Stoffa Labels Barron's Asbestos Accusation a "Bold-Faced Lie"

Northampton County Executive John Stoffa loves debates. In last year's Congressional race between John Callahan and Charlie Dent, he attended more debates than I. But you'll also often see him at candidates' nights for municipal offices, sitting quietly, but listening intently to every word said. But he was strangely absent from Tuesday night's "Debate at the Slate," featuring the Steve Barron, Steve Salvesen Controller's race, as well as the Ron Angle, Scott Parsons County Council Clash.

Steve Barron must have noted Stoffa's absence as well. When asked to explain why he went to the EPA about asbestos at County buildings, he blamed it all on Stoffa. He claimed that Stoffa told him, over lunch, to keep his mouth shut about asbestos because it might have an adverse impact on Gracedale's sales price.

I caught up with Stoffa yesterday. Instead of going to the debate, he was in Allen Township to argue for a referendum there on open space, which was adopted. "The open space will be there long after Barron and I are gone," he explained.

When I repeated Barron's accusation, he became visibly upset. "That's a bold-faced lie. I've never hid anything about asbestos. In fact, I've spent over $1 million on inspection and amelioration."

Stoffa also told me he's never have lunch with Barron.