If Northampton County Council confirms Bruce Gilbert's appointment as John Stoffa's new Director of Fiscal Affairs, that will create a vacancy on Council. Under the Home Rule Charter, Council will have thirty days from the date of resignation to appoint someone who will only serve until the next election, which is in November. This is getting scary. Instead of the voters selecting candidates from each party, that job could very well go to party bosses.
Who will Council appoint?
I understand there are two favorites, both of them class acts.
One is Seth Vaughn, who already is running for Council against Ken Kraft in Bethlehem. The thinking here is that this will get Seth some needed visibility and help him in his race against Ken Kraft.
That's good politics, but is it good government?
Vaugn is apparently backed by Tom Dietrich and John Cusick. Seth, be sure to check your back early and often for knife marks.
The other favorite is Mat Benol, who ran against Charlie Dent last year and then briefly became King of the Tea party until ego trips like Joe Hilliard and Kim Schmidtner made life so difficult that Mat pulled the plug.
Dietrich, a right-wing lunatic swept into power as part of a knee-jerk reaction against Democrats, complains Benol is too much of a right-wing lunatic.
Barb Thierry and Ron Angle like Benol. That might be enough to sink him.
63 comments:
I vote for Charles Dertinger.
check your facts about that bethlehem council race
Bernie, have you ever described Dertinger, McClure and/or Barron as left wing lunatics?
I think they should give it to your buddy the Reverend....now that would be some council meetings I would go and see!
A check of the record will confirm nearly identical voting records between Gilbert and Dietrich. You seem to like the lunatic who happens to be black and played football for Wayne. Do these traits serve as an inoculation against defending a very Dietrich-like record?
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Summer House and the LVEDC
Can you imagine if state government officials posted signs like this. They'd be out of office before the lime melted in the mint julep.
i'd like to see jerry siegfried in that postion he is smart , respected and knowlegable in county buisness ,he also brings with him a love for the county like none i've ever seen.has he been asked ?
Sorry, but like mary Ensslin and Corriere before Gilbert, I have lost respect for all three. I voted for him to be on council and do that job. This stinks! When you win an election, its your responsibility to fulfill your promises, not go looking for a govt job. Again STINKS!
@9:09 i agree i have a problem with council members being hand picked for jobs.... i can't confirm this but i heard he was let go from his previous job ...maybe bernie can find out.
Another politician getting elected only to put themselves on the inside track to a lucrative government job. Can I take my vote back?
Common sense is that Bruce Gilbert will be approved and he should be. County Council has always been a stepping stone for better things in Government including the Council Solicitors job so this is nothing new. A number of these officials went on to bigger and better things including Judgeships. The bigger question is "Who will take his place on Council?" Are we going to get another "Gracedale Union Hater" or someone who will be there to work for us. Since the Union Busters and anti-Gracedale bunch are in the majority I think the hand writing is on the wall. Taxpayers, get the grease ready.
Fake Rev?
Yeah, Gilbert is looking very Obamaesque and, no, it is not about race, for the simpletons that will leap to that lazy conclusion.
Short time in office, politics over performance, lot's of talk about brilliance without tangible examples. Relying on a sheepskin and old athletic achievements.
Just goes to show you both sides have their opportunists.
I hear the whole "Banker" argument. I would like to hear of his specific accomplishments and within that list, those that would transfer to public fiscal management. Lots of jobs in banking. I once had a GM, in an totally unrelated industry, who was let go, and he turned up as a VP in a local bank because his country club buddy was that bank's president. We need to know more before this guy is simply rubberstamped.
Yeah. That Gilbert-country club angle needs a complete investigation.
"Bernie, have you ever described Dertinger, McClure and/or Barron as left wing lunatics?"
No. They're just lunatics. Dietrich is a right-wing lunatic who is very upset that the local tea party does not bow to him often enough. Benol is branded as a right wing lunatic but is probably more reasonable that most members of Council.
"i'd like to see jerry siegfried in that postion he is smart , respected and knowlegable in county buisness ,he also brings with him a love for the county like none i've ever seen.has he been asked ?"
I mentioned it to him, but I'm not a member of Council. i will call him again.
Just got off the phone w/ Jerry. He will not actively seek the position, which essentially is a caretaker role. But he will accept it if offered. By all means, it should be offered. He is the most qualified of all people to serve in this role. It would not be political, just good government.
"A check of the record will confirm nearly identical voting records between Gilbert and Dietrich. You seem to like the lunatic who happens to be black and played football for Wayne. Do these traits serve as an inoculation against defending a very Dietrich-like record?"
Leave it to Dietrich to bring up race. I can't think of anyone but Dietrich himself who would speak on his own behalf.
There is a big difference between the Gilbert and Dietrich voting record. One of them is a liar who went back on his word. The other is not. One of them clangs like an empty can at Council meetings. The other is able to discuss complicated financial matters with ease.
Bernie -
Benol might be a good choice.
He obviously has a drive for elected office, and he has "real-world" experience. He doesn't appear to be a political insider, which might end up hurting his chances to get the position but in my mind is a point in his favor.
It would be interesting to see him build a record at a lower-level office before running (again) for Congress or some other position.
Did you call someone else, other than Angle, a racist?
Yes, I don't see much evidence of it from Angle. I just see the condemnations. But the pro-Dietrich comment at 7:26 AM is definitely racist. Incidentally, the only pro-Dietrich person I know is Dietrich.
Racist? Do you mention the athletic prowess of any single other public office holders? Gilbert's a sharp guy with an impressive record of professional accomplishment. Why do you always bring up his athletic background when describing him? Gilbert's and Dietrich's votes have been soundly aligned. You're the fucking racist.
Gilbert's athletic prowess is part of who he is as a person, and it has nothing to do w/ his race. I don't see how athleticism is somehow an invitation for a racist slur.
Bernie - you still have the bethlum race wrong - try to be a real blogger
Reverend martinez, that way he can tell Council what God's opinion is on everything that they are voting on.
What do I have wrong?
How many times when referencing a white pol have you recited their sports background?
Joe Brennan, Steve Baratta, Wayne Grube, Joe Emrick, to name a few. Face it, you're a bigot.
Rich Grucela?
Rich would be good but has been away 10 years. Jerry can hit the road running.
The only reason they would for for Seyfried is because they are afraid of him. he has major clout with the sportsman, every Republican knows that.
If they go for Jerry, as they should, it will be because he knows County government inside out, better than any person I know. He has no ambition and can keep the County on an even keel until the end of the year. But we will have to see what happens.
you still have the bethlum council race wrong
This will be the second time I have asked you to tell me what I have wrong.
Bernie, This is the first time I agree with you on something, and I hate to admit it, but Jerry would be great for the job.
I support Steve Barron for the interim county council seat. He showed that he is more knowledgeable than Stoffa and Angle on county issues. For six months he could be both Controller and county councilperson.
He would be able to show council how to handle the Gracedale issue.
Vaugn and kraft running for bethlum city council?
i don't have that. check again.
Barron von Footnmouth for county council? Who wrote that- his wife? Why give him another office to disgrace? He's not an R anyway so that is just wishful thinking from someone who should be committed.
Barron Von Footnmouth, nice!
So the Republicans on County Council will beg a Democrat to fill a Republicans slot because they are so incompetent they need help.
I think that just about sums up this crowd.
When will Gilbert's post be on the ballot? he has over two and a half years to serve...Will this person serve through 2013 or will there be a ballot position this year for his seat? If Jerry wants the seat he needs to approach council like everyone else..
That;'s worth a post in and of itself. Some say the election must take place this November, which means party bosses will select the candidates. Others say next year.
"So the Republicans on County Council will beg a Democrat to fill a Republicans slot"
I have no idea what they will do. If they cannot agree on Benol or Vaughn, I believe Jerry is a good compromise candidate, but that is me.
If it were two years or less, I believe someone could be appointed for the remainder..However, I'd guess now that an appointment would only serve out this year and
the electorate would decide in November on his replacement for the next two years..That would be interesting to say the least..That would mean that Democrats could take back council..Odds are against it because Dowd is probably safe but wow, could be interesting..You could then have a pro Gracedale council..Wow..
Keep Jerry in the pasture. We need new blood on council.
Agree with 8:55 we need Barron or Callahan, that is new blood that the county needs!
Diamond Johnny Casino or Barron Von Teletubby. Wow, some choice.
Why in the hell would callahan run for northampton council.
They will have to run an election in November for this position. It is VERY CLEAR in the home rule charter, council will appoint an interim person or just wait till the november results.
The party bosses, on BOTH sides will put one name up to be on the ballot to run for the remaining term.
Also any Green, Independent, Alien etc can be put on the ballot too
Then the voters will decide
Why don't they appoint Kraft? He is going to WIN anyway...
It is next to impossible to get a Green or independent on the ballot for this race. That might prove to be a defect.
I think a green or independent have an opportunity here that they would not otherwise have. They have a party and a boss they just need to nominate someone to be on the ballot. It would be nice to see an independent get on NORCO
Bernie Ohare for council as an independent... Now that I would like to see on the ballot, why not?
No way. I said long ago that even I would never vote for me. I know me. There's all kinds of things wrong with me. But thanks.
Kraft for council, he may as well get acclimated for the upcoming budget votes, etc
And I vote for Bernie too....
To Anon: 9:52 PM
I accept an would be glad to step in the chair for Gilbert
And 7 R Council members will do that, too. :-)
They can call me... Just because someone is an "R" or a "D" does not mean that they can't be productive, find common ground and move things in the right direction for the people who voted us in the office to do just that...
Yeah, but if they find out you read this blog, you're doomed.
Ken you are a nice guy but you are also a Barronite. Your close support of the Krazy Kilt won't sit well with Republicans and even some Dem's.
By accepting a County job, Gilbert will sell out the voters who put him in office. Money over Integrity.
What a disgrace.
hey Bernie...give us the DIRT on Gilbert. Heard things aren't happening
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