Five Lehigh Valley Legislators Demand Civil Discourse in Harrisburg

On Wednesday, June 27, I emailed thirteen members of the LV delegation to the state house and senate with one simple request. I asked them to condemn sexist and misogynistic comments made on this blog by state senator Lisa Boscola's chief of staff, Bernie Kieklak. Email went to senators Pat Browne, Jim Rhoades, Rob Wonderling, and representatives Karen Beyer, Jenn Mann, Joe Brennan, Doug Reichley, Steve Samuelson, Bob Freeman, Rich Grucela, Craig Dally, Julie Harhart and Carl Mantz. I was careful to send a copy of each email to Boscola. The text of my message is here.

This is budget season, which undoubtedly explains the severe weather and other strange occurrences as state legislators vainly try to solve our annual fiscal dilemma before darkness envelops us all. It's probably the worst time of the year to ask our Harrisburg team about anything else.

But amazingly, five of our state legislators have come through. They've found time to share their displeasure with Kieklak's comments. They also disagree strongly with Express Times Editor Joe Owens' assertion that Kieklak's brayings are typical of "what is said at every Harrisburg, Trenton and D.C. saloon within walking distance of bureaucratic fatcats." I thank them for being leaders and having the courage to speak out.

1) State representative Doug Reichley:

Thanks for your e-mail. As you probably saw, I was quoted in the Morning Call as stating the purported dismissal of Kieklak was warranted and "good riddance." However, I am unaware of what this Joe Owens person wrote or what he was trying to imply about how the legislators in Harrisburg talk amongst ourselves. I can tell you if he is trying to compare to what Kieklak wrote to how we speak, he is dead wrong.

I will talk to other Republican House members about a public response, but I did note last week in speaking with Charlie Dent that if Kieklak's comments were anti-African American or anti-Semitic, I don't think Sen. Boscola could have weathered the storm this easily. For some reason, there seems to be a double standard in place.

2) State representative Karen Beyer

Thank you for emailing me. I wanted you to know that I believe the comments made by Sen. Boscola's Chief of Staff were outrageous and disgusting. Additionally, you should know that I believe those kinds of comments should never be tolerated under any circumstances.

3) State representative Jenn Mann:

I am surprised that you would even think anyone would find those comments appropriate or acceptable, regardless of their profession. I don’t see this particular occurrence having anything to do with the rest of our delegation, but if your confidence in elected officials is confirmed by me saying so, I don’t, nor would members of my staff be comfortable or find those comments acceptable or appropriate.

Feel free to call me next time.

4) State representative Joe Brennan:

Needless to say, I have been extremely busy with our budget process and negotiations. I wanted to take a moment to reply to your correspondence about the unfortunate and repugnant comments made by Bernie Kieklak. While I don’t agree with you that what he said reflects poorly on the Lehigh Valley Delegation, I want to be clear that I do not agree with, nor would I condone vicious verbal attacks by my staff. Each of us fortunate to be entrusted by our respective electorate to represent their interest in Harrisburg is responsible for their own votes as well as their staffing decisions. Many times I’ve seen elected officials take credit for situations that they had little or nothing to do with. Likewise, I’ve seen many shoulder the blame for situations that are out of their control.

I also do not agree with Joe Owens that it is the norm for those kinds of statements to be common occurrences in and around Harrisburg, Trenton or DC. I would challenge Joe or anyone else who covers government to cite specific examples. The discussions that I have been involved in Harrisburg, 11 years as a staffer and 6 months as a Representative, have been very civil and policy oriented.

5) State representative Craig Dally: Craig responded to my email with a telephone call last night. As far as Bernie Kieklak's remarks are concerned, Craig tells me, "I couldn't even dream up comments like that." He also claims Joe Owens assertion about state legislators is "absolutely as far from the truth as you can get." And he gives me a good reason. The Lehigh Valley's ten house members consist of five Dems and five Republicans. They have to work together because that's what the people expect and because otherwise, the Lehigh Valley will be shortchanged in Harrisburg. For that reasons, members are civil with each other even when there are honest disagreements.

Senator Browne, Listed as Bennett Donor, Asks Rendell to Pull State Funding

State senator Pat Browne is complaining to Rendell about Sam Bennett's questionable $110 thousand salary. He wants it stopped until someone reviews "compensation practices" at Properties of Merit.

But guess what?

Browne himself is listed as a sponsor on POM's web page. He's a "Foundation Partner," i.e., someone who's kicked in $10,000 or more.

Maybe he should write a letter to himself, too.

In the meantime, The Morning Call is being attacked by Allentown business owner Bill Thompson as a collection of "Woodward and Bernstein wannabes [who] look under every bed in the hopes of finding an 'anything-gate.' " And Sue Souerwine claims, in a sour whine, that we're just picking on girls. "[T]here are still those who think it is appropriate for women to work for less than their talents demand."

Yeah, and there are also those who irrationally scream sexism at every turn. And those who sneer at a reporter who does a bit of investigative reporting.

Update: Incidentally, both Bill Thompson and Sue Souerwine are proud members of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee.

LVPoliblog Has Some Questions for Lehigh County DA Jim Martin

Up until now, I thought I was the only local blogger with a death wish. But after reading some recent entries at LVPoliblog, it looks like Chris Casey has put himself on the endangered species list, too. He's begun to ask some hard questions about Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin. Incidentally, Martin is the 2006 president of the Pa. District Attorneys Association.

If nothing else, Casey's posts should take some of the heat off me. Finally! Now maybe I can start blogging about my real passion - woodpeckers.

1. Martin's unopposed re-election bid.

Casey tells us Democratic lawyers fear the DA. "[T]he overwhelming conclusion is that once you cross Jim Martin and the Judges in Lehigh County, you can kiss any hope of getting clients or meaningful legal work goodbye." I just don't buy that. Martin is a very popular DA, and few attorneys want to wage an expensive losing campaign.

2. Martin's real estate venture.

Casey questions whether it is ethical for Martin, a District Attorney with an annual salary of $134,293, to also have a 16.66% interest in SMS Properties LLC, which receives rent from Allentown law firm Stevens & Johnson. Casey asks, "Is it a way for Stevens and Johnson to transfer income to James Martin without him being a partner in the firm?"

As a matter of law, this is entirely ethical. Martin in fact lists this interest on his own financial disclosure. But it bothers me when I see supposedly full-time public officials with all kinds of outside revenue, like Northampton County's own court administrator. Full-time should mean full time. But is Martin really considered full time?

Casey claims state law prohibits a DA from being a partner in a law firm. I am unaware of any such law. And Lehigh County's Home Rule Charter specifically permits both its commissioners and DA to hold other jobs.

So I just don't know whether Casey has this one right. I'm sure a commenter will set us both straight.

But even if Casey is in Neverland on that one, I'm still bothered that Martin has a real estate interest so close to the Lehigh County court expansion. During the discussions leading up to this project, Martin had actually threatened the Cunningham administration with a criminal negligence prosecution. That was a shameful abuse of his office. Now it's apparent that Martin's real estate holdings, located so near the courthouse, will appreciate in value with the courthouse expansion.

Did Martin really give a rat's ass about a new courthouse or was he just interested in increasing the value of his real estate holding?

3. Serial killer Charles Cullen

Casey also criticizes Martin's investigation of serial killer Charles Cullen, the killer nurse, and St. Luke's Hospital, as unenthusiastic. Stevens & Johnson represents St. Luke's. In fact, Martin has vigorously resisted efforts by St. Luke's victims to look at his now closed investigative file.

Casey believes Martin should have recused himself from participating in any investigation of Charles Cullen "because of his (Jim Martin's) shared financial interest in property with the partners in the firm representing St. Luke's Hospital."

Casey's right. Regardless whether Martin made the right call, this presents an appearance of impropriety. He probably should have stepped aside.

4. Favoritism?

Finally, William Villa, father of a 25 year-old woman killed by a drunk driver, claims Martin showed favoritism to his daughter's killer because he was the son of a prominent local attorney. That's really hard to know without looking at how similar cases are handled.

What's Martin's side of the story? Casey stated Tuesday that he has called the DA, and is waiting for a return call.

Whether these allegations pan out or not, it's nice to see someone is finally asking questions in Lehigh County. These questions, by themselves, hurt no one. They make our government better. It's the failure to ask them that causes the real damage.

Independence From King George?

In 1776, there were a lot of complaints about another George. Let's look at some of them.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
(The current George gets around this with "signing statements.")

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
(Can you say Department of Homeland Security?)

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation.
(That would be the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court).

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
(Substitute "terrorists" for "Indian Savages" and you've got the current George's foreign policy).

A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Pennysylania signers of The Declaration of Independence: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Real Reason for Norco Council's $1.5 Million Blunder - Punishing a Major Republican Donor

"Is there anyone here who's dissatisfied with ACS?"

That's how Lamont McClure responded when Northampton county council was asked to reject all bids for information tech services with the county. Unless that is done, the county will end up paying Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) at least $1.5 million more than the price provided by the real low bidder, Computer Aid, Inc. (CAI).

McClure was far from alone. Six other council members joined him. Charles Dertinger and Ann McHale complained about the unfairness to poor ACS, which was being penalized for filling out its paperwork correctly.

Council totally failed to consider fairness to taxpayer or the best interests of the county. As Ron Angle complains in a suit against council filed late yesterday afternoon, it breached its fiduciary duty to taxpayers.

Why?

On April 12 and May 17, council unanimously agreed to reject bids for cafeteria services and cereal so that the county could get a better price. It did the same thing last year for the courthouse cupola, which is now being repaired at half the price originally quoted.

So why now, knowing damn well this will cost the county $1.5 million, does council refuse to permit the administration to rebid its information technology services? Dissatisfaction with the county procurement process? That's an expensive way to make a point, and punishes the wrong persons - us.

Why?

Politics, bippy. Partisanship at its worst.

According to the corporations bureau, CAI's prez is Anthony Salvaggio. And he's a playa'. State campaign finance reports reveal that, in the last six and a half years, he's donated $98,500 to candidates seeking statewide office. Most of these are Republicans, although he will grease the palms of an incumbent Dem like Rendell. Over that same period, Salvaggio has also donated $97,850 to candidates seeking federal office, according to FEC reports. When it comes to federal candidates, Salvaggio donates exclusively to Republicans.

Salvaggio has contributed $10,100 to Congressman Charlie Dent, a Republican opposed by council member Dertinger in the last congressional race.

Is it possible that Dertinger and McClure saw an opportunity to put the screws to a big Republican donor? Instead of letting the bidding process determine a county contractor, were "pay to play" pols punishing someone for playing with the wrong team?

McClure was quick to steer the work away from a known Republican donor. Maybe he thinks that's in the "best interests of the county."

Now he can tell it to the judge.

Congressional Wannabe Sam Bennett: Say Hello to my Little Friend!

Josh Drobnyk's great investigative report about congressional wannabe Sam Bennett does more than raise a few eyebrows. It also leads to even more questions. She draws a comfy $110,000 salary at a nonprofit whose annual budget is only $351,000. This includes a $100k grant from the Guv. Have Pennsylvania taxpayers have been duped into paying Bennett's salary at Properties of Merit so she can campaign full time?

According to the Properties of Merit webpage, Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania DCED are credited with grants in excess of $100,000. It also claims to have sponsorships from Lehigh County exec Don Cunningham($20k), Lehigh County DCED($20k), state senator Lisa Boscola($20k) and even state senator Pat Browne ($10k).

That's a lot of garden rakes!

And get a load of this testimonial, made just this year!

The expansion of Properties of Merit to communities throughout the Lehigh Valley is an incredibly positive development! POM has had a wonderful impact on neighborhoods in Allentown where property owners have taken a greater interest in their own properties. POM is a community development program that will yield great results that improve the quality of life for the residents of the communities that have joined. Congratulations to all who have worked so hard to make this expansion possible!

Author? Lisa Boscola, bippy.

Sometimes irony can be pretty ironic.

Angle Fires a Shot Across Norco Council's Bow

"I'm asking them to do what's right. ... We've got to do what's right for the taxpayers."

That's how Northampton County Councilman Ron Angle justifies today's lawsuit against Northampton County Council in a statement to Express Times reporter Sarah Cassi.

He's suing over county council's incredible refusal to permit the Stoffa administration to rebid the county's information technology services. Because of some technical defects in the two low bids, the county is now stuck with a single $10 million proposal, and is legally unable to negotiate lower bids.

Council refuses to allow Stoffa to start the bidding process over.

It makes no difference to council that all three bidders are willing to submit new proposals, or that there's a $1.5 million difference between the lowest bid and that $10 million proposal. Fiscal Affairs Director Vic Mazziotti, who points out that new bids would come in lower, is being ignored.

County council's justification? They don't want to penalize a poor bidder who does everything right. But their obligation is to the taxpayer, and Angle claims council has abused its fiduciary responsibility to them.

Something about council's explanation rings very hollow. They've already permitted bid rejections twice this year without incident. But this time, when the amounts are so high, they refuse? Even though it may cost taxpayers $1.5 million? Council members McClure, Dertinger and Neiper may have managed to inject partisan politics into the bidding process, where it has no place. I'll have more about that tomorrow.

McClure has already laughed at the idea of Angle suing to try to save taxpayers a few bucks. "He is in court more than I am," asbestos lawyer McClure sneered to Morning Call reporter Joe Nixon.

President Judge Freedberg isn't laughing. He's already scheduled a hearing on Angle's claim for this Friday at 1:30 P.M., which is highly unusal. You can read Ron's complaint here.

Parental Warnings for Lehigh Valley Blogosphere

Last week, Gort falsely advertised himself at some goofy dating service as a 22 year-old studmuffin with money to burn, looking for Mr. Right. I know because I answered his ads. That's a story for another day. But before my encounter with Gort, I discovered this dating service actually rates blogs! So without further ado, let's check out LV blogs.

Blogs Rated G

These should be the wimpy blogs, the kind you can show your boss. So how the hell did LVDem slip in there? Obviously, he bribed the raters. Hey Blue Coyote, don't it make your brown eyes blue?BethlemDem and Bethlehem Blog Times both get Gs, proving once again that Bethlehemites are so damn nice it makes me want to puke. Green Dog dem must be a hush puppy. Sit! Roll over! NewsOverCoffee, a Nazareth blogger, is probably the only person proud of his G rating. I haven't quite figured out BillyBytes's rating. If you knew what Billy was biting, he'd be way beyond G. They might be giving him a break because he's from Mars, or is it Gupiter? Molovinsky on Allentown, I'm sure, will be complaining his weak rating is just more evidence of a vast liberal conspiracy to get him. And Mike, you're right! I'm the grand wizard and I'll ask Mayor Ed to show you our secret handshake. Damien Brown's Our West End Neighborhood gets a G? Excuse me, but how the hell can someone write exclusively about Allentown and get away with a G? Maybe it means Gringo, Damien. Your Mambo ads fool no one. And who the hell names their kid Damien, anyway? That's almost as bad as Bernard. The After Work Chronicles must be thrilled with a G. I just hope my after work chronicles escape that rating until I've been dead for ten years. Beyond Scrapple? I'm sorry, but anything with scrapple in it deserves an X rating unless the G stands for garbage. Do you know what's in that stuff? Glenn Kranzley started eating it, and turned into an editor! Lehigh Valley Road Rage? Obviously, they don't want to piss off this dude. Northern Lehigh Valley Logic might be G but is also an oxymoron. Right From Lehigh County? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the words "Republican" and "Bush" pretty damn vulgar? Bill White, who's currently spending his summer holiday in a tent at Jolly Joe Timmer's grove, deserves that G rating. That's what he gets for bloggin' about Mark Trail. Joe Owens? A G? This dude writes three blogs shitting all over me, and he gets away with a G??

Blogs Rated PG

Easton Undressed is undressed and gets away with a PG? Must be a very tiny egg roll. AJ's Web Blog, a 23 year-old dude, must really be proud. He can brag about his PG next time he drinks a cup of warm milk with his mommy. Capitol Ideas had that coveted G in the bag until he wrote the words "Bernie O'Hare." Jim Deegan's rating is under protest by Mike Fleck for some Fleckin' reason.

Blogs Rated PG-13

The blogger formerly known as Addicted is trying to clean up his act. Pennsylvania Ave. occasionally has to write the word "Congress," which explains his spicy rating. Perspectives with Pamela Varkony was doing fine until she wrote about BernieGate.

Blogs Rated R
LVCurmudgeon is that bastard who won the Christmas parody contest. He hasn't posted much lately, and should be out in three to six months. Look Out Lehigh Valley likes to say shit a lot. I shit you not!

Blog Rated NC-17

LVPoliblog has the distinction of being the only LV blog rated NC-17. What a frickin' shocker! Boy, I never saw that one coming.


Me? Well, every time I plugged in my blog, the server went down. But I see all kinds of cop cars from my window and it looks like someone is ...

Hillary's Sinking Ship

Back in January, I told you Hillary Clinton will never be president. A Mason-Dixon survey supports that conclusion. Fifty-two per cent of the voters would support anyone over Hillary Clinton. Chuck "Do No Harm" Keiser must feel the same way. He sent me a little ditty yesterday that seems appropriate.

Poor little Hillary sent to the pillory

For eating the Master’s pie.

What’s to be done with such a bold lass

Who’s far more clever than sly?

Opportunistic Sam Bennett: Trying Her Best to Re-elect Congressman Charlie Dent

Thanks to Bernie Kieklak, Allentown's Sam Bennett will be local Dems' sacrificial lamb in next year's race againstCongressman Charlie Dent. With the media eye focused exclusively on her, the first thing she did was botch her her first financial disclosure, claiming she had between $150 and $250 million set aside for retirement. "Take three zeros off all of it, and you've got the right answer," her campaign spokesman chuckled.

Last week, she got serious and claimed politics was Dent's sole motive in leading a group of fellow Republicans to challenge the Prez for mismanaging Iraq. Then she proceeds to do exactly exactly that - politicize the war. After lamenting our "dead and wounded soldiers," she asks for money in a mass email.

To Siobahn Bennett, our "dead and wounded soldiers" are just a campaign cash cow - a “gimmick” to raise money. "Many eyes will be on the June 30th financial filing of our campaign!"

Finally, if there is any doubt in your mind about her opportunistic nature, Josh Drobnyk dispels it with an interesting report about Bennett's comfy salary at a nonprofit. She ignored IRS guidelines and put herself on the committee that awards her a $110,000 salary, even though the annual budget is only $351,000.

If elected to congress, she'll be deciding her salary again, and the budget there is just a bit larger. Lots of extra 0's.

BernieGate - Day 17: Boscola Ripped by Former "Executive Director"?

Yesterday, I told you about the email campaign launched by Aphrodite's Daughter. It's directed at Bernie Kieklak, aka BTNP, chief of staff to state senator Lisa Boscola. Kieklak has offered no apology to the private citizen he most viciously attacked, and we'd like him to remedy that insensitive oversight. A sample email, including all relevant email addresses, is right here.

In one of many comments posted to yesterday's blog, someone suggests Kieklak is "insanely jealous of his access to [Boscola] (witness his behavior in getting [Lisa]'s top aide -- a woman -- fired)."

It's true that in 2001, Kieklak was employed with another state senator. He wanted to reunite with Lisa afyer being yanked from her by senate leaders. He wormed his way back into Lisa's office by slamming her then female "executive director," Jennifer Boger, with demeaning emails very similar to the slings and arrows he unleashed here.

Boger soon left Boscola for another state senator, and Bernie was back!

I was about to correct the person who claimed Boscola had fired her only female top aide. But before that happened, it appears Boger did it herself!

Holy schneike!

Although I can't be positive we were talking to Boger, here are some of the exchanges.

Boger?: BTNP didnt get me fired I left on my own free will.

Anon: She would have been better off trying to convince you to stay.

Boger?: I would never have agreed to stay and work for someone of my gender who condones BTNP's behavior because by keeping him on her staff is exactly what she is doing - condoning his behavior.

Me: Actually, I blogged about this. As I recall, you returned to Senator Fumo's office. Did you suffer a paycut?

Anon: If there is even a remote chance that you are who I think you are, let me say this: Boscola lost her last opportunity to be taken seriously when you left her office.

Boger?: I am not sure I am the person you think I am but I think I was her only female executive director. COS title was reserved for BTNP only. I have been lurking and reading since this whole thing came about I suffered nothing when I left her office. As a matter of fact I gained more by leaving than had I stayed.

Me: Holy shit! You're Jennifer Boger! Good for you. I blogged about your situation, and it doesn't seem to me that there is any difference between the way BTNP acted towars you and the way he dealt with other women. I'm truly sorry for what you had to endure. What bothers me most is the failure to recognize this bad behavior toeards woman. Did he ever apologize to you?

Boger?: No I wish to stay as I posted.. Anonymous

This commenter loses any claim to anonymity when she tells us she was Boscola's only female executive director. Although I can't be sure it is Boger or someone posing as Boger, I do know one thing. Whoever posted that comment, Boger or not, did so from the senate of Pennsylvania. I've saved the results from my sitemeter.

The Lehigh Valley Blogosphere Continues to Expand

The blogosphere is defined in the Devil's Dictionary as a "poisonous environment of methane, self-satisfaction and other hot gases," where it is said the only creatures who survive are "low-order molds, able to feed off the waste of others.” And a blogger is "anyone with enough time or narcissism to document every tedious bit of minutia filling their uneventful lives."

Is it me, or is that a shot?

Well, I'm taking my fellow narcissists on a tour de blog here in the Lehigh Valley. Here are some of the latest trends.

1. State Legislation Coverage, Lehigh Valley Style.

Blue Coyote has really found a useful niche posting legislative proposals from Lehigh Valley state reps and senators. He clues us in on items that might not hit the mainstream but are nonetheless interesting. The latest example is Rich Grucela's link-to-learn idea for kids in private schools.

2. Christmas City Rising.

Bethlehem has two newly-discovered blogs. AJ's Web Blog offers the perspective of a 24 year-old dude. He shares my concern that our society is still too divided. Down and Out in Bethlehem, the product of BethlehemDem, is a welcome spotlight on Bethlehem city hall. In one of his first posts, BethlehemDem tells us there are actually two Democratic parties in Bethlehem - the Callahan and Schweder factions.

3. Placeblogs Rising.

Anyone who reads NewsOverCoffee (Nazareth) or Our West End Neighborhood (Allentown), knows the value of a placeblog. It's a place to spotlight topics specific to a particular community. The print media must appeal to a much larger community, so placeblogs fill an important niche.

The Morning Call is attempting to fill this niche with an Allentown-specific blog called the Queen City Daily. It has cast a glaring spotlight on Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski's most recent campaign finance report. The Express Times also has a few community blogs, including Jim Deegan's Around Town (Easton) and Nick Falsone's Bedlam in Bethlehem.

Queen City Daily is the most informative mainstream placeblog, while Jim Deegan's Around Town is by far the most entertaining. Look at his headline about old Fleck campaign signs - You won't Fleckin' believe this ...

4. The Voice of Women Rising.

Early this year, prominent blogger Kathy Sierra was forced to cancel a public appearance and suspend her blog. She was, in fact, locked inside her home. She had been the victim of all kinds of verbal use, including death threats. When she finally spoke out, she had this to say.

If you want to do something about it, do not tolerate the kind of abuse that includes threats or even suggestions of violence (especially sexual violence). Do not put these people on a pedestal. Do not let them get away with calling this "social commentary", "protected speech", or simply "criticism."

Unfortunately, some women in the LV blogosphere have already been subjected to exactly that kind of treatment by Bernie Kieklack, chief of staff to state senator Lisa Boscola. He's even given the same stupid defenses.

In spite of, or perhaps because of, this abuse, there has been a refreshing outburst of female bloggers with their perspective. Pam Varkony's Perspectives is a must read. Look Out Lehigh Valley, Aphrodite's Daughter and UpperMacQueen have their own blogs, but all of them post frequently at LVPoliblog. I'd offer them mine, but I get too many libel threats. They have mounted a campaign to force both Boscola and Kieklak to apologize personally for Kieklak's sexist rants.

And fortunately, even more women are speaking out. Lehigh Valley Housewife, Dottie, RadCenter and others have proven to be a forceful and much appreciated voices, and I hope they start their own blogs, too.

Northampton County Council Vainly Tries To Justify $1.5 Million Boo Boo

Yesterday, I told you that Northampton county council has short circuited the bidding process for the county's computer services, leaving only one, very high, bid on the table. This will end up costing taxpayers $1.5 million. Today's Express Times and Morning Call include some of council's goofy justifications.

Charles (I'm an expert on everything) Dertinger: ''The playing field has been opened up. Everybody now knows each other's numbers.'' (Um, Charles, that only helps the taxpayer. The next set of bids would be lower, and you were told that during a public meeting.)

John (I want to be exec) Cusick: "I think the administration really needs to look at how they wound up in this situation with only one responsible and responsive bid to the RFP.'' (John, that's because you refused to let them rebid the package. That's an easy one, but maybe you should study it in a committee for a few years.)

Ann (I wanted to be exec first) McHale: ''It's going to get to a point where no one is going to want to bid on county business because if it isn't the price the county wants to hear, they are just going to reject the bids until they get something they want to hear. I don't think that's fair.'' (Newsflash to Ann - you represent the taxpayers, not the bidders.)

Council's concern that no one will do business with the county, is pure manure. As long as they're there to throw our money away, the list of potential vendors will be long, but not so distinguished.

Coucil Prez Grube made the right call for the county. A simple rebid will result in cheaper bids and more options for the county. That's in the best interest of the county and its taxpayers. Instead, we're stuck with one high bid, a formal protest from one of the bidders, and Angle intends to sue next week.

BernieGate - Day 16

On June 13, The Morning Call first reported sexist and misogynistic remarks that Bernie Kieklak, chief of staff to state senator Lisa Boscola, published on this blog. His remarks to the press? "Do you think I care?" Boscola's public statement? ''What, do you want me to fire him now?''

On June 20, Boscola decided to keep her chief of staff. She's betting this crisis is just a tempest in a teapot, not The Perfect Storm. Inside sources tell me she's met with the editorial board of at least one local paper to put a lid on this story. Despite Boscola's efforts at damage control, The Morning Call and Express Times have both exposed Kieklak with a combined total of thirty-six news stories, editorials, letters to the editor and blogs.

Yesterday, Aphrodite's Daughter started an email campaign directed at Bernie Kieklak. She apparently subscribes to Edmund Burke's observation that evil triumphs "when good men [or women] do nothing." She urges us all to send emails, asking Kieklak to do two things.

First, track down Look Out Lehigh Valley, one of his victims, and make arrangements to apologize to her in person. Lisa Boscola doesn't seem to think we private citizens need an apology. Not important enough. The rest of us feel otherwise.

Second, after apologizing, Kieklak is asked to resign. ... Immediately.

Aphrodite's Daughter suggests we send a copy to Morning Call Comments Editor Glenn Kranzley. I'll be sending a cc to Lisa Boscola as well. If you'd like a sample email, including all relevant email addresses, just click here.

Also in hiding are most of the LV delegation to the state assembly. With the exception of state representative Doug Reichley, not a single member has condemned Kieklak's behavior. Their silence makes them enablers.

Yesterday, I individually emailed all members of the LV delegation to the state house and senate. This includes senators Pat Browne, Jim Rhoades, Rob Wonderling, and representatives Karen Beyer, Jenn Mann, Joe Brennan, Doug Reichley, Steve Samuelson, Bob Freeman, Rich Grucela, Craig Dally, Julie Harhart and Carl Mantz. Here's what I asked them.

As a member of the Lehigh Valley delegation to the General Assembly, you're undoubtedly aware of the sexist, misogynistic and vulgar remarks from Bernard Kieklak, chief of staff to state senator Lisa Boscola. It may interest you to know that, in addition to some of the remarks that were publicized, Mr. Kieklak also referred to state rep. Doug Reichley as a Nazi and slammed open records reform efforts as meaningless.

By retaining Kieklak, state senator Boscola has become his enabler. Her decision reflects poorly on the entire general assembly. It lends credence to what Express Times editor Joe Owens says about all of you. "[I]f you believe [Kieklak's] foul rant is anything more than what is said at every Harrisburg, Trenton and D.C. saloon within walking distance of bureaucratic fatcats, you're woefully mistaken."

I am asking you, as a local leader, to condemn what Kieklak has said, and make clear it is contrary to what you would tolerate from any member of your own staff. Regardless of your personal affection for Lisa, her decision to retain Kieklak diminishes all of you. Your own refusal to condemn this conduct will make you an enabler as well.

I already have one response, and will wait one week to tell you whether our delegation is willing to do what is right.

Thanks ... For Nothing!!

Yesterday's harmless little post about possible county exec candidates resulted in some nasty shots directed at Express Times editor Joe Owens.

"A slave to Joe Owens is worse than the lowest bowels of hell ... not even Stoffa deserves such a fate."

"I really hope you do not schmooze with the likes of an ignorant, pompous, self-important load like owens ... you deserve a better slave master."

I'm already in enough trouble with that guy, thank you very much. Not a good thing with a dude who buys his ink by the barrell.

Honest John Stoffa, who was talking to Owens today, just had to dime me out. Now Owens is demanding a full investigation, the Spanish Inquisition is pounding at my door, and Wayne Grube is slicing my tires again.

"Some might says it's more sex-charged ranting. It's an outrage. Or how would they say it in cyber space ... IT'S AN OUTRAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

I'll make it up to him. I'll do his lawn and snow-shoveling next year, and this time I won't even ask for Italian ice. I just hope he doesn't discover the nasty comments being posted about Deegan.

Northampton County Council Makes a $1.5 Million Boo Boo

Last Friday, Northampton County Fiscal Affairs boss Vic Mazziotti spent much of his day wandering aimlessly through the halls, mouth ajar. Every now and then, he'd mumble, "I just don't believe it."

Vic was in shock, and understandably so, over what had happened during the previous night's council meeting. So was Al Jordan, the county's contracted computer guru, and direct beneficiary of a $1.5 million county council blunder.

Let me tell you the story.

ACS is the county's "information technology" vendor. That's where Al Jordan works. They keep the computers up and running. But this outside contract is up at the end of the year, so the county sought new proposals from ACS and two other qualified vendors, CAI and CMC. Here's how the bids come down:
ACS - $10,002,873;
CMC - $8,747,686; and
CAI - $8,503,100.
ACS was high bidder by $1.5 million.

Low bidders CAI and CMC had some minor errors with their proposals. CAI failed to acknowledge two addendums. CMC forgot to sign its proposal. But county lawyers ruled these were serious enough to require rejection of those bids. Mazziotti was also told he was unable legally to negotiate with the only successful bidder, ACS, for a reduced cost.

So the county could either award a new IT contract to ACS for $10 million, or reject all bids and start all over. OurAdministrative Code allows county council to do that when "it is in the best interest of the County."

Now here's where things get really goofy. At last Thursday's council meeting, Vic asked council to kill the bid. He explained that, now that every one knows each other's numbers, the new bids would be lower. That would benefit taxpayers. He even assured council the three bidders were willing to try again. No nasty lawsuits.

But council was having none of it. Why are so many bids being rejected? Why do we make things so hard for those poor little vendors?

Lamont McClure: "Is there anyone here who's dissatisfied with ACS?" (That's not the point, Lamont. It's time for a new contract, and the county has to get the best bang for its buck).

Charles Dertinger: "I'm very familiar with the bidding process and know how it feels to do everything right and be rejected." (Is there anything at which Charles Dertinger is not an expert?)

Ann McHale: "I just feel this is unfair to bidders, who get penalized when they do everything right." (Uh, Ann, you represent the taxpayers, not bidders. What about them?)

By a shocking seven to one vote, county council refused to reject ACS's lone $10 million bid, knowing damn well they just blew off at least a $1.5 million savings to the taxpayer. Now, rejected bidders are considering filing formal protests, which will only cost the county even more.

The lone member of county council with the sense to start the bidding over? Mike "God Loves business" Dowd? Nope. John "no new taxes" Cusick? Nah.

It was Council Prez Wayne Grube, standing alone. Now he knows how Angle feels. The rest must think they work for ACS. They don't. They work for the taxpayers of Northampton County.

And where was Ron Angle, who would have scremed about this $1.5 million boo boo? Currently in talk radio rehab, Ron missed last Thursday's council meeting. I broke the news to Ron in his padded cell. He's now undergoing electroshock therapy, and his stay has been extended by therapist Jolly Joe Timmer for another week.

Things could be worse. Angle could be a county employee, watching council flush $1.5 million down the drain. That money could help pay their salaries or keep taxes down.

Update - Angle Threatens to Sue! I told you Angle went ballistic when I broke the news last night about council's refusal to reject the bids. Although he was on vacation, he had asked to participate in the meeting via speakerphone. That didn't happen. He's furious that council would throw away $1.5 million, and believes they both abused their discretion, violated their fiduciary responsibilty to taxpayers, and deprived slate belt citizens of representation on council. He intends to sue unless the Stoffa administration re-submits the resolution to reject all bids and starts the process over.

Women's Perspectives About Boscola - Disgust

I was appropriately put in my place a few days ago by a female blogger at LVPoliblog. "[I]t seems to me a lot of men are writing about what is important to women on blogs, but they don't really have a clue. I don't like when someone says they are speaking for me, when they don't know a thing about me." So this post is devoted entirely to female perspectives on Senator Lisa Boscola's decision to retain a sexist and misogynist chief of staff.

Look Out Lehigh Valley is one of two female bloggers that Boscola chief of staff Kieklak viciously attacked with sexual accusations. Here's part of what she wrote at LVPoliblog.

I guess I'm feeling slightly, well.... slighted that the story has been that he mouthed off about Charlie and Sam, but seemingly its no big deal that he shot extremely nasty insults my way. In the same breath, Boscola called both Sam and Charlie to apologize, but makes no mention at all anywhere that she's sorry that her chief of staff verbally attacked a 23 year old private citizen. I guess maybe as far as they are concerned it's no big deal that I was spoken to this way since neither of them will ever have to convince me to give them funding or support for a bill. I'm not saying I want a phone call from Boscola apologizing to me - I just want Lisa or Bernie K to stand up and say "Its inappropriate for him/me to speak to anyone the way I did, not just other elected officials or candidates." One of my coworkers said to me yesterday "well, they're all just missing the point."

Pamela Varkony, an Allentown writer and former member of Allentown city council, is the founder of Power of Women. She's also the Perspectives blogger at The Morning Call. Reading her blog is like sitting in some one's living room, having a nice conversation. Here's Pam's perspective.

What I want to say is directed to Lisa Boscola, woman to woman: Lisa, what you have done by leaving Bernie Kieklak in a position of authority on your staff and in your life, has set women's leadership back ten years. I am beyond disappointed, I am disgusted.

In a subsequent comment, Pam offers a possible explanation why there is no hue and outcry from women's groups. "I believe that if a male politician had retained a member of his staff who had said such things, there would be a much louder outcry from women in general and women's organizations in particular. But because 'the boss' is a woman and she's giving him a pass, so is everyone else."

Dottie, at LVPoliblog, chimes in with this. "[W]e should write letters to the editor, and question why the other elected women like Jennifer Mann are not speaking out on this. I saw two letters to the editor in the paper today but I believe they were written by men."

Finally, Aphrodite's Daughter, also at LVPoliblog, has this. "Today I wrote a letter to the Morning Call asking that the women who hold elected office in our community state publicly how they feel about the creep Bernie Kieklak's remarks. I would like a public C-O-N-D-M-N-A-T-I-O-N of Senator Boscola's overly lenient and inadequate punishment of her Chief of staff, by someone in government, mostly a powerful woman. I'd write a letter to Lt. Governor Knoll, but I'm not sure she's all there to begin with."

Michael Moore's "Sicko" Hits Lehigh Valley July 1

Michael Moore's latest documentary, Sicko, will have its Lehigh Valley premier on July 1, 7:30 PM, at Allentown's beautiful 19th Street Theatre. It will run there for three weeks.

I don't think any of us, on the left or right, will dispute our health care system is broken. For that reason, this is probably the least controversial of Moore's films. But Congress has stumbled at solutions, whether it's single payer health care or easing regulations to qualify for group insurance.

One quote from that movie should spur Congress. "If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to help people."

Who's Running for Northampton County Exec?

In Northampton County, the county executive is the "chief executive and administrative offial of the County." Although John Stoffa is barely in his second year, sharks are already circling. Stoffa swims alone. So they sense weakness. Who are these sharks?

Ann McHale, the angel shark. This hard-working member of county council has a solid base in Bethlehem, the right last name, and has earned the respect of county employees over the years. But party bosses resent her independent streak, and she was deposed as council VP in January. It's unlikely she'd run against John Stoffa.

Rich Grucela, the tiger shark. Although serving his fifth term as state rep in Harrisburg, Rich originally comes from the ranks of local government. He presided over county council between 1987 and 1990. He told Stoffa in January he won't run against him. And he's done no fundraising. But if he changes his mind and decides to run, this popular and well-known house member will be tough to beat.

Ron Heckman, the silky shark. Currently doing a good job in Lehigh County with local municpalities, Heckman's previous gig was as Director of Human Services when Glenn Reibman was at the helm of a sinking ship in Northampton County. Most members of the Reibman administration shunned county council meetings, but Heckman attended every one. He clearly cares about the county. But having failed in his bid for Bethlehem City council, he must be having second thoughts.

Ron Angle, the hammerhead shark. Angle is a terrific hammerhead shark. I've never seen anyone, including the best litigators, question someone as effectively. He's the least educated member of county council, and is occasionally derided for his poor grammar. But he's easily the most brilliant of that bunch. He's a natural story teller, can exude charm when he wants and would run the county effectively. But Ron's fatal flaw is he has a tough time building coalitions. He gets divisive, even with his own party.

Joe Long, the sand shark. The rumor is there, and I hope it's true. Please run, Joe.

Glenn Reibman, the blind shark. Despite my harsh criticism of Reibman over the years, I've always considered him a gentleman. Reibman introduced diversity to an overwhelmingly white county government. But he was a slave to special interests. And his ill-considerd $111 megabond eventually resulted in layoffs, salary freezes, tax increases and pushed county workers into the arms of eleven different unions. I'm nevertheless sure he'd like a second crack at Stoffa. What might compel Glenn to run is what ruined him as a county executive. He's blind. He just does not see the damage his policies and administration have caused. He has no idea that he was wildly unpopular in his second term. He's already begun to spend money. He contributed $4,150 to candidates in the last reporting cycle, including Ron Heckman ($2,000), Lamont McClure ($1,000), Lisa Boscola ($350), $250 for Bill Leiner and Todd Buskirk, and $100 for Jeff Warren, Gordon Mowrer and Bob Donchez. He's also still sitting on a campaign treasury over $100,000.

John Cusick, the dogfish shark. Lurking in the reefs, Cusick has been an effective member of county council. But fellow Republicans distrust him. Perhaps he should have thought twice before trying to recruit another Republican to run against former council member Peg Ferarro. He's not ready.

Jolly Joe Timmer, the clown shark. OK, I made that one up.

John Stoffa, the great white. He swims alone. He keeps his own counsel. Those slighted by Reibman's embarrassment seek revenge. But I hear this strange and scary music. I think he's running.

LV Ramblings One of Pennsylvania's Most Influential Political Blogs, at least for a Week

A bit of shameless self-promotion here. BlogNet News has just released its latest weekly list of Pennsylvania's most influential political blogs. Five area blogs made this week's list, including me. BNN claims it "combines a variety of data sets to determine which blogs are most powerfully influencing the direction of the Pennsylvania political blogosphere."

I think they just throw darts.

LVDem, who has only been able to post sporadically over the past few months, still managed to make the top twenty. I earned my ranking the old fashioned way - I paid them off. Here's this week's list, complete with links to each blog.

1) :::Philebrity...media, culture, music and more:::
2) Brendan Calling
3) GrassrootsPA
4) Phillybits
5) Suburban Guerrilla
6) Lehigh Valley Ramblings
7) The Carbolic Smoke Ball
8) The Pennsylvania Progressive
9) TONY PHYRILLAS
10) Attytood
11) 2 Political Junkies
12) Above Average Jane
13) http://www.keystonepolitics.com/
14) Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events
15) Booman Tribune
16) Pennsyltucky Politics
17) PowerBlog!
18) PSoTD
19) Politics: Lehigh Valley Style
20) philly

This rating probably has more to do with all the interest generated by Bernie Kieklak's remarks. Next week, I'll be back down to 145,356.

Boscola's Former Opponent, Bonnie Dodge, Speaks Out!

Affable Democrat Rick Orloski, an unsuccessful state senate candidate, surprised me last week. He penned a letter to the Morning Call editor, criticizing Boscola's judgment. "Sen. Boscola has displayed an appalling lack of judgment by keeping such a vulgar person on her staff. Her decision is an embarrassment to the Democrats who have supported her over the years, particularly her female voters."

A bit less surprising, but still quite interesting, are Bonnie Dodge's comments. She was Lisa Boscola's republican opponent for the state senate. She's tied to the religious right, which has divided the country by exploiting issues like abortion, same-sex marriage and school prayer.

But Dodge ran a clean campaign, on the issues, and had a reform agenda. She took no personal shots.

I still supported Lisa.

Boscola easily crushed Dodge, who came out of nowhere and had no money, with 72% of the vote. Since that time, Bonnie's been as quiet as ... well, a churchmouse.

She has finally decided to speak out. Here's what she has to say.

These two don't even have a passing friendship with family values, despite her claiming to be a practicing Catholic. In my campaign, I opted not to go after Lisa based on her open record of ludicrous public behavior, but the most recent dust-up with Bernie Kieklak is the last straw for me. Does anyone really believe she didn't know what was happening? They are mirror images of each other and nothing either does will surprise the other.

I hope your readers and the voters don't forget their antics next time around.

Remember how she force-fed local school boards the dismal Act I, another of her failures, and we get a pretty complete picture of someone who has been in Harrisburg too long!

Hopefully, someone will (1) raise tons of money, (2) have name recognition, and (3) beat the pants of Lisa in 2010. Personally, I hope she does run against Charlie Dent because he knew her back when. Nothing like a little primary information to blow an incumbent campaign out of the water!!! The voters re-elected her and they have to un-elect her. Period!

Congressional Wannabe Sam Bennett: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Now that state senator Lisa Boscola has destroyed any hopes she may have entertained of running for U.S. Congress, it appears increasingly likely that Allentown's Sam Bennett will be the Democratic party's standard bearer in 2008.

Now's her chance to shine in the sun!

So what does she do? Screw up her first financial disclosure. According to The Express Times, her recently filed financial disclosure report claims she has between $150 and $250 million set aside for retirement. "Take three zeros off all of it, and you've got the right answer," her campaign spokesman chuckles.

Congressman Charlie Dent's campaign spokesman, Shawn Millan, isn't laughing. If she can't get her personal finances straight, "What happens when we're talking about the country's budget or budget matters?"

Even the NRCC got into the act. “If Bennett is incapable of filling out one of the most basic disclosure forms necessary to be a candidate, how could she possibly handle the important responsibility of representing the people of Pennsylvania in Washington,” NRCC Communications Director Jessica Boulanger said.

In reality, this is just a minor error, quickly corrected. But Bennett can't afford to make any.

I can see it now. Replays of Bennett's drunken campaign concession speech in Allentown, combined with her adding a few zeros here and there.

Joe Brennan's Plan to Curb Underage Drinking

It happens nearly every Spring. At a time when new life is blossoming everywhere, many teen-aged children will be seriously injured or lose their lives because they drive drunk.

Thanks to Blue Coyote, I've learned that freshman state rep. Joe Brennan has proposed legislation that might just save a few lives. In Blue Coyote's words,

Brennan’s legislation (H.B 1512) would give establishments that utilize age verification devices a break on their annual liquor license renewal fee. “The whole goal here is to stop underage drinking before it starts,” Brennan said. “Too often kids under 21 are walking into bars, giving a fake ID and being served alcohol. This age verification technology can tell right away who is lying.”

Thanks, Joe.

Expect No Meaningful Reform From Land of Midnight Payraises

In his most recent post, LVDem tell us it's time to start lobbying for reform, including legislative improvement of arcane open records laws. But for some reason, he's fearful of "reform" when it's proposed by a conservative. He's afraid conservatives will disguise their political agenda as reform. "[S]ome people will say and do anything to get elected."

Well, let's take a look at state senator Lisa Boscola's attitude towards reform, as exemplified by one of three emails sent to me by her chief of staff the night before The Morning Call outed him as a sexist and misogynist.

You keep writing about Lower Macungie and open records. Pat yourself on the back. What a difference you make.

In that email, state senator Boscola reveals how she really feels about reforming open records or our second class township code, which allows township supervisors to hire themselves.

I sent a copy of that email to Boscola, complaining about her chief of staff's attitude towards reform, but she never bothered to respond or even acknowledge receipt.

Sure, he apologized in a public statement to Congressman Charlie Dent and Dem contender Sam Bennett. But not a word of regret to two women from the private sector who he slammed much harder. I guess the lowly peasants don't count.

And reform? You won't hear much about that until Boscola runs for her next office.

Blogger's Note: This post is being emailed to Boscola. I request she publicly disavow Kieklak's slur on reform efforts and state exactly what she's doing to make a difference, especially about our open records laws and second class township code. Her COS can fill her in on the details.

Should a Newspaper Reveal Race of At-Large Rape Suspect?

In Bill White's words, "It’s not the newspaper’s job to protect you from the truth." Sounds pretty lofty, eh? But many newspapers, including The Morning Call, do it all the time. They shy away from racial identifiers, even when a criminal suspect is at large and the rest of the description is detailed enough to make a suspect's race meaningful.

I sympathize with the editorial concern over "the mangled language of race." The concern about stereotyping is justified, and racial identifiers have traditionally been used to establish white superiority. But it's very relevant when police are actively searching for someone and plenty of other physical characteristics are known.

The Morning Call is the only local media that refused to use any racial identifiers at all last November, when police were actively seeking a person who assaulted a bus driver. The Express Times included a more detailed description, and WFMZ actually played a video.

Now, alone again, The Morning Call refuses to reveal the skin tone of an alleged rapist who last weekend disguised himself as a cop. Plenty of other physical characteristics are known so there's no danger of racial stereotyping. And police are still looking for this guy, too.

I agree with what Bill White said. Newspapers do have an obligation to tell us the truth.

What the Far Left Thinks About Boscola

For the most part, LV Independent Press is just another in a long series of disappointments from our local peace community - LEPOCO. But today, I was pleasantly surprised to see an article, not about Columbia or El Salvador, but Lisa Boscola.

As to the politics of Lisa Boscola, a quick look at her positions shows us that she is identified as “mixed” in her support for choice on the abortion issue. She supports cuts to the capital gains tax. She supports the death penalty. She has not spoken out on the war and occupation of Iraq, but if one reads the comments of her chief aide on the blog of O’Hare, you find that Kieklak supports a nuclear war against the Islamic world, starting with Iraq, after a withdrawal of US troops. The bottom line is that it appears that Boscola is to the right of Charlie Dent on the political spectrum. In other words, she is a perfect Democratic candidate for this 15th Congressional District. From Tad Walters to Paul McHale to Charlie Dent, this district loves a rightwinger.

Like it or not, moderate Charlie Dent is probably the most liberal member of Congress ever elected in the Lehigh Valley.

State Senator Boscola Keeps Potty-Mouth COS: She's Counting on You to Forget

On Tuesday, I warned you state senator Lisa Boscola would retain potty-mouth Bernie Kieklak as her chief of staff. Daily phone calls from constituent River, a frequent blog commenter, were ignored. Wednesday, when Boscola finally made her announcement, she just issued two written statements and then ran like hell.

One is a note from Lisa. She's really, really, really mad. And she means it.

The other is the obligatory apology from BTNP, aka Bernie Takes No Prisoners, aka Bernie Kieklak. He'll NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, NOT EVER, EVER, EVER .... EVER do anything like that EVER, EVER AGAIN. It's a little hard to stomach from a guy whose first reactions were "Do you think I care?" and "I do not regret a single thing I have ever done in my entire life".

As a demonstration of his complete insincerity, Kieklak has yet to call Congressman Charlie Dent to apologize in person.

This is a disgusting display of arrogance by both Boscola and her chief of staff. Joe Owens and Bill White knew she'd keep him. Lisa's counting on you to forget. She doesn't think that highly of you, when you come right down to it. She has stumbled through a very clear situation that demanded an immediate response. But she needs Bernie's "special" skills - his ability to slam potential opponents.

You see, the Lisa Boscola of today is a far different person than the person who first ran for the state senate in 1998. She was accessible then, and wasn't afraid to say what she thought. If you made an appointment to see her, you met with her, not Bernie. She got in trouble at times with party bosses in Harrisburg, but we admired her independence.

Her opponent, Len Gruppo, was running a dirty campaign that ranged from distortions of her voting record to stalking her with video cameras and tape recorders. Gruppo's negative campaign consultant? Tom Severson.

Lisa blasted Severson. "He is the ultimate sleazebag political consultant." She claimed Severson even admitted "they will do anything to win this race - lie, whatever. Because winning is all that matters."

Lisa won that race, striking a blow against sleaze politics.

Today's Lisa is a much different and far more careful person. And guess what? Now she actually uses Severson, the man she once called a sleazebag. In her 2006 campaign against an unknown with no money, Boscola paid $43,659.65 to the king of slime.

Severson does most of his campaign billing through Precision Marketing, Inc. But when he wants to stay under the radar, as he does with Dems, he uses other outfits. One of these is Political Strategies, Inc. It's not registered in Pennsylvania. Although identified as a Santa Monica corporation in Boscola campaign finance reports, I was unable to locate the company through a Google search. But guess what? Easton Mayoral candidate Sal Panto also uses that outfit. His finance report has a slightly different address for Political Strategies, Inc.. It's 2906 William Penn Hwy, Easton PA 18045.

That's the same address as Precision Marketing, Inc.!

Oopsie!

Lisa now subscribes to the Severson philosophy of sleazeball politics, and Bernie Kieklak fits right in. Slime opponents with remarks like "spineless shitbag" or "phony political whore." I'm sure Severson chuckled all the way to the bank. Winning is all that matters. Spend enough money, and people will buy it.

Sometimes.

Tim Bannon Golf Tourney This Saturday

District Judge Jim Stocklas has responded to my post concerning this Friday's benefit concert for the family of fallen Nazareth police chief Ruch. Another benefit, in the form of a golf tournament, is scheduled this Saturday for retired public employee Tim Bannon.

This worthy cause deserves a separate post. Here's what Judge Stocklas tells us.

Bernie,

Tim Bannon worked in parks and retired because of his illness several years ago.

He currently is in Good Shepard and still volunteers at the information desk at Bethlehem city hall a couple days a week.

A group of his friends heard about some bills that apparently aren't covered or the need for some other expenses and are having a golf tournament this weekend at Bethlehem golf club.

They set up a Foundation (The Bannon Foundation) and will help to defray any additional expenses Timmy may have in the future. His good friend Paul Hanchick(Bimby) owner of Hanchick and Learch Used cars in Bethlehem township is on the board.

If someone is interested in making a donation or still playing in the golf outing they can contact him at 484-357-6817 or Jim Hintze at 312-560-0444. Hole sponsors start at $100.00 bronze, 250 silver, or $500 for gold. Golf is $100.00 per player.

Shotgun start at 1pm with dinner at the BVFHA afterwards. Some great prizes ie: tv's callaway golf bags, equipment, tools, golf clothing ect. have already been donated for give aways. It is a scramble format and there is still some room for golfers. You also can contact me at my office for any additional information, but I think I covered it all. Thanks to all who can help -- Judge Stocklas 610-691-1501

Correction: The golf tournament is on Sunday, not Saturday. I apologize for any confusion I caused.