The elections office has just confirmed a rumor that has been floating for weeks. Judge Leonard Zito is now a Republican, having officially switched sides on December 5. Hell hath no fury like a Democrat scorned, and local Dems are feeling ... jilted.
This sure as hell explains a lot. Lamont McClure wants to dump Anthony Martino as county council solicitor because Martino is a product of Zito's law firm and even sounds like him. The sins of one partner will be visited on another, I guess.
For all the baloney about "new blood," this is really just political payback. But McClure cannot replace Martino unless four other council members agree at meeting that is open to the public. He's still their solicitor, and will be until five council members say differently.
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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Friday, January 02, 2009
24 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.
This is shameful. No wonder Martino is Angle's choice for Solicitor.
ReplyDeleteThis is great political theater. So, Boscola tells the Democratic Governor, I just got to have this guy and he is a Democrat ? Then the Democratic Governor appoints him. But, wait, they are also playing footsie with the Senate Republicans and make another deal with them wherein he agrees to switch to the Republican Party and then does so.
ReplyDeleteWhether shameful or not, McClure cannot fire Martino or hire someone else alone. It has to happen in an open meeting. He needs five votes. His letter to Martino exceeded his authority.
ReplyDeleteWith Democrats in office like McClure, can you blame other Democrats for switching sides?
ReplyDeleteO_o
Judges are lawyers who know a politican, who cares what he is. As a judge, Party means litle as they cross-file. This is a great political move by Zito, he ran as a Dem and now as a repub and cross-filed he will garner more votes, since most R's will think he is one of them.
ReplyDeleteOh and your tears about 'ah! political payback' doesn't change a thing. Stoffa practiced political payback when he came into office and not a peep, oh I know that is OK.
"With Democrats in office like McClure, can you blame other Democrats for switching sides?"
ReplyDeleteNot one bit. McClure and Dertinger both represent everything that is wrong with partisan politics. Zito, for example, was constantly insulted for attempting to perform a service.
Zito lies to a Democratic Governor in order to obtain an appointment, but Dertinger and McClure are what is wrong with "partisan politics." You are hilarious we are just glad you are making appropriate use of the courthouse facilities these days . . .
ReplyDelete??????????
ReplyDeleteAnone 8:37,
ReplyDeleteWhat evidence do you have that Zito lied to anyone? I haven't seen any. Did Governor Rendell tell you Zito lied to him? I doubt that. I also doubt Zito lied.
For all the slime you throw at everyone, you're still too cowardly to even identify yourself. It's because of assholes like you Northampton County Council is such a mess. Any half decent Dem would tell McClure and Dertinger to get their heads out of their asses.
Contrary to whatever those two idiots are smoking, Dertinger does not have a chance against Callahan two years from now in a Congressional bid. That's about as likely as McClure garnering the Dem nod for county exec.
I think that now that Len is a proud member of the Grand Old Party that he will resign and run as a Republican. Afterall, he was appointed by a Democratic Governor, so the only honorable thing to do is resign. He is an honorable man isn't he ?
ReplyDeleteYes, Zito is honorable. For one thing, he signs his name to what he writes.
ReplyDeleteGee, having to work with Joe Long or Roy Shuman as chairman during a campaign? Duh!
ReplyDeleteWho is Roy Shuman and what does he purport to run?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that John Morganelli doesn't also represent the "worst in politics" to this blog? He's arguably grimier.
ReplyDeleteRoy Shuman is a nice guy and he purports to run the mythical Northampton County Republican party,which some people claim to have seen.
ReplyDeleteI've answered that question concerning Morganellie before. He's not in the Dertinger, McClure league. Morganelli, although definitely pay to play, had no choice bc he was running for state office. He is probably the most accessible politician in the LV. That means a lot to most of us.
ReplyDeleteI am interested to hear your thoughts on this Bernie. Wonder if you have any idea why Zito felt the need to switch now??
ReplyDeleteI don't know and won't presume. I will ask him during his campaign.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who switches to R in NC is either a dreamy idealist or brutally realistic fatalist. 'Twas nice knowin' ya Lenny.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Zito ddn't want his name associated with McClure, Dertinger, joe Long and scissor hnds.
ReplyDeleteWell sissorhands would have to include Morganelli.
ReplyDeleteNow that Zito has been elected to sit on the bench, he is drunk with power. Rules of law do not apply in his courtroom. Beware, Northampton County.
ReplyDeleteI've heard nothing but good things.
ReplyDeleteWhen Zito was running he joined the YR Club. They had illegal gambling machines in there for years. When he was elected to office, they were visited by the alcohol and beverage commission and all the machines were removed. Never saw that in the Express Times. Zito now holds court at the Young Republican Club with two public defenders and discusses cases there. Does he really think that these guys at the bar don't talk. He was there almost daily during a murder trial discussing the case, and people hear and talk. This man is not honorable. He is not a politian, he is an officer of the court.
ReplyDelete