Last week, The Express Times' Sarah "Sassy" Cassi told us that Northampton County Council member Ron Angle has resigned as chairman of the busy Finance Committee. Some politicos believe this is Ron's way of saying he intends to run for County Exec next year. Not so, says The Northampton County Bulldog. In a vintage performance at a news conference yesterday afternoon, Angle said he's so disgusted he may step down from County Council. "I'm tired of being a coal fireman on a diesel locomotive." Angle's frustration with John Stoffa's no tax increase budget is only part of the reason. As a Channel 69 TV cameraman recorded Angle for posterity, he quickly ticked off seven other concerns.
First, he's still blowin' oil over the $650,000 for "renovations" to council's star chamber, which still looks very much like the old star chamber, except for cheaper chairs.
Second, he blasted council's decision to enter into a swaption that will likely end up costing the county $12 million. "I'm tired of being a NO vote when it is the right vote."
Third, he warned two years ago that the county's pension fund was heading into a major deficit, and claims the deficit is $63 million today. The county proposes contributing $6.5 million, but Angle claims that's a "drop in the bucket" and that, eventually, the county will have to start paying between $15 and $20 million into its retirement fund.
Fourth, Angle is bitterly opposed to the millions that the Weaversville Park will require, especially at a time when human services are drastically underfunded. "Is our core responsibility Human Services or parks? Why would we want to build another park in Northampton County? Wrong time."
Fifth, the Bulldog calls the proposed bi-county health department a "money pit" the county will never be able to afford. "Let's not build up people's hopes."
Sixth, he hammered away at the $111 million 2001 bond, which was supposed to produce "thousands and thousands of new jobs." That never happened.
Seventh, he condemned the county's recent purchase of the $1.4 million Milides building, located across the street from the courthouse. He claims an "incompetent" council purchased a building that's "full of mold, uninhabitable, hangs on a cliff and is now off the tax rolls."
Noting that homeless shelters have already run out of room before Winter has set in, Angle accused council and even John Stoffa of having mixed-up priorities. "I am not going to be one of the captains on the bridge of The Titanic when it hits the iceberg."
Angle will decide whether to quit completely by the end of the year. Remaining council members are planning a party.
19 comments:
Good riddance Angle and take Stoffa with you. The County will be better off because of the loss.
Where's the love?
Agree 12:10. All dissent should be silenced. Things run much better when nobody criticizes.
The problem is that Ron always thinks Ron is right. He has always, whether at Upper Mt Bethel or at the School District and now at County Council, been ineffective and a waste. His cavalier attitude and abrasiveness is old and tiring. Good riddance. Its time that a fresh young person fill the spot. Same with Grube's spot. These old blow hard guys need to step aside. Can not say I am sorry to see him and the other old guard go. They and the current Council have brought nothing but shame and ineptitude to this County.
Hosta lubago baby!
Ron Angle is right on most of those issues! This county is about to get hit by increased requests for help with basic services and the money will be building parks, or squandered on meaningless and non essential matters.
Before you shoot the messenger look at the message
The county needs Angle much more than he needs them. Like most hard-working public servants, he gets exasperated at times. I've seen it happen a lot. Angle is just a little more demonstrative. He won't quit. It's not in his nature.
If I was a gambling man, I'd put money on Ron sticking around for his term. He might opt not to run for reelection, but this gov't stuff is in his blood, just as much as is his abraisive personality.
Have to agree with the previous posts. Ron loves the attention too much. He ain't going nowhere. However, on the specific issues he mentioned I'd have to say that I'd agree with him on most. Why spend more on parks when Human Services
is running deficits? The building buy was stupid. The county should shelve the health department idea forever. It's going to cost alot more than they can afford in the future and it's the last thing they need with the budget problems they have. The bond however, is where we part company. The economic development part of the bond will be paid back in spades when those Bethlehem projects get going. Without the county investment those projects would have never happened. At least not in the near future. Either way, again, Ron ain't going nowhere. He loves the spotlight too much..
The walking talking hate crime is leaving Council? God bless
Anonymous 12:10 AM
My sister-in-law, a rather demur lady, once noted that "if you have to go to the hospital today make sure you take your SOB with you." I would argue that the same applies to government. Who is the SOB that will replace Ron? Who will step up and be the one to take the arrows that need to be taken when pointing our what is wrong with things like buying and preserving farm land or mult million dollar bond issues you and I get to pay back.
Chris,
Very well stated. Ron is an SOB, but he's our SOB.
Never figured Ron as a quitter.
He won't quit. This is just another stunt from an attention seeking drama queen. He'll never give up his soap box. Ron may be right about some issues, but he's such a jerk that nobody will work with him. Sound and fury signifying nothing.
Bernie, Ron can be his own worst enemy and hurt the things that he cares about the most. I understand his frustrations and agree with him a vast majority of the time. The problem is that he himself has said that if you don't agree with him 100%, then you are against him. No matter how right he is, his causes suffer because because of his histrionics.
This isn't leadership this is defeatism. Ron has boasted that he has had more influence with this administration than any other member of Council. Now that things are heading south he wants to head to Tartola . . .
Don't open those champagne bottles just yet. Ron goes through this all the time. He gets frustrated, but usually does not show it. I think the loss of Wayne and hospitalization of Stoffa make him wonder whether it's worth it.
In January, Angle will be back in action.
I agree with many posters and I find Ron to be crude and rude. He is a 'dramam queen' and acts like a spoiled brat.
However, with the vacuum of leadership and brains in the County Government now, he should stay. Stoffa was always a non-starter, everyone who knew and worked with him over the years knew he would suck. The current members of Council don't have a leader amongst them.
McHale, please she couldn't figure out a puzzle with the pieces in place. The new ones are only interested in their future politics.
Sadly, Angle is the smartest and only one who is asking the right questions sometimes. At least now his Stoffa crush has hit reality and he sees the problems this administration have.
As much as I hate to say this, now is not the time for Angle to leave.
BYE ANGLE HOPES THERES ROOM IN YOUR CAR FOR STOFFA AND OHARE.
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