At a political gathering last night, I spoke to a person who recently began attending Northampton County Council meetings. I won't mention his name because I neglected to ask him if I could use it. I had heard him state that he's unhappy with what he sees, and wanted to find out what bothers him. What this newcomer tells me is that, of all Council members, the one person who makes the most sense and is most prepared is none other than the Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle. He also criticized Council President John Cusick, who refused to entertain any discussion about how best to inform the public concerning the Gracedale initiative. Last Thursday night, Cusick talked over Angle when he attempted to arrive at a consensus. Eventually, Angle just let it go.
Now Angle has consistently maintained that Cusick is a lousy Council President because he's never there to attend meetings at the pension board, LVEDC and to perform the daytime duties expected of a Council president. Because Cusick has made arrangements for his VP to be at these functions, I think these criticisms are unfair. I also think it's a bit early to decide whether Cusick is a good or bad Council President. But there are some very bad signs.
* Cusick has abandoned the practice of inviting clerics from different areas of the County to offer the opening prayer. Angle started that last year, and it was amazing to see the diversity. My favorite was Orthodox rabbi Isaac Yagod, who actually blessed each Council member and asked them to find a way to be just.
* Cusick has re-instituted the five-minute limit on speakers during courtesy of the floor, and is clearly repulsed by the notion that he must endure comments from the unwashed masses. Angle regularly engaged these speakers. That may have led to longer meetings, but those people were heard.
* Cusick allowed the Northampton County District Attorney, John Morganelli, to cool his heels for hours at a recent meeting while going through mind-numbing appointments and ordinances. Thanks to an unusually large number of homicides, Morganelli is quite busy these days, and had a matter that would only take thirty seconds of Council's time. I actually passed a note to Cusick, asking him to recognize Morganelli out of order, but he refused. He later told me he was concerned it might irritate other people. What other people?
* Last Thursday night, when the widow of one of Northampton County's most respected jurists, attended to introduce the Easton Area Community Center, Cusick totally failed to recognize her. It was Ron Angle who had to make a point of recognizing and thanking Leonarda Grifo for the many things she still does to make Northampton County a better place.
* Instead of acting like a leader, Cusick has continued to be the same person he was as a regular Council member - evasive and unwilling to take stands. He became President as a result of back-room skullduggery, and has done nothing to enhance his image among his colleagues. Not exactly the kind of person I'd want next to me in a foxhole.
69 comments:
Seriously, this is ridiculous. Come back when you have something serious to write. And I like Angle, btw.
Bernie, You are saying this because it is NO LONGER the Ron Angle show. At least there is civility to council meetings now, except for the rants of Ron Angle! Get it through your head There is life without Ron Angle.
Sure I'll bet you forgot to get his name......more like a made up story!
Yeah its time for civility and decorum to return to Northampton County Council. While boring, its best and Cusik is doing that. It works for me.
He still should have not wasted Morganelli's time and he should have recognized people when they came in... there is no excuse for that
Poor Boy O'Hare. Bet you made up this anonymous writer. How do you like the Call article about you?
The person I spoke to is not an anonymous "writer." As for the MC story, it is the same story as before, except this time there are a few emails as well as my side of the story, including the point that what county lawyers did is no different than what Barron did. If McClure is so insistent that county lawyers reimburse the county, he should be equally insistent that Barron reimburse the County with his salary. But he won't do that bc the whole thing is political.
PERJURY is in Bernie's future!
Instead of making anonymous slurs, why not explain the difference between what Eckert Seamans was doing and what Barron was doing. He was there in both hearings, passing notes to lawyers incessantly ad huddling with them in hallways, handing them County information. If McClure is right and the County should be reimbursed for the suggestions that come from Eckert, then certainly Barron should return his salary for those days.
Only you are saying that Mr. Barron was working those days. Do you know this to be a fact. Haven't you previously said that his position was a part time position! That my dear Mr. BO is the difference.....no taxpayer money spent to benefit a private citizens lawsuit!
Mr. Barron himself pledged he would be a FT County Controller. So if you are going to sat that Eckert Seamans should make a reimbursement, then so should Barron. The whole point here is that neither of them abused their positions and were both doing precisely what they were entitle to do. But under McLure's "logic," he should be just as insistent that Barron reimburse the County.
no matter how you spin it bernie the process was tainted because you were involved with eckert seamans... a private citizen would never have been afforded access to this law firm in the way you were and from outside appearance's it looks improper.as far as cusick is concerned from everything i see , he maintains respect for individuals speaking , and seems to be trying to keep order at council meetings i hope he does a good job i think he's trying to, let's give him a chance.
Bernie.....you have been living in that glass house and casting those stones, guess what; your house is now breaking!
It really is so sad to see all the huff puff about who spent money for a public or a private lawsuit.
The real issue behind it all is the need to provide the best care possible for the residents at gracedale.
Nothing else really matters. Its a shame that Lamont McClure puts union demands over the well being of a nursing home resident.
Bernda.....you are grasping! Don't try to distract from the real issue that is going on here.
Funny because if the union demanded that Gracedale be sold, we wouldnt have this problem.
When gracedale is kept in county hands, I hope fake reverend opens his doors to all of the unemployed.
John Cusick is doing a GREAT job!! Glad it only took him a very short time to cut Angle off at the knees like he does to everyone else. John is a professional, well versed president we can all relate. No more embarrassing outburst by the county "Top Idiot"!!!! Thank you for this much needed change.
You didn't get his name????
I thought you and Ron Angle were better friends than that. I would figure you would recognize him when you sat next to him.
"Cusick has abandoned the practice of inviting clerics from different areas of the County to offer the opening prayer."
There is no place at meetings for religion.
all i can say is.... county e-mails!! can't they be traced???
If religion has no place, I could accept that. But every meeting is now started with a prayer by Rev. Dowd.
"You didn't get his name????"
I did get his name. Learn how to read.
Cusick is doing a terrific job running council meetings. I admire Angle for inviting area clerics to offer the invocation, but he has been the only one to do so, so it is hardly a tradition. It did take up valuable meeting time depending on how longwinded the cleric was. The 5 minute courtesy of the floor limit is more than adequate. Most other public forums have limits in this range. Even the Gracedale Goons don't seem to mind because at least Cusick is being fair and trying to run the meeting in a business-like manner. And Cusick certainly had every right to talk over that blowhard Angle. Cusick deals with classrooms full of potentially disruptive students every day. He knows how to properly run a meeting, something Angle never did. His meetings were more like Jerry Springer shows with a little WWE thrown in. They were an embarrassment to the citizens of Northampton County. That is why Angle was dumped as council prez.
Let's see. Everyone sez I am an anti-semite. Ah, invite a Rabbi to Council for a prayer. Voila. There, I justed proved that I can't be an anti-semite.
Hmm. They call me a racist. I know. Let's invite a black preacher. Two down. It's so easy to prove that I am neither an anti-semite or racist.
You call this pretense leadership?
Then go to the meeting itself. Act in an unchristian like fashion. Bash your enemies for wrongs real and imagined.
He is an ongoing embarassment. Finally, Cusick exercized some control and the little child's rants ceased after a short while. Don't worry he always gets even but does it in the name of the public good.
That's why his days on council are numbered.
Angle was dumped as Council Prez bc Ferraro wanted something and Angle was unwilling to give it to her. So she teamed up with Dietrich and Cusick, and organized a coup.
Yes, meetings were long and sometimes unwieldy under Angle. That's called democracy. If you don't like it, I'm sure some oligarchy somewhere will welcome you.
Cusick has been unable to control the crowd, has been insensitive to people like Mrs. Grifo or the DA, and has exhibited absolutely no leadership.
Having a gavel does not make him a leader. Taking positions from the front makes him a leader, and he has never done that. Plus, nobody trusts him. His word is NOT his bond. You never know when a knife is headed for your back with him.
With Dowd, Grube and Angle, you could rely on what they would say. With Cusick, you better get it in writing.
It is still too early to rate him, as I said, but he is getting worse, not better.
What is Ferraro want?
She wanted to be VP. Angle declined to support her. The she wanted a spot on some board (can't remember the name) and Angle declined. Peg viws these as social positions, while Angle wanted someone who could get things done.
She got her wish by stabbing Angle in the back after telling him repeatedly that he was doing a great job and she'd be supporting him.
I was completely shocked by what Ferraro did and will never be able to look at her the same way again.
Dietrich and Cusick were willing participants, but Ferraro made it happen. Her own advancement was more important than the best interests of the County. She also enabled Democrats to neutralize their most powerful foe.
One must have to be ashamed of living in norco
So Ferraro needed angle for VP?
My respect to Mrs. Grifo however I have followed sentencing pratices by our judges since 1973. Unfortunately for Judge Grifo a pet peeve of mine is child abuse, and from my observation Judge Grifo did not meet the minimum standard in this area. While at the same time he was over zealous with arguably victimless crimes in the use of Draconian laws for personnal possession of marajauna and other drugs. I feel the people who abuse children should be one hair away from the death penalty. People who choose to pollute their bodies with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco should be left alone, unless they become a hazard to the public. I also feel they should not be allowed to partake in any of these vices in public. I do not drink, smoke or do drugs. However I see that this type of sentencing causes otherwise law abiding citizens to be criminal record holders. They clog the already over burdoned system and cause a financial strain on the taxpayer.
Sorry I thought he was less than a good judge.
I have NOT followed the sentencing practices of our judges since '73, and I defer to your research. But allow me to tell you a story about what lawyers did back in those days. If they had a guilty client, they tried their best to make sure it was heard by Grifo. The cold record may paint one picture, but it was the view of practicing criminal lawyers that Judge Grifo was the most compassionate member of the bench.
United they stand, divided we'll fall. Hopefully council can get together and accomplish some things. Seeing the petty bickering has been disturbing, the backdoor boondoggle being just one example. The NCR's won by a mandate, and they've so far managed to successfully cut each other off at the knees rather than legislate.
As a younger member I'm hoping for some better leadership, I don't really care where it comes from, I'd just like to see it.
Mr. Cusick is president of the council now and things should be run the way he wishes, not the way Ron did or wants them to be done. When is he going to learn it is not his place to deciede what and where things happen. He should get over it he is not president anymore.
Mr. Cusick is doing a good job so far.
If people wanted to see a side show
they would go to a circus and that is just what it was with Ron president, and at times he still acts like a clown.
As for allowing the 5 min's. on the floor that is good . You said Ron allowed the people to talk as long as they wanted too --well that was as long as they were saying what he wanted to hear other wise you were told to sit down.
as for Peg Ferraro is that why Ron called her a F----- PROSTITUTE
that was real nice of him OH I forgot he is such a nice guy that is why when he doesn't get his way he acts like a 5 year old.
I really think you 3 S, A, O,have all met your match with this COAF group and the Otter some day I would like to meet all of them and shake their hand and thank them for the work they have done and for exposing the wrong doing in this county by some.
Let Barron alone he is not a lawyer and how the heck would you know when he is on the clock or not?
"Yes, meetings were long and sometimes unwieldy under Angle. That's called democracy. If you don't like it, I'm sure some oligarchy somewhere will welcome you."
Bernie, you are such a hypocrite! You defend Angle's outlandish, boorish behavior and inept way of running a meeting "democracy", then criticise the Gracedale supporters as being an un-democratic "lynch mob" when they try to express themselves. Isn't that really democracy in action as well? Once again you have proved yourself to be biased beyond reason with your Angle man-crush.
The difference between an unwieldy meeting and one involving the Gracedale Goons is dramatic. In the former, everybody speaks freely and nobody interrupts. In the latter, a lynch mob shouts down those with different views.
Bernie, rate Cusick on his own. Comparing him to Angle stains any argument. I know who Lee Grifo is, but I wouldn't know her to see. Maybe a little slack there.
She identified herself. A Council President should have acknowledged her work.
This is more revisionist history from Angle PR man Bernie O'Hare. Cusick is doing a fine job to this point. The fact that he didn't cave to Angle's incessant rant and just talked over him is excellent by most observers account. Angle generally steamrolls over everyone but John Cusick handled him like you have to handle a spoiled 10 year old child.
You rate Dowd as a great President, is that because he never stopped Angle from engaging in vicious and off topic personal attacks from council. I like Mike Dowd as a person but backbone isn't one of his strong suits. It is no secret Angle can work him like a harmonica.
Sorry Bernie, you can revise and re-write, but people who have been around know the truth.
Angle allowed people to talk as long as they wanted to when he agreed with them but he constantly interrupted and abused those he didn't agree with.
Hell I'm a Republican and I know that. Mr. Angle like Donald Trump has made himself a "commodity". He is the crazy circus guy. The wild "good" government guy who never really accomplishes anything because he can't work with anyone. Why do you think Tony Iannelli has him on the show all the time. Hell, Iannelli even gave him a $500 political donation.
Angle is a cartoon, a juggling bear. He is not now, nor ever has been, a rational leader but rather a self-styled schoolyard bully with a healthy dose of megalomania mixed in.
Cusick is doing a fair job. He even had the cajoles to call the Stoffa Administration out on the terribly bungled way they handled this entire Gracedale mess.
If the initiative passes, the COAF should give a big trophy to Stoffa and two smaller awards to you and Angle for making it happen.
Now tell your unnamed friend(Ron) to put on some big boy pants grow up and stop acting like a 10 year old with the only ball in town.
Conservative Republican Voter
Thank you, Mr. McClure.
Bernie, you just don't seem to get it. People have had enough of Ron Angle and I am sure that May 17th will show that! He pushed the envelope and now has made Northampton County the laughing stock of PA. Bad behavior during council meetings, sharp tongue in public, lawsuits, appeals and the list goes on! People are fed up and when it is all said and done, Northampton County will be able to move on and they have started in the right direction by getting him off of Council President.
Gee, I thought May 17 was a referendum on Gracedale, not Angle. Thanks for clarifying that.
Some of us will be voting on Gracedale. As I said, I expect that most people, who don't have time for all the details on this story, will vote to keep Gracedale county-owned. If you want to take that as proof that Angle is history, go ahead. But voters will weigh in on him in November.
May 17th is the first step against Ron Angle by voting to save Gracedale from privatization followed by November!
As you did at the Gracedale rally, where flyers were handed out for Dertinger and Callahan, you are turning a NONPARTISAN referendum into a partisan matter. I wold prefer to think voters are better than that.
hey bernie, I just saw the news. Who are the goons,thugs and kooks now? thinking O'hare, Angle and Stoffa!
One look at the Gracedale blog reveals exactly what you are. As for the news story, it's a little short on explaining exactly what I did that is in any way improper. As I indicated before and to Portnoy, county attorneys giving me advice is no different than County Controller Steve Barron giving the Gracedale Goons advice. The truth is that neither is improper, and county attorneys could have drafted my lawsuit and carried me into court. But that is NOT what happened. That lawsuit was an independent piece of work that took me considerable time to prepare. In fact that story Portnoy wrote is pretty much a repeat of her story several weeks before, right down to the same headline. The only thing new was (1) the actual emails and (2) McClure's political posturing.
A lot of people are THANKING Mr. McClure right now Bernie
I'm sure unions everywhere are thrilled. But the rest if us won't be thanking McClure when the budget is announced. They'll wonder where that supposed $60 million is that he has misrepresented is available.
Enough of the union crap Bernie. There are others within Northampton County that do not agree with privatizing Gracedale and want to see it County owned. I would be one of them!
Anonymous 12:20PM
Cusick is ill equipped to do the job. He has no courage,he lacks manners, he lacks intellictual curiousity, and he is not doing his job when it comes to attending aforementioned meetings sending his lacky, Peg Ferraro.
" I would be one of them!"
get ready to say thanks to McClure and the unions when you get the bill.
Cusick is ill equipped to do the job. He has no courage,he lacks manners, he lacks intellictual curiousity.
I was wondering if you read the Morning Call article regarding the construction season as it relates to roadwork and the remainder of Pennsylvanias portion of the stimulus funds. I read it and noticed they didn't mention oil and chip once. They did mention bridge repairs replacements and the Route 412 corridor mega project. You see when you perpetuate lies without facts, it is hard to believe anything you say. That said I thought you were describing yourself in your post.
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
My favorite founding fathers quote
"lacks manners"!!!
So this is something to slam Cusick about after he replaces Ron Angle??
We all get a good laugh out of your funny avatar, but seriously dude.
Manners and Angle, just saying those things together could bring about the Apocalypse!
Just sayin
Hey Mr Bernie
Howdy
Did I read in here that Stoffa was to have a revised budget with Gracedale added in for the rest of the year, finished and available to the public this week?
I think it was to be today?
Wouldn't that be a valuable asset for Ron to have when he hosts his meetings?
Then the reality of a 20% tax hike wouldn't just be considered a figment of his imagination.
Yeah, anons who make cowardly personal attacks are real experts on manners.
Just sayin'.
10:12, I'm not sure whether he said he would release it to the public on Wednesday. He may have. I thought he said he would have all the figures by Wednesday. I believe these cold hard figures will make voters aware that there is a BIG cost.
Since the public has been clued into all the lies and subterfuge by the Stoffa and Angle Administration no one with any sense will believe the numbers Stoffa will present.
The facts do not support a 20% increase they don't support a 10% increase.
The real facts only show that Stoffa, Angle and you Mr.O'Hare have misused taxpayer money to try and pull off your scam.
The "truth" about Gracedale and Mr. Stoffa/Angle will be sent directly to voters homes.
You guys had a shot at the truth game and you failed miserably. This is just another lame attempt by Stoffa/Angle to again game the system.
Facts be told, to run the facility for the rest of the year would take no more than 1.5 to 2 million dollars and that is within the 60 million taxpayer dollars Stoffa/Angle are sitting on in their slush fund.
Truth Master!
Allow me to say that it would be not to anyones benefit to hold a meeting and not be armed with the real numbers to run the place. The public has a right to know the exact figure. If Ron goes it alone and quotes numbers and those numbers are off he will lose, and the public will be offended. Lose the public lose the vote. I want to know ASAP what it will cost.
The honest number is approximately 4 to 5 million a year maximum. If run by a competent management team the cost can be covered by the operation . It would actually start returning money to the county within three years.
Why would anyone come to this blog for honest numbers for God's sake.
Anonymous 9:30PM
You are an amazing fool and obvioulsy don't get out and about in the community. There is no money out there. They are tarring and chipping the roads. Oh, you are going to get a project or two that will keep the union boys at PennDot occupied for awhile but you will not see the necessary amount of work going on and you will not see that for a long time.When you and the rest of the thugs get your pink slips and find yourself sitting somewhere trying to figure out how it all happened you might finally wake up but I won't be counting on that happening.
Truth Master 1:50AM
Where have you been. With the exception of lawyer McLure no one has come out and said "Oh yeah we are sitting on $60M in the slush fund". It has been explained time and time again that this money has been designated for things, that in some cases, will come due to any one of a number of things like people not paying taxes and then there is a shortfall. I would also like to remind you that there is still the matter of the swapthon and the Reibman bond. And lets not forget the $66M that is spent on wages and benefits to keep Gracedale running. Did you not read how the nurses out who
are close to retirement use the overtime system to boost their pension amounts? If Gracedale stays as a county entitly not only will we see a rise in taxes you will see another bond to do the necessary work, yes it should have been done by the Reibman administration, to fix Gracedale. With any luck we can become Lehigh county with am impolite county executive like Cunningham. Wake up, the tidal wave is coming to your town in a short period of time.
Just sayin 10.09PM
Let me explain something to you, I know who Angle is. In fact, you only need to speak to him for a few minutes and you will know him because he does not hide his persona. Some love him and some hate him. Here is my concern, will he or any other elected offical, come to the realization that we are over our heads in debt at every imaginable level of government. Who is working to get us out of this mess? Certainly not any PROGRESSIVE POLITICIAN OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY. Ron is Ron just as you are you. Government, since the inception of this nation, has never been a tea party and it never will be. But we are the directors of our own fate and right now we need people who are willing to take the bull by the horns and get the job done. Why don't you sign up and help?
Battle Cry of Freedom......all we hear about it your damn chip and tar roads but you really don't give a crap about the elderly or indigent! Answer ONE damn question for me....when all nursing homes are privatized and are looking to make the most PROFIT they can and do screen applicants. We then have the scenario of the 23 year old that is now paralyzed from a car accident that needs a place to go and has no insurance and medicaid will be paying. Who do you think is going to take them! Hopefully this scenario never happens to you......
I find it amazing that for years NorCo Council or Stoffa has never mentioned raising taxes to keep Gracedale running. NOW ALL THE SUDDEN Ron Angle states we need to raise taxes 20% to keep it running. WAKE UP PEOPLE! His 20% tax increase is nothing less than bogus!
If you want to attack one of my readers,you'll have to identify yourself instead of being an anonymous coward.
so you can't handle the truth!
I can handle "the truth." I can't handle anonymous personal attacks directed at one of my readers ad that may not be true. For that reason, my comment policy is that you identify yourself. Your repeated failure to do so indicates you are a coward.
In other words, you are unwilling to take responsibility for what you write. That makes you a coward. My rule is simple. If you attack someone, you must accept responsibility for it. If you don't, you're a coward.
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