Nazareth Food Bank: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Nazareth Area Food Bank, which serves about 300 families in the school district, has started a garden, located right across the street from the food bank on lands made available by Essroc.

I stopped by today to see if I could steal anything.

Nothing is quite ready. But cabbages, potatoes and tomatoes are making their way in a beautiful, weed-free garden. This garden, cleaner than my apartment, seems to have borrowed many of the proud traditions brought here by the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Exec Hopeful McClure & Sidekick Barron Trash ArtsQuest

If the Lehigh Valley has two visionaries, they are CACLV's Alan Jennings and ArtsQuest's Jeff Parks. They're easy to criticize over different issues. Hey, they're low-hanging fruit to bottom-feeding bloggers like me. But, in addition to excelling in their individual fields, they've done more than anyone to transform this region from a collection of self-interested municipalities into one cohesive Lehigh Valley. Along the way, they've made this a better place.

Jennings and Parks are the exceptions, not the rule. Most others in Lehigh Valley public life are short-sighted, ready to promote themselves over what is good for the community. If you want two good examples, look no further than Northampton County Council member Lamont McClure and his sidekick, Controller Steve Barron. It should come as no surprise that these two hacks would attack the visionaries.

After all, there's a County Executive race to win.

McClure Mulling Exec Race

Despite being a genuinely unpleasant man who has barely won in two election against candidates with no money, asbestos lawyer McClure would like to be the next County Executive. Why he would want to run is a good question. His abysmal attendance record - perhaps the all-time worst of any Council member - is evidence of just how little he cares about the County or its issues.

He might not have much choice. Asbestos litigation is down from its 2004 high.

Whatever his reasons, a County Executive poll was done last week. I'm told it was financed by some of  McClure's union pals or his mentor, DA John Morganelli. I know this much. It wasn't done by Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan or Easton Mayor Sal Panto, who are also eyeing up the County Executive position. And Ron Heckman, another potential candidate, lacks the resources.

In the meantime, nobody can say a nice word about Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan or Easton Mayor Sal Panto. Both are savaged on this or any other blog.

Anonymously, of course.

That's another McClure trademark. He has a vicious campaigning style that has even been condemned by State Senator Lisa Boscola, a fellow Democrat.

Can You Say Director of Administration Barron von Footinmouth? 

What about Barron? Unable to keep his mouth shut, he's already bragged to several people that he'll be the County's next Director of Administration or Finance. He'll have a much higher salary than his current $65,000, too. There's no way that Panto or Callahan would ever consider Barron for such a position. But McClure would. In fact, McClure and Barron have worked in tandem on numerous county issues like Gracedale, the Wound Care Team, 2012 budget, the Eckert Seamans legal bill and asbestos.

Like McClure, Barron is only rarely on the job. When he does show, he spends most of his time engaged in courthouse intrigue or studying for a bar exam he can't seem to pass. He's no accountant, not even a public accountant. All of the real work in his office is done by his subordinates, each of whom is more qualified than he.

Barron has never performed a single audit.

Although he's no accountant, Barron is a union organizer. Just two years ago, he marched on non-union T-Mobile and threatened the company. They decided to leave the area.

He's also an asbestos whistleblower. He reported the County to the state DEP for decades-old asbestos violations.

He's even a junior detective. Barron embellished his own credentials to become a Certified Fraud Examiner. In criminal cases, he would somberly testify about this and that "red flag" against this and that hapless defendant. Then defense attorney Phil Lauer raised a few red flags of his own. Turns out Barron is unqualified. He's had to put his red flags away.

Finally, Barron considers himself a nursing home administrator. Not only did he tell Council to keep the wound care team at Gracedale, but actually accused Executive John Stoffa and Nursing Home Manager Premier of colluding to sabotage the nursing home's financial recovery.

To propel themselves into office, Barron and McClure are seizing on whatever they think can get them a few votes here and there. They've pandered over Gracedale, playing on people's emotions. They've pandered to public sector unions, banking on their votes. They've opposed a responsible budget proposed by Executive John Stoffa, forcing him to deplete the reserve to unhealthy levels.

And they despise Jeff Parks. They are counting on all the Musikfest haters, those who can never forgive someone for being a success. In 2008, when Council voted to give $1 million in hotel tax money to ArtsQuest and PBS, spread out over five years, McClure was one of the two No votes. When Parks appeared before Council in January, it is McClure who wanted to know when he's stepping down.

ArtsQuest Seeks Exempt Status

On November 14, 2011, ArtsQuest sued over the assessment of properties at 645 E. 1st Street and 101 Founders Way. This includes the ArtsQuest Center, Air Products Town Square and PNC Plaza. That's $122,000 a year in property taxes. ArtsQuest ended 2011 with a $700,000 operating loss, so it's obviously trying to minimize expenses.

ArtsQuest contends it is entitled to an exemption from real estate taxes under state law because it is a purely public charity. Attorney Jackson Eaton, representing ArtsQuest, contends that it meets the five-prong test for charities: (1) It advances a charitable purpose; (2) Operates entirely free of profit motive; (3) Donates a substantial portion of services; (4) Benefits a class of persons who are legitimate subjects of charity; and (5) Relieves the government of some of its burden.

Neither Bethlehem City nor the school board, who would receive the lion's share of these taxes, had any objection.

The previous month, the Revenue Appeals Board, which obviously felt otherwise, denied the exemption.

Jeff Parks would like to know why. He still has no answer.

Parks Excluded From Deliberations, But Assessors Can Stay?

A former lawyer, Parks told me that when this quasi judicial body went into executive session to deliberate his appeal, he was asked to leave the room. But the assessment office, which was opposed to him, was allowed to remain.

This is an obvious due process violation, something I've witnessed myself in other matters. It's like allowing a District Attorney to sit in the same room with a jury when they decide someone's fate.

In most cases, the assessment offices assumes a neutral role, and are there to plug in numbers when someone wants a lower or higher assessment. But in this case, where Parks was seeking an outright exemption, there would be no reason for that office to remain.

But they did. Someone in that office has an axe to grind.

When ArtsQuest decided to seek judicial relief, County attorneys began working on a settlement. But someone in the assessment office, unhappy with that possibility, threatened to go to the papers. Looks like that has happened.

Barron's "Independent" Opinion

Assessment also decided to get an "independent" opinion. Barron von Footimouth, who is allied with ArtsQuest hater McClure, was the perfect choice. Never mind that he is completely unqualified to audit the records of  mom and pop, to say nothing of a big and complicated operation like ArtsQuest. Forget the fact that this has nothing to do with the job he was elected to perform. Since Barron already considers himself a nursing home administrator, junior detective, asbestos expert and union organizer, what's one more field of expertise?

Not surprisingly, Barron and McClure have decided to go after someone they know is already despised by lots of jealous people. Trial by newspaper. In 25 comments to Lynn Olanoff's excellent story in The Express Times, only one defends ArtsQuest. The rest of them are focused mainly on Parks' salary or some pet peeve with Musikfest.

In addition to playing the press, I'm told Barron has also taken it upon himself to report Parks to the IRS, demanding that its status as a nonprofit be revoked.

That's another little trick he likes to play.

ArtsQuest Appeals to Our Better Selves

To date, ArtsQuest has resulted in 78 direct and 64 indirect jobs on Bethlehem's South Side. It's economic impact over 8 months last year was $29 million. It has been a showcase for music, cinema, festivals and visual arts. It has been made available for other nonprofit organizations and businesses for fund raisers, meetings and special events.

Last year, 500,000 visitors dropped by. In fact, people are still discovering SteelStacks. With the opening of the Bethlehem Visitors Center, PNC Plaza has become fully accessible. ArsQuest also provides many educational and outreach programs for families in visual and performing arts and cultural experiences.

If you visit Bethlehem's South Side, as I do about once every two weeks or so, you can see its ripple effect. There is a real and perceptible buzz. Most local businesses credit ArtsQuest.

Northampton County Council members seem to side with Parks.  Ken Kraft is there just about every weekend, as are his kids. Bob Werner has marveled at Parks' organizational skills and his stable of volunteers. Bruce Gilbert, whose children are entertainers, has credited Parks for attracting younger people and making the Lehigh Valley a competitive place for people seeking entertainment.

ArtsQuest, incidentally, has a real board that actually pays attention to its finances. Chairman Sam Torrence, who actually did pass the bar exam and served as Just Born's Chief Operating Officer, pointed out that all salaries paid are either at or below the midpoint recommended by the Economic Research Institute.

But in the final analysis, this is not about what is right or good for the community. It's about votes. McClure and Barron will appeal to our dark sides, our petty jealousies.

Jeff Parks appeals to the good in us all. Hundreds of free concerts each year. Kids' programming like the Ps and Qs program at SteelStacks.

I'm betting that most of us, despite our pet peeves and occasional grousing, will side with Parks.

McClure should know by now that those on the dark side post venomous (and largely untrue) comments, but they rarely vote.

My Running Partner

I ran 8 miles on the Nor-Bath Trail today. Think that's good? My running partner, a girl, went at least 80 miles to my 8 and wants to go out again.

Her name is Suki. She's a Jack-a-Poo, the Captain Danger of Designer Dogs. In today's foray, she nearly nailed 6 squirrels, 4 rabbits and 2 ground hogs. She also kissed at least 1,000 people.

I'm watching her this weekend.

She's the one who got me back into walking and running again, a little over a year ago.

Panto Injects Race Into Commuter Tax Debate

I have to say that the way Mayor Sal Panto has handled the commuter tax debate is very disappointing. It's as though he borrowed Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski's playbook. Easton Eccentric quotes him as saying things like this:

“[T]he county takes up a lot of land, but doesn't contribute or pay taxes.”

“The county can continue to threaten to leave (the City of Easton), and I'd say, 'go ahead,'”

“There needs to be some sort of revenue sharing in those lily-white suburbs.”

Why did Panto feel the need to inject race into this debate?

Team Ireland Nearly Ejected From Bethlehem Planning Comm'n

Team Ireland is on the road again. But I get no respect.

Yesterday, I rode my BUV (bike utility vehicle) all the way from Easton to Bethlehem to cover a Planning Commission meeting, making it with one minute to spare. That's dedication. I braved the heat, the traffic, the dust of a bike path, and several 50,000' hills, just to cover that meeting.

I was dressed, appropriately in shorts and  my bright green Team Ireland Jersey. That way,  I would not get plastered by some driver who might mistake me for a bottom-feeding blogger. Besides, that's how people in Bethlehem dress. They wear berets and kilts and shit like that.

In Easton, it's African MuMus from the King of Ga. In Bethlehem, it's utilikilts and berets.

So Jim Fiorentino, who chairs the Planning Commission, spots me. Instead of complimenting me for saving the planet, as he should, he wants to know where my frickin' pants are. Then he starts raggin' on me about my very stylish Jersey, claiming he's going to throw me out.

"I would think you'd at least have an appropriate shirt," he huffed.

And that bastard had no socks! Just shoes. Who the hell walks around with no socks, anyway? Is that supposed to be cool?

I ignored him and walked into some cramped meeting room, where there were about 1,000 people. We had to use that room because the Bethlehem Authority was using the Town Hall for a meeting with about three people.

Finally, I was able to plop my ass down.

"You're sitting in my seat!" roared developer Ed Novak, and so I was. I apparently sat right on his pens and some were still sticking in my ass. Good ones, too. Mont Blanc. Didn't even feel them.

No problem. I got up and sat in a seat on the other side of the room.

"You're sitting in my seat!" roared planning maven Al Bernotas, and so I was. I apparently sat on a few of his golf balls and tees. Al plucked them out.

While this is going on, Jim Fiorentino is saying, "I'll entertain a motion to eject Mr. O'Hare."

I was ready to sit on a windowsill when Patch editor Daryl Nerl had mercy on me and cleared a spot for me next to him.

Fiorentino's motion failed, but it was a close vote.

It's Davy Jones for Jack Jones Buick

At a brief meeting on July 12, Bethlehem Planners approved the demolition of Jack Jones Buick, located at 235 West Broad Street, for a 3-story, 17,040 sq. ft. medical office building. They also signed off on designs for a 34-car parking lot at nearby 532 4th Avenue.

Owner Ed Novak is hopeful that the new facility, estimated to cost around $5 million, will be completed by next June.

The only concern with the plan, expressed by City Engineer Matt Dorner, is that the landscaping proposed for the medical office building will encroach slightly into the sidewalk right-of way.

"Couldn't the building be a little smaller?" asked Dorner.

Novak's engineer, Bryan Ritter of Jena Engineering, answered that such an adjustment would eliminate at least eight parking places. Darlene Heller, the City's planning Director, added that her department asked Jones to move the building as close to the street as possible, calling it the "urban style of development you've historically seen at that site." She noted that Jones was in a "Catch 22" situation, getting criticized by one department for doing exactly what another department had recommended.

Heller called the proposed medical facility, located near the Route 378 entrance to the
City, a "gateway building." That refrain was echoed throughout the hearing.

Although Planners Jim Fiorentino, Rob Melosky and Olga Negron gave Novak's plans a green light, he still needs approval from the Zoning Hearing Board at their August 7 meeting. Zoners are waiting for City Council to approve a new zoning ordinance.

So What Does A Ga War Stool Look Like?

It's a sad day in Easton. Nii Guate Asuasa Ekasee Ako II, Gua War Stool custodian and King of the Ga, is returning to Accra.

According to Easton Eccentric, King Nii dropped off some gifts on Wednesday night, including some traditional clothing that Mayor Panto gamely modeled during a City Council meeting.

Très chic, Mayor. Lookin' good.

Before leaving, I asked the King just what a War Stool looks like.

"A lot like Mr. Hankey, the Christmas poo," replied his Royal Highness. In fact, "Howdy Ho!" is actually a Ga war cry.

Dent to Host Job Fair at LCCC

It's on Saturday at LCCC. You can see the details here.

Get Ready For Nazareth Days ... and Nights

Most of the time, Nazareth is a sleepy little town. But all that changes for three days every July, when they engage in all-night orgies, human sacrifices and fireworks. They're called Nazareth Days, and this year it will extend from July 19 to the 21st.

It begins, innocently enough, with Sidewalk Sales. Downtown merchants offer their best deals of the year at that time. Last year, I bought a Porsche for $5.


Turns out it was stolen.

The next day, here will be more sidewalk sales, but that's when the big Block Party is held, too, right outside my estate. In addition to funnel cake, turkey BBQ, roast beef sandwiches and strawberry shortcake, there will be plenty of beer.

That's also when one group, in the park, will begin work on a giant wicker man.

July 21 will be the climax of this three day event. Free swimming. Carriage rides. Trolley rides. Music. Petting zoo. Clowns. Mario Andretti’s Indy Car. Vendors from all around the Lehigh Valley.

Then at night, evening will be complete when the skies explode with the most spectacular display of fireworks that the Nazareth Community has ever seen. That's when the Wicker Man is torched, too.

Usually, it's a human sacrifice. But this year, the natives want to burn the TV at the Nazareth police station

Join us for the festivities, July 19-21st - In The Circle, On the Street and In the Boro Park.

I'll be singing autographs in my booth, which will be right next to the Wicker Man for some reason.

House Repeals Obamacare ... Again

It's too bad that LV Congressman Charlie Dent and Scranton attorney Matt Cartwright are running against weak opposition, and not each other. I'd love to see those two debate Obamacare and our economy.

The U.S. House has voted more than thirty times now to repeal different aspects of Obamacare. Twice, they've voted to repeal the whole damn thing. Their latest stab at that was yesterday. But without similar action in the Senate, which seems highly unlikely, they're wasting their time.

LV Congressman Charlie Dent, who voted with every other Republican in favor of a repeal, argues that this supposed medical reform will actually unleash 20 new taxes:

"The 2010 health care law contains numerous detrimental policies that not only fail to appropriately address the complex problems of our health care system, but hurt our economy and hardworking American families. Repealing the law would allow Congress to enact meaningful reform measures that reduce cost, expand access and improve quality. Its repeal would also prevent the imposition of over 20 new or higher taxes that will cost Americans $675 billion over the next decade and stifle economic growth. While the political reality is repeal will not occur under this Administration, which still considers the deeply flawed law its signature legislative achievement, Congress must remain committed to repealing and replacing the most problematic provisions with substantial reforms. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress in a bipartisan manner to advance common sense, sustainable reforms that benefit the American people.”

But Matt Cartwright, running for Tim Holden's seat in parts of the Lehigh Valley, thinks Congress should focus on creating jobs. He calls the repeal a "meaningless political game."

"Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court upheld the Constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In response to the court’s ruling, Republicans in the House of Representatives decided to hold a vote to repeal the health care law completely. The timing of this could not be worse; neither could the flagrant political posturing.

"It is important to realize what a full repeal of this bill would mean. The Medicare prescription “doughnut hole,” would remain open, once again placing the burden of full payment on our seniors. People with pre-existing medical conditions, including cancer patients, could once again be denied the possibility obtaining affordable care. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the federal deficit would increase by $210 billion. 3.8 million Pennsylvanians have already used a free preventative service provided by the Affordable Care Act- this would cease. These popular benefits and many other reforms the ACA brings must not be repealed.

"Beyond being bad policy, this push to repeal the Affordable Care Act is a meaningless political game. During their time in the minority, these Republicans remarked that health care was the wrong priority, and that Congress should be focusing on other job creation measures. Yet during their time in the majority, Republicans have voted thirty-two times to repeal measures contained in this health care law, and they have already voted once for a full repeal. We know that the Senate will not vote to overturn this law. Now is not the time to engage in these types of useless political games- now is the time for bold action.

"Last week, we saw the best of Congress. Working across the aisle, Democrats and Republicans passed a Transportation Bill that promises to create or retain 2.9 million jobs in the construction industry, a sector that has been battered in this recession. The American people are looking to Congress for more of this job-creating legislation. Let’s hope that they will deliver."

Both views are well-stated.

NorCo Workforce Considers Boycott Over Easton Tax Grab

On July 25, Easton City Council will vote on a proposed commuter tax, a 0.75% income tax on nonresidents to pay for an underfunded pension. Northampton County's workforce, most of whom live elsewhere, are unhappy. Here's what some have had to say.

Employee #1:

Simply put, a boycott of Easton businesses might have an impact on the tyranny of excessive taxation. Buy your gas somewhere else, skip Wawa for a hoagie, etc. and don't be afraid to let the powers be known that we have had enough excessive taxation due to their inequities of planning. Perhaps then Mayor Panto and his henchmen might do a better job of planning for the future. Oh, and looking at the numbers, if my math is correct, that still leaves the City of Easton $2.15 Million short. Where, when and how will the next taxation reclamation begin?

Employee #2:

I have to say I agree with [Employee #1] on this topic. Unlike many who may live AND work in the city and say, "Who cares, it doesn't effect me." I care about what I see happening around me, especially to my friends and co-workers. In this tough economy, we have watched others lose jobs, benefits, their homes (due to losing jobs) and some even their families (divorce) and lives (suicide). Here at Northampton County Prison, many of us, when it came time for our wage freeze and union contract negotiation(s), hoped for the best, expected the worst and said, "Well, it's nothing, but at least we still have benefits (cost more) and jobs, others are worse off. Truthfully, it's quite sad to see the state of things. Poor planning, bad cost management, so many things effect so many and the "big wigs" in government keep saying, "Just tax the little people and we'll keep our fat jobs and paychecks and it'll all turn out alright." I was just saying to a friend here at work the other day that when I worked at Lehigh County from 2000-2003, we were one of the lowest paid counties and we STILL got a cost of living increase EVERY Jan. 1st of 1-2% and then we'd get a raise based on performance, on our anniversary date, of 1-5%. It made sense because you work hard, you make more and as the cost of living goes up, so does the need to be able to pay for milk, gas, groceries, etc. Now that I've worked in Northampton County for the past 9 years, I see the opposite. The cost of living keeps going up and we make less and less every year, while we pay out more and more to the union(s) and taxes. It's even more disheartening to know that due to all the elderly living longer and so many people being on SSI Disability, we're all paying into a Medicare/Social Security system that most likely won't even be there for us when we're "supposed to" retire. I say supposed to retire, as the age to retire gets pushed higher and higher and people have less and less money to invest or save for "that wonderful day when they're supposed to enjoy their golden years and the fruits of all their lifelong labor." I know my mother is one of those people who has worked her entire life, usually 1 FT and 2 PT jobs/day, often 6-7 days/week, only to have 2 of the jobs she worked at long enough to be able to retire from, close down before she could, and to have health issues bad enough she SHOULD be able to get Social Security Disability, but doesn't qualify because she won't not work, nor can she afford to not work for the req'd 6 months to be able to qualify for SSI Disability. Yet I watch one after another march in here to the prison, unemployed, often on disability, for this ache or that mental defect, and they're young enough and well enough to hold down a job, they'd just rather sell drugs or drink away their days. The entire system is disheartening.

But I digress... my point was, I may live AND work in Easton, but I care about the taxes we all have to pay and about my already struggling co-workers who are currently giving what little raises they got this year from our contract to higher benefits cost and more taxes. What are they supposed to do? They oversee the very people who "rob and cheat the system everyday" and think, "why am I playing it correct on the straight and narrow, being a good citizen and paying for these people to live how they do and keep coming back in here, keep stealing from others and destroying things we all work for?" Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I and most of my co-workers aren't going to do anything stupid because we are good people and we have principles, work ethic and morals, but when is this going to stop? When is someone going to say enough?? I know I spend a lot of my hard earned $ in Easton and I often run for WAWA for my friends who get mandated and need something to eat, etc. I can honestly tell you, to support them, it would be just as easy for me to go an extra 5-10 mins out of my way to get gas/food for myself and them in Palmer, Forks Twp, elsewhere, just to prove a point to the city. That seems like a bad solution also, as I like the city. I think the police department, the mayor and the business/residential community have done alot to clean up the crime, do more to be proactive, get rid of buildings/houses that are a blight and help beautify historic store fronts and bring new small businesses into the city. I know one of my former co-workers, who is now at NCSD, has a small business with her partner called [redacted]. I am proud of them to go out and do something like this and I would hate to have to boycott them and possibly be part of the reason for the loss of what they worked so hard for because big government can't find a better way to cut costs and re-route funds, plan better, and NOT raise taxes on the already over-stressed working/commuting men and women. I've heard people say, "Well, they don't live here, they should have to pay more." I have never felt that way. The one thing that was supposed to be great about this country was that we should be able to work, play, live where we want, truly be free. There was a time when you could live here in the Lehigh Valley, where it was cheaper to live, and work in Philly, NJ, NYC and make a ton of money with higher wages and live a better life. Now, you have to live in NJ to work in NJ and it's not worth it. Many people live elsewhere because they want better schools, safety, etc. for their families. I agree Easton has come a long way from when I got "stuck here in 2003 after divorce", as a transplant myself, but people shouldn't be forced to pay more because they don't live here. This is America... we left England to get away from tyranny and taxes and in this wonderful new technological age, pay out more and have a worse quality of life than any of our forefathers probably ever could've imagined in their worst nightmares.

I know when I first moved to the prison, due to a "snafu" with administration, my co-workers in the academy didn't get a paycheck for 4 WEEKS!! I was still getting my paycheck, as I was already in the county as an employee for 6 years, so I felt aweful they were struggling to pay child support, not lose their apartments and houses, pay their bills, commute from Philly, etc. I couldn't afford to do much, but I'd pay for whomever I could every Friday when we were allowed to eat lunch out with our training administrator. I hate to see people who work hard have to suffer because of someone else's ineptitude. None of my co-workers should have to go to the very jail they are trying to work at because they can't pay their support... having worked for the money administration wanted to pass the buck blaming others for, instead of fixing the problem and getting them PAID! So again, I see an injustice and those I work with may not care if I help or not, but if this tax goes through and they are made to suffer further by having to pay out more of their hard earned money to a City Govt. that can't "get their head out of their ass" when it comes to spending and planning/budgeting, I will sadly have to boycott this wonderful city I live in also. Just my opinion and my thought on the subject. Take it for what it's worth.

Employee #3:

Tax is fine, but they are taxing the wrong people. THEY SHOULD TAX ALL THOSE NJ & NY IMPORTS THAT STILL WORK IN NJ & NY BUT MOVED HERE FOR A TAX RELIEF. That movement has put a strain on our school ( I have to pay school taxes & never having children), fire, police & EMT departments. Not to mention the toll that it puts on our farm land & roads. I find more deer along the side of the road than ever before cause they don't have any other place to go. Cut off the border invasion!!!!! There isn't a toll to go back to NJ, but you have to pay to leave it.

Parsons, Mazziotti to Appear on Jennings' Radio Show

Scott Parsons 

CACLV's Alan Jennings is the occasional host of WDIY's Lehigh Valley Discourse, which airs every Thursday, 6 PM, at 88.1 PM. It's a great show, devoid of the partisan rants and name-calling that has become standard fare in political dialogue today.

This week, his guests are Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons and Lehigh County Commissioner Vic Mazziotti. Both are newcomers elected last November. Vic is a conservative Republican who shocked the established order by suggesting, perhaps not so seriously, that federal CDBG grants be returned. Scott is a blue-collar union Democrat who still opposed Allentown's NIZ.

Vic and Scott replaced two of the Lehigh Valley's best county legislators, Dean Browning and Ron Angle. But both Parsons and Vic are their own men. I wish all four could serve.

Reassessment. Regional Health Department. Act 111 Arbitration reform. Decreases in human services. An inevitable tax hike. Gracedale and Cedarbrook. These are just some of the issues facing our County government. I'll be tuned in.

Lehigh County To Close Devonshire Bridge

Now that he's Acting County Exec, I thought Tom Muller would have arrested all Lehigh County Commissioners by now, while simultaneously launching a nuclear missile strike at Northampton County. Instead, he's closing a bridge, probably to lull us all to sleep before he starts his coup.

Devonshire Road Bridge, located in Salisbury Township, will close for repairs on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, and stay that way until October. Muller will replace sections of the bridge’s concrete parapet and repave the roads.

Pricetag? $134,596 to Nimaris Construction L.P. of Bath, PA.

Panto to NorCo Council - Stay Out of our Business

The Commuter

Last week, Northampton County Council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Easton's proposed commuter tax, which is scheduled for a vote on July 25. It's a non-binding resolution, and appears to have succeeded only in annoying Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Jr.

Panto has objected to "County Council's injecting their nose in city affairs." But since the County's Easton workforce is at least 700, this is very much a County issue, too.

Most of these people are modestly paid. Some are on food stamps. County Council and the Exec have a duty to look out for them. If not them, who else? Based on Panto's remarks, it would not be him.

Nonresidents already pay Easton a 1% earned income tax, although that money is shared with their hometown. Easton wants to hike that tax to 1.75%, and keep the entire increase to pay into its underfunded pension plans. The commuter tax, if enacted, will pay for less than half of what Easton needs to pay for its pensions.

According to Panto, the real culprit is Act 111, a state law that provides binding arbitration for police and firefighters, who are then prohibited from going on strike.

The issue with the public unions that most individuals here fail to see is that cities must negotiate within the framework of Act111 adopted by --- you guessed it, the state. Join us in getting this 50 year old bill amended to include just a few things like "ability to pay." Chambers of Commerce have joined our effort in pension and Act 111 reform. I support our city employees and I support their need for retirement planning, just not at 75% of compensation while paying into a plan that is based on a lot less. Where does the 75% come from ------ state Third CLass City Law and Arbitration awards by a neutral that doesn't take into account the "ability to pay."

Without question, Act 111 is unfairly slanted in favor of public sector unions. The Coalition for Sustainable Communities claims that binding arbitration is "strangling" Pennsylvania communities, and is the reason that 41% of Pennsylvanians live in financially distressed municipalities. "Prosper or Perish," a Study commissioned by the City of Lancaster, reaches the same conclusion.

Here's some of the changes proposed:

* Ensure that standards for awards include a justification of the award based on the evidence presented and a calculation of new costs – a municipality’s ability to pay;
* Prohibit post-retirement health care and pension benefits not required by statute from being the subject of collective bargaining;
* Penalize either party for failing to engage in good faith bargaining;
* Start the collective bargaining process earlier in the year and require arbitration to be requested earlier;
* Expand the list of arbitrators to 7 instead of 3;
* Require the cost of arbitration be shared equally between both parties;
* Require arbitration sessions be open to the public; and
* Broaden avenue for appeal process and for municipal relief when the Auditor General identifies an illegal pension benefit.

Senator Jane Earll (R-Erie) is currently seeking co-sponsors for a bill to reform Act 111. Police and fire unions have already called it an "attack."

if I were King - or the Governor of Wisconsin - I'd just refuse to collectively bargain with the public sector, who needs no union. But absent this drastic and possibly incorrect approach, these reforms seems entirely reasonable.

We fought a civil war to abolish slavery, even if it is at the hands of public sector unions who are shackling the rest of us.

We also fought a revolutionary war to end taxation without representation, and that is what Easton's commuter tax means.

Until Act 111 is reformed, what can Easton do?

First, it can pressure state representatives, who are notorious for failing to take positions on anything until they are backed against a wall. It's election time, which might be a good time to get some movement.

Second, Easton could at least ask Northampton County and Lafayette College, the City's largest employers, for some kind of help. But that won't happen if you tell them to stay out of city affairs.

Hearing on Easton Commuter Tax Tonight

Easton Eccentric reports that there will be a hearing at 6 PM tonight for public input concerning Easton's proposed commuter tax.  A vote is scheduled for July 25.

Updated 11:00 AM: I've was informed via comment that the hearing is actually next Monday, July 16. This has been confirmed by the City Clerk.

A NorCo NIZ Post-Mortem

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has called his City's 130-acre Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) a "tremendous opportunity for the entire Lehigh Valley." But 18 townships and boroughs, along with one school district, viewed it more along the lines of taxation without representation. Despite pleas for "regionalism," they filed suit in Commonwealth Court. They objected to the diversion of their tax dollars for  a hockey arena, office buildings, a luxury hotel and other amenities in Allentown.

Allentown's NIZ is the result of a law that State Senator Pat Browne slipped into the Fiscal Code in 2009, after a record-breaking 101-day budget stalemate mired Harrisburg in gridlock. NIZ developers can use state tax revenue, even cigarette taxes, to fund the cost of improvements. They can even use the earned income taxes of people who work inside the NIZ, but live somewhere else.

This was a sticking point for Lehigh Valley townships and boroughs. They were also concerned that their own businesses would be lured away by the cheaper rents made possible by the use of tax money.

This NIZ was created for any local government with a population between 106,000 and 107,000 in the 2000 census. This could mean one, and only one, community.

Allentown.

And the Queen City had just been handed a tool that allows the Lehigh Valley to cannibalize itself, at least in the eyes of Hanover and Bethlehem Township officials. They spearheaded a lawsuit aimed at the very constitutionality of this funding mechanism.

This lawsuit was filed after several months of getting nowhere with Allentown officials.

In February, Allentown Finance Director Garret Strathearn told numerous township officials that "a lot of this stuff is still being worked out." He promised to return the next month with answers about the impact of the NIZ on their own bottom lines. But the following month, he failed to appear. Instead, another Allentown representative promised that information would be sent the very next day. Then Allentown claimed there were "some discrepancies" with its own data. Now, instead of receiving information from Strathearn or someone else in Allentown, the information "will be sent out to you by Senator Browne's office."

A lawsuit followed on March 29.

Attempts to negotiate a settlement with Allentown were as fruitless as discussions leading up to the suit. Allentown had proposed creating a special development fund for all municipalities affected, but had no authority to actually change the law.

That took state lawmakers, who created the law in the first place. On Saturday evening, June 30, every single Lehigh Valley state legislator approved changes to the NIZ law, removing the provision that would authorize the diversion of municipal EIT. They also changed the NIZ definition, giving the City of Erie an outside shot at some day having a NIZ of its own.

Lehigh Valley House Republicans Reps. Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh/Northampton), Gary Day
(R-Berks/Lehigh), Joe Emrick (R-Northampton), Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks/Lehigh) and Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Northampton) issued a joint statement, calling their vote "a symbol of state government working with local municipal officials, who in this case expressed deep concerns about the impact of losing their local tax revenue."

Northampton County Council member Lamont McClure, at a July 5 Committee meeting, called this attempted local tax diversion an example of  "the limits of regionalism." Calling the arena an "unambiguous good for the entire region", he noted that the entire project had been imperiled because of the way the NIZ legislation was drafted and the way it was handled.

"Regionalism was cast aside in the name of what local officials thought was in the best interest of their municipalities," claimed McClure.

Pete Reinke, who handles regional development for the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, worries that the Lehigh Valley's reputation as a "collaborative" body has been impaired. He added that some developers are still unhappy, even with the changes.

Council member Bob Werner's assessment is a bit more blunt. "That flawed piece of legislation will never be forgotten about," he predicted.

"The only reason it was changed is because people fought for it," the Democrat stated, in an obvious compliment to mostly Republican township officials.

NorCo Council Sez NO to Easton Commuter Tax

It's unusual when Northampton County Council agrees unanimously about anything. It's downright rare when they all agree with Executive John Stoffa. But that's what happened last night when they voted against a commuter tax being considered by Easton.

Their vote is non-binding, but they have ways of making their displeasure known should Easton City Council ignore them. President John Cusick made that clear last night, noting they could simply move all the Wolf Building workforce into Bethlehem.

President John Cusick, noting that nonresidents already pay a Local Services Tax (LST), and feels the commuter tax is actually targeted at the County workforce. He also called it "taxation without representation."

"Where is Easton? Where is the Mayor?" asked Lamont McClure, wondering why Easton had made no effort to discuss this proposed tax with the County.

Bob Werner noted that the Mayor is out of town, and acknowledged Easton does have a pension problem. But like McClure, he was disappointed that Easton sent no representative to argue its case. Werner called the tax a "band-aid," noting that the real problem is in the way pensions are funded.

Executive John Stoffa stated that it would be easier to accept a commuter tax if it were for "decent roads" or for police and fire protection, but not because Easton's pension is underfunded.

How Easton will respond to this resolution is unclear. Calling it a "complex" matter, Easton Mayor Sal Panto still managed to lay out his dilemma in two sentences. "I took office in 2008 with a pension payment of $600,000. Today it is $1.5 million and next year it goes to $3.7 million."

NorCo Council: Keep Wound Care Team at Gracedale

Last Fall, Northampton County Council hired Premiere Healthcare Resources as the management firm to administer the County's nursing home, Gracedale. It also created an Advisory Board to oversee operations. But last night, a divided Council decided that, in addition to being part-time legislators, they are also unwilling hospital administrators. Prompted by legitimate concerns about a possible decline in the quality of care, they adopted a Lamont McClure-sponsored resolution calling on Gracedale's management to keep its wound care team.

Gracedale does have a lower number of residents with bed sores than you'll find in most nursing homes, and most staffers are convinced that this is the result of the efforts of a specialized wound care team at the facility.

This resolution to keep this team in place was supported by McClure, Scott Parsons, Peg Ferraro, Ken Kraft and Bob Werner. Dissenting were President John Cusick, Bruce Gilbert and Tom Dietrich. Barb Thierry was absent.

Bruce Gilbert expressed concerns about micromanaging, but Ken Kraft retorted, "That's our job, to micromanage the manager." Kraft also wanted to know why Premier was not in front of Council explaining why this is unnecessary.

That bothered Bob Werner, too. "The communications have broken down on this. ... [I]t is an insult for them not to call us."

At a Council meeting several weeks ago, Premier's administrator certainly gave the impression that there would be no sudden changes to the wound care team. Kraft reminded everyone about that last night.

McClure denied that Council was micromanaging, but argued that it was instead doing its duty. "Why would we ever stop doing the things we do well?" he asked, as the pro-Gracedale crowd broke into applause.

Although Executive John Stoffa asked Council to hear from Premier before deciding, but a Peg Ferraro motion to table failed, 4 to 4.

My own sense is that Premier made two very big mistakes. First, after telling Council it would take no sudden actions on this specific issue, it owed them a few phone calls, at the very least. Second, it should have appeared before Council two weeks ago, to respond to these concerns when they surfaced at a Finance Committee meeting.

Nazareth, Home of the Old Farts

It's official. Nazareth has the highest concentration of old farts in the entire frickin' County. Persons aged 65 and older make up 21.7% of the population. This explains why Depends are always in short supply at the local Giant. I thought it was just me.

Palmer Township, Hanover Township and Hellertown Borough are fighting neck and neck for second place, with 20% of their population in the near death category.

Community Development Administrator Lori Sywensky provided Northampton County Council with this and a few other tidbits yesterday.

* Impoverished female-headed households are at 78.6% in Stockertown, but only at 4.3% in Bethlehem Township.

* Outside of the cities, Stockertown, Tatamy, Wanutport, Pen Argyl, Bath and Northampton have the highest percentages of minority residents living in poverty.

* In Glendon and Tatamy, 81% of the homes are owner-occupied.

* Nazareth leads the County in rental units, at 52%. (Wind Gap is close behind, at 51.3%).

* Median values of Northampton County homes have risen from $120,000, in 2000, to $214,600 in 2010.

* The going rate for a 2-bedroom apartment in Northampton County is $954 per month.

Was Sywensky helping Council members excel in their next round of Trivia? No, she was explaining a 5-year plan for CDBG grants throughout the County

Black Bear Visits Bangor Back Yard

Imagine looking out your back window after a hard day at work and seeing this:

That's what happened to one courthouse worker this evening. The black bear, the only kind you'll find in Pennsylvania, can run 35 mph, swim, climb trees and is an omnivore who will consume 20,000 calories per day. That's why it will ramble into someone's back yard. Mmmm. Bird seed. Mmmm. Garbage.

Black bear attacks are extremely rare.

You can read more about them here.

Easton Commuter's Tax Cometh

It's ironic that Easton is one of the first places from which the Declaration of Independence as proudly proclaimed in 1776. Back in those days, Easton was at the forefront of a movement that condemned taxation without representation. But now its City Council is poised to do just that by imposing a 0.75% income tax on nonresidents, called a commuter tax. 


It will use the revenue to fund its pensions. Like the NIZ, it's a tax grab. But unlike the NIZ, which was just for Allentown, this theft is under legislation that applies to any financially distressed municipality.

Guess what? Since this law went into effect in 1987, twelve cities have enrolled in the program, but not one of them has checked out. Kinda' defeats the purpose, doncha' think? Residents and businesses head would rather head for the hills than be held up for bloated public sector union pensions.

One of these financially distressed cities, Scranton, tried a commuter tax in 1993-4. It led to lawsuits, boycotts and a great deal of evasion by nonresidents who considered the tax unfair.

No taxation without representation.

Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty argues the law should have more teeth when it comes to public sector unions. Supposedly independent arbitrators, who decide union disputes, fail to consider a city's distressed designation in determining arbitration awards.

Doherty, who incidentally favors a commuter tax, has just slashed all city salaries, including his own, to minimum wage. It's the only way the City can meet payroll. Unions have responded with a lawsuit.

If Easton seeks a distressed designation, it will stay distressed, like every other city. Imposing a tax on nonresidents for problems caused by its own mismanagement just prolongs the problem. If Mayor Panto needs money for his pension fund, he should start with the public sector unions, not people who have no voice or vote in Easton government.

Tonight, Northampton County Council will consider a resolution, sponsored by President John Cusick, condemning Easton's proposed commuter tax. Between the Wolf building, jail and courthouse, the County employs at least 800 people in Easton. Most are commuters.


Will the public sector unions, who supposedly represent them, speak against this unfair tax? Don't hold your breath. 

Did Fleckster Challenge Plannng Comm'r To a Fight?

He's a NIZ cheerleader, Ed Pawlowski campaign manager and union "consultant." He lied about being a college grad when he first ran for Easton Mayor. In his second botched attempt, he plastered so many signs everywhere that Express Times Editor Jim Deegan found one on a shad. He followed that up by dumping newspapers and used gym shorts in someone else's trash bin.. But somehow, Mike Fleck managed to get himself elected to Easton City Council, even though he's not Italian. How long he stays there is anybody's guess. If Noel Jones' account of Easton's last City Council meeting is even close to being accurate, Fleck will soon be be spending a lot more time at the Allentown Brew Works in a new occupation as a lounge singer.

From Noel:

Fleck has proven time and time again, that we could not, as a neighborhood, have elected a more self-serving politician, absolutely disinterested in doing anything good for the very neighborhood he was elected to serve. Instead, he actively works against improving the neighborhood, and attacks people Esther Guzman and Dennis Lieb at the WWNP who are working so hard to revitalize it. At the public hearing for the Bill of Rights, Fleck actually suggested to Lieb that they “step outside.” This kind of behavior from an elected public official is outrageous and unacceptable. And yet Mayor Panto fails to gavel him.

Easton Y's Hot Firecracker 4-Miler

These guys were busy

Around 300 runners and walkers braved the soaring temperatures to participate in the Easton Family's YMCA Firecracker 4-miler on July 4. Nobody died, although many of us thought we had. Despite an 8:30 AM start and a very flat course, the heat made the race a challenge. One participant did keel over, although that might be the old lady I pushed.

Who won?

I can give you some bullshit about everyone being a winner, but I won. I think I ran the race in about three minutes. Backwards.

Actually, I finished somewhere in the middle of the pack after hiding in the bushes while everyone else ran.

Bethlehem City Council member J. Willie Reynolds finished in a blistering 26 minutes, good enough to place second in his age group (12 and under). He was unable to stay for the awards ceremony, so I took his trophy and am selling it on e-Bay.

High bidder so far is Tony Simao.

Northampton County Recorder of Deeds Ann Achatz talked me into this very bad decision. Not only did I nearly hurl in the final mile, but I missed Nazareth's kazoo parade.

One of the race participants was this Obamaphile. Now that's dedication!

After we finished running, it was a "fun" run for the kids. I think they went about 8 miles. No shade, either. I stole their trophies, too.

Actually, the kids had a blast, and that's the race I should have run. There were balloons and ribbons and everything. I might have won that race. Besides, there were about 1000 volunteers like these lovely ladies. I could have asked them for help.

After the race was over, Accucare Chiropractic gave out a few free massages. Patti was unable to keep her hands off me.

Below, you'll see me (in my third T-shirt) with Ann's husband, John, and their niece.

A Few NIZ Predictions

1) Look for Ashley Development/PennCap to ink a deal for an office building in the NIZ. Soon. Benedict Arnold, I mean Lou Pektor, knows where his bread is buttered.

2) Sam Zell and The Tribune Companies will sell The Morning Call outright to a "shell" corporation backed by Reilly, Butz, Jaindl and Topper. Zell will make a tidy profit, but The MC will be worth more to a corporation that only owns that paper as all its state taxes will remain in the NIZ. Look for newspaper to hail the sale as a "return of ownership to people in the Lehigh Valley." Bill White will lead the cheers, and see absolutely nothing wrong with being Reilly's bag man;

3) Either PPL or Air Products (I'm guessing Air Products) will secure the naming rights to the arena. After a brief period of time, both PPL and Air Products will ink leases with Reilly, and move some of their billing operations to the NIZ;

4) Tax collecting businesses will slowly (and quietly - don't bet The MC will be watching) move into the NIZ. First year monies returned to the NIZ will be modest, then begin to grow rapidly in Years 2, 3 and 4. One example. Topper will begin to buy up other cigarette distributors. Small ones first;

5) Jaindl will make Twiggar and Dunn an offer they can't refuse for whatever ownership interest they have along the Riverfront. Twiggar will remain on the Bethlehem Planning Commission, of course;

6) By Year 3, Pawlowski will declare the NIZ a "huge success";

7) Reilly's "residential component" will be high end condos targeted at very high income PA residents who will all move their principal addresses to the NIZ even though they will never live there. The Reilly, Butz, Jaindl and Topper families will not pay a dime of state or local taxes for the next 30 years as their taxes will service the debt on their "new" principal residences.

8) Allentown's poor will remain poor and its crime outside of the NIZ will increase because police resources will be diverted to the arena.

Why I Like To Bike To Work

My B.U.V. (Bike Utility Vehicle)

I can give you all kinds of good reasons for riding a bike to work. I'm sure you've heard them all, too. Several times. Usually from pious bastards in leotards who think they're better than you. Let me tell you why I do it.

It's fun. That's it. Remember what it's like to barrel down a hill on a bike, full blast? How it feels to finally beat that hill? Or for some of you, that ethereal ride home in the dark, where strange sounds and sights greet you around every bend on a moonlit and lonely road?

It's always an adventure.

Some ride year round, but they're mostly aliens who work in local hospitals for some reason, getting things ready for the inevitable invasion. Ignore them and their bug suits.

Me, I can ride when the temp hits 70 degrees. Any lower than that and my hands and feet fall off. The aliens then pick them up and ride off with them.

Contrary to what you might have heard, the hardest part of bicycling is NOT the burning lungs, screaming thighs, cramped calves or those flat tires. It's not even the occasional spill, which I manage at least once every month.

It's the sore ass.

Believe me, whether you're an ultrarunner or NFL lineman, your ass is the last body part to adapt to the rigors of cycling.

My cycling commute is from Nazareth to Easton and back. Last week, I also cycled to a few meetings. Yesterday's meeting of Bethlehem Township Commissioners was canceled, so I took the long way home from the courthouse. I rode the entire length of the Palmer Bike Path, from Riverview Park to the 25th Street Shopping Center. Along the way, I ran into this gal.

When she spotted me, she took cover. But she really had nowhere to go because she was next to a cliff. I slowly rode past her and waved to her as she stood in the brush, trying unsuccessfully to hide.

She came out and, this time, began looking for an exit that took her closer to the Lehigh River.

As she disappeared into the brush again, I walked up and looked down, and there she was, looking right at me, saying toodleoo in deer talk.

In a car, you'll see a deer carcass from time to time. This was much cooler.

Then some bird shit on me.

Were the Dailies Slanted in Favor of the NIZ?

One of my readers, "Voice of Reason," makes the case.

Time to turn the page.

In my opinion, one good thing came of this. I used to be quite worried that the role of the traditional press in this LV community was so compromised, so watered down as to be impotent. All through this story, my worst fears seemed to be proven as both "papers" provided biased pro-NIZ views. But to everyone's surprise, blogs, especially this one and Molovinsky's shed bright, uncomfortable light on this issue. They forced a discussion.

My congratulations to Bernie, Michael and to the people who commented, especially the ones who saw the EIT grab for what it was. It's enough to make a jaded citizen think that there might be hope.

One of my criticisms about the NIZ has been the complete lack of transparency concerning its creation and subsequent implementation. This has continued with its most recent amendment. The legislation was NOT available online until AFTER it had passed.

That's ridiculous.

But did anyone notice? There was a complete absence of criticism by the dailies for this lack of transparency. State legislators were allowed to run and hide on this issue until they decided themselves to make the changes.

All this makes me question supposed objectivity.

In fairness, it is the newspapers (Morning Call, specifically), that broke the story about the use of EIT. Morning Call reporters Matt Assad and Scott Kraus, along with Express Times' Colin McEvoy tried very hard to be fair.

Their reporting was fearless.

But there's an exception. Morning Call reporter Andrew McGill.

He was used for the hit pieces on the townships.

As this story evolved, editors and columnists sided with greedy developers over transparency in government. It certainly appears that they enlisted McGill to distort a meeting in Hanover Township that he did not attend and that he wrote nearly two weeks after it occurred.

Within moments of McGill's story being published at Morning Call blog Valley 610, there was an orchestrated attempt to vilify Hanover supervisors, likely from the Mike Fleck-led unions whispering n the ears of Morning Call brass.

Twenty-six comments on a blog usually known for the sound of crickets.

Then columnist Bill White went to work. He distorted this meeting even more, opining on a meeting he did not attend, based on a report from a reporter who was not there. Histrionically, he concludes that all township officials are smug. He later calls them hypocrites, too.

After this name-calling, he takes an anonymous reader to task for "accusations and name-calling."

Alrighty.

McGill follows his Hanover hit piece with another about a RTK for legal costs incurred by the Townships "to bring down the NIZ," as he puts it in his very objective style. Now everyone could talk about the waste of money. McGill never bothered file a RTK request for all the legal costs incurred by Allentown and the myriad of agencies involved.

The Morning Call also ridiculed Abe Atiyeh, caricaturing him by depicting him in a picture in the wooden hat, when he dared file a constitutional challenge and question his government. In an attempt to silence Atiyeh, Allentown almost immediately countersued.

As we know now, Atiyeh was right.

Newspapers usually stand on the side of those who are being punished for exercising their First Amendment rights. But this time, Morning Call columnist Bill White ridiculed Atiyeh further. White denies that Atiyeh's NIZ lawsuit had anything to do with it. He also ran a column calling NIZ critic Michael Molovinsky "misguided" and implying that Professor Steve Thode's concerns were hysteria.

In the meantime, there was no attempt to get answers from state reps about their willingness to change the NIZ until it was apparent from this blog that state reps were working on changes.

Also, The Morning Call, whose offices are located inside the NIZ, refuses to answer questions about whether its brass has had talks with NIZ developer J.B. Reilly over the purchase and/or lease of some or all of the building.

So yes, I think The Morning Call behaved more like a bottom-feeding blogger than a newspaper over this issue.

Yitzhak Shamir: An Inglorious Bastard

You don't have to watch a movie starring Brad Pitt. All you need do is google Yitzhak Shamir for a glimpse into the life of a real bastard. He makes Benjamin Netanyahu look like a candyass. His parents and his two sisters died in the Holocaust.

I suppose little things like that might affect you down the road.

He resisted British rule in Israel, even emulating the IRA, until he was exiled.

Interestingly, his name means a thorn that stabs and a rock that can cut steel.

He died Saturday, and is being buried today. Michael Molovinsky has a small tribute on his blog as well.

Check Out Easton Eccentric, Easton's Newest Blog

Christina Georgiou is a journalist whose focus has always been Easton. She's worked for the Express Times and was the Editor of Easton News, a weekly which boasted a 17,000 circulation at its zenith. Most recently, she was a contributor at Patch, covering those evening meetings with thermos in one hand and pen in another. Now, she's decided to venture out on her own with a blog called Easton Eccentric.

As the name implies, Christina's blog will concentrate on the Easton area. She told me she'll be short on opinion and long on facts. She wants to inform her readers, not preach at them. Instead of 600-word articles, her goal is more of what is known as long-form journalism. This would complement, not replace, the stories in the dailies.

You can see Christina's style in her coverage of Easton's proposed Bill of Rights. In a 2,500 word post entitled Easton City Council, Citizens Agree on Intent--But Not Wording--of Proposed Bill of Rights, Christina explains in detail the contentions of a citizens' group justifiably wary of corporate power, and City Council members who are just as justifiably concerned that this Bill exceeds the City's authority.

In addition to this kind of in-depth coverage, Christina also is savvy enough to know that Eastonians would really want to know about the honor Easton City Council recently bestowed on affable Anthony Koury, a living saint who served as Notre Dame High School's long-time Athletic Director.

With Patch and Easton Neighbors, doesn't Easton already get enough attention?

Not so, answered Christina. She told me that Easton is unique in that its residents really want to be informed, more so than in Bethlehem or Allentown. In fact she told me she wants to be able to provide coverage for West Easton and Glendon.

If she goes to West Easton, she definitely needs to sprinkle salt everywhere. It might keep Tricia Mezzacappa, aka the Wicked Witch of West Easton, at bay.

What about monetization? The moolah. As a journalist, Christina seems to be more focused on getting the word out than on being paid. She told me she is considering using some sort of ad rep to market her blog, so she can focus on the stories and avoid any conflict of interest.

If you are interested in what is going on in Easton, but are wary of the spin game, Easton Eccentric is a great starting point.

EIT Finally Removed From NIZ Legislation

Saturday night, the State House and Senate finally voted to amend a state law that would have allowed Allentown to pay for a hockey arena and other improvements inside a "Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ)" with the tax money of other jurisdictions. They also redefined the NIZ to address constitutional concerns.

Lehigh Valley House Republicans Reps. Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh/Northampton), Gary Day
(R-Berks/Lehigh), Joe Emrick (R-Northampton), Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks/Lehigh) and Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Northampton) issued the following statement upon House passage of Senate Bill 1263, which now awaits Gov. Tom Corbett’s signature:

“We appreciate the support of our House and Senate colleagues in making this critical change to Pennsylvania’s fiscal code. Working as a delegation with Senator Pat Browne allowed this to happen, and shows what is possible when legislators from both chambers work as a team. More importantly, it is a symbol of state government working with local municipal officials, who in this case expressed deep concerns about the impact of losing their local tax revenue.

“We have heard loud and clear from the people of the Lehigh Valley, who expect and deserve good stewardship of their hard-earned tax dollars. This adjustment to Pennsylvania law ensures that. In addition to providing for the return of tax dollars already collected, enactment of Senate Bill 1263 means that, once again, local tax revenue will stay within our municipalities and school districts for the well-being and improvement of our communities.”

It appears that all three LV state senators, including Senator Pat Browne, voted to remove the EIT. State Rep. Jenn Mann told the Express Times that every member of the LV delegation, Democrat and Republican, supported these changes.