it can award to the UCC.

I could respect an argument that the money sought last year is really for a secular purpose. But I have no respect for this attempted end-run.

What's worse is that Dowd has been caught trying to pull a fast one. From what I understand, there will be no money for the church steeple now.

Nazareth Settles Stickergate for $39,000, Adopts Three Major Policy Changes

(The Sticker Gang with their legal Dream Team. From L to R: Dan Logothetis, Attorney Gary Asteak, Trevor Gehret, Attorney Phil Lauer, Jeremy Peters and Attorney Mark Minotti)

The infamous Sticker Gang has settled its civil rights suit against Nazareth. Filed in the United States District Court, the suit was filed last year by Trevor Gehret, Jeremy Peters and Daniel Logothetis. They were represented by prominent civil rights Attorney Joe Welsh, along with Phil Lauer. Nazareth, Police Chief Thomas Trachta, Patrolman Dan Troxell and the entire Borough Council were named as Defendants. The lawsuit sought compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney fees, for civil rights violations, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, assault, battery and the intentional infliction of emotional address. In addition, the lawsuit sought injunctive relief for constitutional violations. The case was settled today in exchangew for a flat payment of $39,000 and the adoption of three major policy changes in Nazareth.

This lawsuit is the result of tiny "FT (Fire Trachta)" stickers, which were springing up all over Nazareth nearly two years ago, along with the dandelions.

They were small but everywhere. Mailboxes, telephone poles, benches and even crime prevention signs.

The FTs were someone's way of saying FU to Police Chief Thomas Trachta.

After a major investigation conducted by perhaps the dumbest cop on the planet, Chief Trachta served notice that there will be no free speech in Nazareth, a point that Borough Council has tried to make with me on several occasions.

Not only did Trachta arrest the trio that ultimately became known as The Sticker Gang, but he conducted a staged perp parade in front of a fawning press.

He detained these desperadoes until both papers arrived. Then he paraded them outside, up from the police station to District Judge John Capobianco's courtroom. They were shackled and handcuffed, so the dailies could snap pictures of these evil criminals doing what is called a "perp" walk. The Morning Call video shows Jeremy Peters getting at least one shove by a cop who wants him to move faster.

It was actually more of a parade, along the entire length of the bank building. It was done to publicly humiliate this trio and impress a powerful image of guilt in the mind of the public. People charged with littering were treated as though they had just attempted to assassinate the President.

It was also totally unnecessary. Trachta could have easily escorted them up the stairway from the police station into the courtroom.

Online comments in both newspapers expressed outrage at this abuse of police power. Chief Trachta has been called a megalomaniac, egotistical maniac, Nazi, moron, transplanted clown, Barney Fife and out-of-control.

The Sticker Gang was represented by a legal Dream Team of three of the area's most prominent criminal defense attorneys - Phil Lauer, Gary Asteak and Mark Minotti. When they arrived at the courthouse, they introduced themselves to Trachta and tried to shake his hand. He refused. "That's the first time that ever happened to me," noted a baffled Lauer, who has devoted a career to major criminal cases on the federal and state level and is well-respected by law enforcement.

As the case developed, there was no real evidence that any of the Sticker Gang members had actually done the dirty deed. But there was evidence that, in addition to manufacturing a victim, Trachta and Troxell tried to get the feds involved. Troxell actually testified that he contacted the United States Attorney's Office for the stickers found on mailboxes, bringing some chuckles from the defense team. Postal Inspectors apparently have better things to do.

The Sticker Gang had been facing misdemeanor criminal mischief charges (eight counts each), as well as disorderly conduct, harassment and eight counts of scattering rubbish.

"There's nothing here to support the misdemeanor charge," concluded Judge Jacqueline Taschner. "Nothing." She indicated all the evidence from the Commonwealth showed an expression of political belief, not an intent to damage any property.

She then told Chief Trachta that he, like she, is a public figure who has to expect some criticism.

"Suck it up, cupcake!" she advised.

She also tossed the harassment and disorderly conduct charges for much the same reason. That pesky First Amendment kept getting in the way. Mark Minotti, legal scholar for the Dream Team, furnished the judge with another Superior Court decision finding that a person wearing a "Fuck You" T-shirt inside a courtroom is not disorderly, as a matter of law. He noted that disorderly conduct charges cannot be used as a dragnet for all irritations. It is a statute intended to preserve the public peace.

Troxell made a last-ditch effort to get the judge to at least buy a scattering rubbish charge. But he failed there, too. He said he found some stickers in a Valero gas station parking lot, but conceded to Attorney Lauer that he was unable to say how they got there or whether the Sticker Gang was even responsible.

The settlement of $39,000 includes attorney fees, so monetarily, this is a good deal for Nazareth. But Attorney Joe Welsh told me his clients were more concerned with policy changes that would prevent this from happening again.

The three policy changes can be summarized as follows:

1) Free Speech. - Nazareth police will respect citizens’ rights to free speech, including speech with which an individual police officer disagrees or even finds offensive. Officers will exercise discretion in making arrests that might raise questions of free speech, and when possible, will consult with an online supervisor, the on-duty Assistant District Attorney or borough solicitor.

2) Publicizing arrests. - This will be a function of the departmental head law enforcement executive, in consultation, where necessary, with the Borough Solicitor. Blotter information (name, unit block of residence and charges) regarding all individuals arrested for misdemeanors and felonies will be provided to local media for publication unless doping so would identify a sexual assault or domestic violence victim, or would compromise an investigation or prosecution. In announcing arrests, there will be no personal asides

3) Perp walks. - The practice of parading criminal defendants before a fawning media will stop. While they have the absolute right to film and/or photograph prisoners during transport between facilities, Nazareth is under no obligation to create such opportunities and, as a policy, will refrain from doing so.

Updated 8:55 pm. Trevor Gehret's Statement: "Thank you all who supported #StickerGate. Bernie O'Hare thank you for making this a big deal in Nazareth and brining the real issues to life. This journey is over but let's not forget the importance of #StickerGate our judiciary system (cupcake calling and all) and of course a well structured United States Constitution.

"Thank you to all who stood by us in this journey and believing in our cause our friends, family, loved ones and co-workers. A special thank you to our "Dream Team" of attorneys for their hard work and dedication. Today marks the official end to a long battle. Policies were changed to better Nazareth and push it further in to the future. I will see you all in 2020 as I make a run for POTUS.

"Stay safe, stand up for your rights and never forget #SuckItUpCupcake ."

PSP Cite Constable cRaZy Over Pre-Election Trump Signs

Tricia Mezzacappa got herself elected Constable in West Easton last year after getting ten write-in votes. She's taken this new role very seriously, too. She went out and bought a constable costume and handcuffs, offered her services to West Easton, contacted several places to act as storage facilities for towed vehicles and then began harassing West Easton residents with written "warnings" over ordinance violations like cars parked too long in one place or radios being played too loudly. She claims she can arrest people for "breach of the peace," too, so watch out!

She's also a rabid Trump supporter. On Election Eve, she plastered West Easton with Trump signs. She was even spotted using a ladder to make it difficult to remove these signs from telephone poles. In her enthusiasm for The Donald, she got carried away and began placing Trump over street signs about parking and snow emergency routes.

Since West Easton has no police force and she's the only constable in town, she no doubt thought she was home free.

Enter the Pennsylvania State Police. Though they ignore local ordinances, they do enforce the Vehicle Code, and cited her for littering on November 7.

It's no secret that I have little regard for Donald Trump. Even less for Tricia "Constable cRaZy" Mezzacappa. But this charge bothers me. She was engaged in pure political speech, on the eve of an election. So any accusation of criminal behavior, even as a summary offense, should be carefully reviewed.

Here's the statute that Mezzacappa is alleged to have violated.

"No person shall throw or deposit, upon any highway, or upon any other public or private property without the consent of the owner thereof or into or on the waters of this Commonwealth from a vehicle, any waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish, or any dangerous or detrimental substance."

If she was seen throwing tape or waste paper on the street or on someone else's property, that's littering. But it's a stretch to conclude that a Trump sign is "waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish, or any dangerous or detrimental substance."

This is one of the charges that Cupcake Trachta brought against the execrable Sticker Gang, who decorated Nazareth with tiny "FT (Fire Trachta)" stickers two summers ago. Everyone thought it was funny but the Chief of Police. Attorneys Gary Asteak, Phil Lauer and Mark Minotti successfully argued those stickers were not waste paper or rubbish, but pure political speech. That same argument applies even more in the context of a Trump sign that was put in place the day before a presidential election.

I have not seen the citation so am unaware of the factual circumstances. But if it is purely over her ill-considered placement of Trump signs, that's free speech. I'd agree that she should not mar road signs, but the PSP charged her with littering.

Ironically, Mezzacappa was a vicious critic of the sticker gang and wanted them all beheaded. But their willingness to stand up for their rights might now benefit her because free speech is her right, too.

The National Anthem and Our False Patriotism

Break out the torches and pitchforks. It's time to lynch an American for acting like ... an American. I refer to NFL back-up QB Colin Kaepernick (he must be an Irish Muslim), who had the temerity to refuse to stand like everyone else and pretend to be a patriot during the singing of the meaningless National Anthem during an equally meaningless preseason game that his team lost. He should show respect to the Flag, they say. Move to Canada, they roar. Kaepernick was simply exercising his First Amendment rights, something a lot more important than a song penned by a bigoted slave owner while the British were burning the capital to the ground. It probably should be scrapped.

I am always leery of these forced displays of false patriotism. A true patriot does exactly what Kaepernick did. A true patriot goes to government meetings or gets involved in his community. He informs himself before voting and is willing to take unpopular stands if he thinks he is right. A false patriot condemns those who follow their conscience.

When I was growing up, I remember quite clearly how people vilified Muhammed Ali for courageously refusing to sign up for the draft. He was stripped of his title, prosecuted and condemned. Except by one loudmouthed Jewish broadcaster who himself happened to be a WWII vet - Howard Cosell. Cosell then realized and said that what really had people fired up about about Ali is that "he was black and he was boastful."

And so it goes with Kaepernick, another black man (his father is black) who does not know his place.

Oh but he disrespected the Flag, you say. How dare he! This reminds me of another time, when America was in its infancy, and Pennsylvania Revolutionaries required everyone to take a loyalty oath. Whiskey patriots would ride throughout the Lehigh Valley, looking to line their pockets with the assets of Mennonites, Moravians and Quakers. In 1778, for example, eleven wealthy Mennonite farmers were herded onto Northampton County Court and ordered to swear their allegiance. Because their religious scruples made that impossible, they refused. Their assets were declared forfeit and they were ordered to leave Pennsylvania. Of course, most of the money ended up in the pockets of a few officers.

And let's talk for a moment about the real verses in Francis Scott Key's Star-Spangled Banner. At that time, the British military was recruiting and using runaway slaves. Key, who in fairness did think slaves should be treated humanely, writes gleefully about slaves being killed by American bombs.

Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The Star-Spangled Banner became our National Anthem because Woodrow Wilson, another bigot, issued an edict making it so. Congress eventually rubber-stamped Wilson's decree.

There is nothing remotely American about that song, unless you want to emphasize the ugly American. Nor should we be required to pledge allegiance every time we fart.

The whiskey patriots say otherwise, but any real patriot would understand and respect what this quarterback did.

A New Sign Bandit Strikes Nazareth

Nazareth is being besieged again. First it was tiny FT stickers, which stood for "Fire Trachta". They were best seen with a microscope,bit since they criticized Police Chief Thomas "Cupcake" Trachta, he conducted a major investigation. He actually chained, shackled and perp walked the Sticker gang when he though he had them at last.

All charges were dismissed.

Next, it was much larger Chicago Bulls stickers, plastered all over stop signs near the high school. Mayor Carl Strye was really mad. "I don't care what a judge says," he ranted, ready to lynch someone. That case has never been solved.

Now it's a new one. Fans. Leslie Altieri Fans have been tied to a few street signs in town. She's running for State Rep., but is doing so in another district so I don;t understand what evil motive this bandit has.

The pic you see is right by Council member Larry Stoudt's house. He probably should be given a lie detector test or be water boarded.

I have to admit this is outrageous.Once one person starts exercising free speech, everyone starts thinking they can do so, too..

District Judge Taschner To Handle StickerGate

The prosecution of Nazareth's dangerous Sticker Gang is no longer being heard by District Judge John Capobianco. In what has to be a relief for him, the controversial case is now being heard by District Judge Jackie Taschner.  Since Judge Capobianco and Nazareth Police Chief Thomas Trachta operate in the same small building, and Judge Capobianco was being asked to rule on a matter involving criticisms of the Chief, I could see that he would want to avoid even a hint of impropriety.

Judge Capobianco, a former Deputy Sheriff, is a law-and-order type, but there is no doubt in my mind that he would have considered this matter fairly. He's had the opportunity on many occasions to send me away for life over unpaid parking tickets, but had mercy.

His successor, Judge Taschner, is a former prosecutor also known as a law-and-order type. But what I remember best about her is when she and DA John Morganelli were being assailed for not filing more charges in a domestic abuse case. "I'm a prosecutor, not a persecutor," she quietly told me.

She has also had the opportunity to send me away for life over unpaid parking tickets. They're pretty hard to get in Palmer Township, but I managed to do it..

"Next time I see you, it's the electric chair," she warned me.

I hope that she meant next time she sees me as a Defendant.  I'll be at the preliminary hearing, currently scheduled for August 13 at 1:30 pm.

I plan to arrive early in case Chief Trachta and arresting Officer Dan Troxell are planning any more perp walks.

I'll bring a tooth brush and rubber underwear, just in case.

Is the Sticker Gang in The Hamptons?

Most of you know about Nazareth's dangerous Sticker gang. They're the trio accused of placing tiny FT "Fire Trachta" stickers throughout the borough, seeking the ouster of police chief Thomas Trachta. When the Chief nabbed them, he had them chained, shackled and paraded in front of the newspapers. They've been charged with just about everything in the Crimes Code, and are required to undergo urine tests every 15 minutes until their preliminary hearing next month.

Well, guess what? There's another Sticker Gang in the Hamptons, plastering the town with anti-Kardashian stickers. Apparently, two of these sisters are filming some sort of reality show there, to the dismay of some of the Hamptons Townies.

It's a different Sticker Gang. I cornered all three of the Nazareth evil-doers at last night's block party, and they apparently dig the Kardashians.

By The Way, It IS About Free Speech

Above you can see some of the numerous signs posted around Nazareth over the past weekend. The signs are usually removed, but the nails, tacks, staples, tape and string remain. On the picture of a parking meter on the upper left, you can see a sticker. It's advertising a skate board business. Nobody has ever been prosecuted for these signs in Nazareth. Trevor Geheret never would have been prosecuted for his stickers, but for their content. That's why it violates the First Amendment. Gehret is not being proescuted for littering or malicious mischief, but for what he said.

The Chief Kessler Show

Gilberton Police Chief Mark Kessler seems to be enjoying himself in his spare time, with shots, both literal and figurative, at "libtards" and "pussies." Frankly, I think the whole thing is hilarious.

LV Tea Party Organizes Chic-fil-A Melee

Chick-fil-A has two location in the Lehigh Valley. One's off of Rte 248 in Lower Nazareth, while the other is at the Lehigh Valley Mall. So far as I know, neither location has been threatened with any dastardly repercussions as a result of owner Dan Cathy's questionable judgment in injecting himself into the same-sex marriage debate. No permits have been pulled. No variances have been denied.

But for some reason, the Lehigh Valley Tea Party feels compelled to organize some kind of demonstration of support of the free speech rights at both Chic-fil-As this Wednesday at 6 PM.

Here's my question. Isn't this a solution in search of a problem? If nobody is threatening to harm these local franchises, why the need to circle the wagons, unless the intention of the local tea party is to draw attention to itself?

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who supports marriage equality, has wisely stated, "You can’t have a test for what the owners’ personal views are before you decide to give a permit to do something in the city.”

Makes sense. But nobody is threatening the local Chic-Fil-As as a result of something their Chicago owner said.

By the way, what on earth does same-sex marriage have to do with limited government or tea party principles? I happen to know gay couples who are members of the local tea party, and can't imagine they support this.

In the meantime, Popeye's Chicken has denied PETA claims that it abuses its chickens. "Waterboarding is not torture," insists CEO Cheryl Bachelder.

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.

Does The Morning Call Care About the First Amendment?

Regular readers of this blog know that I make creative use of pictures. It's completely unfair, but it's what I do.

Today's Morning Call account of the lawsuit against Atiyeh includes the picture you see on the left. It's obviously intended to portray the developer as an idiot.

Unlike me, I thought newspapers were supposed to be fair and unbiased and all that crap.

If the paper's purpose is to make Atiyeh look like a fool , the online comments accompanying the story indicate that the Allentown paper has failed. An Express Times poll (admittedly unscientific) indicates that 56% of its readers side with Atiyeh.

I would think a newspaper would be a little more concerned about a public official using strong arm tactics against an individual who is merely exercising his First Amendment rights.

After all, those rights include Freedom of the Press.

Updated Noon: Instead of being concerned about little things like government officials stepping all over citizens who exercise their First Amendment rights, Morning Call columnist Bill White has just published a blog asking for suggestions about how to kick Atiyeh around.

Gee, I remember when newspapers actually cared about the First Amendment.

Right Wing Maniac Targeted at Bethlehem City Council

In reaction to Tucson's tragedy, Lower Saucon resident Gloria McVeigh (no relation to Timothy) decided last week to organize a peaceful protest outside State Rep. Joe Brennan's office. But instead of asking us all to be more civil and nice to each other, McVeigh took direct aim at "right wing maniacs" and "dangerous demagogues" like Fox News and Glenn Beck, attributing what had happened to their "toxic rhetoric." After her demonstration in front of Brennan's office, McVeigh decided to do an encore outside of Town Hall, right before Bethlehem City Council's January 18 meeting.

"Stand in support of Bethlehem City Council members and against right-wing disruptions of their meetings," stated a circular advertising the event.

Despite the snow and ice, McVeigh was joined by six fellow protesters before Town Hall, including Northampton County Democratic Chair Walt Garvin. He was obviously eager to trade on the deaths of six people, including a 9 year-old girl, to score a few political points.

As I skated my way along the ice to Town Hall, I noticed another person quietly watching McVeigh's Musketeers. It was Lee Schantz, the "right-wing" disruptor from whom City Council so desperately needs protection. In November, he had been ejected from a meeting after getting very loud, though he made no threats to anyone. He was packin', but his weapon was the Constitution.

Schantz quietly watched the demonstrators, but retired scientist Stephen Antalics attempted to engage McVeigh's crew in "civil discourse." Northampton County Democratic Boss Garvin smugly told the octogenarian to "tone it down, big fella'".

Once the meeting started, a very civil McVeigh told Council there's a "direct line" from hate messages on the airwaves to "increasingly vicious barbs" at public officials to violent fantasies by unbalanced public employees to the shots fired in Tucson. She encouraged Council to accept her five-step program for "civil" discourse.

First, any person who has been arrested or removed from a Council meeting for disruptive behavior should be barred. Second, any person who addresses Council members as "idiots, morons, thieves or any other pejorative term" will be gaveled down. Third, no one may challenge the legitimacy of our government. Fourth, stop the use of score cards rating Council members because it can be "cruel." Fifth, stop attacks against younger or female members of Council.

McVeigh might wish to consider a sixth step for her utopia - eliminating the First Amendment.

Asked for comment, here's what Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan had to say:

Karen Dolan Complains About the Crazies at City Council

In response to my blog yesterday about a demonstration against "right wing disruptions" before tonight's Bethlehem City Council meeting, Council member Karen Dolan chimed in to support having the local constabulary escort the unwashed masses from meetings.

"How many of you, recently, have been on the receiving end of public rants challenging your honesty, legality, intelligence, and patriotism? Try sitting on the dais while a citizen loudly claims YOU are corrupt, guilty of serious crimes, and/or have No RIGHTS under the constitution to hold office. Now imagine the citizen who is ranting is leaning toward you, he's dressed in baggy clothes, speaking incoherently while clutching a copy of the constitution. He claims YOU have never read the constitution and YOU are destroying the country. YOU are killing HIM, and he's getting madder and louder and madder and louder...

"This happened twice at recent Bethlehem City Council meetings, and this blog and others dismiss it as unimportant; they cooly ridicule council and Bethlehem police for escorting the ranting gentleman out of City Hall.

"Now, another group of citizens is saying, publicly, 'Enough. Stop threatening, stop screaming. You must be civil to engage in civil discourse.'

"This is not rocket science. If you want people to behave in a civil manner, you have to set and maintain a standard of civility. The members of Bethlehem City Council have managed to do this for decades. Why is this too much to ask of citizens?"

Karen, a link to my previous blog on this point is here. It includes a video of the entire speech and ejection. Contrary to what you are claiming now, this gentleman never called you corrupt, never accused you of serious crimes, never said you have no right to hold office, never said you are destroying the country, never accused you of failing to read the Constitution, and never said you were killing him. Your recap of what was said is so inaccurate that you should consider a new career as a blogger.

You do correctly indicate he was wearing baggy clothes. Is there some rule I'm unaware of that prohibits people from speaking if they wear baggy clothes? You add that he carried a copy of the Constitution. Is there some Bethlehem ordinance that bans that?

He did state you're not God, and you're not. Perhaps you need to be reminded of that a little more often.

What I stated then and will repeat now is that the speaker was loud, scary loud. Was an ejection warranted? Probably. But it should have come from the Chair. Unless there is a clear and imminent danger to your safety, no police officer should disrupt a meeting like that well-intentioned officer did. I don't fault him. I fault you.

Growing Police Presence at LV Municipal Meetings

No matter how controversial the topic, there was never a police presence at Northampton County Council meetings. Loud and angry people vented in Courtroom One when a 911 Center was the hot-button topic, and nobody needed to call the cops. All that changed after Glenn Reibman became County Executive. Now there are at least two Deputy Sheriffs at every session, sometimes more. In fact, this is part of a growing trend I see in other municipalities throughout the Lehigh Valley. Is it really necessary?

In Lehigh County, where I'm a less frequent visitor, I've always seen at least one Deputy Sheriff. He wanders in and out of the meeting room from time to time. Allentown City Council began using police officers this Summer, and Bethlehem's police just began "babysitting" a few weeks ago. I was surprised to hear the crackle of one officer's radio during a Zoning Hearing Board meeting last week.

One Bethlehem officer took it upon himself to interrupt a public speaker who was getting louder and louder, eventually escorting him out of Town Hall. Tony Simao, who films these meetings as a public service, captured the ejection on video. I believe that call should have come from the Chair, and not from a police officer, but have no quarrel with the removal.

But is it really necessary to send cops to a Zoning Hearing Board meeting? The unspoken message is that the public can't be trusted to behave.

Just two years ago, during a Kirkwood City Council meeting, a regular came in with two guns blazing, shooting a police officer, Public Works Director, two Council members, the Mayor and a reporter. Six people died, including the shooter. It's a tragic story that demonstrates that there are nuts out there who will get violent. But a police presence was no help in that instance.

People have spoken at municipal meetings in their boxers, KKK garb. One wiseass actually used a "fart machine" during a Medina, Ohio Council meeting. That's fine. But when a person interferes with the rights of others (e.g., holding up a sign while someone else speaks, or refusing to leave the podium), Courts get annoyed.

I believe this police presence is unnecessary for three reasons: 1) It has a chilling effect on First Amendment rights; 2) Kirkwood City Council's experience reveals that this presence is largely ineffective against any real danger; and 3) police officers have better things to do than be overpaid babysitters.

South Whitehall Suspends Enforcement of Ordinance Restricting Campaign Signs

A few weeks ago, I told you that South Whitehall Township zoning officers were attempting to enforce restrictions on campaign signs ($5 permit, no signs 30 days before election) against state senate candidate Rick Orloski, a Democrat, while turning their heads the other way at Republican beacons. Once Orloski sued, Township officials blinked, and suspended enforcement.

Below is a copy of the stipulation signed by Orloski Attorney Larry Otter and Township Attorney Bill Salzer.

Lawrence M. Otter, Esquire, Counsel for Plaintiff and William T. Salzer, Esquire Counsel for Defendant agree and stipulate as follows:

1. South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA and all persons acting under
their direction and control, agrees to defer enforcement of South Whitehall Zoning Ordinance 12.39 (j) (3) as it relates to political campaign signs during the pendency of the 2010 election period, not to exceed April 1, 2011 to allow for a review and evaluation of said ordinance.

2. South Whitehall Township shall not enforce Case No. 20100247 against
plaintiff during the period covered by this Stipulation.

3. The parties request that the Court place this matter into civil suspense through April 4, 2011. The parties shall report to the court by April 4, 2011 as to the status of the dispute including whether the matter may be dismissed by agreement. South Whitehall Township agrees that it will advise plaintiff's counsel as to its position with regard to any amendment of Ordinance 12.39(j) prior to the parties' report to the Court on April 4, 2011.

4. Except as provided herein, this Stipulation does not waive Defendant's rights and defenses as to the legality and enforcement of Ordinance 12.39(j)(3), nor does it waive any of plaintiff's rights with regard to the claims asserted in this civil action.

5. Defendant shall be relieved of filing a response to the Petition for Preliminary Injunction.

Pledge of Allegiance: Must We All Sing Along?

During the colonial era, Pennsylvania Revolutionaries required everyone to take a loyalty oath. Whiskey patriots would ride throughout the Lehigh Valley, looking to line their pockets with the assets of Mennonites, Moravians and Quakers. In 1778, for example, eleven wealthy Mennonite farmers were herded onto Northampton County Court and ordered to swear their allegiance. Because their religious scruples made that impossible, they refused. Their assets were declared forfeit and they were ordered to leave Pennsylvania. Of course, most of the money ended up in the pockets of a few officers.

Now, a Mississippi judge (his name is Littlejohn, by the way) is doing the same thing. Unlike the whiskey patriots, this jurist appears to have no financial motives. But he still cited a lawyer with contempt and briefly jailed him, for refusing to sing along during the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ain't Amerika grand?

Orloski Brings in the Otter

Although Bethlehem has made clear it has no intention of enforcing its zoning ordinance against a huge "Charlie Dent for Congress" sign right across the street from City Hall, South Whitehall Township has already notified state senate candidate Rick Orloski that he needs a permit ... or else.

Now the permit only costs $5, but the ordinance also bans any signs that are out there more than 30 days before the election. Orloski claims he's already received a threatening letter from a zoning officer, who doesn't seem to have noticed the Republican signs in South Whitehall.

Enter Larry Otter, who's already sued all 2500 Pennsylvania municipalities at one time or another over the First Amendment or elections law violations or sometimes, just for the hell of it. He once tried to stick the County with a $2,470.78 bill to represent then Voting Registrar Debbie DePaul, who is now a drama queen somewhere. He even included $36.83 for dinner at Uncle Wesley's.

Larry's already drafted and filed a complaint, motion for preliminary injunction, brief and I'm sure he already has a big bill for South Whitehall. That township has fancier restaurants than Easton. Larry, who really is an otter, likes fish.