Last night's meeting of Northampton County Council lasted about two hours. This is how council spent its time.
- Glitzy presentation about Steelstax Performing Arts and Broadcast Center Project (Jeff Parks wants the county to kick in $2 million over 5 years): 20 minutes.
- Discussion about whether Angle should have recused himself from voting on a nonbinding resolution: 20 minutes.
- Discussion about why we need a parks maintenance garage, and why this capital project should be financed with open space money: 30 minutes.
- Interrogation of some poor elevator maintenance man, who had to explain how President Judge Freedberg managed to get stuck in a brand new elevator: 20 minutes.
- Decision to spend $1.5 million to buy the Milides building: 5 minutes.
- Discussion of county's overcrowded prison: 30 seconds.
- Discussion of employee pay classification study: 0 seconds.
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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Friday, May 04, 2007
29 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.
too many times local gov't units focus on little nit picking questions (why did the elevator not work, should we buy red banners or blue, the Ford Dump Truck or the Mack, etc). There are committees that should be handling those questions but as Bernie has pointed out before, in Norco, that doesn't happen very often b/c the committees don't meet.
ReplyDeleteCouncil's should be focusing on the big questions: what do we want our communities to look like, should we be focusing our resources at certain problems, are the policies that we enact effective, etc.
Norco isn't alone in this. go to a borough council or twp supervisor meeting. The tendancy to focus on small issues rather than big picture problems handcuffs gov't at all levels. I've attended meetings where council debated for 15 minutes how high a tree would get if it was planted too close to borough hall. The manager finally said, brought an end to the conversation by suggesting that the maintenance people be allowed to make the determination.
So, did the judge ever get out of the elevator? Could the elevator (since it doesn't work right) possibly be used to help with the overcrowding in the prison?
You're exactly right, lvdem. Our local elected officials are too tied up with "nit picking" type of issues. There doesn't seem to be a progressive agenda in NC that states goals and how those goals should be accomplished. To be honest, everyone is to blame for that. Regardless of party affiliation.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it does stink that we have people like Angle who hinder progress. You see, Angle understand POLITICS, not PUBLIC POLICY. He has been able to grasp the concept that it's always easier to defeat a plan rather than implement something in government (that goes for all levels of government). He knows it's sexier for the media as well to be a defeatist. And I give him a certain amount of credit for doing this for so many years. He has gained quite a bit of popularity in his district because of this philosophy.
But really....has he as well as these other elected officials helped NC progress into the future?
re the 20 minutes "wasted" on angle-seems like he was hoist on his own petard. in his tenure, he has often attacked other council members, wasting valuable time on allegations that proved to be false.
ReplyDeleteAngle thinks it's wonderful to hand jeff Parks $2 million. Wished he felt the same way about County employees! A friend of mine works for the county and she said their contract is going nowhere..Where is Angle and council on this matter
ReplyDeleteAngle is wasting valuable time on allegations that proved to be false?
ReplyDeleteThat's revisionist history. Angle cast a public spotlight on many abuses in the Reibman administration, from Michael Solomon to cozy leases to cell phone abuse to absurdd contracts with campaign donors.
Remember this is an election year, and Northampton County has a chance to change the focus of our council. A majority (5) seats are up this year, and we can finally get some new people in. People who will focused on meeting the required needs of the county(a functional prison, fairly paid county workers, taxes, etc), rather than handing out tax payer funded 'gifts'.
ReplyDeleteGet Out And Vote! ;)
Tom, Sometime after the primary, I'd like to sit down with you and discuss your own campaign. You're saying a lot of very good things, but are runnung for a nearly impregnable district seat held by a councilperson who has been a fearless Bethlehem advocate. Let's talk when you have time.
ReplyDeleteWho is Tom D running against?
ReplyDeleteAnn McHale, for County Council District One seat.
ReplyDeleteangle cast a public spotlight on solomon???? that's revisionist history, my friend. the feds were investigating 6 months before angle every hopped aboard the opportunism train. he also accused many councilmembers (dertinger as well, i believe) of wrong doing in a variety of instances, yet none of the allegations proved to have any merit. they were in fact exonerated after an exhaustive state attorney general grand jury investigation. they did, however, waste countless hours of the council's time.
ReplyDeleteand just about every item you mentioned was brought to light initially by one of the papers. giving angle credit for this stuff would be like giving the loudest, most obnoxious blue-and-white body painted colts fan credit for the super bowl victory.
angle is, and always has been, an opportunist.
Anon,
ReplyDelete1) Like I said, you can't tell me anything about Angle I don't already know. I'll agree he's an opportunist.
2) Solomon wasn't shown the door until after Angle was on board, according to my own memory.
3) Nobody was "exonerated." Grand juries don't exonerate. And my opinion is that it stopped w/ Solomon only bc the state gave him immunity before getting a proffer, a truly idiotic way to conduct an investigation. After Solomon, the abuses continued, and it was Angle who would complain loudest about them.
4) Angle dislikes Dertinger and the feeling is mutual. Angle and Dertinger both call each other corrupt in that generic sense. But I'm unaware of a single specific instance in which Angle ever accused Dertinger of criminality. My memory is far from perfect, but I think you're off on that one. I think the biggest thing Angle can pull off w/ Dertinger is to complain about Dertinger's preferential assessment. He'd also complain about Dertinger's claim to be a pig farmer. Those aren't big deals to me or just about anyone else.
5) Have you seen Angle in a cheerleader constume? I thought that was for me alone.
5) Angle is not always the first person who discovered something. But in local government, I've noticed it's very important to have someone like Angle fanning the flames and making it easier to discover even more. Your cheerleader analogy is accurate in some instances, but it fails to consider that there's a big difference in government when an official lends credence to an investigation by saying something publicly. A lot of good stories would go away unless someone like Angle was there to turn up the heat.
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteLove to sit down with you, but we need ground rules. Just because we don't agree, doesn't make either of us a boob. Same goes if we do agree, doesn't make us either not a boob. :D
As far as a tough race, the true winners are the voters. This time District 1 will have at least two candidates to chose from.
As far as council members arguing, some seem to argue for the sake of arguing. Our council members should work together, and get the real issues addressed. County worker's overdue contracts, prison money being outsourced to other counties, and stem the flow of 'special' money going to projects (till we get our primary services funded).
-again, the media was on it. angle added nothing original to the discourse, rather he hopped aboard and rode the wave, making headlines en route. he may have irrepairably damaged reibman's political credibility, true, but he exposed nothing.
ReplyDelete-the feds, not angle brought down solomon.
-the state AG, a republican, investigated via Grand Jury in nauseating detail. if there was ANYTHING there to find, they would have indicted. Fisher didn't, despite enormous political pressure brought by some valley republicans, including angle.
-Dertinger was one of the people subject to the Grand Jury, and subject to Angle's accusations. essentially, the allegation re Dertinger was that Solomon purposefully ran campaigns at a loss, thus, the difference between what he charged and the "fair market value" of the servicesshould have been reported as an in kind contribution. these allegations are, in hindsight, ridiculuous.
-i've never noticed that Joe Owens gave a rat's ass about anything said by an official. he's a tenacious fuck, and will continue to run stories if he thinks somethings there, regardless of what the electeds say or do.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteMy email addy is BOHare5948@aol.com. Please drop me a line after the primary and we'll talk if you like. But I have to warn you I don't surrender editorial control over what I write to anyone.
I do congratulate you for giving voters a choice. And I have been surprised by some of the good things you've offered in your commenys here. I almost definitely will support McHale in the fall, but want to give you an opportunity to state your views. There will be other elections.
Anon!
ReplyDelete1) Boy, it's chilly in here!
2. I'm sorry to hear Dertinger was dragged before a grand jury. I don't believe he deserved that.
3. The AG was an idiot. You don't grant people immunity without a proffer. I have some experience in this practice. Every AG is subject to political pressure, but not every AG is an idiot.
4. Agreed that Solomon was brought down by the feds, who made the mistake of cooperating with the state AG.
5. My experience is that reporters tend to pay more attention to a story when a public official talks about it. But maybe my experience is really telling me that reporters just ignore me.
Take care.
1. indeed it is.
ReplyDelete2. he didn't. but the fed GJ was more intimidating.
3. point taken.
4. true dat.
5. been there.
take care of yourself. gonna go play some stickball with the boys.
gonna go play some stickball with the boys.
ReplyDeleteThat's what it's all about. I spent pretty much the entire weekend doing just that. So far, no broken fingers. Two years ago, a ten year old girl sent me to the hospital.
I'll give you one suggestion. Get a wiffle ball, cut it open, shove a big pinky ball inside, and then wrap it up with electrical tape. Kids love making those balls.
Hang in there Tom. McHale is not to bright and never had an origninal thought. Married a popular name. Her record is awful but she oppossed reibman when it was opportune and in this world thats all that counts. Do some homework tom and you may find you have a campaign. Your big problem is she is tight with the Sen. and that will be your biggest problem in more ways than one
ReplyDeleteDon't want to hijack these thread, sorry Bernie, but you signed it 'anonymous'.
ReplyDeleteThank you, for your comments. I've been quietly working hard for Bethlehem, and the surrounding areas, helping build good neighborhoods for years, and my charity is slowly getting more momentum networking with other organizations. I hope to help contribute to fixing NorCo's government, drawing strength from my years of experience serving my country and community.
Back on topic, somewhat, thank you Bernie for your offer. Your blog manages to point out issues that effect us all and that manage to go unheard of in our local newspapers. Please keep an open mind, I'm not a "Professional Politician". Just a citizen who wants council running smoothly, and efficiently, for US all. ;)
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for giving voters a choice. My hope is that, if you lose, you do not construe it as a personal rejection. McHale will be tough to beat.
Contrary to what Anon tells you, my own impression is that Ann is a bright and hard-working woman. She's a little imperious. I always get the impression she's looking down her nose at me, but I can't blame her bc I always criticize council. And I do tend to disagree with her a great deal of the time. But she has been a very effective advocate for her district. That's the reality. And what I respect, more than anything, is that she works her ass off and really does care about the people who work here.
........AND WHILE THE COUNCIL KEEPS THINGS MESSY, THE RESIDUAL UNIT IS STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CONTRACT, LET ALONE DISCUSS IT AT THE MEETINGS......THE PRICE OF GAS AND TAXES STILL KEEP GOING UP, AND WE STILL MAKE LESS THAN $10 AN HOUR...IS IT ANY WONDER WHY SO MANY ARE LEAVING, WHY COUNTY MORALE IS SO LOW AND DISGRACEFUL, AND WHY SO MANY TURN AWAY AT THE INTERVIEW WHEN THEY SEE EXACTLY HOW MUCH (LITTLE THAT IS) THE COUNTY APPRECIATES THEIR EMPLOYEES, THE ONES AND SAME THAT BRING IN THEIR PAYCHECKS!!!!
ReplyDeleteI AM GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE AND CRY NOW AS I PONDER HOW MY BILLS ARE GOING TO BE PAID WHEN MY NEXT VERY SMALL PAYCHECK COMES IN.....:( THANKS NORTHAMPTON COUNTY........YOU ARE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF ALL MY FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES WHEN I TELL THEM HOW MUCH I REALLY MAKE, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO PITCH IN AND PAY FOR THE OFFICE WATER COOLER--- YOUR'E MY HEROES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteAn organization can only work as well as the collective sum of its workers. If they are under appreciated, unfairly treated, or even given the feeling of being ignored, the organization suffers. Importantly with government, the citizens suffer as well.
To quote a very famous American, "I feel your pain." Many times I(with my brothers and sisters) felt ignored, when contract talks were coming up, management would give you 'those looks', look down their noses at us, and some would even pick fights so they can get 'write ups' to muddy the negotiation process. Sorry, I hope to make a positive change.
As for the water cooler, I'm surprised you still are allowed to have one. Not being mean, but I was told many companies try to distance themselves from those items, since they can be a leading cause for injuries for desk jockeys. Sprained backs, slips, etc.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteThe reason for the proliferation of water coolers is that, some years ago, the water coming from our water fountains was deemed unpotable. The fountains were shut off.
Now I drink from the fountains again and seem fine, except I glow in the dark.
Oh I know why water coolers started, just today they seem more cliche' since companies moved away from them.
ReplyDeleteOTOH, in Easton, I can see how they should be 'required'. :p
Tom, beware of Bernies reality. It is just to the left of the twilight zone.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have a wonderful time there, too!
ReplyDeleteHow's the water?
ReplyDeleteWet!
ReplyDeleteif it's the twighlight zone, wouldn't it be dry water. Just a thought.
ReplyDelete