NASD to build "spiteful" fence around LNES

According to the article in the Morning Call, NASD is leaving behind a "goodbye gift" for the residents who fought the installation of the three acre Commercial solar array on Residential zoned property in Lower Nazareth.

This move by the board can only be described as spiteful. This is somewhat similar to the neighborhood kid who doesn't get his way so he takes his ball and goes home.

Back in early 2008, I was at a NASD board meeting when a friend of mine asked about the possibility of erecting a fence around the Shafer playground. His concern was that the playground was relatively open and given the number of sexual predators (as registered by Megan's Law and easily determined by anyone with a computer) near Shafer, he was concerned for the children's safety. The boards response to that request?....

Not necessary. Too expensive.

Yet now, the board is more than willing to spend the money (estimated by some to be approximately $30-40,000) to erect a fence just to "spite" the neighbors who got the school and township to realize that zoning laws matter. That is, you cannot construct a commercial enterprise in a residential zoned area.

The school district had NO case and no legal standing to build a commercial solar array on residential property. Let me give you a simple example that I think will help those who didn't understand this situation:

I like hamburgers. I have a large property with property behind my house (next to my neighbors). What if I decide I want to lease my "extra" property to Five Guys so they can build a restaurant there and in return, they'll give me a break on the price of hamburgers? You think that would fly with the zoning board?

If NASD goes through with building this fence, I think they need to consider fences around Shafer and Bushkill too...

Interim Chief Plan Discussed

The Morning Call reports (read it here) that Nazareth Council has begun discussions on appointing an interim chief following Chief Sinclair's resignation.

The Express-Times reports (read it here) that Sinclair has taken a position in West Conshohocken.

Martin on Main

The thrill of music, delicious food, artisans, and an excited crowd is coming to Nazareth. The Martin on Main Festival returns August 1st, 2009 from 12 to 8pm.

Come see what drew thousands of fans, friends and musicians last year as we meet again to celebrate music and Martin Guitar.

Live acoustic music will begin at 12pm, and headline performer and renowned blues artist Kenny Sultan will hit the main stage in Center Square at 2:30pm. Other shows will line Main Street throughout the day and SunSets North, a local band, will perform from 6 to 8pm.

Martin guitar raffle at 7:30

Teens Gone Wild

The Express-Times has two reports on Nazareth teenagers, one who destroyed his mother's home, and another who led police on a chase.

A 17 year old destroyed his mother's home on Monday (read the article here) by punching holes in walls, pulling parts of the ceiling down, and destroying other items.

A 19 year old faces 16 charges after police clocked him doing 44 mph in a 25 mph zone. When the police put their lights on he tried to out drive them, nearly hitting Pizza Joe's restaurant and eventually going through a corn field (read the article here).

Colbert Report - Media Gone Wrong

The Express-Times reports on the Colbert Report piece on the Tatamy boy who had his library card from Nazareth taken away because he should be using the Easton Library (read the article here).

The Report identifies the boy as being accused of being a 'thief' for stealing books from one library because he should have gone to another.

Unfortunately, Nazareth gets the black eye, when in fact it was Easton Library that called the family and our state regulations coupled with Tatamy's refusal to financially support the library that caused the problem (read the article on the situation here).

This is probably a good reason why one should not get their news from a comedy channel, and it should make one think and question each piece like this in the media we see instead of taking it as gospel truth.

I know, the Report is intended to be funny, and not news, but they should at least be factually accurate.

Annual Resignation of the Police Chief

Last year it was reported that Nazareth Police Chief had accepted a position with Drexel University only to have it indicated as a prematurely released press release. Now, the Express-Times reports that Chief Sinclair has resigned (read the article here).

The reason cited for the departure is a desire to work closer to home. Sinclair lives in Philadelphia. Nazareth waived its requirement that the Chief live within the Nazraeth School District for one year. Then the Chief took another job, said it was a mistake, had his contract renewed, and had the waiver extended another year.

We did not move the borough, following the hiring, nor did we misconstrue our proximity to Philadelphia. Citing this as a reason only supports the fact that we should have required him to move here in the first place, then it wouldn't be an issue now.

Many have questioned if Sinclair was reimbursed for travel (ie commuting), used a borough vehicle to do so (was gas paid for, extra milage added to a borough vehicle, etc), and there is the real issue of the Chief being immediately available in the instance when there was an emergency.

Moving forward, I hope the Borough strictly enforces its residency requirement and does not allow for waivers. There may have been gains in the department, but it also appears the residents absorbed costs we really didn't need to (he is using vacation and sick day until his contract expires so he is no longer working, but is getting paid according to the article).

Nazareth Hardware Goes South (Main St)

The Express-Times reports on what I noticed driving down Main Street the other day - Nazareth Hardware has moved from North to South Main Street (read the article here).

Legion Season Comes to an End

Andy Weaver has done a great job of keeping me, and everyone else up to date throughtout the legion baseball season, as the team had one of its best seasons ever. Here is his note from yesterday:

"Nazareth Legion Baseball Season came to a end Today with a 15-9 Loss to Norgywn finishing their season 27-4. I Would like to thank the whole team for giving me one of the best Summers of games I Can remember! It was exciting to go to all 32 games and see them play exciting ball. Thanks to all of them for the autographed Baseball! It been a season that I Don't think anybody ever thought would happen! Thanks Again!!!

And the Morning Call has a report on the game as well (read it here).

Congratulations to all the players for a great season!

MS Swimming Pool Rumor

There has been a lot of talk circulating about the new MS swimming pool not being regulation. A reader today posted a comment and asked, so I reached out to Bob Furst, of Furst Architecture and here is his response (thanks for the quick reply Bob!):

In response to your e-mail request I can tell you categorically that any rumor(s) about the pool are false. We are currently in the final stage of construction (installing the shell tile) and will shortly have the pool dimensions verified and certified as required. There is NO indication at this point that there is any discrepancy.

I look forward to the future when everyone can experience the building first hand.

Robert A. Furst AIA, CDT, LEED AP

Principal, Architecture FURST Pc

Washington Park Equipment Vandalized

Thanks to the reader who had visited Washington Park with her children and reported to the Borough and myself the damage she found to the play equipment.

It appears that vandals burned a hole through the tube that younger children crawl through.

If you have any information, please call the police.

See more photos here.

Legion Team Rallies to Win

From Andy (thanks again!):

Nazareth beats Twin Valley 10-9. Nazareth come behind 8-2 to win the game!!!! Nazareth will play Tuesday (Time TBA) Stay Tune later...

Tough Loss for Legion 11-10, Play Resumes Today

Thanks to Andy for forwarding the update on a tough loss for the Nazareth Legion team.

The team lost yesterday to Hatsfield 11-10. Nazareth plays Twin Valley at 12:30pm this Afternoon!

Weekly Blogosphere Round-up

Andy was covering Basketball, Baseball and the State Budget this week, and with Nazareth advancing in Legion Playoffs, expect more baseball next week.

House to Home was hepped up on fumes after an all day spray paint fest. Several items are highlighted in photographs featuring before and after.

Steaming Cup of Joe addresses the economy. His concern is that the worst economy since the 1930s is stifling innovation. From what I've witnessed as one impacted by the economy along with several co-workers, people get more creative in these times and pursue career paths that they wouldn't have otherwise followed out of fear of the unknown. When you've got nothing to lose because it has all been taken from you - why not? This innovation is what will eventually pull us through, not stimulus money to corporations that have failed for years.

Lehigh Valley Ramblings has lots of posts, but the most interesting to me were from the beginning of the week related to the pre-trial of Tom Severson. Serverson is a political strategist who is under indictment by the Attorney General for this campaign practices. Bernie has several posts outlining the initial hearing. According to Bernie, "These include 12 third-degree felony counts of tampering with public records or information; 12 second-degree misdemeanor counts of false swearing, 12 third-degree misdemeanor counts of false swearing, 12 second-degree misdemeanor counts of unsworn falsification to authorities and five third-degree felony counts of criminal conspiracy. He is also charged with two misdemeanors related to the Election Code."

Weird Nazareth's best piece this week is a lawn ornament safari complete with a three minute slide show of all the front yard ornaments found in Nazareth - recognized more than a few of the pieces myself - great work!

Nothing new this week at Breakfast in the Valley, Clonehenge, Lower Nazareth Citizens or Tatamy Happenings.

Legion Advances With 10 Inning Victory

Thanks again to Andy for keeping me updated on the Nazareth Legion, who defeated South Parkland in 10 innings last night.

The Morning Call also has an article on the game (read it here). Next up is Hatboro.

Nazareth Days

The annual summer gathering of Nazareth Days began this week with Sidewalk Sales and the Sunflower Stroll and will end on Saturday evening with fireworks (bigger and better than ever from what I understand).

Friday night is the Block Party on Belvidere between Main and Broad Streets.

Saturday features several activities including: arts & crafts show, antique car show, swimming events, and hot shot contest at the Borough Park. The Vigilance Hose sponsors the Poker Run road rally with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life (all day ride beginning at noon). In the Circle there is entertainment beginning at 8:45 and running through 3:00 p.m. which includes Dream Kids, the Swinging Nazarenes, Claude Shappelle (guitar and singing) Henry Laurito (accordion), and the Community Brass Ensemble.

As noted yesterday the Insomniak Theatre will be performing Metamorphoses in the Park's amphitheatre each evening.

Enjoy!

Wanted to bring this comment to the main post:

The events the Fire Company are doing are two seperate events, The POKER RUN starts at 1pm and registration is at the Vigilance Hose Social club located behind the firehouse. The Poker Run benefits "Relay for Life Cancer Society" and is strictly for Motorcycles. The ROAD RALLY starts at 4pm and meets at the Borough Park. The Road Rally is for any vehicle and benefits the fireworks and the fire company equipment fund. Again these are two seperate events starting at different times and leaving from different areas. Hope everyone enjoys the fireworks and all activities during Nazareth Days. Have a great time!!!!

Nazareth Author Pens History of Cape May, NJ

Ben Miller of Nazareth recently published a book on the history of Cape May, NJ and I received a note from him via Facebook announcing that he will be "appearing on NBC's 10! Show to Promote the Book" on Tuesday, July 21 at 11:00am."

You can learn more about the book on his fan page.

I had a chance to look through the book while visiting a mutual friend and it is very well done with great pictures and historical information. If you regularly visit Cape May or know someone who does, this would be a great keepsake/gift.

Region 2 Legion Tournament

The Reading Eagle Times has a nice overview with team by team background on the Region 2 Legion Baseball Tournament (read it here).

Good luck Nazareth!

Nazareth Man Married at Iron Pigs Game

Former Nazareth resident Matt Stoudt was married prior to the Iron Pigs game last night vs. Rochester. The team wore special uniforms for the occassion.

The Express-Times has an article that includes a picture of the married couple along with the special uni's (read it here).

Congratulations and best wishes to Matt and Kelly!

Probation Given to Nazareth Woman for Selling Stolen Jewelry

The Express-Times reports that a Nazareth woman was given 22 months probation for selling stolen jewelry (read the article here). The jewelry was from a burglary in the 100 block of Tatamy Road and the other individual claimed the woman stole the jewelry and he stole other items.

Judge Zito ordered the woman to pay restitution, earn her GED, and get a job.

Metamorphoses Performed at Borough Park

The Morning Call has an article on the Insomniak Theatre Company's upcoming performance of Metamorphoses, which will be performed at the Nazareth Borough Park (read it here).

The Troupe had to create a wading pool as the performance takes place in the water. They will perform at the amphitheatre Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening and tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children and seniors.