Lewistown Sentinel Attempts to Muzzle Blogger

Pennsylvania Media Guide bills itself, quite accurately, as a one-stop Pa. news resource. Owner Harry Knopp links every daily and weekly he can find, including The Lewistown Sentinel. But managing editor Heather Goodwin Henline is demanding Knopp to "immediately remove the link" and "cease and desist any further action regarding our site, writers or online content."

Is she out of her mind? When Knopp links to her publication, all he is doing is making it possible for that many more people to see the site. It's actually good business.

But what's really amazing is that the fourth estate is actually trying to stifle what amounts to a First Amendment right. I always thought newspapers were guardians of free speech. Silly me.

Here's what Knopp himself has to say.

"[T]here are media entities out there that would like to shut down blogging. Of course, courts have repeatedly found that, short of using a link while defaming someone or linking to password-protected pages within a site, it is perfectly legal and a First Amendment-protected right to link to any public site on the Internet."

To be on the safe side, I'll be careful and refrain from linking to The Lewistown Sentinel. You know me; I'm a scaredy cat. You won't find a single reference to The Lewistown Sentinel here. No siree. Uberfuhrer Heather Goodwin Henline I has warned that "[f]ailure to honor our request will result in further action from our corporate counsel." So I'll play it safe and refrain from linking to The Lewistown Sentinel. You won't find it on my left side bar, either.

This just in!: According to Capitol Ideas blogger John Micek, who spends his off hours as a male model, we can link to whatever the hell we want. But can we? I smell a trap. He wants us all to start linking to everything so we overload the Intenet and cause it to crash, forcing us all to return to newspapers. And then, newspapers will sue us all, claiming, "It's your fault!" and we'll all be hauled away and Micek will be laughing his GQ ass off. Well, I'm too smart for you, bippy. I went to college. You won't catch me linking to The Lewistown Sentinel.

DA John Morganelli Does Some Trash Talkin' ...

... about AG Corbett's decsion to side with corporate sludge haulers against rural Pennsylvanians. Here's what he'll be telling reportes at a news conference later today.

As many of you know, a number of municipalities in Pennsylvania have enacted ordinances that ban the spreading of sludge on farmland. By definition, “sludge” consists of both human waste and other sewage, which could potentially include industrial toxins and heavy metals that are not removed in the process. We are not merely talking about human waste. While the term “sludge” has often been equated to only human waste, “biosolids” is wastewater treated by municipal sewage systems and in addition to human waste, can include toxic metals, pathogens, mortuary waste and hazardous hospital waste as well as hundreds of other chemicals. Anything flushed down a drain in home, factory or hospital ends up as a biosolid and there have been documented ill effects on people. Cities such as Baltimore and Philadelphia pay corporations to take their waste. Those same corporations then distribute the waste to farms . One of the largest companies, Synagro, has impacted Pennsylvania. Synagro transported over 13,000 tons of biosolids onto Pennsylvania farms in 2007.

In 2006 when the state enacted the Agricultural, Communities and Rural Environment Act, known as ACRE, The Evening Sun Newspaper reported that Attorney General Tom Corbett threatened Pennsylvania’s rural communities with lawsuits should they try to get in the way of state sanctioned spreading of corporate sludge. Since then, Mr. Corbett has carried out his threat against rural Pennsylvania. In a number of municipalities, Attorney General Tom Corbett has agreed to intervene and use the power and resources of state government to fight against the wishes and desire of our citizens who only want to protect their communities from environmental contamination by sludge. Over in East Brunswick T ownship, Schuylkill County for example, Attorney General Corbett is carrying the ball for J.C. Hills Tree Farm, a private company, against the citizens of East Brunswick Township. Mr. Corbett wants to have all such municipal ordinances in Pennsylvania declared illegal.

On July 2, 2008, the Republican Herald newspaper reported that on a visit to Schuylkill County, Corbett essentially told local governments to mind their own business when it comes to the spreading of sludge on farmland. Mr. Corbett also misrepresented the truth to the citizens when he stated that it was his “duty” as attorney general to enforce the Agricultural, Communities and Rural Environment Act known as ACRE . That assertion is entirely false. The law states clearly that the attorney general may bring action against a local government, but it is certainly not his responsibility or “duty” to do so.

Let me read directly from the law, Section 314 b of ACRE states: “The Attorney General has the discretion whether to bring an action…” Section 315a of ACRE states, “The Attorney General may bring an action against the local government … to invalidate the unauthorized local ordinance … .”

This is important, ladies and gentleman. Your current attorney general, Tom Corbett, absolutely does not need to bring these cases against your local governments. No law requires him to do so. No law requires him to use state resources to bring lawsuits against you. He is doing this because he wants to do it The law that Mr. Corbett has been referencing in defense of his action against you and in support of corporate sludge haulers is completely discretionary. Not only is this not necessary, but in my opinion, it is an irresponsible use of public resources on behalf of private big corporations.

So, today I am here to tell you that if elected attorney general of Pennsylvania , one of my first acts will be to withdraw the OAG from participation in all of these sludge lawsuits. There is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to the health effects of sludge use, and citizens acting through their local governments have a right to protect their communities. I will not use your tax money to overturn your own decisions and fight the battles for corporations. As attorney general, I will leave these decisions to you, the members of the community, and focus my attention and state resources on those issues that will address the interests of the community as a whole, not the private interests of corporate America.

Three Nice Things About Sam Bennett

Sam Bennett is facing popular and incumbent Charlie Dent in the Lehigh Valley race for Congress. It's no secret that I support Charlie. But I lost a bet to Tom Foolery, a frequent and annoying commenter here. I was certain Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic nominee, so I bet Tom that I would say three nice things about Sam Bennett if proved wrong.

Looks like it's time to start writing. Actually, it's very easy to say three nice things about Sam.

First, Bennett has guts. She knew that letting me interview her was like sticking her hand in a beehive ... for three hours. Yet that's just what she did a few short months ago. She answered every question and hasn't tried to hedge what she said, either. Blogger Michael Molovinsky chided me, "The woman volunteered to be interviewed, not dissected." But she endured.

Second, I was surprised by her knowledge about and love of Allentown. Unlike many of her peers, she has remained in the city. Her fingers are on the pulse of what's wrong and how to fix it. If she sought office in Allentown, I'd support her in a heartbeat.

Third, I believe she really is a kind person. When my pen ran out of ink, she had one of her own for me, which I've incidentally kept. She let her breakfast grow cold while answering questions, which actually embarrassed me. She was particularly nice to our waitresses, knowing many of them by name.

I wish her luck in her race.

Reminder: Who Would You Like as Northampton County Exec?

Assuming that John Stoffa, aka Julius Caesar, decides the waters of the Rubicon are too chilly, which Democrat do you like best? Will women rally around McHale? Will politically savvy Rich Grucela eliminate all competition? Or will affable Ron Heckman come out of nowhere and surprise us all? I started a poll on the left sidebar. Who do you think is winning? Vote and find out.

East Penn School Board Cancels Questionable Meeting

East Penn School Board, located in the Emmaus area, was poised to conduct a closed meeting last night to "identify and seek agreement on top goals." Because the meeting would be a policy-making session, I complained that the board would be violating Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act

That's nothing new. Municipalities do that nearly every day, knowing the law is toothless.

But what floors me is that School Board Prez. Francee Fuller, after first classifying my blog as "misinformation," decided to err on the side of the Sunshine Act and canceled the meeting. That's a credit to her and the entire board.

Everyone's Favorite Northampton County Row Office

I'm on thin ice.

Regular visitors here know I don't usually give a damn who I piss off. I've made fun of judges, county council members, Allentown mayors, party chairs, newspapers and even other bloggers. I'm a miserable bastard. Let's face it. I'll be blogging in hell and am currently storing all kinds of zingers about Satan and what he really does with that tail. I've had plenty of practice with what I see on Northampton County Council.

But don't get the wrong idea. Lots of things scare me. Circus clowns, for instance. I get very uneasy around school boards, too. But what terrifies me most are women. You see, I went to Catholic school and nuns do look an awful lot like circus clowns. Also, my sisters were once women, and they look like circus clowns, too.

I'm right to be scared, too. Yesterday, I was minding my own business when two women just beat the tar out of me in the Register of Wills. They were all worked up about my claim that their office is one of six row offices "floundering" without a Director of Court Services.

"Hey, blogger boy, what's the big idea with that cheap shot?"

Me: "What on earth do you mean? You know your office is my favorite and ---"

"Shut up, tubbo. We'll give you something to flounder about."

At this point, they starting whaling on me. I was floundering on the floor and screaming for help when a Deputy Sheriff finally came. But that little bastard just stepped over me on his way to the cafeteria as they kicked me on the floor.

"Fatso here says we're not real cops, so give him a kick for me, ladies!"

I finally darted away when two lovebirds came in for their marriage license.

Now that I've been released from the emergency room, let me tell you that my favorite row office really is the Register of Wills. It's a very professional staff, filled with the nicest people in the courthouse. It's always been that way. I was wrong to suggest this well-administered office is "floundering" without a Director of Court Services. In fact, they should all be appointed as judges or something.

And ladies, please give my wounds a chance to heal.

E Penn School Board Prez Condemns "Misinformation" on This Very Blog!

East Penn School Board Prez. Francee Fuller has reassured fellow board members about my claim that tonight's meeting constitutes a violation of Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act.

"Board Members..... As you know, the board is having a goal setting session. No decisions made.....just establishing directions. Interestingly enough, I was standing next to our solicitor last night when Mr. Stoltz spoke with Mr. Fisher to verify that there is NO VIOLATION of the Sunshine Act in such a meeting."

My blog is characterized as a "continuing spread of misinformation."

Dem's fighting words, Francee!

Tonight's meeting behind closed doors is taking place so that the school board can "identify and seek agreement on top goals." That's according to their own damn agenda, one that does not appear on the school board web page. This is not some seminar or conference designed solely to inform members about their responsibilities. It is a policy-setting session. It's exactly the kind of meeting in which the public is actually most useful. The law demands that the meeting be open.

Don't take my word for it. Look at the express language of the Sunshine Act. "Official action" includes the "establishment of policy by an agency." It includes more than simple votes. A goal-setting session certainly falls within that definition. The state legislature has determined that "the right of the public to be present at all meetings of agencies and to witness the deliberation, policy formulation and decisionmaking of agencies is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process. [S]ecrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public's effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society."

If this blog is spreading misinformation, then the state Sunshine Act must be misinformation.

East Penn School Board: We Don't Need No Steenkin' Sunshine Act!

East Penn School Board, located in the Emmaus area, had a school board meeting last night. It even posted an agenda on its web page. Isn't that nice?

But according to school board member Julian Stolz, it will also be conducting another, four hour, get together this evening at Emmaus High School's cafeteria. After a nice little dinner, the board will set its long-range goals. You won't see this on the school board's web page because you're not welcome. This "retreat" is private, baby. No plebeians allowed.

Whether you call it meeting or retreat, this little soiree is also a violation of the Sunshine Act. A meeting at which school district goals are determined is an establishment of policy. I can think of few things less important to any governing body than the establishment of its long range goals.

You'd think the school board might be just a little interested in what the public considers important, but it apparently is just there to pay taxes.

Hey PPL, How About an "Open House" in a Community Affected by Your High Power Bug Zappers?

If you live anywhere in the northern hinterlands of Lehigh or Northampton County, you might soon see (and hear) a 500,000-volt power line going through your back yard.

Buzzzzzzzzzzz.

In Northampton County, the proposed line runs through Lehigh, Moore, Bushkill, Plainfield and Lower Mount Bethel Townships. This, of course, is for our own good because PPL just loves us to pieces. Besides, it should zap some of those pesky insects.

To prove its sincerity, this gigantic power company has just conducted a few "open houses" concerning its proposed Lehigh Valley route, known as Route C. I went to the Northampton meeting, ate sugar cookies and talked to PPL dudes and dudettes in green shirts. They were very nice. They even sent me a "thank you" letter.

"I wanted to take a minute to extend my personal thanks to you ... blah, blah, blah." The letter was addressed to "Neighbor."

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Funny thing.

No power line is going through Northampton. So why the hell would PPL schedule a meeting there? If they were hoping that farmers in Northampton County boonies would get lost, they were mistaken. They must have us mixed up with Lehigh County. The dudes and dudettes in green shirts must have sent out a lot of "Dear Neighbor" letters.

And now Northampton County Council has unanimously adopted a last-minute Ron Angle resolution demanding that PPL conduct another "open house" in one of the communities actually affected by the power line. Angle is already threatening to picket PPL and chain himself to Johnny Mañana's (that's with a ñ, damn it!) until Allentown Mayor Pawlowski brings a part-time cop to arrest him. The Ron Angle One.

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Drop the Lines also reports that Lehigh Township Supervisors may tonight vote to oppose the power line for economic and environmental reasons and stuff like that.

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

McHale Has Fully Disclosed Business Ties to Northampton County

Last week, Northampton County Council President Ann McHale was unhappy when Exec John Stoffa sought council's approval of five-year property and casualty insurance contract. Stoffa as a little late. He had already signed the contract. In fact, the county has already paid the first year's premium.

From where I was sitting, in the cheap seats, I could not hear some of the things Stoffa said when he finally rose to address council. He's a quiet man. But Stoffa did apparently accuse McHale of sour grapes because the county cancelled an insurance policy or two with T.J. McHale & company, where she is employed.

Here's what an anonymous commenter has added. "McHale and her husband had insurance policies with the county from the Reibman Administration. Apparently two of the policies were cancelled or expired and she was not too happy. Stoffa did not renew them. Maybe this is all that this is about. How can she do business with the county and serve on County Council? Would she exercise this kind of judgement if she were county Executive? Bernie, do you have any information about this?"

I spent some time today gathering that information.

Does McHale Do Business With the County?

T.J. McHale & Co. is a general insurance company, located in Bethlehem since 1973. McHale is currently Treasurer. Her husband, Tom, is President and CEO.

Last year, T.J. McHale & Company was paid $6,346 for two liability policies with Northampton County. This year, the county has only paid $458. It has cancelled at least one policy with a $5,888 premium. Is this why McHale is upset?

Not according to her. As she told me yesterday, most of the commission on those premiums is paid to the agent who first negotiated those insurance contracts. That person is T.J. Rooney, who just happens to chair the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. He wrote those policies before McHale was even a member of council.

I wonder if he's pissed. T.J. does share some of that commission with her company, but considering that a property insurance commission averages 5.5 per cent, we're talking about very little money.

How can McHale Do Business With the County and Serve on County Council?

That's the real question. Is it a conflict of interest for McHale, a sitting council member, to do business with the county at all? The county's Home Rule Charter has a procedure to govern that situation. Elected official like McHale, who does have an interest in T.J. McHale & Company, is required to disclose any business relationship between her company and the county. If it amounts to a conflict, council can bar her from debating or voting on any matter involving her company.

Has McHale disclosed this possible conflict? As a matter of fact, she informs council in a letter once every year. She does more than that. She flatly declares she'll abstain from any vote involving her husband's company.

"Prior to my becoming a member of Northampton County Council, T.J. McHale & Co., Inc. began providing a limited amount of insurance coverage to Northampton County. I do not feel this constitutes a conflict of interest as outlined in the Northampton County Home Rule Charter Section 810 since I do not receive any profits directly from the contract that provides coverage for Northampton County. I have not, nor will I, participate in the debate, or vote on matters relating to the County's acquisition or retention of insurance policies and/or coverage in which I have either a direct or indirect financial interest."

Now if McHale hid the existence of this relationship, or voted on her insurance company, I'd agree she is acting unethically. But her own records with council reveal that she has not only disclosed that connection, but has also pledged to recuse herself from any votes concerning her company. I am often critical of Ann McHale, but she has handled this with integrity.

Who Would You Like to See as Northampton County's Next Exec?

When I left you earlier today, I painted John Stoffa at the banks of the Rubicon, pondering whether to take the plunge and seek a second term. It's hard to imagine him, an older man who should be enjoying his retirement, continue to suffer the mean-spirited abuse inflicted on him.

It's worse than blogging!

So let's say we're left with a race for the Democratic nod between council prez Ann McHale and state Rep. Rich Grucela, who hails from the ranks of local government.

Who do you like? I've loaded an unscientific poll on the left sidebar.

Update: I've been taken to task for failing to include Ron Heckman, currently a Lehigh County administrator, in the mix. So I've prepared a new poll that includes all three. This poll assumes that Stoffa is stepping down. Should he decide to seek a second term, it is unclear whether Grucela would enter the fray.

Will Stoffa Cross the Rubicon?

Cold winter rains filled the Rubicon one January day over two thousand years ago. The usually decisive Caesar had spent most of that day dawdling, trying to decide whether to cross that river with what was left of his legions. To do so would be treason. It would plunge Rome into civil war. Finally, as night fell, Caesar guided his horse into the swift stream.

"Let the dice fly high," he declared. The rest, as you know, is history.

Caesar's enemies, the optimates, were intent on preserving a status quo in which a few powerful families made all the decisions. They had no interest in any of Caesar's popular reforms. They eventually killed him, but not his ideas.

Today, on a much smaller scale, history repeats itself. The powerful few still resent and fear any person who stands for popular reform. They detest Northampton County Council member Ron Angle. He rightly calls these patricians to task for scheduling "special meetings" just to accommodate St. Luke's, something they would not do for a plebian like you or me. They despise county exec John Stoffa, who spurns "pay to play" in favor of open and accountable government.

Some of these patricians are Republicans. Others are Democrats. But just like their fellow optimates over two thousand years ago, they fear popular reform. They laugh at a county executive who doesn't demand a special parking spot like them. They think nothing of spending $650,000 in taxpayer money for ridiculous renovations to the meeting room, but include no facilities that would permit the livestreaming of council meetings for the plebs. What they fear most is a county executive who refuses to participate in their legal bribery, where government is for sale to the highest bidder. So these patricians do their best to stop every Stoffa incentive, whether it is open space or something as simple as keeping two months of expenses in reserve. They try to smear Stoffa when he considers - gasp! - selling a piece of his own property.

The last thing they want is for Stoffa to cross the Rubicon and seek a second term. One term of honest government has been a disaster. Two terms will be the deathknell to their kind of politics.

Stoffa is still looking over the Rubicon, being no more indecisive than Caesar himself. But the county exec has already fired a shot across the bow of patricians interested in preserving the status quo - he has called on Dem Bossman Joe Long to resign.

Where, you might ask, are Stoffa's legions? That question was asked about Caesar, too. But you see, there are a lot more plebians than patricians.

I only have one piece of advice for John Stoffa. Stay home on March 15.

Northampton County Exec Stoffa to Dem Party Boss Long: Step Down

When I checked the usual bills and creditor demands in my mail today, I was stunned to see an hand-written envelope from John Stoffa. He just happens to be Northampton County Executive, our highest ranking Democrat. But this letter was not written on county stationary. It was a plain envelope adorned by one of those home address labels you can get by giving a few bucks to some worthy cause. Stoffa also fixed a stamp on the back of the letter, some gigantic deer drinking water.

Do I owe him money, too? Was he hitting me up for an open space contribution or something?

I carefully inspected and opened the letter, making sure it contains no white powder. I was still stunned by its contents. It's a request from Northampton County's highest ranking Democrat, asking Dem boss Joe Long to step down. Here it is.

Dear Joe;

The time has come for you to resign your post as Chairman of the Northampton County Democratic Party.

Democrats of Northampton County are witnessing:

* a steady decline in the quality of candidates

* a failure to maintain party unity as seen in crumbling local committees, reduced emphasis on consensus-building activities, declining attendance at the annual County Party picnic, and a lack of significant fundraising events

* a lack of a working volunteer recruitment/development program

* primarily inactive local committees

* decreasing effectiveness in recruiting, grooming, and training potential candidates ... suggesting a lack of vision and commitment

* failure to maintain an up-dated website

* your policy of endorsing candidates in the primary election cycle

* your policy of holding party elections before new committee people are officially elected

* lack of a effective, productive Executive Committee

* a lack of support for your leadership among the many locally-elected Democratic officeholders I have consulted

* your silence in the face of such activities as negative and misleading robocalling as well as anonymous mailings which violate Pennsylvania Campaign Law; something good Democrats never support and former leaders such as Marty Bechtel and Gene Hartzell would never have condoned

* your ill-advised use of a political consultant now under investigation by the state Attorney General's office

Northampton County Democrats deserve better leadership -- especially in this most critical election cycle. While I do not dispute your loyalty to Democratic Principles, I am no longer convinced that you are the right person to lead the Northampton County Democratic Party.

Joe, please consider my request that you immediately resign your position as Northampton County Democratic Party Chairperson.

Another Blog War?

I don't know what I've been doing wrong. For nearly a week, no one has anonymously threatened to kill me, brought up my disbarment, or posted a blog that describes my bloody demise.

I guess trolls need breaks, too.

But for those of you who love all the entertainment provided by a blog war, Atown-Liker, the "Squire of Renaissance Square," has one raging on his blog. It's confined to just his blog, so it's really a civil war. But those can be deadly, too. Atown-Liker is already a casualty. He accidentally consumed a nonalcoholic beverage during all the in-fighting, collapsed and hospital officials decided to detonate him as a precautionary measure. Team Marge has sent me a picture of the poor squire, going up in smoke. Without so much as a fond farewell, they've taken over both his home and blog, re-naming it "Allentown is Nice No More." Triumphant Leader Marge is now the "Scourge of Renaissance Square."

My favorite character, of course, is Karl. Coffee makes him nervous. He recently posted a joke.

Will A-Liker return? Will Karl always be forced to sleep in the shed? Stay tuned.

McFadden is Northampton County's New PJ!

I'm delighted by today's selection of F. P. Kimberly McFadden as Northampton County's new President Judge - not because she's a woman - but because she's the best. Her unanimous election is a credit, not just to her, but to her remaining colleagues on the bench. These include William F. Moran (1987); Stephen G. Baratta (1998); Emil Giordano (2004); Edward G. Smith (2002); Anthony S. Beltrami (2006); and Paula A. Roscioli (2006).

A few days ago, I wondered whether the Lehigh Valley was ready for its first female PJ, but never thought it would happen. McFadden is way too apolitical. She's far more interested in writing opinions than designing courthouses. Her selection is a wonderful sign for the Northampton County bench.

McHale: County's Insurance Contract is Illegal

Northampton County's Administrative Code requires all county contracts over $100,000 to be approved by council. A five-year property and casualty insurance contract, valued at $4.8 million, certainly fits that category. So last night, county exec John Stoffa dutifully asked for council's blessings on an insurance contract with the County Commissioners Association of Pa. (CCAP).

But he had a problem. Council Prez Ann McHale noted that Stoffa had already signed the contract. He's even paid the first year's premium. "Do we lock him up?" asked Ron Angle.

McHale was not amused. She's in the insurance business, and noted coverage is inadequate because it fails to include bi-county agencies or advisory boards, among other things. She was also miffed her offer to help the county prepare specs for this contract, had been turned down. "Those are the worst specifications I've ever seen."

Perhaps the county thinks it's just a tad inappropriate for a council member in the insurance business to play a major role in selecting the county's insurance carrier.

After McHale had slammed Stoffa for about ten minutes, he finally got up to explain that CCAP was the only bidder. That resulted in even more shrieking and tearing of garments from Dertinger. Stoffa admitted there had been a "slip up" in getting this matter on the agenda.

"Would you rather that we not have insurance? Forty-six counties have this coverage. What are you doing?"

I'm not really sure what the hell they were doing. I do know this. They never did approve that insurance contract.

McClure Proposes Sheriff Sale Moratorium in Northampton County

At Thursday's county council meeting, Lamont McClure introduced a resolution that directs the county executive to impose a ninety (90) day moratorium on Sheriff's Sales. That's an idea I suggested myself in early May.

I never expected anyone to take me seriously.

McClure argued that a "segment of the middle class" is being "crushed" by the home mortgage crisis. He acknowledged some of us "have made bad bets," but many more of us are victims of predatory lending. To back up that point, he noted that 70% of the people with adjustable rate mortgages would have qualified for a fixed rate. A temporary moratorium, followed up by a conciliation process between homeowners and lenders, would give us a "little more breathing room."

Ron Angle, however, had a completely different view. "I'm baffled as to how government can break a legal document," he said, referring to recorded mortgages. He claimed the last thing a bank wants is our houses, but called a sheriff's sales a necessary "cleansing mechanism." Well, if a home is the last thing a bank wants, it should be willing to sit down with the owner. Finally, Angle argued that gas prices are what are really killing us. "You want to know what will finish people off? It's $4.50 per gallon gas."

At the urging of Peg Ferraro, McClure's resolution was tabled so that county exec John Stoffa could research whether he has the authority to impose a conciliation process. Courts supervise foreclosure proceedings, so it would be necessary for judges to adopt local rules requiring a sitdown. That's been happening in Philly. It's also being considered in Bucks and Allegheny County.

Update: Both The Morning Call and Express Times report this proposed moratorium. The Morning Call distinguishes sheriff sales from tax sales, but many properties are listed for sheriff's sale because of unpaid taxes. Portnoff, a private tax collector, does that all the time.

Northampton County Council Flip Flops on Cabinet Appointment

When Archie Disidore III, a former Dun & Bradstreet public record consultant, was nominated as Northampton County's new Director of Court Services a few weeks ago, county council blew its lid. Even Ron Angle, normally allied with county exec Stoffa, was against it. "It was always a hallwalker's job. It was a political plum." Council VP Wayne Grube argued the job should be consolidated with the Court Administrator, and Prez Ann McHale was aghast, simply aghast, that Personnel chair John Cusick would dare recommend Disidore in the first place. "We're here to legislate, not to fill appointments." On this blog, anonymous commenters called the nomination "another political payoff" and a "Republican connection."

Things weren't looking so good for Archie. Not only is he a Republican, but his wife is actually a Republican supervisor in Lower Mount Bethel Township.

Put a fork in him, right? At a council meeting the following day, Stoffa quietly pulled Disidore's name from the agenda, sparing them both an embarrassing defeat. Council members were thrilled. Never mind that six row offices are floundering without supervision or that one of those offices, the criminal division, is in turmoil.

At last night's council meeting, Disidore's name was back on the agenda. Did council members suddenly have a change of heart? Lamont McClure tried to pretend so, saying that in the "sorry history of the Stoffa administration," two directors have already "jumped ship," but "someone needs to pop their [sic] head in those offices." It might as well be Disidore, even if he is a dirty Republican.

Of course, that's all bullshit. The real reason for the flip flop? Politics, baby. Archie has a friend, and it's not Jughead.

State rep. Rich Grucela just happens to live in Lower Mount Bethel. He's quite friendly with the Disidores. They support Rich, so he picked up the phone and began making some calls. Suddenly, Archie is a lot more palatable to everyone on council except Angle. He abstained last night. At least he's consistent.

Politics both killed and revived Disidore. In this case, that's a good thing. There are six row offices that desperately need supervision. And there have been dedicated Directors, including Maurice Dimmick and Bill Hillanbrand.

The job pays $59,503, and can go up to $77,488.

I wish Rich Grucela would be my friend, too.

Update: Both The Express Times and Morning Call have well-written accounts councerning council's change of heart. Arguments advanced by McClure ("This is better piloted with a captain than without") could have been made a few weeks. Oh yeah, Dertinger called Angle a hypocrite, too. So there!

Easton Solves Prostitution Problem

After a gazillion years, Easton has finally solved the world's prostitution problem. From now on, it will seize any vehicle used in soliciting a hooker, unless you know someone.

Yep, this should do it.

Council member and supporter Jeff Warren should know all about prostitution. After all, when he ran for the job, this Boscola aide collected more money in the primary than all other council candidates combined.

One of his Johns is the Pennsylvania Builders Association.

Update: PhillyWillDo's D-Mac suggested last week this ordinance is meaningless. I decided to use the same damn picture he did for this blog, which occurred after this new law passed last night. I guess I'm hinting this war against prostitution is silly, too. Unlike me, D-Mac at least gave a photo credit to telethon, Creative Commons license. Now I saw this picture at a gazillion different sites but am giving credit where credit may not be due anyway. Why? Blog etiquette, baby. In fact, I probably should have noted PhillyWillDo's entry as the inspiration for this one.

Northampton County Children & Youth: "People Hate Us"

Northampton County's solicitor and other unnamed officials were awarded an Express Times turkey on Saturday because they refuse to answer questions about a recently hired, and fired, Children and Youth caseworker, Jose Huertas-Aponte. Somehow, he talked his way into a job, even though he had skipped bail after being charged in Puerto Rico with molesting a 14 year-old boy about five years ago.

Children and Youth workers, whose purpose is to protect children and families, are devastated. But they've been muzzled by county officials concerned about the confidentiality owed to to both children as well as a former worker. One of these employees is willing to speak out on condition that I protect his/her anonymity.

1. Did Huertas get the usual background check? What is involved? It is my understanding that, yes, Mr. Huertas did go through the usual background check. All new hires must submit to a Child Abuse History Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Background Check and submit fingerprints to the FBI. I spoke with a member of the administration and asked how Mr. Huertas was able to get hired if he was out on bail in Puerto Rico. I still have not gotten a straight answer. All I can speculate is that we accepted the background checks he had submitted to Valley Counseling when he started working there or because he only used one last name (Huertas) instead on the hyphenated double last name (Huertas- Aponte) that his status in Puerto Rico was not picked up.

2. In the six months he worked there, wouldn't he have been a probationary employee most of the time? What was his caseload like? All new employees are on probation for six months. Additionally, during that time period they are undergoing state mandated training to get certified as a Caseworker. During this time period, they have a maximum caseload of seven cases. Mr. Huertas was a caseworker in one of the adolescent units.

3. Did he have an opportunity to meet privately with children? Meeting privately with children is part of being a caseworker. Unfortunately, he did have access to children.

4. Has the county contacted the families of any children who came into contact w/ Huertas? I would hope so, but have no knowledge if they actually did. I do know that one family contacted the Agency.

5. Are you familiar with the details of that other investigation? If so, is it appropriate to discuss or should it be kept quiet for now? I am not familiar with the details of that investigation. I have heard many rumors. I don't like to spread rumors.

6. How is Kevin Dolan taking this? (Dolan supervises Children and Youth). I already know he is a class act. Is he holding up? How are you holding up? How about the caseworkers? Kevin is a great leader. He is very upset about this. Actually, we are all upset about this. The majority of the staff work very hard at a very thankless job. Lets face it, the public hates Children and Youth. We are the bad guys who come in and rip families apart. Hell, Children and Youth terminates parental rights. People hate us. Seriously, people don't let their children play with my kids once they find out what I do for a living. This is just one more thing for the general public to crucify us for and once again, we cannot defend ourselves.

7. Is there room for improvement? How can your office do better? Is the caseload still too heavy? Up until *****, I was a caseworker. While caseloads average around 11 to 13 families, the hours are long. It is not uncommon for the workers in my unit to start work at 8:30 in the morning and not finish up until 7 or 8 at night. Most do not ask for overtime, but instead try to "flex" their schedules. The caseworkers are working weekends to accommodate visits between families and their children who are in placement. They often will use their own money to buy supplies that families need (diaper, milk, school supplies).

Room for improvement - recognition. The employees want their positive contributions recognized. Also, if the employee concerns could be taken seriously. This is most evident in the area safety. Lets face it, almost no one wants to be involved with CYF. Most of our clients are angry, hostile, or have some type of mental health issue. Threats to our safety are not uncommon. What has been done to address the safety concerns? Lets see, Sam and Joe [two terminated deputy sheriffs] are our security. Maintenance finally replaced all the burned out lights inside the building. Oh, and administration gave the caseworkers mini maglight flash lights for when they have to go into dark hallways.

I hate to sound like I am complaining. I am lucky enough to be able to say I really do love my job. There is always room for improvement, especially when dealing with a government agency. There will always be the redundant paperwork (lots and lots of paperwork. Way too much paperwork) or employees who do not pull their weight (between the union and civil service rules, it is nearly impossible to remove an employee once they are off probation. Luckily (?) most of the worst slacking offenders move to less stressful divisions like MH/MR and Aging, but overall, I really do think the Agency is doing the best they can do with the resources allotted to them.

8. I'm sure you saw KarenEMT's comment. She praised an "Erick". Do you have any comment about what she said? Erik is a great guy and a good investigator. I will admit that some of our investigators can be overzealous. All allegations of abuse are investigated. We realize that bogus referrals are made, but they need to be followed up on. Imagine the public outcry if we did not follow up on a referral and a child was hurt or killed.

As for the overzealous investigators, I think that comes with their job. Recently, I had the unfortunate privilege of being investigated by the Regional Office of Children and Youth. My daughter had gotten in trouble at school and to deflect the punishment told them that her [parents] were going to beat her. Without ever speaking with my daughter, the investigator looked at [us] and I and told her to stop lying and just admit that we beat the child and the investigation would be over quicker. I was appalled. I also reported her to her supervisor, but not till after she concluded the investigation (it was unfounded).