Senator Scavello Visits Upper Mount Bethel Tp

Senator Scavello addresses U. Mt Bethel Supervisors

Here in the Lehigh Valley, it's rare to see a state representative or state senator in what Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has derisively referred to as the boonies. Unless an election is around the corner, they are largely out of sight and out of touch in our more rural communities. So it was both refreshing and something of a surprise to see State Senator Mario Scavello at last night's meeting of Upper Mount Bethel Township's Board of Supervisors.

"It's a lot more crowded here than it was in Bangor," joked Scavello about the crowd "There were only two people in Bangor," joked
Scavello, who brought his Chief of Staff with him, stated he would like to personally visit each of the municipalities he represents at least twice a year.

Asking what he could do for them actually took Supervisors by surprise. They're not usually offered help by state legislators.

"We need more jobs, I know that," Scavello stated.

Finally, Township Manager Bob Cartwright asked Scavello about Governor Wolf's proposed budget. Scaello stated that it would result in a 30% property tax reduction in this area. "But he's holding it a year," Senator Scavello complained, noting that Governor Wold does not plan to distribute any of the property tax relief for another year.

"I'll support it if it helps us. If it doesn't, I'll support [SB]76," he stated, referring to a tax shifting bill that has been under consideration in Harrisburg for several years.

After Scavello was gone, Supervisors thought of several things they could ask for help with, including grant money for an emergency generator. Next time, I think they'll be ready.

PennEast Pipeline: Scavello Wants Residents, Businesses To Have Pipeline Access

While I was attempted to evade a death sentence at Becahi last night, Matt Miles attended an informational meeting about the PennEast Pipeline at the Covenant United Methodist Church in Klecknersville. The meeting was hosted by State reps. Julie Harhart and Marcia Hahn, with State Senator Mario Scavello doing the honors as a guest speaker. Below is Miles' report, for which I am very grateful.

On a cold night in Klecknersville, Pennsylvanians came to an event hosted by State Representatives Marcia Hahn and Julie Harhart, with special guest Senator Mario Scavello to learn more about the proposed 36” diameter Penn East Natural Gas Pipeline . The Fellowship Hall of Covenant United Methodist Church packed in about 130 residents. In the introduction, the representatives were adamant about having a non-biased forum and to be respectful despite the controversy.

The Penn State Extension’s Dave Messersmith gave a presentation about the procedures, construction, positives and negatives and some land-owner’s rights as well. It presented like a college lecture hall, but provided a good basis for understanding what is going to happen. If you want to learn more, he makes this powerpoint available for the asking. He is based out of the Honesdale, PA extension office, and on the web at extension.psu.edu/naturalgas.

Next up was Attorney Carl Engleman, Jr., an attorney who primarily represents land owners with right of way issues and mineral rights leases. Despite any lawyer joke you could think of, the meeting picked up pace and became much more interesting. As someone with 20 years of practice, he was quick to point out all of the tricks that utilities pull when a new transmission front is proposed. As verified by some in the crowd, PennEast has hired what Englemann referred to as “Land Agents” to start surveying properties in the proposed right-of-way. Many of the agents surveying will put offers in front of land-owners immediately, with forms to give up any rights to sue after the line is installed and (illegally) threatening eminent domain. Englemann also covered topics like areas of historical significance, environmental concerns and proximities of schools can all be reasons to re-route the line. The bottom line is that PennEast doesn’t have a formal application to FERC yet, so no one can use eminent domain to threaten you. Edelmann also cautioned that your first offer is never the best offer. The biggest take away that could be gained from the meeting is that if you are in the direct path and want to fight it directly, be ready to pay for a Dream Team of experts to testify on your behalf in Washington, D.C., and that the land speculators are already out trespassing and surveying, stating they have a right to be in the utility right of way.

As with any meeting, the real show starts during public comment. The first questions asked were centered around what would make FERC deny the pipeline. As Atty Edelmann put it, FERC approves 99.9% of all pipelines. The idea behind the pipeline is that it can provide common good to the community. With PennEast, there hasn’t been much of a negative impact. My question was whether residents of the affected areas be able to have Natural Gas as an energy option. Neither Representatives, the Extension representative, the Senator or the attorney could answer my question, However, Senator Scavello mentioned he was pushing for terminals along the way for community benefit. The bottom line is that this line is being designed for export at this juncture. The biggest fireworks came when someone asked the pols directly if they received campaign funding from PennEast. All three denied it, but another audience member called them out to name other gas entities that sent them campaign funding and all three admitted to UGI as a company donating to their campaign funds. Scavello later called out these citizens after the meeting for being “paid to be there” as “anti-fracking activists.”

Representatives from the website Stop the Penn East Pipeline website were there as well, with literature and signs. Both Representative Hahn and Harhart had their gun targets and Game Commission bylaws and lit available for the taking. None of the targets had Bernie’s mug on them. I will give credit to both Representatives and Senator Scavello for staying until the last folks left the church.

In my rather extensive conversations with Representative Hahn, Harhart and Senator Scavello after the meeting, I asked a few more pointed questions about a severance tax, expanding infrastructure to rural areas along the line and what they were doing for their constituents. Senator Scavello was the most knowledgeable about expanding local infrastructure. He mentioned expanding natural gas lines into several business parks in the Poconos as well as converting Sanofi-Pasteur Pharmaceuticals in Swiftwater, PA from oil to gas use. His goal is to see that as many Pennsylvanians as possible have access to the fuel. Scavello also mentioned that there is a severance tax on the table of 5%. According to Scavello, Governor Wolf wants to see 8% but with 11 capped wells in Luzerne county because of the lack of transport, he feels 8% accomplishes nothing, but that he is open to the 5% number. Mario is pro-pipeline, and was a real pleasure to talk to with some intelligent points.

Representative Hahn and Representative Harhart did more listening to me than they did explaining their stances and action items. They both agreed it would be a good thing to see the pipeline built, but when I asked what they would do about infrastructure, I didn’t get much of an answer. Harhart went so far as to tell me it was a Federal Project and there wasn’t much she could do. I suggested that she and the General Assembly do have more power to push PennEast and ask what’s in it for their constituents. I hate having to deal with nice people sometimes… it gets in the way of some good conversation. My hope is that they heard about the predatory Land Speculation and will be actively looking to do something to stop it as well as looking at getting Pennsylvania natural gas to local homes and businesses.

Overall, it was a civil meeting, with a few jabs and a lot of information to take in. Fortunately, it’s still very early in the game. You can comment on FERC’s website Docket # PF15-1-00 through Mid February, and there will be a FERC scoping meeting at Northampton Community College Feb 10th at 6pm. Now is the time to get educated and make the right choices for you and your family.

Aurand - Scavello to Debate in Forks Tp

Mario Scavello Kicks Off Senate Race at Weona Park

Mario Scavello, currently a State Representative, is the Republican choice for a new senatorial district that consists of most of Monroe as well as the northern half of Northampton County. He kicked off his campaign Saturday at Pen Argyl's Weona Park, attracting at least 300 people before he was done for the day.

"When he kicks off a campaign, he kicks off a campaign," GOP mainstay Dottie Niklos told me. It's true, too. Visitors to Scavello's campaign party could play miniature golf, ride on the Dentzel Carousel (circa 1900), get their faces painted, and best of all, enjoy Kona ice on a very humid day.

Republicans offered to paint my forehead with a Republican elephant, but I told them I was holding out for a tattoo.

I did sneak a hot dog.

Infrastructure

Scavello was willing to make one pledge when he spoke to me. "Every road and every bridge will be paved and made safer," he assured me, noting that he would make sure that $1.1 billion raised in the new Transportation Bill will come right back to this senatorial district.

"If we don't address our infrastructure, forget about jobs," Scavello added, noting no prospective employer will locate to an area with sub par roads.

Jobs

Speaking of prospective employers, Scavello stated we "need to be more proactive about bringing jobs here. He will do this by supporting legislation that provides tax incentives to businesses who make new hires. He also said that we need to cultivate more of the technology jobs instead of treating them pretty poorly.

"These kids are falling through the cracks," he told me, noting they take a bus to go their high school, then get on another bus to go to the vo-tech, then a bus back to the high school and a bus home. "They spend half their day on the bus!" he complained, noting that vo-tech students should be given all the educational tools they need at one location.

Property Tax Reform

Scavello believes this will be possible, thanks to redistricting. He noted new districts like his are in growing areas where the damaging impact of high taxes are felt more acutely, and will result in new members who are more inclined to support property tax return.

The Gas Tax

Mark Aurand, Scavello's Democratic opponent, has blasted the gas tax in Governor Corbett's controversial Transportation Bill. But Scavello counters that this is exactly what is needed to fund infrastructure improvements, and is the best way to do it without raising property taxes. Below is his video replay to Aurand's campaign ad.

Aurand Takes Swing at Gas Tax

State senatorial candidate Mark Aurand , has kicked off his campaign with a Youtube video that slams Governor Corbett's controversial gas tax, a 25 cent per gallon increase at the pump. Daily Times columnist Chris Freind calls it Corbett's "path to single digit approval."

But hold on there, says a supporter of Mario Scvello, Aurand's Republican opponent. "His claim that he will fight the gas tax increase is hot air," he responds, adding that the senate democrat leadership and organized labor both supported the gas tax increase. "What does he suggest to do about the bridges that defective and road that need to be fixed?" he asks. He also observes that, without the gas tax, there would be no 512 and 33 interchange.

So there you have it. A Democrat attacking a tax and a Republican defending it.

And they're off! Scavello is in the lead coming around the first turn, with Aurand coming on hard.

Aurand Opens State Senate Campaign Office

Aurand HQs in Nazareth

The old Nazareth Aluminum Supply Company, located at 324 S. Main Street in Nazareth, is now the campaign HQs for Democratic State Senate candidate Mark Aurand. His war room officially opened last night before a crowd of about 40 well-wishers, Aurand, who lives in Lower Nazareth and practices law in Allentown is running against Republican State Representative Mario Scavello, a former businessman who lives in Monroe County. It's a new state senate district that includes nearly all of Monroe as well as the northern half of Northampton County.

Volunteer Ed Del Viscio served as something of an informal MC, giving an opening speech that I thought would still be going on election day.

State Senator Lisa Boscola was more to the point. She told the audience that she wishes she still had Nazareth in her own district, but spoke highly of Aurand. She indicated she could work with Mario Scavello, but complained that "he cares more about himself than the people he represents."

Aurand, with Rich Grucela and Lisa Boscola

Former State Rep. Rich Grucela was also present, and told Aurand supporters that if they care about kids,education and property taxes, they need to pull the Democratic lever. He was on his way to Saint Rocco's Festival in Martins Creek, which started last night. "I have to get there or I won't go to heaven," he joked.

Aurand told the crowd that government can be justifiably accused of interfering with people's lives, but also can protect us. He then ticked off the following issues, where he gives both Governor Corbett and Scavello a failing grade:

* Public Education. - He pointed out that there have been large cuts in public education, voted for by Scavello, the derided at have resulted in larger classrooms, cuts in programs and out-of-control school taxes.

Mark Aurand

* Economy. - He complained that Pa. is 47th in job creation, that Monroe has an unacceptable 7.5% unemployment rate and that new jobs pay too little.

* Women's Issues. - He derided the lack of equal pay for equal work by women, and  complained about intrusive ultrasound examinations supported by many state republicans.

* Environment. - He referred to a recent report by the state auditor general, noting that the EPA is undermanned and is letting violators go uncited. He also complained about the lack of a severance tax, and the natural gas drilling in public parks proposed by the Governor.

* Good Government. - He complained that the Governor is paying for an education advisor who is doing no work. He also accused Scavello of accepting the 2006 midnight pay raise. "He took the money and used it to make himself popular," he charged.

Noting that he expects to be outspent by Scavello, he is calling for volunteers. "We need all hands on deck," he said.

He should be OK in Nazareth so long as his campaign stays away from stickers.

One Vote Joe Sinks Parsons State Senate Quest

Scavello nearly impossible to beat

Joe "Won by One" Capozzollo ended Scott Parsons's race for the state senate on Tuesday. In fact, he has all but assured Republican Mario Scavello of a victory this Fall.  That's because One Vote Joe insisted on running in a race that he had to know he would lose. But he siphoned off just enough votes from blue collar Scott Parsons to guarantee a primary victory to Allentown Attorney Mark Aurand. Republican Mario Scavello would have had a rough time against Parsons, a fairly conservative, common-sense Democrat. He'll have a field day with Organizing for America Mark Aurand, who will be defined as a left wing lunatic.

According to the latest from WFMZ, Aurand was pulling away at 11 pm with 41% to Parsons' 36% and One Vote Joe's anemic 23%

Some say that Aurand supporters encouraged Capozzolo to run, flattering him and appealing to his ego. By any logical analysis, he had no business running. Just two years ago, he was crushed by an arrogant and cocky state rep. He raised no money. Did he honestly think he'd do better against a Republican moderate who is actually admired? So did he run this race, knowing he'd lose and that he was playing the spoiler, because someone promised him something?

One Vote Joe has demonstrated a lack of integrity. In 2003, he pleaded "no contest" to vandalizing a school board candidate's signs. He's never won any race outside Bangor, and his one vote margin there is laughable.

Had One Vote Joe stayed out of this race, Parsons would be the victor tonight. Scott would have had a fighting chance against Scavello. I admire Aurand's honesty and intelligence, bit he will have a much harder time against Scavello. In fact, I think the race is already over.

Why? He's been running for two years. He has lots of money to spend. His positions are fairly moderate on most issues. He's not some whack job that can be defined as an extremist. He has run successfully for may years in a district that was 63% Democratic. Most importantly, he works his ass off, taking nothing for granted.

On Saturday, this Monroe County resident found the time to attend Hanover Township's Armed Forces Day Program. At 10 am, it was his third stop that morning, I later learned.

Updated 10:30 am: In Northampton County, Parsons won the race. He attracted 2205 votes, which put him ahead of Aurand (1927) and Capozzolo (1210). He lost in Monroe. Aurand finished there with 2185 to Parson's 1443 and Capozzolo's 1054. Capozzolo tapped into Parsons' base.

Parsons, Aurand and Capozzolo: Show Me the Money!

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Note (3:00 pm): This report has some errors. See my explanatory post. 

Democrats Mark Aurand, Joe Capozzolo and Scott Parsons are currently duking it out over their party's nomination to the newly minted 40th Senatorial District. Since this includes nearly all of Monroe and about half of Northampton County, it’s a pretty big deal. While they were willing to attend a debate at the Gracedale Chapel last week in which they largely agreed with each other, I know next to nothing about their campaign finances. Where they get their money from is probably just as important than what they say in a debate, but we know next to nothing about that.

Though they have all filed campaign finance reports with the Department of State in Harrisburg, they filed paper reports. So unless someone is willing to drive to Harrisburg, we’ll have to wait until well after the election is over to be able to follow the money. This defeats the whole point of campaign finance disclosure laws.

In most cases, state candidates file what are known as “courtesy” copies in local elections office. In fact the Department of State directs state senate candidates to "[f]ile with the Department of State and the county in which the candidate resides." Many of the state representative candidates, as well as State Senator Lisa Boscola, have complied.

Capozzolo and Parsons filed nothing in Northampton County. (Parsons filed today).

Whoever wins this race will face State Rep. Mario Scavello in the General election. He’s a Republican from Monroe County and is running unopposed. Unlike his Democratic counterparts, he did file a courtesy copy of his latest campaign finance report, and in Northampton County.

Scavello reports total funds of $406,891.32, consisting of lots of small as well as very large contributions. Despite being unopposed, he spent $110,035.48 in this election cycle. His spending even included a mailer to Democrats.

In any event, Scavello has demonstrated transparency by disclosing who is funding him. All three Democrats have failed a pretty basic test of transparency and accountability

Come on, guys! Show Me the Money!

Updated 12:45 pm. Scott Parsons has filed his campaign finance report. It turns out that Aurand did file his report on May 7. I missed it bc it was buried at the bottom, out of order, under a cover page. An earlier version of this story indicates Aurand failed to file with the County. That assertion was inaccurate and I apologize. 

Can Parsons Do It Again?

Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons is running for the state senate in a newly formed district that includes most of Monroe and the northern part of Northampton County. He's been called the "David who slayed Goliath" because he beat long-time Republican Council member Ron Angle in a fairly conservative district.  But can he beat Mario Scavello, a Republican State Representative in Monroe County who has had a two-year head start and a massive warchest?

Before he can beat Scavello, he has to come out on top of two other Democrats who have their eyes on the same seat.

One of them is Joe Capozzolo, who was trounced by Joe Emrick in the State Rep. race two years ago and who won the Bangor Mayoral contest by just one vote. Just sworn into office, he's running for something else. He likes to keep everyone in the dark, and even kept his state senate ambitions as secret as possible for reasons that elude me.

He stands for nothing, which his record as an appointed County Council member some years ago should make clear.

The only thing Capozzolo can do is draw votes that would otherwise go to Parsons.

The other candidate is Mark Aurand, an Allentown lawyer who has never run for anything, but whose interest in politics began when he became associated with and eventually spearheaded the Organizing For America movement in the Lehigh Valley.

Aurand is a class act, like Parsons.

He's working hard, raising money and is well-organized. I've already received a flyer and knock on my door. His strength and his weakness is his left wing agenda. That draws many volunteers and energizes what's left of the Obama supporters. The weakness is that it turns off everyone else. A unabashed liberal will sell in Bethlehem or Allentown, but not in the Slate Belt or Monroe County. Mario Scavello will be able to "define" him, as consultants like to say.

The candidate who has the best shot at beating Scavello in the Fall is the moderate, Scott Parsons, but only if he runs hard.

Aurand Announces State Senate Campaign From Nazareth

Mark Aurand

From tiny Nazareth, Mark Aurand kicked off his state senate campaign today in the newly formed 40th senatorial district. This seat includes nearly all of Monroe County, as well as much of the northern portion of Northampton County. (interactive map here). His kickoff was attended by a small group of supporters who braved the cold. Aurand is running against two other Democrats, Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons and Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo. Unlike his opponents, Aurand is the only one to announce officially that he's in the hunt. He's also the only one who's never held office.

Aurand, a soft-spoken attorney with Allentown law firm Davison and McCarthy, claims he's running because our state government is broken.

That's what Aurand told me when I met him last week. "Regular folks are not being listened to," he said, as I prevented him from eating breakfast at Nazareth Diner with incessant questions.

Mark Aurand

This son of a Lutheran preacher, himself a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Allentown, is unlike many other politicians in that he has spent years committed to service organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, and his Church's makeshift homeless shelter.

Working there last year, he met a New York bus driver who lost his job and ended on the streets with 4-5 mouths to feed. Through LCCC, he was able to get trained as a truck driver, but still was having trouble making ends meet.

"That tells you we're not paying people," said this advocate of a higher minimum wage, a position shared by opponent Scott Parsons.  

Aurand first became seriously interested in politics as a result of the Obama campaign, and got heavily involved in the Organizing for America movement. He believes that this experience will give him an edge in a state senate race, and that he will be able to attract progressive voices to his banner.

His primary emphasis, if elected, will be to invest more money in public education.

His kickoff was attended by State rep. candidate Leslie Altieri, her husband, Charles "don't call me Charlie" Dertinger and state committee candidate Rich Wilkins.

The victorious Democrat will face Republican Mario Scavello in the Fall. He's unopposed.

A Three-Way Dem Primary In State Senate Race

In the new 40th State Senate District, which includes most of Monroe County, the Slate Belt and even Nazareth, three Democrats have filed nomination petitions.

Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons has filed a nominating petition that boasts 850 signatures, well in excess of the required 500. Also filing were Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo, who won his recent Mayoral race by one vote, and newcomer Mark Aurand, an attorney at Allentown law firm Davison and McCarthy.

Of the three candidates, only parsons has been open about running. The others have refused to confirm what they are doing until now.

Whoever wins will have a tough race against Republican Mario Scavello, a State Rep. who has been raising money for this race over the last two years.

Can Parsons Beat Scavello?

State Rep. Mario Scavello is a Republican running for the 40th Pa. Senate District. That district got moved from the western part of the state, and now includes most of Monroe County, as well as a good chunk of Northampton County's Slate Belt. Democrat Scott Parsons, a member of Northampton County Council, recently told the Express Times that he's running, too. He's going to have to run hard if he expects to win. '

Scavello, who has been in the state house for about 12 years, has been sprinkling money all over Northampton  County. Republican Council candidates and Executive John Brown all received generous contributions. Scavello had a $392,000 warchest at the end of 2012, so he has money to burn.  I was unable to access his most recent finance reports.

On the issues, Scavello seems like a conservative Republican. As Chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee, he did come under criticism from conservative voices for refusing to push prevailing wage and other anti-union legislation.  On the other hand, the Diocese of Scranton claims he opposes abortion under all circumstances, as well as same sex marriages and same sex benefits. He also supports the death penalty.

I wonder if he has to run everything by his parish priest like Vic Mazziotti.

What about Parsons? I like him and would be inclined to support him, which probably means he'll lose. I have not seen a Facebook page or any web presence. It might be a good idea to start one.

I did see a Scott Parsons Yoga page, but that dude is in India right now, chanting Ooohhhhmmm.