Hanover Supervisors Scrutinize No-Tax-Increase Budget

Many municipalities struggle annually with the growing cost of a defined benefit pension plan. But Hanover has been able to reduce that expense by instituting a less expensive pension plan for employees hired after 2006. They contribute portions of their own salary, which is then matched by the Township.

What about raises? They vary between 2 and 4 per cent. Finnigan explained how it works. "We appraise people, we require them to go the extra mile, and if they are doing that, they are rewarded accordingly." He noted that most surrounding communities have union contracts that require pay increases, but "we do it based on performance."

Finnigan's salary next year is set at $102,775, slightly less than the salaries paid to Township Managers in Lower Macungie and South Whitehall.

Finnigan told Supervisors he was able to reduce the interest rate on the Township's long-term loans from 4.25% to 4.00%.

Supervisor Steve Salveson expressed some concern over employees being forced to pay a portion of their family's health care. "That's quite a hit for most of the people with family coverage," he remarked. Finnigan assured Salveson that it's a "wash," but agreed to analyze the differences in take home pay for employees with families.

Hanover resident Al Young complimented Supervisors for posting the proposed budget on the Township web page, but repeated Lehigh County Commissioner Glenn Eckhart's admonition that "government spending is the problem."

Supervisors will tackle the budget again on November 23, 7 PM, at the municipal building.

Allentown Magistrate in Hot Water With Judicial Conduct Board

As a Democrat in downtown Allentown, Magisterial District Judge Maryesther Merlo captured 59% of the vote in last year's municipal race. She handles lots of truancy cases. But last week, the Judicial Conduct Board called her own truancy into question, and instituted formal proceedings, primarily because of a "pattern of absenteeism and tardiness resulting in unnecessary delay and continuance of numerous hearings ... ."

In a detailed, 36-page, Complaint, the Judicial Conduct Board cites numerous examples, including 85 cases in which she had her staff enter judgments in landlord-tenant disputes at which she failed to appear. When she did conduct hearings, she would often group defendants together, and try them all simultaneously.

In one case, she refused to reduce bail for a criminal defendant unless he admitted to her that he was a "scumbag." Once he did, she set him loose.

Her bizarre behavior includes a threat to file perjury charges against a witness who asserted her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. When this woman persisted in her refusal to testify, Judge Merlo called deputies to handcuff this witness and jail her. They declined. She then found this witness in contempt and ordered her to pay a fine or go to jail. Judge Steinberg later vacated that Order.

Without any authority, she also held an Assistant DA in contempt when she objected to Merlo's decision to lower the bail of a Defendant who had pointed a shotgun at someone.

In a speeding case involving a student, the charging officer decided to reduce the offense and the boy appeared in Court with his mother, who had placed the boy on curfew. When he apologized to Judge Merlo and told her it wouldn't happen again, she called him a dog who "needs to be retrained."

The entire complaint, which contains numerous additional examples of bizarre behavior, can be read here.

Updated 12:55 PM: The Mrning Call has a story here.

Holy War! Angle Fighting Buddy Christ!

Yep. Evil Ron Angle is currently embroiled in a Holy War with none other than the Redeemer in that Beemer, the Savior of Misbehavior, Buddy Christ himself! And it's all over Gracedale.

You see, Northampton County Council's Prez has no regard for the residents at our nursing home. Sure, he talks about a continued high level of care with a new employer who will keep many of the same workers currently on the public payroll. Yes, he has stressed that any new owner must agree to give priority to Medicaid (indigent) residents.

The truth? He secretly intends to use residents to plug up the next oil leak. Either that, or he'll sell them to some Arab Shiek, like the ones who are financing the nursing home in Dauphin County.

He has me fooled, but not the Gracedale Goons. In the latest rant from their fearless leader, fake preacher "Reverend" Mario Martinez, we learn the truth. "The end is definitely near, but it is near for Ron, not for Gracedale. Gracedale is destined by the Lord Jesus Christ to continue to serve the Northampton County widows and the orphans until He decides differently. It is His intended purpose...and His will."

So there you have it, folks. God is on their side.

During the Civil War, Yankees and Rebels were both infested by fake preachers and fake generals who claimed God was on their side. After hearing that claim for the gazillionth time, Abraham Lincoln said to one of them, "Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

The Lord Jesus Christ better get off his ass and start collecting signatures. Inside word is that "We, the People" only have about 5,000 of the 20,000 signatures they need to get a Gracedale referendum on the ballot. And time is ticking.

Slate Belt Detention Center Meeting Tonight!

Tonight, at 6 PM, there will be an open forum about a possible Slate Belt detention center for over 2,000 illegal immigrants. This meeting will be hosted by GEO, which calls itself "a leader in the delivery of private correctional and detention management."

At a time when we have 10% unemployment, this proposal will generate 350 union construction jobs and 500 detention workers with salaries equivalent to those of police officers. In the economically depressed Slate Belt. On the other hand, the ACLU's Emma Cleveland has warned that private prisons like GEO generate human rights abuses, and it's net to impossible to track them because the Freedom of Information Act has no application to a private business.

Cleveland has set up a Facebook group, Coalition Against the Prison in Mt. Bethel. It's billed as a "group made up of concerned citizens," but it would be more honest to describe it as an ACLU-led effort.

But there are some very real concerns about private prisons, especially those housing illegal immigrants. They were detailed yesterday on NPR's Talk of the Nation. Because crime has flat-lined in the U.S., private prison corporations look at housing illegals as their new growth industry. They donated heavily to the Arizona legislators who recently enacted their new illegal immigration law.

Grucela Office Will Remain Open Until November 30

NAZARETH, Nov. 9 – State Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton, said his constituent service offices will remain open through Nov. 30 to help residents of the 137th Legislative District with state and local issues.

Grucela, who did not seek re-election this year, has offices at 239 S. Broad St. in Nazareth, 610-614-1312; and 5 Mt. Bethel Plaza in Mt. Bethel, 570-897-0401.

"Our offices are open and ready to assist you with forms, applications, and questions about state programs," Grucela said. "If you have any questions, please just call or stop by through the end of the month – even if it's to say goodbye to my stellar staff who has served you, my constituents, for the past 12 years."

The office offers assistance with state programs like LIHEAP, PACE, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and with financial aid programs through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Grucela, who was elected in 1999, said that along with his long tenure of teaching, public service is an honor and privilege.

"Voters entrusted me with their confidence throughout my tenure in office and I hope I met their expectations," Grucela said. "It will be difficult to say goodbye to the many good people my staff and I have met throughout the years as your state representative. It's been a pleasure to represent the 137th District in Harrisburg and I thank every resident for giving me the opportunity to do so."

Rich is a class act who will be missed.

AOL Patch Coming to the LV, Possibly Next Week

AOL's foray into "hyperlocal journalism" - Patch - is coming to the Lehigh Valley, possibly as soon as next week. That's according to LV Regional Editor Susan Koomar, who I met yesterday. She was a panelist at a Northampton Community College symposium on the swirling changes in the news biz.

Patch's goal is to have 12 local editors in the Lehigh Valley, each covering different areas. Five are already on board, and two are still being trained in NYC. Emmaus may go live as soon as next week.

If you'd like to see an example of this site in operation, take a look at the one set up for the Ardmore area. You'll notice a lot of local news and sports, with a heavy emphasis on video. In addition, a fairly detailed calendar of upcoming events is included, and Koomar explained that readers can add their own functions.

As Jeff Pooley noted in his own study of Patch, Allentown will go uncovered. It's a gold mine of stories, but Koomer claims it's simply too big for one editor.

Local editors - armed with laptop, phone, camera and police scanner - are set loose in their communities and seem to be doing most of the work, although they are allowed to use some freelancers.

This might flop. But it might also prove to be the only source for news in smaller communities, which are increasingly being ignored by or newspapers.

AOl plans to be in over 500 communities by the end of the year.

Vote for Cindy Greene!

Remember Cindy Greene?

She ran for District Judge a few years ago, and was one of the victims unfairly blamed for Tom Severson's sleaze campaign against Brian Monahan.

Well, Cindy's real passion is fashion. She's trying to get a job as a fashion blogger for the Sunglass Hut, but ironically, she still needs votes. All you have to do is go here and pick her.

Now if you're a Democrat, vote for her. It's the best way I can think of to keep another Republican out of politics.

PaCan Condemns Pawlowski's 40% Tax Hike

King Edwin wants to impose a 40% earned income tax hike on everyone, even those who live outside of Allentown. Is it any wonder he calls it the City Without Limits?

PPL, the Queen City's largest employer, thinks this is a bad idea that will make it more difficult to recruit talent. But what the hell do they know?

Pro-business PaCAN has issued this news release:

"Wednesday night, the mayor of Allentown and City Council is expected to discuss a plan to increase the Earned Income Tax by 40% and apply the tax to all city workers, regardless of where they live. Yet some outlets still view this city boss as a reformer. It is the height of historical revisionism that Ed Pawlowski, Card Check supporter, is viewed as a champion of pension reform. His proposed budget solution to this crisis is to tax the income of every dollar earned within city limits to pay for the pension costs he’s inflated as a matter of policy since the day he flew in from Chicago.

"'Business owners cannot be blamed for setting up their shops and offices outside of Allentown to protect their families’ and their employees’ wages,' said Matt Balazik, Managing Director of PaCAN. 'The men and women who work private sector jobs in Allentown are in disbelief that as they’re struggling to look after their own retirement and family security, the government wants to tax their wages and subsidize the failed leadership downtown by paying for the pensions of public employees who make on average 40 percent more in salary and benefits than they do.'

"'If Mayor Pawlowski intends to emulate Philadelphia’s business climate, he should take a look at the results. Simply taking a drive down City Ave., on the border between Philadelphia and Montgomery County, it’s plain to see what side of the street the moneymakers have decided to locate and in many cases relocate. By driving employers out of Allentown, not only will his earned income tax proposal have negative long- and medium-term consequences, but it will also immediately reduce the property values on which most of his budget is based,' adds Balazik.

Updated 10:00 AM: In an email this morning, Pa-Can makes their position even more clear. "This tax increase is a direct attack on Allentown’s private business owners and their employees." They are asking Allentown businesses to call the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce (General Line: 610-841-4582, Allentown Office: 610-841-5800), Allentown City Council (610-437-7556) and King Edwin (610-437-7546).

Was Angle Rude to ACLU?

Fifteen minutes is only a tiny sand of time, but in a government meeting, it's an eternity. It is very rare that a member of the public be given that kind of time to address his or her elected representatives. In Allentown, you have three minutes before a loud buzzer goes off. In Bethlehem, you stare at a clock that ticks off your five minutes, second by second. At the Bethlehem Area School Board, a Business Manager interrupts citizen orations with shouts of "thirty seconds". But as Northampton County Council Prez, Ron Angle does let the people speak.

Last week, Angle permitted the ACLU's Emma Cleveland explain, for fifteen minutes, why a privatized federal detention center for illegal immigrants is a bad thing, no matter how many local jobs it might create in the slate belt. He let her speak even though she started things off by saying she's a Lehigh County resident. He let her speak even though he personally appears to favor a private detention center being advocated by private prison giant GEO. He let her speak even though she claimed incorrectly that there would be no immigration courtrooms in this proposed detention center.

But Angle did what he frequently does when people come to the podium. Instead of listening to her with stony silence, he engaged her. He shared what he knew with her. He certainly made no attempt to silence her, although he does love to talk.

At one point Emma asked Council for a "clarification." She wanted to know if County Council would advocate this detention center if the host township, Upper Mount Bethel Township, were opposed.

"If Upper Mount Bethel decided that they do not want to allow this prison ..."

"That's their business," Angle quickly stated.

"That's their business?" Emma asked.

"We are not getting into any ..."

Although Angle was just answering Emma's question, Lamont McClure himself interrupted their exchange with this. "Stop interrupting her. It's courtesy of the floor. Let her talk."

Then Emma just continued with her question, and went on for another seven minutes.

You don't have to take my word for any of this. Go to the webcast, and you can see for yourself that Emma was allowed to speak from 32:26 to 47:06. McClure's attempt to marginalize Angle occurred at the 39th minute.

Incidentally, Emma was followed by another speaker, a nurse who claimed to be "in solidarity" with the ACLU, and who complained for 2 1/2 minutes about "human rights abuses" at private detention centers for illegals. So basically, Angle permitted two people to complain to Council for 17 1/2 minutes about something that is really in the hands of Upper Mount Bethel Township.

The very next day, McClure complained to The Express Times about Angle.

"He interrupts them, harangues them and he generally treats them with a lack of civility," McClure whines, when what Angle really did was have a fairly interesting conversation with the ACLU. What really surprises me is that Council member Tom Dietrich voices a similar lament, complaining about Angle's treatment of this woman.

Anyone who views that webcast and who does not already hate Angle will walk away with a completely different impression.

At the end of the meeting, Angle told Council members that he's well aware that, in recent weeks, he's been called a dictator and other names. Angle was concerned whether other Council members, other than McClure, felt that way, too. So he prepared a letter of resignation as Council President, and would submit it if it was their wish.

"As President of County Council, I serve at the pleasure of you people. So I've made up a letter of resignation, which if you people want, I will gladly submit, because if I'm not serving you well, the last thing I want to do is be here not serving you well, quite frankly. Anyone interested in me putting this in, other than Mr. McClure?"

One of the Council members saying "No" was Tom Dietrich. He had said the same thing privately just two weeks before. But on the day after the Council meeting, Dietrich was stabbing Angle in the back, with complaints about Angle's treatment of an ACLU representative.

During Thursday night's Council meeting, Dietrich had proposed an idiotic 0.1 mill tax reduction. Council had just avoided a 20% tax hike. And as Council member John Cusick pointed out, the County needs that money just in case a Gracedale sale fails. But Dietrich wanted to pander.

Now Angle is no saint. He makes plenty of mistakes. But if he was not there, Northampton County would be raising taxes. And Dietrich would continue making speeches nobody understands.

Chris Miller was at Thursday night's Council meeting, too, and he had a pretty good assessment of Angle.

"Is he controversial? You bet. I used to have a head of hair before I heard of Ron Angle. He is a very controversial individual. But you know, sometimes, that's what it takes. And the man is taking the arrows and I think he deserves to be appointed and continue what I think is a very fine job here.

"I think you saw a large change in Mr. Angle when he apologized to Mr. Stoffa. I think these two men can work together and get the job done."

Full Disclosure

Am I in the tank for Charlie Dent? Is it true I have a Ron Angle tattoo on my left ass cheek? Does John Stoffa pay my rent? Do politicians slip me a few bucks to write something nice about them, or better yet, something nasty about their enemies?

These are just some of the anonymous accusations hurled at me from time to time. Sometimes I answer them. But just as often, I ignore them.

Last week, while speaking to a journalism class at Lehigh, NewsOverCoffee's Ross Nunamaker stated he has a "full disclosure" tab along his sidebar. Being the thief that I am, I stole Ross' idea and you can see it on my left sidebar.

I neither solicit nor will I accept any money from anyone or any political organization for my blogging activities. I do make a little money from the google ads you see on this blog, but I have no say in any of the items advertised, except to make sure there are no x-rated ads. This insulates me from any advertiser.

So no, nobody pays me for what I write. And my ass is tattoo-free.

Ron Angle Mudwrestles on Business Matters Tonight! 8 PM, Channel 69

Hey, Angle Haters! It made it past the censors. Tonight, at 8 PM, on WFMZ-TV69's Business Matters, Ron Angle and Michelle Griffin-Young go to war with Mike Schlossberg and Jude Laure-Denis over last week's election. Sore loser Jude insisted on calling soon-to-be House Speaker John Boehner a "boner," and eventually, she and Ron were rolling around on the floor while Schlossberg was screaming in terror. Jerry Springer's bouncers had to settle everyone down. If you hear somebody in the peanut gallery, cheering alternatively for Angle and Schlossberg, that's me.

Unfortunately, it set me off.

Zombies of Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton

Not all that long ago, it was difficult to win a regional race without picking up at least Allentown, Bethlehem or Easton. If you lost in all three, you're toast, right? Well, Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent was able to beat Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan easily without winning in any of our three cities. Increasingly, it appears that our urban core is out of touch with the rest of the Lehigh Valley. They're unthinking zombies who just pull a lever. Even our older boroughs have completely different voting patterns than the cities.

Believe it or not, Callahan beat Dent most convincingly in Easton, where Dent's 1,439-vote tally was just half of Callahan's 2,996 total. Lots of lever pullers. This might explain why the Vulcanos, both of whom are brain-dead, keep getting re-elected. Or the Fleckster, whose most notable accomplishment is getting caught lying about his college graduation when he first ran for Mayor.

Dent served as a State Representative and State Senator in Allentown, and did better there than in Easton. His 8,142 head-count put him at 76% of Callahan's 10,700 votes in a Democratic haven in which lever pullers are carted to the polls at 5 PM.

The City in which Dent did best, believe it or not, is the Christmas City, Callahan's hometown. Dent hit Callahan hard on Bethlehem's $8.5 million deficit, and was rewarded with 7,799 votes. That's 81% of Callahan's 9,594 total. Dent actually beat Callahan in six North Bethlehem wards in Northampton County. And in Northwest Bethlehem, where Callahan grew up, Dent captured another three precincts. There was even a tie (197-197) in Bethlehem's 13th ward, 8th district.

So Dent failed in the three Cities, but Callahan failed everywhere else, even in the older boroughs. Hellertown, for example, is made of of many retired steel workers and NYC commuters. It still went with Dent, 791-750. So did Emmaus (1765-1465) and Nazareth (784-659). These older boroughs are very much like the cities, except they are less transient and are likely better informed about local races.

Last week, I asked an Allentown City Council member (I won't mention his name because I never asked for permission to quote him) whether it's still possible for a Republican to win in Hellertown. Without batting an eye, he said No. Too many lever pullers. Instead of electing people who will serve you, the cities are electing union agents. And because people like Jenn Mann knows nobody can beat her, she'll take a consulting job with a state contractor.

Charlie Dent For Senate?

The Morning Call's Nicole Radzievich, in a Sunday news account, indicates that the Charlie Dent returning to Congress is going to be a much more powerful member for two reasons. He's got seniority and he's in the Majority.

There may actually be a third reason. Rumors are swirling that Dent plans to challenge Bob Casey, Senate Zombie, in 2012. I have no idea whether there is any truth to these rumors, but have long thought Dent is ideally suited to the U.S. Senate.

If Dent gets a Committee assignment with a lot of face time, my guess is that he's running.

Bethlehem ZHB Refuses Continuance in Elias Market Expansion

In an exhaustive and well-reasoned September 30 opinion, Northampton County Judge Edward Smith has remanded a zoning dispute between a busy Bethlehem produce market and some of its residential neighbors. In forty-four pages, this scholarly jurist told them to go back to the drawing board, although he did affirm some important variances. He's really urging both the Elias family and nearby homeowners to sit down and listen to each other, if that's possible. But it's beginning to appear that Bethlehem's Zoning Hearing Board, a supposed quasi-judicial body, is assuming the role of litigant.

Before Judge Smith issued his opinion, ZHB Solicitor Mickey Thompson (whose daytime job is Abe Atiyeh employee), pressured him in a September 17 letter. Mickey complains that the ZHB was publicly chastised by the Planning Commission. He even whines that City Council would expand the Board from three to five members, all as a result of their 2-1 decision.

Both of these claims are untrue. The Planning Commission has never been critical, and City Council's decision to expand the ZHB was in the works for several years. But it's obvious that Bethlehem zoners feel victimized.

On remand, a Hearing was originally scheduled for November 3, but some members of the Elias family were away on vacation. The Hearing was set up for this Wednesday and notices went out. But Bethlehem City Council's Solicitor, who had intervened in the matter, was unavailable that date and asked for a continuance.

Denied.

On Friday, Judge Smith was asked to grant the continuance, but he's surrendered jurisdiction back to the Zoning Hearing Board and has no authority to entertain such a request.

When the ZHB ruled against Bethlehem homeowners in Round One, there were several snarky references to their failure to obtain an attorney. But this same body is now willing to deprive the entire City of Bethlehem of representation. This is no fault of the Elias family or the Bethlehem homeowners involved, but they could both easily be adversely impacted by a ZHB that seems to have forgotten it is a neutral and detached body.

Updated 10:15 AM: Looks like Bethlehem City Council has postponed one of its own hearings, ant that its Solicitor will now attend the hearing.

Northampton County: No Tax Hike Next Year

"I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever do your job again."

That's what an exasperated Northampton County Council Prez Ron Angle told Executive John Stoffa at one point during a November 4 budget hearing. But when the smoke cleared at the end of 3 1/2 hours, seven Council members voted to support Angle and Stoffa's controversial no-tax-increase $290 million budget. Lamont McClure voted No and Ann McHale was absent. It's the first time since Home Rule that a County financial plan was adopted this early.

It's a budget that assumes the sale of Gracedale, the County nursing home, at some point next year. Only the first six months of operating expenses are funded.

It's also a budget that makes deep cuts in County personnel. It eliminates sixty vacant positions, as well as five positions that are occupied. County administrators told Council that no one will be laid off.

This bare bones budget also freezes wages being paid to professional part time employees, who are mostly lawyers. Council member John Cusick said, "It's tough for me to give payraises when seniors have seen no increases for two years." But a small raise (a net 1%) went to the County's nonunion workforce.

Council member Peg Ferraro, a Republican, cautioned her colleagues against cutting too deeply. "I know it's the most unpopular thing in the world to say, but we can't keep scaling back," she said. She voted for the budget, "with regret."

Lamont McClure, the sole Council member to vote against the no-tax-increase budget, claimed Gracedale is actually a "winning proposition" that has made money. He condemned "skulduggery" in the anticipated sale. But Council member Tom Dietrich claimed McClure was "sugar coating" the facts, noting Gracedale would cost the County $6 million in operating costs next year, to say nothing of the capitol improvements needed for an aging building.

By a 5-3 vote, Council voted against an Angle-led effort to eliminate the Director of Court Services, a cabinet level position held by Archie Disidore. Frustrated, Angle asked, "Where are we gong to get the money for this?"

"Gracedale," answered Cusick, drawing angry jeers from some nursing home advocates in the audience.

One County program preserved in an otherwise lean budget is the County's open space program. Throughout the year, up to $2 million will be spent for farmland preservation.

After the budget was adopted, Tom Dietrich proposed a 0.1 mill tax reduction, suggesting they dip into the reserve.

"Why not a 2 mill tax decrease? Why not 3?" scoffed Angle, who held his head in his hands as Dietrich argued for a small reduction. Dietrich's proposal failed 6-2, with only McClure joining him.

At the end of this meeting, Angle drew attention to the Gracedale debate, and noted that nursing home proponents have vilified and demonized him as the source of their troubles. He then produced a letter resigning as President and told Council he will step down if that is their wish. Angle's six Republican colleagues rejected his letter. Democrat McClure raised his hand to say something, but a satisfied Angle called for adjournment.

Want more? You can see excellent accounts in The Express Times and Morning Call.

ACLU Warns Against Private Slate Belt Detention Center

"You're pushing 10% unemployment. I'd like to help you solve that problem."

That's the argument made by GEO, the largest provider of corrections and mental health facilities in the world, in support a self-contained detention center for 2,200 immigrants facing deportation. Because of its proximity to New York, Newark and Philadelphia, the slate belt is considered an ideal location. A privately run facility will produce 350 local construction jobs and another 500 detention jobs for people facing deportation. But at Northampton County Council's November 4 meeting, the ACLU's Emma Cleveland cautioned against any private facility for immigrants.

Council President Ron Angle told Cleveland that "we have no say here, whatsoever, as to whether that detention center goes in Upper Mount Bethel Township."

But Cleveland told Angle that County Council had already submitted a proposal for a detention center, "so you have taken a position." Angle acknowledged that the County has laid the groundwork to act as an intermediary for such a facility, similar to what exists in other Counties, but takes no position endorsing a specific location or proposal.

"The ACLU of Pennsylvania has taken a position in opposition to a private immigrant detention center because we're concerned about the large amount of civil rights abuses," said Cleveland. She added that civil rights abuses, including rape and murder, occur with greater frequency at privately run facilities.

She also complained that there wold be no immigration courts in these facilities, but Angle corrected her, stating that GEO had advised there would be courts.

"I'm curious how you all know this because the public does not know this, and I'm a member of the public," argued Cleveland. "Actually, it was discussed at the public meeting," answered Council Solicitor Phil Lauer. "They referred to two courtrooms."

Cleveland also complained that private facilities are under no obligation to respond to Freedom of Information or Right to Know requests.

"Whether you committed a crime by crossing the border, it's actually an administrative violation, you still shouldn't be raped and you should have that information."

In response to questioning from Council member Lamont McClure, Cleveland listed murders, suicides and riots at GEO facilities. "They do not have a good track record. The federal government does a better job."

GEO has submitted no formal proposal to any municipality, but will conduct an open forum about a potential slate belt detention center at Bangor Area Middle School on November 10, 6 PM.

LC Comm'r Meetings Now Online

Lehigh County has joined the growing number of municipalities that are posting their meetings online.

“Today, communications and information are expected to be available online,” said Commissioner Chairman Browning. “Making our meetings viewable by the residents of Lehigh County is an important step toward accountability and transparency.”

This is part of a larger “transparency in government” initiative that also includes the online posting of campaign finance filings made by Lehigh County elected officials and candidates for elected office.

Meetings for the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. All future meetings will be recorded and will be available the following day for public viewing on the internet. In order to access the video file for the most recent meeting, go to www.lehighcounty.org

Express Times: Time to Sell Gracedale

The Express Times not only endorses a sale of the County-owned nursing home, but believes that Northampton County Council should make the call.

ET Editor-in-Chief Bullies Poor Little Blogger

I'm currently consulting with several disbarred lawyers to see what legal recourse I have against Express Times Editor-in-Chief and all-around-meanie Joe Owens, who is using his considerable corporate resources to lash out against a poor little blogger.

Me.

Joe, don't you think I have feelings? If you cut me, do I not bleed? I'm just a wreck over a scurrilous blog he's posted about me after our joint appearance on WFMZ-TV 69's Business Matters. I cried in my little pillow all night.

Don't you just hate those attack bloggers?

First, Owens demeans me by posting my picture upside down. Would I ever do something like that to somebody? Have you ever known me to .... never mind.

Second, he insinuates I'm a know-it-all, calling me a "self-appointed expert in all matters media. And Northampton County. And city of Allentown. And Ron Angle's grooming habits. And many more topics." Hey, can I help that? It's a curse. I wish I were a little dumber, I really do.

Third, he claims he got the best of me on Business Matters, which I like to call BM. Not true. I schooled him until we got out into the parking lot.

Finally, he calls me a "menace." Not when I'm on my meds, Joe. Don't judge me, dude.

This is one BM you're gonna' have to see and judge for yourself. I'll post this BM when it airs. If it airs.

Did Bethlehem Police Over-React?

On Wednesday night, I walked into what I thought was a Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board meeting. Idiot that I am, I had my dates mixed up, and walked into what was actually a Public Safety Committee hearing. But I arrived just in time to see two Bethlehem cops escort a man from the podium. According to Morning Call news account penned by Matt Assad, it's the first time this has happened in at least twenty years.

What was this guy doing to warrant an ejection? He was reading the Constitution and citing Black's Law Dictionary. Loudly. Very loudly. Scary loudly.

In fact, after a previous performance in front of City Council, Bethlehem officials asked for a police presence, which also exists at Allentown, Lehigh County and Northampton County meetings.

What disturbs me about this ejection, which I do think was appropriate, is that no member of City Council made the request. A police officer took it upon himself to make a call that really should have come from the Chair.

I caught the actual ejection on video, but Tony Simao caught the entire incident. What do you think? Did this gentleman go too far? Should the police have acted on their own, withot direction from the Chair?

Why Did Callahan Lose?

The Morning Call's Nicole Radzievich talks to some local experts and has some of their answers.

According to LC Exec Don Cunningham, "If Democrats look at this the right way and see that the Washington agenda hasn't squared up real well with voters in the 15th Congressional District and learn from it other than writing it off as an accidental tea party swing, which I don't think it is, there's plenty of room for John Callahan or somebody else to come back in 2012."

Over the years, the only person who's come close to knocking off Dent is Charles Dertinger, an unlikable and underfunded candidate. He came close precisely because, instead of using hired guns sent in by the DCCC, he used local talent.

Democrats marvel at someone like Dent campaign manager Shawn Millan, calling him an Evil Genus and the "Karl Rove of the Lehigh Valley." And all that is true. But he's also local. He understands the Lehigh Valley.

Is there a "James Carville of the Lehigh Valley"? There's probably a few. One of them, Jim Hickey, is a miserable bastard who knows how to win. He sat on the sidelines in this race, having consciously been cut out by the DCCC.

Thank God!

Hellertown Eyes 6.25% Tax Hike

"When I see you're looking at raising taxes 6.25% in the worst economy that we've seen since the Great Depression, ... my concern is this. We need to take a look at cutting expenses because the expenses are going to continue to rise."

This admonition, which comes from self-described tea party member Bryan Eichfeld, was delivered to Hellertown Borough Council at their November 1 meeting. Hellertown has only collected $370,580 of the $500,000 in revenues anticipated this year.

"When we're raising a mill just to pay salaries, that scares me, it really does," stated Council member Stephanie Kovacs, who spent the evening questioning line item after line item in an unsuccessful effort to reduce expenses.

Richard Staffieri, who has served on Council for over forty years, condemned paying "salaries that are outrageous when the people that are paying the salaries aren't working." But he added, "I agree with 51% of this budget, so I'll vote for this budget."

With Council members Kovacs and Thomas Rieger voting No, the other members agreed to a Staffieri motion to advertise the budget as a preliminary step towards adoption. Council President Philip Weber advised that, though advertised, the budget can still be modified until December 6, the date set for adoption. The budget is available at Borough Hall for public review until November 29.

In addition to agreeing to advertise a budget calling for a possible 6.25% tax hike, Council members listened to a report from their engineer. Hellertown's busy Main Street is sometimes referred to as a "Berlin Wall," separating the western and eastern parts of the borough. Borough Engineer Bryan Smith has attempted to tear down that wall, unveilig the results of a $90,500, nine-month "walkable community smart transportation study."

Among 28 recommendations to make Hellertown more walker friendly, Smith proposes installing two additional traffic lights on Main Street, and reducing its speed limit to 25 mph. He also urged that Borough Council make some changes to the intersection of Main Street and Easton Avenue, and advised that the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has up to $500,000 available. Council gave Smith a green light to apply for some of this grant money, with Council member Stephanie Kovacs opposed.

Public Works Director Tom Henshaw also reported that Santa Claus will be visiting Hellertown at 7 PM, November 26, to celebrate "Light Up Night" at the Fountain Plaza.

Jerry Springer, Meet Business Matters!

I was at Channel 69 (WFMZ) yesterday for a Business Matters show having something to do with blogs and newspapers. Zzzzzzzz. Knowing that host Tony Iannelli likes to tape a few shows at the same time, I got there a little early so I could catch some of the action. Against their better judgment, they let me in. Who else do you think was sitting in the audience? That's right. The Evil Ron Angle was there, wearing three ties stolen from Iannelli, drinking coffee with an unlit cigar in hand. We both watched a show that included his former campaign manager, Jay Finnigan. Angle, O'Hare & Finnigan. The last time all three of us were together, we set Northampton County back about fifty years. Yesterday, we turned Business Matters into the Jerry Springer show. At one point, I think they were calling the cops. I doubt any of us will be back anytime soon. Let me tell you the story.

When Angle saw me, he was thrilled. "Bernie, my good man," says Angle. "Sit down and enjoy the show." Ron says "my good man" a lot.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

When I said I would, he told me exactly where to go to steal a cup. I then shared that secret with a magazine publisher, who was also watching the show.

Now the show Finnigan was doing was pretty good. Don Cunningham was there, as was Whitehall Mayor Ed Hozza, a very bright and funny guy. And they all had a very refined discussion on the pros and cons of municipal consolidation and crap like that while I was sharing fart jokes with the Bulldog.

When that show ended, Finnigan decided to stick around for the second show. Ron Angle and Michelle Young were the Evil Conservatives, and were girding for a tag team match against the Righteous Libs, featuring Mike Schlossberg and Jude Laure-Denis. They were going to discuss the Tuesday Night Massacre.

Of course, it got wild, and I started hooting and hollering from the peanut gallery. Finnigan would tell me to shut up, but that just made me louder. Angle loved it until I started cheering for Schlossberg.

Words like "boner," "crap" and "whore" were being tossed around as Iannelli played ref. You're not gonna' believe this, but Angle was actually innocent.

"He's a boner," shouted Obamagirl Jude, referring to future House Speaker John Boehner.

"It's Boehner, not Boner."

"I don't care. I'm calling him John Boner," retorted Jude, who also claimed that people don't like Obama because he's black.

"She's in la la land, and couldn't find her way out with six seeing eye dogs," snapped Angle as Schlossberg rushed to her defense, insisting she'd only need three seeing eye dogs.

Schlossberg blamed everything on Shawn Millan, Charlie Dent's campaign manager, whom he calls an Evil Genius and the "Karl Rove of the Lehigh Valley. That's true, too.

It was a trip, but what was really cool about it was that nobody was taking anything personally and they were all laughing at points.

Then it came time for the show about bloggers and real journalists, pitting me against Express Times Editor-in-Chief Joe Owens, Morning Call reporter and pretty boy John Micek and WFMZ anchor Eve Tannery. Talk about a stacked deck! Angle and Finnigan stuck around for the slaughter and began doing waves and shit like that in the audience.

Naturally, I told Micek and Owens that they both suck, that their election coverage was horrid, and Thank God for Eve Tannery and Channel 69. I got her on my side before they knew what hit them. Finnigan and Angle loved it, but Owens went ballistic. He was pissed to begin with because he only arrived a minute after me, but had to wait in the lobby for a half hour until someone came for him.

I did have one legitimate complaint. On election night, I was going back and forth for election results between WFMZ and The Morning Call. WFMZ did an outstanding job of posting results quickly, but The Morning Call really dropped the ball. At 10:30 PM, after Callahan had conceded, The Morning Call still showed him up by 6 points with 10% of the votes tabulated.

I attacked, just like the bottom-feeding blogger I am. Owens got in my face, while Micek got all defensive, saying they "had done their best". I thought he was going to cry.

Then Owens got really dirty and just had to bring up my Charlie Dent tattoo, which was supposed to be a private matter. So I slammed The Express Times for its goofy Jake Towne endorsement, telling Joe that they had endorsed a robot with an exoskeleton, and that nobody could reach Towne on election night because he was at a Star Trek Convention. In the meantime, Angle was hooting and hollering in the peanut gallery, taking score.

Owens eventually understood that I was mostly screwing around. Not Micek, whom I had called an elitist and a slew of other names. He never really caught on. He literally ran out as soon as the show was over. In fact, I think he jumped out a window.

Owens and I left together. He was nice to me until we got into the parking lot, where he kicked my ass. Yes, I went down, but I was swinging.

PostMortem: Is It Really a Shift to the Right?

Have we suddenly all become Ronald Reagan Republicans? Has the nation really shifted to the right? Just as it was a mistake for liberals to think Obama's election was a green light to cap-and-trade and Pelosicare, it is a mistake to think last night means we've suddenly all become limited government advocates.

Most of us are really somewhere in the middle, and are upset that President Obama and Congressional Dems ignored a 9.6% unemployment rate in favor of everything else. Unless Republicans do something about jobs, they'll be gone in the next election.

Feel free to post your postmortem here.

Dent Wins Six Bethlehem Precincts

According to the still unofficial count in Northampton County, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan won every Easton ward. Of course, Easton also votes for the Fleckster and the Vulcanos. But what really amazes me is that Congressman Charlie Dent took six Bethlehem wards from Mayor John Callahan on his way to a 56-38-6 victory in a three-person race that also included independent Jake Towne. How the hell did that happen?

You can thank Democrats. According to a Committeeman who was canvassing that area with literature, he saw a number of Democratic super voters with "Democrats for Dent" signs on their lawns. Some specifically told him they would not be voting for Callahan.

Fairly or unfairly, some question Callahan's character. Others question his fiscal stewardship in Bethlehem.

Inside the Belly of the Beast: Charlie Dent HQs

That's right, folks. I made it out of the bed pan and am sitting inside Charlie Dent HQs, where results are coming in fast and furious. Early indication is that it is going to be an ass-kickn'. I'll be updating you.

8:25 PM: Look at this Northeast Bethlehem precinct, where Callahan shold be trouncing Dent. 15-1. Dent - 256, Callahan - 294, Towne - 37. Dent winning in Catasauqua, too.

8:29 PM: Emmaus 6: Dent 397, Callahan 315, Towne 56.

Beth 14-7: Dent - 443, Callahan-327, Towne - 42

Hanover 1 Dent 452, Callahan 350, Towne - 37

Dent crushing in Lynn Tp.

Bethlehem 9-2: Dent 99, Callahan - 178, Towne -24.

8:32 PM: Callahan crushing in Freemansburg.

8:34 PM: Emmaus 2: Dent wins 269, 239, 48

Tatamy: Dent wins 207, 94, 44

Souderton 2. Dent crushing. Never did will before.

9:00 PM: Dent cruising to easy victory.

Lynn Tp - New Tripoli. Dent. 550, 240, 52.

Beth 14-1. Dent only Republican to win.

Lehigh Tp - Pennsville: 483, 249, 61.

Wilson 1: Dent 281, 248, 22. Dent lost this in last two elections.

Easton 3-4: Dent 140, 250, 41.

Whitehall 6: Dent 249, 211, 44.

Emmaus 1: Dent 252, 241, 40.

Bethlehem Tp. 3-3: Dent 196, 165, 22.

Allentown 13-1: Dent 91, 173, 21.

Emmaus 5: Dent 194, 169, 27.

Emmaus 4: Dent 270, 236, 53.

Allentown 11-6: Dent 317, 282, 31.

Franconia SE: Dent 456, 237, 12

Beth Tp 3-1: Dent 182, 153, 19

3-2: Dent 358, 302, 28

2-3: Dent 214, 233, 39.

Allentown 17-2: Dent 282, 253, 20

Allentown 19-2: Dent 156, 247, 23

Allentown 19-1: Dent 121, 182, 31

Forks West 2: Dent 827, 480, 140

Wind Gap: Dent 342, 228, 78

Upper Hanover 3: Dent 371, 186, 15.

Catty 2: Dent 246, 176, 42.

Northampton 1: Dent 342, 304, 57.

Forks East 2: Dent 644, 534, 172

Upper Mac 1: Dent 708, 362, 38.

Low Naz 1: Dent 810, 412, 303

Whitehall 12: Dent 329, 316, 33.

Bath: Dent 364, 204, 52.

Beth 5: Dent 91, 274, 12.

Hanover 4: Dent 528, 276, 36.

Hanover 5: Dent 303, 207, 23.

Plainfield Tp Belfast: Dent 162, 103, 47.

Simmons up 50 votes over Horton.

Looks like a 51-53% win.

9:30 PM Update:

S Whitehall 4: Dent 455, 266, 36.

Beth Tp 4-2: Dent 317, 191, 33.

Beth Tp 4-3: Dent 254, 204, 50.

Palmer Upper East: Dent 433, 473, 113.

Low Mac 7: Dent 560, 276, 33.

Lowhill: Dent 604, 233, 50.

S Whitehall 2: Dent 297, 194, 44.

Allentown 14-2 Dent: 110, 240, 27.

Palmer Upper West: Dent 777, 650, 197.

S Whitehall 5: Dent 615, 410, 38.

Weisenberg: Dent 1290, 426, 137.

Upper Hanover 1: Dent 705, 381, 32.

Coopersburg: Dent 429, 253, 74. Simmons 463 to Horton's 286.

Forks E 1: Dent 734, 467, 169.

Hanover 2: Dent 603, 404, 52.

Dent wins Salisbury 1 by 30 votes.

9:50 PM Update:

S Whitehall 6: Dent 639, 412, 43

U Saucon 1: Dent 611, 370, 57.

Low Mac 4: Dent 594, 336, 58.

Looks like Charlie won. Heading to the party.

Buddy Christ Brings You His Election Day Faves

Hey, people! Got Christ? Who's your Buddy? That's right, bippy, it's Me. I've got your back! I just turned O'Hare into a bedpan at Gracedale., so he can receive a little of what he's been dishing out over the past few months. And Angle? He just woke up next to Ann McHale. Tied up, too. Who says I don't have a sense of humor? I invented humor, damn it.

While O'Hare is getting splattered and Angle is praying to Moi, let's get to down to business with my Election Day picks.

Governor: I'm gonna' let you in on one of My Divine Secrets. I like to keep things simple. I'm God. Christ. Do I have a name that goes on and on and on? No, damn it. The more syllables in someone's name, the less likely he's gonna' be a winner. On-or-at-o has four syllables to Cor-bett's two. Corbett will win because you mortals can at least remember his name. Sorry, Dan. Back to Pittsburgh for you.

Senate: I'm not crazy about Joe "I was an Admiral" Sestak, but I'm pretty sure Toomey is a robot. Seriously, he's got the personality of a dead fish. In fact the first time I met him, I thoght he was Lazurus and tried to raise him from the dead. He's gonna' get elected, so Pennsylvania will now have two dead Senators. But my vote is still going to the human, Sestak.

Congress: Johnny, Johnny, Johnny. You had that Christmas City gig going for you. You could get wasted at Apollo and free lunch at Nino's whenever you wanted. Dude, you could have coasted into Congress if only you had been patient and actually served in the job for which you were actually elected. But no, you wanted it NOW and were willing to step all over the very person you praised for getting things done. That's pretty damn arrogant for somebody with three syllables in his last name. And that flyer depicting a soldier with blood streaming down his face? Not cool, dude. That probably cost you votes. Instead of going to Congress, you should pay a visit to a confessional. Take your brother-in-law with you.

Emergency prayer from Ann McHale: "Jesus Christ! What the hell is Angle doing in my bedroom, all hog-tied? (I answer all prayers, but never said I answer them right away).

Browne v. Orloski: What the Hell happened? Seriously. Last time these two squared off, I was proud of both of them for their civility. This redux started off that way, too, but Lucifer must have got to Rick. He is, after all, a lawyer. Anyway, all of a sudden, Rick is bringing up Pat Browne's 1995 DUI, the same damn thing that backfired on Jen Mann. Dude, if that stunt didn't work with her, do you really think it would work for a guy with three syllables in his last name? Browne.

Mensch v. Wallace: William Wallace was disemboweled and beheaded by Edward I because he kept screaming "Freedom" day and night. Our local Bill Wallace has not, to My knowledge, ever had his intestines removed. But he has lost two races for Northampton County Council, has no money and refuses to embrace the party boys. What's even worse, he actually believes in a bipartisan approach. I like Mensch, who is a terrific speaker, but like Wallace just a little more.

Boscola v. Connolly: Being Christ, I'm everywhere, so I was at last week's debate between Lisa Boscola and Matt Connolly. Did you know Lisa actually dreams about medical marijuana? Go figure. She's a pip. When Lisa refused to insist that her COS apologize to the women she offended on this very blog, O'Hare vowed he'd vote for her opponent today. And once he gets out of that bedpan, that's what he'll do. But Lisa will win.

Emergency prayer from Ron Angle: "God help me! She's got some guy in a Batman suit coming in here and aahhhhhhhh!" (I'll get to Ron a little later).

Freeman v. Shegda: I was in Hellertown last night, and the only Shegda signs I saw were the ones in his own yard and next door. He's probably the only person in he Universe who's been kicked out of the tea party. And his latest stunt is to walk around telling everyone that he's "Jesus in disguise." Say what? That's right. Look, dude, I never ran for state representative. Look it up. I said "Render unto Caesar" and stuff like that. This Ron's NOT for you. Freeman.

Simmons v. Horton: Now Horton is no Ron Shegda or Jesus in disguise. Nope. He's Malcolm X. He told the Easton NAACP that his thick glasses are in honor of someone who called the white man "the devil." Now I know the Devil, and he's not white. Most of the time, he's red, although he insists it's magenta. Whatever. Anyway, Horton will say that to a mostly black audience at the NAACP and then sing a different song elsewhere. He's a fake who dumps all over Simmnons because he has no experience. Neither did I. Simmons.

Dertinger v. Emrick: Anybody but Dertinger! Anybody but Emrick! Uh oh. I am Jesus of Nazareth, so this is my District. What a mess. Charles "Don't Call Me Charlie" Dertinger must know he's losing. He's good at that. He's lost three races for County Council, a race for the State Committee and a race for Congress. Gobs of money from the unions are no help. As My Father once said, in his deep bass vice, "You can't shine shit." Emrick is not much better. So I'll be voting for Rich Grucela.

Emergency Prayer From Archangel Gabriel: "Hey Buddy, I think O'Hare actually enjoys being in that bedpan. He's singing in there." (He won't be singing once he's flushed).

Harhart v. D'Agostino: Dr. D-Ag-o-stin-o has too many syllables, so he loses. That's the Divine Rule. Soory, Dude Should have checked with Me.

Brennan v. Malony: These two likable Irishmen both belong in office, but the office that best suits Malony is his acupuncturist office. Brennan.

Reichley v. Slattery: Reichley has reached a point in his career in which he is being recognized as a leader, and that's good for the Lehigh Valley. Of curse, this probably means he'll resign. Reichley.

Looks Like a GOP Sweep: PPP Poll Results

Did Callahan Vote Four Times For a Tax Increase?

"If Callahan says he hasn't raised taxes in four years, and Dent says Callahan raised tax each of four years, then someone is lying.

"Regardless of what party any one of us might usually vote for, we owe it to our own personal sense of integrity to figure out who is lying."

That's a comment from Noel Jones, who publishes the terrific Neighbors of Easton. I promised her a bullshit-free answer. Believe it or not, a news release from Charlie Dent's campaign contains the underlying factual basis for Dent's claim.

√ As a Councilman, Callahan voted to increase the property tax by 5.5% (2002)

√ He voted for the 2004 budget that included another tax increase of 2.2% and which increased the sewer rate and recycling fees.

√ As Mayor, Callahan’s first budget (2005) increased taxes by 6.4% -- the highest property tax increase in a decade.

√ Callahan then raised property taxes an additional 13.4% in the 2006 budget.

Since 2006, Callahan has proposed no new tax increase. So they are both telling the truth.

Charles Dertinger: $92,200 in Union Support And Counting

Back in August, I told you that State Rep. candidate Charles Dertinger is pretty much bought and paid for by the unions. Through June 4, they poured $23,500 into his campaign. But based on his most recent report, I can tell you that's chump change. Over the summer, they've contributed another $68,760. That's well over half of the total he raised this summer. The rest comes from the Democratic Party. Governor Rendell kicked in $10,000 and the trial lawyers' PAC threw in another $10,500, to ensure a vote against tort reform. House leader Dwight Evans gave $5,000 to buy Dertinger's allegiance and obedience. Even Jenn Mann took a break from her consulting work at Vitetta to give Dertinger $500.

Union agents in training Steve "I'm the Controller" Barron and Mike "Call me Doctor" D'Amore, who made idiots out of themselves this Summer when they attempted to unionize a T-Mobile Call Center, kicked in $150 and $100, respectively. I know it's not much, but it's the thought that counts.

The ultimate good government guy, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, accidentally sent Dertinger $200. He was supposed to use that for his mancave permit.

Browning Answers His Critics

In the days leading up to last week's vote on Executive Don Cunningham's 16.1% tax hike in Lehigh County, Dean Browning was under incredible pressure. GOP Party Boss Wayne Woodman had cooked up a scheme to embarrass Cunningham and send the $390 million budget back to him, along with instructions to return with a zero-tax-increase budget. Glenn "Commissioner No" Eckhart was able to sell this idea to all his Republican colleagues. All except Chairman Dean Browning.

This would have required Cunningham to come up with $14 million more in cuts. During five months of budget review, no Commissioner had even hinted these cuts could be made. The Administrative Committee, chaired by Percy Dougherty, had come up with nothing approaching this figure. They just aren't there, and Republican Commissioners know that better than most. Dean Browning, whose specialty is finance, knows that better than most Republican or Democratic Commissioners.

But Party Boss Woodman had decided to embarrass Cunningham and set up an issue for next year's municipal races, so he had to snap Browning in line. For days, Browning was besieged by phone calls and emails. Threats of retaliation came not just from the tea party crowd, but some mainstream and very well respected bluebloods in the GOP. "Vote with us, or your career is over," was the sentiment.

Browning was also trashed as a "RINO" on Bobby Gunther Walsh's radio program, even when Eckhart tried to step in and point out some of the savings Browning has realized. You can listen to that program below:
Walsh called on his listeners to be there for the vote, and they were.

In the end, Browning voted his conscience, following Edmund Burke's admonition that he owes voters his best judgment, not the dictates of some party boss. "He betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.”

Browning's courage really moved me. It even impressed Morning Call columnist Bill White, who like me is always much happier when he's ripping into someone.

Blogger Michael Molovinsky, an independent conservative with no love for Cunningham (or anyone, for that matter) is unhappy with Dean's vote. "When you can't find anything to cut out of a $390 million dollar budget, maybe you're not looking very hard." Party Captain Scott Armstrong parrots Molovinsky's complaint, but is more melodramatic. "So, after two months of scrutiny, there is no room for any cuts in the county’s budget? That is what you have to believe to support what happened last Wednesday. This was an epic failure all around."

Neither Blogger Molovinsky nor Captain Armstrong have provided a single suggestion during the six months preceding last week's vote, but their complaint sure sounds good.

Over the weekend, blogger Chris Casey and I decided to ask Dean why he couldn't find fat in a $390 million budget. Here's our brief interview, question by question.

Isn't there room to cut in a $390 million budget?

"That's a process that has been going on for five months before August 31, with many iterations back and forth, to arrive at the final budget that is then presented and then given to the Commissioners to evaluate and possibly cut and approve."

Would LC Commissioners Really "Negotiate" a No-Tax-Hike Budget With Cunningham?

"We have one particular Committee, the Administrative Committee, whose primary responsibility is to deal with the budget for Lehigh County. The Vice Chairman and Chairman of that Committee have yet this year to schedule a single meeting, either with the Executive, or his Director of Administration, to review the plans for the 2011 budget."

When Cunningham Threatened to Cut Courts' Budget, Was He Fear-Mongering?

"If you want to make cuts without impacting the Courts, Corrections or the District Attorney's Office, that means eliminating every other department in the entire County and you know you can't do that."

Does LC Have a Spending Problem Instead of a Revenue Problem?

"It has a problem in both areas."

Is Dean Browning a True Conservative?

"I've submitted numerous amendments to reduce spending and focus County government on its key responsibilities. The net effect of that is that the budget for 2011 is $9.5 million less than it would have been if I had not initiated those changes. ... I ask people to take a look at my record and judge for themselves."

Blogger's Note: My thanks to Chris Casey, who collaborated on the interview with Dean.

Dem Party Boss Debates Angle Over Gracedale

Norco Dem Party Boss Walt Garvin dropped in on Ron Angle's Friday news conference, and was kind enough to engage in a quasi-debate after it was over. From this, we have learned the following:

1) Wally G claims that neither he nor the Dems have an official position on Gracedale. I see. I guess that he and the Lehigh County Dem Party Boss were on Gracedale campus last Sunday to blow bubbles and chase butterflies.

2) Walter believes it would be "inappropriate" to advise Northampton County voters that their continued public support of Gracedale will likely result in a 20% tax hike in each of the 5 years mentioned in the initiative. Laughing, Angle said it sure is "inappropriate" if you want to get someone's signature on a referendum petition.

3) After claiming he is neutral, and with no facts to back him up, Garvin debated Angle on the merits of privatizing Gracedale. It is very clear that Dems will use this issue in next year's election.

Why I Call Them Gracedale Goons

On Friday, Ron Angle was a little bit nicer than I. He referred to those who insist that that County taxpayers remain shackled to Gracedale, as radicals. I prefer to call them the Gracedale Goons.

Northampton County Dem Party Boss Walter Garvin, who attended Angle's news conference, laughed in derision at Angle's use of the word "radical." But that stopped when I asked why Democrats perverted a supposed petition drive for Gracedale, to publicize the campaigns of John Callahan, Joe Sestak and Charles Dertinger. Although Garvin was at that rally (as was Lehigh County Dem Boss Rich Daugherty),he insisted he saw nothing. "I don't know what you're talking about," he improbably insists.

Right. That' s one reason I call this attempt to shackle taxpayers the work of goons.

This is the goofy group that claims to be led by a supposed preacher, but has started the last four County Council meetings with venomous attacks at Ron Angle. Although forty boy scouts attended the last Council meeting, the Unholy Preacher and his crew thought nothing of interrupting the meeting and hurling vulgarities.

That'a a second reason I call them Gracedale Goons.

Now they're all out circulating petitions, and plan to spend Election Day making a push at the polls. But I'm leery of their circulators. In Bangor, one of them (he calls himself "Frank Merchant") seems very concerned with the clothing being worn by the women he solicits: "[S]tanding over her I saw she was driving with a shirt and just flowered panties on !!! No pants or dress in sight."

That's downright creepy. Maybe it should be Gracedale Stalkers.