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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Seyfried Back in Action

Jerry Seyfried, in his first committee meeting as Northampton County's newest council member, is already making a difference. Perched next to the Northampton County Bulldog, Seyfried immediately displayed his deep understanding of the Home Rule Charter, noticing something that seems to have been missed by everyone else.

When Northampton County Council adopted its ordinance establishing its own gaming authority, it decided to make some appointments on its own. But according to Section X of the Home Rule Charter, that's the Executive's job, as Seyfried pointed out.

Seyfried also had some good advice for the Executive's new Director of Corrections, Bob Myers, who comes from the ranks of career service. "Get a letter from the administration that you have a right to return to career service if you do not like his job." Seyfried later noted that this "has already been tested in the courts and it works."

He explained that, in the private sector, union workers would be fired after being appointed to exempt positions, and suggests this safeguard was built into career service regs.

Seyfried spoke with obvious respect to the administration and fellow council members. But County Council Prez Ann McHale did her best to continue the dysfunctional mess with cracks like "Ron, act your age, will you?" and "Don't tell me what to do."

In addition to Seyfried, Angle and McHale, today's meeting was attended by Peg Ferraro, John Cusick and Joe Capozzolo.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Poor Ann, she was outnumbered by the Angle posse.

So now we not only get to read undying love tomes to Stoffa and angle but to Jerry as well.

Oh well, lets see how functional this body is over the next five months.

Anonymous said...

Angle's Solicitor Tony Martini wrote an opinion indicating that under state laws Council can appoint and when state law and the charter conflict, state law wins.

Anonymous said...

Sorry anon 7:44, if Yale Law School scholars Angle and Jerry disagree they must be right.

O'Hare will soon be attacking you for being so stupid. Never question O'Hare mancrushes.

Dummy!

Bernie O'Hare said...

The council solicitor is Anthony Martino, and I don't think he considered this specific question. I also don't think the state law preempts the charter in ths instance bc it is silent as to how members are named. But obviously, Anthony Martino is the person whose advice should be sought. I am just glad council has someone who looks at issues like that one.

Anonymous said...

I am hoping that Jerry's short Pygmalion presence will help train the others (especially Anna) as to how professional educated sane adults operate in grown up society. Let's think of it like a 5 month political charm school and see who graduates and who doesn't.

Anonymous said...

Why didn't McClure and Dert go? They're not in jail, are they?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Despite the mean-spirited rants coming from McClure and Dertinger, it was nice to see a class act on council. It reminded me of a different time when we all looked up to them.

Margaret Mitchell said...

There was a land of Cavaliers and Cornfields called the "Old Northampton County." Here in this pretty world, Gallantry took its last bow. Here was the last ever to be seen of Knights and their Ladies Fair, of Civil Democrat and Polite Republican. Look for it only in old minutes, for it is no more than a dream remembered, a Civilization gone with the wind...

Anonymous said...

Margaret put the damn bottle down.

Anna had a sememster of college, one more than the "professionally" trained Jerry.

Buy a clue, maroon.

Anonymous said...

Another of what will undoubtedly be many Bernie blogasms over Jerry. He sure does like giving bloghead to career compilers. Jerry's election campaign starts here.

Oh God! Oh God! Oh God!

Ahhhhhh.

Got a light?

Dave said...

Doesn't the Queen get any? She does seem overly miserable lately. Her failed political aspirations signs still seen near Martins Creek..overgrown with weeds..how appropriate!

Anonymous said...

Speaking of meetings, can you give us an update on the workhorses of council. Mcclure seems to boycott alot of meetings.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Dowd, McClure & Dertinger were noshows at yesterday's committee hearing. I can't remember whether Cuisck or Angle started with this, but the 6 council members present yesterday expressed their unhappiness with lamont McClure for his failure to schedule a finance committee hearing. Once again, McClure has dropped that ball on what is probably the council's most important committee. Even McHale, who appointedd him, expressed her frustration at McClure's failure to schedule meetings.

Anonymous said...

McClure is following Obama's Senate example of getting elected and not showing up to actually do the job.

He's a smooth operator. He probably forming an exploratory committee prior to running for POTUS.

Run Lamont Run!

Anonymous said...

Dan says: Only 3 members showed up for the groundbreaking of Wayne Grube park tuesday. Lamont boycotted, Charlies dog ate the telegram, Ann gave bad directions to Jerry and Mike, etc...

Bernie O'Hare said...

That's really sad, especially since Dertinger made them change the date so he could be there for his campaign.

Anonymous said...

I've never taken a dime of the taxpayers' money. When will they name a park for me?

I propose we only permit governmental bodies to name sewage treatment plants after politicians.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Now who could this be :-) ???

Anna's old prom date said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

O'Hare if you had integrity or class you would delete the last entry. You scream about personal attacks. That last one was one of the worst I have read.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I have no class or integrity, but the comment is over the top and I should have deleted it. I honestly hadn't noticed it until you drew my attention to it. You are right.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mr. O'Hare.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Every comment posted here is emailed to me. I either read them or listen to them via a reading service I have w/ my ISP. The deleted comment was read to me and I only heard the part about education. I should have been more careful and apologize to anyone who was offended.