It was pretty clear after Wednesday's Finance Committee meeting that Northampton County Exec John Stoffa's proposed storage space lease was in trouble. The County needs room to store bed parts and other items for Gracedale, but the state has warned that they are hazards if stored all over the nursing home. So Stoffa negotiated a 5 year lease with 181 Whitfield Corporation at $1,850 per month for 3,150 sq ft.John Cusick suggested moving the voting machines from Gracedale to Easton's Milides building, and using that for storage. Tom Dietrich, Barb Thierry and Bruce Gilbert wondered why the County couldn't just throw up a pole building at Gracedale, which would save money in the long run.
Last night, when it was time to vote on the lease, these four Council members voted No. Rev. Dowd, Ann McHale and Peg Ferraro all voted Yes.
The last two to vote were Lamont McClure and Ron Angle.
McClure passed, wanting to make sure he voted opposite the way Angle did, and it was up to the Bulldog. Angle had told me before the meeting he supported this lease, although he felt the County needs a more permanent solution to storage. But on the dais, he pondered, rubbed his forehead, then voted No. McClure voted Yes.
At this point, Angle quickly changed his vote to Yes, noting that council members can change their votes so long as they do it right away, and Stoffa's lease was approved, 5-4.
Angle also wrangled a promise from Stoffa to come up with a permanent storage plan on County property within the next six months.
Stoffa gets his lease to solve a temporary space problem. Council members concerned about rental costs get a commitment from the Exec for permanent storage at a County-owned building, and within the next six months. McClure's attempt to muck things up blows up in his face, as usual.
Angle, who has participated in or attended 5,000 public meetings, ran a play, and it worked. After the meeting, he called it his Statue of Liberty play.
So are we celebrating Angles subverting of the proper conduct of an elected official. Or another grandstanding effort to make himself look really shrewd.
ReplyDeleteHe is really a disgrace and a major reason Northampton county is the laughing stock at the CCAP meetings.
I love how you condemn federal Dem's and there legislative chicanery yet celebrate Angles disingenuous gamesmanship at the local level. Hypocrite.
Something doesn't make sense about the logic of this. If Angle was so obviously for the rent, why didn't Lamont just vote no. I will have to watch the meeting on the Council website.
ReplyDeleteGood for Mr. Angle. This demonstrates the leadership he always is saying that he is capable of providing. He rejected the no-nothing position of his followers Dietrick, Gilbert and Tierry, and he support the sensible position of the County Executive. This is real professional growth here !
ReplyDeletehe "ran a play."
ReplyDeleteGov't isn't a game. No wonder it is broken.
What nonsense. An embarassment for the Easton HS kids in attendance. Ron tells them that they are "watching democracy in action." Is it any wonder our kids are so turrned off to politics?
ReplyDeleteRon Angle actually recognized the kids from EAHS who were attending the meeting. He energized them. That's something that imperious Ann McHale never did.
ReplyDeleteI'll agree government is no game, but politics is, and McClure was playing it during a council meeting. He wanted to go against Angle, but was not certain how Angle would vote, having skipped the committee meetings and knowing nothing about the competing arguments. So he passed.
Angle voted as he did, followed by McClure, then followed immediately by Ron's vote change, which snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Stoffa.
It was classic, and I'd recommend the video to anyone.
In the meantime, imperious McHale was huffing and puffing. When moving her seat to her curerent position, she is offended by the Te Commandments plaque behind er, and has already instructed two other council members to "get that junk off the wall."
Perhaps she could have chosen better words to issue her orders because she's made no friends among the newbies, who have no respect for her.
Bernie
ReplyDeleteYou ENTIRELY missed the point. Angle did NOT want to vote AGAINST his fellow Republicans, BUT he wanted the lease to pass. He voted NO to be on their side since they are his people and made him Preident. When McClure Voted YES and the lease failed, Angle was forced to go back and Vote yes to the dismay of his fellow republican majority. Actually it was McClure who by passing made Angle look silly and caused his fellow republicans some pause. Looks like McClure was architect of some maneurvering-- but you spin it as you usually do.
As a follow up to the last point-- you see Angle did not know how MCLure would vote-- IF McClure had voted NO-- Angle would NOT have changed his vote bc he did not want to go against the Republican majority-- he would have kept his vote NO and took the position with Stoffa that his vote did not matter. When McClure voted YES and Angle wanted the lease to pass-- he had to change his vote to the dismay of the republicans. McClure pulled a fast one on Angle by passing bc Angle likes to be last to vote.
ReplyDeleteOh that Mastermind Angle really fooled us, he pulled a trick right out of his Mentor John Kerry's waffling handbook.
ReplyDeleteAngle, "I actually did vote against the rental contract before I voted for it!"
What a leader!!!!!!
Yeah, leading us down the path to Hell!!!!
ReplyDeleteha ha ha ha!!!!
Do the math. Had Angle voted Yes at the onset, McClure would have voted No. So he voted No, McClure voted yes, and Angle quickly changed his vote.
ReplyDeleteGreat article. It only certifies Angle is underhanded and uses deceitful tactics.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if he used the same play to forge the Will or was the the old bait and switch?
Thanks for proving that he is a dishonest and untrustworthy person.
You did a great job!!
Speaking of signatures, why don't you sign your name to your comment instead of smearing Angle anonymously?
ReplyDeleteLet's see, there was a claim that Angle would destroy the Will. He didn't. There was a claim he'd be too cowardly to take this to a judge. He just has. There was a claim he'd be prosecuted for forgery. That hasn't happened. There was a claim he'd be sued in a week for depleting the estate. That hasn't happened.
This is politically contrived bullshit and explains why a person like Dertinger is dirt and why Lamont should not even think about seeking reelection.
You just don't get that people are tired of this type of smear tactic. Instead of helping Angle's enemies, you are hurting them.
Bernie, why couldn't McClure then change his vote too? What am I missing?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he's asking himself that question now.
ReplyDeleteAlso, had he done so, his real motives would be obvious to all.
Queen Ann has lost her throne and looks like a mere vassel seated in front of the offensive Ten Commandments plaque. How dare God issue commandments behind the almighty one? Ann still wields a mighty sword. However, "off with their heads" has been replaced with "off with their chubbies!" Watch out Ron!
ReplyDeleteWow! For a brief moment, I thought I was reading about the political system in Lebanon.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of behavior blows my mind.
Bernie, does Ann McHale really want The Ten Commandments removed? Hasn't those appeals been denied and overturned throughout the United States within the past few years?
I really hope that you are just making an ant hill into a mountain. I cannot fathom that people such as McClure and McHale, whom are elected officials, act in such a manner.
Peace, ~~Alex+
Sorry Bernie-- but Angle got out maneuvered this time!! LOL!! McClure wanted to pass the lease/ he was a yes vote ALL the way and told people so. He passed to put Angle in a position to vote AGAINST the Republicans which he did and then switched. Your premise that Mclure ALWAYS votes opposite of Angle while needed to make Angle look clever and not silly is just not true. While MccLure is a D and Angle a R and do vote opposite bc of that, M Clure has voted numerous times with Angle. Your premise is needed to justify your conclusion but it is not in tune with the facts. Fact is M Clure out maneureved Angle-- made him look bad with fellow Republicans ect.
ReplyDeleteRonny Angle has raised voting "no" to an art form. For 15 yrs on County Council Angle has voted no on virtually everything. He's made a point of pointing out that he votes no most of the time. It's actually become a joke. Now, we are to believe he finaly wants to vote yes. Something doesn't add up.
ReplyDeleteCMB
Ronny Angle has raised voting "no" to an art form. For 15 yrs on County Council Angle has voted no on virtually everything. He's made a point of pointing out that he votes no most of the time. It's actually become a joke. Now, we are to believe he finaly wants to vote yes. Something doesn't add up.
ReplyDeleteCMB
CMB, That's fascinating, especially since Angle has only been on council for 10 years. Last night, he made voting yes an art form.
ReplyDeleteMcClure tells people he has respect for Angle as a political adversary. Maybe Angle taught him something ?
ReplyDeleteI really can't get over "Mr. Good Government" Bernie Ohare applauding this disingenuous act of political skullduggery.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the Council members should get a ruling on this. If Angle voted and the Clerk called another member and that member voted, how in the world does Angle scream "do over, I change my vote". This isn't third grade. It is unfortunate everyone on council is afraid of Angle. I don't think you can change your vote after you have voted and another member voted.
If that is the case, then if everyone wanted to act like a third grader the votes could go on for days.
Before Angle that never occurred on county council. Certainly someone may have voted yes or no and before the next member voted they said wait, "I misunderstood and my vote is..", that is understandable.
But what Angle did is not smart or shrewd or anything but wrong. He is and has always been the worst thing to happen to government. His reputation is earned.
Shame on you Bernie. This is one time your hero worship should have been tempered by your respect for proper rules of government. So in your eyes in order to "get" McClure and "help" Stoffa, we throw out the basic premise of good and responsible government.
Sad, very sad.
Vox Populi
Voice of the People,
ReplyDeleteor
The People's Voice:
As a friendly aside, your declension and conjugate of Latin are improper. Your tenses don't agree. At times, Latin can be difficult. Keep up the good work.
Peace, ~~Alex+
Do you know why Latin is a dying language?
ReplyDeleteThe verbs want to conjugate but the nouns keep declEning.
Peace, ~~Alex
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHey angry priest let me add to anon 1:39. The use of "irregardless" is incorrect.
ReplyDeleteStudy English as well as Latin.
I'll admit that Ron Angle is pretty quick with wit and reasoning, but this didn't make sense at all. McClure played him in front of the Republican newbies. And I condemn McClure for playing politics instead of practicing good government. Angle waffled and explained it lamely. You bought it, hook, line and sinker. Then you publish this story, making it analogous to a football play. It was an all-around poor display of county government political bullshit. By everyone.
ReplyDeleteAnons 1:39 AM and 2:51 AM,
ReplyDeleteI'll take your advice under advisement irregardless that neither of you signed your messages w/ your names. Thank you.
Peace, ~~Alex+
Sister Mary Connelly, OSF, used to order detention and extra homework as punishment for the use of such abominations as irregardless and ain't (not to mention "people that," "mental attitude," and any modifier of "unique").
ReplyDeleteWhile I have scars, I also learned my lessons. I'm betting Alex attended public schools. But one is never too old to master proper use of the Queen's English.
Easter blessings.
Anon,
ReplyDeleteObvisously, you didn't learn to concept of judgment. Not to do it.
If we want to reach the mass, we need to walk with them. Irregardlessly, not above them.
I am sorry that you have scars. But so did Jesus and he threw no stones.
May your Lent be a fruitful time, as to make oneself perfect, as his Heavenly Father is perfect.
Peace be with you, ~~Alex+
Ronny guessed wrong.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteBO, Please delete 11:02. Personal attacks do not contribute to the article.
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight. County Council approved a total of $111,000.00 to lease space, when a pole barn at Gracedale could do the same thing, but we would own it. What am I missing here?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Wikipedia, "Irregardless is an informal term meaning regardless or irrespective, which has caused controversy since it first appeared in the early twentieth century. Most dictionaries list it as 'incorrect' or 'nonstandard'." I'd refrain from using it Alex, because as you see, it drives some people nuts.
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteJust so the threads don't get confuse, I post this on another thread late last night or early this morning; depending upon how one looks at this. Irregardless, with your permission, I will repost it here. Thanks to all. And again, English is not my mother tongue, so thanks for bearing with me.
"Anonymous,
That's funny. You must know more than the professionals. The American Heritage Dictionary has a definition for: regardless and irregardless. Both are adverbs, although irregardless and irregardlessly may not be a standard usage.
Thanks for the education.
Peace, ~~Alex+
12:31 AM"
The purpose of language is to communicate, and whether you use "irregardless" or "regardless," we all know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteMcClure got Angle to change his vote? Who sounds incharge?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Angle is following McClure's lead.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone else pulls this stunt Bernie is trying to bury them!!
ReplyDeleteRon's a big spender now. $111,000.00 for a rent. Who is getting the rent ? That might tell you something ?
ReplyDeleteOhare attacked Reibman for doing what Stoffa and Angle worked out. You have got to love hypocrites like Ohare and Alex.
ReplyDeleteI attacked Reibman for a sweetheart, no-bid lease that was three times the FMV to a campaighn contributor. This is bid, does not invole a campaign contributor, and is at FMV.
ReplyDeleteThats Ronny boy.The snake that he really is.
ReplyDeleteHey BO whats the deal on this crap Ithought the county was on hard times.1,850.00 a month for 5 years. times dont appear that bad after all the crying about how much they dont have.
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight.The county signs a 5 year lease at 1,850.00 per month,then the county says it will have a storage facility in 6mos.What about the rest of the lease will the county pay the lease.WHO REALLY IS GETTING THE RENT MONEY
ReplyDeleteBernie, Northampton County Bulldog Update, was just informed of the rift between the Bulldog and his Dad over snowplowing, just the facts, nothing more.
ReplyDelete"What about the rest of the lease will the county pay the lease.WHO REALLY IS GETTING THE RENT MONEY"
ReplyDeleteThere is an escape clause.
" rift between the Bulldog and his Dad over snowplowing,"
ReplyDeleteOMG, a father and his son had an argument. Stop the presses!
To bad Angle forgot what the statue of liberty means
ReplyDeleteB O for all that money why not build their own building.What will it cost over the years with all that rent,then the cost of building the storage facility.Morons on county council should just build it!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTo bad Angle forgot what the statue of liberty means
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:36, That was the point being made by the new members on council. The lease barely passed, and only bc Stoffa has already moved everything in this place and has promised to get a plan to build something for the county's storage w/in 6 months.
ReplyDeleteThe realtor was hired bt Stoffa. A sweetheart deal for 24 months.
ReplyDeleteYou just make stuff up, which is one reason wwhy I delete you. Another is your fouls mouth. A third reason is your obsession w/ homsexual behavior. A fourth is your irrational hatred.
ReplyDeleteYou're just not a very nice person.
Who hired the realtor?
ReplyDeleteEven that question betrays your igorance. No realtor was hired. You get appraisals from appraisers, and two were hired.
ReplyDeleteOf course two were hired, both by Stoffa boys. This is a sweetheart heart unnecessary lease.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the new Council members begin to see the deals made between Angle and Stoffa. Time to clean up County government and make it accountable to the people.
Hey BOsince when does anyone hire an appraiser to rent a storage space.
ReplyDeleteTo appraise the value of a lease over 5 years, and make sure the county is getting its money's worth, you hire an appraiser.
ReplyDeleteYou mean Stoffa hired an appraiser.
ReplyDelete