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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Barron's Got Company in NorCo Controller Race

As expected, Northampton County Controller Steve Barron on Friday announced that he is seeking re-election to the post he has held for two terms. He calls himself a "check over the County Executive." But that's one check that Executive John Brown would like to remove. Sources at this weekend's State Committee in Harrisburg tell me that the GOP has recruited Pam Colton to challenge Barron,

Who the hell is she? She's the Bangor Area School Board president who voted to hire an ousted Superintendent for the same amount of money she was getting when she got canned.

Government by consultant.

Sound familiar?

Colton did do a stint as RenewLV's Executive Director. That's a Lehigh Valley Partnership entity set up by the Lehigh Valley's wealthiest business magnates. Its the Urban Growth Regime, disguised as a grass roots group. She did not last long. Some say she was fired. Others claim the group just ran out of money. But that's where she probably got to know John Brown. He was installed on their Board around the same time she was there.

Before being a pretend liberal, Colton worked as analyst for the Open Source Center.

Though he's no accountant, Barron is a certified fraud examiner. As such, he is qualified to be a lead auditor.

Colton is not. She appears to have less education and experience in accounting than Barron.

But she does believe in government by consultant.

44 comments:

Brewberries said...

More vicious propaganda aimed at a strong female candidate only because of her association with the Brown admin, the deep seeded undercurrent rage that boils in your core is frightening to all who have the misfortune of crossing your path.

What did it take for Steve Barron to get off your hate list? John Brown got elected.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Mezzacappa, You are in violation of the crimes code, and need to produce the car levied upon immediately.

Anonymous said...


Here we go. No disrespect to Bangor, but really a donation to the county?

Anonymous said...

You should just delete her. It's Friday night and she is just starting to open the bottles.

Ovem Lupo Commitere said...

I hesitate to interject, seeing how "Brewberries" took over the conversation re Brown on the Express (must make Brown feel good having her in his corner), but I do have one serious question:

in the article you link re Bangor school board, Ron Angle also supported getting rid of Mulroy. Is your criticism that they paid her $125,000 to be a subsequent "consultant" (which sounds like, "we'll pay you to stay home) on the tax payers dime? If so, I think that is a fair and valid criticism.

On lighter notes:
1.) she worked with Open Source Center... maybe Brown wants her to better spy on you!

2.) I had to laugh this morning when I read in the Express this morning (and again similarly here): "Barron, a Democrat and a certified fraud examiner,..." Knowing how the parties like to cherry-pick quotes out of the papers and put them in their fliers with a citation to make it look like the papers said one thing when they were really saying something else... end the above quote by one word...

Barron has politicized what should not be a particularly political office. And wasn't Tom O'Donnell a "certified fraud examiner"? But, thanks to Brown, if Barron is all we have, I hope he is re-elected. However, I am sure Ms. Colton was picked to market her background via the campaign flier, and voters will often vote for those against their interests if packaged to tell them what they want to hear. Look at how Brown was packaged by the GOP money. Be forewarned Mr. Barron not to take anything for granted.

Bernie O'Hare said...

That is my criticism. You don't fire someone, then bring her on as a consultant.

Anonymous said...

Bernie - some editing is in order. "She's the Bangor Area School Board who voted to hire.." It doesn't make sense. She appears to have been the Superintendent who was voted out and into a consultant. Did she take part in voting for her replacement? Was that as the consultant? It isn't clear how she was involved in voting for her replacement.

Anonymous said...

"brewberries" has a lot of free time on her hands, since she can't drive her car anywhere for fear the authorities will immediately confiscate it as she is attempting to subvert the rule of law. Her incessant posts on LVL are done with the same fervor she displays at stalking you on your website, even though she was found guilty of defaming you.

She's a menace to law-abiding citizens, and needs to be stopped. Have a great night, Sweetie. Don't OD on cocoa. Hope you put studded snow tires on the Mercedes.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I added a word to make my post more clear.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I think that does it. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Let the character assassination begin.

Despite telling us for years how God awful Barron is and his numerous lapses in judgment and ethics, he is now a saint. Why is that?

Well it is the standard O'Hare MO. He now hates Brown so even the devil is ok with him if he thinks they are against Brown. He loves Stoffa, so when Stevie Barron went against him, Baroness was evil.

Very easy and predictable. Also she is a woman and that makes it even more fun for old Bernie boy.

Not the Mezz but observant

Bernie O'Hare said...

Not the Mezzacappa, Brown makes anyone look good. His only vocal supporter is Mezzacappa.

Anonymous said...

If she is in violation of the crimes code, they should charge her ass and get it over with. She wastes so many town and county taxpayer dollars on her endless legal battles - which are her own doing.

Anonymous said...

Not the Mezz is posting under at least three user names on ET, championing incompetent loser John Brown, whom even the Republicans are wrestling to hold accountable. She is totally unethical - exactly what we don't need in public office.

Thanks for exposing this menace for everyone to see. It is painful to watch her writhe in agony. Maybe one day her head will explode from all the pressure in there.

El Shaddai said...

God bless your soul, Shalom Bernie.

Anonymous said...

This ladies qualifications outshine Barron VonFootinmouth by a mile. She is far more qualified than that chunky moron.

You can claim only the crazy witch form We says that but most Republicans are in agreement on one thing, Barron is an incompetent clown and a partisan hack. Just as you have pegged him for years, remember.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I did, but Brown has made him look very good by comparison. Pam Colton and Brown worked together at RenewLV as pawns for the Lehigh Valley Partnership. I'd prefer someone who works for the rest of us.

Anonymous said...

So did Iannelli and Cunningham, I guess you feel the same about them.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Their connections to the Psrtnership do not endear me to them. In Brown's case, he is incompetent. Colton's record at RenewLV suggests that, too. And just like Brown, she likes those consultants.

Anonymous said...

But she's still a lot more qualified than the joke who's in office. Is this the best both parties can do? There's not much difference between management-by-consultant and management-by-unmitigated-douchebag. Taxpayers lose again.

Anonymous said...

Pam Colton has done an awful job as Bangoe school director.All of the tax increases and LOWER test scores can be pinned on her and a couple cronys (Lance Boyle, Boob Blake).

If she does win, It's Bangor's gain and the county loses!

John Brown wants another bangor loser. What a Maroon!!

Anonymous said...

Well.. while Barron has his antics and sometimes wanders outside his box.. he obviously more qualified than this individual. Another Slate Belter with little to know qualifications other than being dialed into the urban growth regime crowd and sitting on a school board. Her connection with John Brown will also hurt. Its amazing that the Republicans could not come up with someone as qualified as Barron but with more polish?

Anonymous said...

This was a Brown pick to inoculate him from scrutiny. Barron has been a thorn in Brownpants side and he wants to get rid of him. Colton will be another Brown lackey who will look the other way while his administration cheats and breaks all the rules. As bad as Barron has been, we need him as a watchdog over those clowns.

Anonymous said...

"Is this the best both parties can do?"

"Its amazing that the Republicans could not come up with someone as qualified as Barron but with more polish?"

Good questions. The reason we see such poor quality candidates for this office is that the job is now full time but only pays $65K (minus Sal's cut). You're not going to get a CPA to run for that salary. It's not worth their trouble.

Anonymous said...

At least he is making her run instead of just hiring her outright.

Anonymous said...

Your right 9:04........The salaries of these elected officials is way out of wack with what is paid in the private sector. How about the Executive making less than 100 thousand a year? That's why you have guys like Reibman Stoffa and Brown. We haven't had a good Executive since the beginning of Home Rule Government. A budget over 300 million dollars with 2,500 employees should have a well educated, experienced professional heading it up. Not jerks like brown and Company. But.......the voters wanted him and they got what they voted for.

Anonymous said...

"with someone as qualified as Barron"

You mean someone with a pulse?

Anonymous said...

Bernie,

I think you should contact Mrs. Colten. She is far from a political hack or insider. She also is NO friend of John Brown. If you have met and spoke with her you will find her to be very competent and knowledgable. She is a quick thinker and very smart and professional. I am familiar with her on the School Board and as its President. Why is it that she again this year as unanimously re elected by her peers... the other 8 members? I think your independent but at least speak to her before drawing a conclusion. She has been a proud asset to the Children. Staff and the School District as a whole. She is a tireless worker in a Board that at times is very unsettled and political top say the least. Ask some of the Board members. They might all "like" her but they will tell you she is a tireless worker in what she believes in and does and they respect her and her judgments. She will be a fine Controller and has my vote as I know she will work hard and leave the politics to the jerks we have on office down there. She will do a good job. I don't think she worked for the CIA by being in government by being a cheating the public when suppose to be working nor going after people the way the County establishment works. She is competent and honest for a change and doesn't come with the baggage. Your posts of Barron alone are the reason I wont vote for him. To malign her alone by saying she is from "Bangor" that's WRONG. Her dad was a well known honest business owner and taught her values. She grew up in Upper Mount Bethel Township and lives with her family in Washington Township... which is NOT "BANGOR". She is an awesome parent and her children's accomplishments from sports at academics alone speak as to what kind of person she is. Ask anyone how many games or events she ever missed her children were involved in. Besides holding a full time job and being a mom and the School Board President and Board Member. I ask you to just rethink and talk to her an ask others that have known her for many years before you make juidgements. She is far from being from "Bangor".....

Anonymous said...

"with someone as qualified as Barron"

Well she wears dresses like he does, so there is that.

Anonymous said...

Bernie's criticisms are fair based on news accounts. While she might be distinguished she raised taxes the past two years, wastes money by hiring consultants and has made some decisions that will not fly at the county level.

Barron will put her record on trial and tie her to John Brown. The republicans should really find someone that isn't so easy to define.

I think Bernie is right on the money here.

Anonymous said...

"Barron will put her record on trial"

Yes he will Tim, as she will put his record in office and out on trial, lets watch shall we. The voters will determine who passes the qualification and smell test.

Republican and Democrat quotes will be used against Lady Barron. Should be fun.

Anonymous said...

4:03 PM
Well if she is not from Bangor, Im not voting for her. She sucks and so do you!

Anonymous said...

Who's Tim?

Anonymous said...

403, having a successful personal and parental records doesn't mean you are qualified. Mr Barron was born in Bethlehem, grew up in the township, and moved back here yo start a family. Mr Barron has 2 beautiful children who are smart and also participate in extra curricular activities. He drives his children all over on weekends to dance competitions. He does not miss anything for his daughters. He refs youth sports. He participates in the community on the South Bethlehem Historical Board. What sets him apart is the fact that he is academically qualified to hold this office. Ms Colten has no actual qualifications. Mr Barron will be the first to admit he has made mistakes but he has accomplished everything he said he would while in office. Mr Brown needs a check and balance-that is obvious. Mr Barron has been able, with the help of council, to keep Mr Brown in line. The people of Northampton county will remember that more than anything else because that's what's most important and makes him good at his job.

Anonymous said...

Steve needs to rehabilitate his reputation. You claim he admits his mistakes, but I have never heard him say so in public. He comes across as an awkward buffoon before council. He strolls up to the podium, speaks with a lispy voice, inappropriately refers to council members as "you guys", and generally lacks gravitas. He needs to change his image to someone who is intelligent, serious, and fearless. We need a strong controller to regulate the fraud going on in the Brownstain administration.

Anonymous said...

"the fact that he is academically qualified to hold this office"

So why doe she not practice law? Did he take the bar and fail? Did he ever take the bar? why not?

The guy has no academic background for a Controller. This young woman is more academically qualified than Footinmouth could ever hope to be.

Frankly, being a driver for his kids or wearing dresses is nice but not necessary for being a good Controller. Of course he has the time as he shows up to work when he feels like it. Ask around.

Anonymous said...

439: 403 claimed she was fit because she is a "family" woman. Last time I checked, that wasn't a requirement. I was simply saying you could say the same about Steve. Her degree is in what? Accounting? Math? Is she a CPA? Nope, nope, nope. CFE? Not that one either? She apparently has a masters in spending other people's money though. Do a little background investigating. Does he need to be an attorney to fulfill his offices duties? What does taking the bar have to do with anything?

Fearless? When is the last time you watched him back down to council? The executive?

1103: Making fun of someone who has a lisp is immature and shows your lack of class, not his. Have you ever actually spoken to him about his record? Were you at county council after the things you question in his record to truly hear what he said? My guess is no.

As for hours, you have NO idea. None. Spend a few days with him-especially a county council week. Check what time of the day and night he is returning emails.

Ask around if employees feel comfortable coming to him. Ask where people get numbers when they need them.

Most people who comment hear don't know Steve or their ass from a hole in the ground. You two are no exception.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"his young woman is more academically qualified than Footinmouth could ever hope to be."

She is neither more nor less qualified than he. Neither is an accountant. Both have an education.

Anonymous said...

Colton not to be trusted under any circumstances. Has run the district into deep financial trouble with numerous expensive projects including a building expansion and a theater that is under used and a burden to the tax payers. She's a tax and spend liberal democrat and has no qualifications for this job or her present one. Her answer is always..Raise the peoples taxes.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Colton don't let the fools deter you. Most voters know that Barron is an ethical oil slick and incompetent. Stay the course and you will win big.

he then may have to find a real job.

Anonymous said...

Nobody knows who she is and the people who do know her would not vote for her if she was running for dog warden.

Anonymous said...

90% of county residents never set foot in Bangor and probably don't even know where it is yet they are running the show. What the fuck is going on?

Anonymous said...

All the Bangor people who have ended up at county courtesy of Brown..are Republicans! There are good people in this town but none of them are friends of the current administration. Remember..Bangor voted against Brown.

Anonymous said...

She will get the "anyone but Barron" vote and that is one Hell of a lot of votes.