APD Updates Public, Produces Video Showing Police Were Rendering Assistance

From Allentown Police Department: The Allentown Police Department continues to swiftly investigate the event of July 11, 2020 outside the
Sacred Heart Campus in the 400 block of W. Chew Street. Pursuant to the investigation, witnesses are being interviewed and evidence is being collected.

Attached to this updated press release is a video of the event captured from a vantage point from across the street from the incident. The video is approximately 9 minutes in length. During the first 4 minutes of the video an individual is observed to enter the frame who appears to be suffering from a medical, mental health or drug and alcohol crisis. The individual appears to vomit multiple times, he is also observed to drop his cell phone and he appears to have trouble walking and standing. Two Allentown Police Officers who were at the hospital on an unrelated matter are observed communicating and interacting with the distressed person in an effort to direct him towards the emergency room entrance.

The Middle portion of the video depicts a physical interaction between the individual, police and hospital staff. Approximately 23 seconds of middle portion of the video is reflected in what has been observed on social media. During the physical interaction, a breathable spit mask is placed over the head of the individual. The mask is used to protect hospital staff, officers and others from coming into contact with bodily fluids such as vomit and saliva The final portion of the video depicts hospital staff and police escorting the individual into the hospital. The individual received treatment and was later released.

The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be forthcoming. The Lehigh County District Attorney continues to investigate the matter and will release a statement when his review is complete, which is not anticipated until late this week.

The video can be viewed via our website at https://www.allentownpa.gov/police

Blogger's Note: I watched the video in its entirety. It showed a man who was disoriented, unsteady on his feet and vomiting repeatedly into the street. Two officers spent a number of minutes watching him. It looked like he was at the hospital because he was in need of treatment. He tried to assist officers, but was a bit out of it and fell to the ground. From there, officers attempted and eventually succeeded in putting a spit mask on this gentleman. From time to time, one officer's knee appears to have been on this person's neck. It appears to have been inadvertent and related to difficulties in placing a spit mask on someone who was really a patient. I saw no abuse. I saw nothing to justify the histrionics started by convicted drug felon Hasshan Batts. He referred on Twitter to police officers trying to help their fellow man as "savages." Sounds like a racist term.

Jewish Lives Matter

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson has tweeted not one, but a series of anti-Semitic slurs. After being taken to task, he initially claimed others "took my post the wrong way. " He followed up by reposting part of a speech from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan claiming, " "The [white Jews] will extort America, their plan for world domination won't work if the Negroes know who they were." I see. That explains everything. He's both racist and anti-Semitic. I agree that black lives matter. So do Jewish lives. Amazingly, the Philadelphia Eagles, whose team owner and President happen to be Jewish, have been painfully slow to react.

The Eagles have just announced an unspecified fine for "conduct detrimental to the team." Jackson has, of course, issued a bullshit apology written by crisis managers. He supposedly is going to "educate himself." Seems to me he's already been educated. The only appropriate reaction is to dump him.

If Eagles refuse, dump them.

West Easton Voting on "Black Lives Matter" Resolution Tonight

This evening, West Easton Borough Council is poised to consider the Black Lives Matter resolution posted below at their 6:30 pm zoom meeting. You can watch it from the comfort of your own home at Join Zoom Meeting .

BOROUGH OF WEST EASTON COUNCIL

RESOLUTION NO._____________

DECLARING UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER AND REAFFIRMING WEST EASTON POLICIES AND ORDINANCES THAT PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton strives to be a vibrant and welcoming community, where all people feel protected, included, secure and safe;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton has adopted polices and ordinances that prohibit discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, handicap, sexual orientation, or familial status;

WHEREAS, despite the Borough policies and ordinances, as well as similar state and federal laws, discrimination and racism still exists in our country, our state, and our Borough;

WHEREAS, systemic racism manifests itself both overtly and covertly through examples such as the recent killing of George Floyd by four members of the Minneapolis Police Department, social media posts that support racism, the recent rise of white supremacist groups throughout the country, and implicit biases and stereotypes that result in disparate treatment for people of color throughout our country;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton stands with community members who may have peacefully protested acts of racism, injustice, and inequality;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton recognizes that some of the Borough’s earliest white inhabitants were supportive of segregation and its leaders had enacted ordinances that prohibited equal opportunity for people of color;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton took steps to remove a pre-existing and unlawful Ordinance that only allowed for a white male to be a Chief of Police;

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton expressly recognizes that the history of the Civil War and the United States should not be forgotten, but that museums and history books are the place to learn about those who took up arms against the Union, or committed crimes against humanity—not prominent monuments on public property that glorify Confederate leaders, or those who committed genocide and horror upon native inhabitants.

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton is committed to combatting systemic racism and ensuring that the Borough continues to be welcoming for all; and

WHEREAS, the Borough of West Easton unequivocally declares that black lives matter.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by The Borough of West Easton Council:

Black lives matter.

That the Borough reaffirms its anti-discrimination policies and ordinances and commits to working with the community to take all action necessary to create additional anti-racist policies and ordinances that address racism.

BOROUGH OF WEST EASTON

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PA

Attested:

____________________________ ____________________________

Joan Heebner, Secretary Matthew A. Dees, Council President

Famous Blogger Wins Palmer Pickleball Tournament

I've told you before about my prowess as a Hearts player. I've won multiple tournaments, from here to Las Vegas. But I'm not one to rest on my laurels. No, siree. Yesterday, I handily defeated a group of grade school brats in Palmer Township's First Annual Pickleball Tournament, played at Fairview Park. If you never heard of it, you should pay closer attention to social media. A bunch of these little kids started crying, but I just laughed at them and said, "There's no crying in pickleball."

The day started, of course, with a 20-mile bike ride. My grandson and I started at Fairview Park, rode to WaWa to load up on water, and then shot down the Palmer Bike Path, picked up the Delaware and Lehigh trail, and rode straight to Sand Island and back.

Along the way, a tree had fallen across the path close to Freemansburg. While most cyclists were standing around the fallen timber with their thumbs up their asses, my grandson and I vaulted over it with ease. On the way back, we stopped and I picked the caber up and tossed it about 30' or so into the Lehigh River.

Take that, you Scottish pricks!&
Not to be outdone, my grandson swam out and picked it up in the river itself, and tossed it in the direction of the Steel Stacks while doing a back stroke. It went right in one of them, too.

That was a definite three-pointer.

I have no idea what the hell is going on in Bethlehem. Hoops have returned to the basketball courts, but the tennis courts are still under lock and key. In what world does that make any sense? It's certainly easier to practice social distancing on a tennis court than it is with basketball, but what do I know?

My grandson and I continued our ride back to Fairview, scaling the rather steep hill that leads to the Bethlehem Boat Club at an average speed of about 22 mph. It seemed too easy, so we did it again. We made it back to Fairview just in time for the pickleball tournament.

By this time, it was boiling hot. Very few of the little kids could take the heat, and kept keeling over.
We made short work of them. After tying in about 30 games, my grandson and I flipped a coin and I was determined to be the winner.

Next to the pickleball courts, a bunch of high school kids from Easton, Wilson, Freedom and Liberty were getting ready for their upcoming basketball season. They were distracted by our dinks and numerous other athletic achievements. It was only a matter of time before they were on the pickleball courts, mostly to cheer for me.

Many of them told me they would be abandoning their high school careers in the hope of getting pickleball scholarships, but I talked them out of it. They just don't have what it takes.

Who Is That Guy? C'est Moi!

On Friday, I posted this mugshot from the pages of The Bethlehem Globe Times and asked you to name the person. There were lots of good guesses. Burt Reynolds (before he went tets up). Brad Pitt. Gary Cooper. It's time to name this handsome devil.

C'est moi! C'est moi, I blush to disclose.
I'm far too noble to lie.
That man in whom
These qualities bloom,
C'est moi, c'est moi, 'tis I.
I've never strayed
From all I believe;
I'm blessed with an iron will.
Had I been made
The partner of Eve,
We'd be in Eden still.

APD To Produce Videos Showing Whether Officer Used Excessive Force

Seven weeks ago, George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer who placed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer has been charged with murder, and the outrage by people of all colors marks a significant departure from previous examples of police brutality against minorities. Did a police officer do this in Allentown on Saturday night? A 23-second video, broadcast on CBS-3 and other news outlets, suggests an officer may very well have done this, but for a much briefer period of time.

The mob outrage was immediate, but there was no violence. This is likely because Chief Glenn Granitz and Mayor Ray O'Connell both greeted the protesters and listened to them.

Tonight, Allentown police issued this statement:

Officers with the Allentown Police Department were at the Emergency Room Department outside Saint Luke's Hospital – Sacred Heart Campus in the 400 block of W. Chew Street on Saturday, July 11 at approximately 6:42 p.m. While at this location due to an unrelated matter, APD Officers observed a male outside who was vomiting and staggering in the street, eventually stopping in the driveway of the Emergency Room.

The observed erratic behavior resulted in the officers and hospital staff interacting with the individual. The individual began to yell, scream and spit at the officers and hospital staff. As the officers attempted to restrain the individual, all parties fell to the ground. The individual continued to be noncompliant which required officers to restrain the individual and the hospital applied a spit shield.

The male in question was escorted into the hospital for treatment. The male was treated and later released.

The investigation into this matter will be reviewed by the Lehigh County District Attorney and an internal investigation of the use of force is being conducted by the Allentown Police Department. The Lehigh County District Attorney will issue a statement when his review is complete, which is not anticipated until late this week. The District Attorney has assigned two county detectives to the investigation.

The investigation into this incident is moving swiftly. Part of the investigation has included the review of a 23 second video posted to social media. Although significant, the entirety of the interaction is being reviewed. Witnesses are being interviewed and additional videos of the interaction are being reviewed. We plan on releasing relevant videos later this week as we complete this inquiry.

Bloggers Michael Molovinsky and LVCI have weighed in on what has happened. Both note, and correctly, that mobs do a particularly lousy job of dispensing justice, unless you like lynchings.

I am appalled by Allentown City Council member Joshua Siegel, who refers to himself on Twitter as a "visionary" who wants to make Allentown a "laboratory for democracy." In his quest to become Mayor, he has apparently foprgetten about a little thing called due process.

Trump: Worst President This Country Has Ever Had (Part 3)

Trump ally Roger Stone was sentenced to begin a 40-month prison sentence on July 14 after being convicted by a jury of seven counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements to Congress. He has appealed the guilty verdict, but has exhausted all excuses under which he could delay his reporting date. But President Donald Trump, in yet another abuse of his office, is springing the crook.

So much for "law and order."

Noah Bookbinder, himself a former federal prosecutor who now is the Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), has released this statement:

“Roger Stone is appropriately a convicted felon and belongs in prison. This is one more example of President Trump at his most corrupt and another attack on our democracy. The president whose administration had peaceful protesters for racial justice pepper sprayed in the name of ‘law and order’ has repeatedly stepped in to make sure his cronies don’t see the consequences of their actions. The message is clear: In Trump’s America, justice doesn’t apply to rich white men who help the president.”

Sen. Pat Toomey (R. Pa.) on commutation: "While I understand the frustration with the badly flawed Russia-collusion investigation, in my view, commuting Roger Stone’s sentence is a mistak. ... He was duly convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction a congressional investigation conducted by a Republican-led committee.”

Sen. Mitt Romney (R. Utah): “Unprecedented, historic corruption: an American president commutes the sentence of a person convicted by a jury of lying to shield that very president.”

Previous stories:

Trump: Worst President This Country Has Ever Had

Trump: Worst President This Country Has Ever Had (Part 2)

(Originally published 7/10/20 at 10:08 PM)

Gracedale is Covid-19 Free

For the first time since March 26, Gracedale is Covid-19 free. All residents who had been in isolation have returned to their regular units. Although Executive Lamont McClure predicts there will be more infections in the days to come, he nevertheless wants workers there to know he appreciates their "heroic efforts."

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been particularly virile at nursing homes. At Gracedale, 146 residents and 57 employees have been infected with Covid-19. Unfortunately, 74 residents died.

Inconsistent Covid-19 Messaging Has Contributed to Spread

I've been highly critical of the leadership displayed by Governor Tom Wolf and President Donald Trump during the Covid-19 crisis. But I'll say this much about Wolf. He's at least been consistent. The federal government, however, has been notoriously inconsistent. Even though Covid-19 has taken 130,000 American lives, President Donald Trump is attacking his own CDC over how to open schools safely. Inconsistent messaging from Trump and other federal officials about face masks has created a groundswell of Trump worshipers who equate this minor inconvenience with a deprivation of basic personal freedom. This, unfortunately, has contributed to the spread of a disease that is already far too virulent. Countries that have been successful dealing with Covid-19 have employed different tactics. Some rely on heavy testing. Others on isolation. But the one thing they have all had in common is consistency. America's Covid-19 messaging has been a failure.

Here's how public health expert Thespina (Nina) Yamanis puts it:

Studies show that when officials are transparent and accountable to the public – explaining who is vulnerable in an outbreak, what is known and unknown about the disease and the steps necessary to control its spread – it enhances public trust.

Trust, in turn, aids compliance.

But when health messaging is vague, inconsistent or unrealistic, it engenders the kind of confusion, misinformation and non-cooperation now seen in some of the world’s hardest-hit countries.

If You Want to Keep or Boot Trump, Better Register to Vote.

If you want your voice heard in the upcoming November 3 Presidential election, you need to be a registered voter. The last day for registration is October 19.

Eligibility:

Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
Be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
Be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

How to Register:

You can register at PennDot, your county voter registration office, by mail or online.

Who Is This Guy?

This mugshot appeared in the pages of The Bethlehem Globe Times many years ago. Do you know who it is?

Wolf Extends Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium Until August 31

Governor Tom Wolf yesterday extended his moratorium on foreclosures and eviction proceedings until August 31. His Order (you can read it here) will give struggling homeowners and tenants a little time to familiarize themselves with rent  and mortgage relief programs being administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). It also mirrors extensions on foreclosure proceedings on most federally backed mortgages.

The PHFA has $150 million for rent assistance and $25 million to help pay mortgages. Applications are available here.

Wolf's order notes that homeowners and renters are still responsible for their debt, and tenants may still be evicted for issues unrelated to nonpayment or remaining in possession after a lease has expired.

Northampton County tenants in need of rent assistance can do the following:

If you live in Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Hellertown, Lower Saucon Township :
Contact: New Bethany Ministries at 610-691-5602 x213

If you live in Easton there are 2 agencies you may contact:
- Easton Area Neighborhood Center at 610-253-4253 or email Ross Marcus at rmarcus@eastonanc.org
- ProJeCt of Easton at 610-258-1100 ext. 13 or email Michael Banas at mbanas@projecteaston.org

All other municipalities of Northampton County, contact Third Street Alliance at 610-438-1763 or email Ziana Keith at keith@thirdstreetalliance.org

Tenants who are 14 days or less away from losing their residence and have either a Notice to Quit or a Lockout Order/Notice:
Call 211 to be connected to Northampton County Tenant Eviction Assistance program seeking rental assistance

NorCo Gets Green Light to Replace Glendon Hotel with Affordable Housing

At their July 7 meeting, Northampton County's General Purpose Authority (GPA) approved a resolution to seek a $300,000 blight remediation grant from the state for the demolition of Glendon Hotel. The previous evening, Glendon's Zoning Hearing Board granted relief to redevelop the current hotel site with five town homes, reported Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development Mark Hartney.

The County plans to use the $300,000 to raze the hotel, do site preparation and perform some engineering. The grant will require a 10% match from the GPA.

"The big unknown is how much rock is there," said Hartney.

Located on and actually falling onto Glendon's Main Street, the hotel was first built in 1740 as a place where people could seek protection in the event of an attack from Native ASmericans. It's original doors were six inches thick and the walls were perforated with loopholes from which occupants could fire. 

Instead of being a refuge, it is now a safety hazard.

Are We Still a Shining City on a Hill?

Republican Voters Against Trump have released a devastating ad using Ronald Reagan's words to drive home Trumps's disastrous term as President. I hope my Republican friends are paying attention.

Have You Tried Pickleball?

On July 4, I was at an undisclosed location in western Lehigh County for the latest hearts tournament. Naturally, I prevailed yet again, dashing the hopes of my opponents. One of them was so upset that he spilled his Sangria all over himself and another player. I was humble in victory, and consoled another player who broke down in tears. "It's only a game," I said. "I'm sure there's something you're good at. Ever try pickleball?"

Earlier that day, I noticed the grandson of one of my opponents had two smallish paddles and what looked like a large wiffle ball.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Pickleball."

"What's that?" I asked.

This young man, about 18' tall, explained that it's a game like tennis, badminton or even ping pong.

"Wanna play?" I asked.

"No way, you're a highly conditioned, well-trained athlete."

He's a very observant young man.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find an opponent. But that might soon change. Yesterday, I received a news release from the City of Allentown. Amazingly, it was about pickleball.

The City's Department of Parks and Recreation has repurposed seven tennis courts at Irving and Roosevelt Park so you can play either tennis or pickleball on them. According to the news release, Allentown has seen an increase in the sport of pickleball with several indoor locations interspersed throughout the community. Allentown offers the only outdoor pickleball courts in the Lehigh Valley and possibly the world, along with the largest city ID sign. The City intends to offer classes and possible pickleball tournaments in the future.

I hope Glenn Klein of summer hoops fame runs them.

I have already contacted Mayor Ray O'Connell to offer my services as an instructor. I was unfortunately disconnected, although it sounded like someone was laughing.

King Lear, Starring Ron Heckman

Northampton County Council President Ron Heckman is certainly one of the most informed persons I know when it comes to county government. He's also correct when he says, as he sometimes does, that County Council needs to assert itself more. This is an issue on a municipal, state and federal level. The executive branch has assumed near dictatorial powers, but that's only because the legislative branch allowed it to happen. So I was proud of Heckman at the June 18 Council meeting, when he finally said No to an Executive who was going to assume complete control over $4 million in small business grants. Council controls the purse strings. On the other hand, I am increasingly concerned that Heckman thinks he is the Executive, and a rather nasty one.

This actually started at the June 18 meeting in which County Council made clear that the governing body, and not Executive Lamont McClure, would be awarding the grants. During that meeting, Heckman raised a lot of concerns about the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce, which was pegged to market these grants. When McClure got up to explain the Chamber's fee, Heckman told him to sit down. Yes, it is Council's show, but if the Exec wants to explain something they are all asking about, it's kinda' dumb to tell the one person who can answer that he has not been recognized. It's really dumb when that one person happens to be the Executive.

Heckman has a mean streak. In November, he smeared then Acting Registrar Amy Hess because she was not at a Council meeting in which they were discussing the disastrous November election. It did not matter that she was actually working across the hall on that very election. Heckman would later apologize (privately, not publicly) to Hess, but she decided she preferred being a Deputy. Fortunately, her successor, Amy Cozze, has treated her as an equal, and the county pulled off its best election ever in June.

Heckman lashed out again at a county employee on July 2. Heckman was miffed that McClure was not speaking to him. McClure is likely waiting to be recognized. So Heckman tried to unload on Mark Hartney, another very hard-working county employee who had just finished explaining the difference between two different grant programs to Council member Lori Vargo-Heffner. Heckman was actually cross-examining Hartney, and McClure stood up to defend a county employee.

"This isn't a trial, I didn't know you were his lawyer," snarked Heckman.

"I'm not his lawyer, I'm his boss," retorted McClure, who was unwilling to submit an employee to abuse. "If you want to question the motives of the administration, I'm the one you should question."

Heckman should know he has no supervisory authority.

Heckman spent most of the meeting bloviating in what is increasingly becoming a very bad adaptation of King Lear. Very rarely have I ever heard a man use so many words to say so little. This is totally unfair to other Council members, who actually might have some ideas or suggestions themselves.

"Speak less than thou knowest," the Fool told Lear to no avail. And so it is with Heckman.

I have previously taken Council member Tara Zrinski to task for her failure to use her mike and constant interruptions. Over the past two meetings, Zrinski appears to have finally taken this criticism to heart. She has stopped interrupting others, raising her hand instead. And when she does speak, she has been using her mike. I'm still no fan, and think her idea of having the Executive appoint Council members to an oversight committee totally defeats the purpose of having one in the first place. I was nevertheless appalled at the treatment Heckman gave her.

Heckman had gone on ad nauseum to explain why he wanted all kinds of information. Zrinski waited to be recognized and was. While she was in the middle of making her own speech, Heckman interrupted her and went on for about a minute (it seemed longer) when Zrinski sought to reclaim the right to speak after having been cut off.

"No, you're not recognized, you're out of order," said Heckman, banging the gavel as well. He then repeated himself a few times.

"You're not going to monopolize the meeting, Tara," said the very person who himself was monopolizing the meeting.

Heckman would later announce that he would be appointing the Council members to sit on a committee to evaluate grant applications. "I'm the President of Council, and we're a separate branch of government, and I'm empowered to do something like that," he said. Except he isn't. Council has never adopted rules of order to spell out the precise powers of the President.

While he may object to a power grab by the Exec. It appears he's more than willing to make some power grabs of his own. He's not King, just King Lear.

The Fool also told Lear, "Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise."

It's advice Heckman should consider.

I Nominate NorCo's COs For Suicide Prevention Awards

Director of Human Services Susan Wandalowski and the Northampton County Suicide Prevention Task Force are seeking nominations to honor community members who work in or have participated in suicide prevention. Nominees may include those who have made suicide prevention their life’s work, are actively contributing to the cause, or have assisted in preventing loss by suicide.

Nominations should be made in an essay of 250 words or fewer with a description of why the nominee deserves to be recognized. Nominations can be sent to Susan Wandalowski via email at swandalowski@northamptoncounty.org or by mail to the following address:

Susan Wandalowski
2801 Emrick Blvd
Bethlehem, PA 18020

Nominations must be received or postmarked by August 14, 2020. Awards will be distributed at a press conference in September 2020.

I am nominating Northampton County's often overlooked corrections officers.

Here's what I am sending Sue Wandalowski:

During the height of the Covid-19 crisis, there is one group of Northampton County employees who really excelled. Though some of them got ill themselves, they somehow managed to keep the 24/7 jail fully staffed. In the process, they saved the lives of at least three inmates who tried to commit suicide. They are called corrections officers, and should be recognized as a group.

What Unites Democrats and Republicans? Greed

A few breadcrumbs are going to be distributed to small businesses in Northampton County, once local lawmakers get their act together. It will be an opportunity for those who've been hit hard. It will also be an opportunity for those who are connected. It's hard to avoid being a cynic when you see who benefited from the PPP (paycheck protection program). It shows the one thing that unites Democrats and Republicans - greed.

A lost of beneficiaries was released by the Small Business Administration yesterday. Recipients include the family business of Transportation Sec'y Elaine Chou and Agriculture Sec'y Sonny Perdue, Nancy Pelosi's husband, private equity chains and members of Congress. In the meantime, citizens who've been thrown out of work by the pandemic deal with unresponsive state agencies and wait for weeks to collect, if at all.

I am attempting to review the list to determine who benefited locally. If you can do so, please share in the comments.

Two Grant Programs Available For NorCo Small Businesses

On Thursday night (July 2), Northampton County Council approved a mechanism for $4 million in grants to small businesses (less than 100 employees), capped at $15,000. But there's actually a second grant program as well, administered by Rising Tide for the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

Rising Tide Grant Program. - These grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, are for businesses which impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, but missed out on the funding offered through previous programs. To be eligible, a business must be physically located, certified to do business and generate at least 51% of its income in Pennsylvania. It must have an annual revenue of up to $1 million prior to and twenty-five or fewer full-time employees prior to February 15, 2020. Businesses owned and operated by low and moderate income people and re located in areas of need or are the types of businesses most impacted by the economic shutdown will be prioritized. Additional consideration will be given to businesses which are owned by women or located in communities targeted for business investment by the state government. Fifty percent of the grants will be awarded to Historically Disadvantaged businesses (i.e. at least 51% owned and operated by Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander).

Applications are being accepted through July 14.

NorCo Grant Program. - These grants, as noted above, are for businesses with 100 or less employees and are capped at $15,000. The application will be available within the next two weeks on the websites for Northampton County’s Department of Community and Economic Development (https://www.northamptoncounty.org/CMTYECDV/Pages/Apply-for-Funding.aspx) and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/)

Membership in the Chamber is not required to apply for a grant.

Wolf's Covid-19 Approval Rating Drops

According to the latest polling data from Fox43 and Susquehanna Polling and Research, there is much less public support for Governor Tom Wolf's management of the Covid-19 crisis. In April, he enjoyed a 69% approval rating. That number has dropped to 49%.

That same poll, conducted among 715 voters, gives Joe Biden a five-point edge over Donald Trump.

Nearly a quarter of those polled identified themselves as independent.