HRH Ann McHale Still Refuses to Address Unwashed Masses

As of Tuesday, Northampton County Executive candidate Ann McHale had no answers to questions posed for a detailed voter's guide prepared by The Express Times. Three of twelve council candidates were also delinquent.

By late Wednesday, all but one council candidate had their answers online. But not Her Majesty Anne the First, by the Grace of God, of Greater Bethlehem, West Behlehem South Bethlehem, and the Hanover Township Dominions beyond Schoenersville Road, Defender of Special Interests and Duchess of the Long Democrats. Now HRH wants to expand her empire to include ALL of Northampton County, and actually sat down with The Express Times editorial board for an interview yesterday, so you'd think she would have filled out the Voter Guide. But speaking to editors is probably even more annoying than talking to mere commoners. Besides, she much be too busy preparing for her impending coronation to answer questions about her future reign.

With an election just five days away, this is what the Imperious Ann McHale tells the unwashed masses:

How have your personal and professional experiences prepared you for public office?

Ann McHale: The candidate has not responded to this question.

What is the most critical issue facing the county?

Ann McHale: The candidate has not responded to this question.

If elected, what would you do to keep property taxes in check?

Ann McHale: The candidate has not responded to this question.

With the economy stalling and county revenue decreasing, how would you push for job development and fund open space preservation?

Ann McHale: The candidate has not responded to this question.

John Stoffa has said the county will likely face a tax increase in the next four years. Do you agree? If not, what's the alternative?

Ann McHale: The candidate has not responded to this question.

The county needs new prison space. Do you support expanding the current prison or building a new one? Where could a new prison be built?

Ann McHale: The candidate has not responded to this question.

As county executive, would you push for property reassessment?

Ann McHale: The candidate has not responded to this question.

If she's too busy to complete a simple questionnaire, do you really think she'll be able to manage a county with a $330 million annual budget?

Ann McHale Turns Motion Into Commotion

Last night's Northampton County Council meeting was the first ever meeting webcast for viewing by the general public. In fact, during the meeting, I received a few text messages from friends who were watching the show. This meeting will be available for you to view yourself here. (Just click on "County Council Meetings").

What should have been a relatively uneventful meeting was disrupted by former President Ann McHale, who is obviously still bitter after her primary loss to Executive John Stoffa. After having gone through all the business for the evening, McHale insisted on revisiting a pending decision to use a different law firm as outside counsel.

Ron Angle, as Council President, had already referred the matter to the Finance Committee. He allowed some dialogue on the topic at the end of the meeting, but put his foot down when McHale called for a vote on a motion to approve the outside contract. You see, there was no resolution or ordinance that she could move to support.

McHale: "I can make a motion."

Angle: "We're past new or old business, quite frankly."

McHale: "It doesn't matter, the meeting's not over."

Angle: "Well, it matters. You're not the President anymore, quite frankly ..."

McHale: "I don't care."

Angle: "We're past old and new business."

McHale: "You've done it many, many times."

Angle: "If you want to put it on in two weeks, put it on. In the meantime, the Finance Committee will have met."

McHale: "I'd like to make a motion that we approve the contract for the law firm of Flamm, Walton. Is there a second?"

Lamont McClure: "Second."

Angle: "Just a second ..."

McHale: "There's a motion and a second."

Angle: "And you know what? One more time, you're not the President. Mr. Flisser [Clerk of County Council], do you want to explain to Mrs. McHale what's wrong."

Frank Flisser, Clerk of County Council: "I believe the Administrative Code requires you do this by Ordinance or Resolution."

Angle: "Thank you, now ...."

McHale: "Even though the County Executive has already signed the order."

Angle: "That's what it says, Mrs. McHale.

McHale: "Yeah, I understand [sarcastically]."

Angle: "I know you choose to do it your way. I want to do it the right way."

McHale: "Oh. Since when?"

Angle: "Now if you want to put it on for two weeks, I'll put it on myself. In the meantime, the Finmance Committee is going to meet and deal with it in two weeks on a Wednesday. Now, that being said ... "

McHale: "There's a motion and a second."

Angle: "Mr. Solicitor, do you have anything under your report."

Solicitor (Phil Lauer): "No."

McHale: "There's a motion and a second."

Angle: "As President, I'm ruling it out of order because we're not meeting the codes. I don't intend to accept it. You've got to meet the book, what it says. That's what the laws are."

McHale: "Is that the case, Mr. Lauer?"

Solicitor: "If it requires either resolution or an ordinance, then I think yeah, absolutely ...

McHale: "OK, we can still have a verbal vote on this. It may be nonbinding, but there's a motion and a second."

Angle: "Man oh man. You're on a fishing trip there now. OK, anything else."

McHale: "I'm trying to give the Executive the opportunity to go forward and deal with the huan resouce issues that are before him."

Angle: "And you know what? Under my presidency, we regularly meet. Mr. Stoffa, did you and I agree, prior to the meeting, to move it to the Finance Committee, and you' be satisfied?"

Stoffa: "Yes."

Angle: "Thank you very much."

Blogger's Note: Blogger comments enabled.

McHale Has Fully Disclosed Business Ties to Northampton County

Last week, Northampton County Council President Ann McHale was unhappy when Exec John Stoffa sought council's approval of five-year property and casualty insurance contract. Stoffa as a little late. He had already signed the contract. In fact, the county has already paid the first year's premium.

From where I was sitting, in the cheap seats, I could not hear some of the things Stoffa said when he finally rose to address council. He's a quiet man. But Stoffa did apparently accuse McHale of sour grapes because the county cancelled an insurance policy or two with T.J. McHale & company, where she is employed.

Here's what an anonymous commenter has added. "McHale and her husband had insurance policies with the county from the Reibman Administration. Apparently two of the policies were cancelled or expired and she was not too happy. Stoffa did not renew them. Maybe this is all that this is about. How can she do business with the county and serve on County Council? Would she exercise this kind of judgement if she were county Executive? Bernie, do you have any information about this?"

I spent some time today gathering that information.

Does McHale Do Business With the County?

T.J. McHale & Co. is a general insurance company, located in Bethlehem since 1973. McHale is currently Treasurer. Her husband, Tom, is President and CEO.

Last year, T.J. McHale & Company was paid $6,346 for two liability policies with Northampton County. This year, the county has only paid $458. It has cancelled at least one policy with a $5,888 premium. Is this why McHale is upset?

Not according to her. As she told me yesterday, most of the commission on those premiums is paid to the agent who first negotiated those insurance contracts. That person is T.J. Rooney, who just happens to chair the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. He wrote those policies before McHale was even a member of council.

I wonder if he's pissed. T.J. does share some of that commission with her company, but considering that a property insurance commission averages 5.5 per cent, we're talking about very little money.

How can McHale Do Business With the County and Serve on County Council?

That's the real question. Is it a conflict of interest for McHale, a sitting council member, to do business with the county at all? The county's Home Rule Charter has a procedure to govern that situation. Elected official like McHale, who does have an interest in T.J. McHale & Company, is required to disclose any business relationship between her company and the county. If it amounts to a conflict, council can bar her from debating or voting on any matter involving her company.

Has McHale disclosed this possible conflict? As a matter of fact, she informs council in a letter once every year. She does more than that. She flatly declares she'll abstain from any vote involving her husband's company.

"Prior to my becoming a member of Northampton County Council, T.J. McHale & Co., Inc. began providing a limited amount of insurance coverage to Northampton County. I do not feel this constitutes a conflict of interest as outlined in the Northampton County Home Rule Charter Section 810 since I do not receive any profits directly from the contract that provides coverage for Northampton County. I have not, nor will I, participate in the debate, or vote on matters relating to the County's acquisition or retention of insurance policies and/or coverage in which I have either a direct or indirect financial interest."

Now if McHale hid the existence of this relationship, or voted on her insurance company, I'd agree she is acting unethically. But her own records with council reveal that she has not only disclosed that connection, but has also pledged to recuse herself from any votes concerning her company. I am often critical of Ann McHale, but she has handled this with integrity.

Murder in Norco Council Chambers: Why McHale Was Eliminated as VP

Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am!

It was an ugly and sad scene.

Ann McHale, a hard-working Democrat well into her second term on county council, was unceremoniously dumped as VP on Tuesday. Her replacement, Diane Neiper, is a newcomer who just two weeks before conceded she doesn't know what the hell she's doing.

So why did council get rid of McHale? What was really going on behind those closed doors? I can't be sure because council deliberated privately in violation of the Sunshine Act. But I have a theory.

Ann McHale intends to run for exec unless Stoffa decides to seek re-election. She won't oppose an incumbent Democrat. Ann's pals on council know this. And they're not happy about it.

Here's why. She's not the only Democrat with her eyes on that office. State representative Rich Grucela is tired of banging his head against the wall in Harrisburg. He is considering a run at county exec as well. Truth be told, he's always felt most comfortable in county government. Obviously, he'd like to avoid an expensive and possibly divisive primary against McHale, who is very popular in Bethlehem. And just as Henry II asked his courtiers, perhaps Grucela asked, "Who will rid me of this meddlesome [councilwoman]?"

And guess who works for Rich Grucela?

None other than council prez Wayne Grube. If I know Grucela is considering a stab at county exec, you can be damn sure that Grube knows it, too. And just as Henry II's knights murdered Archbishop Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral, Grube and his council cronies eliminated Ann McHale inside council chambers. It was a disservice both to McHale and Grucela, who will ultimately be tarnished by these dirty politics.

Just three years after Becket's murder, he was canonized. And three years from Monday, the next county executive will be sworn in.

Update:Rich Grucela has contacted me. Like Henry II, he denies being involved in McHale's removal in any way. He's always beeen honest with me and I believe him. This dark work is not in Grucela's nature, anyway. When he does run, he tends to run for an office and never against anyone. I can't say the same for Grube and his council cronies. They are obvoiusly shoving McHale out of the way for someone.

Bethlehem Should Elect Dietrich to Norco Council

District 1 includes Bethlehem, Hellertown and Hanover Township.

Morning Call: "Re-elect Democrat Ann McHale. We have not agreed with all of the votes Mrs. McHale has made in her current term but she is better informed and better able to represent District 1 on council than is Tom Dietrich, her Republican challenger. Mrs. McHale has been a strong advocate for creation of a regional health department, which will be a priority for the county in the coming year."

Express Times: "In District 1, voters in Bethlehem, Hellertown and Hanover Township should return Democrat Ann McHale to council. She's made a few questionable decisions, including supporting an information-services contract that would have cost an extra $1.8 million without rebidding. But her grasp of insurance matters and record of fighting for the little guy place her ahead of her energetic but inexperienced opponent, Republican Tom Dietrich."

Bill White: "If you live in a district being served by McClure, McHale or Branco -- all of whom are facing opposition for re-election -- write ''$1.8 million'' on a slip of paper and stick it someplace where you'll see it every day."

I agree with Bill.

A fierce advocate for Bethlehem and one of council's hardest-working members, McHale still rejected county exec Stoffa's choice for director of administration after promising her support. Nominee Marto Boulos Gabriel, publicly embarrassed, called McHale a "snake." McHale also imperiously supported a payhike for herself and fellow council members (from $7,000 to $9,500). This was a slap across the face of county workers who went without raises for over three years, suffered layoffs, reductions in health benefits and unhealthy working conditions.

But most disturbing of all, McHale is part of a council cabal that nearly foisted an IT contract on taxpayers that was $1.8 million higher than the contract that Stoffa eventually awarded. Unwilling to admit her mistake, and angry at Stoffa for some goofy reason, she shouted, "Nice guys finish last" at him. She's out to make Stoffa look bad, even if it costs us $1.8 million, so she can be the next county exec.

In contrast to McHale, Hellertown resident Tom Dietrich is a breath of fresh air. He knows he's fighting an uphill battle, and perhaps that's why he chose the Braveheart Pub when I spoke to him recently. For more details, check out his website.

County Council is already too dysfunctional. We don't need the circus that will erupt if McHale uses her position on council to mount a county exec campaign against Stoffa.

Six Hundred Stoffa Campaign Signs Stolen Over Weekend

Ann McHale, John Stoffa's opponent for Northampton County Executive, whispers that if you blow hard enough, that old man will keel right over. Yet John Stoffa has been chipper enough to get up at ungodly hours and plant hundreds of campaign signs throughout the Lehigh Valley. Hey, he's a farmer by nature and it's time to sow those seeds. If he can't plant crops, he can at least plant his verdant signs.

In addition to the work he's done on his own, he's had lots of help from people like Bethlehem's Anna Lawson, who put signs along Pembroke Road, Stefko Boulevard, Washington Street. I've even been planting signs myself.

I'm Bernie Stoffaseed!

Stoffa's sign campaign caught McHale and the Joe Long Dems completely off guard. They anonymously whined here, but the logos were largely unmolested. Sure, a few here and there were yanked out and I saw two cut to shreds in Easton, but that could be kids. I just replaced them. The signs were basically untouched.

All that changed this weekend. McHale was told she needed to get her signs out right away if she hoped to get any votes. Well, I can see why she waited. Her posters are almost identical to Stoffa's. She looks like a copycat. Copycat or not, her signs are welcome by John Stoffa. He thinks people should always have a choice. He's goofy that way.

Not McHale. She appears to have hired goons and thugs to plant her signs. I say this because, in addition to getting McHale's nearly identical signs out, they spent much of the weekend removing hundreds of Stoffa signs. County Executive Stoffa reports that between Friday night and Sunday afternoon, at least six hundred placards have vanished.

Poof!

In addition to the outright theft, these goons are also blocking numerous Stoffa logos by placing McHale signs right in front of them. Traveling along Route 191 between Nazareth and Bethlehem, I can see that at least half of the posters I planted are now being blocked from public view by McHale's Navy. The same is true along Route 512 between Bethlehem and Bath and along Route 248 between Nazareth and Bath. Anna Lawson reports signs have been removed or blocked in Bethlehem. In fact, Lawson claims that McHale's posters are actually in the same holes drilled for missing Stoffa signs. Slate Belt volunteers tell me the same thing. Even in Northampton and along MacArthur Rd, in areas where there are hundreds of feet of space, McHale signs block Stoffa's.

On Saturday night, two fellows in a red pick up were spotted near Moravian Academy planting McHale signs and removing Stoffa signs. They took off when approached.

Although stealing campaign signs is criminal, the thieves are rarely caught. What makes this situation unique is that Stoffa's signs go missing at the very same time that McHale posters are being planted. In addition, we have two fellows in a red pickup removing Stoffa signs and planting McHale's. At the very least, McHale should identify the goons she hired to do her dirty work.

If McHale wants to run a clean campaign, this is a strange way to do it. What McHale really thinks and has said is that "Nice guys finish last." I think she's wrong and that people are tired of these junior high school antics. McHale is unable to control a council so dysfunctional that Morning Call reporter Michael Duck has started a series he calls "Council Behaving Badly." She's unable to control the thugs she hires to place her campaign message. How will she ever control a county?

Update: Ralph Stampone, a Wind Gap resident, reports McHale signs this weekend that block Stoffa signs through Wind Gap, Pen Argyl & Bangor.

Imperious Ann McHale Faces "Nice Guy" Tom Dietrich in Norco Council Contest

"Nice guys finish last."

That's how the imperious Ann McHale thinks. That's a remark she tossed in the direction of Northampton County Exec John Stoffa, when he tried to include Northampton County Council in deciding whether to rebid a service contract. Thanks to McHale, Northampton County nearly paid $1.8 million more for that contract than what Stoffa eventually realized for the county. McHale was worried about being fair to bidders. Stoffa was more concerned about the taxpayers. "They [council] can do what they want to do. I answer to the taxpayers, ultimately."

McHale is Northampton County Council's district representative in heavily Democratic Bethlehem, Hellertown and Hanover Township. She's cruising easily to her third term, which could set up a run for county exec.

But this time, she's facing something new and unusual - an opponent.

He's Tom Dietrich, an affable Hellertonian who looks a lot younger than his thirty-eight years. I met him last Friday at Hellertown's Braveheart Pub, a suitable place to meet a man bucking the establishment. Dietrich, who wore no kilt, is basically a stay-at-home dad who does a wide assortment of things to keep busy, from home inspections to tinkering with computers. He and his wife, who first met in the service, fell in love with the Lehigh Valley and decided to plant roots here. Tom was recently appointed to Hellertown's zoning hearing board, but has no experience in public office.

"So why did you decide to run?"

Tom: "Why did you decide to blog?"

Another frickin' wiseass.

On my way to Hellertown, I noticed McHale signs everywhere. One of the bastards in the pub (must have been English) was actually sporting one on the back of his kilt. So how can Tom expect to beat a two-term incumbent in a heavily Democratic district with no money and no name recognition?

He doesn't. That's right, bippy. While going door to door, he encountered voters who tell him, "I'm voting for the Senator's wife. She's filling in for him while he's in Iraq." Little clues like that make clear there's not much point in ordering champagne for election night.

"So why did you decide to run?"

Tom: "People should have a choice. Even in China, you'll have two people seeking one office. "

Well, Tom, this is the People's Republic of Northampton County. If you want democracy, move to China.

Actually, McHale could use a dose or two of humility. Although a fierce advocate for Bethlehem and one of council's hardest-working members, she voted to reject county exec Stoffa's choice for director of administration after promising her support. She obviously yielded to party pressure. At the time, nominee Marto Boulos Gabriel publicly called McHale a "snake."

McHale also imperiously supported a payhike for herself and fellow council members (from $7,000 to $9,500). This was a slap across the face of county workers who went without raises for over three years, suffered layoffs, reductions in health benefits and unhealthy working conditions.

McHale has obviously lost sight of why she sits on council. She's not there to vote herself raises, go back on her word, or attempt to stick taxpayers with a $1.8 million bill so that she can make the exec look weak. She deserves to lose.

Unfortunately, she'll win.

ET's Owens Decries "Double Dip Assault on Open Government"

That's the print copy headline to Joe Owens' Sunday column, and that pretty much says it all. Having been caught red-handed in a clear Right-to-Know Law violation over a note that Council member Tom Dietrich passed to Ann McHale during a public meeting, Council followed that up on Thursday night with a Sunshine Act breach. It directed Solicitor Phil Lauer, behind closed doors, to appeal the matter.

When they spoke to Owens, both Lamont McClure and John Cusick insist there was no formal vote behind closed doors. It's still "official action" and violates the open meetings law. "Official action," as defined by the Sunshine Act, can also include the establishment of policy, recommendations, or decisions on agency business. So a "consensus" directing Lauer to appeal is precisely the kind of action that should take place in public.

This was, as Owens pointed out, a double dip assault on open government. When forced by Ron Angle to vote on what they had already decided to do behind closed doors, the consensus fell apart.

People are willing to do all kinds of things when they don't have to take responsibility. That's what Dietrich thought when he passed a note to Ann McHale in the middle of a meeting accusing Angle and Charles Chrin of bribery. McHale can be seen and heard agreeing with him, too, on the county's video.

Dietrich has had numerous opportunities to share his accusations with the public. In fact, seconds after he passed the note to McHale, they both declined to share it when Angle asked about it. Dietrich hid behind McHale's skirt that night, pretty much like a coward. Since that time, he's refused to man up, and is now hiding behind a lawyer..

Interestingly, I am condemned in all the comments that accompany Joe's column. Of course, they come from people who, like Dietrich, refuse to accept responsibility for what they write. One of them, "lovestokickpigs," is an identity created just today, obviously for the express purpose of bashing me.

What I do know is that I will soon be getting that note, and it will reveal that Dietrich accused both Angle and Charles Chrin of participating in some sort of bribery scheme, and that Ann McHale agreed with him. I'd like to know more about this serious accusation and, of course, the basis for making it.

Bethlehem Loses Most Favored City Status in Northampton County

Has Bethlehem been getting too much money from Northampton County? Is it favored over other Northampton County communities? That's what five members of Northampton County Council think.

In Northampton County's 2001 megabond alone, Bethlehem raked in about $20 million. Thirteen million dollars of that money was intended for a road. But even Bethlehem was unable to blow all that dough on a 4,000 foot road, and spent only $11 million. Mayor John Callahan wanted the rest for shrubbery and signs. Eventually, Callahan and County Exec John Stoffa agreed to let Bethlehem keep $686,000, but the money was never spent.

Last night, Northampton County Council voted 5-4 to take that money back, and spend it on Gracedale, which is bleeding money. But before that happened, there was a raucous debate between the Ann McHale, who represents the Christmas City and is viewed by many as its Queen, and Forks Township curmudgeon Ken Nagy.

McHale: "We spend money on farmland preservation ..."

Nagy: "We have two farms that haven't qualified in over five years."

McHale: "The City of Bethlehem, the residents there, we pay our tax bill just like you do."

Nagy: "Ma'am, we got $200,000 in open space money. That is all the money Forks Township has gotten from the County. We have farm properties that have been sitting for farmland preservation for multiple years who can't get qualified. Yet, we gave $1 million to the City of Bethlehem to create its "rails to trails" proposition, which is more commercial than anything else. It's in the Bethlehem plan. It talks about the commercial expansion that will come from that.

"When is enough, enough?"

McHale: "It's never enough."

Nagy: "Well, I know that. You know, there are townships and other municipalities that come up to the trough to feed, but Bethlehem never leaves. They raise their head up, belch, and go back for more."

McHale: "That's why Bethlehem is the star of the Lehigh Valley."

Nagy: "In the eyes of the people from Bethlehem."

McHale: "No, it's a fact. We were - I think we're in the top 100 best and safest places to live in the country."

Ron Angle: "Actually, number one in the world in number of rhododendron per capita."

Nagy: "I think County Council could take the TIFF money. It's constantly, 'feed me, feed me, feed me.' I think Council could take all these monies back and not feel any guilt because there are other areas. We have a bridge we're talking about, we have other things. We have a parking facility that needs fixing. There are a number of things out there this County could use that money for, instead of puring it into Bethlehem. You know, you got $2 million for the Steel Stax."

McHale: "That was from the hotel tax. That's not our money ..."

Nagy: "Where else could that money have been used?"

McHale: "It can only be used for certain things, providing tourism."

Nagy: "Right. Certain things in Bethlehem only."

McHale: "No. No."

Nagy: "OK. Bethlehem seems to be first in line every time ..."

McHale: "Bethlehem has a heavily populated area, and all the properties in Bethlehem, Northampton County, do pay taxes, and I think a large majority of our tax base comes from the City of Bethlehem."

Nagy: "Mrs. McHale, do you want to go on the average tax bill in Bethlehem vs. the average tax bill in Forks?"

McHale: "Well, I'm talking County tax. I'm only talking County tax."

Nagy: "Well, it doesn't really matter if you're talking county tax from the homes in Bethlehem vs. the homes in Forks Township."

McHale: "Maybe you're a lot richer than we are in Bethlehem."

Nagy: "Well, no, we're a lot poorer because Bethlehem keeps getting the money we keep asking for."

This exchange concluded, Council VP John Cusick explained that Bethlehem could find money for its rhododendron from the following sources that were unavailable in 2001: Stim funds; earmarks; Gaming Authority grant; and private developer Majestic, who has the means and wherewithal to beautify the road it wants to market. "All of those are changes in circumstances that warrant using this money for our oldest, poorest, sickest residents at Gracedale. We allocated $550 thousand to repair the elevators, to fix the motor room. I think that money would be far better spent at Gracedale than for shrubs and signs."

Council member Mike Dowd opposed taking the money back because he feels there was a deal. He was one of the persons who sat down with Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and negotiated a deal "that we were all thrilled about 1 1/2 years ago to get $1.6 million back. ... I have a concern about us changing that opinion. We said this is what we're going to do."

Dowd, McHale, Peg Ferraro and Lamont McClure voted against taking the money back. But all three new Council members, joined by Cusick and Angle, voted to pull the plug on the Christmas City.

According to a well-written Express Times news account, Stoffa may very well veto this clawback because there was an agreement. But even if that happens, Bethlehem should consider itself on notice as having lost its most favored city status in Northampton County.

Nice Guy Stoffa Finishes First: New IT Bid Saves County $1.8 Million

"Nice guys finish last."

That's how councilperson Ann McHale exploded when told that the Stoffa administration was seeking council's input on whether to reject some high bids for county services. Stoffa thought we could do better. McHale was one of those who didn't want to be bothered.

Let me tell you the story.

When Northampton County first bid its information technology contract, three computer companies responded. Technical defects led to two rejections, leaving the county with only one bid. Affiliated Computer Services, the county's current provider, was actually the high bidder, at a little over $10 million. It was also the low bidder because it was the only company that could be legally considered.

Stoffa was unable legally to negotiate directly with ACS for a lower bid. So the county had two choices - award a new IT contract to ACS for $10 million, or reject all bids and start over. Our Administrative Code allows the county to reject bids when "it is in the best interest of the County." All three bidders had agreed to submit new bids, and the general feeling was that new bids would come in a little lower.

Amazingly, when county council was asked to reject, it refused. Personally, I think that small-minded group tried to stick it to the county's taxpayers for two reasons. First, one of the rejected bidders is a major contributor to Republicans, and council saw an opportunity to pull a "pay to play" in reverse. Second, they wanted to embarrass County Exec John Stoffa, who refuses to play their political games. Whatever their reasoning, it was certainly bad government.

This unbridled hubris continued. Council brazenly refused to accept their own lawyer's advice, when he told them they lack supervisory authority over the bidding process. It might "set a precedent." Ann McHale, Charles Dertinger, Lamont McClure, Diane Neiper and Tony Branco just couldn't bring themselves to admit they had made a mistake. The matter was instead referred to Lamont McClure's law and order committee, where he claims to have had a "lot of success in dealing with tough problems." The matter has languished there since July 12 with no discussion.

Stoffa ended up rejecting the bids on his own and sought new proposals. "They [council] can do what they want to do. I answer to the taxpayers, ultimately."

Thanks to Sarah Cassi at The Express Times, we know the new bids are in. The county wants to award its IT contract to ACS, but this time the bid is $8.2 million. That will save the county, and its taxpayers, $1.8 million over the bid that council tried to shove down our throats.

Looks like nice guys do finish first after all.

And for once, so does the taxpayer.

Update: Although council clearly blew this one, and for all the wrong reasons, Stoffa refused to rub their faces in it. But Ann McHale, in remarks to The Mornings Call's Joe Nixon, snorts, "I don't think the process was very professional." I agree, Ann. Council, and you especially, acted very unprofessionally.

Grube Steps Aside, McHale Steps Up & Angle Steps Out!

"You're late!"

Those were the first words ET Editor Joe Owens growled as I stumbled into Northampton County brand new council chambers for its reorganization Monday night. I came in at the tail end of the Pledge of Allegiance, which everyone was mindlessly mumbling. I quickly slapped my hand over my heart as I looked for a chair, hoping no one would shoot me for being irreverent to the flag.

It was Owens' fault that I was late in the first place. I had just learned he's running for president and that I'm on his election committee. Actually, he's not running for anything. It's his blog. If it wins, I get to be an intern or something. Owens was at the meeting to hustle a few votes before today's New Hampshire primary.

Wrong state, Joe. And he calls me a crazie??

Before last night's meeting, someone posted this comment on my blog. "McHale, the Republicans' favorite Dem next to Stoffa, will be the new Council Prez. Grube will be VP. The Republicans cut the deal with her majesty in case Stoffa doesn't run for re-election. They want her as the Dem. candidate. This boosts her Name and cements her support against the new Council Dems."

That's how it went, too. "With extreme disappointment," Grube acknowledged that physically, he can no longer keep up with with the job. "No one outside realizes how much time a president puts in."

At that point, Grube nominated Ann McHale to take his place as council president. Her nomination was seconded by Lamont McClure, and Peg Ferraro seconded the second to be on the safe side. McHale was unanimously elected as Northampton County's first female council president. No discussion. McHale smiled, and said, "I accept this with pride." That's a far cry from last year, when she was ignominiously shoved aside as council VP for rookie Diane Neiper.

After her election, McHale nominated Wayne Grube to serve as council VP. That nomination was seconded by Charles Dertinger, and once again, Peg Ferraro seconded the second to give things a little bipartisan flavor. Like McHale, Grube was unanimously elected. Again, not a peep in the way of discussion. Ferraro did quietly tell Wayne, "It's been an honor working with you."

Unless that anonymous commenter is the Amazing Kreskin, this was a done deal. Northampton County Council started off the New Year like they do every year - by ignoring the Sunshine Act. It's a tradition. Maybe they should call it the Sunshine Suggestion.

From what I've been able to piece together, Team Dertinger (Dertinger, McClure & Neiper) wanted Neiper to ascend to the throne. But they've been weakened by the loss of Tony Branco, and have alienated both McHale and Grube over the past year.

Republicans control four votes. They could have blocked any Democratic president unless Dems agreed to select a Republican VP. To their credit, they did not play partisan politics, or stopped once Grube indicated he'd be willing to serve as VP.

Good government triumphs over partisan politics! You don't see that every day.

With her election as council president, McHale now assumes formally the role she's already been serving, at least during meetings, for the past two years. Even though she was deposed as VP last year, Grube still relied heavily on McHale, not Neiper, to make sure meetings ran smoothly. And McHale, unlike any other member of council, can control Angle. He simply adores her. Even as she sticks a knife in him and twists it all around, he just smiles.

But last night, Ron was a bad boy. Grube had stepped aside. McHale had stepped up. But Ron actually stepped out! Incensed by the $642 thousand cost for renovations to council chambers, Angle stepped off the dais and instead fumed in the press box, plopping down right between reporters Sarah Cassi and Joe Nixon.

And during the courtesy of the floor, guess who spoke? Bingo!

After establishing that McHale was off on the cost of renovations by a mere $240 thousand, Angle started blowing oil. "I believe in living in the real world. It's the same damn room. The seats are of lesser quality. This $642 thousand, one of the main reasons was the girls needed more room. Now they have less room. I was measuring with my tape today. ... I intend to sit out here in the real world. Pitiful. Pitiful. Pitiful."

About every five minutes, Ron would stand up and blow yet another gasket. "You see those lights? You could get better lights at Home Depot. You could get a nice house and fill it with furniture for $642 thousand."

According to The Express Times' Sarah Cassi, Angle plans to relocate permanently to the press box. "No word yet on what will happen to his nameplate."

In 2001, after a contentious five hour bond hearing, someone actually chucked Angle's nameplate down the hopper. I'm not making this stuff up. The felon was never apprehended, but every county administrator failed several lie detector tests. Fortunately for Ron, Grube dove in and rescued it at the Easton sewage treatment facility.

Update: For more objective accounts of last night's meeting from reporters who actually got to sit right next to Ron, both The Morning Call and Express Times oblige.

NorCo Council: Workhorses, Showhorses & No-showhorses of 2011

Since 2006, I've tracked attendance records for Northampton County Council members, including their Committee participation. It's where most of the real work is done, and where the showhorses become no-show horses.

What I like about this kind of rating is that it is objective. Political party makes no difference. A Council member either shows up, or not.

Northampton County Council met 30 times last year, including its budget hearings. Only one member - President John Cusick - attended every meeting. Four other members - Ron Angle, Tom Dietrich, Mike Dowd & Peg Ferraro - had near perfect attendance records, having only missed one meeting. Barb Thierry missed two meetings and Lamont McClure missed four.

Tied for last place in Council attendance were Ann McHale, who retired at the end of this year, and Bruce Gilbert. They each missed seven meetings.

In addition to the Council meetings, there are eight standing committees. These are Economic Development (Mike Dowd - C); Finance (John Cusick - C); Human Services (Tom Dietrich - C); Intergovernmental Affairs (Peg Ferraro - C); Legal, Judicial & Operations (Lamont McClure - C); Personnel (Ann McHale - C); Open Space (John Cusick - C) and Long Range Planning (No Chair). Traditionally, each Council member is encouraged to attend every Committee meeting, regardless whether he or she is a voting member. In addition to individual attendance, the committees that do meet are an indication of what issues concern Council members.

As might be expected, Finance & Personnel head that list. They each met ten times last year. With budgetary cutbacks and problems at Gracedale, Human Services became a hot Committee, too, meeting nine times. Other committees conducting meetings were Economic Development (8), Open Space (2), Long Range Planning (2) and Intergovernmental (1).

McClure's Legal Committee conducted no meetings, just as he failed to conduct any in 2010. Ferraro's Intergovernmental met just once, and that's its first meeting in the past 6 years.

So much for regionalism.

Standing Committees met a total of 43 times, more than twice as often in 2010. Council member attendance is as follows: Cusick (26); Dietrich (26); Dowd (23); Ferraro (20); Gilbert (16): McHale (15); Angle (14); Thierry (15); and McClure (4). I gave McClure credit for one meeting he attended by phone.

Combining both committee and council attendance, the ratings are as follows: (1) John Cusick (56 - 76.7% attendance); (2) Tom Dietrich (55 - 75.3% attendance); (3) Mike Dowd (51 - 69.9% attendance); (4) Peg Ferraro (49 - 67.1%); (5) Ron Angle (43 - 58,9% attendance); (6) Barb Thierry (40 - 54.8% attendance); (7) Bruce Gilbert (39 - 53.4% attendance); (8) Ann McHale (38 - 52% attendance); and (9) Lamont McClure (20 - 41.1% attendance).

Although I have been highly critical of John Cusick and Tom Dietrich, they are the County Council Workhorses of 2011. Peg Ferraro really picked up her attendance as well, following a year in which she underwent a double knee replacement. Reverend Dowd re-energized he Economic Development Committee in his quiet and unassuming style, and as a result, some business projects like the Chrin TIF are moving forward.

McClure's attendance record is horrible, even to the point where it became a campaign issue. He has claimed he's unable to break away during the day, but I've seen no push from him for evening meetings, as I have from Scott Parsons. It's inexcusable that his Legal Committee has failed to convene even once in the past two years.

But he was re-elected.

We get the government we deserve.

Here are reports from the last five years: 2010, 2009; 2008; 2007; and 2006.

Follow the Money: Who is Funding Ann McHale's Exec Campaign?

Below is a copy of the campaign finance report filed by Ann McHale today. Lobbyists, construction unions, AFSCME, contractors, lawyers and people obviously looking for something are McHale's supporters. I'll have plenty to say about this report next week, but thought I'd share it with you right away.

I will be posting Stoffa's report, too. He refused to accept cash contributions from anyone.

Ann McHale Campaign Finance Report Dated 5/7/09

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines & Newspape northampton county john stoffa

Joe the Mayor Appointed to Northampton County Council

Whenever the Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle, calls, it's almost always at the crack of dawn. I'm usually in the middle of a good dream and yesterday morning was no exception. Just as I was about to take a ride to space mountain with Angelina Jolie, the phone rang.

"So, who do you think is going to get the appointment?"

"Nobody. This one's going to the courts, Ron."

"That's where you're wrong. Joe Capozzolo will get the appointment. I'm about to run a play like you've never seen."

Before the night was over, Democratic Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo (you can read about him here) was appointed to council. It was a surreal vote that occurred after almost all the candidates had left and reporters were in the hallway, speaking to a few disappointed candidates. Here's the play by play.

Round 1. Democrat Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Bruce Gilbert. Deadlock.

"I know this was going to happen," laments Council Prez Ann McHale.

Round 2. Democrat Bill Wallace or Republican Esther Lee. Deadlock.

Round 3. Democrats Joe Cappozola, Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Karen Clarkson. Deadlock.

Round 4. Democrat Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Larry Kisslinger. Deadlock.

Round 5. Democrat Bill Wallace or Republican Mark Schwartz. Deadlock.

"Are we ready to let the courts decide on this?" pleads Council Prez Ann McHale.

Charles Dertinger is "at a loss" to understand why Lieberman has not been appointed and Lamont McClure accuses Republicans of partisanship. Angle protests that Republicans nominated two people of color (Lee and Gilbert) as well as a Democrat (Capozzolo).

McHale: "This is not about race, Mr. Angle."

Angle: "We're willing to give you a Democrat, but does it have to be your Democrat? You people still believe you have a seven person majority. You don't."

Peg Ferraro: "Bruce Gilbert has an MBA and is an expert in finance. he brings a fresh perspective to that area."

Dertinger: "What you are trying to do is steal the balance of power or play the race card."

Ferraro (angry): "Do you not ever do that! Do you not ever do that!"

Round 6: Ask the courts to appoint a council member. Deadlock.

McClure: "I'm willing to sit here all night and into tomorrow . This is a complete abdication of our responsibility. It is defeatism in the extreme. It is the worst possible result. This is our responsibility. It is not the court's responsibility."

Angle: "We have offered you compromise three times. You're stuck on Marilyn Lieberman. She would be your person."

Round 7: Democratic strongman Rodney Applegate, who has not even applied, is nominated by McClure. Diane Neiper seconds the nomination with a "Good man!" Angle nominates Dick Cheney and Ferraro nominates Bruce Gilbert. Deadlock.

Round 8: Angle nominates retired Judge Jim Hogan, who happens to be a Democrat. McClure nominates Marilyn Lieberman. The Democrats all ignore a retired Democratic judge. Deadlock.

Angle: "It's not the Republicans, folks"

Round 9: Angle nominates Pope Benedict. No second.

Ferraro to Democrats: "Why wouldn't you vote for Hogan?"

Dertinger to Republicans: "Why wouldn't you vote for Lieberman?"

John Cusick: "I could not support Marilyn Lieberman because of her support of the 2001 bond."

Angle: "She's a loyal follower of Glenn Reibman."

Round 10: Democrat Bill Wallace and Democrat Joe Capozzolo. Deadlock.

Round 11: Angle nominates Morning Call columnist and non-county resident Bill White. Nobody seconds. Sorry, Bill.

Round 12: Ask the courts to decide. Motion passes, with only McClure and Dertinger voting No.

After spinning their wheels and going nowhere, council sputtered through the seven remaining items on the agenda. As they moved onto the last item, Lamont McClure got up and whispered into Ann McHale's ear.

Before long, McClure was speaking instead of whispering. Correctly characterizing council's inability to appoint a council member as an "abject partisan failure," he nominated Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo. This time, the vote was unanimous. When he voted, Angle said, "I really wanted Marilyn Lieberman but I'm willing to take you."

Ascending to the dais, a stunned Joe Cappozzolo said, "I guess waiting around after everyone left paid off. Eighty per cent of success is showing up."

NorCo Council: Workhorses, Showhorses & No-showhorses of 2010

Since I first started blogging in 2006, I've been keeping track of the attendance records of Northampton County Council members. This includes their participation in Committees, where most of the grunt work is done. That's how you can tell the showhorses from the workhorses. And it's easy to spot a no-show horse. He's usually someone who's great at pandering, but disappears when it's time to do the heavy-lifting.

Attendance is a good indication whether an elected official actually gives a damn. And what I like about this kind of rating is that it is objective. It makes no difference whether he's a Democrat or a Republican. He either cares enough to be there or he does not.

Northampton County Council met 26 times last year. Three members - Ron Angle, Tom Dietrich & Bruce Gilbert - had a perfect attendance record. Two members - John Cusick & Barb Thierry - had near prefect records, having missed only one meeting. Two members - Ann McHale & Lamont McClure - missed six meetings. McClure actually missed three consecutive meetings this summer and never explained his absence for any but the first missed meeting. Essentially, he was missing in action for six weeks straight. Peg Ferraro only attended 18 of Council's 26 meetings this year, but advised Council that she was recuperating from knee replacement surgery.

In addition to the Council meetings, there are seven standing committees. These are Economic Development (Mike Dowd - C); Finance (Ron Angle - C); Human Services (Tom Dietrich - C); Intergovernmental Affairs (Peg Ferraro - C); Legal, Judicial & Operations (Lamont McClure - C); Personnel (Ann McHale - C); and Open Space (John Cusick - C). Every Council member is encouraged to attend every Committee meeting, regardless whether he or she is a voting member. In addition to individual attendance, the committees that do meet are an indication of what issues concern Council members.

As might be expected, Finance heads that list. In addition to being chaired by the Council President, which itself is unusual, that committee met ten times during 2010, and some of those were lengthy meetings. Personnel was hot on Finance's heels, with 9 meetings. Other committees conducting meetings were Economic Development (7), Human Services (6) and Open Space (2).

McClure's Legal and Ferraro's Intergovernmental failed to meet at all. They also failed to meet in 2009. In fact, Intergovernmental has met just once in the last 5 years. For a County that claims regionalism is a top priority, that's a bit strange.

Standing Committees met a total of 21 times, and Council member attendance is as follows: Cusick (21); Dietrich (21); Dowd (20); Thierry (15); Angle (14); McHale (14); Bruce Gilbert (13); Ferraro (10); and McClure (0). McClure failed to attend a single committee meeting, something I have never seen in the five yers I've been maintaining these attendance records.

Combining both committee and council attendance, the ratings are as follows: (1) Tom Dietrich (47 - 100% attendance); (2) John Cusick (46 - 98% attendance); (3) Mike Dowd (40 - 94% attendance); (4) Ron Angle (40 - 85% attendance); (4) Barb Thierry (40 - 85% attendance); (6) Bruce Gilbert (39 - 83% attendance); (7) Ann McHale (34 - 72% attendance); (8) Peg Ferraro (28 - 60% attendance); and (9) Lamont McClure (20 - 43% attendance).

Just last week, I was highly critical of Dietrich's attempt to funnel $50,000 in taxpayer money to a volunteer fire company because his motivations were at least partially political. But facts are facts, and he is the County Council Workhorse of 2010. That's no surprise. It is Dietrich who took it upon himself to travel to three different former public nursing homes to see how residents and workers fared under new ownership. In fact, last week, Dietrich was spotted in Courtroom 1, sitting with drunk drivers and druggies during the Call of the List, just to see how things went. So he does deserve credit for caring about his job.

The same is true of Cusick, known for submitting numerous resolutions and ordinances whenever school is out. In addition, Cusick goes to all those CCAP conventions in luxurious settings like Camp Hill, and actually attends the meetings.

Reverend Dowd, starting last year, re-energized the Economic Development Committee in his quiet and unassuming style, and as a result, some business projects are moving forward.

Peg Ferraro's attendance record - 60% - is horrible. But she had both knees replaced early this year and even after being released from the hospital, had a difficult time walking to Council. She had a solid showing in 2009, so she obviously does care.

McClure's record is even more horrible, and he had no excuse. Not only did he fail to miss three consecutive Council meetings over a period of six weeks, he failed to participate in a single committee hearing during 2010. I am unaware of any member of Council who has refused participate in committee hearings since the inception of home rule in 1978.

Despite his refusal to inform himself about County business, he never fails to miss a chance to take a shot at the Stoffa administration or Ron Angle. As recently as yesterday, when the County opened bids for the sale of Gracedale in Harribsurg, the County Exec was publicly accused of "hiding."

That's exactly the kind of ignorant remark I'd expect from someone who doesn't bother to inform himself.

McClure faces re-election next year, and can explain to voters why he attends no committee meetings, if he dares to run. He's one no-show horse who belongs in the political glue factory.

Here are reports from the last four years: 2009; 2008; 2007; and 2006.

Northampton County Council Finance Reports Online Here

Thanks to Northampton County's voter registration office, I have complete copies of the thirty- day post election campaign finance reports filed last week by eight of ten candidates for county council seats in November 6 election. Candidate Mark Schwartz, who spent under $250, is excused from filing any reports. Similarly, Tom Dietrich filed a report indicating he spent no money and took in no contributions during the thirty-day period.

I scanned these finance reports and uploaded them to an online library so we can all look at them for ourselves and follow the money. It is my hope that the county eventually begins to make these local finance records available online.

Here's a breakdown of what each candidate spent in the general election. McClure is the big spender.

At Large Race: (countywide)Tony Branco (D) ($15,424.13) v. Peg Ferraro (R) ($16,781.02)

Tony Branco 2d Friday preelection report
Tony Branco 30 day post election report
Peg Ferraro 2d Friday preelection report
Peg Ferraro 30 day post election report

District 1: (Bethlehem area) Ann McHale (D) ($498.77) v. Tom Dietrich (R) ($172.31)

Ann McHale 2d Friday preelection report
Ann McHale 30 day post election report
Tom Dietrich 2d Friday preelection report
Tom Dietrich 30 day post election report - no money spent

District 2: (Easton area) William Wallace (D) ($8,853.79) v. Mike Dowd (R) ($4,151.40)

William Wallace 2d Friday preelection report
William Wallace 30 day post election report
Mike Dowd 2d Friday preelection report
Mike Dowd 30 day post election report

District 3: (Nazareth area) Lamont McClure (D) ($35,767.75) v. Mark Schwartz (R) (no report)

Lamont McClure 2d Friday preelection report
Lamont McClure 30 day post election report


District 4: (Slate belt area) John Maher (D) ($16,877.43) v. Ron Angle (R) ($26,094.64).

John Maher 2d Friday preelection report
John Maher 30 day post election report
Ron Angle 2d Friday preelection report
Ron Angle 30 day post election report

Based on the official tally, what's the dollar/vote ratio? (1) McClure - $8.97 per vote; (2) Angle - $4.67 per vote; (3) Maher - $3.75 per vote; (4) Wallace - $2.17 per vote; (5) Branco - $1.02 per vote;(6) Ferraro - $0.91 per vote; (7) Dowd - $0.83 per vote; (8) McHale - $0.11 per vote (9) Dietrich -$0.08 per vote; and (10) Schwartz - $0 per vote.

Ron Angle Has Some Advice For Northampton County Dems

This little love note, penned by The Northampton County Bulldog, will appear today in The Express Times and Morning Call. It's a political ad. I'm in complete agreement so I'll publish it here for nothing. I added the picture.

Northampton County Democrats

You have a very clear choice on May 19 between John Stoffa - a man who can't be bought - and a return to the back slapping, insider's world of pay to play machine politics.

If you want someone who thinks she's better than you, vote McHale. She walked out in a huff when Michelle Obama came to Cedar Crest last September. The front row was reserved for military families, but McHale insisted on sitting there. She thinks they, like you, are her social inferiors. (LV Ramblings, 9/30/08)

Like high taxes? Vote McHale. In ten years on Council, she's voted for every budget and even supported a 63.5% tax increase over just two years. (LVDC Bluestreak Election Letter, 2005)

Like wasteful spenders? Vote McHale. She spent nearly $650,000 of your money for some cheap furniture and a paint job in council chambers, but hasn't bothered installing cameras so the public can actually watch meetings. (Council minutes, 1/7/08; Finance Committee, 1/16/08)

Want a promise breaker? Vote McHale. After promising Martos Gabriel her support for a cabinet level position, McHale went back on her word. McHale also denies knowing about a proposed work release facility in Bethlehem Township, although it has always been described that way, leading Morning Call columnist Bill White to wonder whether she has amnesia. (Morning Call 4/9/09)

Like stupid financial decisions? Vote McHale. Last year, she nearly forced the county to accept an IT contract that was $1.8 million larger than the one Stoffa negotiated. (Express Times, 9/26/07).

Like government in the dark? Vote McHale. When the late great Wayne Grube told her that Stoffa was trying his best to keep council in the loop, her response was "Nice guys finish last." (Express Times, 9/26/07; LV Ramblings, 9/27/07).

Here are just some of the moneybags paying for Ann McHale:

United Brotherhood of Carpenters, AFSCME, Laborers Local 1174, Ruggiero Trucking & Excavating, Bracalete Construction, MCS Industries, Consultant Shanna & Vince Schascia, Lobbyist Robert DeBeer, Lawyer Christian Perrucci, Consultant & Lobbyist T.J. Rooney and Insurance Agent Ryan D Graham.

Here's who's paying for John Stoffa:

John Stoffa.

We deserve better than McHale. We have better. Get off the sofa and vote for Stoffa!

Proudly paid for by Ron Angle because Stoffa won't accept my money, either.

Red Rovers Hand Stoffa His Biggest Margin in County

In Northampton County's red rover District, Democrats refused to drink Bossman Joe Long's kool-aid. He may have ordered Democrats to support county clubber Ann McHale for county exec, but they had their own ideas. That may be why Sharon Davis - area chair in Forks, Palmer, Stockertown and Tatamy - was at John Stoffa's victory party. Stoffa won all four districts, but his margin was biggest in the Easton area. Here are the numbers, according to the
unofficial report.

Easton: Stoffa - 587 votes; McHale - 368 votes.

Forks: Stoffa - 284 votes; McHale - 191 votes

Glendon: Stoffa - 9 votes; McHale - 6 votes

Palmer: Stoffa - 508 votes; McHale - 301 votes

Stockertown: Stoffa - 26 votes; McHale - 18 votes.

Tatamy: Stoffa - 27 votes; McHale - 15 votes.

West Easton: Stoffa - 35 votes; McHale - 23 votes.

Williams: Stoffa - 109 votes; McHale - 83 votes

Wilson: Stoffa - 117 votes; McHale - 82 votes

District Total:

Stoffa - 1702 votes (61.02%) ; McHale - 1087 votes.

The Disgruntled Bidder

Northampton County recently decided to have an outside firm assess Bethlehem's Sands Casino. Calling it "the most important decision in assessment that the county has ever made," Finance Director Vic Mazziotti recommended California firm HVS, which has experience appraising hundreds of casinos, to county council. They unanimously agreed, and the firm will be paid around $100,000 for this job. Sounds fairly straightforward, right? Unfortunately, there's another story, and it reveals a local businessman who used political contacts, instead of qualifications, to pressure county officials.

In competitive bidding, the low price usually wins. But for the casino appraisal, the county went the RFP (Request for Proposal) route. Cheaper is not always better, especially when professional services are involved. Proposals are opened at the same time and assigned to a committee, which evaluates and recommends an ideal vendor. County Council must accept this recommendation, and only then is the County Executive free to sign a contract. In this case, there were four proposals, and one of them came from Allentown appraiser John Ingram, who has absolutely no experience with casinos.

Purchasing Officer Kathryn Anderson tells me that, once a proposal is received, county officials adopt a "cone of silence" until the contract is awarded. This avoids undue influence by any one bidder, who may seek to get a leg up on other prospective vendors. But Ingram made a point of calling numerous county officials anyway. He actually met Northampton Controller Steve Baron, and made a point of mentioning his ties to Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. In fact, in his proposal, Ingram lists Pawlowski as his first reference, including the mayor's personal cell phone number. The other three vendors list banks. Ingram also bragged that he was a member of King Edwin's blue ribbon panel. You know, that's the one that has failed to solve the Queen City's financial woes.

Ingram amazingly wanted the county to stop the RFP process and just award the contract to him.

Ingram did not stop with Controller Barron. He called Finance Director Vic Mazziotti, Purchasing Officer Kathryn Anderson and Director of Administration John Conklin. He even put the squeeze on Council member Charles Dertinger, reportedly calling him at least six times.

The committee making the recommendation in this case included Mazziotti, Anderson and Conklin. Council Prez Ann McHale, Assistant Solicitor Dave Backenstoe and Bethlehem official Mark Sivac also participated. After two meetings, HVS was their unanimous recommendation. The minutes are quite revealing.

"John Ingram continues calling our people about the job and downgrading HVS. John C[onklin] said we need to practice the cone of silence with vendors and Ingram should be told this is our policy and stop. John feels Ingram's proposal should be thrown out.

"Ann said Ingram does not have the insurance that is needed; therefore, the proposal does not meet the requirements. Ann also feels Ingram's proposal should be thrown out.

"Ann would like a local vendor, but everything with Ingram is too negative."

Ingram, when he learned he was rejected by the committee, actually asked County Executive John Stoffa to override their recommendation.

"According to Ann McHale and Charles Dercinger (sp?), the final decision has been made on who is going to be awarded the contract to appraise the Bethlehem Sands Casino---and they said it was made, this morning, in favor of HVS out of San Francisco---so much for the County saving money on valuation services! I didn't know that McHale was on the committee making the decision until yesterday, and I called her for the first time, early this afternoon. She was very unresponsive, except to tell me the final decision had been made, the public announcement would be made on Monday, and that she really didn't want to talk to me.

"I thought the final decision was yours to make, or do you just go along with whatever they decide to do? Anyway, if that is the final decision, I'm very disappointed, of course. If so, that will be the first, only and last RFP I'll ever respond to---who needs the wasted time? If you have the ability to override their decision, I'd still like the opportunity to work with the County on the appraisal."

Stoffa refused to go against his own committee, so Ingram threatened to complain to council and the press. They refused to be bullied. Dertinger and McHale, whom I've often criticized, resisted this undue influence.

In this case, what you know mattered a lot more than who you know.

Ann McHale's "Pay to Play" Solicitor Rejected by 5-4 Vote

Bethlehem attorney Christian Perrucci has spent the past few months lobbying individual council members for a $49,000 part-time job as Northampton County Council solicitor.

It's the least they could do.

Over the past two years, this young lawyer has already contributed a whopping $12,775 to Democrats seeking state offices. This includes $4,000 for former state house Democratic whip Mike Veon, currently under indictment for Bonusgate, and another $1,000 for current state house Democratic whip and payjacker Bill DeWeese.

Not surprisingly, Perrucci was the first choice of Northampton County machine Democrats when county council reorganized in January. But they only had four votes, so their attempt to inflict this campaign philanthropist upon unsuspecting taxpayers failed.

Now that Democrats have a five-four majority, they tried to bring this fox into the Northampton County henhouse for a second time last night. Lame duck council member Diane Neiper asked council members to appoint Perrucci, and Council Prez Ann McHale gravely told everyone she supports Perrucci, too. I'm sure McHale is expecting him to open his check book and finance her county exec campaign.

But not all Democrats are machine Democrats. Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo (you can read about him here), appointed to fill Wayne Grube's vacant seat, had other ideas. He likes county council's current solicitor, Anthony Martino.

McHale tried her best to steer the appointment to Perrucci and away from the slate belt. She even cut Ron Angle off as his made a pitch for this fellow slate belt resident. Previously, Attonry Martino was prematurely fired by council member Lamont McClure. Classless and clueless, he did it by letter over the holidays.

Merry Christmas! You're fired.

That stunt earned McClure a coveted Express Times turkey.

As Angle noted that "we've humiliated Mr. Martino enough," the Queen of Hearts cut him off in mid sentence.

"Mr. Flisser, will you please call the roll."

When the dust had settled, all four Republicans had sided with Capozzolo and Martino was selected by a five-four vote. Martino arrived a few minutes later and took his seat on the dais, but McHale offered no congratulations. Ron Angle attempted to do so, but she cut him off again.

"Please, Ron."

McHale failed to deliver the bacon for Pay to Play Perrucci. Even worse, she managed to alienate slate belt voters in the process. They tend to remember things like that.

Now don't feel sorry for poor Christian Perrucci. In late October, he gave $1,000 to Pay to Play Pawlowski. I'm sure King Edwin will remember a loyal vassal.