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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, December 30, 2016

Do NorCo Dems Have a Chance Next Year?

As the clock winds down on an eventful 2016, some are looking ahead to next year's municipal races. This story is about the Northampton County Council and Executive races. John Brown will be starting his fourth year as Executive, ending his term in office unless he runs again. Count on it. The five at-large Council seats, all of them held by Republicans, will also be up for grabs. I think it's likely that NorCo will remain red, at least for now.

  • Brown's first year in office was an unmitigated disaster. He screwed the County workforce by unilaterally reducing medical benefits, hired a propaganda director without permission, attempted to jam a $400,000 "consultant" down our throats, fired an assistant solicitor without giving her due process, got caught padding his expense reports, and actually had the temerity to post armed guards outside his office. He also went along with a ten per cent tax hike engineered by the Republicans 
  • During Brown's second year, it was discovered that he authorized numerous pay hikes to county staffers without getting permission from Council. Hotel tax grants were stalled because his quondam Director of Community and Economic Development, Diane Donaher, tried to give the entire $400,000 in hotel tax grants to the Northampton County Historical Society, which just happens to be chaired by a major Republican benefactor. 
  • In his third year, Brown was an absentee Executive,trying to get elected to the state auditor general position. 
  • Brown also shoved a Latino Director of Administration out of the way to make room for Cathy Allen as his top lieutenant despite her history of unpaid tax liens, foreclosure, lack of education and experience.   
  • After allowing the important Director of Emergency Management  to go unfilled for 18 months, he installed Todd Weaver, who just happened to be on the selection committee that panned everyone else. Weaver was chosen despite clear evidence that he is engaged in a blatant conflict of interest, approving payments to his daddy at a fire school where his daughter and wife are also involved.  
  • He has been completely nontransparent, refusing to respond to media requests. He has been reluctant to state just what he did before he became Executive. His new web site is an insult to the public he supposedly serves, providing less information than its predecessor. He has completely failed to use new forms of social media like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Snapchat and Nixel to reach out to the public.    

Though this sounds bad, he is the frontrunner. Here's why.

  • Two Democrats are interested in this seat, Bob Werner and Lamont McClure. If they engage in a primary battle, even if they keep it civil, they are going to bleed each other of money that could be used in the general election.
  • It appears unlikely that any Republicans will be running in the Democratic strongholds of Easton and Bethlehem. That guarantees a low turnout there, and just like four years ago, makes a countywide Republican victory more likely.
  • The big unknown is the national mood.  If President Donald Trump is a disaster, it should still take about 18 months for people to realize they elected a demagogue. But if Trump is as good as he claims he is, Democrats are in for a thumping. Persons like Seth Vaughn,who said "Who cares?" about missing an important budget hearing, will be re-elected and proved correct   

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even if either Dem had no opposition, they would be toast. Werner is just too weak to win. McClure didn't even bother running for his district re-election knowing full well he would lose and that would end his countywide ambitions.

Both of these guys are typical insider politico democrats that have no chance of winning. Once again democrat heart over brains candidate love.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I'm voting for Brown, mostly because you hate him and throw the race-baiting bomb. That's desperation. And I love it.

Anonymous said...

What about Johnny Casino? He might actually be a better alternative for the Dem's than what has already emerged. Four years of not seeing his name in print probably helps his popularity rating.

Anonymous said...

Brown..the clown? No way Jose!

Anonymous said...

Are there any bigots, racists or sexist candidates like Trump available to run in Northampton County?

Anonymous said...

Brown and his clowns are very vulnerable, however, the democrats have not even mentioned a viable candidate. How said that a person with Brown's demeanor, non-transparency, inexperience and cutthroat activities may prevail again in NC. This just illustrates why the political scene in NC is horrendous.

Anonymous said...

Maybe we need a R challenger rather than a Dem. champion. NC is now definitely as red as an apple so why not bring in another more desirable Republican?

Anonymous said...

The last tine McClure ran for county executive in the primary he came in third out of three candidates,dead last. Not good. Before Bernie started promoting him, he would have pointed that out.

Anonymous said...

How about Bob Donches

Anonymous said...

Bobby D will be re-elected mayor, he's happy. If either McClure or Werner has even a chance they need better known Dem's running for county council as democrats. Without some better countywide name recognition on the ticket they are doomed, since they are longshots anyway.

Anonymous said...

a lot of bethlehemites would love to see booby d leave

Bernie O'Hare said...

Not really. But lots of my readers would love it if you stopped commenting here. You are always negative about Bethlehem, have hated pretty much everyone in office there, yet you lack the guts to say who you are. If anyone is a booby, it is you.

Anonymous said...

My dream ticket Callahan or Panto for ex and Reibmam, Seyfried, Grucela, Heckman and Sifar or Heller if he can retire. The most experienced government slate

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:456 sounds good but doubtful. As to Panto, only his loyal sycophants still see him as a viable countywide option. Callahan seems happy in his hookup with his pals at Perrucci. In 2013 Seyfried and Heckman ran. In fact Heckman just came up short in the Republican sweep of council. Not enough Bethlehem votes in the Fall and that was about it. Same problem this coming year. I think both Seyfried and Heckman are busy on retirement but who knows one or both may run again.

Anonymous said...

Grucela and Heller are two interesting names.

Anonymous said...

Anon 7:22 yeah from which century?

Anonymous said...

Not so fast! Get ready for a name to be dropped in the next couple of weeks for Mayor of Bethlehem. More people than you think want Bobby (I can't make a decision) Donchez out of there.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I have heardthe same rumor about Morales. You should use his name instead of being sneaky.

Anonymous said...

I am amazed that there are people over 25 years old that still believe there is a difference between the two.

Anonymous said...

Watch for Glenn Reibman to make an executive run. He would win a primary over McClure and empty suit Werner

Anonymous said...

Callahan does appear to be happy in the private sector, not a surprise, he did well there before becoming mayor. With the lackluster performance of Donchez, it does seem absence has made the heart grow fonder. He would give Brown his biggest challenge but it does look like Northampton is increasingly turning red. There is also no reason for the Democratic strongholds of Beth and Easton to turn out for county elections making this cycle a tough one. Also it appears the Dem slate for county council is very weak. You may think the Dem slate from the last cycle was a little retro but it offered quality and experience. Something voters do not seem to value much anymore.