Executive John Stoffa has just nominated Northampton County Council member Bruce Gilbert to take over Fiscal Affairs. Gilbert was first elected in a Republican sweep of County Council races in 2009 and currently serves as Finance Chair on Council. He is employed in the banking industry and is an MBA.You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Excellent choice. Very well qualified and not afraid to do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteMr. Gilbert
ReplyDeleteCongratulation. I expect to see good things coming from you
Good call; hate to lose his voice on council, though.
ReplyDeleteBruce Gilbert is a class act.
ReplyDeleteI hate to see him leave elected office though, as I think he had a bright future ahead of him in politics. Of course, that can always come later.
Best wishes to him in his new position.
Excellent choice John.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you Bruce!
Vic Mazziotti
Glad to lose his right wing voice on Council..After the Gracedale fiasco he couldnt get elected dog catcher..Smart move on Stoffas part also to rid himself of one of the right wing crazies..Let's get Angle a job now!
ReplyDeletebut no one mentioned that he is the first afican american to hold the job. The mc thought this was important.
ReplyDeleteGilbert is an excellent choice for the position. He has a fine analytical mind and is an outstanding citizen. Best wishes, Bruce!
ReplyDeleteThis is the guy who didn't know how much county tax money Northampton County takes in. So when he was sitting nodding his head yes when Angle was bullshitting tax increase the guy had no idea what that meant in dollars.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, it makes sense that he should be a John Stoffa cabinet member. Why change the trend now, a perfect match.
Vic, As good as Bruce will be, you will be impossible to replace and are missed.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, I owe you dinner.
"but no one mentioned that he is the first afican american to hold the job. The mc thought this was important."
ReplyDeleteI though about putting that in there, only to be told I am needlessly drawing attention to someone's race. I decided against it, but understand why the MC put it in there.
We will see if he is not afraid to do the right thing. Not near the conservative firebrand many of us believed we were supporting. Lots of talk about the brilliance, not much tangible to back it up. Accomplishments, not football accolades, degrees and friends in high places, will be the measure.
ReplyDeleteWe will see...
No one need fear. he appears to be another Mazziotti. Not much will change in Northampton County.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations....and I think Bernie's right. When we stop noticing that someone is the first African American to do something and just judge him for the person, we have true equality.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteanon 1:25, sadly you are right. I read were he quit his job and took courses to prepare for this job. Another set-up by Stoffa. So much for every one's "surprise".
ReplyDeleteSunshine's in
Wait so he knew he had no future on council for months? It explains some of his votes and pro-angle comments.
ReplyDeleteStoffa is now criticized for failing to announce Gilbert's appointment before Gilbert even knew he could get the required certification. Yeah, that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts on who is the replacement? I assume it will be a republican, so no Seyfried/Capozzolo/Heckman, etc.
ReplyDeletedanthemann
If Jerry wanted that job, it would be his. Rs have a great deal of respect for Jerry. I do have an idea on who will be replacing Bruce, and will float that on Monday.
ReplyDelete8:56, Stay on topic or be delete. This post is about Bruce Gilbert, not me.
ReplyDeleteAnother Republican campaign promise favor returned by Stoffa.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is his lack of county fiscal operations knowledge. He has not really been a standout on county council as far as financial knowledge goes. The county really needs some competent experience at this point.
ReplyDelete"He has not really been a standout on county council as far as financial knowledge goes."
ReplyDeleteMust be why he chairs Finance.
out of curiosity, what is the date on Gilbert's resignation from Council? Did he resign or is he waiting for his confirmation by Council. Is he going to vote on his own appointment and then resign? You're the watchdog Bernie. What's the story?
ReplyDeleteThe story is that Stoffa has sent Gilbert's name to Council for approval. To my knowledge, Gilbert has not and will not resign until his appointment is confirmed. Also, he is unable to vote for himself bc he has a direct financial interest.
ReplyDeleteChairs finance but doesn't know how much the county takes in Real Estate Taxes. Now Stoffa's top fiscal guy, Nice. Pure Stoffa.
ReplyDeleteKnowing the precise amount of money taken in by the County in RE taxes is irrelevant to one's understanding of finance. You are taking one moment from one Council meeting, in which Bruce seemed not to understand a poorly-phrased question, to attack him. Since you were there for that, you were there for the numerous other times in which he spoke rather well.
ReplyDeleteCarpet Bagger?
ReplyDeleteExcuse me? Bruce Gilbert spent his entire life in Easton, was a captain of its undefeated state championship football team, and is a carpet bagger?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, this post is about Gilbert, not me or my blog. You are OT.
ReplyDeleteHis accomplishments on the high school football field mean nothing. Zilch, nada, zip.
ReplyDeleteAl Bundy for Fiscal Affairs Director?
Bruce talks a good game. But do some research. Those who have known him a long time will tell you he is a bullshit artist of the highest order. Check out his history as a landlord, go back a ways. Find some of the young ladies who worked for him at the newspapers.
You do some outstanding drill down on those you dislike, and it is invaluable. Try the same on this guy, you might be surprised.
I intend to look at Gilbert closely.
ReplyDeleteUnless Bruce Gilbert is founf in bed with a dead chicken, he should be unanimously confirmed by Both Democrats and Republicans on Council. Give Mr. Stoffa the department heads he wants for the agencies under his control. He should be given the opportunity to live or die by his staff recommendations. If Mr. Gilbert is not up to the job, it will show up soon enough. Coucnil should speak their mind on the appointment and then vote yes. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
ReplyDelete"he should be unanimously confirmed by Both Democrats and Republicans on Council."
ReplyDeleteI doubt very much that will happen. I suspect McClure and McHale will vote No.
Stoffa will not live or die by his appointments he will just live. the papers are in the bag for Stoffa as is this blog.
ReplyDeleteThis guy will be as unremarkable as Mazziotti was. So for those who are happy with the county continuing to drain off their huge surplus doing nothing, you should be happy.
Mazziotti is the best Director of Fiscal Affairs i ever saw. If Gilbert is half as good as Vic, taxpayers will be very happy.
ReplyDeleteWhat does his resume look like? What has he done in Government or the Private Sector as far as running a day to day business the size of the County? I would be that his resume is sparce when it comes to equivalent training and experience that one would need for the County Finance Director position. Hopefully, Stoffa will do search and find the most qualified person, not someone who simply holds and MBA and sits on County Council!! Good Grief.
ReplyDeletehe should do his homework on gilbert first ,,, i hope he works out ,he really hasn't impressed me on council, i to think he talks a good game and mazziotti was an excellant choice by stoffa. i do have a problem with council members being hand picked for positions ...it just doesn't sit right with me. i do however wish him well.
ReplyDeleteGive him a chance and some time in the position before you judge the man.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very kind words Bernie.
ReplyDeleteBruce will do an excellent job!
Vic Mazziotti
Vic, I owe you dinner.
ReplyDeleteYeah Vic was great. He was only off on his numbers by over $40 million. A guy that doesn't know how much the county takes in in Real Estate taxes will take his place just fine.
ReplyDeleteThe election is over. You lost. Get used to it.
ReplyDeleteI see no problem if Bruce follows the Stoffa Doctrine. It is very simple. Just nod your head as if you are agreeing with whomever is talking to you. Mumble some encouragement and empathy.
ReplyDeleteFollow up by claiming you never agreed to anything and you never said anything.
The Stoffa cabinet have all learned it well. they say whatever is necessary to calm the listener. If Bruce can master that he will be a perfect fit in the Stoffa ministry.