10-1 Muhlenberg Advances in NCAA Football Tournament

Muhlenberg College's 10-1 football squad is currently ranked 15th in the country and is on the move to be #1. The Mules are playing in the NCAA Division 3 tournament, which includes 32 teams from all over the country. The team and has won its first game against Framignham State by a score of 45-0. It takes on Delaware Valley on Saturday at noon. If the Mules win, they advance to play either Mount Union or Johns Hopkins. The championship game will be played December 17.  

NCP Inmates Are Covid-19 Free

As of November 22,there are no Covid-19 cases among 641 inmates at Northampton County's jail. Three staffers, however, have tested positive and are currently in isolation. 

Since March 2020, NCP has conducted 5,745 tests for COVID-19 on inmates. All new inmates are tested when they come into the facility and must show a negative result before they are transferred to General Population; residents are tested on a random basis. PrimeCare Medical does daily temperature checks, movement of inmates is restricted within the facility and meals are served in the housing unit. In-person visitation is prohibited and no volunteers are permitted in the facility. Cloth masks are provided and inmates must wear them whenever they leave their cell. Any inmate participating in work release or work programs within NCP must be vaccinated.

NCP has held 25 vaccination clinics this year and vaccinated 467 inmates. Currently, 316 inmates in the facility are fully vaccinated. Shots for inmates and staff are administered by PrimeCare Medical. The vaccinations are not compulsory and are only provided to those who request them.

Of 206 Corrections Officers (COs), 97 have received the bonus for being fully vaccinated. One CO’s status is pending and he or she should receive his or her bonus in December. Nearly 50% of COs have been fully vaccinated.

NCP has held 25 vaccination clinics this year and vaccinated 467 inmates. Currently, 316 inmates in the facility are fully vaccinated. Shots for inmates and staff are administered by PrimeCare Medical. The vaccinations are not compulsory and are only provided to those who request them.

“The pandemic isn’t over yet and, with the holidays coming up, cases of COVID-19 are expected to rise,” says Lamont McClure. “I encourage everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to practice social distancing, wear a facemask and to get tested and quarantine if they develop symptoms.”

NorCo Election Results Now Official

Meet the new boss! Same as the old boss! Lamont McClure has officially been re-elected as Northampton County Executive. During an occasionally raucous 2 1/2 hour meeting of the Elections Commission on Monday afternoon, results of the November 2 municipal race were certified. The meeting was attended by nearly 40 people. Most had something to say. 

Undated MIBs Not Counted

One significant difference in the vote tallies conducted in Northampton and Lehigh County concerned undated mail-in ballots (MIBs). Lehigh County chose to count them, while Northampton did not. In Lehigh County, their Board of Elections made the decision to count the undated MIBs. In Northampton County, the decision to exclude undated MIBs was apparently made by the county administration. This question should have been decided by the Elections Commission.  

In Lehigh County, there are about 260 undated MIBs, enough to swing the judicial race between Dave Ritter and Zac Cohen to the latter. This is because about 70% of returned MIBs are Democratic. Judge Edward Reibman has been asked to decide whether undated MIBs should count. His decision will almost certainly be appealed. 

In Northampton County, there are about 200 undated MIBs. If they were counted, they almost certainly would give Democrat Patti Bruno the 5th Council seat instead of John Brown. The unofficial tally placed her at just 42 votes behind him.

During the meeting, Dem party boss Matt Munsey urged the Elections Commission to count the undated ballots.  He argued a person could insert whatever date he wanted and the vote would still count so long as the ballot is received before 8 pm on election day. He said, and courts have held, that they should err on the side of voters over a technicality.

Agreeing with Munsey was Attorney Michael Vargo, speaking on behalf of candidate Patti Bruno. He noted that all the undated ballots were received in a timely manner, and the Commission's decision effectively disenfranchises about 200 voters. Republican Commission member Frank DeVito said this change should come from the legislature. Maude Hornick, another Republican Commission member, said that counting undated ballots would be unfair to in-person voters who leave the polling place and forget to cast their ballot. Unless they are caught before they are outside the door, it's too late for their vote to count. 

No formal challenge was filed concerning MIBs in Northampton County.

Last year, a divided Pa. Supreme Court honored undated MIBs received by election day. Justice Christine Donahue, writing the majority opinion, noted a well-settled principle of Pennsylvania election law that “[e]very rationalization within the realm of common sense should aim at saving the ballot rather than voiding it.”

Although Justice David Wecht went along with Donahue, he made clear that, "in future elections, I would treat the date and sign requirement as mandatory in both particulars, with the omission of either item sufficient without more to invalidate the ballot in question." His was the fifth vote needed for a majority.

Without Justice Wecht, it appears that Lehigh County's decision to allow undated MIBs is doomed.  

24-hour Drop Boxes Panned

Most of the remaining speakers were there to address 24-hour drop boxes. Most were opposed. Mary Woznik suggested it was "inappropriate" for McClure, a candidate, to meet with 24-hour drop box supporter Lehigh Valley Stand Up concerning this issue. Mel Morgan noted, "We already have 24 -hour drop boxes called the post office."  Failed Council candidate AnnaMarie Robertone, who finished 10th out of 10 candidates, said they open the door to fraud. She failed to explain exactly how that occurs. 

Drop boxes had supporters, too. Fred Kruninger (sp?) said disenfranchisement, and not voter fraud, is the real issue. He argued that drop boxes are a convenience to those working several jobs or who are less mobile. He was echoed by Dale Sourbeck, who added that drop boxes are needed because the mail is "not good." 

Sourbeck's comment prompted Commission member Maude Hornick to ask Sourbeck whether he got his ballot by mail. He did, and she snarked, "So it works one way and not the other." He indicated he applied for a MIB as soon as they were available.  

Margie DeRensis (sp?) noted that drop boxes are needed by those who apply for a MIB late in the process. Commission member Frank DeVito later said, "That's on you."

Ar the conclusion of all this input, the Elections Commission voted 4-0 to recommend that drop box hours be limited to between 7 am and 10 pm.  

Voting for this limitation were Democratic members Dr. Alan Brau and Gail W Preuninger as well as Republicans Maudenia Hornick and Frank L DeVito. Daniel Lopresti, a Democrat, was absent.

Political Signage at Polling Places

Although the wording in the meeting agenda was vague, the Elections Commission never had any intention of banning political signage from polling places. Registrar Amy Cozze explained that, on Election Eve, Easton Area School District unilaterally decided to remove all signs because candidates just leave them there. 

She asked the Commission to recommend that County Council adopt an ordinance requiring removal after an election This recommendation was approved by Elections Comm'rs Brau, DeVito, Hornick and Preuninger. 

Sore Loser Complaints

Failed Exec candidate Steve Lynch, accompanied by several of his acolytes, was there to complain about an unfair canvassing process even though there was bipartisan agreement among canvassers on counting and discounting questionable ballots. He also complained about the elections office retaining custody of MIBs, suggesting mischief was afoot.  "We were lied to," he charged at one point. He never addressed drop boxes or undated MIBs, which is what brought most people to the meeting.  

Authority of the Elections Commission

At one point during the meeting. Solicitor Richard Santee was asked precisely what authority the Elections Commission has. He noted that NorCo is a Home Rule Charter County in which procurement decisions are made by County Council and personnel decisions are made by the administration. He believes that the Elections Comm'n primarily engages in judicial functions. He did admit that the powers are a bit of a "grey area."

Elections Comm'rs Frank DeVito and Maude Hornick complain they are pretty much ignored. That's on them. Last year, they refused to approve epollbooks before the Presidential primary. This would have made an election impossible because the county was unable to obtain paper poll books. This refusal was a direct violation of their mandate to administer the conduct of elections.  Instead of administering an election, they were preventing it from taking place,.

Authority for our Home Rule Charter comes from the Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law, 53 Pa.C.S. Section 2901 et seq. A home rule government may "exercise any powers and perform any function not denied by the Constitution of Pennsylvania, by statute or by its home rule charter.  All grants of municipal power to municipalities governed by a home rule charter ... shall be liberally construed in favor of the municipality." 53 Pa.C.S. Section 2961.

This enabling law imposes a limitation on the "registration of electors and the conduct of elections." Those matters "may not be contrary to or in limitation or enlargement of powers granted by statutes." Id. Section 2962(a)(5). Thus, a Home Rule Charter County is unable to allow same day registration or change election dates. It is unable to postpone an election simply because it dislikes epollbooks.

Northampton County's Home Rule Charter establishes the Elections Commission to "administer the system of elections and the registration of voters under applicable law." HRC, Section 1007. (emphasis added.) That applicable law is both the Election Code and other provisions of the Home Rule Charter. They must be read in pari materia (together). The Elections Commission administers the conduct of elections and registration of voters. But this should be distinguished from the purchase of equipment or the hiring of employees, which has nothing to do with the actual conduct of an election.

The one requirement the Election Code expressly places on a Home Rule Charter County is the appointment of at least one minority party representative on the Elections Comm'n. Northampton County has two. 

The Election Code also gives the Elections Commission authority to make purchases and hire and fire employees. But these provisions have nothing to do with the actual conduct of elections or registration of voters. Thus, a Home Rule Charter County can perform these functions under other provisions established by law.

Article XIII of the HRC establishes a career service to ensure professionalism in county employment. If the Elections Comm'n were able to hire and fire at its own pleasure, this would create the very kind of cronyism the Home Rule Charter was intended to AVOID. Thus, the hiring and firing of employees, which is totally unrelated to the conduct of elections, is properly a function of the county's own hiring procedures.

Commissioner DeVito has now three times pointed out that, in the past, the Elections Comm'n has hired its own Registrar. He is correct, but the Elections Comm'n was simply ratifying a choice already made by the administration. Under the Charter, the administration hires and fires.  

Article II of the HRC gives County Council, and not the Elections Comm'n, authority over the purse strings. The purchase of a voting system or epollbooks is unrelated to the actual conduct of an election, and hence is the province of County Council.

To be sure, there are functions that are the sole province of the Elections Comm'n, such as investigations into voter fraud, acceptance of returns and drop boxes. The decision to count or discount undated MIBs should have been made by them. Purchases and personnel are beyond the scope of this part-time volunteer body selected by party chairs. But the actual conduct of an election is their province, not that of an Exec seeking re-election.

I believe the Elections Commission has the authority to approve the hours of operation of drop boxes or disapprove them altogether.

NorCo Elections Comm'n Meets at 3 PM Today

Northampton County's Elections Comm'n will meet at 3 pm today in the Council Chambers at the Courthouse. The meeting will be broadcast on the county's webpage. The Elections Comm'n will be asked to certify the returns of the November 2 election. It will vote on the need for 24-hour drop boxes. There also will be discussion on recommending action by County Council on the removal of political signs from polling locations. 

I'm unclear on precisely what is meant by recommending anything to County Council regarding political signage removal. 

First, while the Council controls the county's purse strings and should make all decisions concerning expenditures, it has no say concerning the actual conduct of an election. This is clear from both the Home Rule Charter and the Elections Code.  So this decision is entirely within the province of the Elections Comm'n, unless an expenditure of public funds is required. 

Second, political signage and any sort of active campaigning is barred inside the polling location. They are also prohibited for a 10' distance from the voting center. Any attempt to ban them absolutely would run afoul of the First Amendment. 

Casting of the Lots Conducted in NorCo on Friday.

There were numerous tie-elections in November 2's general election. This was mostly for election judges and inspectors of elections races. These ties were broken Friday by a casting of the lots. You can see Jenna Gerbino shaking what appears to be a cow bell containing the numbers. Candidates who were tied could draw a number if they were present. In their absence, the number was drawn by Jenna.  

The casting of the lots was done publicly and was broadcast live on Youtube. 

My sole issue with this process is that the meeting should have been run by the Registrar, not Ass't County Solicitor Rich Santee. I appreciate his dedication and legal acumen. But he's there for advice, not to run things. He also is making himself a witness, which would disqualify him if there were legal proceedings.  

Prediction - Kyle Rittenhouse Will Walk

I've been watching snippets of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, where the jury has now completed three days of deliberations. My prediction is that he will walk and be completely exonerated. Usually, the longer a jury is out, the more likely the defense will acquit. What's your take?  

Lamont McClure Needs an Economics Course

Lamont McClure is a gifted orator. He's been a successful county executive. But as an economist, he sucks.  Last night, in support of his proposed tax cut, he argued that putting more money in our pockets would reduce inflation. I hate to brake it to you, but increasing the amount of money people get is precisely what causes inflation.  

There are several ways to reduce inflation: higher interest rates; a reduced money supply; supply side policies; and tax increases. 

So if McClure is serious about fighting inflation, he should propose an immediate tax hike. 

Don't worry. I think he'd rather put money in your pocket. 

Gracedale Down to One Star Again

Early in Executive Lamont McClure's administration, Gracedale's rating was at three stars. That rating, prepared by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMM), means that the home was "average." While this is hardly any reason to boast, it was a significant step up from the one-star (much below average) the home had in 2017 under former Executive John Brown. McClure vowed that he would seek to get that five-star (much above average) star. Instead, he's gone in the opposite direction. The most recent CMM rating at Gracedale is back to just one star.  Its staffing and quality of resident care are both at just one star as well. 

No one mentioned this drop at yesterday's monthly review of Gracedale by Northampton County Council. But it's clear that Council members are upset with the never-ending complaints, and they wasted little time letting it be known they are frustrated. . 

Council member John Cusick noted the home is poised to lose money this year, and stated that staffing is its biggest issue.

Cusick complained that Gracedale provides only 2.61 nursing hours per resident per day. "That's not just a number, that's people who are not getting enough care." McClure had earlier taken a shot at for-profit nursing homes, but Cusick observed that the care provided at those places actually exceed Gracedale. "Gracedale sits at the lowest nursing home hours per resident per day in the Lehigh Valley."

Cusick asked Administrator Jennifer Stewart-King if the home can continue to admit new residents, given the obvious poor quality of care. Stewart-King mentioned that the census at Gracedale right now is 487. This is well below the 688-bed capacity and about 100 fewer residents than in July.  

Stewart-King noted that other homes have allowed their census to drop so they can keep a higher nursing care to patient ratio. She hinted that Gracedale is following suit, something Executive McClure hinted at a few months ago. 

The problem with allowing census to drop is that revenue drops with it. 

Council member Lori Vargo-Heffner, who previously stated several times that she wanted to hear the good things about Gracedale, has begun questioning Gracedale's administration. She blasted a presentation made by Gracedale Administrators in October, which heaped praise on McClure while referring to Stewart-King and Director of Nursing Dawn Marie TuersFeldman as the "dynamic duo," complete with superhero outfit.

Vargo Heffner called the "dynamic duo" presentation "insulting to me." 

Vargo-Heffner told the dynamic duo that Council has voted for every position sought and every request made over the past four years. She said employees "are stressed and taxed and complaining all the time." She added that problem exists throughout the health care industry, but it's time for some "hard conversations" about what is needed to make Gracedale successful. "I get calls all the time from people about how they're spoken to, how they're stressed, about the overtime, we got $2 million going to nursing agencies. Should we be bringing some of that back in salaries?"  

Council member Kerry Myers put it succinctly: "Benefits don't pay bills."

He said Gracedale workers need more money.

McClure touted a contract extension with the RNs and social workers that will give them a step (4.5%) one year followed by two or 2.5% the second. 

This increase is actually below inflation. 

Stockertown's Mayor Has Criminal Past

In 1998. Ken Zemencsik was accused of being part of a crime ring stealing stereo equipment from cars in Nazareth, Upper Nazareth, part of a quartet accused of stealing car stereo equipment by breaking into cars in Nazareth and Upper Naz. He was charged with a multitude of crimes in both counties for theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen goods. 

The cases against him lingered until 2003, when he entered a guilty plea to receiving stolen goods as a third degree misdemeanor instead of as a felony. 

Obviously, he was given a break. But just as obviously, he was denied ARD, a special program for first-time offenders.

Why I am I telling you about this? 

Because Zemencsik is Stockertown's Mayor. He was just re-elected with no opposition. 

In a Borough government, the Mayor is pretty much a poster boy. But he does have one power that should concern us all when he has a criminal past. A borough mayor runs the police department. 

I tried reaching out to Zemencsik a few times to get his side of the story, but he's ignored me. 

I can understand how someone can make mistakes in his youth and then own up to them and turn things around. But what bothers me is that Zemencsik has refused to own up to and explain his previous criminal behavior. 

"He's very busy," said a Stockertown Borough secretary. 

Blogger's Note: There are 17 boroughs in Northampton County. Most get little or no scrutiny. I decided to check each of them for criminal records in Northampton County. The other Mayors have no criminal records. In January, after Chairs are elected in the Townships, I will check each of them as well. 

Judge Morganelli Denies Injunction Sought By Pen Argyl Anti-Maskers

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court has invalidated a statewide school masking mandate from the Department of Health (DoH) because it exceeded its authority.  The mandate will nevertheless remain in place until December 4, and it could stay in place even longer if the state Supreme Court reverses. Jordan and Alissa Zahler, parents of two children in the Penn Argyl Area School District, have also sued over the statewide masking order, insofar as it is being implemented against their children. They were seeking an injunction that would require the school district to grant their children (and anyone else) an exception to the mandate for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. They also maintain their children should be free to ride maskless in the school bus. After a hearing, Judge John Morganelli has denied their request for an injunction. 

The Zahlers had previously been denied a medical exception to the masking mandate because they provided no medical documentation. Rather than just put on a damn mask, they actually yanked their kids out of school for\virtual learning because we all know that is so much better. At the hearing before Judge Morganelli, they failed again to produce any actual medical evidence to support their claim for an exception, although their daughter did once get anxious at the grocery store. 

Injunctive relief requires proof of "immediate and irreparable harm" without one. But it certainly appears that whatever harm is being inflicted upon Zahlers' children is being done by their own parents. They pulled their kids out of school rather than wear a stupid mask, and now their son is failing math. 

Parents of the year, those two. 

These folks never made it to first base. 

Commw Ct: Masks at School Can Come Off Dec 4

Last week, a five-judge Commonwealth Court panel concluded that Pennsylvania's Department of Health (DoH) had no authority to impose a statewide school-masking order. It ruled, therefore, that that the Order itself is illegal. But it remained in place. This is because the Commonwealth Court's decision was appealed to the state supreme court. An appeal often acts as a supersedeas, which is a fancy way of saying that the Court of First Guess's  ruling is on hold, pending a Decision from the Court of Final Error.  So despite the ruling, kids still had to wear masks at school. But late yesterday, the Commonwealth Court terminated the supersedeas (stay) effective December 4.  

The ruling both today and last week is from Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon. She was careful to note then and now that "we express herein no opinion regarding the science or efficacy of mask-wearing or the politics underlying the considerable controversy the subject continues to engender." But that's horseshit. Let me explain why.

You can get an automatic stay terminated if you can establish (1) you've got a winner on appeal; (2) a continuation of the masking order will cause irreparable injury; and (3) removal of the stay will  not harm the public interest. 

I can see Judge Fizzano Cannon concluding that she thinks state Republicans have a winner. After all, she did write the opinion in their favor. But what irreparable injury? Does she honestly think that a stupid mask is going to scar kids for life? Seriously. That's really a stretch. But where she really blows me away is her conclusion that removal of the mask mandate will not harm the public interest. It is impossible to reach that conclusion without an "opinion regarding the science or efficacy of mask-wearing or the politics underlying the considerable controversy the subject continues to engender."

Judge Fizzano Cannon must think we're stupid. I'd agree the DoH has established itself as stupid, but I am insulted by a judge who reason dishonestly.  

2021 Election Analysis: McClure Won the Townships and Boroughs

Everyone expected Executive Lamont McClure to win easily in the Democratic strongholds of Bethlehem and Easton. And he did. He won convincingly every precinct in both Bethlehem and Easton. But how did he do outside the blue bastions? Did he win the cities but lose everywhere else? A review of the voting data, now that canvassing is complete, reveals that McClure beat challenger Steve Lynch in both the Townships and Boroughs. 

Townships

McClure won in Allen Tp (769-633); Bethlehem Tp (3,463-2,465); Forks Tp (2,309-1,766); Hanover Tp (2,242-1,405); Lower Nazareth (1,113-937); Lower Saucon (1,858-1,728); Palmer Tp (3,296-2,311); and Upper Nazareth (997-785)

Lynch prevailed in Bushkill Tp (1,299-1,053), E Allen Tp (636-622), Lehigh Tp (1,652-1,308), L Mt Bethel Tp (476-384), Moore Tp (1,592-1,212), Plainfield Tp (1,012-749), Upper Mt Bethel Tp (1,080-697), Washington Tp (694-588), Williams (913-904). 

If you add it all up, McClure won the Townships with 23,564 votes to 21,384 for Lynch. In the 2020 Presidential, Biden won in Bethlehem Tp, Palmer Tp and Hanover Tp. McClure managed to add Allen Tp, Lower Nazareth Tp, Lower Saucon Tp and Upper Nazareth Tp to his side of the ledger. 

Boroughs

I've previously told you that McClure won Nazareth (764-568); Northampton (1,199-963); Bath (245-241); N Catty (357-172); Freemansburg (221-118); Hellertown (755-552); and Wilson Borough (627-356). 

The candidates tied in Glendon with 27 votes apiece. 

Lynch prevailed in W. Easton (101-90), Bangor (440-417), Chapman (31-12), Pen Argyl (403-306), Portland (91-45), Roseto (226-187), Stockertown (132-117), Tatamy (174-1300, Walnutport (211-201) and Wind Gap (265-247). 

Adding it all up, McClure won the boroughs with 5,947 votes to 5071 for Lynch. 

He won the blue vote, as we all expected. But he also won the purple vote in what I'd view as a rejection of extremism and vindication of moderation. 

McClure's message failed in the Slate Belt and northwestern tier. That's no surprise. According to one of my readers, one of Lehigh Tp'e Supervisors stated outside one of the polling places that he'd like to douse all Democrats with gasoline. 

No wonder we're promoting alternative energy. 

Lynch Wants God to Use His Supernatural Powers to Eliminate Media

I was highly critical of the daily newspapers during a taping of the BM (Business Matters, not bowel movement) show on Thursday. But I refrained from invoking the Almighty. He and I are not on the best of terms, anyway. He's blocked me on Facebook, too. But I wonder how the Omnipotent One will react to the entreaty he received yesterday from former NorCo Exec candidate Steve Lynch.

On Monday morning, hours before the sun rose, Lynch was doing what he does best - broadcasting a Facebook Live video while driving and guzzling coffee from a stainless steel thermos. He launched into public prayer to complain about Communists and illegals. Towards the end of his orison, he asks God for "an end to the media, that you would supernaturally intervene and eliminate the media and the way that they operate. Use your angels and whatever you have to deploy ... ."

In an avuncular mood, I warned the dailies to glance above now and then to ensure no bolt of lightning or angel is coming at them. I dodged a few bolts, but am a highly conditioned, well-trained athlete.

Pa DoH Has Totally Failed to Keep Public Informed About COVID-19

During the darkest days of the Battle of Britain, which went on for 57 consecutive nights and claimed 557 lives, the British remained resilient thanks to one man. The British Bulldog, Winston Churchill, inspired hope and confidence in his countrymen. He had a knack for delivering the most dreadful news and making people feel that much stronger and courageous in the face of the Nazi menace. He made a point, with very few exceptions, of being totally honest. People could count on what he said as being the truth. We are now dealing with something that, while far less sinister than umbrella bombs, is more deadly. COVID-19 has claimed 763,000 American lives. But the agencies charged with keeping us informed have failed miserably. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DoH), in particular, is a disgrace. 

On Friday, the DoH issued a news release making this statement: "In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been a total of 79,904 resident cases of COVID-19 to date, and 17,453 cases among employees, for a total of 97,357 at 1,647 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Out of total deaths reported to PA-NEDSS, 14,480 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities."

But today, it issued a news release that completely contradicts what it said on Friday. "The department has deployed a new algorithm for categorizing cases as residents or employees in licensed nursing and personal care homes. With the below breakdown, there is a one-time overall increase in cases of 17,810. In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been a total of 66,911 resident cases of COVID-19 to date, and 48,256 cases among employees, for a total of 115,167 at 1,663 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Out of total deaths reported to PA-NEDSS, 14,941 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities."

How can it claim that, with the increase brought on by a new algorithm, there are now 66,911 resident cases of COVID-19 when that figure is actually much lower than the 79,904 resident cases reported on Friday? 

This is both confusing and sloppy and completely fails to keep the public informed about the current severity of this pandemic.  

 Numbers cruncher Steve Thode, who has followed the data from the onset, has this to say:

"That is a stunning increase in LTCF employee cases by 30,803 - almost tripling the number of LTCF employee cases; and, a reduction in LTCF resident cases by 12,993.

"Also, that's an increase (from Friday to today) of 461 deaths among LTCF residents!

"I have lost any level of confidence I may have ever had in DoH's COVID data reporting."

Oh yeah, they've decided to count reinfections as new cases. This is something the CDC told them to do eight months ago, and they're just getting to it now. 

If the pandemic were the Third Reich, we'd all be speaking German by now. 

Prendeville Survives Scare in Hanover

At one time, Hanover Tp was an agrarian community dominated by Republicans. Over the years, it has morphed into a bedroom community for New Jersey transplants and has attracted many former Bethlehem City residents. As they've moved in, the Township has slowly been turning blue. Two of the Township's five Supervisors are Democrats. They nearly captured a majority on November 2's election. 

Now that canvassing is complete, it appears that incumbent GOP Supervisor Mike Prendeville has survived a serious challenge from Jean Versteeg. He has 1,895 votes to 1,807 for Versteeg. 

Prendeville is a dedicated Supervisor who involves himself in nearly every facet of his community. Affable and accountable, he is an integral part of the best-run township in Northampton County. He deserved re-election. But Versteeg was a good candidate who came close to knocking him off. I believe her interest in government was awakened by her involvement in Fair Districts Pa, which did stop the gerrymandering of Congressional seats in Pa. She thereafter spent one cycle as an election worker before deciding to run for office herself. 

Mike Prendeville survived the threat from Versteeg, but Democrats won most of the other races in this formerly Republican Township. 

Dem Exec Lamont McClure trounced Republican Steve Lynch, 2,242-1,405. And while two of five Republicans captured seats on County Council, all five Democratic Council candidates won in Hanover. 

Update at 1 pm: In the original version of this story, I neglected to include the vote counts in Hanover's 6th district. I apologize for my error. 

2021 Election Analysis: McClure Outperformed Biden in Boroughs

Northampton County's boroughs have historically been its blue-collar blue-voting bastions. They were home to those who worked in the rag mills and cement companies. They voted Democratic, but that's no longer true. In the 2020 Presidential, Trump captured the vote in Bangor, Bath, Chapman, East Bangor, Glendon, Nazareth, Northampton, N Catty, Pen Argyl, Portland, Roseto, Stockertown, Tatamy, Walnutport, West Easton and Wind Gap. Biden won only in Freemansburg, Hellertown and Wilson Borough. So you might expect Lamont McClure to be pummeled in this year's Exec race, especially with Biden tumbling in the polls. But now that the canvassing is complete, we know McClure outperformed Biden significantly.

McClure won Nazareth (764-568), the home of many Steve Lynch supporters. McClure beat Lynch in Lynch's backyard, taking Northampton 1,199-963. He pulled off a close win in Bath, 245-241, where Lynch had many of his strategy sessions. McClure also won in N Catty (357-172), Freemansburg (221-118), Hellertown (755-552), and Wilson Borough (627-356). 

The candidates tied in Glendon with 27 votes apiece. 

Lynch prevailed in W. Easton (101-90), Bangor (440-417), Chapman (31-12), Pen Argyl (403-306), Portland (91-45), Roseto (226-187), Stockertown (132-117), Tatamy (174-1300, Walnutport (211-201) and Wind Gap (265-247). 

McClure's strong showing in the boroughs can be regarded as a  vindication of his first four years in office. It can also be regarded as a stinging rebuke of the extremism that Lynch brought to the race. 

The Varsity on Business Matters

As many of you know, I'm a rabid basketball fan. I love high school best, but like college hoops as well. After a long drought last year, I've finally been able to attend a DeSales hoops game. I always wear a uniform under my street clothes in case Coach Coval needs me out there to put on a clinic.Two years ago, he told me he was thinking about it, so you never know. I do have about 1,000 years of eligibility left. I may be in the stands at local basketball games, but I am on the varsity squad at Business Matters. 

Yesterday, I taped a show for Tony Iannelli. I still have nightmares of the time Ron Angle and I were once chased out of the parking lot by a mob of geriatric Gracedale Goons. So I arrived early and slipped into the audience just to make sure there was no ambush.  

Just like in high school, the JV team is up first. The B team consisted of Dave Jaindl, Becky Bradley, JB Reilly and Nat Hyman. They are all real estate mavens, and three of them have millions in loose change falling out of their pockets. But like most pikers, they simply lack the talent of a starter like myself. They thought they were there to discuss residential development in the Lehigh Valley. What they failed to realize is that Business Matters is really just a local version of the Jerry Springer show. It only works when people turn their chairs over and start pretend fighting.  

After their show was over, it was time for the varsity. Though I am a bottom-feeding blogger, I was asked to participate in a discussion of the news industry, may it rest in peace. I had resolved before the show that I'd be nice. I feel for those guys. But The Morning Call made the mistake of sending its editor, Mike Miorelli. I had a few bones to pick with him over both his editorial decisions and some nastygrams he sent to others about me. 

My Irish was up. 

Before the show started, Tony noticed dark clouds in my face, and asked, "Are you going to be nice?"

"Don't worry, I'm just constipated."

About five minutes into the show, I knocked a few chairs over and lunged after Miorelli. WAEB's Dan Holzman tried to hold me back with some kind of wrestling move. Now Holzman can restrain Bobby Gunther Walsh when he starts blowin' oil, but I'm a highly-conditioned, well-trained athlete. I broke his hold rather easily and made my way to a retreating Miorelli.  At this point, vegan Bo Koldkock tried to intervene, but ran in terror when I threw a pepperoni stick at him. 

I had Miorelli in my claws when Iannelli promised me poached eggs if I let him go.

"With crushed avocado?

- Yes. 

"On sourdough toast?"

- Yes. 

I let Miorelli go. 

I doubt the show will ever air.  The tape has been seized as evidence. 

What's Your Political Type?

Pew Research Center has a political typology quiz. I took it and am considered a "stressed sideliner." 

Here's how a stressed sideliner is defined: "Stressed Sideliners hold a mix of conservative and liberal views and are the least politically engaged typology group. Generally disconnected from politics and the two major parties, they vote at lower rates than most other typology groups. About four-in-ten live in lower-income households, and they are the group most likely to describe their personal financial situation as only fair or poor.

"Stressed Sideliners are split evenly between the Republican Party and Democratic Party, while one-in-ten don’t lean toward either party. They lean liberal on economic issues and tilt conservative on some social issues."

While I don't have much use for either party and am among the genteel poor, I always vote and am pretty much a political wonk. 

You can take the quiz here. 

NorCo Elections Comm'n to Certify Results on Nov. 22

Now that canvassing is complete, the Elections Commission is expected to certify results on November 22 at a time to be determined. This will follow the November 19 casting of lots for races in which there were ties.  

Mandatory Statewide Masking at Schools Illegal, Sez Commonwealth Court.

A five-judge panel of Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court has invalidated a statewide school masking order by the Secretary of Health. Writing for four members of the Court, Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon is careful to observe that "we express herein no opinion regarding the science or efficacy of mask-wearing or the politics underlying the considerable controversy the subject continues to engender. She concludes, however that the Department of Health exceeded its authority. This is because Governor Tom Wolf's emergency disaster declaration has expired and was adopted without a statutory basis. You can read the Court's Opinion, along with Judge Michael Wojcik's dissent, here.

The Secretary of Health maintains she has this authority under Pennsylvania's Disease Control Law, but Judge Fizzano Cannon concludes this law confers no power "to create new rules and regulations out of whole cloth," even if that cloth is a facemask.

Governor Wolf has already appealed the Commonwealth Court's ruling.