As many of you know, I serve as an appointed election judge in Northampton County. Though turnout was low in the municipal primary, I was very impressed by those who voted. Many of them really make an effort to inform themselves before they cast a ballot, but they told me they had a difficult time doing so this year. Many of them no longer subscribe to a daily paper because they do a lousy job covering local government. They have stories about every time Donald Trump farts, but do a poor job telling people what is happening in their own back yard. Many appreciated the League of Women's Voter Guide, which we make available. I decided to do a voter guide of my own for November's election, and would appreciate your suggestions on what information I should seek from the candidates.
Here's what I'm thinking. For each candidate in a contested race, I will seek the following: 1) link to webpage, Facebook page and twitter account; 2) residence (not specific); 3) family; 4) educational background; 5) occupation(s); 6) criminal record; 7) judgments; and 8) responses to questions about a few issues relevant to the office being sought. I will also list the salary and benefits.
I will also prepare background information for the judicial retention races. Many complain that so little is known about judges seeking retention. I will try to inform you as best I can.
If there are local races you'd like to see covered, please list in a comment and explain why. For now, these races are a given.
Superior Court (two seats): Democrats Daniel D McCaffery and Amanda Green-Hawkins v. Republicans Christylee Peck and Megan McCarthy King
Superior Court Retention Election: Judges Anne Lazarus and Judith F Olson
Commonwealth Court Retention Election: Judges Kevin Brobson and Patricia McCullough
Northampton County Retention Election: Judges Kimberly J McFadden Michael J. Koury, Jr.and Craig A. Dally
NorCo District Attorney: Democrat Terry Houck v. Republican Tom Carroll
NorCo Controller: Democrat Tony Bassil v. Republican Hayden Phillips
NorCo Council District 2: Democrat Kerry Myers v. Republican Andrew Oliveira
NorCo Council District 3: Democrat Luke Verdes v. Republican John Cusick (inc.)
NorCo Council District 4: Democrat Dan Engle v. Republican Tom Giovanni.
Easton Mayor: Democrat Sal Panto (inc.) v. Republican Tim Reilly
Lehigh County District Attorney: Republican Jim Martin (inc.) v. Democrat Jim Moreno
Lehigh County County Controller: Republican Glenn Eckhart (inc.) v. Democrat Mark Pinsley
Lehigh County Comm'r at-large (four seats): Democrats Dan Hartzell (inc), Bob Elbich, Dave Harrington and Zakiya Smalls v. Republicans Brad Osborne (inc), Marty Nothstein (inc.), Antonio Pineda and Mathias Matt Green.
Allentown Mayor: Democrat Ray O'Connell (inc.) v. Republican Tim Ramos
Allentown City Council (three seats): Democrats Candida Affa (inc), Josh Siegel and Ce-Ce Gerlach v. Republican Joe Hoffman
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Friday, May 31, 2019
7 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
I think you have the Superior Court Republican side wrong. I believe it is Peck not Warren.
ReplyDeleteThis blog has really helped me as a new resident of the county. Sad that the job of reporting news has been neglected to such an extreme extent but I'm glad (and 100% not surprised) that the citizenry is doing a better job than even the Morning Call.
ReplyDeleteGood job Bernie!
3:26, Thanks for pointing out my error. I fixed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this. Needed and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWould some sort of a question of fiscal responsibility be out of line? i.e. How do they feel about hard hat golden shovel first scoop of dirt events or renaming a park with a new sign when the old sign still had some life left. Or simply looking for more efficient ways of running the business of government.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Carl, the questions I pose will be specific to each candidate, not general.
ReplyDeletelots of old familiar names on the bench. Time to step aside and let a younger, more in touch, generation have a shot.
ReplyDelete