Easton City Council members Frank Pintabone and Crystal Rose last night discussed the possibility of some form of disciplinary action aimed at Council members who miss meetings, extending from docked pay to an annual report on member attendance. Although it is virtually impossible to remove absent members, legislation can easily be crafted to penalize elected officials when they miss meetings. Pintabone also suggested that elected officials who travel to conferences at taxpayer expense should be required to report to the entire body on what was learned.
Pintabone is hoping to have a least one measure ready by the end of the month.
"It sets the precedent going forward," He observed. "I think accountability is important," agreed Rose, who urged an annual attendance report so that residents can see for themselves who is showing up and who is absent.
The only Council member opposed to the idea was Taiba Sultana, who called in from Belgium. Before last night's meeting, she had missed 8 meetings or executive sessions in a row, including the amendment and adoption of the city budget. She said that forcing her to attend would interfere with her "autonomy."
Pintabone observed that any employee who failed to show up would be fired. "We owe the public the right to know that we're in attendance," added Council VP Kenny Brown. "If you're not going to show up and do your job you should step aside," said Rose.
Although Mayor Sal Panto said he agrees with the proposal, he is bothered that this is a response to the absences of just one member.
I believe this is a measure designed to ensure transparency and accountability, and force elected officials to do their job or face consequences.
In NorCo, Council President Lori Vargo Heffner went on a taxpayer-funded trip to the National Association of Counties yet refuses to give a report unless everyone else does for the conferences they attend. This should be mandatory for all of them.
NorCo Council member Ken Kraft missed three budget hearings, which is where some of the most important work is done.
19 comments:
“The only Council member opposed to the idea was Taiba Sultana, who called in from Belgium.”
It’s not mentioned in your story, but do council rules allow members to participate by phone?
you like Frank P. and he's a good guy but this is not a great move. He plans to be Mayor, and he is very close to McClure. This smacks of the vindictive tactics of McClures new council members and not really good government. Attendance is easily verified through existing public records. Members attendance is recorded for every meeting. This is somewhat of a "mean girl- boy" resolution rather than a substantive one. Easton could use a lot of help; this should not be at the top of the list. Alsos it is eerily similar to the constant attacks on Lori Hefner constantly launched by the angry county members. Let interested people seek out reports, use them in elections if you want, but this smack of vindictive behavior that's becoming vogue in local government, especially on Northampton County.
Given McClure's horrible attendance record while on council, does this mean Sultana is running for Exec? She's as qualified as Lamont on the attendance issue. Seriously though, we're better off when elected officials don't show up. It either throws sand in the gears of government (a good thing), or leaves important decisions to those who are not truant and careless, like Lamont and Kraft and Taiba. Good for this blog for consistently identifying lazy pols.
So the council member who always misses meetings has an issue with an attendance policy?? Has she announced her reelection yet? I know Easton residents are sick of her.
Why run for office if you don’t want to do the job? Taiba is crazy, and I don’t say that lightly, the woman has mental health problems. What about Ken Kraft? Why isn’t he showing up? These people want the title, but don’t want to put the time in.
Just to summarize, Council is enacting an attendance policy in response to one member who doesn’t show up, and the only person who opposes said attendance policy, is the one who is consistently absent.
I encourage everyone to watch the discussion last night (last 10-15 minutes of meeting), listen to Sultanas objections, and then go read her Facebook post attacking the Mayor.
She honestly has absolutely no clue what is occurring and has the intelligence level of a potato.
And, those tow bumbling idiots in Lower Saucon failed to attend the reorganization meeting this past Monday evening. Something needs to be done state wide!
Absolutely!
Three strikes, and you're out!
Both of these proposals are “no brainers.” An attendance policy with reasonable accommodations for some absences and non-draconian sanctions is the least elected officials owe to their tax-paying constituents. A summarized report on travel - perhaps over a certain $ limit - is equally owed to the public the officials serve.
Unfortunately, I tend to agree with you Bernie as the law pertains to "mandatory attendance of elected officials. If such a law were in place, it would have to be a law that would be enacted by the State Legislature as to assure municipalities aren't abusing the system or there powers by adopting chaotic laws governing attendance. Even Home Rule Charters are so liberal that Northampton County allows an elected official to miss up to 6 months of meetings before being removed from office.
Let the Maga Mistress - Lori Vargo Heffner consult with her Republican Crew on the County Council. She will punish all who don't honor their title as commissioners and banish those who dare not attend her covens to the bowls of the northern slate quarries.
Bernie
I watched the meeting last night. I think this is a good move by Pintabone. As he stated, this will create a precedent going forward. People considering a run for office will know that attendance is required.
And her clueless husband is now running for county council. These 2 run for every office that pops up. Wouldn’t it be easier to just get a job? At least there you’ll have PTO when you miss
Can't wait to cast my vote for Lori for County Executive!
12:47, Since when is it bad government to insist that elected officials conduct and attend meetings that are required by law? People do not have time to go through the attendance records, and moreover, there is no public and online record of attendance at executive sessions or committee meetings. An annual report is very much an excellent idea.
I don't see how you can tie this to McClure. That is absurd. LVH's attendance at Council and committee meetings is excellent, while his supporter Ken Kraft misses most committee meetings and even skipped out on three budget hearings. John Brown, who is more closely aligned with LVH, also misses numerous meetings. People should know who is there and who is not.
The only part of Pintabone's proposal that makes LVH look bad is her refusal to account for her $3,000 trip. She explained she would give a report when other Council members do so. That is petty. She should provide a report and Council members who go to conferences should all be required to do so.
Unfortunately, you cannot remove a member who fails to show up. That can only be done via impeachment by the state legislature.
The provision in the Home Rule Charter providing that a member can be removed is unconstitutional. That can only be done by the state legislature. But a member who misses meetings can be sanctioned if there is legislation in place to do so.
Post a Comment