Cartwright Seeks Better Reporting and Transparency For Auto Fatalities

Under a 2000 law described as an early warning system, automakers are required to report traffic deaths and injuries so that possible defects can be spotted. But the law applies only if the automaker is sued or receives a written claim.

Congressman Matt Cartwight (Pa. 17th) has proposed a new law, the Early Warning Reporting System Improvement Act of 2014, to tighten up the reporting and

• Require automobile and equipment manufacturers to automatically submit the accident report or other documents that first alerted them to a fatality involving their vehicle or equipment to NHTSA’s Early Warning Reporting database. NHTSA is then required to automatically make those documents public unless they are exempted from public disclosure under FOIA.
• Require NHTSA to consider Early Warning Reporting information when it is investigating potential safety defects and when it is evaluating citizen petitions for automobile safety standards or enforcement actions.
• Require NHTSA to upgrade its online database to improve searchability, integrate its different databases so they can all be searched at once, and ensure that all documents obtained or created by NHTSA related to a safety incident are both made publicly available and keyword searchable in its databases.
• Require NHTSA to provide public, searchable notices of all inspection and investigation activities it undertakes.

Cartwright points to Kelly Ruddy of Scranton, who was only 21 years old when she lost her life in a deadly crash on Interstate 81. She was driving north a 2005 Chevy Cobalt. A faulty ignition switch was responsible for that and numerous other crashes and deaths across the nation. GM recalled 2.6 million vehicles, including 2005 Cobalts, earlier this year.

Similar legislation was been introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).

Easton Commuter Tax Hearing Delayed

A lawsuit challenging Easton's controversial and unpopular hearing tax, which was scheduled for 11 am today, has been delayed. Northampton County Solicitor Vic Scomillio is asking the Court to invalidate the tax because it applies different rules for nonresidents and residents and lacks uniformity. He is also seeking an injunction to stop collection.

Though no one stated why the matter has been delayed, it is probably because of another looming lawsuit. A group of County employees are filing their own suit, and as a matter of judicial economy, it makes sense to hear both together.

Big Oil's Message - Please Join Us

John Felmy is Big Oil's Chief Economist. He can tell you everything you need to know about the history of our oil-based economy. But he didn't start out being their financial czar. He's a Pennsylvania boy who was born in Williamsport, went to high school in Jersey Shore and ended up going to Penn State University with just $20 in his pocket. His interest in oil and the Lehigh Valley began during summers spent working with a repair crew on the Tidewater Oil Pipeline, He learned something about both the economy and oil in those early years, and was in town recently to speak to the Lehigh Valley Tea Party. He spared some time for a bottom-feeding blogger, too. "I'll speak to anybody," he admitted.

One of the first things he pointed out is that the Tidewater Oil Pipeline, which extends from northwestern Pa. to Bayonne, N.J., was built to break J.D. Rockefeller's grip on the railroads. You see, King Cole and rail used to be the main mode of transportation.

These days, it's impossible to deny the impact the oil industry has on the economy. Nearly 10 million Americans are employed in the oil and gas industry, which accounts for nearly 8% of our gross domestic product. Moreover, Big Oil is actually owned mostly by you and me. Tens of millions of Americans have IRAs and pension funds that are heavily invested in oil and gas.

But haven't we peaked? Not so, states Felmy. He notes that, over the years, there has always been a fear that we will soon run out. In the 1870s, when oil was used primarily for kerosene, the first big scare occurred. This was repeated again in the 1900s, when the first cars began appearing on highways. It happened again in the 1970s, when the long lines at fuel pumps resulted from price controls on oil that had already been produced.

The likelihood of a real oil shortage anytime soon is remote. The reason for that is twofold - technology and markets.

"Technology has changed everything, especially in Pennsylvania," Felmy assures. He notes that we now have the ability to drill in deep water, more than two miles under surface. In addition, it is now economical to draw oil from the Canadian Oil Sands, which will result in 170 billion barrels. Finally, he points to advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling that have made Pennsylvania the third largest producer of natural gas in the country.

Markets are better now, too,he claims. The market now dictates price. "If you don't allow the markets to set the price, that's when you run out of stuff because the price is set too low," he explains. He derided the windfall profit tax, which was finally repealed during the Reagan years. as a terrible idea that "decreased production, increased imports and destroyed jobs."

As an economist, he supports the PennEast pipeline, a proposed 110-mile long pipeline from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, going through parts of Northampton County. "Policy has to be robust, redundant and reliable," he argues."If you don't have enough natural gas where you use it, you lose opportunity. This gives people and business the benefit of a lower price."

Noting that Pennsylvania has one of the highest corporate income taxes in the country, he opposes a severance tax. "Before you move down this road, tell us we're not paying our fair share already." But he supports an impact fee as "something you clearly need. Communities are clearly impacted and should share in the revenue."

Felmy stressed that the notion that the oil industry receives tax subsidies as "sheer nonsense." He noted that, like any other business, they can deduct the cost of production.

The immediate problem facing Big Oil, states Felmy, is a lack of education. "In Washington, facts don't matter," he notes. "It's talking points," which leads to misconceptions. But there's an even bigger, long range problem. A lack of labor.

"People are retiring and we need to get people in and trained," he explained. There are good-paying jobs for welders, gauge readers and those who have acquired technical skills that are taught in our community colleges. It is possible for a person in his early 20s to make $100,000 per year in these jobs. And this has a ripple effect. In North Dakota, for example, where the oil industry is well-established, he saw a local McDonald's offering a $200 signing bonus because it is strapped for labor as a result of so many people working in the oil industry.

"Please join us," he concluded.

Brown, Allen Ignore Controller's Travel Expense Memo

Last Tuesday, Northampton County Controller Steve Barron, by memorandum, asked both Executive John Brown and Deputy Director of Administration Cathy Allen to reimburse the County approximately $1,500 for violating travel expense policy.He asked for $1,006.85 from Allen and sought another $528.64 from Brown. Both had overbilled the County for mileage. Allen had also charged a few meals. Barron asked for a reply or a sit-down within five days. He got neither.

As of the close of business yesterday, Barron informs me that his memo has been greeted with silence. In fact, the Executive has re-directed a county-owned car from Gracedale to Allen's Department of Administration.

Basically, they're daring him to take them on, instead of sitting down to discuss the matter like grown-ups.

Barron's Solicitor is currently considering a surcharge, which is the imposition of personal liability on public officials who negligently or willfully misuse the public purse. If he goes that route, Brown and Allen are on their own. They have no right to use the County's legal advisors in a matter of personal liability.

John Stoffa had to hire a private attorney when a group of taxpayers attempted unsuccessfully to surcharge him, Ron Angle and even me.

Susquehanna Bank To Donate 147,000 Meals to Food Banks

We usually think of the Bank as the Bad Guy. But Susquehanna Bank has pledged to donate 147,000 meals to food banks in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia as part of its #30DaysofThanks campaign.

The Lancaster County-based bank is donating 30 meals for each personal checking account opened in November, along with five meals for each like, share, retweet and comment on its 'Today I'm Thankful for' posts on Facebook and Twitter last month. During Thanksgiving week, Susquehanna doubled its donations to 60 and 10 meals, respectively.

Susquehanna has been involved in online campaigns to feed the hungry since 2010. It has donated more than 1.3 million meals to food banks through Tweet2Feed, MillionMeal Mission and #30DaysofThanks.

Food banks partnering with Susquehanna this year include: The Central PA Food Bank, Greater Berks (County) Food Bank, Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and NEPA, The Weinberg Food Bank, Maryland Food Bank, Mountaineer Food Bank (West Virginia), Community Food Bank of New Jersey - Southern Branch, and Food Bank of South Jersey.

Corrections Supervisor Vote Set For Thursday Night

On Thursday, Northampton County Council will vote on Franklin County Warden Daniel Keen's appointment to Arnie Matos' position as Director of Corrections. They have been provided little time to vet the candidate. Though John Brown has told Council he's been checked out by the Courts and Sheriff, that is Council's job.

Here are my questions for this $100,237 appointment.

• Does he have a college degree or not? (According to his resume, he has spent four years at Edinboro University and now is taking online classes at Bellevue and expects to have a B.S. in Criminal Justice by Spring, 2015)
• Why has he bounced around at so many different positions (six of them) in the prison industry since 2000?
• When did he tour the jail with Cathy Allen?
• Is he aware of the staffing shortage at the jail? What is his position on staffing needs?
• Did he make promises to reduce personnel and staffing in exchange for this appointment?
• Is he going to move his family, and if so, where? 

I agree that the Executive is entitled to great deference in his cabinet appointments. To me the deal breaker is a college degree. If he does not have one, and can't get one after what appears to be 6 1/2 years of effort, he should not be paid over $100,000.

Will Brown Veto Tax Hike?

Will Northampton County Executive John Brown veto the one-mill tax hike passed by five Council members on Thursday night? According to his PR consultant, Kim Plyler, he will make a decision on or before Thursday. If he does veto, six votes will be needed to over-ride him. That means Republicans will need a defection by one Democrat.

Dent Claims Torture Report Incendiary

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which must be awfully small, released what everyone is calling the torture report. Though former CIA directors have basted it as a factually flawed partisan rant, the report itself is disturbing. It might also be fairly stupid for an intelligence committee.

The main reason we're doing bombing runs in Syria and Iraq is because ISIS inflamed American passions with grisly videos of beheadings. yet the release of that report is bound to inflame many in the Middle East. It seems they don't need much provocation to start launching missiles into Israel or to commit far worse atrocities.

“Releasing this report at this time is not in America’s best interests,” is what Congressman Charlie Dent said last night. “This report is incendiary and its release will put American lives overseas at risk. Currently, U.S.-led forces are engaging ISIS forces. The release of the report could provide ISIS and other extremists groups an additional pretext to increase their gruesome practices that have included beheadings,” he notes.

Dent had previously requested Senator Diane Feinstein to hold off on releasing the report. But she let it rip anyway. Though i generally favor complete transparency, the lives of American soldiers trump that concern.

Our House, in the Middle of our Street

Sitting atop the Aaron Street hill, in the middle of the street, is what Dionely Hance and her two daughter can now call "our castle and our keep." Nestled among other homes in a quiet neighborhood with South Mountain as a back yard, it offers a spectacular view of the South Side, especially the casino. That home is there thanks to Habitat Lehigh Valley's Women Build program. The home was dedicated on Saturday, just in time for Christmas.

Hance and her two daughters - Eliany, age 6, and Xamaya, age 3 - will move into their first house, in the middle of the street, leaving behind an apartment whose only insulation was the termites. There were no closets in the bedroom, and she was unable to lock the windows at this street level dwelling.

How did this 2009 Freedom High School grad, who has worked since her graduation as a collections agent, pull it off?

Habitat Lehigh Valley's Women Build program managed to raise the $85,000 needed to build the house, Then they built it, Women who want to learn construction skills to build homes and communities and eliminate poverty, one house at a time, did it.

Hance, like all Habitat homeowners, was required to make a down payment and will pay back a no-interest mortgage.  She was also required to put in 250 hours of "sweat equity".

Habitat for Humanity's mission is to provide affordable housing for hardworking low-income families by giving a "hand up" instead of a "hand out."

Habitat Lehigh Valley has built more than 100 homes in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton since 1989 for families in need of simple, decent, affordable housing. For more information, go to www.HabitatLV.org or call 610-776-7737.

At the dedication, Women Build Committee members shared speeches and, more importantly, food. While happy people celebrated and ate, a quiet corner of the house was lit up by a small Christmas tree.

That house is now a home.

Franklin County Warden Named NorCo Corrections Director

Franklin County Warden Daniel Keen has been named Northampton County's new Director of Corrections. His name was submitted by Executive John Brown to County Council yesterday for confirmation. If five members of Council agree, his starting salary will be $100,237. According to Brown, "The Courts and the Sheriff have vetted Mr. Keen."

As the Warden of Franklin County jail, located in Chambersburg, Keen oversees a 474-bed facility. He has been there since May 2011. He began as a corrections officer in Clinton County in 2000, and since that time, has been employed at five different prison facilities, including a 1 1/2 year stint doing inspections of county jails for the state.

A Lock Haven high school graduate, he has either completed or is still working on a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Bellevue University, which appears to be an accredited online institution.  

He comes highly recommended by wardens at Clinton, Cambria and Pike Counties.

Allentown's Educational Failure

You may know Jose Rosado as Fountain Hill's Mayor.  But like many other involved in local government, he's an educator. But that's an almost impossible task if you work for the Allentown School District. Aside from the usual challenges presented by an underfunded school district, with around 90% of its 17,500 students under the poverty guidelines, a good educator has to deal with an arrogant and insular administration. Jose was up to the challenge, and stood up to the arrogance. It has cost him his job. He hasn't seen a paycheck since July. He and his wife had to move into a smaller home. He's trying to get his job back, but that depends on how much control Allentown administrators have over the school board.

Allentown's schools have some real problems. They expel an average of three students per day. Only 62% of its students ever graduate. About 50% of its 8th grade students are illiterate. Less than 40% are proficient in basic math. Some of its students score in the single digits on proficiency tests. It only spends $5,800 per student, the lowest of any school district in the Lehigh Valley. Yet, according to Rev. Gregory Edwards, an educational specialist who also serves as the Senior Pastor in downtown Allentown's Resurrected Life Church,it has a top-heavy administration,one of the largest in the state. Between 15-20 scattered throughout 23 buildings make over $100,000 per year. "Where else can you do that?" he asks. "Sign me up."

Noting Allentown's abysmal return on investment, Edwards likens the abuse of resources at Allentown to "giving the captain of the Titanic a tugboat." It's an insular environment, not intent on educating, but on protecting their own. That's how Rosado got in trouble.

Allentown, like many other school districts, has a very strong teachers' union. Their President, Debbie Tretter, helps teachers to get rid of kids they don't like. The answer is to send them to the problem school, the school for troublemakers, the place I'd be in if I were an Allentown student. The disruptive student.

Technically, it's called the "Alternative Education Program," at two different buildings. Rosado was the Principal. He began noticing some strange things. nearly all of the students sent over, by mostly white teachers, happened to be black or Hispanic. He objected to their automatic placement at his school because it violated state regulations that required these students be provided with due process.

Superintendent Russel Mayo, with his Virginia drawl, ordered Rosado to take all transfers, regardless whether these students had been afforded their right. Rosado did so, but also blew the whistle with the state department of Education. They conducted an audit, and from that alone, determined there were eight violations.

Rosado's school for problem students also has a detention room ,and gets a lot of business there from children who need a day or two to think about things. It's great for teachers who don't like their job, too.  Some would report all of their students to him for a day in his "Refocus Room." That way they got a day off with pay.

Rosado complained about these teachers to whom he thought ws a person who could take action. She turned out to be a mole for the King, Spry firm, which represents Allentown schools.

Then Mayo and another Administrator, David Wildonger, in an effort to save costs, told Rosado to wink his eye when they classified students with emotional disabilities as "disruptive students".Rosado refused because there is a separate program for those children. He was suspended

Today, Rosado will be railroaded at a hearing before a lawyer who already is paid by the school district to perform other matters. He will undoubtedly recommend that Rosado be fired.

And the performance scores will continue to drop.

Brown Rewards Allen For Mileage Abuse With County Car

Just last week, Controller Steve Barron sent Executive John Brown and Deputy Director of Administration Cathy Allen a memo, requesting that that they reimburse the Northampton County for about $1,500 in unjustified travel and meal expenses. He asked for a reply within five days, which I believe is today.

Brown has already responded. Not with his checkbook or a memo. Instead, he has provided Allen with a County car. It's a 2012 or 2013 Ford Taurus, and it comes from Gracedale's fleet.

Gracedale does maintain a fleet of vehicles to (1) take residents on little day trips; (2) provide social work services; and (3) to pick up employees during snow emergencies. But Gracedale Administrator "D" Freeman does not like to see his budget tagged with the cost, and reportedly asked to reduce his fleet.

One vehicle is going to voter registration, although i understand it needs about $4,000 worth of repairs. Another, a minivan, is going to archives, so that office can shuffle records back and forth. The best vehicle, a relatively new Ford Taurus, is going to Allen.

NorCo Did Not Seek Gap Insurance Until October

In late October, when Executive John Brown finally decided to offer gap insurance to the Northampton County workforce, he stated that "Cathy Allen's been working on this since July." This was an attempt on his part to make it look as though he and Allen were trying to do the right thing for employees all along. That's nice, but it appears that his statement is untrue.

I have filed a Right-to-Know for all emails exchanged between the County and cost control consultant C3, relating to the health plan being offered to employees. The County has refused to produce any of the 141 emails, claiming they are all exempt. At my request, the Office of Open Records ordered the County to produce them all for an in camera inspection by the hearing officer. What this means is that the hearing officer will examine them in private, and then rule.

Though the County initially considered refusing to obey this order, it finally decided to do so on Friday. Accompanying the emails is an index, describing each one. That index was sent to me.

Her July emails show her discussing "strategy" on the changes being made, which I translate to mean how best to break the bad news to the County employees.

There are no discussions concerning gap insurance at all until October 14. By this time, it had become very clear that the health plan reductions were universally unpopular among employees, and they were appearing at meetings in large numbers. Allen did not work herself, merely serving as a pass through. She provided C3 with an employee roster so that the cost consultant could get quotes for gap insurance. She got an answer from C3 on October 30, and that's when brown made his announcement to Council.

It is also pretty clear that neither Brown nor Allen was very familiar with gap insurance. C3 had to send an instructional video on November 3, after Brown had described it to Council.

So when Brown told Council that Allen had been working on gap insurance since July, he misled them. She had been working on the matter for only two weeks. I'll assume that he was trying to be honest and did not intentionally mislead Council, but he did mislead them. Also, he explained gap insurance without a real understanding of it.

Morganelli Updates Investigation Into Police Shooting

Following a police chase that started in Palmer Township and went through several municipalities, Richard Scheuerman III died on October 24. The mentally disturbed Wilson Borough resident may have killed himself with a folding knife found lodged in his neck. He may have succumbed to six police shots fired when he attempted to back his truck off a phone pole and possibly into the path of police officers. Two officers, one from Easton and the other from Palmer Township, have been placed on administrative leave. Pennsylvania State Police are conducting the investigation.

This evening, NorCo Distract Attorney John Morganelli updated the public on the status of the investigation, which appears to be nearly complete:

Today I met with investigators from the Pennsylvania State Police as well as Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek . Also present was Dr. Hua, the forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy on Mr. Schuermann. The meeting lasted 2 1/2 hours and included an oral report from investigators as to the statements of all relevant witnesses, an oral report from Dr. Hua, and a Power Point presentation that included audio and video of the police pursuit, crash and subsequent events. Still photos were also reviewed.

Upon conclusion of the briefing, I requested that police obtain 2 additional pieces of information that I believe is necessary for a complete investigation. I expect to have that in the next few days. In addition, I need the coroner to officially certify the cause and manner of death. I believe the coroner is now in a position to do that also within the next few days. Lastly, I have asked PSP to provide to me ASAP all reports, statements, etc., in writing so I may evaluate that information directly rather than merely relying on oral summaries provided by investigators.

I also placed a phone call today to Attorney Josh Karoly, counsel for the Scheuermann family, It is my understanding that he conducted his own investigation and I want to give him an opportunity, if he chooses, to share any information he may have developed with me so that I am sure all relevant information that is out there is considered. Although I believe PSP has provided me with all the relevant information, I welcome any additional information that Mr. Karoly may have uncovered or developed.

The events as they unfolded involved seconds and minutes. In fairness to the police officer and to the victim's family, there should be no rush to judgement . Now that the investigation has been largely completed, I need time to make the right decision. At the present time, I have not ruled out the use of a grand jury, or even a referral to the OAG as the best course to assure that the ultimate decision on the use of deadly force is objective, unbiased and transparent.

No further inquiries will be entertained until all of the above is completed.

McClure Asks Brown to Veto Tax Hike

Lamont McClure calls on NorCo Executive John Brown to "stand with the Minority Democrats and veto the increased tax rate. We stand for the proposition that the elderly couple in Allen Township struggling to stay in their home, owing to crippling increases in real estate property taxes, should keep us awake at night. We stand with the folks in Williams Township, who are trying to figure out how to put their kids through college and deal with their own burgeoning property tax burden." He adds, "[I]f you do not veto the tax increase, it becomes your tax increase."

Brown's lack of leadership in this matter has already resulted in Republicans proposing a tax hike on their own. But it is not veto-proof. Should Brown hang them out to dry even further, they will have to count on one Democrat to vote to over-ride.

It won't be McClure.

Basketball Fever

I spent most of this weekend goofing off, watching basketball instead of writing.

I first met Cole when he was a little kid, not much bigger than the basketball he was carrying. He made sure he always had one when his big brother Grant was practicing. During breaks, he would run out onto the court and try to sink a few. This weekend, I got to see him in action as the starting point guard for Notre Dame's B Team of 6th, 7th and 8th graders. As a 6th grader, he can dribble with both hands, is working on a crossover and had some amazing shots.

I'm speaking of Cole Hershman, one of Lou Hershman's grandsons. he calls them Colonel Cole and General Grant. Grant, who is in high school with my grandson, has been playing varsity baseball as a 9th grader. Cole is good at baseball, too, I'm told, but he's a baller.

Notre Dame went down to St. Jane's, but never let up. In two years, Colonel Cole is going to be scary on a basketball court.

That wasn't enough basketball for me.

After the Notre Dame, I went to the Yasso-Rothrock Christmas City Classic invitational. Scranton Prep, a nationally ranked team, only defeated Becahi's girls team 34-30 under new coach Jose Medina.

Liberty took the sting out of the Emmaus Green Hornets, who even wear green shoes. Emmaus was playing without David and Matt Kachelries, twin brothers who are out with injuries, and lost the game 63-57. Liberty is going to have a good season. Over 50 kids went out for the freshman team alone, and 30 had to be cut.

Freedom rallied from a 6-point first half deficit to school Riverside, 64-55. They looked very good on the court.

Parkland dominated smaller Bethlehem Catholic 74-46, in an exhibition game. Some players are ineligible for play because they need more practice under PIAA rules. What makes Parkland so dominant is not its size, but the ability of its players to sink 3-pointers at will. Despite the score, I loved the game. It was my first opportunity to see my grandson Dat, a Freshman, playing varsity.He only played a few minutes and scored no points, but I was very proud to see him hold his own.

Beca's regular season starts on Tuesday night against Dieruff.

Here's my question. Why do basketball coaches always wear ties, and often jackets, to basketball games?

NAACP, Clergy & Police Chief All Pray For Justice

Barack Obama is the nation's first black President, but maintains that the racial divide in this county is "deeply rooted." A recent Bloomsberg Politics poll bears him out. According to the study, 89% of black Americans strongly disagree with a Ferguson, Missouri grand jury report that refused to charge a white police officer with killing an unarmed black teenager. Yet 64% of white Americans believe it was the right call. Some NFL football players now come onto the gridiron with their hands raised. But in the Christmas City, a tiny spark of hope was ignited on Sunday. The NAACP and mostly black preachers joined hands with blacks and whites, including Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio, to pray for peace and justice.

This prayer vigil, held at Bethlehem's Payrow Plaza, was organized by the Grand Dame of racial equality, Bethlehem NAACP President Esther Lee. She led a group of about sixty people, and ticked off several recent examples besides Ferguson. These include 12 year old Tamir Rice, who was shot and killed by police after pranking people in a Cleveland park with an airsoft toy gun. They include 43 year-old Eric Garner, who was placed in a fatal chokehold by New York police for selling illegal cigarettes. They include 17 year old Trayvon Martin, shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer after going to the store for skittles and ice tea. hat these victims all have in common is the color of their skin.

On one extreme is Esther Lee, who rhetorically asks whether it is "the intention of our system to eliminate black males and our culture through genocide?" On the other side are anonymous police officers at Police One, an internet site for police officers, who have made racist remarks like the following about Garner. "I guess it's the best thing for his tribe. He probably never worked a legit job."

Somewhere in the middle is everyone else, including Chief DiLuzio.

"I've known Esther for years," the Chief said of the always-outspoken Lee. "I know her commitment to the City and the people who live her." He then pointed to a young man running with a sign that says "Pray for Peace and Justice." "I think that's what everyone wants," he said, before holding hands with a black woman standing beside him during prayer.

Esther Lee and Bethlehem Police chief Mark DiLuzio

He defended police officers. "All they want to do is their job and come home to their family like everyone else. But he agreed that something's wrong. "We need to figure out what the hell went wrong and discuss it." He believes there are numerous issues, from poverty to a lack of education.

"We need to be honest," he concluded.

Wearing a black "Man of God" baseball hat, Second Baptist Church Pastor Edward Thompson spoke of Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit, a song about lynchings in the deep South, called "Strange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees."

But he asked God to "bless the policeman. Help him understand young people. Help us to stop killing one another."

coolest hat ever

Rev. Paul Watson, who grew up in Bethlehem bit is Senior Pastor at New Christian Harvest Church in Whitehall, who brought several young men with him, directed some remarks to Chief DiLuzio.

"We will not tolerate injustice in our cities by excessive force from police officers," he declaimed. "We cannot allow things like that to happen. We don't want it here." But then he implored the crowd to "police your own children. Ask your kids the questions. Are thy being bullied? Are they doing their homework?"

"I don't know why people are afraid of black folk," stated Lee as the vigil ended. "It's worse now than ever."

Republicans Blame Barron For Tax Hike

Seth Vaughn: J'accuse"

For the third time in four years, Controller Steve Barron is in the doghouse with Northampton County Council.

In 2010, he was caught on tape, accompanying a bunch of union organizers, to give the strong arm at T-Mobile's Allentown call center. He identified himself as the Northampton County Controller, but a company VP still refused to meet him. Barron responded with this threat.

"Please remind him that if he needs anything from Northampton or Lehigh County, we're going to remember this day and we'll make sure that it will be part of the negotiations."

Council condemned his remarks by formal resolution. T-Mobile eventually left the Lehigh Valley, taking 600 jobs with them.

Mat Benol does not want Barron sharing info with press

Last year, Barron was called on the carpet again. This time, he was caught by yours truly, teaching two classes three days a week, during the middle of the day. He spent twelve hours every week, including commuting time, away from the courthouse, at a time when most employees have access to the county's purse strings. This was a violation of the Home Rule Charter requirement that he be a full-time Controller.

He resigned his teaching position the next day, and Council took no action.

Now Barron is in hot water again. This time, it's mostly for doing his job.

Barron has had a contentious relationship with Executive John Brown. Barron sued over Brown's public relations contract with Sahl Communications. He also has been critical of other no-bid contracts and has questioned what real savings will be realized by Brown's unilateral decision to reduce health benefits. Just earlier this week, he called on both the Executive and Deputy Director of Administration to reimburse the County about $1,500 in what appear to be inappropriate travel expenses. He has also established an online fraud tip center for employees.

He has made some remarks in mass emails to employees that are unprofessional.

Barron called "political hack"

The Executive removed the fraud tip report form, and even blocked Barron's access to mass email, but restored both when it was pointed out that Barron is an independently elected official, not a County employee who is accountable to the Executive.    

After Council adopted its budget last night, Republicans launched an attack.

Mat Benol was the lead off hitter, "I'm not a fan of receiving emails that include the media on it,." he complained, preferring government in the dark. "I don't think that your position warrants you crying 'Wolf!' every other week."

Ken Kraft asked Benol,"Was that a campaign speech? Are you running for Controller?"

Seth Vaughn followed Benol with an interrogation.  "I won't hold you up too much," he sarcastically stated. "I know you're very busy."

Vaughn correctly took Barron to task for some unprofessional comments in his mass emails, which would be more appropriate here. In one email, Barron refers to Brown as "Dear Leader" That actually is a name coined by yours truly. Vaughn claimed that Barron also told employees that the Brown administration is an "ignorant administration which delivers needless beatings to the employees of Northampton County."

Vaughn pointed out that Barron's comments are a violation of the County's electronic resource policy, though that is unenforceable against Barron as an independently elected official

"We don't pay you for your opinion," thundered a visibly angry Vaughn. "We pay you to be a nonpartisan office."

Actually, Council is not the boss of him!

Then Vaughn blamed Barron for the tax hike.

"Your lack of oversight has led to this conversation about us having a tax increase. You've been sitting here for seven years, and you've watched this fund balance go down."

"You're a political hack," Vaughn concluded, much the same way that Barron concluded that Brown is Dear Leader.

The #3 hitter was Hayden Phillips. He read a resolution about 20 pages long, calling on Barron to resign and move to Easton. He did stop short of calling Barron an illegal alien

Glenn Geissinger suggested the matter be tabled, especially since he was aware that ailing Peg Ferraro, who had participated in the budget process by phone, had already hung up.

"I don't want to table," stated Phillips.

Then Lamont McClure explained. "He wants to table it. He thinks his numbers are better [if he waits for Peg]. He can count."

And tabled it was, with McClure and Kraft voting No.

Barron has not made Brown look bad, which is what really is bothering Republican council members. The person who makes John Brown look bad is John Brown.

John Brown has been the Democrats' best friend. And because of his lack of leadership and unwillingness to face reality, Republican Council members will take the heat for a tax hike while he can say, "It wasn't me." With friends like that ...

NorCo Approves One Mill Tax Hike

Hayden Phillips and Phil Lauer

Along straight party lines, Northampton County Council has approved a one mill tax hike for next year at their December 4 meeting. Instead of the Democrats, the party usually associated with taxes, it was Republicans who supported the increase. They did so even though Executive John Brown, who happens to be a Republican himself, had proposed no increase. In fact, conservative member Hayden Phillips had originally sought a two mill tax hike, but that measure failed in a 6-3 vote. Only Peg Ferraro and Glenn Geissinger joined him. But when he quickly lowered his request to just one mill, Seth Vaughn and Mat Benol joined him. Democrats Lamont McClure, Ken Kraft, Bob Werner and Scott Parsons all voted No.

What does this tax hike mean? For the average Northampton County home, which is assessed at $58,800, it means a $693.84 County tax bill. That's an increase of $58.80 over the the current tax bill of $635.04.

What prompted Republicans to propose the tax hike? Concerns over the depleted rainy day fund. Fiscal Affairs Director Jim Hunter has predicted that the County reserves will be down to just $1 million by the end of next year. The County spends between $8-10 million per month.

This news caused a sleepless night for Phillips, who is concerned about the County having no funds for an emergency.  Part of his proposed tax hike would place that mill of extra taxes into the rainy day fund, which is technically called the stabilization fund. Phillips added that he would propose a new ordinance to "beef up" the requirements for dipping into that lockbox.

Lamont McClure scoffed at the notion of a tax hike "that can't be used for anything," But Geissinger, who was chairing the meeting while an ill Peg Ferraro tried to participate from home by phone, explained that the intent is to make sure that Council approves any future spending done from that fund.

Referring to Phillips' sleepless night, Lamont McClure stated that what keeps him up at night "is the elderly lady in Northampton, who's trying to stay in her house." He added, You want to raise taxes, and don't want to give me the parameters for what can and can't be done. You realize your stabilization fund could probably be raided by the Executive if he needs to."

Glenn Geissinger was uncharacteristically blunt. "We have sat and watched over $40 million get pissed away." He also added that he wants to make sure money is there to make payroll.

In addition to approving the tax hike, Council also adopted the revised budget that Executive Brown had submitted, but not before considering five amendments, four of which were adopted.

Tourism grants increases. - These are funded by hotel tax revenue, and not real estate taxes, and may only be applied to projects that enhance tourism. Ken Kraft proposed $25,000 for docents at The Historic Bethlehem Partnership. Peg Ferraro sought $30,000 for Easton's State Theatre. This passed 8-1, with only Hayden Phillips opposed. Noting all of Easton's fiscal problems, Phillips complained that Easton has adopted a resolution supporting driver's licenses for illegal aliens. Quoting from remarks by District Attorney John Morganelli, Phillips complained that granting licenses to illegal aliens places Yemeni terrorists and gang members on the same legal footing as law abiding citizens. "Easton is in a hole, it's dug it's own hole,and it's still digging," he remarked. "Don't pull us down." Though Ken Kraft noted that Easton and the State Theatre are not quite the same thing, Phillips called his vote a "protest vote."

Open Space funding restored. - Though John Brown gutted open space in his proposed budget, Scott Parsons proposed restoring $750,000 for farmland preservation as well as $400,000 for environmentally sensitive land purchases. Instead of using rel estate tax revenue, Parsons suggested dipping into $2.9 million in table games revenue. Solicitor Phil Lauer ruled that table games money can be used for any project "in the public interest." Hayden Phillips,an opponent of open space funding, was the sole No.vote.

Elimination of Deputy Director of Administration Position, $93,500. - This measure, proposed by Lamont McClure, was aimed at Deputy Director of Administration Cathy Allen. Her travel expenses were recently flagged by Controller Steve Barron. he has called on her to reimburse the County $1,006.85. Brown, whose travel expenses are also under attack, defended Allen, claiming it "wasn't an intentionality." He called the attack at her a "political jab" and stated he "wold love to have ten more Cathy Allens." This amendment failed in a straight-party, 5-4 vote.

Reducing Administration Budget, $150,000. - Over the past year, Council and Brown have sparred over his penchant to use consultants, including a controversial $75,500 contract with public relations consultant Sahl Communications and $58,000 for a series of contracts with cost control consultant C3. Lamont McClure proposed "breaking this culture of consultant cronyism" by making it more difficult for the Executive to negotiate these contracts without Council approval. This amendment passed in a 5-4 vote. It was supported by all four democrats and Hayden Phillips.

Reducing Inmate Treatment Program, $750,000. - Former Executive John Stoffa, a proponent of rehabilitation, had long advocated for rehabilitation of inmates at the County jail, arguing that programs that treat inmates reduce the rate at which they re-offend. But a performance audit performed by the Controller revealed that the jail is still a revolving door for 51% of the people treated in these programs.  McClure recommended scrapping the program, arguing that it was time to come up with another treatment plan. Executive Brown argued against this cut, stating that Council was "artificially handcuffing" departments that need time to do it right. Council voted to eliminate the funding anyway, in a 6-3 vote, with only Ferraro, Benol and Geissinger siding with continuing the treatment program.

After considering all amendements, Council voted to adopt the $340 million budget, as amended. Only Lamont McClure and Ken Kraft voted No.

Blogger's Note Updated 12/5, 1:25 am

NorCo Sues To Stop Easton Commuter Tax

Easton's commuter tax, which was raised from 1.75% to 1.95% last week, has been challenged in the first of what is expected to be two challenges. Northampton County filed suit toady, and a separate taxpayer suit is imminent.

The County lawsuit, filed by Solicitor Victor Scomillio, challenges the law as a violation of the uniformity and equal protection clauses in both the Pennsylvania and United States Constitution. This is because the commuter tax "imposes a higher tax rate for nonresidents."

Scomillio is seeking injunctive relief, and at a December 11 hearing, will ask the Court to order Easton to stop withholding or implementing the tax, pending a full resolution.

The Express Times quotes Easton Mayor Sal Panto as sniping at Count Councilman Ken Kraft and Controller Steve Barron, who have urged the County to stop withholding the tax now. "[Y]ou don't have the right to just violate the law," Panto argues. But if his commuter tax is illegal, then he's the one who's actually violating the law. Moreover, Panto should blame all members of Council because they have unanimously adopted a resolution urging Executive John Brown to stop collecting this disputed tax.

In 2012, Panto attempted to interject race into the issue. "There needs to be some sort of revenue sharing in those lily-white suburbs,” he said at Easton Eccentric.