Last month's meeting of Northampton County Council's governance committee was a doozy. Council member Ron Heckman acted as though he is Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni. And Spadoni acted as though he was Ron Heckman. Heckman chimed on on the law. Spadoni initiated a policy discussion on a government study commission, which is the nuclear option for any home rule government. neither knoew what he was talking about.
Wannabe Solicitor Heckman incorrectly told Council member Tara Zrinski that any violation of a proposed gift ban by a Council member could result in removal. Real Solicitor Spadoni was worse. He correctly advised Council that recommendations of a government study commission must go directly to the people. Then 30 seconds later, he reversed himself and incorrectly said County Council could pick and choose what to send to voters. It was one of the worst meetings I've ever witnessed among many bad meetings of that august institution.
True, it lacked the drams of the near fistfight that once occurred between former Council members Ron Angle and Charles Dertinger. It lacked the panache of Administrator Jim Hickey, who could tell Angle and even a common pleas judge to go f--- himself during breaks in meetings. What made it one of the worst meetings of County Council that I ever witnessed was the complete confusion displayed by Council members and Solicitor alike. Much of this was the result of Chairman Lori Vargo Heffner's desire to cover too many serious topics in one meeting. The rest of it was the result of the distracting and misinformed verbosity displayed by Heckman. mostly in complaint about Executive Lamont McClure's gift ban ordinance.
Vargo-Heffner kicked things off by complaining she needed a pay study progress report and wanted to ask questions she had every opportunity to ask when the vendor appeared, in person, to explain what was happening.
From there it went to Lamont McClure's proposed gift ban, which Heckman really despises because it might interfere with him getting free ice cream. After that, Council member John Cusick proposed a change in the way vacancies are filled among elected officials. There was practically no discussion at all on the subject of term limits for all elected officials save the DA, yet that appeared the very next day as a proposed ordinance. Finally they discussed whether the Sheriff should be elected, which requires a government study commission. Spadoni said he'd need to research that question, although it'sbeen answered several times over the past few years.
Northampton County Council's governance committee is set to meet again today. After all the confusion last month, you'd think they'd trim the agenda to a few items that deserve thorough discussion. Nope. Once again, we're going to have a discussion of the proposed gift ban, term limits for all elected officials save the DA, a home rule charter study and whether the Sheriff should be elected or appointed.
These are all important topics. They each deserve their own separate meeting.
Vargo-Heffner likes to accuse Executive McClure of being in a rush to do things. Her ambitious agenda makes clear that she's pushing a lot of issues simultaneously. Why?
11 comments:
She's running....for idiot.
She'll win.
Lori’s going to ruin County government.
Vargo is like a child playing with matches.
This Council will be remembered as the dumbest to have ever served.
Heckman needs to put a stop to all this foolishness now.
This all just because Brownstain and Vargo-Heffner know they can’t beat McClure at the polls.
Someone should invite Jerry Seyfried to the meeting. No one knows the charter better and the needed changes.
"Vargo is like a child playing with matches."
This is a fair criticism. I would liken her to Pandora. Every single one of these issues is very important and needs a great del of discussion, but when you jam them al together as she now has done yet, there's a serious risk that bad things might happen. A return to commissioners with elected row officers would be a return to the middle ages, yet that's a very good possibility in this current climate. Can a governmental home rule study commission be limited in scope? That's a legal question and should be researched before there are any major moves. I agree the home rule charter needs an overhaul, but many people mistakenly believe that we should just give up and return to commissioners. That would be a step back. it would be a return to petty fiefdoms in row offices, which would all be politicized. It would be a landing spot for political hacks. It would primarily benefit the Democratic party, something mist Rs haven't taken the time to think through. When the HRC was originally proposed, it was bitterly opposed by the county Dem party precisely bc it would lead to elimination of elected coroner, elected register of wills, etc, etc. Rooney supported the new HRC and it's likely that played a major role in him losing his seat.
I support a government study commission, but one that is limited in scope. Whether that is even possible requires research.
On the issue of an elected sheriff, I prefer an appointed sheriff bc I think it's more professional. This would require a governmental study commission, and if one can be elected that is limited in scope, I'd be willing to let the people decide despite my personal feelings. I don't believe the public should ever weigh in on fiscal matters or more complicated questions that require a lot of homework. That's why they elect officials who are supposed to do that homework. But the question whether we should elect or appoint a sheriff is straightforward. We are different from most counties in that regard. I think we have it right, but I'd give the people the final say.
On the question of term limits, I've already noted that the position of Exec is being treated differently from other elected offices and the position of DA is not even listed. I would think that if any office should be term limited, it is the DA. It might be a constitutional office, but it is expressly made subject to the HRC.
The need for a gift ban is obvious. It's optics. All of Heckman's objections were nonsense. It is needed bc the current gift ban contradicts the HRC, contrary to what Heckman and Brown asserted. It goes beyond the Ethics Act, contrary to what Heckman asserted. Under the proposed ordinance, Heckman could still get a dip of ice cream. It applies to the Exec branch, which has the greatest potential of forming incestuous relations with vendors.
None of the Council members in office, with the sole exception of Cusick, really understands the Charter. If they want a better understanding, they should read it and the Admin Code once a year. They should also invite input from former Council members who do understand the Charter. This would include Jerry Seyfried. Whether they like it or not, it also includes Lamont McClure. I would add Barron to that roster bc he spent a lot of time reading through all the hearings of the governmental study commission.
The reason we have 19 amendments to the charter, and it includes silly things like changing the names of Council members to Commissioners, is because Council members never think things through. This council is among the worst at failing to look at the big picture.
Free Bud Light for Heckman and Spadoni !
Very good points Bernie. I totally agree going back to elected row offices is a step backwards for sure!
Bernie, they all are actors in the great Allentown hospital carnival circus sideshowZ.
That is what that republican redd meme person would write.
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