Wednesday, August 28, 2013

“We’re not going let someone violate the zoning laws [just] because they do it in the name of Jesus Christ.” (First published in 2009)

It looked like a sleep-over for adults in the basement efficiency apartment of a nice home. Sleeping bags, some on cots, most spread on the tile floor. The hosts were serving a hot meal; cookies waited at the end of the serving line. The 14 guests, the homeless people who were spending the night, for the most part had already had dinner. But a party atmosphere was absent from the basement of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Pennsylvania Avenue in Hanover Township on Friday, Feb. 20. While a small group at a table shared some laughs, the overall mood was somber. Several resigned women sat at one of the tables. No trace of makeup softened their faces, no high-lights livened their salt and pepper hair. A thin young man in his twenties seemed out of place as he stood at the serving line for a second serving. As for the older men, the main difference between them and any other was fresh a haircut. This was an emergency rescue operation to take ordinary but homeless men and women off the streets during a bitterly cold winter in the Lehigh Valley. The Reverend T. Scott Allen and his volunteers were “sharing [their] faith, welcoming and serving others”—the motto on the reverend’s calling card. Bob and Rita Sorenson of Hanover Township cleaned up in the kitchen after cooking the night’s supper of chicken noodle soup, beef stew and baked ziti. “The church has been doing this for weeks,” said Rita Sorenson. “We wanted to volunteer. Our sons also helped by baking cookies and rolls.” It was Reverend Allen who first responded to the request for help sent out by the Trinity Episcopal Church on East Market Street in Bethlehem. Six other area churches agreed to help said Reverend Elizabeth Miller, director of the soup kitchen at Trinity Episcopal Church. Asked if the township authorities have contributed to or tried to interfere with his activities, Allen said, “No.” In Brookville, Pennsylvania last year, a district judge fined the pastor of the First Apostles Doctrine Church $500 for allowing three homeless men to stay in the church parsonage. Brookville’s solicitor reportedly said, “We’re not going let someone violate the zoning laws because they do it in the name of Jesus Christ.” Each night a different church takes in a group, feeds them supper, beds them down, and fixes them a breakfast the following morning before they have to go back to the street. Volunteers bring and prepare the food; two of them spend the night with their charges as the homeless get a warm and dry sleep. A second shift of volunteers will come in around 6 a. m. to prepare breakfast. And what’s for breakfast? “Oatmeal, Hot Pockets, waffles, cereal, coffee and juices,” said Rita Sorenson. “We could use some more cots,” said Reverend Allen when asked what else he needs. “We haven’t needed money. People have donated their time.” Asked if this is a year-round program, he said “No. Only when it’s cold—when the temperature falls below 32 degrees or the wind-chill factor is below 32 degrees.” Cindy Bowlby from Slatington said, “It was something very important. We were worried about the people.” Does it worry her to work with and spend the night with strangers? “Everything is fine. It’s very enjoyable.” She has volunteered to spend the night twice. Bowlby grew up as a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church but now drives down from Slatington to fellowship with her congregation. These people were homeless there for a variety of reasons. One had sold his house when he got cancer but had no insurance or money to pay for the treatments. The thin young man had been kicked out of his house by his father. One man told his story but was fearful that any detail in the newspaper would attract the attention of an abusive family member whom he wants to avoid. Only Julio Millan agreed to be interviewed by the Press, the others being too private or too proud. Millan, originally from Puerto Rico but most recently from Florida, said he came to the area in June of 2008 looking for work as a truck driver. He said he has a commercial driver’s license but the depression has dried up jobs. “I’ve had to sleep in the woods,” he said. “I’ve even slept under the Minsi Trail Bridge.” “They let me shower at New Bethany Ministries,” he said. “I can do my laundry there.” Another’s story was a cautionary tale; how a skilled, self-employed tradesperson, injured on the job and without medical insurance can, in short order, be on the streets. No longer able to ply a trade due to a crippling injury, this person is hoping to qualify for some kind of disability payment. The homeless person’s spouse works part-time for minimum wages and with no benefits to barely survive. “We’ll be OK,” said the homeless person. The Reverend Joel Atkinson, Canon Missioner from the Cathedral Church of the Nativity was there. He had just brought a group from his church where they had spent Thursday night. “We have warm, empty buildings,” said Reverend Allen. “Why not share them?” Other churches participating: Church of the Manger at1401 Greenview Dr Bethlehem, the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley at 424 Center St. Bethlehem, the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 514 Third Ave. in Bethlehem and the New Covenant Church at 23 E Broad St. Bethlehem, the El Shaddai Ministries’ Christian Training Center 529 East Broad St. in Bethlehem and the Cathedral Church of the Nativity at 321 Wyandotte St. in Bethlehem.

“That one is for me.”

Natasha Velez stifled tears as she accepted congratulations from Bethlehem Housing Authority’s Zulma Rodriquez upon gaining ownership of her new Habitat for Humanity-built home on James Street in South Bethlehem. Rodriquez said she has known Natasha Velez all of Velez’s life and had been best friends with her mother who had died in a car accident. “Thank every one of you that I have met on this journey,” said an emotion choked Velez. “Thanks again for everything.” Monsignor Father Robert Biszek of Holy Infancy Catholic Church prayed for the new home to be “a dwelling of love” then sprinkled holy water on the estimated 20 attendees as they recited “The Lord’s Prayer.” During his short remarks preceding the symbolic baptism, Biszek let Velez’s six-year old daughter Anaya Velez hold the small bottle of holy water who seemed thrilled to do it. Anaya couldn’t have been happier as she watched the congratulatory ceremony. Besides the hugs from her aunts and uncles and other well-wishers, it meant she would have her own bedroom in a brand new house. The pretty blonde child also beamed when presented with a large box of candy from Dot Cressler of Just Born, one of the sponsors. Other well-wishers presented presents, too. Bethlehem Garden Club member Roseanne Cilente gave flowers; Hilda Lauber of the Lehigh Valley Embroidery Club gave a framed memento. Anaya and her mom had worked hard for this day—especially her mom who contributed more than the required 250 hours of “sweat equity” toward the 1,200 square-foot two-story house. Anaya’s father, Rafael Ramirez, was credited by Habitat’s Assistant Construction Manager Joe Polizzotto with putting as many if not more hours of labor into the project. “Her father was here every bit as much as Natasha,” said Polizzotto who was still in his work clothes. He had come from next door where he and his crew are building another home. The joyful scene and the home-cooked food in the kitchen of the new home were proof of the close family relationships found throughout the local Hispanic community. Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley officials, Debrah Cummins, Melissa Lauer, Elise Smolinski and Jehan Moustafa attended the ceremony. Executive Director Cummins said this is the 98th home her organization has built in the community. “This is a hand up not a handout program,” said Cummins. She said recipients of these homes get a zero-percent mortgage for the homes. This particular home has handicap friendly features said Cummins. It was originally designed for a client with a handicap but who was not in the program any more. She said that clients typically don’t get much say in the design of the homes. “We are not custom builders,” said Cummins. “We build safe, decent and affordable homes in Habitat for Humanity’s model. James Street has several homes built by the non-profit organization, but previous construction featured garages which Velez’s home does not have. Cummins said garages are now “too expensive.” She said the design has had to change in order to keep the homes affordable. “We always adapt our design so we can make our homes more affordable.” Velez will still have off-street parking on a concrete parking space in front of the house. Velez, who works for the Easton Water Authority, has been renting an apartment from the Bethlehem Housing Authority but her mortgage payment will be less than what she was paying for rent, according to Cummins. Velez said she first heard of the Habitat for Humanity program via the internet and then connected with the program through the Bethlehem Housing Authority’s Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator Mirella Snow. Velez said she will close on the house August 15 and move in around August 17. Damaris Torres, who runs the Senior Center at the Hispanic Center on East 4th Street in Bethlehem, also attended the dedication of the new home. She pointed to a half-built house down the street. “That one is for me,” said Torres who, like Velez, is a single mom.

“Politicians are looking at that [voter ID law] like a 10-year plan to ensure they win future elections.”

The Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg heard closing arguments on August 1 in the Voter ID Law court case that has pitted Republicans against Democrats in the state legislature. No Democrats voted for the law when the Republican-controlled state legislature passed the law in March 2012. A legal challenge to Pennsylvania's law was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a then 93-year old woman and others. The law, if enacted, will require all voters to present an approved photo identification card at the polls prior to voting. However, PA state attorneys arguing the case agreed to extend the injunction in place since 2012, regardless of the court’s pending decision, to not enforce the law until after the November 2013 elections. Supporters argue that the law is needed to guard against voter fraud. However, the lawyers for the state at the beginning of the trial which started in 2012 stipulated they could cite no cases of voter fraud in PA. Opponents of the law argue that the law is an attempt by Republican lawmakers to limit access to the polls of the poor, the young, the elderly and the minorities most of whom they believe would vote for Democrats. This view gained ground when, in June 2012, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny said the new law would help Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney beat Obama in Pennsylvania. “Why do they want to enforce a voter ID law to begin with?” said Bethlehem NAACP director Esther Lee in an interview. “We are all American citizens. Your name and signature are on the rolls.” “We need to be encouraging people to vote,” said Lee. Lee said in an interview that she believes that the law is aimed at “people of color” because the majority of the population is “turning brown.” “Politicians are looking at that [voter ID law] like a 10-year plan to ensure they win future elections,” said Lee. She also took issue with the redistricting that allows politicians to remain in power when populations move across congressional district lines. “This realignment of districts is only to favor the future of the Republican Party; to ensure their future success winning elections,” said Lee.

Thoroughly Modern Millie Review

When Millie with her two cheap suitcases arrive in prohibitionist-era New York, she brings her irrepressible modern attitude with her. Thoroughly Modern Millie is based on a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlon and is playing at the Pennsylvania Playhouse through April 1. Director Will Erwin brings a wonderful, fast-paced musical to life with some of the Lehigh Valley’s best dancers and singers. Gorgeous and immensely talented Casey Elizabeth Gill is completely charming and perfectly cast in the title role of Millie. The naïve girl from Kansas meets handsome but apparently penniless Jimmy Smith played by Doug Ace, but she keeps her hat set for a wealthy husband. Gill has great comedic timing augmented by a repertoire of smiles, eye raises and saucy poses. Millie’s best friend, roommate and apparent romantic rival is Miss Dorothy Brown played by strikingly beautiful Kimberly Tassinaro who claims to be a wealthy orphan who wants to experience life as a poor person. The part showcases her singing range and acting skills. Millie and Dorothy lead a talented troupe of singing dancers through Gwen Swanson’s beautifully choreographed numbers. Their duet, “How the Other Half Lives” is charming to see and to hear. The dramatic lighting by Ryan William Kloss is tremendous, especially when it suddenly captures and visually isolates Dorothy Brown and Millie’s boss and hoped for husband, Trevor Graydon (played by Brian Vigorito) as the two first meet and are smitten. The biggest laugh getter is Ted Williams as Mrs. Meers, the cross-dressing Chinese owner of the cheap hotel for single women where he and his henchmen do a thriving side business kidnapping any orphan woman who checks in, selling them into white slavery. When Mrs. Meers sets out to Shanghai Dorothy, his bungling henchmen, Ching Ho (Peter Sikalias) and Bun Foo (Nathan Chipman), sympathize with the pretty girl. Sikalias and Chipman are standouts in that their dialog is mostly in Chinese, helped along by sub-titles for the benefit of the packed house. Sikalias, who has a seemingly hopeless crush on the patrician Dorothy, charms the audience with his broken English and good-hearted nature. The minimalist but effective set design by Colleen Shea provides plenty of room for the energetic “Moderns” led by talented dance captain and eye-catching Morgan Reilly. Muzzy Van Hossmere, a wealthy socialite is, played with laugh-getting charm by Kirsten Rani Almeida. Redheaded Miss Flannery, played by Mary-Catherine Bracali, keeps the comedy moving as the crusty floor supervisor who tries to keep effervescent Millie grounded in work a day reality. Though unseen in this production, the orchestra, led by Lucile DeMasi Kincaid, is wonderful. Director Erwin also gets credit as the Costume Designer and with the assistance of the multi-talented Tassinaro, dresses the cast in striking costumes evoking the Roaring Twenties’ style.

“It wasn’t her red Slurpee—it was her own blood!”

“It wasn’t her red Slurpee—it was her own blood!” said Ce-Ce Gerlach describing how a childhood friend had been killed in a drive-by shooting in Washington D. C. Gerlach, an Allentown School District School Board member, was talking to about forty people gathered near Rep. Charlie Dent’s office on Hamilton Street August 21 to urge the Republican Congressman to co-sponsor H. R. 1565 which supports background checks for people purchasing guns. The outdoor, lunch-time meeting was sponsored by the Lehigh Chapter of Organizing for Action (OFA) in an effort to bring pressure on Dent to support the House of Representatives bill which is sponsored by Rep. Pete King (R-NY) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA). The bill, H. R. 1565 is described on Thompson’s website as “Legislation to Keep Guns Out of the Hands of Criminals, [and] Dangerously Mentally Ill.” Rep. King introduced the bill on April 15, 2003. OFA, the organizer of the short meeting, claimed that Dent had “assured local activists” that “he would vote for a background checks bill if it arrived on the House floor.” It seems unlikely that the bill will make it out of the Judiciary Committee during this 113th Congress without overwhelming support in the House of Representatives. The Committee has 23 Republicans and 17 Democrats. Failure to act on a bill is equivalent to killing it. Bills in the House can only be released from committee without a proper committee vote by a discharge petition signed by a majority of the House membership. That’s why the political activism group wants Dent to do more than promise to support the bill when it gets to the floor; it wants him to also co-sponsor the bill. There are now 184 co-sponsors of the bill who presumably would vote for sign a discharge petition according to the website congress.gov. Proponents need a majority—218. OFA’s Gloria McVeigh put it this way: “That means we want the bill to bypass efforts by GOP House Judiciary Committee members to stall until this Congressional session ends, requiring the re-introduction of the bill--and all that requires--in both the House and Senate after the next session begins in January, 2014. At a later Town Hall meeting in Allentown after the OFA gathering dissolved, responded to a question from Justine Wesner from Schnecksville wether he would support HR 1565. According to Wesner, Dent said while he supports Toomey’s effort he would not be a co-sponsor of the bill until he has seen the final version. “This is not a divisive issue,” said OFA’s Fritz Walker who pointed out that Republican Senator Pat Toomey supports the bill. Toomey when on the news show “Face the Nation” April 14, 2013 made the case for background checks. “There is not a single word in this legislation that in any way infringes on the Second Amendment rights of a law-abiding citizen, but we think the laws that make it illegal now for a criminal or a potentially violent, dangerously mentally ill person to have a weapon -- that's the law of the land -- we think that makes sense, said Toomey. “And we think a background check to help increase the likelihood that we'll be successful in keeping guns out of the hands of very dangerous people, it just makes sense. It's common sense. And so I think when people see the bill, they're going to support it.” Allentown School District teacher Beverly Rickles attended the gathering. “I’m here because I strongly believe it’s time for us to lay down our guns.” Rickles said she was concerned that “you can buy a gun at a gun show and walk out without a background check.” Two church ministers attended the meeting and offered prayer referencing the pending legislation. “We acknowledge that there are rare moments in life when we must defend ourselves or our loved ones, but reject the idea that the best way to do this is by assuring the easy and unimpeded access to firearms to everyone without regard to criminal history or mental status,” said Rev. Don Garrett of the Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley. Rev. Elizabeth Goudy of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley led the group in a minute of silence at 12:30 p. m. and the men, women and children present held hands. The gesture was in solidarity with other groups across PA who organizers said were holding similar rallies. “We must be fearless in approaching political leaders for changes in policy,” said Goudy. “We must be fearless in the face of well-funded gun lobby …too often our opinion is drowned out by those with money, money, money and more money.” Rev. Garrett challenged the idea that there’s no point to a law restricting gun ownership because criminals will get guns anyway. “That’s like saying there should be no law against murder because no law will prevent death by firearms,” said Garrett.

It’s important to step back and understand what happened and to discover how you can make it better.

Members of the Bethlehem and Allentown Chapters of the NAACP traveled to Washington D. C. this past weekend to observe the 50th anniversary of March on Washington when Dr. Martin Luther King gave his history-changing “I Have A Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. According to Dan Bosket, the President of the Allentown Chapter of the NAACP, 108 people booked seats on the two buses that left the parking lot at Redner’s market on Airport Road early Saturday morning. Artie Ravitz of Easton was at the March on Washington 50 years ago. “I sat on the edge of the Reflecting Pool with my feet dangling in the water as I listened to Dr. King’s speech,” said Ravitz who said that as a young man he was a devoted follower of the civil rights movement. Asked Friday why he is attending this 50th anniversary ceremony, he said that working for civil rights is still important. “It’s more important than the first time because the Supreme Court is nullifying parts of the Voting Rights Act,” said Ravitz. “The Supreme Court doesn’t care about the rights of black people and brown people.” The August 28, 1963 march was part of a larger civil rights movement. 1963 was also the 100th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Earlier that year, President John F. Kennedy announced that he would push for a Civil Rights Act. Kennedy was assassinated Nov. 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas and didn’t live to see the Act signed into law by his successor President Lyndon Johnson. The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. The 1963 March on Washington was a major factor in these two laws being passed. Esther Lee, President of the Bethlehem Chapter of the NAACP, said commemoration of the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” August 28, 1963, is important so that people of this generation will remember the struggle that African-Americans have made. She also decried in a recent interview what she calls a “genocide of our [black] youth.” She said the future of African-American families is at stake. She said children from “neighborhoods in economic strife” who then “don’t do well in school” become “candidates for jail.” This “pipeline,” according to Lee, disrupts families. Approximately 12%-13% of the American population is African-American, but they make up 40.1% of the almost 2.1 million male inmates in jail or prison as of 2009 according to the U.S. Department of Justice. “I fear that there will not be a family in the future,” said Lee when talking about the effect of having so many black men in jail or prison. The march on Washington 50 years ago challenged the morality of “Jim Crow” laws that pervaded life in most southern states. Jim Crow was systematic legal discrimination designed to keep African-Americans in a second-class citizen status. Included in its many injustices were laws that effectively restricted or denied voting rights to African-Americans. This, according to some civil rights advocates, is an issue that has resurfaced today in the form of various “voter ID” laws passed by Republican dominated state legislatures. Fredrick Montgomery, an educator with the Allentown School District, attended last weekend’s event in Washington D. C. He said that commemoration of the March on Washington is important to do today’s generation. Montgomery’s trip to Washington on a “jam-packed” bus resulted in what he called a “grand time, a memorable experience.” “Emotions were running high,” said Montgomery in an interview after his trip. “There were people from every walk of life there.” He said it was an example of how people from different races and cultures “can love each other.” He said he was pleased to see a significant number of young people go on the trip. “As an educator it’s important to me to see us learn to listen, bridge cultural gaps and be able to work things out,” said Montgomery. “We have no alternative except to work with diversity.” “Important history has occurred,” said Montgomery. “Tears, sweat and blood were shed by those that fought against oppression. But, repression still occurs for whatever reason.” “Many people put their lives on the line--white, black, Jews, gentile, young and old,” said Montgomery. “It’s important to step back and understand what happened and to discover how you can make it better.”