Dent, Holden Vote For BiPartisan JOBS Act

Failed small business in Nazareth

Designed to help small business and start-ups, the House voted overwhelmingly (390-23) for the JOBS Act late last week. Locally, it was supported by both Charlie Dent and Tim Holden.

Following his vote, LV Congressman Charlie Dent released the following statement: “Small businesses will play a pivotal role in our nation’s economic recovery and the JOBS Act is the kind of support these job creators should expect from Washington. Easing burdensome regulatory requirements and expanding access to capital will undoubtedly increase the ability of small businesses in the 15th District and across the country to grow and flourish. I am hopeful the overwhelming bipartisan support this legislation received in the House illustrates a commitment to advancing policies that help revive our economy and get more Americans back to work. It is imperative the Senate not delay its consideration of H.R. 3606 and work diligently to approve the measure.”

Tim Holden Opens Easton Campaign Office

Congressman Tim Holden opened his Easton campaign office last night at 411 Northampton Street, right next door to my favorite Vietnamese grocery. Express Times editor Jim Deegan posted one of his typically entertaining accounts, denying that he helped himself to one of the Yuenglings that beckoned.

Was I there?

An Express Times troll named "Shebbie" seemed more worried about that than the actual issues. "I wonder if that Pariah Bernie Ohare was there spying on Holden. If he was he should been escorted out. I'll send Holden a email explaining what a bad person he is and provide some links to some of his hatchet jobs he has done in the past. Keeping company with him is the political kiss of death. Caveat emptor"

Shebbie better get to work because I dropped by. Hey, my favorite Vietnamese grocery is right next door! I needed to stock up on chili garlic sauce. The person who greeted me was none other than Holden himself. Nobody had time to warn the poor guy off.

I got there too late to hear his speech, but am happy to tell you that Holden has made some changes to his congressional website so that Lehigh Valley residents can now contact him via email. In checking my blog, Holden saw that both reader "Lighthouse" and I were complaining about lack of access. He immediately directed his staff to enable contacts from anywhere within the country, and I have already sent an email asking to be added to his news release list.

Holden and Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent, despite belonging to different parties, are ideologically pretty similar. Holden told me he is definitely more pro-Labor, while Charlie is definitely more moderate on some social issues. He added that he sees Charlie every morning the House is in session because their lockers are next to each other.

The place was packed, although I think most of the Democrats there have an open mind and want to hear from both Holden and his opponent, Matt Cartwright, before they decide how to vote.

The four horsemen you see below are, from left to right, State House candidate Joe 'cap' Capozzolo, Norco Council member Scott Parsons, Easton Councilman Ken Brown and Norco Council member Bob Werner.

WFMZ-TV69 has a news account. The Morning Call's Adam Clark was there, too, but I did not see his account at the time this blog published. I'll update this post when I see it.

Holden's opponent for the Democratic nomination, Matt Cartwright, will open his Easton campaign HQs on Monday.

Union Deputies Want an Elected (Union) Sheriff

On Tuesday, I made more than a few of you angry when I told you that public sector unions have more in common with the 1%ers than the rest of us. Too bad. We're the ones who have to pay their exorbitant pensions and benefits, which in many cases is 70% of the salaries being paid. No business could survive with that kind of  personnel cost, and now many municipalities are now going broke, too. They simply can't pay the bills.

But what bothers me most is the greed and sense of entitlement.

In 2009, for example, an SEIU union Prez whined to Allentown City Council when some poor boy scout took it upon himself to clear a pathway through a local park.

Now it's a few hotheads in the Northampton County Deputy Sheriffs' union, who seem to think that they, and not Executive John Stoffa or the judges, are in charge.

Recently, after sentencing a violent offender, President Judge H.P. Kimberly McFadden told deputies to transport the guy to some state prison. Unfortunately, the instructions went to the union hotheads, who decided that the judge had just compromised their own security. They let her know, too, in a letter that basically holds her in contempt (I've filed a RTKL request for a copy).

Judge McFadden responded by summoning Sheriff Randy Miller and reaming him out in the presence of several other severe-looking judges. Miller, in turn, reamed out the union hotheads. The transport went as scheduled. No incidents.

Some judges now refuse to allow the union hothead ringleader into their courtrooms. He now gets to send more time searching people as they enter the building, including bottom-feeding bloggers.

Lucky me!

As recently as yesterday, the ringleader got into a shouting match with one of the judicial tipstaffs, who are about ninety years old.

In addition to complaining about the judges, these hotheads want to replace Sheriff Randy Miller. They were at the elections office this week to gather information for a referendum drive to make the Sheriff an elected position.

That'll fix everything.

They can just install a union hack instead of a law enforcement professional like Bethlehem's former police commissioner.

So if you wonder why I detest public sector unions, this is why.

Rainbow Academy Has Eye on Bethlehem

Al Bernotas

Rainbow Academy, a pre-school center with thirteen New Jersey locations, has its eye on Bethlehem. On March 8, the Planning Commission reviewed a 17,264 sq ft preschool proposal, complete with indoor playground and mini-gym. It will be located on a 2.64 acre lot at the southwest corner of Linden Street and Johnston Drive, directly across the street from Elias Farmers Market. But before that happens, zoners will have to give their stamp of approval to an early learning facility in an area that is zoned rural residential. That hearing is slated for March.

Owned by the Negrao family, the property was originally intended as a senior living center. But the Negraos, who already own and operate three Alexandria Manor facilities in Nazareth and Bath, claim the assisted-living market in saturated.

Planner Rob Melosky raised some safety concerns about the driving aisle leading to the school, and Johnston Drive resident Al Bernotas worried about "more congestion" at "a very busy corner."

A formal plan will be presented if zoning approval is obtained.

In other business, Bethlehem planners unanimously approved a 14-home condominium at a vacant, 1.92 acre lot located at 1559 Kelchner Road, near Notre Dame elementary school. As a condition of approval, consulting engineers Robert E. Blue will construct a 750' storm sewer extension to a drainage ditch along Route 378. Along the way, the storm sewer will collect ponding water from the intersection of Pinehurst Drive and Kelchner Road, which has plagued residents in that area.

Dave and Norma Mouille, who live on Kelchner Road, worried about increased traffic on a secondary road, and told planners that traffic in that area gets very heavy when school lets out. But City traffic engineers countered that that the levels of traffic at that site require no further study.

Another West Bethlehem plan, for Conradical Clever Closets at vacant 1117 West Broad Street, was also approved. In addition to the commercial space on the first floor, there will be two apartments on the second floor. "This mixed-use concept is something we really want on West Broad Street," Assistant Planning Director Tracy Samuelson told planners.

Finally, planners gave a green light for the construction of a 33,000 sq ft office and manufacturing facility in another vacant lot located in LVIP I at 2127 Avenue C. Gardner Cryogenics, a subsidiary of Air Products, will manufacture the tanks used by Air Products trucks, "and they'll do it right here in the City of Bethlehem," said engineer Jeff Ott.  

Dent, Andrews Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Benefit Amputees

FROM CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE DENT. – U.S. Reps. Charlie Dent (PA-15) and Robert E. Andrews (NJ-1) today introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure amputees are able to acquire coverage that meets their unique needs. The Insurance Fairness for Amputees Act, H.R. 4175, does not mandate coverage, but requires that if an insurer chooses to include coverage of custom orthotics and prosthetics in their policy, it must be on the same basis as the plan’s general medical coverage.

“Too many amputees are discovering the coverage they believed was best for their specific needs is inadequate,” said Rep. Dent. “This bipartisan legislation will promote fairness and improve their ability to receive the specialized care and treatment they require.”

“This bill provides thousands of amputees with much needed peace of mind that the coverage they require will meet the same standards as other surgical and medical benefits provided under a private health plan. This means amputees will no longer be denied coverage for a much-needed artificial limb because of arbitrary exclusions or lifetime caps in their policies,” said Rep. Andrews. “Since this bipartisan bill does not mandate coverage, it will improve care for countless Americans without adding to our debt and deficit.”

Today, diabetes is the single largest cause of amputation in the United States, followed by peripheral vascular disease and trauma. Approximately 1 in 200 U.S. citizens is an amputee, and an even larger proportion of the population suffers chronic limb impairment because of debilitating conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. Additionally, numerous veterans – many of whom will eventually transition to private sector coverage – are returning from service in Afghanistan and Iraq with limb impairments. For these Americans, customized orthopedic bracing is essential to maximizing their mobility and independence.

The Insurance Fairness for Amputees Act does not mandate coverage, and costs no federal money. In essence, the legislation is a truth-in advertising provision. Amputees and those with limb-impairments sometimes find their insurance policies offer watered-down or evasively minimalistic coverage for the orthotics and prosthetics care they require. H.R. 4175 ensures these patients have the ability to acquire coverage that provides for their distinctive needs.

The Amputee Coalition, the largest patient advocacy organization on behalf of amputees in the country, has advocated the enactment of similar legislation in nineteen states. The organization fully supports H.R. 4175 as the natural next step to assure clarity about insurance coverage.

Dent: Let's Drop the "Incendiary Rhetoric"

Last Saturday, I posted a blog about Rush Limbaugh's misogynistic attack aimed at a third-year Georgetown law student. One of you used it as an opportunity to attack Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent. Anonymously, of course. "Your boy Dent has not called on Rush to apologize. Nothing like leading from the back."

That's an interesting accusation, especially since Dent's last Congressional opponent refused to take a stand on Obamacare until after the Bill had already passed.

As it turns out, and unknown to me until just a few moments ago, Dent did take a position on this issue that Sunday. "Rush Limbaugh's remarks were beyond inappropriate and need to be repudiated. They were over the top, outrageous and insulting. His apology is appropriate and I hope it will put an end to this sordid matter."

Dent also asks all of us, whether on the left or right, to drop the "incendiary rhetoric."

In the meantime, Media Matters reports that 46 advertisers have dropped Limbaugh.

Appeals Court Tosses Otter Claim For Attorney Fees in Gracedale Saga

The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has quashed Larry Otter's fourth attempt at grabbing attonrey fees from Ron Angle and yours truly in the never-ending Gracedale saga.

Larry Otter is a Doywlestown lawyer representing the Gracedale Initiative Petition Committee. He claims he's an election law expert worth $450 an hour. In addition to being paid by unions, he wanted to collect a gazillion dollars from Ron Angle, John Stoffa and yours truly.

I did offer to cut his grass, but he's an otter.

Northampton County Judge Steve Baratta originally denied attorney fees in this matter on March 4, 2011 because there simply "was no proof of any conduct that could be considered vexatious, in bad faith or otherwise improper." Otter never appealed that denial, but 52 days later, claimed there was "newly found evidence" of bad faith. He amended that petition in May, and then amended it again in June.

Then he withdrew one of these amendments.

Otter's "newly found evidence" is Eckert Seamans, a law firm hired to represent the County in expediting Gracedale's sale. Those lawyers billed the County for reviewing my proposed complaint and their suggestions. According to Otter, this is just like Bonusgate. Judge Baratta responded, "[w]e were unable to follow Counsel's analogy."

Otter nevertheless had us all going to jail in WFMZ-TV69 interviews and was demanding criminal investigations ... and money.

After listening to an Otter proffer of the evidence of our criminality, Judge Baratta concluded that, even if the County acted improperly, that has nothing to do with Angle or me. "[W]e found that such evidence is irrelevant to the issue before the Court related to proving vexatious, obdurate, dilatory or bad faith actions or motive on the part of the pro se litigants. We have already ruled that Mr. O'Hare and Mr. Angle raised legitimate and justiciable issues and further presented competent and compelling evidence challenging the legality of thousand signatures. In fact, Mr. O'Hare and Mr. Angle successfully established that thousands of signatures were invalid ... ."

In Commonwealth Court, I filed the briefest of briefs, just three sentences long, relying on Judge Baratta's decision.

It worked.

President Judge Dan Pellegrini quashed the appeal, which was filed 52 days after denial of one of Otter's sundry motions.

In a month or so, Otter and Barron von Footinmouth will try again.

Updated 9 PM: The Morning Call's Samantha Marcus has a report about today's decision. She speaks to everyone involved ... except for the two people who actually won. She reports that Otter now intends to seek a surcharge against Executive John Stoffa for the improper use of tax money, but fails to point out that Otter has already tried that, and failed.

Atiyeh Turns "Field of Dreams" Into "Nightmare on Freemansburg Avenue"

Atiyeh campaign flyer takes aim at Madison Farms

Bethlehem Township developer Mark Wagner at one time called it a "Field of Dreams." But to residents upset about traffic and over-development, it's now more like "Nightmare on Freemansburg Avenue." They've gone to Court over it, too, in a land use appeal.

The litigation is being financed by, of all people, developer Abe Atiyeh.

In 2010, Wagner sold his dream, a 100-acre site on the north side of Freemansburg Avenue, to New Jersey developer KRE Group. Soon after that, KRE changed Wagner's original dream to "Madison Farms." But these farms are actually a 837-unit housing development, including 570 apartments in a five-story building. In addition to the housing, 140,000 square feet of commercial space and a retail village are proposed, along with an artificial pond.

In January, Commissioners unanimously granted preliminary approval. But that's now in jeopardy because of a land use appeal filed by neighbors Raymond and Megan Russin. Representing the Russins, Allentown Attorney Mark Malkames argues that the Township has no authority to approve these plans without first changing the zoning ordinance or granting a variance.

Paul Weiss, President of the Township's Board of Commissioners, stated he's "very surprised" by the challenge. "This is something we did in the past when we did Southmont," Weiss observed. "We didn't approve the zoning change until right before the final plan was approved."

But Malkames dismissed Weiss' argument. "I don't think courts decide cases based on the internal policies of the Board of Commissioners" he reasoned. "Simply because you do something the wrong way, that doesn't make it the right way to do it."

Malkames acknowledges that, although he represents the Russins, developer Abe Atiyeh is paying his legal tab. "I don't think it's any secret that Mr. Atiyeh is supporting the neighbors financially."

Atiyeh's Chief Operating Officer, Mickey Thompson, explained that Atiyeh is a Township resident. He, the Russins and other neighbors are on friendly terms and concerned about traffic and over-development. In fact, Atiyeh's wife ran for Commissioner last Fall, and made Madison Farms, traffic congestion and over-development the focus of her unsuccessful campaign.

Malkames predicted that numerous neighbors will oppose any zoning changes for Madison Farms. "It's the scope of the development," he noted.

Township Solicitor Jim Broughal explained that any zoning changes should be made after preliminary approval, not before, to protect the Township. "If you do the zoning change first, we're at the mercy of the developer," he stated. He noted a developer could provide the Township with a "pretty picture or cartoon," and then suddenly change it. He'd prefer to wait for the zoning change until the final plan is produced.

"I've been waiting for someone to tell me any other way to do this," Broughal explained, adding he'd rather have the developer trust the Township than the other way around.

The Russins did not return calls for comment. Mark Wagner, who still owns the site, also declined to comment on the litigation.

Allentown's Defective Heart

February 9, 2011. A UGI gas explosion in downtown Allentown claims five lives and wipes out an entire city block. The fire rages one for five hours, one for each life taken, until a shut-off valve is found.

February 15, 2011: Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski sends sympathy flowers for the funeral from Designs by Maria. That's a nice gesture, until you learn he was too cheap to dig into his pocket for the measly $63.60. He instead used his campaign funds at the very time that Lehigh Valley businesses were spending reserve funds to help the victims.

This is the guy who told 300 big shots yesterday that center city has a heart that has "not been working."

Neither is his.

But he's a Minister, damn it!

Dueling Easton Congressional Campaign Offices

Yesterday, I told you that Congressman Tim Holden intends to open a campaign office in Easton this Friday at 5:30 PM. It's at 431 Northampton Street.

Well, just a stone's thrown away, Congressional candidate Matt Cartwright is opening an Easton campaign office, too. His will officially open on Monday, March 12, 2012, at 5:30 PM. It's at 355 Ferry Street.

“The campaign is excited to open the Easton office. We have had staff and volunteers in the office for the past week and have received a great response from voters and the community,” said Cartwright in s news release. “We have already started to build a strong organization throughout the district and this will be the first of four campaign offices to open in the 17th District.”

The event is open to the public and refreshments will be provided. The office can be contacted at 610-253-8683.

Ideologically, I have much more in common with Tim Holden, who like Charlie Dent, is a moderate. And if truth be told, Cartwright is fighting an uphill battle against an entrenched incumbent. But I was really impressed by what his son had to say:

For over 25 years my dad has stood up to the special interests in the courtroom. He has held corporations responsible for their offenses against the middle class people of Pennsylvania. He has sued polluters. He has won cases for unfair bank practices, and auditing malpractice. For several years he gave up his time giving nightly free legal advice to viewers on a local news station. He regularly volunteers at a free legal clinic in a local church. My father comes home every night, and I can tell how much he genuinely cares about the people he fights for every day. When I was a little boy I asked my dad, “Why are you a lawyer?” and he told me, “Because I want to help people.”

In my brief conversation with Cartwright on Monday night, that's what I thought, too. That matters more to me than his views on SOPA.

The Republican in this race, Laureen Cummings, claims she is the founder of the Scranton Tea Party. "I will not sit idly by and watch some progressive movement destroy our Country. I will not sit idly by and watch them take away my freedom, my children & grandchildren's freedom or your freedom."

Alrighty then.

Congressman Tim Holden to Open Easton Campaign Office on Friday

Congressman Tim Holden, who will be representing part of the Lehigh Valley next year, intends to open a campaign office in Easton this Friday. Located at 431 Northampton Street, the office will open officially at 5:30 PM. Holden is running against challenger Matt Cartwright for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican Laureen Cummings. According to Gort, she is a tea party activist.

Ultrasound Bill Not So Sound After All

Pennsylvania's ultrasound bill would require a woman seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound procedure, after which a photo would be placed within her line of sight. In addition, she would be asked if she'd like to listen to the fetal heartbeat. Obviously, the legislation is intended to make a woman think twice. But instead, the legislature has thought twice, deciding to table the matter.

Here's what the Pennsylvania Clergy for Choice told state legislators:

We Pennsylvania Clergy for Choice urge you to vote NO when HB 1077- the ultrasound bill- comes before the House.

We are clergy of a variety of faith traditions who believe that no legislator with compassion could possibly vote for such a brutal proposal. It is the position of Pennsylvania Clergy for Choice that this deceptive bill with its authoritarian and paternalistic requirements is being proposed for the sole purpose of instilling guilt or shame in an effort to make abortions more difficult, presenting an undue burden for women. It deserves to be rejected by the full House of Representatives. Further it is based on a series of deceptions that we urge you to examine in our following statement.

Orwellian Deceptions on the way to an Ultrasound

In 1949 George Orwell wrote “1984”, a novel illustrated 63 years later when the Pennsylvania House of Representatives crafted HB 1077. This bill, requiring an ultrasound before a woman can have an abortion is classic Orwellian, authored by a privileged Inner Party elite and sold by naming things the opposite of what they are. This paper will explore the bill’s masterful Orwellian deceptions.

DECEPTION # 1, The Title.

HB 1077 is called a woman’s “right to know”, but both the noun “right” and the infinitive “to know” are misleading. The bill does not contain a “right” as used in law and neither does it provide knowledge beyond that obtained by viewing the ultrasound of one’s fetus.

This is an odd and strange bill, a remedy in search of a problem. It proposes to give women a right to view their fetus’ ultrasound, although this right is not now denied. Abortion providers routinely provide an ultrasound to their clients, an inconvenient fact acknowledged by the authors of this bill who try desperately to fashion a mandated right that is not needed.

What is called a “right to know” turns out to be a series of required observations that are demeaning and intimidating. It is immoral and inhuman to impose the bill’s requirements on women. The act treats women as if they are incapable of knowing what is common knowledge. Who does not know that a fetus goes through various stages of development and can be visually represented by an ultrasound?

DECEPTION # 2, The Woman is Not Required to Look.

The inhumane hoops through which a woman must jump begins by the requirement to schedule an ultrasound at least 24 hours prior to an intended abortion. The woman is then positioned physically so she can view the full ultrasound, listen to a heartbeat if present, and have a doctor explain everything that is seen and heard. Of course she doesn’t have to look but not looking requires a very awkward posture. It is as if the legislator is acknowledging that you can lead a horse to water but you can not force the horse to drink. The procedure is a humiliating ritual requiring woman to see, hear and listen and then in pure Orwellian doubletalk the bill states that the woman is not required to look.

Adding insult to injury, the same ritual required 24 hours in advance of an abortion is required again at the time of an abortion. Only this time the legislated requirement is for the image of the ultrasound put in front of the woman is not hers but one provided by the Health Department depicting a fetus that, as near as possible, is the same gestational age as the woman’s fetus. The woman is thus treated like a slow learner who must take the time to see, listen and be told the same facts twice. Moreover, again treating the woman as if she were intellectually daft, the woman must sign the same statement at both ultrasound sittings acknowledging that she is either looking or not looking. We believe HB 1077 should be re- titled “How women are intimidated by an ultrasound when all they want is an abortion.”

DECEPTION # 3, It is No Big Deal

“It is no big deal deal.” wrote a Pennsylvania Representative, an obvious put-down by a male who it is guaranteed will never be confronted by this humiliating treatment. Women on the other hand will very likely find the inconvenience, humiliation and impositions required by this bill to be a big deal indeed. Using language from the Supreme Court case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey, women will find the provisions of this bill to be an “undue burden” and hence by the wisdom of the Court, unconstitutional.

DECEPTION # 4, Transforming Guilt into “Informed Consent”

HB 1077 rightly states that it is in the interest of the state for a woman to make an informed decision regarding a possible abortion. The bill then asserts that by viewing an ultrasound a woman is in the position of making an informed decision. But that is an Orwellian stretch of the imagination. The only information provided is the gestational age of the fetus. This information is passed off as “informed consent” This one item of information defies the usual meaning of informed consent.

It may be that having an ultrasound presented to her face may experience guilt and regret. But to experience either emotion does not make it a more uninformed decision. A true informed decision involves science-based information coupled with potential moral, financial, social, spiritual and personal considerations. However by the time an abortion decision is made and an appointment established at an abortion provider, the gestation age at that moment is an irrelevant consideration. Contrary to the claim, in this bill there is no information or resources made available by which a woman could make an informed decision regarding her already-scheduled abortion.

DECEPTION # 5, Call It Something Else

In true Orwellian fashion, a fact is called by some other name in order to distort reality and change moral judgment. So in HB 1077 a single definition is erroneously used twice. Fetus is defined as an “unborn child.” For some this may be a distinction without a difference. But both the reality and the language of aborting a fetus has much less emotional baggage than the killing of an unborn child. This manipulation of language is clearly meant to conjured up a moral revulsion against killing babies, an obvious crime. Language matters and the bill deliberately distorts language reflecting its bias. It is a fetus that is being terminated, not an unborn child being murdered. To say otherwise is to reflect a particular religious view of a minority of citizens that is not shared by many other faith traditions and certainly has no place state law.

DECEPTION # 6, Only the State Knows Best.

One of the co-sponsors of HB 1077 made the intent of this bill obvious. He stated, “Someone needs to be supportive of the ‘baby’.” And that, more than a woman’s “right to know,” is what this bill is all about. The state, it turns out, is the someone he believes who must support the fetus in spite of the fact that the State has no constitutional authority to do so at its earliest stages. Throughout history it is the woman and not the tribe, nation or State who has been responsible for the fetus. Women rightly object to the state’s possession of a responsibility that has always been associated with the dignity and meaning of being a mother.

The bill’s co-sponsors assume that when women view the ultrasound of a fetus they will be so moved by the awesome nature of life that they will change their minds and refuse an abortion. But not only is each woman placed in front of an ultrasound screen, wired for sight and sound, without an opportunity to have a spiritual guide or psychological counseling at her side, none of her reasoning for making this decision has changed. George Orwell could hardly have a better illustration of Big Brother at work as she sits confronted and alone with the awesome powers of the state manipulating her emotions.

However, incomprehensibly the State makes four exceptions to the viewing of an ultrasound of one’s fetus; if the fetus is less than eight weeks old, and thus too young for a heart beat, if conceived via rape, incest or the health of the mother is jeopardized. But why these exceptions to a woman’s “right to know”? The fetus bears no responsibility for the circumstances of its conception or for the health of the mother. One fetus with a heartbeat is not significantly different than any other fetus of the same gestational age. If a woman supposedly has a “right to know” why would she not have this same right “infringed” because of her health or the circumstances of conception? The bill is internally inconsistent and morally unsustainable.

DECEPTION # 7 The Bill Treats All Women Equally.

Although it is a constitutional mandate of the state and a requirement of the 14th Amendment to treat all citizens equally, HB 1077 treats women differently in terms of social class. A woman in the middle class may well have advantages of an education, community connections, access to transportation and communication and thereby learning of her pregnancy earlier, securing medical, spiritual and community support, locating an abortion provider and scheduling an abortion and thus be spared the humiliating impact of HB 1077. On the other hand, a poorer woman with access to fewer resources is not as likely to secure an abortion until after eight weeks. Thus the provisions of this act prevail. If HB 1077 is viewed as punitive attempts to reduce abortions then poor women, those less able to raise a child will be disproportionately impacted. If legislators believe HB 1077 is providing information of vital importance, then poor women are disproportionally “blessed.”

It is our responsibility as religious professionals to name these falsehoods that are being instigated by the powerful few against the personal and intimate lives of the many. This bill is morally reprehensible in both its design and purpose. We call on legislators of good conscience to denounce HB 1077 as inappropriate legislation for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Craig Golden: A Coach For All Seasons

Unpaid and unrecognized, the men and women who coach our grade school children have a far greater impact on them than the professionals later seen in high school or college. Fundamentals, discipline, persistence and teamwork are learned from volunteers who are rarely thanked for their dedication.

Craig Golden is one of these unsung heroes. For the past 36 years, he's coached youth sports programs in basketball, baseball, football and even bowling. After finishing a perfect season with a 6th Grade 'Canes team, he's decided to go out on a high note.

Vice President of Contract Underwriting for International Fidelity Company, Golden has also served as President of the Hurricane Basketball Club and is Vice president of the Lehigh Valley Knee High Basketball League.

Q) Over the years, you have been offered positions in several high school programs. Why did you stick with youth sports? - I have discussed some Assistant Coaching positions for High Schools, but I have enjoyed working and developing younger kids and never seriously considered the positions.

Q) What got you started? - I started as an assistant coach in baseball at 14 with a friend of my fathers' team. I then became a head coach at 15 of my cousins 11-12 baseball team in the Dewitt Little League. I love sports and wanted to be a coach when I grew up. Even though I am a huge Syracuse Orange fan, I idolized John Wooden and the UCLA teams. Though my mother was very supportive of my endeavors, I also believe my father's passing when I was 8 years old had something to do with my interest in developing kids since I never really had that experience.

Strategy session

Q) How do the kids compare today, from the way they were 36 years ago, when you first started coaching? - The kids are pretty much the same. I do think the intensity of the involvement at a younger age has increased significantly along with the importance of winning versus player development is a problem. The big difference over the years is the parental involvement.

Q) In the wake of the Jerry Sandusky and other scandals, is it harder to find people who are willing to coach? - I don't think it's harder to find people, but organizations are more cautious and perform more background checks than before. I do think the Sandusky situation has caused coaches to draw lines in regards to their direct involvement in kids' lives.

Q) If you could only teach your kids one thing, what would it be? - With the Hurricane Basketball program, I was more concerned in developing kids into young adults and building teamwork. Skill sets that are needed when they become adults. What I was most proud of in my tenure with the Hurricane Basketball program was not that almost all of our kids played for Todd Rothrock or Chad Landis, but that the kids that played in and stayed in our program graduated High School.

Q) How does it feel to go out on a high note with a perfect season, in both tournament and regulation play? - The undefeated season this year was great as was the 74-1 record over the last 3 years with this group, but watching the kids develop as young men, the camaraderie of the team and their competitive spirit in every minute of every game was my greatest take away. Also, that every player contributed in every game and all 9 players scored in double figures at least once and that we weren't solely dependent on one or two players.

Q) What will you be doing next Winter, when the boys start looking for you? - I will still watch games and still serve on the board of the LVKBL. I will not lose touch with the program but I will devote more time to my youngest son and his aspirations.

Meet Easton School Director Frank Pintabone

Last week, when the Evil Ron Angle and I were part of a panel discussing local government at Northampton Community College, I kept asking myself one question - who would be nuts enough to pay $29 to listen to us? After all, Ron has just been retired from public life by a mandate from the people, and I'm a bottom-feeding blogger.

Believe it or not, around 25 people anted up for a riveting discussion of regionalism. Mayor Sal Panto announced plans to invade West Easton and Glendon before they obtain nuclear weapons. Angle offered to lead the attack, especially if he could design his own uniform.

After the session was over, I had to speak to some of the "students" and learn why they had come.

That's how I met Easton School Director Frank Pintabone.

Just so you know, I think anyone who serves on a zoning hearing board or school board is certifiably nutz. It's a lot of work, and no matter what you do, you're wrong.

But Pintabone is an impressive guy. A single father who's out of work, he knows what it's like to struggle. In fact, he never made it through high school, opting instead for a GED so he could work. Things have always been tight for him. Despite being stretched tight financially, this is a guy who serves on numerous volunteer organizations like the former St. Anthony's, giving them more priority than partisan politics.

When he ran for Easton School Board, he promised to try to increase public comment from three to five minutes. Well, he succeeded, and The Express Times actually awarded him a trophy, something that paper rarely does with elected officials.

Last night, Frank was one of the people I saw at Easton's NAACP. He updated the public about what is going on in the school district, something he promised to do when he sought office.

He seems to have a lot of respect for other people, referring to them formally as "Mr. Stoffa" or "Mr. Panto." And there he was last week at Northampton Community College, trying to learn about local government.

Frankly, I think I could learn a few things from Frank. But he's not getting his $29 back from me.

Congressional Candidate Matt Cartwright Visits Easton

Matt Cartwright

When Congressman Tim Holden visited Easton in January, he was introduced by DA John Morganelli. Even though Holden made his appearance at the Courthouse Rotunda, Northampton County Executive John Stoffa was snubbed.  So was the rest of County Council, even though 75% of the Budget comes from federal and state funds.

Last night, Holden's primary opponent visited Easton, too. Instead of being introduced by Morganelli, this Moosic lawyer was introduced by the NAACP, which hosted a meet-and-greet at Trinity Episcopal Church. Nobody was snubbed. Not even bottom feeding bloggers.

His name is Matt Cartwright, and he's running for Congress in our now-Balkanized Lehigh Valley Congressional districts.

Cartwright has been practicing law in Northeastern Pa. for the last 25 years, "sticking up for working people and the middle class. Usually my opponents are big insurance companies or huge corporations, and I love beating them. My favorite companies to sue are polluters, by the way."

He's never held elected office.

Why is he running against Holden?

"The working families and middle class need somebody sticking up for them in Washington. I've been fighting for those people my entire adult life. It's work that I'm very proud of, and it's work that I can do on a much broader scale with a seat in Congress."

Holden was asked to visit the NAACP, too, and sent an email. It was read to the 17 or so people who came to this meeting, but I arrived too late to hear it. If I get a copy, I'll post it.

County Eyes Conservation Area Along Monocacy Creek

Bastidas and students at prior meeting

In early February, it looked as though developer Michael Perrucci just might get a green light for a luxury apartment complex and commercial buildings in Bethlehem Township, nestled between th 55-acre Housenick Memorial Park and Northampton County's 36-acre Archibald Johnston Conservation Area. Only Commissioner Tom Nolan was "totally opposed" to the project, which is located in a zoning conservation overlay of a rural residential area.

But after several frigid meetings with environmental activist Vicky Bastidas at Housenick Park, Commissioners Phil Barnard and Martin Zawarski announced at the March 5 Commissioners' meeting that they've have had a change of heart. They now join Nolan in opposing any deviation from the zoning conservation overlay.

This effectively stalls Perrucci's proposal.

Perrucci's proposed development, off Christian Springs Road, is located at a recharging point for the Monocacy Creek.. Hundreds of small springs, along a one mile length of the stream in that area, force ground water back to the surface, creating a Class A wild-trout stream. County officials are now weighing a purchase of this environmentally sensitive land from Central Moravian Church, its legal owner. In addition to environmental concerns, County Executive John Stoffa worries that additional development near Monocacy Creek could lead to more flooding in Bethlehem, which disrupted Musikfest last year.

One million dollars has been earmarked for environmentally sensitive land in the County's 2012 budget.

"This land does not have to be developed," Bastidas pleaded to Commissioners. "There is money for preservation of this property. Northampton County has money."

Stoffa has reportedly called these three tracts - Housenick Park, Archibald Johnston Conservation Area and Central Moravian Church lands - a "Lehigh Valley Central Park."

"I'd suggest you pursue that course with the Moravians," retorted Commissioner Michael Hudak, who disputed that the county has any interest in acquiring the tract.

President Paul Weiss warned Bastidas, "Your comments are very subjective. Some of them are baseless."

Both Weiss and Hudak, despite a 3-2 straw vote against development, urged Central Moravian Church Pastor Carol Reifinger to continue planning with developer Michael Perrucci.

"We'll regroup and decide," stated Moravian attorney Kevin Kelleher after the meeting was over.

Commissioners will meet again on Monday, March 19, 7 PM at the Municipal Building, located at 4225 Easton Avenue.

Daily Caller: SEIU's "Secretive Nationwide Network"

According to an investigative series in The Daily Caller, SEIU has formed a few innocent-sounding non-profits whose real purpose is "waging concerted local political campaigns to publicly attack conservative political figures, banks, energy companies and other corporations." Some of them operate alongside the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Among these groups are the following non-profits: This Is Our DC; Good Jobs, Great Houston; Good Jobs, Better Baltimore; Good Jobs Now in Detroit; Fight for Philly; One Pittsburgh; Good Jobs LA; and Minnesotans for a Fair Economy.

Despite noble beginnings, public sector union members have more in common with the 1%ers than they do with the rest of us, who pay for their exorbitant pensions and benefits.

Zoners Nix Atiyeh Rehab By Becahi

A drug and alcohol rehab will not be coming to the vacant Calvary Baptist Church, located right next to Bethlehem Catholic High School on Dewberry Avenue. In an unanimous decision on Monday night, Bethlehem's Zoning Board rejected a special exception application by developer Abe Atiyeh for a 70-bed voluntary inpatient substance abuse center, under the management of Malvern. They reached this decision after deliberating for 45 minutes, while a room full of fifty people nervously waited.

Before doing that, zoners were confronted with a last-minute motion from Bethlehem Catholic lawyer Joseph Lesson, asking for yet another hearing. Leeson produced a letter from Calvary Baptist Church attorneys, claiming that Atiyeh's agreement with them expired on  February 1. "Since standing no longer exists, the appeal can no longer be heard," argued Leeson.

Zoners rejected Leeson's argument but told him he could renew it in Court.

When zoners finally denied Atiyeh's application, the audience burst into applause, ending yet another controversial saga in the annals of Bethlehem zoning.

"One year from now, we will meet for a reunion and six hours of total silence," joked ZHB member Bill Fitzpatrick.

"The drinks are on us," wisecracked Greg Zebrowski, an ardent foe of the proposed rehab.

Special Solicitor Erich Schock stated that an opinion supporting the ZHB denial will be filed before April 5. Attorney Blake Marles, representing Atiyeh, stated an appeal is likely, although he needs to review the decision with his client. "The record went in just about as well as it could have," Marles stated.

Atiyeh himself was absent.

6th Grade 'Canes Finish Undefeated in Tourney & League Play

Do they look tough? Well, don't be fooled by their good looks. This is the toughest team I've ever seen in any youth sport, whether it's basketball, baseball, football or even hockey. It's the 6th grade 'Canes, a feeder team for Bethlehem's Liberty High School. And they are bad mama jamas.

They've just finished a perfect season. Undefeated in two tournaments against teams from all over Eastern Pa and Southern New Jersey. Undefeated in 15 regular season games against other Lehigh Valley teams. Undefeated in the playoffs. In fact, they won most of their games this year by thirty or more points.

Individually, you might find another six grader who's a little faster, a better dribbler or a better shooter than any one of these boys. But that's the whole point. What made this group a great (not just good) team was their ability to work together and feed off each other's strengths.

Take Darius, for example. The shortest boy on the team, he might very well be the shortest boy in the entire league. But guess what? He can dribble and he can shoot. Boy, can he shoot! I can't begin to tell you how many teams take him for granted until he burns them for a few trays.

Or look at Dat, the sweet and innocent one in the middle. He'll strip that ball from you and be halfway down the court before you ever even knew you had it. Nobody gets by him. As point guard, he has an unerring ability to put the ball in the right person's hands for the score.

Alex, the tall one in the back, is all business on the court. Ice. He turns into a robot, showing no emotion, and just picks his opponents apart.

The dude holding the trophy, Josh Clark, usually holds a football. He scampers up and down the gridiron for the Bethlehem Steelers. On the court, he explodes. In fact, one day, I expect to see little pieces of Josh just disintegrate all over the place and then reassemble again right below the basket.

I could go on about the strengths of each one of them from fifth grader Todd Erney's outside shots to Jermaine Battle's shooting accuracy to Jaziah and JoJo's amazing rebounds all year.

None of that is what made them a great team.

What made them great is that they knew each other, liked each other, could read each other and fed off of each other's strengths. All season long.

The team they beat tonight, ironically, is the only other team that has even come close to them. Allentown's no-nonsense East Side Youth Center, coached by Chuck Rockmore of Wall2Wall fame, has an outstanding basketball program and should be proud. The boys on both teams all know each other after years of play and are friends off the court. Many of them learned to dribble on those courts.

It's a bittersweet victory. The man who put it all together - Head Coach Craig Golden - is stepping down after 36 years of tireless devotion to our children. I'll have more about him later, in a future post saluting him and one other great coach.

Until then, the champions you see above, from left to right, are Jermaine Battle, Coach Italiani, Jaziah Scrafano, Dom Italiani, Alex Serrano, Dat Lambert, Josiah "JoJo" Piazza, Josh Clark, Todd Erney, Darius Seaman and Head Coach Craig Golden.

Below, Darius Seaman, with his parents, brother and sis. His number should be 3, not 2, for all the trays he shot this season.

Also, we got the big man, Jaziah Scrafano, with his proud family. Jaziah's little brother insisted on checking the picture to make sure it was good enough for publication. He gave me his approval after some serious thought. Maybe he'll be a sports agent.

These guys are just in it for the babes. It's why Coach Golden had to keep a tight leash on them.

Finally, there's Alex "Iceman" Serrano. Now that the season's over, he can finally smile again.... A little.

7th Grade 'Canes Win the 'Ship, Too!

See that picture above? It's the 7th Grade 'Canes. They're a good, but not a great, team. Individually, they are very talented ball players. But unlike the 6th Grade 'Canes I described above, they often seemed unable to read and work with each other. They were beat up twice during the regular season, once by over 20 points.

But they got better as the season continued, and they are gritty. They fought and clawed their way through those losses to face a dominant South Parkland in the championship game yesterday afternoon at Freedom High School. And once they made it, they continued clawing and fighting. Down by ten points with 5 minutes to go in the second half, they never gave up on themselves. When the buzzer sounded, it was a tie game.

In OT, they were down again, but managed to climb on top by one point with 4 seconds to go.

And that was it.

Coach Teddy Street, whose jaw has been moving nonstop since the season started, finally has his moth closed in the team picture you see above.

Now you'd think that in a game between tough city kids from Bethlehem and suburban game boys from Parkland, the Bethlehem boys would be more intimidating. I certainly would guess that myself.

But we're both wrong.

These kids from Parkland were rough. Their two best players were actually tossed out of the game by the refs before they had even fouled out. Unsportsmanlike conduct, the refs claimed, although it just looked like good, hard play to me. Had they remained in the game, Parkland might have come out on top.

But yesterday afternoon, as flurries swirled around Freedom High School, the basketabll gods smiled on the 'Canes instead.

South Parkland Unhappy With Final Score. 

Is Obama Anti-Israel?

This is a thirty minute film, much longer than I usually post here. You can read about its pro-Israel producers on The Cable.

President Obama recently asked, during an Atlantic interview before his AIPAC speech today, "Why is it that despite me never failing to support Israel on every single problem that they've had over the last three years, that there are still questions about that?"

Pure Evil

This was taken near Rome, GA, and was forwarded to me from someone who saw it at The Fox webpage. If I've ever seen anything look like pure evil, this would be it.

Are Birth Control Users Sluts?

According to ABC, this is what radio entertainer Rush Limbaugh said about a thirty-year old law student who testified before Congress in support of government subsidies for contraceptives.

“So Miss Fluke, and the rest of you Feminazis, here’s the deal. If we are going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex. We want something for it. We want you to post the videos online so we can all watch.”

“Three thousand dollars for birth control in three years? … They’re admitting before congressional committee that they’re having so much sex they can’t afford the birth control pills!”

“What does it say about the college co-ed Sandra Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex, what does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She’s having so much sex she can’t afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex. What does that make us? We’re the pimps.”

Limbaugh is apparently unaware that birth control pills, which are prescription only, cost between $80 and $100 per month. They are also used for women who have excessive cramping, bleeding or ovarian cysts. This was one of the points made by the law student. Limbaugh's remarks are obviously both uninformed and misogynistic. House Speaker John Boehner has also called them "inappropriate."

He has refused to apologize.

Some advertisers have begun pulling their ads, according to The Moderate Voice. Reddit has a list of his remaining sponsors.

Why not let them know how you feel?

In addition to Limbaugh's sponsors, why not also contact Newtalk 790 WAEB? Here's two phone numbers: Studio: 610-720-7900 - News Hotline: 610-439-1092. You can also email Program Director Criag Stevens at craigstevens@clearchannel.com.

Lamont McClure: Then and Now

Lamont McClure on 2/22/11: "[A]t the end of fiscal 2010, Northampton County had a fund balance in excess of $60 million. That’s $60 million more in tax money taken in than was needed by the county to operate the government."

Lamont McClure on 3/1/12: "County Councilman Lamont McClure opposed Stoffa’s [$25 million swaption buyout] plan, saying it ensured a massive financial loss to the county that would hamstring the county’s ability to balance this year’s budget and next year’s."

The same Lamont McClure who insisted that Northampton County was sitting on a $60 million mountain of cash is now worried about its ability to pay its bills?

Gee, if you subtract $25 million from $60 million, wouldn't the County still be sitting on a $35 million mountain of cash?

Gee, isn't McClure the same guy who insisted that Gracedale, the County's nursing home, has actually added $2 million to our surplus in the worst economy since the Great Depression?

Let me tell you what is going on. McClure knows, and has always known, that this supposed $60 million "slush fund" was a myth. He spread this manure in the hope that it would con you in to thinking there was plenty of money for Gracedale.

It worked, too.

Now he says that paying off the swaption will make it impossible to balance the budget. That's just more manure. What McClure is really saying is he'd like to hold on to as much of that money as possible so voters don't notice when the County has to pay between $6 and $8 million for Gracedale. He'd also rather you not notice when the County has to spend at least $3 million for new union contracts next year. He's prefer that you think there's a big money tree at one of the county's parks.

Are you still fooled?

Executive John Stoffa's plan to pay the swaption NOW makes the most fiscal sense. The County will be able to recoup most of that money in 8 1/2 years by refinancing the rest of the bonds. That's not great, but it's better than paying some of it now in the vain hope that things get better down the road.

That's what got us into this mess in the first place. County Council Prez John Cusick, who like McClure is more concerned about the political implications than doing the right thing, went along. Ken Kraft's decision to side with McClure is a mystery because he gave every indication he would side with Stoffa. I suspect he voted against what his brain was telling him was right because he had no desire to incur McClure's wrath.

Tom Dietrich is ... well ... [redacted].

Fortunately, five Council members sided with Stoffa. They include Peg Ferraro, Bruce Gilbert, Scott Parsons, Barb Thierry and Bob Werner.

Parsons and Werner demonstrated they can think for themselves. The Express Times credits Peg Ferraro for breaking the logjam, and she apparently was the swing vote. But I would credit the two new Democrats on Council, who seem to understand we have to work together.

Hanover Reaches Out to LV Municipalities Over Allentown Tax Grab

Yesterday, I told you that Hanover Township has authorized Solicitor Jim Broughal to research the legality of the EIT tax grab provisions in the NIZ legislation created specifically for Allentown. Township Manager Jay Finnigan  was one step ahead of me, and has reached out to other LV municipalities to see if there is any interest in pursuing litigation. Here's a copy of his email.

Last night at the Hanover Township’s Board of Supervisors meeting our Solicitor was authorized to research the legality of the NIZ legislation to see if it violates the State Constitution. Depending on what he finds, Hanover may consider filling a court action in regards to the constitutionality of the NIZ. Do you believe your municipality or school district would consider joining in the action and would your entity consider assisting in the costs? One mechanism to allocate the cost is by the weighted vote percentages?

Time is of the essence as the legal action would need to be taken prior to the bond sale in fairness to the process.

Thoughts?

This is a fine example of regionalism, but perhaps not the kind of regionalism contemplated by Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

Despite NIZ, Pa. a Bad Place to Do Business

Although Allentown's "transformational" NIZ might succeed in poaching businesses from other locations in the Lehigh Valley, don't expect to see out-of-state companies make their way to the City Without Limits any time soon. That's because Pa. business is saddled with the worst or near-worst state tax burden in the nation, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune.

On top of a 9.99% corporate income tax rate (second highest in the country), a comprehensive analysis done by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation reveals Pennsylvania is just a lousy place to do business, in nearly every category.

Here's some of the disturbing rankings:

Corporate HQs: - 50

R & D Facilities - 50

Call Centers - 45

Distribution Center - 48

Retail - 47

Capital-Intensive Manufacturing - 9

Labor-Intensive Manufacturing - 26.

The only kind of business that thrives is an established capital-intensive company, which is permitted to exclude sales made out of state.

State house candidate Mike Schlossberg, who is running in an uncontested race for Jennifer Mann's seat, believes he can fix all this is "by closing the Delaware tax loophole and then dedicated a portion of the recovered tax revenue to a gradual decrease of the CNI [corporate net income]."

In other words, punish business even more.

Instead of enacting kooky schemes like the NIZ or ranting about the Delaware loophole that evil corporations use, future State Rep. Schlossberg and State Senator Pat Browne might actually consider some meaningful reforms in the way corporations are taxed.

In Senator Browne's own words, "This should be obvious."

Hanover Township Unveils Plans For Village View Park

After twenty years of quietly acquiring tracts of property along the east side of Airport Road, Hanover Township has finally unveiled plans for a 25-acre park containing four playing fields for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Township Manager Jay Finnigan told Supervisors, at their February 28 meeting, that work on the first phase will begin this Spring.

Open space money from Northampton County, a gaming grant from Monroe County and land donations from the Lehigh Valley International Airport is what makes this park possible. According to engineer Jim Milot, two larger fields (108,000 sq ft each) can be used for professional and international events. The other two fields (75,600 sq ft each) are large enough for high school and NCAA games. Each of the fields can also be divided for youth tournaments.

There will also be 210-220 parking spaces.

Finnigan told Supervisors that USA Soccer has approached Township officials, and is interested in funding some of the improvements at the site.

"Long term, I think it's going to be a nice addition to the Township," predicted Finnigan, who added it is possible to extend the park to Weaversville Road, East Allent Township's Bicentennial Park and the five-mile long Nor-Bath Trail.

You can see the sketch plans for yourself below.

Allentown's Friendly EIT Office

I have a friend who lives in Allentown, where he works two jobs. In the course of preparing his local income tax return, he discovered that neither of them collected the 0.35% hike. In addition to paying the extra tax, he is also being assessed a small penalty ($4.52). He posted about this in more detail at Michael Molovinsky's blog. He asked Allentown to forgive the penalty since the mistake was made by his employers, not him.

This is how the City Without Limits responded. "If your employers did not charge the correct rate which is their responsibility, there is nothing the City can do, you would have to pay the penalty."

If Allentown acts this way with its own residents, how can nonresidents have any confidence they will be treated fairly when their EIT is grabbed?

Rich or Poor, Every Allentown Child Can Have a Free Cell Phone!

A government-supplied cell phone can be a good thing for a person down on his luck. But did you know that every child in the Allentown School District, rich or poor, is entitled to a free government cell phone? Here's the story, which comes to us courtesy of Scott Armstrong.

Last week my son told me he heard about a government program for a free cell phone. We Googled “free government cell phone” and found this link. When we investigated the link we were surprised to see read that one of the qualifiers for the program was having a child get a free lunch at school. Well, every child gets a free lunch in the ASD, so to test how lax the program was I applied.  Today, I received my free government phone. It is that easy. This is an outrageous waste of taxpayer money and a clear demonstration of how wasteful and careless the federal government is with our tax dollars. I've sent you a picture of the phone. I will of course not activate the phone but return it to the government through my local congressional representative.

Portland Power Plant's Closure Means 70 Fewer Jobs

The Morning Call yesterday reported that GenOn Energy, a power plant behemoth will close its Portland power plant, along with seven others, by 2015. In a notification to Northampton County, GenOn spokesperson Mark Baird was very clear on the reason: "This deactivation is being driven by the costs of complying with upcoming environmental regulations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS)."

Environmentalists are hailing the closure, but it will also mean the loss of 70 good jobs in the economically depressed Slate Belt.

Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent believes the EPA should have been more flexible with GenOn, as he makes clear in this statement:

"I was very disappointed to learn GenOn Energy will soon shutter the Slate Belt’s Portland Generating Station, costing over 70 local residents their jobs and eliminating a valuable source of tax revenue for the Bangor Area School District. Last year, I joined U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey in expressing our concern to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it’s imposed deadline for the Portland facility to comply with costly environmental standards may be premature and could threaten local jobs, reduce reliability and increase energy costs. While I agree steps must be taken to improve local air quality, the potential impact on local jobs must also be taken into account when developing and implementing federal environmental regulations. The EPA must begin cooperating with domestic industries to achieve realistic environmental goals in a manner that does not unduly risk American jobs. Based on today’s announcement, the EPA clearly did not offer the flexibility to meet emission reductions goals the Senators and I recommended.”

'Canes Lacrosse Coming This Spring!

At their February 27 meeting, Bethlehem School School Directors approved boys Lacrosse at Liberty High School, as a club sport, beginning this Spring.

Their first game, on April 2, will be against Central Catholic.

Despite its French name, Lacrosse ("the stick") is of native American origin, with teams of 1,000, lasting 2-3 days. I think these games will be briefer.