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| Dave DiGiacinto |
That leaves five, although a nomination can come from the floor.
Of the five who are left, only two are qualified. Although Council Prez Eric Evans might be impressed, the Third Class City Code (which applies in Bethlehem) requires a "competent accountant." Bob Pfenning is a retired CPA who actually taught the subject at Lehigh. Bill Scheirer, a retired economist and statistician, would fit the bill, too.
But the rest?
According to The Morning Call, they all have impressive resumes. Accounting, however, does not appear to be among their assets, although Controller wannabe Jason Toedter did work on Mayor John Callahan's Congressional race.
Here's the problem.
Both Pfenning and Scheirer are what I call civic activists. They're at nearly every meeting. Both address Council regularly, politely taking exception to whatever is being planned by Council or Callahan. In Pfenning's case, he actively backed the three Republicans who sought Council seats last November. He was Treasurer to their campaign committees and lent them money.
So although Pfenning or Scheirer certainly would be independent, they might just be a little too independent. Why would three members of City Council vote for a man who actively worked against them?
On the other hand, the other three candidates might very well be unqualified.
Will there be a surprise from the floor?
City Council is scheduled to make the call Thursday night.
• Robert Pfenning - Qualified - Highly. Excellent credentials. Accountant and CPA.
ReplyDelete• William Scheirer - Qualified - Yes. Satisfactory credentials. Economist.
• Duran Chakarian - Not Qualified. Inadequate credentials. No accounting experience.
• Jason Toedter - Not Qualified. Inadequate credentials. No accounting experience.
• George Yasso - Not Qualified. Inadequate credentials, No accounting experience.
I call bullshit O'Hare. The county has the same rules as the city. Mr. Barron the Northampton County Controller is not an accountant and no one could stop him from becoming the county controller. Bethlehem City Council can pick any of the candidates.
ReplyDeleteYou can call whatever you want. The County does NOT have the same rules as the City. Northampton County is NOT Bethlehem. The Home Rule Charter, which is Northampton County's governing document, does not require the Controller to be an accountant or anything else, for that matter. But the Third Class City Code requires that the Controller be a "competent accountant."
ReplyDeleteYou can't ignore the law simple bc it displeases you.
are you sure the state third class city code states "competent accountant?" I thought is says the candidate must have accounting knowlege.
ReplyDeleteI have a link to it.
ReplyDelete"Section 1701. Qualifications.--The city controller shall bea competent accountant, at least twenty-one years of age, shallhave been a resident of the city for at least one year nextbefore his election, and shall reside in the city throughout histerm of office."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/32933103/Pennsylvania-Third-Class-City-Code
"a competent accountant" can be interpreted different ways. Only a court can ultimately decide.
ReplyDeleteA few years back Mr. Barron considered running for Bethlehem Controller so he must have been confident he could run.
DG will get it when the election comes. In the meantime the rubber stamp council will select some lackey to do their bidding. Things never change in bethlum..........
ReplyDeleteThe law does not require a "CPA". A so called competent accountant could mean someone who can do their own tax returns and get a refund without an audit! That would be competent enough for me. LOL The city will do what it wants and not break the law.
ReplyDeleteBernie Baby
ReplyDeleteBe happy these dudes aren't running for thoracic surgeons!
"A few years back Mr. Barron considered running for Bethlehem Controller"
ReplyDeleteThat's bc he is an opportunist, not bc he is a "competent accountant."
"The law does not require a "CPA". "
ReplyDeleteTrue. It does require a "competent accountant," which i think means a little more than someone who can do his own tax returns.
Guess we'll see on Thursday..If Dave changes his mind and he is nominated from the floor, maybe he'll get a majority of the votes from Council..Who knows...Then it'll be interesting to see who gets the council seat..
ReplyDeleteLetter of the law does not require a CPA.
ReplyDeleteSeamus
What everyone is forgetting is one simple fact...there is no law in Bethlehem just CALLAHAN>AUTHORIZATION!!!
ReplyDeleteSeamus, you said you aren't a lawyer. If you are not, I'd guess you'd consider yourself a competent attorney because you know so much about the law.
ReplyDeleteThe Third Class City Code does in fact require a competent accountant. It also fails to define that term. Therefore, one should look to caselaw to determine if this has been dealt with in the PA appellate courts. I'd guess not. If you resort to common sense and then apply that to the facts contained in the resumes and work and life experience of the six candidates, it is clear that 3 have no proper experience but at the same time have political ties to Callahan and/or Reynolds while 3 have appropriate experience. Pfenning is the only one with the letter of the law credentials, Dave D. and Shirer both have life and work experience that qualifies them. The other three are a joke and the behind the scenes maneuvers over the last few weeks is just more example of the total lack of integrity in the administration and with the majority of the council. But let us not forget, they can't afford to put a competent qualified person into the position that might actually hold them accountable.
ReplyDeletethis decision has already been made behind closed doors on the second floor. same o same o
ReplyDeleteGeorge Yasso will walk away with it. The 2nd floor and Rubberstamp Reynolds have made their decision VERY WELL known.
ReplyDelete3:47, good analysis. I admit I have not looked at the case law. This might have been litigated.
ReplyDelete"Robert Pfenning - Qualified - Highly. Excellent credentials. Accountant and CPA.
ReplyDelete• William Scheirer - Qualified - Yes. Satisfactory credentials. Economist."
And both have axes to grind. Neither should be the choice because they both have political agendas and have made it clear to everyone.
Pfenning and Scheirer would be disasters.
Pfenning is a nut job pure and simple.
ReplyDeleteWe could use a few more nut jobs watching our local governments.
ReplyDeletebut bo, we have you, the senior nut case
ReplyDeleteI think everyone knows exactly who has an ax to grind in the City of Bethlehem. I can tell you from personal experience it is NOT Mr. Pfenning or Mr. Scheirer!
ReplyDeleteA recent quote may refresh our memories on this one:
"You can advocate," Kelly wrote, "but perhaps you can take reduction of funding up with our congressman. We have difficult decisions to make on our end. We made them and stand by them."