NorCo Has Processed 48,496 MIBs

Before June's primary election, Northampton County received a record 36,849 mail-in ballots (MIBs). In preparation for the general election on November 3, that record is on pace to be shattered again. Northampton County's Elections Office has already processed 48,496 MIB applications. This is in spite of President Donald Trump's criticism of this method of voting. His bombastic barrage has undoubtedly dampened enthusiasm, but many voters remain undeterred.

Of the 48,496 MIB applications, 31,827 (65.6%) are from Democrats. Republicans account for 11,232 (23.1%). The remaining 5,437 (11.2%) are from third party voters or independents.

Voter Registrar Amy Cozze had predicted there would be 100,000 MIB applications, but that was before the attacks and lawsuits.

“For those who want to vote at the polls, we plan on fully staffing 154 precincts with 315 voting machines,” said Executive Lamont McClure. NorCo has avoided consolidating voting stations, which would increase the wait time.

Updated 7:30 am to correct an error concerning the number of MIBs in the primary.

Easton PD Plagued by 16 Shootings Over 14 Weeks

Easton's Police Department has been busy this summer with 16 shootings over the past 14 weeks. It has also been hampered by neighbors who refuse to cooperate. "This is not gang-related, said DA Terry Houck at a news conference on Wednesday. He labeled the shooters as "thugs and punks" out to settle scores. "What is ultimately going to happen here is a child is going to be killed in the cross-fire," warned Houck.

The shootings in Easton are part of a trend seen this summer in many of the nation's cities.

What's the reason? Is it the hot summer? People cooped up in their homes, unable to work as a result of Covid-19? "If I knew the answer to that, I'd be a rich man," said Detective Ben Mastrofilippo. What he does know is that residents are unwilling to get involved.

Det. Mastrofilippo filed simple assault and recklessly endangering charges yesterday against Elaine Ennis Tiasha, age 30, over a West Ward shooting on August 17. Ironically, she is the person who was shot.

Tiasha was suspicious that another woman, only identified as N.S., was having a clandestine affair with her child's father. N.S. denied this, but Tiasha felt she had been disrespected and began to beat up the much smaller N.S. She was in fear for her life and retrieved a Ruger EC9S from her fanny pack. This weapon was legally purchased and N.S. had a concealed carry permit. Tiasha tried to grab for the gun, but was shot in the chest. This ended the assault. N/.S. immediately said, "Call 911!" and surrendered her handgun to police when they arrived.

The altercation occurred on the 900 block of Ferry Street, on the front porch of a home owned by N.S.' parents.

Although police obtained a 49-second video of the shooting (you can see it above), it did not come from a neighbor. It instead came from N.S.'s sister. It had been given to her anonymously.

"This needs to be a lesson," Houck said of the shooting. He surmised that Tiasha, who is both 80 pounds heavier and 6 inches taller than N.S., was looking for a fight. "This is why you don't do stuff like this."

Do You Need Rental Assistance?

From Northampton County: In light of Pennsylvania’s eviction moratorium expiring on August 31^st, Lamont McClure reminds residents that Northampton County has approximately $3.6 million available for rental assistance, rapid rehousing and utility payments. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Community and Economic Development, worked together to develop the Community Mediation and Eviction Diversion Program (CMED). CMED offers experienced mediators, emergency financial assistance and rapid rehousing to prevent homelessness.

“Northampton County is ready to assist with conflict management, financial support and education services to resolve eviction disputes and prevent homelessness,” says Executive Lamont McClure. “Housing services are free to low-and-moderate income households and owners of rental units housing low-and-moderate income tenants.”

Contact Information:

For residents who live in Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township, contact:

·        New Bethany Ministries at 610-691-5602 x213.

For residents in Easton, contact either:

·        Easton Area Neighborhood Center at 610-253-4253 or email Ross Marcus at rmarcus@eastonanc.org

·        ProJeCt of Easton at 610-258-1100 x13 or email Michael Banas at mbanas@projecteaston.org

For residents of all other municipalities, contact:

·        Third Street Alliance at 610-438-1763 or email Ziana Keith at zkeith@thirdstreetalliance.org

For residents who are fourteen 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 the Northampton County Tenant Eviction Assistance program seeking rental assistance 

LV's Covid-19 Continues Downward Trend

Numbers cruncher Steve Thode has been paying close attention to the data from state and county sources since the beginning of the pandemic. His report concerning August and the past week continues to support the inference that Covid-19 is on a downward trend here in the Lehigh Valley. Why this is happening is a matter of opinion. But the cases are going down.

Steve's report.

Here are some stats for August:

NorCo reported 277 new cases out of 11,623 tests for a positivity rate for August of 2.38%;

For the last week of August (August 25-31), NorCo reported 52 new cases out of 2,781 tests for a positivity rate of 1.87%;

NorCo reported 11 new deaths in August;

Lehigh reported 384 new cases out of 12,912 tests for a positivity rate for August of 2.97%;

For the last week of August (August 25-31), Lehigh reported 68 new cases out of 2,880 tests for a positivity rate of 2.36%;

Lehigh reported 8 new deaths in August.

Here's a chart of the 14-Day New Case Rate for Lehigh and NorCo for August:

The state reported 487 new deaths in August: 286 in Long-Term Care Facilities and 201 in the general population.

Here's a chart of the Statewide 14-Day Death Rate for August:

Statewide, for August there were 21,859 new cases out of 705,177 reported tests for a positivity rate of 3.10%;

For the last week of August, the state reported 4,760 new cases out of 163,092 reported tests for a positivity rate of 2.92%.

Here's a chart of the Statewide 7-Day Positivity Rate for August:

Mezzacappa Racially Motivated False Report Case Continued

Although Tricia Mezzacappa was scheduled to be tried yesterday for false reports to the Pennsylvania State Police, nothing happened. According to the DA's office, she and her attorney sought and obtained a continuance of a case that has been languishing since February 11, 2019. While I'm sure there's a good reason for this delay, the victims feel as though they've been left out of the loop. They tell me they were never sent a subpoena to appear.

On its face, the prosecution against Mezzacappa is for a false report. But it's really a hate crime. If the state police are to be believed, she concocted a story in an attempt to frame a black man for something he never did.  Given her racist history, there is no doubt in my mind that she expected the state police to assume the worst about a person of color.

She thought wrong.

In many ways, the Mezzacappa prosecution is an instance in which law enforcement refused to buy into the white privilege being hustled. But prosecutors need to keep the victims in the loop.

Black lives matter.

Mezzacappa: NorCo GOP is "Sick," "Satanistic"

West Easton Constable Tricia Mezzacappa is scheduled for an jury trial today on charges that she filed a false report with the Pennsylvania State Police. She had called them on February 11, 2019, to report that a black man with a gun had assaulted her as she parked her vehicle outside her home. She claimed to have responded by pulling out her own gun and firing at this guy as he darted in and out of a nearby house. State police responded in force, but were unable to find any evidence she had fired her weapon at anyone. What they did learn is that, earlier that night, she went ballistic at that nearby neighbor because his car's exhaust was too loud.  You'd think that as her date with a jury draws nigh, she'd keep a low profile. She's instead doing the opposite.

On August 28, she predicts a "huge Trump loss in Northampton County" and states half the GOP Exec Committee has endorsed Biden.

God, I hope so.

On August 29, she claimed on Facebook to have started a new job at "Pro Trump Flag Rallies in Northampton County, Pa."

Just what they need.

On August 30, she said that the NorCo GOP is a "sick, satanistic organization."

I'm pretty sure they do worship Ron Angle. He tells me he's only Satan's second cousin.

That's the way they roll in the Slate Belt.

On August 30, she started a write-in campaign for failed Congressional candidate Dean Browning.

Never mind that he has endorsed candidate Lisa Scheller, who defeated him in the primary.

MLK's Dream Still Remembered, 57 Years Later

Despite the need for a walker, civil rights icon Esther Lee
participates  in virtual walk on Washington

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I have a dream!" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. He was joined by at least 200,000 people in what he called "the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation." Dr. King noted that "America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds.'" But he was still hopeful. He had a dream. He met with then President John Kennedy, who thought the march helped his civil rights bill. Two months later, Kennedy was assassinated. Not long thereafter, so was King.

But the dream lives on.

The virtual march was a walk around the block. McClure didn't even break a sweat. 

Fifty-seven years later, Dr. King's words still echo throughout this nation, including at Bethlehem's Payrow Plaza. A crowd of about 70 people gathered at the Christmas City's front porch in remembrance of both that march and one of the greatest speeches ever delivered.

Mayor Ray O'Connell introduces Council members to Esther Lee

When Dr. King spoke 57 years ago, it was on a pleasant summer day. August 28, 2020 was a different story. Instead of 200,000 marchers, there may have been 200,000 cicadas warning of bad weather ahead. Ominous dark clouds gathered. But the Mayors of all three of the Lehigh Valley's cities made it a point to be there, along with NorCo Exec Lamont McClure. Three members of Bethlehem City Council - Willie Reynolds, Olga Negron and Grace Crampsie Smith - were there. Accompanying Allentown Mayor Ray O'Connell were Council members Daryl Hendricks, Candida Affa and Ed Zucal.

The dream lives on.

Lee exchanges pleasantries with Allentown's Council members

If you've visited any of the local Black Lives Matter or Black the Blue rallies., you've probably noticed that most of participants are young white progressives or old white conservatives. They participate in mindless chants of "Defund the Police!" or "USA! USA!" With the exception of elected officials, a large proportion of the participants at Friday's rally in Bethlehem were black. They mostly wore their Sunday best. They marched. They sang. They even danced.

The dance of these three pretty young ladies was just one of several musical
interludes marking this remembrance of MLK's "I have a dream!" 

They still have a dream.

The white Mayors and County Exec gave excellent speeches. Perhaps "the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood," as Dr. King dared to dream.

Mayor O'Connell, meeting the iconic Esther Lee for the first time, hugged her. She was happy to meet members of Allentown City Council, at least two of whom are NAACP members.

But it's still an unrealized dream.

Lehigh University's Dr. Daniel Outing made that clear. "Racism is in the American dirt," he said. "America's real pandemic, eternal pandemic, is racism, and the the infection continues to kill, always and forever."

But like Dr. King, Dr. Outing is hopeful. "What makes us great is not our belief that we are perfect. What makes us great is our desire to be better and do better."

He still dares to dream.

How about you?

General Election FAQs

NorCo's Elections Office has provided an excellent list of Frequently Asked Questions for Northampton County voters concerned about the General Election which will be held on November 3^rd.

Can I vote by mail?

·        Yes. Act 77, which was passed in 2019, allows for no excuse mail-in voting. Applications must be received by October 27^th and are available in the Election’s Office or online at https://www.votespa.com/Pages/default.aspx

How do I know my application has been accepted or if my ballot has been received?

·        Citizens who sign up on votespa.com will receive emails about their application/ballot status. Voters who applied on paper can track the status of their ballot at votespa.com

Why did I get an email saying my application for a mail-in ballot has been declined?

·        It’s likely that a duplicate application was filed. Some voters forgot that they also requested a mail-in ballot for the General Election when they filled out an application for the Primary. Also, local groups have sent out unsolicited applications, confusing some voters into applying more than once.

When will ballots go out in the mail?

·        Ballots will start being mailed out by the end of September. Voters can check the status of their ballot on-line at votespa.com

I’m worried about getting my mail-in ballot back to the Elections Office on time.

·        To be counted, ballots must be returned to the Election’s Office by 8:00PM on November 3^rd. Right now, we are recommending voters return their ballot as soon as possible or at least get it in the mail by October 20^th.

What kind of stamp should I use to mail my ballot back?

·        Return envelopes are metered with first class postage. Voters do not have to use a stamp.

Do I have to return my ballot by mail?

·        No. Ballots can be returned directly to the Election’s Office at the Government Center or, for those who prefer to not go through security, to the secure ballot drop-off box in the Rotunda. (The box will be installed when ballots become available.) The Government Center is located at 669 Washington Street Easton, PA 18042.

Can someone else deliver my ballot to the Elections Office?

·        If you come into the office, you may be asked for your ID or, if you’re dropping off someone else’s ballot, you will be asked for a signed “Certification of Designated Agent” form.  A copy of the form can be downloaded at votespa.com

Is there anything visible on the outside of the mail-in ballot envelope that indicates my party affiliation such as a “D” for Democrat?

·        No

I requested a mail-in ballot, but I’ve changed my mind and want to vote at the polls.

·        Voters can cancel their mail-in ballots by filling out a form at votespa.com until September 1^st.

It’s after September 1^st. I requested a mail-in ballot but now I want to vote in-person at the polls.

·        Voters should bring their mail-in ballots and the return envelope to the polls. The Judge of Election will spoil the ballot and let them vote on the machine.

Will the polls be open on November 3^rd?

·        Yes. As of right now, the Election’s Office plans on staffing all 154 precincts with 315 voting machines.

Have the ExpressVote XL machines been tested?

·        Yes. The machines were all recalibrated after the election in November 2019 and will undergo testing before the election on November 3^rd. The machines performed very well in the June Primary.

Have any polling locations changed?

·        Northampton 4 is now at Gospel Church 1769 Newport Ave; Hellertown 3 is now at Saucon Valley High School Gym; Easton 8W and 8E is now at Paxinosa Elementary School.

Do I have to wear a mask at the polls? What about the poll workers?

·        All poll workers are required to wear masks. We strongly request that voters wear masks out of respect to the people who volunteer in our elections.

Who should voters call if they have problems or questions either before or on Election Day?

·        The Northampton County Elections Office: 610-829-6260 or election@northamptoncounty.org  

Our democracy increases in strength the more we all participate. If you, or someone you know, has an interest in taking a more active role, please consider becoming a poll worker. Poll workers are paid for their training time and their work on Election Day. https://www.northamptoncounty.org/CTYADMN/ELECTNS/Pages/PollWorkers.aspx

Dinosaur Spotted in Nazareth

I saw this vicious dinosaur in Nazareth today, going for a walk.

"What kind of dinosaur is that?" I asked the little girl.

"A brown one."

"Yes, but what kind?"

"A mommy dinosaur."

BLM LV Demands McClure to Veto "Offensive" Referendum Banning Discrimination

Last week, by a 7-1 vote, Northampton County Council agreed to ask voters to make a change to the county's Home Rule Charter. This is the county's constitution, and it does specifically ban discrimination in county employment. But the language used is antiquated and could be construed in a way that allows it to refuse employment on the basis of sexual orientation or identity. Council wants the Charter to reflect that we are a tolerant community and has faith that the voters will see it this way, too. There is a small minority of homophobes who will oppose this, but this is a country that recently had an openly gay Presidential candidate and a state that has numerous openly gay elected officials. Like Council, there is no doubt in my mind that a vast majority of NorCo voters will support this measure. It's time. Amazingly, this is opposed by Tara Zrinski, who distrusts the good will of the people of the Lehigh Valley. She has corralled two LGBTQ groups to pressure Executive Lamont McClure to veto what really is nothing more than a housekeeping measure. But what really takes the cake is the pressure brought by demagogue Justan Parker, who claims to lead Black Lives Matter Lehigh Valley.

Parker is the bullhorn-toting screamer who jumped to the wrong conclusion when Allentown police were forced to deal with a puking and staggering drug addict and drunk outside Sacred Heart St. Luke's in July. He had ingested seven bags of heroin along with some cocaine and was an immediate danger to himself and others. In the course of putting a spit mask on this fellow so he could be treated by medical personnel, an officer had his knee on this gentleman's head for a few seconds. There was no brutality. Officers were actually trying to help this guy. But a video shot by a passerby was blown out of proportion by Parker and other loudmouths. He organized a mob that has been banging on the doors and windows of Allentown City Council. He is at the front of the "Defund the Police" movement, and has participated in, if not led, chants of "Fuck the Police" and "Get Down or Lay Down."

In an August 26 letter to Executive Lamont McClure, Parker wants a veto.

Black Lives Matter Lehigh Valley is calling on you to veto the recently passed Voter referendum that would put LGBT civil rights on the ballot.

This issue is important to our organization as systemic racism and oppression negatively affect black and brown members of the LGBT community.

In this day and age, a majority population of non LGBT citizens should not have the opportunity to vote on protections and legal rights of a minority population of LGBT citizens.

In this current climate, we should be working together on ways to build our community with an emphasis around solidarity and love. Not a voter referendum that will only prove to LGBT residents that they are not supported by their neighbors.

Black Lives Matter is asking you to VETO this disturbing, offensive, and unnecessary voter referendum.

Do any of you think that Black Lives Matter LV had a meeting and actually voted on this matter? Of course not. I have to laugh when someone shouts "Fuck the Police" yet talks about "solidarity and love."

Parker is the mob. He is no different than a Maximilien de Robespierre, who led a Reign of Terror in the French Revolution.

McClure can follow the mob if he wants. Or he can trust the people who put him in office.

UPDATED: Why Pave Nor-Bath Trail?

At their August 20 meeting, Northampton County Council voted 8-0 (Peg Ferraro was absent) to reject a $218,693 bid from Grace Industries to pave a portion of the Nor_bath Trail. Twenty-seven firms accessed what's called the Request for Proposals, but only Grace submitted a proposal. Council member Tara Zrinski complained about the quality of work done by Grace, and Council member John Cusick was concerned that only one firm submitted a bid. The project will be re-bid, but Executive Lamont McClure worried there may be no bids at all in a rebid. "What are you going to do?" he asked.

I'd suggest there's no need to do any paving on a trail. All that does is add to impervious coverage, which increases water run off. Paved trails are also more dangerous because cyclists will travel too fast. The best surface would be crushed stone, which is pervious and more easy to maintain than asphalt.

UPDATED 3:25 PM: I'm informed this paving will be gravel, not asphalt. That's different, lol. Am trying to find out and will let you know if I had it wrong.

Lehigh County: Phil Armstrong to Release No-Tax Budget Tomorrow

Despite a pandemic that has caused most local governments to bleed money, Lehigh County Exec Phil Armstrong has just announced there will be no tax hike when he releases his 2021 Budget tomorrow.

I love his weekly updates, which you can see above.

Want to Volunteer For Covid-19 Vaccine Study?

If you'd like to volunteer for a Covid-19 trial vaccine, you can do so here. I'm pretty much nonessential and am hardly on the front lines. But I volunteered for what it's worth.

McClure: Veto of NonDiscrimination Referendum "Likely"

NorCo Exec Lamont McClure apparently distrusts the voters, too. He indicated on social media last night that he will "likely" veto Council's decision to ask voters to amend the Home Rule Charter to prohibit discrimination in county employment on the basis of sexual orientation or lifestyle. My previous story on this issue is located here.

If he distrusts that the voters will do the right thing, why should voters trust him? His action is a basic betrayal of democracy itself. He and even his Voting Registrar want to prevent the people from participating in the democratic process.

As John Lewis said, "The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society." But McClure will "likely" deny that right.

McClure is Executive, not King. Seven members of Council have already expressed confidence that voters will do the right thing. Hopefully, six of them will refuse to be bullied by him and let the people speak.

Cops and Good Trouble

Kerry Myers is in his first year on NorCo Council

On May 25, African American George Floyd was detained and eventually arrested by Minneapolis police officers for passing a counterfeit $20 bill. A white police officer knelt on Floyd's neck for nine minutes, while three other officers kept bystanders at bay. Pleas of "I can't breathe" were ignored, and the officer refused to remove his knee from Floyd's neck despite pleas that he do so. Floyd died. A video of this obvious brutality sparked nationwide outrage, and by people of all colors. The officers involved have been charged with homicide, but both peaceful protests and riots ensued. Cries of "Defund the police!" and "Black Lives Matter!", accompanied by violence, eventually led to "Back the Blue" counter-protests. Donald Trump declared himself the "President of Law and Order." In the meantime, every questionable incident involving police with persons of color have led to more protests, from Allentown to Wisconsin. It is against this backdrop that a group of 74 people, 50 of whom are police officers, met yesterday at Steel Stacks for a wide-ranging discussion of police interactions with persons of color.

This three-hour meeting, called "Courageous Conversations," was sponsored by NorCo DA Terry Houck, NorCo Council member Kerry Myers, Pa Democratic Black Caucus member Harold Levy and Senior Pastor Philip Davis of Easton's Shiloh Church. This is the second time this group met.

Does Racism Exist?

There are people on both sides of this issue in the community. So it's no surprise that police officers have different views as well.

Roseto Police Chief Brandon Rader denied there's any racism on the part of the officers with whom he works. But he said there is such a thing as good people and bad people. He noted that at times, a black person will claim he is being stopped because of his color. "No, I'm not," he said. "If you're a good person, I'll buy you a meal. I'll put gas in your car."

In stark contrast to Rader, LU Police Chief Jason Schiffer (former Chief of Bethlehem's Police Department) said "[r]acism is alive at LU and in our community."I need to recognize those shortcomings in myself."

Dave Collins, the first black person to become a Captain at Northampton County's jail, relayed his own experience. When he's driving, even if he is in uniform, he immediately gets nervous if he sees a police cruiser. In his mind, he goes over what he'll do if stopped. He noted that at one time, there were no police departments.

There were slave patrols.

False Loyalty

Collins also condemned what he called the "false loyalty" among some police and corrections officers who will back each other when there's a misconduct complaint. "What side of history do you want to be on?" he asked. "I want to be on the right side." This concern was also raised by community member Nicole Cooper, who said there needs to be more accountability. "We need officers who will say, 'That was wrong.'" Shje lamented that 48% of police discipline cases are overturned (I am unable to corroborate that assertion) nut former Easton Police CPT Scott Casterline said that is because those matters are reviewed by an independent arbitrator.

Harold Levy (Black Caucus) and DA Terry Houck

Defund the Police?

Almost all agreed that the "Defund the police" mantra is a misnomer. Kerry Myers, NorCo County Council's sole black member, said he prefers to see some funding reallocated to training officers. But Chief Schiffer countered that most police departments are hampered by very tight budgets. He said that when he was Chief in Bethlehem, he at one time had barely enough money to fuel his cruisers.

Terry Houck, who spent a decade as a Philly cop before becoming a prosecutor, echoed Schiffer. Houck said that when he started as a patrolman, Philly had 8,000 officers. When he left the force 10 years later, there were just 6,000. "Defunding the police has been going on for years," he lamented. He said it really hurts the ability of his office to prepare cases for trial.

Do We Need School Resource Officers? (SRO)

John Remaley and Scott Casterline, school resource officers at Easton Area School District, think so. In the wake of the Parkland shootings, they are needed to protect children from a seeming increase in mass shootings. "Most of the time, we are mentors or counselors," he said. He noted that a good SRO is adept at de-escalation, something he learned as a police officer.

Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio said the Lehigh Valley is putting the finishing touches on a new program called "Handle With Care," in which a school is provided with a "heads up" when a child has been subjected to a traumatic event so he can be provided with counseling.

Don't Jump to Conclusions

Chief DiLuzio also recommended that people should refrain from jumping to conclusions when they see only a brief video clip, as happened recentkly in Allentown. "Let's deal with facts," he said.

Fear

Captain Collins expressed the fear he feels when he is driving and sees an officer. But that's a two-way street. Detective Andre Stevens noted that officers are "not punching bags," but should avoid feeling fearful when dealing with someone. "If you got fear in your heart, you should not wear the badge."

Good Trouble

The meeting ended with a video clip of civil rights icon John Lewis, who liked to say "Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." Though officers were told they could leave before the video played, they stayed.

Thode: New LV Covid Cases and Test Positivity Have Dropped Substantially

Numbers cruncher Steve Thode has been following and reporting on the Covid-19 data since the inception of the pandemic. Here's his latest report.

The 14-Day COVID-19 New Case Rate has dropped substantially in both Lehigh and NorCo.

The number of new cases in the two counties combined has dropped by 50% in less than a month as illustrated by this chart:

In the last 14 days, Lehigh has reported only 143 new cases out of 6,008 new tests.

That's a positivity rate of 2.38%.

In the last 14 days, NorCo has reported only 124 new cases out of 5,323 new tests.

That's a positivity rate of 2.33%.

The 14-day case rates and positivity rates are the lowest for both counties since the pandemic began.

Statewide, the positivity rate for the last 14 days is 3.05%. That's also a new low.

Zrinski and NorCo's Elections Chief Distrust the Voters

Tara Zrinski, a member of Northampton County Council, is running for the state house seat being vacated by Marcia Hahn. But she distrusts the voters she hopes will elect her. Amy Cozze is Northampton County's openly gay elections chief. She also distrusts the voters she is supposed to be serving. All of this became clear by a decision made by County Council last week and the ruckus that followed on social media. By a 7-1 margin (member Peg Ferraro was absent), they approved a referendum in which voters will be asked to amend the Home Rule Charter to prohibit the County from discriminating against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or identity. Zrinski was the sole No vote.

Council members John Cusick and Kerry Myers sponsored this measure. Cusick explained that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or identity was banned by the Supreme Court in June, and NorCo has adopted policies consistent with that decision. The County's 43 year-old Home Rule Charter, however, is based on the language of the Civil Rights Act. "I feel that it's important that we add this to the Home Rule Charter and that we ask the voters to affirm what the Supreme Court did,' argued Cusick. "I believe this is something that, in 2020, they will support."

Myers agreed. "We need to have faith in the people of Northampton County," he asserted. He later invoked his inner John Lewis, "Sometimes you gotta' get in good trouble."

Zrinski, who spoke four times and repeated herself, unsuccessfully attempted to have the referendum tabled. "The voters don't get to have a second pass at what has already been deemed by the Supreme Court," she declared. She also said she spoke to members of the LGBTQ who think it's a terrible idea to let the voters weigh in. "This is a tactic to undermine the Supreme Court ruling," she charged, which impugned John Cusick's motives.

Zrinski was contradicted by members Lori Vargo-Heffner and Ron Heckman. They also spoke to members to the LGBTQ community who had no problem letting the voters decide. ""I am going to trust the will of the people of Northampton County."

After the meeting, Zrinski continued to gripe on Facebook about the measure, and this is when NorCo's Voter Registrar Amy Cozze decided to signal her own views on an election matter she is required to administer. "I don't look forward to knowing how many people in Northampton County think I don't deserve equal rights because of my sexual orientation," she complained.

Under Northampton County's Home Rule Charter, nothing prevents the chief elections official from weighing in on matters in which she has either a personal or political interest. Perhaps it should. Cozze's remarks about an elections question she will be administering creates the perception and perhaps the reality that she will run elections in a way designed to favor herself and her party. Even worse, it is an indication that she, too, distrusts the voters she serves.

Trump's Illegal Threat of Law Enforcement at Polls

On Friday, President Donald Trump threatened to send law enforcement to watch the polls on election day. "We're going to have sheriffs, and we're going to have law enforcement, and we're going to have, hopefully, US attorneys, and we're going to have everybody and attorney generals (sic)," he brayed.

I can only speak to Pennsylvania, where the law is very clear. Unless he's there to vote, any police officer who is within 100' of a polling place is committing a crime, unless he's there to vote himself. Here's what the Elections Code says:

"Any police officer in commission, whether in uniform or in citizen's clothes, who shall be within one hundred (100) feet of a polling place during the conduct of any primary or election, except in the exercise of his privilege of voting or for the purpose of serving warrants, or in accordance with the provisions of the exception set forth in section 1207 of this act where the police station or headquarters is located in the same building or on the premises where the polling place is located or unless called upon to preserve the peace, as provided by this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding five hundred ($500) dollars, or to undergo an imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or both, in the discretion of the court."

The only person who can ask police to preserve the peace is the Judge of Elections.

This is also contrary to federal law, which bans any federal official from summoning either troops or armed men to a polling place unless necessary to repel armed enemies of the U.S.

What Trump is doing is voter intimidation.

Only One Man Would Dare Give Me the Raspberry!

We were masked and did social distance, except Anne was hiding from the camera. 

On Sunday morning, I rode my bike along the wide berms of Route 191 from Nazareth to the Delaware and Lehigh Trail at Sand Island. Anne Felker, Don Kelly, Shari Wilson and Rick Bannister were positioned on the trail with maps and were also offering to do bike checks to passing cyclists. Although I have no mechanical ability, I thought I'd offer some moral support. We met lots of interesting, none more so than the man who dared give me the raspberry. His name is not Lone Starr.

Jim Thorpe or bust! 

Some people like the beach. This Philly cycling couple was taking a mini-vacation along the Delaware and Lehigh Trail. They had ridden up from Bristol to Easton and then took the trail west and into Bethlehem. After a night in the Christmas City, they planned to ride to Jim Thorpe.

We also met Team EPS -Riptide-Cawes. They had come in from Jersey and were doing over a century. They wanted directions to WaWa for a sports drink called Mountain Dew.

The man who dared give me the raspberry was about four or five years old. The second he saw me he ran and hid behind his mother. I tried to put him at ease by saying how good he looked. He responded by sticking his tongue out at me and giving me the raspberry.

Everyone complimented him on his excellent judgment.

He had a flat.

Grandpa Armstrong Explains MIBs

Not long ago, I called Lehigh County Exec Phil Armstrong the Grandpa of the Lehigh Valley. I love his periodic updates, which are always informative and delivered in a folksy style. His topic on Friday was the upcoming Presidential and mail-in ballots (MIBs).

Armstrong explained there are two ways to vote - in person at your local precinct or by mail-in ballot, which you can mail or hand deliver to the elections office.

What about MIBs? Will it get there?

"There are all kinds of people now really worried about mailing in their ballot, and having it get here. Well, November 3 is the Election Day. ... I have a lot of confidence in our postal system. I know my mortgage bill came on time. I know my credit card bill came on time and the package my wife ordered in the mail came on time. So the mail is getting through. "

Armstrong noted that elections officials have yet to mail out the ballots. "The official ballots going out won't be going out until we get the official word on who's on the ballot and we can print them."  He estimates they will go out the last week in September or first week in October.

"Get it in the mail by October 20th and you will have absolutely no worries," he recommends, adding that the county might open up on Saturdays near Election Day for those who want to hand-deliver their ballots.

"Send it in, go to the polls or come here.