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| Courtroom No. 1 packed for swearing-in ceremony |
Yesterday, before a standing room only crowd of over 300 people and a crisply uniformed color guard made up of corrections officers, a gavel banged and a tipstaff proclaimed, "All rise." Everyone did, and after some delay, Northampton County's entire bench, bedecked in their flowing black robes, entered historic Courtroom One. The main reason for all this pomp and circumstance was a swearing-in ceremony for the eighth County Executive, Lamont McClure, since the inception of Home Rule in 1978.
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| McClure delivered brief remarks after being sworn in. |
"Being elected County Executive is the only thing I've ever wanted to do in public life," McClure would eventually tell this throng of well-wishers. That's similar to what he said in 2006 when he was first appointed to a seat on County Council after two unsuccessful attempts. At that time, he said his sole interest was county government. He would go on to serve for ten years. After a two year break, he's back. This time, after running a textbook campaign that relied heavily on social media, he stands at the forefront of a strangely united Democratic party.
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| McClure,with wife Sandy, mother and son Luke, awaits the court. |
McClure had been the supervising attorney at the Bethlehem office of the Peter Angelos law firm. His wife Sandy, son Luke and mother stood by his side as he took the oath from President Judge Stephen Baratta.
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| PJ Stephen Baratta administers oath to McClure |
McClure stated he takes office at a time when the County faces some serious issues. "We have children at risk, and we must work with all diligence to make sure that each of those children is taken care of. We have elderly folk at risk, and this is unacceptable." He spoke of these problems, as he often did about Gracedale, as a "moral obligation" being ignored in Washington.
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| Alicia Zito, Rich Yetter and Doug Schlegel take oath administered by Judge Samuel Murray |
In addition to McClure, six magisterial district judges were administered the oath of office by Judge Samuel P. Murray. They include incumbent jurists Douglas Schlegel, Richard H Yetter III, Alicia R. Zito and newly elected Nick Englesson, Alan Mege and Vivian Zumas.
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| Nick Englesson congratulated by Judge Murray. |
Finally, Judge Michael Koury administered the oath to County Council members Peg Ferraro, Ron Heckman, Lori Vargo Heffner, Bill McGee and Tara Zrinski.
President Judge Baratta congratulated everyone on their successful campaigns, but reminded them, "You are in the business of governing. And as he did four years ago, Baratta repeated Theodore Roosevelt's admonition that "[t]he object of government is the welfare of the people."
Sacred Heart's Pastor, Father Robert George, provided the invocation and benediction. Saucon Valley High School student Melina Heffner, daughter of Lori Vargo Heffner, sang the National Anthem. In addition, Northampton Community College's Calista Cavanaugh performed
God Bless America.
Immediately after this ceremony, County Council convened for its reorganization, which can often be likened to
Murder in the Cathedral. But in a quick meeting, Ken Kraft was elected Council President, Ron Heckman as Vice President and Chris Spadoni was named Council Solicitor.
"Do they have this in XXL?" asks Judge Alan Mege. I've got one piece of advice for you, Judge. Whatever you do, don't take any naps on your robe.
NorCo's Corrections Color Guard did an outstanding job.
Hanover Tp's Jay Finnigan and John Diacogiannis were acting up. Judge Baratta sentenced them to watch re-runs of Finnigan's Gaming Board meetings.
Prominent attorneys Mike Corriere, Chris Spadoni and Tony Rybak were on hand. Spadoni had his mouth open, trying to catch popcorn from Amy Trapp's machine.
Ann McHale looks beautiful, younger now than when she was in office. But she's sitting next to Coroner Zach Lysek. "I'm really here to watch you, Bernie," said the Coroner. "Do you feel alright?"
Word was the reorganization meeting was chaotic. Did you attend and how bad was it?
ReplyDeleteYou're nutz, as usual. You obviously were not there. My account is above. It was a quick, noncontroversial meeting.
ReplyDeleteNo pictures of the county council people that were there?
ReplyDeleteYes, but I was in a bad position for those and decided not to use them. I only had one good shot of two of them.
ReplyDeleteSpadoni as County Solicitor... Laughable and embarrassing compared to the expertise of Mr. Lauer
ReplyDeleteIf you call Werner's bucking the other Dems non controversial, then I guess you're right. Werner sided with the R's. He is a sore ass about something. Ask him
ReplyDeleteHoly Shit..., so much for draining the swamp. Same old players that the JB administration pushed out.
ReplyDeleteBernie last year you wrote 2 articles about Todd Weaver, any idea what Lamont may do?
ReplyDeleteMcClure made clear yesterday that he is deeply concerned about elder abuse and children who are impacted by the opioid crisis. He has written an op-ed stating that his top priority is to fill his cabinet. What I wrote about Weaver should raise red flags, but is not a top priority. Also, Weaver is a career service employee. He cannot be disciplined without thee being "just cause." I am somewhat astonished that you would think that on McClure's first day in office, he should go after Weaver.
ReplyDeletePhil Lauer is on one level and all other attorneys in NC are on another. He simply is the best un a courtroom. But Chris Spadoni is also an experienced and well-regarded litigator who actually has more knowledge about municipal government than Phil. And Council's loss is McClure's gain. I understand that Lauer will be working for Lamont.
ReplyDelete"Holy Shit..., so much for draining the swamp. Same old players "
ReplyDeleteThe people of Northampton County elected McClure. Deal with it. And Lamont did drain the swamp. He virtually cleaned house, getting rid of a toxic HR Director, a solicitor who is basically a debt collector, and administrator whose chef qualification was her tax liens, and a corrections director who was trying to establish a fiefdom and never bothered to move here.
"If you call Werner's bucking the other Dems non controversial, then I guess you're right."
ReplyDeleteWerner is an elected member of Council and has a duty to provide his best judgment, not listen to what anyone else tells him to do. I saw no evidence that Bob did anything other than be himself, and no evidence that anyone had a problem with him following his conscience. It was a brief and uneventful meeting.
" I am somewhat astonished that you would think that on McClure's first day in office, he should go after Weaver.
ReplyDeleteBernie sorry if you took it that way, I did not intend for it to sound like that. Just was curious on your thoughts about it, your articles about Mr. Weaver were very informative!
A more appropriate headline would be: Lamont McClure Begins Refilling The Swamp. Can we get some new blood, instead of the usual suspects from Central Casting? What a riot. This is going to be a very expensive four years if Lamont actually shows up for work. Taxpayers will be better served if he continues his abominable attendance record. Government inaction is a better deal than government in action. Go ahead, Lamont. Take some time off. Please.
ReplyDeleteThe above comment comes from a partisan R, who had no problem with the swamp when it was infested by Brown's people. I also find it somewhat odd that McClure's picks would be condemned before they are even announced. That seems like the kind of thing I would expect from ... the swamp.
ReplyDeleteThe facts are these. Trump is no longer popular in NC. Blue collar Dems have seen what this billionaire is like and don't like him. Statewide, and certainly in the Lehigh Valley, Democrats and Independents made their voices heard through their votes, which matter a little more than what some anonymous troll from the county GOP Committee is posting here. John Brown was a terrible Executive who alienated everyone. His toxic HR Director made things worse. Lamont McClure ran an excellent campaign, best I've ever seen. Council candidates were strong, while R candidates had a record of absenteeism and were smug and condecending.
I hate Trump and both parties. This thread is about the McClure era. Lamont is the current executive and his record speaks for itself. His attendance record, as detailed on this blog, was an insult to county taxpayers. Employees are expecting generous raises from the candidate you encouraged them to support. They'll get their raises. Fish tank beggars want their boondoggle. They'll get it. Jail proponents will get a new jail. I don't care about the last administration. They and their whole party sucked, too. Lamont is the subject and his record is an abominable taxpayer rip-off. Everyone should expect the worst. Lamont would do everyone a favor by continuing his practice of rarely showing up.
ReplyDeletethis fat fuck Bernie is still bitching about that fucking popcorn machine.
ReplyDeleteMcClure should take that popcorn machine and shove it up O’Hares ass.
DeleteLamont will wait for someone to choke on popcorn and then sue everyone he can.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I think jb was at Allentown's swearing on ceremony last night, that's why there was a check dispersed that wasn't accounted for buy Glaizer. Rumor had that it was a three way split for the shows.
ReplyDeleteDamm right complaining about that popcorn machine trying to force its dietary needs upon others. We all don't need to diet nor do we care too!
Anon 1:58, if both parties suck and you hate both Brown and McClure and both county councils suck, who should run the county? Instead of sitting on the sideline bitching why not provide a few options or run yourself.
ReplyDeletedon't think an ex-lawyer who was disbarred is allowed to run for anything of importance. at least you have a blog though bernie!
ReplyDeletehttp://bloggingdottie.blogspot.com/2009/08/ugly-truth-about-bernard-v-ohare-iii_09.html
oh, you weren't talking about bernie. whoops, nevermind
ReplyDeleteLet the shit show begin!
ReplyDeleteWell Bernie ,your catching hell . Hourseshit ,The world has bigger issues than NorCo or me and you .we need Harry S Truman Dems and there aren’t any . We need Reagan Republicans were are they ? We need to stop and have what’s best for us brought forward and stop the one up game . People that that think about themselfs and not what is good for us.The dishonorable, The people that have no ethics ,and the crocks are among us. Personally ,I would hang some of them from a bridge. But that’s why I won’t get elected to anything. You provide a valuable service . Without your blog - almost nobody in this county would know anything about county government., including the employees. So I say to your enamies they are self centered and they can’t out smart you . Otherwise , if you have a beef with what I say here - come get me !
ReplyDeleteThe grammar and misspellings in this comment are going to make my brain explode!!!! Anheurism, here I come!
DeleteI am curios about how the new county council is messing. Word is they already have some serious issues with each other, including where they sit. Not sure if this bodes well?
ReplyDeleteCan Lamutt's law firm sue the county? Or is that now a conflict of interest? There may still be a few molecules of asbestos in the courthouse.
ReplyDelete"Word is they already have some serious issues with each other, including where they sit. Not sure if this bodes well?"
ReplyDeleteThis is nonsense. I saw no srious issues and the seating arrangements were a matter of levity.
Peter, no worries. When a person is reduced to attacking me, I've won. Brown and his cronies lost the election, and now they lose the arguments. Life is good.
ReplyDeleteHey, Anonymous at 8:26pm, all these misspelling may have already given you an aneurysm, considering you don't even know how to fucking spell the word "aneurysm."
ReplyDeleteThat is precisely what happened!
DeleteAnd Bernie, life will always be good for you considering you can always hit the bottle to give you that "life is good" feeling. If beating the shit out of people was legal, you'd be looking over your shoulder constantly. You provide such a shit blog, and it's about time people start putting you in your place. Thankfully for you, people like me can insult you on this joke of a blog and of course the infamous Sharon Lerch can anonymously post praises for all the bullshit you spew on here. She's the epitome of a lowlife employee, and it's unbelievably obvious it's her posting anonymously when she's leaving comments about the former HR directors with regard to petty issues that only she would know. Blow me.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous coward, you don't put me in my place by hinting that you'd like to beat the shit out of me or suggesting that I look over my shoulder. Nor do you help your cause by smearing a county employee. You instead continue to make my case for me. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWill Mege be getting rid of the staff the court called liars in the case against Tidd?
ReplyDeleteI believe they are somewhere else. One is at 911 and the other is at another MDJ office.
ReplyDelete@10:51 -- Everything HR did was known by all employees. You better watch naming names when you don't have proof.
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteas the saying goes, "a picture tells the tail" and is proff positive. Now with all the gagetry data being save in a cloud, it can now also be said, the proof is in the print or lacks thereof.
As for watching over your shoulder, that's there tactics and designs, behind the back and in the dark, truth be told the sunlight cleanses everything not only our drinking water.
humanist by design
I say ,whatever Bernie had done in the past is not as bad as I ,He redeems himself by this contribution to the tax payers and has in my humble thoughts, helped us make decisions based on accurate information: Evan though he thinks I’m a right wing know nothing of sorts , I will defend his intentions to see better government . Personally ,I believe most of our county employees are great folks , but they ,like any more than 3 people , need leadership . Leadership is an art form . People in leadership positions have to set an example ,they set the tune and if they are appointed ,there was no limas test to their ability to lead , There must be vetting . It is stressed at the military academies we pay for . Leadership , is the forward edge of a battlefield and it’s also carrying for the the disadvantaged. My personal living hero is Lt. General Ronald Baily ,USMC retired now - a wonderful man .This man like No other I have personally known ,has been a model for personal integrity and took care of his troops . God bless America ,and may some good things happen to us here now , in Northampton County .
ReplyDeletePeter, you and I have different ideologies, but what we share in common is what Ron Angle and I share. All three of us hate bad government.
ReplyDeleteI thought McClure was naming his cabinet today. He didn’t announce much at Council.
ReplyDeleteHe did. You must have been watching John Brown's first Council meeting.
ReplyDeleteHe named some deputies. He didn't name anyone for Human Services. I don't believe I missed that when I watched it.
ReplyDeleteWill see if O'Hare writes about how we now have godless democrats that do not allow a prayer at council meetings. Are they still fighting with themselves over their seats?
ReplyDelete8:08, you did. Put the vodka down. Or maybe you were praying.
ReplyDelete