69News:Regional: Lehigh Valley

Lehigh County commissioners initiate process to appoint a county executive

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:04:07 GMT

Lehigh County commissioners will appoint a county executive by July 2 to replace William Hansell, who resigned as executive Friday because of poor health.

The appointee will serve until an elected executive takes office in January.

While seven of the nine commissioners are Republicans, that appointee must be a Democrat, the same party as Hansell, according to the county's home rule charter.

The commissioners have 45 days from Friday to fill the vacancy.

Applications will be sought by placing a notice in local newspapers.

Candidates must be residents of the county and registered to vote for at least one year.

Individuals interested should submit an application letter to: Lisa Scheller, Chair, Lehigh County Board of Commissioners, 17 S. Seventh St., Allentown,
PA 18101-2400.

Applications must be received by 4 p.m. May 28.

Applications will be forwarded to the commissioners' Intergovernmental & Appointments Committee, which will review them and make a recommendation to the full board of commissioners by June 17, according to Scheller.

The commissioners can confirm or reject the committee's recommendation. If rejected, any commissioner can nominate any other qualified person.

Commissioners could select a county executive before the July 2 deadline, noted David Barilla, clerk to the commissioners.

If the commissioners fail to fill the vacancy, it will be filled by the county Court of Common Pleas.

The appointee will serve until replaced by an elected executive, who will take office Jan. 6.

Thomas Muller, the Democratic candidate for executive, will face either Republicans Bob Ott or Dean Browning in the November election.

When Hansell resigned, he appointed Muller, the county's director of administration, as acting county executive until commissioners appoint a new executive. Muller also served as acting executive in 2012, from the time Don Cunningham resigned July 8 until Hansell was sworn in Aug. 29.

Cunningham was elected. Hansell was appointed by the commissioners to complete Cuningham's term after he resigned.

Family Stone to join KC & The Sunshine Band at Musikfest

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:29:06 GMT

A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group will join KC and the Sunshine Band on the Musikfest stage in August.

The Family Stone will join in a night of nonstop dancing on the Sands Steel Stage on August 8.

Founded in 1967, Sly and the Family Stone produced classics such as “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Everyday People,” “Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin,” “Dance To The Music” and more.

The band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music.

In 1993 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the KC & The Sunshine Band concert go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. to ArtsQuest members, and will cost $32 and $42.

The general public will be able to buy tickets starting May 24 at 10 a.m. at www.musikfest.org and by phone at 610-332-3378.

Easton police investigate several car fires

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:08:07 GMT

Police in Easton are looking into a series of arsons that left five cars damaged over the weekend.

Officials say three cars were set on fire at about 3:45 Saturday morning in the 1000, 1100 and 1200 block of Lehigh Street.

Around 1:20 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of a vehicle damaged by fire the 1400 block of Washington Street, and one in the 1200 block of Lehigh Street.

All of the vehicles are being processed for evidence and Easton Police detectives along with the Easton Fire Department are investigating.

Police say they are looking for a man who was seen driving away from the area during one of the fires on Lehigh Street.

He is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inchest to 5 feet tall, wearing light -colored clothes.

He may have fled east on Lehigh Street.

There was also a report of an unknown black vehicle fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police is asked to call the detectives at 610-250-6639 or Easton Police tip line at 610-250-6635.

Teen caught inside Parkland's Springhouse Middle School

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:03:38 GMT

A teenager is under arrest after police say he broke into a Lehigh County middle school.

Police said they responded to an alarm from Springhouse Middle School in South Whitehall Township around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

Officers entered the school and saw someone run away from the building.c

Police say they caught the teen and then searched the entire building to make sure everything was safe.

It appears the teenager was trying to steal a television set, according to police.

Caitlin Dickey loses battle to cancer

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:01:01 GMT

A little girl battling cancer we told you about recently has passed away.

On Friday, Caitlin Dickey lost her fight with brain cancer.

Caitlin, of Center Valley, Lehigh Co., was diagnosed five years ago.

She got to throw out the first pitch recently at a game at the Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley.

Her mom, Meri Dickey, said Caitlin's brain tumor samples will be donated for research in hopes some other child will benefit.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 E. Market Street in Bethlehem.

Calling times are Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street in Bethlehem, and on Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Neuro-Oncology Fund at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104-4399.

Caitlin would have turned 10 on June 6.

College grads confident about finding that first job

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:30:34 GMT

They're ready to take on the world.

Hundreds of outgoing college students in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley had on their caps and gowns Sunday. It was a day four years in the making.

"Pretty excited," said Muhlenberg College graduate Aaron Segal. "Pretty overwhelmed, kind of just amazed, amazed that we actually made it."

Sunday morning, undergrads walked across the stage to collect their diplomas. But it's a bittersweet day.

"I have an internship set up right now. I'm going to work for the Disney College program," shared Muhlenberg College graduate Leeann Williams. "But after that I'm nervous about where I'm going to go."

With the economy still a bit shaky, graduation day can seem as gloomy as the skies were Sunday.

A survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers reports businesses only plan to hire 2.1% more college graduates from the class of 2013 than they did from the class of 2012.

Luckily, many of these co-eds tell 69 News they already have jobs waiting for them.

"I started interviewing for jobs back over winter break and had multiple interviews," said John Reimer, a graduate from Albright College. "I went to career fairs, things like that throughout the spring semester."

"Obviously with the economy the way it is, I went out of my way to start early. I did my best and it worked out for me in the end," said Albright College graduate Vincent Giorgio.

Their secret was starting the search months ahead of commencement day. Most seem pretty optimistic they'll beat the unemployment statistics.

"I think there are definitely doubts and reservations," added Segal. "But at the end of the day, I think if you let fear of finding a job overwhelm you, then you're not going to be able to find a job."

Guns down, hot dogs honor Khaliq Al-Shabazz's memory

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:07:00 GMT

The free hot dogs might've grabbed your attention, but the real focus was on stopping gun violence..

This was the fourth annual Guns Down Community Hot Dog Day in Easton.

It's in memory of Khaliq Al-Shabazz -- an outspoken anti-violence activist -- who was murdered eight years ago.

Before his death, he began the guns down program where folks could come into the fire station or police station and hand in their guns.

He was also known for his community hot dogs days when he would set up his grill and hand out hot dogs.

"The thing that keeps us going to most is that people remember that he gave out the hot dogs so we have to keep his memory alive like that," said organizer Patricia Alford.

Sunday's event was held at 12th and Ferry streets.

Timothy Reichard killed in motorcycle crash in Washington Township

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:51:19 GMT

Police have identified the man who was killed in a motorcycle accident Friday afternoon.

Timothy Reichard died after his bike was hit by a SUV driven by Jayson Wagner, police said.

Wagner blew a stop sign at the intersection of Park Avenue and Oakwood Lane around 2:30 p.m. Friday, police said. He hit the motorcycle, sending Reichard and his passenger flying off the bike.

Reichard, 52, of Schnecksville, Lehigh Co., later died, said state police, who had no information about the condition of his passenger.

Wagner, 63, of Quakertown, Bucks Co., and his passenger were taken to the hospital.

Police have not said what charges may be filed in the case.

A Pennsylvania State Police accident re-construction team was on the scene of the crash for hours.

Police: Group robs Allentown restaurant

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:50:18 GMT

Police say they're on the hunt for a group of men who robbed a local restaurant overnight.

It happened just after 11 Saturday night at a Chinese restaurant on the 1700 block of Liberty Street in Allentown.

Officials say four to five black or Hispanic men stormed the restaurant, wielding guns.

No one was hurt in the ordeal but an unknown amount of cash was stolen.

Police say an investigation has been launched.

Color Me Rad brightens up Bethlehem

Sun, 19 May 2013 22:58:35 GMT

In Bethlehem Sunday morning, the Color Me Rad 5K at SteelStacks was the place where you were plastered with color bombs -- as you run.

They used almost 5,000 pounds of cornstarch-based paint.

Proceeds are being donated to scholarship and financial aid programs at Lehigh University.

69 News Week in Review

Sun, 19 May 2013 22:53:09 GMT

It's time to take a look back at the stories making headlines this week in the 69 News Week in Review.

* * *

Monday, an entire neighborhood is in mourning following the loss of a family to a fire in Schuylkill County.

The fire happened right before midnight on Mother's Day on Pierce Street in Pottsville.

Four young children, all siblings, along with their father and aunt, perished in a fire that ripped through their home almost instantaneously.

The only member of the family to survive is the mom, who was at a neighbor's doing laundry when the fire broke out.

* * *

Tuesday, a cold case in Berks County heats up.

Police make two arrests in connection with the murder of Hope Babel in her Shoemakersville home back in 2002.

A woman and her son from Tilden Township are charged for their alleged roles.

Police say the son committed the homicide and his mother lied to investigators.

* * *

Wednesday, a bank employee in Berks County is in hot water for allegedly selling personal information belonging to bank customers.

Detectives say an internal investigation ended in the arrest of a Shillington woman who used to work for Wachovia Bank, now Wells Fargo.

Police say Lisbhett Yomarya Díaz stole sensitive account information and sold it for 20 dollars per name.

Investigators say the criminals who purchased the stolen account information cashed fraudulent checks in excess of $74,000.

* * *

Thursday, lawmakers in New Jersey pitch a plan that would up the minimum age for buying a pack of cigarettes.

The proposal would increase the current minimum age of 19 to 21.

The proposal is garnering mixed reactions.

Supporters say the plan would help prevent young adults from becoming life-long smokers.

Opponents say the measure won't make any noticeable difference because underage smokers will continue to find ways to get hold of cigarettes.

* * *

Friday, a Lehigh County mom is arrested for allegedly feeding poisoned burritos to her family.

Court records say Ann Marie Haines fed the burritos laced with prescription medicine to her husband and daughter because Ann Marie was upset she was not asked to go shop for a new car.

Officials say the victims were transported to the hospital after complaining of feeling tired and dizzy.

69 News wins big at PA Associated Press Broadcast Awards

Sun, 19 May 2013 16:58:46 GMT

WFMZ-TV is proud to announce that 69 News has won three first place awards from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcast Association Awards.

69 News took first place for the following work:

Spot News: "The Bridge of Death" - Dwayne Parker & Brett Miller

Public Affairs: "Poverty to Prosperity: Reading looks to the Future" - Karin Mallett, Lee Jenkins & the Reading Eagle

Documentary: "Time Bomb: Allentown Gas Explosion" - Jaccii Farris, Amy Unger & Albert Castro

Continued economic development is the focus of Bethlehem Democratic mayoral primary

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:04:31 GMT

The two candidates facing off in the Democratic mayoral primary in Bethlehem have both built their campaigns around continuing the economic development of the city.

J. William Reynolds spoke extensively about "building up our tax base as a way to keep property taxes down" during a recent interview with WFMZ.com.

His opponent, and fellow city councilman, Robert Donchez, in a separate interview with WFMZ.com, stressed the importance of "marketing Bethlehem to attract new businesses [and] retaining businesses that are already here."

Both men are vying to replace term-limited Mayor John Callahan, and the winner will likely be Bethlehem's next mayor, because there are no Republican candidates running for the office.

Reynolds' plans are encapsulated in a program he calls "Winning Our Neighborhoods" -- "Neighborhood development is one of the ways to attract middle-class families to Bethlehem," he believes -- while Donchez has made "streamlining the process at City Hall for businesses" a key plank in his platform.

Reynolds, who has been a council member for six years, said Bethlehem has undergone an "economic renaissance" in the last decade and a half, and if it is to continue, the next mayor must know how to "attract jobs and investment to the city." He noted there are "great employees in City Hall," with untapped talents that could be used to keep the city's economy growing.

Donchez, who has been on council since 1996, said he would appoint a "point person" in the community development department so that business owners "could get the same answers to their questions whether they call on a Monday or Thursday." Also, Donchez said it's very important to make sure every department knows what's happening, because the competition for business if fierce, especially with the ongoing comeback of Easton's downtown and Allentown's new Neighborhood Improvement Zone.

Reynolds said one of his goals is "delivering services to taxpayers at the most cost effective prices." As examples, he suggested the possibility of a centralized office in City Hall for accounts receivable and payable, and using LED lighting in street lamps. "The world is becoming more and more technology based, and I would move City Hall ahead in that way," Reynolds said.

Donchez said he will gather a group of financial experts and business leader "to review the workings of city hall … to make government more efficient," adding he would expect a report from the group soon after he took office. The City Hall department haven't been reorganized since Don Cunningham was mayor [in the late 1990s and early 2000s].

Donchez said he wants to explore using a two-year budget as some cities have. "I don't have all the answers, but I'm not afraid to ask the questions."

Reynolds, 31, a social studies teacher at William Allen High School in Allentown and a former legislative aide to State Rep. Steve Samuelson, was asked what special quality sets him apart from Donchez, 63, who is chief of staff to State Rep. Dan McNeill and a retired teacher who spent 35 years behind a desk at William Allen.

"I've built my campaign around empowering residents," said Reynolds, who estimated he's knocked on about 4,000 doors during this campaign. "There are people bringing an energetic, positive vision to the city to keep us competitive with other municipalities. There are exciting things are happening in the city, and my personality can really bring that to the table."

Responding to the same question, Donchez replied, "My father [a Bethlehem police detective] instilled in me the importance of public service, and I've done so by serving on a lot of city boards and nonprofits and being a teacher, even paying for [some students'] AP tests. Giving back is what I've tried to do my whole life. … I lost my dad at an early age [from a heart attack on Christmas Day, 1968, when Donchez was 18]. That changed my life in a split second. … I had to grow up fast, help take care of my mom and help raise my brother. I'm tougher than people give me credit for."

The ages of the candidates has been a steady undercurrent in the campaign. Reynolds brushed off suggestions that he may be too young to be mayor. "We have a history of young mayors in Bethlehem," pointing out that outgoing Mayor Callahan and former mayors Don Cunningham and Gordon Mowrer were all about his age when they were elected.

"The campaign should be about ideas, where the city needs to go," Reynolds said. "It's unfortunate that Bob looks at my age as kind of a negative thing. It's not what I'm hearing from people when I'm going door to door."

When the age issue was brought up, Donchez said, "My leadership and experience throughout the city and really knowing the history of the city would service us well.

He bristled, however, when asked about claims that he believes he is entitled to be mayor. "I totally disagree with that, that as the senior member of city council I am entitled to be mayor. I want the public to judge me on my record on council [and] what I'm offering … I don't like when people say that to me … I feel I have to be the better candidate. I want people to evaluate my platform, my ideas and my vision."

Both candidates were asked if this campaign will affect the usually harmonious way city council does business.

"I think city has government has always been concerned about doing the best thing for the city," Reynolds responded. "I take a lot of pride in being the same guy before election as after election. People respect that about me. After [the] May 21 [primary], business will move forward. … We're running with our own ideas. When we've disagreed, it's always on a policy basis. It's not personal."

Donchez said, "It's been a spirited campaign, and you have different members [of council] supporting Reynolds and me. … But when the election's over on May 21, the politics is over."

Asked if, as a member of council, would he be able to work with a Reynolds administration, Donchez said, "The answer is yes, and I hope he'd say the same thing of Mayor Donchez. … I consider Willie a friend. I've had him over for picnics and to watch TV in my house. I even offered him my notes on teaching."

Asked if he would have any difficulty working with a Donchez administration, Reynolds answered, "I don't think I'm going to lose, so I haven't really thought about it."

Fire damages Allentown home

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:09:29 GMT

A fire caused substantial damage to a home in Allentown on Friday night.

Officials say the fire broke out around 9:30 p.m. in the attic of a home on the 2300 block of Fairview Street.

Crews needed about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.

No injuries were reported.

The home is currently unoccupied due to fire and smoke damage, officials said.

As of early Saturday morning, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Officials say the fire was contained to the attic of the home.

'Suspicious' car fires under investigation in Easton

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:04:26 GMT

Authorities in Easton believe several car fires early Saturday morning may have been intentionally set.

Three vehicle fires occurred around 3:40 a.m. on Lehigh Street, between the 1000 and 1200 blocks, police said.

Two of the cars were on fire when officers responded to the scene. The third fire was extinguished before major damage was done, police said. Officers recovered evidence from the three scenes.

Police said they were called back to the 1200 block of Lehigh Street around 10 a.m. Saturday for a report of a vehicle damaged by fire and found the inside had damage that had been extinguished for hours.

Officers were then called to the 1400 block of Washington Street on Saturday afternoon for another report of a vehicle damaged by fire and found a similar situation.

Police said they have a person of interest in the case who was seen in the 1200 block of Lehigh Street at the time of one of the fires.

That person is described as a white man standing between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet tall, wearing light-colored clothing. Police said he may have fled east on Lehigh Street, possibly in an unknown black vehicle.

Anyone with information about the fires is asked to contact Easton police at 610-250-6639 or 610-250-6635.

Police in Northampton County locate two missing children

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:06:10 GMT

Police say they have located two children who went missing early Saturday morning in Wilson Borough, Northampton County.

Wilson police say they received a call around 3:30 Saturday morning from a passing motorist who informed dispatch that he observed what appeared to be a young boy in the Courthouse Credit parking lot on the 1600 block of Butler St.

Officers responded to the area and searched for the juvenile, but were unable to locate him.

Police say it was determined the boy resided on the 300 block of South 17th St.

Upon speaking with the parents, police say they learned there were two missing juveniles, a four-year-old and a five-year-old.

Police departments from Easton, Forks and Palmer, along with the Wilson Borough Fire Department and Suburban EMS, assisted in the search.

A short time later, the juveniles were located inside of a vehicle nearby. There were no injuries to the juveniles.

An investigation into this incident is ongoing by Northampton County Children & Youth, as well as the Wilson Borough Police Department. No further details are available at this time.

Scott Ott, Dean Browning set for Lehigh County Executive primary battle

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:41:02 GMT

Old promises and decisions mark the animosity between the two Republican candidates for Lehigh County Executive.

County Commissioner Scott Ott and former Commissioner Dean Browning are in a heated primary contest that will be decided at the polls Tuesday.

The winner will run in the general election against Democrat Thomas Muller, the county’s acting executive, to determine who will be the next County Executive in 2014.

This is Ott’s second attempt to become county executive. In November 2009, he was defeated by Democrat Don Cunningham by only 862 votes.

Every vote matters even more in a primary election, because turn-out traditionally is low. Less than 20 percent of the county’s registered voters cast ballots in the last four primaries.

Browning says Ott is "disingenuous" for recently accepting a $20,000 campaign contribution from Lisa Scheller, chairwoman of the County Commissioners. He said Ott and Scheller ran together to become commissioners in 2010 on a platform that promised to maintain checks and balances on the power of the county executive.

“How much of a check and balance is there if the chairman of the board of commissioners is donating a third of the money to the campaign of the county executive candidate?” asked Browning.

Ott repeatedly ties Browning to a 16 percent county tax increase in 2010, an increase Browning said he never voted for when he was commissioner. Ott even calls it “Dean Browning’s 16 percent tax hike” and says Browning “voted with Democrats to jack up your taxes.”

Scott Ott (top) and Dean Browning

“When he ran for commissioner in 2011, Scott said he had a specific plan to roll back taxes by 16 percent,” said Browning. “Two years have gone by with Scott in office, but he has not done that. He's not fulfilled a single issue of his campaign. It's all about politics, not about being fiscally responsible.”

Responded Ott: “It's almost laughable to hear Dean Browning complaining about how I have yet to succeed in rolling back all of Dean Browning's 16 percent tax hike, although we'd be a lot closer if two Republicans -- Percy Dougherty and Brad Osborne -- didn't vote with the Democrats last year.

“That said, we're making progress. We actually cut the tax rate and put $3 million back into the pockets of local taxpayers, plus we stopped creation of a new bureaucracy that would have cost millions and we restored fairness to property assessments, freezing one of the biggest causes of higher taxes.”

The two candidates spent much of their time debating that 16 percent county tax increase recently on Tony Iannelli’s “Business Matters” show on WFMZ.

Browning considers himself a conservative Republican, but charges: “Scott has some views that are outside the mainstream of conservative thought. He believes Social Security and Medicare should be eliminated because they are not in the Constitution.”

Ott calls himself a common sense, reform-minded Republican. He said he has never identified himself as a member of the Tea Party and doesn’t attend meetings of the local organization except when invited to speak as a candidate, but indicated folks in the group have raised important issues about the role of government.

Browning was a county commissioner from 2008-2011, including two years as chairman. He said he lost re-election in 2011 because Ott put together a slate of candidates to specifically target him. Ott, who was part of that slate, is in his second year as commissioner. He said he has been vice-chairman of the board since taking office.

“In many of his actions, Scott is disingenuous,” said Browning. “Two years ago, when Scott and Lisa Scheller put together a slate of candidates to run for commissioner, one of their mantras was to serve as a check and balance on the county executive. As of May 6, Ott reported that he received more than $60,000 in campaign contributions. Of that, $20,000 came from Lisa Scheller, who is now chair of the county commissioners.”

Ott said he is honored to have the friendship and support of Scheller, whom he described as “a solid conservative reformer, and the best chairman of the board we have had in recent memory.”

Ott added: “Mr. Browning's inference is odd, especially since he tried to coordinate an effort in 2009 to run a slate of commissioner candidates with me as the executive candidate. I declined because I didn't like the direction the board was going and didn't want to be linked to it.”

Ott charged that Browning “presided over $10.19 million in spending increases and a complete draining of millions in county reserves” when Browning was county commissioner.

If elected County Executive, Browning promises to reduce the county’s deficit with no tax hike.

The 51-year-old Ott, who has lived in Lehigh County for nine years, is a professional writer and TV host doing current events commentary for Los Angeles-based PJTV.com.

The 57-year-old Browning, who has lived in the county more than 33 years, is Executive Vice President of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Allentown-based New World Aviation.

Here, in their own words, is more from the two candidates:

Why do you want to be county executive?

Browning: Lehigh County is home to over 350,000 citizens who are looking for a better, more prosperous life. Lehigh County government has a small, but important role to play in that. I am running to use my more than thirty years of business experience to make sure that Lehigh County government fulfills its responsibilities in an excellent and cost effective manner while living within its means. That requires ending the county’s practice of spending more than it takes in.

Ott: I want to continue the work of reforming county government that we have begun on the commissioner board. Through common-sense process reforms, we can create a government that's sustainable without an ever-increasing share of your wallet; accountable for results, not just good intentions; focused on what government must do, not everything politicians dream it could do, and effective in delivering the services it must with quality, courtesy and speed, at a good value.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Browning: Lehigh County has a $360 million budget and over 2,000 employees. We cannot afford on-the-job-training for our next county executive. I have over 30 years of experience balancing budgets, creating jobs and growing the economy while working as part of several successful Lehigh Valley companies. As commissioner, I stood up to union bosses, initiated a pay freeze, reformed the county’s compensation and pension system and saved taxpayers $6.7 million. My spending reforms reduced the deficit by 65 percent and I worked with a leading conservative lawmaker in Harrisburg to change state law and give voters the right to reject future debt for capital projects. I will bring real world business experience and a proven track record of putting fiscally conservative principles into practice to improve the quality of life for the people of Lehigh County.

Ott: I have a demonstrated leadership record in office that produced a lower tax rate and less spending, and a willingness to take a fresh approach (and to take the heat) when the old ways are failing. For much of my career in work and as a community volunteer leader, I have helped organizations transition to new ways, bringing new approaches to solve old problems. As a commissioner, I have worked with a team to change the way we approach the budget, avoiding the trap that ensnared and defeated previous Republican-controlled boards. As a result, we achieved an actual spending cut and a real tax rate reduction.

What do you consider the biggest problem or problems facing county government?

Browning: The key issue the next county executive will have to successfully address is the county’s fiscal situation. Under the budget just approved by the current commissioners, the county’s deficit has gotten bigger, not smaller. We need to truly balance the budget and eliminate the deficit and we need to do that without raising taxes. Lehigh County government has to live within its means just like those residents who live here. That will require a county executive with the knowledge to identify real spending reforms and the courage and ability to implement them. As commissioner, I stood up to the unions and implemented a pay freeze and I worked to reform the compensation and pension system. My efforts helped to reduce spending by $6.7 million and produced two straight budgets with year-over-year spending reductions.

Ott: There are two major problems, and many others. Number one is patterns of behavior that always lead to higher taxes. Number two is a lack of accountability for results, which leads to spending based on good intentions rather than return on investment. The culture of government demonizes those who challenge the status quo, rather than welcoming new ideas and tough questions that are the only hope for innovation and improvement. Because critical voices are marginalized, the government lacks pressure to change. This attitude leads to habitual spending increases and periodic tax rate hikes.

What is your top priority if elected county executive?

Browning: To truly balance the county’s budget and eliminate the deficit without raising taxes.

Ott: To drive down costs by bringing managed competition to every function of government, allowing government employees to compete with private-sector providers on a level playing field. This is the only way to establish whether taxpayers are paying the best price for these services. If government employees provide the best service at the best price, they'll win the bid. Winning these contracts in a legitimate competitive process will also help remove the stigma of government work. Our county employees should have a chance to excel, and to prove their excellence. We'll also expand the use of competitive bidding. Too often the commissioners are asked to play the part of the market in determining whether we're getting a good price. Commissioners are not qualified to do this; only a free market can accurately price goods and services.

What do you consider greatest accomplishment in office?

Browning: When I joined the board of commissioners in 2008, county employees received two increases every year, a step increase and a merit increase. I worked to end that practice for non-union employees and changed the county’s compensation system so they would no longer be eligible for both but would receive one or the other. By initiating a pay freeze for union employees in meet-and-discuss units, I was able to have the two-increase practice eliminated in the contracts for the four major groups of union employees at the county.

Ott: My greatest accomplishment has been working together with fellow commissioners to cut spending, reduce the tax rate and to stop one of the biggest drivers of higher tax rates by restoring constitutional fairness to property assessments, thus ending spot appeals that benefited only big property owners.

What would you most like voters to know about you that they may not know?

Browning: In my four years on the board of commissioners, I never missed a single commissioner meeting or a single committee meeting. This effort and attention to detail was one of the reasons the county was able to control expenses and spend significantly less than what was budgeted during each of the years I was a commissioner.

Ott: When I ran for commissioner in 2011, with a team of reformers, we promised a phased rollback of Dean Browning's 16 percent tax hike, and in our first year it began. One of the major drivers of higher tax rates was the county's failure to assess property for more than 20 years. Eighty percent of values were wrong. Big property owners were successfully challenging their assessments and seeing their tax bills slashed. The loss of some $51 million in revenue to local schools, municipalities and the county over five years drove elected officials to jack up tax rates. So, reassessment was already happening, but it was only benefiting large property owners and hurting everyone else. When we took that 8-0 bipartisan vote to proceed with the reassessment, we not only obeyed the Pennsylvania Constitution by restoring fairness, but we did the most effective thing the board has done in years to restrain the growth of the tax rate.

And what would you most like voters to know about your opponent that they may not know?

Browning: In 2010, Scott Ott personally told me that the “send the budget” back option was never about eliminating Don Cunningham’s 16 percent tax increase but that it was all about making Cunningham “own the budget.”

Ott: While Dean Browning was single-handedly responsible for the 16 percent tax hike, and oversaw the spending increases and depletion of reserves that led to it, the 16 percent tax hike was a symptom of a deeper problem. His difficulty seems to lie in two areas: unwillingness to change when the current approach is failing and inability to lead or to build a coalition to implement what he believes. After several years of attempting to make line-item budget cuts, and failing every time, in 2010 Mr. Browning's Republican colleagues suggested an alternative approach--sending the budget back to the county executive. Voters had recently amended the home rule charter to allow this, because they were tired of big tax hikes that happened despite the fact that commissioners “never voted for a tax hike.” Sending the budget back would have initiated a negotiation that led to a lower tax hike, and in any case, there was nothing to lose by trying. Mr. Browning abandoned all four of his Republican colleagues and voted with Democrats to reject the move. As a result, the 16 percent hike took effect by default, and he's still saying: “I never voted for a tax increase.” Those are the kind of shenanigans voters were trying to stop when they amended the charter. Mr. Browning's failure of leadership is reflected in the fact that even as chairman of the board, he could not persuade a single Republican to vote with him, but instead was led by the Democrat county executive to do what the Democrats wanted.

Do you have any response to what your opponent said above?

Browning: Since the county executive (Don Cunningham at that time) is the chief budget officer of the county under our home rule charter, and is the one who developed and proposed the budget, it is interesting to read that somehow I am "single-handedly" responsible for the budget that Cunningham proposed. As far as the option of sending the budget back being a "no lose" option, then the question becomes why didn't Scott send this year's budget back? He had the opportunity to do that under the home rule charter provision he cites once County Executive William Hansell resubmitted a budget with a different level of taxation. Scott also talks about my "failure of leadership" without mentioning the fact that I worked to reform the compensation system and initiated a pay freeze for meet-and-discuss union employees. This led to two straight budgets of actual year-over-year spending reductions. Scott also fails to mention that under his leadership, and with a 7-2 Republican majority, the spending reduction he achieved was the smallest in the past three years.

Ott: Mr. Browning's memory is not accurate. It was Dean Browning's Republican colleagues on the board who proposed sending the budget back to the executive. They did it in an effort to stop the 16 percent tax hike and said they believed sending it back would initiate a negotiation that would at least reduce the amount of the tax hike. The county executive, indeed, should "own the budget." Under the home rule charter, he's the chief budget officer. However, Mr. Browning told me then that he feared that if they sent the budget back, Cunningham might make draconian, irresponsible cuts to try to make the commissioners look bad. I said that if Cunningham does that, the commissioners would not need to take action, and the executive's irresponsible budget would go into effect. My point was that the executive knew this, and therefore he would not make irresponsible cuts. It's not clear whether Mr. Browning doesn't know how to negotiate, or was simply not willing to do so. In any case, Mr. Browning also voted down the amended budget which featured a lower tax hike (13 percent), apparently so he could maintain his boast that he never voted "for" a tax hike.

Callahan endorses William Reynolds for Mayor

Sat, 18 May 2013 03:42:17 GMT

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan has endorsed one of the candidates vying to be his successor.

Callahan endorsed William Reynolds for Mayor at a rally on Friday.

Reynolds was surrounded by local leaders, including Callahan, and dozens of supporters as he again touted his plan to move Bethlehem forward.

"I have a positive vision of where the city needs to go. I've spent my whole life in Bethlehem and I've decided to give back to a city that's given me so much," said Reynolds. "We've made a lot of progress, a lot of progress since Bethlehem Steel's closed but there's more work yet to be done. I think my vision for economic development and my vision for neighborhoods and my vision for empowering people to make the decisions to affect their daily lives is what Bethlehem needs over the next four years."

Reynolds says he will continue to grow the neighborhoods of Bethlehem, increase business development and support the Bethlehem Area School District.

Reynolds, a Bethlehem Area School District grad, says his parents moved to Bethlehem 35 years ago. He grew up in a strong, supportive community and wants to continue that for future generations.

Reynolds opponent in the Democratic primary is Robert Donchez. He released this statement following Callahan's endorsement:

"Mayor Callahan is the ultimate hypocrite. He ran the most negative campaign for Mayor in Bethlehem's history against Jim Delgrosso, an honorable man, including even calling Mr. Delgrosso a liar on telephone calls. And, he is running a negative campaign for Northampton County Executive. This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Throughout this campaign Donchez has been open about his concern for the city’s financial future based on the current borrowing practices as well as future pension and healthcare projections. This has been in direct conflict with the current administration’s position, one which projects a sense of false security. This independent thinking and transparency of information sharing, is critical to building a better future for Bethlehem.

During this campaign, Donchez has received support of the following individuals and organizations which have endorsed him:

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, Sr.
PA Senator Lisa Boscola
Bethlehem Fraternal Order of Police, Star Lodge
International Local Firefighters
Lehigh Valley Realtors Association PAC
Former Bethlehem Mayor Gordon Mowrer, as well as former members of
Bethlehem City Council"

2-alarm fire damage Allentown home

Sat, 18 May 2013 03:34:57 GMT

Firefighters are battling a 2-alarm fire in Allentown.

It broke out around 9:30pm Friday in the 2300 block of Fairview Avenue.

The house has sustained substantial damage, crews on the scene tell 69 News.

There is no word yet on what started the fire.

Flames engulf vehicle on Route 22

Sat, 18 May 2013 03:03:49 GMT

A Lehigh County car fire caused chaos on the roadways Friday afternoon.

It happened just after 3:15 on 22 East between the Cedar Crest and 15th Street exits in South Whitehall Township.

Officials are not sure what caused the car to go up in flames.

No injuries have been reported.

Butz announces new building, tenant for downtown Allentown

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:36:11 GMT

The skyline of Allentown is changing. Next spring, a ten story building will rise from the parking lot behind the Butz Corporate Center.

"On this very site we're going to build the headquarters for a company that Live, the members of Live have invested in," explained Chad Taylor, Live guitarist and member of Think Loud Development. "It's called United Fiber & Data."

UFD will house its sales force of at least 100 employees inside the building. Besides four floors of office space, there will be three stories of apartments inside the black building, along with three levels of parking.

"They're a startup company and hiring very quickly," shared President & CEO of Alvin H. Butz, Inc. Greg Butz. "So we thought it was important to immediately announce a new building."

The sales headquarters is part of UFD's development of a 400 mile fiber optic network that runs from Manhattan to Washington DC. Rather than the typical route down I-95, the line will run through Allentown, Reading, Lancaster and York. UFD also plans to build 22,000 square foot data centers in each of those locations. The one in the Queen City will be a few miles outside the Neighborhood Improvement Zone.

"The other companies that will want to be on our information super highway, on our fiber, that will create, I believe, thousands of jobs within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," added CEO of Think Loud Development, Bill Hynes.

"I think we're going to see satellite companies from all the major brokerage houses, banking firms from Manhattan moving up here into Allentown," described Mayor Ed Pawlowski. "And I think we've just begun to see the redevelopment occur, I think the sky's the limit now."

The company will occupy the just completed Butz building until the new structure is finished in Spring 2015.

Timothy Dietrich assaults girlfriend in bed after he kicks in door, police say

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:14:34 GMT

A man choked and hit his girlfriend while she was in bed, after he kicked in a door to get to her, officials said.

Timothy J. Dietrich kicked in a side door of a home he shares with his girlfriend in the 400 block of East 9th Street in Northampton, Northampton Co., and then attacked her in her bedroom at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, officials said.

Dietrich threw his girlfriend out of bed and into a wall, and while she was on the ground he kicked her in the face, officials said.

Dietrich was taken into custody after police found him on the rear patio of the home, officials said.

Dietrich, 35, was arraigned early Friday morning on assault and harassment charges and committed to the Northampton County Prison on $3,500 bail, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing is set for 2 p.m. May 24.

Man returns to beat girlfriend after taking her things, police say

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:12:07 GMT

A man returned to the apartment he shares with his girlfriend and beat her, an hour after she reported to police he had stolen things from her, officials said.

Jakata B. Rollins pushed, slapped and punched is girlfriend several times at about 5:50 p.m. Wednesday in their apartment in the unit block of South 17th St. in Wilson, Northampton Co., officials said.

The woman had a bloody nose, a large bruise on her right thigh and a scratch on her left ankle when police arrived, officials added.

About an hour earlier, the woman told police that Rollins had taken her cell phone, ATM and identification cards and her shoes, and officers advised her to consider leaving the apartment because Rollins had been violent with her in the past, officials said.

Rollins, 25, was arraigned Thursday night on assault and harassment charges and committed to the Northampton County Prison on $2,500 bail, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing is set for 2 p.m. May 24.

Jasper Walden pulls 6-year-old to ground by hair when she tries to report assault on mom, police say

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:09:15 GMT

A man yanked a 6-year-old girl by the hair and pulled her to the ground when she tried to find a phone to report him for assaulting her mother, officials said.

Jasper A. Walden grabbed the girl when her mother told her to call 911 on Monday, after Walden had pushed her to the ground and slammed her head against a bathroom wall several times in a home in the 400 block of Carlton Ave., Bethlehem, officials said.

The young girl begged Walden to "stop hurting her mommy" before trying to find a phone to call 911, officials said.

Walden, 43, of 410 Broadway, Bethlehem, was arraigned Thursday on assault and harassment charges and committed to the Northampton County Prison on $2,500 bail, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. May 24.

Louis Blair's assault on wife sends her to hospital, police say

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:06:24 GMT

A man pinned his wife to the floor and threw enough punches to her face and head that she had to be taken to the hospital, officials said.

Louis R. Blair beat up his wife in their home in the 2700 block of Pond Drive, Forks Twp., Northampton Co., at about 4 p.m. Thursday, when an argument turned physical, officials said.

The woman's left eye was nearly swollen shut and her right eye was badly swollen when police arrived, and she was taken to the hospital, officials said, adding that Blair was found hiding in a neighbor's yard.

Blair, 29, was arraigned on assault and harassment charges and committed to the Northampton County Prison on $2,500 bail, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing is set for 3 p.m. May 24.