Dent Respects Obama Decision to Replace MacChrystal

LV Congressman Charlie Dent has issued this statement responding to President Obama’s decision to dump General Stanley McChrystal:

“I am extremely grateful for General McChrystal’s leadership in Afghanistan. He has led our troops through an extremely difficult and complex conflict with a spirit of determination. However, I respect the President’s decision, as Commander-in-Chief, to make a personnel change he found necessary for ensuring our success abroad. I am confident in the abilities and resolve of General Petraeus, and agree he is the best leader to assume command of our mission in Afghanistan.”

Hanover Township Residents Protest Group Home For Mentally Ill

"I already live two doors away from one group home and they're going to put a second group home just two doors from that."

That's how Hanover Township resident Joe Janowski feels about a group home proposed by Moravian Development Corporation, partnering with Northampton County, at 3925 Airport Road. Janowski is just one of eighteen people, from concerned mothers to senior citizens, who crowded into a tiny meeting room to voice their concerns last night.

Northampton County Mental Health Administrator Kathleen Kelly told supervisors that the County is partnering with Moravian Development to establish a supported housing program for four county residents as well as two short-term guests. In response to questions from Bethlehem Attorney William Matz, Kelly stated that the group home is for people who suffer from mental illnesses like depression or bipolar disorders, but have no drug or alcohol addictions and no criminal record. "These are individuals who are very capable of living in the community," she stated. She added that the home will be staffed by two "highly trained and skilled mental health professionals" during the day, and one at night. She indicated the home would be funded by the state, and is one of about thirty similar group homes throughout the County.

Stephanie Anthony, a mother of two who lives near the proposed group home, told supervisors that "we already have a group home behind us, and it gets awfully rowdy." She later told me, "We see the cop lights behind our house almost every night."

Neighbor George Werkheiser noted a nearby playground and worried that some residents might "roam" there. That concern was echoed by Supervisor Stephen R. Salvesen. In a booming baritone, he spoke of a person from another group home, "wandering neighborhoods at odd hours of night and peeping into the windows of residents."

But Kelly assured everyone there would be "no roaming" because that behavior only is exhibited by people suffering from "cognitive disabilities."

Supervisor Glenn R. Walbert, chairing in the absence of John N. Diacogiannis, wanted to know what would prevent the County from changing the kind of resident once approval is granted. "What prevents it from becoming a treatment center?" he asked. Attorney Matz assured Walbert that Hanover Township's Zoning Ordinance prevents that from happening.

Solicitor James Broughal told residents and supervisors that the Fair Housing Act requires that group homes be treated like any other residence. "You could have 100 group homes in your neighborhood and there's not a lot we could do," he warned.

An exasperated George Werkheiser retorted, "We give rights to one group of people, take them away from another and then we have to pay for it." But Broughal remained adamant that "we cannot treat this application any differently than any residential request."

Hanover Township Supervisors will vote on the conditional use application on July 14, and Moravian Development's David Roth told Supervisors he'll seek the necessary permits about three weeks after the application is granted. He also told residents that the property will remain on the tax rolls.

Blogger's Note: Despite the obvious public interest, I was surprised and saddened that there was no coverage from the two daily newspapers. Supervisors thought I was there for an Eagle Scout proclamation, but Solicitor Broughal blew my cover.

John Morganelli Only Interested in the Law

His laughable claim that Angle's appeal is moot demonstrates he has no interest in establishing precedent, and is justifiably concerned that a neutral judicial body will overturn Senior Judge Michael Franciosa's bizarre decision to disenfranchise the Slate Belt.

Who Is Claiming Full Time Pay for Part Time Tipstaffs?

Last week, I told you that virtually all of Northampton County's nineteen or twenty tipstaffs are paid for 80 hours every pay period, regardless whether they are here. They are paid as hourly, not salaried, employees. Most of them put in twenty or less hours per week. But somebody is filling out time cards giving each of them 80 hours per pay period.

Who?

Court Accountant Badaoui Boulous, who takes care of the payroll for judicial employees, referred all questions to his boss, Court Administrator Jim Onembo, who did admit tipstaffs are paid for hours not worked. But I neglected to ask him just who is signing off on those time cards.

Yesterday, I filed a "Right to Know" request with the Court's "Right to Know" officer, Jill Cicero. "I am requesting a copy of the time card submitted for tipstaffs, which I believe are classified as CS8 full-time hourly employees, over the most recent pay period." I told Cicero she could redact social security numbers and only asked for one pay period, but wanted to see those time cards.

After making my request, I bumped into Cicero, and she told me everything I need is at Payroll. I should just go there and get it, if I can.

Payroll, however, has no time cards. Boulous enters all the data, and forwards the payment requests for all judicial employees, including tipstaffs. Interestingly, Payroll tells me Boulous gets his information from Jill Cicero, and they think she has the time cards.

So basically, the very person who told me to go to Payroll may have the time cards herself.

I will renew my request with Cicero today. I think it is important to learn who is authorizing hours that are not worked by County employees.

Fed'l Health Care Overhaul Will Hurt Norco Government

When he voted against the federal health care overhaul, passed along partisan lines just a few short months ago, LV Congressman Charlie Dent warned it was going to cost all of us. According to an unnamed Northampton County bean-counter, it may soon be affecting your county tax bill. Here's how.

Northampton County is self-insured. Its medical plan is administered by Capital Blue Cross, but all employee claims are paid from the county till. That means your tax dollars pay the bills, and those bills are going up for two reasons.

First, thanks to the overhaul, the County must now pay the medical, dental and even some eyecare claims of all family members under age 26. There is no requirement that they continue to live with their parents or be dependents. The County must pay all of these expenses at no additional cost to County workers.

Second, there currently is a $12,500 annual limit on what the County will pay for retirees before insisting on other types of insurance. Thanks to Pelosicare, that cap has been lifted and the County must pay it all.

"Washington isn't sending us any money to pay the bills. They're just playing Santa Claus," remarked this County official, who estimates this will cost us several hundred thousand dollars. And as he concludes, "Every single dollar must be paid by the taxpayer, one way or the other."

Not Another Death Threat!

I haven't had one of these for awhile. Apparently, I've now been targeted by the The Posse Comitatus.

Three years ago, I tagged one-man fringe group and former gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer, a Bob Jones University grad who thankfully is a soon-to-be-former state representative. Rohrer has this bizarre notion that the state Vehicle Code has no application to individuals who exercise their God-given right to drive their gas guzzlers, drunk or sober. That's precisely the same argument used by the wingnuts in The Posse Comitatus and sovereign citizen movement. It must be somewhere in the Constitution or Bible or something.

It apparently took someone three years to read my blog and post this witty retort.

you know, when there is a revolution, these kind of forums will let us "wingnuts" know who are the best people to use as target practice and human shields. Stupid people like the author of this article deserve to be put out of their misery!

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom — go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!" ~SAMUEL ADAMS

With support from true Amerikans like that, I just don't know how Rohrer lost his bid for the governor's mansion.

I might report this to DA John Morganelli, but he's awful busy right now pursuing a political lawsuit against Council Prez Ron Angle.

Why General McChrystal is in Hot Water With the Prez

I like this guy.

Orloski Challenges Browne to Abolish Per Diems

Allentown attorney Rick Orloski, who has his eyes on the seat currently held by State Senator Pat Browne, has challenged the incumbent to join him in seeking to abolish per diem payments made to state legislators. Here's a copy of Orloski's open letter to Browne:

Dear Senator Browne:

On June 16, 2010, Senator Andy Dinniman (D, 19th) and Sen Richard Alloway (R, 33) have introduced legislation to eliminate per diems for State Senators. Per diems have been used as a mechanism for State Senators to increase their annual salary by asking for an unaccounted daily increase currently up to $169.00 for showing up to work.

Between December, 2007 and October, 2009, State Senators paid themselves $774,700.00 in per diems. Later figures are not currently available.. That amount involves 5,560 separate transactions.During that same time, you charged the taxpayers for 155 separate per diem transactions totaling $17,300.00. That is money you charged the Commonwealth on top of your legislator's salary.

The abolition of the per diem system is something that you and I should be able to agree upon so that it will not be an issue in the November election. I hereby request that you disclose to the taxpayers the total amount of per diems that you have received first as a member of the House of Representatives and thereafter as a State Senator. That information ought to be in the public domain. Please facilitate the disclosure.

In addition, I ask on behalf of the taxpayers of the 16th senatorial district that you join with Dinniman & Alloway in mandating the end of the per diem system in the State Senate. I have read reports that there is a handful of State Senators joining with them, but I could not find anything suggesting that you are one of them.

Finally, as a demonstration of your real commitment to saving taxpayers money, I request that you should refuse to participate in the per diem system and not take any further per diems.

If I missed your press release announcing your support for Dinniman-Alloway, my congratulations. As Senator Dinniman said: "I refused to take per diems because I thought they were wrong. I believe one way you can create change is by refusing to participate in what you feel is wrong." Stop the illegal de facto pay raises using per diems. You should not be paid extra for showing up to work.

Fighting for the taxpayers,
Richard J. Orloski
Democratic nominee, 16th senatorial district
Allentown, PA 18104

Northampton County Schedules Record 129 Sheriff Sales in July

"There's no question that today's housing market is in significantly better shape than anyone predicted 18 months ago."

Obama'a Housing Secretary, Shaun Donovan, must hope that repeatedly claiming things are great will make them so. But the cold numbers tell a different tale. More than a third of the 1.24 million borrowers enrolled in the President's $75 billion mortgage modification program, have already dropped out. And in Northampton County, a record new 129 Sheriff Sales is scheduled for this July. If you add in the sales continued from previous months, the list includes 218 properties.

The previous County record was set in August 2009, when 106 properties were listed for sale.

I don't know if the American people can take much more help from Obama.

Angle's Farmer Attire Draws Derision From Morning Call

I'm a slob. One reason for that is because I'm also a yoyo. My weight goes up dramatically when I don't exercise. Now I own two very nice suits, but they're thin man clothing. So until I drop a few tons, about the nicest clothing you'll see on me is a polo shirt. My usual attire is raggedy jeans and ancient T-shirts.

Ron Angle is pretty much a slob, too. He claims the only person in Northampton County who dresses worse than me, is him. He's probably right, too. But at least he has an excuse.

He works his ass off. You're just as likely to see the Northampton County Bulldog in bib overalls as in a fancy three-piece suit. He may be a savvy businessman who actually understands swaptions and derivatives as well as any financial advisor employed in the Lehigh Valley, but he starts every day feeding his cows. He's also always painting something. You're just as likely to find him atop some roof as in a board room.

So on Friday morning, while in the middle of cutting hay, he was told he had thirty minutes to get from his Upper Mount Bethel farm to the Courthouse on a matter being heard by, of all people, the very senior judge he had just called senile.

Senior Judge Franciosa is presiding over a real estate dispute between Angle and Dr. Palmer Cotturo, a Bangor dentist who wants to develop a golf course in the Sate Belt. Dr. Cotturo is actually Angle's campaign treasurer and they remain close friends, but he's been unable to put together the financing for three large tracts Angle previously agreed to sell to him, and wants more time. He's already been granted one six month extension.

Angle was under the misimpression this was a mtter for the lawyers, but zipped on down to the Courthouse as soon as he learned he was needed, apologizing to Senior Judge Franciosa for being dressed like a farmer. Franciosa understood, but Morning Call reporter Riley Yates decided to make a big deal out of Angle's drab attire. The headline smirks, "Dressed for Success."

I'd like to know how many successful farmers wear three piece suits to cut hay. I'd like to know how a farmer's clothing has become an object of derision.

Riley Yates' regular beat is the Courts. So is he saying that litigants who dress like farmers should expect to lose? What does that say about our system? Is he saying Angle should dress more respectfully? Then why is it that Yates himself wears no tie or jacket to cover the courts? Is that "dressed for success"?

Or is this just a way to give Angle another shot?

Kim Beitler Steps Down as Lehigh County's GOP Vice Chair

It was nice while it lasted. Kim Beitler, elected Lehigh County's GOP chair on Tuesday night, has already stepped down. Here's her statement:

I have been serving this committee and the organization of the Lehigh County Republican Committee as Office Manager since January 2007 and I've been a volunteer for it since 2001. Last Tuesday; June 15th, unbeknownst to myself, I was nominated from the floor for the position of Vice-Chair. In my desire to serve the committee and defer to its wishes I accepted this nomination and was newly elected to the position of Vice-Chair. I wish to thank all of you for your belief in my abilities and in my leadership skills. This election was sincerely a humbling one for me.

Now, after much thought, deliberation and discussion, I have concluded I must step down from the position of Vice-Chair. My interest for this committee is to always do what is best for it; to not hinder it, to not create ill feelings, but to serve you. I realize there is a conflict of interest with my being a paid employee of this organization and an elected officer. I do not believe that this is a good situation for our organization. I will continue to serve you as office manager so nothing has changed. The many benefits of my work here is that I get to use my skill set while meeting and working with some wonderful and energetic (committee people) volunteers like yourself all while obtaining the flexibility needed to care for my mother during her illness.

So, in closing, I thank you for your support and your belief in me, I apologize for any confusion this has caused, I pray for no ill feelings from anyone and please know that I am still here to serve you as I always have. Please don't let this small issue overshadow the news of the promising new leadership of our new Chairman and all the other newly elected officers and the good work that all of us can achieve by working together for the good of this committee and our Republican Party.

The Northampton County Bulldog Barks

Get Ready For Parking Nightmare at Norco Courthouse

Much needed renovations to Northampton County's crumbling parking deck are imminent, perhaps only a week or two away. When it starts, and it's going to take four months, parking will be at a premium.

Exec John Stoffa had previously decided to close off 60 parking spots at a time. But he's learned the County can save $50,000 by closing off 120 spots. So guess what he's doing?

County officials have contacted nearby St. Anthony's and will be able to rent a lot from them for the four month duration. That will cost aroud $10,000, but the County will still save $40,000.

In the meantime, workers will be asked to carpool as much as possible.

By Two Votes, Walt Garvin Is New Norco Dem Boss

Thanks to three disallowed proxy votes, Walt Garvin is the new bossman for Northampton County Dems. This party insider eked out a narrow 42-40 victory over reformer Michael Laws in majestic Courtroom #1. Although I supported Laws, Garvin won in a fair fight. Even I understood why those three crucial proxy votes, which would have changed the results, were disallowed. Let me tell you the story.

This afternoon, I was tipped off that party bosses, who knew I was supporting Laws, would attempt to get rid of me and not allow me to vote. I do support Republicans like Charlie Dent and Ron Angle, and that may be a violation of some rules somewhere. I was ready to argue that since Joe Long himself was illegally elected four years ago, they were in no position to enforce rules against me at a reorganization meeting.

Instead of trying to eject me, these local honchos were much worse. They were actually polite to me, allowed me to sign in, and even gave me my official Dem committeeman certificate. At the beginning of the meeting, Bossman Joe Long announced their "only" purpose that night they were meeting was to pick a new party chair and vice chair. So I was in.

It met some people for the first time, like Sestak campaign director Bar Johnston. She could easily be a model. I used to bug Ladd Siftar all hours of the day and night when he served on County Council, and when I saw him last night, I couldn't help going over and talking to him and his friend, Olga. I also had a pleasant chat with Maria Dertinger, who I like to call the "nice" Dertinger.

Mike Fleck went out of his way to be nice, pointing out that Ron Angle and he are tight. And when 18' County Exec Stoffa dropped in, Fleck pointed to him and said, "Even John Stoffa likes me."

"Angle and Stoffa aren't always right about everything," was my snotty answer, but Fleck was still nice. He has to be. He's a pol.

Easton native Darcel Gibson, who works in the Civil Division and was just elected to the Dem committee for the first time, was sitting in one of the pews, soaking it all in.

"Comrade!" I said.

"Comrade!" she replied.

Almost as soon as the meeting started, somebody objected that Joe Long needed to step down as party chair and appoint a temporary chair to conduct the election, pursuant to the bylaws. Instead of throwing a hissy fit, he stepped down gracefully. He appointed Charles Dertinger interim chair.

Garvin and Laws were nominated and allowed to give brief speeches about themselves, and then elected committee persons were allowed to cast secret ballots.

I told you about three proxies. I had one of them, given to me by a committee person unable to attend last night's meeting, and allowing me to cast her vote. Michael Laws had two.

But we were prevented from casting them. Aware that the bylaws permit proxies, I objected. But Joe Long himself showed me the actual language, which provides that a committee person's proxy must be given to another person in that district. Laws had the same problem with the two proxies given to him. So though they would have changed the results, I agree they were illegal.

Mindful that this was no mandate, Garvin pledged to end the divisiveness and rancor within the local Democratic party, and was immediately asked what he intends to do about the BP oil leak. Actually, he might have an easier time with that.

Long pointed out that there are 137 elected committee persons, but there could be a maximum of 298.

Vice-Chair went by acclamation to the only person nominated, Kiki Schock.

Tipstaffs Receiving Full Pay For PT Jobs

Yesterday, in the course of looking into the tipstaff issue, I learned that at least one tipstaff has been getting paid for eighty hours every pay period, even though he's only rarely here.

"That's called THEFT. The DA and/or Controller should investigate." That's how one of you responded, and it spurred me on to make more inquiries. What I've learned is that virtually all tipstaffs are paid for 80 hours every pay period, regardless whether they are here. I learned they are paid as hourly, and not salaried, employees.

That's an imprtant distinction. Hourly employees must be physically present.

What this means, therefore, is that someone is filling time cards that falsely report eighty hour pay periods. Even if you believe tipstaffs are justified and that judicial operations must be given great deference, how can you pay people for hours that have never been worked?

I called Court Accountant Badaoui Boulous, who takes care of the payroll for judicial employees. He referred all questions to his boss, Court Administrator Jim Onembo.

I then called Onembo, who told me that tipstaffs perform a "vital function" and that the courts "do a pretty effective job with the dollars we're allocated." I agree that the courts run efficiently, but why are the tipstaffs being paid for 40 hour weeks when they are not here 40 hours, as required by the Wage & Hour Act.?

Onembo stated tipstaffs are "considered full time," but was "not going to indicate they work forty hours." He added, "It is what it is." Whatever that is.

What's clear is that these workers are being paid for 80 hours every pay period, even though they work less. Onembo suggested that perhaps the hourly rate should be bumped up and employees only paid for the hours they actually work.

Clearly, something needs to change. You don't pay public employees for hours they have not worked. I have no wish to attack the integrity of these people, but in the eyes of many members of the publcic, this is stealing.

Longoons Planning Ambush in Courtroom One

I've been tipped off that tonight, before I have an opportunity to cast a vote for Michael Lawas as Northampton County's next Dem chair, the Longoons intend to knock me off.

Apparently, the first order of business is to bar me from voting because I support some Republicans like Charlie Dent and Ron Angle. But what the hell, Bossman Long himself was illegally elected and is in no position to expect committee members to follow by-laws that he himself has ignored.

Of course, they're taking the sneaky approach, too, trying to ambush me without prior notice,

The Longoons are using the same approach that has made them a disaster at the polls for the last eight years.

NPR Poll Good News For Charlie Dent

NPR, which just featured Lehigh Valley blog Junk Drawer, has commissioned polling firms (Democrat and Republican) to survey sixty Congressional battleground districts – including the Fifteenth. The result is good news for Charlie Dent.

Of voters in the districts with a Republican Congressman, 49 percent would definitely re-elect the incumbent while only 37 percent think it’s time for “someone else”. If the election were held today, voters in those same districts would re-elect their Congressman by a margin of 52-39. Even more impressively, in those same districts, Republican candidates generically hold a 16-point lead, 53-37.

Earlier this year, an internal poll by the Dent Campaign showed Charlie Dent with a commanding lead of 53-27 over Democrat John Callahan in a three-way race. A Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll later showed that Charlie Dent enjoys a 12-point lead over Callahan. The NPR poll is consistent with results showing Charlie Dent well ahead of John Callahan.

“This verifies that local voters still view Charlie Dent as the best candidate to represent them on the important issues of the day in Congress,” said Dent guru Shawn Millan in a news release. “And it’s bad news for John Callahan, whose campaign is run by a national party operative and has done nothing but recycle Washington talking points. His campaign is out of touch and sinking fast.”

There Ought to Be a Laws

Stoffa Formally Announces Hiring Freeze

Despite a goal of reducing its workforce by 5%, Northampton County's Personnel Committee unanimously approved two positions yesterday, a benefits administrator for Human Resources to replace recently retired Bob Lasko, and a much-needed grant coordinator for DCED.

"To me, it's an absolute must," stated Council member Ann McHale. I'm not sure whether she was referring to one or both positions, but the consensus is that both positions are vital and impossible to fill internally.

But before you conclude that nobody is really serious about cutting costs, I have to add that right after this, Ron Angle's Finance Committee went through a checklist of cost-savings measures, from Gracedale to charging more for filings. And yes, tipstaffs were discussed, too.

County Exec John Stoffa told the eight members of Council (McClure was absent) attending this Finance Committee meeting that his goal is to eliminate 100 positions by year's end, but by attrition. At the end of the meeting, he gave me a copy of the email below, which is being disseminated to department heads. Stoffa is calling it a hiring freeze, but it looks more like a hiring frost.

Northampton County, like most local governments, is facing difficult economic times. Our revenue, primarily from property taxes, is stagnant, yet our expenditures continue to grow. There is no apparent financial relief in sight. This is a direct result of the current economic climate country-aide. Local government is being asked to do more with less, and there appears to be no relief in sight from our partners at the Federal and State level(s).

In view of these circumstances, I am instituting an immediate hiring freeze, effective June 16, 2010, on all existing vacant positions. Only upon "special exception" will a position be filled. Special exceptions will not be "rubber stamped", and will need to be justified in light of our dire financial times.

• The "Special exception" proviso will involve the Department Head presenting justification to a special panel who will review the presenting justification. If the special panel agrees that the position should be filled, the recommendation will be forwarded to the County Council Personnel Committee. Only then, and with Council approval, will the position be filled

I understand that this process may sound onerous. Nevertheless, we all must work together and share the burden if we are to continue to provide services to Northampton County residents within the budget restraints we face.

I sincerely ask for your full cooperation and adherence to this policy.


John Stoffa
County Executive

Angle Attends Bangor High School Commencement, Gets GED

Can you keep a secret? Don't let Senior Judge Franciosa or DA John Morganelli or it's curtains for the Northampton County Bulldog. They'll lock him up faster than you can say tipstaff.

Now Ron Angle may have tendered his resignation from Bangor's School Board, but the y insisted that he still attend last night's commencement exercise. The even seated him in the front row with school board members, who have yet to formally accept his resignation.

But the biggest shock of all is that Angle was finally awarded an honorary GED.

"I want to thank yous for this. I don't know no better gift," said Ron, and treated everyone to McDonald's coolatas.