A Charter High School For the Business-Minded

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School, located at 601 East Street in West Easton, is looking for students. Below is a very lengthy overview, prepared by Mark Lang. I am publishing all of it. If this is something you are considering for your son and daughter, I know you'll take a close look at it, especially after you see a video of the above young entrepreneur from Allentown, who worked on a business with skateboards.

"This is my time to shine," this young man said.

You can contact Mark Lang with any questions at 610-691-8459.

Summary

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is pioneering a new paradigm for education that engages students through hands-on, meaningful project activities and helps the students achieve their full potential to advance business and society in the ways they are gifted. We are leveraging the best lessons from entrepreneurs to address all the education needs and opportunities of the 21st Century's global creative economy within the context of today's social challenges.

A culture of learning is created by helping each student understand and develop his or her natural abilities and passions. The resulting environment supports engagement and fulfillment, which makes learning meaningful. Students master the core academic subjects through specially selected, team-based and student-directed projects. In this way students learn to research the information needed for a given task or project, critically evaluate what is important, and communicate and collaborate with peers and other resources to co-create outcomes that address goals. Further, all students learn to solve problems creatively just like entrepreneurs by engaging in challenging, multidisciplinary "incubator" projects to the point of creating their own innovative businesses and social initiatives that address real issues for real customers.

The project-based approach provides a learning environment that naturally engages and develops a wide variety of students with diverse abilities and interests. This includes academic standouts bored with traditional schools; to hands-on learners who are disconnected from book learning; through kids who have not had the role models and opportunities to be all they can be. Each has the opportunity to contribute in his or her own unique manner and to take the projects as far as he or she wants to go, so there is no need for separate advanced placement courses. By working together students experience the power that diverse people with different skills and abilities can bring to a productive collaboration. Finally, all students learn to lead within the context of their own gifts and personal styles.

Need for New Education Paradigm

It is widely recognized that in the 21st Century we face an economy globally integrated to an unprecedented degree, along with unimagined advances in science and technology. Hungry people in faraway lands are ready and able to take on any job that is predictable and routine enough for them to master, if it is not automated first. This includes the vast majority of jobs within the traditional middle class. U.S. based organizations must constantly move the bar forward by innovating to survive. The knowledge and skills required for adults to achieve their full potential as citizens, employees, leaders, parents, volunteers, and entrepreneurs in this world are dramatically different from those in prior ages. People require real mastery in English, math, science, and other school subjects so they can apply their understanding to new situations. Further, business and political leaders are increasingly asking schools to develop such skills as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, leadership, and even innovative problem solving―often referred to as "21st Century skills."

Recognizing that schools in the U.S. are falling behind on measures such as international tests and dropout rates, new testing regimens have been forced on public schools to hold them accountable for performance. We believe that the targets for these assessments and the education reform movement in general are misplaced because, even if they are achieved, schools will at best satisfy basic content learning in the tested subjects―leaving out the range of newly important 21st Century skills and, in particular, the need for regular innovation.

Educational Philosophy

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is being designed from the ground up to address all of the education needs dictated by the 21st Century global economy, as well as various societal challenges that get in the way of learning. That includes:

1. Engaging students in learning so they have the motivation to stay involved;
2. Identifying and building on the strengths and styles of each individual student so he can achieve his full potential as gifted;
3. Getting beyond memorization of facts and formulas so that students truly master the core academic subjects and can apply them to any situation; and
4. Developing the innovation and leadership skills to question, think, collaborate, and creatively address problems and opportunities (the 21st Century skills).

It is pretty obvious that changing or improving the current education system cannot accomplish such ambitious learning goals. This effort requires an entirely new paradigm of learning that integrates all of the goals.

The new education paradigm being pioneered by the Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School involves hands-on, student directed learning organized around real projects that are meaningful to students. First, the curriculum includes specific activities to help each student identify his or her natural strengths and interests. Every person is born with unique skills (things he or she can do better than many others) and interests (things that invoke passionate responses). We help each student get in touch with his or her specific life purpose, where he or she is gifted and passionate, and then to develop the knowledge and skills he or she will need to achieve their full potential in that purpose. Second, we teach the majority of core academic subjects (broadly reading and writing, math, science, and humanities) through hands-on projects. We select key questions that are interesting to the students and also require specific knowledge they need to learn, and have students work on projects in teams to develop the answers. In this way students learn the important content as it is used to address real and meaningful applications. At the same time the students are developing 21st Century skills including critical thinking, collaboration, communications, creativity, research, and project management. Finally, we have all students work on challenging, multidisciplinary projects chosen largely by the students where they develop innovative solutions to real problems and opportunities in business, school, or community. Students learn initiative, innovation, dealing with ambiguity, learning from failure, and related advanced skills while they incubate new businesses and social initiatives.

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School has been launched with significant support from business leaders and entrepreneurs within the community. We expect them to help the school keep aware of dynamic business and human resource requirements. Further, many will interact with the students as project mentors, hosts for interns, and sponsors of projects students undertake for specific organizations.

This learning approach borrows from several national education models including High Tech High in San Diego and the Buck Institute for Education in Novato, CA. It also incorporates extensive knowledge from the school's principals and supporters on entrepreneurship and the non-linear innovation process practiced by creative entrepreneurs (called "lean entrepreneurship" in many circles today). Our new education paradigm emerges at the integration of entrepreneurial innovation and leadership. We expect it to become a national model for the future of education, and we expect to develop extensive tools, guides, lessons, and support for the approach that we will share with other Lehigh Valley schools as well as nationally.

Who Will Benefit

The curriculum of the Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School, which includes mastery of the core academic subjects, advanced 21st Century skills, and even innovation, represents the full range of knowledge and skills cited by every major recent government and business survey of education requirements. All students will graduate with confidence and understanding of themselves, with a mastery of core academic subjects, with an understanding of business and the free market system, with experience to research and address new issues, and with experience and understanding of how to collaboratively find creative solutions to problems and opportunities. For that reason, the school aims to be a model for how other public educational institutions can transform to finally address the needs of the global creative economy.

More specifically, we see several student constituencies for which the Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is particularly suited. First, students who now do well in the current academically focused institutions but may be bored because they are not fully challenged, can greatly broaden the value of their education. The projects provide a vehicle to take the learning as far as a student is capable, and teaches him to collaboratively apply his academic knowledge to address real problem situations and to creatively solve problems. This kind of hands-on experience will prepare the student to be productive in any job setting or to get the maximum advantage of higher education. Second, students who are turned off by the highly structured academic environment, with its focus on learning the right answers, will thrive in our hands-on, project-based approach, where questions are welcomed and work is largely student directed. Third, we have made a special effort to address students who are lost because they have not had the role models, opportunities, encouragement, and support within and beyond the school. We will engage them and open their eyes to their specific gifts, help them catch up where they may have fallen behind with project activities and individual computer-based learning, and provide opportunities for them to develop those gifts while getting the education they need to achieve their full potential.

Students with the natural interest and drive to start businesses will graduate not only with relevant knowledge about business and entrepreneurship but also with real experience in starting and growing a business. Those whose purpose is focused more on improving society or contributing to an existing organization will graduate with the confidence, fundamentals, initiative, innovation, and leadership skills to help any employer or colleague constantly advance through innovation.

Particulars

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is a publicly supported alternative for high school students in the Lehigh Valley under Pennsylvania's charter school law. Thus, there are no costs to attend. We plan to open in September 2013 with approximately 150-200 students in grades 9 and 10. Additional classes will be added in the next two years until the school covers grades 9-12 with approximately 400 students. If demand is as expected, attendance will also be expanded in each grade to reach 600-800 high school students. The school is located in a facility in the Wilson Area School District (West Easton) newly renovated for our use. However, students from any district in the Lehigh Valley and beyond may apply, and transportation will be provided by the home district for districts up to 10 miles from the school. As required by law, if demand exceeds available slots, students will be selected from the applicant pool by a qualifying criteria or lottery system yet to be determined. We expect the focus of the school to be the hand-on projects and other related activities that will incorporate much of why students at traditional schools look to extracurricular clubs and activities. However, students who desire can participate in sports programs and other extracurricular activities offered in their home districts, if not provided by our school.

How to Apply

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is currently seeking applicants who are interested in registering for either the 9th or10th grade starting in September 2013. Please complete the online form at the website at www.busacad.org. This form gets a student on the list for application but does not commit him or her to attend. You can also find contact information for questions at the website, and additional material will be added as development proceeds.

Morganelli Reacts to a Weekend of Carnage

DA John Morganelli

After a rare weekend of gun violence that started in South Bethlehem and ended Easton, leaving two people dead and five wounded, District Attorney John Morganelli conducted a news conference on Monday to provide a progress report on both investigations and assure the public that these are not random shootings.

Puerto Rican Beneficial Society shooting

Yolanda Morales, died early Saturday morning during a hail of gunfire, down the street from the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society. Five others are hospitalized. Six people were involved in a shooting incident that started over what Morganelli calls an "incidental, minor" contact. "It spilled over into the streets, and obviously went way too far," stated the prosecutor. He has no evidence that drugs were involved.

The argument that led to the shooting started inside the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society, a club located at 205 E. Third Street. Morganelli explained that the club had an "open night" that evening. The six people involved in the shooting, four from the Easton area and two from Allentown, were not members of the club. These Easton and Allentown factions are responsible for the thirty-bullet fusillade that occurred.

The club has a metal detector and secuirity personnel, so Morganelli theorizes that the guns were retrieved outside, after the two factions had left.

Yolanda Morales, who was with the four-person group from Easton, actually ran towards the gunfire when the shooting started. There were three shooters. At this point, it is believes that one of the Easton faction picked up a gun, possible in defense of himself or others. Except for Morales, the other participants were male.

Two weapons have been retrieved, a .45 and a .40. One was found by police in the street. The other was picked up and brought inside the club, where it was later found by police.

It is believed there were three shooters, one of whom is cooperating with police. According to Morganelli, the two individuals from Allentown have a criminal history.

According to Morganelli, police are still interviewing witnesses, but he expects to be able to make arrests by the end of the week. "We're not there 100%," he cautioned, noting that they only get one chance and have to be right when they charge.

One of the non-shooters wounded in this melee, according to Morganelli, might be paralyzed.

Morganelli has no reason to believe that the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society is a nuisance bar. "It's not on my radar," he stated, noting that he has moved swiftly to close bars he considers troublesome. He added that officials at the club have been cooperative and have provided surveillance video. "It's been there for fifty years," he added. "I get more complaints about Starters," he said, referring to sports bar on Bethlehem's south side.

At this point, it is undetermined whether the guns used were legally purchased or whether the shooters had licenses to carry firearms. "It's very rare that a criminal gets a license to carry," noted the prosecutor.

Wyandotte Street shooting

A few hours after the shooting at the Puerto Rican Beneficial Club, Shelton Powell opened fire on three persons sitting on a porch along Wyandotte Street. According to Morganelli, this incident is totally unrelated.

Easton shooting

On Sunday evening, a NYC man was shot to death on an Easton south side sidewalk, giving that City its fifth murder this year. Police in that matter have much less to go on, according to Morganelli. But he believes it is likely driug-related. "A lot of this, in Easton especially, is drug-related," he stated.

Are Citizens Safe?

Morganelli wants citizens to know that they are safe, whether in Easton or Bethlehem, before midnight. After that, there's what he calls "the night people." He described a culture of young males who "have guns and aren't afraid to use them." Witnesses themselves are "street people" who refuse to cooperate and must be brought before a grand jury.

"When it gets past midnight, it's not a good idea to be walking anywhere," the DA cautions.

One Week in the Hate World

Most of you don't look at the hate blogs. Why should you? In addition to being full of venom and outright lies, they are poorly written. I refuse to link to them. But, like a person who can't turn his head from an accident, I check them out regularly. Though I hold no office and have no influence beyond this blog, I find that I am the most frequent object of their bile. They really should aim a little higher.

Anyhoo, let me give you this little rundown.

Lehigh Valley Rumblings. - This imitation blog, written anonymously, was supposed to set everyone straight about John Stoffa, Charlie Dent, Ron Angle, John Callahan, Sal Panto,all Republicans and yours truly. It is thought to be written by a Glenn Reibman or Lamont McClure flunkie. But last week, it suddenly went Poof!

Saving Private Gracedale. - This one is also anonymous, although Forks Township resident and Fake Rev Mario Martinez has at times claimed he is the author. Last week, he ragged on the Express Times for not publishing a story that recognizes him for his many accomplishments. He posted a blog explaining how he has managed to endure in the face of Evil, as reflected by Ron Angle and yours truly. His latest is a bizarre claim that John Stoffa has instructed me to criticize him. Alrighty then.

West Easton Foot Print. - Two weeks ago, Tricia Mezzacappa (the blog's author) was convicted of disorderly conduct for threatening to drag West Easton Borough Council President Kelly Gross to the Delaware River and drown her. After that, she bragged the Second Amendment is alive and well and that she was on her way to Cabella's.  She's also published a chilling video about guns that includes pictures of a coffin and the West Easton Borough webpage. Her latest is a picture of Kelly Gross, over which she has superimposed a skull and cross bones. Amazingly, this wing nut has a LTC. She's also pondering a run for County Exec on the GOP ticket. I'm sure they're thrilled.

These three sources provide a steady stream of anonymous hate to this blog. Last week, a concerted effort was made to hijack the blog, but it failed, as it always does. Sometimes I delete. Sometimes I don't.

They get help. West Easton Foot Print has stated that a mysterious "Blog Mentor" has encouraged her, and has published documents with the initials "BV."

Bethlehem Tragedy: Should Guns Be Allowed in Bars?

It's too early to know exactly what happened in the early morning hours at the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society in South Bethlehem. But I'm unable to think of any incident anywhere in the Lehigh Valley in which there has been so much carnage. Six people shot! One of them, a 23-year old baby named Yolanda Morales, is dead.

I doubt these were angels. Morales, for example, plead guilty to disorderly conduct in Bethlehem over a year ago. She was ordered to make $25 payments bi-weekly, but suddenly stopped in September 2011, leaving a balance due of $213.50. I don't know whether a bench warrant was ever issued. The case is simply marked "inactive."

Based on what DA John Morganelli told the press, I suspect that some of the wounded might also be the shooters.

Here's my question. Regardless whether you have a LTC, should you be able to tote a gun into a bar? Isn't this just asking for trouble? I represented someone who, years ago, and on the South Side, shot and maimed two guys who were taunting him inside a bar. And this is after he had already beaten them up. And no, he wan't Hispanic, so let's drop that they're animals argument before it starts. With enough booze, we're all animals.

What do you think? Is it time to require bar patrons to go through a metal detector? Doesn't it make sense to ban firearms inside any facility where alcohol is served?

Wouldn't it make sense for the state and or locality to impose such a ban? Instead of adopting illegal cell phone ordinances or legislating for a transgender's right to use the ladies' room, doesn't it make sense to adopt a law that will prevent people from shooting each other?

Instead of doing that, our state legislature is currently considering a law that will make it the sole authority over guns, pre-empting the right of local government to impose stricter rules.

Updated 5:45 PM: I learned during a news conference today that the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society does have a metal detector, as well as security personnel. So to those who argue that tighter laws won't help, you have a point.

So What's Going On With the Chrin TIF?

A little over a year ago, a "TIF" was approved for a massive , 689-acre industrial park in Palmer Township owned by Charles Chrin. That's a special tax tool under which the owner will continue paying the same real estate taxes on the property for ten years. Municipalities lose nothing. But during this time, the owner can use the increases in the tax base, which results from construction, to finance additional improvements. In this case, Chrin is using the TIF savings to finance the costs of an Interchange at Route 33 in Tatamy.

So what's going on?

While Chrin continues work on the Interchange and excavation at the site, between 70-75% of the tract is now under agreement to several developers, I'm told.

It has been estimated that this development will bring 5,000 jobs to Northampton County. That's why Easton Mayor Sal Panto spoke in favor of the project. "[T]he first thing we need are jobs. Everywhere I go, people are asking me for work, and I feel really badly about them. A lot of people we put out of our jails are coming back in because they can't find work."

The sole Council member to vote against it was John Cusick.

Lehigh Valley BatWorks Hits a Home Run

These maple and ash planks await their metamorphosis into baseball bats

From Little League through the college level, aluminum and carbon-fiber composite bats reign supreme. With names like Voodoo, Stealth and Attack, manufacturers attempt to instill some baseball magic into these metal and plastic bats. Coaches love them. Parents, not so much. They can cost $450. But what about the kids?

Given the opportunity, they'll most often drop the plastic or metal for the cheaper wood bat. The ball might not travel as far. It's definitely harder to hit. But no plastic or metal bat, despite their magical names, can replace the sharp crack of a piece of lumber sending Mr. Spalding over the fence ... or through someone's window. It's the sweet sound of Spring. Real magic.

Zach Reidy, age 5, is ready to swing away.

So not surprisingly, wood bats are making a come back, especially in tournament play. Pennsylvania Legion baseball is returning to the wood. This is where Lehigh Valley Bat Works, enters the picture. A wood bat manufacturer with a new batting facility located near the diamonds at East Allen Township's beautiful Bi-Centennial Park, it's going gangbusters.

At a recent open house, proprietor Steve Toth demonstrated the 10-day process involved in making a wood baseball bat, from beginning to end.

The finished product, waiting for a good home

First, the lumber - solid cuts of ash and maple - is weighed and carefully examined for defects. "Every bat we make is a pro quality bat," Toth claims. After that, the bat goes on the lathe for shaping, with a tolerance of 0.002 inches. From there, it's a sander. Finally, the bat is stained, painted and personalized for the hitter. Just as Roy Hobbs burned "Wonderboy" and lighting bolts into his "very special" bat, so can every Little League ball player, who can come to Bat Works and get fitted for the kind of bat that best suits him.

The best part is the price. A youth bat can be as cheap as $40. A heavier piece of lumber, and one that could be used in the Show, will range between $65-85.

LV Batworks' Steve Toth has hit a home run with his wood bat business

Amos a Big Hit at Moravian Holiday Luncheon

Shirley and Howard Cox smile for the camera, as Dick Claussen loads a plate with mashed potatoes

Thanks to fifty volunteers from Moravian College, over two hundred people in need were treated to a "seasonal feast" at Bethlehem's Cathedral Church of the Nativity on Saturday, December 1. Guests were treated to turkey with all the trimmings, and were serenaded by Delta Omicron, the College's Music Fraternity. But for the kids, the best part was a visit from Amos, Moravian's Greyhound Mascot, along with the coloring books his helpers handed out.

This is the 14th consecutive year that Moravian College has hosted a holiday luncheon for Bethlehem residents who might otherwise not be able to enjoy a seasonal feast.

Kate Cohen '14, a work study student at the Center for Leadership and Service, led the planning. "The College is grateful for an opportunity to serve the community," she said. Katie Dantsin, director of leadership development, called it an "honor."

Tickets for this holiday luncheon were distributed to needy families by New Bethany Ministries, Victory House, Trinity Episcopal Church, Fountain Hill School Family Center, Fowler Family Center, Turning Point, and Clearview Elementary School Family Center.

Jose Luis, 4 months, takes a break with Amos

Brian Velavdo, age 2, exchanges "high five" with Amos

Amos' little helpers, Nadia and Evonna Strickland

Amos' big helpers, Kylie Larrison ('16) and Krystal Dering ('15)

Amos left after this

Musical entertainment, courtesy of Delta Omicron fraternity

Capitolwire: Joe Brennan Given Caucus Job

Capitolwire, a paid subscription service, reports that State Rep. Joe Brennan has been given a job with the state Democratic caucus. I have no additional details.

Are Right to Know Officers Worth $102,900?

Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law is by no means complicated. If someone makes a request, an agency has five business days to reply or invoke an automatic thirty day extension. But in the People's Republic of Northampton County, time and again, the County has simply filed no answer at all. Yet the County Solicitor, Karl Longenbach, thinks his Right-to-Know Officer is worth $100,000 per year, and made that argument repeatedly during a Budget Hearing earlier this week.

This would be Jill Mancini, the County's sole full-time assistant solicitor and designated right-to-know officer. But she has treated that responsibility with benign neglect instead of transparency.

Last July, for example, a citizen who just wanted to see the budget was ignored. He had to file an appeal with the state Office of Open Records. Mancini ignored the state appeals office until after the record had closed.

This is simply outrageous. The County's budget is available online, and Mancini should have directed this citizen to it, instead of ignoring both him and the state office of open records. Her neglect resulted in a full-blown appeal and a waste of state and county resources.

This is no anomaly. I've encountered the same nonresponsiveness in several of my own requests.

This is the person Longenbach wants to reward. Why?

Mancini accompanied Longenbach when he pitched for yet another full-time assistant solicitor. Although Council was willing to go along, they are unhappy at the salary hike. That in turn made Mancini mad, and she walked out in a huff.

So Longenbach stuck around until the end of a three-hour hearing to make the pitch for her again. He argued again that one of these full-time assistant solicitors - and you can bet it will be her - should be paid $100,902. That's just for starters.HAmazingly, he stressed the right to know matters.

Longenbach stressed the "professionalism" within his office while simultaneously lamenting the inherent conflict in the divided loyalty that part-time solicitors have as a result of their own private clients. If that is so, shouldn't he be phasing out all of the part-time Solicitors? Instead, he's creating a position just so that one person can get a pay raise. That's not professionalism.

Some might call it nepositism.

What the Puck?

My invitation to yesterday's groundbreaking for Allentown's transformational hockey arena, must have been lost in the mail. After all the nice things I said about it, I thought for sure I'd be given a stick, but it's the sin bin for me.

Most of Allentown's downtown businesses are in that sin bin, too. They've been disrupted for yet another day so that the bigwigs could pat themselves on the back.

Although I was not there, I had a drone flying through the crowd, sanpping pics here and there.

Below is King Edwin with Sara Hailstone, the Ice Queen. Their hockey sticks are fortunately blocking Michael Schlossberg's face. Remember him? He's the guy who had to quit Allentown City Council early so he could spend all his time in Harrisburg, getting ready to be a State Rep.

Speaking of State Reps, below you will see a less-than-enthusiastic Jenn Mann, who I'm sure is already calculating all the dough she's gonna' make as a "consultant" for the wheeler dealers who want a piece of the NIZ pie. Standing beside her, bowing his head in what should be shame, is State Senator Pat Browne. Hus wife already has a piece of the pie as a lobbyist with the very firm representing NIZ developer J.B. Reilly.

Then we've got these two peas in a pod. Tony Iannelli is the Dude in sunglasses. His Chamber of Commerce just lost the $50,000 that LVEDC was supposed to give to him this year. Standing next to Tony, with the "What Me?" look on his face, is LVEDC bossman Don Cunningham. They'll always have hockey.

Unfortunately, this Otter came up from the Lehigh and ate Schlossberg. It was very sad. Allentown being Allentown, none of the bigshots thought it might be nice to bring a few kids to see the Hairy Otter mascot being used by this minor league hockey team. If that had happened, Schlossberg might still be alive.

Union Agent Opposes Signs at Faulkner Chevrolet Cadillac

Francis Loughney travels 26 miles to Hanover ZHB  

One of the reasons I love to cover zoning hearing boards is because it's an opportunity for an opinionated asshole like moi to be relatively innocuous. Even if I have an opinion, and I always do, I can simply tell you what happened.

Now unions have always been pretty controversial. But you rarely see them at zoning hearings. That's why Ken Kraft, a business agent with IUPAT AFLCIO AbBCDEFG, could sit on Bethlehem's Zoning Hearing Board.

But something strange happened last night in Hanover Township.

Although he lives in New Tripoli, 26-miles away, Francis Loughney was at the Hanover Township Zoning Board. He made this trip to oppose an application for four wall-mounted signs requested by Faulkner Chevrolet Cadillac at 298 Stoke Park Road.

It should have been a snoozefest. I mean, who really gives a shit about 4 wall-mounted signs saying things like "Chevrolet" or "Cadillac"?

Loughney did. Dressed neatly, he questioned every witness. He even attempted to interrogate Faulkner's attorney, Tom Maloney. Citing concerns about safety and lighting, the New Tripoli resident urged zoners to deny the appeal. But when Maloney had a few questions of his own, Loughney refused to answer him.

"Isn't it true that you've opposed this project from the beginning?" asked Maloney.

"I don't have to answer that question," snapped Loughney. "You're not a judge."

Loughney objected to Maloney's tone, but ZHB Solicitor Ted Lewis told ruled there was nothing wrong with Maloney's tone or his question.

"Aren't you a member of the Carpenters' Union?" asked Maloney.

"Proud member," corrected Loughney, who is also a business agent and organizer for the Carpenters' Union.

"Isn't that one of the reasons why you're here? asked Maloney, who wanted to know Loughney's role in an earlier union protest at the Faulkner construction site.

Loughney refused to answer Maloney, which prompted the barrister to wonder why zoners should believe anyone who won't answer questions.

Faulkner's Attorney, Tom Maloney

Sitting with Loughney was another carpenter's union member, Joseph Farrell. He actually does live in Hanover Township. Unlike Loughney, he answered Maloney's questions, and told him he had no part in picketing the site and was never opposed to the project. "I just hate all those signs," he explained in a lilting Irish brogue. "They're killing the Township."

Faulkner was eventually given a green light for three of the four wall-mounted signs requested.

Sam Borrelli, President at Faulkner Chevrolet Cadillac, was a bit puzzled by the union opposition. He claimed that both nonunion and union labor was being used at the construction site. In addition to giving work to the low bidder, Borrelli told me he's motivated to use businesses that buy his cars. "It's all about dealing with people who deal with us."

When unions picketed his site, Borrelli states he even allowed them to pitch a tent on his property. But after being leafleted by union members, some customers complained directly to the Township, which then ended the party because there was no permit.

As he was leaving, Loughney declined to respond to Borrelli's statements. But he vowed he will return.

Maloney, who is about 18 feet tall, was going out the door after Loughney, but I suggested he should wait a few minutes.

"Give them some time to slash your tires," I advised my former Constitutional law professor.

I recognized Loughney, who does seem like a decent chap despite his little tiff with Maloney. In March, Loughney was one of about thirty trade union members who asked Hanover Supervisors to withdraw a controversial lawsuit holding up a hockey arena in Allentown. They worried about all the constructions jobs, and spoke eloquently. But Supervisors were just as worried and just as eloquent about their tax dollars being diverted. The Township did drop the lawsuit, but not until that state agreed that it would no longer use township taxes to fund the arena and other projects in Allentown.

Three Wise Clerics Follow Christmas Star to ZHB

Nativity scene at Payrow Plaza

Reverend Wesley Jun. Reverend Alan Disbrow. Reverend Lilia Santiago. Like the three wise men following the Christmas Star two thousand years ago, these three clerics followed the South Mountain Star into the little town of Bethlehem on November 28. But instead of meeting Baby Jesus, they ran into Gus Loupos and the rest of the Zoning Hearing Board. Despite having no frankincense or myrrh, which would be bribery these days, two out of three clerics were successful.

Both successful clerics, Reverends Disbrow and Santiago, operate the Calvary Chapel and Iglesia Casa de Adulam inside a warehouse at 2224 Industrial Drive. Though located inside the industrial district, Cavalry Church sought and received a use variance several years before. But because the physical size of the chapel has been reduced as other businesses have moved in, zoners unanimously granted an interpretation that reduced the parking places that must be available.

They also unanimously granted Rev. Santiago a use variance for her church at the same site. She explained that hers is a church "without walls," meaning that much of her ministry is in the community, prison and juvenile detention facilities. Zoners also waived the strict parking requirements for her church.

But the third cleric, Rev. Wesley Jun, who is associated with the University Bible Fellowship at Lehigh University, was unsuccessful. He owns the former Anna Mia Restaurant, located at 114 W Fourth Street, and sought a variance that would allow him to establish a residence on the first floor, where the restaurant was located.

Zoner Bill Fitzpatrick stands for the three wise clerics.

Rev. Jun told zoners that he and his wife already live on the first floor, and the second and third floors are rented out to five people, including his two adult sons. He explained that living there gives him "easy access to students," and helps him fulfill his ministry. "Personally, I don't like the area to live, but there's a purpose," he explained.

But Rev. Jun failed to explain why he waited from July 2004, when he first moved into that first floor, until now, to seek zoning relief.  He was also very vague about whether the second and third floors are used as a boarding house or an apartment.

Zoners unanimously denied Rev. Jun relief, prompting him to ask zoners, at Christmas time, whether he could continue living there. Solicitor Mickey Thompson told Jun that zoners could give no advice.

In other business, zoners approved a dimensional variance at 754 Wood Street that will enable owner Joseph Garbush to expand a kitchen and deck exactly as he's done for the next door property at 752 Wood Street. Garbus's daughters live in both homes. He explained he wanted both to be mirror images of each other so that both of his daughters would be treated the same.

Why Your Kids Should Brush Their Teeth

John Morganelli announces no criminal charges in LSD case

Two young men from Bangor, aged 7 and 10, were a little late getting ready for school one fine morning this September. As their mom reminded them to brush their teeth, the boys decided on a short cut. Instead of the toothbrush, they grabbed a bottle of breath mint, and took a few drops each. Problem solved, right?

Wrong, their problem was just beginning. It was one that would send both of these boys to the hospital. It would involve police and Children and Youth. Their parents would themselves have to undergo drug screening for five weeks.

You see, instead of breath mints, these boys had just ingested LSD, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

At a November 28 news conference, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli explained how it happened.

Just a few days before, these boys found the breath mint bottle on the porch outside their apartment building. They brought it in and put it in the medicine cabinet. Mom thought Dad bought it. Dad thought Mon bought it.

Running late for school, these boys finally had the excuse they needed to squeeze a few drops. After an overnight stay at Lehigh Valley Hospital, they'll probably think twice before drinking from something they find outside.

Their parents came under suspicion, too. In addition to several interviews with local police, they were subjected to a five-week investigation by Children and Youth. This included a review of the boys' medical histories and home visits, both announced and unannounced. These parents even had to undergo weekly drug and alcohol screening.

According to Morganelli, two residents in that apartment building were known drug users. But they are gone. Attempts to locate them were unsuccessful, and police were unable to lift prints from the bottle.

The good news is that both boys are fine. "Luckily, it appears there will be no long term effects," announced Morganelli. In fact, neither of them remembers what happened after taking the drops.

But their parents will remember for the rest of their lives.
DA Morganelli: No Charges in Kids' Poisoning

What Would You Do with $500 Million?

I'm pretty sure I have the winning ticket.

Stoffa Has Great Faith in Prison Officials

On Tuesday, I told you about the latest lawsuit alleging a contraband ring at the Northampton County jail. The Morning Call has picked up on the story, and notes this suit is the fourth since 2009 that alleges brutality at the jail, and the second alleging a contraband ring. Executive John Stoffa still has "great faith" in prison officials. And cabinet members. Just not low level clerks who send naughty emails.

Hanover Tp Asked About Bethlehem's Single Hauler Plan

Glenn Walbert

Don't worry. Hanover Township plans no litigation against Allentown or Bethlehem this year. Yet. It's not in their budget. But how does mostly Republican Hanover Township feel about all the trash talk over a single hauler in mostly Democrat Bethlehem? Are the Republicans in the 'burbs laughing at the Dems in the 'hood?

Quite the opposite. To a man, Supervisors and Manager Jay Finnigan agree with Callahan in principle. So do Upper Nazareth Supervisors, who decided last month to hire a single hauler for trash removal.

"It's a no-brainer," states Township Manager Jay Finnigan, who has often been mentioned as the only Republican who could compete in a Northampton County Executive race against Callahan. "The economics are just overwhelming," adds Supervisor Steve Salvesen, who earlier that evening took a shot at President Obama. Under a single hauler, he is paying $130 per month less than he did thirty-four years ago, when he first moved into the Township.

Supervisor Glenn Walbert, who has been following the Bethlehem debate with interest, heard the same pros and cons when a single hauler was proposed in Hanover six years ago. He remembers one elderly lady who claimed she left a quarter under her garbage can. But he and Salvesen also remember that many residents had to go through a half dozen haulers before finding one who  would take what they wanted.

In January, Supervisors awarded a new five-year single hauler contract that actually reduces the monthly fee for most residents from $395 to just $245, and even lower if paid early. But Finnigan added that administrative costs for mailing and collecting bills are only between $1,800 and $3,800.

This Hanover attitude proves the maxim that there's no Democratic or Republican way to fix a pothole. Or pick up trash. Supervisors even had some good suggestions for two very legitimate concerns expressed by those who would like to keep the current system of 19 independent haulers.

First concern. What about the senior citizen on a fixed income who might have just one bag a week? Should she pay the same as everyone else? - No, answered Walbert. He pointed out that in Whitehall Township, fees are discounted or outright waived for seniors who qualify for certain state benefits.

DCED Director Joe Kelly, in Bethlehem, later said that possibility is being considered.

Second concern. Won't this put mom-and-pops out of business? - Not at all. They could form a collective and bid like everyone else.

Bethlehem's City Council considered Callahan's single-hauler proposal last night, but I was unable to get into the room and unable to hear in the hallway. Looks like Bob Donchez and Eric Evans are leaning against a single hauler. Dave DiGiacinto thinks cost could skyrocket, even though Hanover's experience is the reverse.

Oh yeah, Public Works Director Vince Milite had some advice that Bethlehem could use, too. He insists rock salt is much better than salt brine during Winter storms. Bethlehem uses salt brine.

For 6th Straight Year, Hanover Proposes No Tax Hike Budget

Steve Salvesen (L) and Public Works Director Vince Milite (R)

For the sixth year in a row, Hanover Township is considering a no-tax increase budget for next year. Despite a projected 3% drop in revenue and a last-minute increase requested by the Bethlehem Public Library, Hanover Township Manager John "Jay" Finnigan has still cobbled together a $7.2 million proposed 2013 Budget that holds the line on taxes.

It continues with the usual 3.9 mill tax rate and 0.5 mill fire tax. Under these rates, a home assessed at $50,000 will have an annual tax bill of $220.00.

Finnigan told Supervisors, at their November 27 meeting, that the Township was fortunate to have received $92,000 for its interest in 248 Broadhead Road, where the Colonial Regional Police and District Judge James Narlesky are based. "We'll be able to buy two trucks with that," he noted.

Steve Salvesen is concerned that performance-based raises for some Township workers will be negated by increases in health and dental insurance. "Contrary to what our President has said, insurance premiums are going up," observed the veteran Supervisor. Chairman John Diacogiannis lamented, "I hope this can turn around."

In addition to holding the line on taxes, Hanover Township residents have already seen their trash removal rates drop to about $230 per year with a single hauler contract. Residents in the East Sewer district have also seen a slight decrease in fees.

Supervisors will vote on the proposed 2013 Budget, which is posted on the Township's web page, at their December 18 meeting at the Municipal Building located at 3630 Jacksonville Road. That meeting, which starts at 7 PM, will be the Supervisors' only meeting in December.

Beware of Holiday Scams

Although Mayor John Callahan's single trash hauler was the main event at the West Bethlehem Block Watch on November 26, Officer Joshua Schnalzer offered some good advice as the holiday season approaches. According to Schnalzer, there were 3 vehicle break-ins and one case of vandalism in West Bethlehem in October. But he claimed that the holidays are the "busy season" for police, warning especially about scams.

One possible scam was highlighted by West Bethlehem resident Bill Scheirer. He received a recorded telephone call asking him to press "1" if his security system was inadequate. He did so and got a garbled message.  He believes it's possible that whoever called may just have been collecting data on properties that have inadequate security for a possile burglary down the road.

Callahan Pitches Single Hauler at West Bethlehem Block Watch

Joe Kelly preaches single hauler inside Church of the Manger

Over fifty people attended a West Bethlehem Block Watch meeting on November 26 to hear Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and DCED Director Joe Kelly pitch a controversial single trash hauler system. Despite the somber venue at the Church of the Manger, it was a tough crowd that included independent hauler Andrew Prickler. City Council members Bob Donchez and Eric Evans were also in the audience.

Why is the City considering a single hauler now?

A single hauler system is nothing new or unique. Eighty-four per cent of the Lehigh Valley's municipalities already use a single trash hauler, according to Kelly. Mayor Callahan added that, aside from Altoona, Bethlehem is the only City in the state that still uses independent trash haulers. Even Altoona at least has zoned hauling. "We have the most backwards system in the entire state," noted Callahan.

Although Bethlehem has independent trash haulers, a single hauler for recycling has been used since the '90s. "Why do we treat that differently than we treat all the other trash?" asked Callahan.

Since the current recycling contract will expire in October, City officials are now pursuing the possibility of saving citizens money by bidding out both recycling and trash hauling. Kelly added that other services would be included as well, from the removal of yard waste to Christmas trees. The goal, he stated, is to leverage "the best deal we can for the most of us." Callahan added, "My job is to do the most good for the post amount of the people." He stressed that pooling the "collective purchasing power of 75,000 residents" will result in savings.

Kelly explained that, if City Council approves the proposal, a request for proposals will go out in March, and bids would come back in July. "We're not looking to do this in January," stressed Callahan.

Mayor Callahan faces a tough crowd

Will residents save money with a single hauler?

Currently, nineteen independent haulers operate in Bethlehem. The average monthly rate, according to Kelly, is $29-30 per month. That fee, combined with recycling charges, adds up to $410 per year. "We know we can beat that number," said Kelly, predicting that the average household would save about $110 per year.

That figure was disputed by some residents, who claimed to pay much less than $29-30 per month for trash removal.

"You're not going to be saving me anything," said Joan Albus. "People like us are being punished because others are not putting their garbage out."

In addition to the savings at individual households, Callahan noted that hauler payments to the City, instead of tax dollars, would be used to fund the Theis/Cornfeld Recycling Center. That facility has experienced a 40% drop in state grants over the past two years, according to the Mayor.

Will a single hauler mean a cleaner city?

In addition to savings, Kelly added that a single hauler system wold result in a cleaner city. He noted that some Bethlehem residents have no hauler, and just drop their trash along city streets, particularly Central Boulevard. Last year, the City fielded over 1,000 complaints about trash. Kelly told the Block Watch that he has 250-275 photos showing that some people don't do the right thing. "That affects the quality of life in Bethlehem," said Kelly.

Matt Miller asks what will happen to independent haulers

Will this put independent haulers out of business?

Block Watch co-chair Matt Miller asked Callahan about the impact on the City's nineteen private haulers. Callahan claimed he has no animosity or vendetta against private haulers, and acknowledged a "tough impact" on "smaller haulers." But he added, "I don't get paid to protect the private interests of independent haulers."

Callahan added that his proposal will still allow independent haulers for commercial and industrial business, as well as apartment buildings with more than five people.

One of those independent haulers, Andrew Prickler, insisted this proposal won't save anyone any money. He recommended that everyone attend City Council meetings to learn "the truth", and walked out.

Does Bethlehem Want a Single Hauler?

Both Kelly and Callahan referred to a citizen satisfaction survey that Dr. Chris Borick, of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, sent to 5,000 households. He received 1,573 responses. Fifty-six per cent of those surveyed felt that improvements are needed to the City's trash collection. Sixty-five per cent would support a single hauler if it resulted in savings and increased services.

Dr. Borick's survey claims a margin of error of only 3 per cent, but not a single member of the audience was polled. Bill Scheier, a retired statistical economist (econometrist), stated that the return rate on the survey was good. But he told Callahan that an effort should have been made to get opinions from those who failed to respond to the survey.

Callahan is unwilling to let the voters decide this issue as a ballot initiative.

"The public will have no input is what you are saying," noted an audience member.

"Well, you will at the next election," answered the Mayor.

Moderator Gus Loupos informed the audience that there was a petition in the back of the room for those who would like to keep the current system in place. Fourteen of more than fifty people in the audience signed it.

One of them, feisty 85 year-old Kathryn Contrino, told Callahan she only pays $20 per month and doesn't drink soda. Next to her signature, she wrote, "We will remember."

What if Callahan's proposal fails?

Callahan answered that if City Council fails to adopt a single hauler ordinance, it will be their job to find $500,000 in revenue or cuts. He's already reduced the City workforce by 69 people over the past three years. Of those remaining, fifty-two percent are employed in public safety positions.

"If you don't like this plan, you're going to have to think about what the alternative is going to be," he cautioned. "This is a really tough budget."

A Real Expert Weighs in on Bethlehem Survey

Bill Scheirer

Blogger Jonathan Geeting, from his perch atop some rooftop in Brooklyn, squawks that Bethlehem's City Council President is dumb for refusing to accept, in its entirety, a citizen satisfaction survey conducted last year. You see, in addition to being a linguistics major, he's also an expert on statistics and ... well ... everything else. Geeting goes on to accuse me of "statistics fail blogging," and likens himself to Nate Silver of 538 fame. But last night, at a Block Watch meeting in West Bethlehem, a real expert outlined some of the shortcomings of that survey.

The expert is question is city watchdog Bill Scheirer, who was a statistical economist (econometrist) before he retired. Scheirer studied at Princeton, the London School of Economics and MIT.

The survey in question was mailed to 5,000 households at random. There were 1,477 responses, as well as an additional 96 surveys completed in the City webpage. Dr. Chris Borick, from the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, stated that the margin of error was +/- 3%. He has a 95% level of confidence in the report.

Scheirer last night told Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan that the response rate was"not bad for a mail survey." He also stated that Dr. Borick has a "very good reputation." But he cautioned that, in a survey of this type, "the important thing is the nonresponses." He indicated that a random sample of the nonrespondents should be aggressively pursued, and that if those results differ from those who responded, the survey could be flawed.

So while I believe the citizen satisfaction survey has great value, and blogged about it two weeks ago, I wouldn't bet the ranch on it. City Council President Eric Evans, who hears from residents every day, would be foolish to ignore them. It appears that a real expert, as opposed to some know-it-all who majored i n linguistics, agrees.

Federal Suit Alleges Contraband Ring at NorCo Jail

In January, 2011, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli was investigating a black market at Northampton County jail, in which guards and inmates would smuggle in anything and everything for the right price. Unfortunately, that investigation was ruined when the Morning Call, on January 27, 2011, published a story based on a sealed search warrant, which tipped off the suspected corrections officers and inmates. This was bad news for Matthew Farrell. Just a few months later, according to a Complaint filed in federal court last week, those same corrections officers and inmates seriously injured him after he threatened their operation.

Matthew Farrell, a minor drug offender, claims he was ostracized by guards like Ryan Kelly because he refused to participate in their contraband operations. On Easter Sunday 2011, when Kelly was supposed to be protecting Farrell, he instead was seen having a conversation with another inmate, convicted murderer Paul Serrano. Soon after that, Kelly triggered Farrell's cell door to open and then disappeared. Serrano lunged at Farrell with a filed off brush handle, stabbing away until two other inmates pulled him away. No guards could be located until about 5-10 minutes after what certainly appears to have been an attempted murder.

In addition to this assault, Farrell was regularly taunted and intimidated by Ryan. He and another guard, Daniel Piccone, told Farrell they could "make him disappear." Farrell has since been transferred to Bucks County's jail for his own protection, apparently at the request of a federal judge.

Ryan and Piccone are both currently employed at the jail.

This chilling federal complaint, filed by Attorneys Colin Monahan and Joe Welsh, is the latest in several recent prison abuse actions filed against the County. In September, the County paid $200,000 to settle a slashing case brought by an inmate who claims he was assaulted by this very same black market ring. Just last week, the County was sued over a slashing incident involving razors that the jail was providing to inmates. And two weeks ago, a federal complaint was filed over yet another MRSA infection.

Northampton County Executive John Stoffa likes to remind everyone that "[t]hese are not Sunday school students in the prison."

But Ron Angle, when he was a member of Council, questioned whether Stoffa was discussing the inmates or the people running the jail.

In the wake of a glowing report from state inspectors noting no deficiencies at the jail, Stoffa recently named insider Arnie Matos as his Director of Corrections. He started his career as a corrections officer.

I have not spoken to prison officials or County administrators about this lawsuit, assuming that they are unable to discuss it. I would caution readers that this federal complaint's allegations of a contraband ring are as of now unproven.

Water Privatization Foes: Let the Voters Decide

Water Privatization Campaign to Deliver Petitions to City Clerk

WHAT: The petitioners' committee to amend Allentown’s home rule charter will be submitting over 3600 signatures to Allentown’s City Clerk as part of an initiative that, if approved, could give Allentown citizens the opportunity to vote for or against the privatization of Allentown’s water and sewer system.

A press conference will be held at City Hall outside council chambers prior to delivering the petitions.

WHO: The petitioners’ committee consists of Dan Poresky, Glenn L. Hunsicker, Glenn S. Hunsicker, William Hoffman, and Michael Donovan.

WHEN: 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 28, 2012

WHERE: Allentown City Hall, City Clerk’s Office.

Three thousand valid signatures are needed to give voters a direct say in the privatization of Allentown's water and sewer.

Updated 9:16 PM: My sentence above is inaccurate. Around 2,000 signatures are needed to get the question on the ballot. It appears that around 3,600 signatures have been obtained. My apologies.

County Appeals Naughty Email Ruling

Welcome to the People's Republic of Northampton County! Here, in complete violation of the County's nepotism policy, we have a cabinet level official engaged in a relationship with a direct subordinate. We might have a smuggling ring at the prison involving guards, according to a case that Northampton County settled in September for $200,000. But we'll have no naughty emails. Especially from Clerks.

While writing that $200,000 check over that little contraband ring, County officials canned two NorCo Register of Wills employees who were admittedly sending naughty emails to each other, as well as their boyfriends.

While asleep at the switch about a frickin' smuggling ring, one County official was quietly conducting a two-year investigation into the email dalliances of these women. Director of Court Services Archie (Inspector Gadget) D'Isidore was on the case. To make sure they weren't tipped off, he even gave them positive evaluations while perusing their private emails.

Creepy.

When he finally sprung the trap, these single mothers were summarily fired. A union grievance was denied, and the County refused to pay unemployment.

In addition to filing for arbitration, both employees asked for an unemployment hearing. One case has been heard, and a Referee has ruled in the employee's favor. Since the County allowed this practice to continue for two years without taking any corrective action, it's in no position to claim there's been any misconduct at all, ruled Referee Gary Wardecki.

Game over.

Anyone with any sense could see that this reasoning is a basis for reinstatement, with back pay.

Anyone with any sense could see that the second of these fired County workers, whose case will be heard by the same referee on the same exact issue, is going to get unemployment.

Anyone with any sense could see that both workers, who are both represented by Easton Attorneys Brian and Colin Monahan, are not going gently into that good night.

But this is the People's Republic of Northampton County, where smuggling drugs into the can is OK, but naughty emails are horrible.

Instead of cutting its losses on a case it will surely lose, the County has just appealed the Referee's unemployment compensation ruling.

One of Referee Wardecki's conclusions is that D'Isidore lacked credibility. That's the kind of finding that kills an appeal. There is no way he will be reversed on that finding.

Instead of hammering single mothers with the ultimate sanction for an admitted mistake, Executive John Stoffa should be looking a little more closely at his own cabinet. And the jail.

Should Bethlehem Go With a Single Trash Hauler?

Is Bethlehem City Council President Eric Evans "dumb"? That's what blogger Jonathan Geeting, from his roost somewhere in NYC, has clucked. Why? Because Evans thinks that, notwithstanding a recent survey, Bethlehemites may very well be opposed to Mayor John Callahan's proposal to replace 19 private trash haulers with just one. How can Evans be so foolish? Doesn't he know that surveys are sacrosanct?

Regardless of the merits of this proposal, Bethlehem's City Council president likely has a better feel for his constituency than some snotnose based in New York City. Geeting's shrill name-calling is no way to win an argument, although it does give me an excuse to call him a snotnose.

In an excellent Morning Call article, reporter Nicole Radzievich makes it pretty clear that the notion of a single trash hauler in Bethlehem is very controversial. I've seen it myself.

But is it the right thing for Bethlehem?

Tonight, Bethlehem's DCED Director, Joe Kelly, will make the case for a single hauler at West Bethlehem's monthly Block Watch meeting. It's at the Church of the Manger, located at 1401 Greenview Drive. It starts at 7 PM.

Although my ass is still sore from the lightning bolts that went up it the last time I was in a church, I'll be there, and will try to give you the pros and cons without calling Eric Evans dumb.

Zoners Say No to Teen D&A Facility By Becahi

Abe Atiyeh

Despite some last-minute changes addressing concerns expressed by numerous neighbors, Bethlehem zoners have denied a proposed 28-bed drug and alcohol residential rehab center at 2110 Center Street, located a stone's throw from Bethlehem Catholic High School. They did so following a November 27 hearing in which developer Abe Atiyeh testified that this rehab would be dedicated to the treatment of girls between ages 12 and 17. It was originally proposed as an adult facility.

Atiyeh had hoped that a facility for teen-aged girls would be more acceptable. "I listened to the neighbors," he argued. "I learned from them." But they remained opposed. "The last thing I want aside of Beca is a drug and alcohol program," declaimed Mary Karabin.

So ends the latest chapter in Atiyeh's seemingly quixotic quest for drug and alcohol treatment centers in Bethlehem. His bid for a 70-bed voluntary inpatient substance abuse center, located at the vacant Cavalry Baptist Church on Dewberry Avenue, was unanimously denied in March. Plans for a drug, alcohol and psychiatric hospital, at a five-acre site across the street, are in litigation. Yet another proposed rehab, located at the former Moose & Bug Florist at 2349 Linden St, is hotly contested.

Even Atiyeh's one success, a proposed rehab center at the old Synthetic Thread Mill near Rte. 378, has been abandoned by the developer himself. At the November 27 hearing, he called the industrial site "too depressing."

Attorney Mark Malkames, representing Atiyeh, argued that zoners had no choice but to grant the request for a "special exception." He explained that zoners must approve special exception uses so long as it is the type of permitted use one would expect under ordinary circumstances. He likened it to a gas station. If a gas station is a permitted use that can be approved by special exception, Malkames reasoned that complaints about the fumes or traffic would have to be rejected because those would be the ordinary consequences of a gas station.

Since a rehab is a permitted use, Malkames argued that opponents would need to show consequences beyond what could be seen at a typical rehab. "There has to be direct consequences, not speculation," he added.

But Attorney Jay Leeson, representing Bethlehem Catholic High School, asked, "Haven't we fought this battle before? Isn't this deja vu?" While calling Abe Atiyeh is a "good man," Leeson argued that a rehab so close to a high school is not in the best interests of Bethlehem, or in the public welfare.

Before zoners required to deliberate, Leeson asked the audience of 25 or so people to raise their hands if opposed to the project. Aside from reporters and participants, every hand went up.

Zoners came back with their unanimous decision, denying a special exception, after about thirty minutes of deliberation. They were represented by Attorney Erich Schock.

Attorney Steve Goudsouzian represented a group of neighbors who have opposed the Atiyeh rehabs near Becahi. Attorney Chris Spadoni represented Bethlehem City Council, which intervened and also was opposed to the project.