Easton Red Rovers Enthusiastically Greet Bill Clinton

Despite a forty-five minute wait, an enthusiastic and diverse crowd greeted former President Bill Clinton early last night at Easton Area High School.

I dropped by after work today, expecting to be denied admission or shot on sight. But the lengthy line moved quickly, and I was inside the gym in a matter of minutes. No one was searched. I needed no ticket. I didn't need to know the "right" people. The place was packed with young and old - people of all colors - as diverse a group as you'll ever see in the Lehigh Valley. And the atmosphere was very much like an IronPigs game or a crowd of kids waiting on Christmas morning.

Easton's marching band played every song in its arsenal. After that, there was upbeat pop music playing in the background while self-important geeks in suits paraded up and down the gym, encouraging different cheers. They were the hot dogs, I guess. Periodically, the cavalry battle charge would sound. The only thing missing was Ferrous.

Finally, the moment had arrived. An anxious mob was introduced to Easton Mayor Sal Panto (a few boos) ... and President Bill Clinton. The place exploded. Easton is without question Clinton country, and Bill really seemed pleasantly surprised by how much people still love him here in the rust belt.

Eight years of George Bush does things like that.

I looked around the room, and everyone was on their feet. Even the youthful McCain "protesters," who had come brandishing signs for the Arizona senator, were respectfully applauding.

Unfortunately, Sal Panto had to make some opening remarks. Until about 90 minutes before the event, he had no idea he was to introduce the former prez. But Panto began a speech that made me think Hizzoner would be pretty good in Washington himself. He told us that President Clinton had strengthened America's cities with 100,000 police officers, while Bush added none. He lauded Hillary Clinton as a person who "cares not only about homeland security, but hometown security." It was a terrific speech, but Clinton was standing right by Sal, and people came for Bill.

"We want Bill" is the shout that went out. Sal wrapped things up and quickly introduced Clinton.

The place erupted again, and Bill finally had to tell people to sit down. Like me, he really liked Sal's opening remarks, and told him so. And then he was off.

He started with a very slight reference to Barack's belittling remarks that small town America clings to guns and religion, saying only that "little flap ... has really tickled me." He also groused that his daughter, Chelsea, had told the press her mom would be a much better president than him. "Did you ever see a family where the women don't stick together?" But then he admitted his daughter was actually right.

He reminded Eastonians that their city was the third place in the United States to announce the Declaration of Independence. And his whole speech was based on two parts of that document - the concept that all are created equal and that we should constantly be striving to form a "more perfect union."

With respect to equality, he noted the differences in the room, noting their beauty while stressing that "our common humanity matters more." And the idea of forming a more perfect union, he explained, should be interpreted as meaning that we must always try to make America a better place.

From there he springboarded into a detailed and somewhat cerebral discussion of our energy crisis, health care, home mortgage crisis and tax cuts for the wealthy.

With respect to our energy crisis, for example, he noted we need to repeal energy subsidies and fight global warming, which would actually create thousands of jobs for renovations to buildings and schools while saving us in energy costs. He claims the technology already exists to produce cars that operate at 100 mpg, and we need to make those cars ... here.

He calls them "hybrids on steroids."

He asked people who know someone without health insurance to raise their hands. It was nearly unanimous, which Clinton noted is sad for one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Hillary's health plan gives people the option of buying into the same plan available for federal employees. He also noted that thirty per cent of the cost of health care is consumed by inexcusable paperwork.

He continued with the same detail for every subject he discussed. He relied on no pious platitudes. Despite his obvious brilliance, he never condescended to us, but delivered detail after detail with a soft southern drawl.

I really like Barack Obama's message of hope, although some of his shiny armor is tarnished in my mind's eye. I like Hillary Clinton's practical solutions even more. On April 22, I'll be voting for her.

Dean Browning: The Cost of Community Policing

Yesterday, I presented Bill Leiner's argument for community policing, and they certainly persuaded me. Having said that, Dean Browning raises legitimate budgetary concerns that should be examined and addressed.

If you click on the above picture, you will see Dean's own detailed analysis of budget trends over the past two years, which worries him insofar as it relates to Don Cunningham's $4 million anti-crime package. Here's his findings.

1. Lehigh County's operating costs (paid for by real estate tax dollars) exceed supporting tax revenue. This has been the practice for several years and is actually nothing unique to Don Cunningham.

2. This defecit has typically been bridged by using a carryover of a favorable operating fund balance from the previous year end. This has been the practice since at least the 2004 budget.

3. The amount needed to bridge this budget gap has averaged $6.6 million over the past 2 years.

4. The favorable fund balance at the beginning of this year was $6.3 million.

5. Cunningham's anti-crime package would use a substantial portion ($2.9 million) of this balance. This means less money will be available when commissioners consider the 2009 budget.

6. The 2009 budget could be particularly tight given the state of the economy and what commissioners are hearing from Harrisburg. Browning has legitimate concerns about funding for Cedarbrook, changes in state programs, pension costs as well as the coast of other post employment benefits.

As Dean explains in an email, "the intent was not to derail the bill being considered. And it was not to imply that the Administration doesn't have a firm grasp on the numbers and the County's finances - it most assuredly does. But, as Don pointed out on Wednesday, we control the purse strings. As such, I wanted to try and give each of us some perspective before we committed the county to spending $2.9 million of a potential reserve while increasing the County's ongoing annual operating costs by $650,000 (or $1.2 million if Northampton doesn't join us)."

"Part of my concern with the package is that, in my opinion, it should be considered as part of the overall 2009 budget. There may be valid reasons why that was not possible so my intent with putting together my one page analysis was to try to give the other Commissioners (and the public) some context in which to consider the proposal."

Browning's main concern is the funding source for this initiative. he appears to prefer using the tax relief fund instead of general revenue. I believe, like Commissioner Leiner, that all nine Commissioners can still work this out and get some cops out on the street.

Blogger's Note: This is written primarily for Republicans. Dean lost me somewhere between his first and second point.
Update: The Morning Call today endorsed Cunningham's Safe Streets' proposal. "While it is true that police departments are not part of county government's traditional responsibilities, citizens have a right to expect elected officials to be innovative when it is for a good reason."

Lehigh County Comm'r Bill Leiner Argues for Community Policing

Lehigh County Commissioner Bill Leiner posted his own take on last week's decision by Lehigh County's Republican commissioners to refuse to fund, at least for now, Don Cunningham's community policing program. I thought I'd share his comments.

It is remarkable that this rolled off as a party line vote. Republicans against; Democrats in favor. The funds are there, the need is clearly there, the Chiefs who know the value of community policing were there, the DA strongly agrees ..... the arguments against the proposal - no money, budgetary future fears, not happy with the Bill's procedures, "I see plenty of cops when I drive through Bethlehem", "pork prices are down", we need more information, this is not a core county responsibility - are unthreaded and thin at best. If you had to take the Republican arguments as your debate positions in a school debate, the event would be over in about 15 minutes. I believe at the end of the day we nine thoughtful individuals will get the information we need to satisfy all 9 and then coalesce and take this bold step forward to fund the Safe Streets Initiative. Someone once said (and, Bernie it was not my friend Sterling) that passing legislation is a lot like making sausage. It is messy. The challenge is to preserve decorum, collegiality as we all drift to the correct decision of funding the initiative.

Tomorrow, I'll share Dean Browning's budgetary concerns.

Jenn Mann Using Severson Scissorhands in State Treasurer Bid

In her never-ending quest for higher office, state rep. Jenn Mann (D-132) has decided to run for two at the same time. Not only is she seeking re-election as a state rep, she's also running for state treasurer.

Whoopee!

When she ran against state senator Pat Browne in 2003, she wanted to win so badly that she started a smear campaign. Of course, she lost. This time, she's promised Capitol Ideas' John Micek she'll be really, really, really, really good. "Those personal attacks only backfire." She claims she has ethics now and won't be bought, but her $107,000 warchest tells a much different story. It's a veritable who's who of special interests.

Maybe her fingers were crossed when she spoke to Micek.

And guess who's running her campaign? That's right, bippy, she's hired political guru Severson Scissorhands, the King of Sleazeball Politics. Her campaign has dished out $45,172. 00 so far to Political Strategies, Inc, a California corporation that's not even registered in Pennsylvania. That's the company Severson uses to hide his work for Democrats.

Rich Grucela, Joe Brennan and Craig Dally - are three LV legislators who've co-sponsored legislation that flatly bans political robocalls. But Jenn Mann is paying Severson to make them.

I understand he's also agreed to disrupt a few funerals and give her a few lessons in knife fighting. Hey, she lives in Allentown!

At the same time that he's working for Mann - a Democrat - Severson's Precision Marketing, Inc., has been paid nearly $41,500 by Republicans seeking state office. Between 2000 and 2007, that company has collected $9.9 million from Republican candidates seeking state offices.

That's no conflict to a consultant who sells out to the highest bidder.

Severson and Mann were made for each other.

Is Jenn Mann's Dual Bid for State House and Treasurer Improper?

Mike Welsh is a moderate Republican running against incumbent state rep. Jenn Mann in Allentown's heavily Democratic 132nd district. Mann just happens to be running for state treasurer, too.

I know very little about Mike, and hope that changes over time. His campaign blog notes that Mann has been so busy running for higher state offices that she's spent little time noticing the gang infiltration and violence that has run rampant through Allentown.

She did help secure a $10,000 state DCED grant for The Parkland Trojan Ice Hockey Club, a program for students who need little state assistance. Other groups, like Allentown's Wall2Wall urban youth organizers, could really use the help. Over two years, this grass roots group has mentored over five hundred children in the area with the Lehigh Valley's highest poverty level.

Is her persistent quest for higher office making it hard for her to serve her constituents? Is it improper for a politician from either party to seek two offices simultaneously, knowing that she can't serve in both? Mike thinks so, and I believe it does encourage career politicians. Here's what he says.

I believe it is important to make voters aware of a unique situation. Jennifer Mann, our current State Representative, is seeking nomination for reelection as State Representative in the 132nd district and is concurrently seeking nomination for Pennsylvania State Treasurer. This marks Jennifer’s third attempt in the last 4 years to gain higher political office – specifically State Auditor in 2004, State Senator in 2005 and now State Treasurer.

As a long time resident of Allentown and now candidate for the PA House of Representatives, I find this business of “hedging your bets” highly objectionable. Representative Mann seeks higher office but wants to use her current job as something to fall back on should she lose her race for nomination as State Treasurer.

Far too often career politicians put their personal career aspirations above the needs of the community and district they represent.

I believe the voters of Allentown need a full time State Representative whose only focus is to help improve the lives of our residents. Representative Mann owes the people of our community a clear decision. If you are not interested in being our State Representative, as your actions clearly indicate, remove your name as a candidate for State Representative and seek only the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer. Our district and community must demand no less.

Few would argue that our district’s crime issues and gang infiltration require a clear commitment from someone who will put the needs of Allentown first! I would like the opportunity to serve this district, where my wife and I have lived and worked to raise our children. I believe that if we focus on this ever increasing criminal and gang element, we can all share in a resurgence of Allentown that will offer all the benefits that come from an increased tax base including economic development and lower property taxes.

Together we must demand more from our public officials and we must require their complete dedication to our community. Failure on our part will mean the failure of our community to live up to its full potential.

Democrats Surge in Lehigh County, too!

Last week, I told you Democrats have picked up a huge lead over Republican voters in Northampton County. It's happened in Lehigh County, too.

According to figures released by voter registration, there are now 101,682 registered Democrats, over 8,000 more than the 93,215 who claimed to be members of the party of Jefferson last November.

GOP voters are set at 76,844. This is down from the 79,280 Republicans registered in November, but not nearly so bad as the 9,000 voters lost in Northampton County.

Overall, registration has increased from 206,079 to 210,505, as might be expected during a presidential election year.

Obama Campaign Silences Popular PaProgressive Blog

Consistently rated by BlogNetNews as one of the state's most influential poliblogs, The Pennsylvania Progressive is shutting down. Amazingly, blogger John Morgan reports he is suspending publication. Just as talk show host Tavis Smiley has stopped his morning radio show, Morgan has been forced to suspend his provocative blog by Obama's thought police.

"I am hardly the only person who has been targeted by these people. Meanwhile I suppose it goes without saying that I now endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for President. I cannot support a man whose campaign tolerates hate speech."

Philosophically, John and I have our differences. But his is a voice that should be cherished, not stifled. He is welcome to blog here.

The "Bitter" Truth About Obama's "Bitter" Remarks

Barack Obama's spin machine was really buzzing on Sunday. I received twelve emails from advisers Matt Ehlrich and Sean Smith to tell me how much Pennsylvania sportsmen really hate Hillary Clinton. Oh yeah, twenty-one small town officials think she's horrible, too, and they've even sent a letter.

Exactly where that letter has been sent is unclear, but it sounds pretty damn official. When the President of the Pa. Forestry Association speaks, I listen.

Obama's campaign has gone into overdrive because of this.

"You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

That's something Obama recently said. It's by no means the end of the world for him, although he's pretty much ruined any hope he had of pulling an upset in Pa. No presidential candidate should speak of religion as though it is some dark superstition. Nazareth is one of those religious small towns, and its residents will certainly resent being called xenophobic gun nuts.

"I said something that everybody knows is true. ... I didn't say it as well as I should have," is how Obama explains. Well, what the hell did he intend to say? How is this anything other than a slam against those with religious principles or who have more conservative views? It's difficult to avoid the conclusion that Barack looks down his nose at us.

Of course, many Pennsylvanians are upset. In towns both big and small, jobs have been exported to China at the rate of 15,640 per year. In addition, China has blocked all efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur - where over 400,000 people have been senselessly slaughtered - because it might interfere with oil production. China's 1951 invasion of Tibet resulted in the ethnic cleansing of over 1 million countrymen. It continues today, a Han "manifest destiny," in which both Tibetans and their cultural identity are slowly being erased. At home, Chinese routinely execute at least 1,000 people every year. Bullets in the back of the head do the trick, while transplant surgeons stand by to harvest still pulsating organs.

Very efficient.

So how does Barack feel about this brutal regime - one of the chief causes of the bitterness he notices here in Pennsylvania? In a written statement, he claims to be concerned about China's failure to respect human rights. But when actually speaking to voters in Chester County, the message is much different.

"It's very hard to tell your banker he is wrong," is what Obama says, according to The Morning Call's Scott Kraus. Not much hopeful in that statement, is there?

Neville Chamberlain would be proud.

Update: As William Kristol notes, there's little difference between Obama's condescending observation that we "cling" to religion and that of another thinker. "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of a heartless world, and the soul of a soulless condition. It is the opium of the people.” That thinker was Karl Marx.

IronPigs Report: "The cheap seats are the best!"

General Admission ticket, entitling bearer to sit on lawn outside of center field: $6.00

Two game balls caught by lucky fans: Priceless!
"The cheap seats are the best!" That's my grandson's assessment after spending Saturday night in the lawn outside center field. The IronPigs have yet to win a game, but these kids still think baseball is just another way to have fun.

My grandson reports he had more fun Saturday night than he ever did at a major league stadium. He and a few friends even formed an informal fan club for centerfielder Brandon Watson, who made an amazing catch on the warning track, threw from center right to third and started a team rally. Most importantly Watson tossed the kids one of those balls.

Michael Dertinger: RIP

Since I began blogging, I've been highly critical of Northampton County council member Charles Dertinger. But I'm very sad to learn his father, Michael, died in a tragic accident on Friday.

Rob Hopins, who got to know Michael while working as a consultant for Charles, offers these remarks.

Michael Dertinger was a unique individual, who has shaped the lives of many people. I, personally, admire the pleasant tenacity he brought to any situation, combined with his ability to understand the perspective of everyone he met. His humor was brash but caring, and his generosity was immense.

He spent his lifetime in the electrical trade, as a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He became gravely ill during Charles' campaign in 2006, but bounced back with renewed vigor and enthusiasm for his family and his community. He saw the last two years as a blessing, had it not been for his falling sick, he would have not retired and taken the opportunity to spend more time with his family. His story should remind all of us about the value of friends and family.

Michael Dertinger passed on his values to his family. He inspired Charles to become active in the political world and to make a difference in the community. He inspired his son, Sean to excel in everything he did and to be active in his family life. Michael will be greatly missed by Anne, his wife of 40 years, his four grandchildren and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

He was a member and officer of Portland Lodge No. 311 F&AM, Portland, PA. He also belonged to the Catholic Council of the Electrical Workers. He was a member of the Richmond United Methodist Church.

Viewings will be held on Sunday, April 13th from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM and from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Palmeri Funeral Home, 6602 Alpha Avenue in Martins Creek, PA . Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 14th at 11:00 AM at Richmond United Methodist Church, 8538 Delaware Drive (Washington Township) Bangor, PA. The funeral will be immediately preceded by a 10:00 viewing at the church. Masonic Services will be held on Sunday at 7:30 PM.

Please check The Morning Call and Express-Times websites on Sunday for online condolences or they may left on the funeral home website.

Memorial contributions may be made to Richmond United Methodist Church, 8538 Delaware Drive (Washington Township) Bangor, PA 18013 or The Portland Lodge No. 311 F&AM c/o PO BOX 381, Portland, PA 18351.

Lehigh County DA Martin Advocates Community Policing Program

When Lehigh County's commissioners considered Don Cunningham's $4 million anti-crime package on Wednesday evening, one person was conspicuous by his absence - Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin. One of his harshest critics, Bill Villa, noticed. I agreed that Martin should have attended.

I have since learned that the DA was unavoidably out of town, and sent First Assistant District Attorney, Steven M. Luksa, in his place. Martin, a Republican, also mailed a letter to Lehigh County's commissioners, giving his unqualified support for this proactive program, including the community policing proposal shelved by Republican commissioners. I have a copy of Jim's letter, which I'll share with you.

It has come to my attention that the above-captioned matters are on the agenda for the Administrative Committee Meeting and Board Meeting of April 9, 2008. But for a very long-standing commitment to be in New York City that evening, I would be in attendance. However, I plan to send as my designee First Assistant District Attorney, Steven M. Luksa.

I write to offer my whole-hearted support of the above measures. In my judgment, each of them will contribute to enhancing public safety in Lehigh County and indeed the entire Lehigh Valley region.

You have previously approved, together with the Northampton County Council, funding a feasibility study of a Regional Crime Center for the Lehigh Valley. That study has been completed and engaged the participation of District Attorneys of both counties and police departments throughout both counties. Law enforcement overwhelmingly supports the concept of a Regional Crime Center. Such a center will provide invaluable information to police agencies to aid in prevention of crime as well as in solving and prosecuting crimes that have occurred. Today, crime knows no borders; and it is essential that police departments within the region have the ability to share data on a real time basis. I strongly urge your passage of Resolution 2008-08: Reaffirming Support of a Regional Crime Center.

Before you for first reading, discussion and vote is Bill 208-23: Amending the Job Classification and Pay Plan in order to accommodate a full time booking officer for the Lehigh County Regional Central Booking Center. As you know, the Regional Booking Center opened in November initially processing persons arrested by the Allentown Police Department. All Lehigh County police departments began to process their arrestees in December, 2007; and, in January, 2008, the DUI Booking Center was merged into the Regional Central Booking Center. As of April 2, 2008, 2, 414 suspects have been processed through the Booking Center. When originally promulgated, the budget for the Booking Center called for eight full time positions. That was amended to reduce the number to five full time positions. Through the course of the first five months of operation, it has become apparent that at least one additional full-time booking officer is required for the efficient operation of the Center. As you know, this Booking Center employs state-of-the-art technology and has streamlined processing and enabled municipal police officers to return to their duties much more quickly than was previously the case. This Booking Center has enhanced public safety; and in order for it to operate most effectively, I respectfully request and urge you to vote in favor of Bill 2008-23.

Bill 2008-24 seeks your approval of the Safe Streets Grant Program and the establishment of a Public Safety Fund to include allocations for the Safe Streets Grants Program; public safety software grants to local municipalities; grants for regional emergency training sites; and, a grant for the establishment of the Regional Crime Center. This is an innovative and important public safety measure that deserves your affirmative vote. As Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Lehigh County, public safety is my number one priority. Funding the measures covered in this bill will greatly enhance public safety not only within the municipalities of Lehigh County but also the region, vis a vis, the Regional Crime Center. Providing more police officers is essential to curbing crime in our communities. The presence of more police officers will help to allay the public’s fear of crime and will make the municipalities of Lehigh County a more inviting place for businesses and individuals to locate. Crime and the public’s perception of crime is, in my opinion, the most important issue on the minds of Lehigh Valley residents. Government fails its primary duty if it doesn’t adequately address public safety. Passage of this bill is an opportunity to enhance public safety throughout our communities. I urge your adoption of Bill 2008-24.

When I became District Attorney a little over ten years ago, one of the first things that I did was convene a meeting of the County’s police chiefs. The number one issue identified by the chiefs at that time was improving the ability of the region’s police departments to communicate effectively with each other. While improvements have been made over the last ten years, equipping individual police departments with computer software to enable each of them to improve their records management and their ability to communicate with neighboring departments will bring law enforcement in Lehigh County into the 21st century and assure its citizenry a rapid and effective response to crime. We live in an information driven society. We have the capability to streamline information gathering and sharing to an unprecedented degree. Equipping the smaller municipal departments with this technology will enable those departments to more effectively provide for the public safety. The County of Lehigh is really the only entity which is equipped to drive and to fund the acquisition of this software. Smaller police departments located within the County simply cannot afford the expense. Medium sized departments would certainly find it to be a strain on their budgets. Providing funding from the County will ensure that this project is implemented in a cost-effective and efficient manner because it can be done all at once and not left to the vagaries of each municipality governing body and budgetary constraints. Providing this software will dovetail nicely with both the Central Booking function and the Regional Real Time Crime Center. Indeed, a well-constructed records management system is essential to the Regional Crime Center and a boon to Central Booking. Uniform reports and documents will do much to aid the prosecution function of my office. Achieving standardization was one of the many factors that drove me to establish the Central Booking Center. Providing funding for the acquisition of this software is essential and I exhort you, as strongly as possible, to adopt Bill 2008-25. Doing so will be one of the most important public safety measure the County of Lehigh has enacted during my tenure as District Attorney.

I am sorry that I can not be present for the meeting of the Administrative Committee and the Board of Commissioners Meeting on April 9. I will be happy to meet with you collectively or individually or to discuss with you by telephone any of these measures during the time that you have them under your consideration.

Thank you for your kind consideration of this letter and for your anticipated favorable action on the measures identified herein.

Best Game Ever

Blue Coyote turned me on to this great video for parents with kids or grandchildren playing baseball. Thanks.

Lehigh County Comm'r Browning Asks for More Transparency

Lehigh County Commissioner Dean Browning is one of about three Republicans left in Allentown. Despite this character flaw, he's one of the most effective legislators I've ever seen. He's always prepared at meetings and has a command of complicated financial data. Most importantly, he advocates transparent government.

At Wednesday's meeting, Browning argued meeting minutes should be available on the county's web page. Northampton County Council, with all its flaws, is actually a step ahead of Lehigh County on that one. They began doing that last February. Chairman Dougherty responded that digitalized versions of minutes will soon be available.

Browning also suggested that commissioners consider livestreaming their meetings. Currently, the only Lehigh Valley municipality that webcasts meetings is Emmaus. Northampton County's Director of Information Services, Al Jordan, has been working on a similar plan, which he tells me is inexpensive.
Update: According to a commenter, Dean may actually reside in beautiful South Whitehall Township.

Lehigh County Comm'rs Throw Roadblock at Cunningham's "Safe Streets" Proposal

On Tuesday, Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham and District Attorney Jim Martin had a joint news conference, covered by NLV Logic, to release details of their new, $4 million, anti-crime package, known as the Public Safety Fund. Cunningham noted that “sixty-five cents of every Lehigh County taxpayer dollar now goes towards handling crime’s after-effects, in the form of prosecution, defense, incarceration, parole, probation, rehabilitation, and work release.”

He believes a more "pro-active approach" to crime is needed, and DA Martin agreed. "These bills will significantly enhance public safety in Lehigh County and the Lehigh Valley, and I urge the Commissioners to pass them.”

What is the Public Safety Fund?

• $1 million for a three year grant program, called Safe Streets, which will provide matching grant money to police departments to put seven to ten more community police officers on the street.

• $1.2 million for the purchase of records management software for local police departments to create a first-ever shared records network among Lehigh County’s 17 police departments.

• $500,000 toward the operation of a regional crime data center, intended to include Lehigh and Northampton Counties, which will collect and analyze crime data from all Lehigh Valley police departments.

• $225,000 toward the county’s current commitment of $1 million toward improving regional Emergency Training Sites for emergency fire and ambulance personnel.

• An additional booking officer for the newly-created Central Booking Office, which now processes all police bookings in Lehigh County, allowing officers to get back to police duties, and a resolution of support for a Lehigh Valley Regional Crime Data Center.

As good as this plan sounds, Lehigh County Commissioners last night surprisingly threw a roadblock in front of the only portion of the fund that would actually add more community police officers in Lehigh County. In a vote that went strictly along party lines, Republicans amended the Fund to authorize the Safe Streets program in the amount of just $1.

You can't even get a blogger for that pittance.

Republicans voting against an anti-crime measure? You got it. Many of them questioned whether funding a community police officer is outside the scope of core county functions. Considering that 65% of Lehigh County's tax revenue pays for the aftermath of crime, I think a three-year community policing program might actually pay for itself in terms of reduced crime.

Republicans voted to amend this ordinance, claiming they needed more information to consider the matter. Fifteen police chiefs were cooling their heels right in front of them, sitting quietly through both a committee hearing as well as a regular meeting of the commissioners. But commissioners amended the proposal without listening to what the men in blue had to offer. Here's what various commissioners had to say before their vote.

Chairman Percy Dougherty: "Crime is the number one problem in the Lehigh Valley. A number of people are afraid to come downtown." But he also claimed the community policing aspect of Cunningham's idea "is not a function of county government. I think we are rushing into this. ... Putting more police on the street is not the answer. There are so many other things we can do other than putting police officers on the street."

Dean Browning: During the Committee hearing that preceded the regular meeting, Browning released an analysis of budget trends as it relates to the Public Safety Fund. I'll have more to say about his interesting findings next week. He prefers waiting to fund this project until the next budget comes in because it would provide some context. "Community policing is not a county core function. But if there is an overwhelming need, perhaps we should consider it." Browning is the commissioner who moved to amend the community policing program by funding it with $1 instead of $1 million. "If crime is the problem, seven or ten officers will not solve it. If we are going to have a 'surge,' maybe we need seventy officers."

Bill Leiner: "The evidence is out there. The more cops, the less crime." Leiner noted that when he was Coplay's mayor, he was "stunned" by the number of elderly people who were actually afraid to go out on their porch. "If you don't have a safe community, you don't have a community."

Glenn Eckart: He talked about a pig farmer in Lower Milford who used to get 73 cents for pork but now is getting just 37 cents. The farmer complained to Eckhart, "I'm going to be subsidizing Allentown." Eckhart went on to note that, despite its EMS tax, Allentown still has twenty officers less than it had in 2005.

Dan McCarthy: "When you're attacked in a war, you don't say, 'Now's not the time to respond.' When you're faced with an unusual situation, you have to step outside the box. ... It's about a dollar per resident to try and combat crime." McCarthy also addressed Eckhart's argument that suburbs will be funding the cities. "Criminals do not respect municipal boundaries. We have to find a reason for them to get out of the Lehigh Valley."

David Jones: In his first speech as a county commissioner, Jones had his own response to the lament that suburbs are subsidizing the cities. "We're all in the same boat. If there's a hole in the boat and you say the hole's on my side of the boat and you're not going to fix it, then everybody's going to sink."Jones notes nothing in Lehigh's Home Rule Charter prohibits this grant, and finally argued, "We're fighting to save our future as a county."

Gloria Hamm: Her 89 year old mother lives in Allentown's first ward, and is afraid to take her trash out at night. "How can it be wrong to have ten additional policemen?"

Andy Roman: Concerned that Lehigh's deputy sheriffs are now being outgunned with inferior revolvers, Roman believes "we should look at areas we are already responsible for, before branching out and trying different things."

Sterling Raber: A man of few words, this retired pig farmer just listened.

Before the vote, only Bethlehem police commissioner Randy Miller was heard, and he flatly told the commissioners that a community police program should be "pro-active. If you get reactive, you're in a lot of trouble."

Right now, it's inactive.

Where do we go from here?

"This is not what we expected," is how Frank Kane, a Cunningham aide, quietly reacted to this setback. Cunningham was also perplexed, but still congenial. "You're willing to venture into new territory for IT, but not people." Although Republicans claim they support the idea in theory, they just gutted it.

In the next two weeks, Cunningham needs to persuade one Republican to have a change of heart. Since Dougherty actually claimed police officers fail to solve our crime problem, I'd skip him. Browning claimed, at least rhetorically, that Lehigh might need seventy officers. If it does, then it certainly needs seven. Eckhart also seemed to waver, and had a weak argument, and had earlier agreed to support the program.

I have a feeling this battle is far from over.

Update: The Morning Call's Darryl Isherwood has a well-written, and slighly more objective, account of last night's meeting, noting that the police officers there were unhappy with the commissioners' vote.

Sterling Raber's Latest Tidbit: Start Smoking!

He never says much. He mostly listens. But I've grown quite fond of retired pig farmer Sterling Raber, a Lehigh County commissioner since 1981. Last night, he was awarded an IronPigs snout by an appreciative Bill Leiner.

Raber had this tidbit. "Well, state funding for farmland preservation has pretty much dried up. You know, the funding for that comes from the cigarette tax, but there's all those health programs."

Looks like we picked the wrong week to quit smoking.

Dems Pick up Huge Lead Over Republicans in Northampton County

Is it Obama? Bush? Whatever the reason, Democrats now have a huge registration edge in Northampton County. According to figures released by voter registration, there are now 94,118 Democrats registered to vote. This is a nearly 5,500 voter increase over the 88,630 party members registered on October 16.

Democrats' gain is Republicans' loss. Nearly 9,000 of the 69,652 GOP voters registered on October 16 have left. Current strength is at just 60,682.

Overall, registered voters have increased from 190,429 to 193,927.

NLV Logic Attends Lehigh County Safe Streets News Conference

From NLV Logic: "I think I was the only non-county official in attendance other than the local media types. Thats too bad! The anti-crime package contains five parts: (1) a Safe Street grant program for local police departments; (2) a records management software system to be shared amongst local police departments; (3) an allocation for a regional crime center; (4) training for EMS and fire crews; (5) and an additional booking officer for the new Central Booking Office."

Obama Actually White Dude From Wisconsin

I never saw this coming. Turns out Barack Obama is actually some white dude from a trailer park in Beaver Dam, WI.

Reporters first became suspicious when they caught him bowling last week in Altoona. True, he only bowled a 37, but was having too much fun with a "beer hunter" T-shirt.

Then he started claiming he's really a gun nut, and was sad he missed Glock Day in Philly last week. To prove his point, he shot one of his aides with a bazooka!

He finally admitted his "whiteness" after winning a chugging contest at State College. "Come on, do you honestly think I'd be running for president if I were black?"

"I knew it!," screamed Hillary Clinton, who now is claiming she's actually a man.

Tax Rebate or Eating the Seed Corn?

It was October, 2003. After years of profligate spending, Northampton County Exec Glenn Reibman was about to give us the double whammy - a major tax increase and a large workforce reduction - the first major lay off in county history. A local union was able to delay the inevitable at Christmas, but at least forty union employees were let go in mid-February, 2004. Those who remained saw frozen wages and a 63.5% tax increase over just two years.

How did this happen?

Every year, Reibman kept dipping deeper and deeper into the unrestricted cash reserve. It's what council member Ron Angle calls the county's "seed corn." Instead of setting aside a reasonable amount of money every year, Reibman kept reducing the amount of cash on hand, money needed for everyday expenses as well as unpleasant surprises like unfunded mandates.

Instead of planting our seed corn, we were eating it. When it was all gone, we had to raise taxes and cut services.

This fiscal incompetence cost Reibman his job. But strangely, Council members Lamont McClure and Charles Dertinger want to repeat that folly. They are the driving force behind a 10% tax rebate proposed in Northampton County, available only to those who've already paid their bills. In response to my own post on this topic, McClure made his own pitch, which I'll repeat here.

"General Fund Balance: 95 mil.
Unrestricted: 48.5 mil.
Restricted: 47 mil.
Unrestricted Fund Balance at the end of '07: 60 mil. (Admin. used 12 mil to balance '08 budget.)

"When I questioned Mr. Hamann, he agreed that 30 mil. was an adequate fund balance. He also agreed 24 mil. was an aequate [sic] fund balance. He also agreed 20 mil. was an adequate fund balance. Mr. Hamann agreed with me that the County Real Estate Tax is responsible for only 28% of our Budget. By his own analysis, the Real Estate Tax does not fund 72% of the government. The 72% is funded by the State and Federal governments.

"When Mr. Dertinger questioned Mr. Hamann about when the County had to tap the unrestriced [sic] fund balance even at the 14 million dollar level, Mr. Hamann did not and could not answer him, because it has never happened.

"The fact is that on April 17th when we vote the unrestricted fund balance will be nearly 50 mil. And even if the rebate is approved, there will still be 40 mil. in the unrestricted fund balance. If the rebate is not approved, the fund blance [sic] will continue to grow to the Administration's predicted 64 mil. by the end of '08. That is nearly 20 mil. more than even their highly dubious formulation indicates that we need.

"We've over taxed Northampton County taxpayers, and its time to begin giving it back."

Now, I was present when McClure interrogated Budget Administrator Doran Hamann, who has served the county for 28 years. At no time did Hamann agree that $30, 24 0r 20 million was an "adequate fund balance." He simply acknowledged that previous executives let the reserve get pretty low at times, with the worst example being Reibman. True, the county never had to take out a bridge loan. It instead had a mass layoff, which seriously damaged both county services and the morale of those providing them.

McClure also argues that our cash reserve, or seed corn, should be based solely on the amount of money that the county generates in taxes, and that's only 28% of the total budget. The danger there, of course, is we might wait a long time for that 72% in pass through money from the state and feds. As Hammon explained yesterday, the county pays those costs up front, and often waits for six months before being reimbursed. And what happens when the feds or staties decide to stop funding a program? We still have to pay.

And that does happen. A recent example is the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) program. Historically, the feds have reimbursed counties 70% of the cost of incarcerating illegals, but the Bush administration wants to stick the locals. Lehigh County has adopted a resolution protesting this move, but it's not really their call. They just foot the bill. So does every county. And that's why the seed corn must be based on all the money a county receives every year, not just the funds it gets from real estate taxes.

I'll be the first to agree that times are hard. But amazingly, the McClure-Dertinger rebate only goes to those who pay their bills on time. Instead of doing that, why not find a way to help people keep their homes? As Michael Bloomberg himself has noted, "What good is a rebate going to do for a family who's about to lose the place that they sleep in?"

I don't believe McClure or Dertinger are motivated by any desire to help our taxpayers - they merely wish to help themselves to a few votes.

When McClure talks about giving something back to taxpayers, I'm afraid it will be what Reibman gave them - a mega tax increase accompanied by mass layoffs. I appreciate that he took the time to explain his position on this blog, and perhaps he will convince some of you. But as far as I'm concerned, his rebate proposal is a recipe for disaster.

Presidential Survey for NYU

This probably comes as no surprise to regular readers of this blog. Some psychology student at NYU has been studying me. His name is Matthew Schottland.

Actually, he's conducting research "in the hope of better understanding voting behavior from a psychological perspective. The survey we are conducting is not aimed at changing respondents' opinions in any way, and this study is not being funded by any interest group or any of the candidates - rather, funding comes from a National Science Foundation grant for social psychological research."

If you're interested, here's a link.