Ed Pawlowski 2009 Post Primary Campaign Finance Report

Pawlowski 09 Post Primary

A breathe of reality

I had awaken to a morning with the dew glistening on the ground and was given one more day in life. I cannot begin to tell about a road that lead between two paths in life. One situation was to change my life and move away from things or people that cause a person's destruction. I must allow my brain to think and that was the hard part.

Now I am going to graduate from grad school and I must ask myself, "Can I do this?" Yes, I can. I realized I was no longer the joke for some. The second situation was not to let any job keep me captive from starting a new life. Sometimes, this is tricky because you feel planted in one spot - asking yourself, "Will things change with the job situation?" Before you know it, 20 years have past and the only change that comes is retirement. I believe that people are afraid of change because it takes away their crutches in life. I must say that no one should have to work in a dysfunctional setting where the only means of getting anywhere is taking days off to keep yourself away from your job or a person should not act like a mannequin (meaning you have no feelings - you are in a coma until your eight hour shift is up). A person stops living when sitting in a dysfunctional environment because they believe that their voices are not being heard.

No one understands that times have changed where you look around in the world to see that some people are trying new schemes to get over on everyone. I always wanted to ask the followers of these people, "Are you able to think on your own or do you need that type of value to keep your life in the limelight?" Some people will do anything to stay because it has become a blanket of comfort.

Our society is not getting any better when you cannot go to work and feel safe and secure on the job nor can a person sit outside without feeling that they will get mugged or shot in a drive-by.

We have one life on this earth and I believe I need to follow a new path in my life. I know it will not be easy because I have learned that a person cannot be forced to sit in a coma where life goes on around them. The whole point of being on this earth is to breath and live a full life. I have learned that there will always be someone that will hate you because you have bothered to go after your dreams. Does it matter what these people think? NO!!!!!!!!! These people will find a new victim or sucker to call names, destroy their well-being or use these poor souls until they awaken from their comas and start looking for changes to be made.

People have forgotten communication is the key to making solutions for the problems on or off the job. I realized that this is the reason why so many people have become satisfied with their jobs and with their lives because no one is listening.

Over fifty residents from Williams Township met Thursday, July 31st with Representative Bob Freeman, D-Northampton and Lisa Walters, Chief of Staff for state Senator Rob Wonderling, R-Northampton to discuss longstanding lack of compliance and DEP enforcement of PA regulations, at the 108-acre Chrin Landfill.

The Committee to Save Williams Township, which organized the meeting, presented data related to problems with odors, daily and final landfill cover, truck inspections, radiation and air quality. The data was taken directly from DEP and Host (Township) inspection reports.

In 2008, there have been over 45 odor complaints, with seven resulting in DEP violations. Chrin currently uses a tarp to cover the working face of the landfill, which is considered an “alternate” cover. Residents maintain that the tarp is ineffective at preventing odors, especially in a landfill that received nearly 30,000 tons of sewage sludge in 2007 alone. They pointed to an August 2007 DEP inspection report, which noted this, stating, “Chrin should use cover materials that adequately control odors.”

Also contributing to odors is the landfill’s failure to comply with PA code that requires a non-permeable cover within a year after a specific area has filled to capacity, residents stated. Some portions of the landfill, which met capacity as far back as 1987, are just now receiving a final cover. This final cover would also assist in capturing landfill gases (LFG). According to DEP reports, Chrin is currently not meeting the 70% capture and destruction of LFG, which is required by its federally regulated air permit.

Both Representative Freeman and Senator Wonderling’s representative have agreed to request answers and accountability from DEP officials. The residents plan to follow up on this plan aggressively as it affects the health, welfare and quality of life for people within and outside of Williams Township.

So What's Going On?

We've all got stories we'd like to tell. Is there something goofy going on in your borough or township? Would you like a spotlight to shine on the latest antics in your community? Maybe you'd like to get the word out about community events.

This is your chance. Drop me a line at BOHare5948@aol.com, tell me what area you'd like to cover, and it's yours. I'd love people who attend meetings in Wind Gap or Freemansburg to tell us what is going on, from their point of view.

If you don't have time for that, but would like to tip us off about something going on in your Northampton County community, you can do that, too. Just post a comment.

Northampton County Workers: Crooks, Perverts & Class Acts

You ever notice how we all remember the bad things that happen, but get hazy when it comes to something nice? Sleaze sells. Nice stories put us to sleep.

We all remember that Northampton County worker who was jailed after stealing at least $120,000 in bail money over a number of years. Investigations into that incident have been performed now by about a gazillion different state and federal agencies, with no end in sight. The UN is supposed to be here next week, and is already circling in those quiet black helicopters.

Lesson? County workers are all crooks.

We also have the recent arrest of a Children & Youth caseworker, on child molestation charges no less. That's ignited a firestorm, and to make matters worse, the office can't publicly comment.

Lesson? County workers are all perverts.

My favorite Northampton County bad guy has to be Vince Dominach, our erstwhile DCED Director. He ran up $1,300 in county cell phone charges while arranging wife-swapping trysts with dentists, of all people.

Lesson? County workers are crooks and perverts.

Now that I've piqued your interest, I want to tell you about Lori G. Sywensky, Norco's Community Development Grants Administrator. What you think she just did?

Lori is one of the county's many unheralded workers who just quietly does her job. For the first time in four years, Congress increased funding for homeless children by $2 million. So Lori asked Council to adopt a resolution requesting money for the county's seven homeless shelters. Amazingly, council unanimously agreed. In fact, they even commended her for her tireless efforts. Yesterday, Lori received word that the county's homeless shelters will be getting $154,338. Most of it will be for items badly needed, like windows and electrical work. Without Lori, those shelters would be getting no help at all.

This is not a big story. It's not as juicy as stealing $120,000. But it will help a lot of needy people.

Lesson? Some county workers are class acts, who are dedicated to improving other people's lives. They have an infectious quality that brings out the best in others, too.

Thanks, Lori.