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Friday, May 17, 2013

Kim Beitler: Why I Support Dean Browning

Kim Beitler was a part-time clerk in the Lehigh County GOP. But her position was eliminated so that the party could pay Scott Ott to be its "Executive Director." She's supporting Dean Browning for Lehigh County Exec, and here's why:

Back in 2009, I can honestly say I voted for Scott Ott when he first ran for Lehigh County Executive against Democrat Don Cunningham. Scott seemed witty, even charming. I somehow thought that his words made a connection with his actions. Unfortunately, I have since learned that not to be the case. Mr. Ott seems to get by on platitudes and not much substance. I have learned much about the character of the man who uses the campaign motto “Live the Freedom”.

Mr. Ott was my supervisor for a time of a local organization of which we both were employed. Scott did “live the freedom”. He had a job that was newly created just for him, without needing to produce much work (in fact, I am still confused as to what he did produce while there) for his salary or his health benefits; which were never before given to anyone employed there. Seemingly, the only thing Scott Ott did was the live the freedom to put this organization further down into a financial hole while benefiting financially himself. Scott didn’t do anything to aid in making that committee solvent or to prosper. And, in the interim, worked diligently along with others to try to ruin the integrity of a hard working, intelligent man, Dean Browning; then a Lehigh County Commissioner. I cannot, now, or ever again, support Scott Ott for anything in which he may choose to run. When a person shows you their true character, as Scott has to me, I would be a fool to not pay attention. I will be voting for Dean Browning for Lehigh County Executive. I really do wish others who know my character and know the conduct of my work would take heed when I say that Scott is not all that he appears to be.

28 comments:

Mark Baker said...

a little honesty. perhaps ott could learn from the intern.

Anonymous said...

Another election, another last-minute, desperate attempt to smear his opponent from Browning (and his supporters). How sad.

If Dean were smart he would have learned from his last campaign instead of repeating it. The mean spirited attack ads say little about his opponents, and volumes about Dean's own character.

I smell desperation in the air. The only real question is how much Ott wins by on Tuesday.

If Dean really wanted to win, he would have owned up to his involvement in the 16% tax hike debacle and apologized. His constant denials make it clear he is either dishonest or delusional. Neither are good qualities for a county executive.

Anonymous said...

A disgruntled former employees is not the kind of endorsement that Browning needs. But birds of a feather, Ott didn't turn browning out of office, voters did and it wasn't for lack of funding. Browning spent in excess of 100000 and outspent Ott and his team. Browning was turned out because he continues to defend a vote that angered primary voting Rs. He has continued that denial in this campaign. Beitler like her candidate expresses herself only in the negative. Voters want to believe in something more than mud. The morning call even published a story this week that Brownings claims about Ott are deceptive and they are no friend of the Reform commissioners. Brownings support is coming from those in the Rs that represent the past. Ott supporters see a future ahead that is brighter because he stands for a cause bigger than his own political aspirations. Looking in a rear view mirror is a lousy way to drive and a lousy way to express a political vision but Browning continues to lament his victim hood rather to confront reality. He will collide with that reality again on Tuesday and my bet is he will once again look to lay responsibility anywhere but on himself. He spent his money on an overwhelmingly negative campaign because he knows that he doesn't have the support to lift him so he decided to try and drag Ott down. That is a telling testament to his vision and leadership and not one to be proud of. He raised nearly no money from locals and he has alienated many including some establishment Rs. Too bad he didn't spend his money competing with Ott on governance and policy. That could have been a good contrast race. Instead he fulfilled the image of what voters have come to resent. Sad sad sad.

Anonymous said...

I'm obviously not a Dean supporter. You know that. But that sure is a glamorous picture! -nlv

Anonymous said...

If you want to vote for the real smear team that would be the Woodman/Ott for executive ticket. I know, I was there, in the middle of it all. Because of that I am no longer part of the team.

Scott Armstrong

Anonymous said...

NLV - it's rare that a photo captures the true essence of a person, but I think this one might have.

And that's posted on a post SUPPORTING Dean!

Bernie O'Hare said...

NLV, Your hatred of Dean Browning is showing. That disgruntled former employee was admired by many LC Republican who are well aware that she was shoved aside to make room for Ott. I'm glad she spoke up.

Anonymous said...

Hey anonymous coward (8:46)my conservative credentials match anyone's around. The ASD is furloughing 140 teachers. That's conservative and a smart business approach to directing a public entity.
You can't even man up and post your name! Try running for office in a city totally dominated by Democrats, then once elected taking real conservative stands from the dais and taking the very real slings and arrows for it. Then come back and dare to criticize me.

Scott Armstrong

Anonymous said...

Dean Browning is the only man qualified for the job, Ott has never managed anything near the size of Lehigh County and hasn't done a thing since elected Commissioner and why would a sitting Commissioner give $20,000 to someone running for County Executive sounds fishy to me.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh Bernie, I made a light hearted comment exactly because I did not want to get into an argument over substance. I do enought of that elsewhere. Polticians regularly use funny photos of each other. This is not his best photo, that's all, and hey, I never spoke ill of Kim, I think she would admit. Take a chill man!
-nlv

Bernie O'Hare said...

It was a mean-spirited shot, which is the way you deal with Dean. You just don't see it bc you hate the guy.

Anonymous said...

No, this was not a fight here today. You want to address a comment, look at the other ones. Mine had no substance, an easy shot for you. Go for the harder ones -nlv

Bernie O'Hare said...

NLV, Since I took that picture, and happen to like it, I was not happy with your snark. The other comment is anonymous crap.

Anonymous said...

It really wasn't meant to be a great snark. I can snark well if I want too. To be as objective as I can, which is doubtful, I think the picture at his desk depicts him in a better light. In this one he looks sweaty and nervous. I am now way off topic here but I never thought the 2 cents was gonna get that much a response. I can do hateful, this was not it.

-nlv

Bernie O'Hare said...

You attempt to distort how Browning looked at a debate you did not attend is no snark. What could I be thinking?

Anonymous said...

Grow a set Kim. Then put on a cup. Politics is rough. And you're a sniveling little crybaby. Your waaaaaaaambulance will be by shortly to take you to buy some big girl pants. What a loser.

Bernie O'Hare said...

An anonymous coward tells someone else to grow a set.

Anonymous said...

By Steven Ramos / Former Executive Director (ED) of LCRC

I'd like it known that I consider Kim Beitler a friend and neighbor. I care for her and cared for her mother greatly.

Bernie, your by-line is incorrect. Kim was not let go so that Scott Ott could get a salary and health care benefits. She worked with me for about 6 more months after I came on board. I sacrificed personally to help keep Kim on staff. I pleaded with many of our committee members by letter, email, and word for financial support. We were left to hang by many of our friends. If not for the financial support of our elected representatives, a handful of our faithful committee and executive team members, and Wayne Woodman, Kim and I would not have been able to go as far as we did.

When critics of Mr. Woodman would tell me about how wrong it was to let Kim go, I retorted, "I have asked many to support financially and we received no response." As with many things that affect our communities, we can only blame ourselves when we choose to not participate and then find that the results are not what we desired.

As far as the ED position, the ED is there to implement the plans of the chairman and the executive team, help recruit committee members, and help promote our party in the community; a difficult work when the financial support is not there.

This Tuesday we have an election. Republicans must get out and support the candidates of their choice. Don't stay home, disgruntled about the parties direction. The results will be determined by what you do.

-Steven Ramos

Bernie O'Hare said...

That's a good little soldier. The Exec Director position was created for Scott Ott, leaving no money to pay anyone else. That is the simple reality.

Anonymous said...

Bernie -

You're just way off base here. The ED position has been there for a while. Recently, Ott, Ramos and now Bob Toth have held it. Not sure who had it prior to that, but Armstrong may have actually had the post when Browning was county party chair.

The blind attempts to blame Ott for everything are getting almost comical.

Bernie O'Hare said...

No, I am right on the money. I remember what happened when Kim was let go and the "compassionate" conservatism that Ott played then.

Anonymous said...

I do support Dean over Scott on the basis of skill needed to run a large organization.

LC needs someone with management experieence.Allentown elected Roy on the basis of political experience rather than management experience. That booboo cost the city over $150 million.

Scott is ok in a legislative role to temper the general trend to just spend more.

Anonymous said...

Headline

Self described bottom feeding blogger becomes self deluded propagandist for desperate political candidate. Ignores facts to jump to convenient conclusions. Foists ridiculous narrative on readers who scratch their head wondering where his independent streak went....

Anonymous said...

Yes, Dean's "experience" gave us a 16% tax hike a few years ago. As a taxpayer, I can't wait to experience all of Dean's "experience" again!

Bottom line: All of Dean's experience didn't give him the common sense or backbone to say "no" to a tax hike as chairman of the board of commissioners. Imagine how big of a tax hike he can give us when he's exec!

Anonymous said...

Word on the street is that Woodman, his wife and cronies have been paying Ott's rent and some other bills. I have no evidence, but if this is true then Ott would truly be "bought" by WW and Co. and do their bidding if elected.

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:11

Word on the street is you are an ignoranmous who sleeps with farm animals. If true this could be alarming and embarrassing particularly for the poor farm animal.

Fabricating a slander followed by if its true is despicable. Shame on you.

Anonymous said...

Word on the street is that Br4owning screwed up with his political literature and Ott caught it an reported him. Not good.

Anonymous said...

You don't sleep with farm animals?