A Republican Speaks Up in Quiet Bethlehem City Council Race

Five Democrats and two Republicans seek their party's nomination in what has been a sleepy Bethlehem City Council race for three seats. Incumbent Michael Colon is running, along with fellow Democrats Colleen Laird, Ricky Butler, former Council member Bryan Callahan and campaign consultant Celeste Dee. Aside from Brunges, this has been a very quiet race.  

Callahan and Colon let me know they were running, and I like both of these guys. Callahan would serve as a very effective check on the overreach of Mayor Willie Reynolds, who threatened to use eminent domain against a church that refused to sell him their properties. Colon has often been a go-along-to-get along guy, but I like the decency and good will he brings to his office. It's very Bethlehemesque. 

That about does it for me. I tried reaching out to speak to Ricky Butler,. He's too busy, even when I called at a time he said he'd be free.  I'm leery of Colleen Laird, founder of Bethlehem Food Co-op.  I am deeply concerned she will push the city to help fund her nonprofit venture, just like Karen Dolan did when she was on Council. Celeste Dee will want everyone to hire her to run their campaigns. 

I'd like to say something positive about Thomas Ginther, but know nothing about him. 

That leaves Devin Brunges as the only candidate who actually speaks out on issues. I appreciate that someone is saying something. Unfortunately, he ruins his own messages with gratuitous partisan shots, hardly the way for a Republican to get elected in a Democratic City.  Below is an essay he actually sent to me about Mayor Willie Reynolds' recent Chamber breakfast: 

The Mayor’s Chamber Breakfast has dramatically changed from an update on city business operations to a showcase of the progressive, left wing agenda.

Taxpayers are now paying big bucks for consultants, media advisors and “policy” staff to support Mayor Reynolds political image.

The core mission of the city was once public safety, infrastructure and basic services. Mayor Reynolds with the help of a $34 million gift from Joe Biden has fundamentally changed the priorities of the city from that core mission to a some wild pandering to every political group that will support his political future.

Chamber Executive Tony Ianelli said it best in his introduction, “Willy Reynolds” has a great political career ahead of him – clearly recognizing that Mr Reynolds is climbing the political ladder – looking for the next tax payer funded cushy job.

The stage was set and the media consultants organized a show that would rival the DNC’s presidential convention. You know the drill, reward every person and face that will support you or wants to benefit from your public office up on stage. If the mayor wants to use his elected office for political campaign purposes, he should use his political contributions to pay for the show.

In terms for the “State of the City” there was very little time in the 90+ minutes of the show devoted to core mission city priorities. Example, instead of discussing the many police department programs and activities, he presented a new whiz bang computer program and discussed the importance of two social workers who help the police with mental health concerns. There’s a lot more the police work in our city, crime, gangs, fentanyl, etc.

Pandering was the order of the day. The multi-media extravaganza was delivered to special interest and campaign supporters and showcased a vision out of sync with the typical resident.

My reply to Brunges:

I will publish this but you have hurt more than helped yourself with your Facebook rants. They will turn people off. One party rule eventually leads to corruption, so I think it important that both parties are heard. Unfortunately, your far-right views are out of touch with most Bethlehem residents, even those who call themselves Republicans. This detracts from any of your meaningful points. You should know by now that voters don't like the Steve Lynchs' of this world. Bethlehem needs centrism, not far-right or far-left. Even this essay attacks Biden and the DNC. Why? Don't you want any Democratic votes? You appear to be pandering yourself, but to the far right.

Lehigh County Drop Box Locations, Times

(From Lehigh County's webpage): Drop boxes for mail ballots will be available for residents at five select municipal buildings in Lehigh County:

District#1 Whitehall Township Municipal Building 3219 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, PA 18052 610-437-5524 M-F 8:00AM- 4:00PM	District #2 Lehigh County Authority (LCA) Lobby 1053 Spruce Road, Allentown, PA 18106 610-398-2503 M-F 8:15AM- 4:45PM	District #3 Fountain Hill Borough  Building 941 Long Street, Fountain Hill, PA 18015 610-867-0301 M-F 8:30AM- 4:30PM
District #4 Lehigh County Government Center 17 South 7th Street, Allentown, PA 18101 610 782-3194 24/7 Drop Box Main Entrance	District #5 Macungie Borough Building 21 Locust Street, Macungie, PA 18062 610-966-2503 M-F 8AM-4:30PM

All locations will have drop boxes inside the building and will be available for use during normal municipal business hours. Ballots can be dropped off at these locations instead of by mail or by handing them to a Voter Registration Office employee. The drop box available at the Lehigh County Government Center will be available 24/7. 

YOU MAY ONLY DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT. 

Certificate of Designated Agent forms can be found at www.vote.pa.gov  This will allow you to drop off someone else’s ballot if they are physically unable to do so.  Each drop box location will be monitored via electronic surveillance. 

All ballots must be enclosed in the yellow Secrecy mailing envelope before being sealed in the mailing envelope. Yellow Secrecy envelopes cannot have any identifying marks.  Mailing envelope must be SIGNED & DATED.  Any ballots that fail to do this may not be counted. 

Northampton County Ballot Drop Boxes Start Wednesday

From Northampton County: The Northampton County Elections Office announces that it will install a secure ballot drop-off box for mail-in ballots in each of the County’s four districts. The boxes will be available starting Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Accessing the drop-off boxes does not require going through security at any location.

Northampton County Courthouse:

669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042 – Monday-Friday from 8:30am-8:00pm

(Saturday, April 29 & Saturday, May 6 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm)

When dropping off a ballot, voters can park for free in the loading-and-unloading zone on Washington Street in front of the courthouse or use the parking lot at the Wolf Avenue and Washington Street intersection.

 

Northampton County Human Services Building:

2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 – Monday-Friday from 8:30am-7:00pm

 

Northampton County 911 Center:

100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064 – Monday-Friday from 8:30am-8:00pm

 

Bethlehem City Hall:

10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 – Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm*

*drop box will be available until 8:00 pm on Election Night (May 16, 2023)

 

To ensure that your mail-in ballot is accepted, voters must make sure the ballot is enclosed in the sealed secrecy envelope, the return envelope is signed and dated, there are no identifying marks or symbols on the secrecy envelope, and the ballot is returned to the Election’s Office by 8:00pm on Tuesday, May 16th.

 

Voters may only drop off their own ballots. Third-party return of ballots is prohibited unless the person returning the ballot is rendering assistance to a disabled voter or emergency absentee voter and has a signed “Certification of Designated Agent” form on file at the Elections Office. A copy of this form can be downloaded here Authorize Designated Agent Form (pa.gov).

 

Applications for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballots are available in the Election’s Office or at Mail-in and Absentee Ballot (pa.gov) or Absentee and Mail-In Voting (northamptoncounty.org). The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is on May 9, 2023.

 

Counterfeiting, forging, tampering with, or destroying ballots is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to sections 1816 and 1817 of the PA Election Code. (25 P.S. §§ 3516 and 3517)

 

Voters can track the status of their mail-in or absentee ballots here Online/Absentee Ballot Tracking (pa.gov).

Is Baratta Running For Prosecutor or Persecutor?

On his campaign webpage, Northampton County District Attorney candidate Steve Baratta launches a quiver full of arrows, in the forlorn hope that one finds its mark. Part of his barrage is the claim that "t]he current District Attorney [Terry Houck] gives little effort and support to our crime victims. He, quite simply, does not care. His lack of attention to victims and ongoing failures to provide the opportunity for victims to participate in the prosecutorial process have become a common theme." Unlike Houck, Baratta claims he "understands the importance of providing support and guidance to victims and families who have endured domestic violence, psychological trauma from victimization or have been injured by crimes of violence." He pledges to build "authentic relationships." Without question, crime victims have rights, and prosecutors have a responsibility to look out for them. They also have a special responsibility to be fair to criminal defendants. They are prosecutors, not persecutors. In his pursuit of the District Attorney office, Baratta has unfortunately stepped all over the rights of both defendants and victims.

At last week's televised debate and in one of his campaign mailers, Baratta took Houck to task for his handling of a homicide case that arises from a fentanyl overdose. These are difficult cases. You have to provide specific evidence of the drug that killed a victim, and must show that the specific batch supplied by the dealer contained that drug and was used.  This requires expert testimony about a new drug and the expert is busy testifying across the country. Houck's office has been forced to ask the state Superior Court for an extension because of the delay involved. 

In last week's debate and in at least one of his mailers, Baratta refers to the victim of that homicide and also erroneously claimed that the Defendant is on the streets while waiting for a ruling. He made these remarks with no regard how it might upset the victim's family or prejudice a Defendant who is presumed innocent.   

Out of respect for the family of the victim, I decline to mention this case. But a neutral party who met recently with the victim's father said he is outraged that Baratta would keep harping on this matter by name, which only adds to his grief. Houck spoke with the victim's family as well. Baratta has not. Of the family, Houck said "they are deeply, deeply pained and upset at him [Baratta] making this a political issue 

So much for "authentic relationships" with crime victims. 

His comment about the Defendant roaming the streets is false, and was recklessly made without checking the actual facts. It was made to scare you. As Houck pointed out, that Defendant is "under house arrest - that's another lie that was told - is under strict monitoring and he wears a [ankle] bracelet.". So much for refraining from "extrajudicial comments that have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused."

Houck Snags Coveted Police Endorsements

In his re-election campaign, former Philly cop Terry Houck has picked up some heavy duty endorsements from four police associations. Bethlehem FOP Lodge 20 (Bethlehem police) Easton FOP (Easton police), PSTA No. 40 (Northampton County Pa. State Police) and PSTA (statewide Pa, State Troopers) have all come out in support of the incumbent District Attorney. 

Bethlehem's FOP states Terry has "the highest moral and ethical character." Easton's FOP praises him for "following the truth no matter where it may lead. " NorCo's State Trooper FOP is "confident Terry "will continue to work to ensure the safety and justice of those who live and work in Northampton County." The statewide association of Pa. State Troopers, which includes 9,000 active and retired troopers, unanimously endorsed Houck.  

Houck even picked up a three-star endorsement from Lehigh Valley for All (who agree with us), compared to just one-star for challenger Steve Baratta. 

On Saturday night, Houck was at the Lehigh Valley Labor Council's annual awards dinner, where he was listed as a gold sponsor. If you're a Democrat seeking election, it would be wise ti be seen there. Steve Baratta missed it. 

Despite 14% Increase in Funding, Graduation Rate at William Allen Has Declined

The biggest problem in the Lehigh Valley is Allentown. Allentown's biggest problem is its school district. Despite a budget three times the size of the city and increased funding every year, graduation rates are unacceptably low.  

Spending at the Allentown School District was $306,655,538 during the 2017-8 school year. At that time, the overall cohort (students who started high school at the same time) graduation rate at William Allen HS was 69.08%. Among Hispanics, the graduation rate was 68.42%.

Spending at the Allentown School District was $350,295,971 during the 2020-2021 school year.  At that time, the cohort graduation rate at William Allen HS dropped to 66.33%. Among Hispanics, the graduation rate dropped to 64.18%.

Dieruff High School appears to be in better shape. Its cohort graduation rate increased from 78.03% in 2017-8 to 84.60% in 2020-21. Among Hispanics, the graduation rated increased from 76.68% in 2017-8 to 82.45% in 2020-21. 

Despite a 14% increase in funding, 1 out of 3 students who entered William Allen in 2017, failed to graduate four years later. For Dieruff, it's a little better, but compared to the graduation rates at the charter schools, totally unacceptable. 

Why would any young family want to move into a city with a failing school district? It am especially disturbed that the graduation rate is so low among Hispanics, who make up at least 54% of the City's population. A parent who wants to do right by their children would want to live somewhere else or go to charter or private school. 

The increased funding appears is unhelpful because much of the spending is going to charter schools. In 2020-21, over $62 million went to charter schools.   

Source: Cohort Graduation Rate

Early Voting Starts Monday in NorCo

From Northampton County: The Northampton County Elections Office announces that Ballot-on-Demand voting for the May 16th Municipal Primary Election will be available starting Monday, April 17, 2023. Citizens can vote in person at the Government Center at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042, on the following dates:

• Monday, April 17 – Friday, April 21 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
• Monday, April 24 - Monday, May 8 (8:30 am - 6:00 pm)
• Saturday, April 29 & Saturday, May 6 (from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
• The last day will be Tuesday, May 9 (8:30 am - 5:00 pm)

 

Residents of Northampton County who are eligible to vote can come to the Elections Office, register if they still need to, fill out a ballot application, vote on a paper ballot and turn it in all in the same visit. You must bring valid ID with you to the Elections Office to receive your ballot.

 

Registered voters who have already applied for a mail-in ballot are not eligible for Ballot-on-Demand and must wait to receive their ballot in the mail.

 

Mail-in ballots must meet the following criteria to be counted:

• The ballot must be sealed inside the secrecy envelope
• If the secrecy envelope contains any text, marks, or symbols which reveal the identity of the elector, the elector’s political affiliation, or the elector’s candidate preference, the envelope and the ballot it contains will be set aside and declared void
• The voter must sign and date the outer return envelope
• The ballot must be received by the Election’s Office by 8:00PM on May 16th

Is Baratta Campaign the Last Gasp of the Morganelli Machine?

If you ask John Morganelli, he'll adamantly deny having anything to do with Judge Steve Baratta's decision to run against incumbent DA Terry Houck. He'll swear up and down that he had nothing to do with recruiting Trump supporter Nuria DiLuzio to run against Houck last time around. Of course he's full of shit. I have told him so and continue to do so whenever I see him. Baratta's campaign is very clearly a Morganelli production. 

But wait, you say. Terry Houck was John's top assistant. Why would he turn on him?  John loves Terry, but he just can't help himself. He's like the scorpion who convinces a frog to carry him across a river and then stings him midstream, dooming them both. It's just what he does. 

When Houck ran four years ago, Morganelli was very concerned that a very popular Lenny Zito would run as a Republican. He decided that the only way to beat him was with a female candidate. Without doing any vetting at all, Nuria DiLuzio was tapped to run against Houck. To give her campaign some gravitas, Morganelli bestie and then Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez was tapped to be her honorary campaign chair.  At her announcement, many of  Morganelli's faithful were there. Executive Lamont McClure, another Morganelli lieutenant, all but endorsed her. 

Then the shit hit the fan. Not only was Nuria a rabid Trumper, but she lied about it and her arguments with neighbors over minor issues. She also misled me and others about an Ethics Comm'n opinion that basically determined she'd be conflicted in any case involving Bethlehem because her husband was then its police chief.

Her campaign fizzled.

Fast forward four years. Once again, we have a primary opponent against Houck. This time it's a "retired" judge. Steve Baratta still had five years to go, so why would he abandon the people who elected him to serve 10 years? He claims he "stepped down to step up" and straighten out a dysfunctional DA's office. But at Wednesday night's debate, he claimed he only learned of these problems two months before he retired. He sent his notice of retirement to the Administrative Office of Pa Courts long before that. I reported the rumor that he was running in early August, and had been hearing it since June. 

The reason Baratta stepped down is because he had alienated most of the bench. He's a hard worker, but a hard worker who can get resentful when he thinks he's doing too much.  I'm sure you've seen this type of person over the years. He and several fellow judges stopped talking to each other, and it became a toxic workplace. I'm sure Morganelli was whispering in Baratta's ear about how much he's needed in the DA's office. That way, Morganelli gets rid of a problem judge and everyone can get along again. Plus he moves up in seniority. Very Machiavellian. Very Morganellian.

Baratta certainly helped create a toxic atmosphere on Northampton County's bench. Now he wants to straighten out a DA's office? 

If I worked there, I'd be leery. You can see Baratta's anger if you watch the video of last night's debate.  Terry has a temper, too, but Steve takes it to another level. An unhealthy level. He's a good man but needs a long vacation.  

Like Nuria, Baratta has an honorary campaign chair. Guess who? Bingo!  Bob Donchez, who allowed Morganelli to sucker him into being the Campaign Chair for DiLuzio, is now making the same mistake with Baratta. 

I suspect, however, that this is the last time Morganelli will be able to pull the puppet strings from behind closed doors. 

Here's an observation from one of my more analytical readers: 

No surprises. Two lawyers doing what good lawyers do, making the case that they are the great and smart one and the other guy is incompetent and wrong. Steve Baratta has been around a long time, and it showed he seemed off his game. Houck was an excellent counter puncher. I feel that this campaign is one of the last gasps of the old Morganelli political machine. JM was and is a great politician and on a local level no one comes close to his skill level. He is smooth, smart and polished but he can cut you to shreds if he wants to and you will never see it coming. Baratta is a protege. IN Bethlehem there were many but Donchez was probably the last, just as Lisa Boscola.

Even McClure is a JM protege. The problem is that neither Baratta [n]or McClure are as smooth as John. They come off as angry and mean. Especially McClure who has the charm of a buzzsaw. It is one reason he cannot create any coalitions in government.

UPDATED: Bonecrusher Baratta v. Houck the Hammer Cage Match on PBS-39

Public television meet WCW! Was it retired Judge Steve Baratta or Baratta the Bone Crusher?  Was it District Attorney Terry Houck or Houck the Hammer?  It was a bit of both during a lively debate hosted by PBS39 (simulcast on WLVR 91.3) last night. Moderators Tom Shortell and Jen Rehill dished out questions from behind bulletproof glass while the candidates clashed inside an iron cage. Public broadcasting will never be the same. At the end of an hour, one person was still standing - Terry Houck. He won the debate and will win the Democratic (and possibly Republican) nomination.

Baratta Queried About Negative Campaign

Baratta started the debate by attacking Houck, claiming the DA''s office is in disarray and that he's losing cases while he and his top assistant make money from outside sources. 

Houck retorted that his office has a 90% conviction rate, and that cases coming into his office have dropped 20% in the three years he's been District Attorney. He argued that if his office was in such disarray, "these numbers would not be showing."

He acknowledged that his top assistant, Richard Pepper, puts in 50-hour weeks and is "one of the hardest workers I have."  

Baratta was asked by Rehill whether the negative tone he has taken is "conduct becoming of a distinguished officer of the court."  Baratta responded that's why he stepped down from the bench to run for district attorney, calling the office a "trifecta of corruption." "I stepped down from the bench to step up to run for district attorney because no one was confronting Mr. Houck." Rehill pressed Baratta, and he said his conduct "is becoming of a candidate for this office to point out what the flaws are and the reason why I'm running. I couldn't do that as a judge."

Shortell followed up by asking Baratta why, if things are so bad in the DA's office, he failed to do anything as a judge. Baratta responded he only learned of the problem in his final two months as a judge, and then accused Houck of "malfeasance not appropriate for a chief law enforcement officer."

Thin Blue Line Flag   

Shortell then questioned Houck about the thin blue line flag he displays in his office. To most of us, this represents solidarity with police officers who have lost their lives keeping us safe. But in the latest salvo in our culture wars, the LAPD has banned its use because it is used by right wing extremists and some might find it offensive.

Houck responded that he's met no one who finds that flag offensive. He explained that it was a gift from the Sheet Metal Workers union. in 2020 in gratitude for his work as a Philly cop. "There hasn't been a person who came into my office who's ever questioned that. They know I work closely with police. "It's why we get the results we get."  He added that all local Fraternal Orders of Police have endorsed him.  

Gun Control

Both candidates were asked about gun control. He believes all guns, including ghost guns, should be registered. He worries about assault-style rifles being pulled on cops during traffic stops. He said that when a police officer makes a stop, he needs to know if the person is carrying.  

He added he has a unique perspective when it comes to guns. For years before he became a prosecutor, he patrolled the streets of Philly as a beat cop. He saw first hand the difference between a gun in the wrong hands and a gun in the right hands. "Within the span of a few seconds, a gun almost cost me my life and a gun saved my life."  He was referring to someone who pulled a sawed off shotgun on him and attempted to fire. The shotgun misfired. Houck's service revolver worked. 

Baratta criticized the gun buy back programs that Houck conducts as inadequate. He said there are 450 million guns in this country, of which 25 million are assault weapons. "Buy-back of old weapons and giving people a $100 gift certificate at Walmart, although it's noble and good to get guns off the street, really isn't going to make a dent on what's going on." He argued there should be no negotiated pleas for crimes committed with guns.  He noted that gun violence is now the leading cause of death among American children, and it's time to pass the Keep Americans Safe Act, which would ban high capacity magazine: and Protecting Our Kids Act, which bans ghost guns. 

Houck responded that, in a recent gun buyback program, he raked in hundreds of pounds of ammo as well as 300 guns, including semi-automatic rifles. "There is no doubt in my mind that we prevented accidental death." 

Death Penalty

Baratta supports Governor Josh Shapiro's moratorium on the death penalty. He said the "law has to be fair," but it "discriminates based on class and race." He added there is an "unacceptably high error rate," and that states with the most murders have the death penalty. "Unless the law changes, I am not going to apply the death penalty."

Houck has no quarrel with the Governor's moratorium but the death penalty "is part of our law and I will follow it. I will not ignore it, as my opponent professed to do." He said it's not his job to pick and choose what laws to follow.  He said that two defendants, who happen to be white, were convicted by a jury and sentenced by a jury to death. There are appeals pending. He argued it would be inappropriate for him to tell the families of homicide victims that "[b]ecause of my arbitrary beliefs, I will not pursue [the death penalty]. I will not do that to victims. We have children who are killed in drive-bys. We have school shootings all the time. We have this law available. I will enforce it." Baratta said he'd explain his position to the families, acknowledging it might be a "difficult conversation." 

No Cash Bail 

Baratta railed that hundreds of people languish in jail each year because they are unable to post bail. "They have to sit, plead guilty and get time served so they can go home." He supports noncash bail. "Cash bail discriminates against the economically disadvantaged. ... If I'm the DA, I'm going to advocate for [noncash bail], and I'm going to tell these judges that we don't want these people in jail because they're not a threat to the community." 

Houck responded that there is a bail policy in place for nonviolent offenders. Defendants are interviewed by pretrial services before bail is set, with nonmonetary bail as the default option for 24 separate offense. "This grandstanding about noncash bail is nonsense." He said defendants are "seen immediately by our wonderful pretrial probation department, where they are evaluated and then bail is set appropriately."  

Northampton County did revise its bail policy several years ago, as Houck stated. Baratta was President Judge at the time so it's a bit surprising that he neglected to mention this successful program, which essentially is a no cash bail program that he started. 

The Coin Flip Argument

Baratta contends Houck loses about half of his jury trials, even though the overall conviction rate is 90%.. "When you look at the stats, you know it's a coin flip when a Defendant walks into the courtroom that he's going to walk home at the end of the trial." 

Houck denied this accusation. "If this were true, if anything he was saying was even remotely true, everybody would be taking jury trials. That doesn't happen because they know better. When we have a case, we take it in and we fight, and I'm proud of each and every assistant district attorney we have that does that very thing."

UPDATED 3:07 PM with a video of the debate. 

DA Race: PBS to Host Hourlong Debate Tonight, 7 PM

An hour-long debate between Northampton County DA candidates Terry Houck and Steve Baratta is scheduled tonight, 7 pm, at PBS studios in Bethlehem. It will air on PBS39 and will be simulcast on WLVR 91.3.

Both Houck, the incumbent, and Baratta, a former judge, are Democratsa. Barring a Republican write-in, this contest will be decided in the primary. 

Who Do You Like For Easton City Council?

Seven Democrats are running for just three Easton City Council seats. Two of them - Downtown Kenny Brown and Dave O'Connell - are incumbents. No Republicans are running so, barring a write-in campaign, this race will be decided in the primary. The other candidates are former Easton School Prez Frank Pintabone, Constable Lance Wheeler, educator Ken Greene, banker Crystal Rose and consultant Kurt Carlson. It's actually a very distinguished field. I think Mayor Sal Panto has endorsed all of them about six times already. 

Two of the choices - Ken Brown and Frank Pintabone - are no-brainers. Brown works at the courthouse as Director of Court Services, and he might very well be among Executive Lamont McClure's best appointments. Although he's unassuming, he sees everything that's happening. He understands local government and frankly, I wish he was running for Mayor. He was mentored by the late Pastor Fred Davis, and told me he learned that should listen far more than we speak. 

My second pick is Frank Pintabone. He really is from the neighborhood and for the neighborhood. A South Sider, he has the same humility I see in Brown. I was surprised to learn that Brown was actually his mentor.  This is a guy who loads his pickup with turkeys every Thanksgiving, and hands them out in Easton and Allentown.  He'd like to revive Easton's trolley and recruit a grocer to the west ward. Most importantly, he wants to track down on absentee landlords. 

I can also rule out Ken Greene. He is walking around town bragging about how much money he's spending on a City Council race. Some say it's $90,000, including TV.  I hope that's untrue, but he leaves people with the impression he's trying to buy his seat. This is a rank class domination in which those who have the money have the power. This should be resisted. 

I'll revisit this race after the candidates' night. 

The Clarence Thomas Gift Scandal Shows Why NorCo Needs a Gift Ban

Thanks to ProPublica, we know that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been treated to luxury vacations for over 20 years by a billionaire Republican donor. Whether he broke any laws is a question best answered by others, but we'd all agree that it's bad optics. No matter how innocent something might seem to the public official, the public will view this person as corrupt. This is why anyone who works for the public should decline Phillies' Tickets, Artsquest shows or any other perk. If you think others won't notice, you're wrong. 

Northampton County's Home Rule Charter prohibits anyone who works for the county from accepting anything of value, on terms more favorable than those granted to the public, from any person dealing with the county. But this clear prohibition is contradicted by the Administrative Code, which contains so many exceptions to make it meaningless. 

It's time to amend the Administrative Code so it's at least consistent with the Home Rule Charter. Any person who accepts a gift, whether it is free tickets to a game or a show, should have his salary docked for the value of the gift.    

McClure Vetoes UMBT Tax Break For Pektor Project

As promised, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure has vetoed a special tax break called a LERTA for an industrial development in Upper Mount Bethel Tp.  This LERTA was adopted Thursday night by a 6-3 County Council majority that included Republicans John Brown, Tom Giovanni, John  Goffredo and Democrats Lori Vargo-Heffner, Ron Heckman and Kerry Myers. It was opposed by Republican John Cusick and Democrats Kevin Lott and Tara Zrinski.  

In a LERTA, the owner still continues to pay real estate taxes, but any increased assessment from the value of improvements made on a parcel are phased in over a period of time, usually 10 years. 

The argument for this tax break is that it would create badly needed manufacturing jobs in an economical.ly depressed area that all young people leave. The argument against it is that it would lead to warehouses.

County Council rejected a proposal made by McClure, and accepted by the developer, to redraft the LERTA so that it would only apply to manufacturing projects.   

In his veto message, McClure argues that "we should not be incentivizing warehouse construction with tax breaks. Instead, we should be incentivizing the creation of manufacturing jobs. To that end, the developer of the RPL project is willing to work with the County of Northampton in the context of this LERTA to do just that."

He implores County Council to sustain the veto so he can achieve a workable LERTA. 

Under the Home Rule Charter, an Executive veto requires six votes to overturn. Given that six members of Council voted for the LERTA despite being made aware that both developer and the Executive were willing to limit it to manufacturing, it seems unlikely that one would have a change of heart.

But you never know. 

That's why we have horse races, jury trials and County Councils.  

Instead of Corporate Welfare, LC Comm'r Proposes Tax Credit For Volunteer Firefighters

While Northampton County Council races to hand out corporate welfare to Jaindl Farms, who has no need for public money. Lehigh County Comm'rs are considering a tax rebate that actually makes sense. Lehigh County Commissioner Antonio Pineda has announced a bipartisan proposal for tax relief to volunteer firefighters. These guys (and gals) save lives and most Pennsylvanians depend on these volunteers who responsd to calls day and night for just about every situation imaginable. They are unpaid, and the least we can do is lessen their tax burden.

The legislation would grant a $150 property tax credit for qualifying volunteer firefighters. To qualify, firefighters must serve with a volunteer fire department within Lehigh County and respond to at least 20% of the department’s calls. They must also reside and own property in Lehigh County.

Then bi-partisan co-sponsors are Commissioners Bob Elbich (D-At Large), Dan Hartzell (D-At Large), Ron Beitler (R-District 2), and Jeff Dutt (R-District 5). It has also received praise from Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong in his State of the County address earlier in the year. Armstrong called it “something we should do.”

Lehigh County would be the 5th of 67 counties to give volunteer firefighters a tax break. The first county to do so was Cumberland County, followed by Chester, York and Dauphin  Counties. 

In 1975, Pennsylvania had 360,000 volunteer firefighters. Now there are about 36,000, a 90% decrease. In the meantime, response times are going up. 

Northampton County Council should be the 6th to do something that actually helps people other than Jaindl or Lou Pektor. 

Easton City Council Candidate Crystal Rose Supports Unions.

On March 23, Hearst Magazines staffers at their Easrton facility staged a walk-out to demand a union contract that offered a better salary and benefits. Many political hopefuls attended, hoping to pick up a vote here and there. But Crystal Stoneback Rose, who is running for Easton City Council, was absent, presumably because she was working.

Over the weekend, I was sent a photograph of one of her campaign signs, located inside the window at Hearst, with an anonymous claim that her campaign is supported by management. "Employees are sooo pissed," I was told. 

I checked, and sure enough there was a sign inside the Hearst window, 

It was gone Monday morning. I decided to reach out to Crystal and get her side of the story. I'm glad I did. Here's her response:

"As a candidate for a local election, a first time for me, it is my hope to educate the voters in Easton about my candidacy, my character, and how I will serve the people of our City. A visit to my website roseforeaston.com familiarizes the viewer about who I am and what I see as priorities if elected to serve. I am a fourth generation Eastonian, the daughter of a former union electric worker (IBEW 1289) who is now retired. My husband and I are Easton Area High School grads, where my mother-in-law taught, a member of the teacher’s union and union rep until her retirement. I am employed full time with Unity Bank. I am and have been devoted to the many non-profit organizations that provide for Easton’s economic development and social services.

"Among my priorities are addressing the needs of our residents (including finding ways for higher paying, quality jobs for them), supporting economic and workforce development initiatives, including maintaining our small businesses and continuing to attract large businesses.

"I am running a clean campaign, on a modest budget, to get the messages out about my candidacy and my priorities using tried and tested methods - through my website, personal conversations with voters, mailings, and of course, through yard signs (which seem to be a favorite among supporters, whether or not they are the most effective media for getting the messages to the voters).

"As I have hit the campaign trail hard, I am fortunate to learn I have so many supporters in the City who seem to agree that my service will benefit the City. My support comes from diverse voters, from all of the neighborhoods throughout the City; some of them are union workers, some are unemployed and looking for work, some are disabled, some are retired, some are managers, some are professionals; all of them have voices that deserve to be heard. That is my pledge.

"I support union workers and independently employed (self-employed) small businesses. I have hired a union printer for my mailers. That person is grateful for my business. I hired a local person to make a limited number of yard signs for the campaign. That person needed and was grateful for the business.

"I am not familiar with how and when each of my yard signs is posted. Supporters call and request signs – some as many as 15 at a time. While I count among my supporters a few people who are employed with Hearst Publications (management, writers, and office workers alike), I was not aware that a sign was posted at that office. I am not involved nor familiar enough with the Hearst personnel matters to speak to it. I have not been asked to nor is it appropriate for me to insert myself in that private company’s labor relations.

"As a general matter, I support all workers’ rights to organize. The research reflects that generally, labor unions produce positive economic, health, and democratic outcomes in the communities in which they are active. See: Banerjee, A. Poydock, M. McNicholas, C, Mangundayao,I and Sait, A., 2021,December 15), “Unions Are not Only Good For Workers, They’re Good for Communities and Democracy”, https://www.epi.org/publication/unions-and-well-being.

"As a member of Easton’s City Council, I will be committed to working with the City’s “management” and our City’s unions to assure those positive outcomes. I look forward to working to develop initiatives, and if necessary, legislation, that will assure that businesses and their workers thrive, including ensuring compliance with Federal labor laws and workers’ rights to unionize."

NorCo Council Approves More Corporate Welfare

There were was much gnashing of the teeth and renting of garments over a LERTA tax break granted to  industrial developer Lou Pektor in Upper Mount Bethel Tp last week. But once the crowds had left, Northampton County Council unanimously gave their seal of approval to a RACP application by Jaindl farms for a resort and spa in Lehigh Township. This is state money, but it's obscene that public dollars are going to help a rich developer just get even more wealthy by providing a resort for the pretty people. He'll be redeveloping an old seminary and convent. But when Nat Hyman wanted to redevelop the State Hospital to provide affordable housing, the state decided it would rather spend $15 million to demolish the historic buildings. 

Hellertown's Bill Rowe Will Continue NorCo Council Campaign

I told you yesterday that Senior Judge Ed Reibman has been forced to remove Hellertown resident Bill Rowe's name from the ballot for Republican nomination to Northampton County Council D1, which includes Bethlehem City, Hellertown, Lower Saucon and Williams Tp. Rowe contacted me last night to advise that he will continue his campaign for the Republican nomination as a write-in candidate. 

He stated that, unlike most of the politicians we see these days, he "puts service above self and has no favors to repay. What I'm doing is purely about the people, both R and D, and those who judge on the content of character and not party know who is the rightful representative." 

He practices what he preaches. He's served on the board of Bethlehem's B.E.S.T., Inc. and its Rotary Club. He also founded The Elevate Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to providing basic human needs, access to education and to support community development projects here in the Lehigh Valley. His group feeds people, participates in back-to-school drives, prepare Christmas cards and gifts for military serving overseas, collect and distribute coats and jackets during the cold months and participate in community clean-ups. 

Rowe needs 250 write-in votes to secure his Republican nomination. 

This is yet another reason why Republicans should take advantage of mail-in balloting. If you are a Republican who lives in D1, apply for a mail-in ballot and write in Bill Rowe for Northampton County Council. 

Democracy works better when people have a choice. 

Ken Kraft is the sole Democrat in this race. He's running for a position from which he resigned in the middle of his term to take a job at the jail. Now that he's secured a much higher pension, he wants return to the people he deserted so he can be a rubber stamp for the guy who gave him his job at the jail.  

Senior Judge Reibman Removes William Rowe From NorCo Council Ballot

It looks like Republicans will have no candidates on the Ballot in the May primary for Northampton County Council District One  That region consists of Bethlehem, Hellertown, Lower Saucon and Williams Tp. Ken Kraft is running unopposed on the Democratic side. Unless someone emerges as a write-in candidate on the Republican side, Kraft will be unopposed. 

Hellertown resident William Rowe did file a nomination petition on the Republican side of the ticket containing the requisite 250 signatures. He also filed his nomination petition with the required Statement of Financial Interests (SFI), but Rowe failed to file a copy with the Clerk of County Council. While this might sound like an easily corrected minor technicality, courts have ruled that the statutory requirement is mandatory and have consistently rejected nomination petitions with this error. 

Last week, Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court vacated an order from Senior Judge Ed Reibman that would have allowed Hellertown resident William Rowe to be placed on the ballot as a Republican candidate despite this fatal error because challenger Steven R Topp failed to appear at the challenge hearing or execute a verification indicating he is a Republican who resides in the district. On review, the Commonwealth Court referred to a state supreme court decision stating that a challenger has standing unless there are witnesses who can claim he intends to withdraw. 

After a telephonic hearing, Judge Reibman executed an order removing Rowe from the ballot.

Steven R Topp was represented by Bucks County elections lawyer Larry Otter. Rowe was represented by Bethlehem barrister Vic Scomillio

Who Do You Like For Allentown City Council?

Seven candidates, all Democrats, seek three seats on Allentown City Council this May. Two of them, Ce-Ce Gerlach and Candida Affa, are incumbents seeking another term. One of them, Santo Napoli, was appointed earlier this year. The other candidates are Luis Acevedo, a manager at RJ Walker Plumbing; Promise Neighborhood's Rodney Bushe; Tino Babayan, who has been interested in Allentown City government for many years; and Sarina Torres, a 2019 graduate of  William Allen High School. The candidates I like are Napoli, Acevedo and Babayan. 

There's lots to like about Napoli. He is a first-generation Italian American whose parents immigrated from Sicily in the '60s. His mom was a seamstress and his dad a machine operator. He as the first on his family to graduate from college (Alvernia). In Allentown, he owns and operates Assembly88, a casual men's wear store. A separate store for women will open late this year. He's been part of the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance since 2013, and its chair since 2017.  Napoli is married and his daughter attends Allentown public schools.  As a small business owner, he understands the plight of mom-and-pop shops everywhere. He gets the importance of public safety. 

Tino Babayan is representative of a community that has been overlooked for far too long. Allentown is home to the largest Syrian community in the United States. It has never had representation on City Council. Tino is a Syrian immigrant who has prospered in this country, and he has taken an active interest in city government for many years.

Luis Acevedo, a manager at RJ Walker Plumbing, calls himself a "very humble individual." That's obvious horseshit. He not only spends several paragraphs bragging about himself but even takes credit for doing things anonymously. But he also appears to be a very hard worker who takes pride in what he does, He has been involved in several service organizations for many years before expressing an interest in government. These are the kinds of peop;le who tend to make the best public servants, if given a chance.   

Those are the only three candidates I could support. Gerlach demonstrated extremely poor judgment when she took an underaged runaway to a tent city. She had to enroll in a special program for first offenders after being charged with endangering the health of a minor. If she endangers the health of a minor, just consider what damage she has already done to Allentown. She participated in rallies in which "Fuck the Police!" was the mob's war cry. And she insanely voted NO to a federal grant because it would have helped the police. 

She is the antithesis of good government.   

It blows my mind that Rodney Bushe is running. He participated in those "Fuck the Police!" rallies with Gerlach and, get this, he works for convicted felon Hasshan Batts' Broken Promises Neighborhood scam.  Bushe wants to be one of those community mentors, a pied piper paid to steer Allentown's youth exactly as he sees fit. If he's on City Council, he can make sure the money pipeline to Broken Promise Neighborhood will flow freely. 

Candida Affa was Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" most strident defender on City Council. She has demonstrated poor judgment on numerous occasions, although her alliance with Fed Ed is the most telling example. She needs to move on. 

Finally, there's Sarina Torres. Although she's aligned with every far left agenda that exists, she's offered very little information about who she herself is. Is she a Kutztown student or not? Does she own a bar or not? What's the deal?. If you want people to vote for you, tell us who you are. 

Easton S Side Civic Ass'n Hosting Candidates Night on April 18

Easton's South Side Civic Ass'n is hosting a Candidates' night on Tuesday, April 18, 6 pm, at Shiloh Chapel, located at 201Brother Thomas Bright Avenue. It is supposed to include the Easton Mayoral and City Council candidates, as well as the NorCo DA, judge and controller candidates. 

That's a lot of candidates for just one night. It will be hard for them to say much. 

Maybe that's a good thing.