Today's one-liner: “In a republican nation whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning becomes of first importance.” T Jefferson
Because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent everyone home without voting on an extension of President Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, they will all expire at the end of the year. This includes a first-ever 10-percent bracket for low-income workers, first-ever deduction for college tuition and doubling the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000.
At Sunday evenings JCC debate between Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and Congressman Charlie Dent, Callahan seemed unaware that many of these tax cuts were directed at low- and middle-income America. Dent complained about being sent home without "dealing with this very significant issue. Because of this, come January 1, taxes on income, on families with children, on married couples, on investment funds, savings; they're all going to go up. ... The Congress ran out of town without dealing with it."
Callahan focused on "billionaires," but was totally confounded when asked specifically about the reduction in the child tax credit from $1000 to $500.
"As a father of three, I certainly would not support lowering the tax credit for dependents," he smiled. "That is important, and I think we should keep that in place."
That's nice, but it will be gone by the end of the year unless Congress acts, and that's hard to do when they're in recess.
"My opponent, you can understand why he's inexperienced," remarked Dent. "You know, the so-called Bush tax cuts included a tax credit that went from $500 to $1000. Because Congress failed to deal with this issue of extending these tax rates, that child tax credit will be halved. It will go from $1000 to $500."
"You say you support the Bush tax cuts, that was one of them ... . People talk about the rich all the time ... ."
When England defiantly stood alone, a tiny and fading light against Nazi hegemony in Europe, itneeded U.S. supplies desperately, a minimum of 20 ships docking daily, each carrying 120,000 tons of food and fuel oil. Wolf packs prowled the Mid-Atlantic, outside the reach of long-range aircraft. Despite these dangers, U.S. Merchant Marine convoys fed and fueled Britain. To a man, they were all volunteers. One of every twenty-sixmerchant mariners was killed in action, a higher percentage than any other branch of service. Their sacrifice was largely forgotten, but not by LV Congressman Charlie Dent. Last August, he honored fifty of these sailors in a ceremony at Northampton Community College.
It would be difficult for anyone to keep a straight face while attacking Dent's record on veterans. But I was surprised to see Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan smirk as he leveled these ridiculous charges, over and over, during Sunday night's debate at Allentown's Jewish Community Center. He even brazenly admitted sending out a mailer that includes a photograph of a soldier with blood streaming down his face.
Holding one of the flyers in his hand, Dent charged, "You're taxing the limbs and prosthetics of people who have served our Country." Under the recently enacted health care overhaul, prosthetic devices will be taxed, even for vets. He called the mailer "shameful," while Callahan defended it, claiming that every assertion "has a fact associated with it."
Dent is one of seven Democratic and five Republican Congressional candidates in Pennsylvania, who've been endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. According to the nonpartisan Project Vote Smart, Dent has voted on the side of veterans in eight out of nine key pieces of legislation, including a major expansion of the GI Bill. The only measure he opposed was a nonbinding budget resolution that increased spending from $14 trillion to $15.95 trillion.
One Washington insider has considered cutting benefits to wounded warriors, but it's not Dent. President Obama briefly considered a plan that would force veterans to use private insurance to pay for service-related injuries and disabilities.
During the colonial era, Pennsylvania Revolutionaries required everyone to take a loyalty oath. Whiskey patriots would ride throughout the Lehigh Valley, looking to line their pockets with the assets of Mennonites, Moravians and Quakers. In 1778, for example, eleven wealthy Mennonite farmers were herded onto Northampton County Court and ordered to swear their allegiance. Because their religious scruples made that impossible, they refused. Their assets were declared forfeit and they were ordered to leave Pennsylvania. Of course, most of the money ended up in the pockets of a few officers.
Now, a Mississippi judge (his name is Littlejohn, by the way) is doing the same thing. Unlike the whiskey patriots, this jurist appears to have no financial motives. But he still cited a lawyer with contempt and briefly jailed him, for refusing to sing along during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Did you know there's a foreclosure crisis in Northampton County? Last month, fifteen percent of the deeds transferred were the result of a Sheriff's Sale, the final step in a foreclosure. A review of Sheriff Sales reveal they have been rising over the last four years. They have risen despite President Barack Obama's ambitious $75 billion "Home Affordable Modification Program." That plan was designed to keep as many as three to four million people in their homes, but experts now agree it has only delayed the foreclosure process.They have also risen despite a mortgage foreclosure diversion program initiated by President Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden in April of 2009,
Executive John Stoffa told Council on October 7 that agreements have been reached for 208 families facing foreclosure. He intends to extend this program next year, and if Council agrees, it will cost $25,000. Despite this limited success, the number of homes being sold continues to rise. What's worse, homes are usually sold to the bank holding the mortgage instead of third parties, which tends to depress market value.
Real estate records reveal that in 2006, 164 properties were sold at Sheriff's Sale. That number has continued to rise in 2007 (204), 2008 (326) and 2009 (407). This year, despite the County program, 424 homes have been sold through September, which is more than the total for all of 2009.
Of the 424 properties sold at Sheriff's Sale through September, only 18 went to third parties. The rest went to the foreclosing bank.
Updated Sunday AM: I shot that video from the chain gang, where I usually fnd myself when the kids play football. For some reason, nobody ever wants to do it, but it's the best seat in the house.
On Defense, Dat is a cornerback, and I have rarely see anyone play that spot who looks for more excuses NOT to tackle anyone. I brought my flipcam yesterday to show him how good he is at just missing.
Regular readers know I am a constant defender of both Ron Angle and John Stoffa. I personally admire and respect them both. For all their flaws, they both work their asses off, are bright, try to do what's best for the County and usually cooperate with each other.
But even I must agree with an Express Times Turkey award "To Northampton County Council President Ron Angle, whose rantings and “piece of crap” description of County Executive John Stoffa’s proposed budget set a new low for council proceedings. Angle’s reaction drove Stoffa out of the room in the middle of a council meeting Thursday. Agree or disagree with Angle’s take on the budget, this is no way to run a public meeting. Also, a big, meaty drumstick to Stoffa, whose budget plan sidestepped the tough question of how to balance the budget — by tax increase, spending cuts, an infusion of millions in surplus, or some combination thereof — leaving the heavy lifting for the council."
The Morning Call's Bill White, who was there, has pretty much the same reaction. The ET is a little tougher on Angle while White reserves his sharpest thorns for Stoffa.
All I can say is thanks a lot, guys. I'm out here in the wild blogosphere and have a tough enough time defending both of you from disinformation and outright lies. Can't you go to a marriage counselor or something?
John, next time Angle tells you your budget is a piece of crap, just say, "I'm sure I'll lose lots of sleep tonight next to my hot girlfriend."
Ron, next time Stoffa pisses you off, just say, "I'm sure I'll lose lots of sleep tonight next to my hot goat."
Congressional wannabe John Callahan has announced that VP Joe Biden is returning to the LV to help him even more. Despite the obvious conservative bias, I laughed my ass off at the above video.
I understand Shawn Millan is paying Biden's travel expenses.
"When I ran for county executive, I promised voters I'd raise their taxes, and they elected me anyway."
That's a vintage John Stoffa. It is what this iconoclast said when he first ran for Northampton County Executive five years ago. The people did elect him anyway, and he did propose and get a half mill tax increase for a pay-as-you-go open space plan.
After this tax hike, Stoffa vetoed a politically popular "American Heroes Grant" - a property tax rebate for veterans deployed in Iraq. It was unanimously adopted by County Council, but Stoffa heeded legal concerns. "Frankly, I see no difference among someone who served in Iwo Jima, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan or Iraq: all are deserving," he said.
He was easily re-elected.
In his second term, Stoffa has continued sailing into the wind, taking aim at Gracedale, the County nursing home. At the October 7 County Council meeting, he clarified what he calls his 2011 "budget of choices." In his own budget message, he concedes "there is not nearly enough revenue to balance anticipated expenditures. As this budget is presented, $14.4 million is necessary to balance the budget between revenues and expenditures." But as he explained to Council, "I want to be real clear that the 2011 Budget that you received assumes the sale of Gracedale in 2011. It's the only way that budget works in my opinion." He added that a firm has been selected to negotiate the sale and approval from Council will be sought on October 20.
"I'm sorry, but I think Gracedale has to be sold," he said. "And I've been convinced. I've listened to a lot of people, have done a lot of research on my own. I'm concerned about the patients, but I think they would get good care. I think we could manage that. I think we can find a good vendor to take over."
Stoffa estimates that sale proceeds would be between $25 and $31 million.
At County Council's October 7 meeting, an increasingly angry Council President, Ron Angle, refused to rejoice at the choice. "Your budget clearly calls for no tax increase," he noted. "In all due respect, how can any good politician not vote for a budget that has no tax increase and gives everybody every dime they want?"
As the evening went on, he complained that to correct the problem, Council would have to do the job that Stoffa failed to do and prepare their own budget.
"He wants to plug this budget with $14 million from, allegedly, budgetary reserve," Angle complained. "You sat here and you heard the figures. When GASB [a new accounting procedure] and everything else is put in, there only may be $3 million. So there's an $11 million problem right there, before you even open the page."
Stoffa asked to speak, and Angle became even more angry.
"Don't rattle my feathers any more, because if you do, guaranteed you'll get it back worse. John, that budget stunk!"
Stoffa tried to calm Angle. "Why can't you talk in a normal tone?"
"Because I don't like getting my chain yanked. And that budget yanked my chain."
Stoffa tried again. "Why can't you talk ..".
"You be quiet a minute."
At this point, Stoffa turned around and walked out of Council chambers, followed by most of his cabinet.
Sometime this summer, when I dropped in on a Bethlehem City Council meeting, a dude who looks like a skinny Santa Claus shoved this form in front of me and told me to fill it out. Believe it or not, it was an evaluation form for City Council members.
Despite what you may think, I gave everyone but Karen Dolan very high marks. Karen was absent that night, or I'm sure she would have scored just as well or better than everyone else.
Hey, I'm easy.
Well, The Morning Call's Matt Assad has run a story about this rating system. It's not administered by a skinny Santa Claus, but by activist Stephen Antalics. Looks like Willie Reynolds finished dead last with a D.
That could be because he's been a rubber stamp who asks probing questions of Mayor John Callahan like "How great are you?"
But you gotta' love Wee Willie's reaction to his grade: "“I’m sure I’ll lose lots of sleep tonight next to my hot girlfriend.”
Here's my question. How the hell does this
end up with this?
Maybe she's a registered lobbyist.
Updated 1:55 PM: Oh Shit!!! The hot babe with Wee Willie is actually his sister!!
Fortunatley, I've been sent a picture of his hot girlfriend.
Morning Call reporter Michael Duck is collecting YouTube videos of people asking the questions they would want to pose to Charlie Dent and John Callahan during their Oct. 14 debate. A few of them might be broadcast on TV during the debate.
Not long ago, I questioned whether it is appropriate for State Representative Jennifer Mann to be a "consultant" with an engineering and architectural outfit that does lots of state business. What compounds this problem is that Mann is a member of the "Stimulus Oversight Commission," and the firm for which she consults is involved in several stimulus projects. I was also concerned that a registered lobbyist, who may or may not be dating her, was seeing constituents in her Harrisburg office, a charge that Mann denies.
Isn't all this just asking for trouble?
What about an elected official who is actually married to registered lobbyist? Isn't that asking for trouble, too? Well, State Senator Pat Browne's wife, Heather, has been a registered lobbyist since February.
Ms. Browne lobbies for Alfred Benesch & Company (engineering), McKissack & McKissack (construction and design) and IIRP (rehabilitation for criminal offenders). They are all obviously interested in state business.
Isn't all this just asking for trouble?
Rick Orloski, who is running against Pat Browne, certainly thinks so. I almost wish he weren't, because his own political motivations can certainly be questioned. But he raises a very valid concern. Here's a portion of his own email to Senator Browne.
"Almost a year to the date, a major drama was playing out in the Florida Legislature. Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R- Miami, was named to steer an energy and environmental committee that would address removing the ban on off shore drilling in Florida. His wife, Claudia, was hired as a paid lobbyist to get the State Legislature to remove the ban. The conflict-of-interest was obvious. The de la Portilla household was directly receiving funds from people who wanted the Legislature to vote their way on an important environmental issue. More significantly, there is the psychological solace that spouses give each other. Her success was his success, and if he could further her career by voting her way, it was a win-win for the spousal relationship. Of course, spouses are expected to be there for each other.
"On June 25, 2010, CBS News carried an expose about the family connections between members of Congress and paid lobbyists. See link below. CBS identified 19 federal lobbyist closely related to members of Congress. Considering the there are 100 Senators and 435 members of Congress, that is a surprisingly low number. It appears that most Congressional families chose to avoid this conflict-of-interest.
"As observed by watchdog Craig Holman, the reason why family members are hired as lobbyist is to give money to the Congressman or his family for influence on legislation: 'We're allowing family members of senators and congressmen to be employed at very lucrative salaries by the same corporations that have business pending before Congress,' said Holman. 'It's just an obvious conflict of interest that should not be allowed.'
"As more bluntly observed by Holman: 'They're finding ways to throw money at the feet of the members of Congress, and you do it through the family members,' Holman, the watchdog, said.
"On February 1, 2010, The Pat Browne family decided to jump feet first into this conflict-of-interest minefield.Without public acknowledgment by the Senator -- no press release, no press conference, no photo op -- Heather Browne registered as a lobbyist with the Pennsylvania Department of State. To date, Browne has not addressed how he intends to address this conflict. Silence appears to be his modus operandi.
"First and foremost, let me make this abundantly clear. Heather Browne has an absolute right under the First Amendment to work as a paid lobbyist. As a matter of constitutional law, a spouse cannot be prohibited from functioning as a paid lobbyist. She probably makes more money as a lobbyist than he does as a Senator.The same is not equally true for Senator Browne. He does not have a constitutional right to be State Senator. The first remedy is at the ballot box. The citizens of the 16th senatorial district are clearly at liberty to decide that his wife's chosen profession disqualifies him from being a State Senator.
"On the opposite side of the equation, it is patently obvious that our system would not allow a judge to participate in a case where the judge's spouse has a financial interest either as counsel or party. No one would seriously argue that a judge can put aside the obvious emotional and financial considerations of helping a spouse in litigation and be fair to both sides. In the normal course of business, a judge would recuse himself/herself, or face the sanction of losing the judicial post because the judge participated in a proceeding involving a family member.
"The simple act of recusal is not so easily applied in the Legislative forum. Bills become laws because of relationships that legislators have with each other. Even if Senator Browne took the obvious step of recusing himself from votes that benefit his wife's corporate clients, there sill is the insidious opportunity of other legislators helping Heather Browne on her projects in exchange for Senator Browne helping them on their pet projects. Nota Bene: Senator Browne has not said he will recuse himself in such obvious conflicts.
"Pat and Heather Browne have injected something new into Lehigh Valley politics, namely, the husband and wife team working in the Capitol with Pat Browne receiving public monies and Heather Browne receiving private monies to advance private agendas. Senators are supposed to serve the public good, not private agendas. Maybe the ideal solution is for Pat Browne to relinquish his public position and join his wife's lobbyist firm. That is an option that the voters will have on November 2nd to compel. For too long, Harrisburg has been an insider's game. Employing a spouse to be a lobbyist is 'throwing money at the feet' of a State Senator. Pat Browne ought to join his wife in private practice , not continue functioning as a State Senator."
Ms. Browne is associated with Pugliese Associates. In their bio, they mention many of Heather's achievements, but fail to mention that she just happens to be the wife of a state senator.
On Tuesday night, State Rep opponents Charles "Don't Call Me Charlie" Dertinger and Joe "Creatine" Emrick squared off at Nazareth High School. I missed it, but if you were there, let us know what happened. Who won? Why? Did any of the candidates fart or burp or do something stupid?
Emrick has sent out negative mailers, attacking Dertinger as a wanton spendthrift who recklessly voted for a tax hike and increased spending during his tenure on County Council. This same charge could also have been hurled at some Republican members of Council. Sure, Dertinger is a bum, but not because he supported one, half mill, open-space tax hike. He's a bum because he had Council's lousiest attendance record, broke his word to slate belt voters, and was needlessly divisive. Amazingly, Emrick ignored legitimate criticism in favor of misleading you.
On Wednesday night, at 7 PM sharp, the LV LWV will host a debate between incumbent State Rep. Doug Reichley and challenger Patrick Slattery, a Democrat. It will be at the Clock Building 322 Main Street, Emmaus.
What about independent Carl Stevenson? A Commonwealth Court decision tossing him off the ballot has been sent back by the State Supremes, who were none too pleased that the First Amendment was totally ignored. Stevenson gets a second bite at the Commonwealth Court apple today.
Reichley had challenged Stevenson's nomination papers, claiming he had too few signatures and that he was using a nonresident as a circulator. Since the state is under a federal injunction requiring them to allow nonresidents to circulate nomination petitions, the only question left is whether he has enough signatures.
It was democracy at its best. It lasted 4 1/2 hours. Over 180 people - County workers, union bosses, party bosses, nonprofits, and tea party activists - braved a cold rain and the crime-ridden streets of downtown Allentown to swarm into the Lehigh County Commissioners' meeting room and talk about money. Our money. Public sector workers, unions and nonprofits have long ago learned that the squeakiest wheel gets the grease. They've been very well greased for some time. But that dynamic has changed. The "takers," as one spectator called them, were heavily outnumbered last night by rowdy tea party members, who were squeaking pretty loudly themselves. When the meeting finally ended at 11 PM, Commissioners succeeded in approving amendments that will shave about $3 million from Executive Don Cunningham's already lean budget. If the amended budget is adopted later this month, Lehigh County taxpayers will face a 14%, instead of a 16%, tax hike.
Big deal, you might say. I've seen county governments crumble under the pressure of people with their hands out, and authorize spending that was never even proposed by the County Executive. Last night, Commissioner Bill Hansell tried doing that for to increase spending for the arts. Commissioner Gloria Hamm made the mistake of dismissing $1.6 million as just a small amount of money. Commissioner Percy Dougherty prevented one citizen from exercising his right to speak. But in a marvelous and refreshing display of democracy, Commissioners were forced last night to listen to more than the usual "takers."
It was the tea party's turn.
Who are these people? Where they totin' guns, and spitting chew all over the place? No, that was me. The tea party crew are the same people you see at the grocery or drug store. Some have been laid off. Others are just fed up by increased government spending at a time when good people are losing jobs and homes. Last night, they participated in their government and made a difference that extends beyond a 2% reduction in Lehigh County's anticipated tax hike. They represent a new attitude among formerly apathetic people. Elected officials who would like to remain elected noticed a difference in the atmosphere.
Here's the play-by-play, including clips from the meeting to give you some flavor .
1) Commissioner Glenn Eckhart proposed a budget amendment freezing wages for non-union workers, which would save $1.37 million, but might drive the 32% non-union staff into the warm embrace of public sector unions.
Eckhart's amendment failed 5-4, with Chair Dean Browning and the four Democrats opposed.
2) Commissioner Andy Roman proposed reductions in the salaries of the highest paid ($86k+) non-union workers.
The four Democrats and Browning blocked Roman's proposal.
3) Eckhart and Roman proposed eliminating "Quality of Life" grants for Lehigh County non-profits.
This motion failed, 5-4. All Democrats and Comm'r Dougherty nixed this budget amendment.
4) Eckhart proposed using the $1.67 million in gaming revenue to reduce the millage rate and provide the tax relief that gambling proponents promised. Commissioner Gloria Hamm got into a bit of trouble when she said this is "only" $1.67 million. All Republicans ended up supporting the use of gaming revenue to reduce taxes.
5) Eckhart proposed reducing the County's contribution to the Lehigh Valley Zoo by $245,000. He would allow them to keep $80,000 to feed the elk and bison. His proposed amendment died for lack of a second.
6) Eckhart wants to eliminate a General Services Manager position, which will save the County $88,123 so they can feed more of those damn buffaloes. General Services Director Glenn Solt argued against this, noting that the County will be responsible for 21 capital projects next year. By a 5-4 vote along party lines, the Republican majority accepted an amendment eliminating this position.
7) Eckhart also proposed eliminating two new Deputy Sheriff positions, and using the $107,561 saved to reduce the tax increase. Even though the Sheriff's Department noted that there are 3,500 outstanding warrants for criminals who need to be taken off the streets, the five Republican Commissioners approved an amendment that will defund these positions.
8) Eckhart and Creighton propose slashing the IT budget, as well as some mowers in General Services, by approximately $1.3 million. All five Republicans approved this amendment to the budget.
9) Chairman Dean Browning wants to end longevity pay, step increases and wage hikes for all union workers during 2011, excepting Deputy Sheriffs, which will save the County $1.6 million. Implementation is contingent upon collective bargaining.
Browning's amendment was adopted by the Republican majority.
10) Comm'r William Hansell wants to use gaming revenue to restore the $100,000 "MORE for Children" program.
Only Hamm, Dougherty and Hansell supported this initiative.
11) Hansell's budget amendment to provide $75,000 for a regional composting project from gaming revenue, died for lack of a second.
12) An Andy Roman proposal to eliminate funding for a widely regarded Main Street revitalization program was accepted, 6-3. Commissioner Hamm sided with Republicans on this one.
13) Glenn Eckhart called it the "nuclear option" on the radio, but supported an Andy Roman proposal to raid the $20 million stabilization, or "rainy day" fund, to reduce a tax hike. Commissioner David Jones, in what was thankfully his only sermon of the night, condemned the idea, noting that "cannibalization of our previous stabilization fund is what led to this crisis."
Only Eckhart, Roman and Creighton were willing to raid the rainy day fund.
Blogger's Note: In the video compilations of last night's meeting, I tried to avoid identifying people, but one of the major playas was Lehigh County GOP Chair Wayne Woodman. I also finally got to see Otto Slozer. It was one of the most interesting meetings I ever attended, and I pretty much stayed up all night to get those videos ready.
When I wake up later today, I will immediately seek therapy.
Rob Hopkins is a dangerous man. He's the campaign manager who helped install Auslander Edwin Pawlowski on Allentown's throne five years ago. He went on to manage Charles Dertiger's Congressional race. Despite being outspent 10-1, he very nearly succeeded in scoring a major upset against LV Congressman Charlie Dent. But last night, he was a nobody. He was muzzled by Commissioner Percy Dougherty, who had no interest in listening to him.
For reasons that elude me, Rob no longer plays the political game, and is content to work for Lehigh County as one of its nonunion assessors. He was directly affected by a proposed Amendment to the County Budget that would deny him a small wage hike next year. But Commissioner Dougherty refused to listen.
More important than his skills as a campaign or real estate maven, Rob Hopkins happens to be a Lehigh County resident. And that gives him every right to be nosy about what is happening within his own government. That's what the Sunshine Act says. It specifically gives him the right to "comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the board or council prior to taking official action."
Percy Dougherty, who usually goes out of his way to encourage public debate, uncharacteristically muzzled Rob Hopkins in a blatant violation of the Sunshine Act. And he then proceeded to vote against Hopkins' interest, without ever having heard from him.
Knowing violations of the Sunshine Act are summary offenses punishable by a fine of $100. But Percy, I think Rob would settle for an apology. You owe him one.
In his most recent column, The Morning Call's Bill White complains about increasing polarization in the political process. I'll add that our closed primaries do tend to guarantee that the most conservative Republican will square off against the most liberal Democrat, as in Toomey v. Sestak. "The day of the moderate Republican or Democrat, reaching across the aisle to craft compromises, largely seems to be over," Bill sighs. "It's politically suicidal."
But there is still hope. State Representatives Bob Freeman and Joe Brennan last week stated that their approach is actually bipartisan.
Bob Freeman:"I don't care if it's a Republican proposal or a Democratic proposal. If it's a good piece of legislation, I want us to get that passed. ... I think we have to cut through some of the partisanship."
Joe Brennan:"Our Governor is obviously a Democrat, Ed Rendell. Our Senate is predominately Republican, it's 30 Republicans and 20 Democrats. In the House, we have 104 Democrats and 99 Republicans. So I can personally say that I've probably sponsored as many Republican bills that are introduced as I have Democrats. I generally don't look at the party of the person introducing it; I look at the idea."
V-7 was no tomato juice, but was once a popular golf driving range and miniature golf course along William Penn Highway in Bethlehem Township. Its name represented the seven Vedomsky brothers who were part-owners. But as an exit ramp from Route 33 opened up only a stone's throw away, it fell into disuse. Charles Chrin has owned the 16.9 acre tract since 2007. And as Bethlehem Commissioners have recently learned, he's got plans for the property, and they involve no driving range.
On October 4, Langan Engineering's Greg Elko presented an informational "sketch plan" to dubious Commissioners, asking for feedback on a redevelopment that includes a supermarket, retail store and two restaurants. The plan calls for 611 parking places right next to the backyards of homeowners on Hope Road as well as the north side of William Penn Highway. "It is going to be changing as we go through the process," he reassured everyone.
Commissioners expressed concerns about increased traffic on an already bus road, access from William Penn Highway, as well as stormwater runoff from a large impervious parking lot replacing a grassy former driving range. "Where would the stormwater go?" asked Commissioner Jerry Batcha. "I'm going to assume the township park on Hope Road."
President Arthur Murphy stated that an exit onto William Penn Highway "would just clog up things," but suggested that Chrin might want to consider making parking available to the Township when there are major events at the park along Hope Road. Commissioner Thomas Nolan shared Murphy's concern about what he called a "tremendously dangerous access." He also lamented, "I hope you told the group that uses it for soccer that they may not use it next year."
Township residents were even more concerned than Commissioners. Constance Rampulla-White complained about the lack of notice to neighbors, but Commissioner Paul Weiss assured her that it is only a concept plan. "There will be no formal action, one way or the other, tonight."
Neighbor Edward Rollin stated he was concerned about safety. "The traffic is horrendous there," he complained. "There is no way you can increase the amount of traffic in that area without causing complete chaos."
Melissa Davis, who claimed to have been involved when the Christmas Barn was torn down, complained that gathered signatures and presented a petition to the zoning hearing board, but "I was told to sit down and shut up. so the fact that you have a procedure doesn't necessarily mean that the residents will be heard."
Murphy assured Davis, "We're going to listen to you." And Batcha explained that zoning hearing boards are "quasi judicial" and more focused on the legal aspects of a plan.
I've told you about independent Carl Stevenson's battle for ballot access. About a month ago, Commonwealth Court Judge James Kelly nixed his nomination petition challenging State Rep. Doug Reichley because 97 petition signatures were obtained by Jake Towne, who does not live in the district ... or on Planet Earth, for that matter.
Using surrogates, Doug Reichley challenged Stevenson's nomination papers. A conservative independent, Stevenson might siphon votes that would otherwise go Doug's way, giving Democratic challenger Patrick Slattery an upset victory. For that very reason, Slattery became a Stevenson champion.
Reichley defended his maneuvers, arguing that allowing Stevenson to stay on the ballot would be like having three teams in a baseball game. But this is no baseball game. Under our electoral system, there can be numerous candidates for one office.
In removing Stevenson, Judge Kelly ignored a federal case decided by Northampton County's very own Franklin S. Van Antwerpen, who now sits on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, just one notch below the U.S. Supreme Court. VanAnterpen ruled that petition circulation is "core political speech" because it involves "interactive communication concerning political change."
The ACLU took up Stevenson's banner, and yesterday, the Court of Final Error vacated Judge Kelly's decision and ordered an immediate hearing on whether Stevenson has enough signatures. "The court never entered any substantive evaluation of First Amendment principles to support its rejection of appellant’s argument, and the cases it cites likewise do not engage the merits of appellant’s First Amendment argument." Judge Kelly was chastised for striking Stevenson from the ballot "without engaging his arguments in meaningful fashion."
The Court did avoid making a Constitutional determination because "we do not have responsive advocacy addressing the merits of the First Amendment challenge to the statute. However, recognizing the importance of the question, its potential to recur, and uncertainty," the High Court retains "jurisdiction to issue a supplemental decision, or direct further briefing, if such course proves advisable upon further consideration of the issue."
So Stevenson gets a do over, and Reichley has egg on his face.
I haven't spoken to him for many years, but I knew Franklin S. VanAntwerpen back when he was a lowly common pleas judge in Northampton County. In fact, he was the "baby" judge and used to get stuck with all the cases no other judge would touch. For some reason, I was in front of him nearly every day.
Karma.
Anyway, it is before Judge VanAntwerpen that I set the record for the quickest guilty verdict ever entered by a Northampton County jury. Twelve minutes. I'm pretty sure that record still stands. Unfortunately, I did it as a defense attorney. Let me tell you what happened.
I used to represent the Peacock Hotel, which is located in Freemansburg. The owner was a very nice Portuguese woman named Maria. Her husband, who made the very best Paella in the world, used to own that bar. Then he woke up one morning and decided to blow his brains out. He left Maria the bar, and it gradually went downhill.
Freemansburg cops sent an underage police officer into the bar one night to see if Maria would serve him, and she did. She told me that she served him because she knew he was a cop, and never thought for a second that a police officer would ever deceive her. Of course, I demanded a jury trial to expose this blatant entrapment. I was so convinced I would win that I told then Assistant DA Mike Vedomsky that I'd accept the first 12 jurors selected and would try the case in about an hour.
Now, Maria's English is excellent, but once the trial started, she no longer understood a word. In those days, there were no Portuguese interpreters, but Mike Vedomsky agreed to let me use my Maria's daughter. So she was sworn in, too.
Both started arguing with each other - in Portuguese - every time I asked a question. This would go on a good five minutes and then the daughter would come back with a one-syllable response.
Finally, I posed the pivotal question. "Did you know that the person you served was, in fact, a Freemansburg police officer?"
All of a sudden, Maria's English became perfect and she answered "No." Then she and her daughter argued for a good five minutes and the daughter answered "Yes."
Vedomsky had one question on cross.
"How do you say No in Portuguese?"
Judge VanAntwerpen was pretty lenient on my client. I think she only got three years in the electric chair. Now he's one step away from the Supreme Court while I am a bottom-feeding blogger.
At a Saturday news conference including the Ranking Member of the powerful House Armed Services Committee as well as a platoon of about twenty veterans, LV Congressman Charlie Dent announced his endorsement by the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Political Action Committee (VFW PAC). He and Congressman Buck McKeon also set the record straight concerning some vicious mailers distorting Dent's record on veterans. One includes a photograph of a soldier with blood streaking down his face. Another shows a soldier holding a prosthetic device.
VFW's PAC issued its endorsement to Congressman Dent “based on (his) strong support for veterans, national security and defense, and military personnel issues.”
Dent has voted to increase spending on veterans’ health programs by 64.3 percent since 2005. He has also voted for every appropriations bill for veterans since his election to Congress.
"My opponent would have you believe we have actually cut that funding and taken away their Tri-care and taken away their benefits," said Dent. "It's simply outrageous."
“I’m immensely proud to receive the endorsement of the VFW PAC. Supporting out troops and our veterans is one of the highest obligations I have as a Congressman, and has remained among my highest priorities,” Congressman Dent said. “To be once again endorsed by the organization that so fervently represents our fighting men and women, both in the field and when they come home, is a great honor.
“My principal opponent in this race has not been so clear in his priorities. He’s been distorting my record, and frankly, in many cases, is just completely untruthful about my record, particularly as it relates to our armed services and our veterans."
"My opponent has not been forthcoming on any of these major issues except to send out attack pieces to try and condemn me on obscure procedural votes from years ago, suggesting that somehow I've not been helpful to our veterans.
"He even went so far as pictures of our troops with blood coming down their face, suggesting that I've not been helpful. A fellow holding a prosthetic and saying I've not been helpful and basically saying we're cutting their funds."
"Nothing is further from the truth."
Congressman Buck McKeon, who will chair the Armed Services Committee if Republicans gain a majority in the House, said this about Dent. "I am the Ranking Member of Armed Services, but he has been to Iraq and Afghanistan more than I have. ... We're in kind of a silly season now. People say a lot of things, and it's unfortunate. ... When people get behind, they do this sort of thing."
"I know that Charlie's working hard to ensure that the men and women returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan get the care that they need. Charlie's been working with the Veterans' Addiction program run by Treatment Trends in Allentown; PTSD, which is a big problem, one of the many challenges facing today's vets; and this program will enable the implementation of a community-based, drug and alcohol addiction and PTSD treatment center dedicated to serving veterans and their families.
"He voted for and is a strong proponent of the new GI Bill. This gives veterans that have served since 9/11 a full, four-year education. ... Charlie's a strong voice on common sense, national security priorities. He's opposed bringing terrorists, detainees, to this country for trial. That's one of our victories that we had, even though we're in the minority."
Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX), unable to attend Saturday's news conference, nevertheless condemned Callahan’s attack ads in a written statement: “The baseless attacks against Congressman Dent are an outrage. As a seven-year Prisoner of War in Vietnam, I find his opponent’s attacks offensive and untrue. In fact, I voted the same way Congressman Dent did. The reality is a vote for Charlie Dent is a vote against Speaker Pelosi and the out-of-touch, off-course White House. This Administration wanted wounded warriors to pay for their own care. Charlie Dent knows better than that and stood up against the President's absurd idea.”
Going back to the mailer containing a photograph of a soldier holding a prosthetic, Dent notes that "my opponent supported the health care law. And that health care law will raise taxes on that prosthetic - it's a Class 1 device taxed at 2.3%.
"He's going to raise the tax on that wounded warrior's prosthesis. He's gonna' raise it on his wheelchair and make it very difficult for him to get that wheelchair. He's going to tax wheelchairs, prosthetics. They're taxing bandages and tongue depressors. They're taxing bedpans.
"But most of all, my opponent John Callahan is taxing our patience."
In addition to Buck McKeon, Saturday's news conference was attended by several retired colonels, a retired Coast Guard Admiral, and a doctor who has done four tours in Iraq. Two of Dent's staffers are also Iraq war veterans.
Amazingly, the local papers skipped a news conference called by two U.S. Congressman, even though there was pizza. Blogger Chris Casey, himself a veteran, states that "it really bothers me that young men and women regularly put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms, and the main stream media so cavalierly dismisses the opportunity to be a truly "FREE PRESS."
That's actually what a lot of Republicans think about the tea party movement. Democrats are a little less charitable. Most people, like Morning Call columnist Bill White, believes it will eventually fizzle out, like other populist movements.
Locally, I've been to three meetings. Although I've found much to criticize, I've found much more to compliment. It's unusual and refreshing for me to see several hundred people fill a community center to listen to people speak about issues, even though I disagree with much of what is being said. It's a mostly white and very conservative crew, but they are respectful and fairly well-informed. I think much of the mainstream media criticism is actually their own fear of the unknown, compounded by an elitist disdain.
Although there's no tea party presence at Northampton County Council, I've seen them at Bethlehem City Council and Lehigh County Commissioner meetings. As Commissioners consider a 16.1% tax hike this week, the local tea arty has weighed n during budget hearings and with this letter. Tea Party Sounds Off on Lehigh County Budget
Instead of spurning them or looking down his nose at them, Executive Don Cunningham has answered them, with this letter. Cunningham Answers Tea Party Concerns
When you ask why I support Cunningham, this is one of the reasons. He actually listens to people, and is willing to talk to them.
The Allentown Symphony Association kicked off a $6 million fundraising campaign last week, and before soprano Cristina Nassif could belt out a few refrains from Bizet's "Carmen," the rich foo foos had already kicked in $3.1 million. One of their major objectives is to raise $2 million to promote music appreciation by kids. "$2 million of the fund would be used for programming and music education the association produces for children, such as student and family concerts at Symphony Hall and its Musicians in Schools events.”
Too bad there's no enthusiasm for making sure they're fed. It's hard to appreciate Beethoven on an empty stomach. But you see, this "charity" has little to do with children. It exists so the area elite - many of them members of the Lehigh Valley Partnership - can don tuxedos and pretend their shit doesn't stink. Maybe it doesn't, and as long as they're paying for these improvements themselves, I say "Bravo! Encore!"
But rich people - especially members of the LV Partnership - have an annoying habit of ramming their preferences down our throats. Whether it's a bi-county health department or regional rail, these unelected aristocrats know what's best.
So, at the same time that they brag about raising $2 million to bore grade school kids with inferior classical performances at Allentown Symphony Hall, they are putting the bite on Lehigh County for MORE money for M.O.R.E., which provides public funding. LC Exec Don Cunningham cut it out of his 2011 budget, but Commissioner Bill Hansell has already proposed restoring it.
Artsy-fartsy nonprofits know how to pressure local governments. At Tuesday night's budget hearing, Commissioners will be compared to barbarians or worse ... tea party members. Over the past few days, they've already been deluged by form letters, demanding that funding be restored and increased for both the Allentown Art Museum and Symphony Hall.
One of these form letters has been leaked to me. It's on the letterhead of Allentown City Council member Julio Guridy, who took time out of his busy taxpayer-funded job at the bridge commission to demand public funding for the arts. After all, the recession's over.
What kills me about Julio's missive, other than the fact that it is a cut-and-paste job, is that he is telling Lehigh County government that it needs to fund two institutions in Allentown that do not receive any funding from Allentown.
What the hell was he thinking?
You think it might occur to him that he could prepare an ordinance to have his own Council give them the money. After all, it's not being used for cops.
Facing a 16.1% tax hike next year, Lehigh County Commissioners have been conducting budget hearings, looking for areas to cut. But Executive Don Cunningham has given them little wiggle room. His $391 million budget reduces employment to 1990 levels and comes in $22 million below what he gave them next year.
Commissioners Glenn Eckhart, Tom Creighton, Andy Roman and Dean Browning are proposing even more reductions, although not enough to avoid a double digit tax hike. Commissioner Bill Hansell actually wants to use gaming revenue to restore funding for two projects.
Here's a summary of the proposed amendments:
* Eckhart wants to freeze wages for non-union workers, saving the County $1.37 million. Will it also drive many County workers into the warm embrace of public sector unions?
* Eckhart and Roman want to eliminate $173,000 in "Quality of Life" grants for Lehigh County non-profits. Expect to see both vilified at Tuesday's budget hearing.
* Eckhart actually wants the $1.67 million in gaming revenue used to reduce the millage rate and provide the tax relief that gambling proponents promised.
* Eckhart wants to reduce the County's contribution to the Lehigh Valley Zoo by $245,000. He will allow them to keep $80,000 to feed the elk and bison.
* Eckhart wants to eliminate the General Services Manager position, which will save the County $88,123 so they can feed the damn buffaloes.
* Comm'r Eckhart proposes elimination of two new Deputy Sheriff positions, and using the $107,561 saved to reduce the tax increase.
* Eckhart and Creighton propose slashing the IT budget by approximately $1.3 million.
* Chairman Dean Browning proposes elimination of longevity pay, step increases and wage hikes for all union workers, excepting Deputy Sheriffs, which will save the County $1.6 million. Implementation is contingent upon collective bargaining.
* Comm'r William Hansell wants to use gaming revenue to restore the $100,000 "MORE for Children" program and provide $75,000 for a regional composting project.
For the wonks among you - and you know who you are - below are the actual amendments. LC 2011 Budget Amendments
We're in a recovery? The recession's over? Seventy-nine families in Northampton County might dispute that claim. Title to their properties - their homes - was taken out of their hands last month, all as a result of Sheriff Sales. That's fifteen percent of the 531 deeds transferred last month, which is just 6 deeds more than the same period last year. How many more walked away from their homes as a result of short sales, is unknown.
Foreclosures are a growing LV problem. In September of 1992, when 525 deeds changed hands in Northampton County, only one was the result of a Sheriff's Sale. But in August of 2010, when another 525 titles were transferred, 42 were the result if the Sheriff's gavel. September's 79 Sheriff deeds is nearly double the number of foreclosure conveyances over just the previous month.
September's 531 deed transfers is 32% below the average number of deeds transferred during that month over the past 10 years.
Perhaps there's something wrong with the way economists define recession. With a jobless rate of 9.7% and people losing their homes, there is no way anyone can honestly claim our economy is improving.
Pam spent two days following the Toomey campaign, and tells me that everywhere they went, people are "angry and scared." I've noticed that myself.
But why are people angry and scared? Some Democrats actually believe this is a reaction to their inability to implement their complete agenda. On the other hand, the tea party movement is a grass roots reaction by conservative Republicans infuriated primarily by the health care overhaul and increased government spending.
Here's what I think. We're becoming a nation of extremists, very much like the two U.S. Senate candidates in Pennsylvania. Moderate voices are being drowned out by the dissonant voices in disaffected left and right, both smugly convinced of their intellectual and moral superiority. I am a Democrat routinely criticized for daring to respect and appreciate leaders in both major parties who are accountable, transparent and willing to work with each other.
The rest is details.
Increasingly, and especially as newspapers struggle, elected officials play the spin game. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, instead of frankly acknowledging Allentown's crime problem, will mislead the public and marginalize legitimate criticism. State Rep. Jennifer Mann can actually be a paid consultant for a major state vendor, and refuse to disclose what she is being paid.
Earlier this week, I linked to a LVCI story about an attractive young Allentown woman, who was abducted outside her Allentown apartment, beaten and left for dead. She actually has no memory of the incident. Police arrested her assailant - identified via DNA - on unrelated charges, then cut him loose without even bothering to question him. He roamed the streets until this woman went to the press ... in Philly.
All this points to a manpower shortage in the APD, who unwittingly let a violent criminal remain on the streets, and in the local media, which has failed its duty to inform. It prompted me to repeat a story I posted two years ago, about an elderly Allentown news carrier who was mugged outside Sam Bennett's home. He actually saw his assailant. Police refused to lift their fingers. The Morning Call ignored his story, too.
Allentown just received a grant for 10 additional police officers, which will supposedly bring the department to pre-Afflerbach levels of around 200 officers. Instead of being concerned about ignored violent crime victims, Jeff wants to know when the hell I'm going to update my blog to report this "great news."
Two years ago, when Mike Welsh ran against Jenn Mann for State Representative, he argued Allentown needs more cops, not hockey rinks. "I will work to make sure Allentown’s police department reaches 300 officers. This would represent a 30% increase. It would also more accurately reflect the number of officer’s 2006 FBI statistics show that communities our size should possess in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic United States."
So Allentown is still 100 cops short. Jeff, consider my post updated.
You ever notice that when it starts raining hard, beetles and all kinds of other creepy crawlers start coming out of the pipes? Well during yesterday's downpour, Northampton Community College was infested by a plague much more serious than bedbugs.
Politicians were all over the place, and refused to leave until everyone listened to them for an hour. Bottom-feeding blogger that I am, I dropped in on them as they pontificated before a large crowd of mostly college students, with a few plants here and there.
Even Ron Shegda, aka "Jesus in Disguise," was there. When it was all over at lunchtime, I told him people were hungry and I had five loaves of bread and two fish in my car. He just scowled and walked across 3' deep puddles to his car, which ascended into the heavens.
I'm going to give you highlights from this well-run forum over the next few days. For now, I want to introduce you to two underdogs who deserve a second look. Democrat Rick Orloski is waging an uphill battle against Republican State Senator Pat Browne, while Republican Matt Connolly is hoping to upset Democrat State Senator Lisa Boscola. It's highly unlikely that either of them has a chance. But both of them gave terrific presentations, which I want to share with you.
Rick Orloski:How many of you here know people who smoke cigars? [Hands go up]. How many of you know people who chew tobacco? [Hey, that's me!]
Pennsylvania is the only state in he entire nation that doesn't tax chewing tobacco. In other words, we're subsidizing a health problem by not taxing it.
Only two states don't tax cigars, Pennsylvania and Florida. Again, we're subsidizing a health problem.
There was an opportunity to create a $100 million revenue stream by taxing chewing tobacco and cigars. Guess who led the fight in the State Senate against that? My opponent, Pat Browne. In other words, he's helping young folks smoke cigars and chew tobacco.
At a time when $100 million could have been used to create jobs by giving grants to small businesses, he decided to support a health problem, or to foster a health problem.
That's not the kind of Senator I'm gonna' be, and that's why I'm asking for your support.
Matt Connolly:I'm running for a very simle reason. I'm simply tired of complaining about things as they are; I'm tired of hearing about budgets that are late; hearing about a Governor who wants to fill a budget gap by a sales tax of "just one per cent for three years, and then we'll repeal it." We're still paying a [inaudible] Tax that was started in the Korean War, that has never been repealed.
Government has a real simple problem. They spend too much. If you look at the budget of Pennsylvania in 1980, it was $4 billion. Adjusted to today's money, that's a little more than $10 billion. The last budget passed was $28 billion. In fact, since 2002 when Ed Rendell took over, our budget has increased by forty per cent.
The problem with our $28 billion budget is that our revenues are only $25 billion.
So we should have an adjusted budget of about $10 billion when instead we have one of 28, yet our revenues are 25; it really proves we don't have an income problem, we have a spending problem. And they're spending your money.
Government is not an industry. Government does not produce anything. Government simply moves things around.
I'm running because if you don't [at this point, my cell phone goes off. Sorry.] get in the process and say - wait a minute, we need to stop this, we need to end some of these programs that are so unsustainable and serve nothing. We're going to be going down that road. You look at the riots in Greece.
We have a pension problem in Pennsylvania. It was a well-intentioned pension deal. The only problem is with a fixed benefit program. In other words, they're going to get a certain amount no matter if the market says they should get it or not. In 2012, we're going to be facing a $4 billion budget hole caused by a balloon payment for that pension program.
We're already $3 billion behind now, another $4 billion, and no one wants to address that.
If you're in business like I've been - I've been in business all my life, I've been in business in the LV for over 20 years - if you don't address things that you know are coming down the road in years like the pension payment like that, you can't kick them down the road, you can't ask taxpayers to just come up with it somehow.
We need to be fiscally responsible. That's why I'm running. I hope you can support me.
