Easton UnDressed

• In Loving Memory

  God Bless You Nadine Loane. I am fortunate to have known you.
  
  
  From the Mayor,
  
  Saturday, August 23, 2008 10:17 AM
  
  It is with great sadness that I report to you the passing of one of our Easton family members. Nadine [...]
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  Posted: August 23, 2008, 11:39am EDT
  

• Fire Fighters Banned from Local "Hotel"

  
  Easton fire fighters Michael Krill and Terrance Hand have really done it now. It seems that the opinionated duo have been dubbed persona non grata at the landmark Hotel Lafayette on 4th and Northampton Streets (not to be confused with the beautiful historic Lafayette Inn [...]
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  Posted: April 08, 2008, 9:06pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 02/27/08, 03/12/08, & 03/26/08

  Well, once again I have been off of the ball. Here's the audio for the last three Council Meetings. This is going to be a no-frills presentation of the recordings.
  
  And sorry... Only one agenda.
  
  February 27, 2008 (42 minutes 49 seconds 4.9Mb)
  March 12,' [...]
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  Posted: April 07, 2008, 1:25pm EDT
  

• Just What is "The People's Bussiness"?

  I just caught up on a few days of Bernie O’Hare’s Lehigh Valley Ramblings blog, and what I read gave me the motivation to type this post.
  
  Bernie’s post titled Norco Council Does Its Best to Discourage Citizen Volunteers was all about an issue we are in [...]
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  Posted: February 24, 2008, 8:31pm EST
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 02/13/08

  A three hour tour... A three hour tour.
  The weather started getting rough the Riverwalk project was tossed,
  If not for the courage of a fearless few,
  More money would be lost,
  More money would be lost.
  
  Our City Controller Tony Bassil reported the results of his audit on [...]
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  Posted: February 14, 2008, 9:13pm EST
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 01/23/08

  We have both the regular Council sessions and the day before's Conference Meeting. The meetings were pretty straight forward with no contention or consternation. Councilman Warren touted the recently published police statistics. And the public speaking proceedures for City sponsored public meetings was discussed in good detail. The protection and' [...]
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  Posted: February 02, 2008, 6:03pm EST
  

• On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963

  
  

  
  I Have a Dream.
  
  
  
  
  I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
  Five score years ago, a great American, in whose [...]

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  Posted: January 21, 2008, 9:13pm EST
  

• Better News, Worse News

  Click to enlarge [...]
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  Posted: January 16, 2008, 3:56pm EST
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 1/09/08

  This was a relatively short, but very telling meeting. We were shown who was really in control. And we were shown our places.
  
  The first bit of tension to be to be touched upon was the legal question surrounding Mrs Panto's appointment/reappointment to the Charter-made Council seat. We were' [...]
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  Posted: January 14, 2008, 1:52pm EST
  

• City Council Farewell and Reorganization Meetings

  Out with the old, in with the old and new...
  
  Last night City council held two meetings. The beginning of the session was the farewell meeting of the City's Third Class City Code Council. The ending was the reorganization meeting for the City's first Home Rule Charter Council.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: January 03, 2008, 7:23pm EST
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 12/31/07

  Here it is... The very last Third Class City Code driven City Council/Budget meeting.
  
  Council ratified the 2008 budget at a rare 10am session. There was a short 20 minute break for an Executive Session on a "personnel matter". And a resolution was passed directing the City Controller to [...]
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  Posted: January 02, 2008, 2:32pm EST
  

• City Council Appointment Interviews

  Here's the link to the public interview session of the six residents who submitted their interest to be appointed to City Council.
  
  The candidates were interviewed in this order:
  John Border
  Mike Fleck
  Theresa Miller
  Pamela Panto
  J. Spike Rogan
  Roger Ruggles
  
  As many of you may have' [...]
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  Posted: December 29, 2007, 4:26pm EST
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 11/14, 11,28, & 12/12/07

  Once again, my apologies.
  
  Here are the last three City Council meetings.
  
  November 14, 2007
  
  The Mayor presented the administration's budget proposal.
  
  Allan Raisman, of Lafayette College, presented his "One-Word" project before Council. Several Lafayette students performed readings of submissions to the project. My personal favorite' [...]
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  Posted: December 18, 2007, 7:06pm EST
  

• 25 Minutes with Mayor Elect Panto

  
  Sal Panto gave us first shot at a sit down interview. Our interviewer and the Mayor-elect cover 20 questions about things to come. Congratulations Mr Mayor! We look forward to working with you to create a cleaner and safer Easton. Interview (25 minutes 38 [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2007, 11:08pm EST
  

• Vote

  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2007, 11:08am EST
  

• Ignored, Neglected, and Taken for Granted

  “Why should I vote for candidates that obviously do not care that I am a constituent?”
  
  That is a question all of us Eastonians should be asking ourselves when it’s time to choose between Peg Ferraro and Tony Branco.
  
  One. That’s the number of Ferraro signs I’ve seen [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2007, 5:06pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #10 Codes

  Question#10: Codes
  The quality of neighborhood living has been negatively affected by the persistent, and often ignored, decay of properties. Detail a plan using current code regulations to immediately improve the appearance of under maintained properties?
  Strong Neighborhoods Make Strong Cities. Our city is a city [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2007, 3:37pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #9 Enforcement

  Question#9: Enforcement
  It has become fairly common practice to resolve problems of the moment by creating new legislation. Easton has a comprehensive set of ordinances already on the books. How can we more effectively enforce the laws/rules that already exist?
  Government is of laws, not of [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2007, 4:44pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #8 Authorities, Boards, and Commissions

  Question#8: Authorities, Boards, and Commissions
  The city’s 20 (or so) authorities, boards, and commissions significantly impact the progress and the quality of every facet of life in Easton. Because the authorities, boards, and commissions are sanctioned city government subdivisions, how can we better ensure that the nominated appointees are qualified [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2007, 2:02pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #6 Infrastructure

  Question#7: Infrastructure
  Failure to reinvest in the maintenance and upgrade of the city water plant was a key factor in the decision to relinquish responsibility and oversight of a significant municipal asset. How can we prevent losses of this magnitude in the future?
  I disagree with [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2007, 4:06pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #6 Budget

  Question#2: Budget
  For years the city’s annual budget was planned and discussed over a few weeks. Devise a 12 month budget development program.
  Spending the last sixteen years in senior executive management positions with multi-million dollar budgets I will bring a new perspective to city [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2007, 1:34pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #5 Open Government

  Question #5 Open Government
  Give us an example of something you will do to make Easton’s government more open, accessible, and/or accountable.
  Effective communication is an essential ingredient for a better community. The city needs to develop new tools for improving two-way communication with [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2007, 1:27pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #4 Strategic Planning

  Question #4 Strategic Planning
  In recent years we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on consultants resulting in a sizable stack of reports and critiques, while not resulting in any type of strategic plan. Propose a method to develop a strategic plan in more economical, more comprehensive, less [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2007, 10:18pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #3 Neighborhoods and Economic Development

  Question #3: Neighborhoods and Economic Development
  
  Economic development efforts have been focused on the city’s central business district for the past quarter century, while the residential neighborhoods have received less attention. Propose a residential neighborhood development program.
  Our city is a city of neighborhoods; [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2007, 10:07pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 10/24/07

  What ever he did, that we don't know about, if it were that bad then we would know about it.
  -Laini Abraham on the issues behind the Administration's
  recomendation to fire Officer Vince Bruneo. (audio 3 minutes 16 seconds 383kb)
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2007, 8:54pm EDT
  

• Candidate Question #2 Finances and Collections

  Question#2: Finances and Collections
  Collection of taxes and fees has been identified as a major financial issue in the city. Provide a few tactical solutions that would positively impact our collection deficiencies.
  The first initiative will be to consolidate all financial matters under a qualified [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2007, 11:33am EDT
  

• Candidate Questions

  Last week we sent out a 10 question questionnaire to the 2 Mayoral and 6 City Council candidates. Exactly half of the candidates took the opportunity to elaborate upon their platforms by answering the questions.
  
  Each day (for the next 10) we will publish one question with all of [...]
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  Posted: October 24, 2007, 12:14pm EDT
  

• The Missing City Council Meetings

  City Council Meeting 08/22/07
  
  The police command staff gave an accreditation presentation. Heidi and Iggy Markow followed with a proposal for a domestic violence memorial in Easton. There was lots of discussion on the domestic animal ordinance.
  
  Audio (2 hours 1 minute 13.8Mb)
  Agenda
  Minutes
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 24, 2007, 9:54am EDT
  

• Group Maps City Access to Healthy Foods

  This is a from National Public Radios archive. My intent is to give some of you another perspective of Easton's supermarket issue.
  
  It's a little more than "mom & pop" and space. This issue is actually a catalyst in diet related disease in people of lower socioeconomic stature.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: September 05, 2007, 4:37pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 08/08/07

  I was absent for the July 25th meeting. All I have to offer is the agenda for that session.
  
  The August 8th meeting began with Easton Police swearing in ceremonies for new officers and two new lieutenants.
  
  Mr Gene Pambianchi (Executive Director, Easton Housing Authority) gave an hour [...]
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  Posted: August 17, 2007, 11:11am EDT
  

• You Want Something From Me, I Expect Some Things From You

  Some very important issues have been, and are being, hashed out at various city public meetings this summer.
  
  The City’s work is NEVER done, nor is the people’s.
  
  Question #1: If an Eastonian is running for City Councilperson is it reasonable to expect them to (at a minimum) [...]
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  Posted: July 14, 2007, 11:33pm EDT
  

• Home Rule Charter Commission Public Comment Meetings 07/12/07 & 07/14/07

  The City of Easton Home Rule Charter Commission held two public meetings solely for the purpose of receiving citizen input on the draft charter proposal. The meetings were sparsely attended, but those who did attend and comment gave productive feedback to the commission.
  
  Councilwoman Vulcano was the only elected [...]
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  Posted: July 14, 2007, 8:16pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 7/10/07

  The $30,000.00 proposed closing of North Bank Street dominated the meeting. Council voted down Councilman Corpora's motion to remove the funding from the CDBG reallocation. The vote was 3-2 against the motion (Corpora and Heffley for). The reallocation vote was identical. The "yes" votes offered no comments on their votes; [...]
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  Posted: July 14, 2007, 6:50pm EDT
  

• Real vs Special: Needs Go Toe to Toe (Again) in Easton

  On Tuesday, 6 p.m., July 10th, Easton’s City Council will convene. On the agenda is the question of how to reallocate CDBG funds from previous years that were not expended.
  
  This money is YOUR tax money.
  
  It should be used to benefit the most Easton residents possible. Several [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2007, 12:45pm EDT
  

• Stealing from the Low-Mods and giving to the capable

  It would simply be wrong for the City to reallocate $30,000.00 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG years 2001 - 2007) funds for the North Bank Street pedestrian walkway project.
  
  The project does not clearly fit any of the three national objectives necessary to be eligible for CDBG funding [...]
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  Posted: July 05, 2007, 12:06pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 6/27/07

  NEXT DAY SERVICE!!!
  
  There were several important issues hashed over at this meeting. The $33,000.00 proposed closing of North Bank Street, The proposal to extend the police early retirement incentive for the command staff, and the Housing Authority's changes to the Hope VI plan.
  
  The commentary was lively [...]
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  Posted: June 28, 2007, 1:26pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 5/23/07 & 6/13/07

  Again, I must apologize for my lack of timeliness. My laptop doesn't work well in the pool.
  
  Today I give you the last 2 City Council meetings.
  
  The May 23rd session was a short meeting. Fire Department officers were sworn in, & the mayor rubber stamped another board [...]
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  Posted: June 27, 2007, 3:29pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 5/09/07

  Sorry for the tardiness. But it's getting nice outside, and the sun glares off of my laptop screen.
  
  This was a relatively short meeting. Council honored two of the City's retirees that passed away. Crime was a topic (3 shootings, one fatal, and one mugging).
  
  Audio:
  Regular [...]
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  Posted: May 21, 2007, 3:24pm EDT
  

• 2007 Primary Candidates' Interviews

  The final three interviews are posted!!!!!
  *NOTE: Ken Brown declined to participate in the interviews
  
  This is where we will post audio interviews with candidates for the May 15th primary. The interviews will added as they occur (with the most recent listed first).
  
  Each interview will last 15 [...]
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  Posted: May 08, 2007, 2:58pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 4/25/07

  This meeting was an epic four and a half hours! The first 45 minutes was the City Treasurers report (very disappointing). That was followed by 2 hours and 20 minutes of public comment on the Riverwalk project. The actual meeting was 39 minutes, and it was followed by 40 minutes [...]
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  Posted: May 06, 2007, 10:25am EDT
  

• NAACP Candidates' Night

  
  
  On Friday, April 20, 2007, the Easton branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People hosted a Candidates' Night at the Third Street Alliance. 15 candidates participated. The candidates were seperated into 4 panels based on the elected office. There were [...]
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  Posted: May 04, 2007, 9:32am EDT
  

• College Hill Neighborhood Association Candidate's Night (Mayoral)

  On Tuesday, April 17, 2007 our neighbors from the College Hill Neighborhood Association hosted a Candidates' Night for Mayoral candidates.
  
  We did our best to clean up and amplify the audio, but the acoustics of the church and no microphone in the audience made the [...]
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  Posted: May 04, 2007, 8:11am EDT
  

• NAACP Candidates' Night

  
  Flier Itinerary
  The Easton Branch of the NAACP is hosting a Candidates' Night at the Third Street Alliance (41 N 3rd St Easton, PA 18042 (610) 258-6271) on Friday, April 20, 2007 from 6:00pm until 8:30pm.
  
  The forum is for [...]
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  Posted: April 16, 2007, 8:20am EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 4/11/07

  We attended another City Council Conference Meeting along with the regular meeting. The conference session was important because the Riverwalk principles were rebutting the citizens group's research and issues on and with the project.
  
  At the conference meeting, the principles decided to have the Easton Parking Authority solicitor, Scott [...]
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  Posted: April 12, 2007, 9:44pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 3/28/07

  This is one of the rare instances that we cover both the City Council Conference Meeting and the regular meeting. The conference session was important because the citizen group opposing the Riverwalk project were given 20 minutes to present their research and issues on and with the project.
  
  The [...]
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  Posted: March 30, 2007, 4:33pm EDT
  

• REPOST: From Joe Owens' Blog

  I posted a comment in reply to Joe's assessment of our project on his blog. I think he sold us short. But, this is an aquired taste. And we're layered... Like an onion.
  
  Your neighbor
  
  
  CANDLE, BUGLER AND WHISPERS IN THE DARK [...]
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  Posted: March 30, 2007, 2:14pm EDT
  

• FUNDRAISER : Weed & Seed

  Weed and Seed’s Cyber Café to Benefit from Pampered Chef® Fundraiser
  March 13 thru April 7th
  
  EASTON, PA -- Easton resident Sarah Martin is conducting a Pampered Chef® fundraiser to benefit Weed and Seed’s Cyber Café, located at Christ Lutheran Church, 1100 Ferry Street in Easton. The fundraiser is [...]
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  Posted: March 30, 2007, 11:48am EDT
  

• College Hill Neighborhood Association Candidate's Night (City Council)

  On Tuesday, March 20, 2007 our neighbors from the College Hill Neighborhood Association hosted a Candidates' Night for City Council candidates. This was the first of this election season's candidate forums.
  
  We did our best to clean up and amplify the audio, but the acoustics of the church and [...]
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  Posted: March 25, 2007, 8:21pm EDT
  

• Editorial: Them That Fight, Toil Not in Vain

  And I thought my mind was out of control…REALLY Mr. Mayor. Asking the good folks of Easton to let you know when and where something DIDN’T happen. Excuuuuuse me? I may be dim at times, but HUH? What exactly do you mean? Threatening to sic your lawyer on a resident [...]
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  Posted: March 15, 2007, 7:19pm EDT
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 3/14/07

  This was a two hour meeting not to be missed. This meeting was SO GOOD that I had to post it right away. The meeting began with some nitty-gritty fiscal controlling as Tony Bassil the City's interim Controller showed us all why he should in fact have, and keep, that [...]
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  Posted: March 14, 2007, 10:37pm EDT
  

• Editorial: Riverwalk Opposition

  We are down to the wire. The Planning Bd., the Zoning Bd., the Historic Architectural Review Board, Mayor Mitman, Gov. Rendell, Lou Ferrone/Easton Parking Authority, Arcadia, Armond Greco/LANTA, The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission and a large part of the Easton community have [...]

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  Posted: March 13, 2007, 5:26pm EDT
  

• Former Mayor Sal Panto Officially Announces Candidacy for Mayor

  SAL PANTO FOR MAYOR COMMITTEE
  P.O. Box 1395
  Easton, PA 18042
  www.salpantoformayor.com
  
  Campaign Kick-off Remarks
  Ringside Restaurant
  March 1, 2007
  
  Thank you Randy.
  
  A special thank you to my lovely wife Pam, who has made all of us proud of her work on City Council. I [...]
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  Posted: March 04, 2007, 7:12pm EST
  

• Gary Bertsch Announces for Mayor

  “Time’s Up: We Need Lasting Positive Changes”
  
  A New Image for Easton
  
  We sell ourselves short with our image. People coming to the City, and those who live here and pay taxes, see empty buildings, both commercial and residential, that often give indications that the City or people [...]
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  Posted: March 02, 2007, 3:09pm EST
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 2/28/07

  We have 2 hours of audio that we are presenting in two parts. The first half hour of this Council meeting was used to swear in four new police officers and one new inspector. The police department leadership also retired a working dog and gave a State of the Department [...]
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  Posted: March 02, 2007, 2:55pm EST
  

• Jeff Warren Announced (sorry we're late) Council Candidacy

  WARREN ANNOUNCES HIS INTENTION TO SEEK SEAT ON EASTON CITY COUNCIL
  
  EASTON (Jan. 9) – Jeff Warren, resident of the City of Easton, announced today that he will be seeking a seat on Easton City Council during the upcoming 2007 election cycle.
  
  The Democratic candidate and Chief [...]
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  Posted: February 23, 2007, 9:05pm EST
  

• An Inconvienient Goof

  
  [...]
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  Posted: February 23, 2007, 11:37am EST
  

• Editorial: Easton’s Glacial Mass

  I am one that believes our long term climate is being affected by the pollutants we spew into the air. But it is a long term concern that is not of immediate risk to our way of life. Although I concur with Mayor Mitman’s concern for environment, I think there [...]
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  Posted: February 22, 2007, 6:54pm EST
  

• Editorial: Snow What!?

  Nearly a week after our 6 inch snowfall the streets of Easton are deplorable. The main downtown arteries, as well as, the only ways in and out of the city are still not plowed curb to curb. Not even the metered spaces (that the City wants to raise the fees [...]
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  Posted: February 21, 2007, 7:16pm EST
  

• City Council Meeting Audio 2/20/07

  This one and a half hour meeting was well attended. This was a make-up meeting for last week's snowed-out meeting. Three Council candidates were in the audience (Peter Melan, Bill Timmann, and Elinor Warner), one prospective mayoral candidate, and mayoral candidate Sal Panto showed up at the meeting's end.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: February 21, 2007, 6:53pm EST
  

• An Example of What We Stand to Lose

  REMARKS – Members of Audience to President of City Council
  
  Terrance Hand, 623 Chestnut Terrace, thanked Council for their discussion on the Award presentation in Washington DC for the City, and urged Council to repeal the Resolution which would permit the City Clerk not to retain Council meeting tapes.
  [...]
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  Posted: February 19, 2007, 9:38pm EST