From the Express Times: "Northampton County Executive John Stoffa today vetoed a bill that establishes tax rebates for military personnel deployed overseas this year and next year. Stoffa said he had concerns about legal issues with the American Heroes Grant and wanted it to include people who have served in other foreign wars, not just in Iraq and Afghanistan."
This is taking a stand. Stoffa is upholding the law no matter what the personal consequences may be to him.
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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Tuesday, August 28, 2007
18 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.
Did you see Stoffa's picture in the Call article today.. Wow, he looks years younger..
ReplyDeleteSo overall, for the long run, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
ReplyDeletewho is that guy in the photo sure isn't stoffa. if it is i want whatever meds hes taking
ReplyDeleteHe screwed the boys in Iraq. What a patriot.
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:35,
ReplyDeletePolitically, it was the most stupid thing Stoffa could do. He followed the law, knowing the political consequences were dire. It took a lot of courage, especially if he intends to seek re-election.
But Stoffa screwed no one. Ehat really happened is that Stoffa vetoed a well-intentioned, but illegal, piece of legislation because he believes it needs more work. County council's own lawyer told them that. Dertinger says we can worry about that later, but that's not the way the law works. Lamont McClure should know that.
The way that ordinance is drafted, I doubt it could withstand legal challenge. And the very small calss of people who benefit is probably nil. The way the ordinance is drafted, you have to own property individually in order to benefit. And most people own real estate with a spouse or significant other.
It sounded great, but was meaningless. McClure, Dertinger & Neiper knew this because their own lawyer told them so, but they forged ahead anyway.
What they didn't expect, and neither did I, was that Stoffa would take such a courageous stand, which will actually benefit our soldiers in the long run.
AJ,
ReplyDeleteIn the long run, this is a good thing because it gives council an opportunity to do its job and adopt an ordinace that really will mean something instead of the window dressing they chose. They had the benefit of knowing that only a handful would benefit from this. Now they can adopt something meaningful.
it didn't take courage bernie it was all spelled out by the attorny's a no brainer simple as that !!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDertinger said Stoffa didn't speak to him or McClure before issuing the veto. ''For John to espouse this, to veto it now, speaks volumes,'' Dertinger said, adding there are ways around a veto. ''I'm going to move forward to give council an opportunity to do so.''
ReplyDeleteLooks like an override is coming.
Anon 4:24,
ReplyDeleteThat will be just as silly as the original decision to adopt the ordinance w/o amending it.
Four mnembers of council wanrted to table that ordinace. With Angle present, it will be five. I doubt very seriously that Dertinger an d McClure will get six votes. At best, I see four.
I think Stoffa did this to stick it to Dertinger and McClure. The identical bill passed in Lehigh County. I know I will get jumped on this blog for sayiny that, but I believe it to be true.
ReplyDeleteAn identical ordinance did pass in LC. And their solicitor concluded it is legal. Northampton County's solicitor felt it could be improved. If NC is sued, the fact that an identical ordinance was adopted in LC is no defense. And NC won't be defended by LC's soliticors. Stoiffa was merely doing something council should try from time to time - listening to the lawyers.
ReplyDeleteI doubt his reasoning was influenced by any of the insults that Dertinger has lobbed at him. It would be foolish for him to take a politically unpopular position just to spite some one.
I think Stoffa was doing something you'll rarely see in a pol - he was following his conscience.
NorCo Republicans are treated better than Dems who stray from the reservation. Perhaps Stoffa needs some re-education. Will Rogers was right about not belonging to an organized party.
ReplyDeleteBO said "I think Stoffa was doing something you'll rarely see in a pol - he was following his conscience."
ReplyDeleteI didn't know he had one. His conscience is a five member committee which he always hides behind.
If you're going to snark Stoffa, you should at least have some style or do it with some humor. Otherwise, it looks pretty lame. Stoffa's decision to veto that ordinance was his own. He took full responsibility for it. And it's rare to see someone take a politically unpopular position because he thinks it's the right thing to do. Instead of bashing the guy, why not try and help him?
ReplyDeleteBernie O'Hare the shitbag said...
ReplyDeleteBernie O'Hare the shitbag's tickets:
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Wow! I get parking tickets!
ReplyDeleteBernie... anon 7:31AM must be your Meter Maid wanting her commission check for those tickets. :):):):):):) I don't believe Wally G. would ever do that :)
ReplyDeleteoh excuse me.. I meant SHITBAG 7:31am
ReplyDelete