Following yesterday's video revelations that Allentown City Council Prez Mike D'Amore and Northampton County Controller Steve Barron are moonlighting as union thugs, Barron has been telling people that his threatening remarks - the subject of two separate videos - have been taken out of context. D'Amore has been impersonating a stone wall.
Blogger Michael Molovinsky last night asked D'Amore to distance himself from Barron's threatening remarks, which were first hurled at non-Union T-Mobile on August 10. He was answered with stony silence from a pol who has no intention of representing anyone other than those wearing the union label. Here's their brief exchange at City Council's meeting:
Molovinsky: "I'm very grateful for the jobs that T-Mobile supplies, if they're union or not. So my question is, will you now take this opportunity to distance yourself from that remark and threat by Mr. Barron to a major employer in the Lehigh Valley?"
D'Amore: [silence] "Thank you, Mr. Molovinsky."
Molovinsky: "Let me just conclude by saying that you were elected - you identified yourself as a member of Allentown City Council on that video. You were elected as a representative of the taxpayers and residents of Allentown. You were not elected as a union boss to organize employers who give our citizens jobs."
Dr. Bob Romancheck also let D'Amore have it. "Dr. D'Amore, you were totally out of line." You can see that video here.
Barron's conduct was far worse than D'Amore's. First, he is a Controller, and as such, is bound to avoid policy discussions. Second, he not only attempted to intimidate non-union T-Mobile, but did so in his official capacity, hinting that they's be unable to do business with either County. Finally, he had no authority from either County for the remarks made.
At tonight's Northampton County Council meeting, I will ask that Barron be censured. Additionally, I will ask that Council authorize a letter to T-Mobile, informing this business that Barron has no authority to speak For the County.
I have notified Barron of my intention to make this presentation. I understand that Council Prez Ron Angle has also asked that he pay a visit.
I can guarantee that a stonewall will be no help, nor will he get away with claiming that his intimidation tactics were taken out of context, especially since he made them in two separate videos that the union idiotically publicized.
Updated 1:00 AM: Express Times and WFMZ-69 Weigh In.
D'Amore may have stonewalled constituents at City Council, but has the temerity to tell Channel 69 he's "supporting workers and my constituents." If he were really supporting his constituents, wouldn't he have answered one of them? Barron claims everything is "being blown far out of proportion". Councilwoman Barb Thierry will ask him to resign, but Barron will blow off Council. There's probably not enough union people attending.
Updated 8:50 AM: D'Amore defends Barron threat! When Molovinsky and Dr. Romancheck asked D'Amore to distance himself from Barron's threatening remarks, which appear in two separate videos,D'Amore responds with silence. But he tells The Morning Call's Jarrett Renshaw that it really wasn't a threat. I'm sorry, but only a union thug could make that kind of argument and expect anyone to believe it
28 comments:
We are hoping for film at 11, tomorrow night.
"At tonight's Northampton County Council meeting, I will ask that Barron be censured."
We all know that is because Barron is the biggest threat to Angle and the sale of Gracedale which would save Angle thousands of dollars in taxes!!!!
If Barron is Angle's biggest threat, prepare to see Gracedale sold.
"We are hoping for film at 11, tomorrow night"
No need to wait until 11. The meeting will be livestreamed.
It seems as though Angle is Barrons biggest threat....after all there is a verbal threat from Angle to Barron if I am not mistaken. At the last meeting.
How can anyone defend Barron's actions? Union or not, this was not only stupid and arrogant it shows the type of person he is. More importantly, it was more damaging than helpful to the union organizing efforts. Steve just assured any undecided workers have made up their minds not to support this thuggery. Better to catch this kind of bullshit before he gets in an elected position where he can do real damage.
The word on the street is his campaign guys Fleck and Hickey are trying to get County Council not to bring this up but they have every right to do so.
This is something that goes way beyond someones personal feelings. The fact that he used his position to grandstand and pander on Gracedale spouting numbers that don't exist is at least normal activity for a Long Dem, but he crossed the line on this move.
Besides, instead of trying to intimidate Lehigh county businessmen why didn't he do his "real" job and perform an actual audit of Gracedale and come up with something useful instead of all the bullshit grandstanding. Old Steve may have done everyone a favor by showing his arguably corrupt and mean-spirited pay to play nature.
Hopefully county Council as the "citizens" representative on County matters lets this goof know that we do not condone his behavior.
This has nothing to do with Angle for once, this bad boy is all on Barron's head. He should come to County Council and apologize for his behavior.
I find it amusing that these Northampton County Politicos are trying to influence, whether good or bad, a Lehigh County business. They need to spend time on the business of Northampton County, period. TMobie does not care about Northampton County nor should they. This Barron and Angle are simply local yocals amounting to nothing more than a pimple on an ass! If Northampton County wants to do anything here, send an apology letter to this Lehigh County business and move on. It is also time that Northampton County voters sweep out EVERY elected official. This County is a joke and has the WORST qualified people running it. Signed... Northampton County taxpayer not involved in government who works a real job for a living.
" I will ask that Council authorize a letter to T-Mobile, informing this business that Barron has no authority to speak For the County."
um....don't we have a strong executive form of government? so isn't this a little grandstanding on your part?
"The word on the street is his campaign guys Fleck and Hickey are trying to get County Council not to bring this up but they have every right to do so"
i suspect both have better things to do with their time.
Way to be, MM. You spoke for many.
Cockroaches scatter when the light of scrutiny is turned on.
Although Barron should resign, he does not answer to County Council. And I'm trying to figure out why the County Executive answers to County Council. They are accountable to the voters, not to County Council. There is a separation of powers and duties according to the Home Rule Charter. Ron Angle does not sit on a throne, no matter what he may think. The County Exec, DA, Controller or President Judge do not answer to His Royal Majesty, Ron Angle.
"The word on the street is his campaign guys Fleck and Hickey are trying to get County Council not to bring this up but they have every right to do so."
Barron's handlers are McClure, Dertinger and Long.
"so isn't this a little grandstanding on your part?"
Nope. It is important that T-Mobile know, and from every corner of goernment, that Barron had no authority to make his threatening statement. To that end, both Exec and Counci need to say something. The last thing NC needs is a lwsuit when a T-Mobile bid is rejected for legitimate reasons. I understand the Exec is working on letter, and Council should lend their weight to it as well.
"Although Barron should resign, he does not answer to County Council. And I'm trying to figure out why the County Executive answers to County Council."
The Exec does not answer to Council; he works with them. There's a difference. Barron does not answer to Council; it's pretty clear he answers to the unions. Council speaks for the people and they will speak tonight.
Barron was requested to appear because it's only fair that he be given an opportunity to defend himself should he so choose. He apparently has decided he has no defense.
These too two idiots should resign.
Molovinsky is out of line. The Allentown councilman was apparently (and I only have the videos and coverage here to go by) using his own time to promote unionization. I'm not seeing anything on the video where he uses his position as any sort of threat like the bean counter from NC.
I'd agree that Barron is far ore culpable than D'Amore. What bothers me about D'Amore is his arrogant disregard for questions directed at him during a City Council meeting. To a lesser extent, I am troubled by his reference to himself as a member of City Council during his uinion-arranged visit to T-Mobile. He will do that but won't explain himself bc his real constituent is the union. But all that pales in comparison to what Barron did.
Thank you to LVCI, Molovinsky and O'Hare for working this story. When LVCI broke this news, I couldn't quite believe it. Now that it has slipped into the MSM, I am shocked that there are actually folks DEFENDING D'Amore and Barron.
I appreciate the bloggers' diligence in this matter. Great work - another outstanding contribution to the local news.
Permission to Post:
Bernie,
How many of these will it take before PennDOT admits somethng is wrong with I/78 near Hellertown?
Morning Call:
"A fiery crash involving two tractor-trailers and a car on Interstate 78 east in Lower Saucon Township Thursday morning created a giant plume of dark smoke that could be seen for miles and created traffic delays throughout the Lehigh Valley.
At least one person was reportedly killed in the crash, according to emergency radio dispatches.
The car, which was heading east, drover under one trailer. The hood, windshield and roof were damaged.
It was not apparent from the accident scene how the crash occurred because of the extensive fire and crash damage. A set of axles, possibly from the rear of one of the truck trailers, landed on the eastbound shoulder just west of the impact zone."
I don't want to defend these clowns at all. but the video from the meeting shows MM asking D'Amore if he will denounce what Barron said and he chooses not to. I'm not sure what arrogance you are referring to. It's better to say nothing at all if you can't say something nice. Isn't that the way people are taught to act in public?
when making the threat, barron used the contraction, "we're" as in we are, as in him and d'amore will remember if t-mobile needs anything from lehigh county. three hundred people stood in 95 degrees yesterday hoping for just a small shot at a job fair. as a taxpayer i'm grateful that t-mobile chose the lehigh valley, apparently d'amore cares more about union jobs than jobs
Anon 12:00 -
MM didn't say denounce, he asked D'Amore to "distance himself" from the threat made by Barron. That is to say, he didn't ask him to repudiate, just make it clear he was not acting in an official capacity to threaten a business, as Barron clearly indicated was the case by his choice of the word "we".
All D'Amore had to say was strong-arming in the name of local government was all the Barroness's idea. But he wants the union wallets to see him as their hero, and he was not about to let this opportunity go to waste.
Since coming to the United States, T-Mobile has engaged in a fierce anti-union campaign which has included terminating workers, captive audience coercion, the monitoring of employees who speak with union representatives, and the hiring of "union avoidance specialists." T-Mobile has been brought before the NLRB and has been ordered to "cease and desist" on several occasions.
Regarding Barron and D'Amore, T-Mobile employees are ultimately his constituents. T-Mobile employees who want a union approached both of them through CWA. Considering the fact that several T-Mobile employees have turned to the union only to be terminated or intimidated by the company, is it not reasonable for Barron and D'Amore to approach T-Mobile management?
I saw nothing intimidating in the original video outside of the call center. On the contrary, I saw elected local representatives, who would otherwise be denied a meeting with Brueckman, demanding to speak for their constituents. They did nothing illegal. "We're going to remember this day and we'll make sure that it will be part of the negotiations" is far from a threat, and exaggerating it as such is utter hyperbole. It is a given that Barron will take this incident into consideration when dealing with T-Mobile in the future.
Sorry for the essay, Bernie, but there isn't much balance from the other side in your comments section.
anon 6:09, when and why would barron negotiate with t-mobile. the fact that the county executive felt he had to send an apology to t-mobile says it all. pawlowski and cunningham should do the same because of d'amore
Anon 6:09, I assume you are union. I am union. This is the kind of crap that makes us vulnerable. Have you heard of the expression, with friends like this who needs enemies.
What this dufus did was stupid. For him I could care less, he is just pandering for votes but for the union it hurts. It reinforces all the negative stereotypes people love to throw at us.
The tape is clear. The dumb shit used his so-called position to intimidate and play the "Mr. Important" card. No "out of context" no "misunderstood", it was a stupid display of a clueless politican with a common case of look at me I'm important syndrome. You defend this nonsense?
Please don't tell me this makes Mr.Barron a union darling. Are we really picking our candidates on how they pander or do we pick them on results. This guy was engaging in good old fashioned pandering. Why the Hell would the union "want" him to interced. Has he ever negotiated a contract? Is he a union employee? Was he ever a union rep?
Come on people, we need to carefully select who we blindly follow and use our brains not our asses when we decide to pick a spokesman. Who ever decided this guy was a good choice should be given to management. With more minds in management like that we can get somewhere.
Union and proud
10:04 - Good points. 6:09 also raises valid points.
There is nothing wrong with attempting to speak to company leadership about their anti-labor behaviors. Had these two simply stood with union reps handing out sheets or requested a meeting without the smug comments, I would applaud them for their support of labor. They could even give their official titles. But once you say some arrogant comment like Barron's, you lose credibility and do more harm to the cause than anything. What they do one their own time as private citizens is fine with me.
To 6:09 and 10:46.
Role of the Controller: "The County's Home Rule Charter established the Controller's office as the internal audit function of the county in 1978... The Controllers Office conducts financial and performance audits of agencies receiving, disbursing or authorizing the disbursement of County funds, as well as the records of contracted service providers. Office activities and accomplishments are summarized in the Controller's Annual Report to County Council."
How is Barron "serving his constituents" as a controller by this stunt, even if had been in NorCo instead of Lehigh County? Union organizing in the private sector is not part of his job as a Controller.
Anon 10:46, I pretty much agree with your take.
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