"Lehigh Valley Breathes", A Bi-County Initiative, Unveiled.

Phil Armstrong (front) and
Lamont McClure

A bi-county initiative to collect data on the Lehigh Valley's air quality was unveiled yesterday at an outdoor news conference by Sand Island, near the border separating Lehigh and Northampton Counties. While a border separates the two counties, the air we breathe knows no such restriction. 

Lehigh Valley Breathes was introduced by Executives Phil Armstrong (Lehigh) and Lamont McClure (Northampton), as a bi-county project to install 40 air monitors throughout the Lehigh Valley. They are designed to measure tiny particulate matter called PM2.5. These are fine inhalable particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. They come from emissions of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel and burning wood.  Due to their small size, they bypass the nose and throat and penetrate the lungs and even the circulatory system. 

PM2.5 is linked to numerous adverse health consequences, including premature death in persons with lung and heart disease; nonfatal heart attacks; aggravated asthma; irregular heartbeat; decreased lung function; and increased respiratory systems.  

Dr. Holland displays purple
air monitor, which is white

According to Dr. Breena Holland, a Professor of Political Science at Lehigh University, it is also linked to lung cancer. "We really don't want to have any of this stuff in the air that we breathe," she said, adding that the most vulnerable are children and older adults with lung or heart disease. 

The Lehigh Valley has two air monitors located in East Allentown and Freemansburg. Holland stated that Lehigh Valley Breathes will install 40 purple air monitors near highways and newer sources of pollution, including warehouses with heavy truck traffic.

Over a year ago, Northampton County Council and Lehigh County Commissioners appropriated over $100,000 for this project. Andrea Wittchen of iSpring, explained that the past year has been spent in calibrating the monitors and developing the technology to enable real time reports on the web. 

Each monitor cost $295, which amounts to $11,800 for all 40. The rest of the money appropriated by both counties is being used for calibration, development of technology, website and administration. Wittchen said her company would be paid around $35,000.  

In addition to the 40 monitors purchased by the counties, Lehigh University added 5 more. Dr. Holland mentioned at one point that she purchased two herself.  

Both McClure and Armstrong stressed that the program will be driven by data, not emotion. "We all have to get on board with this," said Armstrong. "We all live here." He added that both counties are working together because "we both share this air. We all share this air. Let's make sure it's breathable air." 

Lehigh Valley residents who think they live in high pollution areas can volunteer to have these monitors installed outside their home or business, provided there is electricity and WiFi. Those who are interested can contact LVBreathes@gmail.com. An interactive map identifies possible areas of air pollution with grey circles. 

ShinyApp will enable you to see realtime data on the various stations. At this time, eight stations are operating. 

The data will be collected for a full year through all four seasons. After that, a report will be issued to both counties and to the public, including possible recommendations to municipal governments. "Nothing's in concrete yet because we don't have any data,"  noted McClure. 

Mike Pence Speaks Out on Trump's Latest Indictment

"Yesterday's indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States.

"I will have more to say about the government’s case after reviewing the indictment. The former president is entitled to the presumption of innocence but with this indictment, his candidacy means more talk about January 6th and more distractions. 

"As Americans, his candidacy means less attention paid to Joe Biden's disastrous economic policies afflicting millions across the United States and to the pattern of corruption with Hunter.

"Our country is more important than one man. Our constitution is more important than any one man’s career. 

"On January 6th, Former President Trump demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. I chose the Constitution and I always will.

"As your president, I will not yield an inch in defending America, our people, or our values, and I promise you: I will do so in a way consistent with my oath to the Constitution and the character and decency of the American people. 

"We will restore a threshold of integrity and civility in public life so we can bring real solutions to the challenges plaguing our nation."

Meet CAT's Scott Slingerland

Lehigh County Exec Phil "Grandpa" Armstrong and NorCo Exec Lamont McClure held a news conference today to announce the launch of Lehigh Valley Breathes.  I'll have more about that in a separate story. This presser was scheduled near Sand Island, right smack dab in the middle of everyone setting up for Musikfest. It still attracted a gaggle of reporters and environmentalists. Most people had to park their SUVs and hoof their way into the throng. But one person with a big smile on his face rode his bike right through the diesel trucks, chicken dancers  and sledge hammers getting everything ready for Bethlehem's annual festival of drink and song. His name is Scott Slingerland, and he's the Executive Director of the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT).    

According to its website CAT "works to improve mobility for everyone. Better bicycling, walking/ADA accessibility, and public transit develop a stronger, smarter economy and a higher quality of life."  It offers classes for basic and advanced bike maintenance, conducts group rides and offers courses on riding along our roads. 

Scott is posing above with Armstrong, who is also a cycling enthusiast. Scott's rig consists of a nice Cannondale with a toboggan trailer.  After I took this photo, Armstrong shoved Slingerland aside and rode off along the D&L. Bethlehem's mounted police caught up to him.

McClure, who is in training for the LV Marathon in November, ran the trail to Easton, suit and all. 

Trump Indicted For 2020 Election Interference

Former President Donald Trump was indicted yesterday (you can read it below) for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 Presidential election with knowingly false claims of voter fraud. Special Counsel Jack Smith has deftly avoided charging Trump with incitement, which is highly problematic. The 45-page indictment instead charges Trump with conspiring to defraud the United States, two counts of obstructing the vote certification and a conspiracy to deprive us all of our right to vote.

Trump also faces federal charges over his willful retention of confidential government records and obstructing efforts to get them out of his ballroom,  bathroom and office. There's also state charges in Manhattan for falsifying business records to cover up hush payments made to Stormy Daniels. 

On top of all this, another shoe is about to drop in Georgia, where he wanted the Secretary of State to "find" the 11,000 votes he needed to win that state.

The indictment over Trump's willful retention of confidential records id the strongest case against him. But the charges handed down yesterday are by far the most important to those of us who take a dim view of a wannabe despot's attempt to reverse a legitimate election. 

He is alleged to have acted with six co-conspirators. Their names have been withheld for now, but it's clear to CNN who five of them are: Rudy Giuliani (Co-conspirator No. 1): John Eastman (Co-conspirator No. 2); Sidney Powell (Co-conspirator No. 3); Jeffrey Clark (Co-conspirator No. 4); and Kenneth Cheesebro (Co-conspirator No. 5). 

Trump Indictment by Stefan Becket

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana spent her Tuesday evening as a guest of Northampton County's jail after being unable to post bail on charges of domestic assault at her home. On Wednesday, Magisterial District Judge Richard Yetter released her on unsecured bail. 

WFMZ-TV69 tried reaching her at her home, but was told she was not there. 

So where was she? At Easton's National Night Out, with some  of her kids, posing with Colonel Foghorn Leghorn. When she found out the Colonel was actually a reporter in disguise, she head-butted him. 

Then she ate him, 

All joking aside, I am astonished that she'd be out and about, posing for pictures and acting as though nothing happened.

Kinda' like Fed Ed when he was under indictment. 

Or Donald Trump. 

UPDATED: Easton City Council's Taiba Sultana Jailed After Domestic Dispute at Her Home: "I Am Outraged!"

Lehigh Valley News, WFMZ-TV69 and Lehigh Valley Live have all reported that Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana, 39, was arrested at her home yesterday afternoon. She's been charged with misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment as a result of a domestic dispute. From what I've been able to piece together, it involved children at the home. 

Her most recent Facebook entry includes a flattering photo of herself with the caption "serve, pray, slay." 

I sure hope that she didn't mean "slay" literally. 

According to the Lehigh Valley Live account, Sultana slapped, punched and head-butt the victim, who sustained what appear to be minor injuries. 

Magisterial District Judge Richard Yetter set bail at 10% of $20,000 when she was unable to provide an address at which she'd reside during the pendency of the charges. She was sent to Northampton County's jail in lieu of bail.  

That probably explains why she never answered my call. 

The charges are now available on the web portal for Pa.'s Unified Judicial System, and show she's been charged with simple assault as a second degree misdemeanor and summary (not misdemeanor) harassment. Easton police filed the charges and her preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 14, 1:30 pm.  No attorney is listed for her at this point, but I expect that to change very soon.. 

Typically, defendants charged with these types of offenses are eligible for a special program for first offenders, in which the slate is wiped clean after successful completion of a period of probation. A defendant charged with this kind of offense is usually released on her own recognizance, but she needs to find another place to stay out to avoid a possible repetition.  

"I am outraged" is what Sultana said on Facebook after then Easton City Council candidate Lance Wheeler was arrested for allegedly threatening children on a Wilson Area School District bus. 

She must be really pissed now. 

Sultana, who immigrated here from Pakistan, is Easton City Council's first Muslim member. As an elected official for the City, she should be setting an example for the people she represents. She is, but it's a bad example. In addition to the current criminal charges, she's been cited several times for code violations at her Vista Drive home. She also recently claimed that Easton City Council, one of whose members is black, " think the black and brown community is criminal and dangerous ... ."

Up until now, she's been politically ambitious. She's run for Mayor and lost, but has her eyes set on a State Senate or State House seat. She was also very much behind her husband's campaign for both magisterial district judge and county controller. 

I think it's safe to say her political career is over. 

UPDATED 9:26 am

McClure Claims His Health Center Proposal Still Alive

Blogger's Note: Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure issued a news release today that continues to make the case for his proposed health center, even though it has already been rejected by County Council in a 5-4 vote. He may be trying to flip one of the No votes. Morelikely, he is making a pitch to the County Council that takes office in January.

FROM NORTHAMPTON COUNTY: Northampton County Council rejected the Administration’s proposed Employee Health Center at their meeting on Thursday, July 20th.

“I am utterly disappointed in our current County Council. The Employee Health Center would have saved taxpayers $1.5 million - $2 million per year. The services provided by the Health Center would have been an option for employees on top of their current health insurance. The services would have been strictly confidential, strictly voluntary, and provided on a no-copay basis,” says Lamont G. McClure. “Northampton County employees and residents have been seriously misled by certain members of Council regarding this project. Council had been given sufficient time to ask for more information.”

5/25/2022 – Northampton County Department of Human Resources sent a survey to all Northampton County employees to garner interest in a potential Employee Health Center. Survey results show that an Employee Health Center is overwhelmingly supported by employees:

Would you use an onsite or near-site Health Center that is run by a 3rd party and offered exclusively to County employees and their insured dependents?

78.2% Yes
21.8% No

Would you frequent a Health Center (check all that apply):

24.3% -During work hours
39.3% - After work hours
26.7% - During lunch time
9.8% - Other

Which of the following would you prefer?

46.2% - Onsite Center
40.8% - Near Site Center
9.2% - Virtual Clinic
3.8% - Mobile Clinic

Which medical providers would you use at an Employee Health Center (top 5 answers)

14.6% - Physician
11.4% - Physician Assistant
10.5% - Nurse Practitioner
8% - Nurse
5.5% - Medical Assistant

8/17/2022 – The first presentation in front of Northampton County Council Finance Committee about an Employee Health Center. Integrity Health presented to the Finance Committee for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Attending from Integrity Health:

Douglas Forrester, Chairman & CEO
Mark Caliguire, Vice President of Government Relations and Client Development
Dr. Joseph Calabro, Chief Physician Executive

10/19/2022 – Integrity Health presented to the Northampton County Council Finance Committee for 50 minutes.

Attending from Integrity Health:

Douglas Forrester, Chairman & CEO
Mark Caliguire, Vice President of Government Relations and Client Development
Judy Lagana, Chief Clinical Officer & Senior Vice President

In this meeting, Administration advised that funding for the Employee Health Center is present in the 2023 Budget, including how the Self Insurance Trust Fund could potentially pay for the Health Center. Former Council President Lori Vargo Heffner said at the time: “The fact that he’s just proposing a single vendor and not being transparent with the rest of it is problematic. How can you say when it’s millions of dollars on the line that he wouldn’t have to go through competitive bidding? I don’t think that’s good government.”

2/24/2023 – Integrity Health operates several health centers in New Jersey and expanded to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. In response to Former Council President Lori Vargo Heffner’s statement, Administration reviewed Lycoming County’s RFP Outline model and Northampton County then posted an RFP through the Public Purchase Platform and invited 665 entities to possibly bid on the project.

4/27/2023 – The proposals on the project were due to Northampton County. The County received five proposals and one letter from St. Luke’s Hospital that was a no bid. There were 55 entities that downloaded the bid package from the system. The purchasing department, fiscal department, and human resources collectively answered 57 questions about the RFP on the system over the two months it was posted. The purchasing department extended the deadline for submitting RFPs so that all bidders could review answers to the questions asked.

5/5/2023 – The Request for Proposal Committee met for the first time to review the five proposals the County received. This committee included Northampton County Commissioner Tom Giovanni, Director of Human Services Susan Wandalowski, Director of Human Resources Mary Lou Kaboly, Director of Fiscal Affairs Stephen Barron, and Procurement Manager Kathryn Anderson. At this meeting, the group felt strongly that Integrity Health and Everside should both be interviewed based on price and services. Care ACT was also extended an interview as they had the potential to be competitive with the other two. This was a unanimous decision, and interviews were scheduled in person or via Zoom as some bidders were more local than others.

5/31/2023 – The Request for Proposal Committee met to discuss the interviews and make a decision. The group considered the price, hours, service delivery model (i.e., doctor vs. nurse practitioner vs. physician assistant, etc.), ROI/performance guarantee, and virtual visit options. Also, each company discussed their focus on primary care health, wellness, and education. Integrity Health was unanimously selected by the Request for Proposal Committee. The Request for Proposal Committee specifically asked Mr. Giovanni if there were any other concerns that Council had that the group needed to address.

6/14/2023 - The Request for Proposal Committee presented their decision to County Council, along with the objective process undertaken by the group.

7/19/2023 – County Council was presented with a contract and a matrix related to a performance guarantee and was asked to vote at the next County Council Meeting. This information was promised to be delivered to Council for consideration at the 6/14/2023 meeting at the suggested timetable of Mr. Giovanni.

7/20/2023 – Council votes against awarding the contract 5-4.

“Providing county employees with the best health care available while controlling costs for both county employees and taxpayers will continue to be a top priority of mine. This project isn’t dead yet,” says Lamont G. McClure.

Montero's Congressional Bid Now Official

FROM MONTERO's Campaign, ALLENTOWN, PA (July 31, 2023) Republican Maria Montero formally announced her candidacy for the U.S. of Representatives in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. A mother, attorney, and former Executive Director of both the Pennsylvania Commission for Women and the Pennsylvania Latino Commission, Montero will bring a wide range of experience to Congress.

The daughter of an immigrant and grand-daughter of Carbon County Irish coal miners, Montero was born in Pennsylvania’s coal region. A resident of Easton, Maria was a co-founder of the Lehigh Valley’s Power of Women Networking Initiative and has lived or worked in every county in the 7th Congressional District. An avid outdoorswoman, Montero is on the board of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. Passionate about the transformative impact of a quality education, Maria also serves on the board of directors of her alma mater, Marian Catholic High School.

“Never in my lifetime have I been more concerned about the direction of our country,” said Montero. “We need to right the ship and take action now to restore the American Dream not just for ourselves, but for future generations.”

In announcing her candidacy, Maria said her campaign would be built on four key cornerstones: Safety, Accountability, Family Finances, and Education (SAFE).

“We need to work to improve safety in our communities by cracking down on the brazen crime and flow of dangerous drugs like fentanyl across our porous borders,” said Montero. “Our elected officials need to be held accountable for amassing $33 trillion in national debt, a fiscal and budgetary nightmare that we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.”

“We need to provide relief to families and seniors who are struggling to make ends meet due to rising inflation and a tax burden saddled on them by their own elected officials who refuse to tighten their own belts,” said Montero. “And I am committed to improving our educational system so that our young people are best prepared to pursue their chosen paths after high school, whether it be entering the workforce, learning a trade, or attending college.”

Maria said her own journey and background will provide her with a unique perspective in advocating for local residents. Rising through poverty, Maria came to learn that a strong educational foundation is the great equalizer. After attending Our Lady of the Valley and Marian Catholic, Maria went on to graduate from Saint Joseph’s University and Widener School of Law. She also learned from personal experience the importance of tenacity and hard work. Maria had her only child, a son, while in college and through her own determination – and with the support of her family – she was able to earn her degree and eventually attend law school.

For more information on Maria Montero and her campaign for Congress, please visit her website at www.mariamontero.org.

(Blogger's Note: Two other Republicans - Kevin Dellicker and Ryan MacKenzie - have announced. Incumbent Susan Wild, a Democrat, has filed a Statement of Candidacy, but no official announcement.)

GOP Infighting Is a County and Statewide Problem

On Friday, I told you that NorCo GOP party chair Glenn Geissinger has taken the highly unusual step of banning four elected state committee members (Debra Biro, Melanie Heilman, Steve Lynch and Richard Morea) from monthly county meetings because their outrageous behavior in June has sparked a criminal investigation. Geissinger's decision was authorized by counsel for the state GOP committee. I have since learned that NorCo is by no means alone. Party chairs in other counties are taking action against so called "patriots" who refuse to play by the rules. Will this hurt Republican candidates in this year's municipal races?  In even the best of times, candidates who rely on party infrastructure and finances are doomed to fail. But the infighting is certainly unhelpful. 

NorCo Infighting

In Northampton County, the GOP is made up of three factions. First, there are the Steve Lynch fascists, a cult of personality who must worship Lynch. Second, there are Lee Snover's MAGAs, who must adore Donald Trump. Finally, there's the Lehigh Valley Tea Party. They actually appear normal in comparison to the other two factions.   

Currently, the Lehigh Valley Tea Party has a tenuous grip on leadership in NorCo. This is driving both Lynch and Snover nuts. Both suffer from a bad case of sour grapes. 

Snover is a former chair. For several years, she was able to hold off the tea party during raucous meetings. In one instance, the meeting ended with a call to 9-1-1. After Trump's election, her MAGA antics alienated her among local elected officials. She attended the January 6 insurrection, just like Lynch. Party donations dropped as she became increasingly extreme. . 

Lynch was certain he was winning the race for party chair by a landslide. After all, he had spreadsheets. His loss to Army veteran Glenn Geissinger, who actually graduated from Moravian (accounting) and Lehigh (accounting, marketing) must have been a blow to Lynch's rather massive ego. It's hard to understand why Republicans would select am educated businessman who served in the 82d Airborne over a narcissist who loves posting pictures of himself, but there it is. 

After Geissinger's victory, the Lynch mob and Lee's lackeys united to raise havoc with Geissinger and local party leadership. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

At June's monthly meeting, the Lynch mob and Lee's lackeys unleashed a vicious and highly intrusive personal attack against two committee members. I'm unwilling to provide details, but it was bad enough that police are now involved and a criminal investigation is under way. 

In response to my story, a reader I'll call Dumbass claimed to have given an audio of the meeting to an investigating detective. This officer was very grateful. Dumbass is apparently unaware that it is a crime to surreptitiously record a private meeting. 

Statewide Infighting

Within hours of Friday's story, Second Amendment lawyer Joshua Prince was on Bobby Gunther Walsh's morning radio show. He was there to talk about what is happening statewide, but also discussed Northampton County.  

Prince is a failed candidate for Commonwealth Court. He was rejected in the primary. He failed to secure the endorsement of the state party and also received a "not recommended" rating from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He's a good lawyer, but his extreme views do cast a pall on his temperament. 

Is he another sufferer of sour grapes? 

As if to prove that he is injudicious, he's written a series of blogs (he's up to four installments) highly critical of the state and various county parties. On Gunther's radio show, he said he had a gentleman's agreement with state party chair Lawrence Tabas to raise any concerns he had privately, but was going public because he felt the agreement was violated.  

According to Prince, county committees are removing "conservative patriots" and replacing them with lifelong Democrats who are infiltrating the party. 

I think what's really going on is that these so-called patriots only recently became involved in politics and are just trying to bully their way into power. 

Speaking specifically about NorCo, Prince claimed that Glenn Geissinger "dislikes" four "patriots" so he filed a "false police report against them" and is using that as a pretext to preclude them from attending meetings. He then claims that Geissinger contacted me, "a liberal blogger, and gives him all the information relative to this ... ." 

That's inaccurate on several counts. I was first aware of this disgusting intrusion into the private lives of two committee members almost immediately after it happened because I spoke with the victims. I decided not to write about it then because the victims of this attack have been violated and writing about it would cause more pain. I then received an email from "Another Concerned Republican", chiding me for refusing to write a story. It included material whose distribution might very well be a crime. I forwarded that email to the District Attorney. He is in the best position to make that determination. 

Last Thursday, I heard a rumor that Geissinger had banned four state committee members from meetings because they are subjects of that investigation. In my view, when four elected state committee members are banned from participating in their county's meetings, that's a story. But I needed to verify.  I contacted Geissinger, and he confirmed that the rumor was accurate. He declined to go into detail or name them, but did say he was authorized to proscribe these members by the state committee's counsel. 

Prince stated that Geissinger's actions were unsanctioned, so I contacted Glenn again on Saturday. He reiterated that he had received authorization. Prince was obviously misinformed. 

Police were contacted by at least five people. Geisinger may have been one, or may have just responded to a police inquiry. 

NorCo GOP Chair Bans Four State Committee Members Under Criminal Investigation

Northampton County Republican Chair Glenn Geissinger has confirmed that he has banned four committee members from attending monthly meetings until a criminal investigation of their behavior has concluded. He declined to identify the members, but I have learned that the proscribed members are elected state committee members Debra Biro, Melanie Heilman, Steve Lynch and Richard Morea. 

This quartet is alleged to have disrupted a meeting in June with an extremely intrusive personal attack against two members. Lynch later gloated about it on his Facebook page. I decline to specify the nature of this ugly onslaught and refuse to publish any comments that attempt to go into the details. These two members have been damaged enough. 

Geissinger informed me that the state committee authorized him to disallow these state committee members until the criminal matter is resolved. 

None of these members attempted to crash last night's meeting. Local police were put on notice. 

Lynch, incidentally, is a failed candidate for Northampton County Exec. 

Is Zrinski Running For Controller or County Council?

Tara Zrinski was first elected to Northampton County Council in 2017.  In the middle of her first term, she decided to run for state representative and lost. She was re-elected to her Council seat in 2021. In 2022, she ran for state senate and lost. Now she's running again. This time, it's for Northampton County Controller.  This will be her fifth race for public office since 2017. 

It must be very confusing for her to keep all these races straight. In fact, she runs for so many offices that her Facebook page simply states. "Tara Zrinski - Political Candidate."

According to the county website, the Controller provides the county's internal audit function. Here's one little problem. Zrinski wouldn't know how to do an audit if it hit her in the face. She has no accounting background. Her educational background is in philosophy and theology. She sells solar panels. 

The county website provides that the Controller is "independent of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government." She has instead been a reliable rubber stamp for whatever Executive Lamont McClure wants to do. She failed to provide a check and balance on executive power as a Council member, and is woefully unprepared to do so in an office that should be looking for waste and fraud. 

What she's really looking for is a springboard from which she can collect a paycheck and get benefits while selling solar panels, teaching, getting paid as the Exec Director of a marijuana group and, of course, running for the next office that comes along. 

She sure has a lot of fundraisers, including a birthday bash every year. For $48, you can go to her party  on Saturday. She's been hyping it on her Facebook page. But she runs for so many offices she gets confused. In her original announcement, she announces, "We are kicking off this campaign with a rocking birthday bash fundraiser. I'm running for County Commissioner ... ." 

No, Tara, you're running for County Controller.  But I'm sure you'll be running for Council again in two years. 

Lehigh and NorCo Team Up For Air Quality Study

PM monitor

Over a year ago, a divided Northampton County Council voted to spend $52,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to study air quality at numerous different points in the county. I was under the impression that this study was well under way, but it's apparently only getting started now. Lehigh County is participating as well. Next Wednesday, Executives Phil Armstrong, Lamont McClure, Dr. Breena Holland (LU) and Andrea Wittchen (iSpring) will hold an outdoor news conference to announce the launch of Lehigh Valley Breathes. 

Lehigh County has a detailed explanation of the project: 

"As warehouse development has expanded in the Valley, it has contributed to an increase in mobile sources of air pollution, particularly from freight-truck traffic. Currently, air quality information in the Valley comes from two monitoring sites located in Freemansburg and East Allentown that are used by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to make sure that the region complies with the federal Clean Air Act. While these sophisticated monitors are capable of measuring a variety of air pollutants that are used to determine the Air Quality Index (AQI), they do not tell us how air pollution is distributed throughout Lehigh Valley.

"The Lehigh Valley Breathes project will distribute and install 40 PurpleAir monitors throughout the valley to measure particulate pollution, which is commonly referred to as “PM2.5” and poses a serious health risk for humans and the environment. These small and inexpensive air monitors can be easily positioned in different locations, providing a highly-localized understanding of air quality that the state’s two centralized air monitors cannot."

"By increasing the locations where PM 2.5 pollution is measured, the data will provide a more accurate understanding of how PM 2.5 is impacting the health of citizens in different parts of the Valley. And because the data provided by the PurpleAir monitors are available 24/7 on an easily accessible and dedicated website, Lehigh Valley residents can check on the air quality in their own neighborhoods."

Over the past year, I've spent several hours looking for this dedicated website, to no avail. The project is only getting under way now because the monitors needed to be calibrated. 

The data collected over the next year could be used by municipalities to amend zoning and planning ordinances to make air quality part of a required traffic impact study for proposed warehouses, leading to a possible reduction in size of of truck fleets.

Support for this project was by no means unanimous in Northampton County.  Council members John Brown, Tom Giovanni and John Goffredo all voted No. 

Goffredo's rationale? "I understand the big, hot topic is warehousing and truck traffic," said Goffredo. "If you're not somebody who relies on that - if you're not a truck driver or operator and you don't work in those warehouses - these might seem like inconveniences to a lot of people.

"A lot of people depend on these jobs. As somebody who does depend on these jobs and has a lot of people work for me who do depend on those jobs, it's getting to a point where we're starting to feel like second class citizens just for driving a diesel truck."

I'll have more about this air quality study after the news conference. 

Ryan MacKenzie Announces Congressional Bid

State Representative Ryan MacKenzie, age 40, today announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for US Congress in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. Republicans Kevin Dellicker and Maria Montero have previously announced that they are running as well.

Whoever wins this race will likely face incumbent Sue Wild in the Fall. She has made no formal announcement, but has filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission. She was first elected in 2018. 

MacKenzie has introduced what he calls "his 4 Principles For America: Grow Our Economy, Defend Our Values, Secure Our Communities, and Restore Our Freedoms."

MacKenzie, who was first elected State Representative in 2012, but announced he has decided against seeking re-election. 

According to his statement, he is "a 9th generation resident of the Lehigh Valley. His ancestors and family members fought in the Revolutionary War and in both World Wars, helped build companies like Hercules Cement that supported families in our area for generations, and served in respected professions like nursing and teaching."  

He claims to be a known conservative "feared by the establishment as one of the most effective and proven reformers in government. Ryan didn't just talk - he got our values enacted into law." He claims to have led efforts that have saved $400 million per year at the Department of Labor and Industry.  

He is a graduate of Parkland High School and New York University, wherehe graduated with honors. He also has an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

Coming Soon! Gracedale DayCare for 30-50 Kids

Kids breaking in the daycare

Yesterday, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure announced the launch of a long-awaited  daycare at Gracedale Nursing Home, located on the first floor of the vacant Southeast Wing.

There will be no cost for the daycare services for the children of Gracedale, Emergency Operations Center, and Forensic Center employees, thanks to federal funding.

It will be operated by The Learning Locomotion.

There will be a separate drop-off for the children right by the Southeast wing. 

Jennifer Stewart

Total cost? $562,399, split among General Contractor – CMG of Easton, Inc.; Mechanical (HVAC) – JBM Mechanical; and Electrical – Billitier Electric.

This daycare was approved by a 7-2 vote of Northampton County Council in May 2022, with John Brown and John Goffredo voting No. McClure expressed his appreciation to County Council for appropriated $2 million of federal funds towards this venture.  

When the federal funds are gone, McClure stated that daycare users will likely be assessed a nominal fee. 

It is a pilot program that might be expanded in the future to include other county departments or discontinued. According to Gracedale Administrator Jennifer Stewart, "We are being watched throughout the state" by other nursing homes considering this option. She indicated parents could stop and see their children on breaks and pointed out that employees who have to stay at the nursing home during snowstorms will know their children are safe. "A daycare plus a pension is a win-win situation for any working parent. 

Lamont McClure

Stewart, who started at Gracedale as a CNA and worked her way up, is a very unusual person. In addition to caring for the elderly, she is the mother of six adopted children,. She probably could use her own daycare. 

Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski estimates that the daycare will accommodate between 30-50 kids. It  which will operate between 6:30 am and 7 pm for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old.  Gracedale Administrator Jennifer Stewart added there's room for expansion as well. 

County officials believe this will attract and retain staff, many of whom are parents. Stewart added that this will also be a benefit to both the children and the nursing home's residents.

According to McClure, nearly a third of all nursing jobs are unfilled in Pennsylvania. He added that 23% of Pennsylvania families are unable to find adequate daycare; 9% must take unpaid leave; and another 9% must reduce their hours of work. He stated this "materially impacts our ability to do the things that we need to do to care for the residents." He added that the daycare will enable the county to meet its "moral obligation" to care for 400 souls with nowhere else to go.  

God Punishes Me For Trying to Show Off

I've told you several thousand times that I'm a highly conditioned, well-trained athlete. I rode my bike to meet someone for lunch at Nazareth Diner. After that, I planned to ride to Gracedale and shame everyone else for driving there and ruining the planet. There's a few hills, but it's a short ride. It was a great opportunity to show off. 

When I left the Diner, I noticed the skies were getting dark and I could hear some rumbling. It will pass, I told myself. That lasted about a half mile and then it started. Not a faint light drizzle. Lightning was crackling all around me, the winds reduced my speed to about 1 mph and hail battered me. I was actually hoping someone would hit me so I could hijack their car. 

I arrived at Gracedale looking like a sewer rat, soaking wet, and my shoes squeaked wherever I walked. 

Nobody seemed to notice, probably because I always look like a sewer rat. 

I should have driven. 

Allentown Wants To Know How It Should Spend Your Money

Municipal budget hearings are a lot like root canal, except they are more painful. They're open to the public, but few people ever show up. Until yesterday, I've never seen a municipality reach out to the public and actually encourage their participation. Allentown Communications Czarina Genesis Ortega sent a news release with a schedule of committee meetings today and tomorrow in which department heads can discuss what they need. That's the norm. But in addition, the city plans to schedule public input meetings in which residents can provide their own insights. After all, it's your money.  

This is quite democratic, and a far cry from the usual special interests who hold their hands out every year. 

Should NorCo Council Review Its Responsible Contractor Ordinance?

John Cusick

Is Northampton County's Responsible Contractor Ordinance irresponsible?  Some members of County Council appear to think so. Since its enactment, a pattern has emerged in which the county is getting very few bids on construction projects. This problem was on display at last week's July 20 County Council meeting. 

At issue was a proposed $340,000 contract with Wilmer R Schultz, Inc. a union general contractor located in Emmaus. The project was repairs to the courthouse steps as well as the retaining wall on 7th Street. According to Public Works Director Michael Emili, this proposal had gone out to bid at least twice. He received only one bid from Schultz, and after competitive negotiation with the sole bidder, he was able to knock down the price tag by $34,000,  

This dearth of bids for public works projects started to become a pattern after Council's adoption, in 2018, of a "responsible contractor ordinance." It requires all contractors who are bidding on county contracts valued at or over $250,000 to have in place a Class A apprenticeship program for each craft or trade employed. 

This ordinance was adopted despite claims that it would render nonunion companies ineligible to bid on future work. Their employees learn their craft through on-the-job training or a technical school instead of an apprenticeship that is more common in the trade unions.  None union contractors argued that the ordinance, if adopted, would limit the labor pool and favor unions. 

Then County Council member Bill McGee, a union agent who sponsored the ordinance, countered that this law would ensure that county work is done by skilled workers and ultimately save the county money. 

A federal lawsuit attacking this ordinance failed because, as Judge Edward Smith observed, there was a rational basis - worker safety - for requiring an apprenticeship program.   

Last October, the County received no bids at all for the plumbing of a bathroom replacement project at a county park. It was forced to seek out a union plumber located in Reading.   

Kevin Lott

Council member Kevin Lott, himself a former union agent, dismissed concerns about the $340,000 contract with Schultz.  "$340,000 on a commercial job is a small job," he said. "It's very busy in the LV right now."

Public Works Director Emili is unable to explain why the county is receiving so few bids. "I don't know what contributed to it in this particular case," he said. "It's a fairly substantial project. It was advertised for over 30 days. I know procurement does an excellent job of notifying contractors whenever these projects do get posted ... . "

Council member John Cusick agreed that these repairs are needed, but "[t]he lack of a competitive bid process is what troubles me, so I'll be voting No." Council member John Goffredo agreed with Cusick. "[W]e need to be looking for answers for why we're not getting competitive bids, and I think that looking at the Responsible Contractors Ordinance might be one of those avenues."

Cusick, Goffredo and Council member John Brown voted No to this contract. The other six Council members - Lori Vargo Heffner, Kerry Myers, Tom Giovanni, Ron Heckman, Kevin Lott and Tara Zrinski voted Yes. 

If $340,000 is a small amount for a public works project, as Lott asserted, perhaps the county should revise the Responsible Contractor Ordinance to restrict its application to larger contracts. 

NorCo Employee Health Center on Life Support, but Still Alive

Last week, Northampton County Council voted 5-4 to reject a $3.7 million contract with Integrity Health for a voluntary and exclusive employee health center that would charge no co-pays and is projected to save the county money. While this vote certainly puts this proposal on life support, it is still very much alive. 

In November, Northampton County voters will Council District members. 

In District 1, Democrat Kevin Lott, a Yes vote, is stepping down. Democrat Ken Kraft is running against Republican Bill Rowe. If Kraft is elected, which seems likely in a heavily Democratic district, he will vote for a health center. Republican Bill Rowe might support it as well. I have not discussed this issue with him. 

In District 2, Democrat turned Republican Kerry Myers, a No vote, is stepping down, He will be succeeded by Democrat Kelly Keegan, who has no opposition. She is a Yes vote. 

In District 3, Republican John Cusick, a Yes vote, is stepping down. He will be succeeded by either Democrat Jeffrey Warren, a Yes vote, or Casey Foreman, whose views are unknown. District 3 is more competitive than District 1, but leans Democratic.

In District 4, Tom Giovanni, a No vote, is running unopposed. 

After November's election, it is likely that the health center will pick up one vote. That will turn a 5-4 vote against into a 5-4 vote in favor.  

Bingo Players Vote 17-1 To Support Municipal Donation of Firearm to Retiring Police Officers

Periodically, I call bingo at a small community made up of old farts like me. It's actually quite dangerous,  I've barely escaped with my life a few times when I've made mistakes here and there. I try to stay on their good side. Last week, during the intermission of about 300 games, I got up and polled them informally on this question: Should a municipality give a retiring police officer in good standing his firearm as a keepsake? There was no debate. I just asked those who supported this donation to raise their hands, and then asked those who opposed this donation to raise their hands.  

By a 17-1 margin, with one abstention, these bingo players supported the donation. Afterwards, they made a few points. They noted that retired police officers have stopped crimes in progress. They observed that retired police officers are better trained than most in the proper use of handguns. Finally, they argued that this is the least a municipality could do for someone who risks his life every time he puts on a uniform.  

The one person who voted against this donation thinks he owns Hackett Park. 

Last week, Bethlehem City Council had a similar vote. Instead of a donation, they were considering a resolution that would sell retiring police officer's handgun to him for a few hundred dollars. This resolution was much closer. It was a 5-1 vote, and could easily have been a 4-2 vote. 

Hillary Kwiatek was the sole No vote. Her specious arguments against the sale were as follows. 

First, she argued that more children are dying from firearms than any other cause. That's certainly true, but there no causal connection between those unfortunate deaths and retired police officers. 

Her second argument is police officers have high suicide rates, and allowing them to keep firearms makes that possibility more likely. She failed to note whether suicide rates among retired police officers is high. Doctors and dentists have high suicide rates as well. Under her logic, they should have no access to drugs. 

The reason this could have been a 4-2 vote is because Council member Kiera Wilhelm said the only reason she voted No is because otherwise, the gun would be sold to some third party. If the City just destroyed the weapon, she'd support a ban on sales. 

Based on my bingo poll, I'd say that both Kwiatek and Wilhem are completely out if touch. What they also fail to realize is that their attitude insults the very people who keep them safe.  

Dorothy Zug Taylor, NorCo's First Female Council Member, Has Died

Dorothy ("Dottie") Zug Taylor, the first woman to serve on Northampton County Council, passed away on July 19. You can read her obituary here. 

She was first appointed to Council in 1984, and then was elected in 1987 as the top vote getter. She was an active Democrat who led Pennsylvania's delegation to the 1976 Democratic convention that nominated Jimmy Carter for President. 

She was a registered nurse as well as a self-taught software engineer who designed programs for The Bethlehem Globe Times.