After 27 consecutive years without a hitch, somebody threw a monkey wrench into an annual event that provides thousands of toys to disadvantaged children each holiday season — just six days after the event's organizer won the latest court victory in a long and bitter dispute with the local police establishment.
On Nov. 14, a ruling by Lehigh County Judge Michele Varricchio reaffirmed previous rulings that Macungie Mayor Rick Hoffman is in charge of the borough police department, as the law clearly provides, and Police Chief Edward Harry Jr. cannot deny Hoffman access to the department.
Last Sunday, the motorcycle organization ABATE held its 28th annual Lehigh Valley Toy Run, with a procession of 1,500 motorcycles and other vehicles carrying toys from the Walmart store in Lower Macungie Township to the Volunteers of America Children's Center in Allentown.
On all 27 previous toy runs, police and other authorities provided escorts and helped the long processions stay together by moving through intersections without interference from traffic lights or other obstructions.
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