Gold & Silver Bidders Lose Libel Claim Against NocCo Officials

Victor Balletta, Michael Reis and Michael Proetto showed up at a Northampton County Sheriff's Sale in 2008 with bulging sandwich bags full of silver and gold. Their bids were ignored by Deputy Sheriff Dave Ruberry and Assistant County Solicitor Chris Spadoni.

Ruberry told The Morning Call this trio were "anarchists," "paper terrorists," and possible members of the Sovereign Citizens movement. A little more conciliatory, Spadoni called them "opportunists."

Both Ruberry and Spadoni were sued for defamation.

Yesterday, a three-judge panel of the Commonwealth Court dismissed their lawsuit. The Opinion was penned by Judge Robert "Robin" Simposn, a former Northampton County judge.

Judge Simpson ruled that Ruberry and Spadoni, as County officials being sued in their official capacity, are immune. But he also adds that, as a matter of law, there was no defamation.

The Difference Between Chrin's TIF and the NIZ

As promised, Palmer Township's Dave Colver has sent me a plan of the zoning overlays for the massive Chrin TIF in the northern section of the Township, near Tatamy.

The 13 acres in red is the retail. The red areas on all 4 corners of the interchange are zoned that way.

The green areas provide for buildings up to 400,000 sq. ft  The pink areas allow for buildings only half that size up to 200,000. And they can fit on the proposed lots. Maximum building coverage on a lot in those areas is 40%.

The purple area, which I believe is about 275 acres, does permit a 1 million square-foot building. But because of the maximum building coverage restriction, that will be possible only on one lot.

Basically, the zones drop to 400,000 as you get close to the interchange. On the south and east sides of the interchange, they are only 200,000 sq. ft.

This development, six times the size of Allentown's NIZ, is expected to create 3,500 jobs. It will do so without diverting state taxes intended to buy medical insurance for children. It will do so without grabbing tobacco or sales taxes. It will do so without misappropriating the EIT of other municipalities. It will do so without poaching businesses from other areas in the Lehigh Valley. Developer Charles Chrin is willing to contribute up to $2 million to enable the County to preserve an acre of farmland for every one used for this development. Finally, thanks to the creation of a Neighborhood Improvement District, Charles Chrin will assume the risk of failure, and not the state.

West Easton Treatment Center Still Has No Final CO

Wednesday night, developer Abe Atiyeh announced that he had a certificate of occupancy (CO) for the West Easton Treatment Center, and that would be open for business within the next thirty days. But when he spoke, he was unaware it was only for the fire suppression system.

According to county engineers, some construction needs to be completed before the final CO is issued.

Updated 9:45 AM:  Abe just sent a corrected CO to the County, indicating he is ready to roll.

Dent Hosts Send-Off For Service Academy Appointees

When I covered Freedom High School's graduation last week, I feared it would be one of those dreary, boring affairs. Kinda' like my own. I was dead wrong.

They were wonderful kids, looking forward to facing the world. Dana Grubb, who photographed the event, later told me, "They always restore my faith in our youth."

Among the night's many highlights was the special recognition given to Seth Watlington, who learned that night of his appointment to the Naval academy. He walked onto the stage with an Oxford cap, but left with a NAVY baseball cap, as Stabler Arena thundered with applause.

Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent, in what must be one of his most pleasant duties, yesterday hosted a send-off for the seventeen students from his District who will attend one of the nation's five service academies.

“Nominating hard-working local students for admission to one of our nation’s prestigious service academies is one of my most rewarding responsibilities as a Member of Congress,” said Dent. “These 17 students are some of the brightest and most dedicated young people in our area. I applaud their decision to serve our nation while continuing their education, and wish them the best of luck as they begin their studies this fall.”

Let me list these young men and women:

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD:

·         Venus Molony, Moravian Academy

·         Mark Schnable, Allentown Central Catholic High School

·         Seth Watlington, Freedom High School

·         John Zawarski, Mercersburg Academy

Naval Academy Preparatory School, Newport, RI:

·         Jonathan Daus, Bangor Area High School

U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY:

·         Meaghan Ellison, Easton Area High School

·         Eric Johnson, Nazareth Area High School

·         Ian Myers, Notre Dame High School

·         Aimee Ortner, Northern Lehigh High School

·         Zachary Panto, Catasauqua Area High School

·         Peter Stanley, Easton Area High School

U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, West Point, NY:

·         Matthew Scot Bryant, U.S. Army Reserve

·         Bridgette Dougherty, Southern Lehigh High School

·         Christopher Monge, Valley Forge Military Academy

U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO:

·         Evan Allman, Liberty High School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY:

·         Scott Dennin, Boyertown Area High School

·         Nicole Mautino, Saucon Valley High School

Atiyeh Finally Gets Approval For Residential Treatment Facility in Bethlehem

Abe Atiyeh and Mark Malkames Wait For a Ruling

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight" is a Japanese proverb that definitely applies to developer Abe Atiyeh. After seeing application after application for drug treatment centers denied in Bethlehem, he finally won unanimous approval for a 150-bed residential treatment facility at a June 13 Special Meeting of Bethlehem's Zoning Hearing Board. Located at 825 12th Avenue, the isolated location is the former Synthetic Thread property, where Atiyeh had originally planned apartments.

In previous hearings for a similar proposal adjacent to Bethlehem Catholic High School, Atiyeh faced strong opposition from a galvanized community, joined by City Council.  But only two people spoke against a drug and alcohol treatment center located 550' away from the closest school.

Unlike the Becahi proposal, Atiyeh told zoners he'd run this facility himself. That led board member James Schantz to question whether the colorful developer is "in it for the long haul." Atiyeh pointed to Whitehall and Saucon Valley Manor, where he's been in business for the past fifteen years. "I enjoy what I do. I was born in the Lehigh Valley. I'm here to stay."

Atiyeh added that, unlike many other developers, "I get no government grants, no subsidies, and everything's on the [tax] rolls."

Attorney Mark Malkames, representing Atiyeh, pointed out that Atiyeh is unlike other developers in another important way. He specializes in the "adaptive reuse" of buildings like Saucon Valley Manor, an old school, or the old silk mill in Bethlehem. "Your comprehensive plan encourages this sort of thing," Malkames told zoners.

Asked to describe the typical resident at this adult-only for-profit center, Atiyeh stated that firemen, police officers, nurses and doctors head the list.

"And Zoning Hearing Board members," wisecracked zoner Bill Fitzpatrick.

Although the center is voluntary, Atiyeh stressed that anyone wanting to leave the facility will be transported by staffers. There will be cameras and security staff 24/7. There will also be at least one security officer on duty at all times. And a seven feet high fence.

"To me, it sounds like Betty Ford meets Alcatraz," complained neighbor Sherri Kelly, worried that the drug rehab will reduce property values.

Atiyeh told zoners he expects to invest between $12-14 million into the project, and it will take three years before he can turn a profit. But he added there is a real need for a private residential treatment center in the 800,000-person Lehigh Valley. " This will be the first one of its kind in the Lehigh Valley," he stated.

Even Stewart Early, a thorn in Atiyeh's side in previous zoning requests, told Atiyeh he was pleased.

"I've learned a lot," answered the developer.

With approval for a 150-bed center, Atiyeh told zoners he will withdraw all applications and appeals for other treatment centers in Bethlehem.

Dave Colver: Only One 1-Million Sq Ft Big Box For Chrin TIF

Yesterday, I told you that three 1-million square feet big boxes are coming to Charlie Chrin's 689-acre TIF in northern Palmer Township.I misled you. I've since corrected by Dave Colver, the Chairman of the Township's Board of Supervisors. Instead of three, 1-million square feet big boxes, there will be just one.

Colver will make a more formal presentation to Northampton County Council later this month, but he wanted to set the record straight with me.

Last October, Northampton County approved Tax Increment Financing for 689 of nearly 1,000 acres that Chrin owns near Tatamy. Under this public financing plan, Chrin can use the increase in real estate taxes within the TIF to fund the cost of additional improvements, particularly an exit ramp off Route 33 in Tatamy, leading right into his industrial park.

Immediately after the TIF was adopted, Chrin began to market the property to national developers. There is intense interest in retail and commercial in 13 acres near the proposed Rote 33 Interchange. But Colver explained there is also interest for warehousing near an existing rail line. Warehouses are limited to 200,000 square feet under current zoning..

Palmer decided to create four zoning overlay districts on different portions of the TIF, with one segment set aside for warehousing. Under this new overlay scheme, there will be room for just one, 1-million square feet warehouse. There will also be room for one 400,000 square feet and two 200,000 square feet big boxes.

These new overlay districts will be voted on by Palmer Supervisors on June 26, and have already been recommended by Palmer's own Planning Commission, as well as the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Cover told me this plan for some warehousing was already contained in the Dietrich report, which predicted that the TIF will result in nearly 4,000 jobs. He noted that the warehousing will make it easier to float financing binds at a more favorable rate.

In addition to the zoning change, Palmer Township has created a neighborhood Improvement District for the TIF. This protects the Township, County and School District if Chrin fails to attract tenants, making him ultimately responsible for the debt service on any financing.

"The developer stands to benefit, so he should take all the risk," Colver explained.  "Palmer, the County and school district can't get touched."

Colver was coaching a softball team last night, but promised to send me the plan for Chrin's TIF as soon as he can. When he gets it to me, I'll post it.

"This is not a Palmer Township thing.," he insisted  "This affects 7 municipalities."

He finally told me that he is available to anyone who has questions about the TIF.

West Easton Treatment Center Ready For Business

Atiyeh with Phillies Ace  Dickie Noles

Developer Abe Atiyeh has received a certificate of occupancy for his 100-bed West Easton DUI treatment facility, and hopes to begin operations within the next thirty days. Atiyeh made this announcement last night, while advocating a voluntary rehab center to Bethlehem's Zoning Hearing Board.

In February, Northampton County Council approved a 10 year lease with Atiyeh for a treatment facility housing DUI offenders and deadbeat dads. It's a $447,125 lease for a 24,500-square-foot facility at West Easton's former Chipman Mills. The lease includes 2 five-year renewals, as well as an option to purchase at the end of twenty years.

Executive John Stoffa is hopeful that treatment programs like West Easton will reduce recidivism below the current 69% level.

In February, Stoffa thanked both Atiyeh and West Easton. "I would like to recognize and thank Mr. Abe Atiyeh for his continuing support for this effort. To date, he has not received one penny from this County while spending thousands of his own dollars. Without his involvement, this would not have been possible. And also, to the Borough of West Easton, for their vision and willingness to approve this project. We need to prove to them that we will be a good neighbor and a good partner."

Commonwealth Court To Hear NIZ Arguments in ... September

The Commonwealth Court has ordered all parties involved in the NIZ litigation to file briefs, and will hear arguments in September. With that timetable, I think there is no way Allentown can float bonds and build a hockey arena in time for next year's season. Private funding is a possibility, might be viewed as a very risky investment.

Three 1-Million Sq Ft Big Boxes Coming to Chrin TIF

Aside from Allentown's controversial Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ), the biggest Lehigh Valley development project right now is Charlie Chrin's Route 33 TIF. That's been projected to bring in 3,500 jobs.

Dave Colver is Chairman of Palmer Township's Board of Supervisors. He was the most vocal and, in my opinion, effective advocate for Charlie Chrin's Route 33 TIF. Among his arguments last September, he said this.

We're controlling the zoning. No Big Boxes. We're not gonna' see the million, two million square feet under roof, with twenty or thirty people operating forklifts so that the trucks can run around the clock and get on an interchange. Not gonna' happen. We control it.

We've got a developer who is willing to work with the Township and who is not looking for residential or the Big Box development.

That is exactly what is happening.

Colver is spearheading a change to Palmer's zoning ordinance that will provide for big boxes in the northern 200 acres of the 689-acre tract. He's doing so because Chrin is in talks with a developer who plans on bringing three 1-million square feet warehouses, with twenty or thirty people operating forklifts so that trucks can run around the clock and get on an interchange. Gonna' happen. Palmer Township controls it. A vote is scheduled for June 26.

Before that happens, Colver will have to explain his sudden about face to Northampton County Council. At this point, a cooperation agreement with the County's Industrial Development Authority still has to be executed, so this TIF is reversible.

Having those big boxes will enable Chrin to sell bonds at a better interest rate, but will the jobs promised still be produced?

According to Easton Mayor Sal Panto, another TIF advocate, "[T]he first thing we need are jobs. Everywhere I go, people are asking me for work, and I feel really badly about them. A lot of people we put out of our jails are coming back in because they can't find work."

I agree with Panto, but find it disappointing that Chrin is reaching out for the low-hanging fruit on a project in which he's marketed himself. On the other hand, Colver is a straight shooter, so I'll be interested to hear his explanation for his sudden about face.

Is The Morning Call Talking to NIZ Developer J.B. Reilly?

The Morning Call is located inside Allentown's 130-acre Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ). That's no secret, according to columnist Bill White. He insists that has nothing to do with what he or reporters are writing. But in the smug and hypocritical townships, rumors abound that NIZ developer J.B. Reilly has approached the Morning Call over some kind of business arrangement concerning its 101 N. 6th Street property, located a stone's throw from the proposed hockey arena, office buildings and luxury hotel.

Call me cRaZy, but I think that just might color the perspectives of newspaper writers, especially at a publication that continues to lay off its staff.  

In an effort to learn what exactly is going on, I have sent this email to the newspaper's publisher and its Editor, David Erdman.

Gentlemen,

I attend the meetings of several Lehigh Valley Townships for my blog and as a freelancer. These include Hanover and Bethlehem Townships, who are the spearheads in a constitutional challenge to Allentown's 130-acre Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ).

The Morning Call's Allentown property, 101 N. 6th Street, is located inside this NIZ. I am aware that you have been trying to rent out your first floor.

Last night, I was informed that NIZ developer J.B. Reilly has approached The Morning Call to purchase all or a portion of 101 N. 6th Street.

Can you confirm or deny whether you have participated in talks of any kind with Reilly or Allentown officials concerning your property?

State May Remove EIT Tax Grab From NIZ

Pawlowski's hole

State legislators plan to remove the most controversial aspect of Allentown's Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ), according to informed sources in Harrisburg. Diversion of EIT from surrounding townships will be stopped. This is part of a new Fiscal Code Update that will be introduced in the next few weeks, when Governor Corbett's final budget package is ready for a vote.

It's still under wraps and is unavailable for public review online.

Currently state law allows developers inside the 130-acre NIZ, like office building and hotel developer J.B. Reilly, to pay for improvements with state taxes. It also allows developers to divert all EIT revenue, even for workers who live outside the City. This tax grab has spawned litigation by nineteen municipalities and school districts, as well as the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.

Allentown has finally released figures - first promised to Townships in February - revealing how surrounding communities will be impacted by this diversion. Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski attempts to soften the blow by minimizing it. But Hanover Township Manager Jay Finnigan, after a meeting with Supervisors last night's meeting, stated that a $23,000 loss is significant in his Township.

"If it's $23,000, that means no salt on the road," he explained.

Pawlowski has guaranteed townships that their EIT revenue will be returned, but he also promised to produce the figures back in February. His failure to do so, as well as his general  lack of transparency over the entire NIZ fiasco, has diminished his credibility among Lehigh Valley communities.

Simply put, they just don't trust him.

And for good reason. While feigning conciliation, Pawlowski operative Sara Hailstone has been peppering several townships with multiple Right-to-Know requests that border on nuisance, asking for minutes and email addresses that are already online.

Against this background, state legislators are working on a Fiscal Code Update that simply removes the EIT tax grab from the NIZ enabling legislation. Senator Pat Browne, the Majority Whip who introduced the NIZ back in 2009, has reportedly agreed to go along with this change at the urging of Lehigh Valley state house members.

I will attempt to get confirmation from Senator Browne.

While this resolution does not fully address the concerns about special legislation for a closed class, or answer developer concerns about an uneven playing field, it goes a long way.

Tricia's Got A Gun

Tricia Mezzacappa failed in her bid for election last Fall to West Easton Borough Council. She failed again when she ran for GOP National Convention Delegate this Spring. Her numerous Right-to-Know requests are routinely rejected by the state office of Open Records.  Because of her disruptive and erratic behavior, Easton police must babysit her at West Easton Borough Council meetings. When she tried to get an ex parte injunction against me for supposed stalking, sexual assault and pig poisoning, she was thrown out of court in just one day. But now, she at least has a permit to carry a gun.

Pennsylvania is a "shall issue" state, meaning that anyone who applies for a permit to carry a concealed firearm must be approved, unless the Sheriff can prove the person is legally disqualified by virtue of a felony conviction, active Protection From Abuse Act Order or recent commitment.

Yesterday, Northampton County Sheriff Randy Miller informed Mezzacappa, "[Y]our license to carry a concealed firearm has been approved and you should be receiving it today or tomorrow."

Mezzacappa has celebrated by publishing a very bizarre video depicting scantily clad women holding and shooting guns, NRA emblems, Marines, herself, her pig and a coffin. The video ends with a picture of West Easton Borough's webpage.

Mezzacappa recently stated, "I may love to see a delicious hockey puck smash right through O'Haters mouth, and out the back of his skull.......wink, wink....joking, of course!"

It's very reassuring to know she was just joking.

And now she's packin'.

Updated 12:15 PM: Sheriff Miller asked to reconsider. - I have sent Sheriff Miller this email:

On 6/12/12, you emailed Tricia Mezzacappa to tell her that her LTC has been approved. I understand Pa. is a "shall issue" state and you have little discretion. But if it is not too late to deny this request, I ask that you do so.

Item 37 on a LTC permit application asks the applicant whether she would be likely to act in a manner that is dangerous to public safety. Mezzacappa has recently filed pleadings in my defamation action against her that indicate she would be dangerous if allowed to carry a concealed firearm. 

In this pleading, she states "I have had to seek medical attention to properly handle my anxiety, fear and stress. It is the opinion of my physician, that I must be sedated with medicines that are included on the Schedule of Class IV Controlled Substances , for all matters involving Bernie O'Hare, to quell the situational anxiety I have suffered at the hands of Mr. O'Hare. It is my opinion (as a Registered Nurse of 10 years), that due to the potency of this medication, I would be unfit to stand trial, or provide my own defense pro-se."

If she considers herself incompetent to stand trial, how can she consider herself competent to carry a concealed firearm?

I realize your discretion is very limited and it is probably too late to bring this matter to your attention. But I am concerned.

So are West Easton Borough officials. In response to what Mezzacappa must consider good news, she uploaded a troubling video to youtube yesterday. It features scantily clad women firing guns, along with a coffin and finishing with a reference to West Easton Borough web page. The lyrics are about some kid who has found his father's gun and "he's coming for you, yeah, he's coming for you."

Thank you for hearing my concerns. 

The Hanover Township Lumberjack

You wouldn't dream of pulling out one of your own teeth. You'd want a dentist for that ... or someone with a terrific upper cut.

Well, a Hanover Township resident was bothered that one of his trees was beginning to encroach on a neighbor's property. He recently decided to cut it down and remove it himself.

He approached it like a math problem.

He lashed the tree trunk to his SUV, figuring that would prevent the timber from falling on his neighbor's home. Then he propped a ladder on the other side, and shimmied up

He was happily sawing away at branches when his perch began to buckle.

Fortunately, Hanover's EMS Kris Mattson saw what was going on, and managed to stop this amateur lumberjack before he killed himself.

The tree has since been professionally removed.

I will withhold the property owner's name and address. But I'll give you this hint. He's a math teacher.

Altieri: Privatization of State Stores is "Crony Capitalism"

Leslie Altieri, who is Marcia Hahn's Democratic opponent for the state house, has blasted a bill to privatize Pennsylvania's state stores as "crony capitalism.” This will be debated on the House floor today.

Noting that state stores provide a steady revenue stream of $500 million per year, Altieri questions what will happen if they are privatized. "What will we do then? How will Corbett and his cronies make up for the revenue shortfall that we’ll be left with?”

According to Majority Leader Mike Turzai, who is spearheading the privatization drive, the state would realize a $1 billion windfall.

In addition to complaining that big box retailers like Wal-Mart will buy all the licenses, Altieri notes that 5,000 state store workers will lose their jobs, too.

Those are union jobs.

I have contacted State Rep. Marcia Hahn for her position on this issue.

Numerous factions are involved in this debate, from unions to beer distributors to bars to grocery stores. So even if this passes the state house, I think it is highly unlikely it will make it through the state senate.

An Allentown Flag Day Celebration

Allentown Flag Day Association

Allentown Flag Day Association to hold Flag raising ceremony & Concert featuring the Great Allentown Band in honor of Flag Day

Flag Raising Ceremony:

Date & Time:  Thursday, June 14th at 12:00 PM

Location:  Outside Allentown City Hall 435 Hamilton St Allentown Pa  18101

Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend and join in the raising of our Flag.

Allentown Flag Day Association Concert:

Date & Time:  Thursday, June 14th at 7:00 PM

Location:  West Park Band Shell

Rain Location: In the event of rain, the concert will be held in the William Allen High School Auditorium

Is Rabies a LV Problem This Summer?

According to The Bethlehem Police blog, "In the past few weeks, there have been reports of daylight sightings of foxes and other wild animals in Bethlehem and throughout the LehighValley."

I've seen nothing unusual in my daily walks and runs along the bike paths, except for those damn Canada Geese.

By the way, they don't get rabies. Only we mammals can be members of that club. Still, Canada Geese get very aggressive this time of year, and chase me all over the place. They are only protecting their cute little goslings. In another month, when those goslings become teenagers and start smoking weed, the Geese won't give a shit. They'll push the little brats right in front of me.

Several people have asked whether I already have rabies since I'm a real bad ass and do froth at the mouth. No worries. My head was cut off and sent in for testing last year.

The lab found absolutely nothing.

What are the signs of a rabid animal?

"The first sign of rabies is usually a change in an animal’s behavior. A rabid animal may become either abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people and become excited and irritable or appear friendly and affectionate. Adults should encourage children to immediately tell an adult if an animal has bitten them and to refrain from touching unfamiliar animals."

Summer Hoops in Allentown

Instead of playing baseball, my grandson decided to join AAU basketball this Summer. As much as I'd love to see him at second base or leading off this time of year, that's his call and I support it. He's so crazy about basketball that he actually takes shots in his sleep.

His AAU team, Lehigh Valley Heat, travels most weekends. He's playing some great teams in D.C., Philly, Baltimore and even Ohio. I'm unable to tag along to those games, as I can't really afford the hotel rooms.

Thankfully, he's playing in another league, too, and it's right in my price range.

$0.

On Monday and Wednesday nights, hundreds of Lehigh Valley kids descend upon Allentown's beautiful Cedar Beach and Alton Parks for summer hoops.

Dat's team ? "A-town Assault." Last night, they devoured a squad from Macungie, appropriately called the "Big Macs."

Is he learning anything? Beats me. But he's having fun. The kids have cool names and numbers on their Jerseys. Dat is "Who Dat?" Another young man is called "Cyphers." Isaiah Graves has a #3 backwards. And so on.

It's very cool. But when I'm running, and hear the sound of a bat hitting a ball, I still have to stop and watch, if only for a moment.

Court Strikes Blow For Right to Know

Last week, a sharply divided Commonwealth Court ruled, 4-3, that a Governor has no obligation to produce his daily schedule, at least to the extent that doing so would reveal "predecisional deliberations." Now, in yet another close one, this appellate court has struck a blow in favor of the public's right to know.

In an Opinion on behalf of a 4-judge Majority, Judge Leadbetter rules that a state agency cannot ignore a request for records simply because it fails to refer specifically to the Right-to-Know Law or comply with all the niceties. Written requests for records are Right-to-Know requests so long as they "identify the requested record and include the requester’s name and address." If there is some technical deficiency, "the open-records officer in the agency must so notify the requester of this fact so that the requester can resubmit the request."

In a strongly worded dissent, President Judge Pellegrini scoffs at Leadbetter's ruling. "Because the majority’s holding would make an unaddressed request written on the back of a brown paper bag and given to a PennDot plow driver by the side of the road on a snowy winter night a valid right-to-know law request, I respectfully dissent."

Judges Bernard McGinley and the Lehigh Valley's Renee Cohn Jubelirer join Pellegrini.

The Fake Rev: A Sore Winner

The Fake Rev with AFSCME union agent

Mario Martinez, the phony preacher who claims that Jesus speaks to him through his television set, is a very sore winner. In a weekend letter to the editor, he complains that the "slanted" Lehigh Valley media fails to give him enough "victorious headlines" concerning a referendum that stopped the sale of Northampton County's nursing home, Gracedale. In more demogagy, he complains that a  "biased media" refuses to cover a "possible scandal" involving the use of taxpayer money to help fund my lawsuit to stop the referendum.

Let's review just some of this nonexistent publicity, shall we?

3/14/11: Morning Call - "Did taxpayers fund Gracedale petition fight?"

3/16/11: WFMZ - "Attorney: Taxpayer Dollars Used To Challenge Gracedale Petition" (In this one, legal blowhard Larry Otter was demanding a criminal investigation and had us all in jail).

4/20/11: Morning Call - "Did taxpayers help fund a private Gracedale lawsuit?"

4/28/11: Express Times - "Attorney claims Bernie O'Hare, Ron Angle illegally used taxpayer money for Gracedale ballot fight"

4/28/11: Morning Call - "Gracedale petition attorney alleges illegal use of taxpayer money"

8/18/11: Morning Call - "Judge: Gracedale petitioners won't get legal fees"

9/22/11: Express Times - "Gracedale referendum attorney appealing loss of legal fees to commonwealth court"

3/8/12: Morning Call - "Gracedale group loses legal fees appeal"

The truth? For over a year, I have dealt with publicity that essentially calls me a thief. But every time that that the Mustached Minister has made this claim, he's been rebuffed. Currently, it's on some dusty desk in the Supreme Court, dying a slow death.

Having lost with the DA and the courts, Martinez has now decided to hound County Council into starting a witch hunt.  He's enlisted Controller Steve Barron to use taxpayer resources to help him, too.

That's OK. Jesus must have told him.

Martinez falsely claims that Otter's petition for attorney fees has nothing to do with Stoffa. That should be news to the County Exec. He had to hire and pay Attorney George Heitczman to represent him on this spurious claim.

Why Pols Should Have No Role in Funding the Press

As daily newspapers continue their decline, rocket scientists like Ezra Klein have actually argued that government should directly fund the news. What's good for the banking and automotive industry is good for the press. But seriously, would you really want some politician deciding how you get your news?  Unfortunately, it's already happening, as Noel Jones points out in her Easton Neighbors blog.

Noel's maintains a terrific hyper local blog that concentrates mostly on Easton's West Ward.  But her story is not about her own publication. It's about the West Word. That's published only three times a year. It's funded by the CACLV's West Ward Partnership Program, which in turn gets its money from both public and nonpublic sources.

It was up for a $9,750 renewal last week, and two elected Easton officials dropped by to complain about West Word. One of them is Mayor Sal Panto himself, who groused that, instead of reading about West Ward shootings, he wants to see more stories about girl scouts selling cookies.

Say what?

Panto still supported the funding.

The other Easton official? Mike Fleck. He's a City Council member, NIZ cheerleader, and political consultant to Democratic candidates and trade unions.

According to Noel, Fleck stated, "The primary objective of the paper is not to get the people thinking and discussing.”

In his case, I can see why.

Although The West Word was ultimately funded, I expect to see a lot more girl scout stories.