I went to the voter registration office yesterday to view the annual expense reports, and learned that Glenn Reibman does NOT have the largest war chest. He is second to John Morganelli, who is sitting on $190 thousand. Reibman reports $63 thousand. But unlike John, who had no contributions last year, Reibman is always gathering campaign contributions, and picked up about $10 thousand just in the course of six weeks. Most of his money comes from County employees and local lawyers, with an occasional plum thrown in by individuals like Bethlehem Steel's Curtis Barnette. The annual expense reports also reveal that County Council members Merwarth and Corriere are owed substantial sums ($20 and $40 thousand) by their campaign committees. Over the last year, Open Space Chairman Merwarth received only one contribution, $400 from a realtor who is selling Merwarth tracts in Forks Township. From these reports, we can conclude that our executive constantly solicits "pay to play" money from County employees and contractors, both potential and actual. It has become the norm in this County, even in off election years. We also know that two members of our legislative branch are in dire need of campaign funds, and that could affect their view on legislation.

With this background, we finally know that Bethlehem Steel may sell the property on the South side of Bethlehem that is not already under agreement of sale. This was one of many reasons why we opposed the economic development portion of the $111 million bond. Bethlehem Steel's responsibility is to pay its creditors and not do what is best for the County or the City of Bethlehem.

We also know that County officials are again being accused of lying and covering up, this time with respect to internal memos related to the Treddinick report. Although I have a difficult time believing that County administrators would intentionally mislead their own outside counsel or lie under oath, these are the kinds of suspicions that arise when the government acts in secret. The Reibman administration may be "press friendly" in the sense that it will return phone calls, but it has encouraged a secretive government that operates behind closed doors. It has refused to produce not just the Treddinick report, but also the sign in sheets maintained by deputies of people who appear to attend Council meetings. It refused to release any information about its $800 thousand expenditure for bond insurance until well after that sum was paid.

People who make legitimate requests under the Right to Know Act are forced to resort to the judiciary. The sign in sheets, bond insurance premium, and Treddinick report have all been subjects of litigation. The Reibman administration seems to prefer government by litigation to open government. Director of Administration Hickey has publicly told Council, " We have eight lawyers. Take a number."

Rather than attempting to open the doors of government, County Council has closed them further. Open Space Chair Merwarth refused to permit comment during one of his "open" space meetings and even prevented Council member Angle and Committee member Nagy from making comments. He later explained to the press that he did not want a "circus" atmosphere, an occasional byproduct of democracy. What he failed to relate to the press was that a member of the audience, Bert Daday, Secretary to the Lehigh Valley Partnership (LVP), was in attendance to make sure that the wheels are greased for another $37 million from the County.

In the meantime, the County sits on $103 million in unspent bond proceeds. County Council has had the power to declare any of the unstarted projects "impracticable or unfeasible," but instead has done nothing but raise taxes and present the voter with another $37 million in debt to be administered by an administration that cannot even manage its cell phones or locate County contracts.

This problem is not a "Democrat" problem or a "Republican" problem - it goes across party lines. It is my belief that the corporate welfare aspects of the $111 million bond and much of the new $37 million bond proposal is the handiwork of the Lehigh Valley Partnership. It does not control, but heavily influences the agenda of both Lehigh County, Northampton County, and the Morning Call.

I do think that a local grass roots effort can be made to diminish the influence of the LVP, which will result in good government in both counties. It is too late to do anything about the current races, but I suggest that the next race for County exec and at large seats will be crucial. We have a group - Our Common Bond - designed to restore good government in Northampton County. It is our goal to seek candidates who are willing to open the doors of government, impose fiscal restraint, and resist the influence of our local aristocracy. Party affiliation is immaterial: what matters is a willingness to restore what our founders intended.

Unfortunately, we will need money to win and cannot count on editorial blessings from the Morning Call, which is heavily influenced by the LVP and whose publisher is actually a member of that body.

I am asking you to propose candidates for the at large and exec seats and to come up with fundraising ideas. I have made some contacts with other citizen groups, and it is my hope that we can unite and restore our government. We will need at least $250 thousand for the exec race and $34 thousand for each council seat. We will have to do what Reibman does and start raising money NOW. But Our Common Bond will have an important difference - we will seek a pledge from every candidate that there will be no PAC contributions and no individual contributions in excess of $100. We will also need poll watchers at every polling place at election time.

Your ideas are appreciated.