President Ron Angle Proves Worthy

As I picked my way through ice patches on the walk from the parking garage to the Courthouse, dark clouds decorated the sky, warning of bad weather ahead. Those ominous signs were soon confirmed by the sight of about seventy union workers from Gracedale, picketing the entrance with signs saying things like "Can U Trust Northampton County?" and "Honor USW Contract."

Uh oh.

This procession of angry union workers would eventually promenade its way to Council chambers, where Ron Angle would be chairing his very first meeting as President. This had the makings of a disaster movie written all over it.

When I got to the meeting room, the place was packed with even more of these union workers, mostly nurses and social workers. They're understandably upset at a Stoffa administration that negotiated a contract, but then decided it was offering too much.

Somehow smelling blood from his bunker in downtown Easton, Express Times editor Joe Owens sprinted up the hill to see what was going on, sniffing around with his news nose. Channel 69 and another TV station had cameras whirring away, ready to witness USW members slam John Stoffa.

Ironically, Morning Call columnist Bill White was nowhere to be found. This week, he has published three articles critical of Angle's presidency, including a particularly mean-spirited blog portraying Angle as some egomaniac who uses the Royal We, something I've only rarely heard, and only when he is joking. White also frets that Angle is moving too fast and worries the County will be "stampeded" into "Anglization." Amazingly, he made these claims on Angle's third day as President, and before a single meeting was even conducted. White's absence last night is proof he'll avoid letting facts interfere with his histrionic condemnations.

Had White attended, he would have noticed that regal Ann McHale was still imperiously perched at her throne in the center of the star chamber, right below the etched glass county seal. That's where the President is usually seated, but Angle kept his old seat. He also turned over the President's private office to workhorse John Cusick. That's pretty strange behavior for a person described as an egomaniac.

When the meeting got underway with courtesy of the floor, six of the seven people who had signed in were USW members, complaining about Stoffa's decision to rescind a November agreement providing for approximately 20% raises over four years.

County councils have nothing to do with labor negotiations, a point Angle has made many times in past years. But last night, he was extremely gracious to the nurses and social workers who made the trip to the courthouse. He thanked each person who came up to the podium, and answered every question posed. He honestly explained councils have little to do with negotiation, but still made these workers feel that what they say matters. He told them of his uncle in Gracedale, and said he will likely live another 100 years because of the outstanding treatment. He readily agreed with a worker who told him, "We really do love what we do here, but feel we should be fairly compensated."

Instead of the usual jeers and catcalls, these union members were classy - probably the quitest bunch I've ever seen. I'm used to lunch mobs, but this was a nice bunch, led by union rep Jerry Green, who claims we "always have had a good relationship with Northampton County." I heard no shouting in the hallway after they were all done. That's due, in no small measure, to the courtesy with which they were received by the Council President. Angle handled them well. he treated them like human beings.

Once the meeting got underway, we were treated to the first of the "major policy shifts" that Bill White worried would be coming from the Evil One. It was a report from the County Executive. Once every two weeks, the Exec and Angle will be meeting to go over county business. And once every month, the County Executive will report to Council. Now this is a vast departure from past President Ann McHale, who actually silenced Stoffa last year when he attempted to defend a county cabinet member. I'd call it an improvement.

County Exec's Report

"Thank you for the opportunity," said John Stoffa. "I've asked for this in the past. I think it's a good thing. We can have some give and take." In his laconic style, Stoffa then told Council what is going on.

1) Sheriff's office. - Affable and professional Chris Sieger has been promoted to Chief Deputy Sheriff as a result of an interview process that included the Sheriff, Director of Administration John Conklin and Court Administrator Jim Onembo. "We have two good people leading us in that regard," reported Stoffa.

2) Gracedale. - There currently is a RFQ (Request for Qualifications) to find someone who can do a study about its future. Council members are invited to participate in the committee that does an assessment.

3) Human Resources. - Thirty applications have been received for a new Human Resources Director.

4) Windows project at Gracedale. Will probably be finished this month, ahead of schedule and under budget.

5) USW Contract at Gracedale. "I know people are unhappy. I feel bad about that. But this County is in big trouble in terms of money. I asked for a tax increase last year. I would love to give people large raises, but in 2010, the county employees who are not part of a union got a 2.25% increase. I don't see how we can go much beyond that. These are tough times, and people have to accommodate for what's available."

Lamont McClure, pandering to the audience, began to cross-examine Stoffa about Gracedale, and won a round of applause and some hoots and hollers when he noted, "I just think it's a wonderful return on a public investment. It cost you a little less than $2 million in twenty years and we're taking such wonderful care of people out there."

Newly elected Bruce Gilbert, in his maiden speech as a County Council member, eloquently poked holes in McClure's political posturing. "Do we have the right to put the taxpayers' money at risk if in five or ten years, based on economic or market conditions, we are not capable of doing so without massive tax increases? If we do not, Mr. McClure, look to the future of our county and its expenses, I think we will have failed our county overall. We do need to look at this. We do need to plan in advance. If we fail to plan, it's quite possible that it is we who will fail."

Cusick the Paperhanger

After Stoffa's report and the exchanges that followed, VP John Cusick introduced four different matters: (1) An Ordinance to devote unused bond funds to Gracedale projects; (2) An ordinance changing the make-up of the county retirement board; (3) An Ordinance repealing the tax break for the Dixie Cup project, now that the developer has decided to build apartments instead of condos; and (4) a Resolution asking Controller Steve Barron to audit the County's increasing workers' comp claims.

Surprised by all this legislation from Cusick, Angle asked, "Do you do any painting with all your paper hanging?"

Workhorse Cusick probably needs that private office for all the legislation he's drafting.

Committees

In yet another "major policy shift," Angle told Council members that committees must become much more active. He expects them all to meet at least bimonthly. He later told me he is considering adopting a plan similar to Lehigh County, where short meetings are scheduled right before a Council meeting.

Council Solicitor

Phil Lauer, serving in his first meeting as County Council solicitor, thanked everyone for their confidence in him, and told them he prays every night for Frank Flisser, County Council's Clerk.

Angle and the New Council Members

Ann McHale had to remind Angle about getting the minutes approved. He also nearly missed an item in the agenda. Other than that, he was flawless. He was courteous, humorous, allowed Council members to speak their minds fully, and dealt better with a union than any Council President I've ever seen.

Here are some of the grades I collected: B+(that was me), A, A+, B, B (that was Stoffa), B+, B+, A. That averages out to a 3.6 GPA. If this were college, he'd make the Dean's List. Of course, I neglected to ask McHale or McClure to grade Ron. I'm biased, remember?

Bruce Glbert's maiden speech was eloquent, leaving McClure speechless. Barb Thierry and Tom Dietrich were attentive but quiet, as one would expect. I'd give them all an A.

McClure is now playing Ron Angle's former role, that of Voice in the Wilderness. I'm not insulting him. We need that. As Angle has demonstrated, Voices in the Wilderness can eventually become effective.