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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Angle Schools Parsons in Debate at the Slate


Last night's "Debate at the Slate," featuring Northampton County races for Controller and Council, was unusually well attended. At one point, I counted fifty people, but they were still coming in the door to the Wind Gap Fire Company. Many were festooned in green "Save Gracedale" T-Shirts supplied by AFSCME, and union boss Justus James, a New Jersey resident, was corralled on one corner with the union crowd. The Fake Rev was there, too, hoping that someone would ask him to offer a benediction, but his prayer was never answered. In addition to the unionites, there was a smaller group proudly wearing "Gracedale Goon" buttons. Dem party boss Walt Garvin was there, too.

They smelled blood.

They wanted to see the Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle, fall flat on his face during his debate against Wind Gap Borough Council President Scott Parsons, sponsored by the Slate Belt and Nazareth Chambers of Commerce.

They were disappointed. Parsons repeatedly stated that Angle has done a "good job" on Council, which makes me wonder why he wanted to run in the first place. He claimed he wanted to restore civility to Council, but then asked a nasty personal question at the end of the debate, going into the very gutter he claims to detest so much. He had to acknowledge he has not even reviewed the County's proposed budget for next year, when he would be sitting on Council. It also became clear that he's attended no Council meetings and has very little understanding of County issues. If all of this were not bad enough, he acknowledged that Wind Gap, where has served on Borough Council for the last 8 years, has doubled its taxes in that time. "We have to provide the services," he lamely explained.

In contrast, Angle was polished. Admitting he is "not warm and furry," he told the unfirendly crowd that he is "big on getting the job done" and is as full of "snot and vinegar" as he was when voters first elected him 12 years ago.

Angle admitted he's "tough to serve with," and mentioned that the traditionally short meetings of County Council are much longer now that he's there because he insists on a "complete explanation of what they're ding with your money."

Although Parsons is certainly a likable person, and he has great ideas about regionalizing a countywide police force, he was no match for Angle. In fact, it seems to me that he'd be happier if he remained on Wind Gap Borough Council, where he is much more familiar with the issues.

Parsons was at one point asked for a status report for a lawsuit filed by a Wind Gap police officer. He was unable to say very much about it because the matter is in litigation. When Angle was asked for his comment, he joked, "It's not my lawsuit. I got my own."

When asked to express his greatest disappointment, Angle joked, "My biggest disappointment is that nobody loves me."

Although the crowd started off very pro-Parsons, their enthusiasm ebbed as it became apparent that Angle is simply better informed and makes more sense. Toward the end, Angle began getting applause from his own outnumbered supporters.

Fellow blogger Donald Flad came up from Bethlehem, and he must of brought some civility with him, along with the bottled water he provided for everyone.

At the end of the debate, right after Parsons attacked him, Angle pointed to his supporters in the crowd. "It's the union from Gracedale with the 68% benefits ...; it's the 'Save Gracedale' people, who convinced you that somehow the people buying Gracedale were gonna' close it, along with the unions who spent a lot of money they never accounted for. You talk about integrity, Mr. Parsons. You are in with a group of people who never ever had an ounce of integrity."

As Gracedale goons and union thugs shouted, Angle said, "I don't tell you what you want to hear. I tell you the truth."

And he does. They have no integrity. If you want to see what these people are like, read their always anonymous smears on the Save Gracedale blog.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will say this for them Bernie, they do not delete or censor posts. In fairness that is something you do if you don't like what is posted.

Bernie O'Hare said...

They do delete comments and have deleted me. They are nasty, hateful people, and I tend to delete hateful messages. My blog. If you don't like it, read theirs.

Donald said...

Thanks for the Shout Out Bernie! It was fun and an honor to serve as time keeper. Thanks to our 2 smaller Chambers of Commerce for providing the forum.
As you know I am not a fan of Ron Angle, he is too conservative for me and his antics distress and sadden me.
But last night I was impressed by his grasp of the issues, his knowledge of county government and his passion.
He also handled himself fairly well in a very hostile crowd. Tho calling a voter a fat boy after the event reminded me of why Angle is bad for government.
The Dem seems like a decent fellow and I support is general view of the role of government. But, he was clearly overwhelmed by Angle's knowledge and bluster.

Anonymous said...

@ Donald....the Dem is a decent fellow and although he may not be as "knowledgeable" as Mr. Angle, Mr. Angle has been involved in way to many scandles to earn my respect! He says he is for the average person, but his antics of behind the scenes "pay to play" games that affect the very people he supposedly represents have caught up to him. Time for new blood on county council in my book!
FYI...if Mr. Angle was such a smart, hardworking farmer in his political flyer he would be sitting on the front end loader scooping up the crap...not shoveling it in the scooper with a shovel! What a hokie picture

Anonymous said...

How would Ron Angle know what is on the other blog. I thought he doesn't have a computer or ever go on a computer. Wasn't that once stated by you MR. O'HARE! Wow, the lies continue.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if Angle did anything outstanding here but this video gives you more of an idea that the Union members behind the Save Gracedale movement have their own interests in mind and not the residents and definitely expose themselves as a rough, uneducated, marginal element/rabble. In their minds they're just defending their salaries and benefits though. they're not sophisticated enough to see the big picture and realize how inflated their benefits and salaries are and how the increased taxes needed to sustain their standard of living hurts the taxpayers and in the end does nothing to improve the lot of the poor old people who live there.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:14am Has anyone mentioned what the average salary of any employees at Gracedale is compared to the industry? All everyone is talking about is the 68% benefits of Gracedale employees. How about ALL of Northampton County employees! It is a county wide expense not just a Gracedale expense and who negotiated it IDIOT!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"How would Ron Angle know what is on the other blog. I thought he doesn't have a computer or ever go on a computer."

Graceale Goon D'Alessandro, Angle does not use a computer. He at no time mentioned blogs during last nght's debate. That was Salvesen. Now take your pills and go away.

Anonymous said...

Bernie,

I'm not sure how Angle voted on the past Gracedale contracts but obviously Stoffa approved it..A contract is negotiated and eventually agreed to by all parties involved, the union, administration, and council..Therefore any benefits that the workers enjoy are a result of all three working in concert.If the union could decide what their own pay and benefits are
then my guess is theyd be getting much better contracts..So for Angle to blame the union because they might have a good contract, if indeed they do, then he knows alot less then you think he does.

Anonymous said...

It's all the unions fault they lied and cheated there way to a victory. They forced people out of there homes in the rain to vote for Gracedale. Oh wait could it be that the residents of Northampton County saw right thru your little game which was filled with lies of higher taxes all Gracedale's fault. I saw Mr. Stoffa say on Business Matters that the tax increase is not just Gracedale's fault there are many other problems in the county that will require a tax increase. I have never heard your boy Angle say that he always blames Gracedale and it's union employees. They do a good job there. They earned there wages and benefits and if you think they don't you and Angle should try working there for one week. Also there benefits are the same as the rest of the county employee's. If the beds were full Gracedale would not be in the black and if they break even it does not cost the tax payers anything.

Anonymous said...

check the independent expenditures filed by the union.. EVERY penny spent on the save gracedale campaign was accounted for.. so before you and ron talk maybe you should check your facts! also do the math... if you have an employee making $10 per hour and they have to pay 2% of their wages for benefits, and the employer pays the rest. yes maybe the employer has to pay 68% of the benefits, if you have an employee making $ 20 per hour and they have to pay 2% of their wages for benefits and the employer pays the rest, the employer may be paying only 50% of the benefits. so therfore, pay the employees more so the county doesn't have to pay so much of the benefits! EASY figuring that out!

Anonymous said...

Hey Bernie.... Its Anon 7:31 and by the way, I am NOT Mr. D'Alessandro. You are better at lying than you are at guessing!

hahahaha

dj

Anonymous said...

It's astounding to see that Angle, of all people, makes like Parsons look like a blithering idiot. Does he have any clue what he's doing? Does he even know what county this is? Good grief.

Anonymous said...

This is the big "surprise" word on the street is O'Hare will sue the COAF for failure to disclose costs in the referendum. of course Angle and Stoffa will be promoting behind the scenes. Don't think these "Three Miserable Old Men" have forgotten or forgiven on the Gracedale issue. They still want revenge.

They are a miserable crew and this tax increase is a sham. Angle will swoop in and come up with a no tax increase budget.

Also if Stoffa needs two million more in Gracedale's budget he can move that amount with out council action, who is he trying to fool. Hell, he can take it from the extra money he pumps into mental health and other area's that get more money then they have to under the state law.

Bullshitters all!!!!

Donald said...

Both challengers seemed unprepared for the debate. There were a lot of "I don't know" I am not sure" I am not familiar with" from both challengers. The incumbents both have so much baggage they that the voters should not return them to office but the alternatives do not make that decision easy.
I don't have a dog in the hunt for the council race (I live in another district) and will have to think long and hard and learn more about the choices in the Controller race.

Anonymous said...

Bernie can sue or do what ever he pleases to the COAF they have nothing to fear. They have nothing to hide unlike some people. When you do things by the book and tell the truth you don't have to worry.
So Bernie you better bark up another tree. And again Iam not signing my name.

Anonymous said...

ANGLE STANDS UP TO THE UNIONS - - -
Who the heck does Angle think he is the Executive of the county ? It must be, he has nothing to do with what ever the union's are doing with negotations it is Stoffa's job.

Anonymous said...

Angle is just an ignorant embarrassment..We should never be represented by this type of person. get out and vote and rid the county of this idiot!!!Who would pride themself on being disliked, annoying, and evertthing else he just babbles on with.Send him back to the hills where he belongs.

Anonymous said...

I watched Business doesn't Matter this week. What clowns. Every time Angle made one of his bullshit points he would look at Stoffa and say, "Right, Mr. Stoffa", "You agree Mr.Stoffa, tell them". Stoffa would agree or nod like a zombie.

It was downright embarrassing. The only thing missing was a monkey suit and a chain collar on Stoffa and Angle cranking an organ grinder. Pathetic!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Send him back to the hills where he belongs."

With all the other Slate Belt people, eh. You've just insulted his district, and now expect them to follow your advice.

Bernie O'Hare said...

", he has nothing to do with what ever the union's are doing with negotations it is Stoffa's job"

That must be why they were all at the debate.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Donald, It was a real pleasure to see you. I'm glad President Obama gave you the night off.

Bernie O'Hare said...

" O'Hare will sue the COAF for failure to disclose costs in the referendum"

That's a good idea, but there's another matter coming your way.

Anonymous said...

Another "hot air enema" article written about Ron Angle by Bernie O'Hare!