Dent Supports Earmark Moratorium

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) issued the following statement after voting to adopt a resolution prolonging the Republican-imposed moratorium on Congressionally-directed funding – popularly known as earmarks. With Republicans set to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in January, the moratorium will apply to all Members of Congress serving in the House during the 112th Congress:

“For many Americans, the practice of earmarking exemplifies how Congress has strayed off course in its duty to responsibly allocate federal resources. I supported the moratorium adopted by the Republican Conference today because I believe it will help restore public confidence in the Congressional stewardship of tax dollars.

While the approval of this moratorium will effectively eliminate earmarks in legislation originating in the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate has yet to fully embrace this necessary reform, as only Senate Republicans have adopted a moratorium for the 112th Congress. I urge Senate Democrats to follow the advice of their colleague Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and ‘get on board’. Establishing a bipartisan and bicameral moratorium would send a clear message to the American people that their Congressional representatives are committed to promoting greater fiscal responsibility.”

Grucela Bill For Vietnam War Vets Becomes Law in His Final Days as State Rep

Nearly two years ago, I told you about State Rep. Rich Grucela's effort to get high school diplomas for veterans of the Vietnam War who were unable to complete high school because of their military service. It is now law.

Grucela, who did not seek re-election this year, said it was one of the best retirement gifts he could ask for.

"I have worked for many years to see that these veterans receive their high school diplomas," said Grucela, who was first elected in 1998. "It's a high note for me personally to leave on. We talk a lot about the sacrifices members of the military make, and as a former teacher, I understand the significance of a high school diploma, even if a person doesn't need it for their career anymore."

Although the House and Senate passed Grucela's measure back in October s part of an omnibus school code bill. Governor Rendell vetoed the Bill on an unrelated matter, and the legislature voted to override Rendell's veto this week.

"It's been close to 60 years since the Vietnam War began, and the time to give those men and women a high school diploma was well overdue," Grucela said. "A high school diploma is a mile marker in life, and that sense of accomplishment should not be denied because a man or woman served their country."

Grucela explained that some veterans may have felt uncomfortable returning to school at a later age, were injured or ill, or simply needed to work full time to support themselves following the war.

"I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting our Vietnam veterans and putting Pennsylvania among the ranks of the many other states that already have a similar program," he added.

Grucela's measure authorizes school boards to establish a program known as Operation Recognition for Vietnam veterans. The program has been used in the past for World War II and Korean War veterans.

Any honorably discharged veteran who served in the U.S. military in the Vietnam War between Feb. 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, is eligible for a diploma. The veteran must have attended high school between 1958 and 1975 and have been a member of a graduation class between the years 1961 and 1975, but did not graduate because of entry into the military.

Additionally, a school board is able to award a diploma posthumously to an eligible veteran.

LV Tea Party Commends Norco on No-Tax-Hike Budget, Gracedale Sale

The following statement is being made during tonight's Northampton County Council meeting by LV Tea Party Chairman Mat Benol. I honestly don't know how County officials will respond to kind words. I know they're not used to them.

"Dear County Executive Stoffa & the Northampton County Council:

"The Lehigh Valley Project 9-12/Tea Party Group commends you for developing a budget that includes some true cost cutting measures including the politically bold, but very necessary step, of privatizing Gracedale. The current hiring freeze has worked well to reduce the number of government workers, without resorting to many layoffs. These are wise management practices that will result in further cost reductions in the future. It is imperative during these challenging times that government limit the scope of its involvement, and reduce its stranglehold on the taxpayers and the economy. This 2011 budget is an excellent first step in reducing the cost of government in Northampton County.

"It is your task to continue to discover additional efficiencies and programs that can be either privatized or eliminated outright. One possibility is the millions of dollars that are spent on “Open Space” initiatives, which are clear violations of governmental jurisdiction, and should be eliminated. The free marketplace should determine the value of land, and it is not government’s role to subsidize some landowners with taxpayer money.

"We hope that the Council and the County Executive continue to adhere to fiscal responsible practices and further reduce the size of county government."

Fourth Street Bridge to Re-Open Monday

Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham announced today that the county’s Fourth Street Bridge, connecting Fourth Street in Allentown and Fifth Street in Whitehall, will reopen to traffic by rush hour on Monday November 22.

Like many others, Don himself commutes in daily from that area and has himself been inconvenienced. But improving the county’s aging infrastructure has been a priority in his Administration. The bridge has been closed since June 21 for major structural repairs.

The $865,000 project included the replacement of all bridge support bearings, expansion joints, drainage system and other incidental work.

Dr. Sussman: If He Builds It, They Will Come

Dr. Tho V. Tran, a prominent Linden Street dentist, and Dr. Elliott Sussman, who runs Lehigh Valley Hospital, both caught a break from Bethlehem's Zoning Hearing Board on November 17. It was a good night for the medical community.

Nurse practitioner Allen C. Smith III would like to purchase Dr. Tran's 1565 Linden Street home, which has a dental office on the first floor. But Smith wants to replace dental chairs and drills with examination tables, and needed a variance so he can conduct a medical practice at that location.

Dr. Tran has been trying to sell his property since 2004, and told zoners he's been unable to attract buyers because of the cost involved in converting a dental office to a home. "I'm 79 1/2 years old," he said. "Please do this so I can retire."

Dr. Sussman has no desire to sell his 452 N. New Street home, but needed permission to build a guest home on top of his garage. "It's principally a guest house for my children," he told zoners. He's hoping that if he builds it, they will come. He also admitted he'd sneak in there himself from time to time so he could enjoy a good book, and might even install a TV so he can "watch the Eagles win a few more football games."

Zoners quickly granted the relief requested by both Doctors. Chairman Gus Loupos told Dr. Tran, "Enjoy your retirement!"

Though neither a physician nor a dentist, zoners gave Jerry Fasnacht permission to expand the second floor at 421 E 5th Street to allow for a bathroom and two additional bedrooms. Cheryl Mittle, who came on behalf of her next door mother, was concerned about runoff from the roof and possible damage to her mother's home caused by the construction. But in response to questioning by Attorney Kevin Kelleher, Mittle withdrew her objections after learning that the roof is not being expanded and the construction work will be insured.

Updated 9:15 AM: One of my astute readers has just informed me that Dr. Sussman has stepped down from the helm of LVH. The news release making that announcement is here.

NorCo's $1.7 MM Parking Deck Repairs Are $500k Over Budget

When Northampton County's 290-space parking deck was first built in 1975, its estimated life was 35 to 40 years. Obviously, it had to be fixed. But at a Council Finance Committee yesterday, two engineering firms spent what seemed like 35 to 40 years, trying to justify a $513,767 cost overrun on a $1.7 million project.

"Unforeseen conditions" is the explanation. They apparently had no idea water could do so much damage.

"Water, water, everywhere, and all the boards did shrink. Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink."

Even the Ancient Mariner could have told them water was destroying that parking deck. Two engineering firms nevertheless put on lengthy power point presentations, claiming they were mystified by unforeseen damages.

Once completed, these improvements will extend the life of the garage by 15 to 20 years.

"In concrete restoration projects, you always run into surprises," explained Pennnoni Associates' engineer Matthew Stewart.

"Then you bid it accordingly," responded Council President Ron Angle. "We always get waxed up," he complained. "Whenever there's a government project, we get waxed up."

Exec John Stoffa pointed to the juvenile detention center project, which came in under budget. He proposed using that money to pay for the overruns. But even the normally cheerful Peg Ferraro was visibly angry at the extent of the overrun.

Council vented mostly on Public Works Director Steve DeSalva, who regularly works sixty hour weeks and took responsibility. But he also insisted, "It had to be done."

"Is this the end of the end of the end?" asked Angle. DeSalva promised to come back with a hard figure.

AOL Patch Invades Hellertown

Earlier this week, I told you that AOL Patch is underway here in the Lehigh Valley, making its debut in Emmaus. Now Hellertown has joined the party.

Editor Josh Popichak (read about him here) has sent out this greeting:

"Hellertown-Lower Saucon Patch is a 24/7, hyperlocal news and information website offering exclusive coverage of the Saucon Valley. We hope to become your most trusted source for information about news, events, sports, arts and business in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.

"Please feel free to email me feedback, questions, story ideas...and whatever else you're inspired to share.

"If you have announcements or upcoming events you'd like us to post, please email them to Hellertown Patch's wonderful calendar editor, Shelley Goldberg, at sgold1111@gmail.com."

"We're looking forward to serving you and providing you with the best in local coverage in the months and years ahead. Please check us out!"

I've been told Patch will hit the Internet news stands in Bethlehem and Easton next week.

Northampton County's Health Care Costs Rise 25% in One Year

Budget Administrator Doran Hammon has just told Northampton County Council's Finance Committee that there's been a 25% increase in health care costs for County employees this year, That's $3.3 million.

"That's exactly why we need less employees," remarked Council President Ron Angle.

Gracedale Referendum Only Has 10.774 Signers

To have Graceale's future decided by the voters, 10% of the County's registered voters must demand that it be placed on the ballot. Those who wish to take this matter out of County Council's hands had a perfect opportunity on November 2, at the last general election. They tried, but they came up short. Way short.

According to record on file at the Voter Registration office, 10,774 have asked to let the voters decide Gracedale's future. But they need nearly 20,000. As the weather gets colder and night comes sooner, this seems like an insurmountable burden.

Of the 10,774 signatures on file, at least ten per cent are defective in one way or another. Addresses are missing, names are left blank. One of the petitions is duly notarixed, but was never signed by the person circulating it.

Is Bloomberg Eyeing White House Bid?

He might be just what this nation needs to end the partisan wrangling.

Patch: No Tax Hike Planned For Emmaus

Gracedale Sale Depicted as Best Answer for Residents and Taxpayers

Before last night's informational meeting concerning Gracedale at Bangor's Beehive, Ron Angle invited me over for a home-cooked meal. Aside from meals at my brother's house, I rarely have that opportunity, so I accepted. As I always do when I go to Chez Angle, I got lost and ended up in Stroudsburg, but still made it to Ron's house in time for roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and lima beans. It was great food and company, but a lousy night. In the slate belt, the rain is always colder and the fog is always thicker. But when we arrived at the Beehive, I was surprised to see that at least fifty people had turned out. And at the door, instead of being greeted by the usual petitions for a referendum, tea party member Chris Miller handed me a flyer stating, "Save Gracedale (Sell it!)" After last night's meeting, it's hard to escape that conclusion.

Sitting next to me was Birdman Paul, who brought his camera to capture politicians in their natural habitat. Before the night was over, he had banded Angle, State Rep. Rich Grucela and Dauphin County Commssioner Jeff Haste, who migrated from the land of midnight payraises for an evening in the slate belt. Council members Bruce Gilbert, Barb Thierry and Tom Dietrich were there, as well as County administrators John Conklin and Ross Marcus. But the star of the show was Eckert Seamans legal heavyweight Mike Miller, whose powerful presentation seemed to sway a dubious audience. I'll try to summarize the points made.

Deficits. - Three out of every four publicly owned nursing home is running at a deficit. In 2009, Gracedale's shortfall was $4.6 million, and this year's deficit is ecpected to run at about $5 million. Next year, if you include needed capital expenditures, Gracedale will run $11.7 million in the red. Over the next ten years, $70-80 million in taxpayer dollars will be needed to finance operations and capital expenditures. Since we only bring in around $80 million in real estate tax revenue, this is a money pit.

Reimbursement. - For reasons known only in the land of midnight payraises and the bowels of our nation's capitol, County-owned nursing homes get the shaft when it comes to reimbursement for Medicaid. In 2006, for example, Gracedale received $2.6 million less than it would have received as a private facility. In 2010, our nursing home is reimbursed $4.3 million less than it would receive if it were private.

Competing pressures. - The government has to decide between a new boiler at Gracedale or fixing a bridge. A private company can concentrate on the nursing home.

Trend against nursing homes. - Thirty-eight of Pennsylvania's sixty-seven Counties no longer provide a public nursing home, and an additional seven Counties are considering a sale.

Reducing the size will fail. - The smaller you get, the less money you get, and that begins to affect the quality of care offered to residents.

Benefits. - The benefits made available to the workforce in a County-owned facility are a whopping seventy per cent of their actual salary.

Quality of care. - That may actually increase under private management. Unless they provide a high quality of care, they will lose residents to other nursing homes that provide it. "Quality of care drives success in the long-term care industry," according to Miller. He added that quality of care can be provided for by "contractual commitment" with a new buyer. It could even be associated with the star-rating system at Gracedale. Dauphin County Comm'r Haste stated that the man reason for selling Dauphin's public nursing home was to improve that quality of care. Angle added, "We are very concerned about the patients in there." Council member Bruce Gilbert added, "That is our very deepest concern."

Access to the Indigent. - Miller explained that, when he negotiated with the private buyer at Dauphin County, the buyer contractually committed to "always keep the front door open" for the poor. This commitment, somewhere around 80%, was actually included in the deed and will bind successors. There are also quarterly reports to assure the County of compliance.

Employee retention. - "You just can't bring in 800 employees," remarked Attorney Miller. "The new owner wants them to stay because of their institutional knowledge." Comm'r Haste added that many employees left the nursing home, only to return a few months later. Angle noted that many of the Gracedale workers (300 plus) could retire from the County and start working on a second pension at a private facility. "It can be very lucrative, quite frankly, for the employees," reasoned Angle. Everyone agreed with Bonnie Labar's statement that "it takes a special kind of person" to want to work in a nursing home. Gilbert added that "the employees are the true jewel."

Will Sale Enable Tax reduction? - Angle noted that, thanks to a poorly considered $111 million bond, the County was shackled with a quarter-billion dollars in debt. In addition, the swaption price tag is somewhere around $18 million. Angle voted against it, but has to figure out a way to pay the piper. Gracedale itself has about $4 million in debt. "So if you think selling Gracedale is somehow a windfall, it's not a windfall at all." He presented a sale as something that would help both the patients and the taxpayers.

He acknowledged not everyone is gong to be happy. "My wife said this just yesterday, 'I'm not sure there's anybody happy with you anymore.' I said, 'Well, I'll go up in the field, fire up a cigar, and talk to the cows. As long as I keep feeding them, they'll still be my friends.'"

"Nobody is going to vote to sell Gracedale and deteriorate the level of care or eliminate the opportunity for people who need to go there because of their finances."

A fourth informational meeting about Gracedale is scheduled for tonight, 7 PM, at Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Palmer, PA 18045.

Updated 12:15 PM: Both The Morning Call and Express Times covered this event.

Real Rev Thanks County For Considering Poor in Gracedale Sale

Nevin L Kershner, a retired minister with the United Church of Christ, is one of forty-four area clergymen who last week urged Northampton County to keep Gracedale Nursing Home accessible to the poor, even if it is sold. But after hearing the facts at an informational session last night, he withdrew his concerns.

"I refer to a letter which you received, dated November 11, from 35 of us ministers who have been meeting and talking about this whole situation at Gracedale. I must apologize in that we did not have the information that you presented tonight. You've, quite frankly, addressed very positively everything we were concerned about.

"We did not want to get involved in whether it's sold or it's not sold or anything of that sort. We bow to your wisdom. You people know much more about it than we do.

"All we were concerned about is that the residents, and in particular the indigent or the poor people of Northampton County, would be taken care of. I suggest you have done that. So I just make the comment and thank you for what you've done."

God Speaks to the Fake Rev.

Braying on his Save Gracedale blog, fake Rev. Mario Martinez claims Buddy Christ has sided with the Gracedale Goons. "With him on our side, who would dare be against us? ... Gracedale is destined by the Lord Jesus Christ to continue to serve the Northampton County widows and the orphans until He decides differently." He adds, "Take note that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does not approve of the sale of Gracedale."

Alrighty then.

Of course, Ron Angle is in league with Satan or might be even be the Devil himself. According to the Save Gracedale blog, "It is inconceivable in this day and age to think that we could go to war with Iraq to take down the tyrant Saddam, and missed the one we have in NorCo. Well, your [sic] in our sights [sic] now."

At last night's informational meeting concerning Gracedale, conducted in Bangor, fake Rev. Martinez decided to deliver yet another sermon, something he does every time he gets within a 500' radius of a microphone. But a blastback from the speaker system kept silencing him. As I whispered at the time, "Maybe it's God."

How Ron Angle Got Elected to County Council

Ron Angle was first elected to Northampton County Council in 1999. Republicans and Democrats have both been moaning ever since. How could it happen? It almost didn't. Ron himself has told me the story. Believe it or not, he got his big break from a nursing home.

Like most gazillionaires, Angle hates to spend money, especially for political races. But he does like to work. And when he was running against Nick Sabatine in the '99 Republican Primary, he went through several pairs of shoes pounding on doors. He even went to tiny Walnutport, the western boundary of the County so detached from everything else that it might as well be in Carbon or Lehigh County. It was there that he struck gold.

Going through his street list, he saw a house with 14 Republican occupants. Now he thought that only happened to Democrats, but he decided to investigate. When he got there, he realized it was a tiny nursing home that State Rep. Julie Harhart had visited some years before. She convinced them all to register, and they did so as Republicans.

Ron must have made a good impression because several of them told him they would vote for him, but were unable to get to the polls. Angle told them they could cast absentee ballots, explained the procedure, and left.

Around 3:00 PM one afternoon, the woman running this small nursing home called Angle in a panic. She told him that eight residents had decided to vote by absentee ballot, had filled everything out and had voted for him, but they all had forgotten to send the ballots into the courthouse. That very day was the final day in which absentee ballots would be accepted.

Angle hopped into his truck, drove from Upper Mount Bethel to Walnutport to pick up the ballots, and then from there drove them to the voters' registration office, making it just five minutes before closing time.

On election day, Angle won his race against Sabatine by just three votes. Had he not made that trip, or had he been five minutes later, Nick Sabatine would have won that race by five votes. He went on to defeat Charlie Dertinger in the general that year, and that is how we got the Northampton County Bulldog.

Northampton County Solicits Gracedale Proposals

Northampton County's webpage now includes a "Request for Qualifications & Proposals" for the sale of the Gracedale nursing home. You can follow the bidding yourself by registering here.

Open Letter to Allentown Business Community from PaCAN

PaCAN is a conservative, non-partisan, non-profit that represents small-and medium-sized businesses. Its goal is job creation, and believes that is best achieved by a pro-growth business climate in Pennsylvania. Below is an open letter to the Allentown business community.

"The fight against the increased Earned Income Tax in Allentown continues Wednesday the 17th at 5:30PM in City Hall. Your attendance at this meeting is crucial to convince city government of their reckless decision.

"On November 10th, the City Council paraded department after department in front of the public, but failed to cover the most controversial aspect of the meeting: the forty percent Earned Income Tax (EIT) increase on all workers in the city of Allentown. This oppressive tax is slated to cover the massive costs of Allentown’s generous public employee pensions. Obviously this issue is controversial and last Wednesday’s casual conversation and jovial manner conveyed an intentional stalling by the Council to evade any tax sound-bite on the Channel 69 News in attendance.

"The Mayor and City Council are circling the wagons and opposition to their tax scheme is met with special treatment or arm twisting. Even PPL, which initially opposed the tax, has back-peddled to a neutral position to avoid possible reprisal from the Mayor’s office.

"Both the Mayor and City Council must ask themselves how raising the EIT represents the hundreds of businesses and their employees in Allentown. Don’t these people deserve to be represented as much as the public sector employees who in many instances make more money and have better benefits than private sector ones?

"Allentown’s businesses are also without an advocate as the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (GLVCC) and their Allentown counterpart have been silent on the looting of Allentown’s businesses to cover the city’s “retire at 40 with 153% pay” pension program. It is necessary for them to represent their members and speak out against this state-sponsored theft. If you are a member, please call 610-841-4582 to ask them to oppose the tax increase.

"Allentown’s businesses will have tough decisions to make in the next few months. You have within you the power to stop the looting of your life’s work: the business that feeds and shelters your family. We need your help to make Mayor Pawlowski and Allentown City Council reconsider this misguided course.

"Sincerely,

Matt Balazik & Skip Salvesen
Managing Directors
PaCAN – Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network"

Bethlehem Tp: Stray Cats, Atiyeh, Libraries ... and a No-Tax-Increase Budget

In what almost seemed like an afterthought in a night dominated by discussions about stray cats, library fees and developer Abe Atiyeh, Bethlehem Township Commissioners on November 15 formally introduced next year's $14.38 million, no-tax-increase budget. Like many surrounding communities, the Township is leaving vacancies unfilled. There will be no wage hikes for the nonunion workforce, although three unions are still their negotiating contracts. There are also deep cuts in monies to volunteer organizations. But not one person rose to demand more money. And Commissioners, who discussed the budget extensively in prior meetings, were all talked out.

But they had plenty to say about stray cats. In a new agreement with the Center for Animal Health & Welfare, a successor to the SPCA, Bethlehem Township will be charged $100 for every stray cat and dog from the Township, whether brought in by the police or a private citizen. In 2009, that fee was just $50, according to Township Manager Howard Kutzler. This year, the Township has already been billed $7,000. "That's a lot of money," complained Commissioner Thomas Hudak, who added that many of the strays being brought in are cats. "How menacing is a cat?" he asked. President Arthur Murphy, however, could see no way around it. "We really have no choice," he argued, and Commissioners voted to execute a new agreement, with only Hudak dissenting.

With feral cats out of the way, Attorney Stan Margle briefed Commissioners on the confusing status of two lawsuits involving developer Abe Atiyeh. One arises out of a controversial treatment center proposed along Fritch Drive, recently approved by Judge Michael Franciosa, on condition that it be a County-run facility. Because Northampton County has now prefers West Easton over Fritch Drive, Atiyeh has appealed a settlement agreement in which he himself participated.

A second lawsuit, which involves Atiyeh's contention that zoning fails to provide for a prison, has led Margle to suggest amending the Township Zoning Ordinance to give Commissioners, and not the Zoning Hearing Board, the final say in these matters. Although they decided to wait for a decision from Judge Franciosa, Commissioner Paul Weiss stated that they, and not the Zoning Hearing Board, should make the call on the policy matters that arose with the proposed treatment center.

Having dealt with strays and Abe Atiyeh, the final problem tackled by Commissioners was the Bethlehem Public Library. President Murphy, unhappy with the increasing annual contribution, set for next year at $375,000.

Commissioner Thomas Nolan said that a library "is very useful. They afford opportunities for a lot of people on a lot of different levels, so you just don't say 'Let's go.'" He added that Bethlehem Township had opted out of the library many years before but has been a member since 1987. "We're not in 1987 anymore," answered President Murphy. "There's a thing called the Internet. ... Kids are no longer using the library for their research."

Commissioners will next meet on Monday, December 1, at 7:00 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room at the Bethlehem Township Municipal Building.

This Kid Can Play That Violin!

When I was a kid, two of my sisters took piano lessons for a few years. They'd play a song or two whenever my parents threw a party, and all the guests would applaud politely. I was to suffer a much crueler fate. The violin.

For seven years, and against my will, I took violin lessons. When the kids at school found out, I took a lot of teasing from just about everyone except my friend Danny. He played the accordion.

In addition to hating the instrument, I was terrible. A violin is no easy instrument to play. One mistake and it sounds like nails being dragged across a chalkboard. My parents knew. I was rarely asked to play for my father's guests, unless he was really loaded.

The funny thing is that, once my parents stopped forcing me to take lessons, I began to love it. As a high school student, I even played in a Moravian College orchestra. I still was lousy, but I was a "second" violinist, and we're supposed to be bad. I eventually drifted off into other things, but to this day, I remain very fond of the violin and its very few masters.

One of them is VCU Senior Eric Stanley. He posted a Youtube video of what he calls a "violin cover" in January, and it has taken off. He has since posted more of them, and is getting invitations to perform. Instead of hitting notes precisely and mechanically, he plays with a passion and an obvious love for his music, and his violin rewards both him and the rest of us.

I wanted to share his interpretation of an Eminem tune with you, and hope you are as moved as I was.

Viagra Giant Giving 12 Acres (Not Inches) to Lehigh County

Although a Kalamazoo study links Pfizer to the pollution of our watershed, the drug giant insists it's on a "green journey," and is all about protecting our environment. To prove it, the blue pill maker has decided to donate 12 acres along the scenic Lehigh River in to Lehigh County for use as a public recreation area.

Because it's on what was once a pigment manufacturing plant in Slatington, all kinds of regulatory approvals are needed. But Pfizer claims the land has been returned to its natural state following demolition and environmental cleanup.

All the trees at this site sure are standing tall. Next door is another tract donated by Pfizer for Lehigh County's newly christened Lehigh River boat ramp. The fish there are all blue, but there sure are a lot of them, and they're all very stiff.

"The residents of Lehigh County are very grateful to Pfizer for this generous donation of land and for its help in cleaning up the environmental issues at this site to be preserved as a recreation area," said Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. "We appreciate Pfizer's actions as a good corporate citizen of the Lehigh Valley."

“Our goal from the beginning was to make this property available for a use that benefits the community,” said Michael Wolf, Government Relations Director for Pfizer in Pennsylvania. “We’re pleased that Lehigh County will use the land to expand the community’s excellent recreational assets.”

The company that gave us Viagra just keeps on giving. Some thank it for 12 inches. Lehigh County can thank it for 12 acres.