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| Council members Tara Zrinski and Kevin Lott at free "pre-shopping breakfast" at Kriskindlmarkt |
Under former Mayor Bob Donchez, Bethlehem enacted a sweeping gift ban ordinance that pretty much bans all city employees and elected officials from accepting gifts from anyone, regardless whether there's a financial relationship with the City. Shouldn't Northampton County, which hands out a lot more money than Bethlehem, have a gift ban policy in place as well?
Last week, ArtsQuest made a presentation to NorCo Council about its latest capital campaign. It's without a doubt a worthwhile venture, but I was a little bothered to hear Council member Tara Zrinski talk about her trips there. She's worse on her Facebook page. "Musikfest was awesome tonight! What a great view. Thank you ArtsQuest and Kassie Hilgert for hosting us," gushes Zrinski after getting the VIP treatment from the ArtsQuest CEO.
It's pretty clear that some elected officials are getting special treatment in the form of free tickets or other comps. For that reason, Northampton County Council should adopt a gift ban just like Bethlehem did.
Its failure to do so makes me wonder.
34 comments:
Proper leadership candidates should know better than to compromise themselves with , “Evan the appearance of impropriety “ Credit scores should get released,, no bankruptcies, that includes school board candidates. Remember the 7 P’s .
All governments should ban gifts. From gift cards to school teachers, I cant believe they accept gifts from parents. To shows, sporting events, wining and dining, it is all corruption. When it is used for good relations in the private sector it is business relationship building and it is their money.
In the public sector, never should it be acceptable.
it's great to hear that these people capitolize on free shit on our dime..meanwhile that useless artsquest brags about have so many volunteers.....there should be no volunteers all of those people should be paid .....you heartless bastards....
It's nice to see proof-of-life video of little Josh. Fetterman's are equally classic. He's still alive!! When a newly elected politician takes a Superbowl freebie from a non-profit as one of his first acts in office, that politician is not "off to a great start." Most normal people with a modicum of ethics would describe that politician as being the direct opposite of, "off to a great start." He came out of the starting blocks crooked. This is a horrible start and does not bode well for a guy who hid during his campaign is still hides now. This will be the least transparent gang of thieves in Harrisburg history. But I expect continued proof-of-life photos and vids from all our elected Democrats. It's the new new. You carry the water well. Good boy. Gooood boy.
ABSOLUTELY!!! GIFT BAN!!!! COMMON SENSE -- OH WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NC.
Should Northampton County Adopt a Gift Ban?
YES.
As should government at all levels. Enough.
The Banker
6:58, Given your gratuitous slam at Fetterman, which has nothing to do with this story, it's obvious you have zero interest in government and are just being a partisan. Shapiro actually is off to a great start. He eliminated the need for a college degree for many state jobs, which will open up the job pool to more candidates with more diverse backgrounds. He recognizes that our schools are underfunded, and responded to a judicial ruling to that effect as a "call to action." His budget is innovative. He proposes eliminating the cell phone tax we all pay. He wants to increase rent rebates for seniors. He wants to reduce the gas tax . He proposes a 2-% tax on wholesale sales of marijuana. He is definitely moving in the right direction if you're a low to income person like myself. But for a partisan R like you, nothing he does will be right.
Bethlehem City Council just doubled down recently. They passed an Ethics Ordinance requiring the disclosure of financial interests or receipt of campaign funds if the person that donated the campaign funds is before Council. We need more of that!
if they pay for their tickets whats the big deal, pose for pictures all you want who cares.
Yeah, I understand that, but that's not an issue. But when ArtsQuest or Wind Creek "hosts" an elected official, to use Zrinski's own word, I start to wonder. When she poses with Kassioe Hilgert and shows photos of the view and some show, I wonder more. When Kassie Hiilgert responds, "Thank YOU for all the support!" it is clear there is a conflict of interest. This actually violates a limited gift ban in the HRC. I will have more on Monday.
yes, but let's make it realistic. buying somebody breakfast at a diner is not something that should be included. Bob's was well-intended but draconian
I'll disagree. I know numerous prospective vendors who will meet public officials for breakfast and lunch. When they pick up the tab, they make that official more likely to steer business their way. I spoke with a someone today who reminded me, "There is no such thing as a free lunch." That saying should apply to breakfast, too. Bob was absolutely right.
John Stoffa's Fiscal Affairs Director was Vic Mazziotti, who later became a LC Comm'r. He'd go to lunch with vendors and when they'd offer to pay, he'd say, "That's fine, but you'll never do business with the county." That is exactly what we need.
What happened to the reference to Vargo Hefner and the State theater you wrote about?
I agree right on up to a presidential candidate. Show it or you're not on the ballot.
4:56 am: Teachers deserve every perk they get. A $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card hardly off-sets the amount of time, energy, and money today’s teacher spends on his/her students. Corruption? Hardly.
4:49, Wow! You must have read my story right after it published. I often make changes to my story within the first 15-20 minutes after publishing. If it extends much beyond that, I put "UPDATED" on my post unless I am just correcting typos or grammar.
I decided to remove the reference to LVH and State Theatre bc (1) part of what she said related to her daughter, who I did not want to drag into this story; (2) Other than her comments at a Council meeting about her daughter's participation in some kind of program, I had no evidence that LVH was getting a freebee. That is pure conjecture and I concluded I was being unfair.
In TZ's case, it's different. On Facebook, she has twice mentioned being "hosted" by ArtsQuest and thanks them, has published photos showing she is getting preferential treatment, and Kassie Hilgert responds by thanking her for her support. So I believe TZ was taking advantage of her position as an elected official to get some perks, and Kassie Hilgert is more than willing to hand them out bc there's a return on her investment.
I have sent Zrinski an email asking her to explain.
Agreed.
Bernie, probably one of the McClure groupies that have been tasked with closely following your blog and attacking any and all who oppose the Bossman.
Nobody was worse than Rendell when it came to the shady shit. Nobody. Time will tell with Josh hopefully he learned his lesson.
Who will enforce it? This sounds like one of those noble ideas that is unworkable because of the fine print. Just like you ignore some things and go after others. For example, the executive pitched giving big money for the baseball team and they got a lot of money. He went to a ceremony and was given a pig's jersey with his name in it. Does that qualify. If so, why and if not, why not.
Stop virtue signaling since you are in no position to preach to anyone.
Our schools aren't underfunded; if anything, they're overfunded. They've become vast bloated money-grubbing empires. Enough already.
Bernie, it appears there are different rules for different levels of employees in Northampton County. Human Services has had a ban on accepting any gifts (food, coffee mugs, etc) for over 30 years. I had assumed the rule applied to everyone working for the county but I guess I had assumed wrong.
1:10, that absolutely qualifies. It is why we need a hard line. How is it enforced. By people who report the violation.
@1:30
Why don’t you spend one day in a school to understand how they are underfunded.
You would last a week as a classroom teacher in any grade.
If you’re concerned about overfunded then start voting to get rid charter schools, they are a waste of public funds.
I just want to remind you folks that the topic here is a gift ban, not our schools or churches. I am rejecting any more of these off topic comments. If you'd like an independent post on these topics, write a post, sign your name and email it to me.
There is a reason Pennsylvania is one of the most corrupt states in the country. Favors are constantly exchanged for perks. This runs all the way from local to state government. Needs to stop and our representatives need to remember who elects them. ArtsQuest receives a lot of grant funding from the county.
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.
Even with a gift ban people will find a way around ethics. The gift ban must include penalties that will deter those inclined to take the freebies because they believe they deserve or have earned them. Levy a fine payable to the County (or municipality) that is equal to ten times the value of the freebie. Failure to pay the fine will result in mandatory resignation. You have 30 days to atone for accepting even the smallest bribe, sorry gift.
"I know numerous prospective vendors who will meet public officials for breakfast and lunch. When they pick up the tab, they make that official more likely to steer business their way."
If all it takes to get government business is an admittedly delicious pork roll sandwich (5 stars, follow me for more local reviews!) from Dartos, we're electing or appointing the wrong people...
11:38 - You're missing the point. It always starts somewhere. Breakfast is the gateway drug to full blown corruption.
I had the opportunity to sit down with some government employees and was expected to pick up the tab. Wasn't fun to explain why it was inappropriate for me to pay for lunch.
If your ever in that situation you might just understand. If not, you're part of the problem.
Yes ban all gifts to political officials including directed contributions to political campaigns and directed donations to politicians charities. The are simple bribery. I personally know of a political person that required $10,000 to be contributed to his charity of choice before he would commit to speaking at a chamber event. And of course the chamber ponied it up. Quid pro quo bribery under different legal definitions.
But it goes on constantly.
Enforce it by having a bounty being paid to the finder 1% of the value and then have the official who is taking illegal monies pay with an hour in jail for every $100 of illegal income. And a similar ban from any political office or organization associated with the government or and in years for every $10,000 that is illegal. And once they hit $100,000 in illegal monies it is jail time. Plus the other people involved in the money flow surrounding the political hack should be fined and go to jail along similar terms. Oh and set minimums so that things can never be plea bargained below the minimum penalty. And the people/companies making the contribution should also be held similarly accountable and penalized.
Why do you think they call it pork?🐖🤣
"If your ever in that situation you might just understand. If not, you're part of the problem."
well, ya got me there.
"Enforce it by having a bounty being paid to the finder 1% of the value and then have the official who is taking illegal monies pay with an hour in jail for every $100 of illegal income. And a similar ban from any political office or organization associated with the government or and in years for every $10,000 that is illegal. And once they hit $100,000 in illegal monies it is jail time. Plus the other people involved in the money flow surrounding the political hack should be fined and go to jail along similar terms. Oh and set minimums so that things can never be plea bargained below the minimum penalty. And the people/companies making the contribution should also be held similarly accountable and penalized."
great ideas. run for office and introduce the legislation.
of course, you'll need money to run the campaign.
why don't we discuss it over breakfast? my treat...
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