NorCo Council Authorizes DA Houck To Give Raises and Pay Longevity Bonuses to Assistant DAs

Last night, Northampton County Council voter unanimously to approve raises for two assistant District Attorneys that DA Terry Houck recently promoted to Deputy DA. Their salaries will increase from $78,784 to $82,329.  In addition, they approved $3,000 longevity incentives for 13 assistants. 

Houck explained that a Deputy DA supervises assistants, screens cases, conduct continuing legal education classes and is part of a leadership group that discusses issues ongoing prosecutions. 

Both of the promoted deputies are female. 

Prior to the meeting, Houck provided County Council with a memo noting that there is a nationwide staffing shortage among prosecutor offices. "We're down, but we're not at a stage where any of our services are impacted at all," said Houck. 

He noted that Montgomery County is down 22 assistant DAs, and is offering a $4,000 longevity bonus. He added that Allegheny County has lost 22 assistant DAs just this year. 

He told Council member Kevin Lott that his office is currently down about four assistants.  

Competition for prosecutors has increased. Houck told Council that the Attorney General and US Attorney Offices offer much more money. "People that are leaving are leaving for really good reasons," he said. "They're getting a lot more money."

Lott noted that a salary study shows that Northampton County starts assistant DAs at around the same salary range as assistants in other third class counties.. Houck agreed, although he said that Lehigh County pays starting assistants about $4,000-5,000 more than Northampton. 

But he said that's not the problem. The problem comes in hiring assistants who have experience. They are brought in at the same salary as assistants with no experience at all. He noted that he recently hired an attorney with 16 years of experience, and has to pay him the same salary as an attorney fresh out of law school. 

Council member John Cusick suggested that Houck might want to return to hiring part-time assistant DAs who have established practices. Houck said he is considering that option. 

Houck is currently seeking re-election as District Attorney, and is opposed by Steve Baratta.

Allentown City Council Hears From Supporters of $4 Million Initiative to Send Social Workers, Not Cops, on Some 9-1-1 Calls

On Tuesday night, Allentown City Council began the process of listening to supporters of a citizen initiative that would require county-employed dispatchers to send social workers, and not police officers, in response to some 9-1-1 calls. A citizen initiative is a form of direct democracy in which citizens, as opposed to City Council members, can sponsor legislation that could go directly to the voters. In Allentown, a city initiative requires the assent of 2,000 registered voters. After that threshold is met, City Council has 60 days in which to adopt, reject or take no action on this ordinance. It has no power to amend. Only the citizen petitioners' committee can authorize revisions. If the matter is rejected or no action is taken, it must be forwarded to the county as a ballot initiative for the voters in November. 

Initiative supporters were led by one of the petition circulators, Imogen Wirth.  She indicated she got her start as a result of George Floyd's murder. She said her group became more concerned by the way Allentown police responded to a 2020 overdose subject (he had ingested 7 bags of cocaine) who was staggering and vomiting in the middle of the street, at night, outside of a local hospital. He was endangering both himself and the public. Police at the hospital on an unrelated matter assisted hospital personnel by placing a spit mask on this addict, but a shorter video from a different angle made it look as though police were kneeling on this man's neck. The City nearly rioted that night, as convicted felon Hasshan Batts led a mob with chants of "F--- the police."  The Mayor was doxed and was told by members of this mob that they knew where he lived. 

Intentionally or unintentionally, Wirth misrepresented what happened that night. 

Wirth went on to claim that the $4 million budget proposed for this program is entirely reasonable. because Bethlehem's former Health Director told her so. "It would not touch the police's budget in any way.  There would be no need to raise taxes. ... This is the future of public safety."

She said her mobile response team would have their own vehicles and operate 24/7. 

City Council did hear from other speakers, but there were more no-shows than actual speakers. That's OK, because Council President Daryl Hendricks told Wirth he'd allow her to continue to present during tonight's meeting. 

Wirth failed to address three very important questions. First, what legal authority does Allentown have to tell county 9-1-1 dispatchers what to do?  Second, has PEMA been consulted concerning how 9-1-1 dispatchers should be retrained? Third, isn't it discriminatory to refuse to allow former police officers who became social workers to serve on these teams?

During the meeting, Wirth used the term "We" a lot and attempted to drape herself in the clothing of an Allentown resident. Comparing Allentown to Bethlehem, she said, "We're a much bigger city [than Bethlehem]." Interestingly, she's no Allentown resident. Here's what one reader, who is an Allentown resident, told me: "As a City resident, I find it very interesting that the spokesperson and representative of the petition committee (Imogen Wirth) lives on a peaceful suburban street in Lower Macungie Township, a municipality that is 95% white and doesn't even have a local police department. Her position as spokesperson/representative of the petition committee can't help but give the impression that Bill 47 is being advanced by outsiders with a political agenda. How can some hypocrite lecture me, an Allentown resident with a real social conscience, about George Floyd while choosing to live on a suburban cul-de-sac in an essentially segregated public school system? I've bought a home in Allentown and put a child through the public school system. They couldn't even prop up some local Allentown resident to speak for the committee?'

Several Allentown residents did speak, but Wirth was their facilitator.

Tom Giovanni, The Quiet Man, Puts Brakes on NorCo Governmental Study Commission

Last night, Northampton County Council's Governance Committee met for another lengthy discussion to review, yet again, the following: (1) Lamont McClure's proposed gift ban ordinance; (2) term limits for all elected officials (except the DA); and (3) a governmental study commission for an elected sheriff. It was pretty clear that most of them learned nothing from mistakes made two weeks ago. Council member Ron Heckman is still distractingly verbose. Rarely have I seen a man use so many words to say so little. Solicitor Chris Spadoni still interjected himself in policy discussions, weighing in with his two cents on whether a DA should be term-limited. And Council member Lori Vargo-Heffner should change her first name to Pandora. It is thanks to her that County Council last night nearly went off the rails and onto a path that could easily result in a return to a three Commissioner form of government in which all row offices are elected. The person who saved us all is The Quiet Man. 

Gift Ban. - Before I get into Pandora's mischief, let's talk about that gift ban ordinance. Last night, Heckman suddenly claimed he really has no problem with it. He was unaware that the current Administrative Code negates the Home Rule Charter even though he sat through a Council meeting in which Executive Lamont McClure explained that's precisely why it is needed. But the more the talked, and it's hard to stop him once he gets going, it became abundantly clear that he still dislikes it. He continued to complain that he's unaware of anyone who ever acted inappropriately and was never himself offered gifts. He did promise to stop giving legal advice, so there's that. 

Get this. Once again, the gift ban ordinance has not been placed on the agenda for tonight's meeting. This is the third or fourth time that County Council has dragged its feet on this legislation. 

Term Limits for Everyone (Except the DA). - As for the term limit revisions to the Home Rule Charter, Pandora Vargo-Heffner admitted she drafted them.  She wants term limits on everyone to be consistent. But as several Council members pointed out, the three ordinances are actually inconsistent. For one thing, the DA is not included. For another, the county exec can only serve two terms under her proposal and then is banned for life. Moreover, if he's appointed mid-term, he can only ever serve one term. She agreed to offer amendments tonight, and will introduce an ordinance to term limit the DA in July, notwithstanding wannabe Council member Chris Spadoni's opposition. It's still unclear to me whether five Council members support the idea.  Heckman stated several times that he thought term limits are fine for state and local officials, but questions the need for local officials. His sentiments were echoed by Council member Kevin Lott. Council members John Goffredo and John Cusick support the idea. I agree with Heckman and Lott, but have no problem with letting voters decide.

Pandora's Box - a Governmental Study Comm'n. - This is where Pandora got dangerous. She kept circling back to the idea of a governmental study commission even though Cusick warned her to be careful what she wishes for. For all her complaints about being rushed, she tends to do things without considering consequences, as she did with an RFP for a pay study that excluded union workers. Fortunately, the Quiet Man, Tom Giovanni, closed the box. 

"Right now, and where we are in the country itself, everybody's upset at government. So you open it up to the voters, I think we're gonna' have a lot of issues ... because right now people are not happy with the government. Local, federal, state, it doesn't matter."

He's right. The Home Rule Charter does need a serious overhaul, but the political climate and divisiveness right now could throw us back 60 years. 

His brief comments were all that was needed to kill this idea. It pays to say little because when you do, people listen. 

For First Time, NorCo Council Acts Favorably to Proposed Employee Health Center

Last night, Northampton County Council received a presentation from the committee that reviewed three bids for a voluntary and exclusive health center for county employees (and possibly retirees). Although Council member John Brown still had reservations, it appears that the rest of County Council and perhaps Brown himself may be warming to the idea.  Council member Tom Giovanni was part of the committee reviewing the bids, and he recommended that they discuss the matter with Council. The committee has chosen Integrity Health, but a contract is still being finalized. The purpose of the presentation was to keep County Council in the loop. 

The County did issue a news release concerning the health center:

Integrity Health has been selected by the Request for Proposal Committee, which includes Northampton County Commissioner Tom Giovanni, Director of Human Services Susan Wandalowski, Director of Human Resources Mary Lou Kaboly, Director of Fiscal Affairs Stephen Barron, and Procurement Manager Kathryn Anderson, to provide an on-site health and wellness center only for Northampton County employees and employee dependents covered under the county’s health plan.

“The Administration of Northampton County is dedicated to providing its employees with the best health and wellness care available while controlling costs for county employees and taxpayers,” says [Exec] Lamont G. McClure.

A cost assessment calculates savings to the taxpayer of $1.5 million - $2 million per year. The services provided by the Employee Health Center would be confidential and strictly voluntary, and County employees will not be required to visit the center, nor will they be required to leave their primary care doctor. All services at the center will be provided on a no-copay basis. The center would be open seven days a week, 10 hours a day on weekdays and five hours a day on weekends, and allow patients to make same and next-day appointments. Virtual appointments provide additional convenience for patients.

Integrity Health operates several health centers in New Jersey and expanded to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

NorCo Council Governance Committee Poised For More Juggling

Last month's meeting of Northampton County Council's governance committee was a doozy. Council member Ron Heckman acted as though he is Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni. And Spadoni acted as though he was Ron Heckman. Heckman chimed on on the law. Spadoni initiated a policy discussion on a government study commission, which is the nuclear option for any home rule government.  neither knoew what he was talking about. 

Wannabe Solicitor Heckman incorrectly told Council member Tara Zrinski that any violation of a proposed gift ban by a Council member could result in removal. Real Solicitor Spadoni was worse. He correctly advised Council that recommendations of a government study commission must go directly to the people. Then 30 seconds later, he reversed himself and incorrectly said County Council could pick and choose what to send to voters. It was one of the worst meetings I've ever witnessed among many bad meetings of that august institution. 

True, it lacked the drams of the near fistfight that once occurred between former Council members Ron Angle and Charles Dertinger. It lacked the panache of Administrator Jim Hickey, who could tell Angle and even a common pleas judge to go f--- himself during breaks in meetings. What made it one of the worst meetings of County Council that I ever witnessed was the complete confusion displayed by Council members and Solicitor alike. Much of this was the result of Chairman Lori Vargo Heffner's desire to cover too many serious topics in one meeting. The rest of it was the result of the distracting and misinformed verbosity displayed by Heckman. mostly in complaint about Executive Lamont McClure's gift ban ordinance. 

Vargo-Heffner kicked things off by complaining she needed a pay study progress report and wanted to ask questions she had every opportunity to ask when the vendor appeared, in person, to explain what was happening. 

From there it went to Lamont McClure's proposed gift ban, which Heckman really despises because it might interfere with him getting free ice cream. After that, Council member John Cusick proposed a change in the way vacancies are filled among elected officials. There was practically no discussion at all on the subject of term limits for all elected officials save the DA, yet that appeared the very next day as a proposed ordinance. Finally they discussed whether the Sheriff should be elected, which requires a government study commission. Spadoni said he'd need to research that question, although it'sbeen answered several times over the past few years. 

Northampton County Council's governance committee is set to meet again today. After all the confusion last month, you'd think they'd trim the agenda to a few items that deserve thorough discussion. Nope. Once again, we're going to have a discussion of the proposed gift ban, term limits for all elected officials save the DA, a home rule charter study and whether the Sheriff should be elected or appointed. 

These are all important topics. They each deserve their own separate meeting. 

Vargo-Heffner likes to accuse Executive McClure of being in a rush to do things. Her ambitious agenda makes clear that she's pushing a lot of issues simultaneously. Why?

How Would You Like to See Government Reformed?

Back in 2016, then Lower Macungie Commissioner Ron Beitler, myself and a few readers came up with a laundry list of government reforms. Some were actually enacted, at least partially. But most suggestions are still out there. These are neither Republican nor Democratic proposals. You either believe in good government or you don't. 

I am running the latest list and ask you to make your own suggestions. 

1. Term limits now and tweak the terms. Three four-year terms for State Reps. Two six-year terms for State Senators. A two-year term for State Reps is too short, They have to start campaigning for the next election virtually the day after they win.

2. Reduce the size of PA government so state rep districts have 85,000 people within. This is small enough to maintain constituent services at the current level, but large enough to eliminate 52 positions entirely. Eliminate the state senate. 

3. Eliminate pensions for elected officials. Salaries for a full-time state legislator should be adjusted to be the median for the district represented. It is a full time job, but not a career. Pensions are for career positions.

4. Enact Resign-to-run rules that would apply to any full time elected position that draws a taxpayer funded salary.  The only exception to this rule I can see is if the candidate is in the final year of his term.  

5. Require all candidates for state office to file campaign finance reports electronically so the people know immediately how the campaign is being funded. Too many candidates refuse to file electronically, and the state elections office is never in a hurry to get reports online.  

6. Ban the use of campaign funds for criminal defense.

7. Increase penalties for noncompliance with state campaign finance laws, and continue the requirement that a candidate pay for violations out of his own personal funds.

8. Require all local governments with a website to post the campaign finance reports of all candidates and elected officials in that municipality, including Statements of Financial Interest. 

9. All local governments with a website should be required to provide an Internet broadcast of every meeting. If it is too expensive, the government should be dissolved.

10. Ban gifts of any kind, on a state and local level.

11. Require receipts for per diem payments.

12. Allow independent voters to participate in Primary Elections.

13. Ban local governments and school districts from attaching risky derivatives/"swaps" to their debt.

14. Ban candidates or elected officials from using campaign funds to make contributions to any other PAC or candidate committee to prevent the money laundering.

15. Limit campaign expenses to year of election requiring forfeiture of unspent monies. Eliminate rolling campaign accounts and expenditures in non election years. I believe district magistrates must spend it or lose it and cannot accumulate funds when they are unopposed. Similar rules for everybody.

16. LIST candidates on the ballot (per office) in random order with no party affiliation attached.

17. Rather than term limits, place "None of the Above" on the ballot for every elective office. If "None of the Above" wins a majority or plurality of the votes, the other candidates are disqualified and a new slate of candidates (including "None of the Above") must be drawn for a new election. Lather, rinse and repeat until someone other than "None of the Above" receives a majority of the votes.

18. Limit the amount of money any individual can contribute to a candidate to the same amount that can be contributed in a federal race. 

19. Ban campaign contributions from employees of a municipality to any candidate seeking election in that municipality.  

NorCo: Antlerless Deer Licenses Go On Sale June 26

From Northampton County: The Northampton County Department of Fiscal Affairs announced changes directed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission for purchasing antlerless deer licenses for this year’s hunting season.

The new antlerless license purchasing process will no longer accept mail-in applications. Hunters must purchase 2023-2024 antlerless licenses online at HuntFish.pa.gov or any in-store hunting license issuing agent. Create an account on HuntFish.pa.gov in advance to ensure your purchase can be completed when licenses go on sale.

The Northampton County Revenue Division is an authorized issuing agent located on the 2nd Floor of the Northampton County Government Center (669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042).

The first day of antlerless license sales for residents is on Monday, June 26. Nonresidents can begin purchasing antlerless licenses on Monday, July 10.

The 2023-2024 Deer Season starts on September 16, 2023, and will end on January 27, 2024.

Tuerk Taps Jennings for A'town Revelopment Authority

According to a news release, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk has nominated Alan Jennings, the retired Exec Director of Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (CACLV), to serve on the City's redevelopment authority. Tuerk believes this appointment will foster more affordable (workforce) housing and sustainable growth. 

CACLV has a program called Community Action Homes, which purchases and rehabilitates housing stock throughout the Lehigh Valley. Unfortunately, the demand for services is so high that no applications are being accepted at this time. 

Development of more suitable workforce housing requires more than buying and fixing old homes. Zoning should be re-examined with an eye to increasing density with tiny homes. TFor most families, there's no need for large 3 BR homes.

Though he likes to portray himself as the champion for those who have no voice, my experience with Jennings is that he has really served a lifetime as a lackey to the rich and powerful. When he was on the NIZ board, he made no appeals for local neighborhoods. He supported two goofy new taxes proposed by Mark Pinsley and Joshua Siegel, including an increase in an already very regressive sales tax as well as a county earned income tax. He was one of lasdt few defenders of disgraced Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. 

I'm sure he'll do whatever the urban growth regime tells him to do. 

Hyman Calls PPL Building First

A decade ago, before the NIZ became reality, Tony Iannelli hosted a Business Matters program to debate its relative merits. It pitted NIZ cheerleaders Sy Traub, realtor Jeff Barber and political goon Mike Fleck (now a convicted felon) against critics that included Lehigh Finance professor and real estate guru Steve Thode as well as Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky. (I had been invited to participate, but Fleck insisted that I be banned or his team would boycott). When Molovinsky complained about the disappearance of Latino merchants on Hamilton Street, Barber called them a "cancer." During that debate, which basically consisted of Fleck yelling for 30 minutes straight, Steve Thode predicted that PPL would eventually be coaxed into moving from its current location and into the NIZ, a few blocks east. Morning Call columnist Bill White dismissed Thode's "wild claims" and "hysteria," but Steve has been proved correct.

What will happen to the PPL building? My prediction is that Allentown developer Nat Hyman will try to purchase it for workforce housing, but he'll be shot down. He refuses to hold his hand out for public money, which makes it very hard for grifters hoping to get a piece of public pie.

Trump, DOJ and Media Are All On Trial

In start contrast to the weak state criminal indictment filed by a Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, the federal indictment (read it here) unsealed on Friday against Donald Trump paints a devastating picture of a thoroughly unlikable person who believes the rules have no application to him. That's largely been the case over his entitled lifetime. It was still mind-boggling to see him subjorn others to commit crimes for him. As shocking as the indictment, at least to me, have been the full-throated defenses offered by most Republicans, even those running against him. Without actually reading the actual indictment, they offer a "what about?" defense based on their perception that Hillary Clinton and the Biden family have received none of the scrutiny that has been directed at Trump by a "weaponized" Department of "Injustice." They also complain that, aside from FOX, mainstream news sources mostly downplay or ignore allegations about Biden. Do they have a point? To some extent, they do. I'd agree that the media could do a better job covering the Biden family. But I think the attacks on the Department of Justice are ridiculous. Not all that long ago, it was Edwion "Fed Ed" Pawlowski claiming he was the victim of a witch hunt. That's a common tactic among criminals. If anything, the DOJ tried very hard to avoid charging Trump. 

Media Failed in Coverage of Hunter Biden

Let's look at Hunter Biden, a grifter who has traded on his father's name to make money. That's what he was doing with Burisma and other foreign countries. That's what he's doing by selling his "art" at a New York gallery. At the same time, he's dodging child support payments over a child that Joe Biden refuses to acknowledge is his granddaughter. 

Not a good look. 

The latest in a long series of allegations about Hunter Biden is actually a years old claim made by a confidential informant/ It's that both Hunter and the President received a $5 million bribe from someone in Ukraine. This allegation was based on a tip provided by Rudy Giuliani. A suspended FBI agent who claims whistleblower status contends that the FBI is sitting on it. 

According to the House Oversight Committee, "The confidential human source who provided information about then-Vice President Biden being involved in a criminal bribery scheme is a trusted, highly credible informant who has been used by the FBI for years." Firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene told reporters that Burisma paid the $10 million bribe, but it would take 10 years to track the money because of all the banks involved. 

Trump's former AG, Bill Barr, indicated that all allegations related to Biden were being funneled through the US Attorney's office in Pittsburgh and then forwarded to the Delaware US Attorney, David Weiss. He's a Trump appointee who Biden retained to avoid questions of a conflict of interest.

Weiss has made no prosecutorial decisions for over four years concerning several possible criminal infractions committed by Hunter Biden. 

I think we'd all agree that's too long. Justice delayed in justice denied. 

Right-wing news sources have covered Hunter Biden in detail, but there's relatively little coverage from left-wing or even more centrist news outlets. 

It seems to me that this is a story. I refused to write about Hunter Biden in the past because that story broke a little too close to the election. That was probably a mistake and it should receive more coverage by all news outlets. 

But so should the $2 billion investment made by the Saudis with Jared Kushner just two months after Trump left office. Kushner had served as a policy advisor on the Middle East. That investment is also being investigated by the House Oversight Committee.

It seems to me that the media has done a fairly lousy job of covering Hunter Biden and the larger question of Presidential family members who enrich themselves from their connections to power. It should make no difference whether the President is a Democrat or Republican. 

The "weaponized" DOJ

By definition, any law enforcement organization is weaponized. It exists to hold lawbreakers accountable. Trump is responsible for using this reality as a vilification. He blamed the DOJ and FBI for refusing to arrest Hillary Clinton over her handling of classified documents on a private email server. The "lock her up!" chants still echo in my mind.  Never mind that her negligence probably cost her thye 2016 election. 

While claiming that he's a victim of the DOJ he forgets that when he was President, he attempted unsuccessfully to use the FBI and IRS to pursue political enemies.

There have been instances in which the FBI itself acknowledges it exceeded its authority with respect to FISA warrants. There will always be rogue agents, just as there always will be rogue cops. It's human nature, unfortunately. 

But when I read of selective prosecution or law enforcement out to get someone, the persons making these claims are almost always the criminals in question, whether it is a Mafia don or a wife beater. 

In Trump's case, the Attorney General assigned a Special Prosecutor precisely to avoid any appearance of impropriety. The President has insisted he has had no interaction with anyone at DOJ concerning any Trump investigation.  Nobody has rebutted this claim.  

If the Special Prosecutor were really out to "get Trump", he could have sought an indictment in Washington. He chose to do so in Miami. He did so knowing that a jury would be more favorable to Trump in Miami than in D.C. The case has been assigned to a Trump appointee who has ruled favorably to Trump concerning the search of his residence and who even halted the criminal investigation. The DOJ could have done some judge shopping, but did not. 

It strikes me that the DOJ has bent over backwards to be fair to Trump. He faces trial for one and only one reason - nobody is above the law.

Like Trump, both the media and DOJ are on trial. I am certain the DOJ will be vindicated. I'm far less sanguine about the media or Trump. 

What Trump's GOP Rivals Say About His Indictment

For the most part, Trump's GOP rivals condemn his federal indictment as the politically inspired tool of a weaponized DOJ. Only two candidates - Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson - are negative. Mike Pence, who probably knows Trump better than the other candidates, made clear that no one is above the law. The rest are basically pale imitations of what Trump himself has been saying. 

Ron DeSantis: “The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society. We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation. ... Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter?”

Nikki Haley: "This is not how justice should be pursued in our country. .... The American people are exhausted by the prosecutorial overreach, double standards, and vendetta politics. ... It’s time to move beyond the endless drama and distractions."

Mike Pence: “I’m deeply troubled to see this indictment move forward. ... Yesterday on the road in Iowa, I had said I had hoped that the DOJ would see it’s way clearer not to move forward here. But let me be very clear: No one is above the law.”

Ryan Binkley: "“Many of the things that he’s faced has been brought upon him on a purely political standpoint. and I’m saddened by our country in that. We need to get all of this politics out of that area and be able to allow people to run freely and my prayers are that equity and justice will come for him and for everybody else.”

Doug Burgum: “America is a country where you’re innocent until you’re proven guilty. These are serious charges, but ask the American people, the people we’re talking to, they’ve got serious concerns about whether or not there’s trust in American institutions.”

Chris Christie: "The fact is that these facts are devastating. ... The bigger issue for our country is, is this the type of conduct that we want from someone who wants to be president of the United States?”

Larry Elder: “We’ve seen a pattern of partisan prosecution and this is another example.”

Vivek Ramaswamy: "I never thought we’d see the day when the U.S. President deputizes the DOJ to arrest his lead rival in the middle of an election. ... It would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump weren’t in the race, but I stand for principles over politics.”

Asa Hutchinson: “Donald Trump’s actions – from his willful [sic] disregard for the Constitution to his disrespect for the rule of law – should not define our nation or the Republican Party. ... This is a sad day for our country. While Donald Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the ongoing criminal proceedings will be a major distraction. This reaffirms the need for Donald Trump to respect the office and end his campaign.”

Tim Scott: “We look at every case based on evidence in America,” Scott said. “Every person is presumed innocent, not guilty, and what we’ve seen over the last several years is the weaponization of the Department of Justice against the former president.”

UPDATED: Trump Now Faces Criminal Charges on State AND Federal Level

In April, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced a 34-count felony indictment of Donald Trump for falsifying business records concerning hush money payments to two women. That case is incredibly weak. But now another shoe has dropped, with a few more very possible. According to USA Today, Trump faces a seven-count indictment for his mishandling of confidential documents, including nuclear secrets, that he carted off to Mar A Lago at the end of his Presidency. A criminal case means that, unlike other high office holders who accidentally took classified documents, Trump knew what he was doing. After all, he's a very stable genius. Just ask him. It also appears that Trump obstructed the efforts of federal officials who attempted to retrieve this sensitive information, which apparently even included contingency plans to attack Iran. 

In addition to these two prosecutions, Trump is being investigated for his role in the failed Congressional coup of January 6, 2020 as well as his efforts to persuade the Georgia Secretary of State to "find" the 11,000 needed to win in that state.  

One silver lining for Trump is that he's been indicted in Florida, not D.C., where he should have an easier time finding friendly jurors. 

He's going to be distracted. This is why I've told you that, despite the polling, someone else is going to be the GOP nominee. 

UPDATED SATURDAY, 10:30 AM: Read the unsealed indictment here. 

Trump stored nuclear secrets in bathroom, shower, ballroom, bedroom, storage room. 

UPDATED: Outdoor Air Improves From "Hazardous" to "Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups"

Lehigh Valley air quality remained "hazardous" as of 10 AM. The AQI was 309, which is considered Code Maroon by AirNow. At this level, all activity outdoors should be as limited as possible. The AQI was 422 at 3 pm yesterday. 

Air quality in the Lehigh Valley improved from 309 at 10 am to 235 at noon. This is still considered "very unhealthy," but is an improvement.  At 1 pm, it improved to 200. At 2 pm, it improved to 179. This is considered "unhealthy,"  with guidance suggesting reduction of long or intense outdoor activity. By 7 pm, it had improved to "unhealthy for sensitive groups," meaning people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations and outdoor workers.   

(Updated at Noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 7 pm)

UPDATED: Canadian Wildfires ... And The Conspiracy Theories Begin

Failed NorCo Exec candidate and tin-foil hat brigade commander Steve Lynch has just announced his latest conspiracy theory. Most of us have been told that numerous wildfires ignited by lightning strikes on unusually dry forests in Canada have created plumes of smoke that have made their way down to the northeast US, This is scorching our lungs with unhealthy air. Instead of accepting this reality, Stevo is reaching more sinister conclusions. He claims it's actually a chemical attack. His readers blame Democrats, of course, and China. 

Lynch, incidentally, is a GOP state committeeman. I think of him as the gift that keeps giving.  

He tells a follower, "If people don't realize that human beings are under assault  and they're trying to make us sick, weak and ultimately dead through their depopulation agenda I have no idea what else to say to people at this point." 

Several more creative conspiracy theories listed at Rolling Stone. 

UPDATED 10 am. 

Despite Unhealthy Air, Nazareth Carnival Begins

As I write this, the air quality index in the Lehigh Valley is at 403, making the air unhealthy for everyone. Allentown acted responsibly and postponed a meeting to discuss a citizens' initiative that would send social workers, and not police, in response to may 9-1-1 calls. Nazareth's annual carnival, which benefits a fire company that should know all about the dangers of smoke inhalation, went on anyway. Vigilance Hose chose profits over people. 

UPDATED - LV Air Quality is Now "Hazardous" - Code Maroon

Lehigh Valley Air Quality was Code Red (198) as of 8 am.  As of 2 pm, it has jumped to Code Purple (361).  As of 3 pm, it has risen to Code Purple (422) This means our aiur quality is now considered "hazardous" for everyone.  "Avoid all physical activity outdoors." Our reduced air quality is the result of smoke spreading from Canadian wildfires. Below is a guide.

AirNow has the following advice:

Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.

If you are healthy, you're usually not at a major risk from short-term exposures to smoke. Still, it's a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it. Everyone should take the steps below when wildfires are present.

Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a run. And it's probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.

Pay attention to local air quality reports. Stay alert to smoke-related news coverage or health warnings.

Visit AirNow to find out the Air Quality Index in your area. As smoke gets worse, the amount of particles in the air changes - and so do the steps you should take to protect yourself. AirNow recommends precautions you can take to protect your health when air pollution gets bad.

If you are advised to stay indoors, take steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves - and even candles! Don't vacuum. That stirs up particles already inside your home. And don't smoke. That puts even more pollution in your lungs, and in the lungs of people around you.

If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor's directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.

Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Note: If you don't have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelter.

If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area. When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors, even though you may not be able to see them.

To track wildfires across the U.S., go to Fire and Smoke Map.

As of 5 pm, the Lehigh Valley has the worst air quality in the state. 464!

UPDATED 2:58 PM, 4:13 PM, 5:38 PM

Where to Check Air Quality - We Were Code Purple

When I walked yesterday morning, things seemed fine. But in the late afternoon, when I left Nazareth to meet my grandson for a bike ride on the Ironton Trail, the skies were hazy and I could smell burning wood. One of my neighbors told me it was from a wildfire on Farmersville Road. I figured that I'd be fine in Coplay, but it was just as bad there. I was unaware at the time that the haze and burning odor were the result of a Canadian wildfire. I checked and learned that the air we were breathing was unhealthy and we should refrain from outdoor activity. So we rode. It was very nice because, other than a dead body here and there, there was no traffic. 

As the evening progressed, I developed a burning sensation in my eyes. I looked for and found the Air Quality Index here. At 11 pm, the Air Quality Index in the Lehigh Valley was 220. That is Code Purple, meaning the air is "very unhealthy." At this time of year, our AQI is usually 42. 

The forecast for today is an AQI of 135, which means the air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups. 

Guess what? N95 Facemasks help. 

Bethlehem City Council Unanimously Vote Down Zoning Change That Would Replace Tech Center With Unaffordable Housing

The warning bells sounded by former Bethlehem Mayor Don Cunningham and ArtsQuest founder Jeff Parks worked. Last night, Bethlehem City Council voted unanimously against a zoning change that would pave the way to replace a tech center on the city's south side with high-end apartments.  The plan was to replace the former Bethlehem Technology Center, built with public money, with The Emery, a six-story, 240-unit apartment building. 

From the floor, Bethlehem sage Bill Scheirer (he has white hair) called it a situation in which "profit comes into conflict with planning. Profit has generally won over planning, but maybe not this time."  

Grace Crampsie Smith. No. - Over the past 5-6 years, 85% of Bethlehem development has been in the form of rental apartments. "I ask is this really a balance?" She noted the average median salary of a Bethlehemite is $54,000, and the rentals from new development are unaffordable. She would prefer the jobs at a high tech building built with taxpayer funds. 

Wandalyn Enix. No. - When it comes to jobs and work, we need to think 10 years down the line. "We need to think globally. We have all the assets and resources to be designated as a technology hub. We have the colleges, universities, technical schools and community colleges to develop our workforce, our businesses, our business community and our geographic proximity to major metropolitan areas is spectacular." She noted that the former tech center still has significant possibilities.  

Mayor Willie Reynolds. (No Vote) - believes that adding housing supply, even high-end, is a good thing. "We don't want to see [the former tech center] sit there vacant." His first priority is increasing housing supply. His second would be to see how the tech center can be reutilized.  

Paige Van Wirt. No. - believes any kind of housing will reduce cost. Her thinking gas changed because she thinks now that Bethlehem can become a tech hub. She said retaining the tech hub would signal to the tech industry that "we're open for business. I think it deserves that chance."

Kiera Wilhelm. No. - She initially favored the rezoning, but changed her mind now that she's learned more about the semiconductor industry. "We're looking at the possibility of something extremely valuable happening in that space."

Rachel Leon. No. - She initially thought of this project from the perspective of a south side resident. 

Michael Colon. No. - Realizes there is a housing deficit, but feels this property is more appropriately zoned the way it is. Other adjacent properties in that neighborhood have been developed for industrial use.

Hillary Kwiatek. No. Rejects the use of disparaging terms for renters. Agrees that we should give the semiconductor indusrty a chance.   

Bethlehem Firefighters Have No Confidence in Their Chief

Brian Salabsky, a Bethlehem firefighter for past 26 years and President of Bethlehem Firefighters Local 735, told Bethlehem City Council last night that his membership has lost all confidence in Fire Chief Warren Achey, During a recent vote of the union's 95 members, 88 indicate they've lost confidence in Achey.

Salabsky accused Achey of creating a toxic environment with threatening behavior and poor communication. He noted that, during budget discussions last year, Achey failed to inform Council that the Civil Service list of applicants had expired. This meant that there was insufficient time to send anyone to Allentown's fire academy in February. He added that Achey has denied 100% of all grievances filed, something no other fire chief has ever done. He concluded that poor moreale in the fire department has created an "infectious plague."

Chief Achey was appointed in 2017 by former Mayor Bob Donchez.  

NorCo Administrators Respond to Staffing Crisis Story at Juvenile Justice

Yesterday, I told you that the Express Times has awarded well-deserved turkeys to Northampton County Council members Kevin Lott and Tara Zrinski. They've thrown up roadblock after roadblock to Court Administrator Jermaine Greene's attempt to resolve a staffing crisis at the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC). This has real world implications. One juvenile who should have been detained after a carjacking committed the very same offense the next day, driving off a car he stole with a girl in the back seat. It's only a matter of time before something far more serious happens. Instead of helping to solve a staffing crisis, Lott and Zrinski are endangering public safety. 

In March of 2022, Executive Lamont McClure told County Council this staffing crisis could be resolved. Subsequently, he made the largest three-year contract offer in the history of the county to the union representing JJC staff  - 4 1/2% step, 4 1/2% step and 2 1/2% COLA. There would be no increase in the cost of medical care. But union negotiators declared an impasse, primarily because the senior members were not given a new step or some other increase until the final year. They wanted it now.

Northampton County has submitted a rare reply to my story. It comes from Information Officer Brittney Waylen. Since it starts with  "As a matter of law," I presume the actual author is Executive Lamont McClure, who is an attorney. 

As a matter of law, the County is the bargaining agent of the court system with respect to collective bargaining. In negotiating with the YDC workers, we have held multiple meetings seeking to find a fair funding formula. Like the Commonwealth, the County bargains wages and health care on a pattern basis meaning that it tries to generally treat all employees identically when it comes to cost of living adjustments.

Despite that pattern, the County made an offer to the YDC workers based on what the Court system informed the County the YDC workers would agree. That did not result in an agreement and the YDC workers chose instead—as is their right—to seek arbitration. That arbitration is scheduled for June 29th and will result in a new contract and some degree of retroactive wage adjustment. In the interim, the Court system has also unilaterally proposed the creation of supervisory positions which cannot be imposed but must instead be bargained. Moreover, the Court’s proposal will have an effect on the wages of the YDC workers—the majority of whom would be out of a job under the Court’s proposal.

While the County is the bargaining agent for the Court system, the County also has an obligation to follow applicable Pennsylvania labor law. That means that, while the Court’s idea regarding supervisory positions is extant, it is left to the County to work with the union to attempt to bring the Court’s proposal into line with the law. This is what the County is attempting to do.

I appreciate your suggestion regarding tweaking the prior offer to the YDC workers. I would respectfully point out that the YDC workers have yet to accept any offer made by the County despite prior tweaks and adjustments. In addition, in the wake of the unilateral creation of these supervisory positions, this further complicates the matter. Why accept the frontloading of these positions when the supervisory positions pay more? (even though they are not self-executing and cannot simply be imposed without bargaining)

At the end of the day, the County has the duty to the taxpayers to find the right combination of expenditure and service regarding all employees in an effort to create a model sustainable for the future. The most effective forum for doing so is in front of a neutral arbitrator who will hear both sides and help the parties reach an equitable solution. While we cannot go back to the beginning of bargaining, we can prepare for the future secure in the knowledge that a process designed to resolve these disputes will address all the equities you mention and a solution will be found. I have great confidence in the wisdom of the arbitrator—working with the Union and the County in properly litigated forum designed to resolve industrial disputes—will reach a fair outcome.

The county likes to take a cookie cutter approach to union negotiations, and this pattern approach has benefits. But no two bargaining units are the same. What works with one union is unacceptable to others. In fact, the county deviated from its own approach with Gracedale by offering bonuses to hire and retain workers. The county itself has failed to follow its own pattern approach. 

I agree that the County is the bargaining agent for the courts and offered the same salaries that the courts recommended. But the stumbling block had nothing to do with the salarie. It was instead a trivial disagreement whether more senior youth care workers get a raise or a new step in the first or last year. The amount in dispute really is a pittance, and in view of the threat to public safety resulting from a staffing shortage, the county really should have just agreed to pay the money. 

The county and union both have allowed this unresolved contract to languish in spite of the staffing crisis at JJC.  Nearly every month, Court Administrator Jermaine Greene has made you aware that no arbitration was scheduled. Neither you nor the union bothered to contact the PLRB to learn why this was taking so long. When you learned that it was because an arbitrator had retired, you took no action with PLRB to urge a prompt resolution. When the arbitration was finally scheduled, it was not until the end of this month, meaning the crisis will continue with no resolution until weeks or months later. 

Greene tried at first to hire more part-time workers. Then he proposed more supervisors. Now he wants assistant supervisors because he needs bodies. I'm sure he would have been happy if he had a contract, but this has been delayed for far too long. Lott and Zrinski have resisted Greene every time he attempts to get more badly needed staff. . 

You indicate that, as a matter of law, these assistant supervisory positions should be union. You may be right, and all you need do is file a unit clarification petition. But you also have an obligation to follow the County Council resolution authorizing these new positions. I agree you have an obligation to taxpayers, and that includes their public safety. This has gone on long enough. You could solve this impasse tomorrow if you wished. Why not do that instead of letting Lott bray about union bustin' and Zrinski accuse Greene of being a liar?

Finally, I disagree that the majority of youth care workers will be out of a job. Those positions eliminated are all vacant. Nobody is going to be out of a job. 

Thanks for the reply. 

Shakespeare in Easton?

On summer and fall weekends I like to ride long. Last summer, most long rides were on trails. This summer, I'm trying to do as many cycling adventures as I can without using a car at all. The trips are shorter, but there are a lot more hills. On Saturday, I rode from Nazareth into Easton and then got on the trail to Bethlehem. When I got to downtown Easton, I was blown away by the farmer's market. 

We have one in Nazareth at the circle. It's nice but very small. The one in Easton is gigantic, by far the biggest I ever saw. It had the atmosphere of a festival

It included a group of thespians performing A Midsummer's Night Dream, with an enthusiastic audience surrounding the stage. 

I think this weekly market attracts a lot of people from out of town. I was there about 30 minutes, but recognized no one. 

Bethlehem City Council Set to Vote Tonight on Replacing Tech With Unaffordable Housing

Bethlehem City Council will vote tonight on rezoning the former Bethlehem Technology Center, located on the city's south side, from industrial to central business district. This spot zoning will replace a technology center containing a rare cleanroom with unaffordable housing. Yesterday, I told you that Bethlehem's former Mayor, Don Cunningham has reservations about rezoning this tract, at least at this time. Cunningham's view is echoed by ArtsQuest founder Jeff Parks, who helped transform the Christmas City from steelmaker to cultural center. 

Parks notes that, with enactment of the CHIPS Act, the feds will be spending $52.7 billion in subsidies for American chip-makers and another $25 billion in tax credits. It would be foolhardy to walk away from that money to build an apartment complex that only the upper echelons could afford. 

In the 20th century, Bethlehem's steel built the warships that defeated the Axis powers. In the 21st, Bethlehem could be making the microchips we desperately need as a bulwark against foreign powers. We should be seizing this opportunity, not creating artificial villages that will end up consuming more city resources than it contributes.

With Don Cunningham and Jeff Parks on the same page on this Bethlehem issue, City Council's best bet would be to table this ordinance.    

Don Cunningham Cautions Against Walking Away From Life Sciences and Technology

Bethlehem City Council is poised to vote on rezoning the former Bethlehem Technology Center, located on the city's south side, from industrial to central business district. This spot zoning will pave the way for The Emery, a six-story, 240-unit apartment building charging monthly rent that most of us could never afford. In a rare move, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. CEO and President Don Cunningham has warned against this move.

Cunningham was Bethlehem when the steel company shut down. Over night people lost jobs and the city lost a quarter of its tax revenue. Cunningham brought people something they desperately needed  - hope.  Bethlehem would rebound, thanks to the moves he and his successor, John Callahan, made. They were fortunate to have Tony Hanna as Director of Community and Economic Development. But it all started with Cunningham. So when Cunningham speaks about Bethlehem, its City Council should listen. Here's a letter he sent to City Council about this proposal on April 18.

Dear City Councilmembers,

As you prepare to take input on the proposed rezoning of the former Bethlehem Technology Center property in South Bethlehem, I'm writing to raise several issues that don't appear to have gotten much attention yet.

• The building under discussion was built as The Bethlehem Technology Center in 1993 as the first stake in the ground in Bethlehem's economic redevelopment from heavy industry to a new economy with an aim to grow a life sciences and technology sector.
• The property was built with public money through a consortium of the City of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Ben Franklin Tech Partners at Lehigh University, and the non-profit developer Lehigh Valley Industrial Parks. (It was sold by Bethlehem Steel Corp.)
• It was so successful that the same consortium built The Bethlehem Technology Center II (currently owned and occupied by OraSure Technologies) next door.
• Both consortium-owned properties were sold to the building's dominant tenants in 2007.
• The intention at the time of construction and at the time of sale was for the area to serve as a life sciences and technology hub for Bethlehem on former Bethlehem Steel land that could serve as a home to companies graduating from Ben Franklin Tech Partners or to house other tech and life sciences companies.
• The Bethlehem Tech Center was built with unique and redundant infrastructure features such as electric supply, natural gas, life safety features, wet labs, and clean rooms.
• There were covenants placed in the sales agreements from both 1993 and 2007 to limit the reuse of the properties for residential purposes, schools, daycares, and many other people-intensive uses. Those covenants need to be released by several entities for the property to ever be used for residential. (The 2007 covenant document is attached.)
• The large grass areas outside of OraSure were purposely built to create a "tech campus" feeling that would connect Tech Center I and Tech Center II. Nearby companies have concerns about that area being used by residents and/or as a park.
• The central question before you is one of timing. Is it time to walk away from technology or life sciences uses? Has adequate effort been made to continue this use and/or is it time to repurpose the property for residential? Here are a few points to consider.
• IQE, the current owner of the building under discussion, decided to shut down its semiconductor operation in Bethlehem and move it to North Carolina. Lehigh University had the building under agreement for nearly a year but decided against buying it in the fall of 2022. IQE marketed the building within the Lehigh Valley during the fourth quarter of last year before settling on an agreement with Serfass this January.
• The federal government, state government and the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. - through its strategic plan - have targeted life science and technology development. There is a base of about 170 life science companies and about 6,600 employees in the Lehigh Valley.
• LVEDC has embarked on a national marketing campaign to help grow this sector here. It is a growing sector in the United States. One of the biggest challenges to growth is the cost of building new space. And one of the biggest impediments to growing companies in this arena is the availability of space.
• It will send an economic development message if the region's second-largest municipality moves this quickly to repurpose away from its life sciences-technology hub at a time when other states, regions, and the federal government are investing money and creating consortiums to build capacity.

There is clearly a demand for new housing in the Lehigh Valley. And I understand that the job of policymakers is to strike a balance regarding needs.

It's up to you to decide if now is the time for Bethlehem to do that. I just want you to do it with your eyes wide open.

New life science and technology developments, campuses, and innovation hubs will be built in our country, our state, and in the Lehigh Valley. The question under consideration is if Bethlehem will be involved.

Again, timing is the real issue. You will hear tonight that the property was marketed for life sciences and technology and there were no takers, therefore, there is no other option. Because of what I do for a living, I can offer that it often takes harder work -- longer than 90 days -- and a much-wider national net to find a specialized user for a building constructed for this purpose. Buildings in Bethlehem have been vacant for years or decades while much work was done to see if they could be reused, such as Bethlehem Steel's Martin Towers, the Bennett Toyota car lot on W. Broad St., and the numerous former Bethlehem Steel buildings on the ArtsQuest campus preserved for adaptive reuse.

I respect the difficulty of your job. I once was a City Councilman.

I know you all have the good of our city at heart. I want you to make your decision after a full examination.

While I cannot be at your public hearing tonight, I am open to questions and discussions at your pleasure.

Express Times Awards Turkeys to Tara Zrinski & Kevin Lott

Kevin Lott

Over the past few months, I've been highly critical of Council members Kevin Lott and Tara Zrinski. Lott is a lame duck on his way out, as evidenced by his failure to show up or just phone in at numerous  meetings. Zrinski is no lame duck. She's instead an opportunist whose public Facebook page states "Tara Zrinski - Political Candidate." She's always running for something, and her favorite flavor this year is the Controller's job. Am I too harsh? If so, I've got company. This past weekend, The Express-Times awarded them both turkeys.

As I've been telling you for several months, there's a serious staffing shortage at Northampton County's Juvenile Justice Center. It's actually a statewide problem caused by low pay, and has prompted juvenile court judges to request that higher salaries be paid to youth care workers. The Lamont McClure administration has offered a contract that pays the same amount of money that corrections officers get, but union negotiators rejected this and declared an impasse. It wasn't until two weeks ago that the Pa Labor Relations Board bothered to schedule an arbitration for the end of June. 

Tara Zrinski

As the staffing shortage has continued into its 17th month, this has had real world consequences. On April 21, a 16 year old teen stole a car near Cheston elementary school after the driver exited the vehicle with the engine still running. Pennsylvania State Police apprehended this youth an hour later in Ross Township, Monroe County. He was charged but was released to his mother because Northampton County's Juvenile Justice Center lacked the staffing to handle him. The very next day, this same teen carjacked another vehicle parked outside a Palmer Tp convenience store with its engine running. This time, an 8 year old girl was in the car. When the driver saw the carjacking, she ran outside the store and tried to get in the car. She got a hand on the door, but was repelled and hit her head on pavement. Fortunately, the 8 year old (the driver's daughter) managed to unlock the door and jump out. This teen led police on a high speed chase before rolling the car in Upper Nazareth Tp.

While waiting for an arbitration, Court Administrator Jermaine Greene has tried everything to provide manpower. He's tried getting more part-time positions.  He's tried increasing the salaries paid to supervisors. Most recently, he's tried adding "assistant supervisors" to the workforce. Along the way, Council members Kevin Lott and Tara Zrinski have thrown up roadblock after roadblock. 

Lott has demanded performance and sustainability reviews and has even accused Greene of union bustin.' Zrinski, who once was sanctioned for lying in a custody dispute, accused Greene of being deceptive. Both were clearly bothered that the "assistant supervisor" positions being sought by Greene are nonunion. That question can easily be answered with a unit clarification petition. There was no need for the histrionics. 

The Express Times has tagged Lott and Zrinski for playing to the unions. 

Actually, I think it's far more serious. Lott and Zrinski are obstructing every effort made to solve a staffing shortage. While this continues, juveniles who should be detained are instead out on the street.  Sooner or later, someone is going to get killed because they are playing games instead of doing what is right for public safety. 

Easton Activist and Constable Claims Arrest Is Politically Motrivated

Wheeler returned to donation drive
after his arrest

According to both Lehigh Valley Live and Lehigh Valley News. Lance Wheeler was arrested by Wilson Borough police on Wednesday while conducting a donation drive for the Ferry Street fire victims. Council member Taiba Sultana was there, and has a video of the actual arrest. According to the news accounts, the arrest stems from an incident last August, when Wheeler allegedly threatened three students while driving a school van. 

Wheeler is a well-known, long-time Easton activist, the former President of Easton NAACP, a constable, and has often been called the Mayor of the West Ward. He finished short in his bid for City Council in May, but tells me he won the west ward. 

When I saw Wheeler at the candidates' night at Easton South Side Civic Ass'n, he was far from his usual affable self. He started sparring with Mayor Sal Panto and told people he had no desire to win. He was gaunt and seemed rattled. In fact, I was so concerned that I called him afterwards to ask if he's OK. 

I called him again yesterday after I learned of his arrest, and he admitted this sword of Damocles has been hanging over his head for nearly a year.  "If it happened the way they're saying, why wasn't I arrested last year?" he asked several times. 

He believes his arrest is politically motivated because he supported Steve Baratta for DA, and is the person who encouraged the Sikhs in Lower Nazareth to reach out to him. He also blames Easton Mayor Sal Panto. 

He told me he's represented by Glennis Clark, a well-known and highly respected Allentown attorney. 

Why did this case take so long to investigate? We know this investigation was conducted by a small police department. We know there was school bus video and audio to retrieve and review. We know there was a need to interview at least four juveniles, presumably with their parents, and school district officials. Wheeler told me that witnesses, including his nephew, were called to testify before a grand jury.  He also told me one of the children he was driving was autistic, yet the school district provided no aide. We know that authorities should take allegations of child abuse seriously. 

When Wheeler has his preliminary hearing, we'll know why this case took as long as it did to investigate and whether it was politically motivated or a law enforcement response to someone who actually may have attempted to persuade his nephew to assault these juveniles.  Until then, we should refrain from speculation. 

NorCo Council Introduces Term Limits, Gets Election Report on Successful Primary

At a governance committee meeting last month, Northampton County Council members, particularly Ron Heckman, had a litany of complaints about the gift ban ordinance proposed by Executive Lamont McClure. Heckman wanted a change so he could continue to eat ice cream at statewide county comm'r meetings. Council member Lori Vargo Heffner suggested that change be made before the ordinance was formally introduced at last night's meeting. But County Council is dragging its feet and failed to list the gift ban ordinance. Instead, they introduced changes to the Home Rule Charter that would impose term limits on the Exec, Controller and Council. That matter was only superficially discussed during last month's governance committee. 

There was no discussion concerning the benefits and disadvantages of term limits imposed on locally elected officials.  I fully support term limits for federal and state elected officials, but am leery of it on a local level.  I like the idea of rotating different people in and out of office. But on the county level, it takes several years to learn bureaucratese, the language spoken by Human Services and the Department of Community and Economic Development. This necessarily means that unelected bureaucrats will pretty much have their way with elected officials who simply have no understanding of the lingo.

I also think the ordinances (you can read the relevant sections in my prior post) apply a different standard to him than they do to themselves. It provides that "no person who has held the office of County Executive, or acted as County Executive for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected County Executive, shall be elected to the office of County Executive more than once."   Shouldn't this same standard apply to everyone?  

Council member Tara Zrinski wondered whether she and John Cusick have a conflict of interest in  allowing voters to decide term limits for the Controller, a position both are seeking. There is no conflict as a matter of law. She or Cusick might benefit or be hurt by term limits, but they are not voting for themselves personally. They are instead voting to allow the voters decide on term limits for the entire class of controllers, present and future, of which they may or may not be a part.  

In other business, Executive Lamont McClure reported on the May 16 primary election. Democrats cast 24,878 votes, with 13,728 coming via mail. Their turnout percentage was 25.97%. Republicans cast 16,972 votes, with only 3.626 coming through the mail. Their turnout percentage was 21.23%

There was a 74% return rate on mail-in ballots. 

Pre-canvassing (the tabulation of mail-in ballots) began at 7 am on Election Day, and was finished by 1:30 pm. 

Unofficial election results were posted by 11:30 pm. Two of the 156 voting precinct forgot to bring back the voting sticks, which delayed the computation. All other precincts were posted by 10 pm. 

Election results were formally certified on May 30, well in advance of the June 5 deadline.

"Our primary election is over," McClure concluded.

NorCo Council To Consider Term Limits For Executive, Council and Controller

Tonight, Northampton County Council is poised to propose three changes to the Home Rule Charter that will impose term limits on the Executive, County Council members and the Controller. No term limits are being considered for the District Attorney. The changes are as follows:

County Council - "Any member of County Council shall not serve more than three (3) four year terms in succession."

Executive - "No person shall be elected to the office of County Executive more than twice, and no person who has held the office of County Executive, or acted as County Executive for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected County Executive, shall be elected to the office of County Executive more than once."

Controller - "The County Controller shall not serve more than two (2) terms of office in succession."

These proposals would allow County Council members to serve 12 years, take a break, and then serve another 12. They would allow the Controller to serve 8 years, take a break, and then serve 8 more years. If either a Council member or Controller serves as an appointee, that time in office is excluded.

In contrast, the Executive is limited to two terms. Can he take a break and then serve another two terms?  No. If he serves as an appointee for more than two years, that's considered a term. 

The term limits for Executive are a bit stricter than those of other elected officials. 

No NorCo Exec has ever served more than two terms.

Ironically, County Council has left untouched the Office of District Attorney which is subject to Home Rule. John Morganelli served six terms as DA. Don Corriere served three terms. 

If these ordinances are adopted, the question will go to the voters.  There has only been cursory discussion of these matters in Council's Governance Committee, The ambiguous language concerning term limits for the Executive needs clarification.  

Does the imposition of a term limit require a government study commission? Those are necessary if the form of government is changed. It seems at first blush that the imposition of term limits imposes no change in the actual form of government. 

NorCo DA's Race: Houck Is In It To Win It

A rumor about NorCo DA candidate Terry Houck is being whispered down the alley. I first heard it in the form of anonymous comments on this blog, almost immediately after the primary.  The scuttlebutt is that Houck would drop out of the race and, once his term is up, work for either Steve Baratta or some other District Attorney. Because I know Terry and how strongly he believes that he needs to stay in office, I  immediately rejected this hearsay as sheer nonsense. But then I heard the story again yesterday from two different people, one of whom claimed he heard it during the call of the list. So I called Terry, and he made clear to me that he's in it to win it. 

Despite the money poured into Baratta's coffers by developers and Ray Lahoud, and in spite of the efforts that John Morganelli has made behind the scenes to unseat Houck, he still attracted a substantial number of  Democratic votes and was the overwhelming choice of Republicans who wrote him in.  He intends to win this race by appealing to the numerous Democrats, Republicans and independents who think that they, and not Allentown developers and lawyers, should decide this race. They think they, and not Democratic or Republican party bosses, should make the call, 

Stay tuned.