Lawsuit Shakes Up 134th House Race

Emmaus political activists accuse Democrat Patrick Slattery and others of defamation of character

Two Emmaus political activists are suing Democratic House candidate Patrick Slattery and 13 others for defamation of character as a result of activities in the fall 2011 general election season. The lawsuit of former Emmaus Borough councilman Otto Slozer and former borough council candidate John Donches was filed in Lehigh County Court on Monday.  The suit comes one week before a special election to determine who will serve the remaining term of Rep. Doug Reichley, who resigned his seat representing the 134th House District to become a county judge. Slattery and GOP candidate Ryan Mackenzie are running in the special election to be held Tuesday, April 24. In addition to Slattery, the lawsuit names Citizens for Strong Communities Treasurer …

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CEPTA Confirms Debate Will Happen Without Slattery

John Donches, President of the Concerned East Penn Taxpayers Association (CEPTA), says tonight’s CEPTA debate will happen as planned.

The President of the Concerned East Penn Taxpayers Association (CEPTA) confirmed that tonight’s CEPTA-sponsored debate in Emmaus will continue as planned, with or without an appearance by Democratic candidate Patrick Slattery. Tonight’s event has been advertised as an opportunity to get to know the candidates running in the April 24 special election to fill the 134th District House seat. The seat has been vacant since Doug Reichley took his seat on the bench in the Lehigh County Courthouse in January. Earlier today Slattery issued a statement making it known that he won't participate in the debate scheduled for 7:30 tonight, as a result of a lawsuit filed in Lehigh County Court yesterday. Donches, a former candidate for Emmaus Borough …

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Ron Beitler

9:00 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Make that one candidate.... No show for Mackenzie. Arlene Dabrow was the only candidate present. She did a good job seemed sincere, strong on issues relating to seniors. Met her briefly afterword. She will be on the ballot vs. Mackenzie in the republican primary on the 24th.   more ›

Slattery Hits Back Against Defamation Lawsuit

Democratic candidate Patrick Slattery says defamation lawsuit filed by Emmaus GOP activists is politically motivated

Democratic House candidate Patrick Slattery issued the following statement on Tuesday, April 17: "Yesterday, Republican activists and former political candidates Mr. Otto Slozer and Mr. John Donches filed a defamation of character suit against me in Lehigh County Court. If you follow the trail of this frivolous lawsuit, it leads right to the backrooms of Harrisburg. The attorney representing Mr. Slozer and Mr. Donches, Mr. Larry Otter, has done extensive work for the House Republican Campaign Committee to remove Democrats from ballots across the commonwealth. This is the kind of baseless, desperate, and political stunt my opponent, Mr. Ryan Mackenzie, and his friends in Harrisburg use to win elections when voters are rejecting their …

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VOTE: November 8, 2011

Money big Issue for Emmaus Council Candidates

All six contenders are ready for November.

Editor's Note: This article is the second in a four-part series covering the Emmaus Borough Council and East Penn School Board races, which will be decided through the Nov. 8 general election. Money. It seems to be the key issue among candidates for four-year terms on Emmaus Borough Council. Six candidates are running for four of seven seats on the council on Nov. 8. Despite the circus surrounding controversial Web sites, there are some real issues for Emmaus. As listed by the League of Women Voters of the Lehigh Valley, Lee Ann Gilbert is current council president, completing her third term. Born in 1961, she graduated from Emmaus High School and has been the chairperson of the Public Safety Committee for the last 12 years. She is a …

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Giovanni Landi

9:13 pm on Sunday, November 6, 2011

Please find this response from John Donches. Dear Caribbean Queen As to your question on the group E-Flow (Emmaus for Locally Owned Water). It was an organization formed back in 2005 to oppose selling the Emmaus public water system. It was formed after a former council woman discovered that committee level discussions were held, regarding drawing up contracts to sell the Emmaus public water …   more ›

VOTE: November 8, 2011

Otto Slozer Remains a big Name in Emmaus Elections

Former Emmaus Borough Councilman Otto Slozer is running conservative newspaper in Emmaus.

Editor's Note: This article is the first in a four-part series covering the Emmaus Borough Council and East Penn School Board races, which will be decided through the Nov. 8 general election. It’s been eight years since Otto Slozer lost his last Emmaus council election, obtaining 860 votes compared to 1,812 for the top vote-getter, incumbent Susan Schmidt. But no one in Emmaus since then has caused such a commotion for headline writers. At least one local columnist put him in a Hall of Fame with the likes of the late Anna Tropiano of Allentown and Ron Angle of the Slate Belt. Now 63, Slozer has been out of public office 13 years. And he does dabble in politics as board chairman of the Lehigh Valley Commentator,  a conservative newspaper in…

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Black Sheep

1:06 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012

If I did the exact same thing, would you make the same comments about me? It sounds like those who dislike Mr. Slozier will do anything to keep his name in the forefront and then complain about it.   more ›