Joe the Mayor Appointed to Northampton County Council

Whenever the Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle, calls, it's almost always at the crack of dawn. I'm usually in the middle of a good dream and yesterday morning was no exception. Just as I was about to take a ride to space mountain with Angelina Jolie, the phone rang.

"So, who do you think is going to get the appointment?"

"Nobody. This one's going to the courts, Ron."

"That's where you're wrong. Joe Capozzolo will get the appointment. I'm about to run a play like you've never seen."

Before the night was over, Democratic Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo (you can read about him here) was appointed to council. It was a surreal vote that occurred after almost all the candidates had left and reporters were in the hallway, speaking to a few disappointed candidates. Here's the play by play.

Round 1. Democrat Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Bruce Gilbert. Deadlock.

"I know this was going to happen," laments Council Prez Ann McHale.

Round 2. Democrat Bill Wallace or Republican Esther Lee. Deadlock.

Round 3. Democrats Joe Cappozola, Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Karen Clarkson. Deadlock.

Round 4. Democrat Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Larry Kisslinger. Deadlock.

Round 5. Democrat Bill Wallace or Republican Mark Schwartz. Deadlock.

"Are we ready to let the courts decide on this?" pleads Council Prez Ann McHale.

Charles Dertinger is "at a loss" to understand why Lieberman has not been appointed and Lamont McClure accuses Republicans of partisanship. Angle protests that Republicans nominated two people of color (Lee and Gilbert) as well as a Democrat (Capozzolo).

McHale: "This is not about race, Mr. Angle."

Angle: "We're willing to give you a Democrat, but does it have to be your Democrat? You people still believe you have a seven person majority. You don't."

Peg Ferraro: "Bruce Gilbert has an MBA and is an expert in finance. he brings a fresh perspective to that area."

Dertinger: "What you are trying to do is steal the balance of power or play the race card."

Ferraro (angry): "Do you not ever do that! Do you not ever do that!"

Round 6: Ask the courts to appoint a council member. Deadlock.

McClure: "I'm willing to sit here all night and into tomorrow . This is a complete abdication of our responsibility. It is defeatism in the extreme. It is the worst possible result. This is our responsibility. It is not the court's responsibility."

Angle: "We have offered you compromise three times. You're stuck on Marilyn Lieberman. She would be your person."

Round 7: Democratic strongman Rodney Applegate, who has not even applied, is nominated by McClure. Diane Neiper seconds the nomination with a "Good man!" Angle nominates Dick Cheney and Ferraro nominates Bruce Gilbert. Deadlock.

Round 8: Angle nominates retired Judge Jim Hogan, who happens to be a Democrat. McClure nominates Marilyn Lieberman. The Democrats all ignore a retired Democratic judge. Deadlock.

Angle: "It's not the Republicans, folks"

Round 9: Angle nominates Pope Benedict. No second.

Ferraro to Democrats: "Why wouldn't you vote for Hogan?"

Dertinger to Republicans: "Why wouldn't you vote for Lieberman?"

John Cusick: "I could not support Marilyn Lieberman because of her support of the 2001 bond."

Angle: "She's a loyal follower of Glenn Reibman."

Round 10: Democrat Bill Wallace and Democrat Joe Capozzolo. Deadlock.

Round 11: Angle nominates Morning Call columnist and non-county resident Bill White. Nobody seconds. Sorry, Bill.

Round 12: Ask the courts to decide. Motion passes, with only McClure and Dertinger voting No.

After spinning their wheels and going nowhere, council sputtered through the seven remaining items on the agenda. As they moved onto the last item, Lamont McClure got up and whispered into Ann McHale's ear.

Before long, McClure was speaking instead of whispering. Correctly characterizing council's inability to appoint a council member as an "abject partisan failure," he nominated Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo. This time, the vote was unanimous. When he voted, Angle said, "I really wanted Marilyn Lieberman but I'm willing to take you."

Ascending to the dais, a stunned Joe Cappozzolo said, "I guess waiting around after everyone left paid off. Eighty per cent of success is showing up."