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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Elections and Schools - A Bi-Partisan Blunder

Last week, in a 5-4 bi-partisan blunder, Northampton County Council voted to impose an undue burden on elections officials and increase the cost to taxpayers of conducting an election.  To be specific, it voted to support state legislation offered by State Senator Mario Scavello and State Rep. Marcia Hahn that will require elections officials to "to avoid selecting schoolhouses as polling places."  This legislation is intended to placate parents at Butz Elementary. They are concerned that their children will be subjected to mass shooters, bad drivers and pedophiles if they are forced to go to school on election day. But in addition to failing address how to keep children safe on other school days, the bill fails to provide the one solution that will protect both children and taxpayers. That solution is to close schools on election day, or require an in-service day.

Since introduction, the Scavello bill has attracted just four sponsors. The Hahn bill has just three. Both bills are sitting in the state government committee, where they will die a natural death.

And they should.

A state law that requires election officials to avoid selecting schools imposes an unfair burden on them. In Northampton County, 25 of 153 polling places are at schools. This, the voting registrar and her deputy would be required to seek alternative locations when they should be checking machines, reviewing ballots, training poll workers and getting absentee and military ballots issued.  Being diverted from their other duties increases the likelihood of error.

In addition to the unfair burden, there is added cost. Schools and government buildings are usually rented out for nominal fees. But private entities will charge high rents because elections officials will have no choice.  I have been told that already happens at some polling places where elections officials have no choice.

The Council members who supported this resolution were Republicans Matt Dietz, John Cusick and Peg Ferraro, as well as Democrats Ron Heckman and Bill McGee.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are being overly dramatic. They voted to support the effort. You know that the state will do or not do what it wants. The county could vote to support golden lollipops with about as much success. I watched the video. The entire council told the parents they understand but the schools should solve this. This bill will never see the light of day. No harm no foul. Even McClure supported throwing the parents a bone. You are such an absolutist. Which mancrush are you protecting with this silly post.

Anonymous said...

Bernie

Your article reminded me of something I want to do. Sorry for the dumb question but I am retired now and would like to work the polls. I have always voted and now I would also like to help. Who do you contact to see if they need help? Thank you.

Bernie O'Hare said...

12:29, I am being far from"overly dramatic."I am reporting accurately what happened and why this is something no county official in his right mind should support. If you watched the video, you should note that McClure never said he supported this state law. He supported the common sense solution of closing the schools. I'd have no problem moving the polling location to the fire hall, but would never support a bad bill. That is what Council did.

Bernie O'Hare said...

12:30, call the elections office. (610) 559-3055. They are always looking for people whoare willing to work the polls.

Anonymous said...

Elections belong in public buildings, we pay for them with our taxes

Anonymous said...

This is just one example of the watering and fertilizing of emotional responses to everything. We as a society have agreed to acknowledge and validate every hair brain scheme that is based on emotion, not logic. Time for adults to inform the over emotional children that they should grow up.

Anonymous said...

Get rid of Peg!

Anonymous said...

Several times, you've noted the cost of private facilities. It would be informative to see where and what is being paid for. Although, when the county is rubber stamping $800K in specious legal fees, the increased cost is probably couch change in comparison. Peg will bow to Nazareth area parents and she'll have no problem with the fire company making a few extra bucks.

Bernie O'Hare said...

It would also be a waste of my time. I was told there is one facility that holds up the elections office bc it knows the elections office has to pay. I am concerned about what happens if the county is under a mandate to avoid schools. Human nature being what it is, more places will start charging more. Also, the county did not authorize payment of $810,000. The GPA did.

Bernie O'Hare said...

" I am concerned with Pegs vote to spend County Money To hire a Philadelphia Law Firm to sue us with our money Over something she voted for. The 80% local labor law should be followed by anybody doing work with taxpayer money in Northampton County"

She blew off the first meeting, participated in a meeting by phone and now voted to continue paying Lushis after it is very clear he has been a pig. She voted to hire a lawyer to sue the county she claims to represent, and at exorbitant rates. As for the local labor law, if Lushis felt this was unconstitutional and should be ignored, he should have made that clear to the county so it could be discussed. Frankly, I have no confidence in his legal acumen. This is a lawyer who participated in a Sunshine Act violation. This is a lawyer who improperly told LC Comm'rs that they had to vote for a TIF in Lower Macungie or it could not legally happen. That was a misrepresentation, and one repeated by Sorrentino. Another member of his firm represented the township. And another member had some involvement with the developer.

Anonymous said...

Run for the hills! All the children will be killed!!!! Everyone that comes in to vote will be a mass murderer!!

Bernie O'Hare said...

I agree the concern is silly but we all have the right to be a little overprotective when it comes to our kids. I have no problem with that and would even try to move the poll. But I would never support that bill, which is irresponsible.

Anonymous said...

Worry bout the blue hairs. Those ok grannies

Anonymous said...

The biggest risk to our children and their safety is the school buses.