This Was The First Time...

...Since COAF has been organized (and that's five years now), that we've ever seen Mayor John Callahan at Gracedale.

We had to wait a little bit for the Mayor to get started on his 5 page prepared announcement because Mr. Callahan didn't want to get started without his family by his side, and that's understandable. His charming wife and kids appeared to be lost, (we're not trying to be mean - but what does that tell you?).

Bernie O'Hare must of been lost too because he arrived late as well.

They Made it

Mayor Callahan finally began his announcement, and at the end of his announcement he acknowledged to all present that he was dragging the announcement hoping his family would have arrived before he was done, and they finally made it just as we were preparing to leave.

We are not in any way attempting to bash the Mayor, we actually think he is a gentleman, however, when it comes to Gracedale COAF will always ask some tough questions - because we will always do what we promised all along to do, PROTECT Gracedale .

On the surface the Mayor said the right thing when he said he's not in favor of outsourcing Gracedale. However, when presented with the opportunity, Jack D'Alessandro asked Mayor Callahan why he did not support the referendum initiative when we were seeking political support, pointing out to Mayor Callahan that Easton's Mayor did, and so did Allentown's Mayor (who's in Lehigh County). Mayor Callahan said: "As the Mayor of the City of Bethlehem it was not particularly my issue at that time."

Well that statement does concern us, because as the Mayor of the City of Bethlehem he is within the boundaries of Northampton County, and he should have taken a position at that time. Lisa Boscola did, Lamont McClure did, Ron Heckman did, Glenn Reibman did, as well as many others. The sale of Gracedale would certainly have impacted the City of Bethlehem, so we have to ask: why didn't he join us - and take a stand on Gracedale then?

It is so important for Mr. Callahan to understand that We The People of Northampton County are not seeking a politician to run the County (we already have one "John Stoffa" that finds it hard to tell the truth), but instead, a human being who care's about other human beings.

Politicians are easily identified because they simply say the right thing at the right time...and the right place - and when times and things change they say the right thing again...somewhere else. 

Yes, we do believe it's okay to change your position on things as time change, we don't however, believe it is ever right to do so when it comes to the well being of our beloved Gracedale.

Please take into account what we are saying Mr. Mayor. Good luck sir, we wish you well.