NorCo Council Adopts 2026 Budget With No Tax Hike

In his final days as a member of NorCo Council, Ron Heckman tried something he had never done before. He proposed a one-mill tax hike. Despite whatever he had been led to believe, his motion died for lack of a second. An amended budget that with a few exceptions is identical to Executive Lamont McClure's proposed spending plan, was adopted by a vote of 7 to 2. The amended budget was supported by Lori Vargo Heffner, Kelly Keegan, Jeff Corpora, Jeff Warren, Tom Giovanni, John Brown and Ron Heckman. Voting No were Ken Kraft and John Goffredo. 

The biggest amendment was for the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. It was budgeted to receive $625,000 in McClure's proposal but wanted an additional $461,000.  Council President Vargo Heffner suggested that the county provide $365,000. This is less than the planning agency wanted but would make NorCo's contribution the same as Lehigh County's contribution. This amendment passed by a vote of 6 to 3, with Kelly Keegan, Ken Kraft and Jeff Warren being the dissenters. 

The discussion that preceded this vote was pretty much along the same lines as during the budget amendment hearing last week. Ken Kraft was strongly opposed, claiming that LVPC already has a huge surplus. 

Outgoing Exec McClure was pleased at the adoption of the budget. "“From the beginning, I promised to end the over-taxation of the people of Northampton County,” he said in a news release. “Eight straight years without a tax increase, and a tax cut that returned $25 million to our residents, shows that we kept that promise.” He added that, since 1961, NorCo has never gone eight years without a tax hike. 

Taiba Sultana Appeals Dismissal of Defamation Action

Over the weekend, Easton City Council member was highly offended by Big Easy Easton Brass Band leader Jeremy Joseph. She wanted to lead his band in the annual Easton Christmas parade, and he told her what he thought of her. She got out in front of the band anyway, but not before going to police to claim she had been harassed. And she also made sure that Lehigh Valley News was made aware of what had happened. She also posted about it on her personal and Council member Facebook page, falsely claiming she had been "threatened." Easton police yawned, stating there were no threats or harassment. She certainly defamed Johnson and placed him in a false light. But he has no intention of suing, saying that her punishment is "that she has to be her."

She has demonstrated once again "that she has to be her." Last month, President Judge Craig Dally rejected a defamation/false light claim she brought against a policitcal action committee that circulated campaign signs in her race for the state house, calling her "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" According to Judge Dally, "[S]he has not established with clear and convincing evidence that the identified statements are actually false or that they were made with reckless disregard for the truth." In other words, she could very well be what I would call a wackadoodle.

Well, if there was any doubt in your mind about this, it should be gone with this latest news. On Tuesday, she appealed Judge Dally's decison to the Superior Court. She did this on her own, with no legal representation. Good luck with that!

NorCo Council Could Adopt a Tax Hike Tonight

Tonight, Northampton County Council is poised to adopt its budget for 2026. Executive Lamont McClure as proposed a $503.6 million spending plan, slightly less than the year before. As required under the Home Rule Charter, it is a balanced budget. It would require no tax increase. The 10.8 mill tax rate would remain the same, meaning that a home assessed at $75,000 would receive a county tax bill for $810. After a series of budget hearings, County Council has considered some minor changes. Its biggest amendment, an increase in funding for the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, failed to garner five votes. That could happen tonight, but there is funding for it in available grant funds. So this should be an unusually short and sweet budget adoption meeting, right? Wrong. I am hearing rumors that a tax hike is in the works and that the 10.8 millage rate will be going up. There may even be five votes for it.

The reality is that county council is concerned that its rainy-day fund might be too low and that it might need more money to pay higher salaries. It might also need funds for a cash contribution to Gracedale. 

Two weeks ago, Council President Lori Vargo Heffner warned that a tax hike was on the horizon. It was not a question of "if," but "when." Given concerns about the budget that incoming Exec Tara Zrinski has raised, Council might be doing her a favor. I'm sure she'd hate to have to propose a tax hike in her first year as Exec, but an increase now might help her avoid one next year. And next year, the county should use AI for cost-savings measures to streamline operations and boost efficiency, especially at Gracedale. It should consider training caseworkers so they can work from home and still be productive, thus obviating the need for a new government building. Most importantly, a reassessment is beyond overdue. Though politically unpopular, this is the only way to achieve fairness in taxation. If and when a reassessment is completed, municipalities like Easton must adjust their millage rates in a way that is revenue neutral. 

ICE Masks: Is It Time to Outlaw Secret Police?

In Trump's dystopian Amerika, our police have become increasingly militarized, and our military have increasingly become police officers. What's more, we have masked ICE agents who prance around in unmarked tactical gear. It is more like 1930s Germany than 1950s America. They claim the masks are needed to prevent the safety and privacy of agents and their families. I rather think it is actually for the same reason that Nazi thugs liked to don swastika armbands - they think it makes them look cool. It is also harder to sue them for their illegal arrests and excessive use of force.

In Pennsylvania, the "No Secret Police: Unmask ICE" Act was introduced by State Senator Amanda Cappelletti back in July. She believes this practice erodes public trust in law enforcement and makes impersonations far more likely. She has eight co-sponsors, all of whom are Democrats. The bill generally requires law enforcement to wear clothing that identifies them as such, including their name, badge number and specific department. Masks are banned with certain exceptions for undercover work and public health. 

No Republican has agreed to sponsor the bill, so it will likely languish until next year, when I expect that the people are going to elect Democrats who will put leashes and muzzles on these out-of-control federal agents.

Neither LV Dem Senator (Nick Miller, Lisa Boscola) has co-sponsored the bill. They have their fingers in the air, waiting to see which way the wind blows. 

New Jersey is considering a similar bill, and California has actually passed a law that bans the masks

Zrinski Establishes a Transition Team

 Northampton County Executive-Elect Tara Zrinski yesterday announced the formation of a transition committee that she calls the "start of a new era for county government built on transparency, accountability, and inclusive community engagement."

“Elections mark the beginning of change, but real leadership is about thoughtfully and transparently shaping what comes next,” Zrinski said. “Residents expect innovative ideas backed by a careful transition and strong follow‑through on the promises they supported this fall.”

Members include a mix of experienced leaders like former Exec Glenn Reibman as well as participants who have never held a major role in county government. They include Brandon Faust, Nazareth School Board; Anita Erdős Forrester, Professor at Northampton Community College; Margie DeRenzis, retired Supervisor at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20; and Steve Goudsouzian, a well-respected attorney and Solicitor for the Controller’s Office.

She has identified seven targeted areas:

● Healthy Families & Human Services: Public health, social services, and family support.

● Housing for All: Affordable housing, homelessness, and development policy.

● Economic Development & Jobs: Small business support, workforce training, and job access.

● Infrastructure & Capital Projects: Roads, public works, and other capital projects.

● Public Safety & Justice: Policing, emergency services, and criminal justice reform.

● Opportunity for All: Racial, economic, gender, and disability inclusion practices.

● Environmental Planning and Sustainability: Land use, open space preservation, infrastructure, and county operations.

County government is very limited. It exists primarily to run elections, 911, build county bridges and provide the court services that handle the back end of crime as well as civil matters. It provides no policing. It builds no roads. There is no health department. It does provide for human services like child protective services, but this function is largely paid for by the state. It does maintain a nursing home but is one of only about six or seven counties that still have a nursing home.  

Having said that, I have no problem with exploring how a county government can help with many other issues that transcend municipal boundaries. 

I would suggest that Zrinski's biggest problem, and it's one she can fix, is a fractured relationship with both County Council and employees. Hopefully she would include county council members and current employees to help guide a smooth transition and make her aware of what the "boots on the ground" see. 

Taiba Sultana Got Brassy With Wrong Big Easy Easton Brass Band

Yesterday, I told you that soon-to-be former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana displayed her complete ignorance of the First Amendment ... again. Less than a month ago, she lost a defamation suit over campaign signs calling her "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL."  She could have realized that, in a democratic government, citizens have a right of free speech, especially when it concerns elected officials. She instead attempted on Friday night to con Easton police into filing "harassment" charges against Big Easy Easton Brass Band leader Jeremy Joseph simply because he was critical of her tenure in office. According to Lehigh Valley News, Easton police have decided no charges will be filed because there were no threats or harassment. But this is not the end of it. 

Band leader Jeremy Joseph intends to pack Easton City Council on December 10 to celebrate an incoming Council that gets along and is united. 

Some of you have suggested he sue her. He has no intention of doing so. He said her punishment is "that she has to be her."

Sultana v. Big Easy Easton Brass Band

On Friday night, the Big Easy Easton Brass Band participated in the City's Christmas parade.  I've had the opportunity to view a few YouTube videos of this group, and they make me feel like I'm at a Mardi Gras in New Orleans. They wear outrageous outfits, even stilts and play with such positive energy that you can't help but smile. Unfortunately, the leader of this fun band - Jeremy Joseph - ran into some negative energy that night for refusing to be deferential to City Council member Taiba Sultana. Sultana not only complained to police that she was harassed by Joseph, but she also made sure to prepare and send a news release to Lehigh Valley News about the incident. She also posted about it on her Facebook page, saying this:

Last night while participating Easton’s Christmas Parade, I was harassed and threatened not because of anything I did wrong, but because some people cannot accept that a woman of color,and a fighter for working families has a seat in power.

And I will not accept this intimidation. Not now. Not ever.

The threats I received in person and the disgusting, violent messages sent to me online are not about me as an individual.

They are an attack on every person who believes in a more just, fair, and inclusive Easton.

This is what happens when you challenge old power structures.

This is what happens when you stand up for working people and seniors.

I have filed a police report. Thanks to the random public cameras for recording the evidence. I have documented every threat.

And I will keep showing up louder, stronger, and more determined than ever.

You cannot bully someone who is rooted in community. You cannot intimidate someone who serves with purpose.And you cannot weaken a movement built on justice.

Easton deserves leadership that does not bow to hate, fear, or harassment.

And that is exactly what I intend to deliver.

Bandleader Jeremy Joseph has a completely different take. Here's his response from his Facebook page.

ok Easton, here we go!

Taiba approached me before our parade, acting like we're friends. I let her know what I think of her political tactics - I told her she doesn't support the people she says she does, that we know what she is after years of watching her on city council - that we know what she is from her own children that told the police on camera that she was physically abusing them. She is a fraud. I am absolutely disgusted by her behavior and political positioning. I said all of this to her, then she proceeded to march in front of my band as we paraded down the street, acting like she's leading the parade - I'm the one who said she has "no shame" as she walked in front of the community band I work so hard to keep going.

Now, you are going to file a report that I was harassing you!!!!! You were getting honest feedback from the community Taiba! Deal with it!

You really have no shame! Councilwoman Taiba Sultana Taiba Sultana - you are not welcome at my parades. (She'll remove this tag)

Sultana insisted on marching in front of the band anyway, as though she was leading it, assisted by her photographer husband.

Joseph went to the police station This is what he learned. 

I just got back from the Easton police station. Taiba had no evidence, video or otherwise. She could not explain to the police what I said that was threatening or harassing. She said I created an “unsafe” environment - which the officer asked, “What was unsafe about it? There was a police officer right there and hundreds of people?” She couldn’t answer.

But yet, she goes to the press and accuses me of violent threats? She posts on her social media accusing me of being racist and sexist. She states I approached her, when there were plenty of witnesses that saw the opposite. She approached me.

Does she just get to get away with this?

Sultana apparently intends to run again for the State House or State Senate so she likes to present herself as a victim of racism, sexism who stands up to bullies. 

Except she's the bully. 

This incident has resulted in public reactions from some people I respect.

Easton City Council member Frank Pintabone: "I’m sorry to read this. You are such an asset to our city. You and the band did us proud again last night." 

Easton City Council member Crystal Rose: "Jeremy, I want to thank you for everything you do for this community. Your dedication to the band and to creating inclusive, positive events for our residents is something I’ve always admired and deeply appreciated. The time, energy, and heart you pour into Easton does not go unnoticed.

I’m genuinely disgusted and disappointed by the behavior you described and I’m sorry you were put in that position. No community volunteer, especially someone who has given as much as you have, should ever have to deal with that kind of conduct or political theatrics. Our residents and our events deserve better.

I’m grateful for your continued commitment to Easton. If there’s anything you need from me, I’m here."

NorCo Dem party Vice Chair Sandy O'Brien: "Try your best to shrug this off, as this type of unhinged behavior can really hurt the person it's directed toward. You are respected and applauded for all you do, and I'm certain that you have tremendous support as people read, and probably chuckle about, her latest quest for relevancy."

Gracedale One of Nursing Homes in 25-Mile Radius Rated at "Much Below Average"

NorCo County Council member Kelly Keegan dislikes all the negative attention that Gracedale receives. She has argued it just depresses the people who work there. Medicare disagrees. It maintains a public website that lists every nursing home and rates them based on health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Gracedale's latest rating, as I told you last week, is just one star, meaning it is "much below average." 

How does this compare to other homes, including privately-owned facilities?  There are 45 nursing homes within a 25-mile radius of Gracedale. Aside from Gracedale, only two other homes have a one-star rating. They are Sapphire Care and Rehab Center (E Stroudsburg, Pa) and Little Brook Nursing and Convalescent Home (Chalfont, NJ). Of the three homes with this one-star rating, only Gracedale has been flagged for abuse.  "Nursing homes that have been cited for potential issues related to abuse have the following icon next to their name:  "

The abuse designation at Gracedale is no doubt the result of an agency nurse who, believing she was an exorcist, attempted to perform an exorcism on a resident back in June. But there have been a rash of six substantiated complaints against the home since March, including three instances in which residents just left and had to be brought back by police.

Recently, the home was flagged again for abuse, although this time it was an abusive resident who assaulted another resident who was wandering and entered the abusive resident's room. The abused resident was hospitalized with a broken coccyx and a head injury.