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Friday, October 05, 2007
Bethlehem Controller Candidate David T. DiGiacinto
BethlehemDem has an interesting and well-researched portrait of Bethlehem City Controller candidate David T. DiGiacinto. DiGiacinto is a protege of city council prez J. Michael Schweder. Meg Holland may be getting some quiet support from Mayor John Callahan.
8 comments:
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Here's one important reason to go with Mr. DiGiacinto- He is not friendy with the mayor or the former mayor, despite party affiliation. Something tells me that regardless of D or R status, this person/position should be unaffiliated with the executive office. I'm not saying it should be an adversarial relationship, just that the mere fact JC is against his candidacy tells me it's in the city's best interest to have this fellow over the Republican candidate, especially since we have is qualifications off the table. (He is qualified.)
ReplyDeleteWhat say you?
After reading this morning's paper, I'd be concerned about independence. Callahan has been deficit spending and diping into an escrow account. I realize Holland is more qualified. On the surface, it appears that she'd be more independent because she is an R. But she appears to have Callahan's support.
ReplyDeleteNot certain how others feel, but for me, a Mayor needs to a)- exercise restraint and not spend what he doesn't have or b)- raise taxes if he does not possess discipline.
ReplyDeleteCallahan and Cunnigham make me laugh. They are so eager to make a name for themselves (higher office) that they put their resumes ahead of good sound fundamental fiscal judgment. Example - They want to be able to say (when they run for higher office) that they "held line on taxes in Bethlehem". Well, there's a serious price to pay for this thinking. The mayor has no business balancing his books by dipping into Water Authority, Parking Authority, Housing Authority, etc... Mayor who does this needs to be called on it. So far this guy (and his predecessor) have had a "free ride"...never challenged.
It's either or. Either exercise restraint OR raise taxes. This guy wants it both ways.
Bernie- Bethlehem taxpayers should be concerned because in this case, the R candidate is friendly with the D mayor. One might think that Mr. DiGiacinto would be the guy to avoid....not so!
ReplyDeleteI would urge you to use this blog to make it clear that a vote for Holland is a vote in favor of a rubber stamp for JC.
Nothing personal.... if oversight untainted by party politics is important, Bethlehem voters ought to vote for DiGiacinto - not because he's a D, but because he would likely be independent.
One man's opinion.
Well, I don't want to throw stones at anyone, but I'm concerned about using a treasurer's escrow account, in which earmarked funds are deposited, to act as an unrestricted cash reserve.
ReplyDeleteI contacted Holland about this question and am trying to get in touch w/ DiGiacinto.
I understand Holland is having a press conference this afternoon on this topic and will look forward to what she says.
Of you know DiGiacinto, please have him give me his position on this issue. My email is BOHare5948@aol.com.
ReplyDeleteI have asked Holland's campaign, and was told she would be answering that question at a press conference later today.
Let's see how she answers/. I'm also interested in what her opponent says.
Don't know his email address, but his phone number's in the book.
ReplyDeleteI have never published a comment on the internet before, but after studying the candidates for controller I feel compelled to.
ReplyDeleteWhat peeked my interest were all the press conferences Meg Holland was having. When Wally held the position he rarely held a press conference. I was curious what was so exciting. I found out nothing.
I wondered why someone with Meg's experience would go through such great lengths to bash her opponent. I knew nothing of Dave DiGiacino's backround but wanted to find out more. Now I know why Meg has bashed her opponent. He is a better candidate for the job.
While Meg has many designations, she has no government experience. Dave at least was on the water authority board.
Meg talks about uncovering fraud in the Bethlehem Steel, but what happened to that company? Last I checked they are putting up a casino where the once mighty company stood.
Meg talks about how she is independent. Last I heard she was hand picked for the position by our beloved Mayor John Callahan so she could rubber stamp things. I don't know if she even knows this, but I hope she is not that naive.
Meg claims she is really a Democrat, but is registered Republican. Dave claims he is a Democrat and is registered as such. What a novel concept.
The City of Bethlehem needs someone with a big picture mentality. The controller office can be staffed with people to "audit" the cities departments (if need be) for fraud. The controller needs to have the ability to analyze financial information and look at in the grand scheme of things and not get caught up with the “bean counting”.
I am a long retired CPA and I am voting for Dave. Not because I think Meg would be bad for the job, I think Dave will be much better. It is rare that a city of Bethlehem’s size has someone with Dave business accomplishments. Truth be told, I have no idea why either one would want the job. It is nice that qualified people care.