Lehigh Valley Ramblings

NRCC's Christmas Card to John Callahan

2009-12-15T00:05:00.002-05:00

Just last Thursday, the Charlie Dent campaign launched its "Bethlehem Deserves a Break" offensive, which included 10,000 robocalls asking Christmas City residents to demand the tax cut that Bethlehem Mayor and Congressional candidate John Callahan promised in 2007. Now, the NRCC is quickly following up with a Callahan Christmas radio campaign, pointing to Hizzoner's penchant for tax hikes.

Although the NRCC declines to say just how much time it has bought for this radio ad (see the video above), its willingness to come out so strong and so early indicates Republicans have no intention of giving up this seat. It also reflects Dent's campaign maxim - run hard or unopposed.

CQ Politics currently rates the general election contest in Pennsylvania's 15th district as Leans Republican.

Update: Scott Kraus, over at Pennsylvania Avenue, is giving this Christmas campaign a sleigh ride, too.

More Bad News for John Callahan: Cook Political Report:

2009-12-15T13:15:00.005-05:00

Well, this can't be good news for Democrats seeking control of Charlie Dent's Congressional seat. According to the just released Cook Political Report, Pa.'s 15th is leaning Republican. As noted in The Moderate Voice, the number of "likely" Democratic House seats is down to 218, a bare majority.

DCCC: We Can Buy Radio Ads, Too!

2009-12-15T14:32:00.003-05:00

According to Treehugger, this ad blitz is aimed at five Republicans, including Charlie Dent. Pennsylvania Avenue has a note about this blitz, too. Here's a link to the DCCC ads.

Table Games Clear Major Hurdle in State House

2009-12-15T20:46:00.005-05:00

Last Wednesday night, State Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh and Northampton, rolled home somewhere around 3 AM. No, he wasn't out bar hopping, but was instead involved in a lengthy debate over table games in the state house. Not only was the state House deadlocked, but Joe had to back in Harrisburg the very next morning.

Fast forward to today, and the state House finally passed legislation to permit tables games like poker, blackjack and roulette at Pennsylvania's 14 licensed slot-gaming facilities, including The Sands Casino-Resort in Bethlehem.

Joe voted for this measure because it presents "a real opportunity to create jobs in our area at a time when so many people are losing jobs or already are on unemployment. It spurs economic development to make possible thousands of new jobs across the state while simultaneously providing the necessary revenues for our budgetary needs."

The bill (S.B. 711), which also addresses a number of reforms to Pennsylvania’s gaming industry, is a component of the revenue package necessary to fund the 2009-10 budget state lawmakers completed in October. The measure is expected to raise about $320 million for empty state coffers over the next two years, Brennan claims.

As amended by the House, the legislation would allow Category 1 and Category 2 licensed slot facilities to operate up to 250 table games at any one time, while Category 3 licensees could operate up to 50. Category 1 licensees include racetracks with slot machines, while Category 2 licensees are stand-alone casinos.

Casinos would pay a one-time fee to be authorized for table games, $16.5 million for racetrack and stand-alone casinos and $7.5 million for resort casinos.

Table games licensees would be required to pay a total tax rate of 16 percent on all gross table game revenues, with 14 percent going to the state, 1 percent to the host county and 1 percent to the host municipality. The state share of table games revenue would go directly into the state’s General Fund for budget needs until the state’s Rainy Day Fund balance surpasses $750 million. After that, all table games revenue would be allocated for property tax relief, along with the revenue from slots.

"Throughout Pennsylvania, the addition of table games has the potential to create more than 10,000 direct and related jobs and provide $1 billion in economic output annually," Brennan said. "It also keeps Pennsylvania dollars at home by attracting customers who otherwise may travel out of state – and continues to provide hundreds of millions of dollars for property tax relief across the state."

Another local state house member, Rep. Doug Reichley, R-Lehigh, opposed this bill. He derided a provision that would benefit Scranton's Commonwealth Medical College, whose board includes Louis DeNaples. Perjury charges were dropped against DeNaples earlier this year. "This is another example of literal game-playing going on with this legislation," says Reichley.

Senate Bill 711 now goes back to the Senate for consideration.

King Leonidas, Jim Brown and Jake Towne?

2009-12-16T00:00:00.003-05:00

Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent is being assailed on the left by Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. On the right, independent Jake Towne is nipping at his heels. "I am for liberty. I hate war. I love life. And I have no fear." In one of his numerous emails, he egotistically compares himself to Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown.

On his campaign web page, he praises "valiant winter patriots" (he talks that way), who passed out 7,000 flyers in Bethlehem and Easton last weekend. Then he starts quoting from The 300, comparing his campaign volunteers to Spartans.

King of Sparta: "You threaten my people with slavery and death."

Persian, aka the "Two-Party" System: "This is blasphemy! This is madness!"

King of Sparta: "Madness? THIS.... IS.... SPARTA!!"

In addition to being just like Hall of Famer Jim Brown, Jake Towne thinks he's King Leonidas.

Jake, this really is madness.

Why Congressman Dent Opposes TARP II

2009-12-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Last Friday, I offered an alternative to the majority’s “permanent bailout” banking regulatory bill, H.R. 4173. My alternative (known as a “motion to recommit) would have shut down the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), required that all TARP funds repaid to the Treasury be used to decrease our nation’s burgeoning deficits, and reduce the debt limit by the amount saved by ending TARP.

TARP was originally enacted as a temporary plan to address an extraordinary crisis in our financial markets as a result of the collapse of financial firms that the government said were ‘too big to fail.’ Those who voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, which created TARP, did so with the assurance that the money would be returned to the taxpayers. The program was set to expire Dec. 31 of this year.

However, the Administration has extended the TARP program to October 3, 2010, which has opened the door to efforts by Democrats in Congress to begin spending repaid and unallocated TARP funds for programs unrelated to the financial emergency.

Click here to watch my Floor speech on my efforts against this plan.

Unfortunately, the banking bill that passed, H.R. 4173, not only fails to end the TARP - even though the emergency in the financial markets has abated — it also turns TARP into a revolving slush fund to pay for the Majority’s political, economic, and social agenda. H.R. 4173 provides for a “permanent bailout” fund, creates yet another federal agency called the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, and also establishes a government “credit czar” to dictate which financial products can and cannot be available to American consumers.

The explosion of government growth and spending under this Congress’ Majority is unsustainable, and I will continue to fight against it. If we are going to see our economy rebound and create sustainable jobs, we must restore sound fiscal and economic policies for this country.

Despite a Good November, LV Real Estate Remains at Five Year Low

2009-12-16T00:02:00.000-05:00

When we go into a recession, it usually hits the real estate industry first. At least that's been my experience. When we climb out, it is usually driven by those land sales. According to Northampton County records, we may be climbing that ladder right now.

In November, there were 602 deed transfers, fifty per cent more than the same period last year, but still below a five-year average.

Here's November's data over the past five years: Nov. 2009 - 602 deeds; Nov. 2008 - 401 deeds; Nov. 2007 - 579 deeds; Nov. 2006 - 761 deeds; and Nov. 2005 - 930 deeds.

Overall, real estate transfers remain at a five-year low. Here's the data through November for each of the past five years: 2009 - 5,437 deeds; 2008 - 6,132 deeds; 2007 - 7,638 deeds; 2006 - 9,271 deeds; and 2005 - 9,941 deeds.

Overall, there still is a 46% decline over five years.

Pawlowski Fails to List Paid Election Workers

2009-12-16T00:15:00.000-05:00

The whole point of campaign finance reporting is to enable us, the public, to follow the money. If you're going to sell out, we at least have the right to know who bought you. We also have the right to know exactly how you've spent that money.

Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski has insisted his campaign finance reports are "totally transparent."

In 2007, Pawlowski paid $270, the maximum fine under our toothless elections laws, for filing a late report. He actually attempted to get away with using campaign funds for his penalty. Voting Registrar Stacy Sterner ordered Pawlowski, in March, to pay the fine out of his own pocket.

In 2008, King Edwin was even more deceptive. He filed a bogus report on October 24, 2008, falsely claiming his coffers were empty. He was ordered to amend his report and guess what? Instead of of the goose egg originally claimed, Pawlowski actually raised $101,599 in just the first ten months of 2008, nearly as much money as in 2006 and 2007 combined.

Now he's at it again. In his most recent campaign finance report, filed December 3, King Edwin was required to list expenditures, including to whom paid, the address, the date and amount. He notes a $8,000 payment, on election day, to "misc. canvassers for election day." He refuses to identify the persons paid or where they reside. He describes the expenditure as "money to pay election day canvassers & workers."

Who are these canvassers? ACORN? SEIU? We have a right to know. If he can list his babysitting expenses, he can identify the people he's hired to work on election day.

Looks like it's time for another call to the voting registrar.

Pa. House Scholarship Applications Available

2009-12-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

State Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton, has aked me to tell you that applications for the 2010-11 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship are now available.

"It's approaching that time of year when high school seniors are searching for every scholarship opportunity out there," Grucela, a former teacher and member of the House Education Committee, said. "This is a good program that is open to most good students, so please share this information to anyone you think may be interested."

The scholarship is open to all college-bound high school seniors who plan to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school on a full-time basis. To qualify, students must have a 3.0 grade-point average, display leadership qualities and a commitment to their community, and exhibit financial need. They also will be scored and reviewed based on a personal essay. The topic of this year’s essay is William Penn’s role in creating the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its representative government. Better that than bonusgate, eh?

The deadline to apply is March 1, 2010.

Two scholarships are awarded each year equal in value to the cost of one semester's tuition at a State System of Higher Education university, approximately $2,500, but scholarship recipients may attend any Pennsylvania public or private post-secondary institution. The scholarship may be renewed each year for four years.

Students also may be eligible to receive matching funds from SAGE Scholars Inc. and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s PATH Program. Recipients’ names will automatically be submitted to PHEAA, and a matching award may be given based on remaining financial need.

The House Scholarship is privately funded by individual and corporate donations; no taxes or other public funds are used.

Grucela's constituent service offices are located at 239 S. Broad St. in Nazareth, 610-614-1312 or 1-888-222-2143; and 5 Mt. Bethel Plaza in Mt. Bethel, 570-897-0401 or 1-877-461-9336. You can also apply online.

LV Residents Can Download Free Prescription Discount Cards

2009-12-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

Lehigh County’s discount prescription drug card is now available online and can be printed directly from the county web page. Northampton County residents can download a free card here.

These free cards are available to all residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage. You can save on average 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs. The card can be used at about 200 pharmacies in both counties.

Will Tea Party Activist Challenge Dent in Republican Primary?

2009-12-17T00:04:00.000-05:00

In a recent letter to the editor, Palmer Township tea party activist Mathew Benol claims that "Our district can provide better leadership than [Charlie] Dent. His voting record proves he is not a conservative Republican."

Apparently, Benol considers himself that leader. According to his own Meetup page, he'll be challenging LV Congressman Charlie Dent in the Republican primary. Local conservative Chris Miller congratulates Benol. "I was happy to see you step up and announce that you are going to challenge Charlie. Charlie has a great smile but he is not a conservative. I do think he has stopped getting invitations to the White House."

I don't know much about Benol, having just found out about him late yesterday afternoon. When I do, I'll let you know.

Son of Stimulus Narrowly Passes House.

2009-12-17T00:02:00.001-05:00

The margins of victory are getting smaller.

The final tally last night was 217-212 in support of what has been dubbed "Son of Stimulus," a $174 billion spending measure for "shovel ready" jobs and to bail out state and local governments.

I think they're nuts. As noted in Insanity Defined, the federal government has spent, lent or pledged nearly $13 trillion since December of 2007, when the recession began. That's $42,105 for every man, woman and child in the United States. The net result is that since January of this year, another 3.5 million Americans have lost their jobs, and the unemployment rate has soared to 10%.

Time to fire up those printing presses!

This latest vote could explain why, for the first time, less than half of this country approve of President Barack Obama's job performance.

Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent voted against this second stimulus because of its misguided use of recovered Troubled Asset Recovery Program (TARP) funds that should have gone to reduce our deficit. Since the first trillion-dollar stimulus has failed to thwart rising unemployment, to say nothing of those 4 million jobs promised by President Barack Obama, Dent believes this would simply be throwing good money after bad.

“I cannot support a ‘Second Stimulus’ when the first one has not yielded sustainable job creation,” Congressman Dent said. “If the majority wants to create jobs there are a number of ways to restore confidence and boost private-sector hiring. But excessive spending on government growth is the wrong way to go.”

TARP was originally enacted as a temporary plan to address an extraordinary crisis in our financial markets as a result of the collapse of financial firms that the government said were ‘too big to fail.’ The Administration has extended the TARP program to October 3, 2010, which has opened the door to efforts by Democrats in Congress to begin spending unallocated and repaid TARP funds for programs unrelated to the financial emergency.

“It is an irresponsible breach of the public trust to treat the TARP funds repayments as ‘found money’ for new spending,” Congressman Dent said. “If we are going to invest federal money, it should be done sparingly and wisely, and this Congress continues to spend excessively and without consideration for long term consequences."

Bucks County Democrat Patrick Murphy joined Dent in voting NO. He told Pennsylvania Avenue's Scott Kraus, "I broke with the Democrats on the spending bill because it uses bailout money to pay for new spending. That is wrong. Any money returned from Wall Street should be used to pay off national debt."
Congressman Dent also voted against another bill increasing our statutory debt limit to $12.4 trillion. He had earlier proposed that Congress should lower the debt ceiling by the amount recovered under the TARP program.

How Obama Won That Nobel Peace Prize

2009-12-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

Seen at a Norwegian taco stand. (I got this from a conservative friend who swears he saw it in Oslo.)

Lou Hershman, Point Guard

2009-12-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

I was at a Lehigh-Dartmouth basketball game with the Allentown Watchdog, Lou Hershman, last night. Our grandsons play for Notre Dame's two 4th grade teams, and they scrimmaged each other at half-time. Parents and kids both had a blast, and even the smallish holiday crowd got into it.

But the real treat came during second half. Lehigh was struggling, and Lou was getting worked up about all the illegal aliens playing for both teams.

"I'll bet they're drinking fluoridated water, too," he grumbled.

He walked out in a huff and I thought he went home, but next thing I know, he was out on the court, playing point guard. He scored 32 points, one for each year of city service, before fouling out.

O'Hare's WWII Diary: "We are Being Looked After Like Pet Children by the Russians"

2009-12-18T00:02:00.000-05:00

Writer Kurt Vonnegut's letter home, written soon after his release from a POW camp, was published here early this week. Believe it or not, my dad was the real writer back then - he even kept a diary for a few days.

Unlike Vonnegut, he sheds no light on what had actually happened to him as a POW. He provides no explanation about his weight going from 150 lbs. before the war to 80 lbs. as Adolph's guest. Mum's the word. He'd stay like that the rest of his life. Vonnegut's three-page letter tells me more about my dad's POW experience than he himself ever shared.

He just drank. A lot. Especially at Christmas time. That didn't kill him. Neither did the Germans. The cigarettes did.

But for one week, my father chronicled his post-release experiences in amazing detail. Just twenty-two at the time, he was a pretty good writer himself. Occasionally, he mentions Vonnegut, who was just a "minor being" at the time. For the next few days, I'll share my dad's thoughts with you, day by day.

5/17/45

Our mangy but well-fed crew left DiHille's at noon today. We proceeded over the Elbe to Russian headquarters in the city and after much confusion - due to our ignorance of the Russian language and vice versa - we were directed to the Hitler Caserne on Konigsbage Strasse. Here we find ourselves confronted with the perpetual situation of no one knowing anything about anything. However, we are being looked after like pet children by the Russians. We have been here only four hours at the most and have already been fed twice, showered, de-loused and billeted. As near as we can gather from speaking to the limeys and G.I.'s here, we are to stay put until our troops come seeking us. Except for the anxiety that we all have concerning our parents and families, we don't give a damn how long it takes them to root us out.

I heard my first radio program since I was captured. Dannine and I went across the compound and fell in with a few Tommies who have a wireless set in their flat. We heard an A.M.G. broadcast from Hamburg. That American music certainly sounded good. The Tommies surprised us before the evening was over with a meal of spuds, meat and beans. We rejoined our crew with a full stomach and a highly satisfied mien. I don't believe I'll ever get up out of bed again. Goot nacht.

Blogger's Note: First published 12/11/07.

ET: Connie Sutton Falk Out

2009-12-18T08:50:00.004-05:00

Sarah Cassi at The Express Times has reported that controversial Human Services Director Connie Sutton-Falk, is leaving Northampton County at the end of the year. Vilified by County employees like most Human Services Directors, she was clearly the most unpopular of County Executive John Stoffa's appointments. Her caustic style never helped her win any hearts.

Last year, in a meeting attended by a sea of green T-shirted AFSCME workers, Council member Lamont McClure demanded she step down, knowing he had no right to do so, in a mean-spirited attempt to embarrass Stoffa. A bare majority joined McClure. Although Sutton-Flak was present, she was never given advance notice and was never given an opportunity to defend herself.

Whatever you may think of Ms. Sutton-Falk, that was Council's lowest moment. What they did to her can easily be done to any County employee.

Interestingly, when Sarah Cassi called Sutton-Falk about her departure, she heard back from an attorney.

O'Hare's WWII Diary: Still No Word About Dresden Firebombing

2009-12-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is the second in a series of entries from my father's recently-discovered dairy. He kept it about a week after his release from a German POW camp. This second post, like the first, is strictly present tense. Yet just three months before, my dad and writer Kurt Vonnegut had ringside seats, as POWs, to the American and RAF firebombing of Dresden - Florence of the Elbe.

POWs hid in meat lockers underneath a slaughterhouse during this incineration. One POW blurted out, "I wonder what the poor people are doing tonight." I can't help but think that was my dad. That was his humor.

In a public radio interview, Vonnegut speaks of a conversation he had with my father, some twenty years later.

"What did you learn?" Vonnegut asks.

"I will never believe my government again."

Churchill, who had advocated the firebombing, was knighted.

5/18/45

We moved over to the other compound today. That seems to be the chief benefit accruing to those who have been deloused. The rooms here are much cleaner and better equipped. We eat three times per day restaurant style and the shilly (chile?) is both good and thick - a happy set of circumstances not found readily in Germany. We spent most of the day getting our loot in order and this afternoon learned to our gratification that we were scheduled to move out. About an hour later a sergeant from the 1st Rangers division put in an appearance and announced that trucks were on their way to bring us either to Riesa or Leipzig where there are concentrations of former P.O.W.'s. I had no idea the sight of a G.I. would be so sensational. Needless to say, the limeys hogged him before any of his own countrymen had a chance to learn much from him concerning the good old U.S.A. Well, the trucks finally arrived and after the normal red tape we piled into them and took off. Approximately two hours later we found ourselves in Riesa. Temporary quarters were provided for us in some Jerry barracks. We are supposed to move in the morning to some other place in town where there are more G.I.'s. Our present barracks aren't at all bad except for the lack of anything soft upon which to lay our weary bones. There are some limeys here who have been waiting to get out for almost a month. It seems that Stalag W-B was liberated by the Russians on April 23.

Blogger's Note: This was originally published on 12/12/07.

How Much Did Pawlowski Spend to Buy Allentown City Council

2009-12-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

Although Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski insists his campaign finance reports are "totally transparent," the truth is they mislead and fail in their primary mission of enabling the public to follow the money. His most recent report, filed December 3, lists an $8,000 payment for canvassers on election day, without even bothering to identify them. Unfortunately, he has also hidden the money he spent to help elect City Council members Julio Guridy, Mike Schlossberg, Mike D'Amore and Ray O'Connell.

Throughout the last campaign, Pawlowski sent numerous email blasts, advocating the election of these candidates. In addition, he sent mailers on their behalf. But that expense appears nowhere in his post election report. Considering that he does report $6.36 for raingear, that's a tad strange, don't you think.

Mike Schlossberg, one of the beneficiaries of Pawlowski's largesse, lists a Pawlowski mailer as an in-kind contribution, valued at $5,250.00. He tells me Pawlowski paid for a mailer on behalf of all Democratic city council candidates.

Are City Council candidates Julio Guridy, Mike D'Amore and Ray O'Connell at fault for failing to follow Schlossberg's lead? I doubt they can be penalized for failing to list this in-kind contribution when Pawlowski's own report indicates he has no intention of telling the public how much he spent to buy city council.

Pawlowski's report, however, is deceptive. He has bought Allentown City Council, and the public has a right to know the going rate.

State Capitol Full of Rats!

2009-12-21T15:09:00.002-05:00

After all, isn't the Senate still in session?

From the Inky: "The cafeteria in Pennsylvania's Capitol was shut down and workers scoured the facility yesterday after health inspectors found evidence of a rodent infestation and dishwashing water that wasn't hot enough. The ground-floor cafeteria was closed Thursday after state Department of Agriculture officials made an unannounced inspection."

What's Wrong With Senate's Health Care Bill

2009-12-21T15:21:00.003-05:00

Firedoglake, hardly known for conservative views, lists ten reasons why the Senate bill should be killed.

1) Forces you to pay up to 8% of your income to private insurance corporations — whether you want to or not.

2) If you refuse to buy the insurance, you’ll have to pay penalties of up to 2% of your annual income to the IRS.

3) Many will be forced to buy poor-quality insurance they can’t afford to use, with $11,900 in annual out-of-pocket expenses over and above their annual premiums.

4) Massive restriction on a woman’s right to choose, designed to trigger a challenge to Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court.

5) Paid for by taxes on the middle class insurance plan you have right now through your employer, causing them to cut back benefits and increase co-pays.

6) Many of the taxes to pay for the bill start now, but most Americans won’t see any benefits — like an end to discrimination against those with preexisting conditions — until 2014 when the program begins.

7) Allows insurance companies to charge people who are older 300% more than others.

8) Grants monopolies to drug companies that will keep generic versions of expensive biotech drugs from ever coming to market.

9) No re-importation of prescription drugs, which would save consumers $100 billion over 10 years.

10) The cost of medical care will continue to rise, and insurance premiums for a family of four will rise an average of $1,000 a year — meaning in 10 years, your family’s insurance premium will be $10,000 more annually than it is right now.

O'Hare's WWII Diary: Half-Starved Soldier Worries About Brother in South Pacific

2009-12-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is the latest installment from my dad's short-lived diary, penned shortly after his release from a German POW camp. In these entries, my eighty pound and half-starved father worries about his brother, Art, who was then serving in the South Pacific.

Uncle Art was wounded shortly after my father's posts, but not seriously. He was shot in the ass. When I once questioned him about it many years later, he snarled, "I was in front of the front lines, going for extra ammunition."

That's about all he ever shared. He kept no diary. He drank a lot, too.

5/20/45

All of my equipment, loot, real and personal property was once again in moving order waiting to be donned on my aching back as soon as the order to move was given. I waited and waited, a practice at which I have become very adept, for hour upon hour but no such order came. As we were lined up for midday chow ten G.I. trucks pulled up as only G.I. trucks can and I thought that this day would at last see me back to our own lines. However, due to the absence of certain documents or some such reason we are again detained by the Russians. I'm becoming a firm believer in the Vonnegut statement that "getting out of Germany is like walking in sand." The rumor now seems to be that we will pull out tomorrow when the trucks return with the proper papers. More of Hq. Co. showed up today in the persons of Sgt. Shuve and Pfc Sabbatino. Both look OK except for the loss of weight common to all POW's. Neither could give me any info regarding the whereabouts of Sgt. Boyle, Heinbeck, or Edgeworth. I'd certainly enjoy seeing those boys again.

The war in the Pacific seems to be progressing favorably, although we are meeting stiff resistance on some of the islands. I have an uncomfortable feeling that I'll learn more of that phase of our international troubles through first-hand experience. I'd like to see that part of the world but it would be just my luck to accomplish the feat through the medium of being a POW of the Japs, and twice in a lifetime is too much. The Russian band serenaded us again tonight. I'm getting to really like Russian music. The Russians are very much like Americans in their outlook on life. I suppose that is what queers the English with them. A few of us went across the hall to where we had discovered a radio in the room of one of our comrades. We listened for a while and left being driven out by static and by the system the joker in charge was using to operate the darn thing. He's one of that particular species of mankind who thinks he's operating the blue network whenever he comes across a radio with more than two dials on it. We are now preparing for bed at the end of a rather uneventful day.

5/21/45

Lo and behold I am still in Riesa. No trucks appeared today or had been rumored. However, we did receive a visit from two chaplains - one Protestant and one Catholic. They both held services and I heard mass and received communion for the first time in five months. The chaplain who was from the 69th division claimed that we would be out of here in three or four days. He seemed pretty confident that we would be back in the states within a few weeks after we hit our own lines. My inbred scepticism [sic] prohibits me from placing too much stock in his optimistic statement. Time and time alone will tell. The chaplains also brought some V-mail along with them. I wrote to my parents and to Aunt Mae. The letters are supposed to be on their way, having been brought back to our own lines with the chaplain who left here seven o'clock this evening.

5/22/45

A very routine day. I slept through reveille and all the morning, arising only for breakfast. Most of the afternoon was spent by all of us chewing the rag in the room where we were assembled. I thought of home today. Nothing now seems more welcome than news of the family. I am worried especially about Art. I certainly hope he has been as lucky as I in regard to ducking bullets and artillery.

It is early evening now and all of us are in the room now writing, reading, playing cards and talking. Things will no doubt continue along the same line until bed time.

Blogger's Note: First published 12/17/07.

Lehigh County Gets $2 Million Stimulus Grant for Energy Efficiency

2009-12-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Lehigh County has received a $2 million federal Stimulus Grant to improve its energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and save money. This green technology project includes solar panels at the Government Center and Courthouse, energy efficient lighting, high efficiency boilers, and geothermal heating at Trexler.

County officials are predicting reduced energy costs, but utility rate caps will be coming off od provider PPL in January. It seems possible there could still be a net increase in utility costs, even with these green advances.

“Lehigh County is taking a leadership role in the green movement not just by talking about it, but actually utilizing the renewable energy technology,” said Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. “This not only creates construction jobs and saves money for taxpayers, but reduces our carbon footprint and is another example of environmental stewardship.”

New energy efficient lighting will be installed in eight county buildings including the Government Center, Utility Garage, Prison, Juvenile Detention Center, Inmate Work Program, Agricultural Extension, Voter Machine Storage and Parking Garage. Motion sensor lighting will be placed in restrooms, pantries, conference and break rooms to reduce usage.

“This will result in annual electrical savings of $78,160 and will reduce electrical consumption by 1.2 million kilowatts as well as carbon emissions by 786 tons,” said Cunningham.

Two natural gas high-efficiency boilers will be installed at the Prison, reducing electrical consumption by 690,000 kilowatts and carbon emissions by 851,000 pounds.

About $169,000 of the grant will be used to install 72 solar panels and a geothermal heating and cooling system at Trexler Environmental Center at Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville. By replacing a traditional HVAC system with a geothermal heat pumps and constructing a “green” roof, the county expects to save an estimated 52,375 pounds of carbon dioxide a year and 25,000 kilowatts of electricity.

The Trexler Environmental Center will house county park offices, a satellite office for the state Bureau of Forestry and a community room for environmental education. The $1.3 million building is being funded with help from the Trexler Trust, DCNR and the federal grant. It’s expected to be completed by February 2010.

These projects are part of Cunningham’s plan to find ways to reduce energy consumption and position the county to meet future energy requirements.

Most recently, the county completed the first phase of an energy upgrade at its nursing home facilities. The project included changing light bulbs, replacing windows and upgrading the HVAC system. The work is expected to reduce energy consumption at Cedarbrook in Allentown, Fountain Hill Annex, Cedar View Apartments and Cedar Village. Phase two of the energy savings initiative includes the Government Center, Hamilton Financial Center, the Prison, County garage and Agricultural Center.

“The intent is to take pro-active action now to reduce energy consumption and future cost increases,” said Cunningham. “It’s the right thing to do for the environment and taxpayers.”

One idea rejected by Cunningham is the washing machine - john combo, which would have been perfect at either the Prison or Cedarbrook. Used washing machine water could easily flush a toilet bowl, providing spring breeze aromas instead of the usual. As an added benefit, if some senior forgets toilet paper, he can just grab someone's shirt or underwear right out of the machine. Fortunately, that idea is still under serious consideration in Northampton County.

Are Lehigh Valley Republicans Circling the Wagons?

2009-12-22T00:02:00.000-05:00

Not all that long ago, Allentown Republican Scott Armstrong was embroiled in a bitter and very public dispute with local bluebloods like Charles Snelling. I'm not sure what the hell they were fighting about. Party purity or something.

That's all forgotten now. His new credo is - STOP the Democrats. "America’s largest political party, the Democratic Party, has used its filibuster proof majorities to ramrod radical leftwing legislation through both houses of congress to the awaiting hands of our Marxist President. They have betrayed their conservative campaign pledges of 2008 and have in 2009 made a mockery of our representative government. Large demonstrations, public opinion polls, phones calls and e-mail protests to congressional offices have failed to stem to the Democrats’ wild legislative run to socialist solutions. Clearly the new imperative for those who believe in individual liberty must be to stop the Democrats here and now."

You can read and comment on Scott's blog here. This can't be good news for local Dems.

Allentown City Council Looks For New Deputy Clerk

2009-12-22T01:00:00.000-05:00

Allentown City Council Deputy Clerk Eileen Werner retired in August. Known as a consummate professional with a heart of gold, she'll be difficult to replace. Hers is one of the names you never read in the papers, but she probably has a deeper understanding of Allentown government than most Council members.

Allentown is facing a deficit ,,, again, but no one has considered freezing that spot. Applications have been encouraged. Naturally, no Republican need apply.

I'm informed that City Council has whittled its list down to three prospects: Nancy Wilt, backed by Council Prez Mike D'Amore and Peter Schweyer; community organizer Tatiana Tooley, backed by Jeanette Eichenwald and Julio "I speak two languages" Guridy; and Tawana Whitehead, a Master's degree candidate backed by Tony Phillips and Michael Donovan.

Nancy Wilt, both an aide to Senator Lisa Boscola and a Democratic committeeperson, tried getting herself appointed to Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners two years ago. Last year, she toyed with the idea of becoming a magistrate. Now, this state senate staffer wants to become a city council staffer. D'Amore and Schweyer reportedly like her party loyalty. But some council members question whether city council is becoming a revolving door for opportunistic legislative staffers with their eyes on some other prize. Council member Peter Schweyer works for state Rep. Jenn Mann and at one time worked for Boscola. Incoming Council member Mike Schlossberg got his start with Mann.

Tatiana Tooley serves on the executive board of the Lehigh County Democratic party. She is a community organizer who has the blessing of CACLV Executive Director Alan Jennings. She also has experience with Allentown's Weed & Seed program. Guridy likes her because she is "bipolar, just like me." I think he means bilingual. (I'm just kidding).

Towanna Whitehead, a DeSales Master's degree candidate, has no political connections. She was employed by the United Negro College Fund. She has bipartisan support. She's looking for a job, not to further her political career. My guess is she is the least likely to be hired.

Ezra Klein Likes Senate Health Care Bill

2009-12-22T01:00:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I posted a link to Firedoglake's assessment of the Senate health care bill, providing ten reason why it should be killed. It's the work of public option advocate Jane Hamsher, who concludes this legislation is little more than a "con job." Naturally, she's been subjected to all sorts of sexually degrading remarks at DailyKos for walking off the reservation.

I thought it interesting that a public option advocate would embrace many of the arguments I've heard from the right, and that's why I linked to her. But blogging buddy Rylock has suggested that if I were really interested in being fair, I'd also link to Ezra Klein's piece, putting out the fire in Firedoglake. Ezra does answer her, point by point, and then lets his readers kick the shit out of her.

Good on him.