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| Ron Angle had a good night |
Either that or they hate baseball.
Before getting into the debate itself, let me tell you about Northampton County Council. It is the legislative branch of county government. It is a check and balance on executive power, and has the authority to approve or replace the Executive's spending plan. It is a nine-member body, each receiving a $9,500 annual salary. Members may participate in the pension plan, but receive no medical benefits. The five seats up for grabs this year are "at-large" seats, meaning they are county-wide instead of restricted to a portion of the county.
Northampton County Council currently has a 7-2 GOP majority.
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| Tara Zrinski and Lori Heffner were formidable |
The candidates consists of five Democrats and five Republicans. The Republican candidates are Ron Angle, Peg Ferraro, Glenn Geissinger, Hayden Phillips and Seth Vaughn. All but Angle are incumbents. The Democratic candidates are Ron Heckman, Lori Vargo Heffner, Bill McGee, Peter Melan and Tara Zrinski. You can read about their backgrounds in The Bethlehem Press Voter guide.
Unlike the Executive debate last week, in which Brown and challenger Lamont McClure had the luxury of having 90 seconds to answer a question, the ten candidates were limited to one-minute replies. With ten people answering the same question, it was at times a bit of an echo chamber. It was a situation built for one-liners, and the person who did that best while demonstrating knowledge about the county would have to be considered the winner.
In my view, the winner here was Ron Angle. He was funny, self-deprecatory, fast on his feet, well-informed, willing to mix it up and relaxed.
Before the forum even started, Ron was approached by several League of Women Voter members, who remember him from previous events.
"You're going to be good tonight, aren't you?"
"I'm always good, and when I'm not, I'm great."
When he spied Bill White making his way into the room, Angle told me to bring my camera and then tried to slip Bill a $100 bill for good coverage as people around the duo stood there with their mouths open. .
"You only give me $50," I complained.
"Well, Bill is better."
I tried to photograph the attempted bribe, but all I got was a head shot as Bill laughed Ron off.
I guess he is better.
Angle, Heckman, Ferraro and Phillips were clearly the most knowledgeable candidates. I was also very impressed by the passion and fire that Zrinski and Heffner brought. Vaughn, whom I don't like at all, managed to present himself as a likable guy who really cares about people and got some laughter when he spoke about his three children with "one on the way." Melan seemed to impress people when he described himself as a "city slicker," but his message fell flat with both parties.
I was a bit put off when Geissinger began snickering with Vaughn as Zrinski mentioned that she thought Council needed a woman. It may have been totally unrelated to what Zrinski was saying, but it was bad optics.
Of the ten candidates, McGee has spent the most money and has a good message. But he was clearly uncomfortable speaking to a large audience.
Here's how candidates responded to some of the questions.
Home Rule Charter Study. - By a 6-3 vote, Northampton County Council has voted to support a ballot question asking you, the voter, to decide whether a government study is needed. That study could recommend a return to the Commissioner form of government, could recommend altering the Home Rule Charter or advise that no changes are needed at all. Executive John Brown has vetoed this ordinance, leaving Council with a vote to override it tonight.
Heckman has no problem with putting this question to the voters, but warns there would be "zero transparency" if the County returned to three-Commissioner rule.
McGee complained about the money involved and said it is best to "leave it alone." Ferraro said it would cost $500,000. Geissinger said he's opposed to a study. . Zrinski complained a study has no purpose other than to dismantle the Home Rule Charter. "If it's not broken, don't fix it," added Heffner.
But Phillips and Vaughn called it a "good government" move. "I'm all for it," Phillips said.
Ron Angle said the only reason that both Lehigh and Northampton County have home rule is because it was concocted by a group of industrialists in some back room at the Holiday Inn. He said that Council is nothing more than "the coal firemen on a diesel locomotive. It absolutely needs to be studied."
Council attendance - Everyone agreed that Council attendance is very important, both for full council and committee meetings. Melan stressed several times that he has a 100% attendance record on Easton City Council. But that's not saying much. He's only been in office since January 2016. More impressive was Hayden Phillips, who attended 76 of 80 meetings last year and has an overall attendance over the past three years of 83%. Ferraro has an attendance record of 81% over the past three years, while Geissinger (74%) and Vaughn (67%) were hypocritical in their replies. Angle said that in his 12 years on Council, his attendance was almost 100%. "There are two things you can set your watch on. I'll be there, and there will be no tax hike." .
New Jail - Melan said a new jail is needed and should be located outside of Easton, where he said it is an "eyesore." Phillips, Ferraro, Vaughn and Geissinger all say a new jail is needed, which has been estimated to cost $185 million. Zrinski and Heffner are not so sure. Zrinski complained that Brown awarded a $72,000 contract and no one on Council held him accountable. Heffner added that 40% of the beds are empty and that there has been "no transparency." Phillips said he will be sponsoring a resolution tonight to ask the National Institute of Corrections for a second opinion before spending a lot of money. Heckman warned, "You're not going to build yourself out of a prison problem," and was incredulous that Brown has conducted a study without even talking to the judges and the DA. "County executives are all Pharaohs and they all want a pyramid," he complained.
"You gotta' love government," observed Angle. He noted that the county wants to spend $180 million on a jail and is fixing 33 brides and is claiming that it has saved us $17 million.
Asked where he'd put a new jail, Angle had a fast answer. "Warren County."
During the jail discussion, Zrinski at one point bragged that she was one of the few candidates to tour the jail. She also credited herself with suggesting a separate jail study by the National Institute of Corrections. Her claim to be one of the few to tour the jail was disputed by several Council members.
"I've been in the prison many, many times," said Angle, and everyone started laughing, as what he said is not quite what he meant.
"Me, too," wisecracked Heckman, and someone suggested they may have been cell mates.
Gracedale - No Northampton County debate would be complete unless everyone paid homage to Gracedale, and they all did so. Even Angle. He said that he is a great believer in democracy, and that thanks to John Brown, Gracedale is in the black "I'm not sure why it's even a topic," he suggested.
Heffner agreed."It's 1/1/17, and I agree with Ron Angle.I don't understand why it's still an issue."
It's still an issue to Zrinski, who said Gracedale is in the black because workers there gave up $3 million in wages. "Why can't we give them back their wages?" she asked.
DaVinci Aquarium. - This is a proposed $130 million aquarium, located in downtown Easton, on a flood plain. "It's really a science center supporting STEM," said Ferraro.Vaughn said he "can't see a better way to use hotel tax." Phillips supports the idea but not the $15 million that DaVinci wants from the county Geissinger called it a "wonderful project," but that it needs more study and examination. McGee said he is leaning towards it. Melan said he supports it, and that building in a flood plain is no problem. He also said that DaVinci has $1.1 million of the $1.2 million needed for a feasibility study.
That money was supposed to have been raised already, so that is hardly an endorsement
Angle said he always gets skeptical of public private partnerships, and worries about this kind of spending when the county is also looking at 33 bridges, a $180 million jail and is still paying off a $111 million bond.
"It should be able to fly on its own," he concluded.
Heckman had reservations, too. He warned that developers dazzle you with charts and then give you a bill Zrinski said she has three children and they all liked shiny new toys. "I don't know if we should be spending taxpayer dollars for a shiny new toy," she said. Noting that the aquarium is in a flood plain, she always instructed her children not to leave their toys out in the rain.
Heffner objected to there being a "county ATM on all the projects for everyone."
Opioid Epidemic - This is one question that had everyone stumped. Angle and several others acknowledged personal experience with it. "If I had just two weeks to live, I'd track down a few drug dealers and kill them." No one really had an answer.
Farmland Preservation - "We fund to the need," explained Philips. "There's not a farm that needs funding that does not get it." Angle, who supports farmland preservation, noted that Upper Mount Bethel has reduced its tax for open space because applications have dropped.
But Heckman countered, "We can promote it better." Heffner suggested "new initiatives," such as training farmers. Zrinski complained that Brown has cut finding 84% and said full funding is "imperative" to reduce urban sprawl.
She also complained about sludge, both Class A and B.
"Are you an expert?" asked Angle, a farmer who has used Class A sludge.
"Not yet."
"Talk to me when you are."
Of the Republicans, I'd rate them from best to worst as Angle, Phillips, Ferraro, Vaughn and Geissinger. Incredibly, Geissinger stood up at the end and said the Democrats basically agreed with the Republicans. That just opened him up to pointing out numerous areas of disagreement.
Of the Democrats, my best to worst is Heckman, Zrinski, Heffner, Melan and McGee.
This forum would never have happened but for Beverly Hernandez and the Northampton County League of Women Voters. We owe her and her group a big thank you. Once again, Lafayette professor John Kincaid added some dignity.
Unlike the Executive debate last week, in which Brown and challenger Lamont McClure had the luxury of having 90 seconds to answer a question, the ten candidates were limited to one-minute replies. With ten people answering the same question, it was at times a bit of an echo chamber. It was a situation built for one-liners, and the person who did that best while demonstrating knowledge about the county would have to be considered the winner.
In my view, the winner here was Ron Angle. He was funny, self-deprecatory, fast on his feet, well-informed, willing to mix it up and relaxed.
Before the forum even started, Ron was approached by several League of Women Voter members, who remember him from previous events.
"You're going to be good tonight, aren't you?"
"I'm always good, and when I'm not, I'm great."
When he spied Bill White making his way into the room, Angle told me to bring my camera and then tried to slip Bill a $100 bill for good coverage as people around the duo stood there with their mouths open. .
"You only give me $50," I complained.
"Well, Bill is better."
I tried to photograph the attempted bribe, but all I got was a head shot as Bill laughed Ron off.
I guess he is better.
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| Hayden "the colonel" Phillips |
I was a bit put off when Geissinger began snickering with Vaughn as Zrinski mentioned that she thought Council needed a woman. It may have been totally unrelated to what Zrinski was saying, but it was bad optics.
Of the ten candidates, McGee has spent the most money and has a good message. But he was clearly uncomfortable speaking to a large audience.
Here's how candidates responded to some of the questions.
Home Rule Charter Study. - By a 6-3 vote, Northampton County Council has voted to support a ballot question asking you, the voter, to decide whether a government study is needed. That study could recommend a return to the Commissioner form of government, could recommend altering the Home Rule Charter or advise that no changes are needed at all. Executive John Brown has vetoed this ordinance, leaving Council with a vote to override it tonight.
Heckman has no problem with putting this question to the voters, but warns there would be "zero transparency" if the County returned to three-Commissioner rule.
McGee complained about the money involved and said it is best to "leave it alone." Ferraro said it would cost $500,000. Geissinger said he's opposed to a study. . Zrinski complained a study has no purpose other than to dismantle the Home Rule Charter. "If it's not broken, don't fix it," added Heffner.
But Phillips and Vaughn called it a "good government" move. "I'm all for it," Phillips said.
Ron Angle said the only reason that both Lehigh and Northampton County have home rule is because it was concocted by a group of industrialists in some back room at the Holiday Inn. He said that Council is nothing more than "the coal firemen on a diesel locomotive. It absolutely needs to be studied."
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| Ron Heckman |
New Jail - Melan said a new jail is needed and should be located outside of Easton, where he said it is an "eyesore." Phillips, Ferraro, Vaughn and Geissinger all say a new jail is needed, which has been estimated to cost $185 million. Zrinski and Heffner are not so sure. Zrinski complained that Brown awarded a $72,000 contract and no one on Council held him accountable. Heffner added that 40% of the beds are empty and that there has been "no transparency." Phillips said he will be sponsoring a resolution tonight to ask the National Institute of Corrections for a second opinion before spending a lot of money. Heckman warned, "You're not going to build yourself out of a prison problem," and was incredulous that Brown has conducted a study without even talking to the judges and the DA. "County executives are all Pharaohs and they all want a pyramid," he complained.
"You gotta' love government," observed Angle. He noted that the county wants to spend $180 million on a jail and is fixing 33 brides and is claiming that it has saved us $17 million.
Asked where he'd put a new jail, Angle had a fast answer. "Warren County."
During the jail discussion, Zrinski at one point bragged that she was one of the few candidates to tour the jail. She also credited herself with suggesting a separate jail study by the National Institute of Corrections. Her claim to be one of the few to tour the jail was disputed by several Council members.
"I've been in the prison many, many times," said Angle, and everyone started laughing, as what he said is not quite what he meant.
"Me, too," wisecracked Heckman, and someone suggested they may have been cell mates.
Gracedale - No Northampton County debate would be complete unless everyone paid homage to Gracedale, and they all did so. Even Angle. He said that he is a great believer in democracy, and that thanks to John Brown, Gracedale is in the black "I'm not sure why it's even a topic," he suggested.
Heffner agreed."It's 1/1/17, and I agree with Ron Angle.I don't understand why it's still an issue."
It's still an issue to Zrinski, who said Gracedale is in the black because workers there gave up $3 million in wages. "Why can't we give them back their wages?" she asked.
DaVinci Aquarium. - This is a proposed $130 million aquarium, located in downtown Easton, on a flood plain. "It's really a science center supporting STEM," said Ferraro.Vaughn said he "can't see a better way to use hotel tax." Phillips supports the idea but not the $15 million that DaVinci wants from the county Geissinger called it a "wonderful project," but that it needs more study and examination. McGee said he is leaning towards it. Melan said he supports it, and that building in a flood plain is no problem. He also said that DaVinci has $1.1 million of the $1.2 million needed for a feasibility study.
That money was supposed to have been raised already, so that is hardly an endorsement
Angle said he always gets skeptical of public private partnerships, and worries about this kind of spending when the county is also looking at 33 bridges, a $180 million jail and is still paying off a $111 million bond.
"It should be able to fly on its own," he concluded.
Heckman had reservations, too. He warned that developers dazzle you with charts and then give you a bill Zrinski said she has three children and they all liked shiny new toys. "I don't know if we should be spending taxpayer dollars for a shiny new toy," she said. Noting that the aquarium is in a flood plain, she always instructed her children not to leave their toys out in the rain.
Heffner objected to there being a "county ATM on all the projects for everyone."
Opioid Epidemic - This is one question that had everyone stumped. Angle and several others acknowledged personal experience with it. "If I had just two weeks to live, I'd track down a few drug dealers and kill them." No one really had an answer.
Farmland Preservation - "We fund to the need," explained Philips. "There's not a farm that needs funding that does not get it." Angle, who supports farmland preservation, noted that Upper Mount Bethel has reduced its tax for open space because applications have dropped.
But Heckman countered, "We can promote it better." Heffner suggested "new initiatives," such as training farmers. Zrinski complained that Brown has cut finding 84% and said full funding is "imperative" to reduce urban sprawl.
She also complained about sludge, both Class A and B.
"Are you an expert?" asked Angle, a farmer who has used Class A sludge.
"Not yet."
"Talk to me when you are."
Of the Republicans, I'd rate them from best to worst as Angle, Phillips, Ferraro, Vaughn and Geissinger. Incredibly, Geissinger stood up at the end and said the Democrats basically agreed with the Republicans. That just opened him up to pointing out numerous areas of disagreement.
Of the Democrats, my best to worst is Heckman, Zrinski, Heffner, Melan and McGee.
This forum would never have happened but for Beverly Hernandez and the Northampton County League of Women Voters. We owe her and her group a big thank you. Once again, Lafayette professor John Kincaid added some dignity.
42 comments:
" Heffner added that 40% of the beds are empty". This just goes to show you how uniformed these Politian's are. Some of the units in the Jail are not accessible due to structural issues. Also, some inmates cannot be housed with others so this cuts down on bed usage. The Jail was not built for Mental, Medical or special needs. This also restricts bed usage. You would think Mr. Heffner would have investigated this before making such a statement but then again he's a typical Politian trying to make a point with inaccurate information.
8:03 but still 40% of the beds are EMPTY
try another spin and we might believe you
If Gracedale is all OK, why did the GOP tea baggers not want to hold a debate there this year? They always did in the past? Vote Brown and incumbents out!
I am very surprised at the support shown for the county aquarium funding. I will admit that I have not done any formal polling but I do speak with a lot of people who have widely varied political and social beliefs. I am discovering very little support for the public funding of this project. Interestingly that opinion seems equally shared by both the people who want taxes limited and those who are pro-Easton, pro-urban, and who like the existing Da Vinci science center. I don't know who the candidates are speaking with but the general opinions I am hearing are mostly negative at least as far as supporting this with a large infusion of publicly derived funds.
Had the opportunity to speak with County Executive John Brown and he seemed to be a likable guy. Peter Melan also seemed knowledgeable on lots of the topics.
Hickman is by far the best choice. He has the experience and the time to be a full time county councilman. No one else comes close
I love 10:00's attempt to give John Brown and Peter some love! This person knew them before and was always voting for them.
Interesting that the person who said the debate was poorly attended and is talking about the mystery poll on previous threads has not come back on this thread when Bernie debunks his knowledge of the race.
8:03, speaking of uninformed, it is Ms. Hefner.
No for building in any flood plain
Ron Angle will win I'm only disappointed he didn't wear suspenders and ball cap, the suit makes him look like a gangster...
He won the debate, is clearly the best candidate, and he will lose.
What was the name of the charity Ron donated all of his council pay to,lol.
2:59pm >>
The " Me , myself and I Club !" lol
Bernie.. Change of topic--
Pardon me for asking but noticed you eliminated links to other sites. Are you working on that or is this permanent?
Completely accidental. I tried to add a link to a wordpress blog, and it blew up the entire blog. I removed it, and in the process, must have removed the entire page of links. I will have to add them again.
"What was the name of the charity Ron donated all of his council pay to,lol. "
It is in a bank account, collecting interest. You ought to try it sometime.
Is it fair to say Angle and Heckman shined? They were in county council. Don't they have an unfair advantage? The question is do they understand Northampton County in the 21st century?
I was told they praised the republicans accomplishments, isn't that true. You must tell people the entire story.
Can Ron Heckman and Ron Angle continue to collect a pension from the county while serving on Council? Will they freeze their pension 4 years? Can they double dip?
anon 4:18, Yes they can as county council is by law a part-time position.
4:16, Heckman, Peg and aron have institional knowledge. If this meant they get an automatic 5,000 votes, that would be an unfair advantage. But they have no advantage in the polling booth. All three know what it is like to lose. Geissinger attempted to claim the the Ds praised the GOP, but was quickly corrected. He has no institutional knowledge. He spent a year running for Congress and both he and Vaughn have pathetic attendance.
I am not a fan of Angle in any way, but he definitely made the strongest showing among the R's. I wouldn't say he "won" anything, as there was no debate to win. He also didn't necessarily have the strongest showing on the panel. D's overall outperformed R's overall, principally thanks to Vaughn being predictably unlikable/unprepared and Geissinger putting as much effort into the forum as he did into attending Council meetings.
There's definitely a chuckle to be had at the idea that "knowing what you're doing" somehow constitutes an "unfair advantage" in a forum or debate. What a world.
Now, if you're disagreeing with someone being a council-person for 24 out of the last 28 years or someone so full of themselves that they consider themselves "objectively legendary", there are a couple of candidates on the R side you may want to take a closer look at.
A friend at the debate sated it was rather bland but blamed the format. He is a republicans but did agree with your assessment of Angle and Heckman. He didn't think Peg did as well as you think. He also liked McGee. He did say that he was surprised by how laid back Vaughn and Geissinger appeared to be, Almost disinterested at tomes.
He also mentioned that it appeared that both Angle and Heckman were chomping at the bit for more time to get into the topics in a hot and heavy way. He said they acted like they were at an actual county meeting.
The format did make it tough. I appreciate your assessment, and may have been a bit too tough on McGee, I am sure he will appreciate your critique. Ron and Ron.
McGee initially seemed to stumble a bit and didn't hit any homers, but as the forum wore on he came across as very likable, authentic, and down-to-earth. I'm not sure whether any of that has come across to voters or not, but he strikes me as a high-quality sort of candidate who I'd think has bipartisan appeal.
I think the Dems will fare well, but Ferraro and Angle may get through on the R side. The write-in thing in Bethlehem will help, and Melan's presence might activate some Easton voters. Of course this is presupposing that the entire turnout doesn't just vote straight-ticket to either protest Trump or voice their continuing support for bloviating orange neofascism.
Based on everything I have heard and read as well as what has occurred, I will be voting in some grownups to counter John Brown's government by consultant and cronies.
The guy is a taxing and spending machine. $80 million for a prison, is her and his county council people nuts?? Have they even taken the time to do their won research?
Much as I love Ron,and I do, he finished 5th in the primary, and is hated by both Ds and Rs. He has my vote, but he was really unable to mount a campaign this year.
anon 9:21, make that $180 million not $80 million. From what I am told his minions on county council are full on behind it. The next tax increase will be epic!!!
My loves is God Country Family oh and JFK, vote the John Birch Society Tbagger Philips out, do the county a favor and get rid of this tax and spend republipuke
I have deep respect for Hayden Phillips who is a man of conscience, hard-working and independent. Though I am a Democrat and he is tea party, he has my vote. I choose integrity over party.
Bernie, I can't believe that someone is upset with having experienced and knowledgeable people on county government. Imagine, people who know what the hell they are talking about wanting to serve on council. Is this country going crazy or having a nervous breakdown, Bernie?
Seriously, in the age of Trump, first we claim science is now an opinion and experience is terrible. No wonder we are in the shitter.
On Tuesday my "protest" vote will be for some experience and common-sense, before we end up back in caves wearing animal skins and howling at the moon!.
Frankly, I think it is admirable that Angle and Heckman are willing to come forward at this time in their lives. I am sure both could sit back and enjoy their later years, yet here they are. I know people whom have run for office and they say it is a grind. Also people are always taking shots at you.
So whether you support them or not, they are giving it a go. They both have served in the past in county government, so maybe they feel they can add something.
It is in the hands of God.
Phillips is as wishy washy as ones undergarments. He tends to go with whatever view keeps him in line with his political agenda. He doesn't care about what is good for the county but what's good for him. I will not be voting for him.
This is inaccurate. You can make your partisan pick, and i’ll Vote for the man with a conscience. That’s a rarity on Council.
I'm assuming Angle said this: ""If I had just two weeks to live, I'd track down a few drug dealers and kill them."" It's not clear. Why is Angle threatening doctors and corporate exectives and CVS pharmacists?
Pull the lever for Democrat. The end of Trumpism starts now.
This is inaccurate. You can make your partisan pick, and i’ll Vote for the man with a conscience. That’s a rarity on Council.
No one with "conscience" supports Trumpism. Tea Party IS Trumpism. More accurately, tea party nonsense has evolved into Trumpism.
I am very much opposed to authoritarian Donald Trump and that is why I will support a conservative with a conscience.
I have yet to see a Republican stand up to anything Trump has said or done. Let me know when that happens.
Trumpers hate Ron. He is hurting the R ticket.
Is He registered?
Thanks for writing this up Bernie, great summary. I cannot wait to vote almost all Democrat tomorrow.
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