Bethlehem City Council Sends Backyard Chicken Ordinance to Public Safety Committee

When Bethlehem City Council initially proposed a backyard chicken ordinance, they refused Mayor Willie Reynolds' request to have the matter considered by the public safety committee. Paige Van Wirt, sponsor of chickens, insisted she already had all the details. Two weeks ago, the vote was delayed because a number of amendments were offered, indicating that Van Wirt might have missed a few of those details. Last night, and without discussion, City Council unanimously voted to send the chicken ordinance and all related amendments and resolutions to Council's public safety committee. That's what they refused to do four weeks ago. 

I personally have no problem with a back yard chicken pilot program. But I believe all adjoining property owners should have the right to say No. 

Musikfest Draws 1.2 Million, Biggest Ever

Bethlehem Mayor Willie Reynolds informed City Council last night that this year's Musikfest drew 1.2 million enthusiasts, topping a previous record set in 2019. "It's a testament to where our City is," boasted Hizzoner. 

Police Chief Michelle Kott advised that her department responded to 89 calls (33 on south side, 56 on north side). These calls resulted in 21 arrests, but all but three of them were summary citations. Most of those charged were white, nonHispanic males who live outside the City.

She also said she was "extremely proud " of her officers for their prompt action in responding to a Saturday night shooting of a 20 yo male. Officers rendered assistance on the scene and safely evacuated the area. Mayor Reynolds added that officers "really stepped up."    

I stopped drinking decades ago, have to watch what I eat and have little interest in live music. So much as I'd like to tell you about what happened, I'm never there. 

Reibman Snubs Hyman Attempt to Buy Dixie Cup Building

Last week, through a third party, Allentown businessman Nat Hyman contacted Joe Reibman, owner of the Dixie Cup Building in Wilson Borough. Hyman, who specializes in converting old factory buildings into apartments, has made no secret of his desire to purchase the property. But after some initial back and forth, Reibman has once again missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. 

Reibman, who is seeking a tax break known as a LERTA, owes about $400,000 in back taxes on the property.  He failed to do anything with the property after being granted a TIF and a KOZ, the mother of all tax breaks. Most real estate appreciates in value over time, but the Dixie Building is actually losing value because of Reibman's failure to maintain it. The building is deteriorating fast. In addition to hundreds of broken windows, it has massive holes in the flooring and is littered with both lead paint and asbestos. He has been both cited and sued by Wilson Borough for code and public health and safety violations.  Because he has done little to secure the property, it is an attractive nuisance. 

In June, a New Jersey developer approached Northampton County Council without notice and told them he needed a LERTA for the property so, according to his own words, he could convert it into a warehouse.  This was not just any old LERTA, where tax increases on the basis of property improvements are phased in over a period of 10 years. Under this LERTA, which the County had no role in drafting, tax increases would only kick in after four years, meaning a 10 year tax break would actually be a 14 year tax break. 

Northampton County Council has tabled this LERTA on steroids and is instead considering a more traditional model.  

Enter Nat Hyman. He is willing to buy the property, and asked Reibman how much he wanted. 

Reibman asked for $10 million and Hyman offered $5 million.  Reibman immediately reduced the price to $7 million, and Hyman increased his offer to $5.5 million. Both parties were negotiating and things looked promising. Then Reibman said he was ending negotiation unless he knew the identity of the buyer. Hyman disclosed his identity, and then Reibman suddenly said No. He added he had several better offers. 

This, however, is untrue. At the same time that he was killing a deal with Hyman instead of continuing to negotiate, Reibman has listed the property on Loopnet, a commercial real estate site. Once again, he is asking for $10 million.  

Why would he be listing the property of he already has several good offers? Why would he list the property when he and Hyman were only $1.5 million apart?

Simple answer. Greed. 

Here's how Hyman out things in a phone call yesterday.

"I offered Mr. Reibman $5,500,000 with no contingencies and a 30-day closing period. This offer allows him to pay off his $450,000 obligation to the taxpayers, no longer seek the LERTA tax abatement, allow this blighted building of 20 years to finally be redeveloped by a responsible developer and him to walk away with a $5,000,000 profit. Mr. Reibman said No."  

Hyman adds, "I would seek no government incentive of any sort which would obviously save the taxpayers a great deal of money and then put this massive property back on the tax rolls."

Reibman has a right to be greedy. We should play no part, however, in financing his rapacity. 

Online Petition Opposes Tax Break For Dixie Cup Warehouse

Wilson resident Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen is among those opposed to providing a tax break to a New Jersey developer so he can turn the former Dixie Cup factory into a warehouse.  He's also prepared an online petition opposing any tax benefit. It has attracted 79 signatures. Here's his pitch:

The Wilson Area School District and Wilson Borough Council unanimously voted in favor of granting a tax benefit called a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, or LERTA, to the potential buyer of the old Dixie Cup factory in Wilson Borough. The developer--in his own words--plans to use the 640,000 sq ft site mostly as a warehouse. While the old factory has been in desperate need of redevelopment for almost 40 years, this site is located between two schools, the Easton Area High School and the Wilson Area High School, and is down the road from the Wilson Borough Elementary School. For anyone who has driven along South 25th Street between Route 22 and William Penn Highway, you know the corridor is already heavily congested. Add in the increased truck traffic from this new warehouse and you have a perfect recipe for more traffic, worse air quality, and an overall reduced quality of life for residents around the development, including the students at the local schools.

While the school district and borough have already weighed in, the Northampton County Council must also vote on whether to grant a tax benefit for warehouse--a use that has increasingly worsened air quality and traffic conditions in the Lehigh Valley. The Dixie Cup must be redeveloped, but the restoration of the building should not be at the cost of the surrounding communities.

Northampton County taxpayers deserve better.

Northampton County Council must vote NO on the LERTA resolution for this project.

Northampton County Council is slated to vote on whether to extend a tax break in Thursday. Should they approve it, Executive Lamont McClure has vowed to veto the measure. 

Republican Council members have signaled a willingness to provide a NJ developer with a tax break for a warehouse. Council member John Brown reasoned that such an incentive is the only way the hulking factory can be redeveloped. But Brown was unaware that Allentown businessman Nat Hyman, who specializes in converting old factories into apartments, has been trying to purchase the property from Joe Reibman. Hyman, unlike most developers, has no interest in government handouts. Brown was also unaware that Reibman is relying on this government handout to catch up on $400,000 in back taxes owed on this property. Finally, Brown must be unaware that Reibman has already had the benefoit of a TIF, and was unable to sell. He was unable to sell with a KOZ, the mother of all tax breaks. In the meantime, the Dixie Cup continues to depreciate in value. 

Republican Council members have been joined by Democrat Kerry Myers, who apparently thinks it's perfectly fine to provide a NJ developer with a tax break for the last thing we need - another warehouse.  Never mind an insulting and condescending presentation by Wilson Borough Solicitor Stan Margle. 

"Traffic is the wave of the future; there's nothing we can do about it," declaims Myers. I see. So we might as well give tax breaks for warehouses, I guess. "[P]ollution is never going away," he adds. So we might as well give a few more kids asthma, I guess. If this is the way Myers feels, his vote for mobile air pollution monitors was a vote to waste money. 

Guess Who's At Musikfest?

 

It's none other than Mike Fleck, aka the Fleckster, nattily attired with an ankle bracelet. As most of you know, he was the common denominator in a plethora of public corruption investigations that snagged his BFF,  Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. 

Trump Search Warrant May Have Been Necessary to Obtain Nuclear Weapon Documents

On Wednesday, when I first wrote about the unprecendented search warrant at a former President's home, I was concerned that the FBI had engaged in a bit of overkill. Why on earth would you need to seek a search warrant for Presidential records? From what I've read, Donald Trump had been uncharacteristically cooperative with National Archives, even to the point of allowing them to go through his storage and remove 15 boxes of records.  And contrary to what some of you have suggested, 30 agents are about 26 agents too many for what was a limited search of an office, bedroom and storage room. Nor am I satisfied by AG Merrick Garland's motion to make public the actual warrant and property receipt. If he really wanted top be transparent, he's want to make the supporting affidavit public as well. Despite all these misgivings, I'm beginning to believe the search warrant was appropriate. 

I've stated this search warrant had to be one of two things. It could be a pretext search using Presidential documents as an excuse to look for evidence of other crimes. This would be highly inappropriate, but don't kid yourself. It happens.

The other possibility was that feds had reason to believe that these Presidential records contained highly sensitive information that could damage our national security if they fell into the wrong hands.  According to The Washington Post, agents were looking for classified documents that relate to nuclear weapons. Obviously, under such circumstances, they'd have to move quickly to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. There'd be no time for niceties. If this was the reason for the search warrant, the action taken was not just justified, but necessary. 

We'll know for sure once the search warrant and property receipt are released. 

Magisterial District Judge's Race Car Was Being Stored at Dixie Cup Building

Dixie Cup in 1931

Richard Yetter is the magisterial district judge in Wilson Borough. He would be the person with jurisdiction over code violations at the former Dixie Cup factory.  The 608,000 sq ft building is full of broken windows. Did Wilson Borough ever cite owner Joe Reibman with code violations? Let me tell you what I've learned.

Wilson Borough, through its third-party code enforcement officer, cited Dixie Cup nine times in 2018 and 2019 for broken windows and failure to remove snow. All these actions were filed with Magisterial District Judge Yetter.  All but one of these cases, a guilty plea to snow removal, were transferred to other minor jurists. Why?

I learned the answer to that question by reviewing a complaint filed by Wilson Borough against Reibman in 2020. Borough officials inspected the site and observed lead paint, asbestos tiles, nonfunctioning fire doors, holes in the floors, broken windows, unidentified 55-gallon drums and unlicensed vehicles being stored. This included "a vehicle designed for racing with decal 'Yetter 3.'" They also observed a "black sport utility vehicle."

As some of you may be aware, Magisterial District Judge Yetter at one time raced cars. He likely transferred these matters because he has a conflict of interest. 

The Wilson suit, seeking an injunction against the site as a nuisance, alleges numerous health and public safety hazards. It also contends that owner Joe Reibman "was engaged in the business of renting commercial space in the Dixie Building to individuals and/or entities without first obtaining the necessary approvals and/or permits from the Borough of Wilson."

When he spoke to Northampton County Council in support of a proposed LERTA, owner Joe Reibman acknowledged he had rented space to Frick Transfer, a local hauling company. He failed to mention any other arrangements, including the storage of Yetter's race car.    

Wilson Borough's case is dormant in court, almost certainly because Reibman has represented yet again that he has a buyer. 

I've previously told you the site is subject to $346,000 in municipal liens owed to Wilson Area School District. Yesterday, I learned that he's $63,000 delinquent on other real estate taxes. 

Now he wants an unprecedented LERTA for yet another buyer.

When is enough enough?

He was unable to sell the property with a TIF. He was unable to sell the property with a KOZ, the mother of all tax breaks. He's had help from Pa.'s Department of Environmental Protection.

In the 40 years he's owned this property, Reibman has never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. 

Last week, Wilson Borough Solicitor Stan Margle instructed Northampton County Council they must ignore a property's intended use in deciding on a LERTA. That position, of course is absurd. LERTAs are created for the very purpose of encouraging homeowners and small businesses to improve their properties without getting stuck with a giant tax bill all at once.

In addition to considering intended use of blighted property, taxing authorities really should consider the current owner as well. Reibman has a poor record in previous promises and predictions.     

FBI Search of Trump's Florida Home Mar-a-Lago Requires An Explanation

On Monday, more than 30 FBI agents descended upon former President Donald Trump's home with a search warrant (it's sealed) obtained from a federal magistrate. Trump himself has been at his Bedminster residence to escape the stifling Florida heat. This begs the question why 30 agents were needed. It certainly is troubling. I don't like Trump, not one little bit. But if they can indulge in this type of overkill for a former President, imagine what they can do to you or me. According to WashPo, agents were looking for Presidential records that Trump failed to provide the National Archives in defiance of the Presidential Records Act. If so, shame on him. But it's hardly a matter that requires a search warrant and 30 agents. If that's all there is, then the complaints I've heard from Republicans are warranted. But is that all there is?  

An explanation is required. If this warrant was obtained just to grab Presidential records, even classified records, the FBI is off its rocker. No search warrant has ever been executed on a former President. But if records are being sought in connection with the January 6 attempted coup, the action taken might be justifiable. 

I think we are owed that explanation. I believe there are two possibilities. 

1. The FBI may have had information that Trump held on to sensitive classified documents, and there was a real concern that they could be leaked to a foreign adversary. If this is the case, I believe the action is appropriate.

2. The FBI is investigation the January 6 attempted coup, and obtained a search warrant for Presidential records as a pretext to look for evidence implicating Trump in the attempted overthrow of Congress. If such evidence is seen, it can be seized under the plain view doctrine. If this is the case, I think the FBI is playing games and is acting in bad faith. 

Whatever the reason, I do think we are owed an explanation. 

Updated 10:40: LVCI has a picture of the first items seized in the raid of Trump's Mar-a-Lago home. 

Dixie Cup Site Subject to $346,000 in Municipal Liens to Wilson School District

Stan Margle, in last week's condescending pitch to Northampton County Council for a Dixie Cup tax break in Wilson Borough, instructed them they were bound to consider only the site, not its intended use. They were supposed to erase everything they had been told about a warehouse next to two high schools in a high-traffic area. 

OK, let's consider the parcel, shall we? 

According to records in Northampton County's Civil Division, the site is subject to about $346,000 in municipal liens imposed by Wilson Area School District. They are filed at 2018-ML-6317, 2019-ML-6401, 2020-ML-4166, 2021-ML-3482, 2021-ML-6222 and 2022-ML-1641. These are in rem liens, meaning they run with the site. 

These liens have been filed by Portnoff Law Offices, a tax farmer hired by school districts who want their money now. When they index liens against ordinary homeowners like you, they list the property for sale right away. But the more wealthy can get away with stiffing a school district for four years. 

There is also a lawsuit pending, filed by Wilson Borough at 2020-C-6058.

I neglected to check delinquent county taxes..

Basically, Margle wants a tax break for a site that is already behind on the taxes it owes. Since he says we should only look at the site, the answer should be NO.  

By the way, I have no problem with a developer building a warehouse there. It is a zoned use and this is America. But I'd refuse to make it easy for him by giving him a tax break.     

Rumormill: Judge Baratta Running For DA

I've heard this rumor from three different people, so I guess it's time to let you all in. According to what I'm told, Judge Stephen Baratta plans to run against Terry Houck for District Attorney. My sources claim they've heard this from tipstaffs and deputy sheriffs, who come into regular and daily contact with judges. 

First elected to the bench in 1997, Judge Baratta has already prevailed in two retention contests. He does have prior experience as a prosecutor. He was First Assistant DA between 1992 and 1997, when he ascended into the judicial heavens. 

Although I've heard this rumor from three different people, I've heard nothing from Judge Baratta himself and have no intention of discussing the matter with him. That's because, as a judge, Baratta is barred from delving into the dirty world of politics, where bottom-feeders like myself thrive. In fact, the moment he begins circulating nomination petitions, he's required to resign.

Incumbent DA Terry Houck is under no such restriction. He's heard nothing. He's a professional prosecutor, and has served as such in Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton Counties. He's been District Attorney for two years. 

Both Baratta and Houck are Democrats. Baratta's path to the law went through the rarefied air of Lafayette College and Fordham University Law School. Houck's path went through the Philadelphia Police Academy. A beat cop, Houck got his law degree by going to Temple at night. 

I understand that, while there are nine judges, there is only one DA. But I struggle with the notion of a judge who's already been retained twice suddenly deciding to quit and run against a very effective DA.  

More Good News For Gracedale

In July, I told you that things were finally looking up at Gracedale. Last week, Administrator Jennifer Stewart-King had more good news.   

What was the good news in July? 

The home is required to provide 2.7 hours of nursing car per resident on a daily basis. Even with a reduction in census, the facility was struggling to get up to 2.5. What's more, it was considered very possible that the 2.7 standard was going to be increased to 4.1. Fortunately, that never materialized. Instead, the new standard will be 2.87 hours of nursing care for each resident daily. Executive Lamont McClure noted that the home was near or even exceeding that standard. 

What is the good news now?

The per diem Medicaid reimbursement rate is going up. Though Stewart-King is still waiting for the details, the increase is very good news because a majority of Gracedale residents are on Medicaid. 

She noted that census dropped in July to 396, with a waiting list of 45. This is purposeful. Census will go up once the number of employees has increased. 

In July, residents received an average of 2.83 hours of nursing care daily. This is above the current state standard.

Stewart-King added that hiring is going very well now that there's a bonus. The vaccine mandate has been no issue among new hires. 

Finally, there were four visits from DOH responding to anonymous complaints. All were determined to be unfounded.  

Was I Scammed? Or Was a Selfish Prick?

On Thursday or Friday afternoon, I decided to fill up at SHEETZ (Rte 248) with unleaded 88. While doing so, I was approached by a middle-aged man. He told me, in broken English, that his wallet had either been lost or stolen, and this put him into a bind because he was on his way to Texas with his pregnant wife. He had no money and no cards. He asked if I could fill up his tank for him.  Was this guy scamming me or telling the truth? Let me tell you what happened. 

At first, I was certain it was a scam. He was in a frickin' Mercedes SUV, for one thing. That bothered the hell out of me, and I told him that. He did have temporary Texas plates, but I asked him why he or his pregnant wife could not call a family member and have the money wired. He answered that neither he nor his wife had any family in the US. 

And why is that, I asked. 

They're in Ukraine, he answered. 

That hit me. I am currently reading the Red Famine, inm which Anne Applebaum tells the story of the Holodomor, in which Stalin actually starved between 3-5 million Ukranians in 1932-3. He was fearful of their independent streak  Not only did he send party apparatchicks to remove all their food, but blocked the roads so they were unable to flee. He, like Putin, had little regard for their lives. 

I filled up the guy's tank. 

Then he asked me for a little money for food. His wife gave me a gold chain and said I could have it if I could give them a little money. 

I am a person of limited means, and I told him he could try the pawn shop just two miles away in Nazareth to get some money. He told me it was closed. I did not really believe him and said the gas was as far as I was willing to go.

He understood and actually bowed to me.

I left and drove to the Aldi, which is right next to the pawn shop. I noticed that the pawn shop was indeed closed. He was telling the truth.  I considered going back to help the guy, but figured he'd be gone. 

Several people tell me the guy was a scammer, but I think I just failed the Good Samaritan test. I felt badly about it all weekend.  

I've learned this weekend that Texas is resettling 12,000 Ukranian refugees. 

NorCo Council Tables Dixie Cup LERTA

Back in June, Northampton County Council was asked to give a tax break for the Dixie Cup property located in Wilson Borough. Owner Joe Reibman has owned this property for about 40 years, but has been unsuccessful in his attempts to market it despite getting plenty of help from Northampton County. New Jersey real estate developer Nick Tsapatsaris may have thought he was a white knight in shining armor. Though he was not on the agenda, he told County Council in June that he was willing to take the Dixie Cup off Reibman's hands. He pledged to keep the iconic Dixie Cup in place atop the building, but the rest would be used for storage, offices and a "last mile logistics facility," i.e. warehouse. He added that it would be impossible, just impossible for him to move forward without a LERTA tax break. And not just any simple LERTA, where increased taxes are phased in over ten years. His proposed LERTA would only start once 85% of the improvements were completed or within four years, whichever is later. This is a LERTA that could last as long as 14 years.  Northampton County Council finally considered this proposed LERTA last night, and voted 8-1 (Tara Zrinski being the sole No vote) to table the ordinance. It was pretty clear that there was no desire to give this developer a break. Then incredulously, they introduced a more traditional LERTA for the Dixie Cup site and will vote on that one in two weeks.

In public comment, Wilson resident Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen warned County Council what they were facing. He told them he had been rebuffed at every turn in his attempts to learn about the proposed tax incentive. He said he was berated by a borough council member and that his calls to Wilson Borough Solicitor Stanley Margle were never returned. He attempted to speak at a Wilson Borough Council meeting about the issue on May 9, but was subjected to a "collective pile-on" by other borough council members during the three minutes he was allotted to speak. He was eventually told to "sit my butt down and listen."    

Was Armando exaggerating a bit? I'd be tempted to think that until Stanley Margle, Solicitor to Wilson Borough, demonstrated an arrogant and condescending approach to County Council. He was essentially serving as a pitchman, not for the residents of Wilson Borough, but a New Jersey developer.

He told County Council that they had to forget all about the proposed use of the property and just consider whether it is deteriorated and blighted. The property is certainly a mess, but who's fault is that? That's the question Council member Kevin Lott had for Margle. Lott contended that the broken windows at Dixie Cup are a "maintenance issue" that should have been addressed by code enforcement. He added that asbestos is in virtually all older buildings and is no evidence of blight. He also wondered why no one had bothered to reach out to the county as a LERTA on steroids was being drafted. 

"Frankly, you don't know what you're talking about," responded Margle to a man who spent his career in precisely these kinds of construction projects. "You asked where the borough has been in coming to [the County] for assistance. Where has [the County] been [to assist] the Dixie Building? Where has [the County] been [to assist] Wilson Borough? Where have you been? Nowhere. That's bull. So don't sit there and tell me as Solicitor to the Borough that we should be reaching out to County Council. Bull." 

"Well, then don't bring your project here," countered Lott. 

"It's not a project," insisted Margle. "You're demonstrating a total lack of understanding. ... Again."

Lott later wondered whether Wilson residents are dished the same kind of treatment he received from Margle. "If I as a Council person get attacked by a lawyer, by the [borough] solicitor like I did here, I can only imagine the way the residents are being treated."

If anyone has a total lack of understanding, it's Margle. The horse has already left the barn. A developer has already told County Council he plans to use the tax break to help finance a warehouse, which is the last thing the County needs. So his "look over here but not over there" argument was rejected by most Council members who discussed it. It was, frankly, insulting. 

In addition to being insulting, Margle was wrong on the facts, as Council members Tara Zrinski and John Cusick both pointed out.

The County has tried to help both the Dixie Cup and Wilson Borough on at least two occasions. In 2006, County Council gave Dixie Cup owner Joe Reibman a tax break known as a TIF so he could develop the old factory with condos. That project foundered. Then County Council took an additional step and gave Reibman the mother of all tax breaks. It placed the property in a Keystone Opportunity Zone. This would exonerate all tenants and the owner from all taxes, except federal income taxes, for ten years. Even with this substantial tax break, all Reibman could manage to do is allow more windows to be broken. 

Zrinski stated, "I will be voting NO on any LERTA in front of me." It was clear from the comments of other Council members that they were unhappy with both the LERTA and Margle's bullying. Given Reibman's abject failure to develop the site, coupled with the arrogance displayed by Wilson Borough Solicitor Stan Margle, I fully expected Council to reject the tax break. They instead voted to table the ordinance, with Tara Zrinski being the sole No. Then they introduced a new ordinance that would grant a more traditional LERTA. Kerry Myers and John Cusick are sponsors of the watered down LERTA.

This seems to be a pointless exercise as most Council members, with the possible exceptions of John Brown, Kerry Myers  and John Cusick, seem opposed to any LERTA at the site. 

Brown stated that no one would take over the property without significant incentives. That, however, is untrue. Real estate developer Nat Hyman, in a telephone interview, stated the following: "If the price that guy is paying for the Dixie Cup site is reasonable, I will match it and build housing instead of a warehouse and ask for no tax subsidies."

Council member John Goffredo, who initially seemed supportive, was bothered by the fact that the County would have no say in how the property was redeveloped. He even suggested that a developer could demolish the building. "Until I have more control, I don't think I could support something like this," he said. 

Should County Council decide to approve a watered down LERTA in two weeks, Executive Lamont McClure has hinted he will veto it.

Should Allentown Establish Buffer Zone Outside Planned Parenthood?

Last night, Allentown City Council considered establishing a 15' buffer zone outside its Planned Parenthood Center. The matter is being referred to a special committee so no action was taken. There was plenty of discussion, however, from members of the public. 

John Merwarth of the Bright Hope Pregnancy Support Center argued against a buffer. "What problems have occurred that make a buffer zone necessary?" he asked. Dr. Maria Matinez, an OB-Gyn research fellow, told Council that research shows a statistically significant link between abortion and higher rates of anxiety and depression. She said anti-abortion advocates at abortion clinics can enlighten women about pregnancy clinics that are completely free. "Having this buffer zone is not helping anybody. It is not helping America, It is not helping Allentown." 

Hannah Clarke (sp?) of Planned Parenthood had an different view. She said that anti-abortion advocates show up often, even on non-abortion days. She described prolifers as "harassing patients and making patients feel unsafe."  

Paz (sp?) Simpson supports a buffer. "As someone who is an expert in violence, we don't want to give anyone an opportunity to create violence. If we can create a space where these women get an education and can be safe along the way,that's great. ... I'm not pro-life or pro-choice, I'm pro-safety."

There are gauntlets outside polling precincts when people go to vote. Voters are besieged by candidates and campaigns out to secure last-minute votes. The Election Code provides, however, that active campaigning must cease within 10' of the polling place. I'm unaware of any attempt to attack this buffer as a violation of free speech. Thus, I do believe a buffer zone would hold up as a reasonable and very limited restriction on free speech. 

I have no knowledge whether women visiting Planned Parenthood are subject to bullying or harassment. I suspect they are because Planned Parenthood provides escorts.  

Bethlehem City Council Chided Over Backyard Chicken Obsession

Bethlehem City Council had a loaded agenda last night. There were never-ending LERTAs, zoning changes, the proposed demolition of the Banana Factory for a cultural center to backyard chickens. There were plenty of speakers, too. Most were anxious to weigh in on a new cultural center proposed by Artsquest. There were a several backyard chicken supporters, but the big draw was Artsquest's desire to tear down the banana factory, which had previously been nixed by the South Side Historic Conservation Commission. Now Musikfest, which is put on by Artsquest, is scheduled to start on Thursday.  It's a busy time for Kassie Hilgert and her numerous employees and volunteers. Yet she and many of them had to sit through a nearly four meeting before the subject was broached. 

Mayor Willie Reynolds, who had previously told Council how busy the City was in getting ready for Musikfest, rebuked City Council for making Artsquest officials wait at their busiest time of the year. He suggested that, out of courtesy, the matter should have been heard before the City's other business.

When they did finally get to it, City Council agreed with the proposed demolition and new cultural center by a 5-2 vote. Council members Michael Colon, Paige Van Wirt, Grace Crampsie Smith, Hillary Kwiatek and Kiera Wilhelm sided with Artsquest, though they really, really, really, really respect the Historic Conservation Commission and love history. Council members Rachel Leon and Wandalyn Enix sided with the Historic Conservation Commission, though they really, really, really, really love the arts and Arstsquest. 

All too often, I see historic conservation commissions used to bludgeon homeowners with page after page of ridiculous rules and regulations that have little to do with history but a lot to do with making neighborhoods exclusive. Here, it was being used as a sledgehammer to prevent a nonprofit organization which has done everything it can to preserve much of the rusting hulks once known as the Steel Stacks. 

Historic preservation is great for old churches and libraries, but a banana factory? Give me a break.

Dr. Lee Reilly, a physician who dabbles with art, told Council that "[h]umans have a basic need to be creative," and thinks the proposed cultural center will ignite artistic sparks in children for decades to come. 

Wait a minute, what about those damn chickens? 

Well, civil rights leader Esther Lee, church hat and all, addressed City Council about what certainly seemed like misplaced priorities. She said she'd like to see that much enthusiasm for the homeless.  

By the way, City Council decided to delay its vote for two weeks. Council member Paige Van Wirt, who had assured mayor Willie Reynolds just two weeks ago that she had all the details, apparently missed a few. Council President Michael Colon had to introduce a series of amendments, which must be advertised before a vote. So backyard chickens will have to wait two weeks, where another 100 people can come again. 

How does Mayor Reynolds feel about all this, asked President Michael Colon. 

"This is your ordinance, not ours," snapped Reynolds. He went on to note that the City has a lot of serious problems. "There are a lot of things on fire right now. On a 1 to 10 level, we're an 11." He went on to note that  there are 40 vacancies at City Hall, but workers who are left have been besieged with calls from people seeking chicken permits. He said that some of them even want "dreamer" permits for chickens who came to Bethlehem illegally, through no fault of their own, when they were little chickadees. His health director is dealing with monkeypox, Covid and other public health issues, but now has to deal with chickens.  

Call me cRaZy, but I'm beginning to think Hizzoner will veto chickens. 

What's In the Inflation Reduction Act?

I thought I'd summarize key provisions of the 725 page Inflation Reduction Act, which can and probably will be passed without a single Republican vote through a process called reconciliation. 

The bill will spend $500 billions, and Democrats contend it will reduce inflation.

First, the IRS will receive $80 billion, well in excess of its annual $13 billion budget. Of this $80 nbillion, $45 billion will be used to step up tax enforcement and audits. The IRS predicts it can collect an extra $204 billion, which means a net gain of $124 billion. 

Second, $385 billion will be spent on climate and green energy initiatives, including $20 billion in $7.500 tax credits for those who purchase new electric vehicles and a $4,000 tax credit for those who buy used. This sum of $385 billion is what the $1,400 stimulus checks cost the federal government. The goal is to make green energy cheaper than fossil fuel. Democrats also contend this will reduce carbon emissions 40% by 2030. 

Third, $100 billion will be spent on health care . Medicare will be given the green light to negotiate drug prices for the first time. Obamacare will be beefed up for the next three years.

Fourth, the bill imposes the largest corporate tax increase (15% minimum tax) in decades while simultaneously closing loopholes. 

Democrats contend that, while spending $500 billion, the government will get back $800 billion as follows: IRS - $204 billion; corporate minimum tax - $313 billion; Negotiating drug prices - $288 billion in government savings; and close tax loopholes - $14 billion. This, they contend, will reduce inflation.

Penn Wharton contends this bill will actually increase inflation until 2024, and then decrease it thereafter. It basically concludes it will have no net effect  

Republicans believe the bill will actually increase inflation and add "to the suffering of Americans," as Senator Lindsay Graham has observed.   

Tour de France, Here I Come!

 

For weeks, I've been scouring Craigslist, bike shops and Facebook Marketplace for a road bike. I like to commute to and from the courthouse and figure the ride should be easier if I actually use a road bike. Last night, I lucked out and was able to purchase a used Trek 5500  road bike, the same bike used by Lance Armstrong and the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team in the Tour de France. Armstrong and I have something in common. He was the subject of doping allegations and I'm already a dope. 

Believe it or not, this bike really is carbon fiber. I thought it would be an aluminum replica. Also, the seller gave me cycling shoes that actually fit me and a seat bag containing a spare tube. He was very kind.

I got on the bike last night and it is undeniably fast, much faster than I thought it would be. It will take me some time to get used to shifting and braking, but I think it is going to be a lot easier than my hybrid or mountain bike for commutes to the courthouse.  At his moment, however, I'm a bit intimidated.  

I will be taking it to Action Wheels (my favorite shop) today to replace the pedals with flat pedals. Like Joe Biden, I already crashed while trying to get my foot out of the clip. 

Berks County Housing Authority Will Manage NorCo Housing Authority Properties

Northampton County Housing Authority administers a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, two public housing developments geared to the elderly and disabled and one low income housing tax credit property.  The management of these programs is a highly specialized field requiring detailed knowledge of HUD regulations. In recent years, Northampton County Housing Authority relied on Lehigh County Housing Authority to manage these programs. When tenants of one public housing development complained about Lehigh, Northampton County Council invited Lehigh to a meeting to respond. Lehigh did provide a written response and made some changes, but it declined to appear. Instead, it gave notice that it was ending its arrangement with Northampton County Housing Authority. 

Effective yesterday, Berks County Housing Authority is now managing the Northampton County Housing Authority programs.

It should be noted that housing authorities are separate state agencies and are independent of the county governments creating them.  

Republicans Are Their Own Worse Enemy

Democrats are poised to lose control of the House and possibly the Senate in this year's midterm elections. But Republicans, who are their own worst enemy, have all but assured a Democratic victory in the Governor and Senate race this Fall. Moreover, I believe they'll hold on in the Pa.7th, where incumbent Susan Wild faces Lisa Scheller. 

Governor's Race. - I don't like Democratic nominee Josh Shapiro. His entire life has been in a bubble, isolated from the working man he wants to champion. He's going to win easily. He is well-educated, very bright and as smooth as they get when it comes to campaigning. He makes no mistakes. 

In contrast, Doug Mastriano is a poster boy for everything that's wrong with the Republican party. He represents its fascist faction, and will get no votes from Democrats, most independents and even some Republicans. 

That race is already over. 

John Fetterman. - I also dislike John Fetterman. He poses as the common man, right down to the tattoos and his relaxed attire. But as Lt Governor, the only thing he managed to do is piss off Republicans by constantly flying a marijuana flag. He did nothing for Braddock, where he was Mayor, except to give the tiny black-majority borough an even more negative image. 

He'll beat Mehmet Oz, the TV doctor who is now trying his hardest to distance himself from Donald Trump, the man he embraced during the primary. Many Trump loyalists are unenthusiastic about this New Jersey transplant. Fetterman is killing him in the money race, too. 

This will be a bit closer than the Shapiro race, but this is Fetterman's to lose. 

Wild-Scheller. - Attempts to portray Wild as part of the squad are absurd. Yes, she votes with Pelosi, and those two are more partisan Democrat than enthusiasts of the far-left agenda.  What's going to save her is Lisa Scheller. It';s hard to justify her decision to manufacture paint pigments in China. We should avoid doing business with our enemies, as we recently learned with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.   

Republican will lose three seats they should have won.

Should Local Governments Deposit at Banks Making Political Contributions?

Lehigh Controller Mark Pinsley, who'd like to be State Senator Mark Pinsley, is urging Commissioners to pull its $145 million in accounts with Wells Fargo Bank. It bothers him that this banking giant, through a PAC, has contributed to anti-abortion Governor Gregg Abbot.  At their July 13 meeting, they voted 6-3 to evaluate how the county makes its deposits. 

It should be noted that Wells Fargo itself is making no political contributions. Those instead come from a PAC formed by employees. 

Comm'r Zakiya Smalls suggested that deposits should be with local banks. "Why were we ever banking with them?" she asked. A state law requires that any deposit must be with a bank that can cover all the assets deposited. This limits a county's ability to deposit at smaller banks. Smalls insists there are at least four regional banks that can handle the county's money.

They voted 6-3 to seek deposit policies in place at the county and to get a determination from the solicitor's office on the legal process for changing banks. Voting No were Antonio Pineda, Ron Beitler and Jeff Dutt. The remaining six Commissioners were Yes. 

Though he voted in favor of a review, Comm'r Dan Hartzell worried that the county could be opening up a Pandora's Box by tying deposits to political contributions. Comm'r Dave Harrington, a lawyer, observed that linking deposits to political contributions could be unconstitutional. 

Beitler, one of the No votes, took issue with the story penned by John Micek for Pennsylvania Capital-Star, in which Micek referred to yet another story asserting that Commissioners voted to begin the process of divesting from Wells Fargo. Beitler noted that several nonlocal news outlets are incorrectly reporting that the county has begun the process of divesting from Wells Fargo. "It's just not what happened," he asserts. 

I personally like the idea of investing as much as possible in local or regional banks so long as the assets can be covered. I also believe that any attempt to penalize a bank because of political contributions made by its employees, is a blatant violation of the first amendment.