"I'll try my best not to let Council down."That's how Jerry reacted last night to the news that he was appointed, 5-3, to Northampton County Council, filling the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Diane Neiper. He's a class act whose sole desire is to "give something back" to the county. We could really use him.
Of course, the Long Dems - Charles Dertinger, Anna McHale & Lamont McClure - all voted for Ron Heckman. Realizing Seyfried had five votes, these slicksters tried an end run, but fumbled. They called individual Council members, telling them they already knew Jerry had five votes, but asking that they cast their first vote for Ron so he would not be embarrassed. Word of their goofy plan leaked out and they ended up outfoxing themselves, as usual. And Heckman ended up being embarrassed.
Way to go, LongDems. Now Jerry gets tp go after some of the wild boars on Northampton County Council.
McClure's attempt to pander some votes by rolling back recent salary increases to elected official, also blew up in his face. Only Dertinger went along with his proposed ordinance. Ron Angle told them that if they don't want payraises, don't take them.
Webcasting inched forward as well. This was supposed to be part of the council renovations that were completed 1 1/2 years ago. IT maven Al Jordan told Council it can be done for $15 thousand in upfront costs.
Blogger's Note: I did not attend last night's council meeting and am relying on information supplied by two people who were there and survived. The Express Times' Sarah Cassi has her usual excellent report.
29 comments:
This is good news all around.
"They called individual Council members, telling them they already knew Jerry had five votes, but asking that they cast their first vote for Ron so he would not be embarrassed. Word of their goofy plan leaked out....."
wow, IF what you write is true, I wish it would be reported in the papers. The public should know if that is how they really operate.
I'm just happy that this weird African reindeer animal that was dead in the last pic with Jerry has risen from the dead.
Bernie or Lighthouse, can you explain for those of us that aren't devious or underhanded what this "goofy plan" of the Longdems was? I still don't understand.
Actually, it's a different dead Afrrican animal i think it's a giraffe or something.
The goofy plan? I apologize for not being more clear LongDems knew Jerry had 5 votes. So the idea was to call two of them and claim that they wanted them to vote Heckman on the first ballot so that he would not be embarrassed. If two of them went along, there would be no second ballot bc Heckman would be appointed.
So Heckman won't be embarrassed? What about poor Birk?
Another LongDem bites the dust.
Heckman would not be embarrassed if he got 5 votes or if the first vote were a 4 to 4 tie.
Birk should have realized this was between Jerry & Heckman. Nobody could come close to either of them.
i have every confidence jerry will do an outstanding job, we can all feel confident that he will do his best,excellant choice.
Congratulations, Jerry.
Congratulations Jerry !!! The Phoenix has risen from the ashes.
Boris Long and Natasha McHale very tricky, but Squirrel get Council post anyway.
What a ridiculous photo.
This is a ridiculous blog.
Send the photo to Dear Leader Obama. It'll confirm the whole Pennsylvanians clinging to guns and religion thing. It's as if he's seen NorCo operate at some point. Uncanny.
I'm sure Jerry fed the meat to some non-vegan poor folks. He's that kind of guy.
Heckman is not a long dem. Jerry has a lot more in common with the dense thinking of such an irrelevancy as long. County residents lost out but if Jerry dukes it with Angle, it is worth watching. Jerry a new democrat? what a joke....
I don't consider Heckman a LongDem, but that's who they wanted bc they felt he'd be easier to control than Jerry. In truth, both are very independent. Heckman, like Jerry, is a class act. It is Heckman's supporters who concern me. In fairness, I should not penalize Ron for his whacky cheerleaders.
If it talks like a Longdem, walks like a Longdem, and smells like a Longdem, it's a LongDem.
"Tell me with whom you walk, and I'll tell you who you are." - old proverb
Before things get ugly I would like to throw in my two cents.
I got to hear a recording of the meeting involving Jerry and Ron. Both Ron and Jerry sounded like Council would be a whole lot better if County Council had a few of both.
Jerry spoke about his many years of involvement and commitment and Ron spoke knowledgably and convincingly about the major challanges confronting County government, particularly in Human Services. Listening to their answers I got no sense either was much of a yes man for any person or group.
I hate to see the attacks already begin since based on what I heard and an eyewitness account both Ron and Jerry praised each other. Both agreed with the need for a knowledgable person and after the vote Ron was the first to congratulate Jerry and his wife and thank Council for their time and remark how much he has always admired Jerry.
Jerry and Ron did both condemn the mean and vicious attacks on both of them. Jerry referred to anyone who writes lies about Ron or him as "weasels", Ron agreed and I think he said he neither asked for or condoned any of the remarks against Jerry. He also said that since Jerry and he are both Penn Dutch, if they have something to say to someone they say it to their faces.
Dispite the shots at Jerry and some really mean ones at Ron as well, they both sounded like the kind of knowledge and class County Council hasn't seen in some time.
Northampton County taxpayer
NC Taxpayer,
Thank you for your informed comment and analysis. I'd agree that either would be excellent and needed additions to council. Both would be independent.
I was listening to the Thom Hartmann show the other day, and Thom was interviewing an author that caught my attention. Little wonder since the topic was "Is there a secret society of Christian crazies and is Mark Sanford a member?".
That author was Jeff Sharlet and after listening to to Hartmann interview, I wondered if anyone in the main stream media would put him on the air. Of course, Rachel Maddow, who seems to be getting all of the best guests lately-- or at least when the "news" hasn't been canceled all week for Michael Jackson's death and she mysteriously ends up taking vacation the same week-- ended up being the first one to have him on.
Sharlet is the author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. Scary, scary stuff for any of us that don't like the idea of our government being run by creepy, extremist, right wing Christain fundamentalists.
I'm just glad this thing was kept in the family. The last thing we need is somebody new coming in and not getting along. It's important to control this process and keep outsiders and opposers out. Jerry's a swell guy. I think there's room on the bridge commision after he's sacrificed so much for the team - er, the council.
And so telling is his stated pledge to "... not let council down." Of course his first responsibility is to the incumbent team. Nobody said he wasn't honest.
I'd have been surprised if this career insider had pledged first to "...not let the taxpayers down." But as a taxpayer, I know where I stand in Jerry's and NorCo's feeding chain.
SSDD.
I am glad they put Seyfried on. He supports the health department unlike that moron Angle ..Maybe he can show Angle the light. He's lots smarter and a whole lot tougher. Angle voted for a guy who thinks his ideas about the health department are ridiculous. Shows how stupid Angle really is. But thanks anyway, go Seyfried!!!
It is 2009 and I believe that discrimination against the PA Dutch needs to stop. I have many friends that are PA Dutch and although I don't approve of their lifestyle or their choice to be PA Dutch, I don't agree that it is a sin to be PA Dutch as the Old Testament says. Jesus never said one word about the PA Dutch. Wouldn't he have mentioned it if it were a sin to be? The PA Dutch should be allowed to serve in the military openly and marry just like the Irish, Italians, Polish, and other non-PA Dutch groups.
Anon 10:36, Actually, it shows that Angle is much more open-minded than commonly thought. People can didsagree on issues but there are certain basic fundamentals that matter far more than how someobody feels about a health department or a rail study. Council members who attempt to govern behind closed doors, who engage in pay to play, who are engaged in machine politics, will not last long.
Jane, I agree with you. I had a cousin who was Pennsylvania Dutch. He was my favorite cousin, so creative and artistic and sensitive. He never admitted he was Pennsylvania Dutch but we assumed because he kind of talked funny ("Say naw, doncha know") and the kids used to tease him and beat him up after school. When he graduated high school he moved to NY and we never saw him again. He sent me a letter with a picture where he was on a float at the Pennsylvania Dutch parade and then I knew for sure. He said he was happier in New York where people were more accepting and there was more diversity and where he could live in a neighborhood with other Pennsylvania Dutch people, where the restaurants serve sauerkraut and pork, birch beer, and shoofly pie and nobody tipped the waiter. He's even in a civil union with a nice Pennsylvania Dutch girl. Ever since that letter I've been a member of the PFPD (Parents and Friends of the Pennsylvania Dutch.)
I wonder why two Republican Council members who said they would vote for heckman, changed their mind.
Who could they be afraid of and why?
I don't know that I would call Jerry a class act but he will do a fine job. He has always put the counties interest first.
I have been following the debate on the Pennsylvania Dutch, remember they are Pennsylvania Deutsch,the nonsense of nationality bigotry, when I ran for Mayor of Bangor, I had to use my maiden name in conjunction with my married name for anyone of the residents who still carried the Italian rationale, my boys were raised with Penna Deutsch and Italian cooking and baking, both quite good, pasta and shoo fly pie mix quite well. Jerry and Ron are both intelligent and sensible individuals who will work for their county.
7/14/09 I haven't logged on to read Lehigh Valley Ramblings in a while so this morning I've been updated.
Jerry will be a fine addition to Northampton County Council. Congratulations Jerry!
Jane Mellert
Another Republican voices support for Jerry. angle has them all well trained.
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