NorCo Elections FAQs

Blogger's Note: Before every election, NorCo's elections office provides a FAQ on questions that commonly arise.  I believe this is extremely helpful. 

Who is eligible to register to vote?

·        To vote in the Presidential Election on November 5^th you must be a U.S. Citizen, be 18 years or older by Election Day, be a Pennsylvania resident, not confined in a prison, jail or other penal institution serving a sentence for conviction of a felony as of the date of the election and not have been convicted of a violation of a provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years.

What if I recently moved into the area?

·        To register and vote in Northampton County, you must have resided here for at least 30 days prior to the election. If you’ve moved within 30 days of a presidential election, both federal and state law allow you to vote for President in your previous place of residence if you haven’t already registered at your new address.

 

How can I register to vote in Northampton County?

·        Eligible voters can register in person at the Elections Office located in the Lower Level of the County Courthouse at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. To register by mail, download a blank voter registration form at the vote.pa.gov website or fill out the online application there and submit it electronically. Your registration is not complete until it is processed and accepted by the County voter registration office.

 

What is the deadline to register to vote?

·        The last day to register for the presidential election is October 21, 2024. You can register at the Elections Office until 8:00 PM that night or file an online application at vote.pa.gov by 11:59 PM.

 

 How do I know my application has been accepted or if my ballot has been received?

·        Citizens who sign up on vote.pa.gov will receive emails about their application/ballot status. Voters who applied on paper can track the status of their ballot at vote.pa.gov.

 

After I register and my application is approved, how can I vote?

·        Ballot-On-Demand voting is available at the Elections Office, Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and on Saturdays, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM until Tuesday, October 29^th. On October 29^th, Ballot-On-Demand voting will end at 5:00 PM.

·        To vote via an absentee or mail-in ballot apply either in person at the Elections Office or online at vote.pa.gov by 5:00 PM on October 29^th.

·        To vote in-person, the polls will be open on Nov. 5th from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. If you are in line at 8:00 PM, you will be allowed to cast a ballot.

 

Do I need to present any identification at the polls on Election Day?

·        The first time you vote, or are a new voter to a particular precinct, you must bring a photo, or non-photo ID. Identification is not required from people who have previously voted at their polling place.

 

What if I have a disability which makes it difficult to vote on the machine at the polls?

·        The ES&S ExpressVote XL has accommodations for voters with macular degeneration or other hearing and visual impairments. Alert the poll workers if you need one of these accommodations.

What if I have a disability that makes it difficult to vote without assistance?

·        Registered voters who need assistance may bring someone with them to the polling place. You will be asked to complete and sign a Declaration of Need Assistance form. If you cannot take your mail-in ballot to a mailbox or to one of the County’s secure ballot drop boxes, you must designate someone, in writing, to deliver it for you by filling out a Designated Agent Form. Both forms are available at the Election Office or the vote.pa.gov website.

 

How can I be sure my mail-in ballot will be accepted?

·        Your ballot MUST BE enclosed in the YELLOW secrecy envelope and sealed. There can be no identifying marks or symbols on the YELLOW envelope. The return envelope must be signed and dated on the back in the appropriate yellow boxes.

What is the deadline to return my mail-in or absentee ballot?

·        The ballot must be returned to the Election’s Office no later than 8:00 PM on Election Night, Tuesday, November 5^th. Postmarks do not count. A list of secure ballot drop-off boxes is listed below.

Who should I call if I have problems or questions either before or on Election Day?

·        The Northampton County Elections Office: 610-829-6260 or elections@norcopa.gov   

 

Mail-in and absentee ballots may be returned to the Elections Office in person, via the U.S. mail (postage is included on the envelope) or in one of Northampton County’s seven secure ballot drop-off boxes. Accessing drop-off boxes does not require going through security at any location. Ballots MUST be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted. Postmarks will not count!

 

·        Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda):

669  Washington St., Easton, PA 18042

o  Monday-Friday from 8:30am-8:00pm

o  Saturdays: Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 (from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm)

o  When dropping off a ballot, voters can park for free in the loading-and-unloading zone on Washington Street in front of the Courthouse or use the parking lot at the Wolf Avenue and Washington Street intersection.

 

·        Northampton County Human Services Building (Main Entrance Vestibule):

2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020

o  Monday-Friday from 8:30am-7:00pm

o  Saturdays from 8:00am-2:00pm

 

·        Northampton County 911 Center (Main Entrance Vestibule):

100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064

o  Open 24/7

 

·        Bethlehem City Hall (Main Lobby):

10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

o  Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm

o  Election Day (Tuesday, November 5, 2024) accessible from 7:00am-8:00pm

 

·        Washington Township Municipal Building (Main Entrance Vestibule):

1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor, PA 18013

o  Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-4:00pm

o  Fridays from 7:00am-3:00pm

 

·        East Allen Township Municipal Building (Main Lobby):

5344 Nor Bath Blvd., Northampton, PA 18067

o  Monday-Friday from 8:30am-3:30pm

 

·        NCC Fowler Family Southside Center (Main Lobby):

511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, PA 18015

o  Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-9:00pm

o  Fridays from 7:00am-8:30pm

o  Saturdays from 7:00am-2:00pm

Fed Ed Finally Apologizes

After having spent the past six years in an assortment of federal prisons, disgraced Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski is finally expressing remorse for the crimes he committed as Mayor. 

According to WFMZ-TV69, he is asking President Joe Biden to commute his 15-year sentence, and apparently realizes his only shot at getting any kind of relief is to accept responsibility for his misbehavior. 

I was highly critical of Fed Ed while he was in office and did my best to cast a spotlight on his misconduct. But even I agree he has been behind bars long enough. In late 2022, I sent a letter to the Pardon Att'y to request that his 15-year sentence be reduced. 

Whether it is genuine or not, he has now finally apologized. 

The People Who Knew Trump Best Do Not Support Him

Monday was Columbus Day, aka Indigenous People's Day, so several banks, government offices and the post office were closed. In NorCo, which was open, many people used the holiday to exercise their franchise and cast their "ballot by demand" at the county elections office. As we all know, many of them support Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. I support Harris and consider Trump totally unfit for any office, to say nothing of the Presidency.

I'm a bottom-feeding blogger, the lowest of the low. So what I think should mean little to most of you. But the image above should. The New York Times editorial board has a list of comments from his former staffers, the people who know him best.  

Bill Barr, his former Attorney General, said Trump "will always put his own interests and gratifying his own ego ahead of everything else … .” Gen. John Kelly, Director of Homeland Security and his Chiefm of Staff, calls him "a person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators.” From former VP Mike Pence to former Defense Sec'y James Mattis, the list is long and distinguished.

If you are a member of the Trump cult, this post is worthless. But if you are capable of looking at things a little more objectively. I'd hope you'd realize he is simply a terrible choice to lead this nation.

NorCo General Purpose Authority Approves Wilson Borough Transfer For Dixie Cup Development

In May, Skyline Investment Group representatives were at the NorCo's General Purpose Authority (GPA) meeting. Wilson Borough actually owns a small triangular piece shown on the tax map you see above as 1C-1. It is 0.35 acres located along the eastern side of 25th Street and is actually the beginning of a bike path that extends from the Palmer Bike path and hooks up with the Tatamy Trail. According to Claudia Robinson, who is actually a tax credit maven employed by an outfit called AreaProbe, Skyline plans to move the giant Dixie Cup currently on top of the vacant factory and plant it next to the bike path, where people could ooh and ahh at its wonder. 

But there's a problem. Wilson Borough is unable to convey directly to Skyline unless it first conducts an auction at which anyone could bid to buy the tract. This could complicate Robinson in her quest to attract private equity with promises of an historic tax credit. 

To foreclose the possibility that someone other than Skyline gets this tract, the Borough could convey to the county GPA, which in turn would munificently turn it over to Skyline. That way the law against this kind of insider dealing would be followed even though the spirit of the law would clearly be ignored. 

At their October 8 meeting, NorCo's GPA approved the land transfer by a 5-2 vote and without discussion. Voting Yes were Charles Dertinger, Paul Anthony, Ken Kraft, Ronald Donchez and Pamela Pearson. Voting No were Lori Vargo Heffner and Lance Colondo. 

Vargo Heffner is President of NorCo Council and Colondo is Nazareth's Mayor.

For Second Time, I Think Someone Stole My Cannondale Trail 5 - Part 2

A few years ago, almost immediately after completing the 330-mile ride from Pittsburgh to D.C., someone stole my Cannondale Trail 5 locked bicycle while I rewarded myself with lunch. Video showed the culprit, who was armed with a few bike tools and made an idiot out of me by simply disassembling part of the bike, slipping the lock off, reassembling and then riding off. A few weeks later, I had a new Cannondale Trail 5, which my grandson uses when we cycle the trails. I told you on Friday that I believed that bike was stolen from a bank parking lot in Bethlehem while my grandson and I ate at the Pho Bowl after our ride. I was wrong. 

Bethlehem police investigated and reviewed camera footage from the bank. That footage showed I had two bikes on my car when I left. 

From Bethlehem, I stopped at the Giant Food Store in Nazareth before returning home. I was there about 15 minutes, but I park at the far end of the lot so I can walk more. So it's possible the bike was stolen from that location. I have contacted Colonial Regional Police because Giant tells me that there are cameras all over the parking lot. 

Another possibility is that the bike fell off during my ride home. I highly doubt this because I have the bike strapped in pretty well and I definitely can hear it when the bikes move in any way.

In any event, I want you to know that no crime was committed in Bethlehem. I also want to tell you that I purchased a new bike for our Philly Bike Ride. 

The moral of this story is that I should really try to stay out of the car and on my bike. I probably would do so more often but am unable to ride two bikes together. 

"God's Acre" or "Indian Graveyard" at Nazareth's Indian Tower

It's called the "Indian Tower," and is the highest elevation (731.63 ft above sea level) in what was originally Nazareth's 5,000 acres. It never was a lookout tower but is the site of what Moravians call God's Acre or the Indian Graveyard. It was in use between 1744 and 1762, and is the final resting place of 67 Moravians, including four Native Americans. Only a few are marked in any way, but there is a slab of stone that must be a marker for at least one of these early inhabitants. As the weather gets cooler, I like to walk through here with my buddy, a huge Black Lab. That's during the day. Once it gets dark, it's good spot for teens and amateur astronomers to stargaze. 

Sometime on Friday or Saturday night, someone left an offering at the tumulus of one of the deceased Moravians. Two unopened cans of beer (Miller Lite and Yeungling Light), a flavored cigar and a bouquet of flowers. I think the American flag was already there. 

I don't know why, but I thought that was very nice. 

For the Second Time, I Think Someone Stole My Cannondale Trail 5

At the end of the day yesterday, I met my grandson at Sand Island and we rode the trails while there was daylight. After that, we met up at Bethlehem's Pho Bowl, my favorite restaurant and talked Phillies and Eagles. From there, I hopped into my car and drove home. But when I arrived in Nazareth, I noticed that my Cannondale Trail 5 was no longer on the bike rack. Not only was it secure to the back rack, but I use several straps to make sure nothing moves. So I believe my bike was probably stolen last night while we were eating.  

To avoid the Bethlehem Parking Authority Nazis, I park at the M&T Bank lot if it is after hours. A camera is trained on the cars, so police should be able to confirm today whether the bike was stolen. Whether they will be able to retrieve it is another story, although I was able to give them the serial number.

Police arrived within minutes of my call and were very professional and sympathetic. There is a slight possibility that the bike fell off during my ride home, but it was strapped in very well and I think I would have noticed. I retraced my ride home and saw nothing. When the video footage from the bank is observed, we'll know for sure. 

This will be the second time someone stole one of my bikes. The last time it was a Cannondale Trail 5 as well. I had just finished riding the 330-mile trip from Pittsburgh to DC and stopped for lunch. Though I locked my bike, the thief was able to disassemble the cockpit of the bike and slip it off the lock. There was video of that, too. 

This time my bike was unsecured. I spend a good five or ten minutes adding all kinds of straps to the wheels and noodles to keep the bikes from hitting each other or the car, so I never expected someone to be able to get everything off so quickly. 

My grandson and I are headed to Philly next Friday for the annual Philly Bike Ride. If you know of any decent bikes for sale, let me know. I am looking at a Trek Domane Al 2 or a Cannondale Synapse Sora, which are great low-end endurance bikes you can ride on a road or trail. But they are hard to find. 

My brother, who lives only a half block away from Pho Bowl, is an evil Republican. I told police he probably stole it. He says he was with Trump, eating dogs and cats.   

Judge Sletvold Taken To Woodshed By Superior Court Over Termination of Mother's Parental Rights

I've told you before about the federal civil rights suit filed by Lisa Tresslar, Northampton County's former Custody Master. She claims she was constructively terminated after blowing the whistle on the conduct of several Northampton County judges (specifically Judges Jennifer Sletvold and Paula Roscioli) in custody disputes.  Instead of seeking out evidence of danger to children, Tresslar claims these judges try to prevent its admission so that they are insulated from the public outcry that would ensue in the event that a parent with visitation or custody would harm a child. She even pointed to one instance in which she states that happened. Judges want her case tossed, and a hearing has been scheduled for November 21. This story is about a separate matter involving Judge Sletvold, who recently terminated a mother's parental rights without bothering to explain why. Pennsylvania's Superior Court blasted her. 

In an October 1 opinion penned by President Judge Anne E Lazarus, the Superior Court minced no words in its criticism of Judge Sletvold for terminating a mother's parental rights with no meaningful inquiry or rationale. She did so even though "[a] parent’s right to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of his or her children is among the oldest of fundamental rights.”

Instead of explaining why she ruled the way she did, she just adopted wholesale the findings of fact and conclusions of law submitted by one of the parties. "[W]e strongly disapprove of a trial court’s wholesale adoption of a party’s proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, without independent analysis, in a termination of parental rights matter," said the Court. "[W]e are faced with a trial judge who has completely abdicated her responsibility to provide an 'independent judicial analysis.'", adds President Judge Lazarus, who also accuses Judge Sletvold of "dereliction of duty." The Superior Court has ordered Judge Slevtold to explain herself within the next 30 days and has retained jurisdiction.

Last year, Northampton County voters decided to retain Judge Sletvold with 34,909 Yes Votes to 23,862 No votes. 

Thode: Road Work, Government At Its Most Brilliant

Blogger's Note: Though I've learned that I do need a car at times, I try to stay out of it as much as possible and find I can do most errands on foot or by bicycle. One of my most enjoyable trips has always been the ride from Nazareth to Bethlehem and back on 191 and Linden Street. The berms are quite wide so it's pretty safe. But that changed a few weeks ago when construction crews began resurfacing the roads. It's more like mountain biking these days. Though occasional contributor Steve Thode is no cyclist, he lives in that area and has had to put up with the mess. Here's his reaction.  (By the way, he should visit Nazareth, where every road surface seems to be under perpetual construction)

Three weeks ago construction crews began skimming the asphalt on Linden Street/PA 191 from Butztown Road north to US22. As you know, this is one of only three "escape routes" north out of the City of Bethlehem. It is also heavily traveled and only one lane each direction until north of Oakland Road in Bethlehem Township.

Traffic was reduced to one lane that had to be alternately shared by northbound and southbound traffic. At times, southbound traffic was backed up all the way to 22 and northbound traffic backed up to Azar Market at Johnston Drive.

Now the brilliant parts.

Last week - less than a week after the section of southbound Linden Street near East Boulevard had been resurfaced - construction crews began digging up the new asphalt. Brilliant!

And then, suddenly, resurfacing crews disappeared, leaving behind many sections that had been "skimmed" but not repaved. Why? For reasons only a government bureaucrat could invent, construction crews began digging a trench in the middle of Oakland Road extending several hundred feet east from the intersection with Linden Street. As of Tuesday, that trench digging was continuing - turning the intersection of Linden Street and Oakland Road into a massive choke point. With northbound sections of Linden Street north and south of Oakland Road still not repaved.

There's a reason why conservatives dislike monopolies. But, at least private-sector monopolies are regulated. Who regulates the government? The biggest and baddest of all monopolies.

Staffing Mandates at NorCo Jail - Part Two

At Northampton County Council's September 5 meeting, corrections officers appeared to complain about "money, mandates, morale and management." They read into the record a statement from an officer, a 22-year veteran, whose wife unfortunately passed away. He has a special needs daughter, but mandates (mandatory overtime shifts of eight hours) make it necessary for him to choose between his family and his job. In fact, on Monday, he was one of the 14 officers who were forced to pull a double shift

Council member Ken Kraft, though supposedly a Democrat and retired union official, said nothing to corrections officers when they were there. He instead waited two weeks to dismiss this concern as a "sob story." He incidentally is a former jail administrator. With compassion like his, it's little wonder that morale has suffered. 

Of course, there would be no need for mandates if the jail had a full complement of 212 corrections officers. But as I explained on Wednesday, there is a nationwide staffing shortage at jails and prisons. Though Executive Lamont McClure has hired 396 corrections officers, many of them quit for less stressful and higher-paying jobs. So on Monday's afternoon shift, when 14 officers were mandates, the complement of COs was only about 150. 

How do mandates work? As it was explained to me, the jail administration first asks for volunteers. They are approved on the basis of seniority. But if the administration is still short, that's when officers get ordered to pull a second shift.

Let's say you're a CO, and your daughter has a birthday party on the very night you are ordered to stay. Or that you have an anniversary dinner planned with your wife. Tough shit. 

"Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go

"I owe my soul to the company store."

While corrections officers get no sympathy from the county jail administrators, they historically have looked out for each other. Someone can give his mandated double with another officer, with the understanding that he will fill in for that officer when he or she gets mandated. 

The county has historically permitted these switches. It is getting the coverage it needs and without unduly stressing a county employee. But that recently changed. There are two possible reasons.

The first possible reason is that some COs began demanding money to work another officer's mandated overtime shift. Ther is nothing collegial about this kind of piggish behavior. The county learned of this practice during exit interviews with departing officers, and its remedy was to refuse to allow any switching at all. 

The second possible reason is retaliation. Officers were ordered in the most recent arbitration to sit down and discuss scheduling changes with the county. The HR insisted on a town hall event with all COs because it believed the union negotiators were not being truthful with rank-and-file officers. In that town hall, the county discovered to its chagrin that union negotiators were mild in comparison to the regular officers. It realized it was going nowhere in discussing scheduling changes without agreeing to give the union something in exchange. So instead, it decided to take something away. Now, corrections officers who are mandated are unable to switch their shifts with other officers at all. Notwithstanding prior practice, the county states this switching is banned under the collective bargaining agreement. 

I'd agree that no CO should be able to demand or accept money from another officer for working his shift. It's predatory. 

On the other hand, it's ridiculous to prohibit an officer from agreeing to work someone else's shift, either out of the goodness of his heart or with the understanding that this favor will be returned down the road. If the collective bargaining agreement bans this practice, it needs to change. This will only increase the number of vacancies. Regardless whether it is retaliatory, it is certainly perceived that way. 

Under the current schedule, officers have off every other weekend. No other county jail has this perk. If the county wants that to change, it really has to give something.  On the other hand, corrections officers need to realize that the drop in staffing is a nationwide problem and should work with the county to adjust the schedule. 

Staffing Mandates at NorCo Jail - Part One

We're all aware that there's a serious staffing shortage at juvenile detention facilities. This includes Northampton County's Juvenile Justice Center. Over the past two years, NorCo Court Administrator Jermaine Greene has tried everything to fill the void, from creating assistant supervisor positions to increasing salaries to even hiring a private security firm. This staffing shortage extends to our jails and prisons as well. According to The Marshall Project, staffing at our nation's prisons has dropped 10% since the pandemic while jail populations have increased 2%. This increases the risk of assaults against officers and makes sleep-deprived officers more likely to use excessive force. What's the deal at Northampton County's jail?

Since he became Executive, Lamont McClure has hired or re-hired 376 corrections officers (COs). Five are in training right now. He's only been able to retain 27% of them. 

This is a problem. The county jail should have 212 officers. It instead has about 150. Because it is a 24/7 operation, the county has no choice but to "mandate" officers to work 8 hours of overtime when other officers call off or have vacation days, which they must schedule a year in advance. As a result of this shortage, 14 COs were mandated to work a 16-hour shift on Monday.

Unfortunately, the way that the county imposes these mandates appears to be accelerating the staffing shortage, to say nothing of depressing morale. This must bother them even more when they walk by the jail administrators' parking lot on Friday afternoons and see it is empty. 

I'll have more about mandates and how they are imposed tomorrow. 

Have You Received Your Mail-in Ballot (MIB)? Part 2

In my story yesterday about MIBs, I told you they just started going out late last week. I received my MIB on Monday and have voted. Some of you jumped on to complain that, though you received emails telling you that your ballot was in the mail, you still have not received it. One of you actually blamed the county because you are still waiting for your mail. 

Last time I checked, Northampton County delivers no mail. That's the postal service. 

At the end of the day yesterday, I was informed that the county has received 46,201 MIB applications. All but 2,400 have gone out. If you received an email informing you that your MIB is on its way, and you don't receive it, call the elections office at 610-829-6260.

If you never get your ballot, you can cast a provisional ballot at your voting precinct on election day. Elections officials will check during the official canvass to make sure you have not already voted by mail. If you have not, your provisional vote will be counted. 

Pa. 137: Thomas Outraises Emrick 14.5 to 1, With a $600,510.70 Warchest

Anna Thomas, who is seeking to upset incumbent Joe Emrick in the race for state representative in Pa. 137, has raised won the money race, outraising Emrick 14.5 to 1. She raised $290,633.70 and has received $309,877 in in-kind contributions, giving her $600,510.70 in the closing days of the race. In stark contrast, Emrick has raised $39,930 and has received $1,413.33 in in-kind contributions for a total of $41,343.33.

Her largest contributor appears to be the "Leaders We Deserve" PAC, a grassroot dedicated to electing younger progressives to the US Congress and state legislatures. Emrick's largest contributors appear to be Republican state legislators in safe seats as well as, oddly enough, money from trade unions. 

I have previously told you that Emrick is known for being nonresponsive to the public. An example of this appears in Armchair Lehigh Valley's report on the race. He refused to even respond to two requests for an interview. 

Updated 10:40 am: In my original version of this story, I incorrectly stated that the amount Anna received exceeds NorCo's proposed budget. I was off by a factor of 100. I apologize for my poor math. I can't help it. I'm a Democrat.  

Have You Received Your Mail-in-Ballot?

 

Late last week, I told you that mail-in ballots (MIBs) were being sent to NorCo voters. I received mine on Monday. The photo on the left side of this post shows you how the envelope sent by the Elections office looks. It is slightly larger than a normal envelope so that you are less likely to toss it as junk mail. 

Some important dates to remember:

October 21 is the last day you can register to vote before the November 5 election. 

October 29 is the last day you can request a MIB or "vote by demand" at the courthouse. 

November 5, election day, is the last day you can return a MIB. It must be received by the elections office by 8 pm on election day. 

Pa. 137 House : Anna Thomas Hitting 15 Yr Incumbent Emrick Hard on His Anti-Choice Stances

Last week, I told you that Anna Thomas, Democratic nominee in the race for state representative in Pa. House 137 (Nazareth area and Bethlehem Tp) is running an incredibly hard race against incumbent Republican Joe Emrick. Most candidate wait to spend money on ads and mailers until the closing days the campaign. But Thomas started early. I live in that district, and my mailbox has been flooded with mailers, including two on Saturday. She's also using sources like YouTube. It makes sense to start early because mail-in ballots are on their way to voters now.  Many will know who she is when they receive their ballots. They'll also know that Joe Emrick, who has a reputation for a miserable disposition even within his own party, is fervently anti-choice.

In 2022, Emrick voted for a constitutional amendment that would ban the right to an abortion. It was vetoed by then Governor Tom Wolf. Currently, there is legislation pending providing for personal reproductive liberty, but Emrick has refused to sign on to the bill. 

In Pennsylvania, pregnancies may be terminated during the first 24 weeks, although counseling is required 24 hours before the procedure. Minors need parental consent or a judicial order. After those first 24 weeks, a pregnancy can be ended only if the mother's life or health is in danger. 

Does NorCo Have a Student Loan Repayment Plan?

When Northampton County Council approved the 2024 budget, it included an amendment setting aside $500,000 as a student loan repayment program on the theory that it would attract and retain employees. So far as I know, Executive Lamont McClure has taken no steps to implement such a program. In fact, he plans to eliminate it in next year's budget. 

An anonymous reader picked up on this over the weekend, noting that the student loan repayment program "appears in the Human Resources operating budget as a miscellaneous employee benefit. It sounds like the administration and/or new Council has deliberately chosen not to implement the program. You need to raise the issue now because Mr. McClure is proposing to cut it from the 2025 budget."

I've scoured the proposed 2025 spending plan and am unable to find any reference to the $500,000 set aside by County Council at all. If any of you see it (Human Resouces is on p. 35), please let me know. 

But I can understand why no student loan repayment program is in place. Although County Council certainly has the right to set aside funds for such a program, and has extensive powers under the Home Rule Charter, it has no authority to engage in administrative functions. That is the prerogative of the Executive. 

I remember that when this budget amendment was discussed last year, Executive Lamont McClure said he had no idea how it could be implemented. 

Corrections Officer Calls Out Kraft For Characterizing Their Complaints as "Sob Stories"

Michael Russ, a NorCo corrections officer, spoke at last night's meeting of Northampton County Council, to address three topics. 

First, he contends the county is violating the Home Rule Charter by refusing to allow corrections officers to bid on other county jobs. I agree. My own reading of the Home Rule Charter and Administrative Code is to encourage hiring from within and establishing a meritocracy instead of a culture in which who you know matters more than what you know. That matter is currently being grieved. 

Second, he discussed the scheduling changes urged by the county. "There's nothing wrong with our schedule at the jail," he insists. "If it doesn't look like it's working now, it's for other reasons." He complained about being compelled to discuss this in the middle of a contract. There I think he's wrong. The most recent arbitration panel ordered the county and corrections officers to negotiate a new schedule. If they are unable to do this, an arbitration panel is going to do it for them.

Third, he took issue with Council member Ken Kraft's assertion at a meeting two weeks ago that they were being fed "sob stories."  He pointed out that the CO whose wife passed away from cancer and who has a differently abled child is his friend. I'd agree that Kraft should have shown a lot more sensitivity than he did, but compassion is one of Kraft's many shortcomings. It's why I like him. 

In any event, I hope that I will be able to present the perspective of corrections officers soon. For the most part, these are very dedicated workers who came to work every day during the pandemic. They also have saved the lives of several suicidal inmates. 

MIBs Are On Their Way to Voters Who Requested Them in NorCo

At last night's meeting of NorCo Council, Executive Lamont McClure reported that the Department of State has approved the county's ballot format. After that, the ballots were printed and received on Wednesday. He expects there to be over 45,000 MIB applications by Friday morning. 

McClure indicated that MIBs are now being mailed to voters who requested them.  

Congress Member Susan Wild Gets Booted For Unpaid Fines, Parks in Handicapped Spot

Let me start by saying that as an election cycle nears its end, it's common to see the mud fly. My brother, an evil Republican, told me that in a meet and greet with Congressional candidate Ryan Mackenzie at someone's home, a Susan Wild spy illegally recorded the private event. But Republicans have spies, too. It appears they've been better in the Pa-07 Cingressional. 

According to The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news source, Congress member Susan Wild recently had her Toyota hybrid SUV booted after she failed to pay $775 in fines for speeding between 11-15 mph over the speed limit in May as well as her failure to secure DC tags. The news account also reports a more recent fine for speeding 11-15 mph over the speed limit in July and yet another citation for failing to get DC tags. 

This comes on the heels of another account about her participation in a zoom call in 2022 while driving. Amazingly, you can actually see her driving, with cars passing by and a small dog moving around inside the car. 

Her bad driving is not just limited to the District of Columbia. In August 2022, she was cited by PSP for running a light. She pled guilty. 

I'm taking a defensive driving course to get a 5% discount on my car insurance, and it's pretty clear to me that she engaged in distracted driving.

Now I'm no saint. Over the years, I've managed to rack up numerous parking tickets. And soon after I got my first smart phone, I was so caught up with it that I was weaving on Rte 248. Fortunately, a Palmer Tp police officer stopped and cited me. I thanked him. I could have killed someone. I can understand why Wild, who must have a busy schedule, might lose sight of how important it is for her to watch her speed and avoid distractions on the road. I would hope she changes how she drives before she hurts herself or someone else. 

Having said that, what really bothers me is something for which she was never cited.  To me, this is far more despicable than speeding. Not long ago, she parked her Toyota SUV, the same one featured in the Washington Beacon story, in a handicapped spot. According to the spy who took the picture, the car displays no handicapped placard. It instead displays "Vote Wild" and "I Voted by Mail" bumper stickers

I can overlook speeding, failure to register DC tags or getting your car booted. But people who park in handicapped parking spaces are the lowest of the low. This selfish and completely inconsiderate behavior betrays her elitism, something she has already demonstrated in condescending comments about Carbon County voters.

The Washington Free Beacon's story states that Wild never responded to requests for comment. So on Wednesday, I sent two emails to Wild's campaign, requesting an explanation. She might answer a Democratic blogger. She might even have a reasonable explanation for her behavior.

Crickets. 

So I am concluding there is no reasonable explanation for why she selfishly parked in a handicapped parking spot. I am also concluding that her refusal to explain demonstrates a lack of transparency and accountability. 

In a few days, I will receive my Mail-In Ballot (MIB). I understand how important it is that Harris supporters would want a Democratic Congress so she can actually get things done. But I am unable to vote for an elitist who is neither transparent nor accountable. I will cast no vote for Mackenzie, her opponent, because I differ with him on most policy issues. I will instead leave that part of my ballot blank or write in Charlie Dent. 

Wild just lost a vote she would otherwise have received. 

Character matters, and she clearly has none. 

NorCo: McClure's Proposes $502 Million Budget For 2025

Yesterday, NorCo Exec Lamont McClure proposed a $502 million spending plan (you can see it here) for 2025. It maintains the same tax rate as this year. If you're a county taxpayer, this means that the current 10.8 mill tax rate will remain the same. A home assessed at $75,000 will receive a tax bill for $810. 

Under our Home Rule Charter, McClure must submit a balanced budget. Total proposed spending may not exceed anticipated revenue. Also, if County Council decides to reject the budget, McClure's spending plan automatically goes into effect. Council does have the power to amend, but it must leave intact any payments scheduled for debt service and it has no authority to modify the Executive's revenue estimates. If it wants to fund something, it has to find the money by making cuts elsewhere. It must take action by December 16. 

McClure's $502 million spending plan is $51 million less (9.3%) than it was last year. Interestingly, only $104.4 million of the county's budget (20.9%) comes from real estate taxes. The rest comes from intergovernmental grants, fees and fines, investment income and fund balance. 

Open Space: In his Budget Message, which he read in the above video, McClure notes that he has set aside $3 million for open space, something he has done every year. He believes this is one way that the county can slow down warehouse proliferation

Employee health center: Noting a rise in healthcare costs, he made a pitch again for a voluntary employee health center, which he believes would save money for both taxpayers and county workers. So far, County Council has been opposed to this idea. "We need to do a better job of talking about that," said McClure. He stressed it would save the county between $5-10 million over 5 years. "I don't know why you wouldn't want to do that."  

Emergency stabilization fund: This is also known as the rainy-day fund, and County Council requires a minimum balance of 5% of the total expenditures expected over the course of the year. The county has set aside $8.1 million, or 5.6% of anticipated expenditures.  

Gracedale: He noted that no county funds will be needed to keep Gracedale operational. He said the nursing home's CMS rating, based on a star system, has increased and that census is going up. 

New Parking Garage and county building needed: People who park at the courthouse's garage know that it is beginning to collapse. Oxides leaking from the garage have stained people's cars and chunks of concrete have caused damage. On top of that, the county needs its own elections office and more space for several departments. County Council has thus far refused to take up a $63 million bond ordinance that will enable the county to complete these projects, even though the county's borrowing capacity is a half billion dollars. 

McClure said the parking garage "needs to be replaced now. There are chunks of it falling down. I'm not quite sure why we're not acting on that. I think we've had the bond in front of Council six times ... and still Council has taken no action.  We know from security professionals that [the elections office] needs to all be in one place. We're doing it in four different rooms in this complex right now, and in a new building we could have elections all in one place, all transparent and accessible to everyone who needs to interface with them without having to come through the labyrinth they have to come through now to get to the elections division." He added that people are working out of closets at Human Services and that the Controller's building, which is on its last legs, lacks handicapped accessibility. He added it's too expensive to rent, as some Council members have suggested. 

Employee costs: Northampton County has budgeted for1,913 full and part-time employees, although McClure said yesterday that the total number right now is closer to 1,700.  Career service (nonunion) workers are getting a step in their PayScale, which translates to a 4.5% raise. Union salaries have also increased in accordance with collective bargaining agreements with the county's 11 unions. Yet the total cost of salaries and benefits has decreased 1.4%. In 2024, $166.2 million was set aside for salaries and benefits. But McClure has set aside $163.9 million, over $2 million less in 2025. All but one union (county detectives) are under contract. 

This might be because the county is asking employees to pay more for healthcare. The county contribution to healthcare and dental is projected to be $705,600 less this year than it was in 2024. 

Passenger Rail: McClure stated he is probably the biggest advocate of passenger rail in the Lehigh Valley but has set aside no money for it. 

Thank God!

My Take on Surprisingly Civil Walz-Vance Debate

I caught all but the first few minutes of last night's surprisingly civil VEEP debate between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance. After months of hearing people paint each other in ugly and divisive terms, the respectful tone between these two provides a glimmer of hope that we can eventually pull ourselves out of the gutter. 

I think most of us would agree that J.D. Vance was the better debater for most of the night until the focus switched to abortion and democracy. When you have to tell people you need to regain their trust on women's choice, you're in trouble. And Vance repeatedly refused to say whether Trump lost in 2020. 

Walz, however, had to admit that he never was in China, as he often has previously claimed, during the Tiananmen Square protests. If you have to admit that you've been repeatedly untruthful on numerous occasions, that's pretty hard to explain away as "I misspoke." 

Vance toned down the harsh rhetoric he usually employs on the campaign trail, instead trying to appear as a reasonable and compassionate person. Walz said there was room for agreement on some policies like a child tax credit and seemed more sincere despite having to admit to having been untruthful.  

Drop Boxes For MIBs Available on Thursday in NorCo

From NorCo Elections Office: The Northampton County Elections Office announces that seven secure ballot drop-off boxes for mail-in ballots will be installed, and County residents can start dropping off their own ballots beginning on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Accessing drop-off boxes does not require going through security at any location.

Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda):

669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042

-Monday-Friday from 8:30am-8:00pm

-Saturdays: Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 (from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm)

-When dropping off a ballot, voters can park for free in the loading-and-unloading zone on Washington Street in front of the Courthouse or use the parking lot at the Wolf Avenue and Washington Street intersection.

 

Northampton County Human Services Building (Main Entrance Vestibule):

2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020

-Monday-Friday from 8:30am-7:00pm

-Saturdays from 8:00am-2:00pm

Northampton County 911 Center (Main Entrance Vestibule):

100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064

-Open 24/7

 

Bethlehem City Hall (Main Lobby):

10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

-Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm

-Election Day (Tuesday, November 5, 2024) accessible from 7:00am-8:00pm

 

Washington Township Municipal Building (Main Entrance Vestibule):

1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor, PA 18013

-Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-4:00pm

-Fridays from 7:00am-3:00pm

 

East Allen Township Municipal Building (Main Lobby):

5344 Nor Bath Blvd., Northampton, PA 18067

-Monday-Friday from 8:30am-3:30pm

 

NCC Fowler Family Southside Center (Main Lobby):

511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, PA 18015

-Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-9:00pm

-Fridays from 7:00am-8:30pm

-Saturdays from 7:00am-2:00pm

 

The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, October 29. Applications for mail-in or civilian absentee ballots are available in the Election’s Office or at this link: www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/OnlineAbsenteeApplication/#/OnlineAbsenteeBegin

 

Ballot drop-off boxes provide a safe and convenient way for voters to return their mail-in ballots. Each drop-off box is a secure, locked structure that is permanently anchored in place. Northampton County drop-off boxes have been evaluated to specifically ensure they are indoors, ADA compliant, either chained or anchored in place, under 24-hour camera/surveillance, and allow County Sheriff’s Deputies to collect the contents of the box on a daily basis. All Northampton County drop-off boxes are operated only by election officials and County Sheriff’s Deputies.

 

To ensure that your mail-in ballot is accepted, your ballot must be enclosed in the YELLOW secrecy envelope and sealed; there are NO identifying marks or symbols on the secrecy envelope, a return envelope is signed and dated on the back in the appropriate YELLOW boxes, and the ballot is returned to the Election’s Office NO LATER THAN 8:00pm on Election night, Tuesday, November 5th. USPS postmarks do NOT count if received after this deadline.

 

The Northampton County Elections Office reminds registered voters that the County’s seven Secure Ballot Drop-off Boxes are for Northampton County voters only, and you may only drop off your own ballot. PA State Law prohibits the third-party return of ballots unless the person returning the ballot is assisting a disabled voter or emergency absentee voter and has a signed “Certification of Designated Agent” form on file at the Elections Office. A copy of this form can be downloaded here:

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/vote/resources/documents-and-forms/Authorize-Designated-Agent-for-Mail-in-or-Absentee-Ballot.pdf

 

Counterfeiting, forging, tampering with, or destroying ballots is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to sections 1816 and 1817 of the PA Election Code. (25 P.S. §§ 3516 and 3517)

 

Voters can track the status of their mail-in or absentee ballots here: www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/ballottracking.aspx

"On Demand" Voting Starts Today in NorCo

From NorCo Elections Office: The Northampton County Elections Office announces that Ballot-on-Demand voting for the November 5th General Election will be available starting Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Government Center (669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042).

 Registered voters in Northampton County can vote in person on the following dates:

• Wednesday, October 2nd – Friday, October 4th (8:30 am – 8:00 pm)
• Saturday, October 5th (9:00 am – 2:00 pm)
• Monday, October 7th – Friday, October 11th (8:30 am - 8:00 pm)
• Saturday, October 12th (9:00 am – 2:00 pm)
• Monday, October 14th – Friday, October 18th (8:30 am - 8:00 pm)
• Saturday, October 19th (9:00 am – 2:00 pm)
• Monday, October 21st – Friday, October 25st (8:30 am - 8:00 pm)
• Saturday, October 26th (9:00 am – 2:00 pm)
• Monday, October 28th (8:30 am - 8:00 pm)
• The LAST day for Ballot-on-Demand will be Tuesday, October 29th (8:30 am - 5:00 pm). The deadline to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is October 29th by 5:00 pm.

During this time, Northampton County residents who are eligible to vote can come to the Elections Office, register if they still need to (deadline to register to vote in person is 5:00 pm on Monday, October 21, 2024, 11:59 pm online), fill out a ballot application which will be processed immediately and will be handed a ballot over the counter. Voters may fill out the ballot in the office and return it the same day OR they may take it home and mail it back via USPS or utilize one of the secure drop-off boxes throughout County.

You must bring a valid ID with you to the Elections Office to receive a ballot. The County’s seven secure ballot drop-off boxes will be installed on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Registered voters who have already applied for a mail-in ballot are not eligible for Ballot-on-Demand and must wait to receive their ballot in the mail.

McClure to Introduce 2025 Spending Plan at 2 PM

Wednesday, at 2 pm, Northampton County Exec Lamont McClure will unveil his proposed 2025 budget from the County Council meeting room on the third floor of the county courthouse. Will there be a tax hike? Tax cut? You can find out yourself by going in person or watching it online. 

Northampton County's spending plan last year was a half billion dollars. In his nearly seven years as Executive, he has never proposed a tax hike. He actually reduced taxes once. 

I will tell you more about the budget after listening to McClure's address. 

Under our Home Rule Charter, McClure must submit a balanced budget. Total proposed spending may not exceed anticipated revenue. Also, if County Council decides to reject the budget, McClure's spending plan automatically does into effect. Council does have the power to amend, but it must leave intact any payments scheduled for debt service and it has no authority to modify the Executive's revenue estimates. If it wants to fund something, it has to find the money by making cuts elsewhere. It must take action by December 16. 

The spending plan approved for 2024 is for $633,743,600.

The current 10.8 mill tax rate means that a home assessed at $75,000 will receive a tax bill for $810. 

I do know that McClure's budget will include a step increase for career service workers 

Since next year is an election year, I doubt it will include a tax hike.