City solicitor defends ordering landlords' payment -- Public Of...

Easton solicitor William Murphy said Wednesday it was a ''mistake'' for him to direct city officials to issue a settlement check in November to two landlords without prior council approval.

[Billy Givens]

Easton Solicitor William Murphy and other city officials ADMIT they condone the issuance of tax-funded checks to Easton developers Peter Koheler and Terry Briggs.

These officials also ADMIT the motive for their actions was to AVOID a class-action law suit brought by the thousands of Easton water users whom the city has cheated over the years.

Also figuring hugely into this fraud was to perpetuate the deception that fees rather than property taxes are the only "fair" way for the city to raise revenues BECAUSE AT LEAST 40% OF THE CITY'S PROPERTIES ARE TAX EXEMPT!

[Billy Givens]

The "Fee vs. Tax" policy was championed by Easton Treasurer John McGraw during the Thomas F. Goldsmith administrations as the only "fair way" to raise city revenue.

McGraw and his boss Goldsmith - with the concurrence of Easton City Council - based their reasoning on the fact that at least 40% of Easton's property is tax-exempt.

[Billy Givens]

John McGraw was also the city of Easton treasurer who steered the collection of the city's delinquent taxes to the Portnoy law offices of Montgomery County.

[comment]

Where does one find such inept law school graduates in Pennsylvania?

Fire this solicitor!

[daffy]

Given you are wrong the Goldsmith had any thing to do with the water billing. It was our pal Sal that started to increase the rates to make up more money. If your so intouch with Easton you should of known it......

[Billy Givens]

Of course Panto shares in the blame, just as he shares with Goldsmith the pollution of the Delaware River and destruction of Easton's sewerage-treatment that poisoned the river and sent two treatment plant employees to federal prison.

[Billy Givens]

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. is not going to fire his long-time personal friend, confidant, and political advisor Bill Murphy - or, for that matter, Murphy's assistant solicitor Joel Sheer, both of whom were on vacation and unavailable for public comment when this story first broke.

[Billy Givens]

Bill Murphy is a member of the Easton law firm with partner Henry Newton Jr. that in collusion with Northampton County Court of Common Pleas judges and other lawyers had Plainfield octogenarian Anna Mae Kessler committed to the Williams Manor assisted-living facility in Bushkill Township.

[tommers]

Sounds like alot of double talk to me. The solicitor should know the language. Apparently, he doesnt take the time to read anything.

[daffy]

WHAT HAPPEN WITH THE MEETING LAST NIGHT GIVING THE GO AHEAD FOR NO COLLEGE NEED FOR POLICE OFFICERS?

[Billy Givens]

Murphy's law firm and the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas are also complicit with the Warren County Surrogate Court in Belvidere, New Jersey, in the transfer of Warren County resident Alice Mae Kays to an assisted-living facility in Bangor Borough, Pennsylvania.

[Wazzup]

Here, attorney Murphy has apologized for this mistake and the Council evidently ratified his actions. This seems to be a non-story: even if mistaken, Mr. Murphy appears to have acted with what he thought was his authority at the time. If the Council were not to have ratified the settlement after-the-fact, then there would be something to report.

[Billy Givens]

In inverse proportion to the rising number of police misconduct lawsuits against the city of Easton Police Department, the city's council - which includes Mayor Sal Panto Jr. - lowers the educational standards and requirements of the city's police officers.

[Billy Givens]

Yes, Wazzup, Brooklyn, NY

And just how many angels do you divine can dance on the head of a pin?

[daffy]

Billy Givens
did you cut and paste the ploice info or you saying it passed. Any how do you come up to the idea that this will increase law suits??????

Would you hire Tom Edison for a electrical job ?

I would.....

[yourmomma]

of course he thinks it's legal. he did it - do you think he's going to stand up and say it was illegal. typical scumbag lawyer

[willie nilly]

Billy Billy Billy PLEASE get your facts straight before you try to convince someone other than yourself that you are correct. All you do is try to trivialize everything that is positive and exaggerate the negative. Do oyu think anyone other than yourself nelieves what you say anymore.

And also, I asked Mayor Panto about your friendship and he said that the next time you get in trouble with the police -- you are on your own!

[willie nilly]

and that's because you made that political as well when in reality he was trying to help defuse a situation that his "friend" Billy created and you said he did it for political reasons.