CACLV: One in Five LV Households With Children Are Hungry

From CACLV: - Lehigh Valley, PA, August 11, 2011 – More than 1 in 5 households with children in the Lehigh Valley area struggle to afford enough food, according to a report released today by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). The study was organized along the geographic boundaries of U.S. Congressional districts in order to demonstrate the importance of public policy in addressing the issue.  The Fifteenth District, represented by U.S. Rep. Charles W. Dent, includes all of Lehigh and Northampton counties.  The study covered 2008 through 2010 and was obviously impacted by the current economy.

In other districts served by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, the Eleventh Congressional District, represented by U. S. Rep. Lou Barletta, one in four families with children struggled to have an adequate supply of food and in the Tenth Congressional District, represented by U. S. Rep. Tom Marino, more than one in five households with children were similarly challenged.

Pennsylvania reported alarming rates of food hardship—the inability to afford enough food—among children across all 19 of its Congressional Districts. Of the nation’s 436 Congressional districts, the First District, represented by U.S. Rep. Bob Brady ranks second-worst for food hardship among households with children. Other southeast Pennsylvania districts also fared poorly.  (See the chart below.)

“Children are the innocent victims of this nation’s failure to provide for the neediest people among us,” said Ann McManus, Director of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania. “This report reminds us that the safety net of food and nutrition program needs to be strengthened so that everyone, especially children, can have an adequate diet. But, the threats that are looming as Congress contemplates drastic domestic cuts are real. Congress needs to realize that SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), the Women Infants and Children’s Supplemental Feeding Program (WIC), school meals, and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) need to be fully funded.”

Data from the report came from a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index project, which has interviewed more than 1 million households since January 2008. Households were asked: “Have there been times in the past 12 months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed?” In the U.S. as a whole, 18 percent of all households polled responded yes; in households with children, that figure reached more than 23 percent. In Pennsylvania, food hardship among households with children is nearly 22 percent.   

“America is failing its families with children.  Here at the local level we are doing the best we can, but there is no way our best is enough without effective public policies,” says Alan Jennings, executive director of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, whose agency operates the Second Harvest Food Bank. He continues that “children, and adults, who are not getting enough good food to eat are less productive, less able to go about their daily tasks. The risks to their health and well-being have consequences for all of us. We shouldn’t be surprised if, 15 years from now, the children on whom we turned our backs, turn their backs on society.”

*The following table lists food hardship rates for every Congressional District in Pennsylvania.

Food Hardship Rates for Households with Children in Every Congressional District in Pennsylvania

Representative	Food Hardship Rate 2008-2010
Robert A. Brady	49.6
Chaka Fattah	32.2
Mike Kelly	26.3
Jason Altmire	18.9
Glenn Thompson	24.8
Jim Gerlach	14.7
Patrick Meehan	15.0
Michael Fitzpatrick	11.9
Bill Shuster	21.2
Tom Marino	22.4
Lou Barletta	26.0
Mark Critz	22.7
Allyson Schwartz	14.6
Michael Doyle	25.4
Charles Dent	21.6
Joseph Pitts	18.1
Tim Holden	19.7
Tim Murphy	17.5
Todd Russell Platts	19.6

In Allentown, It's Who You Know

My Nazareth Estate

Back in 2009, Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky and I both visited with Joanne, proud owner of a home on the 300 block of Tilghman Street. After years of hard work at menial jobs, she finally was a homeowner. She installed carpets, ceramic tile in the bathroom and kitchen and mentioned several times that she has a finished basement. Even Molovinsky, who has a critical eye when it comes to ... everything, called it the "gem of the block."

None of that made any difference to Allentown housing inspectors, who scheduled it for one of their "systematic home inspections," something never done in Bethlehem or Easton. In order to accommodate them, she was required to take a day off from work. She also was required to produce her latest bank statement and mortgage payment, although that has nothing to do with her home.

Now, Allentown would never dare try a "systematic home inspection" on the West end. Too many campaign contributors. So they pretty much target the downtown peasants, who never vote. They certainly conducted no inspection when King Edwin installed his mancave last Summer. And Molovinsky has just published the second installment of a three-part series about the uneven enforcement of housing code violations in the Queen City.

In Part One, City Hall Insults the Neighborhood, Molovinsky chronicles a housing inspector's refusal to do anything about a squatter (the bank foreclosed on the property) whose south side property is plagued by noise, police calls and garbage. Instead, the City cleaned the property and cut the grass.

In his second installment, Molovinsky identifies the housing inspector who is playing favorites - Lonnie Glase. Ironically, Glase is considered one of the City's toughest housing inspectors.

Molovinsky promises a Part 3, in which he'll include his correspondence with what he calls the "chain of command."

Robert Lasso: R.I.P.

It's tragic to read about a homicide in the tiny canal town of Freemansburg. It's even sadder to learn that the victim is a police officer.

Atiyeh Detox Center to Be Considered By Bethlehem Planners Next Week

Nearly a year ago, Atiyeh munched on the hard candies he always carries around in a plastic bag as his attorney, Bill Malkames, vainly made the case for a luxury apartment complex at the southeast corner of Dewberry and Center Streets in Bethlehem. Atiyeh had tried to market an assisted living facility at that location, but presented testimony that the market is saturated.

"I'm extremely embarrassed that this is a failed project," he said at the time. "But I have to look beyond that and look at what is the next best use for that site without having 300 neighbors here."

That next best use, according to Atiyeh, was four three-story apartment buildings, totaling 102 one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments, with a monthly rental of up to $1,295.

Surrounding neighbors had a different view. Englishman Mark Blomfeld, a U.S. resident for the past seven years, complained, "We're being asked to take it on the chin because a previous business idea isn't quite what [Atiyeh] wants it to be." Bill Malkames countered, "Every property has to have a viable use."

Twenty-six exhibits and five witnesses later, the Zoning Hearing Board declined to give Atiyeh a variance that would enable him to market luxury apartments, with Ken Kraft in dissent.

Now, Atiyeh has a new proposal that needs no variance from the Zoning Hearing Board. He's proposing a 4-story, 125-bed inpatient drug and alcohol detox center, along with a psychiatric hospital and 46 parking spaces.

That psychiatric hospital will likely be full with Bethlehem residents who are apoplectic over Atiyeh's proposal. When it was just luxury apartments, Atiyeh's zoning request attracted Senior Judge Bill Moran, former Northampton County Council member Greg Zebrowski and City Council member J. William Reynolds.

Bethlehem's DCED Director, Joseph Kelly, has already stated, "There isn't much power to stop it, at least with the zoning laws." Atiyeh denies he is trying to pressure City officials into accepting his luxury apartment idea, but has coincidentally contributed $3,000 to Mayor John Callahan's campaign fund over the past year.

Atiyeh's plan is on the agenda for consideration by the Planning Commission on August 18 at 4 PM.

LC Bar Snags Emmy Nomination

I'm not kidding.

Lehigh County's Bar Association just snagged an Emmy nomination for Not Behind the Wheel, a video that discourages teens from texting while driving. It's the second time this conclave of barristers has been nominated for a regional Emmy.

"We're absolutely thrilled to once again receive this honor," says Bar Association of Lehigh County Executive Director Dan LaBert. He denies that he now insists on fresh roses and six bottles of Perrier in his dressing room every day. "It's only twice a week."

Recall Stoffa?

"Barron and gang are awaiting a successful demise of the Stoffa regime through a recall referendum to be placed on the ballot in November. See how all of the pieces and players over the last few months fall into place?"

I was at last week's Northampton County Elections Commission meeting precisely because of these recall rumors. A reporter, who probably had heard the same thing I did, was there as well. A growing number of sources say the Gracedale gang will soon launch another petition drive. This one will be aimed at the removal of County Executive John Stoffa.

Although the Northampton County Home Rule Charter does provide for recall, the petition must be signed by 30% of all registered voters. That translates to nearly 60,000 people. On top of that, there are several Court rulings providing that no elected official may be removed by recall.

The Elections Commission will meet again on September 1. An effort to smear the Executive and place his administration in a bad light, even though it fails, might be the tactic being used to ensure Barron and McClure's success at the polls.

Northampton County Needs a New Controller

Steve Salvesen is a Hanover Township Supervisor running for Controller in Northampton County. His campaign slogan says it all.

You can have a dumass like Barron von Footinmouth, who marches on non-union companies like T-Mobile and actually threatens them for not playing ball. Or you can choose someone who  successfully persuaded non-union Wegmans to voluntarily install sidewalks for pedestrians, not with threats but as an appeal to a good neighbor.

You can have a politically ambitious Controller who always has his sites on the next political office and tried to run for Executive almost immediately after being elected as Controller. Or you can have a Controller who has actually served on Hanover Township's board for twenty-eight years.

You can have a Controller with no accounting education and who flunked the bar. Or you can have one with an M.B.A. and a lifetime of business experience, from a small business owner to a stint as COO at Polybac Corporation.

You can have somebody who engages in extortion like this:

"Please remind [T-Mobile VP Brueckman] that if he needs anything from Northampton or Lehigh County, we're going to remember this day and we'll make sure that it will be part of the negotiations." - Barron von Footinmouth

"I'd also like you [T-Mobile VP Brueckman] to think about why you didn't meet with one of the local elected officials here in the Lehigh Valley, and how that can benefit your company. And when you do that, I'd like you to give me a call - my numer is [redacted] - and discuss it with you." - Barron von Footinmouth

(The Barron von Footinmouth videos are here, here, and here.)


Or you can have an independent, nonpartisan Controller:

"A County Controller must not bring partisanship to the position. The job is to be a watchdog for the citizens of the county, not to act with a personal agenda. My promise to you is that I will be that watchdog." - Steve Salvesen

Your choice.

Did Scott Ott Rescue and Restore Lewistown's Embassy Theatre?

Embassy Theatre in 2010

"As someone who started a non-profit that saved the historic Embassy Theatre in Lewistown, I just wanted to encourage you. - Scott Ott, candidate."

That's what Scott Ott told an Allentown arts group when he ran for County Executive two years ago. He takes credit for rescuing and restoring that theatre in his current Commissioner race, too.

Ott has bounced around his entire life. He grew up in Bucks County, graduating from Palisades High School in 1979. From there is was on to Penn State, where he was awarded a Bachelor's degree in journalism and found himself a job in central Pa. as a reporter. That's where he met his first wife, a Lewistown disc jockey.

Ott would eventually move on to Kansas City with his second wife sometime in the 1990's, but before that, he and his then disc jockey wife did lead an effort to save Embassy Theatre.

Was Ott as closely invloved as he claims? Did he really restore this central Pennsylvania landmark? Here's what Paul Fagley, President of Friends of the Embassy Theatre, remembers about Ott:

It is true that Scott Ott, then going by the name Scott Barron-Ott, was one of a small group of local citizens who rescued the Embassy Theatre from the wrecker's ball. He was the visible "front man" for the group that raised enough support to purchase it at auction. This was in the late spring and summer of 1991. The theatre was auctioned in July of that year. The following year, the group incorporated as a 501c3, and Scott was the prime signatory of the application, as President of the Board. When I came on the board in the fall of 1992, Scott was already gone from the group, and things were falling apart. The original purchase deal with the local banks was that, although they had enough to purchase the theatre, they were given a 2-year demand mortgage of $35,000 to tie the group over (to pay the bills, so to speak) while it incorporated and raised funds to get the project moving. At the end of two years, the mortgage was to be paid off. However, there was no followup to the original appeal, and no significant funds had been raised. The new roof that was supposed to have been put on the building was only half completed, with only tarpaper on the other half, which caused more interior damage. When I took over as President in August of 1993, the ship was literally sinking. After rebuilding the board, and finishing the roof, it took a few years for the board to stabilize the finances of the project just to keep it afloat, then working with various agencies to do the necessary work to bring it back. We are now poised to begin the major work. The mortgage is still there, 20 years later, although we have paid it down to $25,000.


"Singlehandedly" I would question as a bit of "puffing," as it was a group effort, though he was the most visible member of the group. "Spearhead" might be a more descriptive term. As to forming a 501c3, that basically involves completing an application to the IRS.


Whether or not this qualifies him for the office of county commissioner, I will leave that to you and the voters.

Is The Morning Call's Bill White Really a Glutton?

The Morning Call's Bill White

Every year, The Morning Call forces columnist Bill White to eat his way through Musikfest. And every year, somebody calls him a glutton when it's all over.

It certainly reads like he really puts it away. But did he really? This year, I decided to pay attention to what he actually was eating, and determine how many calories he consumed, using Daily Burn. That site has an inventory of just about every food imaginable. When somethng is not clear, I erred on the side of gluttony.

Adding everything up, Bill's eating adventure this year amounts to a scant 4,997 calories. The average American consumes nearly 4,000 calories per day. I consume that at breakfast. The average Thanksgiving meal, all by itself, is somewhere between 3,000 and 4,500 calories.

So as gluttons go, Bill is a model of moderation.

Bethlehem Press Slideshow

Even though they use me, they still are a good little weekly paper.

The Rise and Fall of the LV Tea Party

On Friday, I had lunch with Lou Hershman, who is running for Allentown City Controller against an opponent with no experience, no education and no independence. For over thirty years, Hershman served Allentown as a Controller and Council person. Even now, he's a thorn in the side of most Council members with incessant questions and points about the Queen City's budget deficit.

Hershman will likely be defeated this Fall, not because he is the weaker candidate, but because he's a Republican in a city ruled by Democrats. The Fleckster, who has been tapped by Pawlowski to run the campaign for Hershman's opponent, will dredge union halls and homeless shelters on election day. That little army will march up and down the streets with fliers, as well as man the polls. A dedicated and knowledgeable candidate will likely lose to a person whose chief attribute is that she is a Pawlowski puppet.

It's a similar story in Bethlehem. Three Republicans - Al Bernotas, Tom Carroll and Tony Simao - are waging an uphill battle for three seats on City Council. Like Lou, they've been attending meetings for years. Now their Democratic opponents - Bob Donchez, Mike Recchiuti and J. William Reynolds - are very good candidates, too. But in a City dominated by Democrats and unions that can get out the vote, the GOP trio has virtually no chance in a race that should be closer.

What could change this?

The LV Tea Party. Locally, I saw it as the only group willing to speak up for the one special interest forgotten by politicians - the taxpayer.

During Lehigh County's recent budget hearings, they were a constant and vocal presence. They also took part in the discussion of the bi-county health bureau, and even appeared at several Northampton County Council meetings. Tony Simao, who films and posts Bethlehem City Council meetings on his own YouTube channel, is one of them. They're becoming regulars at local school boards. I even spotted one of them at a  Hellertown Borough Council budget meeting late last year.

But as suddenly as they rose, so they have fallen. Founder Kim Schmidtner at one time boasted there were over 1,300 members. But at a meeting in early June, the tea party established a quorum with just 57 people. People have lost interest. Perhaps it was inevitable, as is the case with most grassroots groups. One thing is clear. The arbitrary actions of its leadership have accelerated the process.

Their so-called "unofficial" blog - maintained by a loyal member of its top heavy executive board - is not-so-strangely silent on the subject. Instead of encouraging individuality, the party is hamstrung by rules enforced by bullies like Joe Hilliard, the intolerant Maximillien Robespierre of Lehigh Valley conservatives. His history is that he destroys every group he joins.

So I'll tell you myself about the disintegration of the LV Tea Party. It probably means I'll be excommunicated again, but I don't really give a shit. I attended its divisive monthly meeting on August 5. It was supposed to be a frank discussion among members about the party's future direction and a revelation of the "inner turmoil" that has "crippled" the group.

The first thing I noticed when I entered was a large collection of tables at the front of the room, behind which Robespierre's Committee of Public Safety - the executive board - was seated.

Instead of promoting an honest exchange of views, Acting Chair Tom McFadden did his best to stifle discussion. He announced that the executive board would be monitoring conversations on their forum with more intensity. He cut some people off, refused to recognize others and prevented people from talking. When I tried to make my point about candidates who need help, and they include tea party members like Ronnie DelBacco, I was interrupted so much that it would have been better not to have been there at all.

And that's what happened. Many people, some of them first-timers, began walking out, vowing to never return. "You sound like the God-damned Democrats," complained one rank-and-file member to McFadden.

In addition to stifling dissent, McFadden allowed Robespierre Hilliard to drone on and give an arrogant defense of an attempt to seek his ouster, in advance of a hearing scheduled for later that evening.

Over the past several weeks, there have been numerous resignations. Founder Kim Schmidtner herself has resigned, first as Chair, and then as a member. Executive Committee strongman Bryan Eichfeld, who claims he learned everything he knows from Hilliard, blames personal attacks from the membership.

But others have stepped down as well, objecting to the divisive and bullying tactics from an authoritarian executive board being piloted by Hilliard.

Joan Campbell, the Secretary and backbone of this group, resigned as Secretary and as a member of the Executive Board after being called "naive" and "dense" by Hilliard. Ronnie DelBacco, an Easton School Board candidate, got tired of the nonsense, too. Donna Rovito stepped down from the Health Care Reform Committee even though she is perhaps the most knowledgeable voice, conservative or liberal, on the topic in this area. "There is no room in a grassroots organization for egos or dictatorial pronouncements, yet two members of the Executive Board in particular have crossed too many lines, and fractured the leadership of this organization to the point that in order to carry out the work I believe MUST be carried out to ensure America's health."

After the August 5 meeting, I expect to see the LV Tea Party fade away. It has arrogantly conducted meetings without even bothering to acknowledge the presence of prominent attendees like Doug Reichley, Dean Browning, Ron Angle and Charlie Dent. And although it has never filed for IRS status as a nonprofit, it refuses to engage in the political process, hurting good people who care about their government. Instead of a potent political force, it has devolved into a Book of the Month Club.

In addition to allowing Hilliard to present a defense before a hearing on charges that he violated by-laws, several executive board members insisted on speaking in his defense when the Hilliard expulsion finally got underway, and many members had already walked out. Board member Bryan Eichfled was incensed that I was chosen to present the charges against Hilliard since, according to him, my sole purpose in being there is to splinter the group. This is the same intolerant nut job who wanted Northampton County Council to sign a kooky limited government resolution that would essentially prevent the federal government from funding anything besides the Defense Department. Even arch-conservative Pat Toomey refused to sign that nonsense.

As for my motivations, any group that fails to be accountable or transparent should be splintered. A group that discourages the very kind of individual freedom upon which this country was founded, should be discarded. It makes no difference to me whether it is the Northampton County Democratic Committee or the LV Tea Party.

Mat Benol, the LV Tea Party's original chair, has already formed another group, TEA-LV.

Will it catch fire? We'll see.

Nationally, the tea party is a potent political force. But here in the Lehigh Valley, they prefer to discuss Ayn Rand books to death.

The Stoffa, McClure Contrast: Governing v. Pandering

In the latest volley of the ongoing Gracedale saga, Northampton County Council member Lamont McClure - up for reelection this year - is now telling The Express Times that County officials have deliberately kept Gracedale's population low in order to make the case for a sale. His exact words, as quoted by Sarah Cassi: “It is clear to me that over the past two years, in order to make the case to sell Gracedale, they have let the census decline, either intentionally or from inattention.”

There is no question that Gracedale's census has been declining. That's a point made in a year-old operational assessment report, which recommends changes in the admissions process. That report was commissioned by Executive John Stoffa, the very person being accused of administrative subversion. He's unwilling to make too many changes until a new management team is on board.

McClure knows this. Had he argued that Stoffa should be implementing these changes now, it would be a fair criticism. Knowing Stoffa, I know he'd welcome a real debate on that or any Gracedale topic. Just a few weeks ago, when the Exec outlined over $20 million in improvements needed at the nursing home, he was provided with practically no feedback.

Now, McClure just has to suggest some dark, ulterior motive against a County Exec who places such importance on integrity that he refused to take a dime from anybody when he ran for re-election.

This accusation of subversion reveals much more about McClure than it does about Stoffa. The Exec is trying to govern, while McClure plays politics and panders to public-sector unions.

McClure attended no Committee meetings at all in 2010, and so far this year, has a zero attendance record. He has short-changed the voter, and is trying to cast attention everywhere else so nobody examines his own record too closely.

An 11 Year Old Boy's Weekend

Saturday morning, at 11 AM, the 'Canes 6th grade Summer basketball team played their championship game against a talented bunch of young men from North Pocono. Though the 'Canes were down by 9 points at one time during the second half, they managed to claw their way back and win the game by 3 points. Of course, the parents made complete asses out of themselves, but the kids on both teams were great.

My grandson, Dat, went right from that game to Bally, Pa, for a baseball tournament. The 11U 'Canes were pitted against 8 other teams like the LV Baseball Academy and the Forks Township Young Gunz. They played twice on Saturday and three times on Sunday. They lost the championship game to the Northeast Titans, who hail from the Poconos. That game did not even start until 9:30 PM on Sunday, and I did not get home until 12:30 AM.

It was a long weekend, made longer by the rain. On Saturday, teams just played through the light rains. But on Sunday, the fields were such a mess that all games were delayed by 3 hours. So when I arrived in Bally at 10 AM, I was the only person there. I walked throughout town, learning that Bally has the oldest Catholic school in the state and more active industry than some bigger LV municipalities.

Right before Dat's game was supposed to start at 1 PM, the Catholic skies opened up and baptized everyone. The fields were a mess and I thought they would just call it a day. Nope. They worked on the fields, had them dry in about 2 hours, and the games finally got underway.

Then it got unbearably hot and sticky. As day turned into night, the heat was replaced by a new enemy. Catholic bugs invaded, taking bits and pieces of us with them, along with a few ball players.

Women who had refused to use the port-a-potties all day began making beelines for the two johns at the far end of right field, where kids had been going all day.

And the games went on.

Then people noticed an unfamiliar smell. The women were convinced it was those johns, but it was fertilizer from a nearby farmer's field. The aroma was a punishment for playing on Sunday.

It also seemed like every game played went into extra innings.

When the championship game finally got underway at 9:30 PM, nobody was sure the lights would stay on. Tournament directors were worried they would just automatically shut off at 10 PM, but players began making the sign of the cross and that seemed to appease the baseball gods.

I wanted to tell you about Friday night's tea party, which was no picnic. I'll give you my report about that later today, after I get some rest.

While I'm konked out, my grandson will be up early to visit the Eagles baseball football camp. From there, he has football practice and is itchy to get involved in a wooden bat baseball tournament in two weeks.

Could you imagine what kids would be like if they drank coffee?

Dent Honors Victims of Military Helicopter Attack

LV Congressman Charlie Dent has issued the following statement on the death of 30 Americans and 8 Afghans in a military helicopter attack Saturday in Afghanistan:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who perished in this weekend’s helicopter attack in Afghanistan. Twenty-two of the Americans lost in this tragic event were members of one of our nation’s most elite fighting units, Navy SEAL Team 6, which recently carried out the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Eight Americans serving in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army also lost their lives in what was the deadliest attack on American forces in the Afghan war. These 30 brave Americans will be remembered for their incredible courage and service in defense of our country. Similarly, I am hopeful the people of Afghanistan will remember the 8 Afghan soldiers lost in this terrible event for their dedication to providing freedom and security to a nation that once had neither."

"If the U.S. Government Were a Family ..."

“If the US Government was a family, they would be making $58,000 a year, they spend $75,000 a year, & are $327,000 in credit card debt. They are currently proposing BIG spending cuts to reduce their spending to $72,000 a year. These are the actual proportions of the federal budget & debt, reduced to a level that we can understand.” – Dave Ramsey

Gracedale Reimbursements From Medicare & Medicaid to Drop Another 11%

State Rep. Joe Emrick on the far left, for once

Just two weeks ago, State Reps. Joe Emrick, Bob Freeman, Marcia Hahn and Julie Harhart were kind enough to attend a Northampton County Council Committee meeting. In addition to these elected officials State Representative Joe Brennan and State Senators Pat Browne and Bob Mensch sent aides. Council invited them so they could learn, and possibly do something, about the Medicaire and Medicaid reimbursement rate for county-owned nursing homes. Had Gracedale been privately owned in 2010, it would have received $4.3 million more in reimbursements. That would have been enough to make the institution profitable.

Nobody made any promises, and several of them pointed out that any changes they made would not take effect for another year.

What nobody at that time knew was that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was planning to reduce these payments another 11%. In late July, it adopted a final rule, and County officials project that it will reduce Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements by another million dollars.

So who picks up the cost? The County, and that's you and me.

It's becoming increasingly obvious that it will be impossible for Gracedale to operate without some kind of County contribution and even Lamont McClure now concedes there's no $60 million pot at the end of the rainbow.

Is It a Double Dip Recession?

Although I'm a hundredaire and have a few bucks in my pocket for the weekend, I'm certainly no financial expert. So when a friend called me last night to complain about the nosedive in her stock portfolio as a result of the 500-point stock market crash yesterday, all I could do was tell her what I've learned from another friend who actually is an expert.

You might know him as Steve Thode, a member of Bethlehem's very busy Planning Commission. Last year, I cornered him at Pizza Joe's in Nazareth. He tried to get away, but I blocked the exit. Same thing happened a few weeks ago at Panera's Bread in Bethlehem, where my Center Street satellite office is located. He was in a booth, and I sat right next to him so he couldn't move. His kids got away that time, while I peppered the poor guy with question after question while he was trying vainly to finish his chicken lemon orzo soup.

Thode is known to Lehigh students as Dr. Stephen F. Thode, and is Director of the Murray H. Goodman Center for Real Estate Studies. He was interested in my Patch column about another nosedive in the Northampton County real estate market.

What Steve tells me, and he's a Doctor, is that the real estate market will improve when there are more jobs. But then he added that there's an old familiar enemy that should concern us all - the gas pump. According to Dr. Thode, a recession will follow a surge in oil prices as inevitably as night follows day.

Until yesterday, when oil dropped to $86, it had risen to $117 per barrel from $79 just a year before.

Are we headed to a double dip recession? Or worse, another Great Depression. I don't know. I'm no financial expert.

LV Tea Party on the Ropes

I'll be there, and will give you a detailed report. There has been a lot of "inner turmoil." In addition to the personal squabbles, the debate is focused on whether this group needs to be more politically involved. I know several members who have left because it's lots of talk and very little action in the political realm.

Cook Political Report: Dent District Upgraded to "Likely Republican"

The Cook Political Report usually rates LV Congressman Charlie Dent's district as "lean Republican." But in a sign of Dent's growing strength, his seat is now upgraded to "likely Republican."\


Who cares? The DCCC and other contributors are going to be far less likely to pour money into a race that they are going to lose.

Patch Column: Real Estate at 28-Year Low in Northampton County

I took a look at the first seven months of this yea, and had to go all the way back to 1983 to find a worse year for real estate in Northampton County. And Obama doesn't have an answer. You can read about it on Patch, and give me hell there, too.

Elections Comm'n Passes on Proposed Elimination of Deputy Registrar

Elections Office Superstar Amy Birch

Northampton County's Election Commission has gone head-to-head with the John Stoffa admin. more than once. It defied its own Solicitor a few months ago, and certified the Gracedale initiative. It has sparred with Stoffa over the extent of his authority over the voter registration office. But at a meeting yesterday, chaired by Nicole Schlener, members declined to take any action on administrative changes proposed by election technicians Amy Birch and Rich Kessler. They'd like to assume the duties, and the pay, of a Deputy of Voter Registration.

Elections Office Superstar Rich Kessler

Although Executive John Stoffa and Director of Admin John Conklin were very dubious about the idea, it was a strangely pleasant meeting. There was none of the rancor that has become all too common in Northampton County, state and national politics. For a second, I thought I must be in the wrong County.

For starters, nobody disputed that Birch and Kessler have exceeded all expectations and have made the office more efficient, even without a Deputy Register. And Birch and Kessler, unlike many county employees who might differ with Stoffa, never once challenged the good faith of the administration.

Birch and Kessler have proposed giving them the authority that would ordinarily be exercised by a Deputy. The County would save money, and Birch and Kessler would see larger paychecks.

Solicitor Chris Spadoni advised Commissioners that this is an administrative matter, not something for the Elections Commission. He cited various provisions of the Home Rule Charter. Instead of arguing with him, they seemed to agree. Schlener noted that the Elections Commission has never had any say in temp hires or questions of OT, and thinks this question is akin to that type of decision.

OK, so if this is an administrative matter, what are its merits? Rich Kessler stated them at length, but here's a summary: Pre-election and election functions have already been performed without a Deputy; the office is caught up; they represent the County at LWV and other public service functions; they handle the money and make deposits; they coordinate the poll workers; the County saves money without a deputy; they perform the training for new employees and temps; and hiring a new deputy will mean there are two full-time supervisors for just three employees.

Exec John Stoffa has John Conklin's back

What's wrong with the idea? Director of Admin. John Conklin said "if it was just going to be Rich and Amy forever," he'd be all for it. But they will eventually leave, and will be replaced by inexperienced staffers who have no Deputy. He also pointed out that Kessler and Birch are both union employees, and that makes it difficult for them to assume management roles. Several of his departments have unionized deputies, and that leaves a department head "all on her own." "From a structure viewpoint, I can't ask a union person to get involved in payroll or personnel-type issues." Conklin also spoke to voting machine guru Howie Erney, who recommended hiring a Deputy, "somebody you can go to and make a decision."

The Big Kahuna, John Stoffa, prefers having a Deputy. "You can't base the operation of an office on the person or personality," he said. "I'll tell you this. With the shape that the County is in, if we do away with one position here, you'll never get it back." In addition, "I don't like to see two people in charge; that never works."

It did in the Roman Republic for over 500 years, where there were two counsuls in charge, elected annually. When I pointed that out, Stoffa retorted, "Do we have two Presidents?"

Stoffa asked Amy and Rich why they did not apply for the Deputy's job. "I know you folks do a terrific job. That's obvious," the Exec said. Rich had earlier stated that if he applied, it would not be fair to Amy, and vice versa. Amy added that they have individual strengths that make them more effective as a team.

Comm'rs Nicole Schlener, George Treisner and Joan Rosenthal

Stoffa advised the Elections Commission to steer clear of personnel issues. "If you start clouding that issue, you get involved in vacation time, you get involved in staffing, you get involved in all that kind of stuff. I don't think you want to do that."

And they didn't.

So what's next for Amy and Rich? Based on what appears to be the universal feeling of everyone at that meeting, they could probably seek a desk audit to determine whether a pay increase and additional duties, and possibly a new position, should be created.

Black Fly Spraying Along Lehigh River Today!

Sometimes they're called turkey or buffalo gnats. But here in the Lehigh Valley, they are more commonly known as black flies, and they want to drink your blood. Unlike mosquitos, they like fresh, running water, like the Lehigh River.

Although the bite of a blackfly is usually nothing more than a mild annoyance to most of us, they do cause severe reactions in people who are allergic to them.

According to a news letter from State Rep. Justin Simmons, the DEP will spray vectobac all along the Lehigh River today. So if you see a low-flying helicopter, don't shoot it down. It's not the UN.

Thank Your Volunteer Firefighters

"Morning Bernie, I don't think anyone of us can appreciate the dedication and training involved with our firemen until that individual has lived through a fire. Our volunteers are non paid professionals. God bless them all." - Carol Cuono.

A fixture in Slate Belt politics, Carol Cuono makes a point that I neglected to mention yesterday.

Volunteer firefighters battled the Nicos Polymer blaze all day yesterday, starting at 5 AM. That includes the men and women of Nancy Run Volunteer Fire Company.

After spending a day risking their lives in a community miles from Bethlehem Township, these volunteers spent the evening handing out fire hats to kids at National Night Out, and their equipment still looked brand new.

Lebanese Heritage Day This Weekend!

Easton, PA -- On Saturday, August 6th from 5pm until midnight and Sunday, August 7th from 11am until 10pm, the parish community of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Easton, PA will celebrate its 34th annual Lebanese Heritage Day festival.

The festival was established in 1978 to recognize and commemorate the rich traditions of the Lebanese-American community in Easton.

Rain or shine, Lebanese Heritage Day has become one of downtown Easton’s leading summer events. Each year, the festival draws thousands of people to the church parking lot at 4th and Ferry Streets, festooned with brightly colored tents and replete with the aroma and sounds of a traditional Lebanese celebration.

In addition to the delectable Lebanese fare, which includes (but certainly is not limited to) hummous (chick pea dip) and tabbouli (fresh vegetable and wheat-germ salad) and grilled items such as shish kabob and chicken with garlic sauce, the grounds come alive this year with the music of Khalil el Khoury and his ensemble.

A Maronite Catholic mass will be celebrated in the church on Saturday afternoon at 4pm and on Sunday morning at 10am. Sunday’s mass will be celebrated by His Excellency, Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Diocese of St. Maron of Brooklyn.

The highlight of the weekend, however, is the performances of the children’s ethnic dance troupes on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

There are also lots of enjoyable things to do for the entire family, such as children’s activities and games, souvenir shopping and much, much more.

This year’s annual raffle will feature a Grand Prize of $10,000.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact Fr. Paul Damien at 610-252-5275. You may also visit our website at www.mountlebanon.org or email us at info@mountlebanon.org.

Comm'r Paul Weiss Takes on Castro ... and Loses

No, not Fidel. Not Raúl, either. The Castro that Bethlehem Township Commissioner Paul Weiss challenged is actually Belgian, not Cuban. But you don't mess with anybody named Castro. Weiss was on his back in about a second. Here's the sorry details.

Weiss takes his elected role seriously, and can often be seen at planning, zoning and other meetings in the Township. But he was strangely absent from the Commissioners' meeting on August 1. That day just happened to be his 30th wedding anniversary. He played hooky to treat his bride to a rare night on the town. Weiss hopes the public will forgive him, but is not so sure his wife would be so willing to overlook his absence on their Pearl anniversary.

The very next day, August 2, was Bethlehem Township's 28th Annual National Night Out. It takes place at the Municipal Park. In addition to a moon bounce, water slide and all kinds of educational exhibits, there was plenty of free food donated by area businesses and restaurants. Clams, pulled pork and chicken wings trumped the lowly hot dog, but there were plenty of them as well. Ice cream, too! Nancy Run Fire Company, which had been running all day to a major fire in Plainfield Township, was still there in force.

But the star of the night was Castro. He was there for a fight.

And the person selected to challenge this Belgian was none other than Comm'r Paul Weiss.

Comm'r Michael Hudak, festooned in his 345th-degree black belt, denies that Weiss' selection had anything to do with his August 1 absence, but he and Township Manager Howard Kutzler had front row seats, and were smiling ear to ear.

It was no contest. You see, Castro is a cop. He's not like you or me. He's a beast. In fact, he's a Belgian Malinois police dog assigned to work with K-9 Officer Dan Barsnica.

What does he do? "His primary asset is his presence," answers Officer Barsnica. While patrolling just a few days before, Barsnica asked someone to come out of a building, announcing "Police, Come out!" Greeted with silence, Barsnica got Castro out of the cruiser and this time called out, "K-9 Police! Come out!" Then Castro started barking, too, and the suspect came out of hiding faster than kids running for free ice cream on National Night Out.

Castro, who first went into service in 2005, might be a step slower than he was a few years ago. But he was just clocked at 28.4 mph in a 100-yard dash at Penn State.

He likes to work, too, even when he is sick. If Barsnica goes on patrol without him, he cries and barks until Mrs. Barsnica puts her foot down. "If I could teach him to drive, he'd be the perfect partner," deadpanned this K-9 officer.

Millions Up in Smoke!

From Newlins Mill Road, in Palmer Township, you can see a plume of black smoke billowing from the Nicos Polymer fire, seven miles away. This shot was taken at 3 PM, ten hours after the fire was first reported.

At that distance, the smell of burnt plastic could also be detected.

The silver lining to this dark cloud is that nobody was hurt.

Is Santee Road Swale a Public Safety Hazard?

John McAtee asks Commissioner to address swale problem.

In 1957, a six year-old boy was nearly swept away by raging storm waters at the intersection of Santee Road and William Penn High Highway. Then in 1977, tragedy struck. Nineteen year-old nursing student was on her way to Northampton Community College when her car stalled in a heavy rainstorm at this dangerous intersection. She walked to what was then the Butztown Hotel to call for help, but on her way back to the car, she was swept away and sucked through pipes and into Nancy Run Creek. Her body was found the next day.

Bethlehem Township reacted by installing an underground storm water system at this fatal intersection. But just three blocks uphill, John McAtee is concerned that history will repeat itself. His home, located right across the street from the Santee Road storm swale, has been flooded eight times over the last thirty years when the swale spills over and cascades onto his property.

The swale is part of a system originating at Johnston Drive and East Boulevard in Bethlehem, and eventually winds its way down Santee Road.

At their August 1 meeting, McAtee asked Bethlehem Township Commissioners to authorize an engineering study, citing the danger to the community, especially to children living in the apartment complex off Santee Road. "If one of them falls into that swale, you're going to find them down at Nancy Run Creek," he warned. "It's an absolute public safety hazard."

President Arthur Murphy told McAtee that several years ago, after a hurricane, Commissioners formed a committee to investigate storm water runoff in that area, and determined that much of the water is coming in from the City of Bethlehem.

Commissioner Michael Hudak asked McAtee whether he had complained to the City of Bethlehem. "I'm a private citizen, landowner and a taxpayer of Bethlehem Township," answered McAtee, adding that his leverage with City officials is "nonexistent."

Thomas Nolan, who chaired the investigating committee, told McAtee that Bethlehem's shallow detention ponds, up around East Boulevard and Johnston Drive, are the likely reason for McAtee's problem. "They have a tremendous amount of water" feeding the swale, he claimed. But he noted that the City was found blameless in the death of the nursing student, and has used that as an "out" to avoid addressing the problem.

Santee Road swale, directly across street from McAtee home

"We could probably spend millions of dollars, putting it all underground, tearing up Santee. You'd have to go all the way down," Nolan stated, adding that there was really nothing the Township could do because there would still be too much water.

"What's another life worth?" asked McAtee.

"As soon as a storm comes, our guys are out there," noted Murphy, and McAtee agreed with that point.

Long time Bethlehem Township resident Martin Comer told Commissioners that when the surrounding area was farmland, there was no problem. "We're getting more water from Bethlehem than we can handle," he concluded.

Rumor Mill: Are Morganelli and Zito Trading Places?

John Morganelli is Northampton County's four-term District Attorney. He's currently seeking a fifth term, unopposed, as the County's top crime dog, with an annual salary of $160,849. But according to the rumor mill, he won't be around much longer. At least not as DA.

Lenny Zito is one of Northampton County's nine judges. Although he was just elected, he can only serve until 2014, when he turns 70. He'll be a young 70, and is far too active to be content as a senior judge. So the rumblings among several local lawyers is that Morganelli will run for Zito's job, and the bench will appoint Zito as District Attorney.

WP: Dent, Moderate Middle, Made Budget Ceiling Deal Possible

Yesterday, in my post about the debt ceiling deal, I had a hard time finding any winners or losers. Like most of you, I'm nauseated by the increasingly vitriolic partisan rhetoric from both left and right. But when I said that "centrists like Charlie Dent are in short supply in Washington," something inside partisan Jonathan Geeting must have snapped..

In a screed entitled "An Ugly Morning for America," Jonathan claims I should apologize to all of you for commending Dent's moderate style. He adds there "is no such thing as the political center anymore in American politics, and there’s no way to bring it back. It’s just not useful to think about politics in terms of personalities when it’s institutions and parties that shape outcomes."

I see.

Well, then I guess the Washington Post better visit Hallmark and buy a few cards, too. According to an analysis by four of their obviously inferior journalists, "The moderate middle wins the day." And guess what? One of the grownups credited is none other than Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent, who leads a moderate group of Republicans called the Tuesday Group.

“I’ve expressed some frustration and anger to some of my colleagues here,” he said. “I heard too much from some of my colleagues about what they could never do,” he said, "instead of what they could.”

In the end, after all the sausage making, the House vote was a 269 to 161 bipartisan vote to increase the debt ceiling, along with a whopping $1 trillion cut in discretionary spending over the next ten years.

After his vote, Dent released this statement.

“The process wasn’t pretty and the product isn’t perfect, but the bipartisan agreement passed by the House this evening will soon bring an end to the prolonged debt crisis that pushed our government to the brink of default and symbolized the dysfunction of Washington. The compromise legislation includes significant cuts to discretionary spending that exceed the increase in the federal debt ceiling, important statutory caps on federal spending and a responsible enforcement mechanism for Congress to consider additional measures to control spending.


“While this agreement addresses the current debt crisis, it also represents a step forward in efforts to prevent future fiscal emergencies by fundamentally changing the way Washington spends. Only a year ago, the passage of a bipartisan bill that cuts $900 billion in federal spending would have been unimaginable. The American people have rightfully been frustrated by the ineffectiveness displayed by elected officials in recent weeks, but I am hopeful tonight’s passage of bipartisan legislation begins to restore confidence in Washington’s ability to place the nation on a sustainable fiscal path.”


 Don't tell Geeting. He's blowin' oil.

Now Obama wants budget ceiling fans, too.

Debt Ceiling Winners & Losers

My most recent blind date

According to The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza, the winners are Mitch McConnell ("a voice of reason and frankness for Republicans"); the tea party ("will almost certainly be emboldened"); President Obama ("needed a deal of some sort to prove that he was capable of making the government work"), CBO wonks ("a central player"); and Grover Norquist ("no revenue increases in the final deal").

The losers are Congress ("about as popular as poison ivy"); Gang of Six ("never able to deliver"); Commissions ("a lot of bad commission history"); and liberals ("not much for the ideological left to celebrate").

I'd argue that everyone is a loser. McConnell is perhaps the most partisan member of Congress, having told the National Journal that "the single most important thing" is insuring that Obama is a one-termer. Tea party purists have managed to alienate themselves from the center. Obama is guilty of both dithering and then alienating the very people he needed.

Worst of all, we're the real losers here. Moody's is convinced that the nation's AAA rating is in peril. If it costs the government more money to borrow, then all of our expenses will skyrocket, too.

That's what partisans on both sides seem to forget. We're all Americans, left or right. Most of us are people of good will. The basic difference between left and right is that the left thinks government is the answer while the right thinks government is the problem. Both sides are right and wrong. We need to listen to each other more, and this latest squabble is a sign that centrists like Charlie Dent are in short supply in Washington.

Crime Rises Another 3.67% In Bethlehem Thru June

Is it the casino?

It might be called Christmas City, but crime is continuing to climb in Bethlehem. Statistics maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police reveal that, in 2010, there were 6.24% more criminal offenses reported than the previous year, including violent crime.

In the first six months of 2011, there's yet another 3.67% jump. If there's any good news, it's that violent crime seems to be down.

Figures for Easton are still being tabulated. In Allentown, however, crime has dropped another 2% through June, over the same period last year.

Where's Scott Ott These Days?

Lehigh County's Home Rule Charter is pretty clear. If you want to be a Commissioner, you must both have resided and voted there "for at least one year immediately preceding his or her election ... ." If you pack up and move into the People's Republic of Northampton County or, worse yet, Bucks County, you've automatically disqualified yourself. Given these stringent residency requirements, I'd like to know whether Gang of Four candidate Scott Ott still lives in Lehigh County.

According to his post primary report, filed with Voter Registration, Ott was living at 3414 West Union Street in South Whitehall Township. But just like Jonathan Geeting, I've been told the home is vacant and is currently being offered for sale. Before writing about it, I decided to check it out for myself. I stopped by yesterday. The property is vacant, and the owner has listed it for sale with Patt, White Real Estate.

I dove into a few garbage cans, like a good bottom-feeding blogger, but all I saw were a few 8"x10" glossies.

According to Ott's Facebook page, he's a resident of Macungie. And in a July 27 interview at PJTV, where Ott poses as a condescending expert on the debt ceiling, he's identified again as a Macungie resident. He recently had a "surprise" birthday party attended by, among other people, Lehigh County Party Boss Wayne Woodman (he brought ostrich breasts) and former Gang of Four candidate Dave Najarian (llama breasts). If Ott were really living in Bucks County, as Geeting and I have both been told, I am pretty sure that at least Najarian would be bothered.

Since continued residence within the County for a full year is required by the Home Rule Charter, exactly where Ott lives is a fair question. Ott promotes himself -n Facebook two or three times every day, so I messaged him there around noon on Sunday, asking him to "confirm your current address so I can either exonerate you or string you up."

I've heard nothing from Ott as of the time of this post. When I do, I suspect I'll be provided with a Macungie, and not a Palisades, address.

Updated 1:38 P.M. - OTT MOVED to MACUNGIE. - I just heard from Scott Ott, and he confirms that he is in Macungie. "Hi, Bernie. We live in Macungie. The voter registration office knows that, since they sent us a notice recently to the new address."

So now we know Scott Ott is in compliance with the Charter. He has not moved to Bucks County, as thought by some.

Pete Orr, Class Act

Though he's a AAA Minor League ball player with a $600,000 contract, he must still remember that baseball is still magic. It's really a kids' game, only to be ruined by adults. Third baseman Pete Orr seems to understand this, and before every home game, is very gracious to the kids standing next to him during the national anthem. Each of those kids will remember those moments the rest of their lives, and I'm sure Orr is making points with the baseball gods.