Lehigh County Considers Adding Independent to Elections Board

Every Pennsylvania county has a board of elections or elections commission, whose job is to administer elections each year. In NorCo, the elections commission consists of three members of the majority party and two members of the minority party. In Lehigh, the elections board consists of the county executive or his designee, one member of the majority party and one member of the minority party. If he is up for re-election or running for another office, the President Judge appoints someone to replace him, but that person must be from the same party as the executive. 

In both counties, the elections board is designed to give the majority party the deciding vote. This bothered Sarah Fevig, a newly elected Lehigh County Commissioner. So she went to work, drafting and researching a proposed change to Lehigh County's Home Rule Charter that will add an independent voter to the board. That way, the ability of the major parties to politicize the elections process will be minimized. A measure like this, which requires the assent of voters in a county-wide referendum, could also help restore faith in the integrity of our elections.  

Fevig gave a detailed explanation of her rationale at a committee meeting on Wednesday. She proposes  modernizing the county’s election governance structure to better reflect current demographic, political, and institutional realities. Lehigh's Home Rule Charter, established in 1978 and last updated in 1986, provides for a three-member board: the county executive and one representative from each major political party. She believes this results in a partisan majority and presents potential conflicts of interest, particularly when the executive must recuse himself as a candidate.

She added that there's been significant changes over time—including substantial population growth, an increase in independent voters, and evolving national concerns about election integrity. She suggests that her proposal establishes a more balanced and representative system.

Under her proposal, the election board would expand from three to five members. It would include two representatives from each of the two largest political parties, but importantly, would add one representative from the third-largest affiliation. Currently, this would result in two Democrats, two Republicans, and one independent member. It would eliminate any single-party majority and introduce a broader range of perspectives.

The independent member would have to be someone who has been registered as an independent for two years.

Current elected officials and candidates would be unable to serve on the board, aiming to reduce political influence and conflicts of interest. Political parties could still nominate candidates, but residents would also be able to apply and participate in interviews for board positions.

The Board of Commissioners to remove members for cause if they fail to properly fulfill their duties. Furthermore, the county executive (or designee) would continue to participate as a non-voting, ex officio member, ensuring coordination between the election board and the county administration without exerting direct control.

Lehigh County is indisputably blue, so as a political matter, why would Democrats support this change? Fevig, several Democratic Commissioners like Dan Hartzell and Geoff Brace, offered their support. It was even supported by Exec Josh Siegel. They argue this reform will strengthen public trust in elections by ensuring fairness, transparency, and shared responsibility across political lines. Particular attention was given to the growing number of independent voters and the importance of including their representation in election oversight.

The next step is to present this proposal as a ballot measure for voters to consider in November, allowing the public to directly decide whether to adopt the new system.

This is perhaps the best piece of legislation I've seen in county government in recent years. Northampton County should consider a similar measure. 

MDJ Amy Zanelli Formally Seeks "Diversionary Treatment" For Alleged Judicial Misconduct

Pennsylvania's Judicial Conduct Board filed a complaint in January against Amy Zanelli, Magisterial District Judge in West Bethlehem and Fountain Hill. Numerous infractions of the Code of Judicial Conduct are alleged. 

These include the following:

(1) Maintaining a "Book of Grudges" about individuals who appeared before her, including a lawyer she referred to as "Just a Dick." 

(2) Maintaining a desk calendar with explicit sexual messages like "Bedroom Pants He'll Have to Slide Through If He Wants That Pussy."

(3) Denying a Defendant his Constitutional right to hear the evidence against him or to cross-examine the victim.

(4) Rude behavior to a county employee: "I am the judge, and you are just the fucking secretary." She also used profanity such as "cuntrageous" in courtroom settings.

(5) Numerous late arrivals and absences, which obviously denies litigants the right to a prompt disposition.

(6) Conducting Zoom hearings without authorization. 

Zanelli is represented by Sam Stretton, the go-to lawyer for lawyers and judges accused of ethical or judicial misconduct. Instead of addressing these accusations on the merits, Attorney Stretton has filed a petition that would place her in what is known as a "diversionary program." But as he himself concedes, nothing in the Rules of Procedure for Judicial Discipline establish such a program. The program envisioned, I imagine, is similar to accelerated rehabilitative dispositions for first offenders accused on minor crimes.  

In this petition, filed January 29, Stretton states that a psychiatrist retained by the Judicial Conduct Board has examined Zanelli and identified "certain issues be addressed" in any course of treatment. Based on that report, Zanelli has been seeing a psychologist who will testify that she has been making "excellent progress." He avers that she's a prime candidate for diversion and wants a hearing to make his case. 

Strangely, he denies that she has a mental health disability. I believe his own petition suggests otherwise. 

In the meantime, Zanelli has been sued in federal court by Francis Oran, who alleges that he appeared before her on several driving suspension cases and was found guilty even though the state court that imposed this suspension ultimately reversed itself. He also claims that she imposed fines without conducting required ability-to-pay hearings. He contends his "experience was not the result of isolated judicial error but reflects a systemic pattern of unconstitutional conduct toward unrepresented litigants ... ." Unfortunately for Oran, he remains unrepresented in his federal lawsuit. 

Stretton's petition for some kind of diversionary treatment is novel, but I suggest that she needs to step down while she gets whatever treatment she needs. I've been covering her for years, and while I'm no shrink, I can categorically state that she's cuckoo for cocoa puffs and has been for some time. I've been warning you about her since 2105 with these stories: 

Finnigan Henpecked Over Hanover Fowl Ban (She appeared before Hanover's Board of Supervisors, seeking a change in a ban on backyard chickens. There's nothing unusual about that, but what was totally bizarre to me was that she insisted on flashing her badge as a NorCo Human Services caseworker..)

Why You Need to Vote For Dennis Pearson For LC Comm'r (In this story about her primary campaign for LC Comm're, I tell you that she was once employed in NJ's Child Protective Services, but was fired in 2012 because she refused to return to work after receiving a number of leaves of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Though she refused to work, she dropped in on her office one day to deliver Avon products to co-workers. Zanelli appealed her termination and lost. She told me she was a victim of discrimination.)

LC Comm'r Race: Candidate Chicken Lady Cries Fowl (In an email to me, before blocking me, Zanelli claimed she had been "exonerated" In Jersey. That is pure horse shit).

>Judicial Candidate Amy Zanelli Supports Looting, Lies About Being Fired (When running for MDJ, Zanelli actually stated that looting was an appropriate response to slavery. Say what? And she also took me to task for pointing out her termination in Jersey and later, in NorCo.  She called them "false accusations and fake news. With that said, this would not be the first time in history that an intelligent, well-spoken, beautiful woman has intimidated a man who then feels the need to spread rumors and lies in an attempt to tear her down."  The problem with her denial is that her own lawyer actually admitted that she was terminated in Jersey, appealed, and lost her appeal. She was also terminated in NorCo, as per her own lawyer in a custody dispute.)

Zanelli Embellished Her Social Work in Jersey (When running for MDJ, she told a fawning Josh Popichak that her "ability to see things others didn't led me to go into investigative work on a state level for the State of New Jersey. ,,, I specialized in sex crimes and homicides and abuse and neglect for children ... ." She was a caseworker, not Phillip Marlowe. She also claimed she had to move her because she had been targeted by the bad guys).

Amy Zanelli's Nonjudicial Behavior in Custody Trial (While running for MDJ, Zanelli was in the middle of a custody battle. This is how then President Judge Michael J Koury, Jr., characterized her demeanor: "Mother's demeanor varied from happy to openly hostile. ... Mother repeatedly referred to the custody trial as a 'circus.' ... Mother accused opposing counsel of  'play[ing] semantics and stated that her questioning was 'crap.'")

MDJ Candidate Amy Zanelli Kicked Out of Fountain Hill Pool (While running for MDJ, she was ejected from Fountain Hill's Pool for interjecting herself when a manager admonished some unruly teens).

Zanelli Neglected Children in Jersey, But Wants to Be a Judge (Here I append a New Jersey rejection of her appeal from her termination as a caseworker. Incidentally, The Morning Call had this information as well, but refused to publish it. I guess the paper lacked the desire to do its job, which is to cast a glaring spotlight on public officials)

Amy "Karen" Zanelli Detests Three-on-Three Hoops (In August 2019, she summoned police over a group of minors playing three-on-three hoops, with Latin music playing. Police took no action).

Why was Amy Zanelli Fired in Northampton County (She was a probationary caseworker who did not want to work.)

Magisterial District Judge Amy Zanelli Under Investigation By Judicial Conduct Board (This is when I told you, in September '24, that she was under investigation.)

Despite clear evidence that she's a wackadoodle, she was pushed by former LC Exec Tom Muller when she ran for County Comm'r. And that board actually made her their Chair. Then, when she ran for MDJ, she was pushed by outfits like LV4ALL (who agree with us) because she checked the right boxes as a gay woman who supports progressive causes. The dying news media either ignored information handed to them (Morning Call) or drooled over her (Saucon Source). 

She was elected in a district that only elects Democrats. That same district just re-elected her successor to LC's Board of Commissioners, Zach Cole-Borgi. 

Trump Blinks ... Again

"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Shakespeare never met Donald Trump but obviously knows the type.  Once again, after days of apocalyptic rhetoric, Trump has blinked and agreed to a two -week ceasefire during which Iran's armed forces will actually facilitate passage through the Strait if Hormuz "with due consideration of technical limitation."  That sounds pretty much to me like a toll booth, something that never existed until Trump began shooting off his mouth and Hegseth started to bray "no quarter, no mercy"

Even Ahab, one of Israel's worst kings, once remarked, "Let not him boast who puts his armor on like him who takes it off." 

State Senator Nick Miller to Host Hearing on Nursing Home Sustainability and Costs

Pa State Senator Nick Miller (D-14), who chairs the Pa. Senate Democratic Policy Committee, will host a hearing on Thursday, 1 pm, concerning nursing home sustainability and costs. It will take place at Fellowship Community Center, located at 3020 Fellowship Drive, Whitehall, PA 18052. It will also be livestreamed here.

According to Miller, "This hearing will examine the sustainability of nursing homes, statewide and regional aging demographics, projected needs for the aging community, effects on the labor force, and actions we can take to keep these vital organizations open."

Pa. 7th Congressional Race and Prediction Markets

If you look at prediction markets like Polymarket, Bob Brooks is running away with the Democratic nomination in the Pa. 7th Congressional district currently held by Ryan Mackenzie.  Based on nearly $12,000 of bets, Brooks has a 69% chance of winning while other candidates are getting trounced. Ryan Crosswell is at 23%, Lamont McClure comes in at 8% while Carol Obando-Derstine gets a scant 2%.  But this is all nonsense and I'll tell you why. 

First, these prediction markets are highly susceptible to campaign insiders who will pour money into them to create the illusion that a candidate is running away with a race. In the Pa 7th, for example, Crosswell has dipped 27%, McClure has dropped 42% and Obando-Derstine is down 47% since betting started. This is just ridiculous. There is no way that voters move that dramatically. But people associated with campaigns do. It is clear that the Brooks and Croswell campaigns have spent some of the money they raised to create a false narrative.

Second, Obando-Derstine, the only woman in this race is predicted to have just a 2% chance of winning. Anyone who follows Democratic politics should know that there are many Democrats who will crawl through barbed wire to vote for a woman precisely because she is a woman. In the last municipal NorCo Council race, one woman was top vote getter despite getting no support from the trade unions. Another woman won despite mounting no campaign and spending no money. In this climate, it is absurd to suggest that Obando-Derstine has a mere 2%.

Third, Lamont McClure, a two-term NorCo Exec and before that, a long-time member of county council, is easily the most well-known of the four candidates. Until very recently, Brooks actually supported McClure. Croswell was a Republican prosecutor who never lived in the Lehigh Valley. Obando-Derstine had no involvement with the public whatsoever and was and remains relatively unknown. The only candidate that Democrats actually might know is McClure. To suggest he's running at 8% is preposterous. 

I can see why Congress is growing concerned about prediction markets. 

On top of everything else, Brooks' chances of winning are probably declining as negative stories begin to circulate about him. I've written about the way Brooks stiffed his in-laws over land and money they provided for him to build a home. He failed to repay a dime of the money they lent him, and his mother-in-law had to sue for a $130,000 judgment that Brooks refuses to pay. I've also told you about a lawsuit recently filed by Attorney David Dunn, claiming that Brooks engaged in subterfuge and possible fraud when he supposedly conveyed his interest in marital property to his current wife, while still refusing to repay his debt. I've also reported on his failure to list his judgment when he filed his financial disclosure. He's shady. 

These negative stories have been spreading to other media outlets, including Alternet, Spotlight Pa and Lehigh Valley News. A candidate with this kind of negative attention does not rise 20% in polling, but could rise in a prediction market when his own campaign does the betting. 

It's what I'd expect from a shady person. 

When the President of the United States is an Internet Troll

"Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Gracedale Has Reduced Reliance on Agency Nurses to 57%, But Is Still Operating at a Loss

Though Northampton County's Gracedale is currently its biggest headache, nearly all of yesterday's meeting of Council's Human Services Committee was devoted to other departments. Administrator Michelle Mortin had only 15 minutes to update Council. She started by passing out a chart covering different data collected, but it was only presented to Council. As a result, I can only rely on what she stated in her description of her handout.

Gracedale staff v. Agency nurses. - According to Morton, agency hours are 57% to 43% by Gracedale staff. She stated this is a significant improvement over the 75% reliance on agency staffing one year ago. As a result, Gracedale has spent less on agency nurses. 

Hours per patient per day (PPD). - The state minimum is 3.2 hours per patient per day. Morton stated that Gracedale has consistently been above this minimum threshold since it was cited for being below this minimum on November 18, 2025 and again on January 8, 2026. 

Census remains below 520. - Morton acknowledged that its census remains below 520, which is the minimum census required to break even. She explained this is because the nursing home has been more selective with its admissions. 

Non-nursing Overtime Reduced. - Early last year, non-nursing staff were averaging 240 hours per month in OT. That has been reduced to 40 hours per month. 

Gracedale is in the red. - In January and February, Gracedale had operating losses. But she said that there is significant unpaid revenue because if takes about 300 days to get someone approved for Medicaid. Once that revenue is realized, she expects Gracedale to be in the black. 

Gracedale's residents. - She noted that 85% of the residents have psychiatric diagnoses, compared to 60% on the state and national level. She added that 17.5% are under 65.  This population has a negative impact on quality measures because of the medications that most be used. 

Gracedale's One-Star Rating. - is due to the exorcist nurse and staffing shortages. As a result of the nurse who assaulted a resident, Gracedale will be stuck at one star for a year

Department of Health Visits. - There have been seven visits from the state Department of Health so far in 2026. Aside from the staffing deficiency found on January 8, there have been no additional deficiencies.

Initiatives. - The home is currently conducting dementia training through a state grant to improve empathy and care quality. It has begun an infection detection project to reduce transfers to a hospital and improve detection in dementia residents. It has an ongoing falls reduction strategy

Donald Trump and the Pottery Barn Rule

Last night, President Donald Trump addressed the nation about the decision, along with Israel, to attack Iran. It was an address that should have been given 32 days ago. While I completely agree that this use of force is entirely justified and overdue, I find Trump's use of hyperbole ("No one's seen anything like it") to be a bit over the top. His claim that Iran's ability to project force has been decimated, but that's contradicted by the missile and drone attacks that have continued. Three weeks ago, Hegseth announced that Iran's firepower has been reduced by 90%. But those missiles and drones keep coming. Nobody has seen anything like it. On top of that, Trump has claimed we'll be out of there in two weeks or so and has incredibly asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will "open naturally." I've never seen anything like it. 

Is he out of his mind? What we have done is given Iran permission to use Hormuz both as a toll both and as a way to strangle world commerce. Trump forgets the pottery barn rule. You break it, you fix it or pay for it. He bragged about the families of fallen soldiers who told him to finish the job but apparently plans to leave without doing so.  He won't pay. We will. 

I've never seen anything like it. 

Commonwealth Court Rejects Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for Pa. State Senate

Yesterday, Commonwealth Court Judge Anne E. Covey rejected the nomination petition that former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana filed for incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola's seat. (You can see Judge Covey's Opinion below).

Objections to Sultana's nomination petition were filed by Patricia M. Hitzel (an Easton activist and regular attendee of Easton City Council, Celeste Dee, Patricia Bruno and Pamela A. Panto Wife of Easton Mayor Sal Panto. In the course of her very short political career, Sultana has managed to insult each of them. They were represented by Att'y Ray Lahoud, who grew up in Easton and was incensed by Sultana's divisive behavior as a member of Easton City Council. Sultana represented herself.

When a nomination petition is challenges, the Commonwealth Court directs the parties to meet in advance to review signatures and stipulate the status of as many as is possible. Sultana failed to respond to attempts to confer until the day before the hearing. Thus, the court had to recess the matter so the parties could discuss. When Judge Covey reconvened, she sat through 6 hours while 131 signatures were reviewed, of which 85 were clearly invalid. 

At this point, the Court was prepared to hear legal argument, and Lahoud had a good one. On both her nomination petition as well as her statement of financial interests, Sultana lists her occupation as "self-employed" but fails to state exactly how she is self-employed. Relying on Supreme Court precedent, Judge Covey concluded that Sultana's nomination petition is fatally defective. 

This Court agrees that by merely declaring that she is self-employed, without specifying the occupation in which she is self-employed, Candidate deprived electors of information the General Assembly and the Department of State deemed sufficiently material to appear at the top of each Nomination Petition page while electors apply their signatures. In Beyer, our Supreme Court proclaimed that “the statutory purpose behind the requirement [is] that Candidate supply for the benefit of electors his present occupation or profession.” Beyer, 115 A.3d at 841 (emphasis added). The effect of Candidate’s response is no different than if she had simply put employed. Accordingly, this Court concludes that Candidate’s failure to specify on the Nomination Petition the occupation in which she is self-employed had the potential to mislead electors and, thus, is a material defect.

Is this the end of the road for Sultana? Hardly. Expect to see her next year, declaring her candidacy for Easton Mayor.

Decision Rejecting Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for Pa State Senate by BernieOHare

"Pop Up" Voter Service Events Proposed as a Pilot in NorCo

Every election cycle, Northampton County's elections office conducts what amounts to three elections. First, mail-in balloting enables a voter to apply for and either mail in his choice for various offices or drop off his ballot at one of seven secure ballot boxes throughout the county. Second, ballot-by-demand enables a voter to appear at the elections or a satellite office, request his ballot and complete it on the spot.  Third, there's traditional in-person voting at precincts on election day. Now, elections registrar Chris Commini is proposing a fourth election. At a special meeting of the elections commission yesterday, he sought a blessing for "pop up voter service events to expand access for voters in Northampton County ahead of the 2026 primary election."

Commini said that pop-up voter services are the same as that provided with ballot-by-demand at the county or satellite offices, but at different locales. People can register to vote, complete a mail-in ballot application, receive their ballot and either drop it off or take home for review. A $40 drop box will be available and will be returned to the elections office by deputy sheriffs. These services would exist until May 12, the last day on which mail-in ballots can be requested. 

The two locations under consideration are Lafayette College and Northampton Community College. While this might make it easier for students to register and vote, it will be difficult for the elderly or handicapped to walk the rather large parking lots at Northampton Community College or to find convenient parking at Lafayette. So it's really no service to the elderly. But if the pilot program is successful in this year's primary, Commini noted that these services could be offered at numerous fairs and festivals with a more diverse audience. I'd suggest that it be offered at area nursing homes and senior housing as well. Solicitor Michael Vargo and Commini both noted that Montgomery County uses a van as a satellite office for ballot by demand at different events. 

The sole Commissioner to vote No to this proposal was Scott Hough. "I'm worried about security and I'm worried about fairness," he said. Since the pop-up event would be manned by existing staff and the mobile drop box would be transported by deputy sheriffs, it appears that this is secure. But fairness? In a primary, pop-up services that target two colleges might adversely impact more conservative Democrats. And in a general election, pop-up services that are limited to colleges would be a boon to Democrats and would hurt Republicans.  For that reason, it would be important to have locations that attract Republicans. 

On top of this concern is Murphy's Law. If something can go wrong, it will. In recent years, we've had machine failures, ballot issues and voters who have received ballots for the wrong district. I am far from confident that this is the right time and would be more comfortable with this laudable effort to increase access if we could first pull of one or two elections without too many issues. Perhaps that is never possible.  

According to Commini, NorCo would be the first county to offer pop-up voter services. Solicitor Michael Vargo and Commini both noted that Montgomery County uses a van as a satellite office for ballot by demand at different events. 

Cycling Season Cometh

As the days get a bit longer and a bit warmer, you may have noticed those double-wheeled contraptions on the road known as bicycles. Not ebikes, Not motorcycles. I am referring to the machines that move only through leg power. I hope those of you operating cars and trucks can be as forgiving as you have been through the years. While it's hard to feel pity for a bottom-feeding blogger, motorists have almost always been exceptionally courteous to me. 

At this time of the year, I usually stay off roads because of the school buses. They tend to make people impatient and a little angry, so I try to stick to the trails as much as possible except for midmorning or weekend rides. But I actually prefer the roads and the hills. 

Of course, the real cycling season started months ago in Europe, where there are cycling and cyclo-cross races starting on January 20 and ending only in October. Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, three-time winner of the Tour-de-France, is indisputably the best cyclist in the world right now. 

Come July, Pogacar will square off against my favorite cyclist, two-time Tour-de-France winner Jonas Vingegaard in this year's Tour. Before becoming a professional cyclist, Jonas earned his living by cutting up cod in a fish factory. Over the course of 21 racing days, Tadej and Jonas will race for 3,333 km (2,071 miles) with a total elevation gain of 54,450 meters (178,642 feet). They get two rest days. 

In contrast, my first big cycling event this year is the annual 22-mile ride from Temple's main campus in downtown Philly to its Ambler venue, with a total elevation of about 1,000 feet. But hey, we have to ride thru downtown Philly. 

Tadej Pogacar is a thoroughly likable guy and seems to really have fun during his races. But the reason Vingegaard is my favorite is because of what happened three years ago, when he and Tadej were battling for the lead (maillot jeune) in the TDF. On a descent, they were both roaring down a mountain at top speed when suddenly, Pogacar went into a slide and wiped out, giving Jonas an easy win. But Jonas actually stood up on his bike and waited for Tadej to catch up to him. That's pure class.

It happened again last week in Spain's seven-stage Volta Catalunya race. Jonas was going head to head with the Belgian Bullet, Remco Evenepoel. Those two were way ahead of the peleton (the main group of riders) and poised for a stage win. Remco was pissed because Jonas was right behind and drafting off him instead of going in front to give the Belgian a break. He was waving his arm at Jonas, who just stayed glued to Remco. With 400 meters to go, in a sharp turn before the finish line, Remco hit a pothole and did a header over his handlebars. Instead of taking advantage of this mishap to a rider that was already upset with him, Jonas held up again and actually let the peleton catch up and pass him. "I didn't want to win that way," said the Dane, and added that he hoped Remco was alright. That's pure class again.  

By the way, all these guys speak English. The annual salaries for top riders is below the NFL minimum. But they can teach a lot about good sporstmanship.  

Is JD Vance Worse Than Trump? Governor Beshear (and I) Think So

Although I agree with Trump's decision to attack Iran, I've always been bothered by his chaotic approach to everything he touches, from the way he bashes our democratic allies to how he embraces our autocratic frenemies. On a domestic level, he has actually made pocketbook issues worse. But I think I finally understand him. He doesn't really take himself seriously, so neither should we. He knows that at least half of what he brays is utter bullshit, and I can almost see him laughing as he says it. Believe it or not, the one person who scares me more than Trump is his VP,  JD Vance. 

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a popular Democrat is a red state, has this to say about Vance: " JD Vance looks down on rural America. He did it in his book where he called the people of my state lazy, blamed them for poverty, even blamed them for the opioid epidemic that has taken so many lives in Kentucky. His administration’s policies also look down on rural America. The big ugly bill threatens to close 35 rural hospitals in my state; lay off 20,000 healthcare workers; kick 200,000 Kentuckians off their coverage. And when the largest payroll in a community shuts down, which is that hospital, the coffee shop closes, the restaurant closes, the bank closes, the insurance company closes. Look at their tariff policy and what it’s done to soybean farmers in my state and others. This is a guy that thinks he is better than everyone else, but his policies are certainly the worst we’ve seen."

I've always thought that Vance, who though Trump was despicable but now gushes all over him, is a complete hypocrite. So does Beshear. "This is a guy who’s changed his name multiple times and talks about his childhood as his origin story. JD Vance has reinvented himself multiple times in the pursuit of wealth and of power."

Trump's train-wreck presidency has assured Democrats a huge victory in the midterms. But that will primarily be a referendum on Trump, not an endorsement of Democrats. 

Here's the Beshear formula. First, Democrats need to spend most of their time on issues that matter most to voters, like putting food on the table and paying for their kids' medical bills. Second, talk like a normal human being. "The Democratic Party at different times has talked at and not to people. It’s even talked down to people, which is wrong. Our words have to have meaning." Third, intead of taking about what you plan to do, explain why you plan to do it, why it's the right thing.

Commonwealth Court Schedules Hearing on Objections to Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition For State Senate

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court scheduled a March 25 hearing on objections to the nomination petition filed by Taiba Sultana for the state senate. She hopes to face incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola in this year's primary. 

Representing objectors Patti Hitzel, Pam Panto, Patti Bruno and Cleste Dee is Allentown Attorney Ray Lahoud, who grew up on Easton's south side. In addition to is challenges to specific signatures, Lahoud has raised the novel argument that Sultana has deceptively claimed to be "self-employed" without explaining precisely what she does as a self-employed person.

The Pa Supreme Court has in the past stricken a nomination petition filed by a law school graduate who held himself out as a lawyer while awaiting bar exam results. So I could see a court ruling against Sultana on this basis alone. 

Lawyer Who Allegedly Left Cocaine at Courthouse ... Twice ... Is Temporarily Suspended

Easton-area Attorney Stan Margle, who is well known as both a family and municipal lawyer, has been temporarily suspended by the Pa. Supreme Court. 

A per curiam (unsigned but unanimous) order dated March 26 imposes a temporary suspension based on a pending criminal proceeding. It was granted pursuant to a joint petition, indicating that Margle himself was a party to the request. 

Margle faces two sets of criminal charges as a result of cocaine and drug paraphernalia he amazingly brought to the courthouse inside his satchel. Unfortunately for him, he left his bag behind when he left on both occasions. 

Most recently, Margle was receiving in-patient treatment for what certainly appears to be an addiction. 

My hope is that he is getting the help he needs. 

UPDATED: The Hubris of Zach Cole-Borghi

When Lehigh County Comm'r Zachary Cole Borghi was charged last year with participation in a still mysterious interstate marijuana ring, he loudly protested his innocence from his perch in Lehigh County's meeting room "I am an innocent family man. I am a leader in the community, and I am a dutiful public servant who has been damaged by the mishandling of this investigation,” he asserted, adding that "I intend to identify and bring suit against anyone who maliciously conspired to destroy my reputation.” Not only did he retain his position as Chair of the Courts and Corrections Committee, but he cruised to re-election with 69% of the vote.  Yesterday, his hubris ran headlong into reality. In four separate and detailed criminal complaints (you can read them below), Cole-Borghi has been charged with more than 100 criminal charges related to the sale and purchase of cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms over a period of roughly two years. He was still able to participate in last night's meeting of Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners but did so from the county jail. His bond is set at $500,000.

Cole-Borghi is accused of 89 counts of criminal use of his cellphone to arrange drug deals, 14 counts of delivery of cocaine and 1 count of delivery of psilocybin mushrooms. Incredibly, the text messages show that he arranged drug deals from his cell phone during Commissioner meetings, from his job at Bethlehem City Hall (where he complained that he was running late because Mayor Willie Reynolds talks too much) and even during a "Peace and Justice Symposium" conducted by the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute and attended by Lehigh County DA Gavin Holihan. 

Cole-Borghi's arrogance in the way he allegedly conducted drug deals and his reaction to the marijuana charges is simply stunning. When he was first charged, Comm'rs John Irons and April Riddick quickly played the race card, noting that black men like him are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement. 

While that may be true in some instances, Cole -Borghi's fatal flaw - hubris - has nothing to do with his race. "Whom the gods would destroy, they first make proud." He may have felt he was above the law because he is an elected official but is learning the hard way that he must face the consequences of his own actions. 

I suspect the circumstances concerning this prosecution is fertile ground for defense motions, but if this case goes to a jury, I doubt Cole-Borghi gets any sympathy. His refusal to resign his position as a Comm'r could enhance his sentence, as it did to disgraced former Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski. If he were smart, he'd resign now. But as of now, he just looks like someone who thinks he's smarter than everyone. 

Oh yeah, he is presumed innocent. 

UPDATED: 11:40 - Cole-Borghi was absent at last night's meeting of LC Comm'rs. My evil Republican brother told me he was there but was joking with me. He called me to inform me of my error and then laughed maniacally.

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 1 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 2 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 3 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 4 by BernieOHare

Susan Wild v. Fetterman?

According to Semafor, former Lehigh Valley Congress member Susan Wild is being urged to take on US Senator John Fetterman in 2028, assuming that he seeks re-election. Fetterman angered some Democrats when he refused to support a government shutdown. During that shutdown, as Fetterman himself observed, many Pennsylvanians saw their SNAP benefits delayed. He gets blasted when he refuses to wear a suit, the uniform currently in fashion by our ruling class.  He's now being blasted for his vote to confirm another Senator, Markwayne Mullin, as the new DHS Secretary. It makes no difference that Fetterman was among those who called on Kristi Noem to resign or be fired.

In my view, Fetterman is precisely the kind of person that Democrats (and the country as whole) need.

But Susan Wild has a different take. She recently slammed him as a "disappointment." The former Congress member who pretended to reach across the aisles is apparently angry that Fetterman is insufficiently partisan. 

And we wonder why nothing gets done,

These days, Congress is little more than a glorified call center, where members are required to spend their days raising money instead of legislating. 

I'd prefer a guy in a hoodie to someone who parks in handicapped spots. 

Jill Mancini Still Awaits Her Payday

I've written several times about the Jill Mancini case. She was a full-time assistant NorCo solicitor who was summarily fired in a Christmas phone call by the Brown administration. A federal jury concluded that her due process rights were, in fact, violated, and she was awarded $94,000. Her attorney was awarded $186,000. That finding was upheld on appeal to the Third Circuit as well. Her claim for reinstatement and back pay were unresolved.

After years of going back and forth between the Personnel Appeals Board, Common Pleas Court and Commonwealth Court, President Judge Craig Dally ruled in 2024 that Mancini be reinstated, that she be awarded back pay and all fringe benefits between 2014, the date of her termination, and 2018, when she found alternative employment. He scheduled a hearing for damages. But Judge Dally has decided to remand her claim to the Personnel Appeals Board to conduct an evidentiary hearing on the issue of damages and report back. You can see his Order below.

Judge Dally has determined that the Personnel Appeals Board has failed to determine Mancini's damages and fringe benefits and her administrative remedies must first be exhausted at that level. 

This case has now been litigated through three different county executives. 

Mancini Remand by BernieOHare

Zoning Reforms That Can Make Housing More Affordable to the Workforce

Northampton County Council is poised to grant a special tax break known as a TIF for the developer of a luxury apartment building and a high-end hotel, complete with butlers, in what was once Wilson Boro's Dixie Cup factory and LA Fitness Center. I'll have more to say about this next week and how it actually exacerbates our housing crisis. In truth, there's little county government can do to assuage our housing crisis. It has no say in zoning, the construction market or financing. Local governments at the city, township and borough levels are another story. Here are some zoning changes I's like to see:

Amend zoning ordinances to be more friendly to tiny homes.

Reduce minimum lot sizes and setbacks.

Accessory dwelling units should be allowed by right in most areas. 

Mixed use development should be encouraged. 

Loyola U Student Allegedly Murdered by Venezuelan Immigrant Who Illegally Entered US

I've criticized the brutal way that the Trump administration has enforced our immigration laws. Instead of targeted enforcement, even US citizens have been stopped simply because they look different. Moreover, until Kristi Noem was removed from DHS, even US citizens were killed and shot. Having said that, I acknowledge that we have had a problem with immigrants who have entered the country unlawfully and then committed crimes. 

Most recently, an 18 yo Loyola U student was allegedly shot and killed by a Venezuelan, who entered this country illegally and who was apprehended and released by Border Patrol. He later was arrested for shoplifting and released again. 

I have received criticism for failing to acknowledge these incidents and agree I should have drawn attention to illegals who engage in criminal activity, especially those who entered illegally.

Can NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski Talk and Chew Gum at the Same Time?

Despite some mind groans from NorCo Council President Ken Kraft, Executive Tara Zrinski continued her practice of providing thorough reports during County Council meetings. "It's called a county council meeting," snarked Kraft, but Zrinski responded, "Listen, you want me to be thorough and transparent, that's what I'm doing." I actually appreciate these informative updates and hope they continue, and I'd much rather listen to news about the county than another state house campaign pitch by Council member Jeff Warren. So far, the biggest complaint about her detailed accounts is that she chews gum. If that's the best ammo her critics have, So long as she's not blowing bubbles and popping them, who cares?  with that out of the way, let's discuss her actual report.

DCED: has applied with Congressman Ryan Mackenzie and both of Pa.'s US Senators for P-25 radio systems that can be used by first responders in both analog and digital modes. The department is also planning for this year's May 16 County festival at Louise Moore Park.

CORRECTIONS: Director DeeAnn Lawrence convened a "facility operations" meeting on March 18 to discuss the importance of morale, ethics and leadership, and responsibility in creating a safe and healthy environment. The meeting included captains, sergeants and wardens. Interviews were conducted to fill a vacant captain slot. The correctional academy was graduating six people on Friday and the next class begins today.

ADMINISTRATION: Is trying to improve labor management relations. It is also reviewing a mail-in ballot stuffing machine that could reduce human error like that which occurred in the last municipal election. It is funded by grants.

GRACEDALE: A recent storm caused damage to one of Gracedale's roofs. An insurance claim has been filed and repairs are under way. She warned that changes are coming to the nursing home, both "fiscally and administratively." She said the state Department of Health has visited the facility a few times recently but found no deficient practices. She added that Gracedale's chef provides a monthly cooking demonstration and did so in March for St. Patrick's Day. 

As an Irishman, I can assure you that nearly all British cuisine was invented on a dare.  The only decent seven-course Irish meal is a six-pack and a potato. 

EMS: Interviews are ongoing to fill the vacancy created by Todd Weaver's retirement.

HOUSING: Zrinski attended a "Housing for All meeting of the Third Street Alliance, which focused on a continuum of care for seniors, a housing first model to address homelessness and a plan to develop workforce housing. 

SHERIFF: Three candidates are being sent to the Sheriff's academy, and a fourth is already in training. The Sheriff's office warns residents to be wary of scam calls that seem to be coming from their office, but are actually coming from scammers. 

PROCUREMENT: met with Manager Jeffrey O'Brien to discuss ways to save money by consolidating purchases countywide. 

HUMAN SERVICES: has brought in 12 new employees.

HUMAN RESOURCES: has conducted testing for deputy sheriffs and 911 dispatchers. 

VACANT FISCAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR: "We're working on it. You're trying to drag somebody away from a lot of money to not so much. But this is public service, and we're doing it for a greater purpose."

PUBLIC WORKS: has been addressing damage to county buildings from a recent storm that affected several properties. The new parking deck plans have been finalized, and contracts are going out to bid this week. 

PARKS: is hiring for summer positions.