Michael McCreary Will Face Schlossberg After Successful Write-in Campaign

Michael McCreary, who announced a write-in quest for the state house just two weeks before election day, is on the ballot. He pulled in 609 votes to 133 that went to incumbent State Rep Mike Schlossberg, and will face him in November.

McCreary is a Republican but said he is representing his community, regardless of party. Schlossberg is a Democrat, extremely partisan and is very divisive.

People in West Allentown will have a choice in November.

Shocker! Increased Testing Leads to Sharp Drop in New Covid Cases at Gracedale

Doctors at Gracedale began a new testing strategy of all residents in a room shared with someone who has Covid-19 symptoms. recently implemented at the nursing home. They are all tested amnd quarantined while the resident with symptoms is isolated. As a result, the number of new Covid-19 cases dropped to just four new cases in the week ending on June 5th. This compares to 22 the previous week.)

Executive Lamont McClure previously announced that everyone at Gracedale, both residents and staff, would be tested on a routine basis, starting in July. Though CDC guidance calls for tests only on those showing symptoms, it's clearly inappropriate at a nursing home. This has been ground zero for Covid-19, yet doctors have been reluctant to order testing.

As of June 10th, 400 Gracedale residents have been tested for Covid-19. Two hundred thirty have shown positive results. Seven residents are currently in the hospital, and 120 cases have resolved. Tragically, sixty-six residents have passed away due to the virus.

Out of the 700 employees at Gracedale, forty-nine have tested positive. Forty-four have finished their quarantine periods and returned to work.

BLM March in Hanover Tp on Saturday, 5 PM

From Hanover Tp: The Township has been notified that there will be a Black Lives Matter Protest March at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2020, starting at the Hanover Township Community Center.

The march will then proceed to the following route:

Stafore Drive
Helen Street
Bonnie Avenue
Kim Street
Cherry Avenue
Sydna Street
Stark Road
Quail Creek
Autumn Ridge
Place Road
Greenfield Road

We fully expect it to be peaceful. We would however suggest that vehicles be removed from the road to assist with the flow of the walk. Also there will some disruption of traffic flow.

Does Legislative End to Wolf's Emergency Power Mean Anything?

In its decision dismissing a challenge to Governor Tom Wolf's business shutdown, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court noted that the General Assembly by concurrent resolution "may terminate a state of disaster emergency at any time." That's what happened on Tuesday when the state house and senate voted, largely along party lines, to end Wolf's broad emergency powers. But does it matter? Wolf will refuse to endorse this action, and it's unclear whether a simple or 2/3 majority is needed to put an end to the nightmare. And even if it does, Health Secretary Rachel Levine has issued parallel orders under the authority of the Disease Act.

Without question, Pennsylvania's General Assembly gives the Governor broad powers to declare and continue an emergency. His initial declaration can last 90 days, and he can extend it unilaterally. In 10 states, a governor's emergency declaration expires in less than thirty days. In 16 states,emergency declarations are limited to 30 days. Pennsylvania is one of just five states that allows emergency declarations to last 60 days or more. So in a way, the legislature has created this monster under which the power to make and enforce laws are vested in one and the same person. That is tyranny, but we allowed it to happen. Now the legislature is trying to put the genie back into the bottle, but most legal experts say Wolf's dictatorship will continue.

He's certainly no Cincinnatus.

NorCo Has $400,000 For Municipalities and NonProfits

As a result of the statewide shutdown imposed by Governor Tom Wolf, revenue has dried up for many municipalities and nonprofits. Northampton County has $400,000 available to assist them. The catch is that the money must be used for Covid-19 related improvements. For reasons that elude me, this is called the Grow NORCO Program (GNP). The program was just announced yesterday, and applications of a maximum $15,000 grant must be in by June 25, so there's not a lot of time.

Here are some uses considered grant-worthy:

1. Purchase and installation of physical barriers (e.g. plexi-glass, sneeze guards, etc.)

2. Purchase of non-contact sanitation products (e.g. faucets, soap or hand sanitizer dispensers, paper towel dispensers, etc.)

3. Improvements for ventilation systems including the purchase of high-efficiency air filters

4. Software implementation for on-line payments of bills (e.g. taxes, utilities, etc.)

5. Technology upgrades to support telework and virtual meetings.

6. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

7. Other COVID-19 related improvements deemed eligible at the County’s discretion

Applicants have to register with the county and file electronically.

If you have questions, you can contact Northampton County Department of Community & Economic Development's Sarah Ortiz at 610-829-6308 or
sortiz@northamptoncounty.org.

Northampton County is also receiving nearly $27 million in CARES Act funding, and the lion's share of that money is supposed to be for small businesses, which have been hurt more than anyone by this pandemic. That's where the county really needs to grow.

Kurt Vonnegut Museum My Selling My Dad's DA Campaign Poster

My father was District Attorney in Northampton County between 1965 and 1969. He sought re-election, but the late and great Charlie Spaziani beat him. Spaz campaigned that no one should be DA for more than a single term. Then he ran for re-election and won!

Copies of my father's old campaign posters are now being offered for sale, believe it or not, by the Kurt Vonnegut Museum. $22.99! There was a time when you could find one in nearly every bar within the county.

My father campaigned very hard, you know.

My Dad and Vonnegut were close friends who somehow survived the allied firebombing of Dresden as POWs.

I only wish the museum would sell copies of the poster in the race my dad actually won.

Operation BBQ to Vist Northampton AND Nazareth Thursday

I've already told yon that Northampton County Operation BBQ relief meal boxes will be distributed on Thursday to county residents from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM in the Northampton Recreation Center parking lot, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive, Northampton PA.

What I failed to tell you is that Operation BBQ will be making a second stop in Nazareth at the Borough Park between 3:15 and 4:15 pm.

The meal boxes are first come, first served and will be distributed from a refrigerated truck until supplies run out. Each person will receive a pan of food, which will feed four people. There is no charge and no personal information is needed to participate.

Northampton County's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is running this rodeo in collaboration with Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council.

I refuse to let my servants go. I find they work better when they are hungry.

Note: In an earlier version of this story, I said the BBQ was today. I apologize.

The White Privilege Race

When I talk about white privilege and systemic racism, I know some of you roll your eyes and want to accuse me of just wanting to be woke. But when I talk about this, I really mean it.  Above is a short video that might make what I'm saying a bit more clear.

Police Reform? Yes. Police Defunding? No.

Police officers are no more bigoted than any of us. I've never heard anyone suggest that schools be closed because some teachers are racist. No one has ever suggested that retail businesses close their doors because some clerks give minorities the hairy eyeball. Yet some Black Lives Matter activists want to defund police departments. That's sheer lunacy. I have long argued that no municipality should be allowed to exist unless it provides police protection. If defunded, anarchy would ensue in a matter of days.

What I do support is police reform like 8 can't wait.  But bigoted police are not really the problem. We all are.

Governor Tom Wolf is nevertheless going to solve this problem by appointing a commission.

Yeah, that should work.

Over a month ago, he announced creation of a Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps, especially to help those out of work. Since then, it's been crickets. 

Operation BBQ on Thursday

Norhampton County, in collaboration with Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council, will distribute Operation BBQ relief meal boxes to residents of Northampton County on Thursday.

Thursday, June 11, 2020 from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM in the Northampton Recreation Center parking lot, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive, Northampton PA.

The meal boxes are first come, first served and will be distributed from a refrigerated truck until supplies run out. Each person will receive a pan of food, which will feed four people. There is no charge and no personal information is needed to participate.

D&L Trail: Coplay to Weissport and Back, 40 Miles

I've told you before about the Delaware and Lehigh (DandL) Trail. I've been on portions over the years. Over the years, I've run and biked between Allentown's Canal Park and Bethlehem's Sand Island; between Sand Island and Easton's Riverside Park; and along the Delaware Canal. It's gorgeous. I was unprepared, however, for the stretch of trail between Northampton (Canal Street Park) and Slatington. I've told you it is the Lehigh Valley's best kept secret. The trail is wide, well-maintained, marked, scenic, flat and shaded. But it's really only been a secret to me. Yesterday, in the most beautiful weather you could have for cycling, the path was full of smiling cyclists, walkers and runners. I took it from Coplay (mile 93) to Weissport (mile 103) and back. I'm now just a few miles shy of Jim Thorpe as I work my way up to White Haven and points north. Since I forgot to ask you to join me, I thought I'd share some pictures.

When you pop on in Coplay, the first thing you see is a signpost telling you the distance to various trailheads. There's another sign just beyond telling you the Lehigh Valley has over 300 miles of trails.

It doesn't take long before you're in another world, away from pandemics, politics and the noise that surrounds us every day. Yes, this is still the Lehigh Valley, but your bicycle takes you through a magical portal and into another dimension.

Though obscured by the foliage, you can always hear the rush of the Lehigh River as it makes its way to the Delaware. You can hear the laughter of people on rafts and kayaks. I've been told  fishing here is excellent, and I saw proof of that - a fisherman making his way back to his car with a 16" brown trout.

A concrete telephone booth? You betcha'. The railroads set up phone booths in areas where lines widened or narrowed so they could communicate with conductors and engineers. The first booths were concrete.  A bit beyond this is a little trail library, though nobody has much time to read while cycling. It's better to do that driving.

One you make it to Slatington, you can fuel up with water or a sandwich. I've had hulupki soup, which is magnificent and healthy. I've also had an egg 'n cheese sandwich, which is less healthy but still outstanding. This truck is open until 6 pm, seven days a week and is a lifesaver. I ignored it on my way up to Weissport and bonked as a result. When you cycle, you need lots of water and food. Fortunately, I was able to get some coffee, a cliffbar and water in Weissport, which picked me up.

Just beyond Slatington, there's a private airport full of small hangars and plane, together with a great runway.

Beyond the airport, there's a breathtaking view of an honest-to-goodness mountain. I'm told there are more as you travel north.

In addition to the rush of the Lehigh River on one side, you can see the Zen-like beauty and hear the  soothing sound of waterfalls cascading down the sides of mini-mountains, in search of the river.

Though Weissport was an oasis for me, I neglected to take any pics, except for this magnificent Shikoku. This fellow is four years old and greeted his owner with a bark that sounded different than any bark I've ever heard. He was both gentle and friendly.

On this trip I ran into the Banker, who was cycling with his "pretty in pink" girlfriend. They told me I have to cycle up to Jim Thorpe, and I will. After that, there's Lehigh Gorge State Park, with an abndoned train tunnel, and Glen Onoko Falls (mile 108).

If you have any comments about this stretch of trail, please feel free.

"Civil Unrest" in Nazareth

About 4 pm on Saturday, a peaceful crowd of about 300 people met in the public parking lot next to the Nazareth Police Station. After three short speeches, they marched to Nazareth Circle (about two blocks). Some took a knee, laid down or just remained silent for 8 minutes and 46 seconds,the time a Minneapolis police officer had his knee on George Floyd's death. Below are some scenes:

A boy in a yellow shirt is closely reading this handmade sign.

A large number of children attended this event, and several carried signs asking, "Will my Dad be next?"

I loved the cute little girl in this family.

The group met at the parking lot next to Nazareth's Police Department.

Instead of knocking people over or shooting tear gas, this Nazareth police officer joined the crowd in prayer.

This young man had the best seat in the house! What little boy or girl doesn't like riding on their daddy's shoulders?

Kate Brennan, a former court reporter and tipstaff, participated. She is running against Joe Emrick for State Rep.

Donald Trump is not too popular with this young man!

The plague doctor is in the house!

(Updated) NorCo EMS Characterizes Peaceful Racial Awareness Protests as "Civil Unrest"

Michael Rinker, Planning Director at Northampton County Emergency Management, has fired off an email warning municipal officials of "civil unrest"protests this weekend in NorCo. Here's what he sent:

Below is a list of Civil Unrest Protests that will be occurring this weekend. If at Municipality or Local Emergency Management Coordinator is aware, or becomes aware of any events,

please provide the following details to Northampton County Emergency Management so this can be forwarded to PEMA; Location, Route of Travel (if any), Duration,

Possible number of Participants, etc.

Civil Unrest Protest:

6-5-2020

North Catasauqua Borough:                  

1500hrs  starting at Catasauqua Park in Lehigh County (St. John Street), West  on Bridge Street to Front Street,

North on Front Street into N. Catasauqua to Chapel Street ,East on Chapel to Howertown Road,

South on Howertown Road back to Catasauqua Park.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6-6-2020

Bethlehem City:

1200hrs at City Hall, 10 East Church Street (Payroll Plaza) Duration should be 2 hours.

Nazareth Borough:                                                                                                                                                         

1600hrs starting at Nazareth Police Department, 134 S. Main Street. March will proceed North on

Main Street around the circle and continue back down South on Main Street to 134 South Main Street.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6-7-2020

Easton City:

1200hrs at Easton’s Center Square (Circle). Duration should be 2 hours

                                                                               

Bethlehem City:                                                                                                                                                                

1500hrs at City Hall, 10 East Church Street (Payroll Plaza). Duration should be 2 hours.

West Easton Boro Council President Matt Dees has responded to Rinker:

Please provide the name of the government official, government body, or protest group, that designated these local protests as, "Civil Unrest Protests."

I am not aware of the past peaceful protests held in the Lehigh Valley demonstrating any "civil unrest," other than demonstrating peacefully.

Thank You,

Rinker's characterization of racial awareness protests as "civil unrest" is itself an example of the systemic racism that exists in this country.

Update 6/7/20 at 11:15 am: "Civil Unrest" is term used by woke Wolf administration!

Todd Weaver, who heads NorCo's Emergency Management, has responded to West Easton Boro Council Prez to say that PEMA uses this terminology in its daily briefs, and that it is "important we have situational awareness of events that are occurring throughout the county."

First, PEMA's systemic racism is no justification for Northampton County continued usage of this inappropriate termionology.

Second, emergency management should confine its activities to emergencies, not the exercise of democracy. We've had enough Big Brother government.

NorCo Hazard Pay

With the surrender of most of his emergency powers, Executive Lamont McClure has given up the right to award hazard pay, both at Gracedale and at the jail.  County Council has to pay attention here. At the jail and at Gracedale, this hazard pay should continue until Covid-19 is gone.

NorCo Council Delighted By Successful Primary

NorCo Elections Staffer Rich Kessler
with the XL

Northampton County's election last November,  was supposed to be a relatively quiet municipal election. It was an unmitigated disaster. Tuesday's Presidential Primary was predicted to be a trainwreck. Yet the election went off without a hitch, and with the same voting system used in November. This was a pleasant surprise to County Council, and they expressed their gratitude to Voter Registrar Amy Cozze and her staff at last night's meeting.

Why We Got the XL

Northampton County had a perfectly fine voting system. It would have been better if it included a paper trail, but the useful life of the machines in use still had a few good years left in them. Then came Governor Tom Wolf, whose goal in life is to prove to the world that he's really woke. In order to settle a frivolous federal lawsuit filed by failed Presidential candidate Jill Stein, Wolf graciously agreed to order all 67 counties to have new voting systems in place, and with paper trails, in time for the 2020 Presidential Primary. Wolf never bothered to discuss this settlement in advance with the counties that would be shelling out the money and gave no thought to the burden it would place on them.

Northampton County scrambled. Administrator Charles Dertinger, P.B., fortunately has had considerable experience in the selection of three voting systems for NorCo. Council members also started paying attention to different systems at state conferences, where vendors displayed them. Dertinger liked the ExpressVote XL, Cadillac of hybrid voting systems. It is the best of both worlds, combining the simplicity of a touch screen with a voter-verifiable paper trail.

Then Acting Voting Registrar Amy Hess liked the XL, too. At this time, Amy Cozze was working for the County and was tasked with coming up with the best system, regardless what anyone else thought. She independently decided on the XL. So did Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron, who concluded it was actually cheaper in the long run than other systems.

Around this time, Lehigh County was also considering several systems. It scheduled a demonstration of at least four, including the XL, for election judges. At that time, Debbie Hunter was a member of NorCo's Election Commission, and she wondered if NorCo judges could look at those systems, too. Lehigh County Voting Register Tim Benyo graciously agreed, and about 30 election judges invaded Lehigh County to look at the choices. Benyo joked there were more people there from NorCo than Lehigh.

Voting Registrar Amy Cozze

Amy Hess asked NorCo election judges to rate the different systems. They overwhelmingly went with the XL. This system was also the choice of the Elections Commission in a 3-2 vote.  County Council delayed its decision because a smug group of "Better Elections" people accused them of failing to do their homework. These paper ballot purists dismissed the recommendation of elections judges who are obviously less informed than they. These "better" people wanted a paper ballot system notwithstanding concerns from election judges that it would be difficult to vote in private.

After Delaware conducted a successful election with the XL, County Council finally decided on this system in an 8-1 vote, with  former Council member Bob Werner being the sole No vote. Council was warned again they were making a terrible mistake.,

Unfortunately, they were.

The November Nightmare 

It was unknown at the time, but the XL was a ticking time bomb that exploded once the polls opened. As many as 70% of the machines had been improperly aligned at the factory, making them too hypersensitive. This flaw showed up most prominently in the judicial retention races. This quickly caught the attention of our judges, who issued a flurry of court orders throughout the day. They even sent constables with Orders to be read to one and all.

That was bad enough, but only the beginning of the nightmare. When the polls closed, and machines began tabulating results, the cross-filed races were off. For example, Judicial candidate Abe Kassis had zero votes.

When the back-up paper ballots were scanned, he actually won the race..

At this point, all the voting machines and equipment were impounded. The XL vendor, Electronic Systems and Software, was soon able to determine that it had screwed up big time. In addition to the improper alignment, it had failed to program the races correctly, resulting in zero votes for some candidates in cross-filed races. To complete this symphony of errors, the vendor also acknowledged that it had botched up the logic and accuracy testing that should be performed on each voting machine before an election.

Northampton County made headlines throughout the country. A procession of paper ballot purists appeared at Council meetings to say, "I told you so." Some county officials were accused of being bribed, a charge that infuriated Executive Lamont McClure.

Though what had happened was no reflection on Acting Registrar Amy Hess, the pressure was too much for her. She stepped down. Fortunately, she stayed in her position as Chief Deputy.

The Two Amys 

In stormy waters, McClure selected Amy Cozze to head the Elections Office. She was immediately confronted by hurricanes from a new Elections Commission that wanted to scrap the XL without giving the vendor an opportunity to reclaim its good name. They rejected her request for epollbooks, even though no paper pollbook printer could do the job. On top of all this, she was going to have to process no-excuse mail-in ballots for the first time.

Cozze had one thing going for her. Her staff. Amy Hess, a veteran of many elections, was willing to stay on as Deputy, and the duo quickly became known as the Two Amys. She also had an excellent and unflappable staff of Richard Kessler and Jenna Gerbino.

Executive McClure took the request for epollbooks to County Council. Both party bosses united to throw up roadblocks. They wanted the County to scrap the system in favor of paper ballots, even though such a daunting task was logistically impossible.  County Council was again accused of failing to do its homework. Though pressured, Council stood by the XL. They also agreed to the epollbooks because there really was no choice.

As if things weren't bad enough, Covid-19 hit. Governor Tom Wolf delayed the primary until June 2, but was unwilling to delay any longer. So on Tuesday, Northampton County conducted its election in the middle of a stay-at-home order as a result of a frickin' pandemic. Many pollworkers, who are elderly and at-risk, bowed out.

The two Amys managed to put on the best election I've ever witnessed.  I told you NorCo was the third County to report its results to the state, but it was actually the first in the state to complete the count at 10 pm, just two hours after the polls closed.

Critics are now saying NorCo was #1 only because it had superior technology. McClure pointed out that the XL is the same technology that was ridiculed in November.

Cozze was summoned before a delighted Council. She said the credit for this election belongs, not with the technology, but her staff.

"I cannot say enough about my staff. The hours that were put in to make this happen, and I didn't have to beg them to do it, they were there seven in the morning every day until seven, eight, nine, ten o'clock every night, Saturdays, full days .... . They can say what they want about the technology but that is not what made this election go smoothly. "

Cozze predicted it will be "twice as hard going forward" and has already compiled a "laundry list" of things that need to be done. She believes there will be 100,000 mail-in ballots in November, and an in-person turnout of 50,000.

A delighted (and relieved) Council

Council members, who had been under heavy pressure, were relieved things went well.

Lori Vargo-Heffner said, "I have nothing but compliments. ... I can't say enough about the experience. It is single-handedly the best voting experience I've ever had in my life."

Vargo-Heffner related that a pollworker told her, "I hated the thought of these things [epollbooks], but I love it."

"Anybody who came in here and trashed it should have gone to vote on Tuesday,"  Vargo-Heffner continued. She said Cozze should give her staff  "a day or some Rita's or something."

"I'll second those comments," added Council member John Cusick. "I, too, voted in person. ... When I saw those results come out as early as they did, I was shocked. I've never seen results come in that early in this County. Kudos to you. He laughingly warned Cozze, "What's going to happen is that the state is going to be calling you and you'll be asked to give advice and talks around the Commonwealth."

Council President Ron Heckman called the election " a great experience. The epollbook was flawless. ... The light was great."

Council member Kevin Lott had one complaint. "I did not get an 'I voted' sticker." Then he confessed he voted by mail.

"I'll put that in a budget amendment," quipped Cozze.

"Give him a sticker and a lollipop," added Heckman.

Unfortunately, there will be no national news stories spotlighting the success of the XL. Good news tends to be boring, but I'm sure NorCo will take it.

McClure Surrenders Most Emergency Powers; Wants Council To Award $27 M in CARES Act Grants

At last night's Northampton County Council meeting, Executive Lamont McClure surrendered most of his emergency powers. But he asked for a limited extension so he could require the public to wear masks and submit to temperature checks when the courthouse opens again on June 8. He can also limit public access. Council approved this extension by a 8-0 vote. Council member Peg Ferraro was still in Florida.

McClure first declared an emergency on March 19. This extension will remain in effect until the Governor puts Northampton County in the green zone.

Under this resolution, McClure has surrendered (1) the right to transfer employees into different departments where there are manpower shortages; the unilateral power to award hazard pay without Council approval; and sole control over CARES Act funding.

McClure reported that Northampton County has paid $1,157,409.54 in hazard pay thus far, mostly at Gracedale and the jail. Council will have to approve continued hazard pay and decide how best to spend CARES Act funding.

According to McClure, the County is about to receive a $27 million block grant from the state from the CARES Act funding. This money must be used for small business grants; tourism; municipal and community assistance; mental health and addiction projects; nonprofit assistance; and broadband development.

McClure said the county's Department of Community and Economic Development is coming up with an application process to get the money out where it is needed most, and quickly.

McClure said it is needed most by small business. "Who's really been impacted by this? Small business. Where do most people work? Small business." Though Council will decide, McClure believes the lion's share of the money should be distributed there.

He also hopes to see a sizable chunk of this money doled out to municipalities suffering revenue shortfalls.

During Gracedale Update, Exec Hints It Might Be Time to Downsize Nursing Home

Northampton County Council conducted its first Human Services Committee meeting since March on June 4. Only the final 15 minutes dealt with Gracedale, the county-owned nursing home hit hard by Covid-19. Administrator Jennifer Stewart-King was unavailable because she is recuperating from a surgical procedure, and Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski filled in for her. Here's what's going on:

Census. - Gracedale has 688 licensed beds, but census is down. It is currently 540. The nursing home is still accepting new residents, but at a reduced rate.

"It may be time for us to talk about no longer being the largest nursing home in Pa.," said Executive Lamont McClure, acknowledging an argument that Council member John Cusick made about changing the way residents are quartered with three or four to a room.  McClure warned, however, that Gracedale is the last refuge for people of limited means.

Covid-19 Impact. - Wandalowski reported on the numbers. She said 218 residents have tested or have been presumed positive for Covid-19, with 73 active cases and 4 hospitalized. She indicated that 78 cases have resolved. She indicated that Gracedale has been fatal for at least 63 residents, but the number might be as high as 67.  The coroner lists the nursing home as the residence of the decedent, while hospitals list their address. This results in temporary inconsistencies.

In response to a question from Council President Ron Heckman, McClure stated the state Department of Health mandates that Covid-19 be listed as a cause of death, irrespective of whatever other co-morbidities a resident may have. Thus a resident who suffered a heart attack would still be listed as a Covid-19 death. McClure cautioned, however, that many residents who were positive for Covid-19 died as a result of acute respiratory distress syndrome. This is caused by Covid-19.

Does Gracedale accept resident who test positive for Covid-19? Wandalowski said No, but this is inconsistent with what Stewart-King said at a recent Council meeting. Stewart -King said residents who were hospitalized as a result of Covid-19 would be readmitted after two negative tests.

Among the staff, 48 employees have been infected with Covid-19, but there are currently only three active cases.

Staffing. - There have been massive call-offs as a result of the virus, although the number is decreasing. There were 830 call-offs in March, followed by 960 in April and 760 in May.

Wandalowski explained the reasons for this is varied. An infected employee is required to isolate for 14 days, which would explain much of the problem. Some employees have difficulty finding child care, while others have been fearful. Wandalowski said the county would try to assist staffers in need of child care.

The call-offs have resulted in 38 mandates (mandated overtime) in April and 25 in May. She added that employees have been asked to pick up extra shifts to reduce the number of mandates 

Gracedale has continued hiring throughout the pandemic. This year, it has added 6 RNs, 14 LPNs, 35 CNAs and 3 or 4 nursing supervisors.

No Visiting Policy - The nursing home's no visiting policy has been a burden on both residents and family members. Two of them complained at the last County Council meeting, especially since their loved ones were suddenly moved to a different floor.

Wandalowski said she had a lengthy conversation with one or both of these family members. Executive Lamont McClure said he was sorry about the sudden move and wished communication had been better, but said the move was necessary because of insufficient staff.

Dean of Awesome Interviews Allentown Police Chief Glenn Granitz

Allntwn Police Chief Glenn Granitz with
the Dean of Awesome

I first met Toomey Anderson when my grandson was about five years old and playing team basketball for the first time in South Allentown. Parents would picnic there all day as their sons and daughters played. Everyone would eat, talk, joke around and old-timers played chess. This is where I first met Chuck Rockmore and his sons. It's also where I met Toomey Anderson, now known as the Dean of Awesome. When I noticed how much work he put into it, I asked him, "Why do you do this?" His answer. "We do it for the love." My grandson learned much more than the fundamentals from these and other mentors who would later include class acts like Emil Giordano, Marc Corsi, Mike Frew, Craig Golden, Dennis Csentsis and, most recently, Scott Coval. They taught their charges to be humble in victory, yet gracious in defeat. ... And to be AWESOME. I'd see Toom many times since those early days, both at high school basketball games and Allentown's Summer Tournaments. A former Parkland and Muhlenberg standout, he's been a walking beacon of hope to many kids who've had more rough breaks than they should. He teaches them to recognize that, whatever their circumstances, they are AWESOME. Toomey is still doing it for the love. At a time when this nation is torn apart by police brutality against minorities and ensuing riots that also have victimized those same minorities, what did he do? He invited Allentown Police Chief Glenn Granitz for an interview on his Facebook Awesome show. I toomed in and can say that with leaders like those two, the Lehigh Valley is well on its way to becoming AWESOME.

Toomey, clad in a "No Bullying" T-shirt that appears to have been made by his 11 year-old daughter, interviewed a police chief who hasn't seen his family in a few days. Chief Granitz seemed happy to be there, and explained why. "I'll talk to anybody at any time," he said. This is a trait he seems to share with Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio and Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo. It might explain why Lehigh Valley protests have have been peaceful. Granitz explained his primary obligation is to "listen." He added that good cops have "passion for what we do and compassion for what other people are feeling."

Toomey poses with  my grandson when he was awarded
"the belt" for a night after being called for charging in a game.  

Granitz told Toomey that his department recently received 700 applications. He said his department looks for diversity in new hires, but more importantly, wants to "recruit from Allentown kids who grew up here." The most important quality is character. "I've got to know that when you're not next to me, I can trust what you're doing."

Toomey actually began jumping up and down when he asked Chief Granitz about Black Lives Matter. "Let me say this simply, Black Lives Matter," said Granitz as Toomey leaped in the air as though he was about to deliver a dunk shot.

Chief Granitz made a great basketball analogy. He said some hoopsters are going to score a lot of points and be the star, as the Dean of Awesome pointed to himself. Then Granitz went on to add that a good cop generally gets no credit because he is the defensive player who de-escalates situations before they get out of hand.

Granitz acknowledged many people dislike police and that's a "totally valid feeling right now." He agreed that "[w]e're not perfect, but we are improving every day."

Asked about the 8can't wait movement endorsed by former President Obama (see below), Granitz said that it's been impossible for him to study this proposal in detail because of recent events, but he knows his department already follows some of the principals. It banned chokeholds five years ago, does require de-escalation and has body camera on every officer.

Before the interview ended, Toomey had Granitz say it one more time.

"Black Lives Matter."

8 Can't Wait Program: This movement advocates that police departments adopt the following policies:

1) Ban Chokeholds and Strangleholds.
2) Require De-Escalation.
3) Require a warning before shooting (when possible).
4) Exhaust all other means before shooting.
5) Duty to Intervene (when officer uses excessive force).
6) Ban Shooting at Moving Vehicles (unless person poses a deadly threat).
7) Require use of force continuum.
8) Require Comprehensive reporting.

Marines' Warrior Monk Denounces Trump's Divisiveness

James Mattis is referred to by fellow Marines as a "Warrior Monk" and "Mad Dog." In Afghanistan, on freezing nights, he'd be on the front lines with his troops. His advice to them: "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet." When Trump abandoned our Kurdish allies in Syria, Mattis resigned as Defense Secretary. In response to Trump's mistaken belief that he can use active duty military to quell domestic disturbances, he has issued the statement you see below:

In Union There Is Strength

I have watched this week's unfolding events, angry and appalled. The words "Equal Justice Under Law" are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers. The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation.

When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside.

We must reject any thinking of our cities as a "battlespace" that our uniformed military is called upon to "dominate." At home, we should use our military only when requested to do so, on very rare occasions, by state governors. Militarizing our response, as we witnessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict—a false conflict— between the military and civilian society. It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect, and of which they themselves are a part.

Keeping public order rests with civilian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them.

James Madison wrote in Federalist 14 that "America united with a handful of troops, or without a single soldier, exhibits a more

forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited, with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat." We do not need to militarize our response to protests. We need to unite around a common purpose. And it starts by guaranteeing that all of us are equal before the law.

Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that "The Nazi slogan for destroying us...was 'Divide and Conquer.' Our American answer is 'In Union there is Strength." We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics.

Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.

We can come through this trying time stronger, and with a renewed sense of purpose and respect for one another. The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the community. Americans in hospitals, grocery stores, post offices, and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country. We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution. At the same time, we must remember Lincoln's "better angels," and listen to them, as we work to unite.

Only by adopting a new path—which means, in truth, returning to the original path of our founding ideals—will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad.

James Mattis

NorCo Third in State to Report Election Results

Northampton County was the third county to report election results to the state on Tuesday night, right behind Tioga and Potter Counties.