Lori Vargo-Heffner |
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.
13 comments:
Insanity! Norco voters have been humiliated. No-class nut job as president of their governing body. Only in the Republic of Northampton, Pa.
Cusick is a Trump virus denier. So what!
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.
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.
Sigh, predictable and so sad.
"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.
She would have only abstained, if she understood the job that she has.
Why did the high paid Clerk to Council asking for her vote then? Shouldn't she have know that.
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.
Pizza can be very distracting; even to the point of shoddy lawyering. He gets a pass on this one.
Norco council and the Biden group. God help us all. Can't fix stupid. Welcome to the USSA . lol
“...thinking about pizza.” Oh man, I laughed at that one.
"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.
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