Yesterday, I advised both you and all members of Northampton County Council that they failed to comply with the Sunshine Act requirement that an agenda be posted online at least 24 hours before last night's meeting. My view was that Council's violation made it impossible to take official action (vote) on anything. County Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni apparently agrees.
At the beginning of last night's meeting, he made this announcement. "It is clear that we may not take official action this evening. ... All votes will be at the first meeting in February."
Council member John Cusick apologized for the delay in matters that should have been considered last night. "We should do better next time. That's all I have to say."
County Council Clerk Linda Zembo apologized for the error, but never bothered to offer an explanation.
"Actions have been taken to correct the unfortunate thing that happened for today's meeting and we will move forth with it," said Council President Kerry Myers. "If there is anyone at fault, it stops with me because I am the President. I am the one who has to take ... I will take the hit for this because it is my responsibility as your representative to make sure things run smoothly."
No other Council members said anything. Council member Ron Heckman instead complained about the lighting.
The meeting could have ended at that point, but having a captive audience, Executive Lamont McClure took the opportunity to lobby for the 15,000th time for a voluntary health care center that would be exclusive to employees.
This time, he introduced Lycoming County Comm'r Richard Mirabito. Lycoming County started its own health center in December and is using the same outfit - Integrity Health - that McClure wants in Northampton.
Lycoming's employee health center was only established in December, but Mirabito explained how it saves money. If an employee goes to a doctor for blood work, it might cost $60. But at a hospital, it is about $600. He noted that, like the Lehigh Valley, there are two major health care systems in the Williamsport area, and they compete for the same market share. Doctors who work there must meet quotas and more than half are employees of the hospital.
An employee health center would be focused on keeping employees healthy as opposed to meeting quotas and hence would be more likely to catcha medical condition like cancer before it becomes too costly.
McClure advised Council that yet another union, Local SEIU 668, supports the proposed proposed health center. (AFSCME and Steelworkers also support the health center). Business Agent Chris Ellis calls it am "innovative way to keep the costs under control" and a "win win proposal."
This union represents human services emplyees.
In addition, McClure advised County Council that an actuarial report on an Integrity health center in Toms River shows that it saved $5.5 million last year, which is a return on investment of 1.33 to 1.
It appears that the main hurdle at this point is McClure's refusal to send out a Request for Proposals (RFP) and competitively bid the project. He has argued that no potential bidder "checks all the boxes" that Integrity does.
If that's so, just bid it already.
18 comments:
Lamont, you are simply not trusted and not liked. That's your problem. No amount of dog and pony shows will change this fact. It's you. Bid it.
Northampton is governed by a body that is too incompetent to conduct its own business. They want to be called commissioners. They should be called what they are: stupid assholes.
Easy to write an RFP that gets you what you want. Although not fair it can be done. Counties do it all the time to get around the bidding process and get who they want.
It was very hard to hear what Solicitor Spadoni was telling the Commissioners last night because he doesn't talk into his microphone. From what I can gather from the conversation, If this is a professional service that is in question, the Administrative Code gives the Executive certain rights. If issuing a contract for professional services is within those guidelines, then he can issue the contract. It appears he doesn't want to do that and wants the blessings of the Commisioners.
Ender the Admin Code, the Exec can sole source a contract if he believes it cannot be competitively bid, but Council has to agree with him. It is clear that Council disagrees with McClure's belied that Integrity, and only Integrity, is the sole source that can provide this service. Spending months in argument over it is pointless. Just compromise and bid it out. It would take two months at most. Better to wait two months than the six months that have already gone by.
"It was very hard to hear what Solicitor Spadoni was telling the Commissioners last night because he doesn't talk into his microphone. From what I can gather from the conversation, "
This refusal to use the microphone is insulting and has been pointed out many times by this blog. I am far more bothered by people who we elect sit there and refuse to use the mike. The chief offenders are Zrinski and Heckman. When you point it out, they get indignant.
"Easy to write an RFP that gets you what you want. Although not fair it can be done. Counties do it all the time to get around the bidding process and get who they want."
And this is why McClure has been hesitant to seek bids. He knows that Council members like Goffredo and Myers, who keep moving the goal posts, will claim the bid was rigged. I would just bid it out and let them moan. I believe that wins over Zrinski, Lott, Heckman and Cusick. Brown and Goffredo are hard Nos. Myers will support it now bc he is being primaried. Heffner is conflicted so I don't give a shit about her vote. Giovanni has voted No, but might change if this was bid.
What a hot mess!
Oh, my evil LVH Center doc is trying to meet her quota rather than keep me healthy and catch an illness like cancer early on. Wait till I see her and tell her how bad a doctor she has been for me. Ridiculous!
"Easy to write an RFP that gets you what you want."
I heard of a guy who supposedly did that. It didn't work out so well for him...
Am I living in another universe? It being "easy to write an RFP to get you what you want" is a reason McClure should not be requesting an RFP on a rather large contract? This turns into "Council members like Goffredo and Myers...keep moving the goal posts?" It is truly unbelievable that there is any resistance to seeking an RFP for this project. The backlash against Council for suggesting the RFP actually makes me more suspicious of the provider McClure chose. Allowing the person in charge to unilaterally award these contracts without and RFP is exactly how Allentown found itself in such hot water. If McClure wants to craft the RFP in a way so that his preferred provider wins, the public would be aware because there would be an opportunity to review and debate it before its awarded. That's how "good government" is supposed to work. The health center is a good idea, bus so is transparency.
I have rejected a comment that contradicts my assertion that Council members frequently refuse to use their mikes. I have noted this problem for several years. It has nothing to do with McClure. This person just hates seeing Heckman, who nominated Kerry Myers for President, criticized.
Another McClure owned union boss wants the center. Big surprise. I am sure they write the script as they are instructed. Since they see it as another free perk for employees and they won't have to deal with it if it goes bust, of course they want it. Their letters are more humorous than serious. McClure's handling of this entire episode smacks of Putin's handling of the Ukraine war. McClure and Putin have, much in common as They both rule like thugs. Of course employees don't trust him or Chucky, both bullies.
Our Third Rock
Those that can do, those that can't blog
The problem is that you can't. You were unable to vote on a single item on Thursday bc of your own incompetence. You installed a demagogue as President bc you exalted partisanship over good government, and this is the mess you created. Instead of apologizing, one of you actually has the gall to complain about the lighting. You're reduced to taking anonymous shots at a blogger.
"Oh, my evil LVH Center doc is trying to meet her quota rather than keep me healthy and catch an illness like cancer early on. Wait till I see her and tell her how bad a doctor she has been for me. Ridiculous!"
You can laugh and I am no expert, but our health care system leaves much to be desired. It is both costly and broken. That's just the way it is.
Just curious. I have the impression that you know this is one of the council members? If the post is anonymous, how do you know for sure?
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