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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, June 27, 2014

DeFranco, Snover Will Lead NorCo GOP, Despite Dirty Tricks

Craig DeFranco, Lee Snover and Ron Angle after election
Despite the usual dirty tricks from a group calling themselves Rats, the Northampton County GOP faithful have re-elected Craig DeFranco and Lee Snover to lead the County party. DeFranco was elected Chair in a close, 96-90, vote. Lee Snover prevailed in the Vice Chair race by 106-85. Because the Rats objected to the transparency of a reorganization at the courthouse, which included worries about my reporting, the election was held at the Chrin Community Center. That way the public could be excluded and Rats could open carry. But Chrin banned firearms, and two constables were on hand to ensure order was maintained. The election process was conducted by Vic Scomillio, the Northampton County Solicitor.

What were the dirty tricks I mention? What the Rats did was select voters in different precincts and elect them to committee positions, without bothering to tell them. After they were elected, they were approached, and most said they had no interest and gave proxies to Rats like Ronnie DelBacco.

Lee Snover got wind of what was happening when she contacted two of the newly elected committee members. They instructed DelBacco that they were withdrawing their proxies, but he refused to withdraw them. During the meeting, they both called in and advised they were withdrawing their proxies, but DelBacco still refused, and cast their votes for the Rat candidates.

Snover also asked Council member Hayden Phillips to nominate her. He refused, stating he would be neutral in the Vice Chair race and cast no vote. Then he voted, contrary to what he had told her. Snover confronted him, but he just brushed her off.

Snover delivered what was, by all accounts, a great speech (you can read it here) before the vote. Nobody who reads that speech would ever conclude she is a RINO. Pointing to Republican success in the last election cycle, she asks, "Why would you replace the winning team?" She also implored fellow Republicans to start "unifying and concentrating on winning as opposed to tearing each other down."

That won't happen with nuts like Mezzacappa and DelBacco, who are thought by many to be the co-authors of "David Jones" emails that launch vicious personal attacks at other Republicans. Mezzacappa told Ron Angle, who likes to carry an unlit cigar with him, to put it away. He told her to mind her own business.

The Rats, incidentally, are chaired by Tom Carroll, who thinks he can be elected judge after aligning himself with a group that called themselves "troublemakers" last night.

Though I was barred from the Chrin building for the evening's festivities, I met with the real Ron Angle Slate after the meeting for an impromptu get together at the Nazareth Diner. That's where I got most of my facts.
The real Ron Angle slate

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Snover is unliked by many people but she is feared more. she is a hardass backstabber, who likes to pretend to be a decent person.

So sad she was elected.

In future elections all Republican candidates will be linked to the Ron Angle controlled officers. His life story (Wills, illegal's prisons,and lawsuits) will be great for the Democrats.

Anonymous said...

Let me see if I have this right. These people spend their time in front of the committee telling everyone the need to work together and then they go to a diner to celebrate their victory and invite a scumbag like you to dish dirt on fellow committeemen. The best part is our newly elected Vice Chair immediately trashes our best councilmen Hayden Phillips in public. Way to go Lee Snover!

She is a disrespectful woman. Hayden supported Cynthia Anderson because Cynthia worked months for Hayden on his campaign and helped him to be victorious. Lee wasn't happy about that because she thinks everything is about her and Hayden wasn't going to work against his close friend Cynthia.

Lee went crazy because he couldn't rightly speak on her behalf as well. That folks is called character. Something Lee Snover does not have.

Cynthia Andersen is three times a better woman then Lee Snover and this article proves it beyond a reasonable doubt.

They trashed the Republican Action Team, the Tea Party, Matthew Dietz, Mike Morey and others all while saying we need to work together. Thae Rats as you are now fond of calling them were respectful and orderly the whole night. From what I see that is always the case.

They will never be able to work together if they don't learn how to respect people. By the way although the meeting was very poorly run as usual for them it was orderly throughout and nobody was out of line as you insinuate.

This Bob Kilbanks is a total tool. What do they have on him to make him act like he did tonight. I think I saw a leash on him when he got up to speak. The other end of it was in this Mary Barket's hand.

By the way who the hell is this David Jones they keep mentioning? They talked about him all night long.

Anonymous said...

One thing you can count on is that every time the Republican Action Team’s candidates lose (which so far has been every time they run for a position) the first comments on your blog story are pure sour grapes.
I think the RATs should get more sleep

Anonymous said...

Snover is a pompous ass. If she and Angle are the face of the Northampton County Republicans, the Republicans will have problems. Hopefully the new Republicans boycott the elections staged by the new Angle/Snover takeover.

Remember, everything Angle touches turns to shit or a lawsuit.

Anonymous said...

What takeover? Get some sleep. You are not making any sense. What's the matter, medication not working?

Anonymous said...

Voter fraud is alive and well, brought to you by the GOP!

Anonymous said...

The only smears and attacks against fellow Republicans was done by members of the RAT PAC and they are so low that they use a non existent person to do much of it.(David Jones) This the work of cowards

Their facts and figures were cherry picked and manipulated; their campaign was based on making false personal attacks for political gain.
Those who voted for them were easily misled because they were newly recruited and clueless as to RAT PAC history and intentions.
Hopefully those they recruited will join forces with the party instead of following a political action committee's private agenda

Anonymous said...

who or what are these so-called RATS you speak of Bernie?

Felix The Cat said...

Republicans would have been totally f***ed if the RATs (as they proudly called themselves until they realized how loathsome it sounded) had succeeded.

I was just beginning to rethink my opinion of Hayden Phillips because of some votes he made recently, but his ties with the RATs and people like Mezzacappa are apparently too strong for him to break away from.

Once a RAT, always a RAT.

Anonymous said...

Felix
Love the photo but you really should get that filthy thing out of your mouth!

Bernie O'Hare said...

I believe I misjudged Phillips. On Council, he has been very steady. his association with this group is troubling, but understandable. But if what Lee Snover reports is true, then Phillips is not a man of his word.

Anonymous said...

According to BatShitCrazy' bog, Ron told her to pull his gun out and shoot him. I guess Ron was goading her to show she was carrying illegally, since we know she has no permit. It is a hilarious comment, if true. If you can't take needling, politics isn't for you. I mean isnt.

She mysteriously questions why a "No open carry" sign was posted - totally ignoring the fact she is EXHIBITS A through Z. Ron's cigar doesn't count as a weapon, though it looks like one.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The Rats are a splinter group of NC Republicans who think they are the pure Republicans. Although nearly all of them are tea party, they are not really tea party. I know a lot of the LV tea party members, who really are decent folks. The Rats are a divisive bunch of intolerant wannabes who consist of leaders who have failed at every attempt to get elected. Theur Chair is Tom Carroll, who lost a bid to Bethlehem City Council and for judge. Word is he is running again,and he will lose again. Ronnie Del Bacco, the book burner. Tricia "hollow point" Mezzacappa, a Jesus clown, Bryan Eichfeld, the Saucon school board member who is inserting his own political curriculum, etc.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Lee went crazy because he couldn't rightly speak on her behalf as well. That folks is called character"

If Phillips gave Lee his word that he was neutral and would not vote in the Vice Chair race, and then did so, then he lacks character. That is the way it works.

Anonymous said...

I thought Hayden second Cynthia's nomination.

Bernie O'Hare said...

He did, after pledging to remain neutral.

Anonymous said...

I hope the real tea party Republicans see how they are being treated by the Rino's led by Angle. In the next election stay home. In four years stay home in the county elections without your votes the Republican ticket would have gone down in flames.

You are being used and if you want to foil manipulative people like Snover and Angle you need to show your true power which is grassroots voting.

You don't vote, Republicans don't win. You are being used like farm animals. Let the insiders know who really wins the elections and don't be divided by Angles stooge O'Hare.

When did any Ron Angle scheme ever end well?

Disgusted real Republican

Bernie O'Hare said...

Sour grapes.

Anonymous said...

Not one of the county Republicans other than Ferraro would have gotten elected without the hard work of the tea party Republicans. these Nazareth diner ass kissers are all show and no go.
Maybe it is time to teach them a lesson at the polls. Sorry John Brown and old Glenn but if you are upset call Angle and Snover.

Bernie O'Hare said...

more sour grapes.

Anonymous said...

I think it's absolutely shameful that Snover sent out a letter stating Michael Morey was not Pro Life, which he is. Morey should fr. SUE her ass for false statements, she should quickly be removed from her position, and BANNED from the NCRC for life! It's time the infighting STOPS, and elections be on the up and up! This is so sad, but it's also what NCRC has done for many, many years! GROW UP!

Anonymous said...

"Not one of the county Republicans other than Ferraro would have gotten elected without the hard work of the tea party Republicans. these Nazareth diner ass kissers are all show and no go"

If this is the case, where did all of the so called tea party candidates finish? The ones the "true" RATs were supporting with all there hard work.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"I think it's absolutely shameful that Snover ... "

sour grapes.

Anonymous said...

To all the dirty rats, haters and misfits that their leadership is, a bit of advice. You will improve your standing with "real Republicans" if you stop trying to vote several times for yourselves (remember one man, one vote), stop lying through your teeth and stealing votes (Ronnie), stop falsely parading around as true conservatives and yet supporting socially liberal/ moderate candidates, and stop obliterating Reagan's11th commandment. That would be a start to curing your social maladies. But since you have no insight into yourselves, it seems certain that you won't get the message. To those people who have been deceived by the RAT leadership. Now that you have time, cast the spell off that they put over you and ask yourself what you can do to assist the Republican Party win elections. To the democrat in sheep's clothing that told Republicans to stay home. Go back to the Democrat Party where you belong because you are a traitor to the cause merely because you did not achieve personal political power. Loser.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, you say you only heard from one side in this debacle (the so called angle slate). As a "reporter" or a bottom feeding blogger like yourself you know that a one sided story is not evidence of anything, it's just an opinion. From an outsiders view it certainly sounds like the "winning team" is upset that anyone would actually question or in this case side against them. As a long term lc rep committee member this feels alot like how W.W. ran the lcrc and eventually controlled the lc commissioners. Power and money scare tactics. It took us 4 years but we did realize that W.W. nearly ruined the lcrc. Even you saw that. I fear I see the same thing coming to fruition in Norco where Mr Angle plays the W.W. role from a distance. Money can pull alot of puppet strings and scare slot of people - see the rise of Scott Ott if you doubt me.

Anonymous said...

Well this guy obviously doesn't know what he is talking about if he thinks Ron Angle is going to finance anything like this

Anonymous said...

5:28 seriously? Don't fool yourself with that kind of thinking. Mr.
Angle may look cheap but I'll bet he's "smoothed" a few roads in his day.

Anonymous said...

Mr. O'Hare - Permit me to offer a bit more insight into some of the points you have made. I was one of the three persons on the Election Board, sitting next to the rostrum, so, even with my faulty hearing, I had a good vantage point.

We counted, recounted, and counted the votes again. It was a fair vote and no one, in my opinion, should question it.

On the choosing of the Chrin, I was not involved in that decision but I heard that it was due to the number of people expected to attend but I don't know the truth of that. I would wonder that the RATs have more power to dictate the venue over the Executive Board but that would be an internal power structure not available to us minions to know or understand.

As for dirty tricks, I heard the same thing from both sides and multiple people. If I were to comment on the truth of either one, having not interviewed a sufficient number of those on each side, it would be only conjecture on my part. Since you say you only spoke to one side, I would be interested in your using your ample investigative skills to provide an answer.

As to the votes being part of the brouhaha, they were never cast...and there were three at issue. One was done on a non-official proxy form. A vote by the membership was taken but time and the multiplicity of proxies made it impossible so that proxy was tabled to only be put to a vote if the final election was close. With the kerfuffle on the other two, they were also tabled. Since the final vote was not within 3 votes, none of these votes were actually cast and did not enter the vote totals.

I understood that Mr. Phillips agreed to give the nomination speech for Cynthia, his campaign manager...which he did. Since he also thinks very highly of Mrs. Snover but she was on the other ticket, he thought it improper to take sides in her race and told her that he would remain neutral and not endorse anyone. As far as I know, his agreement was that and not abdicating his right to vote. This is only conjecture on my part, however, since I was not privy to the agreement and only the two of them know what was actually said. If you haven't spoken to Mr. Phillips, isn't it just conjecture on your part also? Let the investigation begin.

I have never heard anyone in the rodentia population call Mrs. Snover a Rino. It is not true and I would correct anyone I heard saying so.

Finally, as to the nut jobs running loose in all areas of our society and having been called one in the past, I make no comment. If Mr. Angle, as a grown man, enjoys teething on a burning piece of rope, so be it. I actually told him earlier this year that I was one, as an reformed smoker, who enjoys the smell.

Hope that helps. I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have on the meeting.

Ben

Bernie O'Hare said...

Ben, I have come to know you from your attendance at two meetings, county council and even a Dem debate. Over that time, I have come to respect you as a person who cares deeply about government. So I accept your explanation. It is likely the most objective assessment. Believe it or not, I am friendly with a few of the Rats, and it is from them that I heard the meeting would be at Chrin to keep the public away. Rat member Mezzacappa professed on her blog that it was aimed at me. I agree that Phillips' integrity should get the benefit of the doubt here.

Anonymous said...

Sleep with dogs and you get fleas. The folks who have cozied up to Angle will learn this soon enough. Ask just about anyone who has ever hooked up with Angle and thought it would work out ok.

He does fine, you on the other hand.

Anonymous said...

There are some up and coming people in the NCR party. Just stay tuned. They are not part of the RATS and the establishment that just won. Stay tuned folks. It will get interesting. Word has it that that the Dems are actually aware of some of the new Republicans and are paying close attention.

Anonymous said...

Look ,we can agree that we need the party to to move forward positively .Poster Anon 2;59 "They will never be able to work together if they don't LEARN TO RESPECT people." Poster is correct.Fundamental,Relationships run the ships, loose lips sink them Anon 8;25 just sent a shoot across the Rep. bow! Declare a 'mis-understanding " and meet with each other privately,and move on. Think big picture, it's not what is in it for any individual -or lose our shirts in November.OLD PETER

Peter J.Cochran said...

Ya Bernie,'It was aimed at you all right, thats why Pa.State Constables were on premises to make sure you were not in the 'open carry' mode.There is no reason for you to carry a firearm open this side of Montana -around nice people--It draws flies.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Peter, my only weapon is my pen.

Peter J.Cochran said...

I know that like everybody else,I was eluding ]incode for you]who does and that you don't carry at all.

Anonymous said...

Did Scomillio know if anyone there was a republican?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Tom Carroll, you'll have your chance to run your typical dirty race. Right now, you should be reading the Declaration of Independence and pretending you give a shit.

chinese buffet said...

Shenanigans

Anonymous said...

First of all everyone needs to understand the RAT group is pure Saul Alinsky. They've not only read Rules for Radicals, they live it day in and day out. PS: H Phillips emailed Lee saying he would be neutral on Vice Chair so who's lying now?

Anonymous said...

Hogs at the trough. Oink. Oink.

Anonymous said...

4:50 - Mr. Phillips did not advocate for or against anyone in the Vice Chair decision, i.e. he remained neutral. Voting was by secret ballot so no one but Mr. Phillips knows who he voted for...again, he remained publically neutral as he promised. Thank you for confirming that Mr. Phillips is a man of his word.

Ben

Anonymous said...

Ben, I have to disagree...you say he gave a nomination speech. That alone is not neutral. Did he give multiple nomination speeches?

And I'm confused from this reporting whether he seconded a nomination or not.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Can't help you there. I do not know. I will say that, unless he made an express promise not to vote in the Vice Chair race, I believe he kept his word.

Anonymous said...

10:05 – When Mrs. Snover asked Mr. Phillips in an email to nominate her in the Vice Chair race, he responded that he had already agreed to give the nominating speech for his campaign chairwoman, Mrs. Anderson, so Mrs. Snover was aware of this. His following statement to Mrs. Snover, due to the above and his high level of respect for her, was: “I plan to remain neutral in regard to the election of the Vice Chairman.” That was his only promise and that is exactly what he did.

Mr. Phillips gave one and only one nomination speech and that was for Mrs. Anderson in the Chairman race. That speech was in the race for Chairman, was communicated in advance, and did not violate his word to remain neutral in in Vice Chairman election. He did not make or second a nomination in the Vice Chairman race and took NO action in that race, remaining neutral as he promised.

Ben

Bernie O'Hare said...

I think Ben has this right. A promise to remain neutral is not a promise to cast no vote.

Anonymous said...

So remaining neutral in an election means voting for one the candidates. But of course. Sounds like ratpac lying logic 101.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Ben,
I confused the races because I remember Anderson and Snover were on opposite slates so to speak but forgot they weren't head-to-head.