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Michael Kubel / The Morning Call
Alburtis Councilman-elect Kyle Bower poses in front of his home in Alburtis on Dec. 8, 2011.
Alburtis, Pa., Councilman Kyle Bower, 19, is in trouble with the law again, this time being accused of stealing campaign signs of Republican candidates and going on a drunken joyride through a Pennsylvania crop field, according to local media reports.
Bower, a Democrat who was sworn in to the Alburtis Borough Council in January despite a criminal record that included stalking and escape charges, faces one felony charge – agricultural crop destruction – and various misdemeanor charges in connection with the latest alleged escapade, according to reports in The Morning Call and The Express-Times.
Bower is accused of stealing three campaign signs – one for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and others backing U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent and state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie – from a neighbor’s property on Oct. 4. Police say he then drove his car through an acre of a soybean field in neighboring Lower Macungie Township, causing $595 damage.
The election signs, along with two bottles of beer, were found in the vehicle, which was abandoned in the field, according to The Morning Call.
"I started off the evening of Oct. 3 at my friend's house in Alburtis," Bower told police, according to court papers cited by the newspaper. "After leaving his residence, I took my car to the area of Smith Lane in Lower Macungie. There is when I started driving my Camry through the fields. After about 10 minutes in the field, my car bottomed out in an embankment."
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Bower was sworn in to office on Jan. 4, just hours after he pleaded guilty in a Lehigh County courtroom to escape and stalking charges for throwing a brick through his ex-girlfriend's window and slipping out of handcuffs during an alcohol-related arrest, according to The Morning Call. He was sentenced to probation.
Bower told the judge at the time that he had an alcohol problem in the past but was now sober and receiving treatment.
"I really am a different person," Bower said at the time, according to The Morning Call.
After the latest run-in with the law, Alburtis Council President Steve Hill said he plans to ask Bower to resign.
"If he doesn't resign, I'm going to ask him to resign," Hill said Tuesday, the newspaper reported. "He's now a distraction.
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This fool is old enough to vote. Scary.
wonder who he will vote for?......................
@Flame Thrower
And that has what exactly to do with this story?
Backcountry,
FlamingT is just demonstrating their Cut & Paste skills since they have no original thoughts or reading comprehension themselves.
Just thank Newsvine for the "No Value" option.
Don't like the truth ?
Bias at the debates should not be tolerated. When you see this kind of bias, you have to also wonder if Obama was given some of the questions in advance.
Hey Flame - me tinks you am posting on the wrong thread. Just a thought but this is about some road apple town having teen agers on town council pulling peel outs and pranks for s & g's.
@Flame Thrower
No what we don't like is trolls derailing with off topic rants.
The fact that this kid can vote is not what amazes me. The fact that there are citizens that would actually vote for him is mind boggling.
I thought being a drunken, thieving stalker was a prerequisite for the job.
Im thinking more to the side of (In Penn.) the more signs shown, you`s gets da most of thems their votes! Not a bad straggitty for some youngen!!! WEEEEE DOGGGGGIE (signed jed clamppet)
Perhaps he is the lesser of evils on the ballot?
Seems more like he adds some comic relief!
This young Democrats hero must have been Ted Kennedy. At least this guy hasn't killed anybody (yet).
This is just a little scary and totally outrageous.................they voted for him so they get to keep him. I can see him trying to bring in a new policy for a vote.
Mayor: "No Mr. Bower you don't have a second for you motion to make our council meetings into "Keggers"".
Ted Kennedy would have been proud
Yeah, since about 1971 when the 26th amendment was passed. Not only that, but at nineteen, he's legally an adult and can do all kinds of things, including running for most any elected office except for US Representative (age 25), US Senator (age 30), or President of the United States (age 35).
Unfortunately, age is objective when in some cases, such as this one, we would be much better served if it was subjective. Behaviorally, he's definitely still a 'kid'!
Either he was able to put on a good enough face to hoodwink many of the voters in the ward he represents (I'd be surprised if he was an at-large councilman) or else a majority of them in his corner of town feel he is 'one of them'. THAT is what's scary.
Gotta give the council president a few points persistence:
And if he doesn't resign, will he ask him again ?
My thoughts exactly...
well... if he had a son...
Plain bob, I see why you call yourself plain.. just keeping talking stupid.
Over/Under on how many people support him or hail him as a hero because he is in their party? 90?
Scarier that people voted for him. That's how Obama got elected too.
These are the kind of people democrats vote for.....
Denver Bill
you funny, thanks for giving something to lauch about today.
Think he would offer to stand in for Biden if there were another V.P. debate??
To all posters who feel it's just Democrats that break the law-
Here's a short sample of some of the people that Republicans vote for, so keep all things in perspective-
Republican County Constable Larry Dale Floyd was arrested on suspicion of soliciting sex with an 8-year old girl. Floyd has repeatedly won elections for Denton County, Texas, constable.
Republican judge Mark Pazuhanich pleaded no contest to fondling a 10-year old girl and was sentenced to 10 years probation.
Republican Party leader Bobby Stumbo was arrested for having sex with a 5-year old boy.
Republican teacher and former city councilman John Collins pleaded guilty to sexually molesting 13 and 14 year old girls.
Republican campaign worker Mark Seidensticker is a convicted child molester.
Republican Mayor Philip Giordano is serving a 37-year sentence in federal prison for sexually abusing 8- and 10-year old girls.
Republican Mayor John Gosek was arrested on charges of soliciting sex from two 15-year old girls.
Republican County Commissioner David Swartz pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under the age of 11 and was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Republican legislator Edison Misla Aldarondo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping his daughter between the ages of 9 and 17.
Republican Committeeman John R. Curtain was charged with molesting a teenage boy and unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
Republican anti-abortion activist Howard Scott Heldreth is a convicted child rapist in Florida.
And this is just a list of child molesters
His idol must be Ted Kennedy
I love this stuff, happens in nearly every article I read. Republicans claim that only Democrats have idiots in their ranks, Democrats make the same claims about Republicans. Bottom line is, there are morons in all parties, and this fool is just the latest example, and just happens to be a Democrat. Well, guess what, folks, there are idiots in all parties, he's just the fool of the hour. I will say, though, I've gotten a few good laughs from some of the humorous posts here - dirp, gTouch, even spellchecker (with whom I rarely agree) - I truly enjoyed your posts.
Some Obama supporter stuck a sign in my wife's boss's business yard today. I got removed before he saw it. He has didn't like either candidate this year, and Obama the least.
I don't recall seeing or hearing about republicans or libertarians removing or damaging signs, but I had a Bush sign removed twice (I rarely put any signs in my yard). Then a few years ago some republican put a large sign in his yard. After having his sign vandalized a couple of time, he pointed his security cameras at it. Some Democrat's dumb kid was video taped defacing the sign and prosecuted.
"I tasted the beer, but I DID NOT swallow, officer!"
The difference between YOU and THIS GUY? When they ask you "Party?", you reply with Republican or Democrat. When they ask this guy, he replies, "Hell Yeah!"
"Bower, a Democrat who was sworn in to the Alburtis Borough Council in January despite a criminal record that included stalking and escape charges,"
The Democrats were impressed with his "devotion" and "ability to run and hide".
Democrats - The party OF criminals FOR criminals who will trade their votes for taxpayer funded "freebies".
pjam, would you dare to guess what party offiliation the guy who made the unflattering movie about islam is? you do also know he's been jailed again for violating his parole right?
Sounds quite normal for a Dem
Funny, I was going to suggest he moves to the GOP since he would fit in there quite well.
But the fact of the matter is he is a model democrat!
No, he does sound like your typical Dem. Worst thing is he would be re-elected if he ran.
Actually, he sounds like a typical D.A. (dimwit) - but I stand by my re-election claim
no, he's more like a republican!
no, he's a dem!
uh, uh!
uh huh!
have i made my point yet or should i continue children?
you lost me right after the first no
No matter what he sounds like, I still stand behind his being re-elected.
There is something about elections that reinforces my thinking Darwin only had it half right.
Actually, he sounds like a 19 year old to me. That said, had he been a Republican, the MSN headline would have been "Republican Councilman Destroys Democratic Campaign Signs and Crops"
Thank you HATR_HURTER. This election is more of a high school popularity contest then a Presidental election. If we were rolling in money and everyone liked us, maybe would could roll in the mud a little but we are not. China wants to take over, Russia is still not our friend and the Middle East is about to explode again. Europe is broke so they cannot help and they got their own problems, Greece. I have three jobs to make it, I guess those that have time have time to sling mud.
kids a theif!! THANKS moaa and paw 4 your wonderful addition to our planet! (nows pass me some shine and shut the hell up!)
Since he wasn't caught having sex with a young boy, you can't really say he's like a Republican...
His party affiliation doesn't matter.The problem I see is that he thinks he's above the law and he is very immature.Hid town have scraped the bottom of the barrel with this councilman.
Being a Democrat means the rules are for everyone else.
Some wonder why anyone would vote for this idiot yet those same people see the main issue of the story as what party he's affiliated with today.
scalzo - Did you actually read the article?
""Bower, a Democrat who was sworn in to the Alburtis Borough Council in January despite a criminal record that included stalking and escape charges,"
When an escapee/stalker is elected not it does it say heaps about the party who gave him a nomination but it also shows the ignorance of party-owned sheep that would support it.
You don't want to further embarrass your party and highlight how desperate and despicable Democrats are?.... don't put convicted criminals on the ballot. Is that too complicated?
Ted Kennedy must have been his role model.
Seems like it, if Bush was his role model he would have been coked up too.
Or Marion Barry.
Be careful who you vote for, they may just win.
This is one of the reasons I beleive there should be a lifeguard at the gene pool
Nope...no lifeguard at the gene pool. Let them drown.
The lifegaurd would be to remove them from the pool and keep them from returning... this prevents them from drowning others with their stupidity.
Bower, a Democrat, and an Alcoholic? It is all making sense to me now! Liberalism is more than just a mental disorder.
Oh so true. Republicans never have drinking/drug problems or do idiotic or illegal things. Now - how do you talk when you take your tinfoil hat off?
Frankly why are you people making this about one party or the other, sounds to me like he would fit in both of them. I find it so depressing people still consider democrats or republicans as "good for anything".
Trying to figure out which politician to support in most races is a lot like trying to figure out how to pick up a dog turd by the clean end.
Gary-3017851; FOR PRESIDENT!
denver bill 2 ; FOR VICE PRESIDENT!
IF someone dosen`t do something SOON! were all SCREWED!
Ship of fools (The Doors) were ON IT!! (THANKS Gary & denver lmao! we all need too!!)
What kind of idiots vote for a teenager?
You kinda answered your own question there, now didn't ya.
Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!
Just goes to show you that elections are not won on intellect or issues but on emotion.
The same ones that voted for oblame-o.
The same ones that would vote no on his recall vote. The citizens of the city have only "one person" to blame, themselves.
thank you. proof the voting age needs to be raised
He is the perfect example of teenagers growing to be men in the future that think they are above the law and just laugh. His photo says..." You can't touch me". Boot his ass out.
justme,
did you notice this?
From the article:
From the picture caption:
Now look at the two flags in the background (his house). What is second [yellow] flag of?
"Don't tread on me"
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Gadsden_flag.svg/800px-Gadsden_flag.svg.png
Sounds like Pennsylvania- Pittsburgh on one end, Philadelphia on the other end and Arkansas in the middle.
Rick - "What kind of idiots vote for a teenager?"
Your concern is that he is a teenager? How about the fact that he is also a convicted criminal?
Bower, a Democrat who was sworn in to the Alburtis Borough Council in January despite a criminal record that included stalking and escape charges,"
What kind of idiots? the worst kind: party-owned, mindless Democrats who trade their votes for hand-outs and have zero regard for the future of anyone else.
Aren't there any real adults willing to serve the community?
cant think of one...............
Real adults have too much self respect and character to run for public office. The traits that make a successful politician are identical to the traits found in narcissistic sociopaths.
When I was a kid, some dreamed of some day being President. Nowadays, I told my kids - can't recommend it. Low pay for a 24/7 job, where no one is ever satisfied, and any range of insults - often terrible and personal - are out there for not only the candidate, but his wife AND kids as well. Who needs that kind of aggravation?? One would have to have a TREMENDOUS ego to wish to be in the history books, or a Christ-like sense of purpose.
Pretty sure Mitt is in the ego category.
Nobody in their right mind becomes a politician.........
free publicity, he has a great campain manager.
Obama/Bower in 2012 !!
For town council of this cow patch........I second the motion
Typical Democrap
Yes he's a democrap, but he's behaving like a Kennedy, and that's delusion.
Give the kid a break!!! He is the best friend the Republicans have so let him go!!!!
LET ALBURTIS GO! LET ALBURTIS GO! LET ALBURTIS GO! LET ALBURTIS GO!
alburtis is part of the town, not the guy's name.
Clipper speaks like a Republican. Misinformation, in all caps, with a lot of exclamation points.
I have a lot of good records on vinyl but I don't miss the skip and play...skip and play....skip and play......
P.P. reference to a broken record
I thought all the drunks and miscreants were conservative. (can't you just see all the cons looking up the meaning of miscreant?) No, wait. That's sexual deviants. You're right. Dems drink, Reps abuse.
And Anthony Weiner was considered one of the "shining stars" of the Democrat party... nothing at all narcissistic and deviant about twitter pics of your junk to infatuated loonies and then lying to everyone about it and trying to blame an innocent man.
P.S.
Did you notice the part were he is a CONVICTED STALKER, among other convictions.
"Bower, a Democrat who was sworn in to the Alburtis Borough Council in January despite a criminal record that included stalking and escape charges,"
This is just proof that people are stupid and only vote for a party. I bet the only reason he won was becasue he was a democrat in an election that favored them. It serves the people right for just thinking of his party when ultimately its the individual that calls the shots of the office. You see this with both dems and repubs its so sickening.
Democrats take it to new lows, this guy was already convicted of multiple crimes at only 19... and they still elected him.
"Bower, a Democrat who was sworn in to the Alburtis Borough Council in January despite a criminal record that included stalking and escape charges,"
Typical politician behavior. I see nothing amiss here.
This is one reason I believe "None of the Above" should be an option onevery ballot.
...and if a majority votes for "None of the Above", start the election process over, banning the candidates that couldn't beat "None of the Above" from running again. With our current crop of National candidates we'd never get anybody elected! Hmm? not necessarily a bad thing. Smaller government by refusing to elect the only people sick enough to run.
There is, it is the write in option.
Let the kid blow off steam, you people act like you where saints when young and we all know that is BS
So, criminal behavior (and a history of it) = blowing off steam? Bet you'd whine if he stole YOUR political signs and drove through a corn field that you farmed to feed your family.
being a kid 'blowing off steam' is not issue here. It is the maturity and decision making abilty of a council member that is being questioned.
Obviously this 'kid' is lacking in judgement skills or common sense.
I guess you missed the whole stalking his girlfriend part, throwing a brick thru her window and then escaping from the police...Not exactly what I would call blowing off steam... downright criminal conduct I would say .
Why is a 19 year old even on the city council in the first place? Are there any other family members serving in some capacity in that town? Yep, hinting at nepotism here...
Just wondering what kind of idiot was running against him if he was the best candidate that people voted for. People need to remember these people are making decisions for you and your community, why would you give that honor and responsibility to someone that had already showed he was not mature enough to make the right decisions in his own life.
voting party is like ordering beef
don't complain when you get mountain oysters or tongue
comes from the same critter as a 't'bone
Ask the people of MA, they kept Ted Kennedy in office for 40+ years
"If he doesn't resign, I'm going to ask him to resign," Hill said Tuesday, the newspaper reported. "He's now a distraction.
As if being a stalker in the first place isn't a distraction. Glad I don't live where this puppy was voted in.
"He's now a distraction"
Now? Just now? What was he before? Are drunken idiots not always distractions?
Classic! You might be a redneck if......
LOL...It has been my observation that more city boys get stuck in the cornfields than country boys.
Is that from the big book of foksy Piney wisdom?
Really...I mean really...He was sworn in after pleading guilty to escape and stalking...why was he not sentenced to jail or prison.
And you fools who elected him and that includes both those who voted for him and those who voted against him. Why was there no demand for his resignation or a recall...He is a convicted felon, How can he be your legal representative.
They are Democrats. As long as the political favors are favorable to someone who claims their party they are all for it... forget all intelligence or even common sense.
...
This is obviously a republican smear.
They just cannot fathom that young people are capable of making decisions and serving the people.
.
Obama / Biden in 2012.
...
business owners for romney!! and raising the age to vote lol
I almost wish you would get Rmoney. What a salesman, he and eddie are going to scr*w everybody but the rich. I said almost; it would be a pleasure to see your face when it happens....but since I'm not interested in really being a part of it, I'll pass
Obama/Biden 2012