NorCo's Father of Open Space Honored

Although he's about 150 years old, Gerald E "Jerry" Seyfried has done a lot for the citizens of Northampton County. A steelworker who never spent a day in college, he's smarter and more knowledgeable than most Ph.D.s. He served as a member of Northampton County's Council. He has been its Executive, and left the county with a healthy surplus.  He has even worked as a cabinet officer. He was one of the first Council members named after Home Rule was adopted. He was instrumental in drafting the Administrative Code and Career Service Regulations. Simply put, he knows more about Northampton County government and its home rule form of government than anyone, with the possible exception of retired Clerk Frank Flisser. But what most people don't know about this blue collar machinist is that he is also Northampton County's "father of open space." Executive Lamont McClure made that pronouncement yesterday at a well-attended ceremony at Minsi Lake. Over 80 people traveled to the northern tip of the county, in beautiful Mount Bethel Tp, to honor Jerry by naming the Bear Swamp Park and Archery Complex in his honor. 

Superior Court PJ Jack Panella with Jerry 

Jerry has been an avid archer, hunter and fisherman his entire life. Like most outdoorsmen, he developed an appreciation for the outdoors and wildlife long before it was the woke thing to do. Like Mark Twain, who said "they aren't making any more of it," he understood the importance of preserving our land. He preserved the first farm in Northampton County. As Executive, he started an ambitious parks program that Executive McClure has enthusiastically embraced as well. 

Now it took me about 45 minutes to make the trip from Nazareth to Minsi Lake on a Sunday morning. Most of the many people there traveled longer distances than I. They included the President Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Jack Panella. Judge Panella knows Jerry well because he served as his Solicitor. In addition to Judge Panella, yesterday's ceremony was attended by Judges Steve Baratta, Sam Murray and Jennifer Sletvold. Retired Judge Lenny Zito was there as well. 

Executive Lamont McClure served as master of ceremonies, but the person he wanted people to hear from was Parks Superintendent Bryan Cope, whom he said is a lot like Jerry. Cope has been tireless in his development of the Northampton County Parks system, especially at Minsi Lake. Cope described the 1,200-acre Minsi Lake greenway, which includes the 117-acre Minsi Lake. He noted there are plans to extend the trails throughout the area and eventually connect it with the Delaware River. He thanked Jerry for his "futuristic plans."

If you've never been to Minsi, it's worth a trip. It's located in Upper Mount Bethel Township, which has been relatively untouched by the explosion of development happening everywhere else. It is easily the most picturesque municipality in the county. It reminds me of what the rest of the county looked like 40 years ago.

While I was there, I did some walking around the lake, including an elevated wooden walkway that goes on for nearly a mile. It even included a bird blind where you can sit at near water level and watch birds without spooking them. 

In addition to a wide assortment of judges, yesterday's ceremony included a torrent of current and former elected officials from both parties. They included Council President Lori Vargo Heffner. "I just can't say enough about you," she told Jerry. 

"You don't go through life taking, you gotta' give something back," said Jerry.  He wasn't patting himself on the back, but was instead thanking all the people who have helped make Northampton County "just a little bit better of a place to live." 

He also thanked his wife Julie, who he said spent many uncomplaining years as his secretary, bookkeeper and sounding board.  He indicated her birthday is fast approaching, and that she's somewhere between 41 and 45. 

Yesterday's ceremony was attended by many people who served with Jerry: former Exec Glenn Reibman, former Council member Greg Zebrowski, former DA Don Corriere, First Ass't County Solicitor Mike Corriere, DA Terry Houck, First Deputy DA Richard Huntington Pepper, County Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni, Controller Bucky Szulborski, and Council members Ron Heckman and Kevin Lott. 

Baptismal site for Frank Flisser

This might be expected from fellow Democrats. But whatever his personal beliefs, Jerry took a nonpartisan view when it came to county government. He recognized people for themselves, not their party. So it was refreshing to see a number of prominent Republicans at yesterday's event as well. They included none other than the Northampton County Bulldog himself, Ron Angle. He was accompanied by his beautiful wife Sharon, who is one of the nicest persons I've ever met. Council member Tom Giovanni was kind enough to come, and so were former Council President Peg Ferraro and former Controller John Schimel. 

At a time when Democrats and Republicans are at each other's throats and there are rumblings of civil war, this was a reminder that we're all pretty much the same, no matter how hard partisans may try to divide us. 

Speaking of nonpartisan, former Council Clerk Frank Flisser and his wife Mary Beth were there as well. He was able to serve Council for decades without regard to party. Jerry often said that the best vote he ever made was to confirm Frank as Council Clerk in 1978.  It was Frank's birthday yesterday. I offered to baptize him in Minsi Lake. He told me to wait for him and he'd be along. 

I'm still waiting.