McClure Deserves "A" After First Year

In Lamont McClure's first County Council race, he once called a news conference at the courthouse to signal his support for then Executive Glenn Reibman's $111 million bond. During his remarks, he ripped into me because I and four others had sued to stop it. After he finished, I introduced myself. McClure would go on to lose that race and his second race, too. He would eventually get appointed. The very first thing he did was commit a Sunshine Act violation, followed by a threat to sue me for libel when I pointed it out. He and I hardly started out on the right foot. But the very same person I once called "McMud" has been excellent during his first year in office. I give him an "A," and am far from alone. Here's why

(1) He has held the line on a tax hike, something he said he'll avoid completely in his first term.
(2) His first budget is a true balanced budget that only spends the revenue generated,and without dipping into cash reserves.
(3) He eliminated a number of positions he felt were unnecessary.
(4) All along, he has said our core responsibility is to help those unable to help themselves. To that end, he has beefed up Human Services so that it is more responsive to the abuse and neglect that victimizes some of our children, elderly and mentally ill.
(5) He took on a runaway General Purpose Authority (GPA) and won;
(6) He stopped the bleeding of county money for the GPA attorney and Chair;
(7) He has been transparent, advising both Council and the public what the county is doing through frequent news releases. He is accessible, readily available to employees with concerns;
(8) He beefed up the staff at the jail to reduce the mandated overtime for corrections officers, which forces them to work tired and miss holidays with their families.
(9) He revised the procurement provisions of the Administrative Code, which have in the past led to multiple lawsuits. This was discussed for years, but never done.
(10) He returned the administration of Gracedale to the county. The third-party administrator cost the county about $400,000 per year;
(11) He successfully negotiated six union contracts;
(12) Though personally opposed to the P3 bridge project for the repair or replacement of nearly 30 county-owned bridges, he is committed to seeing the project reach a successful conclusion.
(13) When the Meadows Bridge failed in Lower Saucon, he successfully lobbied the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and PennDOT to fast-track a replacement.
(14) He has resurrected the county's commitment to open space, fully funding farmland preservation, environmentally sensitive land and municipal parks.
(15) He has partnered with Easton to create more affordable housing;
(16) He has partnered with the Slate Belt to spur community development and pride.
(17) He is demolishing the Milides building to double the parking area across the street from the courthouse, as well as establishing a safe crosswalk.
(18) After over five years, he finally had emergency generators installed at Gracedale.
(19) He is purchasing the Centralized Human Services Building, but in a way that leverages $800,000 per year in state funds.
(20) After decades of talk, he is building a forensic center.
(21) He persuaded the Retirement Board to award a COLA.
(22) He revamped the county's medical care in a way that encourages health savings accounts, which he is willing to help fund. 

All of this is in one year, and I am sure I missed some achievements. Some employees have been critical because he has failed thus far to address salaries. Give him time. His record in one year exceeds what most Executives accomplish in four.

Later this week, I'll give you my assessment of County Council.