PoliticsPA Notices Deely Disaster at DeSales

Giving State Rep. Justin Simmons an up, PoliticsPA explains: Justin Simmons. "One of Dems’ top 2012 targets, Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh) appears to be on a roll against public school teacher Kevin Deely. He picked up the endorsement of the Easton Express-Times, launched a new TV ad, and by one account (with video), he cleaned up at a debate Monday night. He looks like he’d have given Mitt Romney a run for his money on the debate stage."

Deely said during the debate that he loves his job as a teacher. "Education is one of the best things a person can do," he argued. If this is so, then perhaps that's what he should do.

Just don't ever let him teach debating.

A Childrens' Crusade Against Cancer

Thirty-six children will be diagnosed with cancer today. One out of five of them will die. The CureSearch Walk is an attempt to reduce the forty thousand children being treated for cancer today to zero. On October 14, over five hundred people gathered at Bethlehem Township's Municipal Park, for the second year in a row, to walk for a cure. Among them were approximately twenty-five children wearing green medals to symbolize that they are fighting and surviving. They raised $91,000 to fund children's oncology trials at 180 hospitals, including hospitals here in the Lehigh Valley.

Bailey Seibert, age 7, along with her dog Coco, is one of "Ella's Fighing Tutus."

Here are some other of "Ella's Fighting Tutus." They look like they just finished the caber toss at the Celtic Classic.

Palmer Elementary teachers and students walked in honor of cancer survivor and fellow walker Sammi Zupko, age 7.

Cancer survivor Ryan Glose, age 9, decided to run and was in the leader's pack.

Though Isiah Kressler Wood is just two years ago, he applauds his fellow fighters and survivors.

As walkers winded their way though Municipal Park, Lehigh Valley Lacrosse players stopped their game to applaud some real fighters.

CureSearch's Kelli Very claims the LV walk is among the very best of the 90 that have been organized throughout the country this year.

For more pictures, check out my Facebook Album.

What Youth Football is About

It was sad to read that there was a triple shooting yesterday at a youth football game near Pittsburgh. No matter what the sport, parents often ruin it. But much more often, they and the coaches sacrifice untold hours going to and from unending practices to prepare for a game that goes in a flash.

So do the years.

Yesterday was the last day that many of the 125-pound Bethlehem Steelers, including my grandson, will ever play at the Monocacy Complex. They still have two regular season games, but they're away.

During football season, these young men practice four or five times a week, starting on the hottest days of Summer and then extending into bitterly cold nights. Some of them never see more than a few minutes of action, but they stay. Some of them get injured before the first ball is snapped, but they stay. Mothers, fathers and other loved ones get them there and take them home.

Coaches, and there can be as many as eight of them, spend all that time away from their jobs and on the field. What's more, they also spend time discussing plays, reviewing film and scouting other teams.

Most of these boys have spent six or seven years playing at different levels. Most of their coaches are around just as long, too.

Now the Steelers are by no means unique. This goes on everywhere, whether it is the Bethlehem Steelers, the Upper Saucon Storm or the Lower Macungie Mustangs.

So what do they learn? They might learn how to tackle or block, but there's other, more important, lessons. The willingness to come to practice, one day at a time, teaches discipline. Facing a team that's bigger and stronger than them, teaches courage. Knowing that other kids, who might be more or less gifted, are working beside them every day, teaches respect. Helping a fallen opponent to his feet teaches compassion. Sitting on the bench, waiting for a chance to play, teaches patience. Seeing parents make numerous sacrifices, day after day, teaches love.

So if you think youth football has gone to Hell, look above at the picture of elusive running back Mohammed, who is holding his little sister's hand as he and his family make their way onto the field.

Or take a look at the very obvious love between this young man and his mother.

Then there's QB "Who Dat" Lambert, who is never happier than when his mom is at his side, even though he now towers over her.

They were a great bunch of kids. Now they're a great bunch of young men.

5 YO Marcus Stars in Bethlehem Steelers Half Time Show

This young man was amazing!

My Friday High School Football Picks

Let's see if I can get my winning percentage up from last week. Who do you pick?

Whitehall over Central Catholic.
(32-7)

Nazareth over Becahi.
(30-0)

East Stroudsburg North over Dieruff.
(63-21)

Easton over Northampton. (49-28)

Emmaus over Liberty.
(22-24)

Parkland over Freedom.
(41-7)

Bangor over Palmerton.
(47-12)

Salisbury over Palisades.
(15-41)

Notre Dame over Saucon Valley (upset)(13-24)

Wilson over Southern Lehigh.(20-52)

Catty over Pen Argyl.

Lehighton over Allen.

Bethlehem Planners: Coffee Shop Should Be Able To Fry an Egg

Historic District Resident Bob Romeril

When Bethlehem City Council adopted a new, 168-page zoning ordinance in August, they warned they would fine-tune it. Their first set of changes was reviewed at the Planning Commission's October 11 meeting, with mixed results.

Planners first considered changes that would tighten the parking of recreational and commercial vehicles in residential districts to include any vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds, as well as box trucks, cargo trucks and container trucks.

Planner Andrew Twiggar called this proposed change "somewhat overbearing." He spoke of a neighbor who keeps a race car at his property, noting that "There's no way he could comply with all the provisions.

Planning Director Darlene Heller agreed that the changes are "somewhat stringent," but added that it is a "quality of life" amendment.

Twiggar was the sole Planning Commissioner to vote against this recommendation.

The other proposed change was prompted by the public hue and outcry that arose when the Zoning Hearing Board recently permitted a community bank consulting business at The Bethlehem Inn, a former bed and breakfast located in Bethlehem's exclusive historic district.

Under Bethlehem's new zoning ordinance, corner lots like The Bethlehem Inn can now be used for limited commercial purposes, even in a residential district, as long as it can be established that it was at one time used for a business. But City Council wants to limit this commercial use to "uses that are small in scale," like a coffee shop or a green grocer. A barber shop or hair salon could have no more than two chairs. No frying at any breakfast nook. Tattoo parlors and pawn shops would be prohibited. The building must have a large, storefront window.

Unanimously, planners declined to recommend this proposed amendment because it is too restrictive.

When Darlene Heller told planners that "it would be helpful if we could have an explanation," Chairman Jim Fiorentino summed it up in one sentence: "We want a coffee shop to be able to fry an egg," he stated.

Planners also questioned the large window requirement, the limitation on chairs, and even the ban on tattoo parlors.

"I see no reason why a tattoo parlor should be excluded," argued Twiggar. "It's generally a pretty quiet use."

"What about the screaming?" wisecracked Fiorentino.

Bethlehem Planning Comm'n

Planners, particularly Twigger, feel these proposed changes are too draconian. "There are private property rights that are really infringed on in some areas," he reasoned.

But Historic District resident Bob Romeril told Commissioners that the proposed changes are not restrictive enough. He advocated against any commercial use in the Historic District. Romeril noted that Historic District residents must invest a great deal of money in their homes, and are governed by the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB). "I think we're entitled to a little protection in return," he concluded.

Beall Fowler, who also resides in the historic district, favors the City's proposal, with the possible added condition that some residential character in the corner store building be maintained.

Although proposed changes to the zoning ordinance must be reviewed by the Planning Commission, City Council is still free to reject or reject any recommendation.

In other business, planners unanimously agreed, without discussion, to grant a sidewalk deferral to Habitat for Humanity. Developer of 17-acre neighborhood called Minsi Ridge on the slopes of South Mountain, Habitat argued in September that the topography and remoteness of the site made sidewalks unrealistic.

Updated 6:30 PM:  In my original report, I confused Beall Fowler with Bob Romeril. I have corrected that error, and apologize for any misunderstanding.

Biden-Ryan: What Do The Undecideds Think?

Tonight's debate between VP Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan will be loved by Democrats and Republicans alike, as both candidates appealed to their bases. But what about Independents? Undecideds?

I'm posting my thoughts before all the experts tell me what I'm supposed to think. Ryan's calm and factual approach will be appreciated more than the scoffing, laughing and constant interruptions from Biden. Some of those may come back to haunt Team Obama down the road.

Substantively, I'd call it a draw. Stylistically, Biden's energy might turn people off.

Angle on the Public Sector Union - Politician Connection

On Tuesday, the Justin Simmons Smackdown of Kevin Deely was refreshing for two reasons. First, Simmons engaged Deely and spoke freely abut the issues. Second, and more importantly, it's highly unusual for any politician to stand up to public sector unions.

Ron Angle, on Business Matters, explains the connection.

"A large percentage of County Council is deeply involved with the unions, in one form or another. A few people like me are willing to stand up for what's right or wrong. The rest are afraid of unions. We live in a society now, where if you're in public office, you've got to fear the unions. Either you get in bed with them, to make sure you can get elected, or at least you accommodate them so they don't work against you."

"I didn't do that. That's why I'm out of office and I wouldn't change it to any other way. Frankly, the taxpayers of Northampton County have been raped for years by the unions of Northampton County."

Although Ron's defeat was the result of a perfect storm of bad news to bombard him over the course of a year, his stance against public sector unions certainly as a major contributing factor.

You see, public sector union members will vote, while the rest of you are busy working to pay for their pensions.

Hanover Appoints Traffic Impact Advisory Committee

At their October 9 meeting, Hanover Supervisors unanimously appointed seven residents and planning experts to a Traffic Impact Advisory Committee. The persons named are Paul Kuehne, Eugene Mills, Kerry Wrobel, Joseph Gardner, Michael Schmalzer, Barry Check and Richard Kaniskie. This is the group that determines "impact fees" on new development, in proportion to how it affects traffic during peak commuter periods. The money generated is then used for roadway improvements.

Hanover is one of three municipalities in Northampton County that currently imposes a traffic impact fee n new development. Its current rate is $325 for every new trip at peak hour. Lower Nazareth ($684 per peak hour new trip) and Bethlehem ($717 per peak hour new trip) Townships also impose traffic impact fees on new development.

Statewide, there are 96 traffic impact fees for new development in different municipalities.

In other business, Supervisors turned to thoughts of Amore, despite the coming cold weather months. That's Amore Restaurante, located at 2118 Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township, would like outdoor seating so that the moon can hit a customer's eye like a big pizza pie. That's amore. But to do so, chef and owner Joseph Jurkivo will need dimensional variances from the Township Zoning Hearing Board. So will Faulkner Oldsmobile, which wants to erect a new sign at its 298 Stoke Park Road business.

Solicitor Jim Broughal and Engineer Brien Kocher have been directed to defend the zoning ordinance when these matters are considered by zoners later this month. A zoning hearing is currently scheduled at the municipal building on October 25 at 7 PM.

Finally, Public Works Director Vince Milite announced that the Township's September 22 electronic recycling event was a success. Recyclers collected 17,766 pounds of electronic devices, 150 pounds of fluorescent bulbs and 411 pounds of batteries.

Hanover Supervisors are next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 23, 7 PM, at the Municipal Building, located at 3630 Jacksonville Road.

Deely DeRails at DeSales

Yesterday, I witnessed something you don't see every day. I saw a high school English teacher at a loss for words. I saw a teachers' union advocate schooled in the cost of government. I saw the S.S. Deely, in a race rated among the top ten by PoliticsPA, hit the Simmons iceberg. You'll be able to see it too, when a debate between incumbent State Representative Justin Simmons and Easton High School teacher Kevin Deely is aired on WFMZ-TV69's Business Matters,, hosted by Tony Iannelli. It's scheduled for Monday, October 22, at 7:30 PM.

This debate, taped at the DeSales University Center before a pro-Simmons crowd of about fifty people, is focused on the question whether Simmons should continue to represent the hodgepodge known as the 131st legislative district, or whether he should let Kevin Deely give it a whirl. If this fiery debate is any indication, Simmons will be back. If I were in Deely's camp, I would have thrown in the towel after about five minutes.

Justin Simmons is a freshman who defeated a fellow Republican, Karen Beyer, to win the seat two years ago in a hotly contested primary. At the time, some of us, including me, questioned his youth and inexperience.  He proved us wrong, not only at the polls, but in his subsequent record in the House. Unlike most pols, he refuses per diems and a state-owned vehicle. He has declined to participate in a state pension plan. He has pledged that he will only serve three terms. He wants to reduce the size of the state legislature, which he believes should be part-time. As he explains it, "we need to change the way the system works in Harrisburg."

His opponent, Kevin Deely, is a 12-year Easton High School teacher who moved into the district about two years ago. In 2005, students named him "Most Inspiring Teacher." He's also an ardent advocate for the teachers' union, where he served as president in Easton.

Deely claimed he's running for the state house, even though he loves teaching, because our current state legislature is "stealing the future from our kids." As an example, he pointed to a Spanish teacher in Allentown who must educate 40 kids in a school cafeteria. He noted that funding there is $5.6 million less than the year before.

Simmons countered that the state has actually poured $26 billion into public education, about double what it was in 2000. He noted that Allentown asks for $4 million in distressed funding, but can somehow spend $1 million to replace a field.

Deely insisted schools have been gutted, and then Simmons turned it on. "They've been gutted because of the organization you represent," he charged, noting that Deely has just received $12,000 from the teachers' union and $36,000 in total from public sector unions.

"Who are you going to represent?" asked Simmons. "You're going to represent the unions," he said, answering his own question.

Deely insisted he would be representing "the working man," and quickly changed the subject to Voter ID, insisting there is no voter fraud.

"Do you believe in the tooth fairy, too?" asked Simmons.

Simmons wondered how Deely could represent the district when he just moved into it.  "You have no connection to this local community." Deely claimed he moved here to raise his children. But in response to a question from Simmons, he acknowledged they don't live here.

Tony Iannelli asked both candidates about the quarry issue in Lower Milford, a hot local topic. Simmons is opposed, but Deely said he's "currently uninformed on that issue."

"That''s why you shouldn't have run," noted Simmons.

While Deely was proud of his work as a union president in Easton, Simmons had a different take. "In the Easton School District, where you were the teacher union president, property taxes went up 16% and the buget contract you negotiated blew a $12.9 million hole in the budget. You did such a good job that you didn't even run for re-election as a teacher union president. Instead, you moved here, to run against me, to be a representative of the PSEA." All Deely could do is laugh.

His supporters looked like they were crying.

Noon Update: Express Times Endorses Simmons! "The battle for Pennsylvania’s 131st District House seat comes down to a freshman lawmaker who is familiar with most issues and willing to take stands vs. a newcomer who is spending most of his energy on one subject."

The Morning Call is Looking For a Few Good Questions

The Morning Call, PBS-39, Muhlenberg College and the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce will be hosting debates for the 15th (Incumbent Charlie Dent v. Rick Daugherty) and 17th (Laureen Cummings v. Matt Cartwright) Congressional Districts.

The double D debate (Dent and Daugherty) will take place on October 16, 8 PM. The very next night, at the same bat time, Laureen Cummings will square off against Matt Cartwright. Both of these close encounters of the political kind will take place at the brand, spankin' new PBS39 studios in Bethlehem's SteelStacks, where you can buy a commemorative mug with Jeff Parks' picture for just $3,500. You're invited, but if you can't make it, the program is being televised live.

Here's the cool part. You can videotape yourself, asking a question, and then posting it to YouTube. If the question is picked, you'll be on television, where you'll be seen by millions, , thousands , hundreds of viewers.

Who knows? It might be just the break you need for an opening in the adult entertainment industry. Lord knows, I've tried.

Michael Duck, whom I knew back when he had a beard, has the details above. He'll only be accepting questions until Friday at noon. Your youtube video link can be emailed to mobile@mcall.com or mcall.com/facebook.

Gracedale Show Online

There we were. Ron Angle and yours truly, the forces of goodness and light. We were pitted against the forces of darkness and evil, which consist of Steelworkers' Union Prez Gerry Greene, former County Exec Jerry Seyfried and former State Rep. and County Council member Rich Grucela. The topic was Gracedale. Ron Angle and I advocated selling the County-owned nursing home. Gerry, Jerry and Rich advocated selling us.

No buyers could be found.

This debate, which took place on WFMZ-TV69's Business Matters and aired last night, is now available online.

All kidding aside, Gracedale had some forceful advocates.

Can Judge Smith Break Legal Logjam at Center & Dewberry?

Judge Edward Smith is a U.S. Navy Captain

Dewberry Avenue and Center Street in Bethlehem, located near Bethlehem Catholic High School, is gridlocked. But it's not the traffic. Developer Abe Atiyeh, Bethlehem zoning and planning officials and numerous angry residents have created legal traffic jams over Atiyeh's seemingly Quixotic quest to establish a drug and alcohol treatment center somewhere ... anywhere ... in that vicinity. Northampton County Judges are now involved. Though they have the power to send someone to his death, it's by no means clear that they can resolve the legal war between the forces of Abe Atiyeh and Bethlehem. But Judge Edward Smith is trying, with an October 5 Order aimed at breaking at least a part of this legal logjam.

This all started when Atiyeh, who purchased 5-acres at the southeast corner of this infamous intersection, received permission in 2007 for an assisted living center on lands set aside for a cemetery. But when he was unable to market it, he asked zoners to let him build luxury apartments instead. Denied. He asked again. Denied again.

At the northeast corner, site of a vacant home, Atiyeh proposed relocating his business offices. Denied. So he proposed a drug and alcohol rehab, a la the Betty Ford Treatment Center. Denied. Just east of that, he proposed converting the vacant Calvary Baptist Church into a drug and alcohol rehab. Denied.

Back at the southeast center, Atiyeh decided to develop those 5 acres with Brookside Drug, Alcohol and Psychiatric Hospital, which unlike his proposed rehabs, is a lockdown facility. More importantly, it's a permitted use. He needed no approval from the Zoning Hearing Board. But his plans were tossed by the Planning Commission at a hearing attended by approximately 80 people, most of them opposed.

"I haven't heard a basis for a denial. Not a single one," said an astonished Blake Marles, a Bethlehem attorney representing Atiyeh.

Judge Smith agreed. He concluded that the Planning Commission "improperly invaded the province of the City of Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board by making a determination of whether the use is a permitted use ... ." So he's sent the case back, but not to the Planning Commission. Instead, it's going to the Zoning Hearing Board, which has never heard the matter.

Zoners already have two special meetings scheduled on October 16 and October 18 to deal exclusively with other Atiyeh zoning applications. They're going to have to schedule a third.

So far, there is no light at the end of this legal tunnel. But Judge Smith also happens to be a Captain in the U.S. Navy.

Maybe he can order a missile strike.
Judge Edward Smith Remands a Planning Comm's Decision ... to Zoners

Would Ike Strike Iran?

You never hear the name Dwight D. Eisenhower invoked as one of our great Presidents. Like Ulysses S. Grant, Eisenhower is generally regarded as a great general who was relatively ineffective as President. But that common perception is being revisited, thanks to two recent biographies: "Eisenhower in War and Peace" (Jean Edward Smith) and "Ike's Bluff" (Evan Thomas). I'm currently reading the latter. It is thanks, mainly to him, that we spent eight relatively peaceful years.

Biographer Evan Thomas was interviewed on PRI's The World yesterday, who was asked what Ike would do about Iran?

The master of "shock and awe" and overwhelming power would discourage Israel from striking Iran, not because he'd be willing to acquiesce in a nuclear Iran, but because he'd want the U.S, to do it. Noting that Israel has no bunker busters, has refueling problems and is unable to send in waves, he'd commit U.S. forces if necessary.

"Eisenhower was an all or nothing guy," claims Thomas. "He would seriously consider using U.S. force to take it out."

Interestingly, Ike never told a soul under what circumstance he was willing to go nuclear, and he urged JFK to keep that decision to himself as well.

PRI Interview:

Today Is the Last Day To Register to Vote

Whether you like Obama, Romney or the other candidates out there, that means nothing unless you are registered to vote. TODAY is your last day to do so.

Register now or forever hold your peace.

Gracedale on Business Matters Tonight

Gerry Greene, Jerry Seyfried and Rich Grucela squared off Against Ron Angle and yours truly about Gracedale. You can see the show at 7:30 PM on WFMZ-TV69, and online shortly after the show airs.

NorCo Council Low-Balled on Archives Building

Since his election as Northampton County Executive in 2006, John Stoffa has wanted an archives building for the county's numerous records. It had a state-of-the-art facility, the envy of numerous other counties who periodically toured it. But it was torn down under former Executive Glenn Reibman to make way for a jail expansion. In April, Council waved its magic wand and granted Stoffa's wish, authorizing his purchase of a Forks Township building at 999 Conroy Place. But along the way, it appears that someone in his administration may have deceived Council, intentionally or unintentionally, concerning its actual cost. Let me tell you the story.

This purchase was long overdue. The County was paying $120,000 every year to store these records, in a floodplain, in Allentown. There was also a 48-hour delay for anyone who needed to view them. Originally, Stoffa decided to buy the Milides building, across the street from the courthouse, only to learn later that the parking was inadequate. After reviewing over thirty other sites, Stoffa finally decided on 999 Conroy Place with its 24 parking places, handicapped accessibility and close proximity to police and fire departments.

But nothing in life or government is free. Council had to sign off on a $750,000 purchase price from owner Edwin Stipe, who only paid $430,000 to buy the building in 2000. Stoffa warned Council that there would be substantial associated costs, too, including a whopping $600,000 for high-tech shelving.

It would also cost the County $90,000 to permanently retrieve the records from the Allentown facility.

Finally, there would be retrofit costs. This building would have to be modified with all kinds of humidity controls and specialized fire suppression to protect records, some of them nearly 300 years old, from the ravages of time.

Council member Ken Kraft, who eventually voted to make the purchase, wanted to know how much it would cost to retrofit the building. At the April Council meeting, he asked for a "firm" number. At this time , Director of Court Services Archie D'Isidore had two widely divergent engineering cost estimates in his pocket. One was for $700,000, and the other was for a little over half that amount, $356,000.

Instead of stating he really had no "firm" number, D'Isidore low-balled Council, just disclosing the $356,000 figure. "And that will pretty much include everything, including the HVAC, lighting, the whole nine yards," he assured Kraft and the rest of Council.

When bids for the retrofit came, the lowest one was $511,000, which is $155,000 more than Archie D'Isidore had led Council to believe.

Below are excerpts of some of the tense exchanges at Thursday night's Council meeting.

John Stoffa: "The initial estimate [of retrofit costs] was not accurate in terms of what it's going to take to get the building done, so up to $200,000 more is needed to complete that work."

Steve DeSalva, Director of Public Works: "There was oversight with the engineer. They missed some items."

"When the bids came in, we saw a $165,000 that was above the cost that was estimated."

"You could say that most of the costs were HVAC, but they were across the board proportionately."

"We know we got a good bid. We just had a bad engineer's estimate."

Herman Van Fleet, Project Architect, with thirty years experience: "You're getting good value for what you ended up with."

Ken Kraft: "Thirty years in the business and you didn't know an archives building needed special humidity control and special HVAC units and special fire suppression because it's all paper and it's not your typical office building?"

"Where did we miss this?"

Van Fleet then acknowledges that there was an original estimate of $700,000, which is higher than the $511,000. But amazingly, he was asked to lower his own estimate.

"We were asked to move forward with a very low ball estimate at $350,000."

Ken Kraft. "Who asked to go forward with a low ball estimate?"

Van Fleet: "We presented both."

Ken Kraft: "No. Who asked you to go forward with a low ball estimate because that estimate came to us, for us to approve this building when we decided to buy it, so who told you to do that?"

Van Fleet: "Both were presented and the lower one was decided to move forward."

Ken Kraft: "Presented to whom?"

Van Fleet: "We gave it back to, I didn't personally do it myself, but it was given back to the County."

Ken Kraft: "You know, we're responsible for spending people's money and to get the most for the money that we spend. You, being a qualified architect, I mean someone here should be responsible for it. Not us, for $200,000. Maybe the architect who didn't design. ... It's just an easy way to pass it off to somebody else. I'm a painter. I did an archives building for Lehigh University. I knew there were special suppression systems. I knew there was special HVAC. I'm just a painter, OK? You're an architect. 30 years."

Lamont McClure: "You originally submitted a bid that was in the neighborhood of $700,000?"

Van Fleet: "It was a estimate. Very preliminary."

McClure: "Which is ultimately what it ended up being after you went in there and started tearing things up, correct? About $700,000 now?"

Van Fleet: "No, it's - I believe the final bids are $511,000."

McClure:  "Right, but we need more money? Correct? Isn't that what we're talking about? What we're trying to get at here is how did this second bid come about? ... Did you realize that was never going to cover the cost of bidding out the archives building?"

Blogger's Note: There was no second bid. McClure is confused. An engineer presented the County with two cost estimates, and the lower one was presented to Council before any bids were sought. 

Van Fleet: "The second lower bid was very preliminary in nature and we through the design phase discovered that the actual cost was going to be more. We had a signed contract given to us in June. We requested in our bid to have four months of design period so we could get more cost estimates and so forth. We had one month. We actually staffed up and did our very best to get this thing done in one month. And we did. It went out to bids August 1."

DeSalva: "I think that a mistake was made. The estimate was wrong".

McClure: "So they made the mistake? The architect made the mistake? ... We're talking about the veracity of bids that are presented to us tied to projects that we approve. That's what I think Mr. Kraft was getting at, and that's what has me interested. The fact of the matter is they came in with a higher bid and someone asked them to whittle that down. Who asked them to whittle it down?"

Blogger's Note: McClure still seems to be confusing the low-ball estimate with the bids that were later received.

DeSalva: "I guess we wanted to get the lowest cost but still get what we needed."

McClure: "Who's we?"

DeSalva: "I would have said that. I would have said, 'Do what you gotta' do.' ... I think it would be a general theme. You don't want to pay for anything more than you need."

Kraft: "That's like saying you want to go to the lowest bidder for a heart transplant. I don't understand."

Bob Werner: "In November 2011 [when original cost estimate was prepared], you came up with a figure that was based on a guess, yes?"

Van Fleet: "Based on a guess."

Werner: "This is what has happened in the past, and I don't believe it should happen again. I think we have to be more diligent. Our due diligence here is negligible."

Scott Parsons knew what was going on. "Every time you put something out to bid, your bid is going to come in a lot higher. ... Very seldom do you see a bid come in lower than your estimate. You're low-balling the estimate to get us to do it. That's the mistake. Don't low-ball estimates. The project was probably going to be approved regardless of the amount."

John Stoffa: "It's not complicated. Borton Lawson [the engineer] made a mistake. They made a bad mistake."

Stoffa told Council that Barton Lawson is working gratis until the end of the project. He also got a little snippy with Ken Kraft when Kraft complained about payment to the engineer.

"I answered your question," interrupted Stoffa. "They will not get one cent more until this project is complete."

One question that was never answered, despite repeated requests, is the identity of the County official who wanted that low ball estimate. Whether it was just Archie D'Isidore or some collective is at this point unknown.

Borton Lawson may have made a "bad mistake," but so did Director of Court Services Archie D'Isidore. He clearly misled Council with a low-ball. That's deplorable from an administration whose legacy has been  its integrity.

D'Isidore, incidentally, is one of the County officials who recommended that Stoffa appoint an inexperienced Register of Wills over a 13-year veteran who was backed by the courts. He also recently conducted a two-year investigation into employees' email exchanges, and got two of them fired for gossiping via email and using naughty language. He even considered recommending himself for the Recorder of Deeds slot, so he'd be safe when Stoffa leaves office.

Who is looking at him?

Council, by a 8-1 vote with only Bruce Gilbert opposed, wants the Controller to find out what the hell is going on.

I think I know. There's a growing weakness in the Stoffa administration. He is not seeking re-election. He's lost strong cabinet members like John Conklin and Vic Mazziotti, with more on their way out and others looking. The attention to detail that existed even a year ago is no longer there.  I'd like to think that Stoffa's originals would have corrected D'Isidore when he mis-spoke in April.

Incidentally, only $1,053,000 was set aside for the archives building in the 2012 budget. I am unable to see any provision for the $600,000 shelving cost in either the 2012 or 2013 budget.. I might be wrong, bt the Exec never conducted a news conference concerning his looming 2013 Budget.

NorCo's Proposed 2013 Budget Depletes Reserve

Although Northampton County Executive John Stoffa released his proposed 2013 budget late last week, he failed to schedule a news conference to discuss details of his $327 million spending plan. Since he has pretty much wiped out what was once a healthy fund balance, I can understand why he's unwilling to undergo scrutiny. It's irresponsible.

He is dipping into the unreserved fund balance, to the tune of $15.8 million, to fund his spending plan. "All other budgetary fund balances are restricted to the purpose for which they are intended." (See page 12). If this is true, it means the County lacks the resources to deal with an emergency.

There goes the seed corn.

Gracedale Costing Less Than Projected

It's gonna' cost taxpayers $4.03 million this year. That's around $1.3 million less than had been budgeted. It's budgeted at $4.18 million in taxpayer contributions in 2013.

Who Has Better Gangnam Style, Romney or Obama?

A few weeks ago, I introduced you to Gangnam Style, the product of Korean artist Psy. He has since appeared and performed all over the place, from SNL to a MLB. There have also been numerous parodies, including equally insulting caricatures of both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

These don't help me decide who to support, but they're both funny.

Obama Style


Romney Style

Friday HS Football Picks

I'm jumping in this in the middle of the season, but better late than ever. Every Friday, I'll post a list of my high school football picks. I actually do follow HS football, and go to a few games every year. I find it more exciting, more unpredictable and a lot cheaper than the pros. So below are this weekend's picks. You can let me know where I'm wrong. If you're good at this, I'll be begging you for your predictions every Friday.

Pocono Mtn W over Allen; (17-6)

Bangor over Catty (going out on a limb here); (14-35)

E Stroudsburg S over Dieruff; (53-14)

Easton over Freedom; (35-21)

Nazareth over Parkland; (21-420

Emmaus over Northampton;  (35-14)

Pen Argyl over N. Lehigh; (41-28)

Saucon Valley over Salisbury; (38-7?)

Notre Dame over Southern Lehigh (in an upset);  (7-15)

Wilson over Palisdes;

Liberty over Central Catholic (upset);

Whitehall over Becahi.

Updated Friday night: Looks like I'm 6 for 9 so far. Not sure about the SV score.

ABC: State Dep't Denied Embassy Security Request in Libya

From ABC: A security support team (SST) of about 16 Special Forces troops asked the State Department to retain an airplane on hand so they could move more easily throughout the country as needed, especially with their weapons. That request was denied  in May, before the 9/11 attack that resulted in the murder of U.S. Ambassador.

This is reportedly just one of several requests for security that were denied prior to the attack.  

Politifact: Obama & Romney BOTH Inaccurate

According to Politifact, in Wednesday's Presidential debate, BOTH candidates made inaccurate statements. In the mainstream media, I've been reading mostly about Romney's "lies." But according to this unbiased source, they both have growing noses.

Werner "Chides" the Press

L to R: Scott Parsons, John Cusick & Bob Werner

Northampton County Council member Bob Werner "chided" the press at last night's Council meeting for failing to report the "good news" about Gracedale. The County nursing home opened a new wing recently, and Werner was surprised that nobody covered this step in the right direction.

That might be because it's not particularly newsworthy or even blogworthy. Aside from pictures of a few suits, what's the point?

What Werner fails to point out is that the notice of this event was emailed with just one day's notice. And yesterday, when John Stoffa unveiled his 2013 Budget, there was no notice at all.

In fact, there wasn't even a news conference, although The Express Times and Morning Call both have stories.

Lehigh County is much better at keeping all media outlets informed. In Northampton County, it's hit or miss.

Mostly miss.

Bob Werner apparently wants to see more positive coverage about Gracedale. That would be dandy. It might help increase the census. I appreciate Bob's motives, but the press is not an ad agency. It exists to inform. I get very uncomfortable when a politician starts dictating to the press about what they should and should not cover.

I also get very leery when some members of the press are included in important stories like the unveiling of a budget, while others are either forgotten or snubbed.

It's just another way to control the story.

By the way, one of  Gracedale's biggest handicaps is that federal privacy laws make it impossible to photograph residents without their express, written consent. I found that out the hard way when I recently covered Family Fest. So even if you want to spin a positive tale, it's hard to get pictures unless a staffer accompanies you and gets waivers from every person you photograph.

At some point, it stops being a story and becomes managed news.

Divided Council Keeps Nazareth Ambulance at Gracedale

Nazareth Ambulance's Mike Snyder

Northampton County could save $30,000 per year by switching ambulance companies for nonemergency medical transports. It's currently served by Nazareth Ambulance, but Lifestar could do it for less. What's more, it would keep three rigs in the driveway at all times. It would even add the Gracedale logo to its ambulances.

Two weeks ago, Nazareth paramedic Mike Snyder argued that, if the County awarded a new contract to Lifestar, it would be a "death blow to our ambulance corps." Because Nazareth paramedics actually know the Gracedale residents and even have family members among them, he successfully persuaded a unanimous Council to table a resolution that would have awarded the bid to Lifestar.

At tonight's Council meeting, Gracedale Administrator Millard "D" Freeman renewed his pitch to award a new and cheaper contract to Lifestar. "We're working very hard to save you a little bit of money with each contract," he noted, adding that Nazareth Ambulance would still get approximately 1,100 ("don't quote me") calls every year. He noted that there are just as many Lifestar employees living in Nazareth and they have family at the County nursing home, too. But what makes Lifestar even more attractive to Freeman is its ability to handle unlimited transports with its own staff, which would ease his manpower burden.

Council members Scott Parsons and Bob Werner met with Gracedale administrators over the past two weeks, and came away convinced that it's time for a change.

"It was an upfront deal." said Parsons. "This is a tough one, guys. You don't like to see Nazareth lose this thing. ... It comes down to dollars and cents."

But Council member Peg Ferraro urged her colleagues to "look at this from a human point of view and not a dollars and cents point of view." One of those colleagues Bruce Gilbert, worried that a switch would have an "an ill effect on the surrounding neighborhood."

In the end, six Council members - Bruce Gilbert, Ken Kraft, Lamont McClure, Barb Thierry, Tom Dietrich & Peg Ferraro - refused to award the contract to Lifestar. Immediately after that rejection, they adopted a resolution awarding the job to Nazareth.

One big difference between Nazareth and Lifestar, and something that administrators failed to consider in the bidding process, is that Nazareth, unlike Lifestar, is a public non-profit. It's not in it for the money.

Blogger's Note: I decided to cover this meeting via the livestream instead of in person. It was excellent quality.

The Battle of The Wonks

President Obama is downright inspirational when he delivers a fiery sermon before a huge, adoring crowd. But in a substantive debate against a surprisingly well-prepared Mitt Romney, he faltered just a wee bit in last night's presidential debate. In a gaffe-free battle of the wonks, I'd give Romney a slight edge, if only because he more than held his own against someone who's had the job the last four years. Unfortunately, with the exception of the discussion of Obamacare, most of their discussion was fairly esoteric.

When it came to Obamacare, Romney hit hard. He noted the differences between the federal law and his own plan, called Romneycare, which was adopted in Massachusetts when he was Governor. Instead of shoving it down people's throat, he noted that Romneycare is a product of both major parties. "Something this big, this important, has to be done on a bi-partisan basis," he said.

His plan does not raise taxes. It imposes no cuts to medicare. No unelected board will decide what treatment you ought to have. People who have insurance are in no risk of losing it.

Obama, somewhat disingenuously, insisted that a law opposed by every single Republican is somehow bi-partisan. He argued that Romneycare “leaves people uninsured” and in a position “to fend for themselves,” while his own tries to make the cost of care more effective.

It was a tad wonkish by my standards, especially for the first forty or so minutes. For that reason, a lot of people might have tuned out.

Romney's debate performance will certainly help his campaign, but there are two debates to go.I'm interested in what you think. When you do, please let me know if you support Obama, Romney or are undecided. I was leaning heavily towards Obama, but am less so now.

Best Smile: Obama.

Best Haircut: Obama

Most Presidential: Tie

Most Arrogant: Obama scolds moderator Jim Lehrer for interrupting him.

Most Whiny: Romney keeps complaining about the debate rules.

Funniest one-liner: Romney. When Obama complained that he was spending his 20th wedding anniversary in a debate, Romney wisecracked, "I'm sure it’s the most romantic place you can imagine, here with me."

Worst visual: Obama looks down too much when Romney is speaking. (Obama was probably writing notes to himself).

Best Argument: Romney, discussing soaring food and gas prices, claimed it has amounted to an "economy tax" under Obama.

"My Waste" App Now Available in Hanover Township

Incidentally, Republic Services will have a booth at Hanover's Fall Festival Saturday and will be raffling of an iPad to a Township resident. I think I'll move in for the day.
My Waste Available in Hanover Township

State Supremes Dismiss Otter Claim For Att'y Fees in Gracedale Saga

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has refused to hear Doylestown lawyer Larry Otter's continuing attempt to grab attorney fees from Ron Angle and yours truly in the never-ending Gracedale saga. This follows a Commonwealth Court opinion that quashed his appeal.

This claim for attorney fees arises from the ashes of a lawsuit that Angle and I filed, challenging the Gracedale referendum. We claimed there were not enough valid signatures. We came close, but in the end, we lost.

Otter, who claims he's an election law expert worth $450 an hour, claimed that Angle and I acted in bad faith. He claimed our lawsuit was funded by taxpayer dollars paid to a law firm hired by the County to expedite Gracedale's sale.

Then he proceeded to try his case in the press. Here's just some of the publicity, some of which were lead stories:

3/14/11: Morning Call - "Did taxpayers fund Gracedale petition fight?"

3/16/11: WFMZ - "Attorney: Taxpayer Dollars Used To Challenge Gracedale Petition" (In this one, Otter was demanding a criminal investigation and had us all in jail).

4/20/11: Morning Call - "Did taxpayers help fund a private Gracedale lawsuit?"

4/28/11: Express Times - "Attorney claims Bernie O'Hare, Ron Angle illegally used taxpayer money for Gracedale ballot fight"

But cases are tried in courtrooms, not newspapers. When Otter had to argue in front of a judge, instead of Channel 69 reporter Bo Koldcrow, he lost repeatedly.

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 ... ."

Otter, who incidentally has no malpractice insurance, claimed that I had perjured myself. He never bothered to state how. He also accused Angle, County Executive John Stoffa and I of being dishonest with the Court. Once again, he was a little short on details.

In addition to calling me a thief, Otter also happens to be the attorney who filed a malicious prosecution accusing me of sexual assault, stalking, burglary (twice) and even attempted pig poisoning (twice).

That was played up in the press, too.

That case was dismissed the day after it was filed.

Now it's my turn.

VOR: Why Allentown Must Keep Its Water System

Because democracy is dead in Allentown, the privatization of Allentown's water and sewer systems is a done deal. Its urban growth regime has already decided the matter, and everything else is window dressing. Those who are opposed are naysayers or whatever.

One of these naysayers is a regular contributor to this blog. He goes by the moniker VOR, i.e. Voice of Reason. He posted a comment yesterday, and I have to share it with one and all, especially since many readers stay away from the comments.

As a basic human need, water service should be a responsibility of governments. Transfer of control to a private entity that seeks to maximize profits reduces public accountability and can adversely affect the quality and equity of service.

* Water privatization can negatively impact low-income and underserved communities by unfair rate increases and poor service to these communities.

* Water privatization may lead to lower quality service and higher rates. In cases where communities have tried to reclaim their water systems from private entities, poor water quality, unresponsiveness to customer complaints, and rate hikes have been the most frequent complaints.

* Private multinational companies don't have a stake in the community in which they operate. This can have negative effects on small communities when it results in firing city employees and hiring new staff or significantly cutting benefits to long-time employees.

* Many privatization agreements fail to include adequate public participation. In addition, many of these contracts do not include enough provisions for contract monitoring and accountability.

* Many privatization efforts ignore the impact on local ecosystems and downstream water users, and may have long-term negative effects on the environment.

* Private companies, which stand to make more money for the sale of more water, may neglect the potential for water use efficiency and conservation improvements.

Think Allentown, THINK!

The Romney I Never Knew

Let me tell you a bit about my flawed thinking. Before I can vote or support a candidate, I have to like him. His positions matter, too, but I first have to feel some kind of connection. And in the case of Mitt Romney, it hasn't been there. Aloof though he may be, I feel closer to Obama than some ascotted rich dude who just stepped off his corporate jet.

But do I have Romney wrong? According to BuzzFeed Politics, he's a much more likable person during "off the record" discussions.

With the cameras off and the journalists' notepads a safe distance from their pens, Romney candidly answered questions about his speech preparation, the impact his father's career had on him, and his Massachusetts gubernatorial record. He seemed, reporters said later, like a different person: funnier, more intellectually honest, comfortably dorky, and even prone to introspection.

Amazingly, this is the Romney being shielded from public view.

Maybe his handlers should rethink that position.

Judge Simpson Enjoins Voter ID Law

Judge Simpson, on remand from the State Supremes, has enjoined enforcement of the ID provisions for November's election. Poll workers can still ask voters for ID, but a voter without one can still vote.

You can read the ruling here. (courtesy of Capitol Ideas).

Politico: Simmons Playing Defense

According to Politico, State Rep. Justin Simmons is playing defense against challenger Kevin Deely. He's running two television ads, one of them negative, to counter the public sector union money flowing into Deely's coffers.

This entry, which includes allegations that Deely was tossed out of a 2009 conference over marijuana use, provoked this humorous comment:

This guy will fit right in with the other legislators in the Lehigh Valley! Picture this car pool home from Harrisburg.

The Stoner can drive. Mensch can ride shot gun and Boscola, Brown and Brennan can all sleep it off in the back seat. May take them a while to get home if Deely gets the munchies.

ABW's Fegley Critical of Allentown Water Deal

Although CACLV's Alan Jennings reluctantly supports the privatization of Allentown's water and sewer systems, Mayor Ed Pawlowski is beginning to experience opposition from inside the ranks of his other usual supporters. Last week, environmentalist Dan Poresky urged caution. Now it's Richard Fegley's turn.  He's the owner of the popular Brew Works, and has been long regarded as one of Pawlowski's biggest supporters. But not this time.

Here's what he posted as a comment. Since many of you steer clear of them, I decided to republish it here.

I'll do my best to make sure that Allentown's water system is not given away to a private entity. No matter how you look at water privatization the citizens will always lose. Private=Profit. I run a privately owned brewery. I run it to make a profit. The City and Citizens own the water system. Our water system makes BIG profits for the City and Citizens.

Umm. Mr. Mayor, if you would like to ask me AGAIN if you are "stupid and you don't know what you are doing", in this case I say, "YES" you are stupid and what you do know is that what you are trying to do is WRONG for the citizens of Allentown.

If I'm wrong, PROVE IT! The shit financial analysis that was presented to City Council and the citizens was filtered so Council and the citizens would be somehow convinced that privitization was OUR ONLY OPTION. PFM pointed out that "more white space on the graph was good"! WTF? Seriously. No explanation of what was good about it. Why was it good? WAKE UP PEOPLE! They are not lying but they are not showing us the whole picture.

This financial presentation was just like the trash and sludge incinerator presentation. When I asked Scott Shearer why City Council was only given the "safe and best case" incinerator projections they were given, he told ALL OF US that "this was what Mayor Pawlowski asked us to present to Council". No one really looked at the missing data and graphs that I provided.

I'M CALLING BULLISHIT! Just like I did in Council chambers last week at 11pm when, unfortunately, most people had left.

If the Mayor wants us to trust his financial decisions, WE the citizens need proper financial analysis of this proposed leased.

In the end, the City Administration will NEVER be able to show us how selling or leasing the water system is beneficial to the citizens of Allentown.

Also, I don't think I really want to sit on Council until I know that there are more people out there paying attention. Maybe I just don't feel like working with power-crazy Julio. (He is starting to scare me up there as president)

Finally, I'm glad Mr. O'Hare and Molovinsky provide these blogs. I just wish there were less anonymous "trolls", but that's the internet.

If anyone has anything to say, put your name behind your words. Otherwise, your words don't have REAL POWER with people.

I've been highly critical of Fegley, and am taking nothing back. But it's one thing for me to take potshots at Pawlowski from Nazareth. It's quite another to do that when you live in the City and are operating a small business there, as is Fegley.

Perhaps there's hope for Allentown after all.

Bethlehem Township To Grow Prisons in Farm District

Developer Abe Atiyeh

Like it or not, Bethlehem Township must provide for prison uses in its zoning ordinance. That's what a three-judge Commonwealth Court panel ruled in April, holding that the ordinance was unconstitutionally exclusionary. At their October 1 meeting, a sharply divided Board of Commissioners complied with that decision by approving a zoning ordinance amendment that will allow prison uses in the Township's agricultural district. These changes were supported by President Paul Weiss, Tom Nolan and Mike Hudak. But the Board's two newest members - Phil Barnard and Marty Zawarski - voted No.

These changes were unanimously recommended by the Planning Commission in August. But the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) cautioned against using land set aside for farmland preservation, and warned that some of this land abuts residential development. These regional planners recommended the establishment of an institutional zone, or an overlay in existing industrial zones.

Marty Zawarski pointed out that, under the proposed change, a prison could be built as close as 200' from someone's home. "Two hundred feet! That's the width of my lot," exclaimed Zawarski.

Phil Barnard is opposed to the idea completely. He stated that residents have been very negative about prisons inside the Township. "It's something that I have some concerns with," he stated.

But President Paul Weiss explained that this change is being forced on the Township by the Commonwealth Court. "We need to allow any use which is permitted across the Commonwealth," he said. He added that it would be nearly impossible to create a zone inside an industrial zone because there's simply no room. "We would end up with the same situation that the Court told us we need to remedy," he concluded.

Zoning Hearing Board Chair Steve Szy, speaking for himself, noted that the amendment imposes a 1500' buffer away from sensitive uses like schools. He asked Commissioners to include medical facilities as well. "We need to keep this away from those as far as we can," he argued.

But Special Solicitor Stan Margle, who drafted the ordinance under consideration, advised Commissioners that they will have the discretion to decide whether allowing a prison within 1500' of another "sensitive use" is "detrimental to the Township."

Manager Howard Kutzler stated that a prison use inside the agricultural district is a "realistic location" that would defeat a subsequent claim of exclusionary zoning. "We're trying to avoid that," he said.

After the vote, Kutzler stated he will work on changes to the ordinance to accommodate the concerns expressed by Szy and Zawarski. Weiss agreed with this approach, stating that the ordinance can be tweaked.

Abe Atiyeh, a Township resident as well as the developer who successfully challenged the ordinance as exclusionary, said nothing about the merits of the proposal, but asked to be considered a "party" to the ordinance. So did his Executive Vice President, Dave Harte.

Solicitor Margle stated there's a legal reason for this maneuver, but declined to state what it is.

In other business, Commissioners agreed to seek bids for signage at Housenick Memorial Park.

The Board of Commissioners are next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 15, 7 PM, at the Municipal Building, located at 4225 Easton Avenue.

I-78 Makes Reader's Digest List of America's 7 Worst Roads

From Reader's Digest: The Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-78 and I-80 in Pennsylvania - “Vehicles have gotten wider and bigger since these roads were built, and they’re still very narrow. They’ve also got a lot of hills and curves, and people are always crossing over into the other lane when they go around a curve. Plus, their on-ramps are very short, and there’s not enough time for people to get up to highway speed. So you end up with lots of people running into the back of slow-moving vehicles as they’re getting off a ramp … It seems like they’ve been under construction forever. We like to say they have two seasons in Pennsylvania: winter and construction.” - Trucker Frank Silio, Miami

Armstrong: Allentown's Frankenstein Monster

Scott Armstrong 

When I posted a Scott Armstrong essay is September, there were numerous complaints like this - "And here is the challenge to Bernie: Stop publish nonsense like this from Scott Armstrong if he cannot produce a commentary with some substance. Just refuse to publish it." So I will respond to this challenge by publishing another Scott Armstrong essay. His last epistle, by the way, generated 83 comments, good and bad.

This one's about Allentown, and I pretty much agree with him.

For years now Allentown’s Democratic voters have chosen party allegiance over common sense at the ballot box. In 2005 they promoted to mayor a key player in a failed administration and since, have repeatedly elected and re-elected proven incompetents to city council. Meanwhile, they voted out of office every Republican-- including by all accounts, Allentown’s best city council person in memory, Tom Burke--and failed to support well qualified and capable Allentownians for city positions just because of party affiliation. Their straight party voting has produced a city controlled by a party machine under the thumb of a Democratic mayor and his Democratic cohorts on council. Every city bureau, agency, commission, and board is also populated by Democratic team players; all stand ready to receive and act on orders from the top. For good measure, the local press and media dominated as well by Democrats, routinely reports favorably on all this. This is how Allentown works, or more precisely, doesn’t work for the greater good. The latest example of this is the mayor’s plan to sell the city’s water works to pay off poorly thought out public sector pension obligations. This plan is so bad a few current and former Democratic elected officials are aghast. In a desperate attempt to stop the sale they are sounding the alarm and expecting a result. The monster they had a hand in creating is running amuck, bent on the fiscal destruction of the city, and despite their plea, the public pays no heed. After all, why should the citizenry be aroused? Aren’t the good guys in charge? Weren’t all the threats to the city removed when the Republican Tom Burke was thrown out of office?

The old adage of “you reap what you sow” is coming home to roost. Allentown’s Democratic voters and Democratic civic leaders have all had a hand in creating the monster that is the Pawlowski Administration. Presently, the wiser ones, aroused, are shocked by the destruction it/he is leveling on the city. How unfortunate it is for them to comprehend that their campaign to vilify those who could have stopped the monster was all too successful. Their call to action now falls on deaf ears.

A Sunday Drive ... On a Bike

Remember the Sunday drive? This one was on the bike. Using Google's mapping feature for bikes, I was able to get a route from Nazareth to Grange Park in Upper Macungie that kept me off the main drags. My grandson had a football game there against South Parkland. If he was going to risk his life against the Trojans, I'd risk mine against Lehigh Valley motorists.

Google Maps managed to put me on both the Nor-Bath and Ironton Trails for part of the 51-mile round trip.

The most dangerous part of my trip was the frequent appearance of PSU students, who were collecting money for cancer or something. There was even a kid waiting outside my estate.

I unleashed the hounds.

I shot some video of different parts of the trip, ending it with one of Dat's touchdown passes.

We both survived.

Molony, McNeil Talk State Politics on Business Matters

I was a guest on WFMZ-TV 69's Business Matters last week to talk about Gracedale, Northampton County's nursing home. Former Exec Jerry Seyfried was kind enough to drive, and got us there just in time to see the state house debate for the seat being vacated by Joe Brennan.

Dave Molony, who ran for the seat two years ago, is a soft-spoken gentleman. He and his wife, Ming Ming, own and operate the Lehigh Valley Accupuncture Center.. They both have all kinds of credentials following their name like OM, DOM and Ph.D.

McNeil has one - IW. He's an iron worker, and looks as though he could still haul a steel beam on each shoulder. This former union agent, who was set to retire in July, looks very uncomfortable in a suit and tie. But like Molony, he's a gentleman, too.

So what happens when two gentlemen debate each other?

Not much.

Maybe I'm spoiled by Angle, but I'd call that an uninspired thirty minutes. McNeil seems to have just a little more fire in his belly, but everything seemed to be a little off, from the candidates to the questions.

State's Biggest Problem. - To McNeil, its jobs. To Molony, it's bloated government.

Governor Corbett's Job Performance. - Molony contends the Guv' was dealt a poor hand, making the budget "very difficult" for him. McNeil stated that he would try to work with the other side. "United we stand; divided we fall," he said.

Urban Development. - Molony stated that developing Allentown is a "good thing," and McNeil added, "We should never have left the City to begin with." Molony concluded by saying we have "amazing arts" in Allentown.

Had he said "amazing farts," I'd agree.

I was a little surprised that McNeil, who served two terms as a Whitehall Township Comm'r and was its Executive, would complain about anyone leaving Allentown.

Pension Reform. - McNeil at first stated, "I don't think we have to give up anything." He stated the solution was more jobs. But he later conceded that pensions should be calculated on a 40-hour week, with no overtime. Molony called defined benefit pensions an "antique" that does not exist in the private sector.

Declining Infrastructure. - Molony believes we should repair bridges and highways, but hold off on anything new until the economy improves. McNeil, however, believes we should start new projects, including high speed rail. Molony supports small hydroelectric projects.

Union Defense. - McNeil is unabashedly a voice for labor. "If the union's go, God forbid, everybody's going to be working for $4 and $5 an hour." Molony countered that he was a union member and has nothing against them.

Closing. - Molony stated we have to look ahead. McNeil, for the third or fourth time, said we need jobs. "We also need to get out of the Middle East somehow," added the iron worker, who jabbed China as well for some reason.

To his credit, Molony made no reference to Joe Brennan's legal troubles or the circumstances that led to McNeil's selection.

Blogger's Note: I was unable to find a web page for McNeil.