Charlie "Fed Ed Lite" Thiel Plans a Wine Tasting Fundraiser

Meow! Allentown Mayoral candidate Charlie "Fed Ed Lite" Thiel will host a wine-tasting fundraiser on Tuesday, April 25, 5:30-7:30 pm, at the Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, located at 1840 W Allen Street. All the beautiful people will be there, pretending they don't fart. Now Sleepy Cat charges only $5 for a wine tasting, but you get to pay $100. It will be oh-so-so-do-so-pa. For $1,000, you get two bottles of wine and a frickin' program.

Fed Ed Lite is picking up right where Fed Ed left off.

Reminder: Cartwright Town Hall at NCC Tonight

Congressman Matt Cartwright will conduct a town hall on Tuesday, April 18 between 6:30 and 7:30 PM at Northampton Community College, Alumni Hall, Room 130 A-D. The event is free and open to the public. Cartwright is expected to make a brief presentation, after which he will field questions.

Over 400 people packed into a recent town hall conducted by Charlie Dent, despite its last-minute nature.

I Had No Idea Thai Food Could Be so Deadly

On Thursday night, I had dinner with a friend at a Thai restaurant. I had delicious grilled pork chops and jasmine rice with avocado, basil, veggies and some kind of spicy curry. I made sure it was as hot as they make it, too. I topped it off with a mung bean and mashed banana concoction surrounded by sticky rice. Now when I got home, I admit I did have to use the facilities. I also confess it was a double flusher, but thought nothing more of it.

Until today.

I saw this headline in The Express Times: "Sewer gas sickens 10 in Nazareth area home, official says." It all happened just as they sat down to eat. The smell was so bad that two people passed out. Five were rushed to the hospital, and another five were treated at the scene.

I'm sorry. I had no idea that I caused a mass catastrophe.

Send me to North Korea and it's all over.

NorCo Signs Wildlands Conservancy For Its Open Space Program

FROM NORTHAMPTON COUNTY- April 17, 2017 - Northampton County recently signed a three-year commitment with Wildlands Conservancy to assist the County's Open Space, Parks and Recreation and Farmland Preservation Divisions in trail and greenways development, natural resource protection and restoration, and outdoor recreation programs. Additionally, Wildlands has scheduled more than 50 free environmental education and outdoor recreation programs and conservation workshops this year at several county and municipal parks. These programs and workshops, including children and family programs, youth day camps and paddling adventures, are offered to the public free of charge. The goal of this partnership is to improve the natural resources and quality of life for everyone who lives, works and plays in Northampton County.

The County Parks and Recreation Division manages 18 parks and conservation lands encompassing more then 2,000 acres of green space. Highlighted by the 100-acre Louise W. Moore Park to the 1,200-acre cooperative conservation area surrounding Minsi Lake and the five-mile NorBath Trail, the County has a wealth of resources that can be enhanced for public recreational opportunities. "Of great importance, Wildlands Conservancy will assist in the identification of sensitive environmental areas, and provide guidance on how to best develop public access through trails and environmental education programs," stated Gordon Heller, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.

In the past five years, Northampton County's Open Space Program has become a leader in the fields of land protection, environmental restoration and trail development. The Open Space Program has assisted funding the preservation of early 1,850 acres in open space protection and environmental restoration projects, and over 50 municipal park rehabilitation, development and acquisition projects. The County's land and water trail systems equal nearly 300 miles, with the imminent closure of regional trail gaps, allowing Northampton County to become a major hub for 100+ mile trail systems along the East Coast of the United States.

The Open Space Program recently enrolled Northampton County into the Scenic, Wild Delaware River Geotourism Program (www.scenicwilddelawareriver.com), a nine-county regional tourism effort to highlight outdoor recreation, local towns and small businesses along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The Geotourism Program is one of 25 internationally that are sponsored by National Geographic.

"The ability to utilize the resources of Wildlands Conservancy will ensure that our parks and natural resources will continue to be utilized in a sustainable manner for recreation and tourism efforts for years to come," said Bryan Cope, Open Space Coordinator and Chair of the Scenic Wild Delaware River Geotourism Stewardship Council.

The Emmaus-based Wildlands Conservancy, whose mission is to protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways within the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh River watershed, has protected more than 54,000 acres of open space, and educated more than 350,000 people since 1973. "The Lehigh and Delaware Rivers and their tributaries, the backdrop of Blue Mountain, Working farmlands, numerous nature preserves and area parks are among the special natural features that help define Northampton County's unique sense of place," remarked Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy's president. "Our partnership will build upon our shared successes to ensure conservation and environmental education are among the top priorities of the people who call Northampton County home."

Wildlands Conservancy is currently working with the County to develop a state grant application to address environmental restoration needs at the county-owned Archibald Johnston Conservation Area in Bethlehem Township, and developing plans to naturalize areas in select county parks for wildlife habitat, water quality improvement and public enjoyment.

To find out more about these community partnership outreach programs and other Wildlands Conservancy programs, or to register for one, log onto www.wildlandspa.org/events or call 610.965.4397, ext. 136. For more information on Northampton County Parks, call Jim Wilson, Northampton County Parks Recreation Specialist, at 610.829.6404 or send email to jwilson@northamptoncounty.org.

Blogger's Note: I'm deeply concerned by the  land preservation boards in several municipalities that seem more intent on preserving their own properties than doing what is best for the county. At this point, I'dlike to know whether the County is paying The Wildlands. This news release comes from Administrator Cathy Allen.    

Charlie Thiehl, Fed Ed Lite

Charlie Thiel, an Allentown School Director, is on a leave of absence from his job at Communications Systems, Inc., so that he can run full-time for Allentown Mayor. A former Republican, he switched parties a few years ago because the political reality is that Democrats tend to do better in city races. But in truth, his is neither the Democrat nor Republican party. His is the money party. He is backed by the Jenn Mann cabal, which consists of lobbyist Mann and the duo of  State Representatives who at one time served on City Council, i.e. Mike Schlossberg and Pete Schweyer. Mann distinguished herself  in office by moonlighting as a consultant. Schlossberg is now a legend for his ghost voting and Schweyer is keeping his Latino district safe for Gringos by filing nomination challenges against anyone who dares run against him. Given who supports him, I have a problem with Thiel, fairly or unfairly.

I consider him a Fed Ed Lite. A few weeks ago, he ran a push poll telling his callers that he is the only honest candidate for Mayor. Now he's doing something even more sleazy. Through an intermediary, he has approached several Mayoral candidates, offering them a job in his administration if they back out. I have confirmed this with the intermediary.

This is political logrolling and is completely legal. It is also completely sleazy. It solidifies the impression that government is for sale,which is the whole point of a federal pay-to-play investigation.

The latest word on that is that there will be two indictments this week, and that one will have Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski's name on it. Though this is a rumor, it makes sense that if the the feds would charge, they would do so before the primary election.

NorCo Corrections Director Dan Keen Is a Rolling Stone

When Dan Keen was confirmed as Corrections Director in late 2014, he promised he'd be moving to this area. He did move, but to Hazleton. That's 62 miles away from Easton and is hardly what I consider to be this area. Keen already has a two-hour commute every day, but on top of that, appears to be a rolling stone.

A review of Keen's expense reports between 1/1/15 and 3/25/17 reveals that that he's made 16 trips. Most have been overnight stays. He's been to Valley Forge, Mechanicsburg, Lancaster (4 days), Altoona (4 days), Gettysburg (2 days), State College (2 days), Cranberry Twp (4 days), State College (1 day), State College (3 days), Carlisle (2 days), Atlantic City (4 days), Woodloch Springs Resort (4 days), Camden, NJ, Bellefonte (1 day), Gettysburg, and Windham, Maine (3 days). He must have used his county issued credit card, called a P-card, to pay for his hotel stays at Harrah's Resort, Springs Resort, Penn Stater Hotel. I failed to ask for those records. But over a two year time frame, he's been away 39 days.

Keen is a very dedicated NorCo employee. He is careful in his expense reports to avoid charging the county any more for meals than he is permitted. And he always responds to emails or calls, usually within a few hours. But 39 days over two years above and beyond the normal holidays and vacations is bound to breed resentment, and has. I wrote him once before about complaints that he is never at the jail. He said he was surprised at the complaint because he is on the go 24/7.  As much as I appreciate what he does, it is irresponsible and poor management to put a prison director on the road for 39 days over two years.

That is no fault of Keen. That's on Executive John Brown, who should recognize that Director of Corrections is not a wandering hockey goalie.

Keen tells me his travel this year is related to his investigation and research into a new jail. Well, he's not going to be able to house county inmates in Windham, Maine. Besides, a new jail is very far from reality. It will be extremely unpopular politically and require a hefty tax hike.

Blogger's Note: The information contained in this story is based on information contained in a Right--to-Know request filed with Northampton County on  4/6/17.

NorCo's 500-Page RTK Response Still Incomplete

On Friday, I received a 500-page response to a Right-to-Know request in Northampton County. This is pursuant to recent state law designed to make records more accessible to the public. One of you had these questions. "[H]ow would you know if you got all the expense reports and p-card use? i believe you will get all of them but what if some were hidden?" Well, that's what has happened. Though the law provides sanctions for refusals to disclose made in bad faith, I think what happened here is just an honest mistake.

In my Right-to-Know, I asked for the following:

"1) All expense reports submitted by HR Director Amy Trapp since the date of her hire, including the approval or disapproval. 2) All P-Card purchases made by Amy Trapp since the date of her hire. 3) All purchases made for the HR Department from 11/15/16 to present for furniture, TVs, radios, cell phones, paintings and office decorations 4) All expense reports submitted by Executive John Brown from 2015 through present. 5) All expense reports submitted by every cabinet level official, whether approved or disapproved, from 2015 to present. 6) All expense reports submitted by Council members commencing in 2014 to present. (Scanned copies are acceptable)."

Though these informational requests must be answered in five business days, most governments respond to even the most routine records requests with an automatic 30-day extension. Then, despite a presumption in the law itself that all records are public, government officials will look for a reason to say No. All too often, the Right-to-Know has become the Right-Not-to-Know.

I've criticized Northampton County and Executive John Brown for their complete lack of transparency, so they apparently went all out to respond within the required five days. But in the process, mistakes were made.

I asked for expense reports by all Council members and cabinet officials, but some are missing, including expense reports from former Administrator Luis Campos. I know he incurred expenses and is referred to in other expense reports. No expense reports have been provided for Fiscal Director Jim Hunter or Council members Bob Werner, Glenn Geissinger, Seth Vaughn and Mat Benol. The County needs to confirm no such records exist or produce them.

Also, I know that over $4,000 was spent for furniture in Human Relations almost as soon as Amy Trapp was named Director there, but only a few have been supplied.

I have asked Attorney O'Donnell to comply with his Right to Know and produce the records that I know exist. W are currently in the appeal period, so I will be forced to appeal this refusal unless they are produced.

Judge Giordano To Host Pizza Party

Judge Emil Giordano is running for a seat on Pennsylvania's Superior Court. On Tuesday, May 2, 7 pm at Northampton Memorial Community Center, he'll be hosting a pizza party. Last time he did that, over 500 people showed up in an outpouring of support for the Lehigh Valley's favorite son. A son of immigrants who were unable to speak English when they first arrived in this country, Judge Giordano is no stranger to hard work. He knows what it is like to work your way up, and has developed an acute sense of empathy and compassion for others that makes him an excellent jurist. In my opinion, he's the finest in the Lehigh Valley and belongs on Pennsylvania's Superior Court.

Bethlehem Rally Demands Trump to Produce Tax Returns

Barbara and Dr. Steve Diamond

About 300 people, most from the Lehigh Valley, rallied at Bethlehem's Payrow Plaza on Saturday afternoon, demanding that Donald Trump produce his tax returns. After a long winter, people were in a festive mood and brought numerous hand-made signs as well as a Donald Trump caricature. Barbara Diamond was dressed as Lady Liberty and her husband, Dr. Steve Diamond, was festooned as Uncle Sam.

It was a very partisan crowd, as might be expected at a rally organized by the Bethlehem City Democratic Committee. Chair Clyde Thomas had hardly begun speaking when an elderly lady interrupted him to shout, "You got to get the corporate Dems, too."

Two Trump supporters who may have intended to visit the library attempted to disrupt the rally, but gave up after a few minutes.

The headliners at this event were NorCo Controller Steve Barron and Bethlehem  Attorney Lamont McClure, who is running for NorCo Executive against GOP incumbent John Brown.

Lamont McClure

Barron is incensed at the proposal to eliminate federal funding for needed human services like Meals on Wheels.

McClure brought the message home.

"Where you liver here in Northampton County, we are dominated by a republican Executive and a Republican majority who care more about reimbursing themselves with your money for their lunches, that they're not entitled to; for their travel, which they're not entitled to; and for taking lavish trips, which they're not entitled to.

"While they're wasting millions of your dollars on consultants to do the work that they were elected to do, they're also raising your property taxes because they mismanaged the county government.

"It's time to stop the corruption, the cronyism and the callousness of the Brown administration.

"Now what's the point of today's rally?  It's about tax returns and why do we want to see tax returns? We want to see the tax returns because of the very public value of transparency. You need to know what your public official's motivations are.

"Well in Northampton County, we have a County Executive who behaves like he should be in Washington right now.He's the least transparent Executive in Northampton County history, and I'm going to give you one dramatic example.

"A few years ago, he had a press conference, but he posted armed guards at the door so that people who did not agree with him would not be admitted to the press conference.

"This is the opposite of transparency.,and this is your current County Executive.

"We must do better than that."

Fed Ed Has Allentown Firefighters Use Pick-Up as Engine Truck.

Allentown's firefighters are supposed to have seven engines and two ladder (aerial) trucks at the six fire stations still operating wiyhin the City. They must be available at all times to respond to calls. There should be 146 firefighters, and 17 of them should be on hand to respond to every fire with a ladder truck, three engines and an incident command vehicle. And that's the way things were before Edwin "Fed Ed" became Mayor. Under his reign, the force has shrunk from 146 to 122 firefighters. One of the ladder trucks has been taken out of service. Strangest of all, Fed Ed has the fire department using a pick-up truck as a fire engine. It's a nice truck, a GMC, but it's still just a pick-up truck. It has no water pumping capability or tank, though the bed of the truck is full of equipment that might slow down an inferno.

Jeremy Warmkessel is an Allentown firefighter who saved the life of a three-year old boy while battling a blaze in 2012. He took off his own mask and put it on the boy's face. A class act who now in President of Fire Fighters Local 302, he could keep his head down and ignore this problem, especially since the union contract is in effect until 2020. But as he put it himself, "This is a safety issue."

Though he said the department could always use more people, the real problem is a lack of resources.

He described a fire department that constantly requests new equipment, but gets the cold shoulder from Fed Ed. Even the Chief and Deputy Chief are ignored. "We have a fire chief that really cares about the guys and the city," said he said of Fire Chief Lee Laubach. But Warmkessel noted that trucks originally purchased in 1994 and 1995 are still in service."We're the only department [in the City] that doesn't even have a vehicle replacement plan," he said.

The department's operating budget has shrunk from $455,098 in 2008 to just $156,896 in 2017, a drop of 65.52%. No provision has been made for repair or maintenance supplies. The equipment on hand has decreased from $108,638 in 2008 to just $23,396 this year.  Only $35,000 is allotted to train 122 firefighters. A scant $3,500 is set aside to purchase chemicals that are often more important than water in extinguishing a fire.

"He is setting our department up for failure," said Warmkessel of Fed Ed.

Fortunately for Allentown residents, firefighter response time is still the same  But how long can things stay that way? Doesn't it make sense to have firefighters respond to a fire with an engine instead of a pick up truck? "The person whose home we're coming to would like it," said Warmkessel. "If you need us, you want us there and you want us there quickly."

Maybe Fed Ed plans to put out fires by praying.

NorCo Responds to Right-to-Know For Expense Reports, P-Card Purchases

Last week, I filed a Right-to-Know request with Northampton County seeking expense reports by cabinet level officials, Executive John Brown and Council members. I've also asked for all credit card purchases made by HR Director Amy Trapp and the amount of money she has spent on her office. RTK Officer Daniel O'Donnell, Esq., filed a timely reply, granting my request, although he is redacting home addresses. It comes out to slightly more than 500 pages, and yes, this will cost me $125.25.

As I pointed out to O'Donnell, elected officials have no privacy rights in their home addresses. Those have to be a matter of public record because that is directly relevant to whether an elected official is qualified to hold office. In fact, I have these home addresses. But I have no interest in stalking Ken Kraft, much as he would like it. I am interested in seeing how government officials, elected or not, spend the public's money.

Though Council members occasionally attend County Commissioner meetings, those are hardly junkets at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas or a trip to New Orleans. They are where you go if you have insomnia. I expect to see no surprises there.

But I have already been shocked by what is going on at the Human Resources Department. I'll have many more details next week.

Lower Mac 6th Largest Drain on PSP in State

According to The Patriot News, 1,289 communities statewide have abdicated their obligation to provide for public safety and instead rely exclusively on Pennsylvania State Police. It costs $234 per person to provide this service, which is well below the $25 per capita fee proposed by Governor Tom Wolf. Lower Macungie Township is identified as the sixth largest consumer of Pennsylvania State Police services statewide. There were 5,200 calls in 2015 in a community of 31,639. Under Governor Wolf's plan, the Township will have to pay $790,975 for police services that actually cost considerably more.

Low-income Allentown residents end up paying for police coverage in the 'burbs.

The PSP 2015 call volume in other Lehigh Valley communities is as follows:

Lehigh County - Hanover - 2,521; Heidelberg - 492; Lower Milford - 425; Lowhill - 354; Lynn - 717; North Whitehall -2,469; Upper Milford, Washington - 989; and Weisenberg - 983.

Northampton County - Allen, East Allen - 965; Glendon - 179; Lower Mt Bethel - 938; Upper Mt Bethel -992; West Easton - 231; and Williams - 2,120.

Numbers for Chapman are unavailable.

Former NFL Lineman Alvin Powell Will Talk Drugs at Nazareth High School

Alvin Powell, a former National Football League (NFL) lineman with the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins, will address his battle with drag and alcohol addition at Nazareth High School on Wednesday, April 19, at 6:30 pm.

He is a crack cocaine addict who at his worst was living in a church, spending his time “looking for deals to get money to buy cocaine”. He was an embarrassment to his friends and family. “I couldn’t die quick enough” he says.

Having hit bottom, he has dedicated his life to helping others break through the crises brought on by the shackles of addiction and to prevent youth and others from ever walking down the destructive path of drugs and substance abuse.

Through his Saving Station Foundation he has spoken at hundreds of high schools, universities, sports associations, corporate events, conferences and First Nation communities. Alvin generously shares his compelling and unedited life story of how drugs ruined his NFL career, profoundly affected his family and almost took his life.

The event is sponsored in part by the Northampton County Drug and Alcohol Division and will be attended by several Drug Court participants.

NorCo HR Department Has Lunch on Taxpayers at Courthouse

Northampton County has very strict rules about paying for an employee's meals, unless you happen to work for the Human Resources Department. Do as they say, but not as they do.

The rule for most hourly employees is that you have to be 50 miles away from your work station, after which you are authorized $8 for breakfast, $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner. Or you can spend $38 in one meal. For managers, it's actually slightly less

Given that NorCo's Human Resources Department spent $56,758.14 on "staff development and training" last year, the workers there should know that they are unable to seek reimbursement for meals at the courthouse. But guess what? On February 17, they ordered lunch for 10 people at $8 a person. The lunch included sandwiches, cookies, chips, coffee and iced tea. You can see the order below, authorized by none other than Amy Baker Trapp. She's the HR Director and it is either she or her husband who referred to county workers as "entitled spoiled brat government employees."

County taxpayers picked up the tab on 2/8/17 for his lunch.

At least they picked a good place.

I have filed a Right-to-Know seeking information concerning expenses claimed by what increasingly appears to be a spendthrift HR Department, for whom the rules have no application.

Courthouse Cafe Order Form by BernieOHare on Scribd

Green Pond - The People Speak

David Brooman, a Norristown-based attorney, is an independent hearing officer unanimously appointed by Bethlehem Township's Board of Commissioners to take testimony and render a decision on a tentative plan submitted by developer Traditions of America (TOA) for an active senior community at Green Pond Country Club. What makes this development controversial is its location adjacent to environmentally sensitive wetlands, smack dab in the middle of an Audubon-designated "Important Bird Area," called Green Pond Marsh. Bethlehem Township's Planning Commission decided in late November to recommend approval, but Broomal must make an independent decision. He has conducted several hearings with technical testimony offered by Traditions of America and "Save Green Pond." But his April 11,2017 hearing was different. It was an opportunity for the people to speak, and they did. He heard from 29 of the 80 people who packed into the municipal building on an unusually warm April night.

Of the 29 people who spoke, 13 were opposed to the development.The remainder were either supportive or neutral.

Supporting Arguments

Joe Douress

- Green Pond Country Club provides a venue for numerous local charities. Joseph Douress told Brooman that he started the Heroes tournament there in 1992, in honor of his 12-year old daughter. She unfortunately succumbed to leukemia. Through that tournament, he has raised $200,000 for children with cancer. The funds he raises enables them to spend a week-long camp in the Poconos. Douress's sentiments were echoed by Bill Sugra, whose son was killed at the World Trade Center on 9-11. He hosts a tournament there that has raised $600,000 for 70 nonprofits in the Lehigh Valley. So does Bill Hankee, whose daughter Krysta died at age 22 after collapsing at a gym. He conducts an annual golf tournament in her honor at Green Pond, and has raised $100,000 to purchase gas cards for medical travel and educational grants aimed at our youth.

Dean Young

- Green Pond Country Club is a place where inner-city children can learn about golf and enjoy the countryside. "Our kids are getting an opportunity that they otherwise simply couldn't afford," said Dean Young, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club in Easton. He stated that golfers often donate shoes and clothing for kids on the course, and said they are sometimes lucky to see a red fox. He said the golf course provides a "human connection." Joseph Masulli said that Grren Pond golf pro John Kulhamer is "unbelievable with the children."

- Green Pond Country Club hosts high school and college golf. "It would be a shame to let this course go," said Stephen Malitzki, a former Township employee and head golf coach at Northampton Community College. He said that many local high schools and colleges use the course.

- The migratory birds will find another place. This argument was made by Tom Lusto, a golfer who used to teach biology at Moravian Academy. "I am certain that, over time, the biology will work itself out," he said. Tom Stitt, a local attorney and golfer, also made that argument, noting there are far more snow geese by his Lower Nazareth office than will be found at Green Pond Marsh. But this was disputed by the Audubon's Barbara Malt, who told Broomal that the shore birds who frequent the wetlands need that environment.

Sen. Lisa Boscola

- TOA will generate a lot of revenue for the Township. Joseph Masulli, who moved to Bethlehem Township to escape higher taxes in New Jersey, noted the tax revenue to the township alone will be $2 million. (TOA Principal David Biddison at previous meetings said that the Township would benefit in the form of a $343,500 recreation fee, $250,000 in annual property taxes and $500,000 in realty transfer taxes. The school district would also receive $1.9 million in taxes from a development with no children.) "Dpn'y throw out the good for the perfect," said Anthony Liberatori.

- An active senior community is needed. Don Appleton would like to move into TOA at Green Pond, saying that the developer has a reputation for "high quality homes." State Senator Lisa Boscola called the project a "no brainer," but said she could "promise" the residents that the wetlands will be protected and enhanced. "I want to be part of the solution," she said.

Opposing Arguments

Kathy Glagola

- Green Pond Marsh is irreplaceable. That word was repeated by nearly every person who spoke against the development. Paul Jordan, who lives across the street at what he calls "ground zero," said the mere sight of the marsh is "spectacular," and noted a bald eagle was just spotted there the previous weekend. "There is nowhere else that these birds can go," said the Audubon's Barbara Malt, who said the nearest resource is at least 25 miles away. Ann Fessler, who teaches 5th grade at Moravian Academy, called it ia "pristine sanctuary" that she would instantly choose over a golf course or wedding venue. "Once it's compromised, it can never be remediated," said Michael Adams, who grew up in the Township. It is not just a local resource. It is a regional resource." Irene Torres, a local artist said, "My heart lives in Green Pond." Kathy Glagola noted that only two percent of Pennsylvania consists of wetlands.

Karen Berry

- There are native American artifacts at Green Pond Marsh. Karen Berry noted that Green Pond Marsh is the site of hundreds of Lenni Lenape artifacts, including a semi-lunar knife used by native women to clean fish. She noted that Barry Kresge, a member of the Society for Pennsylvania Archeology, has had the area listed as a Pennsylvania Historical Site with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. She acknowledged that development can still occur there.

- Greed is the motivating factor. John Gallagher, a retired architect, stated that "Ultimately, it's all about the money." He noted that 229 homes are being sold at an average price of $459,000, making it a $105 million project. he said the cureent design only considers the need of one stakeholder, the owner.

Victoria Bastidas

- The Marsh could be preserved. "You don't have to develop the Township this way," said Vicki Bastidas, who said she is the Vice Chair of NorCo's open space committee. She said the land could be preserved as open space.

After everyone had spoken, Broomal said he would keep the record open while the hearing noted are being transcribed.He expects briefs from TOA and Save Green Pond by the end of June,and will issue his decision about two months later. Both sides agreed to give him an extension of he thinks he needs it. So a decision on this senior community will wait until Summer's end.

At least three Commissioners were present for the final hearing, along with Manager Melissa Shafer and Planning Director Nathan Jones.

Molovinsky's Petty Ad Hominem

Bill White behind Hall of  Famer Jim Gregory

On April 8, Morning Call columnist Bill White alerted his readers that he's seeking his annual nominations for his Hall of Fame  He followed that up with a blog entry on April 10. In the process, he mentioned many, but not all, of his previous selections for this modern-day equivalent of the ducking stool.  This exposes them to community derision again. It really is a horrible thing to do. What bothers me most is that I never thought of it.

One of the people Bill neglected to mention is me. I was inducted a few years ago, though I had to share the honor with Dennis Pearson.

This disappointed blogger Michael Molovinsky. He apparently was looking forward to seeing me held up to scorn. When that failed to happen, he offered up several ridiculous conspiracy theories.

They involve the Keystone Press awards and a picture of Bill that I took of him sitting behind Jim Gregory at Charlie Dent's recent town hall. .Gregory, incidentally, is another Hall of Famer. Bill White neglected to mention him, too I'll leave it to Molovinsky to determine why. I'm sure he knows.

I have a theory of my own for this omission.

Bill forgot. He never said he was identifying every person upon whom he bestowed his dubious honor. But I'm sure he'll make up it now because he's an award-winning columnist, damn it.

And Molovinsky isn't. He has actually suggested himself as a replacement of Paul Carpenter as the local misanthrope, but has never learned to use proper punctuation or grammar.

His ad hominem at both White and me is a  petty and mean-spirited display by a jealous man.  He should stick to his attacks on women.  

"Save Green Pond" Wants to Pack Tonight's Meeting

From Save Green Pond: - Remember this meeting from July 2014, when the meeting room was packed?

https://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/search?q=green+pond

www.wfmz.com/news/lehigh-valley/residents-rally-to-save-green-pond-farm-from-development_20160527115736900/19496540

We need to have a showing of people like that again on Tues April 11. This is the day that the judge in this case has opened the floor for anyone from the public to make comments. THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAY for you to come and make comments so that the judge can understand the importance of Green Pond Marsh to this community and to the over 180 species of birds that use it. Even people from outside Bethlehem Township will be allowed to speak.

In the past month there have been over 25 hours of testimony on six separate days presented to the judge who will decide the fate of Green Pond Marsh. April 11 is your opportunity to really help SaveGreenPond.

The final hearing date is set for April 11. The time period for public comment on that day is from 7 to 10pm. This is our final opportunity to speak directly to the judge who will be deciding the fate of Green Pond Marsh. This is a critical meeting; please come and speak on behalf of Green Pond Marsh.

Hearing schedule for April 11:
4-7pm; continuation of witness testimony.
7-10pm: Public comment

The hearing will take place at:
Bethlehem Township Municipal Building
4225 Easton Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Phone: (610) 814-6400

Thank you,
SaveGreenPond.org

Hyman's Misplaced Campaign Strategy

On her Facebook page, Diane Fegley asks, "Is it just me or does it reflect badly on Hyman that his political banners are on his boarded up, abandoned looking buildings all over our City??"

Good question.

Allentown Central Catholic Senior Athlete College Picks

Congratulations to Allentown Central Catholic High School's student athlete spring signees!

Jake Patridge - University of the Sciences, baseball
Edward Manzella - Williams College, football and baseball
Ethan Persa - Lock Haven, football
Julia Bradford - DeSales, volleyball
Casey Scheuren - Cabrini, softball
Ethan Beck - Assumption, football
Darnell Ferrell - West Chester, football
Chris Ocasio - Edinboro, football
Christina Marinos - Franklin and Marshall, soccer
Tom Murphy - Muhlenberg, football and lacrosse
Jackson Eighmy - Wesleyan, football
Lera Cordner - Sweet Briar, soccer
Tom Lakata - Moravian, golf

Jake Partridge and Chris Ocasio will be sorely missed by the Viking basketball team. They are both very dedicated at whatever they do, and I know they were an inspiration to their underclassmen on the basketball court.

Next year,I hope to see a few basketball names added.

Congressman Cartwright to Host Town Hall at NCC

Congressman Matt Cartwright will conduct a town hall on Tuesday, April 18 between 6:30 and 7:30 PM at Northampton Community College, Alumni Hall, Room 130 A-D. The event is free and open to the public.

Over 400 people packed into a recent town hall conducted by Charlie Dent, despite its last-minute nature. I wonder whether a similar number will be there for Cartwright, and whether any tea party members will be there.