It looks like Republicans will have no candidates on the Ballot in the May primary for Northampton County Council District One That region consists of Bethlehem, Hellertown, Lower Saucon and Williams Tp. Ken Kraft is running unopposed on the Democratic side. Unless someone emerges as a write-in candidate on the Republican side, Kraft will be unopposed.
Hellertown resident William Rowe did file a nomination petition on the Republican side of the ticket containing the requisite 250 signatures. He also filed his nomination petition with the required Statement of Financial Interests (SFI), but Rowe failed to file a copy with the Clerk of County Council. While this might sound like an easily corrected minor technicality, courts have ruled that the statutory requirement is mandatory and have consistently rejected nomination petitions with this error.
Last week, Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court vacated an order from Senior Judge Ed Reibman that would have allowed Hellertown resident William Rowe to be placed on the ballot as a Republican candidate despite this fatal error because challenger Steven R Topp failed to appear at the challenge hearing or execute a verification indicating he is a Republican who resides in the district. On review, the Commonwealth Court referred to a state supreme court decision stating that a challenger has standing unless there are witnesses who can claim he intends to withdraw.
After a telephonic hearing, Judge Reibman executed an order removing Rowe from the ballot.
Steven R Topp was represented by Bucks County elections lawyer Larry Otter. Rowe was represented by Bethlehem barrister Vic Scomillio
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It's good to be on the inside.
Imagine that CLERK OF COUNTY COUNCIL . Sounds funny one of Lamonts people is in the middle of this . Isn't this the woman who makes around 100 thousands a year pushing papers in the county. Oh yeah and after the raise need an assistant. I'm 100% positive if this was a democrat that missed a filing there would have been a phone call or a little brush it under the rug. No harm no foul. This county. Lamont chuck and Kenny are a little scared to run against someone.
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:55
ReplyDeleteThe Clerk of county council does not work for the County Executive. She is hired and kept by Lori Vargo Heffner and Company and is a sole employee of Northampton County Council.
P.S. many democrats/republicans have had their petitions pulled all over the state for many reasons that you wouldn't understand.
2:56, While Kraft is a McClure rubber stamp to replace the one on his way out the door, your suggestion is false. First, the Clerk's office, even if it were inclined to be to commit the criminal act you suggest, hates McClure. So that office would do nothing to help him. Second, there is internal friction within the Clerk's office that makes it likely one person would dime the other. Third, it makes no sense that someone would risk a high paying job to commit a CRIME. Fourth, I am aware of nothing that McClure has ever done that even suggests criminal activity. He is a public official so I am allowing this comment, but you are out of your mind to accuse someone with zero evidence of criminal activity.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that the NCRC wasn't able to help a solid candidate like Mr. Rowe, ensure that all the "boxes were checked". Embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, this is the candidate's responsibility, not the party. But now you can help him get on the ballot.
ReplyDeleteI disagree. The stated purpose of both the NCRC and the NCDC is to nurture candidates at the local level, who typically have minimal election experience.
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