Did It Feel Good to Get Gilbert?

"Character assassinated. Nomination withdrawn. It's got to feel very rewarding."

That's one of the anonymous criticisms directed at me yesterday for my report about Fiscal Affairs Director nominee Bruce Gilbert. County Exec John Stoffa pulled the nomination after learning that Gilbert no longer had five votes.

The truth is that I feel pretty bad about it. I happen to like Gilbert, and despite my report, think he has been a productive, smart and dedicated member of Northampton County Council.

He also has five great kids. I'm sure these revelations hurt them.

But I also feel this story was necessary. Despite all of the negative financial information, compounded by Gilbert's lame explanations, five members of County Council were still ready to vote for Gilbert last week.

Even Monday, after a disappointing Gilbert news conference, Council President John Cusick told the Express Times' Sarah Cassi he'd still be voting for the embattled nominee.

Tuesday, Cusick suddenly reversed course. "The totality of it was so shocking," he now hypocritically claims.

What a difference a day makes!

What was really so shocking to Cusick was the public firestorm. That happened only because the press, despite lost profits and reduced manpower, did its job. Had there been no Patch, Express Times or Morning Call, this would have been a power play. Cusick already had his sights set on Gilbert's replacement.

If there were no press, Patch or even blogs, it would not be long before part-time Council members would be earning $100,000 a year.

It's by no means rewarding. Ask any reporter. But in a representative democracy, it is very necessary.

O'Hare v. Owens, Monday Night

A few months ago, on Business Matters WFMZ-69, I slapped Express Times Editor-in-Chief Joe Owens silly. At least for a few minutes. But then newsman Owens got really dirty and hit me with the kryptonite of bottom-feeding bloggers everywhere - facts. I was putty in his hands after that.

That will change Monday night, 7 PM, when Owens goes after me and a host of other bloggers in our element on LehighValleyLive, where we can site nonexistent studies and reports with reckless abandon.

Actually, I suspect it will be a wild conversation, especially if we start talking politics.

I'll be wearing a cup.

Lower Milford: Could Budget Cuts Threaten Security?

We're all used to hearing about the budget woes of our financially strapped cities. Are they beginning to spread to our more affluent townships, too?

In Lower Milford Township, the big question is whether to cut one full-time or two part-time police officers. A former police chief is concerned this could threaten security at the schools, but is told not to worry. It appears that even some townships have reached the point in which core services are being reduced.

You won't read about this in The Morning Call, which unfortunately lacks the resources to tell people what is going on within their own governments. You will be able to read about this and other Lower Milford stories at Upper Saucon Patch, the sixth and latest hyper-local news site to invade the Lehigh Valley. It hit Internet news stands yesterday, and focuses on Upper Saucon, Lower Milford and Coopersburg.

AOL Patch Spreads to Nazareth

So, is Patch really just a part of AOL's secret plan for world domination? Wikileaks will undoubtedly soon reveal this media conglomerate's secret plans to replace the Pledge of Allegiance with "You've got mail!" But until that dark day, I'm enjoying the local patches in Bethlehem, Easton, Emmaus and Hellertown. I even write a column for them.

The latest Patch to roll off the assembly line is right here in my home turf, Nazareth. It's edited by Bethlehem Press alum Mallory Vough. Oh my God, in her video, I can see my estate. I'm surprised she made it through the concertina wires. I'll have to have several of my guards shot.

The one or two Nazareth Borough Council members still willing to be seen talking to me, lament that they now only rarely see a reporter at their meetings.

That's about to change.

Easton Patch Now Live

Easton's Patch has just hit the Internet news stands. It's edited by Morning Call alum Tom Coombe, who told me last week that he's really excited to be writing again.

But I have to warn you about a snarky and shallow column about Northamton County government, entitled "Are They Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" I's just the kind of trite nonsense ... oh wait. I wrote that.

It's wonderful.

New Media: Newsworks

Newsworks is WHYY's new online home for journalism, and is pretty much Philly-focused.

AOL Patch Invades Hellertown

Earlier this week, I told you that AOL Patch is underway here in the Lehigh Valley, making its debut in Emmaus. Now Hellertown has joined the party.

Editor Josh Popichak (read about him here) has sent out this greeting:

"Hellertown-Lower Saucon Patch is a 24/7, hyperlocal news and information website offering exclusive coverage of the Saucon Valley. We hope to become your most trusted source for information about news, events, sports, arts and business in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.

"Please feel free to email me feedback, questions, story ideas...and whatever else you're inspired to share.

"If you have announcements or upcoming events you'd like us to post, please email them to Hellertown Patch's wonderful calendar editor, Shelley Goldberg, at sgold1111@gmail.com."

"We're looking forward to serving you and providing you with the best in local coverage in the months and years ahead. Please check us out!"

I've been told Patch will hit the Internet news stands in Bethlehem and Easton next week.

AOL Patch Invades Emmaus

Did you know Upper Milford is facing its first tax hike in thirty years? That the Emmaus police department is down two officers?

You will if you read AOL Patch, an online journalism outlet that emphasizes community reporting. Emmaus Patch has hit the Internet news stands today. Check it out here. I will add a link on my sidebar.

Hellertown is next.