Thanks to Executive Lamont McClure and Board Chair Jay Finnigan, the two entities came up with a solution that will warm the hearts of every municipality in Northampton County. All save Bethlehem.will be receiving a check for $31,440, to be used for human services, infrastructure improvements, facilities, emergency services, public health or public safety. Some money has also been set aside to cover administrative expenses. Bethlehem is getting no grant because it will be receiving 20% of the slots revenue as well as an annual $250,000 over the next 20 years for an existing arts community that could only be The Banana Factory.
At a special meeting on April 17, the Gaming Board met for the last time to award these grants. Once those are complete, the Board will officially dissolve
"It was a solution that all parties were happy with, and we can move forward with that process," reported Executive Lamont McClure. He also complimented the Board. "The administration of these gaming grants has been extraordinarily difficult," he noted. The Gaming Law forced Board members to give priority to communities impacted by gambling and contiguous to the casino, but never explained how to determine impact. "They did as good a job they could do under very difficult circumstances because the way the law was written, it made the job very, very difficult."
McClure expressed his appreciation. "I want to thank all of the people who have served honorably, given of their time, made no money on that authority through the years, including this most recent group of authority members. I thank them on behalf of Northampton County for their service."
Several Council members echoed McClure.
"They did a heckuva' job, and for no pay," observed Council President Ken Kraft. ."The work you've done will be far better than what we are likely to see out of the Commonwealth Financing Agency," added John Cusick.
On behalf of the Gaming Board, Jay Finnigan returned the compliment. "I want to thank the Executive for working with us and achieving an amicable solution," he said. "I believe it serves the need of the County Executive, County Council, as well as the various municipalities." He also thanked the County for letting him serve through three different administrations.
"It's been an honor," he said, adding he'd be willing to serve again.
And then he and McClure kissed.
OK. I made that part up.
Other members of this Board are Joe Kelly (Bethlehem), Thomas Nolan (Bethlehem Tp), Gerald Yob (Freemansburg), Dave Heintzelman (Hellertown), Donna Louder (Lower Saucon), Tony Pristash (Northampton), John Dally (Pen Argyl) and James Pennington (Lower Nazareth). Karen Collis is the Executive Director.
7 comments:
The real winners are all the municipalities.
They are.
It is appalling that the executive is trying to take credit. The deal, is exactly what the chairman suggested in an email over weeks ago. Great job by the authority.
Disagree, it was county councils threat of shutting them down that led to this. We finally have officials with balls!
If you think 37 municipal governments are intimidated by a new council that still is feeling its way around, you are nutz.
They were poised to vote the end of the gaming authority and you know it. The municipalities did not intimidate them as you dream. In fact the eminent vote was no doubt the reason this so-called "great" solution came about.
They could have voted to end it but likely have no authority to do so on their own. Try reading the law from time to time. There was no provision that provided that remaining funds revert to the county. The legislation was silent on that issue. So I believe Council would be unsuccessful in court. Finnigan and McClure acted reasonably and in the best interest of the taxpayers. You are just being a bully.
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