At the very start of last night's reorganization of Lehigh County Comm'rs, Chairman Percy Dougherty made clear he's "had enough." He's ably served as Chair for the past four years, and much of the collegiality and good humor is a direct result of his influence. It's the finest legislative body I've ever seen. But Dougherty noted that "the time has come" for a new Chairman.Ironically, the person he nominated - Dean Browning - is a reluctant volunteer. Back in November, Browning stated the Board needs a "Chairman who has substantially more time to devote to the position than I do. As a result, I’m not interested in the position of Chair for 2010." That was then, when there was still hope that Dougherty would rule the roost.
Given Dean's perfect attendance record at Commissioner and committee meetings, as well as his even disposition, he's a natural successor. But Andy Roman, whose attendance record at committee hearings is just 56%, felt he could be a better check and balance, at least when he's there. So he got Davey Jones, who has a 47% attendance record to nominate him.
And that's where the support ended.
Browning garnered support from the other six Commissioners, largely because they know he'll work. Gloria Hamm, in her own delicate way, pointedly noted, "The two candidates have very different attendance records."
After Browning's election, Hamm nominated Democrat Dan McCarthy as Vice Chair while Glenn Eckhart proposed Andy Roman again. But it was not Roman's night.
McCarthy captured six votes, including republican Dean Browning and Percy Dougherty. Browning argued that Barack Obama had forgotten his promise to transcend political parties once he was elected. Lehigh County republicans could do that, too. They could say, "We won, it's going to be our way, but that will not serve the citizens of Lehigh County. A bipartisan approach is needed to solve problems. We have not done that the last two years. It's time for a different approach."
McCarthy, incidentally, has an attendance record that rivals Browning. In this instance, the workhorses beat the showhorses.
9 comments:
Given the new political realities in Lehigh County, this was probably the best outcome for all involved!
Amazing as always
excellent choice - i bet donny boy is shaking in his boots
Bernie,
Congratulations to Dean & Dan on their election to chair and vice-chair respectively. I will support them fully in 2010.
We all know the REAL WORK for 2010 begins with doing research, phone calls, on-site visits, interviews with County workers, conference calls, communication with other counties, acting on Home Rule Charter responsibilities, and other "leg work" to get something done.
The other public "meetings" are perfunctory in nature and everyone knows it, but most won't admit it.
So the Workhorse/Showhorse analogies are backwards and upside down.
The idea that "grunt work" is done only at committee meetings which average 15 minutes in duration is comical and uninformed.
So I will continue to do the work behind the scenes and let the rest argue over who is actually doing something for the good of the County.
I measure success with results, you can measure success by appearance, attendance and good intentions, that's up to you.
I know another person who used to make those arguments, which are really just excuses for poor attendance. His name was Charles Dertinger.
You are both following the example set by Cardinal Richelieu, who said "Secrecy is the first essential in affairs of state”
The reality is that those "perfunctory" meetings, conducted publicly, help simplify issues and prevent misunderstandings. Chairman Dougherty credits them as the reason his meetings run so smoothly. Nortahmpton County, which has far fewer of these meetings, is a disaster by comparison. In fact, Ron Angle will be asking his committees to meet much more frequently.
So I pretty much reject your analysis. I agree that it goes beyond that, but my experience has been that elected leaders who can't be bothered to attend meetings are not particularly good at on-site visits, interviews with county workers, etc.
I will publish your defense as a separate blog so that people can see your point of view.
Judging by Andy's response disrespecting public meetings, it is for the best that he was not elected to a leadership post. He missing the point: committee meetings are an opportunity to do additional fact finding and work in such a way that will encourage deliberation and perhaps even allow new ideas to bubble up to the surface. Andy has proven himself to be more interested in partisanship and playing political games, so it isn't a surprise that he is a showhorse. He must find the introduction of new ideas and deliberation to be very uncomfortable.
Andy makes a great point. Ohare sees himself as a self-styled expert. He has never held office and screwed up his own life to Hell. Yet he thinks he, is the ultimate authority on honest government.
Most things people get accomplished don't come about by public meetings. Sorry Ohare, that is the way it is. Some grandstanding and public input can come at those committee meetings but unlike you, most people have real jobs and cannot hang out at the courthouse all day.
I realize some elected officials agree with everything you say but that is to be in your good graces on this blog. You have to be dense not to realize most of these pol's past and present refer to you as a major whack job behind your back. Hell, why wouldn't they, you are and you know it.
So easy on Andy, he is telling you the truth. But go ahead and spout your pointless point of view and let your "buddies" in government tell you how right you are.
Gee, since I'm such a major whack job and everyone knows it, why are you wasting your time even commenting here? Think of the venfdors you could be shaking down behind closed doors.
Atiyeh is already taken by Stoffa.
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