Thursday night's Northampton County Council was more like a Jerry Springer show than a meeting of the Lehigh Valley's second largest government. Earlier in the evening, I had criticized Council's lynching of a Stoffa cabinet member. When he finally had a chance, Council member Charles Dertinger responded with his usual personal attacks. He essentially called me a liar who "crawls home" to my computer. Northampton County Bulldog Ron Angle questioned Dertinger's insults, and he responded by blasting Angle, too. The result was fireworks in which AFSCME union members, Ron and Dertinger continually yelled at each other.Although the meeting itself lasted three hours, this Jerry Springer show was only about five minutes, and I am bringing it to you. They've spent $650,000 for "improvements" to their throne room, but those don't include the ability to videotape or record a meeting.
So I've done it. If you want to see just how petty Charles Dertinger can be, you can listen to the clip below. If you want to hear the hoots and hollers of the green T-shirted lynch mob from AFSCME, then this audio is for you. Unfortunately, I don't have a video clip of the damage done to Angle's barn that evening.
Note: If you have an old dial up modem, click here, look for the 64Kbps M3U (Lo-Fi) at the left sidebar and you can stream the audio.
Update: I removed the audio player because it does not work, but you can hear the five minute circus by clicking on the link in the note above.
11 comments:
Bernie, I have said before I am no fan of Stoffa but this Council gets me nuts. They spend $650,000 on essentially the same room. If I am not mistaken the amount is something like 30%+ over the original budget. The Council doesn't question the overrun they just say fine go ahead. Yet after all that money they can't videotape or webcast their meetings. In this day and age that is unforgiveable. And one of these people want to be County Executive?
Who is reponsible for this renovation and who is responsible for approving the cost overrun without question?
Thank You
This renovation is Ann McHale's baby. It was approved by council over Angle's very vocal objection.
Bernie, stop tilting at windbags. The renovations are nice.
Did Angle have any support at all? What possible reason could be given for such a bloated project.
Bernie, I think Charlie meant to say "slither" home.
Bernie you dont slither home doesnt stoffa or angle give you ride to sleep over to one of their houses?
So far as I know, the only council member opposed to these renovations, which took place before Ferraro was sworn in, was Angle. Grube did say they were "nice." They include no changes for webcasts or anything that might actually make it possible for more people to actually watch their government.
After listening to that it is a little embarassing to say I live in Northampton County.
I have never attended one of these events and if they are run without order this way, I never will.
Thanks for sharing.
Charles Dertinger would be funny -- if he wasn't a complete knuckle-dragging thug.
Pretty soon, Council will be serving cold beer and hot dogs at their meetings.
Dertinger is out of his mind!
Kudos to Angle for speakin up against him, but he shouldn't have had to. That argument never should have happened.
Dertinger's ego is so big, he makes a beeping noise like a truck when backs up.
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