"I have never seen such a strong team of candidates as we have before us tonight. Coming in here tonight, I figured six of you would fall off by the wayside and then we'd have a hard time with the remaining six. The problem is, all of you are still in consideration right now. All of you have really given a really good presentation tonight."That's how Commissioner Percy Dougherty complimented last night's Dirty Dozen, twelve Democrats seeking an appointment to the seat vacated by Commissioner Bill Leiner. They had just gone through a grueling interview.
Marc Basist was asked these questions.
"What is your name?"
"Marc Basist."
"What is your quest?"
"To become a Lehigh County Commissioner."
"What's your favorite color?"
"Blue, I'm a Democrat."
"You may pass."
When it was Brace's turn, things got a little tougher.
"What is your name?"
"Geoff Brace."
"What is your quest?"
"To become a Lehigh County Commissioner."
"What's the capital of Assyria?"
"Huh?"
At this point, a trap door opened up under Brace's chair and he was fed into the Lehigh County furnace.
And that's how it went, more or less.
OK. I made that part up. But Chairman Dean Browning really did have each of them pull out a pen and write down the committees on which Leiner serves.
Geoff Brace, looking a little charred, cheated. He kept dropping his pen and then, while reaching to get it, he'd strain his neck to see what Marc Basist had written down. But that was no help. Here's Basist's answer, which I obtained under the Right to Know Law.
Incidentally, every one of them got Browning's question wrong. The correct answer is none. Leiner serves on no committees. He resigned, remember?Dougherty likes Deana M Zosky, a CPA who helped Lower Macungie Township dig itself out of a financial morass. "She has been there in Lower Macungie Township and I have seen what she has done in terms of the budget in that township, in terms of ... forensic accounting." Andy Roman agreed. "The status quo is not good enough. We have to be more innovative, we have to look at ways to do things differently." He also likes Hansell.
Roman also joked, "What if we just had each of them serve one month and then rotate it?"
At that point, a trap door opened up under Roman's set and he was fed into Lehigh County's furnace.
Gloria Hamm, who thinks experience is the most important asset, likes William Hansell, but as backups, her choices are George Maniatty and Geoff Brace. Board Chair Dean Browning, thanking a "great slate of candidates," prefers Geoff Brace and Marc Basist.
Tom Creighton, who wants to stop next year's tax hike (Good luck with that!), thinks Robert George is the person most likely to find ways to economize. He also likes Marc Basist and John Hofmann, the one applicant unalterably opposed to a health department.
Glenn Eckhart, who chaired the meeting, likes Robert George, Geoff Brace and John Hoffman.
Eckhart's Appointments Committee has only two other members besides himself - Tom Creighton and VP Dan McCarthy. But last night, every Commissioner was on hand except for David Jones. He must have been feeding the furnace. Eckhart's triumvirate went through the Dirty Dozen, name by name, and unanimously recommended Marc Basist, Geoff Brace, Robert George, William Hansell and John Hoffman. Next week, when the Commissioners meet, they will attempt to choose a Commissioner from those five names.
If they are unable to do so, the other seven candidates are still very much in the game, but there probably will be more questions.
"What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"
Blogger's Note: Blogger comments enabled.
Asministration wants Hansell. When will they decide?
ReplyDeletehow ironic that jones was MIA, especially since he was appointed as a fill in himself. last week dougherty, who is a science professor by trade, questioned the wisdom of retrofitting the courthouse with solar panels. fair question considering the building was just remodeled because of leaks. does one want to drill in the new roof to garner allentown's three days of sun a year? Jones, whose professional background is less clear, quipped about critics of edison's light bulb. i hope this fill in choice has better results than the last one.
ReplyDeleteThe decision wikll be made next Wednesday. Hansell is certainly very talented. If the administration wants him, that might hurt him bc comm'rs want someone independent.
ReplyDeleteMM, Like you, I wa\ould not have supported David Jones. But since his appointment, he has stood for and won an election. So we can no longer blame the commissioners for him. He can be a vey good speaker and may have had a good reason for his absence last night, although I think he should have been there.
ReplyDeleteIt would seem to me that Bill Hansell's ties to the Mayor should be an automatic disqualification. I say that not with malice, but only in the most practical sense. The County commissioners should be reasonably independent but Bill has had to many relationships with the Mayor. That is not to say that Bill is not eminently qualified.
ReplyDeleteThere are nine others to consider.
Separately, why doesn't Jones just quit the commission? The way he treats it is simply disgraceful.
Bob Romancheck
Dr. Bob,
ReplyDeleteWe know Jones was not present at the one opportunity he had to question twelve very good candidates for this position. We know he has a poor committee attendance record. I also know, from speaking to some of the candidates, that he has ignored their calls. So on the face of it, his absence is inexcusable.
But I will add that all we know is that he was absent. We don't know why. Was there a tragedy in his family? I'd be reluctant to say more without knowing more.
But people should know he was absent.
I was extremely happy that I didn't have to answer the question about color. It would have ended badly. For some reason I can't get that smokey smell out of my clothing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that satire Bernie. It was a great read. Interesting tid-bit: Bruce Brinker wears a Yocco's tie tack! How awesome is that!
Seriously, what a humbling experience. Fanastic people sat at the table and presented themselves for service. What tremendous talent Lehigh County has.
Geoff
Geoff,
ReplyDeleteYou all did very well yesterday, but I would not believe Browning's statement that those are only first degree burns.