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Friday, February 15, 2013

Softball Ump Pledges to Make Right Calls on NorCo Council

Kerry Myers seeks one of five NorCo Council seats
On a brief lunch break from his job at Lafayette College, Kerry Myers today announced that he'll be seeking one of five at-large Northampton County Council seats in this year's election. You might know him as the former head of Easton's always controversial school board. You might know him as the man who was honored two years ago by both the NAACP and the state house of representatives for a lifetime of commitment to our youth. I know his as an ump.

If you think a school board is controversial, try dealing with 6'3" softball players who insist they are safe after you call them out. Kerry has always handled those situations with grace. In addition, I think he's 6'4".

Myers started his announcement by stating he supports keeping Gracedale in County hands. He stated that the people of this County are its finest asset, "and we need to make sure they're taken care of."

He acknowledged that he would have to do more homework to familiarize himself with the numerous issues facing Northampton County.

Myers was joined at his news conference by Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Vice Mayor Ken Brown, School Director Frank Pintabone and John Robinson, a past President of the Easton NAACP and former member of the Prison Advisory Board. Some of his sons were there, too, so I had to tone it down on the questions. They look like they're 6'5".

DA John Morganelli, on his way to a noon conference, still took the time to pose with the Lafayette "working man" who had to be back at his job by 1 PM.
From L to R: Easton Mayor Sal Panto, DA John Morganelli and the ump, Kerry Myers

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

This guy left a major league shit stain in Easton.

Are any Rs running?

Bernie O'Hare said...

I believe Seth Vaughn, Hayden Phillips, Peg Ferraro and Tricia Mezzacrappa are running. I've rec'd no announcements from them. With the exception of Mezzacappa, who is insane and might very well drag down the entire R ticket, I'd be happy to run their announcements. But i have to receive them to run them.

Anonymous said...

BO, will you be covering the Monday Lamont McClure announcement at the courthouse?

Bernie O'Hare said...

I am unaware of a McClure announcement. Is he resigning?

Anonymous said...

Because of Myers, Roy Cortez, Pat Fischer, and their goon Jeff Bader are all the problems that we have now in the Easton School District. They were building gyms, putting down artificial turf, and re-sodding the fields, that most students don't have the proper books and all the teachers have been laid off. They couldn't balance a budget to save their lives. Stay away from this candidate. Wasn't he the one that made that "lily white" remark?

Bernie O'Hare said...

I'm not up on school board politics. In fact, i try to stay away from them as much as I can. But I understand that Steve Shiffert, Easton's popular and successful football coach, resented a claim by Myers some years ago that the coaching staff was "lilly white" and needed more diversity. He later apologized for the remark.

It does not strike me as a terribly offensive thing to say, and it appears Myers acknowledged he was wrong.

Anonymous said...

"Is he resigning?"

Now that's just funny.

Anonymous said...

What a cast of characters for the D primary for council! If some of these knuckleheads get elected the next council will be the most dysfunctional ever. Callahan will regret becoming the CE.

Anonymous said...

The lily white remark was as racist as saying most of Easton's murderers are tar black. Racists come in all colors. The guy is a demonstrated racist. Racists apologize all the time. They are still racists.

Anonymous said...

And look at you 9:33, calling a spade a spade...

Bernie O'Hare said...

I don't think a complaint about the absence of diversity is a demonstration of racism. His use of the phrase "lilly white" is not something that registered even a 1 on my offended scale. And Myers expressed his regret to those who were offended. And 9:33, the true racists are those who think they aren't.

Anonymous said...

Bernie,

With this individual it is always about the color of one's skin. In the past he has made that evident. Look at the local newspaper in Easton today and one will find an article of the former Easton High School basketball coach, the late Stan Sutphen. This was Mr. Myers contribution to the news account:


... "Kerry Myers, a former player who served on the Easton Area School Board, credited Sutphen with opening the door to minorities for Easton basketball when Sutphen took over in 1969-70.

"Stan has been a very important part of my life," Myers said at last year's anniversary. "Without him I wouldn't be where I am today. He opened the door for African-Americans to start playing. When Stan took over color wasn't a barrier anymore." ...

Let me please state this, this is inaccurate statement and he knows it. As fairly evident examples one has to look no further that the Jones, Reese, and Houston families. These were students at Easton High School that excelled in academics and athletics. Alfredean Jones and William Houston were teachers and later became principals. And this was way before the 1970's. This candidate always plays the race card and people are scared to call him out on it. No one likes to appear to be a racist, so they just let this man rant rather than accuse Mr. Myers of playing the race card.

He is a good man and a really nice guy, but he has exhibited this type of behavior before. Why should anyone be subject to be threatened with racism when nothing exists? If that is the case, he should champion the cause of getting more DIVERSITY instead of more AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, lalalalaLamont is announcing for CE on Monday in Easton.

Bernie O'Hare said...

3:33, Myers should be able to look at that question from his own perspective and life experience. If you think a previous coach should get the credit, you may very well be right. But let's be clear. The racial barrier has only come down in the last half century. I am sure there were steps forward, but steps backwards, too. And we all remember things a little differently.

If he plays the race card, I will call him on it.

A few weeks ago, Ismael Arcelay announced. Ken Brown and Panto started going on about how we need more "flavor" and diversity. They were clearly playing the race card, and I called them on it.

But Myers was the opposite. He never once mentioned the vcolor of his skin. He said he was a "working man."

I know he is a bit unpopular in the community for some of the things he has said, so many people see things the way you do. But i won't tag him for that unless I see it.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Bernie, lalalalaLamont is announcing for CE on Monday in Easton."

God, I hope so. Is he doing it from AFSCME or Barron's office?

Anonymous said...

Bo ^^^^^^^ now that was funny

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to hear more from Ismael. The guy is a scream.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I'm white and found nothing offensive in that remark. And Myers apologized to those who were offended. You're certainly allowed to say you're offended and have done so.

Anonymous said...

Lily white, is that P.C.? Maybe in the "All in the family"/ "Jeffersons"era.