President John Cusick nevertheless prepared a resolution for Council approval. Solicitor Phil Lauer advised that, unless confirmed within 60 days, this Acting Director position could actually be considered a permanent appointment.
Watching the video from my estate, I began to detect a "How many angels can danceonthe head of a pin" tone about this argument.
The reality is that NorCo's DCED is in disarray,and considering its important community development functions, this is a bad thing for those who are hungry or seeking a roof over their head.. So far as i know, the Department has produced no economic development.
Rather than addressing these very real issues, Cusick is crafting resolutions and everyone is talking about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
Brown explained that, in his view, an acting director is a bridge that provides continuity in a department until a permanent director is found. He indicated that Herrlinger is a "potential" cabinet official, but has not "fully made that decision. He stated that what is doing is specifically provided for in the employee policy manual, which was approved by Council last year. That manual gives him the authority to appoint an Acting Director for no longer than six months, without the approval of Council. He said that requiring him to seek confirmation for even an interim position "really cripples the administration's ability" .to get things done
Ken Kraft agreed with Brown, and criticized Council for "just doing things to do things."
Everything said by Phil Lauer is valid, but if Council approved the employee policy manual, it necessarily follows that they gave the Executive the authority to make interim appointments.
Like Kraft, I agree with Brown's argument, but it hinges on Council approving the employee policy manual.
Last year, in what I then called a clinic on good government, former Executive Gerald "Jerry" Seyfried said that Council needed to approve the career service regulations upon which the employee policy manual is based and have not done so.
So far as I can tell, that still has not happened. I have looked through the minutes and doi not see it, but if it is there, Brown is right.
But the academic discussion over how long an Executive can appoint someone to a cabinet position is somewhat silly in view of the problems at DCED.
Hayden Phillips thankfully suggested tabling the matter because Council obviously needs to do more homework. Amazingly, John Cusick, Mat Benol and Seth Vaughn wanted to plunge ahead in darkness. They like discussing these fine points that, in the big picture, are meaningless.
Herrlinger's appointment, whether it needs to be approved or not, will wait until the next meeting.
Brown has also promised to have the Department of Community and Economic Development staff available at the June 3 meeting, to explain exactly what they've been doing. That would seem to be a little more important than the minutiae in which Council is absorbed.
21 comments:
Cusick has always been a sneaky dude. Benol and Vaughn are just two wastes of a seat. Hard to believe even the teas party would vote for these guys. Good Grief!
What has DCED been doing? That presentation should be short and unsweet cause they have done...NOTHING!
John Orsini should have been a shoe in for this promotion, glad he realized working for the public sector trough sloppers is a futile path to irrelevance and will take his talents elsewhere.
5, count them, 5 at large seats up next year! Vote tea party out! They have done nothing for us!
7:37. They brought higher co-pay for your insurance
7:37. And an unnecessary Tax Increase
7:28 what "talents"? Taking numerous coffee breaks, whining about his financial compensation and harassing bloggers?
Bernies number one sycophant , keep imbibing the koolaide and stay woefully ignorant in the procesd
Woefully ignorant...procesd...now that's rich!
3:51, Cusick is president of Council, but no one does really trust him. That is his own fault bc he always has a hidden agenda. He created controversy with this resolution, for example, bc he wants Brown to look bad and himself to look good. He brought Doran in for a lecture on hotel tax bc he wants to divert it to farmland preservation. He has become president twice by stabbing others in the back. He has a tendency to be condescending and is not exactly a warm or fuzzy person. He may not realize it, but this is as high as he will ever go in public office.
Bernie,
This 8:20 am thing must be imbibing on Allentown's political pot of fermenting blue bug juice not to mention the vermine?!($ It should be a short time now as this collective team of takers will be marched single file to except there punishments?!($
So waiting for your opinions to be put to print sitting on pinZ and neddleZ on the edge of my seat only to step in some palumpapopo on any outing?!($
Re:publican redd
Bernie, who are the Dem's running next year? Is Jerry or Ron running again?
Last I spoke to Jerry, he was not interested. But I wishe he and Ron Heckman would consider it.
Old is out,young is in. Join the 21st century. New
Blood!
Callahan should run again, but this time take it seriously. Brown won by default last time. No other rising stars in the county's D party. Just a bunch of old war horses and party hacks. Maybe Barron will run!
OK. THis may be a little silly, but I don't understand the headline. What is the thing with Angels Dancing on the head of a pin? Is it an old saying or something. Sorry. I know its a dopey move to need a joke explained to you, but you are just too witty for me on this one Bernie. Like as in unimportant trivial matters stop mattering when more important things come up?
Google the expression and you'll get your explanation.
Bernie,
Your opinions were lacking on this fine weekend and none tickled my fancy as pic depicted of innocent indigent children playing in palumpapopo dog park?! With all the smoke and mirriors being blown up alls asses that can dijest local news outlet advertismentalist news worthy stories?! What with everything now being turned into a sardine cans to over stock the realestate stock?!
12:41 is another gobblygook imbibing on too much of allentowns political pot of fermenting blue juice that those that imbibe are like a clone of the gags advertismentalist designs?!
So hopping you are lucky enough to be at Dats game this weekend!
Shooting , stabbings and slinging of the mayors party favor conssesionair comPETitors 50/50 on every corner in the city too ACT as if the circus arena agenda ha any positives?!
Re:publican redd
"No other rising stars in the county's D party. Just a bunch of old war horses and party hacks. Maybe Barron will run!"
And yet you are pitching Callahan? Seriously. He is about as non rising star as you can get. In fact his star has burned out big time.
Besides, word is McClure is running and a surprise candidate.
Cannot believe that LaMutt is considering running for county exec. The guy barely won his own district! He has the charisma of a snapping turtle. His law practice would have to be in the dumpster for him to leave it for a government job.
All those arguments could have been made against John Brown, with the only difference being that Lamont actually has a tangible job that we all know exists. No one really knows where Brown was based. McClure is one of those people, and there are a few of us, who are very interested in county government. Brown is so interested he's already running for something else. Same with Geissinger.
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