Josh Siegel Doxes Mayor Ray O'Connell at Police Protest

"Visionary" Josh Siegel

Several Allentown opportunists, from "visionary" Josh Siegel to "life coach" and twice convicted drug felon Dr. Hasshan Batts have been doing their best to stir the pot after a 23-second video appeared to show an Allentown police officer placing his knee on the neck of a vomiting and disoriented drunk who was stumbling his way to Sacred Heart (St. Luke's) Hospital for medical treatment on July 11. "Defund the police!" screamed an instant mob. "I can't breathe," they yelled as they pounded on the doors of the police department. Headline grabbers gave speeches making themselves, of course, the center of attention.  Allentown police would later produce a nine-minute video completely refuting the George Floyd chokehold comparisons being made. There was no brutality. Officers were actually trying to help this drunk as well as medical personnel who would be treating him. That made no difference to the mob or Mayoral wannabes Josh Siegel and Ce-Ce Gerlach, both of whom are members of City Council. They marched with them, chanting

"F... the Police

"F... the who? The Police!"

Quite eloquent. Vulgarities aside, Siegel also did something far more repulsive. During the initial protest on Saturday night, he provided Mayor O'Connell's personal phone number to protest leaders. They immediately bullhorned this personal information to everyone there. It made no difference that O'Connell was actually there that night. Siegel's actions are more akin to those of a snake than a visionary.

Am ethics complaint has been filed against Siegel. From what I have been able to gather, there are several witnesses to what Siegel did. This includes a few of those police officers that everyone wants to f... .

I contacted Mayor O'Connell, who confirmed he was deluged with calls for a few days after being doxed, although that has tapered off.

When he appeared at the initial protest, most of those who greeted him were former students and very civil. But there were also a few ugly people whose hats and bandanas made it impossible to determine identity.

"We know where you live!" shouted one. "We like flames."

Siegel also wants the names of the officers involved released. He apparently wants to dox them, too.

With visionaries like Josh Siegel on Allentown City Council, it is little wonder the City is going ti hell in a handbag. He is telling everyone he will be Allentown's next Mayor. Other names, like Julio Guridy and Ce-Ce Gerlach, have also been mentioned.

Is any adult interested? I'll have an answer to that question tomorrow.

Updated 10 am: Playing Politics with Public Safety

NorCo Workers Vacationing in Covid Hot Spots Might Get Another Vacation ... Unpaid

I received this anonymous comment on Friday: "Heard numerous caseworkers were walked out of the Human Service Building and told not to return for 14 days because they traveled out of state recently. Has McClure implemented this policy for county workers because this is news to me." I've asked Executive Lamont McClure about this, and he tells me that last Sunday, two employees at Human Services were told to stay home. This is because they recently visited or vacationed at one of 18 states identified by the Pa. Dep't of Health Covid-19 hotspots. The state recommends anyone visiting any of these hotspots to self-isolate for 14 days after return.

On Monday, two caseworkers who recently visited a Covid-19 hotspot were asked to leave, and did. To McClure's knowledge, none was "walked out."

Ironically, it is these very caseworkers who complained loudly at several Council meetings that the county was risking their lives when it made them leave their homes and return to work on May 18. Yet they are perfectly willing to risk the lives of everyone else.

"Many of our employees are taking vacations in what are designated as Covid-19 hotspots," McClure told County Council at their July 16 meeting. "If you go, you have to stay at home for 14 days when you come back. I just cannot roll infectious hand grenades into these [county] buildings."

If they can obtain a negative test and remain symptom free for five days, they can return.

Council member Kerry Myers asked whether employees were told in advance this could happen.

"No, they weren't," responded McClure, who added there will be a published policy. "I understand that it feels unfair, but it would be more unfair to the people they're working with if they come back from Myrtle Beach and get 20 people sick. I'll take the weight of that perceived feeling of unfairness."

The 18 states identified as Covid-19 hotspots are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.

DA Jim Martin: No Action Against Officers Assisting Drunk at Sacred Heart Hospital

Lehigh County DA Jim Martin has concluded his investigation into the conduct of police officers assisting a drunk who sought medical attention at Sacred Heart Hospital on July 11. Although a brief video shot by a passing motorists suggests an officer may have placed his knee on this person's neck, Martin has concluded that's not what happened at all. Instead, an officer did position his knee on the gentleman's head briefly while immobilizing him for his own safety as well as that of hospital staff.

In the wake of Martin's investogation, Allentown's Police Chief and Mayor have both released statements.

Allentown Police Chief Glenn Granitz, Jr. 

Earlier this afternoon Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin released a statement regarding the independent investigation conducted by his office into the incident, which occurred outside of St. Luke’s Hospital (Sacred Heart Campus) in the 400 Block of W. Chew Street on Saturday, July 11th, 2020.

I have reviewed the District Attorney’s decision. It was important to allow for an independent examination of this incident. Our internal review by the Office of Professional Standards, as well as our Use of Force review process has determined, along with the District Attorney’s independent findings, that there is no basis for any discipline of the officers involved.

Review of the video that is posted on our department website https://www.allentownpa.gov/Police shows that the officers pointed the individual in the direction of the emergency room entrance. The individual did not follow the verbal and visual instructions provided by the officers. The individual stumbled into the street, and based on a duty of care, officers took action to remove the individual from danger and provide him with medical assistance.

When the parties fell to the ground, the individual was not fully secured in handcuffs. I would like to reiterate that at no time did either officer place their knee on the neck of the individual in this incident. There was never a point when a chokehold was applied to this individual. This was corroborated by a review of the available video evidence as well as interviews conducted with eyewitnesses, including the medical professionals present at the time of the incident. As seen at the conclusion of the above listed surveillance video, officers and medical staff walked the individual into the hospital where he was treated and subsequently released.

The men and women of the Allentown Police Department remain committed to protecting the public and we take that responsibility seriously. I pledge to continue to work closely with community stakeholders and members of our department to ensure the safety and quality of life of the residents of the City of Allentown.

Allentown Mayor Ray O'Connell

“I thank District Attorney Martin and APD’s Office of Professional Standards and Use of Force Review team for their respective inquiries into the incident outside St. Luke’s Sacred Heart. Public safety is my top priority. That reaches its highest level when there is trust between the police department and the residents. As mayor of the city, I am committed to strengthening the relationship between the department and the community. I take my oath of office seriously. I remain committed to the protection of the public and to improving the lives of all our citizens.”

Led By Zrinski, NorCo Council Votes 6-3 Against Democracy

Northampton County Council member Tara Zrinski was elected to the public office she currently holds. She's also running for state representative, which is decided in a public election. But last night, she betrayed a fear of democracy. What's more, five members of County Council joined her. They voted to table a measure that would call on voters to approve a Home Rule Charter change prohibiting discrimination in county employment against someone on the basis of race, religion, age, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, political views or lawful activities. Council members John Cusick and Kerry Myers, who sponsored the resolution ,voted to let the public decide. They were joined by Council member Lori Vargo-Heffner. Zrinski persuaded Council members Kevin Lott, Bill McGee, Peg Ferraro, Tom Giovanni and Ron Heckman to table the matter.

The proposed Charter change would merely make the County Constitution consistent with existing policy and a recent Supreme Court ruling. Zrinski was fearful the measure would fail if the voters were to decide. "You putting it up for a referendum in an election and the possibility of it being No, could open a huge can of worms for people who are gay in our community," she said.

Amazingly, she distrusts the voter.

"I can't imagine people voting No or against this," responded Cusick. "I'll be voting for it when it's on the ballot ... . To me, it's incomprehensible that in 2021, when this is on the ballot, that people would not believe that these rights should be part of the Home Rule Charter of Northampton County."

Zrinski said that people in the gay community could be hurt, but Cusick disagreed. "I think we should put it up for a vote and stand up for them," he said. "I cannot imagine at this point in time that a majority of the people in this county are that bigoted that they would vote this down."

Noting that "Spring is a long time away," McGee said Council should table and get feedback from "stakeholders."

Kevin Lott noted that, even if it were voted down, the Supreme Court's ruling on discrimination would still take priority.

Kerry Myers told Zrinski people are "more willing to be respectful of their neighbor than you're willing to give them credit for."

Nothing Zrinski does surprises me. But I was shocked that five Council members joined her in asserting basically that they oppose democracy.

McClure's "Pandemic Protection Plan" Sails Thru Council

Executive Lamont McClure should be in a good mood today. If you work for the county, now might be a good time to hit him up for a raise. Last night, County Council voted 9-0 to approve what he calls his pandemic protection program. It's a three-pronged attack.

Expand Broadband Access

Northampton County Council approved $825,000 in grants for broadband access. $100,000 each will go to the school districts of Bethlehem, Easton, Bangor, Northampton and Nazareth. $50,000 each will go to the schools districts of Wilson, Saucon Valley and Pen Argyl. Northampton County Department of Human Services (DHS) will use $175,000 to purchase Wi-Fi annual vouchers and electronic equipment for underserved senior citizens and veterans within the county.

I believe each student is entitled to equal treatment and would have divided the grants in accord with the number of students in each district. I also wondered whether parochial and charter school students were being left out. Not so, said Kerry Myers , who at one time served on and presided over Easton Area School Board. He indicated the district will be required to assist all students who reside in the district.

I also had concerns about Northampton County students being served by Northern Lehigh and Catasauqua school districts. Executive Lamont McClure indicated they would be served as well.

McClure added that many seniors with limited incomes need internet access.

Drive-through testing site for COVID-19 at Lehigh Valley Hospital

Council approved $300,000 for a drive-through COVID-19 testing site for Northampton County residents displaying at least one symptom of the Coronavirus. Lamont McClure and Northampton County DCED organized a partnership with Lehigh Valley Hospital-Coordinated Health Allentown Hospital (LVH-CHA) to set up the site which will be located at 3100 Emrick Blvd. Bethlehem, PA 18020. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 10:00AM – 4:00PM. The site will open in a few weeks.

A Physician’s order is not required but, to be eligible for testing, individuals must report or display one or more CDC-recognized symptoms of COVID-19: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or loss of taste and/or smell. The drive-through testing site is open to everyone, but only residents of Northampton County are eligible to have the cost covered by the County if they do not have health coverage. All testing will be through HNL Lab Medicine unless insurance requires an alternate laboratory. Participants should bring a photo ID and their insurance card, if they have one, with them to the testing site.

The importance of increased testing is that it enables public health officials to trace an infected person's contacts and ask them to quarantine themselves for 14 days. Increased testing will yield an additional spike in cases, but in the long run, it reduces community spread.

Universal Testing at Northampton County Prison

Northampton County Council approved a resolution to allocate $200,000 in CARES Act funds for a proactive testing program for COVID-19 at the Northampton County Prison. On July 7, 2020, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended universal testing for jails and prisons. The Department of Corrections will coordinate with Prime Care Medical to develop a plan to test inmates and staff.

McClure indicated he may want to perform antibody testing on corrections officers, which may indicate at least a few months of immunity.

Wolf's Latest Fear-Mongering Unsupported by LV Data

On July 15, Governor Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine announced new statewide restrictions aimed at nightclubs, bars, restaurants, gyms and both indoor and outdoor gatherings. At bars and restaurants, occupancy is limited to 25%, including staff. Nightclubs remain closed. Indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people, while outdoors it's 250. Moreover, businesses are strongly encouraged to employ teleworking. WEolf said his order was made necessary by a recent spike ion Covid-19 cases, and local public radio station added yesterday that this spike is happening here in the Lehigh Valley as well. This is simply untrue.

Numbers cruncher Steve Thode has prepared a chart showing the new case rate in Lehigh and Northampton Counties between June 5 and July 14. Here's his analysis.

"When we went 'Yellow' on June 5, there had been 511 new cases the previous 14 days; when we went 'Green' on June 26, there had been 405 new cases the previous 14 days. As of today, there have been 381 new cases the past 14 days (with many more tests conducted). No "surge" in cases in the Lehigh Valley.

"How about deaths statewide?

"The 14-day death rate peaked on May 18 when a total of 2,047 deaths had been recorded the previous 14 days (an average of about 146 per day). As of today, there have been only 261 deaths recorded the past 14 days (an average of about 19 per day). That's a reduction of over 87%. And, only 74 deaths the past 14 days among Pennsylvanians not living in an LTCF. That's a reduction of almost 88%. LTCF deaths have dropped 87% since May 18."

Thode also notes that The PA DoH reported Thursday that there have been 142,176 COVID-19 tests with 5,517 positive cases the past 7 days. What they didn’t report is that that is a positivity rate of only 3.9%, well below the 10% positivity rate that indiocates a spread.

On June 26, when all PA counties went “Green” except Lebanon, the 7-day case postitivity rate was 4.2%. So, the positivity rate has gone down since then.

I'd like to know when ruling by spreading phony fear became a good thing. This just might be more deadly than COVID-19.

NorCo Small Business Grant Applications Now Available Online

If you are a small business located in Northampton County, chances are you've been hit hard by the pandemic. Northampton County is making grants of up to $15,000 available. Online applications are available here.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is marketing these grants, and outlines eligibility requirements here.

If you have a small business in Northampton County, apply quickly because the Chamber already received 64 applications in just one day. .

The Trail From Hell

This is Don before we hit the heavy stuff. I bit my way through. 

Most of my bike rides are solo affairs. That's understandable, too. Would you want to be seen with a bottom-feeding blogger? There are, however, people who are willing to ride with me. My friend Anne and her husband Don are two such kind-hearted souls. This is a couple who actually spends time on the trail offering minor repairs and water to passing cyclists. They're both veteran cyclists, both on and off road. So when they ask me to join them, I agree. My hope is that some of their goodness rubs off one me. But it appears that the opposite is happening. Let me tell you the story.

As most of you know, I love the Delaware and Lehigh Trail. I plan to ride from Cementon to White Haven and back before the end of this season. Anne and Don are part of a crew that make the trip from Sand Island (in Bethlehem) to Jim Thorpe every Fall, and I've already booked that trip. But I told them I was unsure how to get from Canal Park in Allentown to hook up with the DandL in Northampton. My grandson and I rode out of Canal Park for a bit, but were on the roads and some rather steep hills. Anne and Don told me there's actually a trail. It was a little rough, they warned me, but nothing like mountain biking. Best of all, only one mile of roads and no hills. So when they offered to show me the way yesterday, I readily agreed.

They lied. There was not one, but a few miles of roads with monster hills. And the trail? It was the trail from hell.

Rocks, tree roots, stones, hills, mud and all kinds of obstacles.

"I thought you said there were no hills?"

"We lied."

I should have brought a machete.

Occasionally, I'd see a few bones here and there.

"Nothing to worry about," they said.

After struggling for a few miles, I told them I had to use the roads. If that meant some trucker was going to cream me, it would be at at least less painful than being impaled on some giant vine of poison ivy.

And we hadn't hit the rough stuff yet. So we hopped on the roads and the ride was actually enjoyable. When we made it to Northampton, we stopped at a coffee shop. We're all addicted to caffeine.

To return, we rode through Northampton, hopped on the Nor-Bath trail, and took that to Jacksonville Road. We were on Route 512, Schoenersville Road and all kinds of busy roadways. They were much better than the trail from hell.

Anne and Don safely delivered me back to Sand Island, after which they rode home. I was going to continue my ride from there to Easton, but wanted a nice, wide and well-maintained trail. So I drove to Cementon and rode up a few miles past Slatington, where the trail has been temporarily closed for power line repairs.

When I returned home from 52 miles on the bike, I looked over the agenda for tonight's meeting of Northampton County Council. Lo and behold, the County is being asked to chip in $500,000 in open space money for improvements along the DandL trail in North Catasauqua and Northampton. DCNR will kick in $650,000 and North Catty will also contribute $166,000.

This will make it possible to widen and resurface 1.56 miles of what now is the trail from hell.

The sooner, the better.

Wolf Avenue Parking Lot is Open!

Next time you came to the courthouse, most likely as a criminal defendant, you should find it's easier to find a parking spot. A newly constructed parking lot at the intersection of Wolf Avenue and Washington Street near the Government Center is now open.

The Milides building at that site, which previously held the Elections office, was demolished in August 2019. It had been hit by lightning and was in poor repair. Construction on the lot began in November. This included excavating the area, rebuilding it with crushed stone and the installation of an underground storm-water retention system and a retaining wall. Lights and landscaping were added this spring and paving finished this month. Two charging stations, capable of charging four electric vehicles at a time, will be installed soon.

The project was delayed briefly by the Covid-19 shutdown, but I'm unaware of any change orders seeking extra money.

The lot has 104 spaces, a gain of fifty from the previous site. Seven ADA accessible spaces will give the public easier access to the Courthouse entrance.

The County of Northampton financed the $1 million dollar project. The charging stations were paid for with a grant from Driving PA Forward, an initiative of Governor Wolf’s Administration to increase air quality in Pennsylvania.

Northampton County thanks Bean Inc. Construction and Wind Gap Electric for all their work on this project.

Future projects in the area will include an improved Pedestrian Crossing Zone across Washington Street.

NorCo Broadband Access Grant Should Help Children, Not Seniors

On Thursday night, Northampton County Council will be asked to spend $825k in CARES Act funds to improve broadband access at local school districts. Under the proposal, $100,000 will go to each to the school districts of Bethlehem, Easton, Bangor, Northampton and Nazareth. Wilson, Saucon Valley and Pen Argyl school districts, which are smaller, would get $50,000.

The resolution would also grant $175,000 to Northampton County Department of Human Services (DHS) to purchase WI-FI annual vouchers and electronic equipment for underserved senior citizens and veterans within the county.

I agree on the importance of broadband, especially for schools. But that should include parochial and charter schools. All students in all schools deserve equal treatment. They are being ignored improperly and perhaps illegally.

My other point concerns the $175,000 grant to the Human Services Department to help "underserved" seniors and veterans. Many of the seniors I know have no interest in the Internet. Those who do are usually capable of taking care of themselves. I question whether there's a need among veterans or seniors. On the other hand, I know many low-income families with no or limited Internet service. This deficit hurts the education of those children. A school's broadband access can be great, but that means nothing to a student who has no way of connecting from home.

Perhaps I have this all wrong, but it seems to me that WiFi vouchers for seniors and veterans are simply an attempt to curry favor with two large voting blocks.

My generation and the one after mine have pretty much screwed our youngest. Thanks to us, they've been shacked with a major deficit, climate change and a poorer standard of living than we enjoyed. Instead of kissing the asses of the most selfish generation I can remember (my own generation), the money should go to help provide and improve internet access to students in low-income homes.

NorCo To Establish Covid-19 Drive-Thru Testing Station

Northampton County is partnering with Lehigh Valley Hospital-Coordinated Health Allentown Hospital (LVH-CHA) to set up a COVID-19 drive-through testing site located at LVH-CHA at 3100 Emrick Blvd. Bethlehem, PA 18020 (next to Outback Steakhouse). Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 10:00AM – 4:00PM. The site is anticipated to open within a few weeks.

A Physician’s order will not be required but, to be eligible for testing, individuals must report or display one or more CDC-recognized symptoms of COVID-19: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or loss of taste and/or smell. The drive-through site will be open to everyone, but only residents of Northampton County will have the cost of testing covered by the County if they do not have health coverage. All testing will be through HNL Lab Medicine unless insurance requires an alternate laboratory. Participants should bring a photo ID and their insurance card, if they have one, with them to the testing site.

Once I know the date this starts, I'll let you know.

The reason testing is important is because it is important to notify an infected persons's contacts. In the long run, this is what reduces spread.

APD Updates Public, Produces Video Showing Police Were Rendering Assistance

From Allentown Police Department: The Allentown Police Department continues to swiftly investigate the event of July 11, 2020 outside the
Sacred Heart Campus in the 400 block of W. Chew Street. Pursuant to the investigation, witnesses are being interviewed and evidence is being collected.

Attached to this updated press release is a video of the event captured from a vantage point from across the street from the incident. The video is approximately 9 minutes in length. During the first 4 minutes of the video an individual is observed to enter the frame who appears to be suffering from a medical, mental health or drug and alcohol crisis. The individual appears to vomit multiple times, he is also observed to drop his cell phone and he appears to have trouble walking and standing. Two Allentown Police Officers who were at the hospital on an unrelated matter are observed communicating and interacting with the distressed person in an effort to direct him towards the emergency room entrance.

The Middle portion of the video depicts a physical interaction between the individual, police and hospital staff. Approximately 23 seconds of middle portion of the video is reflected in what has been observed on social media. During the physical interaction, a breathable spit mask is placed over the head of the individual. The mask is used to protect hospital staff, officers and others from coming into contact with bodily fluids such as vomit and saliva The final portion of the video depicts hospital staff and police escorting the individual into the hospital. The individual received treatment and was later released.

The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be forthcoming. The Lehigh County District Attorney continues to investigate the matter and will release a statement when his review is complete, which is not anticipated until late this week.

The video can be viewed via our website at https://www.allentownpa.gov/police

Blogger's Note: I watched the video in its entirety. It showed a man who was disoriented, unsteady on his feet and vomiting repeatedly into the street. Two officers spent a number of minutes watching him. It looked like he was at the hospital because he was in need of treatment. He tried to assist officers, but was a bit out of it and fell to the ground. From there, officers attempted and eventually succeeded in putting a spit mask on this gentleman. From time to time, one officer's knee appears to have been on this person's neck. It appears to have been inadvertent and related to difficulties in placing a spit mask on someone who was really a patient. I saw no abuse. I saw nothing to justify the histrionics started by convicted drug felon Hasshan Batts. He referred on Twitter to police officers trying to help their fellow man as "savages." Sounds like a racist term.

Jewish Lives Matter

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson has tweeted not one, but a series of anti-Semitic slurs. After being taken to task, he initially claimed others "took my post the wrong way. " He followed up by reposting part of a speech from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan claiming, " "The [white Jews] will extort America, their plan for world domination won't work if the Negroes know who they were." I see. That explains everything. He's both racist and anti-Semitic. I agree that black lives matter. So do Jewish lives. Amazingly, the Philadelphia Eagles, whose team owner and President happen to be Jewish, have been painfully slow to react.

The Eagles have just announced an unspecified fine for "conduct detrimental to the team." Jackson has, of course, issued a bullshit apology written by crisis managers. He supposedly is going to "educate himself." Seems to me he's already been educated. The only appropriate reaction is to dump him.

If Eagles refuse, dump them.

West Easton Voting on "Black Lives Matter" Resolution Tonight

This evening, West Easton Borough Council is poised to consider the Black Lives Matter resolution posted below at their 6:30 pm zoom meeting. You can watch it from the comfort of your own home at Join Zoom Meeting .

BOROUGH OF WEST EASTON COUNCIL

RESOLUTION NO._____________

DECLARING UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER AND REAFFIRMING WEST EASTON POLICIES AND ORDINANCES THAT PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton strives to be a vibrant and welcoming community, where all people feel protected, included, secure and safe;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton has adopted polices and ordinances that prohibit discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, handicap, sexual orientation, or familial status;

WHEREAS, despite the Borough policies and ordinances, as well as similar state and federal laws, discrimination and racism still exists in our country, our state, and our Borough;

WHEREAS, systemic racism manifests itself both overtly and covertly through examples such as the recent killing of George Floyd by four members of the Minneapolis Police Department, social media posts that support racism, the recent rise of white supremacist groups throughout the country, and implicit biases and stereotypes that result in disparate treatment for people of color throughout our country;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton stands with community members who may have peacefully protested acts of racism, injustice, and inequality;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton recognizes that some of the Borough’s earliest white inhabitants were supportive of segregation and its leaders had enacted ordinances that prohibited equal opportunity for people of color;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton took steps to remove a pre-existing and unlawful Ordinance that only allowed for a white male to be a Chief of Police;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton expressly recognizes that the history of the Civil War and the United States should not be forgotten, but that museums and history books are the place to learn about those who took up arms against the Union, or committed crimes against humanity—not prominent monuments on public property that glorify Confederate leaders, or those who committed genocide and horror upon native inhabitants.

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton is committed to combatting systemic racism and ensuring that the Borough continues to be welcoming for all; and

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton unequivocally declares that black lives matter.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by The Borough of West Easton Council:

Black lives matter.

That the Borough reaffirms its anti-discrimination policies and ordinances and commits to working with the community to take all action necessary to create additional anti-racist policies and ordinances that address racism.

BOROUGH OF WEST EASTON

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PA

Attested:

____________________________ ____________________________

Joan Heebner, Secretary Matthew A. Dees, Council President

Famous Blogger Wins Palmer Pickleball Tournament

I've told you before about my prowess as a Hearts player. I've won multiple tournaments, from here to Las Vegas. But I'm not one to rest on my laurels. No, siree. Yesterday, I handily defeated a group of grade school brats in Palmer Township's First Annual Pickleball Tournament, played at Fairview Park. If you never heard of it, you should pay closer attention to social media. A bunch of these little kids started crying, but I just laughed at them and said, "There's no crying in pickleball."

The day started, of course, with a 20-mile bike ride. My grandson and I started at Fairview Park, rode to WaWa to load up on water, and then shot down the Palmer Bike Path, picked up the Delaware and Lehigh trail, and rode straight to Sand Island and back.

Along the way, a tree had fallen across the path close to Freemansburg. While most cyclists were standing around the fallen timber with their thumbs up their asses, my grandson and I vaulted over it with ease. On the way back, we stopped and I picked the caber up and tossed it about 30' or so into the Lehigh River.

Take that, you Scottish pricks!&
Not to be outdone, my grandson swam out and picked it up in the river itself, and tossed it in the direction of the Steel Stacks while doing a back stroke. It went right in one of them, too.

That was a definite three-pointer.

I have no idea what the hell is going on in Bethlehem. Hoops have returned to the basketball courts, but the tennis courts are still under lock and key. In what world does that make any sense? It's certainly easier to practice social distancing on a tennis court than it is with basketball, but what do I know?

My grandson and I continued our ride back to Fairview, scaling the rather steep hill that leads to the Bethlehem Boat Club at an average speed of about 22 mph. It seemed too easy, so we did it again. We made it back to Fairview just in time for the pickleball tournament.

By this time, it was boiling hot. Very few of the little kids could take the heat, and kept keeling over.
We made short work of them. After tying in about 30 games, my grandson and I flipped a coin and I was determined to be the winner.

Next to the pickleball courts, a bunch of high school kids from Easton, Wilson, Freedom and Liberty were getting ready for their upcoming basketball season. They were distracted by our dinks and numerous other athletic achievements. It was only a matter of time before they were on the pickleball courts, mostly to cheer for me.

Many of them told me they would be abandoning their high school careers in the hope of getting pickleball scholarships, but I talked them out of it. They just don't have what it takes.

Who Is That Guy? C'est Moi!

On Friday, I posted this mugshot from the pages of The Bethlehem Globe Times and asked you to name the person. There were lots of good guesses. Burt Reynolds (before he went tets up). Brad Pitt. Gary Cooper. It's time to name this handsome devil.

C'est moi! C'est moi, I blush to disclose.
I'm far too noble to lie.
That man in whom
These qualities bloom,
C'est moi, c'est moi, 'tis I.
I've never strayed
From all I believe;
I'm blessed with an iron will.
Had I been made
The partner of Eve,
We'd be in Eden still.

APD To Produce Videos Showing Whether Officer Used Excessive Force

Seven weeks ago, George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer who placed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer has been charged with murder, and the outrage by people of all colors marks a significant departure from previous examples of police brutality against minorities. Did a police officer do this in Allentown on Saturday night? A 23-second video, broadcast on CBS-3 and other news outlets, suggests an officer may very well have done this, but for a much briefer period of time.

The mob outrage was immediate, but there was no violence. This is likely because Chief Glenn Granitz and Mayor Ray O'Connell both greeted the protesters and listened to them.

Tonight, Allentown police issued this statement:

Officers with the Allentown Police Department were at the Emergency Room Department outside Saint Luke's Hospital – Sacred Heart Campus in the 400 block of W. Chew Street on Saturday, July 11 at approximately 6:42 p.m. While at this location due to an unrelated matter, APD Officers observed a male outside who was vomiting and staggering in the street, eventually stopping in the driveway of the Emergency Room.

The observed erratic behavior resulted in the officers and hospital staff interacting with the individual. The individual began to yell, scream and spit at the officers and hospital staff. As the officers attempted to restrain the individual, all parties fell to the ground. The individual continued to be noncompliant which required officers to restrain the individual and the hospital applied a spit shield.

The male in question was escorted into the hospital for treatment. The male was treated and later released.

The investigation into this matter will be reviewed by the Lehigh County District Attorney and an internal investigation of the use of force is being conducted by the Allentown Police Department. The Lehigh County District Attorney will issue a statement when his review is complete, which is not anticipated until late this week. The District Attorney has assigned two county detectives to the investigation.

The investigation into this incident is moving swiftly. Part of the investigation has included the review of a 23 second video posted to social media. Although significant, the entirety of the interaction is being reviewed. Witnesses are being interviewed and additional videos of the interaction are being reviewed. We plan on releasing relevant videos later this week as we complete this inquiry.

Bloggers Michael Molovinsky and LVCI have weighed in on what has happened. Both note, and correctly, that mobs do a particularly lousy job of dispensing justice, unless you like lynchings.

I am appalled by Allentown City Council member Joshua Siegel, who refers to himself on Twitter as a "visionary" who wants to make Allentown a "laboratory for democracy." In his quest to become Mayor, he has apparently foprgetten about a little thing called due process.

Trump: Worst President This Country Has Ever Had (Part 3)

Trump ally Roger Stone was sentenced to begin a 40-month prison sentence on July 14 after being convicted by a jury of seven counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements to Congress. He has appealed the guilty verdict, but has exhausted all excuses under which he could delay his reporting date. But President Donald Trump, in yet another abuse of his office, is springing the crook.

So much for "law and order."

Noah Bookbinder, himself a former federal prosecutor who now is the Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), has released this statement:

“Roger Stone is appropriately a convicted felon and belongs in prison. This is one more example of President Trump at his most corrupt and another attack on our democracy. The president whose administration had peaceful protesters for racial justice pepper sprayed in the name of ‘law and order’ has repeatedly stepped in to make sure his cronies don’t see the consequences of their actions. The message is clear: In Trump’s America, justice doesn’t apply to rich white men who help the president.”

Sen. Pat Toomey (R. Pa.) on commutation: "While I understand the frustration with the badly flawed Russia-collusion investigation, in my view, commuting Roger Stone’s sentence is a mistak. ... He was duly convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction a congressional investigation conducted by a Republican-led committee.”

Sen. Mitt Romney (R. Utah): “Unprecedented, historic corruption: an American president commutes the sentence of a person convicted by a jury of lying to shield that very president.”

Previous stories:

Trump: Worst President This Country Has Ever Had

Trump: Worst President This Country Has Ever Had (Part 2)

(Originally published 7/10/20 at 10:08 PM)

Gracedale is Covid-19 Free

For the first time since March 26, Gracedale is Covid-19 free. All residents who had been in isolation have returned to their regular units. Although Executive Lamont McClure predicts there will be more infections in the days to come, he nevertheless wants workers there to know he appreciates their "heroic efforts."

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been particularly virile at nursing homes. At Gracedale, 146 residents and 57 employees have been infected with Covid-19. Unfortunately, 74 residents died.

Inconsistent Covid-19 Messaging Has Contributed to Spread

I've been highly critical of the leadership displayed by Governor Tom Wolf and President Donald Trump during the Covid-19 crisis. But I'll say this much about Wolf. He's at least been consistent. The federal government, however, has been notoriously inconsistent. Even though Covid-19 has taken 130,000 American lives, President Donald Trump is attacking his own CDC over how to open schools safely. Inconsistent messaging from Trump and other federal officials about face masks has created a groundswell of Trump worshipers who equate this minor inconvenience with a deprivation of basic personal freedom. This, unfortunately, has contributed to the spread of a disease that is already far too virulent. Countries that have been successful dealing with Covid-19 have employed different tactics. Some rely on heavy testing. Others on isolation. But the one thing they have all had in common is consistency. America's Covid-19 messaging has been a failure.

Here's how public health expert Thespina (Nina) Yamanis puts it:

Studies show that when officials are transparent and accountable to the public – explaining who is vulnerable in an outbreak, what is known and unknown about the disease and the steps necessary to control its spread – it enhances public trust.

Trust, in turn, aids compliance.

But when health messaging is vague, inconsistent or unrealistic, it engenders the kind of confusion, misinformation and non-cooperation now seen in some of the world’s hardest-hit countries.

If You Want to Keep or Boot Trump, Better Register to Vote.

If you want your voice heard in the upcoming November 3 Presidential election, you need to be a registered voter. The last day for registration is October 19.

Eligibility:

Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
Be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
Be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

How to Register:

You can register at PennDot, your county voter registration office, by mail or online.

Who Is This Guy?

This mugshot appeared in the pages of The Bethlehem Globe Times many years ago. Do you know who it is?

Wolf Extends Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium Until August 31

Governor Tom Wolf yesterday extended his moratorium on foreclosures and eviction proceedings until August 31. His Order (you can read it here) will give struggling homeowners and tenants a little time to familiarize themselves with rent  and mortgage relief programs being administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). It also mirrors extensions on foreclosure proceedings on most federally backed mortgages.

The PHFA has $150 million for rent assistance and $25 million to help pay mortgages. Applications are available here.

Wolf's order notes that homeowners and renters are still responsible for their debt, and tenants may still be evicted for issues unrelated to nonpayment or remaining in possession after a lease has expired.

Northampton County tenants in need of rent assistance can do the following:

If you live in Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Hellertown, Lower Saucon Township :
Contact: New Bethany Ministries at 610-691-5602 x213

If you live in Easton there are 2 agencies you may contact:
- Easton Area Neighborhood Center at 610-253-4253 or email Ross Marcus at rmarcus@eastonanc.org
- ProJeCt of Easton at 610-258-1100 ext. 13 or email Michael Banas at mbanas@projecteaston.org

All other municipalities of Northampton County, contact Third Street Alliance at 610-438-1763 or email Ziana Keith at keith@thirdstreetalliance.org

Tenants who are 14 days or less away from losing their residence and have either a Notice to Quit or a Lockout Order/Notice:
Call 211 to be connected to Northampton County Tenant Eviction Assistance program seeking rental assistance

NorCo Gets Green Light to Replace Glendon Hotel with Affordable Housing

At their July 7 meeting, Northampton County's General Purpose Authority (GPA) approved a resolution to seek a $300,000 blight remediation grant from the state for the demolition of Glendon Hotel. The previous evening, Glendon's Zoning Hearing Board granted relief to redevelop the current hotel site with five town homes, reported Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development Mark Hartney.

The County plans to use the $300,000 to raze the hotel, do site preparation and perform some engineering. The grant will require a 10% match from the GPA.

"The big unknown is how much rock is there," said Hartney.

Located on and actually falling onto Glendon's Main Street, the hotel was first built in 1740 as a place where people could seek protection in the event of an attack from Native ASmericans. It's original doors were six inches thick and the walls were perforated with loopholes from which occupants could fire. 

Instead of being a refuge, it is now a safety hazard.

Are We Still a Shining City on a Hill?

Republican Voters Against Trump have released a devastating ad using Ronald Reagan's words to drive home Trumps's disastrous term as President. I hope my Republican friends are paying attention.

Have You Tried Pickleball?

On July 4, I was at an undisclosed location in western Lehigh County for the latest hearts tournament. Naturally, I prevailed yet again, dashing the hopes of my opponents. One of them was so upset that he spilled his Sangria all over himself and another player. I was humble in victory, and consoled another player who broke down in tears. "It's only a game," I said. "I'm sure there's something you're good at. Ever try pickleball?"

Earlier that day, I noticed the grandson of one of my opponents had two smallish paddles and what looked like a large wiffle ball.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Pickleball."

"What's that?" I asked.

This young man, about 18' tall, explained that it's a game like tennis, badminton or even ping pong.

"Wanna play?" I asked.

"No way, you're a highly conditioned, well-trained athlete."

He's a very observant young man.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find an opponent. But that might soon change. Yesterday, I received a news release from the City of Allentown. Amazingly, it was about pickleball.

The City's Department of Parks and Recreation has repurposed seven tennis courts at Irving and Roosevelt Park so you can play either tennis or pickleball on them. According to the news release, Allentown has seen an increase in the sport of pickleball with several indoor locations interspersed throughout the community. Allentown offers the only outdoor pickleball courts in the Lehigh Valley and possibly the world, along with the largest city ID sign. The City intends to offer classes and possible pickleball tournaments in the future.

I hope Glenn Klein of summer hoops fame runs them.

I have already contacted Mayor Ray O'Connell to offer my services as an instructor. I was unfortunately disconnected, although it sounded like someone was laughing.

King Lear, Starring Ron Heckman

Northampton County Council President Ron Heckman is certainly one of the most informed persons I know when it comes to county government. He's also correct when he says, as he sometimes does, that County Council needs to assert itself more. This is an issue on a municipal, state and federal level. The executive branch has assumed near dictatorial powers, but that's only because the legislative branch allowed it to happen. So I was proud of Heckman at the June 18 Council meeting, when he finally said No to an Executive who was going to assume complete control over $4 million in small business grants. Council controls the purse strings. On the other hand, I am increasingly concerned that Heckman thinks he is the Executive, and a rather nasty one.

This actually started at the June 18 meeting in which County Council made clear that the governing body, and not Executive Lamont McClure, would be awarding the grants. During that meeting, Heckman raised a lot of concerns about the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce, which was pegged to market these grants. When McClure got up to explain the Chamber's fee, Heckman told him to sit down. Yes, it is Council's show, but if the Exec wants to explain something they are all asking about, it's kinda' dumb to tell the one person who can answer that he has not been recognized. It's really dumb when that one person happens to be the Executive.

Heckman has a mean streak. In November, he smeared then Acting Registrar Amy Hess because she was not at a Council meeting in which they were discussing the disastrous November election. It did not matter that she was actually working across the hall on that very election. Heckman would later apologize (privately, not publicly) to Hess, but she decided she preferred being a Deputy. Fortunately, her successor, Amy Cozze, has treated her as an equal, and the county pulled off its best election ever in June.

Heckman lashed out again at a county employee on July 2. Heckman was miffed that McClure was not speaking to him. McClure is likely waiting to be recognized. So Heckman tried to unload on Mark Hartney, another very hard-working county employee who had just finished explaining the difference between two different grant programs to Council member Lori Vargo-Heffner. Heckman was actually cross-examining Hartney, and McClure stood up to defend a county employee.

"This isn't a trial, I didn't know you were his lawyer," snarked Heckman.

"I'm not his lawyer, I'm his boss," retorted McClure, who was unwilling to submit an employee to abuse. "If you want to question the motives of the administration, I'm the one you should question."

Heckman should know he has no supervisory authority.

Heckman spent most of the meeting bloviating in what is increasingly becoming a very bad adaptation of King Lear. Very rarely have I ever heard a man use so many words to say so little. This is totally unfair to other Council members, who actually might have some ideas or suggestions themselves.

"Speak less than thou knowest," the Fool told Lear to no avail. And so it is with Heckman.

I have previously taken Council member Tara Zrinski to task for her failure to use her mike and constant interruptions. Over the past two meetings, Zrinski appears to have finally taken this criticism to heart. She has stopped interrupting others, raising her hand instead. And when she does speak, she has been using her mike. I'm still no fan, and think her idea of having the Executive appoint Council members to an oversight committee totally defeats the purpose of having one in the first place. I was nevertheless appalled at the treatment Heckman gave her.

Heckman had gone on ad nauseum to explain why he wanted all kinds of information. Zrinski waited to be recognized and was. While she was in the middle of making her own speech, Heckman interrupted her and went on for about a minute (it seemed longer) when Zrinski sought to reclaim the right to speak after having been cut off.

"No, you're not recognized, you're out of order," said Heckman, banging the gavel as well. He then repeated himself a few times.

"You're not going to monopolize the meeting, Tara," said the very person who himself was monopolizing the meeting.

Heckman would later announce that he would be appointing the Council members to sit on a committee to evaluate grant applications. "I'm the President of Council, and we're a separate branch of government, and I'm empowered to do something like that," he said. Except he isn't. Council has never adopted rules of order to spell out the precise powers of the President.

While he may object to a power grab by the Exec. It appears he's more than willing to make some power grabs of his own. He's not King, just King Lear.

The Fool also told Lear, "Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise."

It's advice Heckman should consider.

I Nominate NorCo's COs For Suicide Prevention Awards

Director of Human Services Susan Wandalowski and the Northampton County Suicide Prevention Task Force are seeking nominations to honor community members who work in or have participated in suicide prevention. Nominees may include those who have made suicide prevention their life’s work, are actively contributing to the cause, or have assisted in preventing loss by suicide.

Nominations should be made in an essay of 250 words or fewer with a description of why the nominee deserves to be recognized. Nominations can be sent to Susan Wandalowski via email at swandalowski@northamptoncounty.org or by mail to the following address:

Susan Wandalowski
2801 Emrick Blvd
Bethlehem, PA 18020

Nominations must be received or postmarked by August 14, 2020. Awards will be distributed at a press conference in September 2020.

I am nominating Northampton County's often overlooked corrections officers.

Here's what I am sending Sue Wandalowski:

During the height of the Covid-19 crisis, there is one group of Northampton County employees who really excelled. Though some of them got ill themselves, they somehow managed to keep the 24/7 jail fully staffed. In the process, they saved the lives of at least three inmates who tried to commit suicide. They are called corrections officers, and should be recognized as a group.

What Unites Democrats and Republicans? Greed

A few breadcrumbs are going to be distributed to small businesses in Northampton County, once local lawmakers get their act together. It will be an opportunity for those who've been hit hard. It will also be an opportunity for those who are connected. It's hard to avoid being a cynic when you see who benefited from the PPP (paycheck protection program). It shows the one thing that unites Democrats and Republicans - greed.

A lost of beneficiaries was released by the Small Business Administration yesterday. Recipients include the family business of Transportation Sec'y Elaine Chou and Agriculture Sec'y Sonny Perdue, Nancy Pelosi's husband, private equity chains and members of Congress. In the meantime, citizens who've been thrown out of work by the pandemic deal with unresponsive state agencies and wait for weeks to collect, if at all.

I am attempting to review the list to determine who benefited locally. If you can do so, please share in the comments.

Two Grant Programs Available For NorCo Small Businesses

On Thursday night (July 2), Northampton County Council approved a mechanism for $4 million in grants to small businesses (less than 100 employees), capped at $15,000. But there's actually a second grant program as well, administered by Rising Tide for the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

Rising Tide Grant Program. - These grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, are for businesses which impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, but missed out on the funding offered through previous programs. To be eligible, a business must be physically located, certified to do business and generate at least 51% of its income in Pennsylvania. It must have an annual revenue of up to $1 million prior to and twenty-five or fewer full-time employees prior to February 15, 2020. Businesses owned and operated by low and moderate income people and re located in areas of need or are the types of businesses most impacted by the economic shutdown will be prioritized. Additional consideration will be given to businesses which are owned by women or located in communities targeted for business investment by the state government. Fifty percent of the grants will be awarded to Historically Disadvantaged businesses (i.e. at least 51% owned and operated by Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander).

Applications are being accepted through July 14.

NorCo Grant Program. - These grants, as noted above, are for businesses with 100 or less employees and are capped at $15,000. The application will be available within the next two weeks on the websites for Northampton County’s Department of Community and Economic Development (https://www.northamptoncounty.org/CMTYECDV/Pages/Apply-for-Funding.aspx) and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/)

Membership in the Chamber is not required to apply for a grant.

Wolf's Covid-19 Approval Rating Drops

According to the latest polling data from Fox43 and Susquehanna Polling and Research, there is much less public support for Governor Tom Wolf's management of the Covid-19 crisis. In April, he enjoyed a 69% approval rating. That number has dropped to 49%.

That same poll, conducted among 715 voters, gives Joe Biden a five-point edge over Donald Trump.

Nearly a quarter of those polled identified themselves as independent.

McClure Seeks Funding For Universal Covid Testing at Jail

For the most part, Northampton County's workforce has responded to the pandemic with stoic resolve. Several examples can be cited, from an elections office that worked long hours to ensure that the county delivered its most flawless election in my memory to Gracedale workers who themselves were crippled by the virus. But the most heroic example has been the county's corrections officers. They were unhappy with the contract awarded to them as a result of binding arbitration, and at least in my opinion, deserve more money. But instead of complaining when the pandemic broke, they stepped it up. In fact, they managed to save lives in the process. Despite being hit by the virus themselves, they stopped three inmates who tried to commit suicide.

In his report to NorCo Council on July 2, Executive Lamont McClure advised that he is seeking funding so that universal testing for Covid-19 can take place at the jail. The latest CDC guidance does recommend universal testing at all congregate care facilities, including jails.

NorCo Council - Racism a Public Health Crisis

At the request of member Kerry Myers, Northampton County Council on July 2 unanimously resolved that racism is a public health crisis and called on state and national leaders to do the same. Myers, as Council's sole black member, has several times shared details of the not-so-subtle racism he and his father before him has experienced. He mentioned an incident from his youth, when he was visiting in the South, used a public bathroom, and was told that if he did it again, he'd get a bullet in his head. When he joined the military, he said no one much cared what color you were if you covered the back of your brother-in-arms. But when he returned from service, he was once again a black man.

Of systemic racism, Myers said, "The only way to address it is to hit it over the head with a hammer." He called systemic racism "a disease of the mind."

Myers noted, however, that he is at a loss to understand "the amount of hate directed at our men in blue." He said they do not deserve to be "painted with a broad brush," and ironically observed "they now feel some of what we feel as African Americans."

"We need to respect each other, and that's the only way we're going to heal the hearts of this county."

Independence Day and MLK

Today, a bunch of tea party members and Northampton County Republicans will drape themselves in the flag to read the Declaration of Independence. This is their proof that they're patriots. Here are the words that Dr. Martin Luther King added in an independence day speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1962.

In a sense we've come to our nation's Capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check; a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds.”

It's time to honor that bad check

$4 Million in Small Business Grants to NorCo Small Biz

Last night, after a lengthy meeting in which Council President Ron Heckman did most of the talking, Northampton County Council unanimously approved two resolutions for the distribution of $27.6 million in CARES Act funding from the state and federal government.

The least controversial measure was an award of grants to several bi-county ventures as well as the State Theatre. Council approved $500,000 to Discover Lehigh Valley; $500,000 to ArtsQuest; $250,000 to the Lehigh and Northampton County Airport Authority; and $100,000 to the State Theatre. Lehigh County either has or will contribute similar sums to DiscoverLV, Artsquest and the Airport. The State Theatre was added at the request of Council member John Cusick, who said this Easton anchor has been hit hard by the pandemic.

Executive Lamont McClure told Council that he and Lehigh County Exec Phil Armstrong had a meeting with State Senators Lisa Boscola and Pat Browne, who strongly suggested steering grant money to bi-county ventures.

Another A $175,000 grant will go to the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) for costs related to assisting businesses during the COVID-19 disaster emergency.

The more controversial measure was the approval of a mechanism under which $4 million will be awarded to small businesses in Northampton County. Executive Lamont McClure had one proposal, under which the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce would actively market the grants, after which applications would be reviewed by a five-person committee consisting of two Council members and two members of the McClure administration. It would be up to the full Council to decide on awards.

Earlier in the week, Council President Heckman had submitted two resolutions of his own. But he agreed to the McClure option so long as three Council members were on the Committee and more documentation was provided to Council.

Under the approved resolution the grant program will be administered by the Chamber in exchange for $175,000. As explained by VP Jessica O'Donnell, the Chamber has a large data base of both member and non-member businesses, is familiar with all the municipalities, and will actively reach out to businesses.

Council member Tara Zrinski noted that the Chamber already administered one grant program with its own cash reserves and one-third of the awards went to non-members. In addition, O'Donnell told Council that the Chamber asked to reduce its original fee of $200,000 so that more money would be available to small business.

Moreover, DCED is a seven-person staff tasked with multiole obligations, from the GPA to gaming grants.

Before the actual Council meeting, this matter was also reviewed by Kevin Lott's Economic Development Committee.

Things got ugly, thanks to Heckman.

Heckman has a tendency to lash out at county employees. He did it to Amy Hess when she was the Elections Registrar, after which she decided she'd rather be a Deputy. He did it again last night to Deputy DCED Director Mark Hartney.

Hartney had just finished explaining that the state has yet to provide guidance concerning these small business grants, when Heckman started cross-examining him.

McClure got up to defend Hartney.

"This isn't a trial, I didn't know you were his lawyer," snarked Heckman.

"I'm not his lawyer, I'm his boss," retorted McClure, who was unwilling to submit an employee to abuse. "If you want to question the motives of the administration, I'm the one you should question."

Then Heckman began complaining to other Council members that McClure won't speak to him.

I'll have more to say next week.

APD "Use of Force" Policy, Available Online, Bans Choke Holds

You can read the use of force policy here. Interestingly, the "[u]se of neck restraints or similar weaponless control techniques (choke holds) is prohibited. Preventing imminent death or serious bodily injury to a member or citizen is the only possible exception to the prohibition."

Universal Covid-19 Testing at Gracedale Reveals Six Asymptomatic Employees

Gracedale Administrator Jennifer Stewart King reported to Northampton County last night concerning the universal testing at the county nursing home. This went on between June 26-28, and included the testing of 568 employees and 296 residents.

Of the 296 residents tested, three were positive.

Of the 568 employees tested, six asymptomatic employees were discovered and are in isolation. These are sometimes called "silent spreaders" because they can infect others without even knowing they have the virus.

Twelve test results are still pending.

King also told Council last night that the census is currently 526. Thus far, 146 residents and 57 employees have tested positive for Covid-19.

Unfortunately, 74 residents have died as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

King added that testing will continue on a regular basis.

Wolf Taps Cozze to Election Law Advisory Board

Governor Tom Wolf has nominated Northampton County Registrar of Elections Amy Cozze to the Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board. This board collaborates with agencies and political subdivisions to study election-related issues and identify best practices to ensure voting integrity. Membership includes one representative from each of Pennsylvania’s eighteen congressional districts.

Amy Cozze will represent the 7th Congressional District.

Ms. Cozze’s appointment must be confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Her appointment is a recognition of her stellar performance during the Presidential Primary.

Masks Now Mandatory

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed an order yesterday making it mandatory to wear masks in public (order here). Contrary to what some people may think, she does have this authority under the Disease Prevention and Control Act. Although Governor Tom Wolf said " masks must be worn whenever anyone leaves home," that's an exaggeration of what the Order actually says.

Here's when masks must be worn:

1) If you are outdoors and are unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet from people who belong to another household.

2) In any indoor location in which the public is permitted.

3) waiting for or riding in public transportation or a taxi service.

4) When interacting with the public at work or preparing food.

5) When getting healthcare services.

So if you are walking outside, there is no reason for a mask unless you are uin an area where constant social contact is unavoidable.

There are exceptions:

1) Unable to wear a mask for health reasons, including mental health. This should include those who are philosophically opposed to masks.

2) Unable to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired.

3) Under two years of age.

4) Unable to remove a mask without assistance.

If you think you meet one of these exceptions, all you have to do is say so. It is unnecessary to provide proof.

I prefer being asked as opposed to being told what to do. Having said that, I consider mandatory masks a minor inconvenience that makes others feel a little safer. It's a courtesy, much like holding the door open for someone. It's certainly no lockdown. Moreover, when I wear a mask, I touch my face less often and tend to be more conscious of hand washing and keeping others distant. B

I understand that, as Americans, we tend to be individualistic and resent authority. But look at the bright side. When I wear a mask, you don't see my ugly puss.

NorCo: What About Those Small Business Grants?

When Northampton County Council last met on June 18, it voted that Council, and not the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce or even Executive Lamont McClure, will have the final say in the award of $4 million in small business grants (less than 100 employees) to businesses negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Council member Kevin Lott aptly summed up the sentiments of eight of nine Council members when he remarked, "I will not vote for a resolution that just hands money to the Chamber and says, 'Have a good time!'" Though Council flexed its muscle and reminded everyone that it is the governing body and is vested with the "residual powers," it has yet to approve a process under which these $15,000 grants will be doled out. That should happen tonight.

Executive McClure has proposed what essentially amounts to an administrative committee to review grant applications, consisting of the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce, a representative from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron, and two members of Council. They would make recommendations to McClure, but Council would still review each application, including those that are turned down. The Chamber, which would be responsible for marketing these grants to members and nonmembers alike, would get a $175,000 cut, which is $25,000 less than what was originally proposed.

The McClure option (you can read it below) has several advantages. First, it allows the Chamber, which is the focal point of the local business community, to market the grants better than the county. Second, DCED and Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron can ensure that applicants are actually qualified and legitimate businesses. Under County ordinances, no business that owes money to the county should receive a grant. Third, the involvement of Council provides both an insight and oversight into the process. Council and administrators can keep a wary eye on each other. And both Council and administrators can ensure the Chamber is unable to funnel grants to its favorites.

There are two other options.

The McClure Option Plus is one in which this administrative committee is stacked with more Council members. If this happened, it would no longer be a purely administrative committee. It would in effect become a Council committee and would be subject to the Sunshine Act. In public, it would be reviewing the tax returns and sensitive information of private businesses.

The Council Committee option is one in which a Council committee would solicit and review the grant applications itself. It would save the money being paid to the Chamber for marketing, but Council really lacks the capacity to market these grants itself. Moreover, it is unable to vet the applications or determine whether a business really is legitimate or qualified. It is unable to check whether a business is up to date on taxes. It would also be meeting in public.

The appropriate option is the McClure option. Too many tasks associated with the applications are purely administrative. Moreover, it would be improper to review sensitive information in public. It is best to have an administrative committee review the applications, and then let the full Council have the final say. This is similar to the method used to review gaming grants and has worked well in the past. For example, Council in 2018 put the brakes on grant money that was going to be used for church repairs in violation of the Establishment Clause. This method will also be more effective in getting money out the door to businesses in need.


Small Business Grant Resolu... by BernieOHare on Scribd

Have You Been Back to Your Gym?

When I visit the courthouse, the first thing that happens is my temperature is checked. It always read 0.00, so I'm good to go so long as I wear a mask. In some offices, you're allowed to take the mask off if no one is within 6' of you, but you must have a face cover when you cruise the hallways. Regardless how you might feel about the infringement on your personal freedom, I view it as a courtesy, like holding the door open for someone. I would think a gym would be even more careful than the courthouse, but my experience there has me wondering whether it is worth the risk.

Despite my complaints, I loved the shutdown. I was able to take long walks, run and re-discover the beauty of the Lehigh Valley's many trails. I am actually working my way up to a century ride along the Delaware and Lehigh Trail. My overall fitness has actually improved. But the gym is useful for weight training and cardio on ugly days. So once we turned green, I've been there three times so far.

Here's what I've noticed. No one does a temperature check when you enter. You must wear a mask and are supposed to keep wearing it when traveling from one area to another, but no one does. Although the gym was clean before the pandemic, none of the staff seems terribly excited about enforcing the mask rule.

People there must observe social distancing at the cardio machines because every other one is disabled. But in areas where people work out with dumbbells or free weights, there is no social distancing and no masks.

People without masks talk loudly to each other across the common areas, which means they are exhaling droplets that could include virus.

Staff is busy doing what they always do, and have no time to enforce rules.

Much as I love it there, I believe it is too risky at this time. I'll go there if it's pouring down rain and I am unable to squeeze in a workout any other way, but I honestly feel like I'm playing Russian roulette every time I go.

Have you been back to your gym? What do you think?

McClure: Deathrate Declining, But is Covid-19 Contained?

On June 23, Northampton County reported a Covid-19 death toll of 267, including county residents who passed away in Lehigh County. There have been no additional deaths for the past seven days. This has prompted Executive Lamont McClure to suggest the death rate "may finally be declining." He cautions, however, that the "overall infection rate in the County is still 12.8% according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health." According to infectious disease experts, you're not out of the woods until the number of positives dips below 10%.

Covid-19 testing done at Easton Hospital resulted in a 6% positivity rate, which is promising.

As I noted last week, nursing homes are responsible for most of the Covid-19 deaths. The latest data from the county dashboard show that 86.5% of those fatally stricken by Covid-19 were nursing home residents.

Numbers cruncher Steve Thode, who recently testified at a state legislative oversight committee, has some interesting obsercvations about nursing home or LTCF (long term care facility) deaths.

"For the month of June, the DoH reported a total of 1,094 deaths from COVID-19. All but 95 of them were in LTCFs (999). So, LTCF deaths were at a rate of a little more than 33 per day for the month; non-LTCF deaths were at a rate of 3 deaths per day. LTCF deaths were 91.3% of all deaths.

"In May, there were 3,263 total deaths of which 2,035 were in LTCFs.

"So non-LTCF deaths went from 1,228 in May to 99 in June - a drop of almost 92%."

It appears are nursing homes have become the killing fields of this pandemic.

Though we may be in the "green" phase, Thode goes on to observe that both Lehigh and Northampton County are still statistically "red" in terms of 14-day new cases. Below is a chart with his findings.