Unlike the President, newly elected county executives give no inaugural speeches. Perhaps they should. Common wisdom is that elected executives are judged by what they get done during their first 100 days in office. NorCo Executive Lamont McClure, who will start his term of office on January 2, has explained what he intends to do in an
op-ed published in The Morning Call. As he explains it, his top priority is the selection of a cabinet that will help him pursue his broader goals of protecting seniors and youth, preserving the county's diminishing supply of open space and creating an economic environment that attracts and retains jobs. He also believes it's time to treat county workers with dignity.
Did you know that an employee in Northampton County's Civil Division makes $3 an hour less than his and her counterparts in Lehigh County? Not only is this worker paid less, but the benefits are worse, too. I know this because the employees know this. They know lots of things.
McClure's greatest resource - the employee - is at his fingertips. That's where he'll find the best suggestions on how to get things done. Fortunately, he knows this, unlike his predecessor.
I hope he does a desk audit and salary study. After that is done, I hope that he pays us what it determines, not like past executives.
ReplyDeleteHe will do what all democrats do, raise taxes and spend more money. It is that simple.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that if the Civil Division gets paid the $3 increase that they might get up to wait on you in a TIMELY manner and without behaving like you bothered them to do their job???
ReplyDelete1) Approve fish tank
ReplyDelete2) Approve new jail
3) Give generous raises to county employee/supporters
4) Raise taxes to pay for 1, 2, 3
Norco employees = constantly crying union pukes who are under worked and over paid and benefited
ReplyDeleteThe NorCo civil division is a wasteful place with a staff of LAZY... Go in as a tax payer and asked one of them to get up from playing a game on their computer or texting on phone. Lehigh County is top notch helpful...
ReplyDeleteNorCo... good luck
NorCo is full of lazy dead beats that should all be fired-
@9:08 am aka Amy Trapp... why are all county workers lazy? They show up everyday and sadly did not get to live it up like your staff who were constantly being "trained" at a great expense to the taxpayers!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Ms Trapp should have hoverboarded down to the civil division with her four dogs and offered them some popcorn.
DeleteGet ready for the inmates to run the asylum again. At tax payers expense.
ReplyDeleteI deleted a comment with a huge gap at the end.
ReplyDelete"The NorCo civil division is a wasteful place with a staff of LAZY... Go in as a tax payer and asked one of them to get up from playing a game on their computer or texting on phone. "
ReplyDeleteAs a regular user of that office, I can attest this statement is an absolute lie posted by someone who is very unhappy. They are extremely busy and try their best to be helpful, but are unable yto dispense legal advice.
1) Approve fish tank
ReplyDelete2) Approve new jail
3) Give generous raises to county employee/supporters
4) Raise taxes to pay for 1, 2, 3"
Here's my guess.
1) Repeal fish tank ordinance and downsize it to a grant equivalent to what was paid for Steelstacks. (I would still vote No.)
2) Study alternatives to incarceration and meet with the courts and DA for suggestionsand their expertise.
3) Do a salary study to reduce the salary compression and ensure that employees are compensated more fairly.
4) There will be no tax hike.
I deleted a comment, posted anonymously, that attacks me instead of addressing the topic at hand.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to attack an employee by name, and that employee isnot a public figure, you need to ID yourself, and in a manner that is clear enough for a Sheriff to find you when you are sued for defamation.
ReplyDeleteDefamation huh? You need to practice what you preach.
DeleteRaise our taxes.
ReplyDeleteI am curious too. The campaign he ran was all about John Brown. I didn't hear from him "when I am elected, I will listen to the employees for their suggestions."
ReplyDelete12:08, You are not listening. McClure ALREADY listens to the employees. And his campaign certainly pointed out Brown's shortcomings, but also focused on what he wants to do. He expanded on that in the one and only debate bc Brown refused to face him. Now you can return to your Trump kool-aid.
ReplyDeleteThe following are comments to Lamont McClure's op-ed piece in the Morning Call yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI share Lamont McClure's hunger for "civil county government". I have heard that Ken Kraft may be the new president of county council. If so, Mr. Kraft has not always set the example for civility on council and that must change. Political partisanship should not have a public face in county government, especially in public council meetings. As you negatively frame the policies of the current federal administration, please know where the "unfunded mandates from Harrisburg" come from. They come from the federal level and are implemented on the state level and "trickle down" to the county level. The well-intentioned regulations from the previous administration may now be affecting Northampton County. Restoring open space funding to "Stoffa-era levels" only makes sense if the need supports such funding. In order to bring about the "profound-change" which you believe is dictated by the election results, you and council must lead by example. If you believe the public is hungry for "civil county government", please feed it to them. I also hope for a "competent, contemplative and civil county government". My wish is for a positive prosperous path for Northampton County.
"Defamation huh? You need to practice what you preach."
ReplyDeleteOh I do. I am quite careful with factual assertions and would never publish anything with a reckless disregard for truth. If you want to trash public employees who are by no mean even limited purpose public figures, I expect you to identify yourself, and in a way that accepts responsibility. Otherwise, you are just an empty can.
Yea, you keep telling yourself that. It may make it a little easier when the sheriff shows up at your door.
Delete"He will do what all democrats do, raise taxes and spend more money. It is that simple."
ReplyDeleteHe and the other Democrats won't have to do that since your tea party republicans already did it. Bernie hates when people point out that his hero Hayden teaman wanted to raise taxes 20% but then settled for 10% hike. They all spent money like drunken sailors but keep living in your tea bag fantasy.
Also just as a political screw job Phillips and the others republican tax raisers wanted to cut taxes after their four years of unbridled spending.
so please don't let the facts get in the way of your teabagger fantasies.
Okay, we get it your sucking up to the friends you have in that office.. lets hope smile and give you the helpful most get when they go in there and it is not much Bernie. They are not friendly nor nice to the taxpayer who they work for. You wont hear not one of them ever say to you How can I help you"?
ReplyDeleteMost of the employees in the Civil Division DO NOT ask how they can help you OR great you with a smile OR apologize for making you wait a ridiculous amount of time to be waited on. I cringe any time I need to go into that office.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I believe that you are treated differently because they know that you would right about how you were being treated.
That office needs to change right from the boss.
Go away, Constable Cray Cray.
ReplyDeleteWord on the street is Barron, Charles Dirtinger and Ken Kraft will be in his Admisntration. There are a few other names being thrown around including an ex-directors old girlfriend currently retired. The possible Human Services pick is terrible.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the county council asks the tough questions. So should you.
The Dirt Man?? WHAT???
ReplyDelete"Word on the street is Barron, Charles Dirtinger and Ken Kraft will be in his Admisntration. There are a few other names being thrown around including an ex-directors old girlfriend currently retired. The possible Human Services pick is terrible.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the county council asks the tough questions. So should you."
I always do. And I always say who I am.
"Most of the employees in the Civil Division DO NOT ask how they can help you OR great you with a smile OR apologize for making you wait a ridiculous amount of time to be waited on. I cringe any time I need to go into that office."
ReplyDeleteThis is a lie posted by someone who is really a dissatisfied litigant. I watch how the workers there treat members of the public. I have seen one or two instances in which they are rude. But the rest of the time, they go out of their way to be helpful. If you have bad experiences there, it is almost certainly bc you are an asshole.
" Bernie hates when people point out that his hero Hayden teaman wanted to raise taxes 20% but then settled for 10% hike. They all spent money like drunken sailors but keep living in your tea bag fantasy.
ReplyDeleteAlso just as a political screw job Phillips and the others republican tax raisers wanted to cut taxes after their four years of unbridled spending."
Facts are nasty little things.
First, Phillips is far from my hero. He has never once linked to a story I have written. Not once. I suspect he thinks I am beneath him, and maybe I am. But I call things as I see them, and he has been an excellent member of Council. He has integrity and a conscience, while you can't sign your name and are inherently dishonest.
Second, I know only one person who seems to devote every waking moment to bashing Phillips.You need to knock it off or I will out you.
Third, it is true and fair to point out that he suggested a 20% tax hike and voted for a 10% tax hike. That's on him. But it was not Phillips who suggested the tax cut. That person was Brown. just as brown conned Phillips into pushing for a tax hike, he prodded him to vote for a tax cut. Fortunately, Phillips eventually withdrew his motion and ultimately voted to adopt the budget as is. Those are the facts.
Bernie, are the above rumors concerning McClure's picks true or even plausible?
ReplyDeleteMcClure will reveal his cabinet appointees next week. Jan 4. That’s when we find out.
ReplyDeleteCares about the employees? Who has he talked to? I don’t recall receiving an email, call, or meeting. How can you know what’s going on in the departments if you don’t speak to the people who do the job every day. Comments posted on your blog aren’t necessarily a true representation of how things operate. Hopefully his cabinet will take time to talk to the “county’s most valuable assets” before making changes they think will be a benefit. For as much as people bash certain divisions, a lot of great work is being done for the citizens of the County. If you want to start out right and show we are valued, meet with the people.
ReplyDeleteHe has several contacts within the workforce and has been meeting them regularly. Brown had group meeting and then stuck a knife in their backs.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteNo comment? Not like you
ReplyDeleteThe transition will be so seamless most won't even notice, and when the new administration is up a running, again, most won't be able to distinguish a distinctive difference.
ReplyDeleteMcDonalds getting a new CEO won't change the taste of the burger and no matter what he promises the price won't go down.
@8:03 AM - Sorry Bernie but you are wrong on this one. First, I am not an asshole. Secondly, they are definitely rude, just like their boss.
ReplyDeleteAs long as Cathy Allen is jettisoned...I'm fine with whoever Lamont picks.
ReplyDelete@ 11:29 AM - I'm underpaid and overworked but I'm not rude to the people who pay my salary.
ReplyDeleteBernie in many of your previous blogs over the years you ripped McClure for not holding committee meetings or being a no show. What has he done recently that has changed your outlook on what he will do as County Exec?
ReplyDeleteI ripped into his attendance record on Council, but two things happened. First, as McClure began to realize how bad Brown was, he started attending more committee meetings, either in person or on phone. Second, I never knew until recently that McClure was often unable to attend committee meetings bc he was expected to stay at the office during working hours. I wish I had known that years ago. Lamont never told me this. One of his good friends did. I consider attendance important.
ReplyDeleteO Hare is a equal opportunity liar. He lies from both sides of his mouth. Real talent.
ReplyDelete