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| Bradley would not understand this guy. Parsons is his cousin. |
No question that he has impressive credentials. He's educated and is in charge of employee relations at Merck. He has experience in government, too. He's currently President of the Nazareth School Board, which has raised taxes every year since he's been in leadership.
He's also fluent in corporate babble. He tells The Express Times, "Northampton County has an engaged county government, county work force and electorate. ...I believe that I have the unique set of skills, education and experience to bring all of these forces together and open a conversation and develop plans that will move Northampton County forward and provide a better life for everyone in the Lehigh Valley."
Basically, he wasted two sentences saying nothing, but sounded good. But like I said, he still has no idea what a counterman (sometimes pronounced cunterman) is.
Scott Parsons, a life long resident of the Slate belt knows. Slate belters use that word to disparage each other, usually as a joke. One family up that way engaged in more than its fair share of inbreeding, resulting in family histories in which someone's kissin' cousin might also be his mother. You urbanistas might refer to this group as white trash or the trailer park boys.
It is also a badge of honor. Slate belters, especially those along the mountain range, take pride in their way of life. They are mostly Republican, if they vote, but will not be swayed by some outsider who raises taxes and tells hem he has a unique set of skills.
Ordinarily, I'd say Parsons is in trouble. But Executive John Brown has been the Democrats' best friend. The Republican majority on Council has assisted him in governing by consultant. They allowed him to hire a PR consultant on the taxpayer dime. They gave us a voice over artist as Director of Community and Economic Development. Most of them voted for a high school graduate with no real experience as Director of Administration. They've stood by and watched county services diminish as staff vacancies increase. They've done nothing for county workers seriously impacted by a reduction in health benefits from an executive who wants to keep their wages low and reduce other benefits as well.
So I think Parsons has a shot, even in a Republican district. Parsons is basically a blue collar guy, and people who live in the slate belt can relate to him. They will not relate to some outsider from las Vegas who lives in a $600,000 home.
As Ron Angle is the Northampton County Bulldog, Parsons is the Northampton County Workhorse, with a 97% attendance rating last year. Bradley is mostly on the road. His facebook page is littered with comments complaining about his constant travels.
First leg of four destinations this week. It's going to be a brutal travel week this week. Not spending more than a day in any one location. Will be in a different state each day. On the bright side of things....I will be spending some time yoni get with some nephews/family that I have not seen in many years.
Connections stink...but its always nice to be back in Georgia....even if you don't leave the airport
Headed to the mid west today. Any recommendations for awesome barbeque in Kansas City?Given Bradley's hectic work and travel schedule, I seriously doubt he'll have much time for a County Council. Plus, he really won't be representing the slate belt because he does not understand the people.
I will say he has what appears to be a very nice family.
Bradley was the swing vote that brought coach OJ to our fine school district. You think Brown has been a bust evaluating character and talent? Wait til this guy gets his hands on the rubber stamp and checkbook.
ReplyDelete-Clem
Didn't you tell us all what a barstool sitter and Bar drinker Parsons was when he ran against Angle.
ReplyDeleteNow you hate Brown, so... Yeah, we get it O'Hare.
Ask Parson's if he know show your flip flop support helped that Callahan guy.
Get use to it. O'Hare is going to milk this Brown hate thing for the entire year. When the Republicans win this Fall they can thank him then.
ReplyDeleteSit this one out Bernie, It's not how 'hard' one works ,it's how effective they are at a task. It's not what you make ,it's what you keep!Let chips fall where they will.
ReplyDelete12:19. Yes. That was the o'hare trash machine at work when he was angle's election minister of propaganda. But let's just forget what a vicious mean spirited person he is. It's just all in good sport.
ReplyDeleteGood post Bernie and accurate. Scott not flashy and that's how the Slate Belt rolls. What you see is what you get. Fair enough and he knows what a quarry is and where it is located. he has my respect and my vote no matter what he chooses to do. a man of the people and a good man.
ReplyDeleteYou can't be on council because you live in a $600K house? Uh ok. That's .... interesting.
ReplyDelete12:54,
ReplyDeleteyou are being kind. it's more like an illness that bo has. such a pitiful little man
So Scott Parson's is our guy because he's inbred and/or inbreeds and/or he's toothless? What a ringing endorsement. And what an insult to Scott, who's a very decent guy.
ReplyDeleteLorin is also a kind and respectful guy who would never denigrate Slate Belters, or anyone, that way.
"You can't be on council because you live in a $600K house? Uh ok. That's .... interesting."
ReplyDeleteI can tell you it will be a turn off to most voters. This guy has very little in common with slate belters. His income is obviously in the stratosphere, he does not know the people and spends most of his time on the road. People who know this, and who know that Parsons is a blue collar guy who works his ass off, will have more affinity for him. Council already has five Rs, and look at the damage done in one year with John Brown leading them. Do I think people want more of the same? No.
Bernie,
ReplyDeletethe beer on the tank and phone in had says it all? The picture is almost as good as a shit slinging story? RIF, but a picture tells the tale?
Good laugh,thanx again as allways?
redd
patent pending
Bradley will likely have a primary opponent so let's give the guy a chance to be heard. Sounds like you Dems are looking to "Romney" him.
ReplyDeleteIt's completely false to assume that any Republican candidate will march and hang with John Brown's raiders, but if that's your meme...
Judgin g by the first year of the Rs on Council, I'd dispute your contention. Though Hayden phillips stood up to brown on a few occasions, the rest of the rs were all-too-willing to go along with the nonsense. This includes a voice over artist as DCED Director, a high school grad with no experience as Director of Admin, a $725,000 business consultant, a $88k public relations consultant and other nonsense. When Brown unilaterally reduced health benefits, Geissinger ran to WAEB to rally the taxpayers to come to meetings and counter county workers. They have been the third wheel on the bicycle riding over a cliff.
ReplyDeleteBradley seems like a nice fellow, but he bothers me precisely bc he is on John Brown's team. I am more than willing to split my ticket, and do so all the time, but i will be voting straight Democrat in the County races this year. The government is as bad in the County as I have ever seen it, and it is thanks to Brown and the five Rs who make up a majority on Council.
Bradley has no ties to this community and spends most of his time on the road. It's great that he speaks corporate babble, but we need someone who can speak to and understand the people.
If there is a decent R running against him, I'd love to see it.
Geissinger's attempt to rally taxpayers through WAEB really worked well. I spoke that night, and if I recall correctly only one spoke up before a rowdy crowd of roughly 300. It's easy to spew your venom while hiding behind a computer but it takes real courage to show your face. Although I did not agree with this gentleman's ideals I admire his willingness to expose himself before an angry crowd and respect his right to speak. Better luck next time Glenn, because me thinks there will be a next time. Especially at the polls. Thanks for the wakeup call! Tom Davis...Former President...AFSCME 2549.
DeleteWe are fortunate to have a guy like Scott on council, truly a guy who is in it for the right reasons. I don't know the other gentleman and don't want to say anything negative. Scott represents the best of who we are.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I know you're not running, but Lorin has more class and integrity in his toenail clippings than you possess, entirely.
ReplyDeleteYou've championed documented anti-semites, wife abusers, philanderers, and a host of assorted criminals.
Your blog is interesting. But your record of judgement of politicians is hilariously atrocious (a strangled wife notwithstanding; that was and is horrible). A moral compass you ain't.
Its " Cunnerman " not counterman
ReplyDeleteI have enough moral scruples to sign my name to my criticisms, unlike you. if I have a friend who makes a mistake, I condemn the mistake and not the person. I am sure you'd love to see some transplant who knows nothing about county government and has no time for it, That would give Brown another rubber stamp on top of the five he already has. I'd prefer someone more independent and who knows his community.
ReplyDeleteIf Brown had rubber stamps, we'd not have a tax increase. Lorin likes taxes, however, and he's shown up often enough to raise them seven times on Nazareth Area taxpayers. Democrats own big houses too. With a tax and spend record like his, Lorin is essentially one of them. There's not much R about Lorin. It's just easier to win a nomination on the R side in NorCo. Even those suffering from BDS (Brown Derangement Syndrome) can't make that argument. Taxing. Spending. He's essentially one of you.
ReplyDeleteOther than Hayden Phillips, some GOP members of Council have ony begun to strike out on their own during the last moth of Brown's first year. They pretty much rubber-stamped everything he wanted, from a $712k business consultant to a PR consultant, to unpopular cuts in the health plans. They did impose a tax hike because, fortunately, they are not insane. But their first year is certainly no profile in courage.
ReplyDeleteBradley is obviously a great family man and is very grounded. If he really wanted to serve, he should take a cut in salary and n=be Brown's HR director over the next three years. It would give him more time at home and he might begin to understand his own community.
"It would give him more time at home ..."
ReplyDeleteYou're giving Lorin family advice? Really? One just can't make this shit up. I love this blog.
"With a tax and spend record like his, Lorin is essentially one of them. There's not much R about Lorin."
ReplyDeleteThe WAEB, Faux News falt-earthers speak. So far the Republicans have voted to raise taxes 10%. The hero of the tea party wanted a 20% hike. The Democrats didn't vote for a tax.
Yet the Dem's are the taxers? You guys should ask for birth certificates.
My biggest argument about people who run --say,the school districts, are not equipped as 'CEO's of million dollar corporations and the production of them ,in development rather than prostitution of them ,IS -LEADERSHIP. Now I have in the past been critical because some resident retiree of Johnson &Johnson can't be our school director because they have to be in the ED-BIZ --Non-Sense. The man with a $600,000 house is paid by private enterprise because he must be worth it or they would not BUY HIS TALENT for that much. Pay attention ! I don't know him but he must be educated and must play it straight .
ReplyDeleteBernie, don't forget, Parsons territory goes west along the mountain, through Bushkill, Moore and Lehigh Townships.
ReplyDeleteScott,
Just, for the love of all things holy, don't hire Fleck to run your campaign. Run it yourself, you know best.
Yes, it goes along the northern tier, which I consider the same kind of country as the Slate Belt - beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHoping you will really dig on this guy BOH. This guy was prominent on the school board while the drama teachers were preying. If he's running on personnel expertise, ask him where he was and what he did when the allegations, which eventually proved out, came up?
ReplyDeleteWas he digging or sweeping?
-Clem
Nice one claiming that District four Republicans are dirty, uneducated and unwashed. I am sure they are pleased.
ReplyDeleteYour buddy Angle lives on the self-named million dollar highway on a property worth much more than $600K. His pretend farming bit doesn't fool anyone who knows he is a landlord and real estate investor. Yeah, a real man of the people. Even if he wasn't toxic at this point, by your logic he is also outside the mainstream of Slate Belters.
Did this guy serve with Hunter on the School Board?
ReplyDeleteNo. I think Hunter was gone when the big tax hikes started going in.
ReplyDelete