Mattei Waging Write-In Against Emrick

I am more than a little disappointed to see that State Rep. Joe Emrick has no opposition in tomorrow's primary, and that no Democrat sought his party's nomination. Dave Mattei, a Nazareth insurance agent and former New Jersey State Trooper, must have been upset, too. But unlike me, he is doing something about it, and has formally announced his write-in campaign in the Democratic Primary tomorrow.

Mattei is asking Democrats in the 137th PA House District to write him in for Representative in the General Assembly, where there is currently no candidate on the Democratic Primary ballot. He needs to get at least 300 write-in votes to win the Democratic nomination and challenge Joe Emrick on the November ballot, and he has knocked on several hundred doors over the past two weeks to let Democrats know.

Dave Mattei opened the Farmers Insurance agency in Nazareth four years ago and serves on the board of the Nazareth-Bath Regional Chamber of Commerce. He recently moved to downtown Nazareth after several years in Washington Township and more than a decade in Lehigh Township, arriving in Pennsylvania after his first career as a New Jersey State Trooper.

Earlier this month, Mattei earned the “Spirit of Nazareth” award for his dedication to the local community. He helps regularly with events, volunteers at the weekly “Loaves and Fishes” soup kitchen, and recently rebuilt the Nazareth’s nativity scene with all parts and labor donated.

Mattei is tired of the partisan obstructionism and gridlock in Harrisburg that prevented a budget compromise, leaving Pennsylvanians nine months later with a budget that still does not balance, nor addresses the problems of restoring school funding or responsibly lowering property taxes.

Though Mattei has been registered with no party affiliation since locating in Pennsylvania two decades ago, he finds himself increasingly frustrated with the Republican legislature’s unwillingness to negotiate a compromise on key issues that affect nearly all Pennsylvanians. The first compromise budget proposal with a bipartisan majority was only blocked by Emrick’s Speaker of the House quick gaveling the session closed days before Christmas, and it nearly passed in spite of no support from Lehigh Valley Republicans.

“Joe Emrick is part of the problem, and I’m ready to be part of the solution,” Mattei said. “Residents from the Bangor area of the Slate Belt to Nazareth and the Easton suburbs deserve a leader, one who will reach across party lines to find broader compromise to do the business of Pennsylvania.”

To avoid a challenge that would force him to answer tough questions about his record and failure to compromise in Harrisburg, Republican Joe Emrick is trying to block any opposition for November by sending a glossy mailer to Democrats asking them to please write him in. Doing so would only have one purpose -- to prevent voters of the 137th District from having a choice in November.

Democrats in the 137th who want an honest discussion of what’s been going on (or rather, the dysfunction) in Harrisburg should write in DAVE MATTEI at this Tuesday’s Primary.

Because I've already voted absentee, I am unable to give Mattei a vote. But I ask every Democrat in the Nazareth - Palmer - Slate Belt district to do so.

Emrick has got to go. He is a poster boy for a complete lack of transparency in government.  I also understand that his constituent service is horrible because he refuses to give people more than three minutes of his time.

Who Are Your Election Picks?

As many of you know, candidates I like tend to lose. So I'm tempted to pick out who I want to lose, but suspect that would be the one time I'd be right. So below are my election choices. There are amazingly only two contested state house races and only one contested congressional race.

President. - The only candidate I like is John Kasich. Feel free to tell me I'm full of shit.

Senator. - In the contested Dem primary, I like maverick Joe Sestak, a formerAdmiral who is willing to take on the Tom Wolf-Ed Rendell-Josh Shapiro machine. I doubt he can beat Toomey, but I know the others can't.

Attorney General. - Of course, as I've noted many times, I consider NorCo DA John Morganelli the best choice. And he could win. Shapiro is pouring money in attack ads aimed at Zappala. If he can drive down the vote for Zappala in Pittstburg, and does not win Philly by a huge margin, John can be the Dem nominee. I do like Zappala, but will ot support Shapiro, a politician who is using this office as a springboard. I like both Republicans running.

Treasurer - There is a Dem Primary between Joe Torsella (Montgomery County) and Albert Baker Knoll (Pittsburgh). One is an Obama flunkie and the other was an oil industry lobbyist. I'll be voting Republican in the Fall.

State House 131st. - From stumbling in radio interviews to failing to file a timely pre-primary finance report, Bill Coyle has basically destroyed his own campaign. Justin Simmons should win easily, but may face a Dem opponent in the fall if Joanne Jackson is successful in her write-in campaign.

State House 183rd. - Zach Mako has the support of Julie Harhart and GOP state representatives her in the LV who could not be honest and had to launder their contributions to him instead of giving to him directly. He himself ins completely clueless, and I really question whether he should be permitted to fly a helicopter. On the other hand, Cindy Miller is a conniving Lady MacBeth who schemed to remove Marc Grammes from the ballot, tried to have herself placed on the Gaming Board and reportedly pissed off Julie Harhart by the way she announced her candidacy. Grammes' supporters are waging a write-in campaign, which will probably help Miller. Fortunately, Democrat Phillips Armstrong is a breath of fresh air.

17th Congressional. - Glenn Geissinger? Matt Connolly? Doesn't matter. Another Matt named Cartwright will crush the hapless GOP nominee in November.

Nazareth Jazz Festival Should Be Blues Festival

The 3rd annual Nazareth Jazz Festival will take place this Saturday from 12pm - 5pm at the Nazareth Boro Park.

Considering the recent arrest of its Mayor on theft charges, his refusal to resign, a completely clueless Borough Council and a top-heavy police department, it should really be a blues festival.

Maybe Mayor Carl Strye will roll out a few poker machines and instruct cops to look the other way.

Armstrong Shines in State House Debate

Long time State Rep. Julie Harhart has decided to retire at the end of her term this year in the gerrymandered 183rd, which twists and turns from part of South Whitehall to Northampton and Slatington and over to Lehigh Township and points east.

The LV Tea Party has already hosted one debate featuring Republicans Cindy Miller and Zach Mako. Unfortunately, Democrat Phillips Armstrong was unable to attend that debate because of a family emergency. But he was free for a second debate at Fellowship Hall last week. You can watch the video above and reach your own conclusions. I consider Armstrong a very impressive candidate, the best I've seen in some time.

A little bit about each candidate.

Mako is a helicopter mechanic turned pilot after making it through two years of flight training. He claimed that Julie Harhart "has been helping me out, keeping me motivated along the way.". A candidate who accepted money from other Republican State Reps, laundered through State Rep. mark Mustio, claimed he would be an "independent voice."

Miller, who claims to have spent 98% of her career in the private sector. She took credit for many of the satellite facilities that Lehigh Valley Hospital plants like dandelions.She has been a Lehigh Township Supervisor for five years, has been a Planning Commissioner there for 14 years and also works for and has accepted contributions from State Senator Mario Scavello. Miller has a Master's degree from Wilkes in health care and is a certified paralegal.

Phillips is retired after 40 years as a social studies teacher at Whitehall High School. He also has a master's degree. While teaching, he was also a tour bus driver for 38 years "I totally enjoyed that," he said. After retiring, he decided to continue public service in local government. He is currently the President of Whitehall Township's Board of Commissioners. He also is involved in CTC (Community that Cares). He wants to go to Harrisburg "to make a difference." "I don't want a job,. I don't want a career," he said. His campaign finance reveals heavy union support. The root of all evil in state government, according to him, is gerrymandering. "We don't vote for our representatives. They vote for themselves. We can't do that anymore.

State Police Funding Shortfall.- Mako was stumped by the very first question of the debate, demonstrating for a second time that he really is clueless. You can make your own call. Miller said it's time for municipalities with no local police coverage to be assessed. Phillips called for more regional police departments, which he claimed would solve the financial dilemma of state police while allowing for a greater "police presence."

Medical Marijuana. - Miller is opposed, claiming it would be difficult for those who need to be drug tested for jobs or for police who stop drivers suspected of impaired driving. Armstrong disagreed noting that the bill passed into law already contains "numerous regulations." He doubts that people will be able to get it for recreational use. He suggested we should look "at all the children and all the people suffering from diseases who will be helped by this." Mako agreed with Armstrong, noting that the benefits and revenue outweigh Miller's concerns.

Privatization of state liquor stores. - Phillips would support privatization if Prohibition were just ending now, but he said that solution is impractical st this time. It would lead to one-time revenue as licenses are sold, not the steady stream received from state stores. He pointed to the possibility of some 18 year-old clerk selling hard liquor to her underage friends. He argued that the state generally has lower prices because it purchases in bulk. "Just like Wal Mart, the more you buy, the cheaper you can sell."

Mako was unable to pronounce the word "privatization," but said it would be beneficial for the state. "That is all," he said as he handed the mike to Miller. She expressed concerns about auctioning off licenses, which would lead to a few chain stores ruining small businesses. But she supports privatization anyway.

Bipartisanship.- Mako claimed the state legislature is already bi-partisan, but the Governor has been an obstacle. Miller added that the Governor has retaliated against Democrats who compromised. But she agreed there should be more cooperation on pension reform, privatization and education reform.

Armstrong blames this lack of dialogue on gerrymandering. He noted that if a legislative district is made up of all kinds of people, state representatives would have to represent everybody. He noted that, fortunately, the 183rd is one of the few split districts left.

"This country was formed on compromise," he said. "Something that I think the legislature has forgotten, and maybe even the Governor. We have to be able to compromise. Some of the biggest decisions in American history came because two sides differed, but were statesmen, not politicians."

Term limits.- All three candidates agreed there should be term limits.

NorCo DCED Department Moving to Human Services Building

Diane Donaher and John Brown

Northampton County's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is moving. Deputy Administrator Cathy Allen informed Council's Finance Committee on April 20 that the Department, headed by Diane Donaher, will be moving to the County's Human Services building this Summer. No permission is needed for this change, but Allen said that she was informing Council in an effort at transparency.

During the 2013 Executive race, Democrat John Callahan complained that the County's economic development office is located "in the bowels of Northampton County," next to the jail's bullpen. He wondered how that is supposed to attract investment.

Brown apparently agrees.

Tribute to 32 NorCo Retirees Who Passed Away Last Year

Often maligned, most in the public sector workforce are actually very dedicated employees. They are mostly unsung heroes. Elected official will hog the limelight, but they know who's really responsible for plowing your roads and keeping you and your loved ones safe. On the County level, it could be a nurse's aid changing a bedpan or a caseworker investigating abuse. I want to take a moment to honor 32 County retirees who passed away last year.

Sadly, there are a few about whom I know nothing. But there are many more who have very fascinating stories and who touched many people.

Doris Lombardo was one such person. She was in her 70's, but could still go out with the girls on a Friday or Saturday night and enjoy herself. She knew everything, and when she retired, I know a few people who offered her jobs. She was always willing to work with someone about to lose his or her home.I also remember Charles Trapani, a courthouse fixture for many years.

As you go through these names, if you remember something about anyone who passed away last year, please share it in the comments. I will attempt to have Jerry Seyfried pass your remarks along at the semi-annual retiree luncheon on May 10.

Their keynote speaker will be the Hon. Jack Panella, Superior Court Judge of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I once had lunch with him at the courthouse and can still remember all the women swooning over him. He recently became a grandfather. Unfortunately, his grandson was born on February 29, and will only have a birthday once every four years.

RIP

Malcolm Shaffer, 1/3/15 - He was employed as an accountant.

Lois Allen, 1/12/15, - LPN who retired from the County in 1997 after 12 years at Gracedale.

Vincent Ramunni, 2/5/15 - a U.S. Marine, Easton police lieutenant, member of Bach Choir, deeply involved at St. Anthony's.

Pat Repsher, 2/23/15 - LPN who retired from Gracedale after 20 years.

Carol Benn, 2/24/15 - a retired beautician from Gracedale and graduate of Empire Beauty School.

Charles Trapani, 2/26/15 - Army vet, self-employed mason and maintenance worker in Northampton County who retired in 1989.

Alan Fowler, 3/1/15 - He recruited Jerry Seyfried, when they both worked for the Bethlehem Steel, to run for Exec. He founded rock nband Alexander Rabbit and Pickens, where he was the drummer. He was hired to work in the County and made his way through the ranks until he was placed in charge of the county's communications system. Controversial and outspoken, he sued The Bethlehem Globe Times for libel for articles that implicated him in a marijuana-growing operation in Bethlehem Township.

Sandra Donato, 2/18/15 - A graduate of Northampton Community College's nursing program, shewas anurse at Gracedale for 15 years. She passed away at the young age of 52.

David Wood, 3/24/15 - He was nicknamed "Woody" and passed away in an auto accident.

Kathryn Werner, 4/14/15 - She was a graduate of Churchman's Business School.

Vera Sisolak, 5/4/15. - She was the real estate supervisor in Northampton County until her retirement in 1979.

Elizabeth Ace, 7/2/15 - She was a nurse's aid and then a LPN at Gracedale for 40 years.

Dorothy Neuner - 7/17/15. - She had been a dietery aid at Gracedale for 17 years and was a volunteer there as well as a driver for meals-on-wheels.

Betty Buralli, 7/3/15.- She had been the Executive Sec'yto Commissioner and then Executive Marty Bechtel. She retired around 1985 and moved to Florida.

Kathleen O'Connell, 4/16/15. -

Susan Bendus, 6/18/15. - A graduate of St.Luke's School of Nursing, she served this country as a nurse in the Korean War. She then devoted her nursing career to Gracedale, where she retired as a supervisor. She returned to nursing at area hospitals during a polio epidemic.

Pauletta "Pat" Meixsell, 8/23/15. - She worked in Northampton County's HR Department for 25 year and had only recently retired. She was also active in St. John's Lutheran Church in Nazareth.

Doris Lombardo, 8/24/15. - She ran the Sheriff's Sales in Northampton County for 30 years, and had a photographic memory. I could walk up to her with just a last name, and she would know immediately when the sale had occurred and would have the file in my hand. Though she was 78 years old, she was one of the County's hardest and most highly regarded workers.

Jane Schaeffer, 9/9/15. - retired from the laundry department at Gracedale. After her retirement, she came back as a volunteer. She was a graduate of William Allen High School.

Larry Rex, 8/17/15. - An avid outdoorsman who grew up "on the montain," was a Vietnam War vet, worked the railroad and was invilved with the Game Commission.

Elizabeth Lipko, 10/4/15. -

Frances "Fanny" Vogel, 10/4/15. - She was a nurse's aid at Gracedale until her retirement in 1992, and then came back as a volunteer.

Frank Mincavage, 4/24/15. - was a caseworker and had transferred to Lehigh County.

Margaret Brandt, 9/18/15. - a dedicated nurse that served as the STAFF DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR at Gracedale up until her retirement.

Dorothy Hariegle, 10/20/15. - She was a custodian at Gracedale who retired in 1980 and made it to age 100.

Regina Fritchman, 10/14/15. - a 40-year medical assistant at Gracedale who remained very active in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nazareth.

Barbara Gregalis, 10/23/15. - a LPN at Gracedale for over 25 years.

Donna Bachman, 11/6/5. - a ballerina in her youth, Donna worked in the County's Area Agency on Aging, from which she retired in 2013. She was only 66.

Damon Morrell,10/31/15. - Damon worked 17 years at Gracedale, and then returned as a volunteer like so many others.

Craig Bellis, 12/28/15. - A Vietnam War vet, Bellis served as a corrections officer for 33 years before he retired in 2007.

Barbara Johnson, 11/4/15. - She was a house parent at the Juvenile Justice Center for 25 years.

Peggy Constable, 8/7/15. - a resident of Allentown.

Sandra Erickson. - a nurse at Gracedale who also worked in Staff development.

Opinions Online, 4/23/16

Blogger's Note: Opinions Online is a regular Saturday feature. If you'd like to express your opinion on any topic, click on the Opinions Online button on my left sidebar. You can also call 385-325-2564. In addition to these submissions, I sometimes highlight comments from throughout the week and re-publish them here. Please keep your comments brief, if possible.

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Would you want sexually-confused men who say they want to be women into a public bathroom where your wife and daughter are?

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FWIW, I am in a snit about public records being accessible to the ordinary person online...ie, property ownership records. We went to the Northampton County web site, searched for a particular property that my husband used to own, and found that the sales history had been scrubbed of names of previous owners. We looked at our own present residence, same thing there. Years ago, Northampton County had a fine web site with all the info on chain of ownership available. Why the heck would they hide this info? I sent an inquiry via email to the address shown on the website, but they never replied.

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NorCo Council Wants Competitive Bidding For Gracedale Administrator

If there is any single reason why Northampton County nursing home Gracedale has turned around, it's most likely Premiere Healthcare Resources That company was hired in 2011 to take over the administration at what was then a beleaguered nursing home. Five years later, a nursing home that was projected to lose $7.7 million last year still lost money, but it was only $2.1 million. Even more importantly, the facility received an unheard of "zero violation" inspection for two years in a row. But as the fifth and final year of its contract comes to an end, Northampton County Council had to decide on April 21 whether to seek new bids or just continue with a company that has been providing excellent service.

Deputy Administrator Cathy Allen advocated a new contract with Premier for the next two years. "If it isn't broken, don't fix it," was her argument. She noted that if the nursing home is revenue neutral at the end of that time, the County could consider resuming control once again.

Peg Ferraro agreed with her, noting that two years would fly by quickly. "Just give 'em two years, and then rethink it," she argued. Bob Werner stated that keeping Premier on would ensure that Gracedale would remain on track to be revenue neutral.

But six other Council members felt differently.

Council President John Cusick stated that "taxpayers are best served by going out to competitive bid whenever it is necessary."  He agreed that Premier had done an excellent job, but noted that he believes should be putout to bid.

"We're a nation of laws, not people," added Hayden Phillips. "I'm pretty sure we have to send this out."

Mat Benol scoffed at Allen's suggestion "to put Gracedale back in County hands when the County has already proven that it did not take care of Gracedale the first time."

Controller Steve Barron warned Council that this was a "slippery slope" that sounded very much like the Sahl contract, a public relations contract that Executive Brown executed without Council approval during his first year in office.

By a 6-2 vote, Council recommended that any new contract for Gracedale's management be competitively bid. The two No votes came from Ferraro and Werner.

Ken Kraft and Executive John Brown were absent from the meeting.

Drug Court Lauded by Drug and Alcohol Administrator

Judge Craig Dally at Drug Court Training

Tiffany Rossanese, Administrator of Northampton County's Drug and Alcohol Program, updated Northampton County Council on April 21 concerning the Drug Court, which meets every Thursday afternoon. This is a post-conviction court that usually includes probation violators.

Rossanese reports that there are 16 participants right now in all phases of a four-phase system, with five pending applications. The drug of choice varies, from alcohol to heroin. The majority are heroin addicts.

"Honestly, I think it's a great thing," she said. "I'm very happy it's there." She is part of what she calls "the treatment team." Many of the Defendants who enroll receive medical assistance. "The successes we're seeing speaks volumes about how great this program is," she noted. She praised Judge Dally and his commitment to the program. Though it is too early to produce hard evidence that this works, she believes that the data will show that drug court "is a huge benefit to the County."

Judge "Cap" Recuses Himself in Theft Case Against Nazareth Mayor

From Carl Strye's Facebook 

Nazareth Mayor Carl Strye, a carwash salesman, never showed his face in the courtroom when Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Taschner, a former FBI cryptanalyst who also served as an Assistant District Attorney, acquitted the Sticker Gang in 2014 of all charges in a ridiculous and vindictive prosecution over tiny,postage stamp stickers that criticized the police chief. "I don't care what a judge says," he told The Express Times, He also moaned that the acquitted Sticker Gang, "didn't get any kind of sentencing, they were sort of let go." Well, now he'll have a chance to set Judge Taschner straight. Theft charges filed against him for skimming at Vigilance Hose are going to be heard by her.

Magisterial District Judge John "Cap" Capobianco has decided to err on the side of caution and recuse himself, though few people would dispute that he would be fair.

It's unclear whether Strye's Preliminary Hearing is still scheduled for May 3.

Maybe Strye should bring her cupcakes.

Inside word is that he plans to waive his Preliminary Hearing.

When Strye states he "does not care what a judge says," what he is really saying is that he can ignore the rule of law. A Mayor who thumbed his nose at the courts and our criminal justice system, thinkinghe is above the law, has discovered that they do apply to him after all.

Even in Nazareth. .

Updated: Fleck Plea Expected Today

Reliable sources tell me that Mike Fleck, Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski's former right arm, is in federal court today and is expected to plead guilty to participation in a broad pay-to-play scheme that directly implicates the Mayor.

The federal information, now available on the US Attorney's Office webpage, presents an ugly picture of political corruption in Allentown and Reading. Far from being an unwitting victim duped by a craven political consultant, Fed Ed is portrayed as a greedy Mayor who was more than willing to use his clout as Mayor to punish those who failed to contribute.

When Fleck told Fed Ed that Donor #4 (believed to be Scott Allinson) had expressed concern about making political contributions, Fed Ed reportedly responded,

"Really! I've given him millions of dollars.. .. Relatively, compared to other law firms, they've given nothing. [Donor #4] for sure will get nothing now. ... You know, f--k them! And I'm not gonna [award work to Donor #4's law partner] or anything. Screw it all!"

Given the use of quotation remarks, this statement from Fed Ed may very well be a transcript from a wire that Fleck was wearing.

Here's what I can tell you.

Public Officials #1 and #3, as we all know, are former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer and Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawloski, respectively.

Donor #1 appears to be Jack Rosen, a major Obama fundraiser. Donor #2 appears to be engineering firm McTish and Kunkel, which was also implicated in the turnpike scandal but was never prosecuted.

Donor #4 appears to be Attorney Scott Allinson, and law firm #4 appears to be the Norris McLaughlin law firm.

I am unsure about Donors #3 and #5. What do you think?

Updated 11:48 am

Long Live the Queen ... and Princess

Queen Elizabeth turned 90 today.I'm still waiting for her to Knight me or at least make me a Count or something. Below is Princess Madison Dietz, who took over the reins of Northampton County Council yesterday.

Morganelli Wants Teacher Bill of Rights

Morganelli wants teacher Bill of Rights

John Morganelli is Northampton County's DA. Allentown is outside his jurisdiction. But he walked into a hastily called news conference on April 20 with a copy of The Morning Call in his hand. Over the weekend, he read a Watchdog report detailing over 3,000 incidents involving unruly students last year, including assaults on other students and staff.  That was the "last straw" for him. Noting that this is a Lehigh Valley wide problem that includes suburban schools, Morganelli said "it is time to clamp down on the recent escalation of disruptions occurring in our schools due to a small out of control,segment of unruly, disrespecting and disruptive students."

He noted that Lehigh County DA Jim Martin is similarly frustrated, and in the wake of student assaults against police officers, has called for stiffer penalties for this criminal behavior. But he believes it;s time that teachers know they have rights, too. Noting that most of them feel handcuffed, Morganelli called for a Teacher Bill of Rights to protect them from lawsuits for insisting on order in an educational environment. He noted that under existing law, teachers "have an absolute right to protect themselves and use force to maintain order."  despite an atmosphere of "political correctness run amuck" in which teachers tell him they are afraid to put up their hands to defend themselves. "Teachers need more rights. not students, and they need to be able to discipline student without fear."

Morganelli was especially critical of the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which he claims has been perverted to include disruptive and violent students and school administrators who are unable, without parental or court permission, to place a disruptive special needs student into an alternative program or suspend for more than 10 days or even require counseling. "IDEA needs to be revamped so schools can truly take a zero tolerance approach toward school violence," he said.

Morganelli announced he is calling on federal legislators to amend IDEA to give educators more flexibility in dealing with and expelling students who cause problems in school, regardless how they are classified.

"These kids have no fear," he complained.

"This is my message to teachers and educators: In Northampton County, this District Attorney is not going to allow a bunch of unruly and disruptive students, no matter how they are classified, to create havoc and physical danger to other students in out schools and our educators. If you use reasonable force to maintain order or protect yourself, you are within the law and will not be criminally prosecuted."

Eagle Scout Honored by Miller-Keystone Blood Center

From L to R: Miller Blood Center's Diane Lee, Holly Fereno, Chris Fereno, Jim Fereno

This is a story about MacKenzie Cleffi, the two-year old daughter of poplar Freedom High School gym teacher Michael Cleffi. Last July, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. That's a rare type of cancer that attacks the white blood cells. This is also a story about Christopher Fereno, age 17, a Senior at Freedom who plans to study biopharmaceutical engineering at Lehigh University next year. This is a story about the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, which needs 450 donors every day to supply area hospitals with the blood needed to treat sick children like MacKenzie. This is finally a story about Eagle Scouts from Troop 317 in Bethlehem Township, who must complete a community project among all the other requirements to attain this rank.

Fereno family surprised by scholarship

Fereno was a Life Scout hoping to become an Eagle. At Freedom, he learned of MacKenzie's plight, and decided that the best way he could help her was to organize a blood drive in her honor. He approached Diane Lee at the Miller Blood Center, who suggested he could recruit donors on MacKenzie's behalf.

Most schools who organize blood drives look for about 25-50 donors. Fereno, acting on his own, decided he'd get donors. And off he went. He recruited students and teachers. He made a pitch to the Township's athletic organizations. He visited Lions' Clubs, Masons and various civic groups.

"The kid was unbelievable," aid Lee.

When all was said and done, Fereno had managed to recruit twice the 100 donors he had pledged.

He will get his Eagle.

After it was all over, Fereno received word in class one day that the Principal wanted to see him. "You don't get called into the Principal's office unless there's a problem," said his mother Holly. But it was good news. Fereno had received an invitation from the Blood Center, which wanted to reward him for his efforts.

"Sometimes it's good just to be a dad." 

In the middle of a school week, Fereno was released from class to visit the Miller-Keystone Blood Center. Accompanied by his parents, he was surprised to see the entire staff waiting there to greet him, including Dr. Kip Kutner, the Medical Director.

Fereno had surprised everyone by producing over 200 donors for a blood drive, a feat never seen before. As he stood there in his Eagle Scout uniform, with a sash containing 40 merit badges he was awarded a certificate of appreciation. But the Miller-Keystone Blood Center had another surprise for him. It was a $500 scholarship to help defray his costs at Lehigh.

His father Jim is himself a Scoutmaster at Troop 317. But that was not on his mind as his son was honored.

"Sometimes it's good just to be a dad," he said.

Why give blood? "There's no substitute for it," explained the Blood Center's Scott Appnel. "People who donate blood are truly assisting in saving the life of someone they've never met."

Like MacKenzie.

If you'd like to donate, you can call to schedule an appointment at 800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667).

Bethlehem Firefighter Blocks Fire Hydrant

About a month ago, in "Hero Next Door" Parks Next to Fire Hydrants, I told you about an Ass't Fire Chief at Nazareth's Vigilance Hose who routinely parks a Nazareth School District van next to a fire hydrant at borough hall. "I'm the fire chief," he told a Nazareth cop.

I guess that makes it OK.

Unfortunately, it's happening in Bethlehem, too. On the left, you can see a picture of a fire department car parked right next to a fire hydrant right outside of City Hall.

He must be a fire chief, too.

Parking space at City Hall is insufficient for all the municipal vehicles, so a section is marked off for municipal vehicles only.

I suppose that's cheaper than another parking garage, but that's no excuse for parking next to a fire hydrant.

This "Do as I say, not as I do" attitude sends a terrible message to the public.

131st Update: Coyle Fails To File Pre-Primary Finance Report

Bill Coyle

I've been highly critical of statewide candidates who still file paper reports instead of the electronic reports that can be seen immediately on the Internet. Though no law requires electronic report, candidates who choose to go the paper route know that voters will never see their finances until months after an election is over. This lack of transparency is a slap across the face of citizens these candidates claim they want to serve.

Usually, the biggest offenders are the very persons who pretend they're all about transparency and accountability. Take Bill Coyle, for example. He has repeatedly slammed Justin Simmons for seeking a fourth term, and has claimed that, unlike Justin, he's a man of his word. But Coyle completely failed to file his pre-primary finance report, which was due on Friday.

“It is absurd that a candidate who talks about integrity and transparency refuses to release campaign finance reports as required by law,” said Jason Ercole, a spokesman for the Simmons campaign. “For someone seeking to be an elected official, whose sworn duty is to uphold the law, to run his campaign this way is simply unforgivable and should cause great concern among voters.”

It does raise a red flag or two. I have seen candidates drag their feet on filing required reports precisely because they want to hide who is supporting their campaigns.

I contacted Coyle, who admitted that he has failed to file his report. He told me he had been "out of town." He indicated his report will be filed tomorrow, and vowed to do so electronically.

183rd Update: Fellowship Manor To Host Forum With Phillips Armstrong Today

I've written pretty extensively about Cindy Miller and Zach Mako, the two Republicans seeking their party's nomination in next week's election. A Democrat, Phillips Armstrong, is also running. He is the current President of Whitehall Township Commissioners and will participate this afternoon in a question and answer forum for the residents of Fellowship Manor and the general public about issues affecting the residents of the 183rd Legislative District. He is a retired educator from the Whitehall School District.

183rd legislative district. Whitehall Township, part of South Whitehall Township, Slatington, and Washington Township in Lehigh County, and Allen Township, Lehigh Township, North Catasauqua, Northampton Borough and Walnutport in Northampton County.

WHAT: Question and Answer Forum hosted by Whitehall Manor
WHEN: Thursday, April 20, 2016
TIME: 3:00pm
WHERE: Fellowship Manor, 3000 Fellowship Drive, Whitehall, PA 18052

Our Phantom Economic Development

I want to share an email I recently received from a hockey fan.

The Phantoms' season is over and, once again, they failed to make the playoffs (finishing 7th of 8 teams in the Atlantic Division of the AHL).

Notably, the Phantoms won a sterling 14 home games this year (out of 38).

That means PA taxpayers forked over nearly $1 million in taxes per Phantoms home game victory to pay the debt service on the PPL Center.

That on top of the highest gas tax in the country (70 cents per gallon which beats even California!) and a governor who wants to increase any number of other taxes.

Any wonder both the NIZ and the CRIZ are having an extremely hard time landing new business from out of state?

Independents: You Can Still Vote In Next Week's Primary (Updated 9:27 am)

Pennsylvania is a closed primary state, so you can't vote for any of the candidates seeking their party's nomination unless you yourself are a member of that party. But there is one ballot question being considered in the Lehigh Valley - abolishing Philadelphia's Traffic Court.

Why do we vote on the Philadelphia Traffic Courts? Because it involves a change in the Pennsylvania Constitution. The Committee of Seventy, Philly Bar Ass'n, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts and Inky all support the abolition of Traffic Court.

How should you vote? Here's what The Inky says:

The freewheeling former Philadelphia Traffic Court, where tickets were fixed for gifts of crab cakes and porn or just to keep political bosses happy, could soon be officially relegated to the history books where it belongs. As voters contemplate whether to abolish a court that brought so little justice and so much embarrassment to the city, they should consider the real justice that was visited upon the court.

Traffic Court was so corrupt that a federal jury found four of its judges guilty of lying to a grand jury or the FBI in a sprawling ticket-fixing case. Three more pleaded guilty to fixing tickets, one of them in exchange for the seafood and dirty DVDs. Another, found not guilty in the ticket-fixing case, pleaded guilty to separate tax charges.

There had been a second ballot question raising the mandatory retirement ages for judges from age 70 to age 75. Concern over the wording of the question has prompted a delay.

According to Lehigh County Register of Elections Timothy Benyo, the mandatory retirement age question will remain on the ballot because some state senators have questioned the legality of this delay

No Excuse For Child Abuse

Unfortunately,I was busy searching titles on Monday, so I missed the annual observance of Child Abuse Prevention month held by Northampton County's Department of Human Services at their Bethlehem Township offices. The purpose of the event was to bring both awareness to child abuse and to acknowledge the staff who have a direct impact on the families they serve.

According to Director of Human Services Allison Frantz, there has been a significant increase in abuse referrals from 2014 to 2015. It is important that we acknowledge the vital role the Department has in protecting our youth. During the state budget impasse, Brown proposed and Council adopted a $50 million line of credit to continue providing these services, though it was never used. "Without the Administration's effort services would have been in jeopardy," says, Allison Frantz, Northampton County Director of Human Services.

"The Northampton County Children, Youth and Families Division works with families to provide education and support for families in need of counseling with the goal of preventing additional abuse," said Paula Kenderski, Northampton County Casework Supervisor. "We work hard on a daily basis for these families and leverage all available resources to provide support."

According to Director of Administration Luis Campos, 200 pinwheels where placed on the lawn by Human Services staff. "The purpose of the pinwheel is to remind all of the youthful energy that children display," said Case Worker Kimberly Lara.

That's Northampton County.

But across the river and in The People's Republic of Lehigh County, Judge Jim Anthony sentenced a woman who systematically tortured her son (according to a medical examiner) to just 12-25 months in County jail. A WFMZ-TV69 account claims that the mom displayed no remorse and denied her minimized a pattern of abuse that included strangling her son until he'd pass out and scarring him. Judge Anthony found even more excuses for her, claiming she was "overwhelmed." According to the Morning Call, it's possible she'll be out in a little over nine months. Lehigh County prosecutors have asked Judge Anthony to reconsider, and he really should or be "overwhelmed" himself when he seeks retention next year.