Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
Wednesday, March 07, 2018
McClure: "We All Work for the People of Northampton County"
I was one of the first ones there. I told people that I'm hungry for good government But what I was really hungry for was free bacon. I loaded my plate with a small mountain and made my way to a table right in front, I do this so I can get good pics But no one was willing to join me. I was sitting at a table laid out for at least ten people, but except for me, it was completely empty.
"I have to compliment you on your ability to keep a table empty," said former Lehigh County Exec Tom Muller, a fellow bastard who is not hated nearly as much as I.
Let's face it, I'm as mean as cat shit.
Hotel Bethlehem Managing Partner Bruce Haines must have felt sorry and sat next to me. But even he had to leave because I kept quoting Obama speeches to him. Lovely Marta Gabriel was there and I usually bother her, but the PFAs she has taken out against me are still open. Alicia Karner was ignoring me because she was still miffed about Bangor's loss to Central Catholic the previous night and my observation that everyone in the slate belt looks just a little bit like Ron Angle.
Right before the festivities started, my table filled up. Jerry Seyfried said he was under orders to sit next to me.
Then Don Cunningham ascended the podium and said how nice it was to "see people sitting with Bernie O'Hare." He introduced McClure as a "highly energized, highly focused" Exec. From what I've seen of him over the past two months, I'm inclined to agree.
McClure, incidentally, is a cracker. Like my parents and many others who live here in the Lehigh Valley, he's originally from the coal regions. His father, with whom he was very close, was himself involved in local government his entire life. So when McClure said that county government is his "highest ambition," I believe him.
Instead of speaking formally from a prepared script or power point, McClure adopted a conversational and even friendly tone.Over the years, his formality has been the biggest knock against him. You never got a glimpse at the real Lamont McClure. But that picture is beginning to emerge, and he's likable and willing to laugh at himself.
"When your grandmother is at Gracedale, you want people who care," he observed. Before he came into office, the County's Area Agency on Aging received an "F" in a state assessment. He said that was unacceptable, noting that the elderly are among our "most vulnerable population."
He was particularly bothered that the agency had lost three files."Those aren't files, those are people who were lost,"he said.
He pointed to a child protection agency that had been hamstrung by 22 state laws enacted in the wake of the child abuse conviction of Penn State Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky. He said the office is consumed by red tape, delaying caseworkers from getting into the field. "If we don't go, nobody goes to check on that child," he warned.
So for now, his primary focus is on rebuilding morale and appropriate staffing, what he called "blocking and tackling."
His staff is working on a plan to deal with the opioid crisis. He said the biggest problem he's seen is a lack of inpatient care for young people.
McClure's address was attended by most members of County Council, DA John Morganelli, Controller Bucky Szulborski and former Executive John Brown. He also pointed to several officials from municipalities throughout the County. Judges were absent because of miscellaneous hearing court on Fridays. The event was open to the public, and at no charge. It was sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
20 comments:
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Why the hell was Brown there? Would have thought that after his disgraceful term in office he would have slithered back under a rock in Bangor.
ReplyDeleteIt was made clear to people that McClure acted in poor form towards Mr. Brown. He insulted him and tried to make him look foolish. How can you defend that? Apparently the business leaders in attendance were very concerned with too much feel good government programs and more spending.
ReplyDeleteI was there and saw McClure specifically recognize Brown.Also, unlike Brown, he made no direct attacks. He did state that morale is bad and we all know why, but stayed away from any direct attack. This is something Brown failed to do when he first assumed office. Had McClure directly attacked Brown,he'd be in bad form. But he did not.
ReplyDelete"Why the hell was Brown there?"
ReplyDeleteBrown is running for state GOP committee and I think he was looking for votes and possibly a job.
Hold on to your wallets. Elections have consequences and this is going to hurt. It’s coming ......
ReplyDeleteYup. Right out of the gate he wants to spend the fund balance and changes the regulations allowing him to do so.
ReplyDeleteIt was an excellent speech. McClure gave a taseful yet accurate and appropriate account of the current state of affairs. There were no fingers pointed or blame assigned.
ReplyDeletePublic service is about people and not just the bottom line! Democrats get it..Republicans don't and they never will. Let's get on with the task at hand.
ReplyDelete12:24 It's very clear that you did not attend the state of the county address, I didn't know that John Brown was sitting at one of the tables,, everyone that McClure introduced including John Brown receive applause.
ReplyDeleteI agree that McClure gave an excellent speech & appropriately introduced his new staff & acknowledged Brown. I do think the issue of low morale would have better been left unsaid with Brown in attendance. Part of the low morale issue relates to Brown dealing with out of control health care costs & asking employees to contribute like every private business in the county does.
ReplyDeleteMcClure ran a good race & is off to a good start with this speech & his new team. Even though I was a Brown supporter, I am optimistic that Lamont will connect with his constituents in a positive manner.
"Morale is bad"... well if your not happy where you work.... don't let the door hit you... I have yet to see anyone sentenced to work for the County. Morale was bad cause there used to be accountability and now its spend and spend some more. Interesting is the one's enjoying are the one's that don't pay taxes and do nothing but ride the freebies...
ReplyDeleteIf you don't like the "low morale" leave and get a job elsewhere its that simple. McClure will be a one timer for sure. All that hope folks had after Brown and he stireed and brought forth the bottom of the cesspool long sunken....
"Hold on to your wallets" that's a joke , right? Because that was the first thing the Republican TEA Party types did in NORCO remember? And now on the federal level they are proving they are out of control.
ReplyDeleteEveryone in the room was introduced at one point or another and it seemed like 99 % of them are on the public teat, one way or the other. Think about that. How many million dollars of public money was sitting around those tables, scoffing up that free breakfast. How many of those freeloaders ever do anything for someone without being paid? Was the GPA of Northampton County represented. They could have paid for the breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure Lamont is not working for this taxpayer. Hell, while on council he hardly worked at all, according to this blog. Guys who tell you they're working for you, usually aren't.
ReplyDeleteHe worked hard enough to beat Brown now, didn't he?
ReplyDeleteHe worked hard enough to get a council seat, too. Then, he ripped off taxpayers by not showing up, per this blog. Leopards can’t change their spots. This is widely known.
ReplyDeleteEd Pawlowski claimed to work hard for taxpayers, too. He also worked hard enough to be re-elected a kajillion times.
ReplyDeleteBernie, since the new county government is only two months old, how in the hell can all this damage being done? I watched a couple meetings online and I was impressed with the county council. Some of them seem to be very knowledgeable about the county and what it does. The last Admisntration spent money like drunk sailors on leave, the last council raised taxes. So how is this change such a terrible thing?
ReplyDeleteFollow the money in the pipeline lawsuit. If you want to watch a tax dollar feeding frenzy by lawyers, grab the popcorn. $800 was absurd. But this will pale in comparison. If you’re a hammer everything looks like a nail. If you’re a lawyer everything looks like a lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteAnyone with a pulse could've have beaten John Brown. He is off to a good start, but McClure was a lazy, arrogant, council member with a terrible attendance record- time will tell.
ReplyDelete