Campaign Finance Scofflaw Proposed For Elections Comm'n

Treisenr

Under Northampton County's Home Rule Charter, the Executive selects Elections Commission members from a pool of names submitted by party chairs. They are then confirmed by County Council. That's what happened at yesterday's Personnel Committee. Council reviewed  five names that Executive John Brown submitted for consideration, based upon what he received from the party chairs. Incredibly, one of the persons nominated, Democrat George Treisner, is the very man who just a few short months ago, attempted to deprive voters of their right to see who was funding one of the campaign. He stated that candidate had filed with the state, something the state itself denied. The last place he belongs is on a body dealing with our most fundamental right.

As most of my readers know, I like to review pre-election campaign finance reports. That's how we find out what special interests are backing  a candidate. But last November, I simply was unable to find one for Tom O'Donnell, one of the Democratic County Council candidates. 

I filed a written complaint, and received this response from the elections office:

In response to this matter I just spoke to Tom O’Donnell. I informed him that the Elections Office has received a complaint in writing in regards to him not following finance laws and spending over $250.00 Dollars on his campaign. He stated that his treasure George Treisner has filed all the appropriate paper work to the state. I then informed him that he is not a state candidate therefore it should not be filed with the state; he is a local candidate who must file on a local level. I also told him that he is going to have to file the finance reports to our office and also if he has a committee he must legally form that committee by filling out the Political Committee Registration Statement. He asked me to mail the papers to him and said that George Treisner is out of town and when he comes back, this will be taken care of.

Treisner, his treasurer, was also at that time the Elections Commission Chair. Out of town or not, I decided to track him down. When I got to him, Treisner also told me that he had filed O'Donnell's paperwork with the state.

I told Treisner I couldn't find it. In fact, there was no record he had even formed a committee. 

"Keep looking," Treisner told me, and hung up.

I did. I called the state, and asked them to look. There was no committee registered under O'Donnell's name. There was no online report. In fact, I was told that it would be impossible for O'Donnell to have filed online because he would need a state identification number, and they only would give that to him if he were a state candidate.

Treisner, Chairman of the Elections Commission, deprived voters of their right to see who was funding O'Donnell's campaign. It appears to me that he was being dishonest.

The next day, O'Donnell finally filed a report and paid a $100 fine for being late. Though he had campaign signs that say they were paid for by "Citizens to Elect Tom O'Donnell," he formed no committee and filed individually. Every single one of his campaign signs had the wrong disclaimer.

Since he filed individually, there was no campaign treasurer. That appears to be yet another lie.

O'Donnell was ultimately defeated at the polls. But the person who helped him evade campaign finance laws wants to be re-appointed to the Elections Commission. 

This is simply wrong. 

But both a party boss and the Executive have gone along with this utter nonsense.

"How on earth can you appoint someone to the Elections Commission who doesn't even know how to follow campaign finance laws?" I asked Council yesterday. "To me, that's ridiculous."

Joe Welsh, a prominent Easton Democrat, defended Treisner, claiming this little slip up in no way impugns his "great integrity." I think it does. 

I also think he's a sexist, having once referred to a Democratic Vice Chair as a "bitch." What's more, even if he has great integrity as Joe insists, a man who screws up campaign finance reports and actually confuses county and state offices, deserves no spot on an elections commission.

"If you don't know the election laws, maybe you shouldn't be on the committee," mused Personnel Chair Ken Kraft, who himself once chaired the Elections Commission and believes it improper for a commission member to be involved in partisan races.

Council actually listened to me and tabled Treisner's nomination so they could investigate my claims.

I left the meeting in shock.

Actually, I had to leave because my car had broken down and I was hitching a ride with my brother. But don't fret. I caught the rest of the meeting online.

Sletvold Nomination Withdrawn

In a memo to Northampton County Council Personnel Chair Ken Kraft, Executive John Brown has just withdrawn the nomination of Bob Sletvold as his Public Defender.

Brown states, "Unfortunately, it is apparent that Robert Sletvold's reputation, experience and commitment are insufficient to secure his confirmation ... ."

In other words, he does not have the votes.

This is what happens when you try to fit a square peg into a round hole. It doesn't matter how square that peg is, it is not going to fit.

You can read Brown's memo here. He completely misses the point. The objection to Sletvold has nothing to do with his reputation, experience or commitment. It has everything to do with the burden on the courts, as well as a threat to public safety that Brown simply ignores.

Bethlehem Snow Emergency Update

It is to end at 3:00p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2014.

Brown Fights For Mediocrity

Some people fight for civil rights. Others battle for the homeless. Some want to improve the economy. But in his early days as Northampton County Exec, John Brown's rallying cry is his support for the mediocre.

Maybe it's his name.

He's nominated Bob Sletvold for Public Defender; Diane Donaher for Community and Economic Development Director; and Allison Frantz as Director of Human Services. These three nominations are scheduled for review by Council's Personnel Committee today at 4 pm, with a possible vote by the full Council tomorrow.

Sletvold's nomination basically handcuffs his own wife, preventing her from doing much of the work expected of a judge. Frantz' nomination indicates that Brown took little time to check into the background of his applicants. She is simply unqualified. Donaher is qualified, barely. She will likely be confirmed unanimously, but is a mediocre choice.

Of the three nominations, Sletvold is headed to certain defeat. I believe it will likely be pulled.

One of my Republican friends likens Executive John Brown to the late Senator Roman Hruska, who gave this argument in support of the nomination of G. Harrold Carswell to the U.S. Supreme Court: "Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance? We can't have all Brandeises, Frankfurters and Cardozos."

Carswell was defeated. 

Urban Grown Regime Denies Homeless Problem

Allentown's Official City Bird

In typical King Edwin fashion, the urban growth regime known as Allentown has solved the City's homeless problem by denying it exists, so they don't have to do anything. Kinda' like the nonexistent crime problem.The City sticks its head in the sand so often, its mascot should be an ostrich.

""The idea is not just to get people out of the cold," states the memo prepared by Francis Dougherty. Actually, that's precisely the idea.It's what they call an emergency.

In addition to denial, the City likes to vilify critics. In his memo, Dougherty misrepresents homeless advocates like Diane Teti as a "competing interest group" with no rules or regulations.

Because of its dearth of rules, the City memo oozes scorn for a shelter at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, served by Rev. Richard Baumann. Blogger Michael Molovinsky provides this description:

"Baumann and St. Paul's have only reluctantly joined the homeless business. It's not a $3.5 million dollar enterprise like the Rescue Mission. It's not a CDBG $185,000 funded Commission which pays for the salary for a couple city employees. It's a man, a church floor and a shoestring budget. This is what the City refers to as a competing interest? Diane Teti once said that nobody owns the homeless, but apparently the City thinks that it does."

According to the City, the Allentown Rescue Mission has space available. That's because they won't take anyone who is unwilling to drink their religious kool-aid. Whether it's accepting Jesus or Allah, no human being should be deprived of shelter on the basis of religious conviction, or unwillingness to form one

According to Teti, the Rescue Mission only has a capacity of 40 (men only), while Safe Haven has had higher numbers. The City memo also fails to recognize that a different approach is necessary during emergencies, when temperatures dip below freezing.

"None of us is as smart as all of us," noted another Allentown activist, Rich Fegley. He envisions a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But that's not Allentown. It's an urban growth regime that exists for the likes of developers J.B Reilly and Joe Topper. If a few people freeze, that's a shame, but it's more state tax dollars for their office buildings instead of some poor person.

There's a Crook on Lower Nazareth's Planning Commission!

That's right. Everyone knows about it, and has for years. Nobody will do anything about it either, not even the papers. If you ask this Crook, she'll blatantly admit it, too.

Except she's mot that kind of crook. It's her name. Linda Crook. She's the Chair of the Lower Nazareth Planning Commission. She is one of five planning commissioners who said NO to zoning changes for another Lou Pektor special during a meeting on January 20.

Pektor is the front man for some outfit that wants to sink a 498-unit apartment complex between Country Club and Hecktown Roads. But planners recommended against changing zoning from the current office park to some kind of residential mix.

Planners raised the following concerns: traffic; impact on an already overcrowded elementary school; adverse impact on the nearby Louise Moore Park; and the need for additional police protection at a time when Township Supervisors are considering a divorce from a regional police department.

I was unable to attend because I was on Bethlehem Township that evening, but zoning opponent Bob Hoyer filled me in on the details.

Hoyer, a former Supervisor himself, is the owner of Buza's Greenhouse, located at the corner of Newburg and Country Club Road. He tells me that he, and about fifteen other opponents, were at the Planning Commission meeting. I know, because I tried stopping there briefly and was unable to find parking in the small municipal lot.

The Planning Commission recommendation is nonbinding. Supervisors are free to accept or reject it.

Given the relationship between Manager Timm Tenges and Pektor, as demonstrated in the above photo, my guess is he'll try his damned best to help out his fishin' buddy. I'm sure there's nothing at all wrong about a developer taking a Bethlehem Mayor and Bethlehem Township Manager on a fishin' trip to Maryland.

Or ... Maybe there really is a crook in Lower Nazareth.

Maybe Executive John Brown will hire Tenges next.

Bethlehem Declares Snow Emergency

From the Bethlehem Police Blog: Effective 7:00PM tonight (1/21/14) the City of Bethlehem is declaring a snow emergency. Snow emergency routes have restricted parking on one side of the street that alternates each day. All vehicles parking on snow emergency routes must obey the posted snow emergency signs for that street or their vehicle will be ticketed and the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense. City parking garages are available for free parking for the duration of the snow emergency. The snow emergency is expected to last until sometime tomorrow afternoon. We understand the inconvenience that the limited parking brings but in the interest of public safety, it is necessary to declare the snow emergency. Please move your vehicles off of the emergency routes if at all possible. If you have to park on a snow emergency route, please follow the signs be aware that at 7:00AM the alternate parking goes into effect and you must move your car to the other side of the street to avoid being ticketed and towed.

The more people that voluntarily comply, the fewer vehicles will need to be towed in the bone-chilling cold. Please share this information with friends and neighbors that might not follow social media. Together we can save citizens tow fees and tow operators from frostbite. Thank You.

Bill White: Sletvold Nomination A Bad Idea

Morning Call columnist Bill White has joined The Express Times and this blog in concluding that Bob Sletvold's nomination as Public Defender is a bad idea. I know what you're thinking. Since all three of us agree, we must be wrong. But even supporters if this goofy move are beginning to get exasperated.

Here's how Bill describes Peg Ferraro's supporting arguments:

County Council President Peg Ferraro, who told me Monday she's a yes vote, is decidedly unenthusiastic about it, both because of the court complications and because she feels fellow Republican Brown doesn't need a controversy this early in his administration.

She said, "Bob Sletvold is smart. He has personality. He can deal with situations. I can't say anything bad about Bob Sletvold. I just wish it had been any other department at all but the courts."

If this is the way Peg feels, then why the hell is she still supporting Sletvold? My party, right or wrong? Her reasoning is contrary to what she herself said when she was elected President. "Now the Republicans and Democrats must evaporate," were her words, just a few short days ago.

Birdfeeding Trouble in Bethlehem Township

Diane and Bill Ganssle cited for feeding birds

After hearing the birdfeeder saga of Bethlehem Township residents Diane and Bill Ganssle during their last two meetings, Commissioners have had enough. At their January 20 meeting, they agreed to review an ordinance that deprives most of the Township's 24,000 residents from the simple joy of maintaining a birdfeeder.

This story first began on December 10, when the Ganssles received a "Notice of Code Violation" concerning their birdfeeders, which have been visited by 75 different bird species over the past 25 years. The notice informed them that their feeders need to be in enclosed and shielded containers, and ones that would not allow seeds to fall to the ground. That might attract rodents. If they failed to remedy the matter within the next five days, they could be fined as much as $1,000 per day.

According to Diane Ganssle, "We have never seen a rat or even a mouse in our back yard as a result of the seeds that fall to the ground as most seed is eaten by ground feeding birds, squirrels and chipmunks."

Code Enforcement Officer Abraham Hoffner told the Ganssles that the Township is a "complaint driven" community, meaning he does not take it upon himself to look for birdfeeder violations. Though complaining parties are known to code enforcement, their identity is kept confidential.

The Gannsles took down their birdfeeders, and purchased a new one for $50 after sending a picture and getting a clearance from Hoffner.

"We hung our feeder in our crab apple tree and have once again enjoyed birds feasting on the seeds," said Diane. "We also enjoyed watching the squirrels in the catch basin, now able to reach the feeder more easily, ... as well as dumping anything in the catch basin onto the ground when leaving."

Unfortunately for the Ganssles, their complaining neighbor spotted the squirrel, too, and provided the Code Enforcement Officer with both photographs and video of the guilty squirrel, which happens to be a rodent, sitting in the catch basin.

Now the bottom of the feeder is 8' above the ground, and the Ganssles have to use a ladder to do the daily dumping.

"There is enough government control in this country," argued Diane Ganssle. "We don't need to have rules for birdfeeding in our township that will ultimately cause our birds and wildlife to suffer."

After hearing Ganssle, Township resident Bill Berry gave his opinion of the ordinance. "It's just silly," he observed.

"You're right, it is silly," agreed Commissioner Marty Zaworski, who noted that the Ganssle property is meticulously kept. "You've got a nosy neighbor with nothing better to do," he added.

Commissioner Mike Hudak told the Ganssles that he will visit their property himself, noting he lives only a quarter mile away.

"I think your complaint is quite valid," added President Tom Nolan. "I hope it is not against the law to be kind." He assured the Ganssles that Commissioners will review the ordinance.

My Allen Township Blogging Intern Is Fired

I won't mention this guy's name. He's pretty old, and is recently out of a job. So I dispatched him last night to cover the FedEx plant proposed in Allen Township, where he happens to live.

I got one report.

"Over 350 people here," I was told in a text message

And that was it.

Thanks a frickin' lot.

According to Express Times reporter Colin McEvoy, the number was 180.

Whether the number is 180 or 350, it's pretty difficult to stop a project if it is allowed by the zoning ordinance.

Comm'rs Consider Acoustic Wallpaper For Cavernous Meeting Room

Beth Tp meeting room probably largest in LV

Bethlehem Township's cavernous meeting room, probably the largest in the Lehigh Valley, is more akin to the nave of Notre Dame Cathedral than than a town hall. But over the past 16 years, it's had the same wallpaper, which is now peeling and attached to the wall with staples and duct tape in places. At their January 20 meeting, Commissioners approved a purchase order for new wallpaper from Sobrinski Painting, at a $6,450.00 price. But not until thoroughly reviewing Comm'r Marty Zawarski's request to consider acoustic wallpaper.

Noting that the acoustics in this large room leave a lot to be desired, Zawarski suggested that acoustic wallpaper might improve the ability of the public to actually hear what goes on. As luck would have it, several people in the audience were familiar with acoustic wallpaper. One of them suggested some kind of panel. Planning Chair Lee Snover, who is in the drywall business and was at the meeting, was asked what she thought.

"They look fine to me," she told Commissioners.

But not to the Commissioners. They went for the new wallpaper, along with seven other purchase orders from different vendors for other, unrelated, Township needs totaling over $238,000.

These items are listed on the agenda, and usually include the name of the vendor, the monetary amount, and where the money is being spent. Resident Bill Berry suggested that more detail should be provided for future purchase orders. Commissioner Michael Hudak told Berry that they receive all the details in advance of each meeting.

"You do, but we don't," retorted Berry. "We would like to see what those are for, that's all."

Commissioners agreed to consider ways in which to increase transparency, including the use of the Township web page.

In other business, Kings View resident June Ding, a member of the Block Watch, told Commissioners that her neighborhood is very concerned about the thefts and lack of outdoor lighting in her neighborhood. She also stated that trees planted between the sidewalks and street have overgrown and have uplifted sidewalks, and in some instances, the street macadam and curbs. She said sidewalks are so unsafe she is forced to walk her granddaughter on the street.

"Someone's really going to get hurt," she warned.

"I have to admit this is the first time I've had this issue," stated President Tom Nolan.

Resident Martin Comer told Commissioners that department heads should be present at all meetings. "That way nothing gets lost in the translation," he advised.

As the meeting drew to an end, Commissioners unanimously agreed to re-appoint Tim Brady to the Township's three-person Civil Service Commission, and will advertise for an alternate. They also appointed former Commissioner Paul Weiss to a vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Board.

"You're not getting away that easy," Commissioner Mike Hudak warned Weiss.

Bethlehem Tp Welcomes Melissa Shafer

Though it's not official until March, Bethlehem Township's newly appointed Manager was at a well-attended January 20 meeting, where she was able to meet many residents. Commissioners unanimously approved her employment contract, under which she will receive an annual salary of $100,000.

Shafer succeeds Howard Kutzler, who resigned late last year to become South Whitehall Township's Director of Administration.

Shafer, who has a Master's Degree in Public Administration, is currently Chalfont's Borough Manager and resided in Richland Township.

After her employment contract was approved, Shafer received a round of applause.

Angle Makes Another BM

He's stirred up a shitstorm in Lower and Upper Mount Bethel Townships over ... well ... shit. He's none other than Ron Angle, the indomitable Northampton County Bulldog. He just made another BM.

That's right, folks. Ron was on Tony Iannelli's Business Matters last night, talkin' shit. Nobody does it better, not even Richard Sherman. He and I rolled around in the gutters with Lehigh County Democratic activist Bar Johnston (no relation to Archibald) and political strategist Michael Fleck.

We dissected the November election, talked a little about the upcoming Governor's race, and I got a shot in about the Sletvold nomination. Angle tried to keep a straight face while defending it.

Nobody was killed, but Fleck did let the air out of Angle's tires.

And I stole a Tony Iannelli coffee mug.

Hanover Tp Declares Snow Emergency

Hanover Township - Northampton County announces a Snow Emergency effective at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014.

Snow Emergency Information: Hanover Township has found it necessary to declare a "Snow Emergency" due to the potential for a significant snow event Tuesday. Parking on all Township streets is prohibited and vehicles may be ticketed ($50 fine). (§172-29 of the Codified Ordinance reads: Whenever a snow emergency has been declared it shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be abandoned or parked, on any public highway/street.)

Again, the Township has declared a Snow Emergency as a result of an impending storm. Tickets can be issued once the (Snow Emergency) parking ban goes into effect and in some instances prior to the snow actually starting to fall.

Brown Eyes Mime For Director of Admin

In addition to nominating a voice over artist as Director of Economic Development, Northampton County Executive John Brown is reportedly close to inking a deal to fill out the rest of his cabinet.

Marcel Marceau II, son of the iconic mime, has just arrived from Paris, and is expected to start this week as Director of Administration. Brown hopes to use this artist for media relations as well, along with his reports to Council.

Zoolander hand model J.P. Prewett is also under serious consideration for Director of Public Works.

"All I need now are a few carnies, and we'll be good to go," noted the Executive, before leaving for his daily luncheon with the Lehigh Valley Partnership.

Brown's Human Services Pick Has Record of Mismanagement

Public activists Diane Teti, Ken Heffentrager and Rich Fegley forced Allentown City Council to pause a moment last week and consider what the hell they are doing. Are they an urban growth regime for NIZ developers like J.B. Reilly, or do they have some other, often forgotten purpose? Like helping those in need. They were forced to stare into the face of homelessness, which for too many of us, is just a missed paycheck away.

Mayor Edwin Pawlowski, who's running for Governor, was too busy courting donors to attend a meeting of his own governing body. But Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller was there. This is where county government can make a difference because so much of its money is for human services.

Muller could have told everyone that Lehigh County helps fund a program that found housing for 2,425 people last year. It's the Hispanic American Organization (HAO), which was founded by Lupe Pearce in 1976. In some instances, it even provides rent assistance. And it's not just for Hispanics.

But a few years ago, that worthwhile organization, which does much more than help people find homes, was nearly put out of business. The person responsible for this is Allison Frantz, a Lehigh County bureaucrat who failed to do her job.

Frantz is now Northampton County Executive John Brown's pick for Director of Human Services.

Technically, she's the HealthChoices Administrator. According to Lehigh County,

"The HealthChoices Program offers medically necessary mental health and drug and alcohol services to Medical Assistance eligible children and adults. Individuals are offered a choice of providers for needed mental health or drug and alcohol treatment services. The Lehigh County HealthChoices program is managed by the Departments' Office of Human Services, which also includes the Offices of Mental Health / Intellectual Disabilitites (formerly Mental Retardation) / and Drug and Alcohol. The HealthChoices program in Lehigh County is adminstered through a subcontract with Magellan Behavioral Health."

HAO is a recipient of money administered by HealthChoices for counseling, family therapy and even nutrition awareness. Frantz, as the Administrator of this program, was required to visit funding recipients on site and explain how the program works. She was also required to monitor compliance. She did neither.  As a result, when state auditors reviewed the procedures in place, they determined that HAO had improperly billed HealthChoices to the tune of somewhere between $600,000-800,000. HAO was required to repay every cent misapplied, and nearly went under as a result.

Had Frantz been doing her job, this would never have happened. But like any good bureaucrat, she was adept at pointing fingers when her own failures were noted.

About 57 percent of Northampton County's annual $335 million spending plan, which includes grant money received from the state and federal government, is devoted to human services. This includes money spent for Gracedale, senior centers, child protection, and disadvantaged people. Over 18,000 people use these services. So you'd think the person in charge would have an understanding of their needs, and would be responsible enough to ensure that the millions allocated is being spent properly.

Allison Frantz can do neither. She's already demonstrated a complete inability to explain or monitor spending under her own program. Her knowledge of the many other aspects of human services is also very questionable.

Many in the human services field have never even heard of her. One local professional who has over three decades of experience told me he does not know her. That raises a red flag with me.

Another professional tells me, "I do not know her well. Lehigh County has had a very stand offish approach it seems when dealing with Healthchoices and so when I had concerns about things, I did not get much back. Lehigh County refuses to allow people to observe their Human Services Block Grant Process, and ... do not believe that the planning process should be open for the public to see how they plan on the distribution of public funding. I don't hold many of them in high esteem for how they handle things, with Gilgoff [the former Director] being a real disappointment. It is not the place to look to for leadership."

That's exactly where John Brown is looking.

Frantz is one of eight department heads who work under the Director of Human Services. If she has excelled in that position, why hasn't Executive Tom Muller named her as his new Director? The position is open.

Instead she's coming to Northampton County to administer a massive department with which she is mostly unfamiliar, with a proven track record for being completely unable to ensure proper accountability.

"She would be a disaster", a third human services professional told me.

If Council does not reject this nomination outright, the matter should be tabled so that they can investigate the circumstances concerning HAO.

A Voice Over Artist as Economic Development Czar?

Northampton County Executive Director John Brown has nominated Diane Donaher the County's fist Economic Development Director since the days of Glenn Reibman. But just who is she?

Well, for one thing, she's a voice over artist.

Non-union, of course.

Creative Sound Studios describes her as "[m]iddle aged, a voice you can trust, [with] approachable narrations." In fact, in this little audio segment, Donaher shills for the "country wineries" and "working farms" of Bucks County.

Now she can shill for our country wineries and working farms. And for more money.

During the Executive race, Brown complained that the County focuses too much of its economic development energy on the cities. "We have to get away from Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, and focus on the rest of the community," he argued. So naturally, he hired a Bethlehem resident for the job. Not only that, but one who served for three years as Bethlehem's Deputy Director of Economic Development before she decided to become a radio star.

As it happens, that's the only economic development job she ever had.

Some say she left after only three years because she didn't care much for newly elected Mayor John Callahan.. That may be, but her job history is full of short stays:  United Way - 2 1/2 years; LV Business Education Partnership - two years; and Skills USA for just a year.

She recently formed 3D Non-Profit Resources, which apparently gives nonprofits advice on how to raise money.

She did spend one long stint before her job in Bethlehem - 15 years with SkillsUSA. That outfit seems to specialize in training kids for jobs, as opposed to actually educating them.

Incidentally, her husband Dean Donaher just happens to be Director of Student Services at the Bethlehem Area School District.

Very convenient.

You could make the case Donaher knows a lot about nonprofits, or fundraising, or even our educational system. You could claim she's a great voice over artist. But economic development? That's a tough sell.

Council will confirm her, probably unanimously. They'll defer to the Executive, even though there are loads of people out there who are more qualified, like Pete Reinke or Steve Melnick.

Reinke even plays golf! ... And speaks fluent Republican.

I am turned off by her listing of Georgetown as part of her educational background on her LinkedIn page. She was there a week, kinda' like Brown's $7,400 taxpayer-funded junket to Notre Dame. In both cases, this has nothing to do with education. It is resume-padding.

Why did Brown pick her?

Probably the statue of her patron saint, Elmer [all Republicans please bow your heads] Gates, sitting in her back yard, helped. It's no secret she's tight with this Lehigh Valley Partnership heavyweight. And it's no secret that Brown is a puppet for the unelected bluebloods.

Donaher should never have been nominated. LVEDC CEO Don Cunningham passed on her. But she'll get the job, and we will pay a ridiculous salary for a voice over artist.

In her defense, I'm told she has a bubbly personality, is very nice, is an accomplished public speaker, i.e. bullshitter, and will work very hard.

I believe she will ... For about two years.

Lou Hershman, Team Accountant

All teams have trainers, equipment managers and coaches. Some even have psychiatrists and psychics. But the Notre Dame 8th grade basketball team has something even better. Accountant Lou Hershman. His Mensan mind keeps a running tally of points and fouls in each game. And during a close game between Notre Dame and St. Jane's 8th grade teams this afternoon, it was Hershman who pointed out that St. Jane's had committed enough second half fouls to allow one and ones. Refs went back to the scorekeepers table, and it turned out Lou was right.

Dat, the player fouled, sunk two free throws.

Notre Dame ended with a three point lead.

A St. Jane's priest, sitting in the stands, was so upset after the game that he became a Lutheran.

Angry St. Jane's fans were looking for Lou, but he hid behind a crucifix.

Blogger's Note: The player who won the tip off for Notre Dame is Caden G.

Obamacare Resulting in Longer ER Lines

... That's according to The American College of Emergency Physicians. The nation earned a "D+". But in 2009, prior to Obamacare, the report card was a "C-".

Should Union Dues Be Automatically Deducted For Public Sector Workers?

Local State Reps Joe Emrick and Ryan MacKenzie are sponsoring proposed legislation that would prevent the automatic deductions of dues and political contributions from the paychecks of most public sector employees.

Unions decry the measure as an attempt to destroy the middle class, while supporters argue that taxpayers should not be forced to pay the administrative costs associated with deducting union dues and political contributions.

State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, another local legislator,  argues, "Let me be as clear as possible: I strongly oppose this bill. Collective bargaining means a strong middle class with better wages, more jobs and a stronger economy. This bill will lead to lower wages, fewer jobs and hurt the economy while wasting taxpayer money by triggering multiple legal challenges. It's no coincidence, in my mind, that attacks on collective bargaining have occurred at the same time as the decline of the middle class. I will do everything in my power to oppose this legislation."

Ben Long counters, "It's unethical that union dues are automatically taken out of someone's pay check just to fill some rich union cats wallet and provide funds for campaigns that they may or may not support. Lets not forget that in the case of teacher and public employee unions it's tax payer dollars to begin with!!! You're not supporting the middle class, your supporting powerful unions."