Where in the 15th Congressional District are John Callahan and Charlie Dent?

From a recent press release: This week, both Mr. Callahan and Mr. Dent failed to show up at the second local debate in a row, which turned the evening into another “victory by TKO” for independent congressional candidate Jake Towne. While all three candidates will appear on this week’s WFMZ-69 televised debate, Towne is excluded from the Morning Call/PBS/Greater Lehigh Valley of Chamber Commerce due to a skewed and openly biased poll. Towne is also excluded from a candidate forum tomorrow evening in Allentown.

Organizers of future debates such as the Nazareth Chamber of Commerce are finding it difficult to track down and obtain responses from the two career politicians’ campaigns.

Two weeks ago, both Mr. Callahan and Mr. Dent did not show for a debate at Cedar Crest College in a crowded room. Mr. Callahan, who at first accepted the invitation, was instead attending a private fundraiser per his website.

While both Mr. Callahan and Mr. Dent may laud debates and democratic elections in public, the truth is that they wish to escape to November 2nd with as little scrutiny from the people as possible. Citizens should question these Establishment career politicians who do not deign to explain themselves to those they wish to serve. There is no higher responsibility of a candidate than to listen to the public and explain themselves.

In marked contrast to his opponents’ escapism from economic reality, Towne spent a day last weekend volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, and served lunch in a Bethlehem soup kitchen as he has done once a week for the past half year.

Towne is a chemical engineer who worked in the semiconductor industry and resigned his job to abroad in Asia to return home and run for office as an independent private citizen. Towne has promised to accept only the median household income and not enlist in the congressional health care or pension plans. The remainder of the $174,000 salary will be donated to local non-profit hospitals. He also champions sound money and a novel-yet-simple form of accountable and transparent government, “Our Open Office.”

Video of Towne’s last speech “Jobs, Debt, Veterans, and War” is here.

Upcoming Events!!

• Crop Walk, October 10th in Bethlehem, registration at 1p.m. under the Hill-To-Hill Bridge, Main and Spring streets.  This charity event benefits soup kitchens around the Lehigh Valley, including the one I volunteer at every week.  The walk begins at 1:30 p.m.  MAP.  Please RSVP to towneforcongress@gmail.com or call 610-392-8156.
• WFMZ-69 Debate to be televised live, October 13 on WFMZ-69, 8 PM.
• Lunch with Allentown Rotary Club, Friday, October 15 at the Holiday Inn, 12:30-1 PM.  904 W. Hamilton Streets, Allentown, PA 18101.  Map.  Briefly address and answer questions from this group.
• Nazareth Area of Commerce Debate on Monday, October 18th, from 9:30-11 AM.  Economic focus.  Tickets are necessary for breakfast, see www.nazarethchamber.com.  Location is Rt 22 and 512 at the Best Western.
• Morning Call Online Chat, online at noon on October 19th.  URL TBA.
• East Penn Taxpayer’s Association Candidates Night on October 19th, 7:30 PM.  Open to the public, will speak for a few minutes and answer questions.  Emmaus Fire Co. #1 on 610 Broad Street, Emmaus, PA.  MAP.
• Pen Argyl Area Concerned Citizens Debate, Wednesday, October 20, evening, exact time/place to be announced.
• De Sales University Debate, Thursday, October 21, 7:30-9 PM in Center Valley, PA.  Located in the Commonwealth Room in the University Center (Building #48 in this map).  Open Q&A from the audience.
• Express Times Debate, Monday, October 25 at the State Theatre in Easton, 7 PM.  453 Northampton Street
  Easton, PA 18042.  MAP.  Open to public.
• Northampton Community College Forum, October 28, 11 AM.  Open to public, Q&A. Location is the World War II Conference Room – CC117 located on the first floor of the College Center.  3835 Green Pond Rd Bethlehem, PA 18020.  Campus Map.
• NOVEMBER 2nd ELECTION DAY!! Volunteers are needed to hand out literature outside of local polling stations, please volunteer here and share your name, phone #, city, and if you live in the district, your current polling location.