Who Are Your Election Picks?

Since January, I have done my best to provide some information that might help you decide how to vote on Tuesday. Now it's your turn to make pitches for your favorite candidates or against their opponents. Want to promote Vic Scomillio, Olga Negron, Bob Birk or Amanda Kurecian? From judge to constable, have at it. On Monday, I'll give you my picks.

West Easton Borough Council Candidate Arraigned on Fraud Charges

West Easton Borough Council candidate Tricia Mezzacappa was arraigned yesterday afternoon on charges of defrauding secured creditors, as a result of her decision to hide her car after it was levied upon by the Sheriff's Office in December. That levy was made in connection with a $71,600 judgment I have against her for defamation. Mezzacappa has stated she would rather go to jail than turn over the car. She just might get her wish.

After a preliminary hearing in March, Magisterial District Judge Richard Yetter ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold the matter for court. Deputy Sheriff SGT Michael Orchulli testified that Mezzacappa approached him as he was making the levy. She asked him to release the car to her, and agreed she would meet the Deputy at the courthouse to pick up the paperwork. He did so, but Mezzacappa broke her word and never appeared. She instead hid the car, and failed to produce it at a Sheriff's Sale.

Her trial is currently scheduled for July 6.

In addition to this criminal prosecution, Mezzacappa's mother has been sued in federal court for her participation in fraudulent conveyances of Mezzacappa's real estate and assistance in hiding her car. Mezzacappa is also an Additional Defendant, along with Jim Gregory, in litigation against a radio station that incredibly permitted  and participated with the two of them when they conducted a series of defamatory broadcasts in 2013 that only ended with Gregory's arrest.

Naturally, Mezzacappa has filed two frivolous countersuits against yours truly. But in one of them, she actually admits she's a liar. She posts an apology, if you can call it that, made while my original suit was pending. I was unable to publicly discuss this admission before, but since she attached it as an Exhibit to one of her lawsuits and makes it an issue, I'll tell you what she says:

"I am a human being and reacted to Mr. O'Hare without thinking clearly. Perhaps I overstepped my bounds. I apologize to him for the comments I made. ... I went too far. ... Therefore, he has my most heartfelt apology."

She essentially admits the defamation, but has since claimed that was a lie.

She has still failed to turn over the car or sign over the deed to her home.

Justice Corry Stevens 10-Point Plan to Improve Judicial System

Justice Correale Stevens has always been one to swim against the tide. During his days on the Superior Court, he and fellow Judge Jack Panella began reaching out to the public with court sessions conducted at local colleges. Both are great believers in transparency.

When Justice Stevens was elevated to the state's highest court, Chief Justice Ron Castille lauded him:

"He brings a wealth of experience from the executive and legislative branches and from his recent service as president judge of Pennsylvania’s Superior Court. The transition to the Supreme Court will be difficult because it is a different court than the one he has been serving and the learning curve will be long and steep. But I know Judge Stevens will approach his new assignment with the same commitment and determination that he has brought to all of his professional challenges."

Against his own party's wishes, Justice Stevens believes he deserves election to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. So do I. Below is his 10-point plan to improve our judicial system:

1. Direct for appropriate oversight, accountability and periodic review of all Court-appointed boards, committees and speciality courts without interfering with their ability to perform their duties in an autonomous, independent manner.
2. Direct the Appellate Rules Committee to obtain public input and draft a Rule permitting members of the media to use electronic devices, such as laptops, to email and text from the courtroom during trials and to open the courts to televising proceedings, all of which will promote openness.
3. Direct that all appellate courts hold occasional argument sessions in schools, on college and law school campuses as well as in counties across the state and to allow television coverage of those sessions, which will give members of the public an opportunity to see their courts in action.
4. Direct that the judiciary promote and work to improve equal access to justice.
5. Direct that all members of the judiciary have ethics training.
6. Direct that all appellate court judges regularly provide continuing legal education programs to lawyers and work closely with the Pennsylvania Bar Association and local bar associations.
7. Direct that all appellate court memos, as well as opinions, be posted online for public access.
8. Direct regular court education programs with participation by judges for child advocate organizations, victims rights groups, crime watch and other community groups.
9. Direct the judiciary promote and maintain appropriate, professional contact with the Legislative and the Executive branches of government while maintaining its judicial independence.
10. Direct and promote continued positive relationships between the Supreme Court and the county courts and magisterial district judges.

Stevens believes that all areas of the court system, whether it be conduct of judges, administrative matters, reporting of cases, using technology, courtroom demeanor, and the administration of justice in Pennsylvania must continually be open to review, discussion, input and change.

Whitehall Board Chair Simulates Cutting Hozza's Throat (UPDATE)

This violates the Flag Code

Embarrassed that Whitehall Mayor Ed Hozza would dare allow the local Syrian community to celebrate their Independence Day after he had already said No, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski decided to get even. If he really gave a shit about them, he might try to eliminate the increasingly serious problem of veteran homelessness in Allentown instead of forming yet another "task force"that will do nothing. But veterans have their uses, something that Lucius Cornelius Sulla and Gaius Julius Caesar proved when they marched on Rome. Pawlowski, through his paid consultants, rounded up a bunch of veterans and had them march into Whitehall Township's Municipal Building for a meeting that was, by all accounts, ugly. This is because Board President Linda Snyder, a supporter of Hozza's primary opponent, played her part well. Not only did she ignore the occupancy limit set by the fire department, but she actually encouraged physical violence, according to a detailed report at WFMZ-TV69.

Hozza's big offense, from everything I'm able to gather, is that he took down the POW-MIA flag - the same flag he takes home to wash - at the one-flagpole municipal complex so that Syrian Americans could honor their own country. By all accounts, it was down no more than an hour as the Syrian flag was hoisted underneath the Stars and Stripes. This might be a violation of the Flag Code, but the Supreme Court has ruled that no punitive measures may be taken for violations.

The First Amendment happens to be a little more important.

Angry veterans poured in on Monday night, and Hozza's claim that he meant no offense were of no consequence.

As unpleasant as all this sounds, none of the veterans threatened violence. That came from Board President Linda Snyder.

According to reporter Randy Kraft's account, "At one point, as people were yelling at Hozza, Snyder ran her finger across her throat, simulating someone’s throat being cut."

I called around today, and several people who were at that meeting witnessed this astonishingly crude behavior by one elected official towards another.

Mayor Hozza may have made a mistake in lowering the POW-MIA flag, but that pales in comparison  to the suggestion that his throat be slit. There were three police officers at that meeting. if any one of them saw it, Snyder should be charged with harassment.

Updated 3:37 pm: Snyder gives Express Times hollow throat-slitting explanation. - The Express Times now has a story about the ugly meeting in Whitehall Township on Monday night. In her initial story, reporter Precious Petty made no mention of a throat-slitting hand gesture, likely because she never witnessed it.  But she did note that "Snyder was just as worked up as some of the veterans on hand and did some shouting and interrupting of her own."

Snyder denies making a throat-slitting gesture. "Something like that would never enter my mind," she told Petty. "I know better than that. I've been around too many years."

She is claiming now that she was attempting top cut people off, but as Petty notes in her original report, Snyder was actually whipping up people herself, while simultaneously shouting down those who disagreed with her.

Her explanation rings hollow.

The Express Times has uploaded some of the photos taken of the throat-slitting gesture. I have those as well, and at least one person has video of the incident.

NorCo Judge Mailer Count

Which of Northampton County's three judicial candidates have sent the most mail? Here's my count so far.

Abe Kassis - 7 (I got 2 today)

Vic Scomillio - 3

Sam Murray - 3

Kassis is clearly running hard, and was at Monday night's Magisterial District Judge debate in Hellertown, meeting voters. I put a Sam Murray bumper sticker on his car when I left.

Zawarski Reaches Out to Bethlehem Township Democrats

Marty Zawarski is running for re-election to Bethlehem Township's Board of Commissioners. He is seeking the at-large seat, but is facing opposition from former Commissioners Bob Birk and Paul Weiss. If he makes it out of that gauntlet alive, he may very well be facing yet another opponent. Green Pond Marsh advocate Jack Glogola is waging a write-in campaign as a Democrat. What's a Republican to do? In Zawarski's case, it's reaching out to Democrats. He has sent this letter, asking them to write him in.

Zawarski Letter to Democrats

I must say I'm very impressed by the handwritten style. More importantly, he reveals his philosophy ("I am a Republican, not a Tea Party Member) and his specific position on several projects that have come up within the past four years.

• He voted NO to the development of land next to Housenick Park, which has since been preserved. 
• He was the sole NO vote to a 48-unit apartment complex next to Farmersville Elementary School.
• He successfully opposed the near elimination of nearly $1.2 million in recreation fees to be generated at Madison Farms, a major development on Freemansburg Avenue. 

Jack Glagola

His "let the courts decide" position on the Traditions of America development being proposed at Green Pond Marsh, however, troubles Malissa Davis, an astute Township resident. I spoke to Zawarski, who reiterated that, whether the plan is ultimately approved or rejected, it will end up in the courts. He added he supported the deferrals granted to Traditions because they allow for a larger  conservation area.

Democrat Jack Glagola strongly disputes Zawarski's assertions, and questions why a Democrat would support a Republican developer. He also makes clear that he's no single-issue candidate. He is also concerned about "smart growth, transparency on the current Board, traffic, congestion, lost of quality of life, parks and natural resources." He told me last nightthat people "moved to Bethlehem Township for those reasons and now see those resources being squandered away by commissioners with ties to developers."

It's likely that this conversation between Glagola and Zawarski will continue after the primary. It's increasingly likely that Zawarski will win the Republican nomination. He has worked harder. But I doubt he can convince Democrats to write him in when one of their own is engaged and passionate about his beliefs.

In other Township races, incumbent Tom Nolan is facing two Republican challengers in Ward 1 - Art Murphy and Wayne Buller. He appears to be safe. Incumbent Phil Barnard is being challenged by Fran Blatz on the Republican side and Democrat Kim Jenkins.

RIP For Amtrak Dead

Seven people lost their lives in Philly on Tuesday when an Amtrak Train traveling at 106 mph derailed. While the cause of this tragedy is still under investigation, I thought it would be appropriate to pause a moment and remember those whose were killed.

Pawlowski's Whitehall Takeover

Ed Hozza, Jr.

Yesterday, Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky slammed Mayor Edwin Pawlowski over his attempts to subvert democracy in Allentown, with campaigns funded by Harrisburg PACs whose reports are usually unavailable until after the election, when it no longer matters.Actually, the attempt has already succeeded. Allentown is no longer a democracy, but an urban growth regime in which politicians and select businessmen co-opt each other while The Morning Call waves pom poms and tells us all is well. King Edwin hopes to extend his empire to Whitehall, but someone is standing in his way. Whitehall Mayor Ed Hozza, Jr.

Hozza, a fellow Democrat, has been a good Mayor who actually has reduced Whitehall's debt from an all-time high of approximately $8 million when he first assumed office. In five years, the Township will be debt free. His tight grip on manpower has also resulted in $2 million in savings every year.

But Hozza sinned. Whitehall Township and Hozza opposed Allentown's NIZ, especially when it was drawn up so that J.B. Reilly could legally steal the EIT of Whitehall residents who work there. He can only steal their businesses.  Whitehall also had a problem with Allentown's water and sewer lease, wondering why their ratepayers should have to help Allentown dig itself out of its own pension hole. But what really pissed King Edwin off is that Whitehall dared oppose Pawlowski plans for a digital billboard at Jordan Park, which straddles Whitehall.

So just as he unleashed J.B. Reilly and others on Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan's quest to become NorCo Executive and basically ruined good government here for the next three years, he's trying to destroy Whitehall. He's backing Jerry Palagonia, a former cop known mostly for multiple suspensions as well a criminal prosecution for obstruction, against Hozza.

When The Morning Call asked Pawlowski whether he was planning a takeover in Whitehall, he denied it. "I think it's absolutely ridiculous," he told a reporter, "We're focused on the city of Allentown. The last thing we need to do is think about Whitehall."

The pre-primary reports are in, and pretty much prove that Pawloski is full of shit.

Be vewy, vewy quiet.

I'm Hozza huntin.'

He's also using the newspapers and unsuspecting veterans to smear Hozza.

Palagonia's pre-primary shows that he's raised $20.460 in his bid to become Whitehall's next Mayor. This includes the following contributions:

• $4,000 from Pawlwoski's warchest.
• $1,500 from Pawlowski controlled unions.
• $500 from Pawlowski puppet Joe Davis.
• $6,000 from billboard magnate Abe Atiyeh.
• $2,000 from electrician Manhill Makhoul.
• $1,000 from municipal consultant Jim Hickey.
• $1,000 from contractor Sean Boyle.
• $1000 from J.B. Reilly's ""Citizens for Urban Renewal."

It's no secret that Whitehall is going to have to replace its antiquated police department soon. Some of the buzzards in the urban growth regime circling above want a piece of that pie. For Atiyeh, it's payback over the billboard. For Pawlowski, it's about control. He thinks he can command who leads Whitehall, and that the voters there are stupid enough to do as he says.

In stark contrast to Palagonia, Hozza's pre-primary indicates that most of the $16,485 he raised comes from small, $100 contributions, from people who actually live in Whitehall. The larger contributions come from himself, family and a friend.

Pawlowski's campaign manager, Mike Fleck, has a political consulting business called H Street Strategies. H Street has been paid $18,100 by Palagonia's campaign. H Street also hired former Morning Call reporter Daryl Nerl.

Soon after Nerl was hired, uncomplimentary stories about Hozza began appearing in The Morning Call. Nerl has been spinning them. I know this because he tried to spin me over asbestos-gate, a goofy story about Hozza sanding a floor inside some bomb shelter and accidentally setting off an alarm. I was offered copies of a police report, which should have been confidential, as well as a statement from none other than Palagonia.

Admittedly, as a bottom-feeding blogger, I have low standards. But I stop short of shilling for the urban growth regime.

I prefer democracy, as shitty as it is, over some oligarchy including King Edwin and rich bastards whose primary interest is their own wallet.

Hellertown-Lower Saucon DJ Candidates' Night

(From L to R: Magisterial District Judge David Tidd, Dave Repyneck and Att'y Amanda Kurecian)

Hellertown Public Library was the venue last night for a debate among three candidates seeking the Magisterial District Judge in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.Nearly 50 people attended the one and only time that all three will appear together before Election Day on May 19. The event was hosted by Northampton County's League of Women Voters. After five years on the job, Judge Tidd easily demonstrated that he is the most knowledgeable. Attorney Amanda Kurecian, who is absolutely beautiful when she smiles, was also very impressive. Repyneck was what I expected and ended the event with the cheap shot that he would restore integrity and honor to the office, something he claimed without explanation to be "severely lacking" now.

Repyneck, who initially said No to the debate, decided on Friday that he needed to be there. He packed the house with as many of his supporters as he could find. People like Lanita Lum insisted on carrying on conversations with other audience members while Beverly Hernandez and Joan Dean from the LWV attempted to explain the format.

When Hernandez complained about questions that were addressed to just one and not all candidate, Repyneck's rowdies began loudly complaining. "This is what to expect from the League of Women Voters," complained either Lum or the woman aside her, who sarcastically told me after it was all over that she could not wait to blog about it.

Nasty people.

During the evening, Repyneck incorrectly claimed that he can charge for weddings, although he claimed he would give his fee to charity. Tidd corrected that inaccuracy. Repyneck also claimed inaccurately that attorneys who become district judges still have to go through part of the certification course that will be required of Repyneck if he wins. That is also untrue, Tidd observed, although there is a requirement of continuing education.

When it was pointed out that the certification course for a magisterial district judge is quite difficult, Repyneck boasted has has gone through more stress than either of his opponents.

"I would invite Mr. Repyneck to take the bar exam," retorted Tidd.

Kurecian observed that Repyneck, if elected, could only be tested twice. If he failed a second time, there would have to be a special election. .

When asked about what kind of service organizations they participate in, Kurecian stated she is involved in a dog rescue group, helps coach volleyball and does pro bono work as an attorney. Tidd stated he is involved in the Saucon Valley Community Center, the relay for life and provides between $25,000 and $35,000 in free bankruptcy services every year. Repyneck belongs to the Sportsman's Association and is a merit m=badge instructor.

Repyneck at one point stated he is a big defender of the second amendment and a well-regulated militia. I'm not sure what his point was, but there it is.

He repeatedly referred to himself as Diane Repyneck's cousin. She is a former magisterial District Judge. She did not attend, and has remained neutral in this race.  

When asked about making unpopular decisions, Repyneck pointed to an instance in the military when he dropped the dime on fellow officers who claimed falsely that they had taken their fitness tests. The officers were reprimanded, claimed Repyneck. Kurecian stated that her pro-life support sometimes makes her unpopular. Tidd stated he makes unpopular decisions in his court room every day. Somebody loses.

Candidates were also asked for suggestions on improving the magisterial district judge system. Tidd stated the biggest problem is the lack of security for members of the public and his won staff. He 'd also like the County to start making credit card payments possible, and would like the state to agree with expanded hours.

Kurecian would like to see night courts, problem solving courts and more pro bono lawyers.

Repyneck agreed with his opponents and added the position should be full-time. That position is also supported by Kurecian, but not Tidd, who maintains a private practice in Hellertown. But he stressed that his first obligation is to clear the court's calendar for the day, whether that takes one hour or eight hours.

Special Interests Drive Bethlehem City Council Race

Seven candidates are vying for four seats on Bethlehem City Council this year. Incumbents Willie Reynolds and Mike Recchiuti are seeking re-election. But no matter how you slice it, there will be at least two new Council members. In addition to the incumbents, Shawn Martell and Michael Colon are seeking one of the three seats for a four-year term. Another three candidates - Jeff Kocsis, Matt McKernan and Olga Negron - seek the two-year seat created by Karen (K. Dierdre) Dolan's resignation.

Who is funding these races? Candidates have been feeding on a heavy diet of developers and attorneys whose interest in good government extends to what is good for their own agendas.

Four-Year Seats

Willie Reynolds. - He started off with $21,407.26 and effortlessly raised $33,650. Everybody who wants something, from J.G. Petruccit to Sean Boyle to Dick Benner to Lew Ronca, stood in line with their checkbooks. Willie spent $21,000, leaving him with $33,762.54 for the last days of his campaign. He's going to win,. and I'd hope he'd give some of that money to where it is really needed, like at food banks.

Mike Recchiuti. - He's like Willie Reynolds lite. He started with less money and raised money, but it mostly comes from the same pool of special interests. Recchiuti started with $8,000, raised $17,000, spent $14,000 and is left with $10,732.

Shawn Martell. - They say that incumbents have an advantage when it comes to raising money, but Martell drew money from the same pool that gave to them. Developer Norton Herrick ($1,500), Dennis Benner ($1,000), Lew Ronca ($500) Duane and Karin Wagner ($500), Dino Montes ($500) and John Tallarico ($600) are just some of the names on Martel's pre-primary report. Tallarico also provided over $700 for a fundraiser. Altogether, Martell raised $14,883.85 and spent $4,033.61, leaving him with nearly $11,000 for the final days of his campaign.

Micahel Colon. - Unlike the three candidates above, Colon lacks the ties to people who have an agenda of their own. Most of the $5,390 he raised came from his family's pocket. He also had $6,100 in true debt to Bethlehem Business Forms and to the Steelworkers for a hall rental. He has kept most of his money, leaving him with $5,150.70 to spend against people who are more entrenched and whose blood is bluer.

Two-Year Seat

Olga Negron. - She's infected by Team Pawloski. The Allentown Mayor intent on sucking Bethlehem business dry gave her $250. Amazingly, she took it, and also took $200 from Ismael Arcelay, who withdrew from last year's NorCo Council races after being exposed for embellishing himself. She raised $6,770 and spent $3,542, leaving her with $3,228 with a week to go.

Jeff Kocsis. - Jeff raised $5,220 and spent $2,034, leaving him with $3,185.00 for the last week. No developers or attorneys have been banging on his doors, except for small contributions from John Morganelli and Tom Barker.

Matt McKernan. - This south Bethlehem business owner has raised $5,309, most of which comes from family and friends. He has spent $4,152,00. No special interests are beating down his door, either.

Who is Contributing to Bethlehem Mini-Judge Candidates

Roy Manwaring is running for re-election to his seat as a Magisterial District Judge in Bethlehem. He's being opposed by Bethlehem Attorney Paul Bender.

According to pre-primary reports filed by both candidates, Bender is outspending Manwaring. Bender has raised $8,525 to Manwaring's $1,858.40. Most of Bender's money comes from his own family, although developer Dennis Benner has kicked in $1,000. He spent $1,600 of his treasure on a bash at the Bayou. Manwaring is totally self-funded. His money has gone to purchase yard signs, pens and fund a mailer.

Bradley Demonstrates Transparency With Detailed Pre-Primary Report

Matt Dietz and Lorin Bradley are the two candidates seeking the Republican nomination to the slate belt and northern tier seat currently occupied by Scott Parsons. I told you about Dietz' report yesterday.

Bradley's report may have been one day late, but is perhaps the most detailed campaign expense report I've ever seen filed.

He reports $3,711 in contributions. This includes $1,000 from his friend Glenn Geissinger, with the rest of the money coming from his wife. What impresses me is his detailed explanation of expenditures, something I have never seen.

• $373.12 for 1500 palm cards.
• $1,597.64 for 500 yard signs.
• $1,586.00 to political consultant Cheryl Corsa, for the first of what his report claims will be two mailers.

This is transparency.

U11 Lady Slaters Win CBL Playoffs

After a 13-2 season, Upper Mount Bethel Township's U11 Lady Slaters recently won the Community Basketball League 'ship in a 16-11 victory over Pleasant Valley. last night, the team presented Upper Mount Bethel Supervisors with a plaque noting their achievement, which will be kept there until next year.

It's their first championship in seven years. The team is coached by Adam Kluska, Bob Giamoni and Brian Smith.

Fortunately, the ladies left right before Ron Angle decided to use the toilet, which is conveniently located right next to the meeting room. They don't call him the Sultan of Sludge for nothing. Before he was finished, half the room passed out and had to be hospitalized.

Bradley, Colon Reports Are Late

Lorin Bradley, who is running against Matt Dietz for the Republican nomination to Northampton County Council's Slate Belt and Northern Tier District, filed his pre-primary report a day late on Monday at 4:25 pm. His campaign manager, Glenn Geissinger, took responsibility for the oversight.

I can't tell you whether his report is a dollar short in addition to being a day late because I have not seen it. I will try to do so today.  

Bethlehem City Council candidate Michael Colon is also late. He tells me his Treasurer and he mixed up signatures, and the report will be filed today.

McClure Top Spender in Bethlehem Tp Mini-Judge Race

We'll have to wait until May 19 to see who wins Bethlehem Township's crowded race for mini-judge. Three Assistant DAs and two non-lawyers are after this front-line judicial job. According to expense reports filed with the elections office, Sandy McClure seems to be in the best position to pick up at least the Democratic nomination. She's spent the most money

Her pre-primary report reveals that she raised $10,858.33, of which $10,000 came out of her own pocket. NorCo Council member Ken Kraft, who also is a union agent, kicked in another $600. She has spent $9,558.81 on mailers, signs and robo calls. She also paid Tom Severson, not as a consultant, but for his street lists and mailing labels.

Bill Blake has raised $4,100, most of the money coming from his family and fellow attorneys, as well as a $543 in-kind donation from Nuria DiLuzio for a fundraiser As of the time he filed his report, he had only spent $75, and was keeping his powder dry.

Pat Broscius has spent $1,929 of her own money for yard signs. She also picked up $3,160 in small contributions, and has used that money for handouts cards and stickers.

Bryan Altieri has only received $265 beyond the $2,126.04 he lent to his campaign. Although I have seen signs sprinkled throughout the township bearing his name, he claims to have only spent $163.22..Much of that is for his cellphone.

Andrew Tupone reports having spent $1,197.53 in his quest for mini-judge.

Three Candidates Raise $23k in Hellertown Lower Saucon Magisterial Race

Three candidates have raised over $23k in the race for Magisterial District Judge in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Townships.

The incumbent, Judge David Tidd, leads the pack with $11,225.00. Most of this money - $7,360.16 - has come out of his own pocket. He has accepted an in-kind contribution from entrepreneur Abe Atiyeh , who has also given him $1,000 in cash. Tidd's campaign consultant is Tim Butler's Communications Concepts.

In an interview with Saucon Source, judge Tidd discloses that heroin addition is a growing problem in his district, and is sometimes less expensive than marijuana. He has paid close attention to heroin-related offenses, and attempts to craft sentences in such a way as to reduce use and combat addiction.

Amanda Kurecian reported raising $7,062.88, most of it from family and herself. She has paid Campaign Pilots, a new Republican consulting firm, about $2,800. Kurecian has told The Saucon Source she'd like to establish a night court, several nights every month, for Defendants unable to leave work.

David Repyneck has raised $5,045, with his largest donor being his mother. He has spent $4,6767.59 for signs, a post card and ads in Saucon Source and Village Voice. Repyneck has told The Saucon Source that he'll bring "honor, respect and integrity back to Magisterial District 03-2-04. I believe there is a lack of professionalism that exists with the current magistrate."

Abe Kassis Spends $37,600 for Convicted Campaign Consultant

Abe Kassis

Abe Kassis is hungry for a Northampton County judgeship. He poured $25,000 of his own money into his campaign. That's something we can all respect.  But he's so hungry that he's doing other things, too. One of them was to consort with tea party extremists while circulating his nomination petition. He himself solicited support from its most radical members, like Ronnie Del Bacco, on the same night that he was making one of his speeches to Easton Democrats. He's so hungry that he later appeared on a right wing talk radio show hosted by a man being sued by the Lehigh County DA for defamation. He then sent out what I call his integrity  mailer, posing with a woman and three children, creating the false impression that she is his wife and they are his children. It's misleading and somewhat insulting to candidates Sam Murray and Vic Scomillio, who actually have real families of their own. Now this veteran prosecutor, who has claimed he will be tough, has filed a campaign finance report revealing that he has given more than half of the money he's raised to a consultant who was convicted in 2010 of filing fraudulent campaign expense reports.

Sam Murray

Kassis' pre-election report, filed in Harrisburg with no courtesy copy provided to the Northampton County elections office, reveals he's raised $66,906 in his judicial quest. In addition to the $25,000 coming from his own pocket, he's received considerable support from the Lebanese community, including his own affluent family.

The sum Kassis reports is nearly twice the $36,873.10 raised by Sam Murray and considerably more than the $44,480.80 donated to  Vic Scomillio. Together, all three judicial hopefuls have raked in $148,000, according to papers filed with the Department of State. That's no surprise. What amazes me is that Kassis, who holds himself out as tough on crime, has spent $37,600 for political consultant Tom Severson.

He was fined $14,000 and placed on three years of probation after a guilty plea in 2010 to filing fraudulent campaign expense expense reports, as well as tampering with public records.  Now, a few short years later, a judicial candidate is paying him for the same kind of work that resulted in a criminal conviction.

Vic Scomillio

Severson has actually received more money from Kassis than Sam Murray was able to raise.

Seversoin was also convicted in 2009 of misdemeanor harassment after a strange outburst during a funeral mass.

Why would a judicial candidate pay such a huge sum to a disgraced (and convicted) political consultant?

Maybe he thinks Severson has paid for his mistake.

In 1994, before he was a judge, Emil Giordano accused Severson of "sleazeball politics," calling him the "leader of the pack."  For a judicial candidate to use Severson, and pay him so much money, is an insult to the voters, most of whom will never know that a "tough" prosecutor is using a convicted criminal to garner a judgeship. This poor decision is also an insult to many fine Lebanese families who put their faith in Kassis.

Vic Scomillio has raised $44,480.80, with the largest sum coming in the form of a $5,000 check from L Anderson Daub. His law partners have helped with generous $2,000 contributions. He even picked up a $500 check from Wilson Police Chief Steve Parkansky.

Scomillio has spent $27,541.31, including $5,000 for polling. He has sent out at least two mailers, and has $16,939.57 left in the closing days of the campaign.

Scomillion has also lent $7,275 to his campaign.

Sam Murray raised $36,873.10, including $5,000 out of his own pocket. He has spent $33,319.54, leaving him with $3,553.46 in the closing days of the campaign. In contrast to Scomillio and Kassis, Murray has relied on numerous small contributors who were able to give between $50 and $250. That's where he got $13,000 of his warchest. The Palmeri family has been generous, and so have several attorneys with whom Murray has worked closely over the years.

Murray has received in-kind donations from Abe Atiyeh (billboard) and developer Gary Strausser (opening announcement). He is employing H Street Strategies and Joe Welsh for campaign consulting. So far, he has sent out three mailers.

Save Green Pond Mounts Write-In Campaign in Bethlehem Tp

Save Green Pond, a group committed to preserving the marshy bird sanctuary slated for development by Traditions of America, is mounting a write-in campaign against Marty Zawarski. Here's what I received.

To help SaveGreenPond Marsh, please cast a 'write-in' vote for 

John Glagola in Bethlehem Township on May 19. 

If you are a registered Democrat in Bethlehem Township, you can help SaveGreenPond Marsh by going to your local polling station on May 19, 2015 and casting a write-in vote for John Glagola. There are NO CANDIDATES listed on the ballot on the Democratic side. John needs your write-in vote because apparently some of the Republican candidates in this primary, in addition to running on the Republican side, are also running a write-in campaign on the Democratic side!!! Please cast a write-in vote for John Glagola. And get your neighbors and friends to vote too! Besides his goal to SaveGreenPond, John will be a good steward for Bethlehem Township. For all the people who have said they have no voice on the Green Pond Marsh issue, that will no longer be the case when John Glagola is a commissioner.

Here is the simple process for casting a 'write-in' vote for John

on the Sequoia AVC Advantage voting machines:

Step 1: Press the 'write-in' square for Commissioner At-Large.

Step 2: The arrow will flash. The arrow will continue flashing until the write-in is complete, or until the square is pressed a second time to deselect the write-in.

Step 3: Using the write-in keypad below the ballot, key in JOHN GLAGOLA. As you key in the letters, they will appear to the left of the keyboard. To make a space between JOHN and GLAGOLA press the right arrow key. If you make an error when entering the letters, press the left arrow key to move back.

Step 4: When you are finished keying in the name JOHN GLAGOLA, press ENTER on the write-in key pad. This is the most important step because this will register your vote.

Thank you.

Express Times No Longer Covers NorCo Government

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." Unfortunately, we are quickly becoming a government without newspapers. The Express Times has failed to provide any coverage for the last four meetings of Northampton County Council. It has failed to cover trials and other court hearings. This is good news for Executive John Brown, who is known for ignoring press inquiries and blatantly refusing to provide information requested by the legislative branch.

Online newspapers may eventually be the answer. Until that happens, the lack of scrutiny is bound to lead to local corruption and attempts to suppress or alienate the few independent voices that remain.

Updated 10:10 am: Should Public Subsidize an Unused Press Office?

Email to Executive and Council - Since The Express Times no longer bothers to cover the largest local government in Northampton County, and even fails to send reporters to cover criminal and civil proceedings, it has no need for the office that the County has supplied to it, rent-free, for decades. The newspaper has failed in its mission of informing the public, and should no longer be subsidized by the County.

John Brown is looking for ways to save money. This is one of them. The office should be converted into a photography center for those who file for passports but have no picture. The County can charge a modest fee for the picture.

Response from ET Editor Jim Deegan - Bernie is wrong.

Should you need any facts, information or if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Response to Deegan - Do our eyes lie? The reality is that you have provided no coverage of the last four meetings of Northampton County Council, as well as numerous committee hearings. None. You have provided next to no coverage of the courts. This is a disgrace. There is no reason for the County to subsidize an office in the people's building that you fail to use. That area could easily be used for passport pictures. If you intend to start providing coverage, how about telling your own readers? Don't they deserve a little respect from you, instead of the lies you told about not laying off people in the newsroom?

ASD Director Mike Welsh on Allentown School Board Race

His op-ed can be read at Michael Molovinsky's blog. It follows a story about another alleged assault at an elementary school about which one Director claims he was told nothing. This is an appalling lack of communication between the Administration and the people's representatives.