Vic, as most of you know, is a Lehigh County Commissioner. His initiatives, during his five years at Northampton County, saved taxpayers $10.1 million annually.
But he's a lousy fisherman.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Vic Mazziotti Named Luzerne's Interim Budget Chief
Vic, as most of you know, is a Lehigh County Commissioner. His initiatives, during his five years at Northampton County, saved taxpayers $10.1 million annually.
But he's a lousy fisherman.
26 comments:
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He lived off the Reibman surplus and didn't save a dime. He just voted to make Lehigh County taxpayers pay higher property taxes. he is a menace to any county he enters. You really are piling it on tonight.
ReplyDeleteHe will save that county 20 millon a year...no one better .
ReplyDeleteI know this is off topic but why haven't you posted anything about Joe Owens DUI?
ReplyDeleteBernie has a soft spot for fellow booze hounds. Besides Owens is an O'Hare mancrush.
ReplyDeleteMust of received an offer he could not refuse.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Vic! Luzerne County needs someone of his calibre, even if it's temporary.
ReplyDelete"Must of received an offer"
ReplyDeleteWhere did you learn grammar?
"I know this is off topic but why haven't you posted anything about Joe Owens DUI?"
ReplyDeleteYou're right. You are OT. I do not post abut subjects that are covered by news organizations unless unless I have something to add to what is there, or have a perspective I think is missing.
You'd like it posted so you can trash Owens. Go do that on the hate blogs. there are several.
Is this a conflict of interest with him being a Lehigh County Commish? I know he could not run for office when he was a public employee of NorCo, so how can he hold an elective office while working as a public employee in Luzerne?
ReplyDeleteI see no conflict per se. Can you?
ReplyDeleteI can't' imagine Luzerne doesn't get any federal funds. If they do and he has a hand in directing those funds, he would be in violation of the Hatch Act. Can't direct federal dollars and be an elected official. Isn't that is why he left NC (the day petition circulation began...)?
ReplyDeleteYour understanding of the Hatch Act is dead wrong. You must be a Democrat. We're not known for our brilliance.
ReplyDeleteVic can't run for office and handle federal money. But there is nothing illegal or even wrong about an elected official doing so. Under your strained interpretation, every cent given to every local government would have to be sent back to the feds by every government bc elected officials make decisions about them.
Vic will be helpful to Luzerne without a conflict of interest to Lehigh.
ReplyDeleteAt least he won't approve any swaps. Counties need people not indebted to the Financial Consultants.
Dang! Hate when you are right!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.osc.gov/haStateLocalfaq.htm
"However, if an individual becomes employed in a covered position with a state or local government, the individual will be prohibited from seeking reelection to the partisan political office while holding the covered position."
So let me get this straight...Vic resigned so he could run, but then skirts the system so he can further live off the public trough? Maybe it isn't illegal but it certainly hypocritical.
The Hatch Act is about handling any federal tax money while in your job and being an elected official.
ReplyDeleteVic can still be a county commissioner but cannot work for Luzerne county. As interim Director of finance or any financial role he is involved with federal funds.
If the hatch folks in Washing ton are alerted he will have to either give up the part-time job or leave his commissioner seat. Thee are no exceptions for people you happen to like.
Vic didn't do anything for Northampton County except live off the Reibman over taxation plan. Where the hell was he while the swaption went to 25 million. Bernie I like you and your column but sometimes you just don't make sense. "NO" praise for Mazziotti. He doesn't deserve it.
ReplyDelete2:09, you don't know what yiu're talking about.
ReplyDeleteMaz will be reported to the Hatch Act folks in Washington. Turn around is fair play Mr. Stoffa and allies.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Mazziotti was a decent and honorable man. But accepting a position with Luzerne County, ground zero for political corruption, seems out of character. I am concerned about conflicts of interest even more than violations of the Hatch Act.
ReplyDeleteThis is no legal conflict of interest or hatch issue. But, vic accepting this job can raise a tough question: when two counties are competing for state or federal resources, how can vic work for one county but still be the elected representative for lehigh county voters. Vic is good at fiscal matters. Good for luzern. Voters in lehigh county have a right to be watchful. Just as it is tough for people to be city councilmen in allentown and work for a state rep, this poses a challenging situation. Perfectly legal, just challenging
ReplyDelete"when two counties are competing for state or federal resources,"
ReplyDeleteI don't think that happens very often, and when it does, I don't believe the competition is from the Finance Directors. If a conflict like the one you describe arises, I am sure Vic will immediately st aside. He is honest to a fault.
Vic ran on and continues to espouse fiscally conservative principals and less governmental spending. So I have a few questions, and I hope you know Bernie (you always seem to know much about these things):
ReplyDeleteIs he taking healthcare or pension benefits from Lehigh County?
Is he taking his Lehigh County Commissioner salary?
Is he taking healthcare or pension benefits from Luzerne County?
If he is taking a pension or salary from Lehigh County, or heathcare benefits/pension from Luzerne counties, then he is "double dipping" (dual salaries/benefits) or "triple dipping" off the taxpayers (assuming he has/had a Northampton County pension).
Fact is if he is Administering federal funds through Luzerne County, which in his job he will, he is indeed in violation of the Hatch Act. If you don[t think so, call them.
ReplyDeleteSorry. Can't have an elected position and also work for government in a job directly involved with federal funds.
The law is pretty clear.
You're out of your mind and obviously don't understand the Hatch Act.
ReplyDeleteIf you are so sure Mr. O'Hare, why don't you contact the Federal agency explain the situation and write about how wrong the allegation is.
ReplyDeleteYou won't call them, will you. You know the truth. If someone does, he loses the gig.
You want me to call the feds to tel them you're out of your mind and don't understand (and probably have never even read) the Hatch Act?
ReplyDelete