Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners is the best municipal government I've seen. It certainly has its share of 5-4 votes, but its nine members take the time to listen to each other as well as the public. Whenever possible, they look for areas of agreement instead of division.Rather than adopting a ridiculous and meaningless Code of Civility, these legislators genuinely admire each other. Hard core Dem Bill Leiner always treats hard core Republican Dean Browning to a cup of coffee at committee hearings. True, he may spike the drink from time to time, but it's the thought that counts.
This collegial atmosphere is the result of Chairman Percy Dougherty, whose affable style of bipartisan leadership makes Lehigh County as efficient as East Penn School Board appears to be raucous. Interestingly, Dougherty's primary opponent, Mark Prinzinger, is a member of that troublesome body.
Dougherty will formally announce his reelection bid at 5:30 PM tonight at the Community Room, Clock Building, 322 Main Street, Emmaus, PA 18049. He intends to "run a positive campaign based on my proven record of experience and leadership, economic development, planning, smart growth, environmental protection, human services, and quality of life issues."
He's invited everyone to come out tonight "so you can have a voice in the future of Lehigh County." If you'd like to talk to Percy, you can reach him at VoteForDougherty@aol.com.
10 comments:
You know darn well O'Hare a major reason they work well is they don't have to contend with Angle. Angle is the single most disruptive force in Lehigh Valley Governemnt.
The time has come for him to get out of government which he destroys and write an ego news column or something.
Hey Bernnie I know this is OT but I work shift work and just heard that Heckman is out of the race. Apparently he has already talked to Stoffa and McHale. I don't know if its true or the details, just a rumor that is spreading. I even hear Stoffa said he felt Heckman should run.
All speculation but I just got off work and wanted to pass it on. Whatever you think of Ron, I met him a few times over the years and he always came off to me as a smart and friendly guy who really loved and talked up Northampton County. So we may be down to two cnadidates. I always thought that Heckman and Grucella would have added a new dimension to the race.
Last I heard, Heckman was going back and forth on whether he should run for council or exec. He was encouraged to run for eitherr office by Stoffa, who feels the voters benefit when they have a choice.
stoffa wants heckman to run b/c in a head to head with mchale, he has problems. Like it or not, Bossman Long has a machine that does start with a good base. Heckman erodes that base from McHale.
A three-way primary always helps the incumbent. Stop acting like Stoffa doesn't have an astute political mind.
One could argue that McHale erodes the base for Heckman. Apparently some pledges of help were broken. Also Heckman does not have a history of playing footsie with Bossman , so the Party pick was a no-brainer.
Till this is over they may find that McHale is not a Countywide candidate but by then Stoffa will have won the Primary
Some of my Dem friends have been telling me they've been polled. Apparently, the names being used are Stoffa, Heckman, McHale and Panto. I'm trying to learn more details about this.
" Like it or not, Bossman Long has a machine that does start with a good base."
Yeah he did wonders for Glenn Reibman and Sam Bennett.
Midnight Madness
Coca-Cola Park
12:01 am Feb 28
Oh Boonie, isn't Lehigh County so nice. Start using their public restrooms the way you've used Northampton's and you'll find out how genial they are.
Thank you for your comment, Mr. Long.
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