Why Was Lance Wheeler Fired?

That's the question everyone was asking at the Courthouse today, following an Express Times exclusive reporting that lead court officer Lance Wheeler has been sacked. Wheeler's daughter, Makaeya Lynn, has MLD, a rare and incurable disorder that attacks the nervous system. muscles and organs. It worsens over time.

I have no idea why Wheeler was let go. The person who does, Court Administrator James Onembo, would be violating Wheeler's rights to confidentiality if he were to discuss it. I do know that there has been friction between Onembo and Wheeler for months. I also know there are two or three sides to every story.

Wheeler serves at the pleasure of the Court. The Executive has no say in this matter, and those trying to blame this on John Stoffa are being irresponsible.

Heidelberg Township Fires its Administrator/Zoning Officer

Dan Stonehouse had been Administrator and Zoning Officer in Heidelberg Township since 2008, but Northwestern Press is reporting he's been axed. The firing comes amidst allegations that Stonehouse was using Township computers and cell phones for personal use, including pornography.  Stonehouse was terminated during a Monday morning special meeting, after a weekend of executive sessions.

Stonehouse knows the deal, having served in Skippack Township, Emmaus and Coopersburg, before moving on To Heidelberg Township.

Janice Bortz, the Township's Secretary-Treasurer, is now Acting Administrator.

CACLV's Alan Jennings Steps Down From State Planning Board

You can read his letter of resignation here.

It Ain't Just Joe Pa

As I get older, grayer, and balder, days and even the years are becoming a blur. In my mind's eye, I'm still a highly-conditioned, well-trained athlete. Reality is far different. But this post isn't about that. It's about child abuse, not just child sexual abuse.

Before I get into that, let me tell you about my last truly competitive race. The Philadelphia Marathon. 2005. Seems like yesterday. I can still taste the explosion of flavors from my favorite pre-race food, a Vietnamese beef broth soup called Pho. I can still see my grandson triumphantly walk into the place as though he owns it, basketball in hand. I can still see the pretty, seemingly carefree women, promenading on South Street and in Chinatown, looking for bargains and oranges. I can still remember those long lines to dirty port-a-potties. And a crowd so large that I spent most of the first mile walking. When I finally was able to run, nearly the first thing I did was step right into a pothole and break my ankle. I carried on for five miles until I could no longer bear the pain, and waited for the sag wagon, defeated. My traveling companion, who was way ahead of me after the starting gun fired, went on to win her age group. But this post isn't about that.

Unable to run, with a foot immersed in ice, I let the cacophony of Philly serenade me. It's my favorite big city. Always has been. I've run the Philly Marathon twice before the indignity of 2005, actually completing those races. No matter where you go, people urge you on. At one point, there's a fellow who rages on a drum, year after year. Farther along, you can hear the faint melody of bagpipes, growing stronger as you get closer. You don't really notice the miles dropping away until you hit the 20th. At that point, you're really on your own, no matter how many people are cheering.

It's a demanding, grueling event. Not really healthy at all, especially when you realize that its first runner, a Greek messenger named Pheidippides, dropped dead as a doornail as soon as he was finished. It takes between six months and a year of training, running long runs every other weekend, to be able to just complete a marathon, to say nothing of racing. It's for mutants, crazy people, bottom-feeding bloggers and Kenyans. I've run 13 of them in my lifetime, so that should give you some indication of what's wrong with me.

Before an injury, and then laziness, consumed me for six years, I was pretty much up on the dos and don'ts of distance running. And one of the biggest don'ts is high school students and long-distance running. A 26.2 mile distance is punishing enough for an adult. For a person who is still growing, running long distances can damage growth plates. I always figured that was why high school cross country teams stick to 5ks.

Last week, I was disturbed by a Newsworks report about a mentorship program called "Students Run Philly Style," in which radio hosts boast that 77 high school kids would be running in this year's Philly marathon. One of them, a 17-year old girl, would be running her third marathon. Why? She likes the hoodie.

This is just insane. Or more appropriately, child abuse.

On Sunday, two people (a 21 year old and a 40 year old) died in the Philadelphia Marathon, precisely because it is a physically demanding event. You don't encourage kids to do this as a "confidence booster." It's only a matter of time before one of them dies during the event, and it's very likely that many of them have injuries that will make it impossible for them to develop fully. How's that for boosting their confidence?

With all the recent discussion about child abuse at Penn State, I have to wonder what the hell these people are thinking. We scratch Joe Paterno's name off trophies while carting five year old kids to bash each other brains out boxing. City Councils are now considering anti-pedophile bills, while South Allentown parents urge their 12 year old sons to "hurt" their opponents in a meaningless football game.

So when everyone wants to condemn Joe Paterno, I have to wonder why they are so hesitant to condemn all the other forms of child abuse occurring right under their noses. These heroes of the day, who vocally condemn Paterno, are often the vampires of the night, engaging in the very child abuse they find so offensive in everyone else. It's not sexual, but it's still child abuse.

Comm'r Hudak Pulls Controversial Housenick Resolution

Vicky Bastidas and budding botanists

At their November 21 meeting, Commissioner Michael Hudak backed away from a controversial resolution that could pave the way to demolition of a three-story colonial style mansion at Housenick Park. At the request of Commissioner Tom Nolan, Hudak pulled it before the meeting started.

Once home to Archibald Johnston, Bethlehem's first Mayor and a Bethlehem Steel Company president, this unusual mansion is the cornerpiece of a 55-acre passive recreation park located along Monocacy Creek, off Christian Spring Road. This property, along with $2 million for its care, was devised to the Township by the late Janet Housnick, Johnston's granddaughter.

Hudak and the rest of Commissioners unanimously adopted a Master Plan for Housenick Park last month, which calls for the mansion's restoration. But as a result of ambiguous language in the resolution adopting the plan, Hudak proposed modifying it to give Commissioners authority to raze the building, "if found to be necessary." He also wanted to delay plans to list the property on the National Register.

After the meeting, Hudak explained himself "I've always been in favor of keeping the mansion, from Day One." His personal preference is to see the outside restored, rest rooms added, and the ground floor made available as a senior center. Hudak added that he actually wrote the Resolution that would ensure passive recreation at the park, and has been familiar with the grounds since he's been a child.

Commissioner Paul Weiss, sitting next to Hudak, agreed that Commissioners' priority is to restore the mansion, and the resolution was proposed only to give them the option if it is impossible to save the building.

Despite their intentions, Hudak's proposed resolution brought several Housenick Park defenders to the meeting. Because the resolution had been withdrawn, BOC President Arthur Murphy asked them to keep their comments under two minutes.

Township resident Andy Unger told Commissioners that Housenick Park has become a "polarizing issue. Things start and then they happen, and then they don't happen. Motions get made, then motions get recalled." Unger suggested that people need to "talk to each other in a noncritical manner."

Housenick Trustee Tim Brady, himself a former Commissioner, asked why the Housenick Master Plan, which cost the Trust over $40,000, has never been provided to the parks and recreation board. President Arthur Murphy assured Brady that copies would be distributed the very next day.

Conservationist Victoria Bastidas, who has spent weeks at Housenick Park with students, brought several with her to the podium. She told Commissioners that these budding botanists, along with members of the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association, Audubon Society, and Sierra Club, just spent the previous weekend fishing computer terminals, tires and bottles of oil out of nearby Monocacy Creek. She claimed their efforts ease the burden on Township and County workers, who have been beset by recent storms. She suggest that the creek needs to be monitored more carefully, although only a small portion of it is located within the park.
Updated 7:32 PM

Bethlehem Township Proposes No New Taxes Next Year

At their November 21 meeting, Bethlehem Township Commissioners were presented with a $15.9 million budget that, if approved, will hold the line on taxes and sewer rates next year. The Township's finance maven, Andrew Freda, provided a line-by-line overview.

In the General Fund, the Township anticipates receiving nearly $15,897,458 next year, including nearly $10 million in real estate taxes and an opening balance of $1.6 million. It will spend over $7 million for public safety, $2 million for public works, $1.1 million for culture and recreation, $1.1 million in debt service and nearly $3 million in general government expenses. The budget also calls for a transfer of $275,000 to a capital reserve fund. Added up, expenditures next year are estimated at $14,777,109, leaving a projected fund balance of $1,120,349.

From its $808,000 capital reserve fund, the Township plans to spend $792,000 for unspecified capital purchases.

Freda told Commissioners he is recommending keeping the sewer rate and 5.99 millage rate steady next year. Under that rate, a home assessed at $75,000 would be taxed $449.25.

Although Commissioners had no questions, President Arthur Murphy - himself an accountant - praised Freda for doing a "great job" with the budget.

Township Commissioners will address the budget again at their next meeting on Monday, December 5, 7 PM, at the Township Municipal Building, located at 4225 Easton Avenue.

A Walk in the Park? Not at Housenick Park, Sez Comm'r Hudak

A three-story colonial style mansion at Housenick Park is in danger of demolition, if a Resolution proposed by Commissioner Michael Hudak is adopted tonight. Although Commissioners just adopted a Master Plan in October that calls for the building's restoration, Hudak is now proposing demolition, "if found to be necessary." In addition, he wants to delay any plans to list the building with the National Register.

Once home to Archibald Johnston, Bethlehem's first Mayor and a Bethlehem Steel Company president, this unusual mansion is the cornerpiece of a 55-acre passive recreation park located along Monocacy Creek, off Christian Spring Road. This property, along with $2 million for its care, was devised to the Township by the late Janet Housnick, Johnston's granddaughter.

Before the Master Plan was presented to Commissioners, Hudak made clear that Housenick's largess meant little to him. "She knew what was going on," he complained during a meeting of the Housnick Committee. "She let it fall into decay. Why didn't she have somebody fix the ceiling? It was never kept up over the years."

Although initially voting to accept this Master Plan, Hudak successfully persuaded Commissioner Arthur Murphy and Paul Weiss to join him in dissolving the Housenick Committee. "We've developed many parks in the Township, without the help of an outside Committee," he reasoned.

Then, in early November, Hudak interrupted an organized weekend walk at Housenick Park. He claimed  fundraising was going on, which would require a municipal permit 60 days in advance. Insurance, too. Walk organizers deny there was any fund-raising, but canceled to avoid needless controversy. A Bethlehem attorney has stated such a requirement for a simple, pre-arranged walk in the park, runs afoul of the First Amendment's freedom of assembly.

Now Hudak is, bit-by-bit, dismantling the very plan he voted to approve, knowing that the Committee responsible for it has been disbanded.

Township Commissioners will consider Hudak's resolution tonight, 7 PM, at the Township Municipal Building,  located at 4225 Easton Avenue.

Frozen Pizza: Fruit or Vegetable?

When golden leaves blanket running and bike trails throughout the Lehigh Valley, so does the colder weather. Instead of being festooned with "fuel belts," "camelbaks," or just a simple bottle of water, runners and cyclists are now sporting hand-warmers and reflective beanies. Nobody thinks much about water.

But the European Food Standards Authority does, and in an incredible edict, has banned bottled water distributors from advertising that drinking water helps prevent dehydration. This is after a three-year study involving 21 scientists. Any business owner ignoring this command faces two years in a European hoosegow, where he will be water boarded with San Pellegrino and Perrier.

Can you say Nanny State?

Before you do, take a look at Congress. In a bow to $5.6 billion spent by food companies opposed to new regulations in the school cafeteria, our federal legislators have decided to classify frozen pizza as a vegetable. After all, there's tomato paste on it.

That's just nuts.

Everybody knows the tomato is a fruit.

Which is worse, a nanny state or one in which corporations rule?

Help Clean Monocacy Creek

From the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association:

The Monocacy Creek Needs Your Help!

Due to the massive flooding the Monocacy Creek is full of junk and our fish have no where to go!
Come and help our fish by "fishing junk" out of our creek!

Time and Place: Archibald Johnston Conservation Area- Northampton County Land. Saturday November 19, 2011 and Sunday November 20, 2011. 10-2pm

Directions: Park at Housenick Park- Rte 191 Turn on Christian Springs, Left at first driveway on left. Park in lot. Follow road on the right down by the pinestand. We will meet on the lower level County land

Problem: The Creek is in rough shape - it has at least 8 major blockages and has overflown its banks. The county cannot access the property with machinery because it is under water. Erosion is causing tree roots to become unearthed and healthy trees are continuing to fall into the creek resulting in further blockages and destruction of habitat.

Plan: We will do a quick walk of the site to assess the damage and discuss ecological impacts. We will then focus on getting flow restored primarily by fishing out bottles, cans, tires, branches, pallets, propane tanks and other debris. We will then be hauling the debris to recycle.

Safety First: We will not be using power tools for this event, and will be focusing on debris pick-up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No children will be permitted in the creek All participants will be required to wear a life vest while working near the creek. (we have 12). All participants or their parents will be required to sign a release

Fun and Educational: This will be an exercise in simple machines and physics. We are going to be dragging out logs using pulley systems, block and tackle and come-alongs and may even use a bucket brigade or suspended litter! Fishermen and nature buffs will be helping out and can answer your questions about the creek and wildlife!

Food- For all those who stay the day we will have PIZZA! Yea!

Prizes:
Best idea
Best tool
Most trash bags filled!

Things to bring: Boots and waterproof clothing and gloves are a must- we will have some extra rubber gloves, but garden gloves work also extension poles, nets, rakes, garbage bags

Weather: looks clear and 40 at 10am going up to 50 by 12pm with even better weather Sunday in the 60's!

Should Voters Have a Say When Government Wants to Borrow?

By a five-four vote, Northampton County Council last night lent its support to a proposed state law that will allow home rule charter counties to allow the voters to weigh in by referendum when debt is proposed. I oppose these kinds of measures because most of us are, after all, pretty ignorant about government matters, and will be naturally inclined to vote against anything that might result in a tax hike.

That's why we elect others, so we can toss them out for making an uninformed decision to borrow on a matter about which we know nothing anyway.

Most of us simply don't know what the hell is going on.

My 12-year grandson, for example, can name every player at unranked Ohio State, but thinks the country located immediately south of the United States is New Jersey.

Maybe it is.

Executive John Stoffa pointed out that in the event of a sudden crisis like an earthquake, the County might have to borrow quickly, but would be unable to do that if it needed the approval of "We, the People."

Peg Ferraro agreed with Stoffa, but had a strange way of expressing herself.

"It's putting, it's tying our hands at a time when we might - it's putting us under some restrictions that maybe there might be some circumstances sometimes. I'm feeling like California a little bit with Proposition 13. And why just home rule counties? And I understand we're in a different group of people, but it just - hopefully we'll have people here who won't vote for huge bond issues."

Although I agree with her argument, her last sentence may have persuaded dubious Council members to support this Angle-sponsored measure. Northampton County has yet to spend all of the $111 million it borrowed in 2001.

Fake Rev Does Some Gloating

Although he denied he was at Council "to gloat or feel good about anyone leaving," the Fake Rev (he always calls himself Reverend Mario Martinez) made it a point to congratulate the winners twice during his usual speech. In addition to being a Fake Rev who speaks to Buddy Christ, he's also the voice of the people, and flexed his muscles.

"We, the People, are the ones that you signed on to serve. And if you serve us, genuinely, from your heart, there will never be an issue. The people will stand behind you. But if you fail us, then we will hold you accountable, and when the time comes, by the power of our vote, we will show you how dissatisfied we are."

Then he blessed them.

(In the picture above, the fake Rev celebrates with union boss Justus James, after casting out demon Ron Angle)

Updated 11:30 AM: We, the People, Speak! - On their "anonymous" blog, the God-fearing,self-proclaimed "Gracedale Guardians" (Jack and Peggy D'Alessandro, Mario Martinez, Mary Ann Schmoyer, John Mammana) have responded to my post with this civil comment. "Word on the street is Angles lap dog should have the opening below his nose sewn shut." The Wicked Witch of West Easton, aka Tricia Mezzacappa, is a little more graphic. "I hope he chokes on a Tic Tac and drops dead."

Nice people.

I'm sure God is on their side. But not any God I know.

More Variety Needed on Norco Election Comm'n

Bethlehem Township Democrat Donnell Bowie was appointed last night to Northampton County's Election Commission, making him the first African American in County history selected for this important role. A very distinguished man dressed in a suit and tie, Bowie actually came to the meeting, sensing the responsibility being placed on his shoulders. But there's still no diversity on this board.

As nice as it is to see a person of color finally get selected, the manner of selection of Election Commission members is fundamentally flawed, perhaps even unconstitutional.

According to the Home Rule Charter, the Election Commission is comprised of five members, three from the majority party (i.e. Democrat) and two from the minority (i.e. Republican). The party chairs actually send a list of names to the Executive. No provision is made for members of minor parties or independent voters, with their annoying concerns about voting machines and paper trails. So it is rigged to perpetuate the two-party system, at the expense of other voters.

After leaving it to party chairs to send names to the Executive, there's a general prohibition on naming "an officer in a political party." What the hell does that mean? Is a Committeeman, who must stand for election, an officer in a political party? How about an Area Chair? City Chair?

Then there's the question whether the Voting Registrar works for the Elections Commission or the Executive. Nobody seems to know the answer, although it's been debated now for six years.

It's obvious that this is an issue that needs to be addressed by Lamont McClure's Law & Order Committee. But he hasn't held a meeting for three years.

 

Plans For Drive-Thru Rite-Aid Delayed

I hope Blogger Michael Molovinsky won't mind me sharing a telephone conversation I had with him yesterday. If he does, it won't be the first time I pissed him off. But ne called it. He predicted exactly what would happen at last night's Allentown Zoning hearing on Rite-Aid's request for a drive-thru pharmacy on 7th Street. The matter was continued, exactly as he said.

Because I was at Northampton County Council, I was unable to attend. But WFMZ-TV's affable Will Lewis reports that the drug giant, seeing the opposition, sought a delay. Rite-Aid might very well change its designs to make their pharmacy more pedestrian friendly.

Updated 12:21 PM:  There are also accounts in The Morning Call and a new face in town, The Express Times.

NorCo Sheriff's Department Gets Accredited Where Credit is Due

Of approximately 1,600 law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania, only 76 of them are accredited. The Northampton County Sheriff's Department joined those ranks on November 9, when the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police voted unanimously to certify Northampton County as an accredited agency. Aside from Montgomery County, Northampton is the only Sheriff's Department to get a state accreditation.

This recognition follows two years of hard work, meeting 134 standards. The process was started under former Sheriff Jeff Hawbecker, and was finished by Sheriff Randy Miller, who as Police Commissioner in Bethlehem guided his department through the accreditation process there.

Miller declined to take any credit, choosing instead to point to the hard work put in by his deputies. He also credited Excutive John Stoffa, former Director of Administration John Conklin and County Council, who had to budget the money. "I'm kind of like the orchestra leader, waving the baton," Miller stated.

But Stoffa set the record straight. "They worked hard for two years and really deserve this."

Bethlehem Zoners Bring Smile to Rabbi

No wonder he was smiling. After a quick twenty-minute hearing, Bethlehem zoners unanimously granted Rabbi Zalman Greenberg's Chabad at Lehigh a Special Exception so he could move operations from 727 Evans Street to the old Kulick Funderal Home, located at 306 Wyandotte Street. Greenberg, his wife Yehudit and his three children will live in the upper level, but the rest of the building will serve as a Jewish student center and synagogue, with weekly social events, Shabbat dinners, classes and guest speakers.

Withe purchase and renovations, the total project cost is $1.1 million, with the money coming from private sources. Rabbi Greenberg explained that he would reduce parking to 18 spots, primarily because the building is located within walking distance for most Lehigh students, being only 0.3 miles from Lehigh Square. But there will be few exterior changes to what the Rabbi calls a "gorgeous historic landmark from 1866."

According to the Rabbi, Chabad is an acronym for three Hebrew words meaning wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He explained that lofty and Godly ideals are brought down in ways they could be understood, as well as bringing the mundane up. But it's also a place for students to experience their Jewish heritage in a home-like setting.

Greenberg credited his student board of directors with the program's success, claiming that the ideas come mostly from them. "It's been unbelievable!" he exclaimed. "This is our third move in three years." At Evans Street, Chabad at Lehigh has had to rent tents and borrow neighbors' back yards for some events.

Worldwide, there are 3,500 Chabads. Locally, Chabad of Lehigh Valley, located in Allentown, is geared to the community. Greenberg's group is more student-oriented. His official status with Lehigh is as an "outside adviser to a student group."

Nobody appeared in opposition to the zoning application. In fact, the owners of Sayre Mansion were on hand to lend their support.

When will he move in? Greenberg is hopeful that everything will be ready in tme for the Jewish High Holiday next year.

(Updated 11:00 AM)

Judge Baratta: ZHB Made Right Call Against Atiyeh's Luxury Apartments

Despite a parade of five witnesses and 26 exhibits over two lengthy nights of testimony, Bethlehem zoners last October rejected Abe Atiyeh's request for a 102-unit "luxury" apartment complex on five acres located at the corner of Center Street & Dewberry Avenue. Immediately following a 2-1 vote in Bethlehem Library's Conference Room, an audience of about 25 opponents burst into applause. Atiyeh did have approval for an assisted living facility at the site, but argued that market has dried up, creating a hardship. According to Atiyeh himself, luxury apartments are "the only valid use on this site. We have a hardship here."

Representing Atiyeh, Allentown Attorney Bill Malkames appeal claiming a hardship.

But it appears there was another valid use after all. After being rejected by zoners, and despite filing an appeal, Atiyeh nevertheless filed plans for a 4-story, 125-bed, inpatient detox center and psychiatric center at the exact same site. A permitted use, Atiyeh needed no zoning approval. But Bethlehem Planners rejected Atiyeh's plan in August. At that time, Planner Steve Thode noted the inconsistency in Atiyeh's argument. "Now you're saying there is a permitted use which is viable. Which is it?" he asked.

Northampton County Judge Stephen Baratta has answered that question. In a ten-page Opinion released on November 16, there never was any unnecessary hardship to justify a luxury apartment complex. "The desire to maximize the value of its property, standing alone, with no other proof of hardship, does not establish the right to a use variance."

Judge Baratta's ruling affirms the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board's decision last year. But Ayiyeh will be back before zoners again on November 22, with a scaled-down plan for luxury apartments at Center & Dewberry.

Dent Votes For Obama Jobs Bill to Help Vets

Well, one piece of President Obama's jobs package has finally made it out of Congress. It sailed through the Senate last week, and was passed unanimously in the Hose yesterday, 422 - 0. The Bill gives a tax credit of up to $5,600 to hire a vet who has been out of work for more than six months. It expands retraining programs for vets. Finally, it repeals a 3% withholding requirement on contractor pay.

“Providing tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed veterans and expanding veterans retraining opportunities will help many of the nation’s 1 million unemployed vets get back to work or begin new careers as civilians,” said LV Congressman Charlie Dent. “I am confident repealing the 3 percent withholding rule will also encourage job growth throughout the nation by allowing job creators to better invest in their growth and development.”

“I am hopeful the overwhelming bipartisan support this legislation received serves as another indication that both parties in Congress can come together to advance policies that will accelerate our economic recovery,” said Congressman Dent.

Is a Drive-Thru Pharmacy a Good Idea at Allentown's 7th Street Gateway?

One of Allentown's bright spots is its 7th Street gateway, and that's mostly due to the efforts of Main Street Manager Peter Lewnes. Restaurants and little niche businesses line what Michael Molovinsky proudly calls Allentown's Business Barrio.

Well, Lewnes is asking for help at tonight's Zoning Hearing Board meeting, when Rite-Aid will seek permission to demolish what the Main Street Manager considers an "anchor building" in the Traditional Neighborhood Overlay, and one at which Rite-Aid at one time made money. The destroyed building will be replaced by a drive-thru pharmacy instead of a pedestrian-friendly business. Here's his letter.

I'm writing for your support against a corporate takeover of 7th and Allen Street at tomorrow night's zoning hearing board meeting. The meeting starts at 7 PM in city council chambers, first floor city hall (435 Hamilton Street). If you think that 7th Street is worth showing up and voicing your opinion...please come and join in the fight of our lives to keep this important Allentown corridor on track.

7th Street Allentown's development is facing a serious setback tomorrow night. The Rite Aid Corporation is seeking to demolish 602-618 N 7th Street, an anchor building that admittedly requires a ton of renovation but historically housed Rite Aid and served them well as a facility.

The threat lies with what they propose to replace it with. The Seventh Street Development Committee has worked to protect center city from suburban sprawl and becoming an extension of 145 in Whitehall. One recent example of SSDC's involvement was in the recent revision of the city of Allentown's Zoning Code, the results of which sought to ensure that infill development in historic sections of center city - covered now by a Traditional Neighborhood Development Overlay - is compatible with the scale and character of it's surrounding neighborhood. (That process was started after AutoZone's proposal to occupy a building along the 19th Street commercial corridor, as well as the suburban-style TD Bank building (built at the corner of 19th and Tilghman Streets) caused such a public outcry. Throughout this more thank 2 year process, SSDC continually advocated for restrictions on big-box, suburban-style development along the corridor - any type of development that would be detrimental to its street-oriented, pedestrian-friendly design.

What Rite Aid is proposing for the corner of 7th and Allen Street flies directly in the face of the results of this public, community-driven process. Rite Aid seeks variances from requirements that have been carefully put in place to protect the character and design of the Seventh Street Corridor. Approving such variances would set a dangerous precedent, making it that much easier for future developers to further decimate the heart of our neighborhood shopping district.

This is especially true since none of Rite Aid's variances relate to any actual hardship. Rite Aid is not new to the corner of 7th and Allen Streets. Prior to leaving the existing building on that corner (due to serious code violations in the property), the pharmacy there – with no setback from the street, no drive-thru, no oversized sign, and in a multi-story building – was one of the chain’s most successful.

We need your help - please forward this email to anyone that cares about Allentown and please show up to show that the community matters in center city.

If you can make it and plan on speaking - please drop me an email and I'll get in touch with you to go over more details.

thanks much - your friend

Peter Lewnes

Updated 12:25 AM: City Council member Michael Donovan Asks Zoners to Deny Application.

Residents of the 7th Street area have brought to my attention that Rite Aid Pharmacy, in its planned move from Hamilton Street to 7th Street, intends to construct a large, suburban style facility with extensive parking that includes space in front of the building. This is an inappropriate plan for that area. The result would be to detract from the atmosphere and design
of a steadily improving urban neighborhood that is based on smaller businesses who would not have the zoning advantages that would be given to Rite Aid.

Many corporations, when building new facilities in urban areas, agree to using designs that are more fitting than those found in suburban communities. I have seen many Rite Aid Pharmacies rely on these designs.

I urge the Zoning Board to deny the variance requests, and ask that they suggest to Rite Aid that they work with the neighborhood and the city to produce a design that works for everyone's benefit.

While I understand Michael's good intentions, this letter should not be considered. A Zoning Hearing Board, unlike most other bodies, is quasi-judicial. A letter from one of the persons who appoints these members creates an appearance of impropriety On top of that, the letter is hearsay. You can't cross-examine a letter. If Allentown City Council wants to be involved, they can formally intervene. But they should avoid ex parte contacts.

Noon Update: Blogger Michael Molovinsky has weighed in on this issue.

Gracedale Will Cost $1.6 Million Less, Says New Manager

Northampton County's proposed 2012 budget calls on taxpayers to pay $7,192,000 to keep Gracedale, the County-owned nursing home, afloat next year. But at a November 15 Budget Hearing, Gracedale's new management firm, Premier Healthcare Resources, suggested it can trim $1.6 million from that figure.

How will it do this? Primarily, by increasing the census from 591 on November 15 to 638 residents next year, giving the nursing facility an additional $1.1 million in revenue. The rest of the savings will come from $500,000 in as yet unidentified cuts.

A dubious Council grilled Interim Administrator Dave Holland whether this would be possible. While conceding that the Lehigh Valley is an increasingly competitive market, Holland suggested that placing a nurse liaison at local hospitals would bring in new residents. He would attempt to attract Medicare, as opposed to Medicaid patients, which are more profitable. But Council members questioned whether that would defeat the whole point of keeping Gracedale in County hands.

"We are the court of last resort," noted Mike Dowd.

Council Prez. John Cusick questioned whether increasing census would automatically lead to additional revenue. "Filling beds is a slogan, not a solution," he scoffed.

But Holland suggested there were other revenue-enhancing possibilities to consider as well, from  a Dialysis Unit with a smaller provider to a Generational Unit.for younger people in need of nursing care as a result of  traumatic injuries.

Holland also proposed reducing workers compensation claims with a Wellness Employee Health Clinic, to educate workers on ways to avoid injury on the job.

Though the budget for Gracedale might be reduced next year, there won't be a reduction in John Stoffa's proposed 9.3% tax hike because Council must appropriate an additional $2.9 million for Gracedale in 2010. "The taxpayers have said we will spend money for Gracedale," Stoffa argued.

Although Holland never identified the $500,000 in cost savings proposed, he indicated that staffing is "under review."

When Ron Angle noted that Holland won't be able to do much about the benefits in the union contracts, Holland agreed. "We're playing the hand we're dealt. No question about that."

Human Services Director Ross Marcus stated there would be no new union contract this year. Peg Ferraro warned him, "I am not voting for that union contract unless it has some reasonable concessions."

While praising Holland for his cost saving proposals, Angle doubts "anybody can ever get this to break even unless you're in la la land and wave magic wands."

As Economy Sours, Demand For County Human Services Increases

According to the 2010 Census, there are 297,735 people in Northampton County. Last year, 23,742 of them, or 8% of the County's population, were Human Services consumers, and that's excluding Gracedale. At yesterday's Budget Hearing, Human Services Director Ross Marcus outlined a growing demand on Human Services, which accounts for $195 million, or 54%, of the County's total budget. In a faltering economy, appeals for help have surged. But it comes at a time when the state and federal governments are both reducing services.

With the exception of Veterans' Affairs, whose $278,000 budget is paid solely by the County, its current contribution is 7.1% ($13.5 million) of the cost of numerous human services. But noting the decline in reimbursements, Marcus asks, "At what point do we stop backfilling for the state and federal governments?"

Aging

Because of various cuts, the County is paying $600,000 for a program that encourages older adults to remain in the community with some degree of independence. In addition to home delivered meals and counseling, the County provides services at 12 different senior centers. 4,900 people participated in this program in 2010. This year, Marcus predicts that over 5,000 people will be getting assistance by year's end. Yet over $400,000 in programs have been cut.

In addition to Meals on Wheels and senior centers, the County provides "older adult protective services" to senior victims of predatory behavior. Marcus noted a disturbing trend in which "[p]eople are exploiting the frail elderly for their resources."

In 2008, there were 66 requests for older adult protective services. In 2010, that number had skyrocketed to 129, and this year's numbers are about the same.

Ron Angle noted that we spend $90,000 to house someone in a nursing home when many of them could get by in their own homes with just another $1500-1600 per month. "We have lost our way as a system," responded Marcus.

Children, Youth & Families

What could be more important than protecting our most precious asset, our children, from abuse and neglect? Marcus wants $4 million for this program next year, some of it to make up for state and federal cuts. "I'm just asking for one year," he pleaded, as he and other counties work with the state to increase reimbursements.

Currently, 212 Northampton County children are in placement. The high this year was 256.

In 2010, there CYF investigated 420 allegations of child abuse. This year, there will be a 10% increase. After the Penn State scandal, there were 12 reports of child sexual abuse, over the Veterans Day holiday.

Altogether, there were 2,043 requests for child protective services of one form or another in 2010. Marcus predicts a 50% increase this year.

Developmental Programs

This program assists between 900-1,000 families with children who experience significant delays in one or more areas of development. The County will kick in $906,300 this year, thanks in large part to declining reimbursements. Council Prez John Cusick told Marcus he "will not substitute local dollars to replace cuts made by the state," adding that Lehigh and other Counties are eliminating this program. But Marcus responded that the lower reimbursement rate is currently under appeal.

Mental Health

Allentown State Hospital closed its doors last years, except for a small acute care unit caring for 6 Northampton County residents. According to Marcus, these former state hospital patients "seem to enjoy their new setting" in group homes.

In 2009, 575 people were involuntarily committed, and that number is expected to remain about the same this year, unless they start reading blogs.