Another dumb move

 

Just when I start to think our elected representatives might finally go a full week without doing something spectacularly foolish, they prove me wrong.  The city broke ground on the Allentown Tax Hike Police Station to very little support and attendance.  

Matt Tuerk left the event quickly when he saw there weren’t enough cameras and media.  Tuerk must be so happy Siegel has ended the weekly news cycle with a dumb announcement—he finally will get a break from being the default screw-up of the Valley.

Siegel is expected to introduce a bill that would ban county employees from helping ICE — not because it improves safety, not because it fixes anything, but because he’s addicted to performative politics.

Under this proposal:

“County employees may not provide non‑public or personally identifiable information to federal immigration agencies unless under subpoena, court order, warrant, or with approval from the county solicitor. Employees will undergo mandatory training and face serious consequences for non‑compliance, including termination.”

So now we’re at the point where the county government is micromanaging conversations and cooperation with the federal government?

“Don’t talk to ICE or you’re fired.”

What’s next — monitoring who employees text on their lunch break?

This isn’t transparency. This isn’t accountability. This is intimidation dressed up as moral superiority.

Siegel may hate ICE, but turning county employees into hostages of his personal ideology is absurd. While Anti‑commandeering laws let local governments refuse to enforce federal law — but they do not let them obstruct it. This stunt from the “Tuerk understudy” is basically a legal booby trap with Lehigh County’s name engraved on it.

This is an overreach of government and what is his next set of rules and regulations?

“You may only use the restroom during odd‑numbered hours.”

“No smoking unless you donate to Alcoholics Anonymous.”

At this rate, Josh will be issuing emotional support permits for breathing.

This is the same guy who previously tried to pressure property owners not to sell to ICE.

As if he’s the landlord of the entire county.

Newsflash: You don’t own the citizens, Josh.

Maybe he could try focusing on something that actually matters — like businesses, the roads, keeping taxes stable, the homeless crisis I’m exhausted from writing about, or literally anything he promised during his campaign. But no, we’re stuck with another round of ideological theater.

I’ve said it repeatedly: Allentown, Northampton, and Lehigh County need to wake up and stop electing people who treat public office like a classroom for their personal crusades. These political fools  are burning down the Valley with their hate‑driven, self‑serving legislation. Instead of improving quality of life or public safety, they’re busy chasing their own egos.

I feel Mr. Siegel is doing this, because it may get him on national news and increase his exposure on a larger scale.  A propaganda to get major Democratic leaders to see who he is, in hopes of furthering his career.  I would expect this from the occupant on the 5th floor at 435 Hamilton St., but this is a new low for you, Josh.

Lehigh County -- Do better, stop selecting these radicals. Send them all a message on Tuesday and then again in November.