The Prime Minister Finds Such Utterances Utterly Inappropriate

At Newsworks yesterday, I learned that PennSound is compiling an online audio archive. It's a fascinating dive into literature, in which Robert Frost and other poets and authors recite their work.Though this is primarily a local political blog, I find the work here highly instructive.

Those in government, at all levels, love to play with the "bigness of their littleness," as e.e. cummings once remarked. That's highly evident in this year's presidential race, where we have all, myself included, been pretty much full of shit.

I was stuck my one artist, Jaap Blonk, who captures this perfectly. His Prime Minister, is worth a listen, not a read.

Courthouse Parking Deck Repairs Start Saturday

A much needed facelift for Northampton County's 290-space parking deck is scheduled to start this Saturday. Public Works Director Stan Rugis told Council yesterday that it will be an "accelerated" construction, meaning that contractors will work weekends and holidays, with an estimated construction period of 60 days. Work will be done in four phases, in which no more than 50 or 60 spots will be lost at any one time.

First built in 1975, the deck had an estimated life of 35 to 40 years. County Executive John Stoffa was able to add a few years to its life with a $1.7 million repair job in 2010. But there was also a $513,767 cost overrun Worse, defects like cracking, misaligned joints and defective overhead patches eventually led to litigation in 2012.

While everyone sued everyone, water began leaking onto cars, depositing a salt that is difficult to remove. Falling pieces of concrete have been damaging cars, too.

Mat Benol suggested the County place "Park at your own risk" signs throughout the lot and use Lehigh and Lafayette engineering students to solve this problem. Executive John Brown decided instead to fix the deck.

The county allocated $1 million for repairs, but the bid came in at under $500,000. Rugis predicts that the repairs will extend the life of the deck by 10-15 years.

Council will be asked tonight to approve a $25,600 increase in the contract with Timothy Haas for additional work that Rugis wants completed in a stairwell and along the sidewalk.

Allentown Now Has 221-Man Police Force

William Allen High School basketball coach Doug Snyder was honored by Allentown City Council last night with the Watson Skinner award, named after a prominent former City Council member and educator. He played hoops at William Allen High School himself, after which he went on to play for Princeton, where he was coached by the legendary Pete Carril.

After graduating, Snyder coached basketball at Princeton High School until he was able to return to William Allen, where he has achieved three district titles in his coaching career. Snyder stated that Skinner was actually his guidance counselor. "That man loved words, loved speech and loved language," he said.

Allen's basketball squad should be exciting this year, but will still lose to Central.

City Council also voted last night to hire two new police officers, bringing the strength level to 221. Chief Keith Morris stated that the force will be fully staffed once he has 222 officers. There are only seven or eight females, he said. "I really think that we need more females," observed Cynthia Mota, who nevertheless complimented the Chief. "I see you everywhere," she remarked.

Council also fielded several complaints from members of the public.

David Keschl, president of a local crime watch and small business owner, complained about "fly-by-night” businesses, and said one was operating at that very moment at 751 South Filmore, selling washers and dryers. His wife has notified Allentown officials several times, but nothing is being done. "They don't pay taxes, they don't have permits or anything," he complained."They're down there right now. They have four washers and dryers to sell." They've been there three months. "That's one long yard sale, joked Keschl.

"You can't set up shop on a corner street," remarked Council Prez Ray O'Connell.

Daryl Hendricks said he'd make it a point to go by there himself.

His dryer is on the fritz.  

O'Connell said he'd be there, too. 

He needs a washing machine. 

Tenant advocate Kenneth Heffentraeger said that's nothing. At Linden and American Parkway, he claims an illegal business has been operating for months. He has also called on Mayor Edwin Pawlowski to resign over numerous lies and five broken promises to walk the 8th and 10th wards. "Nothing has happened outside the NIZ. He let the downtown disintegrate and become a hell hole."

Julio Guridy said he'd walk it. Hendricks added that he’s asked to go along on walks and has been ignored.

Rev. Daniel Blount complained about conditions at Valania Park on Union Street. "Do all lives matter?"he asked. He noted that parks in other areas of the City have nice playgrounds and restrooms, while the 50 kids at "the little community that the blacks have" use port-a-johns. "I want the same thing for us," he said. 

"I agree with you," answered O'Connell, not just for the black community "but the community in general." Cynthia Mota noted that park improvements are planned, but behind other projects. "It's high time we stop being last on the list," responded Blount. 

"If we can improve the quality of life for the kids and the community that attend that park, we want to do so," promised O'Connell. 

"I know where you live," joked Rev. Blount. "I know where you hang out, too," O'Connell responded.

Louis Hershman complained that a five year capital plan, which must be produced by the Mayor, has yet to be produced. He suggested that Pawlowski might not want the public to see it. 

Allentown Tables Lost and Stolen Gun Ordinance

The Lehigh Valley Tea Party, or at least about 10 of them, invaded Allentown City Council last night. They were there to oppose Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski's attempt to reinstate a City ordinance that would require gun owners to report stolen or lost guns within 48 hours, or suffer sanctions. He was absent from the meeting himself, but a memo submitted in advance of the meeting argued that "[i]t is critical that the elected leaders of Pennsylvania’s third largest city demonstrate its commitment to curbing gun violence." The memo called this law a "priority" matter. Well, it's a priority matter that was tabled. Indefinitely.

Tom Campione, Chair of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party, called on Council to "stop bullying lawful gun owners," claiming it criminalizes lawful gun owners who themselves are victims of theft. He also argued that this bill is pre-empted by the Uniform Firearms Act, which gives state government the sole arbiter of firearms laws.

Campione could have stayed home. In fact, he probably hurt his cause. He had people cart in signs, which are OK at Trump rallies but are not permitted in City Council chambers. Roger MacLean, Allentown's former police chief, also made it clear that he resented being called a bully, especially since he was not on Council the first time this ordinance was adopted. But he also noted that Council has opinions from an assistant City Solicitor and DA Jim Martin, advising Council to reject the ordinance. So MacLean moved to table the ordinance.

"As far as I'm concerned, it can be tabled permanently," he said, to tea party applause.

Candida Affa, herself a gun owner, supports the bill. "I believe that our country is going downhill, and a lot of it has to do with [fire]arms." So she is willing to follow Fed Ed in defiance of her own Solicitor and the DA.

Daryl Hendricks, a former Allentown cop, prefers to follow the advice of the DA and City lawyers over that of someone who himself is the subject of a criminal investigation.

Henricks and MacLean voted to table over Affa's objection, and that ends the matter.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto has also vowed to introduce a similar law.

Blogger's Note: This report is based on a video of the meeting.

Bethlehem Officials Take Reservoir Break-In Seriously

Steve Antalics, an analytical chemist at Lehigh University, is also a regular at Bethlehem meetings. From a recent meeting of the Bethlehem Authority, he learned that on August 10, Bethlehem police reported that there had been a break-in at the reservoirs near the Bethlehem Star on South Mountain, which consist of two million gallon tanks. Water and Sewer Director Ed Boscola told the Authority he was unable to state when the trespass had actually occurred.

Antalics reported this information to City Council at their August 16 meeting. He questioned how this break-in could have occurred without being detected. He noted that since the motive is unknown, City officials have to consider all possibilities, from simple vandalism to a possible terrorism. Though the scientist agreed that the probability of terror might be low, he added that "the possibility is 100%."

Looking at what he called a "worst case scenario," Antalics speculated that Bethlehem's name might by itself make it a target. Though Bethlehem has a lab that tests water quality, Antalics stated that agents can be introduced into a water supply at low concentrations "that can do a lot of damage."

"They should have been detected before they got 100' from the building," declared Antalics, who said the sole security measure is a chain across the road.

Another Bethlehem regular, statistical economist Bill Scheirer agreed that Bethlehem is a "vulnerable, soft target" with "symbolic value."

Do Bethlehem officials share these concerns?

In a word, yes.

Boscola said he agrees with the concerns raised by Antalics and Scheirer, though all water facilities have some degree of security. He admitted no cameras are in place at the South Mountain facility because access is difficult. In addition to notifying both Bethlehem and Lower Saucon police, Boscola said the City will be "beefing up" security measures. "It may involve cameras. It may involve beefed up access controls." Though Boscola claimed that it is difficult to break into these tanks, he said there are some "weak spots" that require attention. He indicated a risk assessment analysis was done following 9/11. Though he said that poisoning a water supply is low risk, "any water system has its weak spots. ... We take security breaches seriously."

Police Chief Mark DiLuzio added that there is a "multi-agency" investigation under way.

Brotherly Love

Callahan brothers in younger years

Former Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, now in the private sector, was at last night's City Council meeting. He was there in case any questions popped up concerning the Bethlehem Armory sale to Peron Development (Read about it here.) He could have stayed home. Everyone loves it. But his brother Bryan recused himself because, as he said himself, "I have a possible conflict with my older-looking brother."

"Just for that, I'm staying for public comment," Callahan whispered to Steve Antalics.

Antalics' public comment included an argument with Council Prez Willie Reynolds after he went on beyond his allotted five minutes. Willie let him go about seven minutes before trying to suggest that Steve had made his point.

After Antalics sat down, Callahan accused him of "going soft. You were much tougher than that when I was there," he chided the chemist.

Callahan got up to speak, and Reynolds told him his name and address was needed. Instead of insulting his brother, Callahan complimented Mayor Bob Donchez over a free bike sharing program that Bethlehem will soon launch from the library and Cutter's Bike Shop. "It makes the City better," he said.

Bethlehem Tp Delays Brodhead Rd Project

Though everyone agrees that Bethlehem Township's Brodhead Road is in dire need of repairs, Commissioners, but they have balked at the $3.9 million re-paving pricetag. Township officials had hoped that the state would award a $2.7 million grant for this needed project, but without explanation, the Commonwealth Financing Agency has declined to fund any more than $200,000. Township Engineer Brian Billman advised that design costs would be $48,000.

Township Commissioners were slated to adopt a resolution at their August 15 meeting, giving Dillman a green light to proceed with permitting and design. They also proposed a resolution directing Manager Melissa Shafer to approach businesses along the road, seeking voluntary contributions for the repairs.

But when push came to shove, Commissioners decided to continue doing what they've been doing all along - nothing.  

Both matters were tabled 4-0 (Pat Breslin was absent). Tom Nolan worried that directing Shafer to approach businesses would "put her on the spot." And the resolution authorizing a design was tabled without discussion.

Bethlehem Township Reapportions Its Four Wards

Bethlehem Township Commissioners voted 4-0 (Pat Breslin was absent) at their August 15 meeting to advertise an ordinance to reapportion its four wards as required by state law. This reapportionment will have no impact on November's election.  It will take effect next year.

Township Manager Melissa Shafer said a map of the four wards will be made available online once the changes are made by the county elections office.

Unexplained Break-In at Bethlehem Reservoir

Bethlehem's reservoirs serve over 115,000 people in 11 different municipalities, including Bethlehem. A break-in at one of them has resident Steve Antalics concerned. At the August meeting of Bethlehem Authority, City Engineer Ed Boscola reported the trespass. He is unable to state why someone would want to break in, and acknowledged that there are no security cameras in place to monitor activity. Antalics believes that the City needs to take measures to protect its vulnerable water supply, and will ask the City to investigate this matter tonight.

Threats to municipal water supplies fall under the jurisdiction of the FBI.

Nazareth Resident Plugs a Few Stockertown Homes

Morganelli and Officer Schwab

Nazareth resident Timothy Frey, age 61, was charged yesterday with shooting up a Stockertown home while target shooting in June at the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club. Shooting a weapon into an occupied home is a  third degree felony with a maximum penalty of seven years and a $15,000 fine.He's also been charged with two counts of recklessly endangering another person, a second degree misdemeanor carrying a maximum sentence of  two years and a $5,000 fine. Magisterial District Judge John Capobianco set bail at $25,000, unsecured, and a preliminary hearing has been set for September 6.

These charges stem from a complaint first made from David Gava on June 21, who claimed that a 9mm caliber bullet had hit his home. That was followed by a second complaint from Stephanie Branning, who told police that the previous day, a stray 9mm round had hit her garbage cans.

Stockertown Police Officer Eric Schwab, along with County Detective Gerard  Walsh, began an investigation and noticed numerous 9mm rounds at the gun club, along with a live round. Thanks to a security camera installed by the gun club after a previous investigation, investigators reviewed footage revealing that someone, later identified as Frey, was shooting outside of the designated shooting area. He also appeared to be bump-firing his ASR rifle, which simulates automatic fire.

Forensic testing by the Pennsylvania State Police reveal that the rounds found at the Gava and Branning homes came from Frey's rifle.  

Frey has also been banned from the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club. Morganelli commended the club for installing the security camera, which led police to Frey. He also complimented the thorough police work from Officer Schwab and Detective Walsh, and recognized the investigative journalism done previously by formerWFMZ reporter Hillary Lane.

Erratum: It's Nathan Jones, Not Nathan Hale

Yesterday, I made two factual errors in a story about Green Pond Marsh. First, the hearing before the Planning Commission is set for August 22, and not August 29, as I reported. Second, Bethlehem Township's Planning may have only one life to give for his township, but his name is Nathan Jones.I incorrectly called him Nathan Hale.

I'm reading Ron Chernow's Hamilton, and Nathan Hale is featured.

But only briefly.

Jones Mayoral Bid: "Building an Arena Cannot Save a City"

David Jones running for Mayor

When Lehigh County Comm'r David Jones announced his Allentown Mayoral plans yesterday outside of City Hall, he had company. Sure, about 20 friends and family members were on hand, but that's to be expected. Also just a few feet away was none other than Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. He was singing along in a few raga chaturangs, of all things, with a second crowd of about 50 people who were celebrating Indian Independence Day. Ravi Shankar, he ain't. He kept glancing over at Jones and I said, "Why don't you take a picture? It will last longer." So he did! But he was pretending to be interested in Indian heritage, so he was snapping pics of the ceremony, which seemed to involve every single one of that country's 1.25 billion people.

Pawlowski was really looking forward to saying a few words, but they kept passing him over. They must have heard about his power points. Even the police chief was called before Fed Ed.

In addition to Fed Ed, three Republicans came to watch Dave's announcement. Lehigh County GOP Mentat Dean Browning was there, along with Controller Glenn Eckhart (not exactly a Mentat) and Comm'r Mike Schware (thinks he's a mentat). "We're here to observe," explained Browning.

Instead of being frazzled by these distractions, Jones charged forward. He ignored Pawlowski and invited the GOP to join him. "There's room for Republicans," he joked.

Jones is a preacher. He's a Pastor at New Vision Church, but is an Old Time Religion speaker used to pausing for an occasional "Amen." But instead of that, he got periodic applause.

Fed Ed

"I'm running on behalf of those who heard the words and promises of progress, but haven't felt that progress in their own lives or in the parts of the city that they live in. I'm ready to fight to prove that progress includes every person in the City of Allentown. I'm running because the trust and confidence that city government works for everyone equally, has been broken, and our city desperately needs healing. I'm running because I believe that the cloud that has hovered over the City must be lifted, and the need for open, honest, transparent leadership has never been greater. I'm running because this is a crucial time in the City of Allentown."

While Fed Ed was a few feet away, looking for a tabla so he could demonstrate his percussion proficiency, Jones said that Allentown should build on all of its assets instead of looking for "silver bullet" solutions. Jones said that Allentown needs to improve all of its neighborhoods, "not just certain select areas."

"My principles are simple: integrity, honesty, transparency and collaboration with the people of Allentown."

Unlike Chicago transplant Fed Ed, Jones pointed out that he grew up on nearby Penn St and is a proud Dieruff Huskie. He grew up in the Cumberland Gardens Projects. That's where he met Karen, his wife of 31 years. Together, they raised five children.

"Allentown is my home," he flatly said.

In the meantime, Fed Ed pulled out a sitar and started plucking away.

These girls were all wired.

In addition to being a clergyman, Jones has over 20 years of experience in the private and nonprofit sector. As a veteran Lehigh County Commissioner with ten years of experience, he pointed out that he deals with $400 million budgets, which is four times the size of Allentown's. He noted Lehigh County maintains a $25 million cash reserve along with a pension fund that is nearly fully funded.

Much of the reason for that is Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller. The rest would be the Republicans who were watching Jones.

He acknowledged this partnership of Democrats and Republicans, too.

"I've been a uniter, working across the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, to facilitate good, sensible government by bringing balanced solutions to the county's challenges."

Jones said the first thing he'd do as Mayor is commission a forensic audit. He added that he would focus on "the heart of the City. Building an arena cannot save a city. A city is its people. Her people make up the heartbeat and thriving pulse of the city."

After his announcement, Jones called on Fed Ed to resign.

"In my three campaigns, I have never received a formal endorsement from the Mayor, nor one campaign contribution. ... I have been standing on my own."

I wanted to stay and sell one of old cell phones to Fed Ed, but it was awful hot and he was busy patting down a woman in a sari, convinced that she was wired.

"I know there's a wire in there somewhere," he muttered.

Trump Call For Polling Police Is Illegal in Pa

On the stump in Altoona on Friday, GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump said the only way he can lose Pennsylvania is if there is "cheating," so "[w]e have to call up law enforcement. And we have to have the sheriffs and the police chiefs and everybody watching." But guess what? Law enforcement at the polls is illegal in Pennsylvania.

Under state election law, a police officer is required to stay at least 100' away from the polls unless he is there to cast his own vote, is serving a warrant, or his presence is specifically requested by elections officials to preserve the peace. Any closer than 100' is considered voter intimidation and the officer himself can be charged with a misdemeanor offense.

So Trump is actually calling on police to break the law.

Security at the polling place is provided by a constable. If he or she is unable to handle a situation, then and only then may an elections official request police.

Bethlehem Should Waive Pool Fees in Hot Weather

I am by no means a fan of Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. But if he does nothing else,he does one thing right. He waives pool fees on unbearably hot Summer days

On July 23, a Bethlehem resident asked Mayor Bob Donchez to follow suit. He failed to answer for three weeks, and then said, "It is something I have asked Director Persa to consider for next year."

Last time I checked, Bob Donchez is Mayor, not Director Persa. He certainly has the authority to waive these fee, which would certainly be appreciated by Bethlehem's less wealthy residents. The ones most likely to engage in disturbances during hot weather.

I have high regard for Mayor Donchez and his personal integrity, but this is poor leadership.

David Jones To Run For Allentown Mayor

Jones with then Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan

David Jones, a pastor and three-term Lehigh County Commissioner, will announce his candidacy for Allentown Mayor at high noon today. He'll do so from outside City Hall, putting him in range for any water balloons that incumbent Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski may want to launch.

Jones, a Democrat, was first appointed a Lehigh County Commissioner in 2008. He is the first person of colorto be either elected or appointed in Lehigh County. At that time, he was Executive Administrator at the 2,300-member Life Church (Allentown, PA), where he managed a multi-million dollar budget and supervised a staff of forty. Currently, he is the Pastor at New Vision Church and Executive Director for the Lehigh Valley My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. he also sits on several boards.

In a statement, Jones states he plans to "rebuild the trust" in open and transparent government. That's interesting considering that Jones is one of the persons who spoke on Fed Ed's behalf when he kicked off his now suspended campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Sam Bennett, who has run for both Mayor and Congress and now operates a Bed and Breakfast, has previously announced her candidacy.

Allentown School Director Charlie Thiel, a Republican-turned-Democrat whose computer company may very well be a City vendor, is also reportedly interested. City Council members Julio Guridy and Daryl Hendricks may also want the job.

And of course, King Edwin will tell anyone who will listen to him that he's running. After all, he needs lots of campaign contributions so he can pay his criminal defense lawyers. ... And his wife's criminal defense lawyers.

One name not being mentioned is Magisterial District Judge Michael D'Amore. He'd have to resign to run. In fact, he'd have to resign to circulate.

Unlike Jones, Thiel or Bennett, he really has been a thorn in Fed Ed's side.

Green Pond Marsh Back on Drawing Board

Traditions of America (TOA), the developer proposing an active senior community next to an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area known as Green Pond Marsh, has been silent since February, but that's about to change. According to Planning Director Nathan Hale's Jones' monthly report, TOA has asked to be added to the August 22 Planning Commission agenda "to present and seek possible action from the Board." This signals that TOA has a formal plan.

In January, Green Pond Golf Course lawyer Graham Simmons warned that, unless the TOA plan is approved, the entire golf course will be developed.

Updated 10:40 pm: In the original version of this story, I had the wrong date for the PC. I also referred to Nathan Jones as Nathan Hale.

Opinions Online, 8/13/16

Blogger's Note: Opinions Online is a regular Saturday feature. If you'd like to express your opinion on any topic, click on the Opinions Online button on my left sidebar. You can also call 385-325-2564. In addition to these submissions, I sometimes highlight comments from throughout the week and re-publish them here. Please keep your comments brief, if possible.

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To Vietnam Veteran re Capt. Kahn. Even though Trump blames his death on Obama and Clinton, Kahn died in 2004, four years before Obama was elected. It's unfortunate that Trump's lies take hold with so little checking.

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Bernie sanders run a independent campaign would split the dem vote jst like R. Nader did and Trump would win. Bernie knew that. Really that's politics 101.

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It appears that Sen. Browne has again taken action to benefit the city of Allentown and his wife's employer. Is there any hope that the people of the neglected suburbs will vote the bastard out?

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The 412 widening project is thankfully within range of completion. However, the timing of the lights at Lynn Ave and Emery Street are awful. Way too frequent and lengthy greens for the traffic coming onto 412. Leads to big backups on northbound 412. Sounds about right since I've never seen a Penndot vehicle on that project. And when are they ( city?) doing to do something with the Lynn Ave bridge? Just let it sit there and rot?

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It's become apparent that Express Times/ LVL has upgraded the security of the LVL site after receiving dirt cheap rent from the Savior of Easton, known as Mulligan, the heir to the throne after the Switlyk rennaissance. Numerous attempts with different ISP's, names, email addresses have banished me forever from the LVL kingdom. However, I still abhor Mezzacrazy, manslab, Panto, and people who are still stuckineaston. PS- Ed From Jersey is a homo, ask Roger!

Blogger's Reply: I don't know Ed or Roger, nor do I give a shit about their sexual orientation.

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You only get better, you offered sports and now the comics. Keep up the good work.

G. John Bryant, Jr.

Blogger's Reply: John, I am sure many disagree.

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The Columbus statute in Easton should come down. Any thoughts?

Blogger's Reply: He was a monster who deserves no respect. Read The People's History of the United States or this HuffPo article. Unfortunately, many Italian Americans will misinterpret an attack at Columbus as an attack on their ethnicity. I would much rather honor the Italian American immigrant than Columbus.

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Every single day Hillary and her minions in the media find new krap to throw at trump to distract the voters from Hillary

But then, what else can they do? Shay can't tout any of her accomplishments, and in her "economic speech" she recycled Obama's promises from 2008 as her "economic plan"

Hint Democrats, not everyone is road-worker. We don't all lift shovels doing manual labor and pour concrete.

Exec Brown Diverts Civil Fund For Online Records

Though Northampton County has a $330 million budget, most of the money is restricted. It's spoken for, and can only be spent on certain things. Property tax revenues can be spent for anything, but that's less than a third of the revenue coming in. Most of the rest of the money comes from the federal and state governments for designated human services, from child abuse to Gracedale. You don't spend that money on something else, and if you do, a bad audit will be the least of your worries. Yet it appears that is precisely what Executive John Brown has done. He is dipping into a special piggy bank set up for the County's beleaguered and short-staffed Civil Division, and is spending it on two other departments, including the courts. Now before you call the FBI, he has been completely above board about what he is doing. One of his lawyers may have even given him a green light. But a little more public scrutiny is in order. You see, the Controller's Solicitor has the opposite opinion.

When a lawsuit is filed in Northampton County, a $5 fee is collected for something called the Civil Automation Fund. That is a special fund, authorized by state statute that can only be used for the purpose of automation and continued automation updates of the office of the Prothonotary (Civil Division). It pays for the computers used in the Civil Division, as well as its supporting software.

Though the state is supposedly working on a system for posting civil records online, John Brown is unwilling to wait. In January, he executed a $1.4 million contract with Teleosoft, Inc., for a new unified records management system. This system is supposed to go live in October. It will enable attorneys to file pleadings electronically, which should reduce the workload on Civil Division employees. It will also enable the public to view these pleadings, from the comfort of their own homes, similar to what already happens with federal lawsuits.

This contract will also enable the Court Administrator to develop a public court calendar that includes the Orphans' Court. It will also help the Sheriff's Office manage the Sheriff's Sale list.

The problem is that the Civil Division's Automation Fund is being diverted to help pay for a contract that benefits other offices, like Court Administration and even the Orphans Court.

According to Tim Brennan, Solicitor to Controller Steve Barron, it is "inappropriate" to use the Civil Automation Fund to help pay for a system that appears to benefit three other departments. Nobody is suggesting that anyone be sued, but this could come back as a material deficiency in a future audit.

Should NorCo Post Your Dirty Underwear Online?

Northampton County Executive John Brown is hardly known for his transparency. He ignores emails and telephone calls, not just from bottom-feeding bloggers like me, but from honest-to-goodness reporters as well. He is so secretive that no one knows where he really worked before he was elected. Now he's running for Auditor General, and all he will say on his candidate website is that he spent "most of his career working in the private sector turning around unprofitable businesses by making them more effective, efficient and successful." He identifies none of these businesses or the role that he played. That's none of your business. 

Once they ascend to the judicial heavens, judges become secretive as well. Online assessment records are scrubbed so that no snoop can determine where a black robe lives. Although it's really a bit paranoid, I understand. But the addresses of cops and DAs, who arguably are in more danger, are still there for the whole world to see. County officials have said No to cops asking for a little privacy, but judges are special.

So while judges and the Exec are all for being secretive when it comes to them, they are more than willing to share your dirty underwear online. Come October (assuming the County actually finishes something it starts on deadline), all of your skidmarks will be there for the world to see, as noted in the post above.

Unpleasant custody dispute? Bitter divorce? Squabble over an unpaid bill or a boundary dispute? It will be there for the entire world to see. Sure, federal records are available, too, but those usually involve important constitutional questions. This is nothing more than an invasion of privacy encouraged by people who themselves are secretive.

I have no problem with any person who wants to physically travel to the courthouse to find out what is happening in a case. But this just caters to the nosy.

County Council should enact a privacy ordinance under which (1) any person who wishes to have his name scrubbed from online assessment records should be able to do so; and (2) any person can opt out of online exhibition of civil records.

Tales of the Slate Belt - Ron Angle and The Bank Robber

Bob Cartwright used to brag that Portland is the Cancun of the Lehigh Valley. He'd tell me its water tastes like Perrier, and caution the rest of us are all downstream. I hear lots of stories about Portland and the Slate Belt from that region's seanchaí, Ron Angle. He's a master storyteller, which leads me to believe there must be at least some Irish in him, despite his claims to the contrary. Cartwright claims Ron inherited this gift from his father Fred.

Not long ago, having survived Ron's guard geese, I visited with both Ron and his wife Sharon for dinner. Another fellow showed up and Ron began to spin his yarns. Some may even be true! I love the written word, but there's nothing like listening to a seanchaí. Angle has loads of stories, featuring numerous topics. But he always returns to Portland, where he grew up, and the Slate Belt.

In all the years I've known Ron, I only recently heard this one. Angle was once involved in a bank robbery, and wasn't the robber! In fact, he nearly foiled it.

Ron at one time worked for the Second Nat'l Bank of Pen Argyl. He started out as a teller, but became a repo man who excelled at collecting bad debts. His methods were often unconventional, and probably illegal, but they worked. They include a trip to Philly's deepest and darkest ghetto, where he once found himself surrounded by a group of angry blacks when they caught him trying to repossess a Caddy. The owner had removed the battery, and Angle was caught when he put in a new one.

He carried a gun, and I suppose he could have used it, but he would have died. That is probably the day he discovered that he has a much more powerful weapon - his tongue. He not only talked his way out of this jam, but left this gang on good terms.

The only person I know who was as good at getting into a pickle, and then talking his way out of it, was my Dad.

I'll tell you his repo man stories some other day.

Bank officials were quick to promote Angle because he delivered, and he eventually found himself with a hot Mustang and in charge of security. This was in the early '70s, before cell phones, but Angle wanted a car phone. The bank refused to spend the money, a decision it would soon regret.

There had been a rash of bank robberies in the area, so Angle was visiting all the branches each day to see if all was well. This included what is now the PNC Bank in Plainfield Township, right beyond the fork separating Rte 191 and Sullivan Trail. Angle pulled in and could see people standing inside with their hands up in the air.

He pulled into the parking lot, and saw one car, a beat-up old junker, that looked out of place. He pulled into the other side of the parking lot, and waited for the robber to make his exit. His plan was to run the guy over and then shoot him.

But when the robber exited the branch, he was not alone. He had the branch manager with him as a hostage. And instead of going to the beat-up old car (which turned out to belong to a neighbor), the robber had the manager get in his own car.

As they left, Angle followed along Route 191, going right by state police cruisers with their emergency lights headed in the opposite direction, responding to the robbery. Eventually, the bank robber realized he was being followed, and picked up the speed, but Angle was in a Mustang. The guy eventually pulled into a parking lot and spun the car around and fingered to Angle to come over. Angle shook his head No, but the robber pointed a gun at the manager's head. So Angle pulled alongside, and the robber told him not to follow or the bank manager would be dead. He said he'd release the manager once he was sure he was free, and then took off.

Angle waited a few minutes and then took off, but this time was looking for the bank manager. He found him near the Belfast exit off Route 33. The robber had parked his car there and had now made his getaway.

Angle and the manager returned to the bank and explained what had happened to the police, whom Angle said were moving in slow motion. Instead of hopping onto Route 33, troopers were more interested in his date of birth and his addresses for the last 17 years.

The bank robber was long gone before the staties started looking for him.

But he continued to rob banks. On his 11th robbery, he screwed up. He had walked into the bank and they closed the door behind him. It was quitting time, but he thought they were onto him and freaked out and ran. Police caught up to him walking along Route 191, but they still did not have enough.

The FBI was able to piece it all together and eventually arrested the guy.

They actually made their arrest while he was coaching a baseball game in New Jersey.

The guy had a gambling problem and owed a lot of money to mob loan sharks. In exchange for his cooperation, he got a five year sentence for 11 robberies.

There is an old link to the robber's arrest in The Daily Intelligencer from July 9, 1971, but I am unable to reproduce it here because it is copyrighted.

By the way, the day after the robbery, the bank got Angle a car phone.