Wayne Woodman started his bridge burning a few years ago with Dean Browning, arguably Lehigh County's finest Commissioner. Because Browning was unwilling to bend his conscience to Woodman's political will, he was branded a traitor and tossed out of office by a group of four conservatives spearheaded by Scott Ott. They promised to cut spending, but increased it. They promised to reduce taxes, but increased them. Along the way, Ott made insensitive remarks about the seniors who benefit from meals on Wheels that came back to haunt him when he decided to run for Executive ... and lost.
Woodman alienated many within his own party. It only started with Dean Browning. He then went on to dissuade Wanda Mercado Arroyo from running a state house race, reportedly telling her Republicans there not ready for a Latina. He slammed an up-and-coming Republican, Ron Beitler, who represents the very best from his party. He alienated Allentown conservative Scott Armstrong and Controller Glenn Eckhart. Republican State Representatives had little use for Woodman, who played the control game far too much.
The surprise is not that Woodman is bowing out, but that it took four years.
26 comments:
Poor little rich guy.
You would think buying one little county government wouldn't be too much to ask?
God speed to a true gentleman who has endured the barbs of an angry nobody!
....or a "gentleman" who was angry about all the common nobodys who weren't ordained by God with the obvious wealth and wisdom of a superior being.
From the manor born.
Very bright and articulate man.Lousy leader of the LCRC. Wish him well.
Scott Armstrong
Unless Heydt was planning a massive write-in campaign to fill committee seats, Woodman would easily have won re-election, if he wanted it.
Woodman has easily been the most effective party chair the Republicans have had over the last 20 years. That easily includes the term of the guy you call Lehigh County's finest commissioner, who briefly was party chair.
It's good to see the Party's profile raised to the point where quality individuals are interested in the chair position, and I wish Heydt well. That said, Heydt will find it difficult to match Woodman's commitment to the party, both financially and (more importantly) in terms of time.
What an unpleasant person.
"Woodman has easily been the most effective party chair the Republicans have had over the last 20 years"
That's hilarious. What has changed in the last 4 years politically in Lehigh County? D county exec. None of the seats in Allentown contested in 2013. R commissioners still can't work a budget. Party is just about broke. Same number of D's in the state house with all of the seats going uncontested in 2014. Governor will probably lose the county. Obama won the county. From where I sit, nothing has changed. Heck, in less than a month, Scott Ott will be in Texas.
Woodman will play the role of conservative king maker. The party--as all parties are doing right now--will flounder. The R's biggest strength is a terribly led D party that is split by people who have their personal vendettas.
Best thing to happen to the LC Republicans in 20 years. Will see Allentown candidates as well. Good luck Bill and hopefully a rebirth of the Allentown city committee.
8:38
R county commissioners now 7-2, instead of 5-4.
Yes, there are still some R's that vote like democrats on budget, but taxpayers better off at the county level. Contrary to Bernie's misstatement in his post, Ott and Reform Team did push across a tax decrease for the taxpayers. That wouldn't have happened four years ago.
Still more work to be done, and LC Exec will likely try to push another tax HIKE this year. Only way to stop it is with additional conservative candidates, not less.
They did enact a tax decrease, but it was temporary.
"LC Exec will likely try to push another tax HIKE this year. Only way to stop it is with additional conservative candidates, not less."
I hate to burst your bubble, but I do not equate a tax hike with a mortal sin. They are unpopular, to be sure, but I would prefer a tax hike to seeing services cut.
How do you figure that?
Think about it. When you oppose all tax cuts, that means you have no problem with seeing the doors to the jails opened, or nursing home residents lying in their shit. Nobody likes a tax hike, but it is not an end unto itself.
Not that. The tax hike is temporary statement.
Or do you mean if "Tax Hiker Dean" gets back on the board?
10:22's comment is an example of the
divisiveness Wayne injected into the committee.
Scott Armstrong
10:22 also seems to have a temporary tax reduction and temporary tax hike confused.
You can twist it any way you want, but Dean raised taxes. That he has continued to deny this reality, in person and in the form of misleading and negative campaign literature, is the source of the divisiveness.
Dean's problem is that he can never admit he was wrong, even in the face of clear facts otherwise.
The only person that's been holding Dean back is Dean, not those who have pointed out the obvious.
An ounce of humility in admitting he made a mistake would go a long way to rehabilitating Dean with the voters. That said, I don't think he has it in him to do so.
So why is the tax cut temporary?
Anon 8:38
A couple of things on taxes under Ott and Woody. First, they pushed through reassessment which saved Woodman about $3,400 a year but increased the county and school taxes on thousands of residents. This was after campaigning with a promise they would never raise taxes on anyone for any reason. Second, the fact is that the average taxpayer is paying more in county real estate taxes this year than they did the year Woodman and Ott took over. And every single taxpayer is paying more to Lehigh County this year than they did last year. Take a look at your County tax bills for 2014 and 2013 if you don't believe me.
Browning never falsely claimed to have cut taxes, like Ott did. I twisted nothing.
@12:23
Reassessment did not raise taxes overall. Taxes under the law must remain the same after reassesment. What it did do is reevaluate properties in todays market. This hadnt been done in 20 years. So if your taxes went up it means yo werent paying your fair share for some time. If Woodman's went down it means he was paying more than his fair share. On the whole taxes stayed the same and fairness was introduced.
Heydt is a semi-literate small autocrat of a local yokel. A self-made man who loves his maker.
He dreams of being Woodman.
Hey fatty. Why you call these people bosses? They are elected. Bosses are appointed.
Woodman was the epidemy of a Republican fat cat.
Real contemptible of the "little people".
Heydt's an tntellectual midget.
His greatest legacy is Lights in the Parkway.
Is that Bill "It's a done deal" Heydt?
7:46... What kind of drugs are you on? How can you say Woodman is the best chair in 20 years? The party is practically broke. He's alienated the party. He has wanted candidates to funnel all their money raised through him.... and why would that be. He wanted it to look like HE raised the money. Seriously Woody??? I Pray Bill can bring the party back together and the committee can feel whole again! BTW..... Woody needs to take his wife with him wherever he is going. She adds NOTHING to county politics! NOTHING AT ALL!
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