It's something Glenn Reibman would never do. Today, Northampton County Exec John Stoffa was kind enough to come on Ron Angle's controversial WGPA 1100 AM talk show. And he did so only one day after I stated he's had long enough to negotiate contracts with his underpaid workforce.
What he made clear, at least to me, is that he does care and is doing his best to rectify a situation that has been ten years in the making. He listened patiently to calls from frustrated courthouse workers and taxpayers, and made clear that he wants county workers to get a living wage. Next year, the county's antiquated salary structure will get a much-needed overhaul. Stoffa agreed the county's workforce is his top priority.
I expect Northampton county workers will finally get a living wage. It may not happen as quickly as I would like, but it will happen.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Thursday, December 14, 2006
19 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
From what little I heard of the show, it sounded like a lovefest!
ReplyDeleteThen you heard very little.
ReplyDeleteJohn Stoffa does NOT care. He appears and sounds like he cares, but the bottom line he does not care. If he cared, he would have come to the table in January and demanded from his heads of depts to talk and listen. Did he do that? No, it went on and on and on until finally now he is trying to blame the union for everything. We employees are not dumb. And as for the show, he is still selling a "bill of goods" to everyone. Very disappointed that you cut people off also when they said things Angle did not want to hear.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of Ron Angle, R.A. can only stand for one thing - Real Asshole!
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:25, I sure hope you're wrong. I agree Stoffa could have acted sooner and said so both yesterday and today. But unlike you, I can't condemn this "gentle" man who I believe is trying his best to solve a problem that started 10 years ago. I'm not a county employee but I really think he's trying.
ReplyDeleteLook at the difference between Reibman and Stoffa. 1) Stoffa met employees in his office but Reibman called sheriffs and had the door locked. Stoffa was reluctant but did hear you out. 2) Stoffa listened to you in county council, but Reibman refused to attend council meetings. 3) Stoffa came to the radio show today knowing damn well that people would be calling with tough questions. Reibman never would go on such a show.
I also do not believe Stoffa blamed the union, as you say. He pointed to council, his office and the union. He was pretty damn fair about it.
Finally you say I cut people off when they said things Angle did not want to hear. I can tell you that is a crock. I was a guest today, like Stoffa. I had no control over the phone. And Angle did not "cut" people off, as you say. He gave people an opportunity to say something, and then would move to the next caller. There were a lot of calls. Dan Sell was able to speak. A lady on food stamps was able to speak. A fellow who gets home heating asistance was able to speak. I was able to point out that mist employees are well eblow the lving wage established at PSU. I was allowed to establish that residual employees get $11,700 less than the average job in Northampton County.
I believe the voice of the worker was heard today. I'm sorry you don't have that feeling because that was what I had hoped for.
Anon 2:33, And the BO in Bernie O'Hare stands for body odor. Thanks for the brilliant observation.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Bernie.
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:33
who is council liason for open space in northampton county
ReplyDeleteAccording to the county's website, Charles Dertinger is the open space committee chair.
ReplyDeleteNature Boy, You are right but Dertinger may be deposed after tonight's county council fiasco. I'll tell you about that tomorrow. I've got to write it up.
ReplyDeletewho is the former open space council member
ReplyDeleteThe former open space chgair was Tim Merwarth, who lost his bed for re-election to Council. The current committe consists of Dertinger, Branco, Cusick & McHale.
ReplyDeletethanks
ReplyDeletehow did he get that position, did he have the most open space to sell to developers?
ReplyDeleteRon Angle no longer on the air?? Great- God is good, and Joe Timmer finally realized he didn't need that kind of trash on the air.We need civility on the radio these days, and, its time we taught our children that good manners do count, and, name calling is for people who aren't bright enough to discuss topics in a rational, sane and logical way.Imus fell- now the Emperor falls.Isn't life great??
ReplyDeleteWhat will John Stoffa do without Ron Angle?? Now maybe the Morning Call will can Bil White and clean up that sordid column that is used to humiliate and savage people who won't agree with Mr. White. I hear lots of stories about lawsuits and other things pending against Mr. White and the Call. I wonder how long the new owners will want to deal with that nonsense.Goodbye Bill.
ReplyDeleteYou know that's not true. You're a troll.
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteI hope you stay on the radio for a little while because although you have your days of ripping and tearing, your not evil.
Rumors abound that two well known Lehigh Valley radio people are interested in buying WGPA. Can you say "housecleaning"??
The Morning Call will get plenty of competition from either of these two guys if the sale goes through, or, in lieu of that, if these two guys get on the radio, they have told people Bill White is in their cross hairs.
I think its going to be fun watching all of this play out. The worm turns, Bernie.Now,watch the fire works.Have a nice day.
I feel sorry for whoever tries to do business with "Jolly" Joe Timmer. These buyers are in for a ride. And with Angle out the door, the only ones listening to that station will be the crickets.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's face it, bippy. Bill White is a popular and highly regarded writer. Even the crickets will stop listening to a showe that exists just to slam Bill White. I know Daday and Otto Slozer hate Bill's guts, but I think it's pretty much a case of sour grapes with both.
I won't do the show if Angle's not there. First, he's the only one who would have me. Second, I won't do that to Ron.