Molovinsky: Allentown Pushing Hamilton Street Merchants Out

In Allentown, many small businesses have security gates that merchants roll down over their storefronts when they close shop at the end of the day. Blogger Michael Molovinsky, in a nice piece of investigative journalism, tells us Allentown is now giving Hamilton Street merchants ninety days to replace solid gates with mesh, which will cost between two and seven thousand dollars. Ostensibly, this makes it easier to spot fires, but it also makes it easier for potential thieves to break windows and pry open locks.

What's really interesting is that this code is being selectively enforced against Hamilton Street merchants while those on 7th Street get a pass. Why? Is this Allentown's way of pushing those businesses out?

How Can We Make Elections Better?

My posts about Tuesday's presidential election (Northampton County Elections Office Under Fire . . . Again, Northampton County's Election - "Screw Up of Epic Proportions"? and One Lehigh County Poll Watcher's Experience) resulted in a lot of interesting comments from judges of elections and poll watchers. In addition to that, I've been speaking over the past two days with Santa Bannon-Shiles. She's the President of Northampton County's League of Women Voters. She also happens to be a judge of elections, having served for the past eight years.

These judges of elections are a treasure trove of ideas. One small example. Santa tells me judges of elections should prepare signs for the voters in their precincts to minimize confusion. That may seem minor, but not to Bushkill Township voters who stood in the wrong line for over an hour. Another point she made is that voter lists should be given to inspectors, who can go through lines to make sure people are at the right precinct.

At last Thursday's Northampton County Council meeting, at least before member Dertinger's uninformed diatribe, Director of Administration John Conklin told council that he and the elections office would be conducting an "after action review" to identify areas of improvement.

Here's a suggestion.

How about an "after action review" for elections judges and poll workers? Santa tells me that never happens, yet they are uniquely situated to identify ways to improve our elections as well as educate each other.

Why Don't You Run For Local Office?

One of the questions I'm frequently asked, especially when ragging on some local pol, is why I don't run for office, especially since I already think I know everything.

Hey, the world needs gadflies, too!

Let's face it, I'm far more effective as a pain in the ass than I could ever be sitting behind some dais, wearing some suit and tie or a sexy dress, depending on my mood. During courtesy of the floor, I could never stand listening to wingnuts like me. Also, a practical matter, I'd never be elected. Even I would never vote for me. True, I'm quite handsome, but I'm also an impoverished and alcoholic ex-lawyer so irresponsible I still get parking tickets at least once every week.

Despite my own clear incompetence, people who read and contribute to this blog should seriously consider seeking local office next year. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of partisan backscratchers who may get no parking tickets, but seek office for all the wrong reasons. They hand out city money to restaurants that fail while ignoring a real crime problem. They engage in shouting matches during public meetings, or deliberately mislead the public.

So why don't you run? Next year, we will be voting for county hangmen, school directors, borough and city mayors and council members, township supervisors and commissioners, and mini-judges. For the last four years, the League of Women Voters has conducted a four-hour "Running for Local Office" workshop, specifically designed for Lehigh Valley candidates.

What's required in the way of paperwork? What's your strategy? How do you ask for donations without ending up in jail? Can a political party help? Will the press even notice you? During this seminar, experienced campaigners, party bosses and elections officials will answer those questions. A comprehensive notebook filled with pertinent information is given to every participant.

Here are the details.

When: Saturday, November 22, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (continental breakfast included).

Where: Northampton Community College, Kiva room (circular building), Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, Pa.

Cost: $45, to cover LWV costs. This is no fundraiser.

Download an application? Click here.

Norco Council VP Wayne Grube Has Passed Away

Northampton County's Dutch Uncle is gone.

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

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

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

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

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

One Lehigh County Poll Watcher's Experience

According to Northampton County Council member Charles Dertinger, those long lines last Tuesday that kept you from voting in three minutes are all County Exec John Stoffa's fault. Those long lines you saw in Ohio and Florida and everywhere else are probably Stoffa's fault, too. At last week's council meeting, Hangman Dertinger has already proclaimed Northampton County's election as a "screw up of epic proportion." Never mind that all the information he releases to support his claim is totally bogus. One of his goons is already demanding the head of voting registrar Howie Erney, disparaged as little more than a "machine mechanic."

Righty oh, Charles, righty oh.

The truth is that, for such a large turnout, that machine mechanic ran a pretty smooth election. This is not to say there were no problems. Believe it or not, there were even a few problems in Lehigh County. Poll watcher Dick Nepon has sent me his election day experience with a Judge of Elections who thinks she is Queen Elizabeth. He's asked me what he should do.

That's simple, Dick. File a complaint against John Stoffa. I'm pretty sure it's all his fault. If you have a better suggestion, read Dick's dirge.

I was an election poll watcher in Lehigh County (as I have been for longer than I can recall). This election I was assigned Lower Macungie District #2. I thought it would be a sleeper, but I was mistaken. When I arrived at 6:30AM there was already a long line out to the parking lot. Inside were 10 voting machines being set up. I introduced myself to the Judge of Elections. I inquired to see about the 'zero' tapes, to see them and asked if they were signed. I was rudely instructed that they were sealed in the machines. I asked if they were signed, and was told that she signs them at the end of the election. I suggested that that defeats the purpose, and that I was entitled to see the tapes, but she refused. I made my first call to the voter protection office.

As it turns out, the number I had was a wrong number. I called the local Dem office, and was given a correct number, but that number required an eight digit voting district to proceed on the voice answering system. I had no number. I called back and reported to the local office.

Shortly, the first missing name on the books showed up. This gentleman had waited two hours (one before we opened) to get in and vote, but although he had a voter registration card with his name on it for this district, his name was not in their book. The Judge of Elections attempted to contact the County Voter Registration office, but all lines were busy. She tried for over an hour, then got through and says she was instructed to offer the gentleman a provisional ballot. When I saw him filling that out I approached and heard his story. I suggested that since he had a valid card, and was also on the rolls at the county, he was entitled to a machine vote. I advised him not to hand in the provisional ballot. The Judge of Elections was incensed. While we argued the proper use of provisional ballots, someone found his name mis-filed and he did get to vote by machine, but the underlying problem was not addressed.

The next problem was another voter with a card but no listing. The Judge again could not get through to the County, and refused to issue a provisional ballot without express permission from the County Clerk of Elections (Sterner). I suggested to her that she did not need permission.

This charade went on for a while, with a few different people some of whom had registration cards, some didn't. All were adamant about wanting to vote, but needing to get to work after standing in line for a while. I advocated for machine vote for people who were on the County roll, and had registration cards, and for provisional ballots for those who had no proof of where they were to vote. The Judge told me to stop bothering voters. She instructed me to stop talking to voters. She informed me that I was a poll WATCHER, and my job was to watch, not talk. I informed her that my job was to protect the voting rights of every individual, and to make certain that no one was disenfranchised. She ordered me to leave the polling place, and called for a constable to evict me. She said that that she had her orders and she had her rules and that what I said (or showed her in writing, I had the voting act with me) were of no regard.

The constable refused to evict me. The voter protection lawyers showed up and talked with her. She agreed to allow any voter to talk with me before she either refused them a vote, or forced them to use a provisional vote, but I would have to discuss this outside with the voter. In the event, she actually hid all questionable voters from me and refused to cooperate. I don't know how many people lost their vote that day. I have names and contact info for five people before the lawyers arrived.

I have filled out paperwork to address this issue at the county level, but am not sure where to take it. I suppose the Clerk of Elections, but I feel that she was the source of bad advice to this Judge.

By the way, that district voted in favor of McCain. I don't care how you vote, I care that you get a chance to cast a ballot that counts.

I think the actions of this Judge were criminal. I wonder how many other districts had similar problems that escaped detection. I wonder how many provisional ballots were cast in Lehigh County, and I wonder how many people never got to vote.

I also ran across a republican poll watcher in my voting district (Allentown 11-4) who was challenging all the Muhlenberg College students' registrations, and slowing the line down to where there was a 2.5 hour wait. Inside were 4 voting machines, but they stood empty most of the time, and only one was actually used most of the time. Since that matter had already been decided by the courts, I deemed this a tactic to cause long lines and waits and discourage voters from voting. I informed the voter protection people, and I understand he was removed and the lines began to move swiftly.

I also had the experience of anti-abortion, anti Obama protesters haranguing the voters in line at Lower Macungie 2, and they were informed, eventually, that they could silently stand 10' from the polling place, but it was illegal for them to annoy the voters in line. They chose to leave and I found them in my home district, across the street, but quiet when I went to vote.

"Stop the Violence" in Allentown on Saturday

Alfonso Todd, who publishes LV Flavor, has organized a group of musicians to highlight Allentown's positive aspects on Saturday. "It will present real life alternatives to those who want more than the widely popular ‘street lifestyle’."

He claims the "goal is to attract area businesses and community based organizations that will give needed information to the public. This event is intended to be educational as well as entertaining."

Dude, just say it. It's a party!

What: STOP THE VIOLENCE/START THE HEALING

When: NOVEMBER 15, 2008, 12-6 PM

Where: The CARING PLACE, 931 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA

FEATURING:

AMANDA THORPE (2008 Lehigh Valley Music Awards nominee)
MUMM-RA
SESSION 9

U.M.G. Management & Productions, LLC
with - ONESHOT, G-DASH, J. RICKY, B.BANGA, ROD B. GUTTA

TAKEOVER SYNDICATE ENTERTAINMENT
with - PACHINO, PHLUENT, LADY DUCHESS, KARESS, HARMONY, BLANX, KRUSH GRUVES, J-LITTLE

TWIST OF FATE ENTERTAINMENT
with - SINCERELY YOURZ, LIVE LOVE, MAYBACH KWIZ, A.J.
MIRAGE

BLESSING THE THE TURNTABLES: DJ MENACE - MIXTAPE FLAVOR SQUAD & DJ SYNYSTR - HANDSKILLS ENTERTAINMENT

Dent's Commitment to Plug-in Hybrids

The election may be over, but Congressman Charlie Dent is wasting no time demonstrating his commitment to alternative energy.

He has promoted plug-in hybrids, telling me "We have a lithium ion battery sitting over here at International Battery - I've been in there. They've designed a battery that can take a charge for 250 miles."

Today, Dent will join International Battery Inc. to announce a multi-million dollar contract with the Defense Department to demonstrate the improved efficiency and environmental advantages of lithium batteries vs. traditional lead batteries in military use.

Northampton County's Election - "Screw Up of Epic Proportions"?

You might disagree with the result, but Tuesday's presidential contest was an impressive sight. Yes, there were long lines, not just in Northampton County, but throughout the country. Considering the elections troubles four and eight years ago, these waits were a welcome relief. Considering the number of people who have fought and died for this country, those queues were a bargain.

Travelling from ward to ward, I was amazed by the smiles I saw everywhere. Obama supporters acted as parking attendants in one precinct. In another, a Dent supporter brought folding chairs for elderly voters. Lehigh students, future engineers, had devised confusing lines that already require a degree to understand. Many polling places had bake sales, and Obama and McCain supporters brought treats to those in line. It was an inspirational day. Even those miserable bastards at The Express Times awarded a trophy to "we the people."

It was a success.

But Northampton County Council, aka the Hangmen, are in no mood to give anyone but themselves trophies. They had lots of criticisms and recommendations. Although a legislative body has no business micromanaging an independent elections office, criticism is always a good thing. "How can we do better?" is the question that County Exec John Stoffa likes to ask.

Stoffa is currently making a quick recovery from some serious surgery, so Director of Administration John Conklin filled in for Stoffa at last Thursday's council meeting. He was initially responsive to council, but when it became apparent that some hangmen are just looking for an excuse to string someone up again, he shut up. He did turn about fourteen shades of purple while Dertinger spouted off, and every color variation matched his tie.

On Friday, I met with Conklin and Voting Registrar Howie Erney, and we discussed the concerns expressed at Thursday's council meeting.

1) Charles Dertinger's Latest HissyFit - Election a "Screwup of Epic Proportions."

On October 16, council member Charles Dertinger was already claiming the county had failed to provide additional manpower to enter 9,800 new registrants. Dertinger warned that the state department would "come down on our heads" and that the county would see "significant repercussions."

County exec Stoffa calmly told Dertinger, "Charles, that office is operating better now than it ever has, and you know it."

Sarcastically, Dertinger answered, "I'm sure it is. Actually, I don't know that. But it's always good for you to tell me what I know."

After Tuesday's election, Dertinger slammed the elections office and county administration for having given him a "total crock." He went on to claim that the county hurriedly added staff only becuase of his October 16th rant. Here's some of his harangue.

"According to the county web site, 1,800 fewer people voted in this last election. This election should have come as no surprise to anyone. We did not have the appropriate number of people doing the input. . . . All you had to do was watch CNN. It said a lot of new people have registered to vote. Lehigh County, which we often hear about here, had fifteen extra staffers working for Stacy Sterner in their voter registration. When I asked the question how many people we had over there and why we didn't have enough people, I was told we were in better shape than ever before. The truth of the matter is that extra staff did not show up there until after that conversation. . . . We did not have the people registered and in the actual voter book. Very many of those people did not make the actual voter book. So much of the problems we faced was because the judges of elections had to call in to find out if, in fact, John Cusick was actually allowed to vote here rather than just looking down at the book because the books were printed and names were still being added.

"People did not have their voter registration cards in time. As many of you heard, they had voter registration cards issued to them that said they were not eligible to vote for ten more days, which would mean that they still couldn't vote today.

"This was a screwup of epic proportions that didn't have to be because we knew this was happening. In every election prior to this, in the presidentials, we had a significant amount of extra staff there for the input. . . .

"The machines themselves were fine. We were having significant problems with people checking in. In one of the wards, the alphabet seems to have confounded one of the inspectors, who was having a hard time looking peoples' names up. In other cases, we just really need to get through that a lot faster. Not having names in the books made it much more difficult to find people."

Dertinger went on to claim again that the only reason the county added staff was because of his own complaints at the October 16 council meeting. "We didn't add staff until . . . I spoke to John [Stoffa].

Director of Administration John Conklin turned about fourteen shades of purple as Dertinger spoke, but made no response to this factually-challenged diatribe. Conklin detests politics. I'm not even sure he votes. But he prides himself on his operational skills, and was personally offended by Dertinger's inaccurate claims, some of which ended up in a Morning Call account that distorts what most of us would call a relatively smooth election, considering turnout.

2) The Election Help Timeline

Here's what happened, as explained by Conklin and Erney, who also supplied me with emails to back up their claims. For weeks before Dertinger ever opened his mouth, they were hard at work getting the information into a state database.

September 29: Voting Registrar Howie Erney and Deputy Debi Rumsey notice they are falling behind on entering new registered voters. Erney imposes mandatory OT and weekend shifts. He also asks Conklin for temporary help.

October 2: Three temps are hired from Manpower, with a starting date of October 6.

October 3: Erney and Rumsey ask for more help is needed. Arrangements are made to hire an additional 3 Manpower employees. These temporary employees work overtime, too.

October 6: Department of State portals begin to shut down, a recurring problem that makes data entry more difficult.

October 14: John Conklin asks for, and gets, help from numerous department employees under his supervision.

October 16: At least ten county employees and temps are doing data entry, and working overtime as well. Other county employees pitch in as schedules and department heads permit. On this date, elections commission chair Ken Kraft emails Conklin to complain only four people are doing data entry. Conklin sets Kraft straight. Dertinger complains about inadequate manpower at county council meeting. Stoffa sets Dertinger straight, or tries to do so.

October 19: Elections Commission chair Ken Kraft, in a testy email to Conklin, just happens to echo Dertinger's factually challenged concerns. He even hints Conklin could be sued. "Hope YOU don't incur a lawsuit for not getting it done."

On the day Dertinger complained, there were already ten county workers doing data entry and working OT as well. In addition, other employees were pitching in. Everything the elections office asked for was provided. Dertinger's claim that extra staff did not show to help until after he complained is simply false. The fact that the elections commission chair is repeating Dertinger's false information makes one wonder whether there is some collusion between the two.

3) Dertinger's False Claim That There Were 1,800 Fewer Voters in This Presidential Contest.

During a historic election, did Northampton County have fewer voters than four years ago? That would be a sad statement, if true, but it's not. Voting Registrar Howie Erney tells me that in the 2004 Presidential election, 126,668 votes were cast. This time around, unofficial results show 131,225. As might be expected, there were 4,557 more votes cast in this election. Dertinger needs a new calculator.

4) How did Obama's Election Protection Team Rate Northampton County?

At last Thursday's Council meeting, Dertinger referred several times to Obama's election protection team, and claimed the only reason they did not publicly condemn Northampton County was because they had no desire to embarrass a Democratic county exec. But Conklin, who was in contact with this team several times on election day, tells me they were "absolutely thrilled with the responsiveness of Northampton County."

5) How many people were calling in with problems?

If Northampton County's election was a "screw up of epic proportions," as Dertinger contends, that would mean a lot of calls for help. After 8 PM, there were only two calls. A report from the county's call center shows there were only 109 calls total, lasting an average of around 2 minutes.

6) The county has enough voting machines.

Council member John Cusick wanted to know whether we had enough machines, and in the right places, to do the job. "Definitely" is Voting Registrar Howie Erney's answer. In fact, the county has forty machines more in this election than in the last presidential race, when 256 lever machines were in use. In January, the county purchased 300 Advantage D-10 voting machines, supplied by Sequoia Voting Systems. These touch screen voting machines are almost identical in appearance to the old lever machines. 297 of them were in the field on election day. One machine is adequate for between 600 and 700 voters.

7) Big Poll Books - the real reason for long lines in a heavy turnout.

Obviously, the real reason for long lines is heavy turnout. But Erney learned some things that will make those lines move a lot more quickly.

"It's not the machines that are at fault - it's the poll books." Erney tells me that, although poll books should be purged once every five years, this has not happened within recent memory. As a result, these volumes are packed with voters who are deceased or who have moved. It slows down elections workers when they look for a voter's name. Voting machines remain idle when that happens. Around the end of the day, Erney decided to break the poll book into subparts and have lines for corresponding parts of the alphabet. Once he did that, things moved very quickly. Between 260 and 290 voters per hour were processed. "I've been at this for twenty-eight years, but always learn something new."

Erney credited elections workers in Allen Township for coming up with that answer.

8) Vertical v. Horizontal Ballots? Who the Hell Notices These Things?

According to council members John Cusick and Peg Ferraro, there are complaints about a vertical, as opposed to horizontal, ballot. Really? I have no idea what the hell they're talking about and certainly heard no complaints. Council unanimously adopted a resolution recommended a horizontal ballot in future elections.

John Conklin told council members that ballot design is pretty much a matter for the Elections Commission and Voter Registrar. Howie Erney confirms what Conklin told council, noting that the layout is similar to what was used in other counties.

I've got my own recommendation for Peg and John - turn your head. Then it will be horizontal.

9) Third party candidates located on far right side of the ballot.

Republican John Cusick, to his credit, spoke up for independents and third-party candidates.

"If you wanted to vote third party, it was way over on the right. There were two empty columns. It seemed like we were trying to keep people from considering third party candidates. I don't know if that was by design or by accident, but that's how it appeared."

Conklin told Cusick he would pass along those concerns, but Erney tells me state laws require third parties to be listed in alphabetical order, which is why they had to be located at the right side of the ballot.

There is little doubt in my mind that state law is designed to keep third parties candidates off ballots completely. When they somehow get on, state law requires a ballot that pretty much screws them.

Here's a draft sample I saw: Barack Obama - D; John McCain - R; Ralph Nader - wingnut.

10) Room For Improvement

Erney and Conklin both tell me there is plenty of room for improvement. Dividing poll books into subparts is one innovation that will become SOP in the next big election. Poll books need to be purged. Cell phones will be provided to every precinct in the next election.

But I'm not worried. Erney had the best of teachers, Dennis Benner. Erney told me, "It's all about the people, and doing right by them."

He's right. His responsibility is to the voters, not the political games of Charles Dertinger.

Allentown's Motto: Stupid is as Stupid Does?

Although I'm a Democrat, I'm no fan of straight-party voting. It originated among resentful Democrats in the post civil war deep South, but its practice today is limited to just fifteen states, including Pennsylvania. It enables the election of weak candidates, the "coat tail effect."

In the last Lehigh Valley Congressional race, it could have easily resulted in the election of Siobhan "Sam" Bennett. Although Congressman Charlie Dent was easily re-elected, he lost in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Many city residents just pulled the lever, thinking Sam must be a very nice guy.

Scott Armstrong, who publishes the always-informative Allentown Commentator, has written a short essay about this, aimed specifically at Allentown. But his insight applies to each of the three LV cities.

City Motto

"Stupid is as Stupid Does"

Upon taking time to peruse the election results I noticed that, once again, many of Allentown's Democrats voted straight ticket. By doing so they again threw their support to a proven self serving incompetent. In the past this sort of obedience to the party has meant that confirmed bunglers like Julio Guridy, Dave Howells, Marty Velasquez, and Frank Concannon were given second and third chances to wreak havoc on the city as elected officials. This time Allentown's Democrats sacrificed their integrity to support "Sam" Bennett. Sam was a "known" commodity in the city even before the campaign began, and, true to form, her race for congress was an embarrassment from start to finish. The coverage of her blunders was front page news so no one can credibly claim ignorance as an excuse for their support. No, the truth is much uglier and simpler than that; it is clear that Allentown's Democrat voters would rather vote corrupt and/or incompetent Democrats into office than elect the better candidate if he or she is a Republican. This lemming's approach to party loyalty is a disservice to the city and its residents. Allentown has declined and compromised its future because too many of the city's Democrats continue to place a priority on partisanship rather than good government.

Scott Armstrong

For Lamont McClure, It's Fun to Stay at the Y-M-C-A

Lehigh County Commissioners have a $35,000 operations fund. It exists in case commissioners ever get into a legal tangle with the administration. They can hire a lawyer. It's never been used.

Northampton County Council already have their own lawyer, but they have an operations fund, too. They call it a "contingency fund," but it's really a slush fund that council members use to dole out favors to their pals. It's loaded with $500,000 for favors next year. Last night, county council members were spending that dough like Wall Street financiers.

First, they doled out $75,000 for Paul Marin's rail study, five to three. Cha ching! Dowd, Dertinger, McHale and McClure were all for it. Angle, Ferraro and Cusick were less enthusiastic.

Peg Ferraro called Marin's proposal "visionary," but asked council to wait a few months because our economy's in the tank. "I don't feel the timing is right. . . . We should hold off on this for a few months until we see that the economic stimulus package comes into being, if the financial markets get a little better, where our pension fund is. I just feel that we should hold off on this for three, four, five months." Ferraro's motion to delay the funding failed.

Angle also tried to table the funding resolution, based on the argument that this $75,000 is already included in next year's budget. That motion also failed. They want that money and they want it now. Of course, it helps that Marin is chummy with McHale, sitting on a few boards with her.

Meanwhile, our finances continue to slide down the toilet, but it's not their money, it's yours. Don't worry, be happy.

After kissing goodbye to $75,000 in real estate tax revenue, council decided to throw another $10,000 away. Lamont McClure persuaded fellow council members to give that money to Catasauqua's YMCA, which incidentally is located in Lehigh County. Northampton County has Ys located in Easton, Bethlehem and Nazareth, but we decided to give it Catty. In fairness, the Catty Y (Suburban North Family YMCA) does have child care sites located in Northampton County and promised the money would only be used for the financial assistance of Northampton County members. Really!

Here's McClure's argument. "Council, there's a place you can go. I said, Council, when you're short on your dough. It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A."

Peg Ferraro, who must have eaten her Wheaties yesterday, was skeptical. She asked the Y guy, Tom Beidel, who was there with his hand out. "Is there anything in particular that differentiates your request from Bethlehem, Nazareth or Easton? I know Nazareth. I'm very familiar with Nazareth. When Nazareth needed some money, we got together, we had this big thing, we raised a lot of money. I know they give a lot of financial aid and their day care programs are outstanding. Is there anything that differentiates your request from the same kind of request that might come from Nazareth?"

Nothing specific could come to the Y guy's mind, but he sang, "You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal, You can do whatever you feel ... ."

A child care facility happens to be in McClure's district. And McClure pointedly told Angle that many people who use this Y are in his district.

"Angle, are you listening to me? I said, Angle, what do you want to be?"

Angle claims that when he was thirty pounds lighter, he went to the Easton Y. "Now I go to Wegmans." He concluded all Ys are worthwhile.

Hoping that this snags a few votes next year, council was quick to adopt this resolution. Incidentally, they makes no provision to ensure that a Lehigh County Y will actually use the money for Northampton County residents. If I'm the Y-guy in Nazareth, Easton or Bethlehem, I'll be at County Council's next meeting with my headress on and hand out.

After all, it's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.

Northampton County Elections Office Under Fire . . . Again

In the wake of Tuesday's Presidential election, in which there were long lines throughout the country, the Northampton County Hangmen are convinced that everything is the Northampton County election office's fault. Council member Charles Dertinger labelled it a "screw up of epic proportions."

1) Did the county have enough voting machines? When the county used lever machines, Director of Administration John Conklin explained that the county made do with 256 of them. When the county purchased the Sequoia system, the Elections Commission recommended that the county purchase 300 of them, and that's what happened. Conklin indicated they would be doing an after action review to see how they can improve.

2) The ballot was vertical, not horizontal. Conklin explained that ballot layout is determined by the voting registrar, acting in conjunction with the Elections Commission. Council unanimously recommended that the Elections Commission consider using horizontal ballots, which are easier to read.

3) Third party candidates were located at the far right side of the ballot. Council member Cusick complained, "We're trying to keep people from considering third party candidates. I don't know if that is by design or by accident." Conklin told Cusick he will pass on those concerns to the Elections Commission.

4) Were there enough people doing the input necessary to get new registrants on the rolls? Council member Charles Dertinger claims the county had inadequate personnel to enter new registrants, many of whom did not appear in poll books. Ron Angle agreed, noting his own son failed to receive an absentee ballot and had to drive home from college in order to vote.

5) Did people get registration cards in time? Dertinger complained that many new registrants received cards right before the election, informing them they were ineligible to vote for another ten days.

On election day, I was at several polling places, some of which were overwhelmed by long lines. Lines were largest in precincts that had larger numbers of registered voters. Moreover, it appears to me that elections officials were doing all in their power to cope with the high turnout. When I visited the Litzenberger House in South Bethlehem, the voting registrar himself was there, doing everything in his power to move the lines.

Director of Administration John Conklin has agreed to address these concerns with me, and I'll share his take with you early next week.

Trollvilla Facing Criminal Harassment Charges

On the day before the election, I deleted about forty spam comments posted by Bill Villa. Villa, you may recall, is the cyber-stalker who mounted a spam attack here and at other blogs on September 29. He posted over 500 identical comments here and about 200 elsewhere. His irrational and menacing behavior interferes with and prevents meaningful conversation. It is intended to cause public annoyance, inconvenience and alarm. It serves no legitimate purpose.

In addition to spamming and hijacking blogs, Villa threatens violence. He'd like to break my jaw in seven different places. He routinely wants to engage in fist fights. He has told one blogger to cross the street if he sees him coming. He has told another that he's coming after him with "both barrels." This conduct is intended to cause public annoyance, inconvenience and alarm. It serves no legitimate purpose.

The time I spend deleting his spam is time that could be spent earning my living or researching posts.

Today, Villa is back to his old tricks, spamming this blog with numerous irrelevant comments. I will delete his spam and refuse to enable comment moderation.

I suppose now is as good a time as any to announce that, after independent review, the Northampton County District Attorney has authorized a criminal prosecution against Villa. Charges were filed on October 27 Before District Judge Capobianco. This spam today is just additional evidence.

Villa is presumed innocent until proven guilty. That will be no problem.

Thanks, Bill.

Democrats Attack Stoffa for Bipartisan Approach Endorsed by Obama

Throughout his tenure as Northampton County Executive, John Stoffa's biggest enemies have been partisan hacks like Charles Dertinger and Lamont McClure. They have torpedoed several cabinet officials who happen to be Republican. They have only reversed themselves on some of their petty partisan maneuvers - like the appointment of Republican Archie Disidore to Court Services - after being pounded over the head by more reasonable Democrats like state rep. Rich Grucela.

These machine pols don't get it.

Funny thing. They slam Stoffa's bipartisan approach to government, but that's exactly what President-elect Obama claims we need. He hints at Republican appointments to his cabinet. The question should always be who is the best person for the job, not the political affiliation.

People are tired of mindless partisans. That's why Charles Dertinger will lose when he runs at large next year. That's why Lamont McClure only won by 91 votes against an unknown and despite spending a gazillion dollars.

Can Barack Obama Make a Difference?

In the wake of Obama's election as President, people on Wednesday were asking, "Does it really matter?" "What can one man do?"

Autumn, 1776.

A disorganized but proud American Army, facing the largest British invasion force ever assembled, is ripped apart in battle after battle. The Battle of Long Island is a disaster. New York City falls in the Battle of Harlem Heights. Fort Washington is seized. American soldiers are chased across New Jersey, and a remnant only about a tenth its original size makes it across the Delaware.

Surrendering American soldiers are routinely slaughtered by the British Army's fearless mercenaries - Hessians. Those allowed to surrender are abused by both Hessians and English. New Jersey citizens quickly discover that an occupying army of English and German soldiers will steal, murder and rape. Bodies are mutilated.

In the face of these atrocities, how did General George Washington react? Did he seek vengeance? This brief excerpt from David Fischer's Washington's Crossing answers that question. It explains what sets America apart. It explains how one leader can make a difference.

Washington ordered that Hessian captives would be treated as human beings with the same rights of humanity for which Americans were striving. The Hessians expected a different fate, with good reason after Long Island and Fort Washington. They were amazed to be treated with decency and even kindness. At first they could not understand it. One of them, Johannes Reuber, thought his good treatment by the rebels must have been the work of Colonel Rall [a Hessian colonel killed in the Battle of Trenton]. "With his last breath," Reuber wrote, "he thought about the Grenadiers and asked General Washington to leave his men unharmed."

He learned otherwise when the Hessians were marched to Philadelphia and paraded through the city, where "the old women who were present screamed at us in a terrible manner and wanted to strangle us because we had come to America to steal their freedom." The American army protected the Hessians, and Reuber learned to his surprise that General Washington had issued a broadside declaring that Hessian soldiers "were innocent people in this war, and were not volunteers, but forced into this war." The general asked that the Hessians should be treated not as enemies but friends. Reuber wrote that "conditions improved for us. Old, young and poor, and all treated us in a friendly manner."

Some of the Hessian prisoners from Trenton were sent from Philadelphia to Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, and on to western Vir­ginia in 1777. They were escorted by a company of Pennsylvania militia. When they reached the Pennsylvania state line, all of the militia went home except the captain, who told the Hessians, "whose affections he had won by his humanity," that "they must march on without an escort, as he himself should hurry on to Winchester." When he met them three days later, every Hessian answered the roll call. Afterward, it was said that "the Hessians received many indul­gences." Of 13,988 Hessian soldiers who survived the war, 3,194 (23 percent) chose to remain in America. Others later emigrated to the New World with their families.

The same policy was extended to British prisoners after the battle of Princeton. Washington ordered one of his most trusted officers, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, to look after them: "You are to take charge of [211] privates of the British Army. . . . Treat them with humanity, and Let them have no reason to Complain of our Copying the brutal example of the British army in their Treatment of our unfortunate brethren. . . . Provide every­thing necessary for them on the road." There were exceptions on the American side. Loyalists and slaves who joined the British were sometimes treated cruelly by local officials. But Congress and the Continental army generally adopted Adams's "policy of humanity." Their moral choices in the War of Independence enlarged the mean­ing of the American Revolution.

The most remarkable fact about American soldiers and civilians in the New Jersey campaign is that they did all of these things at the same time. In a desperate struggle they found a way to defeat a formidable enemy, not merely once at Trenton but many times in twelve weeks of continued combat. They reversed the momentum of the war. They improvised a new way of war that grew into an American tradition. And they chose a policy of humanity that aligned the conduct of the war with the values of the Revolution.

They set a high example, and we have much to learn from them. Much recent historical writing has served us ill in that respect. In the late twentieth century, too many scholars tried to make the American past into a record of crime and folly. Too many writers have told us that we are captives of our darker selves and helpless victims of our history. It isn't so, and never was. The story of Wash­ington's Crossing tells us that Americans in an earlier generation were capable of acting in a higher spirit — and so are we.

Washington made a difference, setting an ideal for American military behavior that remained until we had a President who set a different example. I prefer the example set by Washington, and hope that is one that Obama sets himself.

Charlie Dent: "Mindless Partisanship" Must Stop

President-elect Barack Obama yesterday told Republicans, "I need your help." Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent has quickly pledged to do just that, stating it's time for "mindless partisanship" to end.

“Americans should take pride that we will soon inaugurate this nation’s first African-American president. The election of Sen. Obama reminds us how far this nation has come in our constant effort to live up to the high ideals expressed in our Declaration of Independence – that we believe ‘all men are created equal.’ ”

“Going forward, I am sure there will be areas where I will find common ground with the Obama Administration, and there will be areas where we will disagree as well. But the American people have had enough of the mindless partisanship they have come to associate with a broken Washington. I have always reached across the aisle on important issues and placed representing the needs and values of our District above partisan politics. I look forward to a respectful dialogue where we can pursue common-sense policies for the American people.”

President Obama: "I Need Your Help"

It's over.

The Obama ground game was a sight to behold, with record turnouts that approached 75%. As voters stood in line outside Forks Faith Lutheran Church, Team Obama served them turkey dinners. In Allentown, it was pizza.

But that's not why Obama won. As I drove through Easton in the late afternoon, I saw the real reason. A woman of color, around my age, was standing on a street corner proudly waving an Obama-Biden sign. She was actually singing to the cars as they went by. This was clearly an emotional event for her and many people like her.

My grandson, who is half black and half Vietnamese, was fascinated by Obama, too. I'm sure he identifies with him. When he recently turned 9, he actually took some of his birthday money to buy a biography instead of the usual video game. He's even reading it. Yesterday, he kept asking his apolitical mother whether she had voted. What's sad is that this little boy is also concerned that "the white people" might kill Barack. I'd like to tell him he's wrong, but bigotry is still very much alive. When a 9-year old boy stops wondering about those possibilities, only then can we finally say racism is dead.

As inspiring as Obama's victory is to so many, what really moved me was McCain's eloquent concession.

"Senator Obama .... has prevailed, and I pledge tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us in the challenges we face. ... Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. Please believe me when I say, no association has ever meant more to me than that."

Clearly touched by McCain, Obama had a simple message for those who voted against him. "I need your help."

Despite the local landslide for Obama, Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent prevailed with a commanding 58% lead with 86% of precincts reporting. His opponent, Sam Bennett, was very gracious in conceding her defeat.

The big disappointment, locally, was to see a slim lead in the AG race slip out of DA John Morganelli's hands. He took his loss in stride, noting that he still has an opportunity to serve the people of Northampton County. Corbett clings to a 49% lead with 82% of all precincts reporting. The remaining state row offices were easily captured by Democrats Jack Wagner (Auditor General) and Rob McCord (Treasurer).

The state representative races went as expected. Incumbents Joe Brennan (88%), Bob Freeman (73%) and Jennifer Mann (78%) scored easy victories.

As it ends, so it begins.

South Side Bethlehem Precinct at 75% Turnout at 7:15 PM

Early this evening, I visited the Litzenberger House, located in south Bethlehem at 4th & Webster. When I arrived, there were hundreds of students standing around outside, listening to guitar music. Four out of every five were wearing Obama T-shirts or pins. The line was so large that it was broken into five separate parts. Vans were stopping to drop more people off, mostly students.

When I walked inside to speak to polling officials, I was gratified to see that Voting Registrar Howie Erney was there. He told me this is Northampton County's hottest precinct, and that 2,500 of its 3,300 voters had already cast ballots. He had already brought in an extra machine, but told me "I've never seen anything like this in 28 years."

He had also called police to "cap the lines" at 8 PM.

When I looked towards the door, I could see one of Bethlehem's finest standing there. So I walked up to speak to him, and he told me that he has no authority to do that. Only a constable may do that.

While I was speaking to the officer, someone called out to me. Some Sierra Club dude was videotaping me, telling me I have no right to be in the polling place. Actually, he's wrong. The public has a right to speak to elections officials and determine how many people have voted. If that were not so, it would be much easier for elections officials to manipulate the turnout when the polls close.

Long Line For Forks Township Voters

This was the scene all day at Forks Township Faith Lutheran Church, where voters were required to wait 1 1/2 hours before casting their ballots.

Drudge: Exit Polls Show Obama at 15+ in Pa.

According to The Drudge Report, exit polls show the Obama lead at 15+ in Pa. There is no link to any story.

N Whitehall Tp (2) Turnout Around 44% at 2:30 PM

North Whitehall 2 (Schnecksville Fire Company) reports 1,028 ballots as of 2:30 PM. That is approximately a 44% turnout.