Sierra Club Says NO to Allentown Water Sale

Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky, who has followed the possible privatization of Allentown's water supply, has published a Sierra Club news release opposed to the proposal.  The Sierra Club warns that, in addition to doubling the water rates, a private owner will exploit the watershed.

But King Edwin has spoken, and his little rubber stamps must listen.

NorCo First Ass't Public Defender Under Ethical Cloud

A prominent Slate Belt Attorney, who has served as Solicitor to Northampton County Council and is currently its First Assistant Public Defender, may himself need a lawyer. Bangor Attorney Anthony J. Martino is no longer associated with the Martino and Karasek law firm. That might be the least of his concerns.

Reliable sources tell me that Martino may have been taking money from the law firm's till, without letting his partners know. He also has been accused of "borrowing" some of his clients' money, without their permission. He has reportedly denied these accusations.

Martino was first admitted to practice in 1986, and has no record of any disciplinary action. Although the Disciplinary Board still lists his office at the Martino, Karasek and Martino law firm, a drive by the office reveals that his name has been removed.

A Sweet Old Lady's Prayer

This story was sent to me by a friend who will remain anonymous. I know he's a lying bastard because he never goes to church.

A sweet little old lady was sitting next to me in Church on Sunday, quietly praying.

“Dear Lord, this has been a tough two or three years. You have taken my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze; my favorite musician, Michael Jackson; my favorite salesman, Billy Mays; my favorite actress, Elizabeth Taylor; my favorite singer, Whitney Houston; and now, my favorite announcer, Dick Clark.

"I just wanted you to know that my favorite Blogger is 'Bernie O'Hare.'"

Are You Ready For Some Football??

The Bethlehem Steelers hosted their inner-City rival, the Raiders, last night, in an exciting scrimmage. The kids from both teams had a blast, while parents and coaches were screaming themselves hoarse. During a break in the action, I went for a bottle of water at the snackstand. There, a huddle of young ladies was evaluating the talent on the field, right down to names and numbers. Including my grandson! I pretended not to notice. I wonder who's on their first team.

Dat, #3, is playing QB this year. Thomas "the train" Murphy, has moved on, and is a name you'll be hearing soon.

Simmons: Voters Should Have More Say Over Government Debt

Charlie Dent commends Simmons

It's amazing what you can learn during, of all things, a pig roast. I crashed one on Saturday. I invaded Living Memorial Park in Coopersburg, where State Rep. Justin Simmons was having a fundraiser.

I learned two things.

First and foremost, Justin Simmons is for real. He may be a freshman legislator, but has managed to get more accomplished in his first term than Bob Casey has done in six years as a U.S. Senator.

Simmons, incidentally, is the LV legislator who broke the legislative logjam that resulted in a serious dispute between Allentown and surrounding municipalities over the diversion of their local taxes to fund a hockey arena. His common-sense solution was to listen to these municipalities and remove the local tax grab. For that alone, he deserves re-election.

But Simmons, unlike most legislators, has actually been legislating, too!

I'm not talking about yet another resolution naming some park or post office after Harry Trexler. I'm talking real, honest-to-goodness, legislation. Pig roast stuff. Topics like giving voters more say over government borrowing. If a municipality actually wants to increase its debt limit, shouldn't voters have the final say? Especially in a home rule municipality?

Former Lehigh County Comm'r Dean Browning thinks so. Before leaving office, he wanted to enact precisely that kind of legislation. But a state law, known as the Debt Act, prevented him. So Browning turned to the kid.

Simmons actually managed to push a bill through the House, where it passed by a vote of 186-2. It will give home rule voters a say.

One of those No votes comes from lameduck Jennifer Mann.

Although the Senate will only meet for nine days in September, Simmons has been assured that they'll approve the bill next month.

So what's the second thing I learned?

We put too much milk in everything, even frickin' pigs. I was unable to eat anything but the baked beans, the sliced tomatoes and pickles. On the bright side, I had a methane-fueled bike ride back to Nazareth.

The Birds

You just never know what (or who) you might run into along the Palmer Bike Path.

I was riding today with a buddy who cruises at about 18 mph, while I have to pedal my ass off. But then we left the roads and hit the Palmer bike path. This is unfamiliar territory to my friend, so he let me take the lead, and I practically road us into what you see above.

Fortunately, someone had chalked a warning sign right in front of it or we never would have known that tree was there.

What knocked it over?

Woodpeckers.

Those little bastards have spent what must have been years, pecking little holes into the damn tree, just hoping it would fall over and kill someone. They must have very hard peckers.

Don't believe me? Well, here's Exhibit A.

My friend, an engineer, insisted on using logic. He refused to blame the damned pecker heads. But the only thing a damn engineer is good for is fixing a flat tire. He obviously never watched any Alfred Hitchcock movies.

Latest Image From Curiosity on Mars

This was emailed to me, so it must be true.

Commuter Tax: Where Were the Public Sector Unions?

Northampton County Council adopted a resolution opposing Easton's commuter Tax. Executive John Stoffa, who understands Easton's fiscal dilemma, visited City Council and made a pitch for his workforce. But on Wednesday night, Easton adopted a commuter tax that will take effect next year. It's 0.75% of your income.

That's $225, for a worker who earns $30,000 per year.

Some County workers tell me that, even with union raises scheduled to go into effect next year, they will actually be getting less money than they do now.

And that brings me to this question - Where the hell were the public sector unions during this debate?? Since this tax has no impact on their dues, I guess it didn't matter to them.

This is just one reason why I say they're all useless.

Now, should the County add a small increase to all salaries, say 0.75%? Its workforce had nothing to do with Easton's pension woes.  Yet they are being forced to pay for a problem that can only be solved at a state level.

When former Executive Reibman froze wages for three years and laid people off, three unions suddenly became eleven unions. Now, in addition to lengthy contract delays and state cutbacks that threaten even more jobs, nonresidents will see their meager incomes reduced further.

If Council and the Executive were to work on some way to get these sums back in the pockets of people who deserve them, that would certainly go a long way to restoring morale. It might even make some workers wonder why they need a union.

A Kinder, Gentler Musikfest 2012

That's what Bethlehem police report ... so far. I rode through it on Main Street on Wednesday afternoon, and it did seem more mellow this year for some reason. Maybe because nobody has any frickin' money.

The police blog, incidentally, is a real public service.

Nature Dave Wanted Attention, And He Got It!

When David "Nature Dave" Gorczynski walked into two downtown Easton banks, dressed in black, with a sign saying "You're being robbed," all he wanted was attention. That's what he told police when they apprehended him in a Bank of America parking lot on August 6. He succeeded. He was charged with two counts of attempted robbery, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. He was also jailed briefly, until he posted bail.

But that's not the kind of attention Gorczynski wanted. He was instead protesting bank policies, as evidenced by another sign that said, "Give a man a gun, he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob a country."

At a August 8 news conference, Northampton County District Attorney announced that, after reviewing all the evidence compiled by Easton police, he has directed them to withdraw the attempted robbery charges. Both he and police agree that Gorczynski never intended to commit robbery. But the terroristic threat and disorderly conduct charges will stand. According to Morganelli, the bank protester's conduct instilled real fear in bank employees and customers. The prosecutor added that "Nature Dave" should consider himself lucky that no one with a concealed weapon permit reacted.

In his years as the District Attorney, Morganelli has garnered a reputation as a First Amendment purist. In 2004, he dismissed trespassing charges brought against anti-war activists who distributed fliers at the Palmer Post Office on tax day, questioning defense spending. In 2007, Morganelli dismissed Flag Code charges brought against a libertarian who hoisted the American flag, upside down, to protest the federal government. Most recently, the DA refused to prosecute a blogger who had made threatening online comments about a judge.

But even Morganelli, with his expansive view of the First Amendment, believes Gorczynski crossed the line.

"'You're being robbed' is not a political statement," noted Morganelli. "It is a direct statement that brought real fear to employees and [bank] customers."

The DA stated that Gorczynski's conduct was equivalent to yelling "Fire!" in a crowded movie theatre. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes first used that analogy as an example of speech that has no protection under the First Amendment.

"These days people are shooting up movie theatres, churches and other public places," said Morganelli, concluding that Gorczynski had acted with "reckless disregard," creating "the kind of psychological harm that the Terroristic threat Statute was meant to discourage."

Although the terroristic threat charges are felonies, Morganelli doubts he will seek jail time and might even consider a special program for first offenders, in which charges are dismissed after a successful period of probation.

Laini Abraham, author and publisher of "Laini's Little Pocket Guides," attended the news conference, claiming she was a "witness" and that Easton police had threatened her with arrest, too. Morganelli quickly established that she was in neither bank with Gorczynski. He told Abraham that police were clearing a crime scene and acted properly in asking her to leave.

Blogger's Note: DA John Morganelli's complete statement.

Just Call Me Kreskin

Bill Hansell

On July 30, I told you that Lehigh County Commissioners would eventually name Bill Hansell as the interim Executive to replace Don Cunningham. Damn if that isn't exactly what happened last night.

Proof again that a broken clock is right at least twice a day.

I'd like to give myself a pat on the back, but I have a confession. This analysis was provided by a friend who'd prefer to remain anonymous

Bi-County Public Health Department Dead

Just one year ago, Lehigh County Commissioners supported Bi-County Public Health. But now, with a 7-person Republican majority, it has been taken off life support. It was a 6-2 vote last night. The dissenters were Republican Percy Dougherty and Democrat David Jones, both of whom have steadfastly supported a regional public health department. Express Times' Colin McEvoy has the details.

Bethlehem Steelers Prepare For First Scrimmage

Steelers hydrate during a hot practice.

Though it was about 180 degrees in the shade, several hundred kids in heavy pads and helmets spent a few hours running themselves ragged and hitting each other yesterday. Under the careful supervision at least fifty coaches, one of whom swallowed his whistle, these boys and men engaged in the organized insanity we all know and love as football.

This is Dat's last year with the Steelers. During a break in yesterday's festivities, he and Kyle are taking some big gulps. I just hope it's not Budweiser.

Dat and Kyle have played football and baseball together for several years. I think they might be the team's quarterbacks.

I've seen their line. I sure hope they can run backwards.

Their first scrimmage, incredibly, is Monday night. I think they're playing Penn State.

How I Know I'm a Bottom Feeder

Northampton County DA John Morganelli summoned me to his office today. I thought it was another arrest warrant and brought rubber underwear, but it turns out he invited me to a news conference. NBC, WFMZ, Express Times, Morning Call, AOL Patch and ... moi. I felt very important until the news conference started.

Morganelli: "I'd like to thank members of the press for coming to today's news conference. You too, Bernie."

Everybody's a comedian.

Q & A With Bethlehem Tp Manager Howard Kutzler

Howard Kutzler

You won't see his name mentioned too often in the newspapers, and that's the way Bethlehem Township Manager Howard Kutzler likes it. Like many of his counterparts in local government, this 47 year-old father of two is happiest when he's working behind the scenes. He's a Konkrete Kid, having graduated from Northampton High School. He's also a West Virginia University Mountaineer.

Q. How did you get interested in local government? - It started in 8th grade, when I was a basket attendant at the pool. I've been interested ever since. My grandfather was Northampton's Mayor, and my Dad was a police officer. I became a volunteer firefighter when I turned 16 and an EMS tech at age 18.

Q. What is it about Township government that appeals to you? - It has more of a hometown feel. Almost everybody knows each other.

Q. What do you consider the biggest challenge facing Township government? - Providing high quality service at a low price. That is the challenge. Residents expect that, and rightly so, but trying to keep costs down is always a big challenge.

Q. How many people work for Bethlehem Township, and what do they do? - Roughly 80 full-time staff and 100 part-timers, most of them at the Community Center. We provide police protection, public works, code enforcement, parks and recreation, finance and, of course, the physical plant. Although our EMS and volunteer firefighters are not technically employees, they are just as much a part of the Township family.

Q. Do you feel that Bethlehem Township is becoming more urban? Is that a good thing? - I'd say it's more suburbanized. It has definitely changed since 1980, when the population was only 8,000. Now it's 24,000. What's important to remember is that the township is in an area recommended for higher intensity development. We have the water, the sewer, the roadways, the infrastructure.

Q. In your 13 years with the Township, with two of them as Manager, what do you consider your biggest success? - I'd say that would be revamping the Planning and Zoning departments to make them more user friendly. Also, making do with less. We've added no staff since 2008, but do our best to give residents quality service.

State Rep. Candidate Kevin Deely Using Kids For Cash

Kevin Deely is the Easton Area High School teacher who was asked to leave a conference at Gettysburg College in 2009. A security guard was beckoned to Deely's room, which he was sharing with two other teachers, by the pungent aroma of marijuana. The guard could hear the toilet flush, over and over, as he waited for the door to open When it finally did, the poor guy was nearly knocked over by a cloud of Acapulco gold.

Now do I think Deely was bootin' the bong? Heaven forbid! I'm sure it was all just a terrible misunderstanding. After all, Deely was at the time President of the teachers' union. As a union boss, he's known for rejecting federal funding when it was tied to teacher performance. We can't have that. Last Spring, he organized a rally when school administrators balked at an average 12.57% average raise for teachers.

Between 2009 and this year, Easton teachers saw average raises of $20,000-25,000, more than many of us make.

Now he's running for State Representative against incumbent Justin Simmons in the 131st District. Unable to raise money for his campaign, he's become a modern-day Fagin. He's actually sending kids out, armed with cans, to pick up dough for his warchest.

That's what Deely did on August 2, when he opened up his campaign offices.  Naturally, it's at the UAW Local 677 building in Allentown.

What is he, the frickin' Miracle League?

Amazingly, he did this right under the noses of union bosses, local Dem party bigwigs, gay rights advocate Adrian Shanker, State Rep candidates Mike Schossberg and Leslie Altieri, and Congressional candidate Rick Daugherty.

What were they thinking?

Not one of them bothered to remind Deely that campaign finance laws require him to account for every penny received, even if it is under $50 and obtained from people who think they're donating to the March of Dimes.

I wonder if any of them had anything to say about our child labor laws being too strict.

These are Democrats?

Putting laws aside, sending kids out to collect cash for a political campaign is tacky.

Updated 11:30 AM: I have decided to remove a picture of the three boys holding "Deely" cans from this blog because they are not the issue, and there is no reason to draw attention to them in an negative way. The candidate who promoted this activity should be the focus.

Updated 8:30 PM: I decided to remove the picture of Mike Schlossberg, too

Bethlehem Township Comm'rs Do Some Trash Talkin'

Comm'r Felix Barnard listens to trash talk

During the dog days of Summer, when temperatures soar, the alluring aroma of garbage beckons. That's when municipalities with several trash haulers, like Bethlehem Township, wonder whether they would be better off with just one. Township Commissioners considered that option during a hot July in 1999 and 2008. And at their August 6 meeting, they dabbled in a bit of trash talkin' yet again.

Freshman Commissioner Marty Zawarski made the case for the single hauler. He argued that there would be fewer trucks and less of an impact on Township roads. He reasoned that deadly CO2 emissions would be reduced. In a state known as "the Saudi Arabia of natural gas," the Township could even require trash haulers to use trucks powered by natural gas instead of diesel fuel. He pointed out that it might cheaper, too. In Hanover Township, for example, which uses a single hauler, the bill is about half what he pays.

Zawarski also pointed out that at least 25% of the trash in his apartment complex comes from outsiders, where he periodically pulls out envelopes addressed to nonresidents.

"You are treading on a subject that will be very, very controversial," warned long-time Commissioner Tom Nolan. A little more bluntly, Commissioner Mike Hudak asked, "Why do we want to open up this hornet's nest again?" Even more bluntly, President Paul Weiss asked, "It doesn't seem to be broken. Why should we try to fix it?"

Hudak added he's heard no complaints from any residents, and told Zawarski that a single hauler would put many small haulers, including some Township residents, out of business.

Manager Howard Kutzler added that, if the Township decided on a single hauler, he'd need additional staff for the billing and operational concerns. "We are not ramped up to be in the trash hauling business," he advised, although he acknowledged that it does present an opportunity for more revenue at a time when real estate taxes are flat.

President Weiss stated he'd ask Palmer Township about its recent experience to use a single hauler, and report back to Commissioners. But Nolan stressed that, at this point, "the issue is not on the table for any action."

One issue that was on the table, however, was an architectural and engineering study for the Township's 50,000 sq. ft. Community Center, built in 2006. Numerous HVAC issues have plagued the Center. "The building is used quite hard, almost every day of the year," advised Manger Kutzler, who received and reviewed proposals from nine different companies.

According to Commissioner Hudak, the "humidity issues in that building are just horrendous. We need to do something right away." Instead of interviewing the top proposals, Hudak suggested that the Board dispense with a "dog and pony show" and hire First Architects to undertake the study.

Commissioners are expected to vote on a contract engaging First Architects at their August 20 meeting.

In a final item of business, Manager Kutzler told Commissioners that FEMA has completed its flood plain analysis for Nancy Run Creek, which will impact some properties along Sunset Drive. The township will notify these affected owners that FEMA now considers those properties flood-prone.

Bethlehem Township Swears In a New Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteer Firefighter John Halleman IV

At a time in which it's getting increasingly more difficult to find volunteers, Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Co. has added a new firefighter to its rolls. At the August 6 Commissioners' meeting, the first thing president Paul Weiss did was administer the oath to John Halleman IV, age 32.

A 1997 Notre Dame High School graduate, Halleman's interest in firefighting was sparked by a distant relative. He and his wife, April, have been married a year and have just moved into the Township.

First formed by Civil Defense wardens in 1946, Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company expanded last year with a new wing for a fleet that includes two pumpers, six advanced life support ambulances and a Medic 1 truck.

But with the expansion, there's some parking problems along the south side of Hamilton Street. Vehicles parked along that street, between Cypress and 8th Streets, are making it difficult to get equipment in and out of the bays. "It creates a safety issued, Township manager Howard Kutzler told Commissioners.

So in addition to swearing in a new volunteer, Commissioners unanimously agreed to advertise a new ordinance that will ban parking along that portion of Hamilton Street.

Beware the Bogeyman

When Garrett Reid's drug and alcohol abuse finally landed him in jail, he told the sentencing judge that he did not "want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD’d and just faded into oblivion.” That might be precisely what has just happened, with word of his death in a Lehigh dorm room on Sunday morning.

When we think of "The Alcoholic," our mind's eye conjures up images of some unshaven derelict, staggering down the street in a tattered raincoat with a bottle in a paper bag. When we imagine "The Druggie," it's usually some walking corpse with track marks all over the place.

The bogeyman. Zombies.

In truth, it's me. It's Garrett Reid. It might even be you. But the stigma associated with this disease is still so strong that people are terrified of voluntary rehab centers, especially located near a high school or park.

Now I don't know what the hell an alkie or druggie is supposed to do to a high school kid. Eat his brains? Bethlehem residents, most of them very bright, were scared to death of Abe Atiyeh's proposed treatment center at Center and Dewberry.

I know their fear was very real, but it was also very irrational. And now they're carousing with a bunch of drunks and druggies at Musikfest, the very people who might have been helped by a Malvern in the Lehigh Valley. They certainly aren't helped in prison. Garret Reid could tell you that.

If he were alive.

The Greatest of All Olympians

King Gustav: "You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world."

Jim Thorpe: "Thanks, King."

Although he was surpassed by other Olympians two decades later, Jim Thorpe still inspires. His life represents what is great, and what is sad, about each of us.

Photo credit: My thanks to Hanover Township Manager Jay Finnigan, who allowed me to use this picture.