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A traveler detained for more than 20 hours after a search of energy bars and a sports watch in his carry-on bag at Philadelphia International Airport has sued the Transportation Security Administration.
Architect and runner Roger Vanderklok says he was arrested after asking to file a complaint against the TSA.
His lawsuit accuses a TSA supervisor of lying in court for saying he made a verbal threat during the 2013 security stop.
The supervisor said he was concerned about the running gear in the bag. He testified ``organic mass'' and electronics can be used to make bombs.
A judge dismissed threat charges against Vanderklok.
The lawsuit was filed last month and seeks at least $75,000 in damages. The Philadelphia Daily News first reported on it Wednesday.
The TSA says it doesn't comment on pending litigation.
Taking the advice of Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown City Council unanimously voted to repeal some of its firearms ordinances to comply with a new Pennsylvania law Wednesday night.
The city faced a lawsuit by the Lehigh Valley Tea Party if it did not repeal those gun laws, because that new state law allows organizations to sue municipalities.
The city repealed its gun laws so it would not be sued.
Pawlowski did not attend council’s meeting, but city managing director Francis Dougherty read a statement from the mayor.
“I cannot put the city at risk of heavy financial loss with potential lawsuits,” said Pawlowski.
“We elected leaders of Allentown have a collective fiduciary responsibility to repeal the ordinances and adhere to current state law.
“We all took an oath to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to protect our great city.”
The new state law, Act 192, allows individuals or organizations to sue municipalities if they have gun laws that are stricter than state laws.
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Lancaster, as well as some state legislators, already have filed their own lawsuits in Commonwealth Court to overturn Act 192 —which went into effect on Jan 5.
Allentown is the third largest city in the state and “the mayor has a responsibility to join this fight against this particular law,” declared former City Council member Michael Donovan, who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Pawlowski in the 2013 election.
Donovan reminded council members that they are a political body and have a role as public policy makers.
“If other cities in the state are fighting this, and we are the third largest city, I suggest you get on the mayor to say join that fight,” he said.
Dr. Fritz Walker of South Whitehall, who introduced himself as a member of the board of directors of CeaseFirePA, had a different suggestion for council.
“If you must repeal the gun ordinances, please consider doing so with the proviso that should Act 192 be overturned, the laws will automatically and immediately be re-instated, without requiring an additional vote of the council,” said Walker.
“This will send a clear message regarding your belief in the importance of these ordinances.”
Council declined to take Walker’s suggestion.
“We can’t do that,” said council vice president Julio Guridy. “We would have to write another bill.”
“If court challenges are successful, I will be the first to re-introduce our ordinances for council’s consideration and support,” promised Pawlowski in his statement.
“The fight here needs to be with the state legislature,” stated the mayor. “I will be there every step of the way to get sensible and modern-day laws enacted, such as the ones that we are proposing to repeal here tonight.”
Dougherty told council that 22 municipalities across the state already have repealed their gun laws and “at least 100 municipalities, such as ours, have been placed on notice of the law on the books, which is prompting us to take this action.”
Other local municipalities have repealed their firearms ordinances to avoid being sued, with little fanfare or controversy.
But Allentown council’s vote during its regular Wednesday night meeting was preceded by the full council holding a special committee-of-the-whole meeting on the issue.
Thirteen people addressed council during its 6:15 p.m. committee-of-the-whole meeting.
Some of them spoke again during the regular council meeting that followed at 7 p.m.
Some comments at the meetings sounded like a broader debate about gun control and gun violence — including in Allentown.
Donovan was the only person who addressed council that was applauded, when he said: “I would love to see the city of Allentown join the lawsuit.”
That spurred council president Ray O’Connell to warn the audience that clapping and cheering are not appropriate at a City Council meeting.
O’Connell threatened to end the meeting if it happened again. “I’m not trying to be mean or disrespectful,” he said.
Allentown laws repealed
Pawlowski said the city laws being repealed were “effective and reasonable.”
One of them required owners of firearms that are lost or stolen to report that loss or theft to local law enforcement officials within 24 hours.
The city enacted that law in 2008.
Another repealed law prohibited using, carrying or discharging firearms of any kind on any city property.
It now only prohibits anyone from “unlawfully” discharging firearms within city limits or on any city property.
Hunting still will be prohibited on all city property.
Also repealed was a regulation prohibiting firearms in city parks or recreation areas.
Council member Jeanette Eichenwald was concerned that the city still could be subject to legal action because of a possible loophole.
While council removed language that prohibited using, carrying or discharging firearms of any kind on city property, Eichenwald was concerned that a prohibition against “any other forms of weapons dangerous to human safety” was not removed from that same law.
“A firearm produces danger,” said Eichenwald. “Couldn’t one argue that any form of a dangerous weapon could include a firearm? A firearm is a weapon. How can you read this to exclude firearms?
“If we’re doing this to prevent the city from being sued, why would we not make sure the language is so perfectly clear that it would not put us into any jeopardy?”
Assistant city solicitor Frances Fruhwirth said Eichenwald raised a very good point, but added: “This is the drafting we feel comfortable with in addressing a problem at hand.”
“If our solicitor is comfortable with this language, I will bow to that,” said Eichenwald.
Despite her concern, she joined her colleagues in voting to repeal the laws with no additional changes.
Council opinions
“I don’t want to put the city in jeopardy of being sued,” said council vice president Julio Guridy before the vote. “It could be costly for the citizens.”
“We really do not have a choice,” said Eichenwald. “Based on the law, the way it presently is interpreted, we need to repeal this. If not, we definitely open ourselves up for a lawsuit, which will cause us financial harm.”
Eichenwald hopes the state will repeal Act 192.
“I cannot believe we’re being put into this position by our own state legislature,” said council member Joe Davis.
He added any organization anywhere could sue the city “and put us in financial difficulties because we’re trying to protect our citizens.”
Davis and others noted someone now could legally take a gun to a City Council meeting, but they would not be allowed to carry a firearm into the state capitol, where the legislature meets.
O’Connell’s opinion on the issue? “Common sense, throw it out the window.”
Residents speak
A couple of people sought to bring the issue home by reminding council members of the three people killed by an angry resident during a municipal meeting in August 2013 in Ross Township, Monroe County.
“City Council meetings are a place where tempers flare,” said Walker. “Guns and council meetings are a recipe for tragedy.”
Almost everyone who addressed council objected to Allentown’s firearms laws being weakened by the state.
“I urge you to hold onto our local ordinances while the constitutionality of Act 192 is decided,” said resident Carol Gonzalez.
“This makes no sense,” said city resident Ed Degrace. “Do not repeal this law.”
“I find it really offensive that the NRA [National Rifle Association] can bully us,” said resident Kate Riker. “This is insane, absolutely nuts.”
But a very different opinion was offered by city resident Eric Trimmer, a Lehigh Valley Tea Party member who told council it is disingenuous to expect residents to obey any city laws when the city will not respect the state’s laws. “If you want us to obey your laws, you should obey the state laws.”
“History has shown that when you pass gun laws, all you do is disarm law-abiding citizens,” said Trimmer. “Criminals still carry guns.”
Tea Party threatens to sue Allentown
Tom Campione of Hellertown, vice chairman of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party, told City Council that on Jan. 12 his organization’s attorney sent a letter to Allentown’s solicitor about city ordinances that violate the new state law, which had been passed only seven days earlier.
That letter, from Atty. Thomas Carroll of Bethlehem, threatened legal action against the city if it did not repeal the ordinances.
Campione urged council to do the right thing by repealing “the offending ordinances.”
He acknowledged there are residents “and perhaps some council members” who would like the ordinances to remain. “However, the reality is the city is not authorized to regulate firearms in any manner. That power is reserved to the state legislature.”
Campione also warned council that, if his organization would sue the city under Act 192, “you’re immediately on the hook —liable for all reasonable plaintiff legal fees.”
Speaking immediately after Campione, Rev. Phyllis Cucchiani beseeched council “not to be intimidated by those who would have you worry about money when God is in control. I’m urging you to take the risk and confront the NRA and the Tea Party.”
Donovan said he was offended that a member of the Tea Party “comes from out of town and basically threatens the city…and tells us what we should or should not do.”
Pawlowski’s statement
In his statement, Pawlowski called himself a law-and-order advocate with a strong record of promoting reasonable and sensible gun laws.
He said Allentown was one of the first cities to join Mayors Against Illegal Guns and CeaseFirePA.
While calling himself a fierce advocate of the Second Amendment, the mayor also stated: “I have publicly and vocally stood up for common-sense gun legislation and, as a result, have been the target of the NRA on numerous occasions for my stands on this issue.”
Walker of CeaseFirePA said it was an outrage that Pennsylvania’s legislators would kowtow to the NRA and create such a law as Act 192.
“It is a law that is almost certainly unconstitutional,” he said.
Elaborating, Walker maintained Act 192 clearly violates the single subject provision of the state’s constitution, which states: “No bill shall be passed containing more than one subject.”
He explained Act 192 got passed by being attached to an unrelated bill about increasing penalties for the theft of copper and other metals from building sites.
At the start of the discussion, Dougherty told council the new state law is designed to give gun owners and gun rights groups “a better chance at dismantling local firearms ordinances.”
Eichenwald was troubled that the state would enact legislation giving any organization the ability to sue a municipality that wishes to protect its residents, “even when that organization has suffered no harm.”
The Lower Saucon Township Council passed a resolution Wednesday giving the go-ahead to the developers of the proposed Woodmont Saucon Valley apartments on Friedensville Road to begin working directly with township officials to further their development plans for the 204-unit complex.
Chief Investment Officer David Trager and Senior Vice President for Development Steven Varneckas of Woodmont Properties appeared before council to provide an update to their development proposal on approximately 24 acres of land located across Friedensville Road from Lehigh University's graduate student apartment buildings.
Trager's update included retaining the same 204 various sized apartments while providing more open space on the west end of the property adjacent to Society Hill and concentrating the living units on the eastern side closer to Hellertown.
He pointed out Lehigh Valley Woodmont complexes in west Bethlehem located behind Lowe's Home Improvement and the second in Palmer Township have been successful ventures, providing high quality rentals to younger "millenials" and "baby boomers" interested in downsizing.
Varneckas said the plans include one and two bedroom apartments designed on one and two floors in addition to 50 percent of the units containing integrated and stand-alone garages.
Council members raised concerns over parking, traffic on area roads especially Friedensville Road, and water and sewer connections to neighboring Bethlehem's system.
Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon said, "I don't see anything new with this proposal tonight and I'm against it." She was referring to Woodmont representatives appearing before council late last summer to first introduce their development plans.
DeLeon objected not only to a substantial increase in area traffic as a result of the development, but also to a higher zoning density change, and the use of Bethlehem water and sewer allocations by Woodmont that were previously designated for area homeowners.
Councilman Tom Maxfield said if Lower Saucon was ever in need of more residential water hookups from Bethlehem, all the township need do is ask for them. "I don't see the sewer issues being a problem," he stated.
Councilman Dave Willard advised Trager, "Go and make changes to you plans and we'll consider it further."
Council President Ron Horiszny and councilmen Maxfield and Willard voted to have Woodmont work with township planners, zoners, and engineers to take the project to the next level.
"It's not a bad plan", remarked Maxfield who encouraged Trager and Varneckas to begin consultations with Lower Saucon representatives.
DeLeon offered the only no vote on the project.
However, Maxfield said with regard to the increased traffic on Friedensville Road, "This could become problematic--it can be hairy at times."
When council inquired about a fiscal impact study to be done on the Woodmont proposal Varneckas commented, "This study will be a fiscal positive for the municipality.
A massive apartment building fire killed one person and injured three others in Montgomery County.
The four-alarm fire broke out around 12:45 a.m. at an apartment complex at 611 Swede St. in Norristown.
Crews responded to reports of a fire in the basement of the Norris Apartments, but when they arrived, flames were in the second and third floors of the building.
Firefighters used long ladders to rescue residents from the upper floors.
At one point, firefighters were told to evacuate the building, and a rear part of the building collapsed.
People living in the complex were immediately evacuated, and the Red Cross is assisting.
About two dozen residents were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.
Officials said the fire burned for more than four hours before it was brought under control.
Reconstruction of Allentown’s Eighth Street Bridge could be finished up to one year sooner if the city agrees to completely close the bridge, city managing director Francis Dougherty told City Council Wednesday night.
The 102-year-old bridge is a key link to center city from the south.
Because of the $18.5-million construction project, traffic on the bridge is restricted to just one northbound lane. One sidewalk also remains open.
The bridge occasionally has been completely closed during the project, which began last year, but usually for no longer than several hours.
If the bridge is not completely closed, the work won’t be completed until mid-2016, said Allentown public works director Craig Messinger.
No formal request to close the bridge has yet been made to the city by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which owns the bridge.
The issue was raised when City Council president Ray O’Connell asked Messinger about the timeline for the Eighth Street Bridge during Wednesday’s meeting.
“We’re looking at 2016,” said Messinger, generating some surprised groans.
He added: “PennDOT did come to me and say that possibly they would give me a proposal about closing it down and trying to get it done maybe toward the end of this year, maybe the beginning of next year.”
But Messinger told council he has not yet received any formal proposal from PennDOT.
Elaborating, city managing director Francis Dougherty told council: “Informally, PennDOT had a discussion with Craig basically vetting the proposal that, if the city was amenable to shutting the entire bridge down, they could expedite completion of the project by almost a year.”
Dougherty said the city has waited and waited, but never received a formal request to do that from PennDOT.
“Once we do, we’ll bring that to council and we’ll have some deliberations, because there are some concerns about some of our school children who use that bridge.”
Jefferson Elementary School is just south of the bridge, at Eighth and Saint John streets. If the bridge would be closed completely to speed up the project, those children might have to be bused to school, said Dougherty.
“I’m glad you’re looking at it,” said O’Connell.
Outside the meeting, Messinger said closing the bridge completely probably would speed up completion of the project by six months rather than a year.
The possibility of expediting the reconstruction was suggested to PennDOT by the project contractor, IEW Construction Group of Trenton, N.J.
PennDOT passed the suggestion on to Messinger.
Messinger said if the city does get a formal request to close the bridge, the administration would take it to City Council because “it’s the right thing to do.”
He said a full closure would impact too many people to not do that.
Dougherty agreed, saying: “We would not have to come to council, but we would consult with council.”
He noted any full closure of the bridge also would involve discussions with Allentown School District.
“We don’t know all the impact, but since we never received a letter, we haven’t begun anything,”said Dougherty.
He said he’s losing hope PennDOT will ever send such a letter because more than month has passed since Messinger informally was advised the work could be completed sooner if the bridge would be closed.
“Maybe the circumstances have changed and they no longer feel that way, I don’t know.”
The bridge rehabilitation project began in May 2014. It always has been projected to be a two-year project.
“It just seems like it’s moving really slow,” said O’Connell, adding: “That’s just my perception.”
“I agree with you,” said council member Cynthia Mota.
Messinger indicated construction has been slowed by winter weather.
The project includes reconstructing both approaches to the bridge, replacing the entire bridge deck, constructing new alcoves, repairing bridge piers, reconstructing roadway approaches, installing new ornamental lighting, new sidewalks and curbs and decorative fencing designed to prevent suicides.
Messinger added “spot repairs” are being done on the entire bridge, explaining someone standing beneath it can look up and see areas where chunks of concrete have broken off and rebar is exposed.
Eighth Street Bridge was constructed in 1913 and last rehabilitated in 1973.
In 1974, the span was renamed Albertus L. Meyers Bridge, after a long-time conductor of the Allentown Band.
But most residents still know it simply as the Eighth Street Bridge.
Until the early 1950s, trolleys ran across the bridge and motorists had to pay tolls to cross it.
Messinger also reported to City Council that the American Parkway Bridge being constructed over the Lehigh River is 70 percent complete.
He said the American Parkway bridge will be finished by the end of this year.
He told council rehabilitation of the Tilghman Street Bridge, which also crosses the Lehigh River south of where the American Parkway Bridge is being built, will begin after that new bridge is completed.
Tender and golden, butternut squash is loaded with vitamins A and C, and when it’s served with a savory risotto, fresh goat cheese and drizzled with sage and honey, you’ll have a dish that’s not only healthy, but sure to please.
At Catering by Liz, owner Liz Grenamyer uses only the freshest ingredients to wow party and event goers.
Today she’s dishing up a delicious vegetarian option with some flair.
Grenamyer says, “We’re making butternut squash risotto cakes.”
First, peel your butternut squash and chop it up into small cubes.
“Butternut squash has such a sweet, wonderful flavor,” says Grenamyer.
While you roast your squash, let’s get ready for the risotto. Start with shallots.
Sautee, mince garlic and add it to the mix.
For a creamy texture, add Arborio rice.
“It’s a little starchier rice; it’s a short grain rice that Italians love to use in their risotto dishes,” she says.
Glaze with wine and cook for 20 minutes until rice is tender.
“It is a little bit of a labor of love, but it’s worth the effort,” says Grenamyer.
Puree squash, add it to your risotto and rice mix, and scoop into a ball. Put a little indentation right in the center, which is where you will put your goat cheese.
Dip in flour, egg and Panko and drop it in a pan until golden.
Next, heat honey and sage leaves and add a little bit of lemon juice.
“Now we have butternut squash risotto cakes with your sage, honey with just a little touch of lemon.”
You can also make a non-vegetarian version. Try the cakes with prosciutto!
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