When Andy Daub first talked Rev. J. Michael "Mike" Dowd into running for Northampton County Council twelve years ago, he promised it was a "great group" with "no fighting" and "quick meetings." But that's when Ron Angle got elected.Rev. Dowd is the "quiet member" on Council. In all my years attending meetings, I'm unable to recall a single situation in which he lost his cool. Of course, he is a real minister, a Pastor at Easton's First United Church of Christ with a M.Div. and an M.A. in Organizational Development from the University of Delaware.
He's been both President and VP of Council, but what he has really done in his years at Northampton County is to act as a conciliator, the kind of person who can build a consensus against diverging views.
Last night, Rev. Dowd was featured in a fundraiser conducted by the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce at Easton's swanky Pomfert Club. It's the first time I ever set foot in the place. Sure, I saw a bunch of blue-haired Republicans. But rabble rouser Ron Angle was there, too. So was Council member Barb Thierry and GOP party boss Roy Shuman. There were Democrats there, too, like me and County Exec John Stoffa, who admire and respect the unflappable Dowd.
In a brief and modest speech, Dowd had to be reminded there's been no tax hike over the past seven years. He glossed over the economic development achievements that have been his specialty over the past three years, under a newly energized DCED in Northampton County.
Hearing about the Gracedale ruling, he matter-of-factly stated, "That is going to become a challenge for us."
A Republican, Dowd is probably Northampton County Council's most liberal member. He has supported establishment of a Bi-County Health Department. Although he supported Gracedale's sale, it would never happen unless he was convinced that a new buyer would provide the same level of care and willingness to care for those with nothing.
I rarely mention him in my accounts, but Dowd has often been the backbone of Northampton County Council.
He's facing primary opposition from Bill Whitman, an Easton Area High School Principal who claims he's always been a "positive force." So has Dowd. After the primary, Dowd will face Democrat consultant Bob Werner who claims that "Mike's done a great job, I just think I can bring a different business perspective."
In addition to his clerical duties, Dowd is the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce VP for Phillipsburg Initiatives.
His District includes Easton, West Easton, Wilson, Tatamy, Stockertown, and Glendon Boroughs as well as Forks, Palmer and Williams Townships.
Dowd is married and is putting two daughters through college.
As a matter of full disclosure, I contributed $30 to Dowd last night. As a reporter, that would get me fired. But I see nothing ethically wrong with minor financial support for a candidate I like, and only wish I had more.
27 comments:
The "backbone" of county Council actually has the real reputation of being the most "goes with the prevailing wind" councilman in the groups history.
Of course John Stoffa was there. Hell, Stoffa was and is the de facto Republican candidate elected to be County Executive.
Stoffa was Shumans pick to represent the Republicans , Stoffa was funded by deep pocket Republicans. he takes his marching order s from Republicans.
You can call a turtle an eagle but it still can't fly.
Facts over Bullshit!
Is the Pmfret Club still swanky? It has a nasty old guy odor.
No tax increase over 7 years no wonder the next tax increase will be so high,idea lets blame a tax increase on gracedale,bullshit.
Of course much like the Stoffa gang would do, Dowd doesn't talk about the 5%tax increase of. They call it everything but what it is, a tax increase. Dowd also voted fro another 60% of tax increase.
So all told this "conservative" has voted for over 70% tax increase. Plus he is an Angle lapdog.
Yeah, he is a real keeper, alright!!
What this tells me is that the year Reibman raised taxes he didn't need that kind of increase. they should do what is right and lower taxes. They still have 60 million dollars in a reserve account. We have to band together and vote everyone of these phonies out of office NOW. Then lets stick together and get rid of the Washington bureacrats too. I will never again vote for an incumbent. One term is all you get from me.
Vote "NO" for the retention of judges. They must run on their record.
"They still have 60 million dollars in a reserve account."
Anybody who thinks that is nuts. I have written an op-ed to debunk that myth, and it has been debunked repeatedly at Council meetings.
anonymous 9:04Am
I presume that you pay triple the amount of taxes you owe to the county on a yearly basi and like a good liberal you will contiune to do so. Must be a public union guy at Gracedale.
7:26, As someone used to places like Tic Toc, the Pomfert is swanky.
The Pomfret Club is like an old Moose Lodge or a funeral parlor. That being said, Mike Dowd is the most civil and insightful members of council and deserves to be re-elected.
Hadn't realized Lex Luthor was in Northampton County.
Heh heh.
At least Rev. Martinez helps people. Dowd would let people be berated and needlessly attacked by Angle, When Dowd was President.
The meaning of "Reverend" is in actions not fancy certificates. The man is a fraud and Republican partisan.
generally a thoughtful reasonable individual but a total failure at corraling the long term goon-like uncivil disruptive antics of .... no not the Gracedale partisans...
your favorite puerileforce of evil.
You know, the one who seeks to disrupt the meetings when he doesnt get his way; the one who can help personalizing everything; the crusader of his own private interests, the one who everyone has finally had enough of;
Perhaps Donald Trump should shift his focus and uncover that less than Honorable Discharge of the one mentions his heroic Marine service at the drop of a hat.
Dowd is an empty suit.
But Rev. Dowd is not known for making anonymous personal attacks. By the way, I thought Dent was the empty suit.
Dowd is an empty seat.!!!The Pomfret lets anything, oops anyone, in now..
Too bad your weren't invited in when it was a respectable, nice place.!!
Stoffa...can't even comment...blows with the wind.
Hope we get all new folks in this go round.
So sad what has happened to our county politics.
What's really sad is the vicious anonymous commenters here.
The real leaders of Northampton County are long gone. This current group is nothing but a poor excuse for the better leaders we once had.
Dowd is far from being an empty suit. He is thoughtful and very careful about his words and his votes. He is a good man who loves his community. Thanks for the kind words about this honest and noble community leader.
Dowd is what he is. Noble isn't it.
I will vote against him (hopfully only once) from this time forward. He lost my vote with his position on Gracedale. I also don't like the way a "reverend" sits and allows Ron to say the things he says without admonishing him. It seems some "reverends" truly are fake.
That has always been Dowd's way. he objects to harsh language only when it suits him. if it is Angle or he doesn't like the person being admonished he sits there like a bump on a log.
Why do you think he is known as the "willow in the wind"
Nice picture of Dr. Evil!!
Actually, Schlener is a little closer, although some say he's even closer to Mini-Me.
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