Lehigh Valley Ramblings

Da Baratta Expects Grand Jury Report on Patient Safety at Gracedale

2026-04-22T00:00:00.005-04:00

At last week's meeting of NorCo Council's Courts and Corrections Committee, DA Steve Baratta that he expects a "Gracedale report" from an investigating grand jury within the next six weeks. He indicated that the report is likely going to be focused on "issues of patient safety that we were made aware of over the past year. I don't want to shock anyone when they file the report, but at the end of the grand jury period, they're required to do that if they so choose. And I believe they want to write a report."

DA Baratta Tells NorCo Council Child Advocacy Center Needed

2026-04-22T00:00:00.003-04:00

District Attorney Steve Barratta told NorCo Council's Courts and Corrections Committee last week that "it's a bit of an embarrassment" that the county has no child advocacy center. He acknowledged it's a "heavy lift" because a center for victims of child abuse needs both space and forensic interviewers. Most counties the size of NorCo do have child advocacy centers. He noted that Lehigh had a very vibrant center, but thanks to attacks by Controller Mark Pinsley, Lehigh Valley Hospital pulled out and the center was closed.

He indicated that NorCo and Lehigh might work together to establish a center .

NorCo Court Administrator Tells County Council That Higher Salaries Are Needed For Youth Care Workers

2026-04-22T00:00:00.001-04:00

If you'd like to know more about county government, I'd strongly recommend that you view the committee hearings on YouTube. Last week, Council member Dave Holland's Courts and Corrections Committee conducted an exhaustive review of just some of the county agencies that deal with the back end of crime. This, like elections, is a core county function. The meeting kicked off with Court Administrator Jermaine Greene and what he calls his "baby," the Juvenile Justice Center.

Greene has been the county's court administrator for the past 10 years. Prior to that he was the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) Director for 10 years. He explained that it is unique because it has both detention and treatment beds. It also has contracts with other counties for beds (Lehigh - 3, Monroe - 3, Lackawanna - 2, Pike - 1), that are paid at a rate of $415 per day, regardless whether the beds are filled.

Under the prior County Council and former Exec Lamont McClure, Greene was before County Council extensively in a quest to seek better pay for better wages for youth care workers, "the backbone of our juvenile center." He repeated this request with the current Council again last week. "We need to raise the salaries of our youth care workers," he argued. The current starting wage is $19,80 an hour, and they must have 60 college credits. "They can go down the bottom of the hill, work at Wawa or FedEx, and make more than that," noted Greene. He believes that raising the starting wage is the key to ensuring that the facility is fully staffed. "We have to spend some money to make money," he expounded. If operating at 80% capacity, the JJC can actually receive $2 million in bed fees from other counties. Right now, the facility is operating at about 40% capacity.

Greene claimed that previous attempts to set higher salaries were "roadblocked." But he said he had a good conversation with Exec Tara Zrinski, "and she got it. She got it after a half hour of conversation with her."

Greene added that "the court is fully behind me and the vision I have for the center. ... It will work. I promise you that. It will work." He complimented Council member Lori Vargo Heffner, who had unfiltered access" to staff and residents during a half-day tour, and invited all Council members to visit.

In response to a question from member Theresa Fadem, Greene said he'd like to raise the starting salary to about $23 an hour.

Member Tom Giovanni asked Greene about a four-county movement to create a regional JJC, which is actually up for a vote tonight in Lehigh County. Greene said he has a good relationship with Lehigh and added "we have the infrastructure right now to make it happen here." The county is currently negotiated with Lehigh for an increase in bed count.

The JJC is supposed to be staffed by 52 youth care workers, 13 assistant supervisors and 9 supervisors. The youth care workers are only about 40% staffed. The "assistant supervisor" was created to keep youth care workers from leaving and they were filled within a month. The JJC includes detention and treatment pods for females and sex offenders.

Member Dave Holland assured Greene that he now has advocates on Council who will support higher wages.

In addition to Greene, JJC Director JaMarr Billman spoke. He's been there 19 years. He explained that the facility can hold up to 36 juveniles in detention, but its usual census is 12-18. He acknowledged that there are current conversations with Lehigh to increase the number of contracted beds. Starting in July, the daily bed rate will increase to $435. This alone generates $1.4 million in annual revenue. Other counties also will send juveniles, and Northampton will accept if it has the available staff and beds.

The JJC also offers a boys' treatment program with an on-site school, including four teachers. The boys actually go out into the community to help with fundraisers, as volunteers for local events, visits to an art museum, jib searches and even Phillies and fishing trips. They can even receive lessons on building and repairing bikes, which makes me want to enroll. Dynamic Counseling Services provides mental health treatment.

Holland stated that the county really needs to both staff and fund every available bed at the JJC. "It's a core function of the county. and I don't know how long this (staffing shortage) has been going on , but the fact that we haven't been able to do that, is kinda outrageous. We have to find a way to do it. There's children who need help. We have empty beds. They're sitting there. We have to figure out a way to do that, and I believe we will."

Welcome to Northampton County, Mr. Holland, where tax breaks for the rich get priority over the needs of our most vulnerable. When Jermaine Greene said he was roadblocked, he has the receipts. Here are links to just some of my previous stories.

Previous Juvenile Justice Center Stories:

NorCo Administrators Respond to Staffing Crisis Story at Juvenile Justice

Express Times Awards Turkeys to Tara Zrinski & Kevin Lott

NorCo Council Addresses Staffing Shortage at Juvenile Justice Center

Our Juvenile Justice Crisis

UPDATED: NorCo Council Members Zrinski and Lott Double-Team Court Administrator Jermaine Greene

NorCo To Close Senior Centers in Lower Nazareth, Northampton Due to State Budget Shortfall

2026-04-21T12:46:00.003-04:00

In March, NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski told County Council that the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) was facing a $400,000 state budget cut. This was certainly surprising since Governor Josh Shapiro's office had bragged that the passed budget would provide $10 million more in services to older Pennsylvanians. Instead, NorCo is going to have to close its senior centers in Lower Nazareth and Northampton.

Back in March, Zrinski explained that the state was no longer paying AAA for desk audits that determine whether someone is eligible for long-term care without a face-to-face visit. The revenue received from that service helped fund our senior centers.

In a news release you can read below, the county explains the closures.

In Northampton County, we are facing a nearly $400,000 reduction in our Area Agency on Aging (AAA) budget due to state budget cuts. As a result, the County will be required to consolidate the senior center network, and the Lower Nazareth Senior Center and the Northampton Senior Center will close as of June 30, 2026.

The reason for this funding gap is that the Commonwealth has eliminated a key revenue generating function previously available to county Agencies on Aging: aging well “desk reviews.” Desk reviews are review and comparisons of data from Functional Eligibility Determination assessments that Area Agency on Aging staff still complete to determine eligibility for long-term care services, in home or in a nursing facility. In 2025 alone, Northampton County’s AAA completed 1,440 of these reviews, generating $373,464 in revenue that directly supported services for local seniors. The loss of this function represents a loss of capacity that will force difficult decisions.

Executive Zrinski expressed her dismay at this immediate and significant funding gap—which she says arrives at the exact moment when state leaders are expressing concern about oversight, performance, and outcomes in elder protection.

“Across Northampton County, these centers are a lifeline for older adults, providing not only meals, but connection, wellness support, and a place to engage with their community and live vibrant, healthy lives,” said County Executive Tara Zrinski.

Northampton County’s AAA serves thousands of older adults each year. The professionals doing this work are navigating complex cases involving medical fragility, cognitive decline, isolation, and, at times, individuals who are unable or unwilling to accept help. These are not simple interventions, and outcomes are not always within an agency’s control.

“We must be honest about the broader system in which these agencies operate” said Zrinski. “When funding is reduced at the scale we are experiencing, the impact is not theoretical. It means fewer home visits, slower response times, reduced oversight, and fewer opportunities to intervene before situations escalate. It means a system that is being asked to do more with less—something that is true not only in Northampton County, but across many aging agencies in Pennsylvania.”

For seniors now attending the Lower Nazareth Senior Center and the Northampton Senior Center, the County will make accommodations to help them attend a neighboring Senior Center.

Dixie Cup TIF - Developer Nat Hyman Sez Dixie Can Be Developed With NO Government Assistance

2026-04-21T00:32:00.001-04:00

I've told you why NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski supports a tax break to convert Wilson Borough's vacant Dixie Cup factory into 405 luxury apartments. I've shared arguments of three Council members who voted for the tax break (called a TIF) when it failed last year. Now I'll share the views of someone who actually knows what he's talking about. Allentown developer Nat Hyman has done 40 projects similar to Dixie, and here's what he shared with NorCo Council.

I write you regarding the TIF you are considering giving to the developer of the Dixie Building in Wilson Township. Please keep in mind that a TIF is the MOST generous form of tax incentive, far more so than a LERTA ! There are a few fundamental facts I believe you should consider before giving this money to Skyline Investment Group:

1. This will do absolutely NOTHING to address the affordable housing crisis. This developer has repeatedly said that they will be spending $185,000,000 for 400 apartments. That is a staggering $462,500 per apartment !!!! Basic math tells you that the interest costs alone will be $2,500 per apartment / per month (without including any amortization and all of the other operating expenses). These numbers will require rents north of $6,000 per month just to break even…..hardly affordable ! And the fee in lieu of $1.2 million that they propose paying toward affordable housing is nothing. This would build 8 affordable apartments and, more importantly, they are paying you out of the $29 million you are giving to them ! They are paying you with your money !!

2. Some have tried to claim that this project will create many jobs. The reality is that Dixie will create some construction jobs on a very short term basis. It seems to me that some people are pushing this TIF to curry favor with those construction unions. After that, there will be virtually no jobs created. Two or three full time people will be needed to run this apartment complex once it is built. This is not a project like Eli Lily which will create 1,000 good paying and long term jobs.

3. This “developer” has actually NEVER DEVELOPED ONE BUILDING. While they did list one project on their website called “The Louis” that they said they had developed, that was a lie. When confronted with this lie, they removed the project from their website. In addition, they had listed 5 offices around the country all with the same phone number which is the principal’s cell phone number. Those offices have likewise now been removed from the website. Finally, their supposed office in NYC is simply a shared executive office where they use a community receptionist. Do you really want to give $29,000,000 in taxpayer dollars to someone who has never built anything and is clearly a scam?

4. Skyline is presently in DEFAULT of its purchase agreement of the Dixie property with Wilsonpark. To date, they have paid ZERO principal or interest on the $11.5 million purchase price. So you are considering giving money to a borrower who has shown their inability and/or unwillingness to honor its obligations. There is not a lender in the world who would loan money to a borrower with a history of not paying its debts.

5. As I said, Skyline has said that this Dixie project will cost $185,000,000. ANY lender loaning or granting money to a borrower would want to be 100% assured that the project will be fully funded. There is NO WAY you should consider giving Skyline the $29,000,000 unless and until they can prove they have a firm commitment for the other $156,000,000 to complete this project.

6. Having done 40 developments similar to the Dixie building, I can tell you , unequivocally, that this project can be done beautifully with absolutely no government assistance. It would seem to me that the $29,000,000 is better spent on Gracedale, budget deficits or a reduction in your constituents’ taxes.

Finally, a disclaimer …..despite what some have said, I have ABSOLUTELY NO vested interest in this project and nothing to gain or lose by your choosing to give or not give them this money. This building has been sold and the title transferred to Skyline Investment Group and nothing you do will change that. I will not own this building regardless of your decision. I am simply a taxpayer upset by seeing my tax dollars wasted and I do have a philosophical disagreement with the concept of giving taxpayers’ money to a private developer to build luxury apartments. That said, I come at this from a unique perspective as the Lehigh Valley’s largest developer of adaptive reuse projects ….I have done 40 projects virtually identical to Dixie and have never taken one dime of government money or any incentive. As an example, I am converting the former Crayola headquarters in Palmer Township (only 3 miles from Dixie) into 94 affordable apartments with absolutely no taxpayer money. This developer could do the same with Dixie and he has told Council that he can indeed build Dixie without this TIF!!! So why would you give it to him??!

Ask yourselves, if I am correct and you give this untested “developer” $29,000,000 in tax payer dollars and, as I predict, the project is never completed, what legacy you will have created for this Council?

Dixie Cup TIF - Three Council Members Reiterate Support

2026-04-21T00:19:00.000-04:00

A TIF tax break to convert Wilson Borough's vacant Dixie Cup factory into 405 luxury apartments was defeated in November in a close, 5-4 vote. Yesterday, I told you about Executive Tara Zrinski's fallacious ceteris paribus argument for the TIF. Today, I'll shre the views of three of the Council members who voted Yes in November. - Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan and Jeff Warren, All three reiterated their support at the April 16 public hearing.

Kraft, in his own inimical style, argued that we should take the $2 million up-front (legal) bribe being offered by the developer. Here's what he said: "What kind of skin do we have in the game? Which is really minimal. But now we got a number on it. $2 million. They're giving it to us. So, our saying no to this project would be the most bonehead thing you could possibly do, because you're not losing anything. ... We're not even impacted anymore. I mean, we have no impact at all. You've given us the money up front, that, you know, I don't know, not a financial person, but supposedly we can leverage to loan more money at no percentage, you know, to do affordable housing somewhere. ... So we're not losing a dime."

He's right, too. It's not a dime. It's a lot more. According to the TIF ordinance, which he really should read, the county is giving up $5.6 million in real estate tax revenue over the next 20 years.

That seems pretty boneheaded.

Keegan played a math game. "All right, so Wilson Borough Council approved the TIF in 2024 and then again in 2025, and 9 members sit on the council. It was unanimous. Wilson Area School District approved the TIF. All 9 supported it. It was unanimous. They lived there in Wilson. They were elected officials for Wilson. My district is, uh, Wilson is part of my district as a district 2 commissioner. If 5 out of 9 of us on this board votes no, then out of 27 elected people, 81.4% support it, and if 5 of us vote no, 18.6 will not."

Although Keegan's math is correct, she misses the point. The TIF is authorized by the state Urban Redevelopment Law, which requires the approval of a majority of all three separate taxing districts impacted by the handout. These taxing bodies all serve different taxpayers. The representatives of taxpayers in Upper Mount Bethel Tp and Lower Saucon should have a say in decisions that give their money away.

Finally, Warren had something to say, too. He said he "wasn't planning on speaking," which is code for "Get the NoDoz out." This time he did spare us from his argument that we should grant a TIF because his grandfather worked at Dixie. Now he's likening government to mechanics, saying that a TIF is just a "tool in the toolbox." I'm a terrible mechanic myself, but even I know that you do not use an allen wrench to put air in a bicycle tire. And you don't kiss away $26 million in tax revenue to an inexperienced out-of-town developer who has admitted a few times that he doesn't really need the county's participation.

Warren commended developer Brian Bartee, who he said has "truly given so much to the community by what he has done with that building already."

Say what? There are still gaping holes instead of windows. And what has government already done for Skyline's Bartee? Skyline has already been awarded $1,000,000 from an RACP application in 2024 and this year. It has received $163,257 from a DCED Multimodal Transportation Funding Grant and a $175,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreational Program grant. It is seeking even more grant money from PennDOT, DCED Mixed Use Housing Development, another DCED Greenways grant, another DCED multimodal transportation grant, and Pa Historic tax credits

It also wants $28.5 million in federal tax equity credits.

WaPo Picks Up on Inconvenient Truths About Congressional Wannabe Bob Brooks

2026-04-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

Journalist Dan Merica, a co-anchor of the Early Brief at The Washington Post, has picked up on some of the more outrageous and Trumpesque social media posts that Pa. 07 Congressional candidate Bob Brooks posted before he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination. Of course, before Brooks announced, he gave his Facebook page a good scrubbing.

Although WaPo is kind enough to credit this blog for at least some of what I found, I got a lot of my material from Rich Wilkins' Apocalypse Vibes. He has a pretty good summary of his and my previous stories, which are now being picked up by more mainstream outlets after months of hesitation.

They didn't want to piss off Governor Josh Shapiro, who handpicked Brooks so he could get his hands on firefighter union campaign donations.

I don't know about you, but I tend to resent it when a Governor or the DCCC powerbrokers attempt to inject themselves in a primary.

Let us make our own mistakes.

Dixie Cup TIF - The Illogic of Zrinski's Logic

2026-04-20T00:02:00.007-04:00

I have written numerous times about a special tax break known as a TIF for the redevelopment of the long vacant Dixie Cup factory, located in Wilson Borough, into 405 luxury apartments. At a time when many families are facing increased housing costs here in the Lehigh Valley, it seems like a sick joke. Northampton County rejected this boondoggle in November in a narrow, 5-4 vote. But three of those no votes are no longer on Council, so like the Terminator, pitchman Brian Bartee was back again before a new County Council on Thursday night to sweeten the deal with a little more sugar to make the medicine (or should I say poison?) go down. Instead of a scant $1.2 million in county coffers, he's now willing to offer $2 million up front if the county would agree to a tax break that allows him to float bonds for $26.4 million in construction costs for the nesting perches of our well-too-do betters. We'll get the money back in 20 years. What could possibly go wrong?

While running for office and after taking the helm as county exec, Tara Zrinski has stated she'd be no Lamont McClure 2.0. That may be true, but she certainly seems like at least a Lamont McClure 1.5. Instead of proposing to tax the rich, the owners and renters of luxury apartments, she wants to give them a tax break

She started off by warning everyone, "I'm going to say some pretty unpopular things." But it was sweet music to the ears of private equity and developers whose bottom line is and always has been, "What's in it for me?" It was honey on the lips of trade unions who want the temporary construction jobs. And those trade unions, by the way, have bankrolled Zrinski's political ambition.

She acknowledged that she went on a tour of the site, and as she was perched on the roof or perhaps even the Dixie Cup with the raptors and vultures, she could see the state of disrepair of Wilson Borough homes. Some are in need of new roofs. Others need siding. That alone should have told her all she needed to know. This project will do nothing but create more disparity between the haves and the have nots.

She argued that the developer is willing to make public improvements to the property that will spare the county the expense of doing so. That's a flat-out canard. She knows that the county has nothing to do with roads, power lines or sewer. Moreover, the developer has proposed these changes for his own benefit, to make the luxury apartments more attractive. In reality, his apartment is going to create an even bigger traffic nightmare along 25th Street.

Her biggest and most illogical argument is that building 405 luxury apartments will ease the Lehigh Valley's housing shortage of 9,000 units. It will in fact exacerbate the problem.

Let me give you her argument, as she states it herself. "The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission says that we need 9000 units. That's not all affordable housing. There's a downward pressure that exists that is pushing people who can afford higher level into lower level. So while it doesn't intuitively make sense that if we put this higher priced apartment in, it makes sense if somebody who is occupying a $2,000 or $1,800 apartment or a $1,600 apartment, who could move into a $2,400 apartment, would be able to move because there's a place to go. Thus freeing up the other spaces. That is the logic here."

And that logic, as she puts it, is completely illogical. It assumes, and you know what happens when you assume, that the population remains constant. And that is belied by the very same Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, who notes we are adding 4,300 people every year, most from other states. So these luxury apartments will not be attracting affluent Lehigh Valley residents who will ditch a $1.600 a month apartment for one that rents at much higher rates for that cathedral ceiling. It will instead attract NY and NJ residents fleeing a higher cost of living there. It will make housing less affordable.

Take a look at nearby Easton, beautiful river town that is beginning to rival Frenchtown, Lambertville and New Hope. There are now several luxury apartments in what was once called Fishtown. Has that eased affordable housing there? The opposite has happened. It has attracted NY and NJ tenants who can commute or work from home. This in turn has made rentals there ridiculous. That problem is just made worse by giving a tax break for more luxury apartments even when a developer is willing to give you a pittance to ease your conscience at what you must know is wrong.

And what about nearby landlords like the Wilson Borough landlord who gobbles up properties at tax and sheriff's sales and then rents them out? They are delighted and one of them actually appeared at the TIF hearing in November. They can now demand even higher rents.

The only real way to ease the housing crisis is by encouraging more smart development that includes tiny homes, a reduction in minimum lot sizes and setbacks, an ease in tariffs on construction materials, accessory dwellings and more mixed-use development. County government has no say in any of these things.

As government screw-ups go, this would be the biggest one since the swaption debacle. And to make things worse, I have serious doubts that this great developer that Zrinski touted, will ever complete the project. More about that tomorrow,

PoliticsPa Posts, Deletes, Then Reposts Negative Story About Pa. 7 Congressional Candidate Bob Brooks

2026-04-17T00:57:00.004-04:00

PoliticsPa yesterday posted, then deleted, then reposted a negative story about Pa. 7 Congressional candidate Bob Brooks yesterday. The story, entitled "Questions Beginning to Arise Around Brooks Campaign in PA-07," was deleted shortly after publication. Then it reappeared, with the explanation that it had been deleted to give both Brooks and the DCCC time to respond.

I suspect power brokers in Harrisburg and DC were applying pressure because this happened at another new outlet yesterday

The story suggests that Brooks had a "difficult evening" during a recent debate at Cedar Crest. It was apparently so bad that the DCCC told debate organizers that they did not want the public to see a video of his performance. The account also cites several MAGA social media memes that Brooks posted on his Facebook page. It cites the $130,000 judgment his mother-in-law obtained as well as a new lawsuit claiming shenanigans in the transfer of real estate from his name to make him judgment proof. Finally, it notes his recent refusal to sit down with Lehigh Valley News for a one-on-one interview after agreeing to do so.

Interestingly, another news outlet, WFMZ-TV69, posted and then quickly deleted a negative story about Brooks yesterday as well. This one, entitled "Congressional candidate Bob Brooks faces lawsuit over property dispute and unpaid loan debt," can still be found on a google search engine. But when you click on the link, the story went Poof!

It's pretty clear to me that our fearless news sources are unwilling to serve the public interest when pressured by the powerful.

This is all very shady ... just like Brooks.

Zrinski Proposes "Continuum of Care" Director at Gracedale

2026-04-17T00:00:00.005-04:00

At a Council committee hearing on Wednesday, Exec Tara Zrinski began the process of outlining her vision for the transformation of Gracedale into a nursing home that includes more county employees, fewer agency nurses and is fiscally more healthy. Strangely, she's starting at the top.

She emphasized that Gracedale is one of the county’s largest and most significant assets, consisting of 688 certified beds. Its budget requires a census of 525 residents to break even, But curerently, and despite claims made several times by Administrator Michelle Mortin that this would improve, current occupancy is only 484–492. It has actually decreased. Despite this impending financial loss, she describes the home as an essential safety-net facility.

She told Council that Gracedale is currently operating under a fragmented leadership model. The Director of Human Services is responsible not only for Gracedale but also for multiple other departments, limiting the ability to provide focused, strategic oversight. According to Zrinski, this results in slower decision-making, reduced accountability, and insufficient long-term planning for a facility of this size and complexity.

To address this gap, she proposes the creation of a new leadership structure consisting of a Director of Continuum of Care and a Deputy Director. The Director would operate at a strategic level, overseeing long-term planning, financial sustainability, capital needs, and coordination with county leadership and external partners. The Deputy Director would focus more directly on financial oversight, reimbursement optimization, relationship-building, and implementation of strategic initiatives.

Zrinski stressed that these roles would not replace or duplicate the responsibilities of the nursing home administrator or existing staff. Instead, the administrator and assistant administrator would remain focused on daily operations, staffing, compliance, and resident care, while the new leadership positions would address higher-level strategic and financial challenges. She argued that this separation is necessary to improve both operational effectiveness and long-term outcomes.

She also outlined several anticipated benefits of the proposal. These include reducing reliance on agency staffing by an estimated 10 to 20 percent, improving financial performance through better Medicaid reimbursement capture and advocacy, increasing access to grants and partnerships, and enabling long-term modernization of the facility. She described this restructuring as the first step in a broader vision to transform Gracedale into a more comprehensive continuum of care, potentially expanding services to better meet the needs of a changing and more medically complex population.

In response to Councilman Dave Holland’s questions, Zrinski confirmed that the new leadership roles would play a direct role in reducing agency staffing costs by focusing on recruitment strategies, building partnerships with other facilities, and dedicating time to workforce development efforts that current leadership cannot fully pursue. She emphasized that these efforts require sustained attention and relationship-building, which is not feasible under the current structure.

Holland noted that this might be nothing more than a duplication of what already exists, but Zrinski insists that the proposed positions are fundamentally different in scope, focusing on strategic planning, financial oversight, and system-wide coordination rather than day-to-day operations. She further explained that nursing home finance is highly specialized, particularly given the county’s heavy reliance on Medicaid and the long delays in reimbursement, and that current staffing does not provide sufficient capacity to manage these complexities effectively.

Zrinski reiterated that the proposed structure is just the beginning of a larger transformation. She emphasized the need for leadership capacity to pursue external partnerships, advocate at the state level, improve reimbursement processes, and even rebuild philanthropic support, which she noted has declined over time. She argued that without this level of focused leadership, the county risks continued financial losses and the potential erosion of a critical public asset.

According to Zrinski, Cedarbrook has a similar Director.

Whistlin' Dixie in Wilson Borough: "I'll Give You $2 Million for $20 Million"

2026-04-17T00:00:00.003-04:00

At last night's NorCo Council meeting, a TIF for the Dixie Cup factory building in Wilson Borough was once again on the agenda. A state-required public hearing was conducted on the proposal to provide a tax break to a non-local developer with no experience to convert a vacant factory into 405 luxury apartments. A vote is scheduled for May 7.

This break is supported by Council members Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan and Jeff Warren. Executive Tara Zrinski also offered her support. To sweeten the pot, developer Brian Bartee has suggested he's willing to give the county $2 million in exchange for $20-29 million.

Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

I'll have a complete summary of the lengthy public hearing available early next week.

NorCo Council Member Discloses Possible Conflict With Wife's Appointment as Deputy Controller

2026-04-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

At last night's meeting of NorCo Council, member Jason Boulette disclosed that his wife Vanessa has taken on a new role as NorCo's Deputy Controller. A Villanova graduate (and member of the Big Easy Easton Jazz Band), she had been employed for 16 years by BNY, a financial services firm. Boulette said he'd recuse himself from all matters involving the Controller's office, which is an independent arm of county government. I appreciate his transparency and disclosure.

Former Congress Member Susan Wild Blasts Brooks Over His Refusal to Have a Sit Down With Lehigh Valley News

2026-04-16T00:00:00.004-04:00

Recently, Lehigh Valley News conducted a series of one-on-one interviews with three of the four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to Pa.'s 7th Congressional District. Ryan Crossell, Lamont McClure and Carol Obando-Derstine all participated. A fourth candidate, Bob Brooks, declined. I believe this is likely because he's ill-informed and is unwilling to answer uncomfortable questions about his fleecing of a family member, his refusal to pay an outstanding $130,000 judgment (first reported here) as well as his possible involvement in an alleged fraudulent scheme to convey real estate to his current wife to avoid paying off that judgment (first reported here).

This has the Lehigh Valley's former member of Congress, Susan Wild, who now is calling herself Suzy Ellis for some strange reason, really ticked off. Here's what she said on Facebook: "Bob Brooks decided to just not show up, and I have it on good authority that he ghosted Tom at the last minute. This is disqualifying, IMHO. One, the voters deserve every bit of information that they can get on these candidates. Two, who does Bob Brooks think he is? This smacks of ENTITLEMENT. Third, and just as important in my view, DON’T DISS JOURNALISTS. We in the Lehigh Valley are fortunate that LVNews stepped up and filled a void in news for us. I’m appalled by this behavior."

While I'd hardly rely on Wild or her identity politics, even a broken clock is right twice a day. Brooks would have to answer questions, not only about that judgment and his attempts to dodge it, but would need to explain his questionable financial disclosure. He'd need to explain some of his bizarre social media posts claiming that Obama "sucks" and supporting positions normally associated with MAGAs. He'd also have to explain why he was raising money for Lamont McClure before stabbing him in the back and running himself.

As I've noted before, he's shady.

Taiba Sultana Will Run For Easton Mayor

2026-04-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

In November, NorCo President Judge Craig Dally tossed a defamation lawsuit brought by Taiba Sultana against PA CITIZENS PAC, a political action committee formed by immigration attorney Ray Lahoud. The lawsuit was filed in response to campaign signs that called her "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL." The court also rejected defamation claims based on Facebooks statements that called her antisemitic and a "complete nutcase," among other things. She appealed but has apparently been too busy shooting Facebook videos to file a brief. In a one-sentence ruling, the Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected her appeal on April 10.

On April Fool's Day, Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey rejected Taiba Sultana's nomination petition for the Pa. State Senate because, though she claimed to be self-employed, she never bothered to state precisely how she was self-employed. As Judge Covey reasoned, allowing her to get away with such a bald assertion would mean that other candidates could simply claim they are employed, without saying where or how. She appealed, but shooting all those Facebook videos must have really taken its toll. The Supreme Court, on April 9, rejected her appeal. They did give her three sentences.

So what does this mean? Next year, her political vanity and self-importance will induce her to run for Easton Mayor ... again. This time she'll propose opening an embassy in Iran.

Politics PA: Independents Are on the Rise

2026-04-15T00:00:00.001-04:00

PoliticsPA reports that independent voters are on the rise. Of the 67,000 residents who registered to vote since September, 70% of them chose no political affiliation. This is in no doubt due to disenchantment with both political parties. I'd be registered independent myself if I could vote in primaries.

In the Pa. 7th Congressional district, 3,300 new voters are independents. Democrats have picked up 1,431, while Republicans only attracted 849. Independents currently make up 16.91% of the district's total voters.

This increase in the number of independent voters is precisely why they should be included in local election boards, as Lehigh County has proposed.

Jesus Trump and Cognitive Dissonance

2026-04-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

Above you can see the AI-created image of President Donald Trump as Jesus Christ, something he himself posted and later deleted on his own Truth Social account. He posted it to antagonize the Pope for daring to criticize him. He now claims that he thought the deleted post showed him as a doctor, which is obvious horseshit to me. I don't know anyone can excuse it, unless you're a member of the cult.

Every time someone writes about something even mildly critical about Trump, his minions begin to scream and holler, "TDS! TDS!" But I want to describe something else called cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance is the mental unease we all feel when people hold two conflicting beliefs or their actions go against their own beliefs. What we do is simply change our beliefs. We rationalize our bad behavior, be it smoking, unhealthy eating, booze or whatever.

Deep down, I believe we all know something is wrong with Trump. His latest portrayal of himself as Jesus is just the latest in a long line of bizarre and unhinged actions that actually preceded his entry into politics.

Three studies between 2019 and 2022 explain why Trump's followers remain loyal. A majority actually deny there's anything amiss. Others say his achievements outweigh his behavior. Still others will claim that Trump is just doing what other politicians or rich people do. This is classic cognitive dissonance in which someone adjusts his thinking when the facts are contrary to what he wants to believe.

While these studies focused on Trump, cognitive dissonance exists among rabid supporters of those on the left as well.

Data Center Developers Face Tough Crowd in Lower Mount Bethel Tp

2026-04-13T00:00:00.002-04:00

Late Thursday afternoon, I barreled up Rte. 611 through Lower Mount Bethel to meet Ron Angle and his son to attend a town hall meeting at Bangor Middle School for a proposed data center next to the PPL power plant. Whenever I approach Angle country, the skies usually turn dark and forbidding. As I get closer to his estate, hailstones start pounding my car and lightening streaks across the sky. Not this time. The weather was unusually balmy, and I was actually able to see the road. I passed no less than six "NO DATA CENTERS ON OUR FARMS" signs along the way, and one of them was actually on a farm. The rest were located at small residences or along public rights of way. I wondered to myself just how many people could possibly feel that strongly. Would they be willing to give up their Thursday evening to attend a meeting during which the developer would outline the proposal? The answer is Yes. There were well over 300 angry people jammed into the school's auditorium, and it quickly became apparent that they would rather see no development at all. They like things the way they are, and I doubt very much that any developer could do anything about it.

Those developers, by the way, are two of the classiest developers in this area - Mike Perrucci and JG Petrucci. They both have proven records of responsible residential and industrial development, particularly in the Bethlehem area. They brought a team of people from Talen Energy, PPL, to answer questions. They included a former EPA lawyer and even had Slate Belt's very own Lenny Zito, who has represented or sentenced nearly everyone in that area, sitting there as a "legal consultant." Occasionally, when a member of the public would say he or she knew him, Zito would look down from the stage with a knowing smile.

Governor Ed Rendell's former press secretary acted as facilitator. While she did a fairly good job of making sure everyone could be heard, she did commit a rather serious blunder at the onset. She started the meeting without a pledge of allegiance, which really riled Angle. That's no biggie to me, but I see enough American (and Trump) flags throughout that neck of the county to know he was likely one of several people in an already hostile crowd who got even more upset.

There's things you just don't do in the slate belt. You don't say professional wrestling is fake. You don't turn down Little Debbie snack cakes. You don't refer to farmland as "underutilized." And you sure as hell don't skip the pledge. If the developers wanted to get on the good side of these people, they should have brought pork rinds or at least a few rolls of duct tape.

John Callahan, Bethlehem's former Mayor, was the pitchman. And don't let him fool you. He's smart as shit. He and Don Cunningham, another of Bethlehem's former Mayors, miraculously prevented Bethlehem from going tets up when Bethlehem Steel suddenly closed. Cunningham gave Bethlehem hope. Callahan gave Bethlehem a casino. (They both were smart enough to rely on Tony Hanna to completely revitalize the city's south side with one of the only TIFs that even I would support.)

Callahan started off by complimenting his audience for being there, saying that they obviously care. Things got ugly for awhile when the mike stopped working, but it was eventually fixed.

Peter Polt, one of JG Petrucci's top lieutenants, told the audience that they are only in a "very early part of the process," which I'd translate to mean that they're willing to make changes to address public concerns.

He's proposing a 1.2-gigawatt data center "campus" (meaning more than one) that is sustainable. He said there would be no manufacturing, no warehouses, no heavy traffic, no light pollution, buffering against noise and minimal use of water. He said stories about noisy data centers that gobble up water and power are older facilities and that new technology has greatly reduced both water and power needs.

Another speaker from Talen Energy stated that the average golf course uses about 80 million gallons of water a year, but the data center proposed will use only 60% of that, about 50 million gallons.

Importantly, no groundwater will be used, as Lower Mount Bethel residents rely on ground water for their own needs. Instead, the date center will be cooled by leveraging the existing water infrastructure around the power plant, which uses water from the Delaware River for cooling. The data center will also recycle nonpotable and storm water. He added that water b=pulled in from the river is regulated by the Delaware River Basin Comm'n as well as the DEP..

The power would come from the existing power plant and would in no way reduce power available to local consumers.

When Polt showed a map of the data center, it became apparent that there likely will be more than one. This seemed to make people angry. When he referred to those lands as "underutilized," people got even more worked up.

The very first public of several dozen speakers from the audience saud that "two companies and developers cannot be trusted to tell the truth about all these details of their builds, how much power, water, etc., they can use, nor the noise levels nor the environmental violations that the center is capable of accomplishing ... .She referred to "what monstrosities have been built in Tatamy, East Allen, Macungie, Nazareth, I could keep going. They are all ugly, no matter how many arbor vitae you plant. ... You say that our land is underutilized. It's farmland. And you guys are just consuming. The only thing you care about is utilizing our land for your profit and your unnamed end user.

And so it continued.

There was strong community opposition, with many residents expressing concerns about the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the project. Several speakers emphasized their deep connection to the area, noting its rural, agricultural character and the reasons they chose to live there, including peace, natural beauty, and wildlife.

A primary concern raised was the potential environmental impact of the data center. Residents cited worries about excessive electricity usage, water consumption, noise pollution, and harm to local ecosystems, including wildlife such as bald eagles. There is a bald eagle nest on one of the sites being considered, where the developer has proposed a 600" radius around the nest.

There was also skepticism and distrust toward the developers. They even objected to the way developers were dressed, most with sports jackets.

In Lower Mount Bethel, the appropriate attire for men is a sports hat or Carhart, preferably both. Women seem to like stretch pants.

"We don't want to be Bethlehem, we don't want to be Forks Tp," said one resident who prefers driving a little more each day to her job so she can enjoy living near farms. Residents expressed fears that the project would permanently alter the quiet, rural environment they value. Noise from cooling systems, potential industrial expansion, and visual impacts were all cited as threats. Some residents stated clearly that no level of mitigation would be acceptable if it changed the character of the township.

Developers and representatives responded by emphasizing that the project is still in early stages and that no final designs have been determined. They highlighted potential economic benefits, including increased tax revenue and investment, and stated that regulatory processes would govern water usage, environmental protection, and noise standards. They also noted that infrastructure such as the nearby power plant makes the site attractive for development. When they noted the tax benefit, they were accused of bribing residents.

Additional concerns included:

- Lack of early community engagement and communication

- Potential rezoning of agricultural land

- Impacts on neighboring communities and shared natural resources

- Long-term expansion beyond the initially proposed footprint

- Accountability if negative outcomes occur

Several speakers called on local officials to prioritize residents’ voices, uphold environmental protections, and ensure transparency throughout the decision-making process. One key question posed to the developers was whether they would withdraw the project if it is ultimately rejected by local governing bodies, to which the developers responded that they would not pursue a project that is formally denied.

Lehigh County Considers Adding Independent to Elections Board

2026-04-10T10:08:00.000-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2026-04-09T00:00:00.004-04:00

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

These include the following:

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

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

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

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

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

(6) Conducting Zoom hearings without authorization.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump Blinks ... Again

2026-04-08T00:00:00.003-04:00

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

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

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

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

2026-04-08T00:00:00.001-04:00

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

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

Pa. 7th Congressional Race and Prediction Markets

2026-04-07T00:00:00.002-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When the President of the United States is an Internet Troll

2026-04-06T00:00:00.002-04:00

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

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

2026-04-03T00:00:00.002-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Donald Trump and the Pottery Barn Rule

2026-04-02T00:00:00.004-04:00

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

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

I've never seen anything like it.