Will Carpenter Will Face MDJ Manwaring in North Bethlehem

I've been critical of Magisterial District Judge Roy Manwaring. He imposed court costs on a Defendant  who was acquitted on charges of overtime parking, and even refused to let him leavethe office until he paid up. Judge Manwaring was admonished by President Judge Michael Koury, Jr., and was forced to return the money.   The county controller recently took him to task for allowing constables and police officers in the secretarial area, giving them access to cash and financial records. Manwaring not only refused to take the Controller's recommendation, but I'm informed he's even provided keys to some constables. He also has been slamming President Judge Koury for daring to correct him.

Manwaring now has an opponent. Will Carpenter, a Cornell grad and retired commercial real estate professional, has filed on the Democratic side. Manwaring has cross-filed. 

Carpenter has promised "common sense." Manwaring has demonstrated he lacks that quality.  

Who's Running in NorCo's Boroughs?

Bangor Mayor: Brooke Kerzner, Bangor's Democratic incumbent Mayor, filed no nomination petition. Two Republicans, Mary Ellen DeFranco and Robert Goffredo, Jr., will duke it out in the primary for the Republican nomination. Goffredo sits on Borough Council.  

Bangor Borough Council. Bangor Borough Council is comprised of seven members. Four at-large seats are up this year. Two Democrats - Krista Ashmore and Michael J Bilotta (inc.) have filed. So have the following four Republicans: Jim Kresge (inc.); Jim Augustine (inc.); Joanna Paulson; and Marissa L Donnelly. 

Bath Mayor: Fiorella Mirabito, Bath's Republican incumbent Mayor, is running unopposed. 

Bath Borough Council: Bath Borough Council is comprised of seven members, and three seats are up this year. Only Democrat Michele Ehrgott (inc.) has filed a nomination petition. 

Chapman Borough: Nobody has filed. 

East Bangor Borough: Incumbent Republican Mayor Derek Powell is seeking re-election. There are currently six borough council members, and four seats are up for grabs. Only Democrat Susan Ruggiero and Republican Jennifer Rosanne Reese have filed nomination petitions. Both are incumbents.

Freemansburg: Incumbent Mayor Donald Lasso has filed no nomination petition. The borough's former long-time Mayor, Gerald Yob, seeks the Democratic nomination. Borough Council consists of seven members, with three seats up this year. Incumbents Gerald Yob, Margaret Reichard and Charles E Derr, have filed nomination petitions as Democrats. 

Glendon Borough: Mayor Melody McAllister has filed as a Democrat. There are two open seats on borough council. Democrat Amy Lynn Weisenberger-Caswell and Republican Donald Young have both filed. 

Hellertown: Democratic incumbent Mayor David Heintzelman, who is also a funeral director, has filed for re-election. There are seven members of borough council, with four seats up this year. Incumbent Democrats Thomas J Rieger, Gil Stauffer and Matt Marcincin have each filed. In addition, Democrat Theresa Fadem is seeking her party's nomination. 

Republicans Andrew Hughes and James W Hill have also filed. 

Nazareth: Incumbent  Democratic Mayor Lance E Colondo is running by his lonesome. There was some speculation that Carl Strye would run. He was the former mayor, but was forced to resign after being charged with and placed on ARD for skimming from gaming machines.  He filed no nomination petition. 

Unlike most tiny boroughs, Nazareth has nine Council members. None are at-large, but represent even tinier wards. In the first ward, incumbent Democrat Christopher Crook has no opposition. In the second ward, incumbent Democrats Jessica Teel Sadler (four years) and Laureen Pellegrino  (two years) have filed. In the third ward, incumbent Democrat Charles A Donello and Republican Strye are running for two open seats. 

Barring a write-in campaign, the election is over in Nazareth. 

Northampton: There will be a contested Mayoral race between Democrat incumbent Thomas D Reenock and Republican Council member Tony Pristash. In the borough council races, incumbent Republican Tony Pristash faces a primary challenge from Bonnie Almond in the second ward. Democrat Anthony S Lopsonzski, Jr. is running unopposed in the fourth ward. 

North Catasauqua: Incumbent Democratic Mayor William J Molchany, Jr.,is running unopposed. There are seven members of borough council, and four seats are up this year. Incumbent Democrat John Joseph Yanek and incumbent Republican Peter Paone III have filed for two of the seats. Republicans Michael Macsisak and Daniel R Snyder have also filed. 

Barring a write-in, this race is over. 

Pen Argyl Borough: No contested races. 

Portland Borough: No contested races.

Roseto Borough: No contested races. 

Stokertown: There will be a contested Council race. Republicans Kimberly Holden-Foryth and Renee Cantwell will vie with Democrats Pamela Davis and Rosemarie Wenzelberger over three seats. 

Tatamy: There will be a contested Mayoral primary between Republicans James D Pallante, Jr., and John Nadolski, Jr. 

Walnutport: The only contested race will be for Tax Collector. Republicans Kristie D Wilk and Scott B Stauffer will face off in the primary. The winner will go up against Democrat Jonathan Kenyon.

West Easton: There will be a Mayoral primary between Democrats Dan DePaul and Kenneth E Decker, Jr.  Five Democrats are running for four borough council seats. Paul Brown, Janie Jones Brown, paul G James, Kenneth E Decker, Jr and Matt Dees have all filed.  There is also a two-year seat on Council, and Democrat Paul G James is facing Republican Robert Adams. Matt Dees is also running unopposed for constable. 

Wilson Borough: There will be a contested Democratic primary in the second ward among Democrats Kenneth Kurt Snyder, Justin Woodring and Jeffrey Bracken. In the third ward there will be a contested primary between Shaun M Gable and James Klass. 

Wind Gap: no contested races. 

I will tell you about NorCo's township and city races on Monday. 

Mezzacappa Claims to Have Surrendered Nursing License

In a failed attempt to frame an innocent black man, West Easton Constable Tricia Mezzacappa lied to state police in 2019. She falsely claimed she had fired on him after he had pointed a gun at her head. A jury of her peers unanimously found her guilty of lying on Tuesday. Mezzacappa now is claiming that she has "regretfully" surrendered her nursing license.  Because she lies nonstop, I will wait to see whether this surrender is actually filed with the state. So far as I know, she remains a constable. 

Osborne: Did South Whitehall Strike Out With Youth Sports?

As the BOC meeting last Wednesday was coming down the home stretch, a seemingly routine question was asked by a commissioner concerning a recent contact from a constituent about increased fees associated with the use of ballfields for youth sports this year. And that question turned into a “porta-potty issue” as dubbed by an administration official. Apparently, the township had forewarned the youth groups last year that beginning in 2021, they would no longer “foot the bill” (as this official worded it) for porta-potties on non-township owned sports fields. And now they followed through with this plan in an effort to cut expenses for the Parks & Recreation department.

Based on the public discussion, it is unclear who made this decision, but very clear that not all the commissioners were aware of this policy change for something that has been in place since 2005. Ironically, a commissioner who is typically in the majority of the 3-2 decisions, stated earlier this year that the township exceeded budget expectations in 2020 and ended up with a “surplus.” Residents are wondering why, then, is this relatively miniscule expense been targeted for cuts after a “surplus” year?”

I’m committed to call “balls and strikes” as I see them in this blog. In light of a supposed budget “surplus”, is this the year to impose a greater financial burden on our families and their young athletes as we get back to some semblance of normal life?

Thankfully, a pinch hitter stepped up to the plate . . . hearing this news, a longtime township resident started a GoFundMe account this week to help defray the cost to the families in the township. Within 48 hours, they have reached over 70% of their goal.

How do you see this . . . did the township leave our youth groups stranded on base, or is this right time to enforce the “rules” and let the residents go to bat for themselves??

Pat Broscius Has Challenger in Bethlehem Tp MDJ Race

Pat Broscius, a former Assistant District Attorney, is seeking re-election as the Magisterial District Judge in Bethlehem Tp. She has filed nomination petitions from both Democrats and Republicans. Surprisingly, she faces a challenge from NorCo employee Andrew Tupone. 

Tupone made a name for himself, and not in a good way, when he was part of the Panto Parking Police. Several lawyers felt they were targeted by him, which is hardly the kind of conduct you want to see in a judge. Tupone then bounced around in the county. First, he was a 911 dispatcher. Then an elections clerk. Most recently,. he is an assessor. Along the way, he's tried to get himself appointed as Controller. He stormed out of Council chambers when passed over, which is rather injudicious. 

Tupone is being pushed by the Bethlehem Tp GOP Committee. 

MDJ Hawke is Challenged

Magisterial District Judge Robert A Hawke is seeking re-election to his seat in the northwestern tier of Northampton County, and has cross-filed. He has a challenger, Melissa Gogel. She has also cross-filed. 

I have no information about her, but a google search indicates that an Allentown police officer by that name settled a claim of sexual harassment and gender discrimination for $20,000 in 2014. 

Latina Joins Lawyers Seeking South Bethlehem Judgeship

Tony Rybak, Jordan Knisley and Christian Colon all previously announced their candidacy for the South Bethlehem judgeship being vacated by Nancy Matos-Gonzales. Rybak and Knisley have both cross-filed, while Colon appears to have abandoned his campaign after his residency was questioned on this blog. You might think this is sad for the South Bethlehem community, which is a majority minority. No need to worry. A Latina, Ilda Perna,has joined the fray.  I have no other information about her. 

Wilson Boro Cop Joins Lawyers Seeking Judge Taschner's Seat

I've already told you that Attorneys Susie Hutnik, Lisa Spitale and Leo  Jackson are running for Judge Jackie Taschner's soon-to-be-open seat in Palmer and Forks Tp. They each have cross-filed nomination petitions. So has Marc Crisafulli, a Wilson Borough cop who also serves on Palmer Tp's Zoning Hearing Board. 

Who's Running For NorCo Office?

Executive: Incumbent Lamont McClure is the sole Democrat seeking his party's nomination, while Steve "the Patriot" Lynch is the only Republican hopeful.  

On March 2, Lynch vowed, "We won't be outworked." He gathered about 730 signatures. McClure got 1,300. It looks like Lynch was outworked. 

County Council: There are five open seats. Incumbents Democrats  Ron Heckman, Lori Vargo-Heffner, Bill McGee and Tara Zrinski are seeking their party's blessing. Newcomers Patti Bruno and Emmanuel Jah-El have also filed petitions.

Republican hopefuls are John Goffredo, Scott Hough, Annamarie T Robertone, Nicole Romanishin and Kristin Lorah Soldridge. 

This blog has covered NorCo government since 2006. Only McClure, McGee, Bruno and Goffredo could be bothered to send notices announcing their campaigns.   

Wounded Combat Vet Seeks Bethlehem GOP Mayoral Nod

Kachmar with President Geo W Bush

For the first time in 24 years, a Republican is running for Mayor in Bethlehem. John Kachmar, who served as Administrator under Lehigh County Executive Dave Bausch and as Chief of Staff to former Congressman Don Ritter, filed his nomination petition on Tuesday. 

Numerous Republicans who've never served a day in the military, including GOP Exec candidate Steve Lynch, like to dress up in camoflauge on weekends and call themselves "patriots." Kachmar really is. After graduating from Liberty High School, he served in the Marines. He ended up in Vietnam, where he was wounded in action. 

My father, a WWII vet who was wounded in action himself, never talked to me about the war or his experiences as a POW. But he talked to Kachmar. So did acclaimed novelist Kurt Vonnegut. That trio formed an unlikely bond while Kachmar was still a student at Moravian College. 

Kachmar is a patriot. Lynch, not so much.  

After leaving Lehigh County, Kachmar developed considerable experience in managing municipalities throughout the country, mostly in the South. In fact, he actually helped establish several local governments. 

He's been back in Bethlehem, and it's been impossible for him to ignore what's happening. 

My brother and I sat down with him recently at the Santiago Cigar Lounge on the City's south side. Proprietor Consuela, who was smoking a cigar herself, brightened the moment he walked inside. She even brought me a cup of really good coffee, even though I am a nonsmoker. 

At that time, I told him it would be foolish to run for Mayor because the City is dominated by Democrats. Kachmar acknowledged reality, but added that it's time for a change. He noted the city has had tax increases in three of the past four years, and is irked by a stormwater fee that burdens row home owners to the same extent as those living in luxurious estates. He's especially irritated by the City's decision to give the Business Manager slot to a Council member who then recommends his wife to head up another department. He questions why she's given an $8,000 raise in a budget that imposes a tax hike and wonders why the City would endanger public safety by eliminating firefighter slots.  And why a tax increase at all when people are reeling from Covid?

These all seem like good questions in a city that seems to be more concerned about being woke than serving its residents. 

Since he's a Republican, The Morning Call has already tried to trash Kachmar over a 2013 incident in which Kachmar got into a heated argument with a Georgia resident.  Ironically, one of Kachmar's biggest defenders was Brad Raffensperger, Georgia's current Secretary of State and the very man who refused to allow Donald Trump to browbeat him into reversing the results in that state. Kachmar told me they still text each other. 

Kachmar's candidacy would be good for a city in which electoral contests are usually settled in May. It would be even better for its residents. 

An accidental beneficiary of a contested Mayoral race in Bethlehem would be NorCo Executive Lamont McClure. Such a race would drive turnout in Bethlehem in November when he needs it. 

West Easton Constable Guilty in Attempt to Frame Black Man

After a two day jury trial, West Easton Borough Constable Tricia Mezzacappa has been found guilty of an attempt in 2019 to frame a black man with a false report to the Pennsylvania State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant DA Abigail Bellafatto before Judge Stephen Baratta. Mezzacappa represented herself, although Judge Baratta did appoint a stand-by counsel to assist her. After the verdict was returned late Tuesday afternoon, Judge Baratta scheduled sentencing for April 21. He also ordered a psychological evaluation. 

The charges stem from an incident in February 2019. She called state police to report that a black neighbor had pointed his own gun at her head as she parked her car, and she responded by firing at him with her own pistol. What really happened is that her neighbor was going to the store to get formula for a newborn infant, and his car's exhaust bothered her. She began pounding on her neighbor's door. The neighbor's girlfriend was so terrified she called police. Then Tricia concocted the lie about her neighbor, assuming state police would believe her because she is, after all, white. 

Unfortunately for her, they didn't. In fact, one of the responding troopers was himself a minority. They looked at her weapon (a Smith and Wesson MP-9 with a 17-round magazine) and knew from the dirt and debris in the barrel that it was highly unlikely it had recently been fired. They interviewed neighbors, who heard no shots that evening. There were no 911 calls and they were unable to find any spent rounds or shells. Her weapon was seized and sent for ballistic analysis, and an expert determined it had not been fired. 

In the course of interviewing her, troopers noticed she had also been drinking. Instead of seeing her neighbor charged, she was, with false reports. 

Since those charges were filed, there were numerous delays brought about by Covid-19 as well as her own refusal to appear at a scheduled trial date. A bench warrant was issued, and when both I and West Easton blogger Matt Dees reported it, she responded in CAPS LOCK: "GO BURY YOUR UGLY FACES IN A BLANKET AND CRY. YOU WERE PAID BY MY FAMILY TO HIT THE ROAD AND GET A LIFE, BUT YOU HAVE NONE! EVERYWHERE YOU GO THERE YOU ARE. !! PRIVATE CRIMINALS FILED TODAY AGAINST BOTH YOU ASSHOLES!!!!! LET THE FUN BEGIN!! ... WE'LL SEE WHO WINDS UP IN JAIL, AND ITS NOT GOING TO BE ME, SO STUFF IT BITCHES!"

She ended up in jail after being picked up by the Whitehall police. She was released. after posting a nominal sum. 

Although this offense is a low grade misdemeanor, the charge betrayed her own belief that police would take her lie over the word of an innocent black man. She was clearly wrong. 

Amazingly, she admitted to Lehigh Valley Live that she lied about what she did to the gun after shooting it, but not about shooting the gun itself.In other words, her defense to a charge of lying is that she lied. Some defense. 

It will be up to Judge Baratta to decide how she should be sanctioned. He had the opportunity to see her in court. This was impossible for myself and other spectators because of Covid restrictions. Her lies took at least five troopers off the highways. She attempted to play on implicit bias to coax law enforcement into arresting an innocent black man. She is an elected constable. She clearly has no remorse. Though she likes to plead poverty, she had the means recently to purchase both a Glock and a shotgun. All of this points to jail time. On the other hand, she is clearly mentally ill. I do not envy Judge Baratta.  

Updated 10:08 am: Mezzacappa's Remorse:

On the night of February 11, 2019 I cooperated with police when they arrived at my home after I called 911, and stated on a recorded line (now in evidence) "someone pointed a gun in my face"...despite the lies and slander that followed about this call. The troopers were enraged because I filed a misconduct complaint against one of their fellow troopers in Troop M in a 2018 unrelated incident. So enraged , that they were caught on the phone (recorded now in evidence) stating "let's 302 her, she's a nut bag...etc, etc" They called crisis/ hostage (recorded, now in evidence) to have my home surrounded with military style response vehicles and gear, even though all 4 were in my living room, and I surrendered my gun on command. Crisis properly refused to placate this act of police misconduct. Mysteriously, within 3 weeks of this incident, I was notified by the State Board of Nursing that they received a report that I am a nutbag and a drug addict. I was required to be examined by a state expert psychiatrist in Philadelphia, who conducted testing and a thorough investigation. He filed his expert report with the attorney's office in Harrisburg, and this is the letter that followed. The Commonwealth spent thousands of dollars , time , supplies, and resources for an attorney, a Psychiatrist and 2 state investigators over this false report they received, so I will be spending my time and resources on finding justice for the false report filed against me, rather than a costly and time consuming appeal to Superior Court of PA. So, to the two sick, deranged , obsessed nutbags who have zero information about the events of 2/11/2019, you are warned to stop defaming and slandering my name. I was rushed to the front of the trial list with no time to subpeona witnesses or documents, 3 days to prepare and no attorney. What I found most strange was the expert witness called by the State Police who testifies at murder cases and other violent Felony crime trials. I must be a danger to secretive governments. Even though the verdict was not in my favor, I had the chance to finally dispel the lies, hate and vitriol that two obsessed lunatics have spread wildly and visciously across broadband. I testified , and was able to have Trooper Hoffman admit under oath that it was him who violated PA CHRIA statutes when he handed my confidential witness statement to a disgraced psychotic nut case who has been obsessed with my every move for the past 10 years. Its been plastered on the internet for all to see. More to come as the days progress. Stay tuned. https://drive.google.com/.../1E2qc3AWunMHPHQ.../view...

Blogger's Note: The two sick and deranged nutbags to whom Mezzacappa refers are West Easton Borough Council President Matt Dees and yours truly. She indicates troopers violated violated law by handing me, a disgraced psychotic, with a "confidentail witness statement." That statement, which was from her, was part of the public record in the preliminary hearing. The state declined to take action against her nursing license, but I suspect that could change now that she's been convicted.

Who's Running in Northampton County?

Yesterday was the deadline for nomination petitions in this year's municipal races. Over the past two days, candidates have cascaded into the NorCo elections office. I will have separate posts for contested races.

List of Candidates 2021 Pri... by BernieOHare

Magisterial Candidate Tony Rybak Gets Two Prominent Endorsements

Tony Rybak, an assistant public defender in Northampton County, is running for Magisterial District Judge in South Bethlehem. That position is currently held by Judge Nancy Matos-Gonzalez, but she is stepping down at the end of the year. 

Rybak has recently obtained endorsements from two of the most highly respected magistrates to ever serve in Northampton County. Judges Elizabeth Romig-Gainer (Ret.) and Joseph K. Barner (Ret.) have both given Rybak's campaign their blessing.

Rybak, incidentally, was nearly deprived of his right to vote in last year's Presidential race. He voted by provisional ballot because he never received his mail-in ballot. 

GOP Chair Lee Snover objected to Rybak's provisional ballot and Rybak was forced to appear before the Elections Commission so that his vote could be counted. 

What Snover was really trying to do was suppress Democratic votes.

And she's the one braying about election fraud.

Attorney Jordan Knisley is also running for this seat. 

Blogger's Note: I want to clarify that it is Snover, and not Knisley, who is braying. 

Osborne: South Whitehall Inches Towards Transparency

Brad Osborne

South Whitehall took a small, but questionable, step in its meeting last Wednesday to improve the process for citizen input in its virtual meetings. This comes as a welcome response to the pressure put on the township in social media posts since the chaotic meeting in late February when public comment and participant identification was quashed in an effort to avoid derogatory pseudonyms referencing the township manager and preventing discussion about the ongoing Public Works negotiations.

Here are the Rules for Remote Participation & Etiquette, similar to the rules adopted by the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Boards months ago:

Public Meeting/Virtual Meeting Rules (verbatim from the slide):

• All meetings are electronically recorded.

• Participants'  names will not be displayed during the meeting.

• All participants will be required to mute their microphones when not participating in the dialogue.

• If a participant wants courtesy of the floor or to make public comment or have a question on a specific topic they must type their name and address in the chat feature. The meeting facilitator will identify and call on the individual requesting to speak.

• If someone is participating via phone there will be an opportunity to ask questions/comment once the individual has unmuted their microphone and identified themselves with name and address.

• If someone has requested COF prior to the meeting via e-mail, the facilitator will identify and call on the individual who has requested COF.

• Public comment will be limited to 5 minutes per speaker.

These rules were adopted on the very familiar 3-2 vote. It was quite obvious to the observer that these rules were not a product of full board participation and review since the last meeting; in fact, one commissioner stated that they had not received these “rules” until the day of the meeting.

When a motion was made to have the attendees’ names displayed as they have been since the virtual meetings began, the board president countered that the rules were designed “to keep the meeting the same, or similar to, the way it would be in person.” She seemed to have dismissed the fact that the attendees’ names have been displayed at the township’s Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board virtual meetings without issue.

However you may feel about the display of attendees’ names during the virtual meeting, what concerns me the most is the board president’s request at the beginning of the meeting for the facilitator to state “like it has been done in the past, read over our public meeting’s Rules & Etiquette.” Having attended many virtual BOC meetings in the past year, I can tell you I don’t recall these rules, if they existed, were ever communicated to the public at any time during a meeting prior to this one. If they were, why would a protracted discussion and vote be necessary in this meeting??

I will have more transparency issues to present this coming week. The next one will be a financial requirement placed upon the youth sports program in South Whitehall. And the familiar theme . . . without public awareness or even discussion among the members of the full board.

And that’s why I say they have “inched” towards transparency. They have a long way to go from here.

Ed Zucal, Former Allentown Cop, Seeks Re-election to City Council

Ed Zucal served Allentown as a police officer for 24 years before retiring in 2016. Now he's serving on City Council after having been elected in 2017. He'd like to continue that service and has announce his re-election campaign. 

During his tenure as a cop, Zucal was an instructor at the Civilian Police Academy and a member of the Emergency Response Team. By the time he retired, he was a SGT in charge of the traffic division.  He is one of only two Allentown employees who never had a sick day. He also received nine commendations. He's a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police Queen City Lodge #10. He obviously backs the blue, but is also a member of the Allentown Chapter of the NAACP.  This is not just fore show. I have seen him at several of their functions. 

He still provides security at the Allentown School District. I know this because I used to see him at numerous Allen basketball games. He's thrown me out many times, but was always nice about it. 

Ed is also a part-time Deputy Coroner in Lehigh County. I fortunately have not seen him in that capacity ... yet. I now know why he always asks about my health. 

As a City Council member, Zucal serves on three different committees and chairs Public Works. Here's how he explains his role: "“I work for the voters who put me here. Not the Mayor or anyone else. Anyone, who has watched the budget process has seen that I vote to spend the city money as I think the taxpayers would want it spent. I have served the city with professionalism and dignity and will continue to do so.”

Ed resides in Allentown with his wife Teri and children. 

NorCo Establishes Covid-19 Call Line For Seniors

 From Northampton County: Lamont McClure and the Area Agency on Aging Division (AAA) will begin operating a call line on Friday mornings to help Northampton County Seniors make appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations. This service is intended for those who lack computer or internet access. AAA staff members will make 100 appointments per clinic date. Vaccination clinics will be held at the Wind Creek Event Center at 77 Wind Creek Blvd. Bethlehem, PA.

The program will begin on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 8:00AM. Residents of Bethlehem City and Northampton County who are age sixty-five and older can call 610-865-7092 to schedule an appointment for a vaccination. AAA employees will also assist with registration at the Wind Creek clinics.

 

“We understand the frustration of some of our older folks who don’t have the access or the computer skills to make appointments online,” says Lamont McClure. “Area Agency on Aging is making this service available so every Northampton County senior who wants a vaccine is able to get an appointment.”

 

If individuals have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine clinic or their appointment, they can call the Bethlehem Health Bureau at 610-865-7083.

 

Senior residents of Northampton County who are registered with LANTA’s Share Ride for Seniors Program, can receive a free door-to-door trip to and from their COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Approximately 8,800 seniors in Northampton County already use the Share Ride for Seniors Program. Anyone who would like to register may do so by calling 1-888-253-8333, Monday through Sunday from 8:00AM – 4:30PM.

Was Wolf "Absolutely Correct" To Give Teachers Vaccine Priority?

At last week's Northampton County Council meeting, Executive Lamont McClure stated that Governor Tom Wolf was "absolutely correct" to allow teachers to jump to the front of the Covid-19 vaccine line. They now have priority over Phase 1A citizens, who include medical personnel, citizens who are age 65+ and those who are at-risk.  I have no idea why McClure found it necessary to inject himself into this issue. It was a mistake, both on the science and for himself politically. He may have endeared himself to the teachers' union, but has alienated the largest voting block in municipal race - senior citizens. 

Let's look at the "science" behind letting school teachers and other school personnel jump the line ahead of Pennsylvanians 65 and older.

According to the US Census, there are an estimated 2,542,780 Pennsylvanians between the ages of 5 and 19 (my proxy for school-age children). Of that population, the state has reported a total of 8 COVID deaths (all but one of the deaths occurred in the 15-19 age group) as of March 5, 2021. So, for the 5-19 age group, the death rate is about 3 in a million.

Likewise, there are an estimated 6,579,649 Pennsylvanians in the 20-59 age group (my proxy for teachers and other school personnel). Of that population, the state has reported a total of 1,556 COVID deaths (of which, over 1,100 were in the 50-59 age group) as of March 5, 2021. So, for the 20-59 age group, the death rate is about 236 in a million.

Finally, there are an estimated 2,430,767 Pennsylvanians age 65 and older. Of that population, the state has reported a total of 21,400 COVID deaths as of March 5, 2021. So for the 65+ age group, the death rate is about 8,800 in a million.

So, if you are 65 or older, your COVID death rate is more than 37 times that of teachers and other school personnel. But, our governor tells us "his science" demands that elderly Pennsylvanians step aside so that school teachers can get vaccinated first.

Interestingly, there has been no agreement by teachers to go back to full-time, in-class teaching even after all their members have been vaccinated for COVID.

McClure has made sense and has been highly proactive when dealing with Covid-19 in Northampton County, which he likes to call "our little corner of the world." He should stick to what he does well and avoid playing both the blame game or attempting to support a politically unpopular governor over a decision that has alienated the largest voting block in McClure's own re-election.

McClure Pushing For Mass Vaccination Site at Rte 33 Park 'n Ride

Northampton County Exec Lamont McClure told County Council last week that he is advocating with the state for a mass vaccination site at the Rte 33 Park 'n Road located in Bethlehem Tp. "We can logistically move people through that," he explained. 

He indicated that the timeline for this site will likely be delayed by Governor Tom Wolf's "absolutely correct" decision to allow educators to jump to the front of the line. 

McClure indicated that Northampton County remains a hotspot for Covid-19, noting that 21-22% oif testing still comes back positive. But he notes that vaccines will hopefully make a dent. He reports that 21,511 residents have received at least one shot, and 28,741 have been fully inoculated. That's 9.3 per cent of Northampton County's population of 306,727.  He blamed the federal government's slow response to the pandemic for the grim death toll, citing a Lancet study concluding that 40% of those deaths could have been avoided had former President Trump been more proactive. 

McClure is a Democrat. His assertion drew a sharp retort from Republican Council member John Cusick. "This virus is not what killed the economy," he declared. "It was government and the restrictions that were placed on these businesses specifically by this Governor. ... To lay the blame for this at the federal government level is completely disingenuous. Who is responsible to oversee nursing homes? That's the state Department of Health. If anyone was paying attention there was a memo back in March of 2020 saying that nursing homes must continue to accept new admissions with coronavirus. That came from Governor Tom Wolf's administration, and the vast majority of deaths we've seen have come from the operation of nursing homes. ... Government was the arsonist and now we're showing up with a pallet full of drywall." 

Council member Ketty Myers assessment is that the virus response was "blown from top to bottom." This certainly is borne out be election returns handing both Trump and state Democrats a loss. "The only thing we can do now is pick up the pieces." 

Myers and other Council members suggested this debate was unnecessary at the county level. "I am proud of the way we handled it at our level," remarked Council member Ron Heckman. 

NorCo GOP Exec Candidate Wants Your Money at a Lehigh County UPS

Though there are numerous UPS stores located in Northampton County, they apparently fail to meet the standards of the GOP's banner bearer in Northampton County. Candidate Steve Lynch, who recently and repeatedly told the tea party that he was going to "hammer" incumbent Executive Lamont McClure, has told his lynch mob to send all their donations to the UPS store in Whitehall. Last time I checked, Whitehall is in Lehigh County. 

So much for Northampton County first. 

Ironically, McClure has always been a Northampton County first kind of guy.  Whether it is transportation funding or regional economic development, he has been a fierce advocate for the county in his time as Exec. I am sure that LVEDC CEO Don Cunningham and LVPC Director Becky Bradley would readily agree. I personally have found that attitude a bit parochial. But that's me. No Executive has fought harder for county interests than he.  

NorCo Council Gets Exhaustive Report on Gracedale

Northampton County Council received an exhaustive report on how Gracedale is going at their Human Services meeting on Thursday night. They heard from Administrator Jennifer Stewart King as they do every month. In addition, Dr. Paige Van Wirt, who treats the residents, discussed the use of a new Covid treatment as well as the use of antipsychotic drugs.

Gracedale's Rating

Gracedale currently has a two-star (below average) rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This is based on health inspections, staffing and the quality of resident care. Gracedale's rating for health inspections and staffing is three stars, which is considered average. But the quality of resident care is just one star, or much below average.

Over the past year, Gracedale has received four health citations, which is about half the state average. An infection control inspection, conducted in January, resulted in a no health deficiencies.  The quality of resident care is rated much below average because the home uses about 50% more antipsychotics than are seen in other Pennsylvania nursing homes. 

The Vacancy Problem

Gracedale has a vacancy problem, admitted Administrator Jennifer Stewart King.  This consists of 120 PT nurses vacancies, 110 FT nursess, 10 in dietary, 3 in laundry, 8 in housekeeping.

She indicated there are recruiting billboard along Rte 22 and 33, with more on the way. The county is also running recruiting commercials and is seeking new employees at numerous outlets. It has recently hired two Assistant Directors of Nursing and is offering 12-hour shifts on weekends.   

Council member John Cusick blamed the federal government. "It does make it a challenge to hire people because  the federal government keeps extending unemployment."

Cusick also complained about mandation, a county policy in which Gracedale emplyees can be forced to work overtime. He argued that employees have a "reasonable expectation that an excessive amount of mandation should be unnecessary." Stewart King countered that the county only mandates overtime when employees who are scheduled to work call off. 

In addition. Cuick was "disappointed" to learn that Gracedale Advisory Board's has failed to meet since the inception of the pandemic. The Advisory Board, which consists of numerous citizens, was created when county residents overwhelmingly voted to keep the nursing home.  "They could meet electronically," suggested Cusick.

Covid 

The average census in January was 527, which includes 22 new admissions. 

One resident is Covid-19 positive, with another five awaiting test results. 

There have been 419 total infections since Covid-19 first struck. The pandemic has claimed 97 lives at the nursing home. 

As a result of a vaccine clinic at the home, 87% of the residents and 48% of the staff and 21 volunteers have been fully inoculated. The facility maintains a Covid-19 ward for those who become infected. 

Antibodies and Psychotropic Drugs

Dr. Paige Van Wirt, who provides medical care for the residents, discussed a treatment option involving the use of monoclonal antibodies. She explained that these are synthetic antibodies that mimic actual antibodies. If given early, she indicated this treatment reduces spike proteins. She has administered this treatment to five residents. All recovered. She added the benefit is actually better for patients with co-morbidities like advanced age or obesity. 

She also discussed the use of antipsychotics at the home, stating that decisions concerning their use are totally under her control. She noted that other facilities can reject residents with behavioral issues, but Gracedale is a safety net that will take anyone, including residents who are already being treated with these drugs. She indicated that medical decision concerning their use is a "balancing act." She is governed by a desire  to reduce suffering.