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| Tara Zrinski wants those plastic eggs recycled. |
Cusick's original proposal included raises for the next Executive ($85,000 to $95,000) and Council ($9,500 to $10,500), too. But at a committee meeting, Ken Kraft said it would make more sense to propose a Charter amendment so that voters could weigh in and wither approve or reject the raise. He also said raises should be tied to the Consumer Price Index so that the salaries go up automatically and never have to be revisited.
"It's a political football," he said. "No matter what you do, it's a no-win situation."
Kraft had suggested that the matter be tabled tonight, but Cusick amended his original payraise proposal so that it applies only to the Controller. The current $65,000 salary is too low to attract a good candidate. "When we went out for the position, we had three people respond," he observed.
Heckman said he was voting No "as a matter of conscience." He failed to explain what ethical principle made this demand, unless political expediency has suddenly grown a backbone. Vargo Heffner voted No and explained more honestly that she has only been in office a few months and doesn't want people to get the impression that the first thing she's doing is giving elected officials a raise. McGee had said he thought the voters should decide.
Less controversial was a Home Rule Charter Amendment, also proposed by John Cusick, that will change the current Charter to read that the "Controller shall devote fulltimeto the office ... ." Cusick explained that the Charter change would allow the Controller to pursue part-time activities like refereeing football or teaching, so long as here is no interference with the full-time position. This measure passed unanimously and the voters will decide.
Council also voted unanimously to approve a number of new positions. The most important of these is a new pretrial services officer who will interview criminal defendants before bail is set and make recommendations to the Magisterial District Judge. Currently, 28 defendants charged with low level offenses are sitting in NorCo's jail, at $106 a day, because they are unable to post bail. This has already cost the county $91,000.
In other business, Council voted unanimously to approve a tax incentive known as a LERTA to help improve blighted property in Upper Mount Bethel Township. Under a LERTA, a property owner will continue paying taxes, but any improvements made to the property are gradually phased in over a period of ten years.
Former State Rep. Rich Grucela spoke in support of the LERTA. "It will really help us in the slate belt to provide some jobs," he said.
Council also considered two matters related to the PennEast pipeline. They voted unanimously to support the a request that the Delaware Rover Basin Commission exercise its jurisdiction over the pipeline to prevent a degradation of water quality inthe Delaware Basin. But Peg Farraro voted No to a resolution seeking a new hearing on federal approval of the pipeline. Ken Kraft and Bill McGee, both of whom are trade union agents, abstained.
They also voted unanimously to give deputy sheriffs $800 for the annual Easter Egg hunt at Louise Moore Park on March 24 at noon. Before voting Yes, Tara Zrinski wanted to make sure that he plastic eggs were either biodegradable or recycled. Fortunately, they are.
Council also voted unanimously to approve Lamont McClure's appointments and re-appointments to several boards.
Children, Youth and Families Advisory Board: Angela Scott Ferencin (Bethlehem), Susan Grassi (Easton) and Frank Pologruto (Bethlehem).
Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board: Janette Zuk (Easton)
Housing Authority: Christopher Gulotta (Easton)
Industrial Development Authority: Thomas O'Donnell (Nazareth)
LANTA: Cordelia Miller (Bethlehem) and Kevin Lynn (Bethlehem)
LVPC: Malissa Davis (Bethlehem Tp), John Diacogiannis (Hanover Tp) and Kevin Lott (Hellertown)
Mental Health Advisory Board: Frank Pologruto (Bethlehem)
Revenue Appeals Board: Thomas Carocci (Bethlehem)
20 comments:
Enough already. Stop all this pay increasing.
WHAT ABOUT THE EMPLOYEES!!!!!!! THE BACKBONE OF THE COURTHOUSE.
Bernie can they explain how almost all of the LERTA is owned by the large power company formerly MetEd? How are farm fields and woodlands now "blighted" property. Total BS and nonsense!! They shived the executive and council on This one. Over 800 acres of farmland is blighted? Go see the map Please
Council needs to tread very carefully. Northampton County should not be put in a position to voice an opinion one way or another on any topic other than what is in the best interest of itself and the citizens of Northampton County. It is not the function of county government to promote or pursue any activist causes.
Why sneak through the controller? Is someone helping someone? Last minute change to their plans but the controller goers through? BS!
If they worked in private business they would be unemployed. No raise for any county staff. Just the attitude and the way they treat taxpayers when you go to the courthouse.
We taxpayers s are struggling to keep up and you people give yourselves and your friends raises. That is wrong.
With or without raises there are always people running for these things. The idea that these clowns claim money is needed for "qualified" people is friends helping friends. What qualifications do they need. I looked up controller and it basically comes down to a breathing person.
"We taxpayers s are struggling to keep up and you people give yourselves and your friends raises. That is wrong."
What's wrong is refusing to pay people what they are worth, which leads to political hacks.
" not the function of county government to promote or pursue any activist causes"
Well, I think there are times when Council should speak out on important issues. But the PennEast Pipeline is extremely complicated and Council really has no reason to demand a rehearing by FERC.
My grandson's team lost a close one last night. But it's over. Time to move on.
The pipeline brings jobs. It is none of the county's business. Focus!
So basically the person they wanted to take the job said “nope, not for that pay.” Now that raises are being discussed, it’s “pay people what they’re worth?” That wouldn’t be the case if wasn’t your cronies.
The pipeline brings jobs. It is none of the county's business. Focus!
It doesn't bring long-term employment and if it runs through the County they have every right to support it or oppose it. They represent residents of the County, including the dolts who think a pipeline will lower unemployment.
They do have every right to support or oppose it. They have every right to make asses out of themselves, too. Just bc you can do something, does not mean you should. It is silly to demand a rehearing. I could see FERC commissioners now, cowering under their desks, saying "Northampton County Council wants a rehearing!" And the pipeline jobs are not just the construction jobs but the jobs all throughout the fracking sites. Those are all Pa jobs, and in economically depressed areas. The natural gas being produced keeps our own gasoline prices down. I could see County government taking an interest in their own preserved farms, especially when they are named as Defendants. I could see them trying to get as much money as they can from PennEast. I couldsee them supporting the Basin Comm'n. But demanding a rehearing? No.
"So basically the person they wanted to take the job ..."
The reality is that three people applied for this job. The pay is too low for the responsibility of the position. It is probably too low at $75k, too. That is why Cusick wants to change the Charter to allow the Controller to supplement his or her income.
Politicos helping each other. It was a BS move. I am disappointed in the new county council. First order of business give everyone a raise.
,Tara needs the $ to cut her hair every month ! 😘
Just bc you can do something, does not mean you should. It is silly to demand a rehearing.
Bernie,
One of us doesn't understand the Resolution. Maybe it is me, but having just watched the video, I'm sure it is you.
What I heard from the video was the County Council supporting the Delaware River Keepers Network which is trying to protect the Delaware Water Basin with minimal impact from the pipeline.
County Council is NOT "demanding" a rehearing. They are supporting the Delaware River Keepers Network's desire for a rehearing, because of the lack of documentation.
8:29, There were two resolutions. The first of these exhorts the Del River Basin Comm'n to get involved, and I have no problem with that one. I would want to ensure that the quality of water remains the same. The second resolution is the one that demands a rehearing on a FERC approval that has already been granted. So it is you.
Stop the Eco-terror. Stop the madness.
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