Lehigh Valley Ramblings

YouTube Video of NorCo Budget Hearing Concerning 43% Tax Hike Fails to Post Online

2026-11-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, NorCo Council conducted its third budget hearing concerning a 43% tax hike requested by Exec Tara Zrinski for next year. Though the meeting lasted well over two hours, the video failed to load. Instead, an error message appears. These videos are being brought to you by NorCo's outside IT department, which has demonstrated yet again why this outfit should be canned. It also follows the elections' office refusal to post campaign finance reports to the county webpage.

Since Executive Tara Zrinski claims transparency, she will hopefully address this matter. The public should be able to watch these budget discussions.

Who Will Replace Jeff Warren on NorCo Council?

2026-11-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Now that he's been elected to the state house, Jeff Warren will need to resign his seat on NorCo Council. He takes office in early December, so my guess is that he will resign before Exec Tara Zrinski's budget comes up for a vote. That way he can avoid being tagged with a tax hike. My question is who will replace him?

Warren is a District, as opposed to an at-large, Council member. His District, District 3, consists of the Townships of Bethlehem Tp, Lower Nazareth, Hanover, East Allen, Allen and the Boroughs of Northampton, N Catty and Nazareth. It pays $10,000 a year. Anyone appointed to replace him in his final two years would have to be a resident of that district. NorCo's Home Rule Charter imposes no requirement that the appointee be a member of the same party as the resignee, but I seriously doubt that the eight remaining Democrats on County Council would appoint a Republican.

Possible replacements include former Exec Lamont McClure, former Exec Jerry Seyfried, former Council member Jeff Corpora and Joe Welsh, who has been attending lots of meetings in recent weeks.

I doubt very much that Lamont could get more than three votes. Jerry Seyfried would be an excellent choice, but I'm unsure he'd want it. Jeff Corpora has experience, having served two years as a court appointee. Joe Welsh is knowledgeable and amiable, but his frequent soliloquies to County Council might have hurt him if he is interested.

I am sure there are several people already making inquiry.

Looks Like a Blue Tsunami, Not a Blue Wave

2026-11-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

At the time I wrote this story, unofficial results show what appears to be much larger than a blue wave. It's a blue tsunami! President Donald Trump asked voters to act as though he were on the ballot, and the votes tallied show an overwhelming rejection both of him and the direction in which he has taken the country. Republicans have refused to stand up to him and they are paying the price.

In Northampton County, all 155 precincts had reported in by 11 pm in a remarkably smooth election with a 53.1% turnout. I heard of remarkably few problems at the polls or with voters receiving the wrong ballots. The only unforced error was the poorly considered decision to close the elections office to the public on pre-election Friday. Other than that, things went quite well.

Lehigh County is reporting a 53.2% turnout, but that number is subject to change as more reports come in from their 158 precincts. In that county, there was a problem with scanning devices in one precinct, but I'm unaware of any widespread issues.

It was more than a good night for Democrats. It was very nearly a clean sweep. With the exception of Zach Mako and Ann Flood, Lehigh and NorCo tallies show Democrats have won all state house races. Incumbents Joe Emrick, Milou Mackenzie, Gary Day are losing. In the Senatorial races, Lisa Boscola and Nick Miller are clear winners, and Jarrett Coleman is losing.

WFMZ has projected Bob Brooks as the winner in the Pa.07 Congressional race with a 57% lead that exceeds polling expectations. Ryan Mackenzie will go down as a one-term wonder.

According to The New York Times, Democrats took control of the Senate and are on pace to win a large majority in the House. The President said he would accept the results. Trump campaigned on the economy and appears to have received a stinging rebuke. Voters went to the polls on a day with the highest ever gasoline prices on an election day.

What's It Like at the Polls?

2026-11-03T09:39:24.120-05:00

Please feel free to share your experience at the polls. Is turnout heavy or light? Are there any problems or are things running smoothly?

Here's the opening paragraph of what the county posted on election day: "The work County doesn’t seem to ever stop, not even because of an election. The garage is being demolished as we speak and the county is business as usual in every other way, but we know that elections are a core function of the County and, in Election Day, the priority is the election. That is why we working at all hours, as many as humanly possible, to stay on top of everything."

The post goes on to state that there was a watermain break last night that could have affected five polling locations in South Bethlehem, but that was resolved. It adds that one election judge overselrpt.

NorCo Retirees - Expect No COLA in 2027

2026-11-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

At a retiree luncheon in May, NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski argued it would be ridiculous to deny them a COLA when inflation is out of control. But at the Retirement Board meeting last week, no action was taken. So if you are a NorCo retiree and was hoping to see one, you'll have to wait 'till next year or perhaps as long as three years before the matter is even discussed.

According to the county's pension manager, the retirement fund was valued at $585.7 million as of October 27. It was 92% funded at the beginning of the year. If a COLA were granted this year, it would be 4.2%. But it would cost the county $14 million. The county is still paying off three previous COLAs to the tune of $21 million.

Council President Ken Kraft said that, as a retiree, he'd love to have a COLA. "But I just don't see how the county can afford to do this," he added. Council member Lori Vargo Heffner suggested a smaller COLA but was told it has to be 4.2% or nothing. She said it's unfair to vote on this matter without knowing what the Council will do with Zrinski's proposed budget.

A suggestion was made that COLAS be granted to retirees with relatively modest pensions, but the Board was told it must be for all or none.

Retiree rep Pat Strunk said that pensioners would appreciate a COLA, "but I can understand under this environment that it may not be possible."

Earlier in the meeting, former Exec Gerald E "Jerry" Seyfried argued at length for a COLA, noting that the failure to award them in previous years has diminished the pensions of retirees by 20%.

2026 Election - Make Your Last-Minute Pitches

2026-11-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

As many readers of this blog are aware, I am notoriously inaccurate when I make election picks. It's considered the kiss of death, and some candidates have actively lobbied me to endorse their opponent. In this race, I've endorsed no one. If "none of the above," were a ballot option, I really believe it would win hands down.

Here are my predictions.

Governor - Shapiro wins easily. (I cast no vote).

LV Congress (Pa. 07) - Brooks. (I voted for Lou Shupe)

Pa. Senate (18th Senatorial District) - Boscola in a landslide. She's been in office far too long, but Janney had neither the right amount of money or the right message.

Pa. Senate (16th Senatorial district) - Coleman wins a close one against a political opportunist.

Pa. State House (137th legislative) - In the only race I consider competitive in NorCo, I believe Emrick will win a close one. I've seen lots of yard signs for Emrick at people's homes in Nazareth and Palmer. I also see lots of Warren signs, but not in people's yards.

Feel free to make your pitches.

NorCo Administrator Mark Aurand Insults County Council For Seeking Info Regarding 43.5% Tax Hike Request

2026-11-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

We all do it. From time to time, we all send emails or text messages to the wrong person. But sometimes, we might accidentally send an email meant for someone else that actually trashes the people who get it. That's what NorCo Administrator Mark Aurand did following last week's budget hearing. Unfortunately for him and his boss, the people he trashes are Northampton County Council members. They received an email from him that he had intended for others. I'm beginning to understand why one of my readers recently called Aurand an "arrogant fop."

Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski proposed budget next year calls for a very unpopular 43.5% tax hike. During two budget hearings, Council members have asked tough questions as they attempt to cut expenses. And following the latest budget hearing, Council member Jason Boulette questioned how many county employees are issued cell phones. how much they cost and whether they are needed.

What follows is a firestorm ignited by an email that Administrator Mark Aurand trashing Council. He thought he was sending it internally, but accidentally sent it to County Council

1) Aurand insults County Council for requesting information as they review proposed budget.

Oh geez: “As soon as possible”. We get to it when we get to it.

And should we decide to respond, we’ll need to find a way to account for the intangibles: more time w family; better morale; which leads to higher productivity; retention; etc.

They are enjoying the power rush this whole process is giving them way too much. We may need to pick a spot to say no just to reel this in a bit.

2) Aurand realizes he screwed up after the horse has left the barn but complains he has other things to do.

Hey everyone. Please accept my apology for the below that I inadvertently sent to you all. It was intended for internal circulation only.

This does show the frustration that we are feeling in the Administration. But I did not intend to share it or to be disrespectful.

I do believe you all are exercising your prerogative but I do think you all need to recognize that we have other responsibilities- like running Gracedale and elections, which we all want to go well. Also, a valid point is buried in here which is that much of the detail you are demanding relates to decisions within the discretion of the County Executive (like who gets a cell phone for example).

It would be helpful if we could discuss this respectfully understanding that we all have good intentions. It has not felt that way from the Administration’s perspective.

I know the budget has been a challenge for all of us. I do believe we can work together to get through this in a way that serves the best interest of the County.

I wish you all good weekend. Respectfully , Mark

3) Boulette believes asking questions and digging into budget is his job.

Mark,
I would dispute that any of us are enjoying a power trip. Speaking for myself, I don't enjoy any aspect of this budget process. It's difficult and frustrating but necessary. I've spent hundreds of hours going through every line in the budget. It's not fun. I believe that asking questions and digging into the budget is responsible governance and that's what we were elected to do.
On the cell phone comment, since that ties back to an inquiry I made. The question I sent was:
"The county spent $293,000 on cell phones in 2025 and is projected to have spent $271,000 in cell phones in 2026. I would like a report listing every cell phone in the county, the employee it is attached to, the department it is attached to, an indicator of whether the phone is strictly necessary for job performance, the number of minutes used in 2026, the number of texts sent in 2026, and the amount of data used in 2026. If it's easier to send this broken down by month, that's fine."
I believe the information I'm asking for is legitimate. Is every cell phone we're paying for being used? Do we still have cell lines attached to employees that no longer work at the county? I think these were appropriate things to ask.
If you disagree with my questions, I would have been open to a conversation with you about it. Yes, you're correct that it's the Executive's decision which employees get cell phones out of the cell phone budget. But it's Council's job to approve the budget and to ensure we're allocating money appropriately. I asked the questions I asked to try to ensure we're making cuts responsibly, rather than just submitting amendments to cut every department's cell phone budget by 50-75% and letting you figure out how to work with that.
The 300,000 is not a huge amount when weighed against the 540+ million budget. But it adds up. And every dollar matters.
I'm sorry you folks are frustrated. I recognize that I in particular am asking a lot of questions. This is my first budget and I want to have a better understanding to help me in doing my job of amending it. Given the size of the increase being asked for, I think it would be irresponsible of us not to ask questions.

4) Zrinski chimes in with a nonapology that insults a Council member and complains about being tasked with answering questions from the county's governing body.

I am writing in the hope that we can reset the tone of our budget discussions and establish a more constructive working relationship between Council and the administration. We share a responsibility to the residents of Northampton County to manage public resources carefully, preserve essential services, and approach difficult decisions with professionalism and mutual respect.

I want to begin by apologizing for Mark’s lapse in discretion and tone. Although his comments were not intended for Council, they became public, and I understand the concern they caused. They also reflected frustrations within the administration that I believe deserve to be addressed directly and respectfully.

I remember the frustration surrounding the newspaper’s criticism of Kelly Keegan’s Facebook posts and how that experience affected her, and I would hope she could have more compassion for Mark’s obvious reply all mistake.

While the circumstances are not identical, this experience is an opportunity to call for a reset and for us to re-approach one another with empathy when our words become the subject of public criticism. We all make mistakes, and sometimes our words have consequences we did not intend. That does not relieve us of the responsibility to acknowledge their impact, apologize when appropriate, and learn from what happened. I offer that context not to excuse Mark’s tone, but to ask that we extend one another the same understanding while holding ourselves accountable.

This is our administration’s first budget, too. Our staff have spent months reviewing expenditures, evaluating needs, and making difficult choices while continuing the daily work of county government. Budget preparation does not replace those responsibilities; it happens simultaneously. I recognize the considerable time Council members have devoted to reviewing the budget, and I appreciate that commitment. I ask that the administration’s work and operational experience receive the same consideration.

Councilman Boulette, your detailed requests concerning cell phone and copier usage raise an important question about the distinction between legislative oversight and executive administration. Council should ask questions about spending, and the administration should provide meaningful answers. My concern is when those requests move beyond evaluating appropriations and into a detailed examination of individual usage and day-to-day management—work that, in scope, resembles an operational audit.

These are not matters the administration has overlooked. We already monitor county-issued cell phone usage, and Brandone receives reports identifying phones that are not being used. Employees designated to receive county phones have them because their responsibilities call for county business to be conducted on county-issued devices rather than personal phones.

We have also reduced copiers through our internal review. Further changes must account for existing contracts and their timelines. A reduction that looks straightforward on a budget page may not be immediately achievable without contractual consequences or an impact on services.

This is an important concern when you scrutinize line by line— a line item represents more than an expenditure. It supports a service, an employee’s responsibilities, a contractual obligation, or an operational need. Some arrangements reflect decisions made by this administration others were inherited. Explaining that history and those constraints takes time, but they are essential to understanding what can responsibly be changed.

We welcome questions, but what becomes frustrating is the impression that an issue has only now been identified because it has been raised during Council’s review, when staff may already have spent considerable time evaluating and addressing it. I ask that these conversations begin with recognition of that work, rather than an assumption that it has not occurred.

If Council seeks a comprehensive review of cell phone utilization or similar operational matters, I suggest working with the Controller’s Office to determine the appropriate scope and process. That would distinguish an audit request from the information needed to make budget decisions and help avoid placing an additional audit-like workload on staff during budget preparation.

Similarly, Ken’s request concerning the impact of the holiday decision on Career Service employees, overtime, and collective bargaining agreements is legitimate. I made that decision, and I accept responsibility for explaining its effects. The analysis nevertheless requires staff time and coordination.

We also undergo an annual external audit by Maher Duessel, and the county’s annual financial report is available on the website. Those materials provide an important foundation for reviewing prior-year finances, even where additional operational questions remain.

I also want to clarify our expectation regarding budget amendments. When Council proposes to change the administration’s submitted budget, I believe Council should identify the corresponding adjustments necessary to keep it balanced. This is the way it has been in the past. The administration can explain feasibility, contractual obligations, and service impacts, but it should not be left solely responsible for finding unspecified cuts to accommodate Council’s amendments.

More broadly, I am concerned that the phrase “power of the purse” is sometimes being used in a way that blurs the distinction between fiscal oversight and directing daily operations. Both Council’s oversight role and the administration’s management role are essential. Neither is strengthened when the boundary between them becomes unclear.

Recently, someone told me they would not want my job because of how they perceived the relationship between Council and the administration. They characterized it as unsupportive. That stayed with me—not because I expect agreement or freedom from scrutiny, but because I do not want our working relationship to appear so adversarial that public service itself seems discouraging.

In my experience serving on boards and working with executive leaders, effective oversight combines thoughtful scrutiny with respect for the people responsible for implementation. We can disagree about priorities without questioning one another’s commitment. We can request accountability without creating an expectation that every operational decision must be reconstructed during the budget process.

My hope is that we can move forward with clearer expectations about information requests, reasonable timelines, responsibility for amendments, and the distinction between oversight and administration. Above all, I hope we can rebuild “trust”. Our employees and residents deserve a county government whose leaders can work through disagreements with respect and a shared commitment to getting the work done.

All the best,

Tara Zrinski

5) Keegan claims Zrinski nonapology tells County Council to "pound sand."

Dear Members of County Council,

After reading Tara’s email, I have to say that if the intention was to reset the tone and establish a more constructive working relationship, I believe it accomplished exactly the opposite.

Quite frankly, Tara might as well saved her diatribe and sent an email containing two words: Pound sand! Because that is how the message reads.

She speaks at length about mutual respect, empathy, accountability, and rebuilding trust, yet the substance of her email is largely a defense of the administration, a criticism of Council's oversight, and an explanation of why Council's questions and requests are frustrating to her. There is very little acknowledgment that Council has a responsibility to ask those questions, demand answers, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.

Furthermore, let's also address something I find particularly inappropriate: the reference to my Facebook post and the Charlie Kirk situation.

How dare Tara bring my personal Facebook post into this discussion as some sort of comparison to Mark's email? My Facebook post was my personal expression. It was not a snarky email about Council that was inadvertently sent to the very people it was criticizing. Those are two entirely different circumstances.

Mark's email was about Council, contained comments directed at Council, and ultimately landed in Council members' inboxes. That is not the same as someone expressing a personal opinion on Facebook and subsequently facing public criticism. To suggest that I should therefore have some special obligation to extend compassion in this situation is misplaced and, frankly, insulting!

If Tara wants to talk about accountability, then let's have an honest conversation about accountability for everyone, not just when it is convenient for the administration.

Council's responsibility does not end with approving a budget. The power of the purse is a fundamental part of our role, and asking detailed questions about expenditures, cell phone usage, copier contracts, employee costs, overtime, and collective bargaining impacts is not an attempt to run county government. It is oversight. It is our job.

The fact that these questions may be inconvenient, time-consuming, or frustrating does not make them unreasonable. Nor should Council be made to feel as though asking questions somehow demonstrates a lack of respect for the administration's work.

Regarding budget amendments, Council should certainly be expected to make responsible and financially sound decisions. But the administration should not approach the budget process as though its submitted budget is beyond meaningful examination or that Council's role is simply to accept it and identify a few cuts. We are elected to represent the residents, not to rubber-stamp the administration's recommendations.

What concerns me most about Tara's email is the contradiction between its opening and its message. She asks for empathy, but offers little toward Council. She asks for trust, but seems unwilling to accept the scrutiny that is necessary to build it. She asks for a better working relationship, yet repeatedly characterizes legitimate questions as burdensome and frustrating.

And then there is the reference to someone supposedly saying they would not want her job because of the relationship with Council. That is unfortunate, but it is not Council's responsibility to shield the administration from the realities of public accountability. Disagreement is not hostility. Questions are not disrespect. Oversight is not interference.

If we are truly going to have a reset, it cannot be one-sided. Council cannot be expected to extend understanding, soften its questions, limit its oversight, and accept explanations without meaningful discussion while the administration simply asks to be trusted.

Trust is earned through transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and mutual respect. It is not something that can be demanded in a lengthy email while simultaneously criticizing the very people from whom it is being requested.

I would have welcomed an email that genuinely acknowledged the frustration caused by Mark's comments, recognized Council's legitimate role, and offered a sincere commitment to improving communication. Instead, we received a lengthy explanation of why the administration is frustrated with Council and why our questions are creating additional work.

There is no meaningful effort to bring the parties together in that message. Quite the opposite. If the intention was to extend an olive branch, it was difficult to find it among the criticisms and justifications.

I am perfectly willing to have difficult conversations, ask difficult questions, and work toward solutions. But I will not apologize for doing the job I was elected to do, and I will not accept the suggestion that legitimate oversight is somehow an obstacle to effective county government.

The residents of Northampton County deserve better than an administration and Council that communicate through frustration, defensiveness, and carefully worded lectures about each other's responsibilities.

A reset requires two sides willing to participate. It cannot begin with one side effectively telling the other to pound sand while wrapping the message in language about trust and mutual respect.

Respectfully,

Kelly Keegan

6) Zrinski Stands by her nonapology.

Dear Councilwoman Keegan and Members of County Council,

My previous words were sincere. My intention was to acknowledge the frustration caused by Mark’s comments, apologize for his tone, and explain concerns that I hoped we could address together. I understand that you received the message differently, and I regret that it added to the tension rather than helping to resolve it. However, the phrase “pound sand” neither reflects my words nor my intent.

Your response was addressed to Council, but the administration remained on the email chain. That may or may not have been an oversight. I will not make any assumptions about the intent. Regardless, it conveyed a clear message to those of us included about how our concerns were received.

My intent was to share our concerns about how we carry out our respective responsibilities, how requests are communicated, how their scope and timing are managed, and how operational information is considered when decisions are made. Explaining the staff time, contractual obligations, and service implications involved in answering a question is not a refusal to answer it. Direction to request an audit is also not a refusal but a mechanism for council to seek an impartial and independent determination of what they are trying to figure out in their requests.

To be clear, mutual respect does not mean the absence of accountability. We can acknowledge someone’s frustration without excusing their conduct. We can apologize for our words and/or missteps while still explaining the concerns behind them. Neither empathy nor an apology requires us to abandon a substantive disagreement.

I recognize Council’s responsibility to examine the budget, ask detailed questions, and hold the administration accountable for the use of public funds. I am not asking Council to apologize for that work, accept our recommendations without scrutiny, or refrain from difficult questions. The administration’s proposed budget is not beyond examination.

Likewise, acknowledging the administration’s frustration was not intended to dismiss Council’s frustration. A constructive relationship must leave room for both. Council should be able to explain when it believes information is insufficient, and the administration should be able to explain when a request presents practical challenges, without either explanation being treated as evidence of bad faith.

I agree with you that disagreement is not hostility, questions are not disrespect, and oversight is not interference. I would ask that we also agree that explaining operational constraints is not obstruction, expressing a concern is not rejecting accountability, and asking for mutual respect is not asking to be shielded from scrutiny.

I also want to address your concern about my reference to your Facebook post. I was not suggesting that the circumstances were identical, passing judgment on your personal expression, or implying that you had a special obligation to excuse Mark’s conduct. I offered it only as an example of how difficult it can be when our word choice becomes the subject of public criticism. It was intended as an appeal to empathy, not a personal criticism or an attempt to touch a sensitive subject. I recognize that the reference was unwelcome, and I am sorry that it caused hurt rather than conveying the understanding I intended.

I take responsibility for communicating my intentions more clearly. I also hope we can avoid attributing dismissive sentiments to one another that were neither stated nor intended. Describing my message as a “diatribe” or an elaborately worded dismissal makes it harder to discuss the actual concerns I raised.

My apology for Mark’s tone stands. So does my commitment to transparency, responsible budgeting, and a professional working relationship with Council. I do not expect us to agree on every issue. I do believe we can address our disagreements directly without questioning the sincerity of every effort to improve the relationship.

That was the purpose of my original message, and it remains my purpose now.

We will work on assembling the information we deem appropriate in response to your requests.

Respectfully,

Tara

7) Keegan is done and is hopeful Tuesday's election will be fair.

All,

My "reply all" was very intentional. I'm done talking about this now. I'm looking forward to Tuesday's results and a fair election and then working towards the best we all can do for the budget.

State Rep. Ann Flood Slams NorCo for Closing Elections Office on Pre-Election Friday

2026-11-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

On Friday, I alerted you that Northampton County's elections office was closed to the public even though the election is tomorrow. Those who came in person wasted their time. Those who called heard a recording that the office was closed "for the holidays." That holiday, believe it or not, was Halloween. So far as I know, NorCo is the only government in the country to give workers a day or half day off for Halloween. And it wasn't even Halloween. However you might feel about giving staff time off to celebrate, it is simply inexcusable that the elections office would be closed to the public on the Friday before an important midterm.

State Rep. Ann Floodis seeking re-election in a heavily Republican district. She has no reason to worry about her chances but is nevertheless calling foul on her Facebook page.

Trick or treat? Unfortunately, it’s a trick for Northampton County Voters!

With Election Day just two business days away, County Executive Tara Zrinski decided to close the elections office yesterday, Friday, for a Halloween "holiday." Many voters have been contacting me directly, "terrified" and frustrated because they still haven’t received their mail-in ballots.

Serving the public should always come first. Administering elections is a fundamental duty of county government, and closing up shop right before Election Day is downright “scary” leadership—and pure incompetence.

Our voters deserve a free and fair election with accountability and open doors, not being disenfranchised of their right to vote because the county didn’t mail their ballot in a timely manner. This is unacceptable!

If you have not received your mail-in ballot or are facing issues with your vote, contact the County Executive’s office immediately at (610) 829-6300 and demand answers.

Every. Single. Vote. Must. Count!

**AI Generated Photo**

Zrinski Closes Elections Office on Pre-Election Friday for Halloween

2026-10-30T12:44:13.106-04:00

On the Friday before the mid-term general election, Executive Tara Zrinski has closed the elections office for Halloween. People calling with questions are being told to try again after the holidays.

This is simply stunning.

I have a friend who applied last week for a mail-in ballot. I doubt her application will be processed.

Zrinski claimed they are still working but they are not answering the phone and the office is locked.

So much for people who are still waiting for mail-in ballots.

At a budget hearing earlier this week, Kelly Keegan asked about the impact of these holidays. "What do you mean?" responded Zrinski.

This is what Keegan meant. In addition to the cost, a Halloween holiday right before an election results in a denial of essential service at a time when it is most needed.

Lou Shupe: the Brooks and Mackenzie Alternative in Pa. 07

2026-10-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

Two years ago, when Ryan Mackenzie ran against Susan Wild in the Pa. 07 Congressional rare, I voted for Lou Shupe as a write-in. He has asked me to post a "Ask Me Anything" blog. I agreed but not before asking him why he's always too lazy to try to get on the ballot.

His explanation? "Since I announced my latest Democratic candidacy on January 9th, my windshield was shot out a day before my first campaign event on February 2nd, (please see exhibit a), luckily a supporter was able to pay for an Uber to get me to Lafayette college on February 2nd where I found it difficult to distinguish myself from the others as we were all pretty much in agreement. And my sister got sick and died a few weeks later. Distracted, I was. Then I moved into her house so my nephew who has special needs did not have to move. For that, several democrats accused me of being a carpetbagger like Senator McCormick. They would rather continue to see me homeless. But no, that wasn't enough."

"In the weeks that followed, I have been banned, shunned, stalked, doxxed, almost run over, hacked, vandalized, unfriended, blocked from posting, discovered who my real friends are, and much more while dealing with mold and blood infections from wearing my prosthetic too much and literally punishing my stump to where I could not walk for days at a time."

He sent me a pic of his stump and I believe him.

Ok, so here's what Lou has to say about himself.

Greetings all. My name is Lewis Shupe, and I am running a write-in campaign to become your Congressional representative in the PA 07th congressional district. So why should you vote for little old me? First off, I'm ugly. Second off, I have a plan available on real change dot us but I'll summarize most of my platform below. I could go on bashing both of the candidates, but they seem quite busy and effective enough trying to own each other.

Reverse the SCOTUS decision "Citizens United"
"Why is it that our constitution is considered the highest law in the land, yet it is infringed the most and infringers punished the least?"
Reversing the trends of infringement against our constitution and amendments.
Public funded political campaigns at all levels, unless you prefer "The best democracy money can buy"?
On my first official day, I will propose some version of the American Anti-Corruption Act.
I would also propose a "Journalistic foundation act" to create a new exception in the IRS code similar to a 501 (c) 3, but benefiting news organizations.
Single payer healthcare.
When possible, stream non sensitive events directly to my voters like I sometimes did with the Facebook group “Let’s Build a New Allentown Together" This also includes all lobbyist meetings, they will be streamed directly to the registered voters by my hand.
Full restoration of The Fairness Doctrine. Removed by Republican President Ronald Regan in 1987.
Ranked choice voting.
Right to repair.
Repair or replace SS7 or System Signaling Seven, an operating system used by telecoms and abused by spammers, scammers, and governments.
Data Center moratorium.
Hand marked paper ballots.
To save this planet for future generations, it’s the only one with beer.

All this won't mean diddly squat if in fact I do get elected. Because, I will be surrounded by 434 of the most corruptible people on the planet. Think " boss fight" on an epic scale. And this is where I will need the help of the smarter registered voters most of all because I have to get to know these people better than I do now and work with them In order to forward the legislative wish list I outlined above. Donald Trump will still be president, And it is remotely possible I can talk some sense into his head. Or not. But either way, our legislative and political focus must be on the truth and not the lies and rage bait that both the left and right wing talk about. And last week, Bernie had some interesting ideas worth exploring.

The one promise I can make and deliver on is the registered voter forum. I have put much thought into this. A place where civil discourse would flourish. I would be able to converse with the registered voters of the PA 7th congressional district on a daily basis and where they can interact with each other to go over the news of the day, absorb the legislation that comes down from the Congressional API, or application programming interface, and give me their best recommendations on how and why I should vote for a particular software package as well as navigate the labyrinth that is DC politics. I think George Washington's ghost would approve.

Thoughts?

NYT Poll of 401 Likely Voters Show Bob Brooks With 5-Point Lead Over Ryan Mackenzie

2026-10-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

The New York Times, Inky and Siena teamed up to poll 401 likely voters in the Pa..07 Congressional race over the period between October 16 -22. According to the results, Democrat Bob Brooks leads incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie, 49% to 44%. Those who participated were nearly evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, with independents accounting for 25% of those who participated.

Zrinski Reduces Budget Request For Gracedale from $12 Million to $9.9 Million

2026-10-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Gracedale was one of the topics discussed at last night's NorCo budget hearing. The good news is that county spending for the home has been downgraded from a projected $12 million to $9.9 million next year. Budget Administrator Brandon Dunstane told County Council that he was able to shave $2.1 million by using a more realistic census figure of 445 residents instead of the projected 475.

A $2.1 million reduction in the budget would translate to about 0.2 mills in real estate taxes.

Unfortunately, most of the rest of the meeting was marked by an inability to answer some pretty basic questions.

The bulk of the $9.9 million contribution to Gracedale is $7 million for the annual IGT transfer.

The IGT is basically an accounting gimmick under which county-owned hospitals and nursing homes pool together money and send it off to the state Medicaid agency for matching federal funds. They usually receive more money in return. Council member Dave Holland warned at the end of the meeting that changes in the IGT are on the way.

The IGT payment that the county must make to kick things off is based on the number of licensed beds, which is 688. But the money htat trickles back is based on the actual census, which is only 445.

Zrinski acknowledged that the county wants to sell 88 bed licenses, but it will take time.

During the hearing, Council member Dave Holland noted that Gracedale would be entitled to Medicaid bedhold money if it was at 90% of its max 688-census. Budget Administrator Dunstane acknowledged that the last time Gracedale was at 90% was pre-COVID.

Noting the large number of problems at Gracedale has received since Michelle Morton became Administrator (deficiencies, one-star rating, provisional license, threatened removal of Medicaid reimbursement), Council member Jason Boulette said he is "blown away" by a budget proposal that includes payraises for the home's top administrators and nurses. There was no response.

Boultette wanted to know how many "back office" workers are employed at Gracedale. He noted that in 2016, Gracedale was at near maximum capacity with 670 residents. Now that census has dipped to 445, he asked whether there has been a commensurate drop in the number of back office workers. No one was able to answer immediately.

In response to a question from Council member Kelly Keegan, Continuum of Care Director Tom Carson said that Gracedale has 339 employees and 401 vacant positions that are budgeted. Budget Administrator quickly clarified Carson to explain that only 40 of those 401 vacant positions have actually been budgeted.

Keegan also wanted to know how many holidays have been added by Executive Tara Zrinski for career service employees. Zrinski answered, "I think we added five." When Keegan asked how much these holidays have cost the county, Zrinski 's response was, "What do you mean?" Keegan explained that the county would still have to pay these employees and might need to add in holiday pay for some.

Zrinski argued that the holidays are a trade off for subsistence pay. She said she is trying to change a "culture" (translation appears to be bad morale) that has been established "over the last eight years,"i.e. under former Exec Lamont McClure. She told Keegan that this "culture" has already shifted among deputy sheriffs and is improving at Gracedale as well.

Administrator Mark Aurand was unable to answer a simple question posed by Council President Ken Krqaft, asking approximately how many of these employees are career service, i.e. nonunion. He said it should be fairly easy to determine how much money the county spends in salaries for employees with five new holidays. Aurand said he'd like these questions ahead of the meeting. "I'm hearing all these great things about making people feel fuzzy and warm, but what is the cost? demanded Kraft.

During the hearing, Carson acknowledged that agency nursing at Gracedale is still very high, at about 65%. This is much more than Morton had stated at the oversight committee meeting a few weeks ago.

Most amazing of all, the county administration is still unable to answer a question posed first at the oversight committee and again last night by Council member Lori Vargo Heffner. "Based on the census to date, and the employees that you have, where would we have a break even?"

"We've been trying to find that answer, I've been asking, " responded Carson.

NorCo Fails to Post Campaign Finance Reports Online

2026-10-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

When he was NorCo Exec, in an effort to increase transparency and accountability, Lamont McClure directed elections officials in 2023 to post online all campaign finance reports filed in that office. This enables members of the public to follow the money and see who exactly is supporting a candidate and how political money is spent. I often write about campaign finance spending, but it always helps to have several sets of eyes looking at these reports. This kind of participatory journalism is very helpful. Unfortunately, the current Executive cares a lot less about what you know

Lehigh County, Allentown and Bethlehem have all adopted ordinances requiring that at least some campaign finance reports be filed online. There is no such law in NorCo. Though McClure took the initiative of directing elections officials to post reports, NorCo Council probably should have enacted an ordinance making it mandatory because Zrinski apparently prefers to keep you in the dark.

Since she assumed office in January, no campaign finance reports have been filed in this year's races. No pre or post primary reports have been posted online, and the 2d Friday pre-election report is basically unavailable. Sure, you can go to the courthouse, spend an hour or two looking for a place to park while a new garage is being built, go through an anal cavity search by deputy sheriffs and then try to get your hands on a report while the staff tries to help others who are getting ballots. It's very time-consuming and burdens the staff much more than simply reviewing them online.

I said nothing when I noticed that no finance reports were posted for the primary. Besides, most of these races are state races and reports must also be filed with the state. But guess what? Though GOP State Rep. Joe Emrick has filed his 2d Friday pre-election report in the race for the 137th legislative district, it has yet to appear on the state website. This often occurs when paper reports are received, but I've been able to look at the copies that state house candidates must also file in their county of residence.

Until now.

I've already written about Jeff Warren, who is Emrick's opponent. In fairness, I need to review and discuss Emrick's finances as well. When I noticed on Monday that no reports at all had been uploaded to the county webpage, I emailed Registrar Chris Commini to ask him to explain. He has yet to respond.

On Monday afternoon, I texted Exec Tara Zrinski to ask her about posting these reports. She first responded that the decision to post or not post is "elective" and that the elections office is overwhelmed. I am sure it was far more overwhelmed in 2024 but had no problems posting finance reports. She then said these reports are only posted as a "courtesy" and that other things have taken priority.

When I accused her of failing to be transparent, she finally said they are "in the list of things to do."

When? After the election? That totally defeats the purpose of requiring that they be filed. The election now is less than a week away. It is inexcusable that she thinks so poorly of the public that she would fail to provide important information that will help people decide how they vote. That matters as much or more than a pop-up election that gets 4 voters.

Northampton County Council, the governing body, needs to adopt an ordinance early next year requiring that all finance reports that are filed with the county must be posted online, and within 24 hours of receipt, mot when Chris "Ball of Fire" Commini gets to it.

Zrinski Needs to Stop Chewing Gum During NorCo Exec Reports

2026-10-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

On Monday night, the Dallas Cowboys handed the Philadelphia Eagles their 5th loss in a row during a game in which a usually solid defense appeared to have no desire or intensity. In the post-game presser, head coach Nick Siriani was chewing gum as he gave the usual bullshit nonanswers to questions. His gum chewing made no difference to me, but it was a big deal on WIP's Tuesday morning autopsy by Joe Giglio and Hugh Douglas. The general sentiment was that the optics were disrespectful and it appeared as though Siriani looked as though he had checked out and had no regard for what others might think.

Given what I read and later read in comments, Northampton County Exec Tara Zrinski needs to stop chewing gum during exec reports because some view it as disrespectful.

Trump Makes Himself ... and the USA ... Look Petty

2026-10-27T00:53:56.850-04:00

He did it again. At a campaign rally over the weekend, President Donald Trump again managed to make himself, and by implication, the United States, look petty.

Dejected over his failure to get the Nobel Peace Priize, Trump attacked Norway with remarks like these: "“Frankly, Norway sucks. Norway has become a shithouse country, actually. ... "I didn't get the Nobel Prize. So I don't want anybody from Norway. I don't want anything to do with Norway"

Yes, a spoiled little brat is President of the United States."

Nazareth Area School District to Brooks: Stop Using Nazareth Uniforms in Campaign Ads

2026-10-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

In the Pa. 07 Congressional race, Democrat Bob Brooks issued what some call a "cease-and-desist" order over an incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie attack ad characterized by Brooks as defamatory. The ad claims that Brooks had failed to pay workers compensation for his insurance. Brooks denied the accusation and then dropped out of the only scheduled debate between the candidates. The ad continues to run.

Brooks has received a "cease and desist" order as well. Nazareth Area School District, through its Solicitor, has complained to rooks about a video in which Brooks is wearing the school district's colors and logo and in which he interacts with people wearing what appears like Nazareth High School uniforms. "This imagery, combined with your comments during the advertisement, strongly implies that District and/or the Board have endorsed your candidacy. ... Your advertisement has created confusion in the community and is misleading."

Nazareth Area School District has demanded Brooks to remove the ad immediately.

He's ignored them.

NorCo Announces Interim Gracedale Administrator

2026-10-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Late yesterday, Northampton County announced an Interim Administrator at Gracedale, now that Michelle Morton has decided to resign. Assistant Nursing Home Administrator Christina Casey (RN, NHA), will serve as Interim Administrator while the county searches for a new administrator.

As of last year, the average salary of a nursing home administrator was $134k.

Pa. House Dems Pour More Than $1 Million Into Warren's Bid to Unseat Emrick

2026-10-26T00:06:00.000-04:00

I live in Nazareth, where NorCo Council member Jeff Warren (a Democrat) is trying very hard to unseat incumbent Joe Emrick (a Republican) in Pennsylvania's 137th state house district. This district includes the townships of Bethlehem, Hanover (5th ward), Palmer, Upper and Lower Nazareth, and the boroughs of Nazareth and Tatamy. It is supposedly a purple district, but in recent years, the townships have become more Democratic. I believe this is the most competitive state house race in Northampton County. The cascade of mailers and social media ads indicates that both parties are pouring money into this contest. So far, I have received over 40 pieces of mail in this race alone. On Friday, the final campaign finance reports were due before the election. I was able to see Warren's report on Sunday. Emrick's report is still unavailable on the state website, but I should be able to get it on the state or county site on Monday. Until then, let me tell you about Warren's campaign finances.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) has poured more than $1 million into Jeff Warren's effort to unseat Republican state Rep. Joe Emrick in Pennsylvania's 137th Legislative District, according to Warren's latest campaign finance report. The extraordinary expenditure suggests that House Democrats have identified this Northampton County contest as an important battleground in the November 3 election.

Warren's 75-page Second Friday Pre-Election Report, covering June 9 through October 19, discloses $1,078,837 in in-kind contributions from HDCC, the political organization devoted to electing Democrats to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party provided another $128,324.69 in in-kind assistance. Together, these two Democratic organizations supplied $1,207,161.69 in campaign assistance, accounting for more than 99% of Warren's reported in-kind contributions.

This support dwarfs the $359,078 Warren received in direct monetary contributions during the same reporting period.

Combining cash and in-kind assistance, Warren's campaign reported $1,575,646.77 in contributions between June 9 and October 19.

That figure does not include a subsequent $11,314.28 contribution from a Massachusetts resident disclosed in an October 20 late-contribution report.

The financial disclosures paint a picture of a legislative race that has attracted resources extending well beyond Northampton County.

### What HDCC's $1 Million Actually Purchased

In-kind contributions are goods or services provided to a political campaign without the campaign itself necessarily paying for them. Here, they are mostly for media. The reported contributions began during the summer with expenditures including $25,000 for media production on July 1 and a series of $8,000 digital media contributions throughout July and August. They then increased. Individual HDCC entries include $57,500 for media production, $67,385 for linear and digital media, $118,692.50 for media, and three separate contributions of $131,192.50 each for media.

These in-kind contributions represent approximately 68.5% of Warren's entire $1.576 million in reported monetary and in-kind contributions during this period. For every dollar Warren reported receiving in direct monetary contributions, HDCC supplied approximately $3 in additional campaign assistance. The investment strongly suggests that House Democrats believe Emrick's seat is competitive and worth defending or pursuing with substantial institutional resources.

### Political Committees Dominate Warren's Cash Fundraising

Warren's direct monetary fundraising was also heavily dependent on political organizations. His latest filing identifies $359,078 in monetary contributions, including $241,150 from political committees. That represents approximately 67.2% of all cash contributions received during the reporting period.

The largest disclosed monetary contributor was Philadelphia-based Committee for a Better Tomorrow, which gave Warren $100,000 on August 29. That single contribution represented nearly 28% of his entire monetary fundraising for the reporting period. This committee is made up of Philly-area trial lawyers who oppose attempts to restrict personal injury lawsuits.

Other major political committee contributors included:

| Contributor | Amount |

|---|---:|

| AFSCME PEOPLE | $25,000 |

| Conservation Voters of PA Action Fund | $25,000 |

| PAC for America's Future | $25,000 |

| PSEA PACE | $15,050 |

| Change PA | $15,000 |

| IBEW Local 375 PAC | $5,000 |

| Climate Cabinet PAC | $5,000 |

| Friends of Matt Bradford | $5,000 |

The contributions reflect substantial support from organized labor, environmental organizations and Democratic political committees.

AFSCME PEOPLE, PSEA PACE and IBEW Local 375 are among the labor-related political organizations appearing in the filing.

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Action Fund and Climate Cabinet PAC represent another identifiable source of support: organizations interested in environmental and climate-related public policy.

### Out-of-State Contributions Are Substantial

Although Warren wants to represent just one Northampton County legislative district, a significant portion of his campaign contributions comes from outside Pennsylvania. At least $131,889.63 in monetary contributions from individuals and political committees listing addresses outside Pennsylvania.

That represents approximately 36.7% of his $359,078 in monetary receipts. Among the significant out-of-state political contributors are AFSCME PEOPLE and PAC for America's Future, both listing Washington, DC, addresses. Each contributed $25,000. Climate Cabinet PAC, Active Ballot Club General Fund, States Win, Vote Save America and Everytown for Gun Safety are among the other organizations listing addresses outside Pennsylvania. Individual contributions also came from California, Texas, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington and several other states.

Obviously, this is no longer simply a campaign financed by residents of the legislative district. It has attracted support from organizations and individuals with interests extending beyond Pennsylvania.

One of many reforms suggested by readers of this blog has been to bar money from outside the area in which candidates are running.

### Another $11,314 Arrives After Reporting Deadline

Warren's fundraising has continued after the October 19 closing date of his regular pre-election report.

A separate 24-hour contribution filing identifies an $11,314.28 contribution from Peter Francis of Marion, Massachusetts, received October 20.

### Warren Spends Heavily, Ends Period With $40,539

Despite the extraordinary resources being directed toward his election, Warren's own campaign reported a relatively modest cash balance at the close of the reporting period.

He began June 9 with $105,285.85. After receiving $359,078 in additional monetary contributions, his campaign had $464,363.85 available. It spent $423,824.58, leaving $40,539.27 on October 19. The campaign reported no outstanding debts. So Warren spent most of the cash available to him during the reporting period.

### A Campaign That Has Changed Dramatically

Warren's previous campaign finance report showed him entering the summer with $105,285.85 in available cash. Emrick, by comparison, had approximately $140,340 available as of June 8, according to the earlier review of his campaign finances. He had a slight edge. Whether this is still true will be determined when I get to his finances.

### Why This Race Matters

The 137th District contest pits Warren, a Democrat, against Emrick, the Republican incumbent.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee's role is especially noteworthy given the importance of individual legislative seats in determining control of the Pennsylvania House. The organization's investment of more than $1 million in a single candidate suggests that Democratic strategists see an opportunity worth pursuing aggressively.

Whether this influx of money translates into sufficient votes to defeat Emrick will be decided November 3. It certainly should help.

UPDATE: Gracedale's Administrator Resigning

2026-10-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

On Friday, I shared part of an email or letter that the state Department of Health sent to Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton as a result of a visit that week. She was informed that the facility has failed to correct several deficiencies and that if this pattern continues, "the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state Medicaid agency must deny payments for new admissions. A remedy of a civil money penalty and/or directed in-servicing may be imposed. Additionally, we will recommend that your provider agreement be terminated six months from the enforcement cycle start date. Remedies already imposed for this enforcement cycle remain in effect." [Emphasis added by blogger].

This effectively means that Gracedale would have to close.

So much for moral obligation.

How has Morton responded? On Friday, she notified NorCo Council that she is resigning, effective November 14. This has also been confirmed by Executive Tara Zrinski.

Hopefully, this will spur Zrinski to do what she should have done when she assumed office - get an Administrator who actually knows how to run a nursing home. Listen to people on County Council like Dave Holland, who was part of the administration team at Gracedale that turned a failing nursing home around.

Gracedale is on the agenda for this week's budget hearing. That should be interesting.

UPDATED 10:10 AM: One Council member tells me he received no notice of the resignation and was unaware of it until a reader posted here anonymously. But Executive Zrinski has confirmed that Morton has resigned with three weeks notice.

Gracedale Warned Feds Will Deny Reimbusement Unless Deficiencies Are Corrected

2026-10-23T13:19:46.528-04:00

The following is from a 10/22 letter to Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton from the state DOH. Any plan of correction submitted by the county should include the termination of its administrator.

Representatives of the Division of Nursing Care Facilities conducted a Revisit and Abbreviated Survey on October 20, 2026 to determine if your facility meets the requirements to participate in the federal certification program. All references to regulatory requirements contained in this letter are found in Title 42 CFR Part 483, Subpart B, Requirements for Long Term Care, and the 28 Pa. Code.
Based on the findings of this revisit, it was determined that your facility failed to correct the identified deficiencies, whereas continuing and/or new areas of noncompliance with the following participating requirements were identified:
F580 42 CFR §483.10(g)(14) Notification of Changes-New
F689 42 CFR §483.25(d) Accidents – Continuing – D
State Tag 1040 Responsibility of Licensee – New
The enforcement cycle start date is 09/10/2026.
If you do not correct the cited deficiencies within 90 days from the enforcement cycle start date, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state Medicaid agency must deny payments for new admissions. A remedy of a civil money penalty and/or directed in-servicing may be imposed. Additionally, we will recommend that your provider agreement be terminated six months from the enforcement cycle start date. Remedies already imposed for this enforcement cycle remain in effect. [Emphasis added by blogger].
You must submit your plan of correction electronically. The deficiencies will be available for review and development of your plan of correction on October 23, 2026. This plan must be available for our review on the Department of Health Facility Site at https://sais.health.pa.gov/commonpoc/Login/Login.aspx, by November 1, 2026. If the deficiencies are not available on October 23, 2026, please notify the field office. Failure to submit an acceptable plan of correction within the required time frame may result in the recommendation of the imposition of additional remedies.
Your plan of correction must contain the following:
What corrective action(s) will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice?
How will you identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken?
What measures will be put into place or what system changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur? How the corrective action will be monitored to ensure that the deficient practice will not recur; i.e., what quality assurance programs will be established?
Dates of when the corrective action will be completed.
If your plan of correction fails to contain these components for each deficiency cited, it will not be accepted. The specific target dates that you identify for your facility to achieve correction should reasonably reflect your facility's concern for the health and safety of your residents in relation to the deficiencies cited. If we conclude that your date of presumed compliance does not meet these criteria, it will not be accepted. The latest date identified for the completion of corrective actions will be accepted as the facility's allegation of compliance.
If we determine that subsequent to the date of presumed compliance identified by your facility that you have failed to achieve and maintain substantial compliance, additional remedies may be imposed.
Please note that this notice does not constitute formal notice of imposition of alternative remedies or termination of your provider agreement. Should the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determine that termination or any other remedy is warranted, they will provide you with a separate formal notification of that determination.

The remainder of the letter provides informal dispute options.

Bob Brooks FRAUD Signs Blossom in Pa. 07 Congressional District

2026-10-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Along with chrysanthemums and marigolds, a batch of new political signs are blossoming throughout the Pa. 07 Congressional district. They are "Bob Brooks FRAUD" signs, some of which are planted next to Brooks' own signs. Paid for by the Ryan Mackenzie campaign, the signs contain the web address BobBrooksFraud.com.

The webpage starts with "Meet the Real Bob Brooks", and asserts he has a "documented history of putting himself and his personal profit before others." It then goes on to list eight verifiable examples, including links

1. "Bob Brooks signed an agreement to pay his family for a property, lied about it in court, was found liable, and ordered to pay back over $130,000.

2. "Despite claiming to stand up for workers, Bob Brooks didn’t carry legally required workers’ compensation insurance for his own employees at the company he owns… for four years. That means Brooks pocketed the savings and his employees got stiffed."

3. "As a union president, Bob Brooks took big extra money for himself at the exact same time he cut the services he was supposed to provide to union members. Once again, more money for Brooks while others got denied."

4. "Bob Brooks lied on official government documents to get himself a $15,000 taxpayer-funded COVID grant. The penalty? Up to 5 years in jail and a $250,000 fine." (Blogger's Note, Brooks actually got $30,000 and appears to have lied twice on two separate applications.)

5. "If you want to know about Bob Brooks’ real character — or lack of it — imagine this: Bob Brooks called volunteer firefighters in our community “shitbags” and “scabs.” That’s people who volunteer to run into burning buildings for all of us."

6. "Bob Brooks has been credibly accused of racism for enforcing a “white-only” membership policy as the Steward (manager) of a local social club."

7. "Bob Brooks says he’ll ban stock trading in Congress. But in his own life Brooks is a millionaire who is getting richer from trading stocks — including in the mega-corporations he says he’s against."

8. "Bob Brooks likes to act like he’s a working-class everyman. The fact is he’s a longtime political insider and registered lobbyist who was hand-picked by the political bosses. Brooks even admits they “called me into a backroom meeting” to be their candidate."

DA Baratta Proposes Early Intercept Program at Jail

2026-10-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

During last week's interview with NorCo DA Steve Baratta, he told me he had just completed and submitted a proposal for an early-intervention program at the jail. Tise program would use approximately $400,000 in opioid-related funding, not tax dollars.

Under this program, casweorkers will interview newly admitted inmates during classification to identify defendants whose criminal behavior is primarily the result of substance abuse or ongoing mental health problems.

For appropriate defendants present no public safety risks, Baratta wants to develop treatment plans and bring them before a judge for reconsideration of bail.

For peoplke who sit in jail with drug and mental health problems, and wait for six months to a year to get their case resolved, no one benefits from that," he remarked.

According to a 2018 assessment done by NorCo's health provider at the jail, 72% of inmates either are or were suffering a mental illness. A whopping 23% suffer from severe mental illness with current and acute symptoms.

That's what happens when you close state hospitals. Many of the people who belonged there end up at the jail or Gracedale.

When someone is jailed, the county bears the cost of housing and feeding an inmate. Moreover, incarcerated individuals are generally ineligible for Medicaid coverage, which means the county has to pay for medical expenses.

Baratta added that even though the jail is at half-capacity, it is "in turmoil because they can't manage their operations."They don't have enough corrections officers.

Lafayette Journalist Slams Gracedale Spending at NorCo Budget Hearing While DOH Pays Another Visit

2026-10-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, NorCo Council conducted the first of four scheduled budget hearings to review Executive Tara Zrinski's proposed 43.5% tax hike next year. No amendments will be offered until next month, but it's pretty clear that Council is unhappy with Zrinski's spending plan. Several members of the public spoke in opposition as Jeff Ward reports in Lehigh Valley News Briefs. I was particularly struck by comments from Alexa Krabbe, a student journalist at The Lafayette.

Lafayette's Landis Center provides Gracedale with student volunteers, but she reports that some have become wary as a result of patient safety and staffing issues that were never communicated to them.

We've heard numerous times from Executive Tara Zrinski and Council member Kelly Keegan that Gracedale must be great because they did such a good job of caring for their family members. But just as there is positive anecdotal evidence, there is also the negative. Krabbe stated, "One of the first things that I heard about Gracedale, when I got here, was never sent anybody that you care about to that home, because they will be subject to horrible treatment."

"One in 10 Americans over 60 years old is subject to abuse and mistreatment, and a nursing home that adds to that abuse is not useful in this county," she added. She argued that county tax dollars should be spent on things that actually benefit people.

As she spoke and Council listened, the state Department of Health was wrapping up yet another visit to the home. Hopefully, County Council will be told what's going on this time. From what I'm told, it's more bad news.

Details Emerge for Two of Three Deficiencies at Gracedale in September

2026-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Earlier this month, at the first-ever meeting of NorCo Council's Gracedale Oversight Committee, it was learned that the home, which is currently operating with a Provisional II license, was cited by the state Department of Health on September 10 and again on September 24 with three deficiencies. Two of these were "G" level deficiencies, meaning there was actual harm to a resident.

There was little detail about these violations at the meeting, but the September 10 deficiencies are now posted on the Department of Health website.

The first violation involved a resident with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), traumatic brain injury, and spastic hemiplegia (a neuromuscular condition that causes muscle tightness and involuntary contractions in the limbs and extremities on one side of the body resulting in muscles on one side of the body). He has a swallowing problem and was placed on a special diet of soft food. Direct supervision is required when he eats.

On August 28, he began choking on a meal that was supposed to be pureed. Although he was supposed to be under supervision while eating, another resident slipped him part of a sandwich without notice by a nurse. He began to choke and the Heimlich maneuver failed. The resident had to be laid on his side and was subject to back thrusts until he spit out pieces of the sandwich. He was rushed to the hospital, where it was determined that he had acute respiratory failure with hypoxia from aspiration pneumonia. He remained in the hospital for four days.

Gracedale's nursing director admitted that the facility failed to provide adequae supervision.

The second violation occurred on August 22, and involves a resident suffering from ALS. Her medical plan requires that a gait belt be used when she is walking or moving from his wheelchair to a bed. A nurse's aide was assisting this resident in getting from his wheelchair to his bed when the resident began to cry and fall down. The nurse's aide had failed to use the required gait belt, but had the presence of mind to lower herself to the floor with the resident to break the fall and reduce injury. There is no indication that the resident suffered any harm.

Although one of these incidents is a "G" level deficiency, I'd agree that they pale in comparison to some of the other deficiencies found at Gracedale since Michelle Morton has been its Administrator. But deficiencies are still deficiencies, and even Executive Tara Zrinski concedes that the home will be in Provisional status a bit longer than had been hoped.

The details of the third incident are still unavailable for public review.

According to the CMS website, there is no indication that Gracedale was fined over either of these incidents.

Baratta Warns About NVE, a Disturbing New Form of Online Child Exploitation

2026-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

During last week's interview with NorCo DA Steve Baratta, he warned of a new trend in crime called Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), associated with online networks such as 764. Baratta said his office has encountered several cases involving the online grooming and exploitation of minors. Perpetrators, frequently young males, will manipulate teenage girls into self-harm, sexual exploitation and other disturbing conduct.

He described a recent investigation involving a juvenile male who allegedly persuaded a girl to cut herself, collect her blood, mix it with water and use it to paint a so-called blood wall containing images and slogans.

The girl recorded the activity and transmitted it electronically. The material was intercepted, allowing authorities to identify the juvenile male. Unfortuantely, at the time of the interview, investigators had yet to locate the girl and provide appropriate services.

In December or January, Baratta will begin training local police departments and school districts about this emerging threat, with the help of federal authorities. He wants to educate police, school personnel and children about online grooming, coercion and exploitation.