NorCo Dems Have Secret Meeting

Imagine you're a newcomer to politics and don't have a big warchest, but want your message out there. One way to do that is at a candidates' night, provided that the press or some bottom-feeding blogger is invited. But newcomers were deprived that opportunity last night. Easton Area Democrats met at Hotel Easton to hear from the crowded field of Democrats seeking a seat on council. But neither the press nor bottom-feeding bloggers were welcome.

Party apparatchiks fear that I might tell tall tales, and are even more terrified that one of us might actually tell the truth.

In any event, this sort of thing is good training for Sunshine law violations down the road.

About 50 people showed up. Ron Heckman and Jerry Seyfried were a big hit. They now have to buy sunglasses because all the women were swooning.

"It's not easy," Jerry complained afterwards in a secret telephone interview. "I'd like to know what it's like to be ugly for just one day."

"What's it like, Bernie?"

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan was in the audience, booing candidates, but was ejected by a referee.

Allentown Art Squawk This Sunday

Get the details here. 

Meet Kim Yedlosky, Easton City Council Candidate

Kim Yedlosky, a long-time resident of Easton’s West Ward and corrections officer at the Northampton County Jail, is running for Easton City Council. Yedlosky, a graduate of Northampton Community Collage, is married and has one son.

Kim Yedlosky claims City Council has ignored the West Ward neighborhoods in favor of downtown beautification projects.

She also wants to see a higher police presence throughout the city’s West Ward to ensure greater safety for Easton’s residents. She favors an aggressive approach to blighted properties and wants to encourage home ownership in the West Ward by reducing taxes and easing "burdensome" regulations.

“I look forward to serving my neighbors in the West Ward and working to make the whole city a safe and enjoyable place to live,"  she states.

She is a Republican.

Three Counties Consider Selling Nursing Homes

Gracedale Gazebo

Blair, Centre and Beaver Counties are all thinking about getting out of the nursing home business. Blair County is poised to sell this week, Centre County is spinning their home off as a not-for profit, and Beaver County has begun exploring options.

Dr. Stuart Shapiro, President of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, has stated that privatization has, in virtually all cases, improved the quality of care for residents. This is because private sector companies can afford to make capital improvements, unlike cash-strapped counties.

Northampton County's nursing home, Gracedale, post-referendum, is now rated by Medicare at just two stars, which is "below average" and lower than the "average" rating it had pre-referendum,. Inspections reveal that the facility has failed to ensure that doctor's orders are followed; has failed to notify doctors of adverse changes in residents' medical conditions; ad has failed to resolve some resident grievances. I will acknowledge that Gracedale staff really do care about the residents and will often volunteer their own time and money to make their lives more comfortable. I saw that myself last year during Family Fest.

In contrast to Gracedale, Lehigh County nursing home Cedarbrook has a rating of four stars, which is "above average."

Updated 9:40 AM:  A private buyer was selected in Blair County yesterday.

NorCo GOP Fires Monahan as Solicitor

Over the years, I've lambasted Dem party bosses in Northampton County, where some little clique always seems to be setting the rules for everyone else, and then changing them. Now it seems that the Northampton County GOP is following suit. This has been building up for some time, but let me fill you in on what I've learned in recent days.

Easton Attorney Brian Monahan has served as Solicitor to the Northampton County Republican Committee since 1988. He's worked with Chairpersons Jim Oaks, Mike Haas, Mark Hoffman, Charlie Roberts, Peg Ferraro, and Roy Shuman. He never charged for his services. He made state law in several ballot challenges. He has also been an elected Republican State Committee Member from Northampton County from 2004-2006 and 2010-present. On Friday, in a curt letter from party boss Bob Kerr, he was told his services are no longer required.

This is the latest gambit in what certainly appear to be some sort of personal quest to recreate the party in his own image.

Since taking over, he started off by alienating a core group of party workers who could also be counted on to help drive up GOP turnout. The worker bees. People like Dottie Niklos and Mary Baurket.

Then he began removing people from the Executive Committee unilaterally, in apparent violation of Committee by-laws.

He failed to disclose that he is a political consultant, which creates an inherent conflict of interest in many cases.

He invited County Council candidate Tricia Mezzacappa, who threatened to kill an elected official and has been identified in an Easton police report as a racist, to lead them all in prayer.

Now he dumps Monahan, who happens to practice law in the same building as judicial candidate Jennifer Sletvold and obviously supports her. That must bother Kerr, who is backing Tom Carroll for judge. It certainly bothers party treasurer Tony Simao, who apparently is Carroll's significant other.

Things have become so bad that monthly meetings have deteriorated into shouting matches and invitations to fist fights.

Under these circumstances, Northampton County Republicans are poised for total annihilation at the polls this November, at least in the County races.

I discovered what happened to Monahan from one of his clients. He declined comment.

No Challenge to Waldron's Petition

Express Times reporter Tom Shortell was camped in the Prothonotary's office today, awaiting ballot challenges. They had to be in by close of business. I had to leave early for a pedicure, but he hung in there, and is reporting that the only challenges filed were to Tony Bassil (Easton District Judge), Donna Louder (Lower Saucon Council) and Raymond Russin (Bethlehem Township Comm'n). Tim Prendergast (Easton District Judge) voluntarily removed his name from the GOP ballot. Tony Bassil is being challenged only on the GOP ballot.

The big surprise here is the lack of a challenge to Bethlehem City Council candidate Adam Waldron. He failed to file circulator affidavits with his petition, mistakenly thinking that his own affidavit as a candidate was good enough. He was a sitting duck. His opponents refused to take advantage of Waldron's oversight, though I am certain they would have prevailed. My guess is they think that voters, and not judges, should decide elections.

That's Bethlehem. Very classy.

Now excuse me while I hurl.

GOP Ballot Challenge to Bassil in DJ Race

Tony Bassil's nomination as a GOP candidate in the crowded Easton magisterial race has been challenged.

In papers filed by Allentown Attorney Bob Daday, on behalf of John Van Arman, it is asserted that the EastonCity Controller only garnered 93 legitimate signatures, instead of the 117 claimed. Van Armen was a circulator for Sharbel Koorie.

Rendell Stumping For Callahan, Not Reibman

In his campaign literature, Northampton County Exec candidate Glenn Reibman includes a forty or fifty year old picture of him with former two-term Governor Ed Rendell. He quotes Rendell as having said, "Glenn Reibman's vision and leadership in economic development is unmatched by anyone." Looks like Rendell has found a match. He's coming to the Lehigh Valley to stump for Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan.

That's what happens when you quote someone in your campaign literature without getting his approval first.

Rendell will campaign in Bethlehem Township in support of Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan’s bid for Northampton County Executive. The former Governor will headline a rally for Callahan on Tuesday, March 26 at 6PM at The Event Center at Blue (4431 Easton Ave, Bethlehem, Pa.  18020).

Everyone is welcome. Even the press. Even the pseudo press. Even bottom-feeding bloggers.

“As a former fellow Mayor, Ed Rendell understood the unique challenges that the city of Bethlehem faced," claims Callahan. "I always knew Bethlehem had a friend in Harrisburg when Ed Rendell was Governor and I’m honored to have his support.”

While Governor Rendell was in office, Mayor Callahan served for two years as the President of the Pennsylvania Municipal League and was appointed to the statewide Ben Franklin Technology Board, which created the first keystone innovation zone in south Bethlehem, helping to build a neighborhood with high tech jobs for the 21st century.

The Callahan Campaign is asking those who can afford it to for a $25 contribution at the door.

If you want to avoid seeing me, it will be $1,000.

Is Green Pond Development For the Birds?

Pennoni Engineering's Rocco Caracciolo

A proposed 314-home residential development, to be located at Green Pond Country Club, was greeted with concerns about stormwater management, road widths and the environment by both residents and Commissioners at their March 18 meeting. Developer J.G. Petrucci is nevertheless hopeful that the project will be built next year.

Petrucci Principal Greg Rogerson, along with Pennoni Engineering's Rocco Caracciolo, presented a sketch plan that requires no zoning changes. "Its a by right plan," noted Rogerson. But he cautioned Commissioners that they are unable to "solve the Church Road intersection," which currently empties out onto Easton Avenue at a steep angle.

Carraccioli did state that the development will reduce, though not eliminate, stormwater discharges from flood-prone Green Pond. "This is a challenged area for flooding," he stated. Petrucci has spent "hundreds of thousands" of dollars for a plan that will divert most stormwater onto the golf course. The impact of a two-year storm would be reduced by 30%, and a 100-year storm by 10%, claimed the engineer.

Farmersville Road resident Jack Glagola, insisted that the impervious surfaces from new development would just exacerbate the current flooding. "In no way is there any support for this development in its current configuration," he stated, adding that he had spoken to neighbors.

On behalf of both the Audubon and Sierra Club, Bethlehem resident Vicky Bastidas warned Commissioners and Caracciolo that the Green Pond is a migratory stopping ground for 161 bird species. "These are not ducks. These are marsh birds," Bastidas advised. According to Bastidas, those birds can handle only 2-3" of water, as opposed to the deep basin proposed in the sketch plan.

Commissioners were asked to table the proposal, but Tom Nolan told residents that no action is required for a sketch plan. "It's just an overview so we have an idea," he stated.

Commissioner Marty Zawarski was hung up on road widths instead of the 32-foot wide roads proposed, he'd like them to be 36-foot for more on-street parking. Caracciolo stated that could be done, but will increase the impervious coverage.

There's More to Life Than Glendon Boro Council

After taking a break, former Glendon Boro Council member Scott Pyatt decided to give it a go again. After all, if Mayor Panto, Jerry Seyfried and Ron Heckman can do it, why can't he? So he went out and got the required number of Democratic signatures and filed his nomination petition, only to learn that he's a Republican.

He forgot.

He seems to have other things on his mind.

Needless to say, he's off the ballot.

Hopefully, he'll wage a write-in campaign.

Asteak Wants to Make Louder Quieter

On behalf of Lower Saucon Township Council VP Tom Maxfield, Attorney Gary Asteak has petitioned to remove Donna Louder as a Council candidate. It appears that, like Raymond Russin in Bethlehem Township, Louder has failed to file the required "Statement of Financial Interests" at Township offices.

West Easton Post Un-Dees-irable to Dees

There's something in the water in West Easton. Just a few days after getting on the ballot, and as a Democrat, in the West Easton Borough Council race, Matt Dees has decided to withdraw. Why? "Because I won't allow myself to be a lump in a seat, who is expected to sit down and shut up, unless they want me to propose something, so it wouldn't appear as coming from them."

"I won't allow my ethics to be compromised by politics and the expectation that I'll be a lap dog," he claims. I would expect that to be a reason for running, not withdrawing.

Wild Woman Running For LC Comm'r

I couldn't resist with that headline. I hope she forgives me.

Susan Ellis Wild, a partner with the law firm Gross McGinley, has entered the race for Lehigh County Commissioner of District 2, which is comprised of South Whitehall Township, Upper Macungie Township, Lower Macungie Township, and Alburtis. Wild turned in petitions to the Board of Elections of Lehigh County last Tuesday.

That's Percy Dougherty's district, for those of you keeping score at home.  He's running, too, but faces a challenge from Scott Aquila.

“I’m running because the people of Lehigh County’s 2nd district deserve a Commissioner who will address the issues and problems they face on a daily basis, a Commissioner who will advocate and negotiate tirelessly on their behalf, so that we will continue to grow and prosper and address the challenges that come our way,” Ms. Wild said. “Advocacy and negotiation is what I’ve done for my clients for 30 years, and I am committed to bringing the same persistence and hard work to the Board of Commissioners.”

A long-time South Whitehall resident, Wild graduated with honors from George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC., in 1982, and has been a lawyer in the Lehigh Valley since 1988. She is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate, and was elected by her peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

She gets a cape and everything for that, but has to be a Super Lawyer for five years before she can fly.

She is a past president of the Bar Association of Lehigh County and a past president of Women Lawyers of the Lehigh Valley. For many years, she was active in parent-teacher organizations in the Parkland School District. She is also a member of the Board of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

“Given the challenges we face, from budgeting to smart growth to how best to tackle the water-sewer issue, it is clear that we cannot let unbridled ideology overtake common sense," said Wild. "We must work diligently to view, analyze and act on issues facing the county through the prism of what’s best for each and every one of our residents.”

Wild believes that to make a difference in the lives of its citizenry, county government must be efficiently managed and transparent in its actions. She is committed to putting her stellar management and negotiation skills to good use serving the residents of District 2.

She is a mother of two, Clay (20) and Addie (17), and has co-authored or edited several books on legal topics of interest to the lay public, including Webster's New World Law Dictionary (Wiley Publishing 2006), and U.S. Constitution for Dummies, (Wiley Publishing 2009).

I'll have to read that one.

Wild is a self-described “military brat” who lived in many places around the United States and overseas with her parents and sister while growing up. But, she stated, “Lehigh County is where my children were born and raised, and where I have established my professional and personal life. I have lived here longer than I have ever lived anywhere, and this will always be my home. I fully believe that we must continue to provide a good education for future generations, that we must support smart growth that minimizes sprawl and that we must invest smartly in our crumbling infrastructure. As Commissioner of District 2, I will be committed to making our community an even better place to live than it is now.”

We could use a few more wild women.

Prendergast Takes Himself Off GOP Ballot in DJ Race

Tim Prendergast has removed himself as a candidate for the Republican nomination in Easton's District judge race. He simply lacked the requisite signatures, and took himself off instead of forcing one of the other candidates to file a challenge.

Yesterday, Prendergast also challenged a driver's license suspension after getting caught behind the wheel with no insurance. Normally, that kind of news would evoke a yawn. But not when you want to be a judge.

NRA Coming to Emmaus

The National Rifle Association is sending a mystery speaker to Emmaus tonight to make a presentation on "gun rights". This event is sponsored by The Concerned East Penn Taxpayers Association and will be held at the Fire Company club at 6th and Broad Streets, Emmaus at 7:30 pm.

Bloomberg's "Mayor's Against Illegal Guns", The Brady Campaign, and Cease Fire PA were all invited to present the opposite point of view. but, according to CEPTA, all refused. They were probably afraid someone might shoot their eye out.

Emmaus Mayor Winfield Iobst (a member of Bloomberg's group) has also declined to attend, according to Concerned Citizens.

Julian Stolz, who wants to turn Winnie into a losie, really wants me to come. But after my last post about him, in which I depicted him in his prom gown, I'm afraid I'd be singled out and sexually molested.

I watched Deliverance, Julian.

Abe Atiyeh Honors Word, Adds Disclaimer

When I complained to real estate mogul Abe Atiyeh about the lack of a disclaimer on his Lamont McClure Billboard, he promised me on Sunday that he'd add one. Today, despite pressure from Lamont McClure to keep us all in the dark about who is funding his campaign, Abe honored his word and added a disclaimer at the bottom of his McClure billboard. I respect his desire to do the right thing, and his willingness to err on the side of transparency. Too bad the candidate he supports would prefer you never knew.

McClure Billboard Angers Residents ... and Violates Election Law

Northampton County Executive candidate Lamont McClure is proud of what he calls "our" digitalized billboard along Route 22, advertising his campaign. His campaign webpage brags, "We hope to have this billboard up through the primary election." That's bad news for Palmer Township residents, who complained to Supervisors last week. One of them called the shining light "a form of torture." Lamont McClure is giving them sleepless nights. There's another problem with this billboard, too. It violates election law.

Under our Election Code, there must be disclaimers on all political advertising, from signs to mailers. Former political consultant Tom Severson found that out the hard way. McClure's sign lacks a disclaimer.

But I can tell you who is paying for it, and it's not Lamont McClure. Contrary to what he claims on his web page, it is not "our" billboard.

It belongs to Abe Atiyeh, and he told me yesterday that he's paying for it. He also promised to add a disclaimer.

When John Stoffa ran for Executive four years ago, Atiyeh put out giant signs and a billboard. But the difference between Stoffa and McClure is that Stoffa did not know what Abe was doing and did not call it "our" product.

Atiyeh gave McClure $5,000 last year, after McClure did an about face on his opposition to work release centers and even a child advocacy center, and voted for a residential treatment facility in West Easton that just happens to be owned by ... Abe Atiyeh.

Spengler: DA Circumventing Council's Authority

Dan Spengler after Stoffa's appointment

The Empire has stuck back. In a detailed pleading called an "Answer and New Matter", Northampton County Solicitor Dan Spengler has rejected DA John Morganelli's contention that he has the power to promote and set salaries in his own office, so long as there's money for it in his budget. Instead, Spengler maintains that Morganelli is actually circumventing the independent power of County Council to set salaries and create new positions. Morganelli is bound by the Home Rule Charter, says Spengler, which creates a system for raises to ensure professionalism.

Spengler also denies that Council Solicitor Phil Lauer (Northampton County has both a County and Council Solicitor representing two branches of government) stipulated that Morganelli is correct. He adds that neither Stoffa not Human Resources could implement the DA's payroll requests without violating the Budget Ordinance as well as the Home Rule Charter.

Council Solicitor Phil Lauer is staying out of this so far.

It is unclear when this lovers' quarrel will be resolved by the Court of First Guess. But since Morganelli is seeking a mandamus and a peremptory judgment, I suspect the men (and women) in black will be hearing it soon.

Stoffa Answer to Morganelli Mandamus

Waldron Laments Honest Mistake

On Friday, I told you that Bethlehem City Council candidate Adam Waldron's nomination petitions are defective. Though he had twice as many signature than he needed, he failed to attach a circulator's affiidavit to them, in which someone acknowledges under oath that he saw the petition being signed. Apparently, that person is Waldron. Here's his response to the problem:

"I personally circulated and collected nearly 200 signatures, which took me many hours of knocking on doors and talking to Bethlehem residents. I was proud to do this as part of the democratic process. I submitted the petitions notarized and signed as a candidate - as it was explained to me by a Northampton County election office employee. Unfortunately, I did overlook the circulator's affidavit's signature. Since I did collect all the signatures personally, I incorrectly assumed I did not have to sign that area. I submitted the pettions a day early on Monday the 11th, with the idea that any errors could be corrected to the Northampton County Elections Office and no issue was raised.

"At this time, I have not received notice of any challenge. I have been in contact with an attorney who would represent me if a challenge is filled. I hope any of the other candidates and members of the Democratic party recognize that my honest mistake was just a clerical error, and not a purposeful oversight. If a challenge is filled I will represent my case in court with legal aid. I will stand behind my petition and fight for the opportunity to campaign in the upcoming months. It is my view that Bethlehem needs its government and City Council working for them, not against each other. I am confident that on May 21st my name will be on the primary ballot and the voters will have an opportunity to select the candidates they think will work for Bethlehem."

Mat Benol Seeking Seat on NorCo Council

"Who's that filthy animal?
"That's my dog, sir!"
"I was speaking to the dog."

After filing 647 signatures for the required 250 required, Palmer Township resident Mathew Benol has announced his candidacy as a Republican Candidate for 1 of the 5 Northampton County Council – At Large seats.

Though a member and former Chairman of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party, Benol is bipartisan, and stood up for me when the tea party tried, unsuccessfully, to excommunicate me a few years ago. Up until I received notice that I was being removed, I had no idea I was even a member. Benol also got in a lot of hot water with extremists for that, and even more when he decided to endorse Charlie Dent for Congress after running against him.

“My first act in office will be to restore accountability in County Government and County Management," he said in a statement. "Taxpayers are suffering for the mismanagement of County property and their tax dollars, and it has to stop now so our children and grandchildren do not inherit the poisoned fruit of our mistakes.”

Benol decided to run while attending meetings for Gracedale, the Proposed Bi-County Health Agency and the need for leasing a Human Services building due to the unattended maintenance of 2 County owned buildings. Mat is also concerned over the future plans for the Northampton County Jail. “With approximately a third of our county budget being funded by taxpayers of the county, what is going to happen when the state funding is decreased? We need to plan for the future of Northampton County, its residents as well as its dedicated employees."

Benol is a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, spending the last 10 years in Palmer Township. His wife, Jamie, is a Wind Gap native. The couple has 2 children who attend the Easton Area School District. Mat Benol is a Production / Account Manager for a major packaging company.

Mat considers himself a Constitutionalist and believes our Government works to serve its citizens and needs to be accountable to those citizens. If elected, Mat “will fight for County Government accountability and fiscal restraint”. He pledges to maintain a focus on the issues, not partisan politics.

It's going to be a tough year for Republicans, even those who call themselves Constitutionalists.

Mat is one of the rare candidates who actually attends meetings from time to time.