Earlier this week, Tony Iannelli's Business Matters hosted a one-on-one conversation between Tony and NorCo Exec GOP nominee Tom Giovanni, followed by a similar conversation with Democratic standard bearer Tara Zrinski. Each segment lasted about 12 minutes. Iannelli made clear several times that he had offered a debate format, but that Giovanni nixed the idea. In my view, that was perhaps his biggest mistake. On top of that, Giovanni stumbled over words in responding to even the simplest of questions. I credit Tom as the Quiet Man on County Council, and as he pointed out himself, "If you're speaking, you're not listening." As true as that is, a county executive must be someone who, when he does communicate, does so effectively. Tom, for all his qualities, comes up a bit short on that metric. test.
The very first question, one of Tony's famous softballs, simply asked Tom why he's running. This was Tom's answer: "The reason I'm running is for - um - people and what I like about - I'm a life long citizen of Northampton County - born and raised here and presently, I'm county commissioner of District Four. So what really concerns me about county government right now is the lack of accountability, integrity and transparency. That to me really bothers me. When I'm county executive, I will bring those virtues back to the people of Northampton County."
Tom did eventually answer the question, and I believe him. I just wish he'd also bring some effective communication as well. He later stated provided an example of the lack of transparency by noting that Gracedale was running at a deficit and this was never disclosed to County Council until June.
In January 2024, Executive Lamont McClure told County Council, "In my administration, we have not had a county contribution from the general fund, and the general fund, for people listening on Youtube, is the real estate tax revenue we collect. My administration has not once contributed from the general fund to Gracedale. Gracedale has been self-sustaining since I have been in office."
Independent audits of Gracedale tell a different story. There was a $15 million deficit in 2023 and a $10 million deficit in 2024.
Interestingly, Giovanni had no problem with Tara Zrinski's audit (She is county controller) of $5 million that was set aside for retention bonuses at Gracedale. She determined that less than half of that was actually paid and the rest was poured into Gracedale's operating expenses.
What does Giovanni want to bring to NorCo? "All that I want is good government. Right now I don't think we have good government. Right now, we have people who are attacking each other, saying different things, and that's not good government."
What did I say Giovanni should have debated Zrinski? That's because, in a debate format, Tara Zrinski tends to get loud. She is more familiar with a rally atmosphere than in the art of persuasion. But one-on-one, she can be very effective, presents well, and is an effective communicator.
When explaining her audit of $5 million set aside for retention bonuses, she explained that it was actually the unions who negotiated away the bonuses in exchange for higher salaries. She added that Executive Lamont McClure told Council this is what had happened. But that statement is slightly disingenuous because the retention bonuses were also intended for nonunion workers and should have remained in effect for them. She did acknowledge that "there could have been more transparency in how that money was moved over."
She praised McClure's tenure as Executive, especially the way he responded to COVID. "But I plan on running my administration a little bit differently." She indicated her cabinet would be different. "I'm not Lamont McClure 2.0."
I believe we have two very good candidates seeking office. What's especially nice is that the loser will be able to remain in office on Council or as Controller.
Giovanni has often voted with Democrats. He is fairly bipartisan. I believe him when he says his primary focus is good government. Zrinski has long been an ardent environmentalist but has made the low and sometimes painful transition from activist to elected official. She has done a great job as Controller. I believe both candidates would be more willing to pay people what they are worth.
But how would they respond to a crisis like the state budget impasse currently facing McClure? Would they borrow money? Use the rainy-day fund? Earn of a furlough in October? Or would they have another solution? I have asked both what they would do and will give you their responses on Monday.
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