NorCo Home Rule Charter Bans Gifts, But Admin Code Allows Them

Believe it or not, there are times when good government and good politics coincide. This would be so if Northampton County Council adopted a gift ban. One is needed badly. 

Some of us, like the late NorCo Executive John Stoffa had a deep sense of personal integrity. He once refused a bag of pretzels from someone who wanted money from the County. He refused to accept a parking spot set aside for the Executive, choosing instead to trudge up the hill to the courthouse until his hip gave out. In Bethlehem, former City Council Clerk Cindy Biedenkopf refused a gift of tickets to some event she wanted to see, choosing instead to write out a check. Vic Mazziotti would tell NorCo vendors who wanted to buy him lunch that they could, but they would never do business in the County. NorCo Administrator Charles Dertinger refuses offers of Phantoms' tickets, choosing instead to buy them on Stubhub.  Some people in government do the right thing without others having to tell them. But there are also those who have their hands out, grabbing tickets to shows and games. It's been going on as long as there's been government.

Back in 2011, I tagged then Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and State Rep. Jenn Mann for a trip to The Super Bowl. The day after that game, over 30 members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly were absent. Pennsylvania politicians were by no means the only persons who were getting face value tickets so they could avoid having to report a gift. It happens everywhere, in all levels of government. 

Does this means these politicians have sold out? No. But it certainly looks that way. It's bad optics. Common Cause's Jay Keck then noted, "The real problem in my mind is one of perception. ... Public officials get preferential treatment by being offered these tickets ahead of the rest of the public. ... It creates real cynicism on the part of a lot of citizens about public officials and, frankly, I think public officials, to their detriment, accept things like this and don't think twice about the effect it's going to have on public morale."

That perception exists locally. In a post about yet another handout to ArtsQuest, I wondered whether elected officials get preferential treatment. A reader responded, "Of course elected officials receive tickets to premium ArtsQuest events. They are not always received directly from ArtsQuest, however. Blue Cross, LVHN and other organizations often purchase them in bulk and distribute them to elected officials and other dignitaries. At Musikfest this year, I encourage everyone to take a closer look at the VIP section of every headliner event. You are likely to recognize some of the faces." 

In another story advocating a gift ban in Northampton County, a retired government worker had this insight: "Having worked in local government I can say that the amount of people accepting gifts is staggering. Tickets to sporting events (a big one), lunches, dinners, other gratuities were all something that I politely declined. We shouldn't need a gift ban to know the difference between right and wrong. Unfortunately there is no shortage of people willing to take something for free when offered. This includes both elected officials and appointed staff members."

One example of this is Northampton County Council member Tara Zrinski, who is now running for Controller. On her public official Facebook page (in which has blocked me), she has twice thanked ArtsQuest for "hosting" her. On August 10, she published a Facebook post that includes pictures of her with ArtsQuest CEO Kassie Hilgert and at a concert. "Musikfest was awesome tonight," she effuses.  "What a great view. Thank you ArtsQuest and Kassie Hilgert for hosting us."

Hilgert responds, "Thank YOU for all of the support!"

Since Zrinski is a reliable Yes vote to ArtsQuest requests for county funding, this is very poor optics. As I understand, VIP tickets at Musikfest can be expensive. I have no problem with Hilgert doing what she needs to do to secure funding, but have a big problem with Zrinski for certainly creating the impression that she's for sale. 

Not a good look for someone who'd like to be the Controller. 

To be fair, I emailed Zrinski (at two different email addresses) on Friday to ask her for an explanation. I also asked her whether she accepts free meals and tickets to different events. 

As of last night, no response. 

Her silence is amazing, especially from someone who pledged "accountability" as Controller. 

Like Bethlehem, Northampton County really needs a gift ban ordinance. 

There is a gift bam  in the County Constitution, our Home Rule Charter. "No elected official, officer or employee shall receive benefit from the profits or emoluments of any contract, job, work or service for the County or accept anything of value, upon terms for favorable than those granted to the public generally, from any person dealing with the County.  No elected official, officer or employee shall solicit or receive anything of value from anyone dealing with the County. This subsection shall not be construed to prevent elected officials, officers or employees from accepting group discounts, group insurance or other economic advantages offered to all elected officials, officers and  employees."

It bans elected officials from receiving anything of value from anyone dealing with the County. 

But get this. The Administrative Code, in violation of the Home Rule Charter, actually allows officials to be wined, dined and accept SuperBowl tickets.  This deviation from our county constitution is illegal and needs to be addressed. 

This is both good government and good politics.