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Tuesday, January 05, 2021

NorCo Council Elects Lori Vargo-Heffner as President

Lori Vargo-Heffner
By an 8-1 margin, Northampton County Council voted for Lori-Vargo-Heffner as Council President during a 12-minute meeting yesterday afternoon.  Council member John Cuisick cast his vote for Peg Ferraro, but she said it would be "impossible" for her to serve. 

Kevin Lott nominated Vargo-Heffner "with pleasure and honor," and Kerry Myers seconded. 

Vargo-Heffner voted for herself. This technically violates the state Ethics Act because a Council President is paid more than other Council members and thus she had a financial interest. It is likely a de minimis violation because the increased salary is small.  

Council voted unanimously for Bill McGee as Council VP and for Chris Spadoni as Council Solicitor. 

Cusick suggested it's time for Council to return to in-person meetings, noting that county employees must report every day. 

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13 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 12:23 AM

    Insanity! Norco voters have been humiliated. No-class nut job as president of their governing body. Only in the Republic of Northampton, Pa.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 5:20 AM

    Cusick is a Trump virus denier. So what!

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 5:59 AM

    She is not in violation of any state law since the President's salary is set by "County Law" previous to her taking the position of President. Had she attempted to take an increase in salary during "mid-term" of her position, then she is violating the law. The salary of "President of Council" is set by ordinance well in advance of her taking the position. No violation.

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 6:50 AM

    These are your county Democrats. From Lamont on down, watch them closely. The radicals have taken over and the Ds who used to be considered measured and moderate are absolutely fine with the new party. This is how a governor, without a peep of opposition from local Ds, gets to turn Gracedale into the worst nursing home disaster in the state, and one of the worst in the entire country. Lamont and Hefner chose to silently hide while our elderly died - in large numbers. In their defense, they did prevent a swing set and sliding board holocaust by closing county parks to those wanting deadly fresh air and exercise. These are your Northampton County Democrats.

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 7:44 AM

    Sigh, predictable and so sad.

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  6. Bernie O'HareJanuary 5, 2021 at 10:16 AM

    "She is not in violation of any state law since the President's salary is set by "County Law" previous to her taking the position of President."

    You are incorrect. The state Ethics Act trumps any county law and requires that a council member abstain from voting in a matter in which she has a financial interest. Vargo-Heffner has a financial interest in voting for herself because she is voting to give herself a $500 payhike. The only exception would be in the event of a 4-4 tie. Then she would be able to vote for herself bc of what the courts call the doctrine of necessity. In our sister Lehigh County, the President (called the Chair there) never votes for himself precisely for that reason. The only reason why a complaint should not be filed is because the increase is only $500 and would likely be regarded as a de minimis violation. She should have abstained.

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 11:25 AM

    She would have only abstained, if she understood the job that she has.

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 1:30 PM

    Why did the high paid Clerk to Council asking for her vote then? Shouldn't she have know that.

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  9. Bernie O'HareJanuary 5, 2021 at 2:29 PM

    No, I do not expect her to know that nor do I consider it her role. I do expect Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni to know it, but he was probably thinking about pizza.

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 4:38 PM

    Pizza can be very distracting; even to the point of shoddy lawyering. He gets a pass on this one.

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 4:41 PM

    Norco council and the Biden group. God help us all. Can't fix stupid. Welcome to the USSA . lol

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2021 at 6:03 PM

    “...thinking about pizza.” Oh man, I laughed at that one.

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  13. Bernie O'HareJanuary 5, 2021 at 6:41 PM

    "Cusick is a Trump virus denier. So what!"

    As an R, Cusick probably does support Trump. I've seen no evidence he is a virus denier, and he has supported nearly every Covid measure.

    ReplyDelete

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