Norco Dems Looking For New Strongman

Seriously, do you want to mess with this guy?

If Northampton County Dems want a real strongman, Michael Laws sure fits the bill. He looks a lot like an offensive lineman. Even his surname is intimidating. But as I learned yesterday, he's an open guy who wants to make some changes.

I called him this morning and, believe it or not, he actually called me back. That was a surprise, and what he told me shocked me even more.

He believes the party should avoid endorsements in contested races. He describes his disappointment when Northampton County Democrats decided to endorse Ann McHale to run against incumbent John Stoffa. "That was not fair at all. When I left there, I was in shock," he said.

Michael told me he has three goals. First, he'd like to identify and set up an executive committee from the different areas of the county, becoming more inclusive. Second, he'd like to energize the local party's fundraising capabilities, making it more useful to underfunded Democrats seeking office. He noted that the party has people who can help with graphics, we designs and do what is needed to help. Third, and most importantly, he will take steps to ensure that "everyone can participate in a big tent. Not just a certain few."

He plans to implement these goals with the following:

"* Enthusiasm for creating a learning organization with monthly Executive Board meetings and a strong committee structure, multiple team building events and a robust fundraising committee.

"* Creating a Candidate Recruitment and Training Program including: Mentorship opportunities with real office holders.

"* Creating real 'Value' for Candidates by creating and developing services that could be shared, like your idea of sign distribution and sign retrieval, brochure design and quantity discount pricing for these services so everyone wins.

"* Creating a Mentorship and Ambassador program to build and retain critical relationships and create backfill opportunities as positions become available."

Michael can be downright inspirational. From his Facebook page, I've seen messages like this, which read like Hallmark cards:

"We need to delegate, empower, and harness the skill power of the entire Democratic committee in Northampton county. We need to build a collective Vision that will align all the missions with a collective vision of positive long term results. We need to meet people where they are, and work together encouraging them along the way, to attain a new and improved destination."

Or this:

"People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway."

Obviously, he's a world apart from current Bossman Joe Long.

The only drawback to Michael, in my view, is his involvement in Allentown's Life Church, which has too many connections to Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

Michael's opponent is Joe Long's anointed successor, Walt Garvin. That alone should be enough to disqualify him, but here in the People's Republic of Northampton County, he's the likely winner. Walter and I have a lengthy history that ranges from some pleasant exchanges to a few shouting matches.

Having said that, Walter is unlike Long in that he holds no grudges. Whenever I see him after one of our testy exchanges, he's cordial. Another point in his favor is that he does his homework. When he ran for County Council last year , he attended more meetings than any other candidate. When the local tea party conducted a candidates' forum, he was there.