Iraq War vet Seth Vaughn has been a frequent visitor at Northampton County Council meetings, both before and after his unsuccessful race against Ken Kraft. They ran a tough race against each other, but Vaughn has agreed completely with Kraft's support for a centralized human service building, and is a rare politician who was actually willing to take a stand.Here's what he said last month, before the proposal was tabled:
"An effective leader takes into consideration employee concerns when making decisions. It should be taken seriously when people consistently complain about the building's infrastructure, parking, or working conditions. We want our county employees to feel safe at work and that their employer cares enough to listen. Also, employee satisfaction actually goes a long way to increase efficiency! On a final note, we should be looking at ways to modernize our government buildings to provide a suitable working environment and to alleviate costly future repairs needed working in neglected buildings. Allow the private sector to fix old buildings up, the government is not in the business of being exceptional property owners or landlords."Seth is one of five Republicans running for five at-large seats on County Council this year. He recently announced his candidacy, and this is part of what he said:
I am a father of two, a devout Christian, and a lover of his community. This community has molded me into what I am today.
I have on several occasions such as college at Penn State or with the United States Marine Corps, fighting in the war in Iraq, left my community only to find myself wishing to return. This community I cherish as my own. This is my home.
Today, I am formally announcing my candidacy to run for Northampton County Council. I am running because of my passion for better government, my desire to propel our county into the future, and to be apart of the next generation younger, energetic, public servants.
My vision for the county is straightforward. I wish to accomplish while on council the following:
1. The preservation of Gracedale Nursing home.
2. Holding the line on taxes
3. Work closely with our counties economic development team to encourage small and large business to set up shop here in Northampton County
4. The Continuation of the Open Space Initiative
5. The Modernization of our unsafe county buildings and our outdated Jail.
6. The formation of a separate committee dedicated to the improvement of our county bridges.
7. Eliminating wasteful spending by working closely with the county executive
8. Provide voters easy and open access to their elected official
9. Never ever allow the gambling of our tax dollars such as a swaption to occur while im on council
Financially, there are tough times ahead.
Our county budget is getting slim and uncertainty is high at the state level with regards to funding. Our economy is not growing yet our taxes continue to rise. Bipartisan supported legislation is required to accomplish the needs of our county without having to raise taxes.
I am the son of a single working mother who worked two jobs while growing up to make ends meet. I was taught early on the work involved with balancing a budget and spending efficiently. If you are concerned with the prospects of tax increases on the county level please rest assured a vote with me will be a vote for holding the line on taxes.
My pledge to you is that I will not just keep a seat warm on council but will advocate for the needs of our county. I will work for the most reasonable and cost effective solutions to county issues.
I will do the research and involve voters in my decisions. I am asking for you to support a driven and committed individual to lead this county forward. To bring a fresh new perspective on the issues. Please Northampton County, PUT ME TO WORK FOR YOU. Also, check out my website which will be up and running in the next few weeks at: www.votesethvaughn.com.
30 comments:
While I have no interest in his religion,he sounds like a fine man. This citizen finds his statement refreshingly open and thoughtful. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
(I mean to say his religious position is neither here nor there.)
Thank you for these posts.
Seems like a rather balanced candidate.
This is a GOOD CANDIDATE!!
Another spender. Good grief. Maintain what we have. How about that as a platform. No more spending and debt!
He wants to hold the line on taxes, eliminate waste, and spend breathlessly - all at the same time.
I suspect this is why he mentioned the devoutness of his Christianity. What he proposes will require a number of miracles.
Sounds like a nice guy.. Does he have a job?? He wants to do alot of things for the county without raising taxes..Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful..His expertise in what field will allow him to pull off this miracle?
Seth works as a physician's assistant in emergency medicine. I should have mentioned that in my post.
With R's like this, who needs D's?
-Clem
Clem, I think there are Rs, and then there are extremists. There are Ds, and then there are extremists. You are trying to drive everyone to the right. Others are trying to drive everyone to the left. You are completely unwilling to listen or compromise. That is why it is you, sir, and those like you, who are the problem in this country.
Seth is "for" everything. That's totally awesome.
Yep. Advocating for the smallest and most limited government possible created 16 trillion in debt and 70 trillion in off balance sheet liabilities.
Advocating for the smallest and most limited government possible created the pension crisis facing virtually every local, state and federal government and school district.
Advocating for the smallest and most limited government possible created the disparity between the average government salary and the average private sector salary.
Only one problem with your theory. Those whose philosophy was small and limited government, have not been in power for generations and generations. That privilege has belonged to the compromisors, the friends across the aisle, the you-vote-for-my-pork-I'll-make-sure-you-get-yours practicioners of civility, and the promisors of other people's money to those who think the government is their only hope.
Yeah, it was the small and limited government extremist that caused it all.
Thanks for clearing that up for me.
-Clem
Clem, It's not about your principles. God bless you for having them, and for taking the time to inform yourself. It's about a complete intolerance of any views inconsistent with your own. That's a recipe for disaster. Democracy depends on a willingness to listen and even --- gasp! --- compromise. In essence you are anti-democratic. So are those on the left who are just as intolerant as you. You allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. You're never going to find the perfection you seek.
The candidate presents as an R, but speaks mostly like a D.
His declarations say "I want to be elected, so I can help make sure government has what it wants to make it comfy and happy so it can do more" more than it says, "I want to reduce the size and scope of government for the betterment of your, and your children's, future". The latter is what Rs were supposed to champion, before they decided to sacrifice principle for personal political ambition.
If one is going to act like a D, one should register as one, that's all.
-Clem
Does he still live at home with his mom?
No need to make wise cracks. He is putting himself out there and council is a thankless job. He is up front about what he believes and while I agree he does not sound like an R you'll get chance when it comes to voting. He wants to provide for all and will learn that never works. Can't work. So instead of beating up the guy lets just disagree with respect. He is no ones enemy and has served this country so ease up. There are many nasty people out there to take to task. He is not one of them. If you disagree say so but again keep a level of respect.
He's not your Tea Party's Republican. Come to think about it, there aren't many Tea Party candidates in this R field. Refreshing.
Agree. Ds have the same pile of recycled manure. It's a gang bang of tax and spend weirdo fleabagger trough sloppers from Central Casting. All the usual suspects have crawled from the sty. There's almost as many teachers running as there are teachers on parole in the county
When will McClueless be announcing his bid for CE? Or did he give up on that pipe dream?
Seth sounds good Bernie except for one area where he blew it. He isn't alone here. Several candidates for County Council have said the same thing, however, I contribute that to their being a real novice. THESE COUNCIL CANDIDATES ARE NOT THERE TO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THE EXECUTIVE. OUR HOME RULE CHARTER PROVIDES FOR A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES AND HE IS A CHECK ON THE ADMINISTRATION. Reibman had a Council that he led around by the nose. They did not serve as a check on the administration. They were a "rubber stamp". Seth will improve with his political speech as he gets some experience campaigning and learns what his "role" as a Councilman truly means.
Two time loser in the making.
7:20, I would not draw a "rubber stamp" conclusion based on a choice of words in a campaign announcement. I doubt very much that Vaughn would be a rubber stamp. On the other hand, it takes people working together to get things done. When they don't, we have messes like those existing in Lehigh County and Washington.
"When will McClueless be announcing his bid for CE? Or did he give up on that pipe dream?"
I'll have something soon.
He should run against "the Invisible man" in the 131st.
Stop being a tease BO, your wet dream is coming true. You know it. The word is out there. Tomorrow Lalalala....Lamont, is announcing.
Callahan, Reibman nd McClure, it doesn't get any better than that.
Three stooges.
And Brown.
Sounds to me like Seth knows we have to keep spending or we will surely go broke ...
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No more Republicans next election. They have proved to be untrustworthy little Bundists that all march to the same mantra. There are no critical thinkers in the party. Their antics have nearly brought this country to collapse. No one sidesteps the Republican line when they get in office. Further, the religion thing is a dead giveaway. We're not electing a Pope, Rabbi, Swami or any other religious leader, so let's keep devout anythings, out of our positions of leadership.
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