Sep 16, 2010

Jake Towne Fouled











As an old geezer, I'm constantly frustrated by The Morning Call's lack of institutional memory. I suppose that is what happens when a struggling paper has young journalists come and go. I suppose they're also annoyed with my "scoops"; I see no link to this blog on the current Mcall story about the fish hatchery. Well, here's another dip from Molovinsky's 28 favors. Trent Sear, the Saucon Valley Zoning officer who closed Jake Towne's Campaign headquarters,  is/was very active in Republican politics. The space, the historic Center Valley Tavern, has been used commercially for a century. He simply could have requested the landlord pay the $25 fee.  I have never heard of a  campaign office closed by zoning.  They didn't even close Molovinsky for Mayor.
This was nothing more than a temporary use with temporary signs

After numerous appearances with this official prowling in a car through the parking lot and snapping photographs, the campaign decided to leave the premises in order to save the landlord further grief.

14 comments:

  1. It's dirty tricks like this that make people hate politics and politicians.

    If Sear did it at the Republican's request, most likely the request came through Scott Armstrong.

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  2. I went by there last Saturday to introduce myself, and I was puzzled that all traces of the office had disappeared without an explanation. I amy not share the views of the candidate, but I don't like the appearance of dirty tricks. I am going to look into this, but I truly don't think that anybody from Dent's campaign gave direction to do this. I see this more as a rogue opportunist wanting to feel important about himself.

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  3. it's certainly an odd situation. i have never seen zoning so zealously enforced. this is the little village on the split section of 309, north of coopersburg, before the the saucon road to the promenade. there are only two or so commercial buildings in the block long village; this old tavern and an auto garage. jake should have called fox news, it was a missed opportunity for publicity. although the morning call reporter seemingly questioned sear's action, apparently it didn't requester with the reporter how inappropriate the "eviction" was. i favor dent, but am an advocate the independent candidates getting a fair shake. frankly, i fault towne was accepting this zoning enforcement, unless he was trying to spare the landlord some grief.

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  4. Since football season has started and Mr. Casey has to be pleased with Ohio State's prospects for success this year, I will use this analogy :

    This situation is akin to assigning two senior, 250 lb fullbacks to block the freshman, 140 lb kicker on the kickoff in the fourth quarter when the receiving team is already way ahead on the scoreboard.

    Technically, within the rules. Not the greatest call a coach can make, however.

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  5. Wow Mike you are way off base on this. Your post is irresponsible and slanderous.


    Scott Armstrong

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  6. Why couldn't the building owner just pay the $25 and have Jake stay?
    That doesn't make sense?

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  7. If Sear did it at the Republican's request, most likely the request came through Scott Armstrong.

    But, does Scott deal with Upper Saucon politics?

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  8. scott, as i said, i never seen a campaign office closed by zoning before, have you? zoning is a gray area, i suspect trent could have suggested ways that towne's office could have complied and remain open.

    " after a zoning officer issued a cease and desist order to the landlord.Zoning officer Trent Sear said the landlord never got the $25 zoning permit required..."

    trent issued a cease and desist order to a temporary political office because a $25 fee wasn't paid; sounds like a unnecessary, but motivated action to me.

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  9. Anonymous said...

    But, does Scott deal with Upper Saucon politics?


    No, but the Dent race is the biggest "local" race in the Valley. It is a race that crosses many municipal lines.

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  10. Anonymous said...

    ...Technically, within the rules. Not the greatest call a coach can make, however.


    It might be in the rules for political opponents, but not an appropriate action for a zoning officer (if politically motivated).

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  11. i do not subscribe trent sear's actions to anyone other than himself. i believe because of the temporary nature of a campaign office, and the amount of unpaid fee involved ($25), a cease and desist order was extraordinary.

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  12. Hey,Things are improving with the republicans at least their not breaking in to the headquarters.

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  13. Mr. Williams,

    You mean things improving in the same way things are improving with the Democrats in that Obama hasn't been caught cheating on his wife with an intern (yet)?

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